Transport of strip-shaped workpieces, including those that have through openings, is control based on the output of upper and lower sensors provided between the delivery reel and processing part for detecting sagging of the workpiece at two points. The strip-shaped workpiece is subjected to processing and transport with a preset frequency, and upon occurrence of a state in which the upper sensor has determined the absence of sagging of the workpiece on the delivery side of the processing part and the lower sensor of this side has determined the presence of the workpiece, a fault is recognized, and processing and transport are interrupted if this detected state does not change during an interval that is a multiple of the preset frequency.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a device for processing of a strip-shaped workpiece, which device transports and processes a strip-shaped workpiece. The invention relates especially to a device for processing of a strip-shaped workpiece in which the operation of a delivery reel and/or a take-up reel can be carried out without problems even in the case in which the strip-shaped workpiece has through openings when a mask pattern is exposed onto the strip-shaped workpiece.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a device which transports and processes a strip-shaped workpiece (hereinafter also called a xe2x80x9cworkpiecexe2x80x9d) generally a method is used in which a strip-shaped workpiece is pulled off a delivery reel which supplies it, positioned in a processing part of the device at the desired position, and is wound onto a take-up reel. Hereinafter, a continuous workpiece with a great length, such as a rolled film of organic compound, foil metal or the like, is called a xe2x80x9cstrip-shaped workpiecexe2x80x9d.
In one such processing device, there are cases in which, between the delivery reel and the processing part, and between the processing part and the take-up reel, there is a dip of the workpiece in which part of the strip-shaped workpiece sags, i.e., the length of the workpiece between the delivery reel and first guide roller is longer than the distance between them so that the workpiece sags between them. The reason for producing this sag is to keep the tension which is exerted on the strip-shaped workpiece constant, and to adjust for the changes in diameter of the workpiece being unwound off of the delivery reel and wound onto the take-up reel, and to transport the workpiece in the processing part with high stop positioning accuracy. In this way, the transport of the strip-shaped workpiece and operation of the delivery reel and the take-up reel can be carried out independently of one another.
The strip-shaped workpiece is transported by a transport roller located downstream of the processing part in terms of transport together with a pressure roller clamping and turning the workpiece. The delivery reel and the take-up reel are operated such that the length of the strip-shaped workpiece is determined in the dips by sensors and based on these determination signals the rotation and stopping of the reels are controlled. Japanese patent disclosure document HEI 2-100036 describes a device for exposing a strip-shaped workpiece which is provided with the above described dips.
FIG. 6 shows the arrangement of a transport system for a strip-shaped workpiece which is provided with the above described dips. In the figure, a delivery reel 1 is wound with a strip-shaped workpiece W. The strip-shaped workpiece W is delivered by the delivery reel 1 which is driven by a drive device 25, sent via a first dip A and the guide roller 3 to a processing part 10 and subjected to processing.
Transporting of the strip-shaped workpiece W is carried out by a pressure roller 5 and a transport roller 6 which are each located upstream and downstream of the transport direction of a carrier 15 of the processing part 10. The strip-shaped workpiece W is sent by a drive control of the transport roller 6 onto the carrier 15 of the exposure part 10 which is downstream in the transport direction at a set position.
In the processing part 10, there are, for example, a lamp 11 which emits light which contains UV light, a reflector 12, a condenser lens 13, a mask M with a mask pattern, a projection lens 14 and the like. The light which contains UV light and which is emitted by the lamp 11 is reflected by the reflector 12 and is emitted via the condenser lens 13, the mask M and the projection lens 14 onto the strip-shaped workpiece on the carrier 15. Thus the mask pattern of the mask M is exposed on the strip-shaped workpiece W. The above described processing part is hereinafter also called the xe2x80x9cexposure partxe2x80x9d. After completion of exposure, the strip-shaped workpiece W is wound via a guide roller 4 and a second dip B onto a take-up reel 2 which is driven by a drive device 26.
Determination of the strip-shaped workpiece Win dips A and B and operation on the delivery side and the take-up side as shown in FIG. 6 are shown and is described briefly below.
The strip-shaped workpiece W is determined using pairs of sensors of the transmission type 21, 22; 23, 24 which are located one above the other, i.e. at two vertically spaced points of each of the dips A and B.
In the above described sensors of the transmission type 21, 22; 23, 24, the emission elements 21a, 22a, 23a, 24a belong to one group and the light receiving elements 21b, 22b, 23b, and 24b belong to one group. When the sensor light emitted by the emission elements 21a, 22a, 23a, 24a is shielded by the strip-shaped workpiece Wand is not received by the light receiving elements 21b, 22b, 23b, 24b, it is determined that the strip-shaped workpiece W is located between the two elements. Hereinafter, the sensors 21, 23 are called the xe2x80x9cupper sensorsxe2x80x9d and the sensors 22, 24 are called the xe2x80x9clowerxe2x80x9d sensors. Furthermore, the state in which the light receiving elements 21b, 22b, 23b, 24b of sensors 21, 22, 23 and 24 are not shielded by the strip-shaped workpiece W is called xe2x80x9ctransmissionxe2x80x9d and the state in which they are shielded by the strip-shaped workpiece W is called xe2x80x9cshieldingxe2x80x9d.
(1) Control of the delivery reel
Using FIGS. 7(a) to 7(f), control of a conventional delivery reel is described. FIGS. 7(a) to 7(f) show part on the delivery or takeoff side shown in FIG. 6. The strip-shaped workpiece W is transported by the transport roller 6 shown in FIG. 6 in the direction toward the exposure part 10 which is located on the right side in the figure.
(a) As is shown in FIG. 7(a), the delivery reel 1 turns and begins to deliver the strip-shaped workpiece W and the amount of sagging of the strip-shaped workpiece W is small so that both the upper sensor 21 and also the lower sensor 22 of the dip A are in the transmission state. In this state, the strip-shaped workpiece W is allowed to sag in the dip A.
(b) The delivery reel 1 turns and the strip-shaped workpiece W shields the upper sensor 21, as shown in FIG. 7(b), the delivery reel 1 continues to turn.
(c) As is shown in FIG. 7(c), the strip-shaped workpiece W shields the upper sensor 21 and the lower sensor 22. When this state occurs, the delivery reel 1 stops rotation and delivery of the strip-shaped workpiece W.
(d) As is shown in FIG. 7(d), the strip-shaped workpiece W continues to be transported so that the lower sensor 22 is shifted into the transmission state, while the upper sensor 21 is still located in the shielding state. The delivery reel 1 continues the state in which its rotation is stopped.
(e) As is shown in FIG. 7(e), as the strip-shaped workpiece W continues to be transported, both the upper sensor 21 and also the lower sensor 22 are shifted into the transmission state (in the same state as the state described above in 7(a)), the delivery reel 1 again turns and delivery of the strip-shaped workpiece W begins again.
(f) The state which is shown in FIG. 7(f), in which transmission takes place to the upper sensor 21 but the lower sensor 22 is shielded is one that cannot properly occur when the strip-shaped workpiece W is being transported normally. Occurrence of this state is presumably produced because the lower sensor 22 is shielded by scrap and foreign bodies (hereinafter called xe2x80x9cbarrierxe2x80x9d). The rotation of the delivery reel 1 and the transport and processing of the strip-shaped workpiece W are therefore stopped and a fault indication is output.
The above described control is summarized below using Table 1.
(2) Control of the Take-Up Reel
Using FIGS. 8(a) to 8(f), control of a conventional take-up reel is described. FIGS. 8(a) to 8(f) show part of the take-up side shown in FIG. 6. The strip-shaped workpiece W is transported from the exposure part 10 to the right by the transport roller 6; in FIG. 6, the exposure part is located on the left side of the take-up side.
(a) As is shown in FIG. 8(a), the upper sensor 23 and the lower sensor 24 are located in the dip B in the transmission state and the take-up reel 2 is stopped. The strip-shaped workpiece W is transported after completion of exposure by the exposure part 10 and delivered to the dip B.
(b) When the strip-shaped workpiece is being delivered, the strip-shaped workpiece W shields the upper sensor 23, as is shown in FIG. 8(b). The take-up reel 1 remains stopped.
(c) As is shown in FIG. 8(c), the strip-shaped workpiece W shields the upper sensor 23 and the lower sensor 24. The take-up reel 2 begins to turn and take up the strip-shaped workpiece W.
(d) As is shown in FIG. 8(d), the strip-shaped workpiece W is taken up and the lower sensor 24 is shifted into the transmission state. The upper sensor 23 is in the shielding state. The take-up reel 2 continues to turn.
(e) As is shown in FIG. 8(e), the strip-shaped workpiece W continues to be taken up. When both the upper sensor 23 and also the lower sensor 24 are shifted into the transmission state (in the same state as the state described above in (a)), the take-up reel 22 stops turning.
(f) Here, it can be imagined that the state which is shown in FIG. 8(f) and in which transmission to the upper sensor 23 takes place and the lower sensor 24 is shielded is caused by shielding of the lower sensor 24 by a barrier. It is assumed that there cannot properly be this state, as described above relative to the delivery side. Rotation of the take-up reel 2 and transport and processing of the strip-shaped workpiece Ware therefore stopped and a fault indication is output.
The above described control is summarized below using Table 2.
