A system and method for automated self measurement of alertness, equilibrium and coordination and for verification of the identity of the person being tested is provided. The system for self-tutoring and testing a person includes an identifying unit for identifying the person to be tested, at least one self-tutoring unit for instructing the person in at least one test to be performed, at least one testing unit for performing each of the at least one tests and an interpretation unit for evaluating the results of each of the at least one tests.

The present invention relates to a system and method for automated self-measurement of alertness, equilibrium and coordination.
An individual""s alertness before many operations may be critical to the efficiency and safety of the requirements. This is especially important in performing tasks, such as driving, flying an airplane, and sensitive or dangerous tasks. In addition, it is useful for employees carrying normal and relatively safe work and in other situations where an individual""s alertness should be evaluated.
Employees under the influence of alcohol and drugs directly and indirectly cause damages to workplaces. In the USA it is estimated that the damages are in excess of $150 billion a year. Research has shown that when an employer carries out drugs and alcohol testing, then drug and alcohol usage is reduced to one fifth.
Currently there is a lack of automated systems that can simplify the process of detecting drugs and alcohol abuse. Furthermore, currently there is no simple way of detecting drugs and alcohol abuse without continuous and consistent testing.
Other examples where early detection is useful include prior to participating in sports, the detection of tiredness of drivers prior to long-distance journey and the detection of students whose behavior and lack of alertness indicates alcohol or drug abuse.
In many organizations, personnel are required to take tests, such as hearing and visual acuity tests, in order to meet certain regulations. In addition, these personnel are required to be tutored for safety regulations (e.g. fire regulations) or quality control regulations imposed by quality control standards, such as the ISO standard.
These assignments typically require enormous human resources in order to manage the summoning, testing, tutoring, analysis of the test results and re-summoning of the personnel in accordance with specific regulations.
One way to reduce the human resources required for these assignments is to conduct testing such that the person taking the test is self tested without additional human attendance. Such self testing systems are known in the art. For example, when performing vision tests, a testing apparatus is used which is operated by an operator who identifies the tested person, explains how to use the apparatus, administers the test, and records the test results. This procedure is time consuming, requires highly trained operators and is therefore expensive.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,740,072 to Griffin et al describes a vision testing apparatus which is operated by an operator for administering a variety of visual performance tests to a test subject. The operator of the vision testing apparatus manually operates various buttons and levers on the testing apparatus and to present a series of test slides to the test subject. The operator also has to ask the test subject various questions and to manually record the answers either on an appropriate form or alternatively initiate storage of the test results on a computer connected to the vision testing apparatus. Thus, even with computerized data storage of the test results, a qualified, trained operator must perform a substantial amount of manual operations and must verbally instruct the test subject, which is time consuming and expensive.
In a related PCT application WO98/02083 to the present inventors and incorporated herein by reference, a method and a system for automatic management of summoning, identifying, self-testing and/or self tutoring of subjects is disclosed. The method of self-tutoring can include video units, multi-media software, remote control tutoring as in telemedicine. This self-tutoring prior to self testing is applicable, for example, to visual acuity tests, intraoccular pressure visual fields, pregnancy follow-ups, spirometry, Blood pressure ECG,xe2x80x9d self-blood tests and response time. A medical condition sensing system, detailing some of the sensors, such as virtual reality glasses for visual acuity, twelve-lead ECG and spirometry are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/428,430 assigned to the present applicants, and incorporated herein by reference.
The present invention describes a system for automated self-measurement of alertness, equilibrium and coordination. The system includes an alert meter which can be used for self-tutoring and testing of various parameters, as described above.
The system using the alert meter checks individual""s response speed, coordination, and the equilibrium as parameters of alertness. Alertness can be influenced by various causes: extreme tiredness, life crisis, toxic substance, alcohol, drugs (opiates) or medication. People who are not alert can fail or err in performing various tasks. The system can detect these individuals before performing the tasks and if necessary, indicate that further evaluation (i.e. alcohol levels in blood or exhale air, drug level in blood or urine) be undertaken.
The system of the present invention instructs and guides the individual, performs a series of tests, interprets the results, files and exports the results at will. The system has an option to automatically summon and/or identify the individual.
There is therefore provided, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a system and method for self-tutoring and testing a person. The system includes an identifying unit for identifying the person to be tested, at least one self-tutoring unit for instructing the person in at least one test to be performed, at least one testing unit for performing each of the at least one tests and an interpretation unit for evaluating the results of each of the at least one tests.
There is also provided, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a system and method for identifying a person being tested. The system includes an identifying unit for identifying the person to be tested, at least one testing unit for performing at least one identification test, an interpretation unit for evaluating the results of the at least one test, a storage unit for storing the results and a comparison unit for comparing the results from the interpretation unit with results previously stored in the storage unit.
In addition, there is provided, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method for continuously verifying the identity of a person performing a task. The method includes the steps of:
creating and storing an initial profile of personal characteristics associated with the person, prior to performing the task;
continuously performing at least one identification test at random intervals while the person performs the task;
storing the results of each of the randomly performed at least one identification test; and
comparing the results of each of the randomly performed at least one identification test with the initial profile and with the previous randomly performed tests after each randomly performed at least one identification test.
Furthermore, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the test comprises one of a group of tests including a person""s alertness, steadiness, co-ordination and response time.
Furthermore, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, if the results of the automatic comparison match the identification test with the initial profile, the method further includes the step of allowing the person to perform the task.
Furthermore, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method further includes the step of
comparing the initial profile of personal characteristics with a database of personal characteristics of a group of persons to ascertain the identity of the person. The profile includes at least one of a set of parameters including voice recognition patterns, iris patterns and photographic images.
Furthermore, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method further includes the step of storing the results.
Furthermore, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method further includes the step of evaluating the tests in relation to the stored results. The step of evaluating is operable in real time or off-line.
Furthermore, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the step of evaluating includes the step of determining whether a person is under the influence of external substances or stimulants.
Additionally, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the step of evaluating includes evaluating the results of the tests individually and/or in any combination of tests.
In addition, there is provided, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method for automatically summoning and automatically verifying the identity of the person being summoned. The method includes the steps of:
constructing a profile database of parameters associated with a group of persons;
preparing a schedule for summoning at least one person from the group;
at the scheduled time, automatically performing at least one identification test;
verifying the results of the at least one identification test to determine the identity of the person attending at the scheduled time.
If the identification profile details of the person attending match the identification profile details of the person for the scheduled time, the operations scheduled for the person being summoned can be performed.
Furthermore, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method further includes the step of evaluating the results of the performing the operations.
Furthermore, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein if the identification details of the person attending do not match the identification details of the person for the scheduled time but match the identification details of another one of the group of persons, the operations scheduled for the person being summoned can be performed; or a further appointment for the identified person can be scheduled.
In addition, there is provided, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method for continuously verifying the identity of a person performing a task. The method includes the steps of:
creating and storing an initial profile of personal characteristics associated with the person prior to performing the task;
performing at least one identification test at random intervals while the person performs the task;
storing the results of each of the randomly performed at least one identification test; and
comparing the results of each of the randomly performed at least one identification test with the initial profile at the completion of the task.
The profile includes at least one of a set of parameters including voice recognition patterns, iris patterns and photographic images.
Finally, there is provided, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method for validating a person""s comprehension of a document, the method comprising the steps of:
requesting the person to read the document;
randomly asking at least one question, from a group of questions, related to the document; and
analyzing the answer to the at least one question.
The method may further include the steps of:
requesting the person to re-read the document; and
repeating the steps of randomly asking at least one question and analyzing the answer to the question until the person""s response indicates comprehension of the document.

System and method for automated self measurement of alertness equilibrium and coordination and for ventification of the identify of the person performing tasks


A clamp for mounting a base plate of a ski binding to a ski, the base plate being operative to move longitudinally along the axis of the ski and having outwardly extending side sections. The clamp includes: a pair of opposed side portions having inward facing guide members operative to engage the side sections of the base plate and to guide the base plate along the longitudinal axis of the ski. Each side portion includes a cylindrical recess, wherein the recesses extend along a common axis which is transverse to the axis of the ski. A pair of cylindrical members dimensioned to be received within the recesses is provided. The cylindrical members are secured to the ski, wherein the side portions are capable of limited pivotable on the cylindrical members about the transverse axis.

