A joining machine to join work-pieces together comprises a body, at least one scanner disposed on the body and configured to collect data on the work-pieces and convert the data to a scanned image, a guide device and a positioning device. The positioning device is configured to determine a join position according to the scanned image and instruct the guide device to indicate the join position on the work-pieces to an operator of the machine.

The manufacturing industry uses various methods to join materials together. For example, spot welding is typically used to weld sheet metal, wire mesh and other metal parts. In a resistance spot welding process, two electrodes are used to concentrate welding current into a small spot and to simultaneously clamp the work-piece together. Applying a current through the spot will melt the metal and form the weld. Contacting metal surfaces are joined by the heat obtained from resistance to electric current. Spot welding involves three stages: to bring the electrodes into contact with the surface of work-piece and applying a slight amount of pressure, applying the current from the electrodes to the spot, and remaining the electrodes in place to allow the material to cool and solidify.
Another example is a self-piece riveting which is a high-speed mechanical fastening process for point joining similar materials such as sheet material or a material combination. The self-piecing riveting generally uses a semi-tubular rivet to clinch the sheets in a mechanical joint. The process starts by clamping the sheets between the die and the blank holder. The rivet is driven into the sheets to be joined between a punch and die in a press tool by a self-piecing riveting machine. The rivet pierces the top sheet and the die shape causes the rivet to flare within the lower sheet to form a mechanical interlock. Similarly, self-threading/piecing screws or self-threading/piecing bolts processing joins the pieces together at join points. Yet another example is an adhesive gun that applies adhesive to join material together.
The processes described above can be manually performed by an operator using a machine or a gun. The inventor has recognized that locating a join position may become an issue. For example, the operator may work continuously on multiple join positions at pieces and may need to walk along the pieces to be joined (e.g., an assembly line). Consequently, the operator may have difficulty aiming the spot welding gun at the correct positions due to the operator's movement and fatigue from using the heavy machine. As such, repeatability on the join position for work-pieces and quality of the pieces being joined suffer. There exists a need for a joining machine that provides a guide to the operator to locate the join positions in the pieces.

Joining machines with a position guide system


A camshaft phaser for varying the phase relationship between a crankshaft and a camshaft includes stator having a plurality of lobes. A rotor rotatable about a camshaft axis is disposed coaxially within the stator and has a plurality of vanes interspersed with the lobes to define advance chambers and retard chambers. A lock pin is slidably disposed along a lock pin axis within the rotor for selective engagement with a first lock pin seat and for selective engagement with a second lock pin seat. The lock pin has a lock pin width in a circumferential direction relative to the camshaft axis and a lock pin length perpendicular to the lock pin width and to the lock pin axis such that the lock pin width is less than the lock pin length.