Both on the above described delivery side and also on the above described take-up side, the operation of the reels is called xe2x80x9ccontinuation of previous operationxe2x80x9d when the upper sensor is in the shielding state and the lower sensor is in the transmission state. When the upper sensor is in the transmission state and the lower sensor is in the shielding state, operation of the reels is called xe2x80x9cstopping of operation due to a problem.xe2x80x9d
As was described above, in the transport system shown in FIG. 6, the transport of the strip-shaped workpiece for processing by the transport roller 6, delivery of the delivery reel 1 and take-up of the take-up reel 2 are carried out independently of one another.
There are cases in which the strip-shaped workpiece W has through openings which are called xe2x80x9cdevice holes.xe2x80x9d FIG. 9 shows one example of a strip-shaped workpiece W with device holes. As FIG. 9 shows, in the strip-shaped workpiece W there are device holes Wd and perforation holes Ph which are used, for example, for transport of the strip-shaped workpiece W. In the areas which are provided with device holes Wd, various devices are installed in a later process. Using these through openings, wiring is connected and devices are installed.
The device holes Wd are through openings and therefore pass sensor light. In the dips A and B which are shown in FIG. 6, there are therefore cases in which, depending on the length of the sag of the strip-shaped workpiece W and depending on the pitch with which the device holes Wd are provided, the sensor light passes through the through openings, and in which the existence of the strip-shaped workpiece W cannot be determined even if it is present.
There are, for example, the following cases:
The light from the upper sensors 21, 23 passes through the device holes Wd and a transmission state is determined; and
The light from the lower sensors 22, 24 is shielded by the area outside the device holes Wd and a shielding state is determined.
In this case the above described conventional device indicates a fault and stops treatment even if transport could be carried out without problems.
The above described defect is eliminated when the sensors 21, 24 are positioned at locations which are not provided with device holes Wd, for example, at locations at which the peripheral area of the strip-shaped workpiece W is determined. The shape and the size of the device holes Wd are however different depending on the pattern formed in the strip-shaped workpiece W, such as a circuit pattern or the like, and there are very many patterns thereof.
Therefore, according to the pattern the positions of the sensors 21 to 24 must be changed in the dip, by which a working step is required each time. Furthermore, at the positions at which the sensors 21 to 24 are attached, artificial faults often creep in. Therefore, practical execution is difficult.
The invention was devised to eliminate the above described defects in the prior art.
The object of the invention is achieve in a device for processing a strip-shaped workpiece in which:
a strip-shaped workpiece is provided with a dip, which has been formed by sagging of a strip-shaped workpiece, between the delivery reel and the processing part, and between the processing part and take-up reel;
the length of the dips is determined;
the strip-shaped workpiece is delivered by one reel and taken up by one reel; and
a device is provided for driving the delivery reel;
an upper sensor and a lower sensor are located on top of one another at two locations of the dips; and
moreover, regardless of the above described delivery and the above described take-up, transport and processing of the strip-shaped workpiece are performed so as to enable the transport of the strip-shaped workpiece, its delivery by a reel and its take-up onto a reel to be continued even if the strip-shaped workpiece has partial through openings, such as device holes or the like, and even if sensor light passes through the above described through holes.
by the following being done in accordance with the invention:
(1) generally, a control element carries out processing and transport of the strip-shaped workpiece with a preset frequency when the upper sensor has determined the absence of the workpiece, and the lower sensor has determined the presence of the workpiece, and which detects a fault and interrupts processing and transport when the workpiece determination state by the above described upper sensor and the above described lower sensor does not change during the interval during which the above described processing and the above described transport are carried out.
The delivery reel is controlled as follows by the above described control element.
(a) In the case of a strip-shaped workpiece with through openings, there is not always a barrier in the optical path of the lower sensor, as was described above, even if in the dip transmission of the upper sensor and shielding of the lower sensor were determined. In this case, the device is therefore not immediately considered xe2x80x9cdisrupted,xe2x80x9d but is considered xe2x80x9cin a fault reservation statexe2x80x9d. The strip-shaped workpiece is processed and transported with a preset frequency, for example three times.
(b) When, during the above described interval, the determination state of the strip-shaped workpiece by the above described upper sensor and the above described lower sensor does not change, the device is considered xe2x80x9cfaultyxe2x80x9d and operation of the device is stopped.
(c) If at any time during the above described interval the states of the upper sensor and of the lower sensor change, at this point the xe2x80x9cfault reservation statexe2x80x9d is canceled. Only afterwards, based on the determination signals of the sensors is operation of the delivery reel controlled. This means that the length and the position of the strip-shaped workpiece in the dip change during the intervals during which processing and transport are repeated several times, when the strip-shaped workpiece is correctly delivered. Here, the positions of the through openings and of the shielding area of the strip-shaped workpiece change, and a change arises with certainty in the determination state of the strip-shaped workpiece by the sensors.
When the determination state of the strip-shaped workpiece changes, it is recognized that the strip-shaped workpiece is being correctly delivered. Thus, the xe2x80x9cfault reservation statexe2x80x9d is canceled and operation of the delivery reel is controlled based on the determination signals of the sensors, as is normally the case.
On the other hand, it can be imagined that, in the vicinity of the sensor located downstream, there is a barrier which shields the sensor light, or that the lower sensor is faulty when in the determination state of the strip-shaped workpiece no change occurs even with several repetitions of processing and transport. In this case, the device is considered xe2x80x9cfaultyxe2x80x9d and stopped.
A strip-shaped workpiece with through openings can be easily transported by the above described control.
(2) Additionally, in device described above in (1) for processing of a strip-shaped workpiece there is, generally, a control element which starts operation of the take-up reel when both the upper sensor and the lower sensor have determined the presence of the workpiece and which stops operation of the take-up reel when the upper sensor has determined the absence of a workpiece.
The take-up reel is controlled as follows specifically by the above described control element.
In the case in which transmission of the upper sensor and shielding of the lower sensor have been determined, in a strip-shaped workpiece with through openings there is not always a barrier in the optical path of the lower sensor, as was described above. In this case, the device is therefore not immediately considered xe2x80x9cfaultyxe2x80x9d. In this state, the rotation of the take-up reel is only started when the drive of the take-up reel has been stopped and when both the upper sensor and lower sensor have determined shielding. The rotation of the take-up reel is stopped when the upper sensor has determined transmission. In this case, the length and the position of the strip-shaped workpiece in the dip change when the strip-shaped workpiece is being transported. Thus, a case arises in which both the upper sensor and also the lower sensor determine shielding. When the sensors are shifted into this state, the take-up reel is turned and the strip-shaped workpiece is taken up.
As was described above, the transport of the strip-shaped workpiece, its delivery by a reel and its take-up onto a reel can be continued even if the strip-shaped workpiece has partial through openings, such as device holes or the like, through which sensor light passes by the measure as according to the invention that processing and transport of the strip-shaped workpiece are carried out with a preset frequency when the upper sensor has determined the absence of the workpiece and the lower sensor has determined the presence of the workpiece, these sensors being located in the transition on the side of the delivery reel, and furthermore that a fault is recognized and processing and transport are interrupted, when during the interval, during which the above described processing and the above described transport are carried out, the workpiece determination state by the above described upper sensor or the above described lower sensor does not change.
In the case in which the sensor located downstream of the dip on the side of the delivery reel due to a barrier or the like is shifted into a shielding state, or in the case in which in this sensor a fault or the like occurs, it is recognized that a fault has occurred and thus operation of the device can be stopped.
On the side of the take-up reel, the operation of the take-up reel is started only when both the upper sensor and lower sensor have determined the presence of a workpiece and furthermore, here, operation of the take-up reel is stopped when the upper sensor has determined the absence of the workpiece. In this way, the strip-shaped workpiece can be taken up without stopping operation of the device even in the case in which the sensor located downstream of the dip on the side of the take-up reel due to a barrier or the like is shifted into a shielding state, or that in this sensor a fault or the like occurs.
The invention is explained in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Device for processing of a strip-shaped workpiece


