A negatively charged toner composition comprised of resin, colorants comprised of color dyes or pigment particles, optional surface additives, and an aluminum charge enhancing additive obtained from the reaction of aluminum ions with either four molar equivalents of an orthohydroxyphenol and a base, or two molar equivalents, each of an orthohydroxyphenol and a phenol, and a base.

The invention is generally directed to toner and developer compositions, and more specifically, the present invention is directed to developer and toner compositions containing charge enhancing additives, which impart or assist in imparting a negative charge to the toner particles, and enable toners with rapid triboelectric charging characteristics, and excellent admix characteristics. In embodiments, there are provided in accordance with the present invention toner compositions comprised of toner resins, color pigment particles or dyes, and certain aluminum complex charge enhancing additives. In embodiments of the present invention, the charge additives are anionic aluminum complexes comprised of an anion of a central aluminum atom bonded to four ligands, and a counter cation of a proton, an alkaline metal ion, ammonium ion, or the like. In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the anion of the aluminum complex charge enhancing additive contains four identical ligands derived preferably from ortho-hydroxyphenols. The charge enhancing aluminum complexes of the present invention can generally be prepared by treating a mixture of an aqueous aluminum ion solution and two molar equivalents of an ortho-hydroxyphenol with two molar equivalents of a base, such as potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, or an amine, followed by reacting the resulting intermediate with two molar equivalents of a phenol and a base. For the aluminum charge enhancing complexes with four identical ligands derived from ortho-hydroxyphenols, the synthesis involves simple treatment of an aqueous aluminum ion solution and four molar equivalents of ortho-hydroxyphenol with four molar equivalents of an appropriate base. The aforementioned charge additives in embodiments of the present invention enable, for example, toners with rapid triboelectric charging characteristics, extended developer life, stable triboelectrical properties irrespective of changes in environmental conditions, and high image print quality with substantially no background deposits. Also, the aforementioned toner compositions usually contain a colorant component comprised of, for example, carbon black, magnetites, or mixtures thereof, pigment particles like color pigments or dyes with cyan, magenta, yellow, blue, green, red, brown, or mixtures thereof thereby providing for the development and generation of black and/or colored images. The toner and developer compositions of the present invention can be selected for electrophotographic, especially xerographic, imaging and printing processes, including color processes.
Toners with negative charge additives are known, reference for example U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,411,974 and 4,206,064, the disclosures of which are totally incorporated herein by reference. The '974 patent discloses negatively charged toner compositions comprised of resins, pigment particles, and as a charge enhancing additive ortho-halophenyl carboxylic acids. Similarly, there are disclosed in the '064 patent toner compositions with chromium, cobalt, and nickel complexes of salicylic acid as negative charge enhancing additives. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,845,003, there are illustrated negatively charged toners with certain aluminum salt charge additives. More specifically, this patent discloses as charge additives aluminum complexes comprised of two or three hydroxybenzoic acid ligands bonded to a central aluminum ion. While these charge additives may have the capability of imparting negative triboelectric charge to toner particles, they are generally not as efficient in promoting the rate of triboelectric charging of toner particles. A fast rate of triboelectric charging is particularly important for high speed xerographic machines since, for example, these machines consume toner rapidly, and fresh toner has to be constantly added. The added uncharged toners, therefore, must charge up to their equilibruim triboelectric charge level rapidly to ensure no interruption in the xerographic imaging or printing operation. Another disadvantage of these charge additives is their thermal instability, that is they often break down during the thermal extrusion process of the toner manufacturing cycle. Additionally, the hydroxybenzoic acid ligands, particularly 3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylic acid, are expensive precursors for these additives. Most or many of these and other disadvantages are eliminated, or substantially eliminated with the metal complex charge additives of the present invention.
Developer compositions with charge enhancing additives, which impart a positive charge to the toner particles, are also well known. Thus, for example, there is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,893,935 the use of quaternary ammonium salts as charge control agents for electrostatic toner compositions; U.S. Pat. No. 4,221,856 which discloses electrophotographic toners containing resin compatible quaternary ammonium compounds in which at least two R radicals are hydrocarbons having from 8 to about 22 carbon atoms, and each other R is a hydrogen or hydrocarbon radical with from 1 to about 8 carbon atoms, and A is an anion, for example sulfate, sulfonate, nitrate, borate, chlorate, and the halogens such as iodide, chloride and bromide, reference the Abstract of the Disclosure and column 3; a similar teaching is presented in U.S. Pat. No. 4,312,933 which is a division of U.S. Pat. No. 4,291,111; similar teachings are presented in U.S. Pat. No. 4,291,112 wherein A is an anion including, for example, sulfate, sulfonate, nitrate, borate, chlorate, and the halogens; U.S. Pat. No. 4,338,390, the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference, discloses developer compositions containing as charge enhancing additives organic sulfate and sulfonates, which additives can impart a positive charge to the toner composition; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,298,672, the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference, discloses positively charged toner compositions with resins and pigment particles, and as charge enhancing additives alkyl pyridinium compounds.
Illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,275,900 are toner compositions comprised of polymer resins, colorants comprised of color pigment particles or dye molecules, and certain metal complex charge additives derived from the reaction of a mixture of a hydroxybenzoic acid and a base with a metal ion in the presence of an excess of a hydroxyphenol. More specifically, this patent illustrates a negatively charged toner composition comprised of polymer, colorant, optional surface additives, and a metal complex charge enhancing additive of the following formula ##STR1## where M is a metal; N+ is a cation; R and R' are alkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, halogen, carbonyl, amino, nitro, or mixtures thereof; m and n are the number of R substituents ranging from 0 to 3; y- is the magnitude of the negative charge of the anion; and y' represents the number of cations.
Illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,300,387 is a negatively charged toner composition comprised of a polymer or polymers, pigment, and a metal complex charge enhancing additive as essentially represented by the following formula ##STR2## where M is the central metal ion; N+ is the counter cation; R and R' are selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, halogen, carbonyl group, alkoxycarbonyl group, amino group, nitro group or mixtures thereof; m and n are the number of R substituents on the aromatic rings, ranging from 0 to 3; y- is the magnitude of the negative charge of the anion or the number of the counter cations of the metal complex, and represents the number 1 or 2; and y' represents the number of counter cations N+.
In another U.S. Pat. No. 5,238,768, toner compositions containing novel bis(hydroxyaryl) sulfone charge enhancing additives are disclosed.
Also, there is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,250,380 a negatively charged toner composition comprised of resin, pigment, and an aluminum charge enhancing additive of the following formula ##STR3##
U.S. Pat. No. 5,250,379 a negatively charged toner composition comprised of resin, pigment, and an aluminum charge enhancing additive of the following formula ##STR4## and copending application U.S. Ser. No. 964,544 a toner composition comprised of a polymer or polymers, pigment particles and/or dyes, optional surface additives, and a charge enhancing additive of the following formula ##STR5## wherein R is hydrogen, alkyl, or aryl; R' and R" are selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkoxy, aryl, and aryloxy; R'" is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkoxy, oxide, and halide; M is boron or a metal; x is a number of from 1 to 4; and y is a number of from 0 to 2.
The disclosures of each of the copending applications are totally incorporated herein by reference.
Although many charge enhancing additives are known, there continues to be a need for charge enhancing additives which when selected for toners, render toners with many of the advantages illustrated herein. There is also a need for negative charge enhancing additives which are useful for incorporation into black and colored toner compositions which can be utilized for developing positive electrostatic latent images. Moreover, there is a need for colored toner compositions containing charge enhancing additives which do not interfere with the color quality of the colorants present in the toners. Another need relates to the provision of toner compositions with certain charge enhancing additives, which toners in embodiments thereof possess substantially stable triboelectric charge levels, and display acceptable rates of triboelectric charging characteristics. Furthermore, there is also a need for toner compositions with certain charge enhancing additives which possess excellent dispersibility characteristics in toner resins, and can, therefore, form stable dispersions in toner compositions. There is also a need for negatively charged black and colored toner compositions that are useful for incorporation into various imaging processes, inclusive of color xerography, as illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,078,929, the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference; laser printers; and additionally a need for toner compositions useful in imaging apparatuses having incorporated therein layered photoresponsive imaging members, such as the members illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,265,990, the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference. Also, there is a need for negatively charged toner compositions which have desirable triboelectric charge levels of, for example, from between about -10 to about -40 microcoulombs per gram, and triboelectric charging rates of less than about 120 seconds, and preferably less than 60 seconds, such as 30 seconds or less as measured by standard charge spectrograph methods when the toners are frictionally charged against suitable carrier particles via conventional roll milling techniques. There is also a need for nontoxic, substantially nontoxic, or environmentally compatible charge enhancing additives which when selected at effective concentrations of, for example, less than 7 weight percent, preferably less than 4 weight percent, render the resulting toners environmentally acceptable. An additional need resides in the provision of simple and cost-effective preparative processes for the charge enhancing additives of the present invention. The concentrations of the charge additives that can be present generally range from about 0.05 weight percent to about 5 weight percent, depending on whether the charge additive is utilized as a surface additive or as a dispersion in the bulk of the toner. The effective concentrations of toner in the developer, that is toner and carrier particles, are, for example, from about 0.5 to about 5 weight percent, and preferably from about 1 to about 3 weight percent.