A typical vane-type camshaft phaser for changing the phase relationship between a crankshaft and a camshaft of an internal combustion engine generally comprises a plurality of outwardly-extending vanes on a rotor interspersed with a plurality of inwardly-extending lobes on a stator, forming alternating advance and retard chambers between the vanes and lobes. Engine oil is selectively supplied to one of the advance and retard chambers and vented from the other of the advance and retard chambers in order to rotate the rotor within the stator and thereby change the phase relationship between an engine camshaft and an engine crankshaft. Camshaft phasers also commonly include a lock pin which is selectively seated with a lock pin seat to prevent relative rotation between the rotor and the stator at a predetermined aligned position between the rotor and the stator that is intermediate of a full advance position and a full retard position. The lock pin is engaged and disengaged with the lock pin seat by venting oil from the intermediate lock pin and by supplying pressurized oil to the lock pin respectively. Preventing relative rotation between the rotor and the stator at a position that is intermediate of the full advance position and the full retard position may be desirable, particularly for a camshaft phaser which varies the timing of the intake valves, for providing strong torque for starting the internal combustion engine before the internal combustion engine has been warmed to operating temperature.
In an effort to conserve fuel, the internal combustion engine of some motor vehicles is automatically turned off, rather than allowing the internal combustion engine to idle, when the motor vehicle comes to a stop, for example, when the motor vehicle is stopped at a traffic light. This event may be known as automatic stop mode because the operator of the internal combustion engine has not turned off the ignition to the motor vehicle and various subsystems operate on battery power in anticipation of a near-term restart of the internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine is then automatically restarted when propulsion is again desired which may be determined, for example, by the operator of the motor vehicle removing their foot from the brake pedal or applying pressure to the accelerator pedal. It may not be desirable to prevent relative rotation between the rotor and the stator at a position that is intermediate of the full advance position and the full retard position when the internal combustion engine is operating in the automatic stop mode because the engine would typically be operating at normal operating temperature and, as a result, the internal combustion engine would be restarted with too much torque which may be objectionable to the operator of the motor vehicle. Consequently, it may be desirable to provide a second lock pin seat at a different angular position than the first lock pin seat, for example, the full retard position, to allow the lock pin to prevent relative rotation between the rotor and the stator at a position which provides less torque when restarting the internal combustion at the normal operating temperature.
Implementation of multiple locking positions may be difficult because the angular separation between the two lock pin seats using commonly known lock pins with a cylindrical cross-sectional shape may be sufficiently close that the lock pin and lock pin seats can provide fluid communication between one of the advance chambers and one of the retard chambers when the rotor is rotated such that the lock pin is centered, or close to centered, between the first lock pin seat and the second lock pin which may result in undesired performance of the camshaft phaser. Providing fluid communication between one of the advance chambers and one of the retard chambers may be avoided by providing sufficient angular separation between the two lock pin seats, however, providing sufficient angular separation to avoid fluid communication between one of the advance chambers and one of the retard chambers may result in the predetermined aligned position which is between full advance and full retard being in a location that is not desired, or may result in loss of phase angle authority of the camshaft phaser.
What is needed is a camshaft phaser which minimizes or eliminates one or more the shortcomings as set forth above.


A seat reclining apparatus includes a base plate, a ratchet plate, a lock member supported on a surface of the base plate which faces the ratchet plate so that the lock member is movable between engaged and disengaged positions, a rotational cam positioned between the base plate and the ratchet plate and rotates relative thereto by an operation of an operating member, and a welding protrusion which protrudes from the outer side of the base plate and is engaged with a holding portion. The welding protrusion includes a welding portion which is positioned closer to an outer peripheral side of the base plate than the outer toothed portion of the lock member in the engaged position, and a weld is applied so as to extend over the welding portion and an outer edge of the holding portion.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a seat reclining apparatus for adjustment of the seatback angle of a reclining seat.
2. Description of Related Art
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-51466 discloses a known seat reclining apparatus which includes a base plate which is fixed to a seat cushion side frame, a ratchet plate (ratchet) which is fixed to a seatback side frame and provided on the inner periphery thereof with an annular internal gear, a rotational center shaft (hand-operated shaft) for the base plate and the ratchet plate, three lock members (pawls) which are supported on an inner side of the base plate (a surface of the base plate which faces the ratchet plate) thereby to be movable (slidable) relative to the base plate in radial directions of the rotational center shaft, a rotational cam which rotates with the rotational center shaft, and a lock spring (spiral spring) which biases and rotates the rotational center shaft.
An outer toothed portion is formed on an outer peripheral surface of each lock member. Each lock member is movable relative to the base plate (the associated guide groove) between an engaged position in which the outer toothed portion is engaged with the internal gear of the ratchet plate and a disengaged position in which the outer toothed portion is disengaged radially inwards from the internal gear of the ratchet plate.
The rotational cam is rotatable between a locked position, to position each lock member in the engaged position, and an unlocked position, to position each lock member in the disengaged position. The lock spring biases the rotational center shaft in a direction so as to rotate the rotational cam toward the locked position.
Welding protrusions are projected from an outer side of the base plate (a surface of the base plate which faces the seat cushion side frame). The welding protrusions can be engaged in a holding portion which is formed in the seat cushion side frame as a through-hole (note that neither the seat cushion frame nor the holding portion is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-51466). The welding protrusions are fixed to the seat cushion side frame by welding an outer peripheral edge of each welding protrusion to the seat cushion side frame (an outer edge of the holding portion).
When an operating lever (hand-operated lever) which is linked with the rotational center shaft is not manually rotated, the rotational cam rotates toward the locked position by the rotational biasing force of the lock spring, which causes each lock member to move toward the engaged position. Accordingly, the outer toothed portion of each lock member is engaged with the internal gear of the ratchet plate, so that the seatback side frame (seatback) becomes non-rotatable relative to the seat cushion side frame (seat cushion).
On the other hand, the operating lever is manually rotated against the rotational biasing force of the lock spring, the rotational cam moves to the unlocked position. Thereupon, each lock member having moved to the engaged position moves toward the disengaged position, which causes the outer toothed portion of each lock member to be disengaged from the internal gear of the ratchet plate. As a result, the seatback side frame (seatback) becomes rotatable relative to the seat cushion side frame (seat cushion) (i.e., the angle of the seatback becomes adjustable relative to the seat cushion).
The aforementioned welding protrusions of the seat reclining apparatus disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-51466 are positioned closer to the center of the base plate (closer to the inner peripheral side of the base plate) than the outer toothed portion (the outer periphery) of each lock member in the engaged position.
If welding is applied so as to extend over an outer peripheral edge of each welding protrusion and the seat cushion side frame (an outer edge of the aforementioned holding portion of the seat cushion side frame), heat caused by welding reaches the inner side of the base plate through the inside of the base plate. Consequently, this heat eventually reaches the lock member support portion on the inner side of the base plate because the welding protrusions are positioned closer to the center of the base plate (closer to the inner peripheral side of the base plate) than the outer toothed portion (the outer periphery) of each lock member in the engaged position.
Thereupon, the lock member support portion of the base plate (the inner side of the base plate) may be deformed (e.g., deformed to bulge toward the lock member) by the aforementioned heat caused by welding, so that each lock member may become incapable of sliding smoothly on the inner side (the lock member support portion) of the base plate.