The present invention relates generally to a clamp for securing a base plate to a ski. Such clamps are typically provided to clamp one end of a base plate to the ski yet permit limited longitudinal movement of the base plate through the clamp. Such clamps typically include side portions having grooves adapted to receive and guide the laterally extending portions of the base plate. Normally, a connecting member connects the side portions of the clamp and is disposed between the base plate and the upper surface of the ski. Because the base plate is not only supported by the connecting member, but is also confined by the side portions which guide the base plate, the base plate may "bind" or become "locked" in the clamp in the event of a deflection of a ski. To avoid this problem, it is normally known to dimension the guides through the side portion to provide a space or "vertical play" between the base plate and the guide surfaces of the side portions. It has also been known to provide an elastic plastic insert to bridge the vertical "play" defined between the clamp and the base plate.
Such assemblies which permitted displacement between the base plate and the clamp are undesirable, particularly if the base plate is long. In this respect, the play in the clamp creates an additional bending stress in the base plate. It is preferable to provide a clamp which secures the base plate to the ski without vertical play between the two members to avoid a binding or locking of the base plate in the event of deflection of the ski, but which would at the same time permit movement of the base plate relative to the surface of the ski in the event of such deflection.


An underwater line cutting tool includes a cutter. The cutter includes a blade holder and a rotating manipulator arm. The blade holder includes two stationary arms in a V-shaped configuration including at least one blade attached to one of two stationary arms. The blade holder is attached to the rotating manipulator arm of a rotating manipulator that is attached to an underwater remotely operated vehicle.

Remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) are unoccupied underwater vehicles that are operated by an individual from the surface (e.g., a boat, platform, or land). These vehicles are operated using controls that are electrically connected from the vehicle to the surface through a group of tether cables. ROVs have the capability to extend a thousand yards from the surface, depending on the length of the tether cables and the currents in the specific dive area. The tether cables can vary in size and type of material depending on the size of the vehicle, the length of the tether cable, the power requirements of the ROV, location of power supply for the ROV, and the current in the dive area. ROVs are useful in military, scientific, videography, and personal use applications.

United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy


A photoreceptor comprising:. (a) a substrate; PA1 (b) a charge blocking layer including a binder, a plurality of grain shaped n-type particles, and a plurality of needle shaped n-type particles, wherein the grain shaped particles have a higher concentration in the blocking layer than the needle shaped particles; and PA1 (c) an imaging layer.

A charge blocking layer containing dispersed grain shaped titanium oxide (TiO.sub.2) particles is known. Such a blocking layer is problematic in certain situations because at low temperatures (e.g., about 10 to 15 degrees C), charge transport through the blocking layer containing the grain shaped titanium oxide particles is not efficient enough and high residual voltage (e.g., around 100 V) is observed. The present inventors have found that this low temperature problem can be reduced by increasing the concentration of the grain shaped titanium oxide particles to a high level such as over about 90% by weight based on the weight of the blocking layer. At such a high concentration, however, the parameters of dispersion quality, particle size distribution, and degree of particle settling become much worse. In fact, such a highly concentrated dispersion of grain shaped titanium oxide particles in a binder generally is unsuitable for use in dip coating the charge blocking dispersion onto a photoreceptor substrate. There is a need, addressed by the present invention, for an improved charge blocking composition that solves the above low temperature problem and that exhibits good dispersion qualities to allow dip coating of the charge blocking composition onto a photoreceptor substrate.
Conventional photoreceptors and their materials are disclosed in Katayama et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,489,496 (discloses in col. 4, lines 57-58 that "needle-like titanium oxide particles may be used together with titanium oxide having a grain-like shape" in an undercoat layer); Yashiki, U.S. Pat. No. 4,579,801; Yashiki, U.S. Pat. No. 4,518,669; Seki et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,775,605; Kawahara, U.S. Pat. No. 5,656,407; Markovics et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,641,599; Monbaliu et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,344,734; Terrell et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,721,080; and Yoshihara, U.S. Pat. No. 5,017,449.
Conventional charge blocking layers are also disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,464,450; U.S. Pat. No. 5,449,573; U.S. Pat. No. 5,385,796; and Obinata et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,928,824.

Blocking layer with needle shaped particles


In an example game device, a second character is caused to rotate based on an input operation performed on a stick of a terminal device and a change in an attitude of the terminal device. In the game device, when an enemy character is present behind the second character, a rotation angle based on an input operation performed on the stick is adjusted so that the second character is easily caused to face the enemy character. In the game device, when an orientation of the second character is changed based on the change in the attitude of the terminal device, a rotation angle based on the change in the attitude of the terminal device is adjusted so that the second character is easily caused to face the enemy character. In the game device, the second character is caused to rotate based the adjusted rotation angle.

Conventionally, there are game devices in which a player object can be caused to move or change its direction based on an input operation performed by a player using a direction input section. For example, there is a game in which the player object is caused to move forward and backward by moving a stick in up and down directions, and to rotate by moving the stick in left and right directions. In such a game, an orientation and a position of the player object are changed based on a player's input.
However, in conventional games, a player's input is directly used to control the orientation and position of a player object, and the player object cannot be necessarily easily caused to correctly perform a motion which is intended by the player.
An object of an exemplary embodiment is to provide a game system, game processing method, game program, and game device in which a player object can be easily caused to correctly perform a motion which is intended by a player.
In order to achieve the object, the present exemplary embodiment has a configuration as follows.
An exemplary embodiment is a game system for controlling a player object provided in a virtual world based on input data representing an input operation performed by a player using an input device. The game system includes an input data obtaining section, a setting section, an adjustment section, and an attitude changing section. The input data obtaining section obtains the input data. The setting section sets, based on the input data, control data representing a direction and amount of a change in an orientation of the player object in the virtual world. The adjustment section adjusts the control data so that when the player object and a predetermined other object have a predetermined position relationship, the player object is easily caused to face in a predetermined direction. The attitude changing section changes an attitude of the player object based on the control data.
With the above configuration, the control data representing the change direction and change amount of the orientation of the player object is set based on the input data. When the player object and the predetermined other object have the predetermined position relationship, the control data can be adjusted so that the player object is easily caused to face in the predetermined direction. As a result, when the player object and the predetermined other object have the predetermined position relationship, the player object can be easily caused to face in the predetermined direction.
In another configuration, the adjustment section may adjust the control data so that the player object is easily caused to face the other object.
With the above configuration, the player object can be easily caused to face the other object.
In another configuration, the adjustment section may adjust the control data so that when the other object is located behind the player object, the player object is easily caused to face the other object.
With the above configuration, when the other object is located behind the player object, the player object can be easily caused to face the other object.
In another configuration, the game system may further include a degree calculation section configured to calculate a degree of a match between a specific direction as viewed from the player object and a direction from the player object toward the other object. The adjustment section may adjust the control data based on the degree.
With the above configuration, the control data can be adjusted based on the degree. For example, the degree may increase as the other object is closer to a position directly behind the player object. Alternatively, the degree may increase as the other object is closer to a position directly to the right of the player object.
In another configuration, the degree may increase as the other object is closer to a position directly behind the player object. In this case, the adjustment section may adjust the control data so that the player object is more easily caused to face the other object as the degree increases.
With the above configuration, as the other object is closer to a position directly behind the player object, the player object can be more easily caused to face the other object.
In another configuration, the input data may include attitude data based on the attitude of the input device. The game system may further include an attitude obtaining section configured to obtain the attitude of the input device based on the attitude data. The setting section may set the control data based on the attitude of the input device.
With the above configuration, the attitude of the input device can be obtained, and the control data can be set based on the attitude of the input device.
In another configuration, the setting section may set the control data so that the orientation of the player object is changed by a first change amount corresponding to a change amount of the attitude of the input device. In this case, the adjustment section may adjust the control data so that when the player object and the other object have the predetermined position relationship, the orientation of the player object is changed by a second change amount larger than the first change amount.
With the above configuration, the orientation of the player object can be changed based on the first change amount corresponding to the change amount of the attitude of the input device. When the player object and the other object have the predetermined position relationship, the orientation of the player object can be changed by a larger amount.
In another configuration, the setting section may set the control data so that the orientation of the player object is changed toward a direction in the virtual world corresponding to a direction in which the attitude of the input device has been changed, by the first change amount corresponding to the change amount of the attitude of the input device. The adjustment section may adjust the control data so that when the direction in the virtual world corresponding to the direction in which the attitude of the input device has been changed is a direction in which the player object faces the other object, the orientation of the player object is changed by the second change amount larger than the first change amount.
With the above configuration, the orientation of the player object can be changed based on the change direction and change amount of the attitude of the input device. When the attitude of the input device is changed toward the direction in which the player object faces the other object, the orientation of the player object can be changed by a larger amount.
In another configuration, the input data may include direction data corresponding to an input operation performed on a direction input section included in the input device. The setting section may set the control data based on the direction data.
With the above configuration, the control data can be set based on an input operation performed on the direction input section.
In another configuration, the game system may further include a movement section configured to cause the player object to move in the virtual world based on the direction data.
With the above configuration, the player object can be caused to move in the virtual world based on an input operation performed on the direction input section.
In another configuration, when the player object and the other object have the predetermined position relationship, then if a movement direction of the player object represented by the direction data is a direction in which the player object faces the other object, the movement section may limit a movement of the player object. The adjustment section may adjust the control data so that when the player object and the other object have the predetermined position relationship, then if the movement direction of the player object represented by the direction data is a direction in which the player object faces the other object, the player object is caused to face the other object.
With the above configuration, the player object can be caused to move based on an input operation performed on the direction input section. When the player object and the other object have the predetermined position relationship, then if the movement direction represented by the direction data is a direction in which the player object faces the other object, the movement of the player object can be limited. In this case, the control data can be adjusted so that the player object faces the other object.
In another configuration, the input device may be a portable display device including a display section. The game system may further include a virtual camera setting section and a display control section. The virtual camera setting section sets a virtual camera in the virtual world based on the orientation of the player object. The display control section causes the display section to display an image of the virtual world captured by the virtual camera.
With the above configuration, a virtual camera can be set based on the orientation of the player object, and an image of the virtual space captured by the virtual camera can be displayed on the portable display device.
In another configuration, the other object may be an enemy object which is allowed to move in the virtual world. The game system may further include an attack control section configured to cause the player object to attack the enemy object based on the input data.
With the above configuration, a game can be provided in which a player object is caused to attack an enemy object.
Another exemplary embodiment may be a game device included in the game system. Still another exemplary embodiment may be in the form of a game program which causes a computer included in the game system to function each of the above sections. Still another exemplary embodiment may be in the form of a game processing method which is performed in the game device or the game system. The game system may be implemented by a plurality of devices which cooperate with each other or a single device.
According to the present exemplary embodiment, a player can cause a player object to correctly perform a motion which is intended by the player.
These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present exemplary embodiment will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present exemplary embodiment when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Game system, game processing method, recording medium storing game program, and game device