A disposable medical waste bag having layers of polyethylene film has an open top and a seal at the bottom of the bag. The bag is filled to a desired level with medical waste and is sealed by closing off the top of the bag by twisting. After the top of the bag has been twisted and a twist is formed, the twist is bent over on itself and an adhesive tape located at a location on the outside of the bag is used to tape the twist to itself, thereby thoroughly sealing the bag. A normally-closed valve is provided on the bag and is removably engagable with a coupler that is used in conjunction with the hose of a central vacuum system of a medical facility such as a hospital. After the bag has been sealed such as by taping, the central vacuum system vacuums or sucks out excess air sealed within the bag thereby substantially decreasing the size of the bag. The seal located at the bottom are sealed bars of thermosealable polymer material having a plurality of triangular air pockets extending between the bars.

The present invention relates in general to the disposal of medical waste and, in particular, to a new and useful bag and method for the disposal of medical waste using the central in-house vacuum available in a medical facility or hospital.
Currently, medical waste, including surgical garments and other contaminated or infectious wastes, are received and stored in containers or bags at various medical facilities such as hospitals. Once the containers or bags are filled to a specified level with the medical waste, they are, in turn, taken to appropriate disposal sites. Prior to shipment, the bags are usually sealed at their openings for containing the waste. The sealing of a disposal bag causes air to be trapped inside the bag and results in a much larger holding area.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,040,904 issued to the present inventor, for an infectious/medical waste containment carrier provides that a flexible container is sealed with a tie cord above its top level. Although infectious medical waste is sealed within the container, the contents of the container include both waste and trapped air.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,670,227 for an apparatus and method of handling infectious waste material illustrates that the medical waste bags used for disposal consist of a sealed bag containing waste and trapped air.
When transported in bulk, the medical waste bags with trapped air result in a much greater demand for transportation space and, in turn, increase the cost of transporting the waste which has to be incurred by a medical facility such as a hospital.


Blowout preventer (BOP) stack and lower marine riser package for sealing an undersea well. The blowout preventer stack includes a frame extending along an axis and configured to be attached to a head of the well; an accumulator attached to the frame and configured to provide high pressure; two or more BOPs attached to the frame, the two or more BOPs being disposed within the frame and attached one on top of the other along the axis; each BOP having a body and a pair of bonnets attached to the body, where the bonnets are configured to be detachably attached to the body; each BOP having a corresponding cavity extending along the axis through which a fluid from the well is circulating; each BOP being configured to seal the well when the high pressure from the accumulator is released to the BOPs; plural brackets attached to the body of at least one BOP; and a safety bar attached to the plural brackets and configured to partially encircle the body of the at least one BOP.

1. Technical Field
Embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein generally relate to methods and systems and, more particularly, to techniques for providing a safety mechanism for a blowout preventer.
2. Discussion of the Background
A subsea blowout preventer ("BOP") stack is used to seal a wellbore during drilling operations, both for safety and environmental reasons. As shown in FIG. 1, a drilling system 10 used for extracting oil and/or gas from under the sea floor may include a lower blowout preventer stack ("lower BOP stack") 14, which may be rigidly attached to a wellhead 16 upon the sea floor 12, while a Lower Marine Riser Package ("LMRP") 18 is retrievably disposed upon a distal end of a marine riser 20, extending from a drill ship 22 or any other type of surface drilling platform or vessel. As such, the LMRP 18 may include a stinger 24 at its distal end configured to engage a receptacle 26 located on a proximal end of the lower BOP stack 14.
In typical configurations, the lower BOP stack 14 may be rigidly affixed atop a subsea wellhead and may include (among other devices) a ram-type blowout preventer (BOP) 28 useful in controlling the well as it is drilled and completed. Similarly, the LMRP 18 may be disposed upon a distal end of a long flexible riser 20 that provides a conduit through which drilling tools and fluids may be deployed to and retrieved from the subsea wellbore. Ordinarily, the LMRP 18 may include (among other things) a ram-type blowout preventer at its distal end such that, when desired, ram-type blowout preventers of the LMRP 18 and the lower BOP stack 14 may be closed and the LMRP 18 may be detached from the lower BOP stack 14 and retrieved to the surface, leaving the lower BOP stack 14 atop the wellhead.
During the operation of the lower BOP stack 14 and/or the LMRP 18, various incidents or simply maintenance events may occur that require access to the BOP 28. For this purpose, the well might be shut down and the part necessary to be worked on may be lifted to the vessel 22. If the equipment necessary for repairing the BOP 28 is not available on the vessel 22, the BOP 28 is shipped to dry locations where the equipment is available. As the BOP 28 is connected to other parts of the lower BOP stack 14 and/or the LMRP 18, which parts may be heavy and linked to the BOP in a complicated manner, it is the practice to remove the whole lower BOP stack 14 and/or LMRP 18 and bring it to the surface for repairs or inspection.
Thus, the weight of the entire lower BOP stack may be in the range of millions of kg and a height of the stack may be up to 10 m. Especially when the repair and/or inspection of the lower BOP stack 14 and/or LMRP 18 is performed on the vessel 22, the sea waves may sometimes tilt these devices so violently that maintenance personnel working around the lower BOP stack 14 and/or LMRP 18 may get injured or even lose their lives.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide systems that avoid the afore-described problems and drawbacks.


Utilizing error correction (ECC) for secure secret sharing includes computing an encrypted key using a key and a number of random values, computing, based on a first ECC scheme, a key ECC for the encrypted key and the random values, and storing a number of key fragments on a number of storage servers, the number of key fragments includes the encrypted key, the random values, and the key ECC.

In cryptography, encryption is used to encrypt data such as messages, files, and objects such that only authorized parties can read the encrypted data. The data may be encrypted via various methods and techniques to create the encrypt data. Once the data is encrypted, the encrypt data can be read if decrypted via a key associated with the encrypted data.
Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers designate similar, but not necessarily identical, elements.

Utilizing error correction for secure secret sharing

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP


A model of a thermal print head is provided that models the thermal response of thermal print head elements to the provision of energy to the print head elements over time. The amount of energy to provide to each of the print head elements during a print head cycle to produce a spot having the desired density is calculated based on: (1) the desired density to be produced by the print head element during the print head cycle, (2) the predicted temperature of the print head element at the beginning of the print head cycle, (3) the ambient printer temperature at the beginning of the print head cycle, and (4) the ambient relative humidity.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to thermal printing and, more particularly, to techniques for improving thermal printer output by compensating for the effects of thermal history on thermal print heads.
2. Related Art
Thermal printers typically contain a linear array of heating elements (also referred to herein as "print head elements") that print on an output medium by, for example, transferring pigment or dye from a donor sheet to the output medium or by activating a color-forming chemistry in the output medium. The output medium is typically a porous receiver receptive to the transferred pigment, or a paper coated with the color-forming chemistry. Each of the print head elements, when activated, forms color on the medium passing underneath the print head element, creating a spot having a particular density. Regions with larger or denser spots are perceived as darker than regions with smaller or less dense spots. Digital images are rendered as two-dimensional arrays of very small and closely-spaced spots.
A thermal print head element is activated by providing it with energy. Providing energy to the print head element increases the temperature of the print head element, causing either the transfer of pigment to the output medium or the formation of color in the receiver. The density of the output produced by the print head element in this manner is a function of the amount of energy provided to the print head element. The amount of energy provided to the print head element may be varied by, for example, varying the amount of power to the print head element within a particular time interval or by providing power to the print head element for a longer time interval.
In conventional thermal printers, the time during which a digital image is printed is divided into fixed time intervals referred to herein as "print head cycles." Typically, a single row of pixels (or portions thereof) in the digital image is printed during a single print head cycle. Each print head element is typically responsible for printing pixels (or sub-pixels) in a particular column of the digital image. During each print head cycle, an amount of energy is delivered to each print head element that is calculated to raise the temperature of the print head element to a level that will cause the print head element to produce output having the desired density. Varying amounts of energy may be provided to different print head elements based on the varying desired densities to be produced by the print head elements.
One problem with conventional thermal printers results from the fact that their print head elements retain heat after the conclusion of each print head cycle. This retention of heat can be problematic because, in some thermal printers, the amount of energy that is delivered to a particular print head element during a particular print head cycle is typically calculated based on an assumption that the print head element's temperature at the beginning of the print head cycle is a known fixed temperature. Since, in reality, the temperature of the print head element at the beginning of a print head cycle depends on (among other things) the amount of energy delivered to the print head element during previous print head cycles, the actual temperature achieved by the print head element during a print head cycle may differ from the calibrated temperature, thereby resulting in a higher or lower output density than is desired. Further complications are similarly caused by the fact that the current temperature of a particular print head element is influenced not only by its own previous temperatures—referred to herein as its "thermal history"—but by the ambient (room) temperature and the thermal histories of other print head elements in the print head.
As may be inferred from the discussion above, in some conventional thermal printers, the average temperature of each particular thermal print head element tends to gradually rise during the printing of a digital image due to retention of heat by the print head element and the over-provision of energy to the print head element in light of such heat retention. This gradual temperature increase results in a corresponding gradual increase in density of the output produced by the print head element, which is perceived as increased darkness in the printed image. This phenomenon is referred to herein as "density drift."
Furthermore, conventional thermal printers typically have difficulty accurately reproducing sharp density gradients between adjacent pixels both across the print head and in the direction of printing. For example, if a print head element is to print a white pixel following a black pixel, the ideally sharp edge between the two pixels will typically be blurred when printed. This problem results from the amount of time that is required to raise the temperature of the print head element to print the black pixel after printing the white pixel. More generally, this characteristic of conventional thermal printers results in less than ideal sharpness when printing images having regions of high density gradient.
The above-referenced U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/934,703, entitled "Thermal Response Correction System," discloses a model of a thermal print head that models the thermal response of thermal print head elements to the provision of energy to the print head elements over time. The thermal print head model generates predictions of the temperature of each of the thermal print head elements at the beginning of each print head cycle based on: (1) the current temperature of the thermal print head as measured by a temperature sensor, (2) the thermal history of the print head, and (3) the energy history of the print head. The amount of energy to provide to each of the print head elements during a print head cycle to produce a spot having the desired density is calculated based on: (1) the desired density to be produced by the print head element during the print head cycle, and (2) the predicted temperature of the print head element at the beginning of the print head cycle.
Although such techniques take the temperature of the print head into account when performing thermal history control, the techniques disclosed in the above-referenced patent application do not expressly take into account changes in ambient printer temperature over time when performing thermal history control. Similarly, any thermal effects of humidity are not expressly taken into account by the techniques disclosed in the above-referenced patent application.
What is needed, therefore, are improved techniques for taking into account the ambient printing conditions, so as to render digital images more accurately.