Adjustment device for tiltable sitting furniture with a stand (1) and a seat board (9) pivoting at the front side of the stand, as well as a driving device (16) arranged to convey the seat board (9) its tilt motion, where the seat board (9) at the front is pivotally arranged at the front edge of a fork (7) articulatedly suspended via arms (5) at the front part of the stand, which fork is in rear the part of the stand and at the rear is guided slidably against a slide rail (10), and the driving device (16) of which via a pressure arm (12) pivotally arranged at the stand transfers motion to the seat board, in addition to the pressure arm (12) is pivotally connected a control bar (19) between its pivot point and its end with the seat board, which control bar during work of the driving device (16) with its front part first is brought to bearing on a position adjustable backing roller (21) connected to the arms (5) of the fork (7) and subsequently with its rear part (23) in different positions adjustable against a rear cross bar (4b) acting as counter surface, whereupon the movement surpasses to a pure tilt about the pivot axis (8) of the seat board. (FIG. 2)

The present invention refers to an adjustment device for a tiltable armchair or a similar sitting furniture.
Disabled persons often have great difficulty in sitting down and getting up from chair seats if they can't get assistance or support from another person. It is evident that assistance is not always available when the disabled person wishes to get up from a sitting position or to get seated from a standing position.
To assist disabled persons in sitting down and getting up from a chair seat, mechanisms have heretofore been developed to enable a rear part of the chair seat to tilt upwardly. Such previously known designs have been cumbersome and complex and have furthermore lacked adjusting possibilities for giving a natural and adapted movement pattern according to an individual's height and other handicap dependent needs.


Cyanoguanidine quinazoline and cyanoamidine quinazolamine derivatives that are useful in the treatment of hyperproliferative diseases are disclosed. Methods of treating hyperproliferative diseases in mammals are also disclosed.