A method for use in a communication network is provided. The method comprises the steps of: (i) providing a plurality of network processing units (NPU's) comprised in the communication network; (ii) establishing a replication of at least one of the NPU's; (iii) virtually arranging the NPU's and the replication(s) in a ring configuration; (iv) associating a unique primary virtual identification and a corresponding unique backup virtual identification with each active and available entity selected from among the plurality of NPU's and replication(s); (v) establishing a list of hash values, each associated with the primary virtual identification or the backup virtual identification of a corresponding active and available entity; (vi) implementing a ring consistent hashing algorithm for carrying out a search resolution for a consistent hashing; and (vii) in a case of a change in an active and available entity having a certain primary virtual identification, using the corresponding backup virtual identification to maintain the ring continuity.

High-scale stateful load balancing is an important part of many network functions and an active field of academic and practical research. The use of load balancing is part of many different layers in networking functionalities, including but not limited to: Link-aggregation traffic distribution, ECMP/WCMP (Equal Cost Multi-Path, Weighted Cost Multi-Path), L4-L7 Session Load Balancing, Distributed Data-base implementation, Mobility EPC (Evolved Packet Core) functions, NAT (Network Address Translations) functions, and the like.
Classical non stateful (Link-aggregation, ECMP/ECMP) or stateful (L4-L7 Session Load Balancing, etc.) are all revolving around the way to choose the destination or eventual server/micro-service which should handle a traffic item. The way in which the existing destinations are obtained, managed, accounted for or being classified are beyond the scope of this disclosure, so are the exact ways by which load parameters/abilities of these destinations are conveyed to the load balancing device/devices (which can be based on out-of-band communication or in-band communication using special streams or piggi-bagging existing ones, where problems are more complicated in case of a distributed load-balancing architecture).

Method for implementing a consistent hashing in a communication network


A programmable frequency divider circuit includes a prescaler which consists of p cascade-connected dividing cells, a cell of rank i in the cascade having a normal division factor 2 and also being programmable so as to divide by 3 the input frequency applied to the cell. Each cell of rank i supplies, as a signal enabling the programmed mode for the preceding cell of rank i-1, a signal which is referred to as a gating signal and which is calibrated as regards duration and position in time at the operating frequency of the cell i, the prescaler (PPSC) being associated with counting means (CNT) for producing a programmable division factor (R) which is equal to M.2.sup.p +N, where M is an integer number applied to the counting means (CNT), p is the number of cells of the prescaler (PPSC), and N is an integer number applied to the programming inputs of the prescaler (PPSC).

The invention relates to a programmable frequency divider circuit, comprising:
p cascade-connected frequency dividing cells, a cell of rank i in the cascade performing an i.sup.th division, where i takes one of the values from 0 to (p-1), all cells being switchable between a divide-by-two mode, referred to as the normal mode, and a divide-by-three mode, referred to as the programmed mode, a cell having of arbitrary rank i comprising a first input (I.sub.i) for an input frequency signal (FI.sub.i) and a first output (O.sub.i) for an output frequency signal (FO.sub.i) to be applied to the first input (I.sub.i+1) of the next cell of rank (i+1), a second input (CI.sub.i) for an enable signal for the programmed mode, a third input (D.sub.i) for a programming signal, and a second output (CO.sub.i) for a gating signal, there being provided means for generating said gating signal from the enable signal received on the second input (CI.sub.i) of the cell i, said gating signal being applied to the second input (CI.sub.i-1) of the cell (i-1) of lower rank as an enable signal.
A prior art frequency divider circuit of this kind is known from the document FR-A-2 653 617. According to the cited document, the programmable frequency divider circuit comprises a plurality of p cascade-connected dividing cells, each of which is capable of performing a division of the input frequency of the cell by two or by three, depending on the value of signals applied on the one hand to the third input, referred to as the programming input (D.sub.i), and on the other hand to the second input (CI.sub.i) which is referred to as the enable input of the relevant cell. For a given division factor, appropriate signals are permanently applied to the programming inputs (D.sub.i), whereas an enable signal received on the second input (CI.sub.i) of each cell determines the instant at which the relevant cell must execute the division mode which is referred to as the programmed mode, i.e. a division by three instead of two in the normal mode. Each cell receiving an enable signal supplies the preceding cell with a signal which is referred to as a gating signal and which is received by said preceding cell as an enable signal.
The known frequency divider circuit has a given number of limitations. On the one hand, the range of division factor values to be utilized by such a circuit is rather limited (it depends on the number of cells), because the enable signal applied to the p.sup.th cell, i.e. the last one of the series, is actually an invariable signal and more specifically a low signal. The corresponding enable input is actually connected to ground. On the other hand, in the known circuit each dividing cell produces a gating signal intended for the preceding cell and fixed by the rhythm of that cell itself in as far as it concerns the transition to the active logic state of said gating signal, whilst the returning to the inactive logic state of this gating signal is applied directly to all cells simultaneously under the influence of an OR-gate provided in each cell of this circuit. This signal necessarily incurs a delay while progressing through the p cells of the circuit, whereas a high precision is necessary in as far as it concerns the first cell which operates at the highest frequency.
It is an object of the present invention to eliminate said limitations.


Exemplary embodiments are directed to providing electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection of a cascode device of an amplifier. In an exemplary embodiment, a transistor is configured to receive a bias voltage and at least one circuit element coupled to the transistor and configured to receive an input voltage via an input pad. Additionally at least one diode can be coupled to a drain of the first transistor and configured to limit a voltage potential at an internal node of the amplifier caused by the input pad.

1. Field
The present invention relates generally to electrostatic discharge protection. More specifically, the present invention relates to systems, devices, and methods for electrostatic discharge protection of low-noise amplifier cascode devices.
2. Background
Amplifiers are commonly used in various electronics devices to provide signal amplification. Different types of amplifiers are available for different uses. For example, a wireless communication device such as a cellular phone may include a transmitter and a receiver for bi-directional communication. The receiver may utilize a low noise amplifier (LNA), the transmitter may utilize a power amplifier (PA), and the receiver and transmitter may utilize variable gain amplifiers (VGAs).
Amplifiers may be fabricated with various integrated circuit (IC) processes. Sub-micron complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) fabrication processes are commonly used for radio frequency (RF) circuits in wireless devices and other electronics devices in order to reduce cost and improve integration. However, transistors fabricated with sub-micron CMOS processes typically have small physical dimensions and are more susceptible to stress and possibly failure due to electro-static discharge (ESD). ESD is a sudden large and momentary electrical charge that may come from static electricity and/or other sources. It is desirable to effectively combat ESD while minimally affecting performance.
In a common-source cascode LNA, with an inductive load, a load tuning capacitor may exist between an output of the LNA output and a ground node. Typically, a gate of a cascode device and a supply voltage are closely coupled to the ground node through bypass capacitors. During an ESD event at an input of the LNA, due to LC resonance at the LNA output, a large voltage potential can develop between the LNA output and the gate of a cascode device, potentially rupturing the gate-drain junction of the cascode device. In an integrated receiver, the LNA output may be an internal node, which couples to a down-converter. In this case, typically, there is no ESD protection for the cascode device and, therefore, the LNA output swing may damage the cascode device, even though the transconductance transistor is undamaged.
Hence, ESD protection of LNA cascode devices is desirable. More specifically, a need exists for systems, devices, and methods for protecting LNA cascode transistor against ESD.