Toner compositions with aluminum negative charge enhancing additives


A driving circuit for an active-matrix liquid-crystal display short-circuits at least two of the signal lines in the matrix at times of transitions of signal-line potentials in the matrix. Charge stored in the parasitic capacitances of the signal lines is thereby recycled from one signal line to another, reducing the current consumption of the driving circuit. When alternating-current driving is employed, current consumption can also be reduced by reducing the frequency with which signal lines are driven from one side of a center potential to the other side.

The present invention relates to a circuit and method for driving a liquid-crystal display, such as an active-matrix display employing thin-film transistors.
Active-matrix liquid-crystal displays or LCDs are widely employed in, for example, portable computers, where they provide the advantages of high-speed response and reduced crosstalk. In a typical active-matrix LCD, for each of the three primary colors, each picture element or pixel has a thin-film transistor (TFT) that is switched on and off by a signal received from a gate line, and a liquid-crystal capacitor that charges or discharges through a source line when the TFT is switched on. The source and gate lines form a matrix in which the gate lines are activated one at a time, and the source lines carry signals representing the displayed intensities of the picture elements. In the alternate-current or AC driving system that is usually employed with active-matrix LCDs, adjacent liquid-crystal capacitors are charged in opposite directions centered around a common potential. A more detailed description of the active-matrix circuit configuration and AC driving scheme will be given later.
In the AC driving scheme, as successive gate lines are activated, the voltage of each source line must swing alternately above and below the common potential. The voltage swings on the source lines are thereby doubled, as compared with direct-current driving. A resulting problem is that the time needed to charge the parasitic capacitances of the source lines is increased, current consumption is similarly increased, and large source-line driving circuits are needed. The large charging and discharging currents furthermore generate electrical noise.
Although the gate lines are not driven in an AC manner, they also have parasitic capacitances that must be charged and discharged. The charging and discharging of the gate lines similarly takes time, consumes current, generates noise, and requires large driving circuits.

Liquid-crystal display driving circuit and method


The objective of the present invention is to provide a type of probe assembly with a long lifetime and low cost, as well as a type of probe card using same. Probe assembly 100 attached on the probe card has probe holder 200 that holds plural probes Q at prescribed positions and leaf spring mechanism 300 with probe holder 200 attached on it. Said leaf spring mechanism 300 has leaf spring cover 360 connected to probe card base plate 410 and leaf spring 330, as well as pin row base plate 310 with probe holder 200 attached on it. When the bump electrodes are contacted, pin row base plate 310 can move towards leaf spring cover 360 via leaf spring 330.

Probe cards have been used for testing semiconductor integrated circuits formed on wafers on the wafer level. As described in Japanese Kokai Patent Application No. 2006-041333, a probe card has plural vertical probe pins and MLC/MLO or other base plates for multilayer relays.
FIG. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a cantilever-type probe card in the prior art. As shown in the figure, the probe card has probe card base plate 10 and resin 14 with which plural probes 12 are attached on the probe card. Said resin 14 is fixed on probe card base plate 10. The probes fixed by a resin or the like form a so-called pin row, and plural pin rows may be set to form a two-dimensional configuration. Usually, 1-3 pin rows are set. FIG. 17(a) is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a 3-row pin configuration. It includes first row of probes 12-1, second row of probes 12-2, and third row of probes 12-3.
In the prior art, in order to lower the electrical resistance between the probes and bump electrodes, the probes are overdriven so that the tip portions of the probes slide on the bump electrodes to remove the natural oxide film or other resistance components on the surface of the bump electrodes, and guarantee a sufficient contact area. As shown in FIG. 17(a), for the cantilever-type probes, the probes are first positioned with respect to bump electrodes 18 of wafer 16. Then, as shown in FIG. 17(b), probes 12-1, 12-2, 12-3 of the 3-row pins are overdriven, that is, they are further pressed from the state when they are in contact with bump electrodes 18.
FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating the state of displacement of the probes when said cantilever-type probes are overdriven. The overdriven probes have their tips displaced around supporting point 20. In the figure, δ represents the overdrive distance (deflection), F represents the pin pressure (contact pressure), Sc represents the scrub distance (sliding distance), D represents the diameter of the wire (diameter of the probe pin), L represents the free end length (installing length), l represents the tip length, and θ represents the incident angle (attaching angle).
Assume that the probes are made of ReW; the pin diameter is 200 μm; the beam length is 3,500 μm; the tip diameter is 80 μm; and the overdrive is 60 μm. Table 1 lists the relationships among the length from the bending portion of each row to the tip (tip length), pin pressure F, and sliding distance Sc.
TABLE 1Tip lengthPin pressure FSliding distance ScFirst row250 μm5.6 g12.4 μmSecond row450 μm5.6 g18.0 μmThird row650 μm5.8 g23.2 μm
Here, one should note the sliding distance Sc of each row when the overdrive is applied. Because different rows have different tip lengths of the probes, different rows have significantly different values of distance Sc.
When the contact object is a bonding pad, gold bump, lead solder bump or other material with relatively low hardness, even if pin pressure F of the probe is not very high, the contact resistance still can be effectively suppressed. However, for a lead-free bump electrode or other contact object with high hardness, a high pin pressure F is required. When overdrive is applied such that prescribed pin pressure F is met for all of the probes, as explained above, because different rows have different values of sliding distance Sc, for certain probes (such as those of the third row), the sliding distance Sc may become excessive. Because sliding distance Sc becomes a probe trace on the bump electrode, a probe trace over the tolerable range leads to deterioration of the bump electrode, and deterioration in the appearance of the bump electrode. Also, depending on the probe, when sliding distance Sc increases, the quantity of metal cut off by the tip of the probe increases, the quantity of debris of the bump deposited on the tip of the probe increases, and the cleaning frequency of the probe increases. As a result, the lifetime of the probe decreases. As a result, it is necessary to ensure that the difference in the sliding distance between different rows is small.
As one scheme to address the aforementioned problem, the probe may be made of BeCu (beryllium copper) with a relatively low hardness so as to reduce the difference in the sliding distance, that is, probe trace, between different rows. However, in this method, the probes themselves wear out, so that the lifetime of the probes decreases, and this is undesirable.
As another scheme to address the aforementioned problem, a vertical-type probe card represented by the cobra-type shown in FIG. 19(a) and FIG. 19(b) may be used. For a cobra-type vertical probe card, the end portions of probes 30 are fixed by resin 32 and the probe tips are aligned. When the probe tips are brought in contact with metal bump 18, as shown in FIG. 19(b), as overdrive is applied, bending portion 34 of each of probes 30 elastically deforms. Because the various probes have the same shape, even when the probes are overdriven, the pin pressure and sliding distance are the same for the various probes. As a result, it is possible to suppress the probe traces on bump electrodes 18 to within a prescribed range.
Consequently, with a cobra-type vertical probe card, the problem associated with a cantilever-type probe card probing a bump electrode made of a lead-free material is not present. However, when a device with a low number of probes (such as about 54 pins) is manufactured, as noted in Table 2, compared with the cantilever-type, the initial cost of a cobra-type vertical probe card is very high. As a result, a cobra-type vertical probe card is inappropriate for small-quantity multi-type manufacturing.
TABLE 2Cantilever-typeVertical typeCleaning frequency20100[Contact/Clean]Lifetime of probe4503500[K Contact]Initial cost3401000[¥1,000]Operating cost1100370[¥]


A spark chamber for an optical emission analyser, comprising: a gas inlet located on a first side of the spark chamber for supplying a gas into the spark chamber; and a gas outlet located on a second side of the spark chamber arranged to convey the gas from the spark chamber; wherein an elongated electrode having an electrode axis generally along the direction of elongation is located within the spark chamber; and wherein: the first and second sides of the spark chamber lie at either side of the elongated electrode in directions generally perpendicular to the electrode axis; there is a gas flow axis through the spark chamber between the gas inlet and the gas outlet; and on passing along the gas flow axis from the gas inlet to the gas outlet the unobstructed internal cross sectional area of the spark chamber perpendicular to the gas flow axis remains constant to within a factor A, wherein A lies between 1.0 and 2.0