The type I receptor tyrosine kinase family consists of four closely related receptors: EFGR (ErbB1 or HER1), ErbB2 (HER2), ErbB3 (HER) and ErbB4 (HER4). These are transmembrane glycoprotein receptors which contain an extracellular ligand binding region and, with the expection of erbB3, an intracellular catalytically active tyrosine kinase domain. These receptors transmit extracellular signals through the cytosol to the nucleus. The extracellular signal is transmitted by ligand binding to the homomeric receptor, with the exception of erbB2, of which a high affinity soluble ligand has yet to be identified. After ligand binding the type I receptor tyrosine kinases either homodimerize or heterodimerize with another member of the subfamily of receptors. ErbB2 participates in this process by heteromerization. In fact, it has been shown that erbB2 is the preferred heterodimerization partner (Mendelsohn, J., et al. "The EGF receptor family as targets for cancer therapy." Oncogene. Vol. 19, No. 56 (Dec. 27, 2000): pp. 6550-6565). Dimerization leads to activation by autophosphorylation of the intracellular domain. This autophosphorylation recruits other proteins and leads to a phosphorylation cascade that transmits the signal throughout the cell. The type I receptor tyrosine kinase family signals through the ras/raf/MEK/MAPK pathway as well as the P13K/Akt pathway. These signaling pathways lead to both cell proliferation and cell survival through inhibition of apoptosis.
Several investigations have demonstrated the role of EGFR and ErbB2 in cancer. Squamous carcinomas of the head and neck, and lung express high levels of EGFR. Also, constitutively active EGFR has been found in gliomas, breast cancer and lung cancer (Salomon, David S., et al. "Epidermal growth factor-related peptides and their receptors in human malignancies." Crit. Rev. Oncology/Hematology. Vol. 19, Issue 3 (July 1995): pp. 183-232). ErbB2 overexpression occurs in ˜30% of all breast cancer. It has been also implicated in other human cancers including colon, ovary, bladder, stomach, esophagus, lung, uterus and prostate. ErbB2 overexpression has also been correlated with poor prognosis in human cancer, including metastasis, and early relapse (Slamon, DJ, et al. "Studies of the Her-2/neu proto-oncogene in human breast and ovarian cancer." Science. Vol. 244, No. 4905 (May 1989): pp. 707-712; Slamon, DJ, et al. "Human breast cancer: correlation of relapse and survival of the HER-2/neu oncogene." Science, Vol. 235, No. 4785 January 1987): pp. 177-182; Klapper, LN, et al. "Biochemical and clinical implications of the ErbB/HER signaling network of growth factor receptors, " Adv. Cancer Res. 77(2000): pp. 25-79).
The type I tyrosine kinase receptor family has been an active area of anti-cancer research. Several inhibitors of the EGFR and the ErbB2 signaling pathway have demonstrated clinical efficacy in cancer treatment. Herceptin, a humanized version of anti-ErbB2 monoclonal antibody, was approved for use in breast cancer in the United States in 1998. Iressa and Tarceva are small molecule inhibitors of EGFR that are expected to be launched in 2002. In addition, several other antibodies and small molecules that target the interruption of the type I tyrosine kinase receptor signaling pathways are in clinical and preclinical development (Ciardiello, F., et al, "Antitumor effects of ZD6474, a Small Molecule Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor, with Additional Activity against Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Tyrosing Kinase." Clin. Cancer Res. Vol. 9 (April 2003): pp. 1546-1556).
Several issued patents and applications have appeared describing quinazoline based type I receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors, including WO 00/44728, WO 01/98277, WO 98/02438, GB 2 345 486 A, WO 96/33980, and references contained therein, which are incorporated herein by reference.

Cyanoguanidines and cyanoamidines as ErbB2 and EGFR inhibitors


A liquid fabric softener dispenser for use in conjunction with dispensing fabric softener on clothes during drying of the clothes in a dryer. The dispenser is constructed of a relatively soft, integral and absorbent material that fills virtually the entire dispenser and is continuous with the exterior thereof except for an a axial bore extending from the surface of the dispenser inward. The bore receives liquid fabric softener poured thereinto through a mouth situated on the surface of the dispenser A sleeve constructed of non-absorbent material surrounds the mouth of the bore and extends partially along the length of the bore in order to prevent liquid fabric softener from overly wetting the mouth of the bore. A cap is utilized in conjunction with the sleeve to permit liquid softener from escaping from the bore. The material of construction of the dispenser is porous throughout and absorbent of the fabric softener such that the fabric softener migrates through the material from the bore to the surface. The fabric softener migrates due to heat and tumbling in the dryer outwardly toward the surface of the dispenser so as to engage clothing coming into contact with the dispenser during tumbling in the dryer.