Electrostatic discharge protection of amplifier cascode devices


A light crystal cell comprising a pair of substrates arranged substantially parallel and provided with electrodes on their opposite surfaces, and a ferroelectric liquid crystal composition held between these substrates, two polarizers arranged on either side of said liquid crystal cell, and an optical retardation film for equalizing the states of polarization of transmitted light that has passed through parts of said liquid crystal cell of different thickness. It is preferable that this optical retardation film is inserted between the liquid crystal cell and a polarizer. The number of optical retardation films need not however be limited to one, and several such films may be used. A polarizer and optical retardation film may also be assembled as one unit.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention concerns a ferroelectric liquid crystal display device, and in particular a liquid crystal display device wherein unevenness of the display color due to non-uniformity of cell thickness, is eliminated.
2. Description of the Related Art
A ferroelectric liquid crystal display device which operates in a new birefringence display mode using a combination of a ferroelectric liquid crystal and polarizers is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 56-107216. This device has the following characteristics:
(1) High speed response (of the order of several tens microseconds), PA0 (2) Memory capability for alignment.
In particular, the memory capability (2) makes possible a high capacity display of over 400 lines without any cross-talk.
We shall describe the principle of ferroelectric liquid crystal display based on the devices of the prior art.
As shown in FIG. 1, a 1st and 2nd polarizer 3 and 4 are arranged respectively on either side of a cell 5 consisting of a liquid crystal composition enclosed between a pair of substrates. When an electric field is applied to this cell 5 in the direction marked 600, the director 500 points in the direction marked 501. When an electric field is applied in the direction marked 601, on the other hand, director 500 points in the direction marked 502. In FIG. 1, the 1st polarizer 3 is arranged such that its polarizing axis 31 is aligned with direction 501, while the 2nd polarizer 4 is aligned such that its polarizing axis 41 is perpendicular to axis 31 of 1st polarizer 3.
We shall now explain the polarization of the light which passes through this liquid crystal display device. First, natural light passes through 1st polarizer 3 and thereby becomes linearly polarized light 103. This light 103 then is incident on the liquid crystal cell 5. When an electric field is applied to cell 5 in the direction marked 600, the director 500 is aligned in the direction 501, and therefore the light 103 passes through cell 5 without any change of polarization. The light 105 which has left cell 5 is therefore linearly polarized. The plane of vibration of this linearly polarized light 105 is mutually perpendicular to polarizing axis 41 of 2nd polarizer 4. As a result, the light 105 is unable to pas through polarizer 4, and the liquid crystal display is then dark. On the other hand, when an electric field is applied to cell 5 in the direction marked 601, the director 500 points in direction 502 The linearly polarized light 103 incident on the cell 5 is thereby generally changed into elliptically polarized light. Thus the light 105 which leaves cell 5 is elliptically polarized light. The result is that part of the light 105 passes through the 2nd polarizer 4, and the liquid crystal display thus appears bright.
In the ferroelectric liquid crystal display, therefore, the orientation of the director is selected by the polarity of the external electric field, and effectively switches the light on and off. This type of method is known as birefringence mode display. In the meantime, we set forth the case where polarizing axis 31 of polarizer 3 is parallel to the orientation of the director of the liquid crystal when a voltage is applied to a liquid crystal cell. However, it is well known that it is not always necessary to arrange the polarizing axis parallel to the orientation of the director.
Now the transmission of the light when the birefringence mode display having the optical arrangement as shown in FIG. 1 appears bright, depends on the product of optical anisotropy of the liquid crystal, .DELTA.n, and the thickness of the liquid crystal layer d (this is known as the retardation value). The light transmission T (.lambda.) of the device in the bright condition under the cross-Nicol, is given by the following equation: EQU T (.lambda.)=T.sub.0 .multidot.sin.sup.2 (.pi..DELTA.nd/.lambda.)
where .lambda. is the wavelength of the light, and T.sub.0 is a constant.
We calculated the dependence of transmission of the liquid crystal cell on cell thickness for the case .DELTA.n=0.14. FIG. 2 shows the results. In FIG. 2, in the region of a cell thickness of 2 .mu.m, the transmissivities of red, blue and green light in the transmitted light are nearly 100%, and a white display is therefore obtained. In the region of a cell thickness of 2.2 .mu.m, however, only a light having wavelength nearer yellow has a higher transmissivity, and the color of the display therefore changes to light yellow. Further, when the cell thickness is in the region of 2.3 .mu.m, the color of the display becomes light purple.
The color of the display in the bright condition therefore changes considerably for a mere 0.1 .mu.m variation in cell thickness. In practice, it is recognized that if there is a +0.05 .mu.m difference in the thickness of a manufactured ferroelectric liquid crystal cell, it will be perceived as an unevenness in the color of the display, and this unevenness is undesirable. To suppress it and render the color uniform, it is thus necessary to control manufacture such that the thickness of the liquid crystal layer (cell thickness) is within a tolerance of +0.05 .mu.m. Meanwhile, the cell thickness of a ferroelectric liquid crystal device is normally approx. 1-5 .mu.m. This is very thin in comparison to the cell thickness of 5-8 .mu.m of the supertwisted liquid crystal display devices which are currently being mass produced, and it is consequently very difficult to control the thickness of the layer such that it is within a tolerance of +0.05 .mu.m over the whole surface of the liquid crystal panel.

Ferroelectric liquid crystal display device having equalizing means


A gas generating system (10) includes a housing (12) having a longitudinal axis (A) and a pair of baffle tubes (22, 24) positioned within the housing (12). The baffle tubes each have a pair of opposed ends. At least a pair of opposed longitudinally aligned surfaces (62, 64) is formed within the housing (12) proximate the ends of the housing. Each of the surfaces (62, 64) is sloped with respect to the housing longitudinal axis (A) and abuts a corresponding end of one of the baffle tubes (22, 24) to position the baffle tubes within the housing (12) such that longitudinal axes of the first baffle tube (22) and the second baffle tube (24) are both substantially coaxial with the longitudinal axis (A) of the housing (12). Abutment between the sloped surfaces (62, 64) and the baffle tubes (22, 24) during assembly of the gas generating system provides an efficient means of automatically centering the baffle tubes (22, 24) within the housing (12), thereby easing assembly of the gas generating system.

The present invention relates to gas generating systems and, more particularly, to a pyrotechnic gas generating system including a mechanism for aligning a plurality of concentric gas flow baffles incorporated therein.
Some gas generating system designs incorporate one or more concentric, tubular baffles positioned within the gas generator housing to direct the flow of gases within the housing prior to expulsion of the gases from the housing. The baffles, usually in conjunction with an outer wall of the gas generator housing, form one or more concentric annular flow passages for channeling gas flow within the housing. In many of these designs, it is important to maintain the concentricity of the baffles during the flow of gases therethrough, to control the dimensions of the gas flow passages formed along the baffles. Concentricity of the baffles is usually achieved and maintained by the use of shoulders or tabs positioned along end portions of the housing to engage end portions of the baffles in interference fits. However, positioning the baffles to engage the shoulders or tabs during assembly of the gas generating system may be time consuming, thereby increasing assembly time and manufacturing costs.


A cell in one example comprises an alkali metal and a coating of parylene on an interior surface of the cell. In one implementation, the alkali metal may be an optically pumped gaseous phase of an alkali metal. The parylene coating minimizes interaction of the excited state of the alkali metal, increases lifetime of the excited state, and minimizes interaction of nuclear spin states with the cell walls.

This application relates generally to nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) gyroscopes and atomic clocks, and in particular to fabrication, coating, and sealing of alkali vapor cells suitable for both applications.
Atomic clocks and NMR gyroscopes (gyros) utilize generally glass cells containing alkali metal, alkali metal vapor and various other gases. The alkali metal is optically pumped to an excited state. For the optimum operation of either the clock or gyro, interaction of the alkali vapor with the walls must be minimized. One way is to use a buffer gas to reduce the number of collisions with the walls. The other way is to minimize the interaction with the walls when a collision does occur. Various coatings have been utilized to minimize interaction. For atomic clocks, paraffin has been used. For NMR gyros, certain hydrides have been used.
Thus, a need exists for a cell having a high transmissivity at wavelengths of interest while minimizing undesired cell wall interactions.


An apparatus and method for performing needle guided interventions and especially needle guided dilations of tissue to create a therapeutic conduit between two luminal organs or structures. The device is particularly useful for creation of an artificial lumen between two hollow body organs using the working lumen of an endoscope.