Spark optical emission spectrometry is a well known technique used to analyse solid samples. Optical emission spectrometry may be conducted with either a spark or arc for example. For convenience, as used herein, the term spark optical emission spectrometry means any optical emission spectrometry employing an electrical discharge to excite the sample such as a spark or arc for example, and the term spark chamber means a chamber for conducting any electrical discharge. A solid sample is typically mounted onto the table of a spark stand, also known as Petrey's stand. The spark stand further comprises a spark chamber, within which is an electrode oriented to present a tapered end towards the sample surface. The table of the spark stand has an aperture in the spark chamber wall over which the sample is mounted, usually with an air-tight seal. The electrode is surrounded by an insulator except for its tapered end. A sequence of electrical discharges is initiated between the electrode and the sample, in which the sample acts as a counter electrode. The insulator promotes discharge to the sample rather than the chamber wall. Sample material local to the discharges is vaporised and a proportion of the vaporised atomic material is raised to excited states. On relaxing, the atomic material emits photons, the energies of which are characteristic of the elements in the material. Spectroscopic analysis of the emitted photons enables the composition of the sample material to be deduced. The spectroscopic analysis is conducted using an optical analyser which usually utilises a dispersive means such as a grating to disperse light spatially according to its wavelength. A detector, such as an array detector for example, is used to measure the quantity of light as a function of the degree of dispersion. Hence, a proportion of the light emitted during the discharges is transmitted from the spark chamber to the analyser for spectroscopic analysis.
To obtain information about a wide range of elements within samples, the instrument must be capable of transmitting photons below 190 nm from the spark stand to the detector, as some elements emit photons in the ultraviolet (UV) wavelength range when relaxing to a lower energy state. To avoid absorption of these UV photons by air and to avoid wavelength shifts associated with changes in the refractive index of gases (which changes with the pressure of the gas and the gas composition), the sample material is excited in the presence of an inert gas, typically argon, which is fed into the spark chamber at least during the time when the sequence of spark discharges is initiated. The presence of an inert gas also prevents oxidation of the sample surface.
The electrical discharges cause material to be ablated from the sample surface and some of this material is not in atomised form. Some much larger aggregates or particles of material are removed from the sample surface which are useless for the spectroscopic process, and are referred to as debris. This debris, along with the vaporised atomic material is liberated from the sample surface at each electrical discharge. To prevent cross contamination or so-called memory effects, preferably all the ablated material from one sample should be removed from the spark chamber before analysis of the next sample to eliminate any re-deposition of material from a preceding sample onto the next sample, and to prevent any such material from being present in the path of the electrical discharges. The argon gas which bathes the sample and the discharge path is utilised to sweep ablated materials including debris from the spark chamber in a continuous or semi-continuous process. Argon gas is typically arranged to flow into the spark chamber through at least one gas inlet and out of the spark chamber through at least one separate gas outlet, the flow of gas sweeping debris and vaporised material from the chamber. The gas flow is arranged to be present during the time when the sequence of electrical discharge is initiated. The gas flow may also be present during the time between sequences of electrical discharges. It is important to avoid debris and vaporised sample material from depositing on the surfaces of adjacent optics, which would impair the transfer of photons from the sample region to the optically dispersing element of the spectrometer. Should this occur, the spectrometer would have to be shut down whilst the optics were cleaned. In some spark chambers the gas is introduced along a tube leading from the spark chamber to the spectrometer optics, with the gas flow directed away from the optics in order to reduce the likelihood that material will pass from the spark chamber and be deposited upon the surfaces of the optics.
For analysis of the nitrogen content of a sample, outgassing of residual nitrogen from material at the internal surfaces of the walls of the spark chamber has been found to cause instability of the recorded nitrogen signal, and inaccuracy of the measured result with a high background nitrogen signal recorded after insertion of a new sample. Performing sequences of electrical discharges promotes the outgassing of nitrogen by heating and irradiating the material on the chamber walls with UV radiation. Several sequences of electrical discharges must be made on a sample before this residual nitrogen reduces sufficiently and this is undesirable for high throughput instruments in which precise and reliable nitrogen analysis is desired from the first run. The presence of a flow of argon gas reduces the time for the residual nitrogen to reduce.
Hence the argon gas is utilised for several purposes. However, argon and other inert gases are expensive and contribute to the running costs of the spectrometer and it is desirable that the lowest possible flow of inert gas is used which will be adequate for the purposes described above.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,815,995 describes a form of gas injection which is coaxial with the pin-like electrode used in the discharge process. This means of gas injection was designed to reduce the spread in positions over the sample surface over which repeated electrical discharges take place. However this prior art method suffers from poor evacuation of debris from the spark chamber.
CN 1796983A and CN 2769882Y describe a spark chamber comprising two gas inlets, each arranged to provide a gas flow adjacent the internal wall of the spark chamber. This promotes a circular flow of gas within the chamber. This arrangement suffers from the disadvantage that the cyclone-type gas flow generated carries particulate material towards the chamber walls, where it accumulates, rather than sweeping it from the chamber.
JP10160674A2 describes four gas inlets which direct gas in an inward radial direction towards the pin electrode. The symmetrical disposition of the gas inlets promotes a more stable electrical discharge, but again evacuation of debris is not efficiently accomplished.
EP00398462B1 describes the use of pulses of purge gas through the spark chamber to more efficiently remove debris in between the electrical discharges. However this method may promote after-pulsing of residual gas flow which could carry particulate debris towards the collection optics, and thereby contaminate them.
In view of the above, the present invention has been made.

Spark chamber for optical emission analysis

THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC (ECUBLENS) SARL


A weather radar antenna for radiating a desired beam formed by feeding quadrants of the antenna uses a dual-mode switched aperture antenna feed. The dual-mode switched antenna feed has an input divider that splits the input signal. A left switch switches the split input signal using a left first diode and a left second diode to top left and bottom right quadrants of the antenna. A right switch switches the split input signal using a right first diode and a right second diode to top right and bottom left quadrants of the antenna. The diodes are forward and reverse biased as required to feed top, bottom, left and right portions of the antenna to obtain the desired beam. When all the diodes are reversed biased the split signal is fed to all quadrants of the antenna.

This invention relates to antennas, weather radar antennas, and specifically to dual-mode switched aperture array antenna.
A weather radar antenna typically comprises a two dimensional array of radiating elements such as linear waveguides as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,198,828 incorporated herein by reference. A typical weather radar antenna provides a pencil or sum beam that is scanned either by physically rotating the antenna or by using phased array techniques known in the art. To form the antenna beam, the entire antenna is fed with a radar signal.
Multi-mode weather radars are being developed and utilized for such applications as obstacle detection, non-operative collision avoidance, controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) avoidance, and terrain imaging and mapping at weather radar frequencies. These multi-mode weather radars require increased resolution to detect obstacles and for imaging. A typical 28-inch diameter weather radar antenna has a 3.5xc2x0 physical 3-dB beam width. Targets cannot be differentiated within the 3-dB beam width. Beam sharpening of the normal weather radar antenna beam is required to further increase resolution for obstade detection.
A military APG-241 radar has been developed that utilizes sub-beam width ground mapping using multi-channel algorithms. This radar is a multi-channel xcexa3/xcex94 monopulse radar. Extensive use of microwave hardware is utilized to develop the needed beam width of the antenna that has resulted in an expensive solution for commercial applications.
An effective beam sharpening factor of seven in one dimension has been previously demonstrated on a previous NASA Task 14 radar contract (contract number NAS1-19704). However an antenna feed network utilized in this approach provided excessive Insertion loss that severely limited the radar range at which beam sharpening was accomplished for single axis sharpening. The Task 14 approach is impractical for two-axis sharpening.
Increased resolution of a weather radar system for obstacle detection has been realized by a switched aperture algorithm. The switched aperture algorithm is a hybrid of sequential lobing and phased-based monopulse. Sub-beam width target features manifest themselves as changes in phase after Doppler shifts are processed out of the radar returns. Using the switched aperture algorithm, a factor of seven effective beam width reduction has been demonstrated under the NASA Task 14 contract previously mentioned. In order to demonstrate the switched aperture algorithm, an implementation under the NASA contract used commercial of the shelf (COTS) single pole double throw (SPDT) X-band microwave switches. The proof-of-concept demo was for a single axis implementation. Using the COTS switches resulted in marginal range of the radar due to sever insertion losses. The COTS switches also had power handling concerns. Implementation of a two-axis switched aperture is not practical using COTS switches due to insertion losses.
What is needed is a high performance, low-loss, dual-mode, simple and practical antenna feed switching network design for a switched aperture beam sharpening algorithm that also may be used as a sum beam for conventional weather detection.
An antenna having a dual-mode switched aperture antenna feed for feeding an input signal to selected portions of the antenna to form a desired beam is disclosed. The antenna feed comprises an input divider for receiving the input signal and splitting the input signal. A left switch receives the split input signal and switches the split input signal to selected portions of the antenna. The left switch further comprises a left first diode and a left second diode for switching the split input signal. A right switch receives the split input signal and switches the split input signal to selected portions of the antenna. The right switch further comprises a right first diode and a right second diode for switching the split input signal.
In the left switch when the first diode is reversed biased and the second diode is forwarded biased the left switch is a waveguide elbow from an input port to a first output port and the signal is applied to a first portion the antenna. When the first diode is forward biased and the second diode is reverse biased the left switch is a waveguide elbow from the input port to a second output port and the signal is applied to a second portion of the antenna.
In the right switch when the right first diode is reversed biased and the right second diode is forwarded biased the right switch is a waveguide elbow from an input port to first output port and the signal is applied to a third portion of the antenna. When the right second diode is reversed biased and right first diode is forwarded biased the right switch is a waveguide elbow from the input port to a second output port and the signal is applied to a fourth portion of the antenna.
A desired beam of the antenna is formed by feeding the split input signal to a top portion of the antenna by reverse biasing the left first diode and forward biasing the left second diode to feed the split input signal to a top left (TL) quadrant of the antenna and by forward biasing the right first diode and reverse biasing the right second diode to feed the split input signal to a top right (TR) quadrant of the antenna.
A desired beam of the antenna is formed by feeding the split input signal to a bottom portion of the antenna by forward biasing the left first diode and reverse biasing the left second diode to feed the split input signal to a bottom right (BR) quadrant of the antenna and by reverse biasing the right first diode and forward biasing the right second diode to feed the split input signal to a bottom left (BL) quadrant of the antenna.
A desired beam of the antenna is formed by feeding the split input signal to a left portion of the antenna by reverse biasing the left first diode and forward biasing the left second diode to feed the split input signal to a TL quadrant of the antenna and by reverse biasing the right first diode and forward biasing the right second diode to feed the split input signal to the BL quadrant of the antenna.
A desired beam of the antenna is formed by feeding the split input signal to a right portion of the antenna by forward biasing the left first diode and reverse biasing the left second diode to feed the split input signal to the BR quadrant of the antenna and by forward biasing the right first diode and reverse biasing the right second diode to feed the split input signal to the TR quadrant of the antenna.
A desired beam of the antenna is formed by feeding all portions of the antenna by reverse biasing the left first diode, the left second diode, the right first diode, and the right second diode to feed the split signals to the TL, TR, BL, and BR quadrants of said antenna.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a high-performance dual-mode simple and practical antenna feed switching network design for a switched aperture beam sharpening algorithm that also may be used as a sum beam for conventional weather detection.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a two-axis switching network with reduced losses.
It is an advantage of the present invention to provide a dual-mode antenna feed switching network that uses low-cost waveguide components.
It is an advantage of the present invention to provide a switching network that is lighter than previous networks.
It is a feature of the present invention to provide a dual-mode switched aperture antenna for aircraft applications that can be used for weather radar, collision avoidance, object mapping and imaging purposes.
It is a feature of the present invention to provide a dual-mode switched aperture antenna for next generation multimode weather radar system applications.