A source device communicates with a sink device over a main communication channel and configuration data is sent over a display data channel. A retimer is coupled between the source device and the sink device to improve the quality of signal transmitted from the source device to the sink device. The retimer monitors the data being sent on the display data channel to look for a desired command. Once the command is found, a copy of the command is decoded by the retimer and the configuration data and associated values are stored in a storage. The retimer uses the stored configuration data to modify the received communication data signal to match the operational characteristics between the source device and sink device and then transmit the modified signal to the sink device using these operational characteristics.

Interconnections for electronic systems continue to provide increased bandwidth and improved functionality to serve the computing demands of highly integrated computing devices. For example, devices including set-top boxes, mobile phones, and tablet computers now employ high bandwidth interconnect to access high resolution audio and video content. Many of these interconnect technologies support multiple legacy data rates along with high speed modes operating at data rates of 6 Gigabits per second (Gbps) and higher. The quality of data transmission at these rates often degrades due to transmission channel loss caused by the material and geometry of the transmission line.
To compensate for signal degradation due to channel loss, many interconnect technologies use loss compensation devices along the transmission channel. Loss compensation devices operate at the physical layer to improve data transfer rate by modifying certain aspects of the physical layer signal or regenerating the physical layer signal to improve signal quality. For interconnect technologies that employ both physical layer and link layer functionality, many loss compensation devices also include functionality to handle data path management, power state management, and other link layer functionality. The processing of link layer signals adds additional complexity and increases power consumption for loss compensation architectures that employ such features. Loss compensation techniques employing simpler architectures, however, lack the ability to determine system status. Unaware of the system status, these simpler interconnect systems may limit the ability of the loss compensation circuit to accurately replicate the signal characteristics of the source device.

Display data channel snooping scheme for retimers


Selections from a long list of elements on a Graphical User Interface (GUI) are presented. When a context window is presented for the selections, different cues are provided in the context window to provide feedback regarding the selections that are not in the current view, and to also facilitate rapid navigation to those selections on the GUI. Interaction with the GUI widgets within the context window, and interaction with the context window itself, facilitates the navigation toward the other selections that are not in the current view. Interaction with the GUI widgets also facilitates the preview of the selections that are not in the current view, thus making it easier to determine what has been selected without having to navigate to the view that contains those selections.

In many instances, a user needs to select multiple elements from a very long list which can easily span multiple pages on a computer display. Such a list will require the user to scroll through the pages. As elements are selected on a page in the current focused view, it is difficult to know which elements and how many elements have been selected on pages that are not currently in focus.
For example, it is difficult to know whether previously selected elements in other views are still selected, or if they were accidentally or inadvertently deselected, as may happen occasionally. Additionally, the user may not be able to recall how many elements have already been selected in the previous or subsequent views, or whether the previous or subsequent views have elements that had been selected, and if so, which ones. The user must page or scroll back-and-forth to find this out. Also, in a very long list, as the user pages or scrolls through the different views, it is not easy to know how far one needs to navigate before getting to a view that contains previously selected elements.

Scrollable context menu for multiple element selection

International Business Machines Corporation


A portable harmonics measurement instrument performs in-situ self-calibration of its current transducers and their associated measurement channels and of its voltage probes and their associated measurement channels. In-situ self-calibration is performed immediately before making a measurement on the alternating current power distribution grid. In-situ self-calibration is performed by means of a built-in voltage reference source and a built-in current reference source, which generate highly-accurate voltage and current calibration waveforms with harmonic components.

1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to electronic measurement equipment, more specifically to portable equipment for making in-situ harmonic voltage measurements and harmonic current measurements on alternating current (AC) power conductors. The equipment performs an in-situ calibration of its measurement channels, including their associated current transducers, immediately before making an in-situ measurement.
2. Background of the Invention
Voltages and currents on electric power distribution grids generally operate at 50 Hertz or 60 Hertz. This frequency is called the fundamental frequency. In an ideal grid, the voltages and currents will be perfectly sinusoidal with respect to time. However, in real grids, the voltages and currents are distorted, and contain both a fundamental frequency component and numerous smaller harmonic components. The harmonic components are typically caused by nonlinear loads at commercial or industrial sites.
It is useful to determine the direction of harmonic propagation on electric power distribution grids. Knowing the direction of harmonic propagation may allow utility companies to detect the contribution of a particular user to harmonic distortion.
Typically, harmonic direction finding algorithms rely, at least in part, upon an accurate measurement of the phase angle between a voltage harmonic waveform and current harmonic waveform.
The inductive nature of typical power distribution systems means that this phase angle is often close to 90 degrees, so even a small error in measuring this parameter can lead to an apparent reversal of the direction of harmonic power flow, because the direction of flow reverses when the angle reaches 90 degrees. For example, if the phase angle is 89.5 degrees, the direction of harmonic power flow is in one direction; if the phase angle is 90.5 degrees, the direction of harmonic power flow is in the opposite direction. For this reason, an error of just one degree can lead to exactly the wrong conclusion about the direction of harmonic power flow.
Furthermore, a phase angle error of just 0.5 degrees at the fundamental frequency, caused by phase delay, translates mathematically to a much worse phase angle error of 24.5 degrees at the 49th harmonic, for example.
For these reasons, it is important to measure harmonic phase angles accurately.
A significant source of phase angle measurement error, as well as ratio error, comes from the split-core, clamp-on current transducers commonly used to measure in-situ current waveforms.
Clamp-on transducers are often required for practical in-situ measurements using portable instruments, because this type of current transformer does not require disconnecting or shutting down the load being measured. However, as known to those familiar with the art, this type of sensor introduces phase angle and ratio errors.
Some of these current transducer errors are constant for a given transducer, and can be calibrated at a factory or a laboratory. For example, some of the sources of ratio errors and phase errors associated with a particular current transducer can be calibrated at a factory or laboratory. An example of such a laboratory calibration was disclosed by McEachern (the first-named inventor in the present application) in U.S. Pat. No. 5,014,229.
However, other current transducer errors are a function of quantities that vary with time and location, such as temperature, humidity, the amount of corrosion on the mating surfaces of the magnetic core, the amount of mechanical wear on the hinge of the jaws, the smoothness of the mating surfaces of the magnetic core, and the spring pressure holding the jaws closed.
These transducer errors cannot be calibrated at a factory or laboratory, because they vary with time and location.
Additional errors are introduced in the harmonic measurements by the chain of electronics between the current transducer and the measurement results: amplifiers, filters, analog-to-digital converters, and the like.
Again, some of the errors in this chain of electronics can be calibrated at a factory or laboratory. The parts that are stable over time of the overall gain, offset, amplitude response, and phase response, for example, might be calibrated at a factory or laboratory.
However, some errors in this chain of electronics vary with temperature, humidity, time, ambient magnetic field, and other local parameters which may be known or unknown. These errors cannot be calibrated at a factory or laboratory.
As is familiar to one familiar with the state of the art, similar errors arise in the chain of electronics needed for voltage harmonic measurements.
For these reasons, to make precise in-situ measurements of harmonic voltages and harmonic currents, and the phase angles between harmonic voltages and currents, it is necessary to calibrate the entire measurement voltage and current channels, including the current transducers, immediately before making measurements. It is necessary to perform in-situ calibration of the current transducers at the actual measurement site, as the temperature and humidity may be different from those at a prior site and as the amount of corrosion on the mating surfaces of the magnetic core, and the amount of mechanical wear on the hinge of the jaws may have changed since calibration at the previous site, or at the initial calibration lab.
Harmonic voltage and current measuring instruments known in the art often have several channels of measurements. For example, a typical instrument may have three current channels of measurement, one for each phase on a three-phase AC power grid, plus four voltage channels of measurements, one for each phase-to-neutral voltage on a three-phase AC power grid and one for the neutral-to-ground voltage on the grid.
To maximize accuracy and minimize errors of all types, measurement channels known in the art are constructed from highly stable electronic components. As is well known in the art, components that affect the amplitude and phase response of measurement channels, such as resistors and capacitors, have values that vary with age, temperature, humidity, and other influencing factors. Selecting and purchasing components that are stable with respect to age, temperature, and humidity is difficult and expensive.
Different approaches have been taken in the art to perform calibration of energy meters or power monitoring systems, which are affected by similar sources of error as the harmonics measurement instrument. For example, Burns et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 6,377,037 disclose a meter with a power factor compensation technique that inserts a delay into the sampled current or voltage stream; however, Burns et al. do not disclose in-situ calibration for field measurements, and therefore cannot compensate for variations in sensors and amplifiers that would have developed since the instrument's most recent laboratory calibration.
Also, Gandhi in U.S. Pat. No. 6,911,813 discloses an electronic meter that delays the digital voltage and/or current signal to compensate for phase shift error; but Gandhi does not disclose in-situ calibration for field measurements, and therefore cannot compensate for variations in sensors and amplifiers that would have developed since the meter's most recent laboratory calibration.
Voisine et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,231,347 disclose a power meter that adjusts the phase angle between the voltage and current signals by adding a phase lead to the primary coil of the voltage transformer. Although this disclosure recognizes the problem of measuring the phase angle between voltage and current accurately, Voisine et al. do not disclose in-situ calibration for field measurements, and therefore cannot compensate for variations in sensors and amplifiers that would have developed since the power meter's most recent laboratory calibration.
Whitehead et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 6,639,413 takes the approach of including a test unit for applying a test signal to the system and also a phase reference module. However, Whitehead et al. do not disclose in-situ calibration using non-sinusoidal test input signals, i.e., those that contain harmonic content.
Longini in U.S. Pat. No. 5,325,048 utilizes a calibration stand comprising a current and voltage generator for generating standardized current and voltage signals. However, Longini does not disclose a calibration unit that is built into the meter itself and that performs calibration at the site where the power meter will be installed. Furthermore, Longini does not disclose a method to perform phase angle calibration.
In summary, none of these methods disclose in-situ calibration, at harmonic frequencies, of both the amplitude response of the current and voltage measurement circuits, including their associated current transducers and voltage probes, and the phase angle response between them, at the measurement sites immediately before making measurements.