1. Field of the Invention
Disclosed is a device and method for performing needle guided interventions and especially needle guided dilations of tissue to create a therapeutic conduit between two luminal organs or structures. The device is particularly useful for creation of an artificial lumen between hollow body organs using the working lumen of an endoscope.
2. Description of the Related Art
Often there is a need to create a luminal passageway between two lumen containing organs in the body. Examples of these would be between a segment of bowel and another structure such as another section of bowel, gallbladder, bile or pancreatic duct. Often the second luminal structure is not an organ but rather a cyst, pseudocyst or abscess.
Other techniques and devices exist to perform these procedures. The creation of a conduit between a bowel lumen (stomach, colon, rectum or duodenum) and a luminal structure is performed using an ultrasound endoscope. A stylet-filled continuous stainless steel needle is advanced through the working lumen of an ultrasound endoscope and directed through the wall of the bowel and into the targeted luminal structure lying adjacent to the bowel. Once inside the structure the stylet is removed and a guidewire is advanced into the luminal structure. The needle is removed and a catheter device is advanced over the guidewire and directed through the bowel wall into the luminal structure. Examples of catheter devices are dilating bougie catheters and balloon catheters.
One example of how these procedures are typically performed is the drainage of fluid from a pseudocyst. In this procedure a stylet-filled continuous stainless steel needle is advanced through the working lumen of an endoscope and directed through the wall of the bowel and into a pseudocyst cavity lying adjacent to the bowel. Once inside the cavity, the stylet is removed and a guidewire is advanced through the needle and into the pseudocyst. The needle is removed and a balloon catheter is advanced over the guidewire and directed through the bowel wall until the deflated balloon lies across the wall of the bowel and the tissue interposed between the bowel and the pseudocyst. The balloon is then inflated creating a 6-8 mm passageway between the bowel and the pseudocyst cavity. The balloon is deflated and the catheter removed over the guidewire leaving behind an enlarged conduit. A double pigtailed drainage catheter or other drainage device is then advanced over the guidewire and one end is placed inside the pseudocyst cavity and the other inside the bowel thus facilitating the drainage of fluid from the pseudocyst into the bowel.
Another example of how these procedures are typically performed is the creation of a conduit between an obstructed bile or pancreatic duct and a bowel lumen using an ultrasound endoscope. A stylet-filled continuous stainless steel needle is advanced through the working lumen of an ultrasound endoscope and directed into the bile or pancreatic duct upstream from the site of obstruction. Once inside the duct, the stylet is removed and a guidewire is advanced through the needle and into the duct. The needle is removed and a dilating catheter or balloon catheter is advanced over the guidewire and directed into the duct. A stent is then advanced over the guidewire and one end is placed inside the duct and the other inside the bowel.
However the procedures as described above are often difficult to complete successfully because once the needle is removed, the remaining guidewire lacks the rigidity to provide adequate support for the catheter device. This makes it difficult to push the catheter device through the bowel wall and into the luminal structure. This is particularly true when the tissue interposed between the bowel lumen and the targeted luminal structure is thick, edematous or fibrotic. Often the catheter device will simply buckle inside the bowel and not advance through the wall. Furthermore, the small diameter guidewire has a tendency to dislodge during the exchange of the needle for the balloon catheter which causes a loss of lumen access and necessitates repeating the procedure. Even when successful, the physician is required to make many exchanges of the needle, guidewire and or catheters which can make the technique cumbersome and time consuming. A simpler procedure is necessary to overcome the disadvantages of current practice. Particularly, a system that will enable rapid catheter device access on the initial attempt after needle puncture of the target luminal structure and one that does not require multiple exchanges of accessories is needed. Also needed is a method of fixing the position of the needle and catheter device sheath relative to the endoscope while one or the other is advanced or retracted. Particularly, providing a more stable platform over which a catheter device sheath may be advanced is important and incorporating all the wires, sheaths and needles into a single integrated system would save the practitioner valuable time and reduce the chance of potential surgical morbidity.

Method and apparatus for performing needle guided interventions


Complex encryption keys, in an encryption scheme using an encryption algorithm and an n-bit length encryption key that does not depend upon using longer keys, has the steps: (i) parsing the n-length key into a set of numbers, (ii) mapping each set of numbers to a wave, and (iii) combining the set of waves additively yielding a complex wave, where a sequence of random numbers, called wave random numbers from the wave amplitude may be derived. The wave random numbers are then used for generating different types of complex encryption keys, such as random transient keys (RTK), random helical keys (RGH) and random length keys (RLK). These complex keys are transient encryption keys and are deleted after each use and recreated at a different time and place for decryption by repeating the process steps.

Protecting data in transit requires encrypting the data on one end of the transmission and then decrypting it at the other end of the transmission. Protecting data in storage requires encrypting the data before storage and then decrypting it after retrieval from storage. The encryption, also know as cryptology, is based on having an encryption algorithm and an encryption key. The encryption algorithms are generally few and known at large. Therefore, protecting data depends largely upon protecting the encryption key itself.
As the computers processor speeds have increased, it has become easier to break these encryption keys by brute force. Hence longer and longer keys are being proposed for use and used. While in the past, 64 and 128 bits were used, the key lengths that are common used today are 256 bits, 384 bits, and 512 bits, the later two in high security applications. As an example, the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) uses three keys in sequence to create the effect of a longer key, for example three keys each of 64 bits may be used in sequence rather than one key of 192 bits.
It is said that using longer keys for security provides a temporary advantage, as the speed of computers would keep increasing and the time it takes to break even longer keys would come down. Using computers in parallel also provides great computing strength that may be used to break longer keys.
Further, a key, that is used repeatedly, has the potential of being broken in other ways by analyzing the encrypted data and the unencrypted data using that key. To overcome this issue, a set of keys, instead of a single key may be stored at each end and an information exchange protocol is then used to select and/or negotiate use of one of these keys for a given session, before the session. In addition to that, each key that is selected for use is made different by various ways. One of which is Xor'ing an harmonically increasing block number to each key, the other is chaining the key to the previous data block. These are deterministic as opposed to random techniques and may be worked around to break the key.
The third issue in encryption and encryption key use is initially generating and then periodically refreshing or regenerating the keys. This requires a great effort, as it requires secure storage and secure distribution to the point of use. The keys are originally created using a random selection of digits that comprise the key. That in itself is a time consuming and difficult process to make sure the key is truly random and is not subject to different forms of attack.
It is the objective of the preferred embodiment to transform encryption keys into stronger keys that may not be broken by brute force. It is also the objective, to increase encryption strength for wireless transmission, internet and data storage security by using stronger keys that are not dependent on using longer encryption keys. It is also the objective of the preferred embodiment to lessen the need for extraordinary effort required in safeguarding keys.

Systems and methods for complex encryption keys


A program causes a computer to execute a process of, upon receiving a content request from a player, consuming the lottery point associated with the player, and executing a lottery game for the player, upon receiving a support request for supporting a first player playing the lottery game by a second player, giving a lottery point to the first player and the second player without consuming a play point of the second player, upon receiving a special support request for supporting a first player playing the lottery game by a second player, consuming a play point of the second player and giving a lottery point to the first player and the second player, and limiting the number of executions of the support process to a predetermined number or smaller and permitting execution of the special support process a number of times larger than the predetermined number.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a game program and an information processing device.
2. Description of Related Art
Game systems allowing a player in receipt of a request for support for another player to give the player a reinforcement point have been known (for example, JP 2013-52285 A).

Non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing game program, and information processing device