Dual-mode switched aperture/weather radar antenna array feed


Devices, systems, and methods are disclosed for tracking financial transactions at their source, generating transaction records, categorizing and storing the records, and providing services related to the records. Transactions performed between a mobile device and a point-of-sale may automatically generate transaction records including electronic receipts that may be categorized and stored on a database. More traditional transactions such as those involving cash, paper receipts, etc. may be captured via a scanner on the mobile device for inclusion within a transaction record and subsequent categorization and storage. Notifications such as alerts, offers, and recommendations may be provided in real-time or close-in-time to the transaction being performed, thereby enabling services such as budgeting, inventory management, rewards, offers, etc.

1. Field of the Subject Disclosure
The subject disclosure relates to generating and categorizing transaction records. More specifically, the subject disclosure relates to generating a transaction record of a commercial transaction conducted by a user, transmitting the transaction record to a server, and categorizing the transaction record for subsequently providing related services to the user.
2. Background of the Subject Disclosure
Personal finance is a painstaking endeavor for almost anyone except professional accountants. A tremendous amount of energy and resources are dedicated towards tracking financial transactions, including expenses such as purchases, etc., for reasons such as budget management. Tracking expenses may be performed by saving physical receipts generated at a point-of-sale, then manually compiling the information from the physical receipts. However, amassing large numbers of physical receipts and processing them at specific intervals (monthly, etc.) is an inefficient process. Even as the information age progresses and increasing numbers of users perform financial transactions electronically, there is still no convenient mechanism for managing such transactions. Moreover, there are limited means presently available for seamlessly sharing transaction information, whether historical or in real-time, with other entities such as friends, service-providers like accountants, merchants, etc.

Generating and categorizing transaction records


Techniques are provided for improved fault isolation and fault reduction. A system for use with a data network includes multiple diagnostic units each adapted to communicate with the network including to a network user. A central controller is operatively connected to the diagnostic units, the controller being adapted to communicate with and coordinate operations of the diagnostic units, to instruct the diagnostic units to perform tests adapted to help isolate a network fault, and to analyze test results received from a diagnostic unit to attempt to determine the network fault. Various methods for improving fault isolation and fault reduction are also provided.

The invention relates to networks such as communication and data networks and more particularly to isolating faults in such networks.
Communication and data networks are rapidly growing in use and complexity. For example, the number of persons using the Internet to transmit and receive data grows on a daily basis. Also, the persons using the Internet are using it more as more websites are added, and as users become comfortable using more services available on-line such as buying goods, instead of just accessing information. The addition of sources of information and services, such as the ever-increasing number of websites, increases the complexity of the Internet. As the use and complexity of networks increases, so does the number of problems experienced by users.
Network service providers want to reduce the impact of network problems on the users, and the cost of network problems to the service providers. Reducing the impact of problems, such as down-time and inability to access the network or particular information or services in the network, increases the users' desire to use a particular network service provider. Ideally, users never want to have problems with the network. Preferably, they want problems to occur infrequently, and when problems do occur, the users want to have the problem corrected quickly. Reducing the cost to the service provider allows the provider to increase profits and/or services to the users. Costs to the network service providers can be reduced in at least three ways: (1) reducing the cost of isolating a problem, (2) reducing the frequency of the problem, and (3) reducing the cost to correct the problem.
One current technique for isolating problems with communication networks is to have the user call a troubleshooting help line. The user calls the help line and describes the user's problem, e.g., what operations the user is unable to perform and what error messages, if any, the user is receiving. A receptionist or technician analyzes the information provided by the user. The receptionist can tell the user what the problem is for problems not requiring tests to diagnose. If diagnosing the problem requires testing, then the technician performs any needed tests on the network. The technician may have to coordinate with other persons, including the user, to perform the needed tests. The technician relays to the user any action that the user needs to take to correct the problem, and/or any information as to what the problem is and how long it will take to correct the problem, either by the user or by the network service provider.
Another technique for isolating network problems involves monitoring information transmitted through the network and analyzing this information. Typically, a central computer collects the information and presents it to a technician in an understandable format. By analyzing the information, problems with the network can be isolated. This technique, however, typically requires complex techniques for collecting, and/or filtering, and/or presenting the data collected. Also, it may be very difficult to isolate many problems using this technique.


Systems and methods are provided for communicating on a cellular telecommunications network. A system includes a receiver interface configured to receive an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) signal that includes transmitted data encoded according to a particular coding matrix. A processing unit is configured to receive the OFDM signal, where the processing unit is configured to decode data from the OFDM signal by solving a matrix optimization. A computer-readable memory is configured to store the decoded data.

Error detection and correction techniques enable reliable delivery of digital data over unreliable communication channels. Many communication channels are subject to channel noise and other interference. Thus, errors may be introduced during transmission from a source to a receiver. Error detection techniques allow detecting such errors, while error correction enables reconstruction of the original data.
The description above is presented as a general overview of related art in this field and should not be construed as an admission that any of the information it contains constitutes prior art against the present patent application.

Method and apparatus for OFDM encoding and decoding


The disclosure is directed to a connection manager that includes a dialer configured to interact with a modem to provide a connection to a service provider. The connection manager includes a graphical user interface and an advice window. The graphical user interface is configured to manipulate parameters associated with the connection. The graphical user interface includes a form component. The advice window is responsive to user actions associated with the form component.

As the Internet and online services become ubiquitous, larger numbers of people subscribe to online access points or Internet service providers. One method for accessing the Internet is the dial-up connection using a modem coupled to a computer. Dial-up connections are often managed by software dialers that direct a modem to dial appropriate phone numbers and establish connections with an Internet service provider. Problems arise in that many different users, having varying computer skill levels, set up and manage the dialing program with varying degrees of effectiveness.
One problem arises in entering login information and access data for use by the dialer. Errors in login IDs, user IDs, passwords, e-mail addresses and other similar data leads to connection errors that both waste system resources and frustrate users.
Another problem arises when system parameters and dialer settings are incorrect, incompatible, or have other errors such that an effective connection is not made. These problems also lead to wasted resources and frustrated users. In addition, such problems result in expensive technical service usage. Providing technical service personnel and systems can be a very large expense for a network or Internet service provider.
A further problem arises in selecting access points. Many Internet service providers offer multiple phone numbers for dial-up access. Ineffective selection of phone numbers often leads to many failed connection attempts due to busy signals caused by excess usage of one phone number and under-utilization of another. In addition, large Internet service providers (ISP) may use third party access points on a contract basis for use during peak usage periods. Over-utilization of these contracted access points and under-utilization of the ISP-owned access points may lead to excessive costs associated with providing Internet service. Therefore, an improved system and method for managing dial-up connections would be desirable.

Connection manager and methods of connection management


A self lubricating replacement bearing assembly for supporting a rotating axle shaft within an axle housing containing axle lubricant. The rotating axle shaft includes an annular worn portion and an annular unworn portion. The bearing assembly is comprised of an annular sleeve member positioned in sealing engagement with the axle housing, and a plurality of bearing elements radially positioned on the inside annular surface of the annular sleeve member and positioned to engage the unworn portion or the axle shaft, and a single lip seal member fitted to the inner annular surface of the sleeve member and engageable with the rotating shaft to seal the rotating shaft within the axle housing and to retain the axle lubricant within the bearing assembly.