Harmonics measurement instrument with in-situ calibration


A side swing hitch for a rear end of an agricultural combine. The hitch includes a hitch support bracket having opposite end portions and an intermediate portion therebetween, a first of the end portions including at least one element for mounting to a rear chassis member of the combine with the other end portion suspended in a position rearward of the rear axle assembly connected to the chassis member. A draw bar is pivotally mounted to the second end portion of the hitch support bracket for pivotal movement between a rearwardly extending towing position generally perpendicular to the rear axle assembly and at least one generally transversely extending stored position at least generally perpendicular to the towing position and beside the rear axle assembly, the draw bar having an opposite end including a hitch element connectable to a tongue of a vehicle such as a trailer or cart to be towed by the combine.

This invention relates generally to agricultural combines, and more particularly, to a hitch for a rear end of a combine, which hitch is quickly and easily installable and removable from the rear of the combine and when installed is movable between a towing position extending rearwardly relative to a rear axle assembly of the combine for connection to a tongue of a vehicle such as a trailer or cart, such as a header cart, to be towed by the combine, and a stored position generally perpendicular to the towing position and beside the rear axle assembly wherein the hitch will not significantly obstruct straw discharged from the combine for forming windrows on an agricultural field, nor obstruct access to cleaning apparatus and other apparatus in the rear end of the combine for inspection, maintenance, service, and the like.
It is well known to provide a hitch on the rear end of an agricultural combine to allow connection of the tongue of a trailer or cart such as a header cart to the combine for towing thereby. It is desirable for the hitch to be located sufficiently rearwardly of a rear axle assembly of the combine to allow convenient connection of the trailer or cart tongue thereto. However, such location has been found to present a problem when it is desired for straw to be discharged through a rearward opening of the combine located above the hitch, for forming windrows on an agricultural field, as the hitch will be directly in the path of the straw and can undesirably affect the distribution of the straw and thus the shape and consistency of the windrow. The hitch can also be a nuisance and obstacle for someone working in the rear portion of the combine, particularly when inspecting, servicing and maintaining cleaning apparatus and other apparatus of the combine located in the area above the rear axle assembly, and can be an obstruction to positioning apparatus such as a spreader or chopper in a desired position or orientation just rearwardly of the cleaning apparatus for receiving crop residue therefrom.
According, what is sought is a hitch for an agricultural combine which is conveniently and easily installable and located for connection of a trailer or cart or other vehicle thereto for towing, and which hitch can be conveniently and easily moved from a rearwardly extending towing position to a stored position close to or generally beside the rear axle assembly.
According to the present invention, a side swing hitch for the rear end of an agricultural combine which provides many of the above sought properties is disclosed. The rear end of the combine includes a transversely extending rear axle assembly located beneath and connected in supportive relation to a rear chassis or frame member of the combine. The side swing hitch includes a hitch support bracket preferably of unitary construction and having a first end portion, an opposite second end portion, and an intermediate portion disposed between the first end portion and the second end portion. The first end portion of the bracket includes at least one element for easy and convenient mounting to the chassis or frame member for suspending or otherwise positioning the second end portion below the first end portion and rearwardly of the rear axle assembly. The second end portion includes a pivotal draw bar mount supporting a mounting end of a draw bar for horizontal pivotal movement about a generally vertical pivotal axis between a rearwardly extending towing position generally perpendicular to the rear axle assembly, and at least one generally transversely extending stored or folded position beside the rear axle assembly. The draw bar mount and the draw bar include cooperatively engageable elements for holding the draw bar in the towing position, such as holes in both which are aligned when the draw bar is in the towing position, for removably receiving a pin for holding the draw bar in that position. The draw bar includes a second or free end opposite the mounting end including a hitch element connectable to a tongue of a trailer or cart to be towed by the combine. The hitch element can optionally include a standard clevis pin hitch, a ball type hitch, a European automatic hitch, or any other desired hitch construction, and can be permanently or removably mounted or attached to the draw bar, as desired.

Side swing hitch for an agricultural combine


A wiper apparatus having a non-reversing wiper blade includes: a slide bar having a wiper blade attached thereon; a housing for slidably supporting the slide bar in a lengthwise direction of the slide bar, the slide bar having two longitudinally opposed end of travel positions which define wiping positions of the wiper blade; a wiper motor for unidirectionally rotating the housing; and an actuating motor for forcibly sliding the slide bar to bring the wiper blade to the wiping positions.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a wiper apparatus which is mounted, for example, on such vehicles as a passenger car, bus or truck and a method of wiping a windshield of a vehicle.
2. Description of the Related Art
Such vehicles are usually provided with wiper apparatuses for wiping their windshield surfaces. A conventional wiper apparatus is constructed so that its wiper arm is oscillated in a reciprocating manner. Since the direction of travel of the wiper arm is reversed at each end of travel thereof, there has been a problem that the impact and the sound of reversing at the time of such reversing cannot possibly be eliminated.

Unidirectional wiper apparatus for a vehicle

Mitsuba Electric Manufacturing Co., Ltd.


This invention relates to a clutch device for a transmission wheel and a transmission shaft. Two brake rings surround a hub axle and are contained in a brake hub. The first brake ring is intermediate the hub axle and the second brake ring and arranged so that, due to a time differential of braking by an external force on the two brake rings, a bevel canal in the first brake ring braces against a loose pin inserted in the hub axle, forcing the loose pin to part from the transmission wheel. This achieves the purpose of separating the transmission wheel and the transmission shaft in order to instantly stop the work done by the transmission shaft, and is particularly effective with common machine tools. It may be used with a magnetic solenoid or a manual trigger control, pre-regulating the bolts for the slackness and tightness of brake linings, to successive action with a proper time differential. Using the magnetic solenoid manual trigger as the brake control, the effect of separating the wheel and shaft is achieved by braking.

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a new design for the structure of a clutch device for a transmission wheel and transmission shaft. Two brake rings surround a hub axle contained in a brake hub. By utilizing the braking time differential of the two brake rings, one of the brake rings can force a loose pin to part from the transmission wheel so that idling, from the separation of the transmission wheel and transmission shaft, is achieved.
(b) Description of the Prior Art
There are many known clutch devices for transmission wheels and transmission shafts. To the common machine tools frequently seen, a clutch braking action is particularly important. It is particularly important in the operation of a punch press by a cam mechanism by a transmission wheel and a transmission shaft. In the punching process, it is necessary to start braking at the point of maximum elevation, and there is no way to brake instantly at any angle within a 360.degree. range. In the event that a breakdown of the machine elements of the braking unit occurs, such as the break of a cotter, the drop of a pedal spring, etc., the punch press will fall off and cause an accident. If unable to brake in an emergency, there are often caused personal injuries (like broken fingers, etc.). At the present stage, although there are air compressors ready for control, the equipment costs are too high, and factories under scale cannot bear such an expense. Besides, if a safety valve does not work, an explosion might happen, similar to placing a bomb nearby, making workers uneasy. Aside from this, some electronic control mechanisms can be used for safety purposes, but these are not ideal, due to similar reasons of high cost and inconvenient maintenance.

Clutch device for a transmission wheel and a transmission shaft

9-3, Alley 15, Lane 516, Wan Shou Rd., Sec. 1


A method, an apparatus and a communication system for collision detection for a random access procedure for an uplink data channel. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a module configured to transmit a data transmission on the uplink data channel, and an uplink scheduling and signal generating module configured to select random access parameters for a random access procedure and schedule the data transmission using the random access parameters for the random access procedure. The uplink scheduling and signal generating module is also configured to interrupt the data transmission after a predetermined time interval if the apparatus does not receive a permission signal from a network element during the predetermined time interval.

Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) is a wireless communication system that is known in the art and is designed to provide higher data rates and enhanced service to subscribers. UMTS is standardized by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), including the specifications relating to the Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (Evolved UTRA) and Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN). The UMTS network includes user equipment (UE, also referred to as a wireless communication device), UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN), and Core Network (CN). A UE is interfaced to cellular network elements of the UTRAN over a radio Uu interface, while the UTRAN interfaces to the core network over a wired Iu interface. The CN is generally coupled to the external network, which may include the Internet, a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), etc., which can exchange information to and from a UE.
The UTRAN includes multiple Radio Network Subsystems (RNSs), each of which contains at least one Radio Network Controller (RNC). However, it should be noted that the RNC may or may not be present as an actual separate network element as the logical functionality can be implemented inside a Node B. Furthermore, it should be noted that in the Long Term Evolution (LTE) of UTRAN (E-UTRAN) the RNC may not be present, but logical functions are implemented in an evolved Node B (E-Node B). The LTE may include a centralized or decentralized entity for control information. In operation, each RNC may be connected to one or multiple Node Bs, which are the network elements of the UMTS counterparts to Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) base stations. Each Node B may be in radio contact with multiple UEs via the radio Uu interface.
The Third Generation Partnership Project Long Term Evolution (3GPP LTE) is the name generally used to refer to an ongoing effort across the industry to improve the UMTS for mobile communication to cope with continuing new requirements and the growing base of users. The goals of this broadly based project include improving communication efficiency, lowering costs, improving services, making use of new spectrum opportunities, and achieving better integration with other open standards. The 3GPP LTE project is not by itself a standard-generating effort, but will result in new recommendations for standards for the UMTS.
Communication in a cellular wireless communication system is typically established from end to end through a network. In its most simplistic terms, unlike hard-wired "landline" communications, a wireless communication device such as a UE establishes a connection to a network to carry communication data. Accordingly, a procedure is carried out between the UE and the network by means of a network element (e.g., a Node B) to establish connection. The operation, features, and advantages of wireless communication devices are well known.
An uplink access channel, broadly referred to herein as a Random Access Channel (RACH), is one typically utilized by a UE for initial access signaling to a network in instances when no dedicated or shared physical channel connection is currently established. Typically such signaling between the UE and the network on the RACH and its downlink counterpart channel is used to establish dedicated or shared channel connections mentioned above. For example, the RACH is used for initial cell access after a UE powers on. Furthermore, the RACH can be used to perform other signaling functions and data transfer functions such as a location update after the UE moves from one location to another, for initiating a call, or for user data transmission. The RACH capture procedure specified by the 3GPP requires a UE to transmit a series of access preambles, each with increasing transmit power for each access preamble attempt. Each of the access attempts is separated by an appropriate waiting time of sufficient duration to allow detection of an acknowledgment indication (AI) signal from the receiving Node B.
U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/848,106 entitled "Apparatus, Method and Computer Product Providing Usage of E-DCH as RACH Shared Channel," by J. Wigard, H. Holma, and K. Ranta-aho, filed on Sep. 29, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference, describes using Enhanced Dedicated Channels (E-DCHs) in the random access procedure of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) that allows for higher data rates and longer transmission times for a UE than the current RACH procedure. There is no collision detection mechanism in this type of RACH application. For example, as the maximum transmission time of a RACH message is 20 milliseconds (ms), and if a collision occurs (two transmitters use the same access slot and signature at the same time), the packets are lost. Nonetheless, the system automatically recovers from the collision after the transmission ends, retransmission mechanisms, higher in the protocol stack, handle a retransmission attempt in due time.
Considering that with the E-DCH random access procedure, the message length may be much longer and data rates much higher than with the current RACH procedure, the likelihood of collision at a network element is substantially increased. Thus, a system and method capable of detecting and solving the collision situation in the network, particularly in view of the E-DCH random access procedure, would be a beneficial wireless communication system enhancement.

Collision detection for random access procedure


The invention relates to a device for feeding a quasi-endless material web (4) to a manipulation device (19) receiving the material web (4), wherein a feed tension unit (8) is provided, through which the material web (4) is fed in an S-shape. The feed tension unit (8) comprises a pivotal feed dancer roller (12), the angle positions thereof being captured by a feed angle sensor (34) and fed to a control unit (36), by means of which the material web (4) is fed or retracted by a dispenser roller motor (3) in the direction of the manipulation device (19), depending on the deviation of the angle position from a reference angle position. Substantially uniform tension in the material web (4) is thereby ensured, even under extreme operating conditions.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a device for feeding a quasi-endless material web.
2. Description of the Related Art
Devices for feeding a quasi-endless material web, such as according to DE 12 46 344 A, frequently have a pivoted dispenser roll and a feed tension unit which is equipped with a swivel-mounted floating roll. The swivel-mounted dispenser roll, held under tension by a helical tension spring, is used to give the material web a predetermined tensile stress by means of the helical tension spring. This approach had proven useful under operating conditions with a tensile load of the material web that does not fluctuate greatly.

Device for feeding a quasi-endless material web


An optical disk retrieval device separates and retrieves a plurality of loaded optical disks one by one in order from top. The device includes: a base that loads the plurality of optical disks; A pulling-up unit for pulling up the top optical disk of the plurality of loaded optical disks; a separation member that can cause a force to act on an inner wall of an inner hole of a plate-like member having the inner hole; and A separation member elevating unit for moving the separation member in a vertical direction. The pulling-up unit lifts the top optical disk upward, and the separation member elevating unit passes the separation member through an inner circumferential hole of the top optical disk lifted by the pulling-up unit from an upper side to a lower side. The separation member causes the force to act on the inner wall of the inner hole of the plate-like member adhering directly beneath the top optical disk to thereby separate the plate-like member.

When optical disks are loaded, mutual firm attachment puts a space between both surfaces into a zero atmosphere state, so that the optical disks easily adhere to one another. In order to prevent the above-described adhesion, in an inner circumferential portion of the optical disk, a projected portion is provided. However, in a plurality of loaded optical disks, slight warpage of the optical disk causes mutual firm attachment and adhesion in an intermediate circumferential portion and an outer circumferential portion.
In the production of the optical disks, a process for retrieving the loaded optical disks one by one is indispensable. Consequently, there has been developed a device to surely and efficiently retrieve one by one from the plurality of loaded optical disks, between which the mutual firm attachment easily occurs.
In Patent Document 1, there has been disclosed a device to retrieve the loaded optical disks one by one as described above. In the same device, works (disks) loaded on a work loading table at a fixed height are sequentially retrieved one by one. Particularly, in the same device, air from an air blow nozzle is constantly blown between the top work and the next work to thereby separate the top work from the next work.
Moreover, a device disclosed in Patent Document 2 is configured so that a top one of the loaded compact disks is sucked by a disk suction unit having three suction pads. At this time, among the three suction pads, an arm portion of each of the two suction pads is longer than an arm portion of the other suction pad, by which in the same device, only the top disk is retrieved in distinction from the other disks. Moreover, in Patent Document 2, there are disclosed a device in which a nozzle for antistatic neutralization air removes static electricity charged in a disk to thereby retrieve only a top disk, and a device in which a belt is brought into contact with an end surface of a compact disk to retrieve only a top disk.

Optical disk retrieval device and method

PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.


A method, apparatus and system of projecting text characters onto a textured document are described. The method comprises determining, from a captured image of the textured surface, a measure of the texture on the surface for a region of the textured surface over which the text characters are to be projected; selecting, based on a function of the determined measure, a glyph set, each glyph in the glyph set having visually contrasting inner and outer portions, the outer portion being sized proportionally to the inner portion according to the determined measure; and projecting the text characters onto the textured surface on of region using the selected glyph set.

Augmented reality is a view of a physical world where some elements of physical reality are augmented by computer generated inputs such as sound, graphics and so on. Users are able to use hand-held and wearable devices to retrieve additional information related to a captured image of a real world object from a camera connected to the device (for example, a camera phone or a camera attached to a head-mounted display or augmented reality glasses) and augment the additional information to the real world object. Such a real-world object may be a natural image in a document, a piece of textual information, a physical object such as a printer and so on.
In addition to hand-held devices, projectors are also being used to show augmented reality information, particularly in office environments. For example, projectors in conjunction with a camera are being used to provide an augmented reality system. A projection based augmented reality system provides hands-free and glasses-free augmented reality to the end-user.
When projection-based augmented reality systems are used to project information in environments such as an office employee's desk, suitable areas for projection may be difficult to find, or even unavailable. Such occurs because a typical desk in an office environment presents a cluttered background for projection with a variety of objects such as cups, printed documents, a keyboard, a mouse and the like. Hence, information may often need to be projected on busy backgrounds such as a printed text document or textured surfaces. In such instances, a challenge for the projection based augmented reality system is to ensure legibility of projected information. Such is particularly challenging if the projected information is textual content to be projected over or against a wide variety of complex background textures. This challenge occurs as the projected information cannot be completely opaque, and projection can only illuminate surfaces rather than hide the surfaces. Such is often particularly apparent when the projected information is textual in nature and is being projected on a surface that already contains texture. In such an event, the texture of the surface can be a distraction to the end-user. The texture may reduce the extent to which the projected text stands out, thus failing to provide a fulfilling experience to the user.
A need exists for a method of projecting textual information on a textured surface, such as a printed surface which already has printed text, such that legibility of the projected text is maintained while mitigating the distracting effects of the printed background text.