A surface light source device having LED clusters arranged in a matrix of rows and columns on a board. Each of the LED clusters includes red, green and blue LEDs arranged in a triangle. The LED clusters are grouped into A, E, C and D, which have the red LEDs located top, right, bottom and left, respectively, from a center of the triangle. The matrix of the LED clusters includes alternating first and second type rows arranged repeatedly from top to bottom of the matrix, terminating with the second type row. The first type rows each have first type cluster arrays of the LED clusters arranged in a repeating order of E, C, D and C from left to right. The second type rows each have second type cluster arrays of the LED clusters arranged in a repeating order of A, D, A and D from left to right.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a surface light source device, and more particularly, to a high quality, high-uniformity surface light source device using a light emitting diode (LED) and a direct-type backlight unit having the surface light source device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, with a thinner and higher-performing trend of a display device, a liquid crystal display has been broadly utilized in TVs or monitors. A liquid crystal panel does not emit light on its own, thereby requiring a separate light source unit, i.e., a backlight unit (BLU). The BLU has adopted as its light source a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL), which, however, is giving way to a light emitting diode (LED) lately thanks to its advantage in terms of color representation and power consumption.
In general, the BLU includes an edge-type BLU and a direct-type BLU. In the former, a bar-shaped light source is disposed at an edge of a liquid crystal panel to irradiate light onto a light guide plate. In contrast, in the latter, a surface light source is disposed below the liquid crystal panel to directly irradiate light onto the light guide panel. The direct-type BLU includes a surface light source disposed in a lower part thereof and an optical member such as a diffusing plate disposed at a predetermined distance above the surface light source.
A plurality of red, green and blue LEDs are arranged uniformly at a predetermined interval on a circuit board to realize a white surface light source for a direct-type BLU. In this direct-type BLU, light outputted from the LEDs may slightly differ in uniformity depending on arrangement thereof but typically, color stains are caused at side portions or a central portion of an LCD screen, or a top surface of the BLU. To reduce color non-uniformity including color stains, a greater number of LEDs may be more densely arranged, which however entails higher costs without considerably lessening color non-uniformity at the side portions of the screen.
FIG. 1a is a plan view illustrating an example of a conventional surface light source for a direct-type backlight unit, and FIG. 1b is a schematic view illustrating a light output pattern on the top surface of a backlight unit including the surface light source shown in FIG. 1a. Referring to FIG. 1a, the surface light source device 10 includes a plurality of red R, green G and blue B LEDs arranged on a circuit board 11. Light from these red R, green G and blue B LEDs is combined together to produce white light. A reflective plate 17 is disposed at edges of the board 11 to upwardly reflect light which is propagating laterally from the board 11.
The red R, green G and blue B LEDs are arranged into a cluster 15 with a triangular configuration, and a plurality of the LED cluster 15 are arranged in a matrix. Herein, a light emitting diode (LED) cluster means a unit LED group in which at least two LEDs are clustered to generate white light. As shown in FIG. 1a, all the LED clusters 15 are identically arranged in such a way that the highly visible red LED R in each of the clusters 15 is located top from a center of the triangular configuration (refer to an arrow in the left side of FIG. 1a).
However, in the aforesaid LED arrangement, color stains appear at side portions of the board, specifically, upper side portion S1 and lower side portion S3 of the board due to non-uniform color combination and light reflection in the vicinity of the reflective plate 17. This causes output light to be distributed with less uniformity on an entire top surface 50 of the BLU. That is, as shown in FIG. 1b, a red color stain appears on an area P1 of the top surface of the BLU, i.e., the upper side portion S1 of the board. Meanwhile, a blue or green color stain occurs in another area P2 of the top surface of the BLU, i.e., the lower side portion S3 of the board. Especially, the red light is highly visible so that the red color stain is mainly responsible for degrading color uniformity considerably.
FIG. 2a is a plan view illustrating another example of a conventional surface light source 20 for a backlight unit. FIG. 2b is a schematic view illustrating a light output pattern on a top surface of the backlight unit including the surface light source device of FIG. 2a. Referring to FIG. 2a, LED clusters are grouped into two types of clusters 25 and 26. In the clusters 25, red LEDs are located right from a center of a triangular configuration. In the clusters 26, red LEDs are located left from a center of the triangular configuration (refer to an arrow in FIG. 2a). These two types of LED clusters 25 and 26 are arranged alternately and repeatedly from top to bottom. For example, odd rows have only the first type LED clusters 25 arranged repeatedly and even rows have only the second type LED clusters 26 arranged repeatedly.
The surface light source device of FIG. 2a moderately alleviates color stains caused on the upper side portion S1 and the lower side portion S3 of the board. However, such color stains still appear considerably at corners of the board, notably, an upper right corner and a lower left corner. That is, as shown in FIG. 2b, the corners P3 and P4 of the top surface of the BLU experience a red or yellow color stain. Various alternatives to the arrangement of the LEDs as shown in FIGS. 1a and 2a have been suggested, however, without fundamentally overcoming a problem of color non-uniformity such as color stains.

Surface light source device and backlight unit having the same


An inkjet printing apparatus includes a printing unit including four inkjet heads configured to discharge black, cyan, magenta, and yellow inks, respectively, to a transferred sheet; and a control unit configured to control the printing unit, wherein the printing unit, when forming a gray image by the printing unit, forms a grey image with three color inks other than black when a level of influence on an ink landing position by an airflow under the inkjet head is a predetermined level or higher, forms the grey image with the black ink when the level of influence is lower than the predetermined level, and controls the printing unit to set higher print resolution and set smaller an ink discharge amount for one pixel from the inkjet head than when forming the gray image with other three color inks, in forming the gray image with the black ink.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to inkjet printing apparatuses performing printing by discharging ink to a print medium from an inkjet head.
2. Background Art
Inkjet printing apparatuses forming an image by discharging ink droplets from a nozzle of an inkjet head and landing them to a sheet are being widely used.
Of the inkjet printing apparatuses, an inkjet printing apparatus of a line type performing printing by discharging the ink droplets from the fixed, long inkjet head while transferring the sheet has drawn attention in recent years in terms of speed-up.
Some inkjet printing apparatuses can perform full-color printing using black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) inks (refer to, for example, Patent Literature 1).
When such an inkjet printing apparatus capable of performing the full-color printing forms a gray image having medium to low density, normally, it does not use the K ink but the C, M, Y inks to form the gray image. There are two reasons for that.
As a first reason, if the gray image having the low density is formed only with the K ink or the K, C, M, Y inks, many pixels are thinned out to form the gray image with less pixels (dots). Then, graininess is deteriorated.
As a second reason, with respect to a K dot, if a position of other color dot is deviated due to landing deviation, the gray image may have other color.
With the above-described two reasons, the inkjet printing apparatus capable of performing the full-color printing normally forms the gray image having the medium to low density using the three color inks of C, M, Y without using the K ink, but, a problem may occur even with such a method. For example, the positions of the C, M, Y ink dots are deviated from one another and, as a result, the gray image may have other color.
Thus, it can be considered to use only the K ink, raise resolution higher than set resolution (set to higher resolution), and decrease an ink discharge amount per one pixel (set to a smaller ink discharge amount), so as to form the gray image.
The graininess is described as below. "High graininess" or "good graininess" indicates a state in which, since the pixel included in the printed image is small, it is hardly visible. Thus, when the graininess is high, the printed image looks smooth. On the other hand, "low graininess" or "bad graininess" indicates a state in which, since the pixel included in the printed image is large, the pixel is easily visible. Thus, when the graininess is low, the printed image looks variable in grain and rough.
The graininess is an indication for evaluating the printed image by an impression when it is viewed with human eyes. Whether the graininess is high or low can be determined by mechanical measurement such as a size of the pixel included in the printed image, a level of arrangement of the pixels, and so on. The smaller the pixel is, or the more uniform the arrangement of the pixels is, the higher the graininess becomes. On the other hand, the larger the pixel is, or the less uniform the arrangement of the pixels is, the lower the graininess becomes.
With the higher resolution and the smaller ink discharge amount, the grain of the image can be reduced in size and, thus, deterioration of the graininess in the printed image can be reduced. Further, since only the K ink is used, the gray image would not have the other colors.


An approach for inter-table parallel refresh in a database management system (DBMS). An inter-table refresher receives DBMS source and target databases comprising source parent and related source child datasets. The inter-table refresher determines a collection of the source parent and the related source child datasets and creates a collection of parent and child refresh segments based on the collection of the source parent and child datasets. The inter-table refresher creates a collection of parent and child refresh batches based on the collection of parent and child refresh segments respectively and outputs an inter-table refresh batch schedule based on the collection of the parent refresh batches and the collection of the child refresh batches where the collection of the parent refresh batches and the collection of the child refresh batches operate concurrently and a current child refresh batch follows the completion of a respective current parent refresh batch.

The present invention relates generally to Database Management System (DBMS) replication and more particularly, to refreshing datasets between DBMS sources and targets.
In high availability computing environments, data replication is an important element to ensure continuous data availability, minimize/avoid downtime and/or distribute workload of database management systems. Dataset refreshes, as part of data replication function, can also be used to maintain multiple copies of database for database management and administration needs. A replicated database can be used the event of a data failure/loss and/or to off-load read-only transactions toward a replica DBMS, however activities to refresh datasets can become complex when a refresh process is executed while a database is actively operating (e.g., insertion, deletion and changing data records). The process of copying data records for a refresh can compete for CPU, interfere with referential integrity rules and cause table locking due to blocked and/or waiting child table processing. A time-consuming refresh operation can prevent record access availability and adversely affect database availability to users/transactions in actively operating systems.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