The present invention relates to a novel bearing assembly for use as a replacement bearing for worn shafts and, particularly, worn axle shafts.
Bearing assemblies are utilized for supporting rotatable shafts within a shaft housing. Extended usage and rotation of the shaft within the shaft housing and bearing assembly oftentimes results in the shaft becoming worn where the shaft is contacted and maintained within the bearing assembly. Thus, the radial clearance between the shaft and the bearing assembly becomes excessive thereby resulting in the inoperability of the bearing axle assembly.
When the radial clearance between the worn axle shaft and bearing structure becomes excessive, the entire shaft and bearing assembly must be replaced with a new axle shaft and bearing assembly at substantial cost. Such replacement is expensive and time consuming and results in substantial down time of the vehicle in which the assembly is a component thereof.
It has also been suggested that the worn axle shaft may be rebuilt by depositing metal on the worn portion and then reworking and machining the axle shaft to the proper and correct dimension. However, the rebuilding and machining of worn shafts is expensive and time consuming and, therefore, provides an undesirable method or approach to replacing the shaft and bearing assembly.
It has also been suggested that a replacement bearing assembly may be provided which may be positioned about the unworn portion of a shaft. Such replacement bearing assemblies include bearing elements therein which are positioned on the shaft at a location adjacent the worn portion of the shaft. An example of such a replacement bearing assembly is disclosed in Green U.S. Pat. No. 4,690,574. Such bearing assemblies include sealing members at each end of the bearing assembly which confine the bearing elements therein and require that the bearing assemblies be packed with grease or lubricant when the bearing assembly is positioned about the worn shaft. Accordingly, such bearing assemblies have a lifetime limited to the extent that the confined grease or lubrication is retained within the bearing assembly. Also because such bearing assemblies include sealing members at each end of the bearing assembly which seal against the rotating shaft, increased wear occurs to the rotating shaft at the point when the sealing members engage the rotating shaft, thus resulting in increased wear to the shaft and bearing assembly.


A method, data processing system, and PCI Express protocol for enabling high performance IO data transfers for multiple, different IO configurations, which include variable packet sizes and/or variable/different numbers of transactions on the IO link. PCI Express protocol is enhanced to support utilization of counters and dynamically variable queue sizes. In addition to the standard queue entries, several (or a selected number of) dynamically changeable queue entries are provided/reserved and a dynamic queue modification (DQM) utility is provided within the enhanced PCI Express protocol to monitor ongoing, current data transfer and manage when the size(s) of the queue entries are modified (increased or decreased) based on current data traffic transmitting on the PCI Express IO link. The enhanced PCI Express protocol provides an equilibrium point at which many large data packets are transferred efficiently, while imposing a limit on the number of each size of packets outstanding.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to computer systems and in particular to input/output operations of computer systems. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to an enhanced method and system for transferring input/output (IO) data from an IO device of a computer system.
2. Description of the Related Art
Connections of Input/Output (IO) devices to computer systems and the associated transfer of data to and from the connected computer system are typically supported by one of several available hardware devices and associated protocols. In most conventional computer systems, the transfer protocol utilized for local interconnection of these IO devices is Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) Express. PCI Express (supported by specific hardware) is an implementation of the PCI computer bus that enables faster physical layer communications via use of a network of serial interconnects (in lieu of a single bus). PCI Express utilizes a single hub with many pins on the mainboard to enable switching and parallel data transfers.
The higher speeds accomplished by PCI Express has enabled PCI express to become the new backplane standard in a majority of personal computers. This is also due in part to PCI Express' design, which enables PCI Express to be completely transparent to software developers. Thus, an operating system designed for PCI is able to boot in a PCI Express system without any code modification.
Conventional methods for enabling IO data transfer include the utilization of IO queues. However, developing queues for IO devices is currently application specific, particularly when transferring data via PCI Express. PCI Express utilizes a variable size packet-driven serial protocol to transfer data A queuing structure is required to execute these transfers in a coherent manner. These IO queues are statically configured and support only a single type of data transfer well. For example, if the IO devices that drive the traffic are varied in (1) the sizes of transfers and/or (2) the number of outstanding transactions on the link, developing the queues becomes a choice of exclusively supporting (a) many large transfers, (b) a few large transfers, (c) many small transfers, or (d) a few small transfers. Each category of data transfer operates best at a particular (single) type of queue configuration and loses operational quality for all other types of transfers and corresponding queue configurations.
The determination of which queue configuration works best for the particular IO transfer depends on what the computer system (or executing application) requests/requires. Thus, when the system/application is concurrently or sequentially providing different combinations of sizes and numbers of transactions, the statically-configured IO queues are unable to deliver high performance on all of the various configurations. The present invention recognizes and corrects this limitation in the existing IO data transfer methods, particularly those that utilize PCI Express.

Dynamically scalable queues for performance driven PCI express memory traffic

International Business Machines Corporation


The present invention discloses a resin composition containing an isocyanurate ring-containing urethane (meth)acrylate compound A, an isocyanurate ring-containing tri(meth)acrylate compound B, and a triazine ultraviolet light absorber C, wherein the isocyanurate ring-containing urethane (meth)acrylate compound A contains a compound A-1 having a specific structure, and the isocyanurate ring-containing tri(meth)acrylate compound B contains a compound B-1 having a specific structure.

Transparent resin materials, such as polycarbonate, have features that they have a small specific gravity and are lightweight, and that they can be easily processed and have a resistance to impact, and therefore are widely used in various applications, such as resin glass. On the other hand, the resin materials have problems to be solved in that the surface of the resin material is easily damaged and hence the luster or transparency of the material easily becomes poor, in that the resin material is poor in solvent resistance, weathering resistance, heat resistance, and the like. For this reason, the resin material is generally used in the form of a resin which is coated with a certain type of a protective film for the purpose of improving the surface properties.
Particularly, the resin materials to be used outdoors are required to have both excellent abrasion resistance and excellent weathering resistance. For example, PTL 1 discloses, as a coating agent having both abrasion resistance and weathering resistance, an abrasion-resistant coating forming composition which contains an ultraviolet curing silicone and an urethane poly(meth)acrylate having a specific isocyanurate and alicyclic skeleton, and PTL 2 discloses a coating composition which contains a pentaerythritol poly(meth)acrylate having a specific structure, an urethane (poly)methacrylate having a polymerizable unsaturated double bond, and a poly[(meth)acryloyloxyalkyl] (iso)cyanurate. However, these compositions do not satisfy the performance of weathering resistance, and there is demanded a method for achieving a resin composition which exhibits weathering resistance for a longer term.

Resin composition, cured product and laminate


An ultra-low power crystal oscillator architecture that draws less than 2 μA during steady state operation. An amplifier stage is self biased and has input and output clamp circuits that limit its signal swing. Circuit values are selected such that there is sufficient transient load current for the first amplifier stage to oscillate, while at the same time the input and output clamp circuits maintain a sufficiently low swing of the stage such that the steady state average load current is on the order of less than 1 μA.

The inventions described herein relate to crystal oscillators. Although basic crystal oscillator arrangements are known, there is an unfilled need for an ultra-low power crystal oscillator, particularly for applications in battery-powered equipment to prolong battery life. For example, in personal computers, chip sets performing the function of a real time clock (RTC) must run on battery power when the computer is shut off and unplugged from a power outlet. It is desirable that a RTC chip set be able to operate for at least seven years on a factory-installed battery. For this purpose, a RTC chip set should consume less than 2 μA of current when running on battery power. When running on battery power, most of the power consumed by a RTC is consumed by its crystal oscillator. Typically, a crystal oscillator for a RTC operates at a rate of about 32 KHz and has a substantial "swing" which causes the oscillator to consume a significant amount of power. Various circuit arrangements of low power crystal oscillator circuits have been attempted. However, typically, they draw 6 μA amps or more of current making them unacceptable for many applications.
What is needed, therefore, is a crystal oscillator for a RTC chip set that consumes less power than a typical RTC so that devices that are battery powered can operate a substantial amount of time without the need to replace a battery.


A system and method operable to manage a message queue is provided. This management may involve out-of-order asynchronous heterogeneous remote direct memory access (RDMA) to the message queue. This system includes a pair of processing devices, a primary processing device and an additional processing device, a memory in storage location and a data bus coupled to the processing devices. The processing devices cooperate to process queue data within a shared message queue wherein when an individual processing device successfully accesses queue data the queue data is locked for the exclusive use of the processing device. When the processing device acquires the queue data, the queue data is locked and the queue data acquired by the acquiring processing device includes the queue data for both the primary processing device and additional processing device such that the processing device has all queue data necessary to process the data and return processed queue data.