Projecting text characters onto a textured surface


A mobile GPS location system. The location system includes a mobile radio transceiver for transmitting a radio positioning signal and receiving a responsive radio system signal having a radio positioning system (RPS)-based time and position derived from the radio positioning signal; a mobile global positioning system (GPS) receiver; and a code range selector using the RPS-based time and position for selecting a code search range. The mobile GPS receiver uses the code search range for focusing a code phase search to a narrow range for rapidly acquiring a GPS signal. The RPS-based time and position are derived from a plurality of radio signal times-of-arrival (TOA)s determined by a plurality of system units from the radio positioning signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to cellphone GPS location systems and more particularly to a positioning system using radio signal times-of-arrival for determining a radio positioning system (RPS)-based position and time and then using the RPS-based position and time for improving the speed and sensitivity of a GPS receiver for acquiring GPS signals.
2. Description of the Background Art
The global positioning system (GPS) is a system using GPS satellites for broadcasting GPS signals having information for determining position and time. Each GPS satellite broadcasts a GPS signal having twenty millisecond data bits modulated by a one millisecond pseudorandom noise (PRN) code having 1023 bits or chips. The PRN code is known as a spreading code because it spreads the frequency spectrum of the GPS signal. This spread spectrum signal is known as a direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) signal.
The GPS signals from all the satellites are broadcast at about the same carrier frequency. However, the PRN code for each GPS satellite is different, thereby enabling a GPS receiver to distinguish the GPS signal from one GPS satellite from the GPS signal from another GPS satellite. The twenty millisecond data bits are organized into frames of fifteen hundred bits. Each frame is subdivided into five subframes of three hundred bits each. Near the start of each subframe is a Zcount having the GPS clock time that the subframe was transmitted. A GPS receiver determines a one-way range, called a pseudorange because it includes a local time offset, to a GPS satellite from the time-of-arrival of the PRN code, the Zcount and ephemeris parameters in the GPS signal that it receives from that GPS satellite. Normally four or more pseudoranges are used for determining or overdetermining a three dimensional position and GPS time. Three GPS satellites are sufficient if altitude is known or assumed.
GPS receivers are used in many applications where it is important to minimize the time duration between the time when the GPS receiver is turned on, or returns from a standby mode, and the time when it provides its position. This time duration, known as the time to first fix (TTFF), generally includes (i) the time to acquire GPS signal power by tuning a local frequency and a local PRN replica code phase in the GPS receiver to match the carrier frequency and the PRN code phase of the incoming GPS signal, (ii) the time to receive data bits in the GPS signal to determine a GPS clock time, (iii) the time to receive ephemeris parameters in the GPS data bits, and (iv) the time to process the code phase timing, GPS clock time and ephemeris for determining a position.
Conventional GPS receivers acquire signal power with a search algorithm. In a typical search algorithm, the local frequency is set to a first trial frequency and then correlations are determined between the incoming GPS signal PRN code and all possible code phases of a local replica of the code. In order ensure that the correct code phase is not missed, it is conventional to increment the replica code phase in one-half chip or even smaller steps. A high correlation value indicates that signal power has been found. If no correlations are high enough, the local frequency is set to a second trial frequency and the correlations are repeated. Although no one correlation will take a great deal of time, the great number of correlations that must be performed can result in the time to find signal power to acquire a GPS signal being the largest single component of the time to first fix (TTFF).
There is a need for reducing the time that is required to acquire signal power in a GPS signal in order to reduce the total time to first fix in a GPS receiver.


An adaptable, multi-purpose boat having a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, the boat being made up of a generally planar boat deck having middle, fore, aft, port and starboard sections. A plurality of first mating elements disposed in a first predetermined pattern on the boat deck, and a plurality of deck components each having at least one second mating element attached to at least one of the first mating elements, whereby the deck components are removably attachable to the boat deck in different configurations. The boat further includes a plurality of utility attachment points disposed on the boat deck in a second predetermined pattern.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to boats such as recreation and fishing boats. In particular, the present invention relates to a boat having a deck that can be repeatedly reconfigured aftermarket to accommodate different tasks.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
Boat decks are generally planar surfaces that are attached atop a boat""s hull. Deck components such as steering consoles, pilot chairs, passenger seats, storage boxes and the like are items that are typically permanently fixed to a boat deck in a manufacturer""s selected configurations. As such, a purchaser of a boat usually must select from a manufacturer""s deck configuration offerings or have a boat deck custom configured. In either case, reconfiguring a boat deck aftermarket is not a simple or inexpensive task due to the permanent attachment of the deck components. This lack of aftermarket flexibility with regard to deck layout and configuration leaves a potential boat owner with a dilemma of having to compromise in selecting a boat that might serve some purpose but not others.
Some boaters attempt to deal with the lack of aftermarket flexibility by purchasing a boat having a boat deck configuration that meets a majority of their needs. Others attempt to solve this problem with the purchase of multiple boats with decks configured for specific needs. For example, a boater only interested in fishing might want to purchase a boat having a steering console mounted near the center of the boat""s deck so that a hooked fish could be worked all the way around the sides of the boat without having to worry about fouling fishing line on the steering console. On the other hand, a boater only interested in waterskiing might prefer having the steering console of a ski boat fixed to the central starboard section of the ski boat""s deck. However, a boater interested in both waterskiing and fishing would either have to compromise on the location of the steering console or would need to own two boats, one for each endeavor. What is needed is a boat that has a deck that can be repeatedly reconfigured aftermarket for various purposes.
The present invention is directed towards an adaptable multi-purpose boat having a boat deck that remains flexible in its configuration. The invention relates especially to a boat having deck components such as steering consoles and seats adapted to be removed from, added to, or relocated on the boat deck repeatable times by a boat owner.
Generally, the boat of the present invention comprises a generally planar boat deck having a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis along with middle, fore, aft, port and starboard sections. A plurality of like first mating elements is disposed in a first predetermined pattern on the boat deck. In addition, a plurality of deck components is removably attachable to the boat deck. Each deck component has at least one second mating element attachable to at least one of the first mating elements. Preferably, the first and second elements are key lockable. Also, for any given deck configuration the total number of first mating elements exceeds the number of second mating elements.
In a preferred embodiment, the predetermined pattern for the like first mating elements is a rectangular array covering the fore, middle and aft sections of the deck from the boat""s port side to its starboard side. The array has columns and rows of like first mating elements aligned with the boat""s longitudinal and transverse axes. Also, with this preferred embodiment, each deck component, whenever it is secured to the deck, has at least one second mating element attached to at least one of the first mating elements, wherein each of the first mating elements has a recess and each of the second mating elements has a projection insertable into the recess of the first mating elements.
The deck components can be, but are not limited to items such as seats, chairs, storage boxes, bait preparation stations and steering consoles. In the case of the present invention, deck components such as these can be considered aftermarket accessories.
Each deck component has a base for resting on the planar surface of the boat deck. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, most of the deck components have a base with dimensions that allow two or more attached second mating elements to be aligned and spaced to match predetermined multiples of the column and row spacing of the first mating elements. For the purpose of this disclosure, the predetermined spacing and alignment of two or more second mating elements attached to the base of a deck component is referred to as the footprint of the deck component.
Deck components such as steering consoles need access to electrical power and cabling that carries steering signals to servomotors that direct a rudder or thrust of a propeller. Moreover, a deck component such as a bait preparation station usually includes a live bait well and sink having drain lines. As such, these types of deck components need access to utility attachment points. These utility attachment points can include but are not limited to utility connectors for electrical power, signal cabling, and piping. The utility attachment points may be as simple as deck portals sized to accommodate standard marine electrical wiring, signal cabling and plumbing, or they can be deck panel inserts having connectors organized in groups for electrical, cabling and piping connections.
The present invention provides a plurality of utility attachment points disposed in a second predetermined pattern. In a preferred embodiment, the second predetermined pattern is an array covering the fore, middle and aft sections of the deck from the boat""s port side to its starboard side. The array has columns and rows of utility attachment points aligned with the longitudinal and transverse axes of the boat deck. All of the utility attachment points may or may not be identical. In other words, some utility attachment points may only include an electrical power connection while others would include piping as well. Furthermore, an entire row or column of utility attachment points might be dedicated for a particular use. For example, a row of utility attachment points located in the aft section of a boat deck might be dedicated only to fuel line connections for an auxiliary fuel tank type deck component.
In use, any one of the aforementioned deck components can be secured to any location on the boat deck having first mating elements available to accept the footprint of the particular deck component. Before reconfiguring the boat deck layout for a particular task or purpose, a boater may need to remove some or all of the deck components from the boat deck to make deck space available.
Removal of a deck component begins with the disconnection of any and all of the deck component""s electrical wiring, electronic cabling and piping connected to connectors belonging to one or more utility attachment points. Next, all of the second mating elements belonging to the deck component being removed are detached from their corresponding first elements. This allows the deck component to be entirely removed from the deck. Once the appropriate deck components are detached from the deck they can be repositioned or removed from the deck to make room for the addition deck components. In this way, a particular deck layout for a particular task can be realized.
In an example case, a boater might choose a deck configuration ideally suited for a fishing trip. The deck components chosen for the fishing trip might include a steering console, a fishing-chair, a bait preparation station and an auxiliary fuel tank. The boater might choose to secure the fishing chair to the fore section of the boat deck. The boater proceeds by carrying the fishing-chair to the fore section of the boat deck to align all of the second mating elements with a corresponding group of first mating elements disposed on the fore section of the boat deck. Once aligned, all of the chairs second mating elements are attached to the corresponding first elements, thus securing the fishing chair to the deck.
Next the boater may choose to secure the steering console to the middle section of the deck. The boater begins by positioning the steering console close to the location where the console is to be secured. This temporary position for the steering console should be such that any utility attachment points to be used are freely accessible.
At this point, the boater may wish to connect any electrical wiring and cabling leading from the steering console to appropriate connectors belonging to one or more of the utility attachment points. Once the appropriate connections are made, the console is secured to the deck by aligning and attaching the consoles second mating elements to corresponding first mating elements. On the other hand, the boater may choose to secure the console before making any utility connections.
Next, the boater may decide to secure an auxiliary fuel tank to the aft section of the boat deck. Similar to securing the steering console, the boater will place the auxiliary fuel tank on the boat""s deck at a position that allows easy connection of the tank""s fuel line to a fuel line connector belonging to a nearby utility attachment point. Once the fuel line is connected, aligning and attaching the tank""s second mating elements to corresponding first mating elements will secure the auxiliary fuel tank to the boat""s deck.
Subsequently, the boater may wish to secure the bait preparation station to the aft port section of the boat. The boater proceeds by carrying the bait preparation station to the aft port section of the boat deck to align all of the second mating elements with a corresponding group of first mating elements disposed on the aft port section of the boat deck. Once aligned, all of the station""s second mating elements are attached to the group of corresponding first elements, thus securing the bait preparation station to the deck. The deck reconfiguration may be completed with the connection of one or more of the bait station""s plumbing lines to one or more plumbing connectors belonging to one or more utility attachment points.
In another example, the boater may decide to convert the fishing boat of the previous example into a pleasure boat able to carry seated passengers. In this case, the reconfiguration process involves first removing the bait preparation station, fishing-chair, and auxiliary fuel tank. Once the deck is clear of these items, seats for the passengers and driver may be added and secured to the boat""s deck in a manner similar to that described for securing fishing-chair in the previous example.
The boat of the present invention can also be configured to include accessory deck components. One such accessory deck component could be an optional console that is combinable with a steering console to create a single large console. The optional console would add additional panel space for marine instrumentation, etc.
These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art after a reading of the following description of the preferred embodiment.