International Business Machines Corporation


A device and method for cutting and grinding a hard but brittle material (such as glass plate, etc.) for producing a doughnut-shaped substrate are provided. The device of the present invention comprises a tubular core rod and shank extending therefrom and coaxial therewith. A plate is attached to the rod and shank and extends therefrom. A skirt is attached to the plate and surrounds the rod. Both the rod and skirt include at least one circumferential cavity. A core drill and a skirt drill are integral with the core rod and skirt, respectively. The cavities, skirt, and drills include diamond whetstone parts.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device and a method for cutting and grinding a doughnut shaped substrate of a hard but brittle material such as plate glass etc.
2. Description of the related art
As materials of disc substrates used for high density information media, conventionally metals such as aluminium etc. and non-metallic materials such as ceramic, plastic are used, and recently, glass material has come to be used greatly with the reason that it is excellent in flatness (degree of planarity).
As a disc substrate, in general, a doughnut shaped substrate having a circular hole at its central portion has been widely used. However, in the case of a doughnut shaped substrate of glass just after its having been cut, many minute irregularities generated in the course of cutting and grinding of the substrate remain at the inner circumference and the outer periphery of the substrate, so that finishing work and chamfering work must be carried out for removing the irregularities and improving strength of the substrate.
Because of the aforedescribed reasons, conventionally, for example, as disclosed in Japanese utility model laid-open publication No. 63-201048 and Japanese utility model laid-open publication No. 63-64460, glass is cut to a doughnut shape and the doughnut shape substrate is suctionedly secured on a vaccum suctioning table. Then, the doughnut shape substrate is accommodated in an inner circumference and outer periphery cutting and grinding device. In the device both the inner circumference and the outer periphery of the doughnut shape substrate are contacted with annular cavities formed respectively at the circumferential wall and the outer periphery of a core, and by rotating the device and the vacuum suctioning table respectively and give horizontal movement between the device and the substrate to cut and grind the inner circumference and the outer periphery of the doughnut shape substrate.
However, in the afore-described conventional method for manufacturing a doughnut shape substrate, at least two steps are indispensably necessary. That is, one of them is a work to cut a glass plate to a doughnut shape, and the other is to perform finishing and chamfering work of the peripheral surface.
Therefore, one place for cutting down a doughnut shape plate(s) from a glass plate and the other is an operating place at which work for finishing and chamfering the inner circumference and the outer periphery of the doughnut shape plate are carried out. Thus, wide space is needed. Further, after the doughnut shape plate is cut down from the glass plate, when the doughnut plate is placed on the vacuum suctioning table on which the finishing and chamfering work is performed, aligning their axes is very complicated and if they do not coincide precision of the doughnut shape substrate is lowered.

Device for cutting and grinding a doughnut shaped substrate and a method therefor


The object of this invention is to provide a structure of seal ring, and seal structure using the seal ring for flange joints of composite tanks and pipes, that prevents seal surface variations due to differences in thermal contraction between the seal ring and the tank/the flange joint, etc., that improves the resilience of the seal, and that prevents gas leakage due to poor sealing, in order to achieve the stable sealing. The seal ring fits into a ring groove formed in a sealed unit such as a tank unit or a flange joint to provide a tight seal to contain fluids. The heart-shaped seal ring has three curved surface areas that smoothly flow together, comprised of a first curved seal surface which contacts the formed surface of the ring groove, a second curved seal surface which contacts the seal surface of a second member (e.g. manhole cover), and a projecting curved surface on the opposite side. The foregoing seal ring is provided with a hollow cavity formed with the three curved surfaces of uniform thickness, and an indent that passes through from the hollow to the fluid introduction side.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a seal ring which is used for sealing at adjoining junctions provided between flange joints of composite tanks, pipes made of fiber reinforced plastics, etc. and the flange joint covers, and a seal structure for flange joint for composite tanks and pipes which use said seal ring.
2. Description of the Related Arts
Lightweight, high-strength and carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) composite materials are widely used in aircraft to contain low temperature fluids in low temperature tanks and flange joints. Since such low temperature tanks and flange joints can contain very low temperature gases of approximately xe2x88x92250xc2x0 C., the fluid seals at the tank and at the flange joint with the flange joint cover must be able to maintain a tight seal without being affected by thermal contractions from the very low temperature gases.
FIG. 4 shows an enlarged sectional view of the primary parts of a low temperature tank and a fluid seal between the tank unit and the manhole cover which covers manhole at the flange joint. In the figure, 10 represents the tank unit, and 11 is the manhole cover that covers the opening of the manhole on the top surface of tank unit 10. 15 is a ring-shaped ring groove formed in the top surface of tank unit 10. The ring-shaped seal ring 30 is inserted into said ring groove 15, and it seals off the gas flowing through the fluid leakage path 16 leading into said sink tank unit
The foregoing seal ring 30 is a hollow ring with a round cross section (31 is the hollow cavity), its outside circumferential surface being in pressure contact with the outside circumferential surface 10c and bottom surface 10a of the foregoing ring groove 15, as well as with the bottom surface 11a of manhole cover 11, to thereby provide the above described gas seal.
In some cases, this low temperature tank, and the flange joint may contain very low temperature gases, approximately xe2x88x92250xc2x0 C. as described above, which causes a differential in thermal contraction to arise between seal ring 30, which exhibits high thermal contraction, and tank unit 10, which exhibits low thermal contraction, such differences can cause the seal surface variations, and the sealing to fail between said seal ring 30 and tank unit 10 manhole cover 11, resulting in a gas leak.
Further, because the foregoing seal ring 30, having a circular section, hollow-ring shape, has low resilience, when manhole cover 11 is closed over tank unit 10, said seal ring 30 is compressed against the bottom surface 10a of ring groove 15 and the bottom surface of manhole cover 11, said seal ring 30 undergoes plastic deformation, which will eventually diminish its sealing properties, to make it prone to the same kind of seal failure and gas leakage described above.
Japanese Utility Model publication (Kokai) Hei 4-117957 disclosed technology designed to deal with this problem. As is shown in FIG. 1 of the publication, the seal ring becomes a peak shape in the areas where it makes contact with the ring groove and the cover, which makes it difficult to follow the above described differences in thermal expansion. Also, the seal ring shown in FIG. 8 of the publication features a conventional, sectionally circular shaped O-ring having a wide opening at the inner circumference to form a C-shaped cross section. Since the opening is wide at the inner circumference, however, it has a low spring constant and the seal surface pressure can not be high enough, so the sealing properties are not adequate in the top and bottom sealing areas. Another seal ring having a C-shaped cross section is disclosed in FIG. 4 of Japanese patent publication (Kokai) Hei 7-208125. This type of seal ring having C-shaped cross section is, however, suitable to seal only at the outer circumference.
The present invention addresses the problems in the prior arts. The object of this invention is to provide a seal ring, and seal structure using the seal ring for flange joints used for composite tanks and pipes, that prevent seal surface variations due to differences in thermal contraction between the seal ring and the tank/the flange joint, etc., that improve the resilience of the seal, and that prevent gas leakage due to poor sealing, in order to achieve the stable sealing.
To resolve this problems, the invention provides a seal ring which fits into a ring groove formed at a joint between adjoining surfaces of first and second joint members, at least one of which is made from resin materials, to provide a tight seal to contain fluids, wherein said seal ring is provided with a heart-shaped sectional shape and a hollow cavity, and made from resilient plate materials having a greater low temperature contraction rate than the low temperature contraction rate of said resin materials. The seal ring comprises: 1) a first curved seal surface which makes contact with the bottom surface of a ring groove provided in said first joint member; 2) a second curved seal surface which makes contact with said second joint member; 3) first and second resilient curved surfaces which curve respectively from said first and second curved seal surfaces towards the inside of the hollow cavity of said heart-shaped seal ring so as to provide an indent which forms an upper portion of the heart shaped cross section of said seal ring; and 4) a pair of opposing end surfaces respectively extending from said first and second resilient curved surfaces, wherein a gap is left between said pair of opposing end surfaces.
Another preferred embodiment of this invention discloses that the gap between said pair of opposing end surfaces is formed to a dimension that allows the pressure contact of said first and second curved seal surfaces onto said opposing joint members.
Yet another preferred embodiment of this invention discloses that the seal ring provides a tight seal in below zero low temperatures, and the inner circumferences of said first and second resilient curved surfaces are structured so as to maintain contact onto the inner wall of said ring groove even during low temperature contraction.
Further, another preferred embodiment discloses a seal structure. The seal structure is used in the flange joint used for pipes, composite tanks made from composite materials such as fiber reinforced plastics, or the like made from composite materials such as fiber reinforced plastics, which contain fluids. The seal structure is used to seal a fluid sealing joint between said flange and a cover for an opening of the flange joint. The seal structure comprises: 1) a ring groove in said fluid sealing joint, into which the fluid is flowed from inside of said flange; and 2) a seal ring to be inserted into said ring groove to prevent the leakage of said fluids to the outside. The seal ring fits into a ring groove formed at a joint between adjoining surfaces of first and second joint members, at least one of which is made from resin materials, to provide a tight seal to contain fluids, wherein said seal ring is provided with a heart-shaped sectional shape and a hollow cavity, and made from resilient materials having a greater low temperature contraction rate than the low temperature contraction rate of said resin materials. The seal ring comprises: 1) a first curved seal surface which makes contact with the bottom surface of a ring groove provided in said first joint member; 2) a second curved seal surface which makes contact with said second joint member; 3) first and second resilient curved surfaces which curve respectively from said first and second curved seal surfaces towards the inside of the hollow cavity of said heart-shaped seal ring so as to provide an indent which forms an upper portion of the heart shaped cross section of said seal ring; and 4) a pair of opposing end surfaces respectively extending from said first and second resilient curved surfaces, wherein a gap is left between said pair of opposing end surfaces.
Another preferred embodiment of this invention discloses the seal structure wherein said seal ring provides a tight seal in below zero low temperatures, and the inner circumferences of said first and second resilient curved surfaces are structured so as to maintain contact onto an inner wall of said ring groove even during low temperature contraction.
According to the invention, since the hollow, sectionally heart-shaped seal ring comprised of resilient plate materials has three curved surface areas that smoothly flow together, comprised of a first curved seal surface which contacts the formed surface of the ring groove, a second curved seal surface which contacts the seal surface of a second member (e.g. manhole cover), and a projecting curved surface on the opposite side to the fluid leakage path, said seal ring, using the projecting curved surface as support points, produces spring action in the vertical direction from the elastic deformation of the first curved seal surface and the second curved seal surface, to continually press against the bottom of the ring groove for the first curved seal surface and the seal surface of the second member (manhole cover) for the second curved seal surface at a constant pressure.
Thus, even if there were seal surface variations between the seal ring and the objects being sealed which is coursed by the difference of thermal contractions, the spring action of the said seal ring causes the first curved seal surface and the second curved seal surface to maintain contact at the required pressure against their opposing seal surfaces (the seal surface of the second member and the bottom surface of the ring groove), to thereby assuredly prevent the leakage to the outside of any fluid that had flowed into the ring groove from the objects being sealed.
Further, even if slack, etc. developed in the bolts used to attached the foregoing adjoining second member and allowed some separation of the contact surfaces between the sealed member and the adjoining second member, as described above, the spring action derived from the foregoing elastic deformation, would cause the first curved seal surface and the second curved seal surface to follow that movement, and maintain continual contact with the seal surfaces at the required pressure, to thereby prevent the leakage to the outside of any fluid that had flowed into the ring groove.
Further, according to the invention, the foregoing seal ring is hollow with walls of uniform thickness and it includes five curved surfaces: the foregoing first curved seal surface, the second curved seal surface, the first curved resilient member, the second curved resilient member, and the outside curved surface, and moreover, it is equipped with an indent that passes through from the hollow to the fluid introduction side, and accordingly any fluids leaking into said hollow cavity creates internal pressure that causes the first curved seal surface and the second curved seal surface to exert more pressure against their opposing seal surfaces to thereby improve the fluid seal functions of said first curved seal surface and second curved seal surface against their opposing seal surfaces.