The present disclosure relates generally to messaging between processing modules, and more particularly, the management of Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA) in a multiple processor environment.
Direct memory access (DMA) is a feature of computers and microprocessors that allows certain hardware subsystems within the computer or microprocessor to access system memory for reading and/or writing independently of the central processing unit (CPU). Many hardware systems use DMA including but not limited to disk drive controllers, graphics cards, network cards, sound cards and graphics processing units (GPUs). DMA is also used for intra-chip data transfer in multi-core processors, especially in multiprocessor system-on-chips, where the processing elements may be equipped with a local memory and DMA is used for transferring data between the local memory and the main memory.
Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA) allows data to move directly from the memory of one computer or microprocessor into that of another without involving the operating system. This permits high-throughput, low-latency networking, which is especially useful in massively parallel computer clusters. RDMA relies on a special philosophy in using DMA.
Message passing is a common feature between two cooperating computing systems. Asynchronous message passing is preferable for performance reasons. To support a full-duplex asynchronous messaging model, a queue, common to both message passing participants, is often used. In order to support full-duplex, both participants may manage the shared queue, which requires locking. Even though locking can be a performance hindrance, locking is arguably better than the complexity and overhead required for one participant to manage all queue operations.
Supporting a shared queue is more complicated in a heterogeneous memory system. Queue elements cannot simply be linked together with a simple linked list as the element pointers only translate in one of the two memory domains. This also means that a more complicated method must be used for managing the queue element order.

Managing an out-of-order asynchronous heterogeneous remote direct memory access (RDMA) message queue


A coaxial starter comprising an electric motor which produces torque; a speed reduction planet gear mechanism which transmits the rotation of the armature shaft of the motor so that the rotational speed of the output portion of the mechanism is lower than that of the shaft; an overrunning clutch which transmits the output torque of the mechanism when the clutch is engaged; an output rotary shaft whose rear portion constitutes the inner member of the clutch; a pinion provided on the outside circumferential surface of the output rotary shaft so that the pinion is engaged with the ring gear of an engine as the torque of the output rotary shaft is received by the pinion; an electromagnetic switch provided around the pinion to move the pinion forward and energize the motor; and a spring provided between an actuator, which is moved forward when the switch is energized, and the pinion to push said pinion forward.

The present invention relates to the improvement of a starter for starting an engine, and particularly relates to the improvement of a starter for starting an engine of a motor vehicle through the action of a speed reduction planet gear mechanism.
FIG. 3 shows a conventional starter which is for starting an engine and includes a speed reduction planet gear mechanism. The armature 300 of the DC motor of the starter comprises an armature core 301, an armature shaft 302, on the halfway portion of which the armature core is provided, and a commutator 303 fitted on the armature shaft at the rear portion of the armature and connected to an armature coil 304 provided on the armature core. A holder 305 for brushes located in contact with the commutator 303 is coupled to a rear cover 307 by bolts 306. A bearing 308 for supporting the armature shaft 302 at the rear end thereof is fitted in the recess of the rear cover 307. A plurality of permanent magnets 309a for applying a magnetic field to the armature 300 are secured on the inside circumferential surface of the yoke 309 of the DC motor. A front cover 311 fitted with the internal gear 310 of the speed reduction planet gear mechanism is fitted to the end face of the yoke 309. A spur gear 312 is formed on the armature shaft 302 at the front end thereof. A plurality of planet gears 313 are engaged with the internal gear 310 and the spur gear 312. Bearings 314 are fitted in the planet gears 313 and supported by pins 315 secured to a flange 316 constituting the arm of the speed reduction planet gear mechanism. An output rotary shaft 317 is secured to the flange 316. A sleeve bearing 318 is fitted in the boss of the internal gear 310 and supports the output rotary shaft 317. A sleeve bearing 319 is fitted in the recess of the rear portion of the output rotary shaft 317 and supports the armature shaft 302 at the front end thereof. A steel ball 320 is provided between the ends of the armature shaft 302 and the output rotary shaft 317 to transmit a thrust. Helical splines 321 are formed on the outside circumferential surface of the halfway portion of the output rotary shaft 317. The helical splines of the outer member 322a of an overrunning clutch 322 comprising the outer member, an inner member 322b and rollers 322c are engaged with the helical splines 321 so that the outer member is slidable backward and forward. A stopper 323 is provided on the output rotary shaft 317 at the front end thereof to restrict the quantity of the axial movement of a pinion 324 coupled to the inner member 322b of the clutch 322. A sleeve bearing 325 is fitted in the anterior part of the front cover 311 and supports the output rotary shaft 317 at the front end thereof. A lever 326 is provided with a pivot 326a at the plastic halfway portion of the lever and fitted to the actuator 328 of an electromagnetic switch 327 and the peripheral portion of the overrunning clutch 322 at the ends of the lever. A movable contact 329 is attached with an electric insulator 330 to a rod 331 fitted in a core 332 so that the rod is slidable backward and forward. A fixed contact 333 is secured by a nut 334 to a cap 335 made of an electric insulator. An electromagnetic coil 336 for moving the actuator 328 is provided on a plastic bobbin 337 and housed in a case 338. A lead wire 339 connects the fixed contact 333 to one of the brushes. A spring 340 is housed in the actuator 328 to push the overrunning clutch 322 through the action of the lever 326. A spring 341 for returning the actuator 328 is provided further.
The operation of the conventional starter is described in detail from now on. When an ignition switch not shown in FIG. 3 is turned on, the electromagnetic coil 336 of the electromagnetic switch 327 is energized to move the actuator 328 backward to push the rod 331 to put the movable contact 329 into touch with the fixed contact 333. As a result, the armature 300 is energized through the contacts 329 and 333, the lead wire 339 and the brushes so that the armature is rotated. The rotation of the armature 300 is transmitted to the overrunning clutch 322 through the spur gear 312 and the planet gears 313 so that the speed reduction planet gear mechanism makes the rotational speed of the clutch lower than that of the armature. At that time, the pinion 324 engaged with the clutch 322 is rotated. The actuator 328 being moved backward as mentioned above swings the lever 326 counterclockwise (as to FIG. 3) about the pivot 326a to slide the clutch 322 together with the pinion 324 forward in the axial direction thereof to engage the pinion with a ring gear formed on the peripheral portion of a flywheel mounted on the crankshaft of the engine not shown in FIG. 3. The engine is thus started. After that, the overrunning clutch 322 is disengaged from the pinion 324 because of the rotative action of the engine to the pinion, so that the pinion races.
Since the axis of the DC motor is not coincident with that of the electromagnetic switch 327, it is necessary that the installation space for the switch is provided in a part of the engine or a vehicle. For that reason, the layout of the engine in the vehicle is restricted. This is a problem. Since the front cover 311 is open at the ring gear of the flywheel of the engine, the dust entry preventing property of the front cover is low. This is another problem. Since the overrunning clutch 322 and the pinion 324 are coupled to each other, the number of the turns of the electromagnetic coil 336 of the electromagnetic switch 327 needs to be increased to cause a high electromagnetic force to move the clutch and the pinion together with each other in the axial direction thereof. For that reason, the size and weight of the electromagnetic switch 327 are augmented. This is yet another problem. Since it is difficult due to the constitution of the starter that the distance between the ring gear of the flywheel of the engine and the surface of the starter, which is mounted on the engine, is made larger than a certain value, the design of the part of the engine, which is located near the transmission of the vehicle, is restricted. This is yet another problem. Since a certain clearance needs to be set between the mutually-engaged helical splines of the outer member 322a of the overrunning clutch 322 and the output rotary shaft 317 in order to make it possible to slide the outer member and the shaft backward and forward relative to each other, the outer member becomes eccentric to the inner member of the clutch. For that reason, the overrunning clutch 322 cannot always function stably. This is yet another problem.


An improved car use computer and particularly to a computer adopted for use in a car has a screen panel which has a structure for adjusting the inclined angle of the screen panel. The structure mainly includes a casing, a medium storage and retrieval facility, an incline control means, a frame and a screen panel. Through the incline control means, the inclined angle of the screen panel may be adjusted to suit users"" viewing requirements.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an improved car use computer and particularly to a car use computer with a screen panel adjustable to a desired incline angle to facilitate users viewing and reading information on the screen.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Due to continuous technology innovations and progresses, computer developments also have been accelerated and diversified. Nowadays, besides for business use, computers can also be adopted for use in cars to provide drivers required information. Such car computers have increasingly become a standard feature in cars. Drivers can use these high-tech products to avoid stray during driving or traffic jam, and to transmit and receive information. However, to provide information to drivers in the cars, car use computers have some structural problems that often cause inconveniences and troubles to users, notably:
1. A car computer often is located nearby the driver. Conventional screen panels mostly are fixed vertically. Too strong of ambient light could generate light reflection or refraction, and make viewing the computer screen difficult or uncomfortable. The screen panel cannot be adjusted under existing constructions. Hence utilization effect of the car use computer is suffered.
2. Some producers have provided car computers with inclined screen panels. However they mostly are incorporated with car interior structure design and are driven by electric motors. Motions of lifting to the use position and lowering to the nestled position cannot be done rapidly or adjusted to desired angles to meet users"" viewing requirements.
In view of aforesaid disadvantages, the invention aims to provide an improved car use computer that mainly includes a casing, a medium storage and retrieval facility, an incline control means, a frame and a screen panel. The incline control means can control and adjust the inclined angle of the screen panel to suit users"" viewing requirements.
Therefore the primary object of the invention is to provide an improved car use computer that has an incline control means to adjust the incline angle of the screen panel of the computer to suit users"" viewing requirements.
The foregoing, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.