A magneto-optical recording method for recording information in an overwrite mode in a magneto-optical recording medium by the application of a laser beam is disclosed. The magneto-optical recording medium includes a substrate, and at least two magnetic recording layers overlaid thereon, with an exchange force working at least between the two magnetic recording layers, and the Curie temperature of each of the two magnetic recording layers being substantially the same. The magneto-optical recording method includes the step of conducting overwriting information by changing the power of the laser beam to be applied to at least two different levels, one at which the magnetic recording layers are heated to a temperature near or higher than the Curie temperature, and the other at which the magnetic recording layers are heated to a temperature lower than the Curie temperature, while a magnetic field is applied to the magneto-optical recording medium in one direction, in accordance with signals to be recorded in the magneto-optical recording medium, and this recording method requires only one initialization by the application of the magnetic field, but does not require any further initialization thereafter.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a magneto-optical recording method and a magneto-optical recording medium for use in the magneto-optical recording method. More particularly, this invention relates to a magneto-optical recording method for recording optical information in an overwrite mode in an magneto-optical recording medium, reproducing recorded information and erasing the same with application of a laser beam thereto.
2. Discussion of Background
Conventional magneto-optical recording methods have a problem in that speedy information recording cannot be carried out because of the necessity for three steps of erasing, recording, and checking when information is recorded. The following overwrite systems have been proposed in order to solve this problem:
(i) Magnetic-field Modulation System
In this system, recording is performed by reversing the polarity of a magnetic field applied at high speed, while the intensity of a laser beam applied is maintained constant, in accordance with the information to be recorded, as disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent-Applications 63-204532 and 63-76135. As mentioned above, in this system, the polarity of the magnetic field has to be reversed at high speed, so that the magnetic field for recording information has to be generated at a position away from the surface of a recording medium. For the generation of such a magnetic field, a large power is necessary. As a result, it is difficult to record the information at high frequency. A method of setting a magnetic head in close proximity to the surface of the medium has also been proposed. However, this method negates the inherent merit of the optical disc, that is, non-contact information recording.
(ii) Exchange Bonding Two-layer Films System
This system is directed to the accomplishment of overwriting by use of exchange bonding between two recording layers which consist of an amorphous alloy of a rare earth metal and a transition metal, as disclosed, for instance, in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application 62-175948. More specifically, a magneto-optical recording medium comprising a recording layer consisting of TbFe and an auxiliary layer consisting of TbFeCo is employed. Overwriting is accomplished by initializing the recording medium and then applying thereto an external magnetic field and laser beams with different powers. This system, however, has a problem in that a large magnetic field is necessary for the initialization of the recording medium.

Magneto-optical recording method and magneto-optical recording medium


A suspension-level piezoelectric microactuator for the fine positioning of a head-arm assembly of a disk drive. The microactuator is manufactured from a generally flat metal sheet structure having a central beam and two tabs extending from opposite sides of the beam. At least one layer of piezoelectric material is bonded onto each of the two tabs. Each of the two tabs is bent, with the piezoelectric layers bonded thereto, to a position substantially normal to the central beam. The structure is then joined to the distal end of a suspension member of the head-arm assembly. A recording head is connected to the central beam of the microactuator. When a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric materials, deflection of the microactuator occurs, thereby positioning the recording head.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to disk drives, and particularly to a suspension-level piezoelectric microactuator for read/write heads for disk drives.
2. Description of Related Art
One of the main avenues for the increase in storage capacity of disk drives is through reduction of the track pitch of the recorded information. The minimum distance between recorded data tracks is limited by the ability of a voice coil motor (VCM)xe2x80x94actuated servo system to accurately maintain the position of the recording heads over a given track.
The positioning capability of this servo system is limited by its bandwidth, which in turn is constrained by the power available to the VCM and by suspension resonances. The resolution of the actuator""s motion is also limited by stiction in the pivot""s ball-bearings. Both of these constraints are approaching fundamental limits after which further increase in track density will be not be possible with the current technology.
To improve track density, proposals have been made to implement second-stage, fine-positioning, in addition to first-stage, coarse positioning. For example, Takaishi et al. propose a secondary microactuator which is built into the head assembly structure, as part of the head mounting block, between the head suspension and the head assembly arm (xe2x80x9cMicroactuator Control For Disk Drivexe2x80x9d, Takaishi et al., IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, Vol. 32, No. 3, May 1996). Another secondary actuator arrangement is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,521,778 to Boutaghou et al., wherein the secondary actuator 30 connects one end of a further arm portion (a load beam 25) to an actuator arm 24 and wherein a slider 26 and head are supported at the opposite end of the load beam 25.
In each of the above-referenced proposed systems, a substantial length of the head support structure is located between the head and the secondary actuator. For example, as shown in FIG. 4 of the Takaishi et al. article, a head suspension, which accounts for a significant portion of the length of the structure supporting the head, extends from the secondary actuator to the head. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 1 of the Boutaghou et al. patent, the load beam 25, which accounts for about one-half of the length of the structure supporting the head, extends from the secondary actuator to the head.
As such, each of these structures may be susceptible to a significant level of structural resonance, upon operation of the secondary actuator. Such resonance tends to result in unwanted head motion, which inherently reduces the accuracy of the positioning operation and, thus, reduces the available track density.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a microactuator for supporting and finely-positioning a read and/or write head with sufficient accuracy to operate with a track pitch substantially below that possible with typical VCM servo system operation.
To address the requirements described above, the present invention discloses a suspension-level piezoelectric microactuator for the fine positioning of a head-arm assembly of a disk drive. The microactuator is manufactured from a generally flat metal sheet structure having a central beam and two tabs extending from opposite sides of the beam. At least one layer of piezoelectric material is bonded onto each of the two tabs. Each of the two tabs is bent, with the piezoelectric layers bonded thereto, to a position substantially normal to the central beam. The structure is then joined to the distal end of a suspension member of the head-arm assembly. A recording head is connected to the central beam of the microactuator. When a voltage is applied to the piezoelectric materials, deflection of the microactuator occurs, thereby positioning the recording head.
It is an object of the present invention to employ a second-stage, fine-positioning piezoelectric microactuator for positioning one or more heads of a disk drive relative to a recording surface. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide such a piezoelectric microactuator as a relatively small, light-weight device, located between the head and the suspension member of the head-arm assembly to exclude suspension resonance. It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a piezoelectric microactuator that is capable of very small movements on the order of at least one half the track width, for example, on the order of about 0.5 xcexcm for a track pitch of about 1.0 xcexcm. It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide such a piezoelectric microactuator that is capable of nanometer scale movements.