Seal ring and seal structure at flange joint used for composite tanks and pipes


A connecting structure of a flat fuel cell assembly. The assembly includes a plurality of fuel cells, each of which has a membrane electrode assembly with an anode, a proton exchange membrane and a cathode combined. Two conductive nets are attached to the surfaces of the anode and the cathode of each membrane electrode assembly by thermosetting adhesive and heat pressing to collect and transmit electrons.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fuel cell assembly with improved connecting structure, and in particular to a fuel cell assembly having conductive nets attached thereto to transfer electrons.
2. Description of the Related Art
Fuel cells (FC) directly convert chemical energy in hydrogen and oxygen to electricity. Compared to conventional power generation devices, fuel cells produce less pollution and noise, and have higher energy density and energy conversion efficiency. Fuel cells provide clean energy, and can be used in portable electronic devices, transportation, military equipment, power generating systems, or the space industry, among many other applications.
Different fuel cells use different operating principles. Direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC), for example, use, on the anode side, methanol solution to precede oxidation, producing protons (H+), electrons (e−) and carbon dioxide (CO2). The resulting hydrogen ions diffuse through an electrolyte toward the opposing cathode. Meanwhile, oxygen is fed to the cathode. As the proton, electrons (e−) and oxygen are combined on the cathode side, water is formed. The voltage between electrodes drives electrons from the anode to the cathode sides via external loading. The net result is that the DMFC uses methanol to produce electricity, with water and carbon dioxide as by-products.
The output voltage of a single cell is too low to drive any electronic device. Several fuel cells must thus be connected in series as a fuel cell stack to provide sufficient output voltage. When connecting fuel cells, transmission of generated voltage from one fuel cell to another, especially electrons from the anode of one fuel cell to the cathode of another, must be accomplished.
In FIG. 1, a conventional fuel cell 10 includes an anode 12, a proton exchange membrane (PEM) 11 and a cathode 13, forming a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) Two gas-diffusing layers 14 thereon are formed by carbon cloth or carbon paper. Moreover, the catalyst, the MEA, the gas-diffusing layers 14, the bipolar plate 15 and the end plates 17 of the conventional fuel cell are assembled by screws 16 to provide proper electrical connection conductivity and fuel supply.
However, problems exist with the above conventional connection structure. Force provided by the screws is not uniform, increasing the resistance of the fuel cell assembly or blocking fuel passing through the grooves of the end plates 17 and the bipolar plate 15. Additionally, this structure requires extra space allowance for screws, which reduces the assembling density. For flat fuel cell assembly in a portable device, the assembling density is reduced by 30%˜50% and cannot satisfy the requirement for high power density.
In conventional stacked fuel cell assembly, the bipolar plates connect the anode and the cathode of each two neighboring fuel cells and separate the required fuel as shown in FIG. 1. However, the conventional stacked fuel cells are not suited to use with portable devices, such that a new plane-arranged fuel cell assembly is needed.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,277,658 to Pratt et al. describes a method of using two plastic frames with current collectors to sandwich an MEA. However, the current collectors are metal nets, and the force exerted by the plastic frames may be not uniform, such that the metal nets do not closely contact the anodes and the cathodes of the MEA, increasing resistance and reducing output voltage of the fuel cell assembly.
Many structures and connecting methods for flat fuel cell assemblies have been disclosed, such as Rongzhong et al. (J. of Power Source, 93, 2001, 25-31), A. Heinzel et al. (Electrochemica Acta, 43, 1998, 3817-3820), S. J. Lee et al. (J. of power Source, 112, 2002, 410-418).
U.S. Pat. No. 6,277,658 to Cisar et al. also describes an improved fuel cell design for use at low pressure. The invention has an electrically conductive porous material directly bound to conductive nets comprising an insulating binding component and an electrically conductive component, such as an intimate mixture of a powder and loose fibers, to form gas-diffusing layers. These gas-diffusing layers are then bound to the MEA by heat pressing and the fuel cells are connected in series.
Problems continue to exist with the method provided by Cisar et al, since the electrically conductive porous material must be applied to different areas on opposite surfaces of a conductive net by conventional printing, uniformity of the electrically conductive porous material is hard to control. Moreover, holes in the gas-diffusing layer formed by the conventional printing process are smaller than holes in the gas-diffusing layer formed by a carbon cloth. Thus, the thickness of the printed gas-diffusing layer must be reduced or precisely controlled, but conductivity and stability of the fuel cell assembly will deteriorate.

Flat fuel cell assembly and fabrication thereof

Industrial Technology Research Institute


A hydraulic steering unit includes a pressure port connected to a main flow path and a tank port connected to a tank flow path, and a working port arrangement having left and right working flow paths. A first bridge arrangement has first left and first right orifices connected to the main flow path and to first left or first right connecting points, respectively, each connecting point associated respectively with the left or right working flow paths, and second left and second right orifices connected to the tank flow path and to the first left or first right connecting points, respectively. A second bridge arrangement has a similar orifice arrangement connected to second left or second right connecting points. The first and second bridge arrangements have different steering characteristics. Selection means for connecting one of the bridge arrangements between the pressure port and the working port arrangement are provided.

Such a hydraulic steering unit is known, for example, from U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,334 A. Such a steering unit can be used to steer a vehicle, i.e. to change the running direction of steered wheels of the vehicle. The running direction of the steered wheels is changed by means of a steering motor which is connected to the working port arrangement. The steering motor is actuated by hydraulic fluid from the pressure port which is guided to the working ports through the bridge arrangement. Basically the bridge arrangement provides two flow paths. Specifically, to steer to the left, the flow path comprises the first left orifice and the second right orifice, so that hydraulic fluid from the pressure port flows through the first left orifice to the steering motor on one side and hydraulic fluid displaced from the steering motor flows back through the right working port and through the second right orifice to the tank port.
Some vehicles equipped with such a steering unit are used under changing conditions, for example on road and off road. To enable a comfortable steering for the driver it is desirable to adapt the steering behavior of the hydraulic steering unit to the different conditions.