An operator for an electrical switching apparatus includes an actuator configured to be grasped by a user. A linkage is attached to the actuator at a first end of the linkage and configured for extending through an enclosure housing the electrical switching apparatus. An engagement assembly is attached to the linkage at a second end of the linkage such that when the operator is mounted to the enclosure movement of the actuator outside of the enclosure causes movement of the engagement assembly inside the enclosure. The engagement assembly includes an extension arm attached to the linkage and an attachment member attached to the extension arm. The attachment member is configured to engage a toggle of the electrical switching apparatus in the enclosure to move the toggle between at least two positions.

Electrical switching apparatus, such as molded case circuit breakers are often mounted behind a panel or housed within an enclosure (e.g., panel board, load center, switchgear cabinet, etc.) for operator safety and to prevent unauthorized access. FIG. 1 illustrates a through cover operator 1 of the prior art. The through cover operator 1 comprises a shaft 3 that extends between a handle 5 and a toggle engagement member or fork 7. When the through cover operator 1 is mounted on a cover 9 of an enclosure 11 (FIG. 2), the shaft 3 extends through the cover so that the handle 5 is located outside of the enclosure and the fork 7 is located inside the enclosure. The through cover operator 1 is mounted for rotation relative to the enclosure 11 so that actuation or rotation of the handle 5 causes the fork 7 to rotate. The fork 7 comprises two spaced apart fingers 13 configured to receive a toggle T of a circuit breaker CB within the enclosure 11 when the cover 9 is closed. Therefore, a user can engage the toggle T inside the enclosure 11 to flip the toggle on and off by actuating the handle 5 outside of the enclosure 11.

Operator for an electrical switching apparatus


Cure monitoring systems for and methods of monitoring polymerizable material to determine the degree of curing of the polymerizable material. A monitoring light source delivers visible monitoring light at one or more different visible wavelengths and a visible light detector detects the monitoring light diffusely reflected by the polymerizable material. The monitoring light has a wavelength of maximum emission (λmax-mon) that does not effectively induce polymerization of the polymerizable material. Change in intensity of the monitoring light reflected from the polymerizable material is used to determine when a selected degree of curing is reached in the polymerizable material.

Selectively polymerizable materials are used in a variety of applications including, e.g., printing, coating, adhesives, and others, including in dentistry for, e.g., the restoration of teeth.
One challenge in the use of at least some polymerizable materials is determining when a polymerizable material has completed or is nearing completion of the curing process. In some instances in which a polymerizable material can be cured using electromagnetic radiation, time and electromagnetic radiation intensity may be used to gauge the curing process, with the assumption that exposure of the polymerizable material to electromagnetic radiation at a particular intensity in one or more wavelengths that causes the polymerizable material to cure and for a particular amount of time will result in an adequate degree of curing.


A network printing system, a network communication method to print information, and a host and an image forming device to perform network communications are provided. A mail server provides a mail transmitting/receiving service, a host transmits a mail including channel information established for data communications, and an image forming device accesses a mail account allocated to the mail server to receive the transmitted mail, and communicate the host by using the channel information included in the received mail.

1. Field of the Invention
The present general inventive concept relates to a network printing system, a network communication method to print information, and a host and an image forming device to perform network communications. More particularly, the present general inventive concept relates to a network printing system, a network communication method to print information, a host and an image forming device to perform network communications, whereby a host located in a public network can use an image forming device located in a private network having a firewall disposed therein.
2. Description of the Related Art
A network printing system is a system in which plural user terminals share one or more image forming devices through a private network, and users request operations related to image forming to the image forming devices. Such a network printing system intercepts access of an external host by using the firewall, if the access is attempted from the external host through a public network.
The firewall is equipment for protecting the image forming device connected to the network from an external invasion. The firewall permits access from inside to outside through the private network and the public network, but intercepts access by the external host from an outside to an inside through the public network. However, if the access by the external host is set to be permissible by a network manager, the firewall releases the intercept of the access by the external host and permits the access.
Accordingly, if a user intends to print a document stored in the external host by using the image forming device located in the private network in a state that the firewall is not set to permit access by the external host, the external host cannot transmit data of the document to the image forming device. That is, in the conventional network printing system, the user cannot transmit the document stored in the external host to the image forming device in the private network due to the firewall, and thus cannot have the image forming device print the document.

Network printing system, network communication method to print information, and host and image forming device to perform network communications


Structural information of a process is stored as an instance hierarchy (e.g. parent-child relation) between occurrence nodes comprising occurrence identifications (IDs) and links to objects of an object pool. Efficient management of process versions (e.g. design, build, test, productive, archive) is accomplished by handling occurrences and corresponding linked objects so that a minimum set of data is physically copied. An algorithm governing the physical copying of process data, is described.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to management of process versions over their lifecycles.
Unless otherwise indicated herein, the approaches described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.
Certain platforms may be provided for management of business processes that are supported by different business solutions. Examples of such solutions include but are not limited to Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Customer Relations Management (CRM).
The processes may exhibit a lifecycle. For example, the processes may first be designed based on business requirements, resulting in a "design" version of the process. Next, the processes may be implemented in specific software via customization, resulting in a "build" version of the process.
The processes may then be tested, resulting in a "test" version of the process. Finally, the processes may be deployed into production for operation, resulting in a "productive" version of the process.
Over the course of the lifecycle of a process, it may be desirable to change different versions independently from each other. For example, it may be desirable to modify a "design" version of a process without impacting a "productive" version of the process.
Conventionally, in managing different process versions, copies of the corresponding objects making up the process may be made. However, the data comprising such corresponding objects may be quite voluminous.
Given that a significant portion of the data of the object may not need to be changed (e.g. where no changes are necessary within a new version), the conventional approach may result in unnecessary manipulation of large volumes of data, and consuming processing and storage resources. This may also be true for management of the archive process versions used for comparison and merging operations.
Accordingly, the present disclosure addresses these and other issues with methods and systems relating to efficient management of process versions.

Copy management of process versions over lifecycle


A tool head, which is adapted to receive a cutting insert for chip removal machining, includes a basic holder which has a lower support part and an upper clamping portion defining therebetween and insert-receiving pocket. A slot extends through the basic holder at a location spaced from the pocket, wherein the clamping portion is joined to a remaining portion of the basic holder by a hinge portion about which the clamping portion is elastically displaceable toward the cutting insert. A recess extends through the basic holder parallel to the slot and in communication therewith for receiving a nut roll. A clamping screw extends through a bore of the basic holder and into engagement with the nut roll, wherein the clamping screw is operable to displace the nut roll into the slot to expand the slot and thereby elastically displace the clamping portion about the hinge and toward the cutting insert.

The present invention is related to a tool head of the kind intended for chip removing machining of metal. The tool head comprises a basic holder and an insert holder connected therewith. More specifically, the tool is intended for the type of machining referred to as parting and grooving.
Within the field of chip removing machining there are couplings of various kinds in order to achieve a torque resistant connection between different holders and adapters, especially in turning tools of various kinds. For instance, Swedish patent application 7813038-2 (corresponding to Huser U.S. Pat. No. 4,235,564) discloses a tool for parting and grooving, wherein cooperating serrations with clamping screws as clamping means are used for clamping an adapter to a holder. The number of screws for clamping the adapter to the holder is three in this case, which means that the activity required for first disengaging three comparatively long screws and subsequently tightening them again after an insert change results in a rather time consuming change of inserts.
Further, Swedish patent application 9004032-0 (corresponding to Englund U.S. Pat. No. 5,207,537) discloses a cutting tool, comprising a cutting insert clamped in an insert pocket in a holder blade, wherein the cutting insert is clamped by a pin-type press means engaging in a slot, inclined at an angle towards the insert pocket, such that an upper clamping arm portion of the holder blade is subjected to elastic deflection towards the upper surface of the insert. Due to the fact that the press means is constituted by a relatively long pin, this system becomes relatively space-consuming in a narrow holder blade for a parting tool.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A printer includes a casing, a detachable unit provided to the casing, the detachable unit being configured to be detachable from the casing, an adjacent member provided adjacent to the detachable unit, and an engagement member attached to the adjacent member, the engagement member being configured to be changeable between an engagement position with which the adjacent member is engaged with the casing and a non-engagement position with which the adjacent member is removed from the casing. The engagement member engages the detachable unit to the casing together with the adjacent member, at the engagement position.

JP2009-179010A discloses a thermal printer that includes a ribbon supplying shaft that holds an ink ribbon, in a rolled form, to be supplied to a printing unit and a ribbon roll up shaft that rolls up a used part of the ink ribbon. The printer performs printing by heating the ink ribbon and transferring ink on the ink ribbon onto a print medium. JP2009-179010A discloses a configuration facilitating an exchanging operation for the ink ribbon.


Systems and methods for measuring and monitoring physical properties of a material under test (MUT) from a vehicle, e.g., using complex electromagnetic impedance. Various embodiments include a method including: obtaining displacement data about a position of a sensor array relative to a material under test (MUT); comparing the displacement data with reference displacement data to determine whether the sensor array is at a reference distance relative to the MUT; in response to determining that the sensor array is located at the reference distance, instructing the sensor array to transmit a set of electromagnetic impedance signals into the MUT; obtaining a return electromagnetic impedance signal from the MUT; and calculating at least one physical property of the MUT based upon the transmitted set of electromagnetic impedance signals, the return electromagnetic impedance signals, and the displacement data.

Hot Mix Asphalt, HMA, is a highly engineered product used in the paving of roads. For the purposes discussed herein, HMA consists of three components: 1) A bitumen mixture; 2) A stone aggregate; and 3) Air. The HMA is produced in a plant where a specified stone aggregate is mixed with a specified bitumen at temperatures up to 175 degrees Celsius (approximately 350 degrees Fahrenheit). The bitumen coats the aggregate. The mix is then sent to a paving site where the mix is spread with a paving machine (also called a paver or screed). When the HMA is first laid by the paver, its temperature may be around 135 degrees Celsius (approximately 275 degrees Fahrenheit) and contain around 15% air voids. In order for the HMA to meet design criteria, the air void content is commonly reduced to around 5%. This reduction is accomplished by rolling the HMA while it is in a temperature zone which permits it to be compacted. In some cases, the HMA is compacted using one or more types of rollers. A first type of roller is a break-down roller, or vibratory roller. FIG. 1 shows a highway grade steel drum vibratory roller according to the prior art. In some cases, this vibratory roller is the first roller used in the application process, and provides most of the compaction of the HMA. A vibratory roller conventionally has one or two steel drums with rotating weights, which vibrate the drums and create a dynamic force, adding to the dead weight of the roller, and increasing the compacting force (e.g., upon the HMA). A second type of roller conventionally used in the compaction of HMA is a rubber-tired roller, or pneumatic roller, which includes a number of rubber tires staggered to provide distributed compaction coverage. The rubber-tired roller is designed to knead the surface of the HMA and close the pores formed on the top surface of the asphalt. A third type of roller used in the compaction of HMA is a finish (or, finishing) roller, which is used last (e.g., after the vibratory and/or rubber-tired rollers) to minimize or eliminate creases formed by one of the previous rollers, leaving a smooth surface.
The quality of the paving is conventionally measured by the smoothness of the finish, as well as the density of the finished product. An under-compacted asphalt mat is permeable to air and water, which shortens the pavement life. In addition, in under-compacted asphalt, the presence of undesirable air voids may make the asphalt pavement less stable, as the number of inter-particle contact points is reduced and are more susceptible to freeze-thaw conditions. On the other hand, unnecessary over-compaction may crush the aggregate asphalt, leading to a reduction of air void content, which, in turn, can make the pavement susceptible to permanent deformation. If the pavement is under-compacted or over-compacted, the paving contractor may be penalized. It is therefore beneficial to achieve the desired level/range of compaction. Measurement of density may be accomplished during or after the rolling process by various hand-held instruments following corresponding ASTM International standards that provide a point measurement of density. Conventionally, after paving is completed, a core or plug about 15.25-cm (6-in) in diameter is cut from the pavement and its density is measured according to various ASTM International standards.
This approach of spot monitoring during and after rolling presents a number of problems. One issue is that very small areas of the roadway are subject to inspection. The typical commissioning authority (e.g., department of transportation or the like) requirement is to conduct one measurement on every 1,000 feet of road lane paved. This very limited sample is likely not a representative sample of the overall paving project. One earlier conventional approach attempting to address the issue of continuously measuring asphalt density from a roller device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,952,561 (which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety). This approach was supported by the US Department of Transportation (US DOT) Research Board's Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis (IDEA) program in 1997. The approach described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,952,561 was based on using microwave sensors mounted in the front and back of the roller device to detect asphalt densities (see PRIOR ART, FIG. 2). The actual wave lengths recommended for detection of asphalt densities in U.S. Pat. No. 5,952,561 were in the range of 1 to 3.75-cm (30 to 8 gigahertz). However, this approach has several shortcomings. For example, it has not yet been shown that microwave sensors operating from 500 megahertz to 30 gigahertz can provide an accurate density measurement of asphalt. Further, the measurement approach described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,952,561 was based on a difference between two readings, where the error band for each reading could exceed the value of the true reading. Thus, this conventional approach proved to be impractical.
A later conventional approach was based on the continuous measurement of the change between the input vibratory loads provided by the roller and the measured response of the material under the roller. This technique is called measuring the resilient modulus, or stiffness, of the pavement. The current nomenclature for this approach is called "Intelligent Compaction", when these measurements are used to change the compactive effort delivered by the roller in a closed-loop fashion, and when combined with Global Positioning Satellites (GPS) and a Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping program.
This Intelligent Compaction approach is presented in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,870,601, 5,727,900, 6,122,601, 6,551,019, 7,669,458, and 8,190,338 (each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety). This later conventional concept is illustrated in the prior art depiction of FIG. 3. In this approach, a vibratory impulse is imparted by the drum (or drums) of the roller into the asphalt, sub-base below the asphalt, and subgrade below the sub-base. This conventional approach assumes that the entire system can be modeled by a force being imposed on the various layers of materials, represented by a combination of springs and dampers. In the illustration in FIG. 3, there are three layers: the asphalt; the sub-base; and the sub-grade. The asphalt (or, pavement) layer is typically 25 to 30 cm (10 to 12 inches) thick, and the sub-base may have a similar thickness. The sub-base is typically an engineering specified grade of crushed rock. The sub-grade is typically the local soil that has been graded and compacted to provide the base for the road. Unlike the simplified illustration in FIG. 3, where there is a single layer of asphalt, in practice, there are multiple layers of asphalt. Within the asphalt, there is typically a base layer with a compacted thickness of about 13 cm (5.25-in), an intermediate layer with a compacted thickness of 9 cm (3.5-in) and a top or finish layer with a compacted thickness of 4.5 cm (1.75-in). The illustration in FIG. 3 is intended merely to depict paving of the base layer. As the number of asphalt layers increases and become thinner, the modeling becomes more difficult to relate the response of the individual fresh asphalt layer to the response of all of the material in the zone of influence of the vibrating roller, which is conventionally estimated to be from about 1.0 to 1.2 meters deep. This is one reason why vibratory-based Intelligent Compaction has not been very successful with asphalt pavement.
Some other problems facing vibratory-based measurement of asphalt are that the stiffness of the asphalt varies with its temperature. Cold asphalt is stiffer than warm asphalt, regardless of the actual amount of compaction. Additionally, the measurement is based on the roller drum which is around 220 cm (87-in) wide. This width of the roller may allow the roller to "bridge" over asphalt that is not being compacted.
A problem facing vibratory Intelligent Compaction is that there is presently no accepted way to convert the measured asphalt resilient modulus or stiffness into density. The actual density of the compacted asphalt is the parameter upon which engineering specifications are based.
As noted herein, the conventional approaches fail to provide a continuous quantitative determination of the density of the asphalt while it is being rolled.
The use of electromagnetic impedance measurement devices has been identified in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,900,736, 6,414,497, and 7,219,024 (each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety) to provide a quantitative reading of the density of asphalt and other materials. However, the approaches disclosed in those patents require that the sensor remain in contact with the asphalt. In order to overcome this limitation, later approaches (as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,226,239 and 7,575,395, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety), were developed to use a then commercially available gauge in contact with the asphalt while mounted on a roller. This approach, however, was limiting in that it required the interruption of the normal roller operation to conduct measurements, and thus, was not continuous.

Measurement and monitoring of physical properties of material under test (MUT) from a vehicle


In an approach for anonymizing data, a processor receives a mixed-type dataset with at least two relational attributes and at least one textual attribute. A processor runs the mixed-type dataset through a text annotator to discover a set of personally identifiable information (PII). A processor creates a set of ghost attributes to add to the mixed-type dataset. A processor anonymizes data of the at least two relational attributes and the set of ghost attributes. A processor replaces each PII in the textual attribute with the corresponding anonymized data in the at least two relational attributes or the set of ghost attributes to create an anonymized mixed-type dataset. A processor removes the set of ghost attributes from the anonymized mixed-type dataset. A processor shuffles records of the anonymized mixed-type dataset to create a shuffled anonymized mixed-type dataset. A processor outputs the shuffled anonymized mixed-type dataset.

The present invention relates generally to the field of data anonymization, and more particularly to anonymizing relational and textual data.
Data anonymization has been defined as a process by which personal data is irreversibly altered in such a way that a data subject can no longer be identified directly or indirectly, either by the data controller alone or in collaboration with any other party. Data anonymization enables the transfer of information across a boundary, such as between two departments within an agency or between two agencies, while reducing the risk of unintended disclosure, and in certain environments in a manner that enables evaluation and analytics post-anonymization.
In the context of medical data, anonymized data refers to data from which the patient cannot be identified by the recipient of the information. The name, address, and full postcode must be protected, together with any other information which, in conjunction with other data held by or disclosed to the recipient, could identify the patient.