The present invention is directed to a liquid fabric softener dispenser for dispensing fabric softener into clothes while the clothes are tumbling and being heated so as to dry in a mechanical dryer.
Numerous liquid and solid fabric softeners exist in the marketplace which are used during washing or drying of clothes for preventing the buildup of static electricity on the clothes, softening the clothes and the like during the drying of the clothes subsequent to washing. Modern electric and gas heated dryers are well known for their ability to produce static cling in clothes unless a fabric softener is utilized.
The first major types of fabric softeners are generally referred to as liquid fabric softeners, such as is sold under the trademark "Downey" and that are generally utilized while clothes are being washed in a washing machine. Although liquid fabric softeners are relatively inexpensive, a large portion of the fabric softener used in washing machines is wasted as it is discharged from the washing machine with the wastewater.
The second major types of fabric softeners are normally offered as solid fabric softener carrier sheets, such as are marketed under the trademark "Bounce", and that are placed in a dryer with the wet clothes during drying. The sheet fabric softeners are generally more expensive as compared to the liquid types based on a per usage basis. Consequently, attempts have been made to utilize liquid fabric softeners within dryers. However, the liquid softeners may spot or stain clothing where it is allowed to "wet" the surface of the clothing; therefore, liquid fabric softeners have never been successfully dispensed directly onto the clothes in the dryer.
Still further attempts have been made to utilize liquid fabric softener within dryers through an indirect dispenser by placing the softener within a dispenser. A typical type of structure utilized for this purpose consisted of a hard spherical shell with numerous dispensing small ports therein. The fabric softener was poured into the interior of the shell which was then closed and the shell was placed in the dryer. During tumbling, the liquid bounced against the side of the shell and small amounts of the softener squirted out onto the clothes. Control of the softener in this manner is relatively difficult and spotting can occur where droplets engage the clothes.
A second type of dispenser of this type included a hard shell or soft bag-like structure filled with loose strands of absorbent fabric. While this structure provided a potentially more even distribution of the softener, the loose fabric has a tendency to become released from the device, so that some become undesirably mixed with the clothing, with frequent usage and these devices were quite difficult to quickly and accurately refill with fabric softener. Additionally, these devices had a relatively limited life expectancy due to breakdown of the components thereof.

Liquid fabric softener dispenser for use in dryers


A cosmetic agent particularly useful for the styling of keratin fibers such as human hair is disclosed. The cosmetic agent of the present invention contains a unique combination of specific amphoteric polymers with an amphiphilic anionic polymer that imparts optimized properties to the agent without additional active ingredients. Styling agents containing this inventive polymer combination provide a very high degree of hold and moisture resistance to keratinous fibers without compromising flexibility.

Keratinic fibers are understood in principle to include all animal hair, for example, wool, horsehair, angora hair, furs, feathers and products or textiles produced therefrom. However, human hair comprises the keratinic fibers receiving the most attention in the context of cosmetic agents.
The use of polymers in a wide variety of cosmetic agents is widespread. They are used in agents for treating skin and in agents for treating hair, in agents that are washed off or out again immediately after use, so-called rinse-off products, as well as in agents which remain on the skin or hair, so-called leave-on agents. The polymers are used for a wide variety of reasons here, and certain properties of the polymers are utilized in each case. The thickening or care properties of the polymers are often of primary concern in agents for treating skin, in shampoos, hair rinses and hair treatments. In addition to these properties, especially film-forming effects and/or hair-setting effects are demanded in agents for temporary shaping of keratinic fibers, hereinafter also referred to as styling agents. Polymers frequently also serve as auxiliary means for improving the deposition and fixation of other active ingredients and ingredients on the skin or hair or making it possible at all. For example, by adding suitable polymers to hair coloring agents, the rubbing fastness and stability of the covering can be increased.
Cosmetic agents usually contain individual polymers tailored specifically to achieve a very specific effect. If various effects are to be achieved, it is necessary to add several polymers. However, if too many different polymers are used, this may entail a number of disadvantages. For example, problems may occur in formulation, e.g., because the polymers are reacting with one another or with other ingredients of the agent, resulting in precipitation or decomposition. Certain polymers also tend to be deposited on the skin and in particular on the hair, so that they are no longer completely removed in an ordinary washing and an unwanted accumulation of the polymer occurs and thus ultimately there is a burden on the hair or skin.
Therefore there is always a demand for polymers or suitable combinations of a few polymers which have as many of the desired properties as possible at the same time.
For example, in the case of styling agents it is necessary for the polymers to impart the strongest possible hold to the treated hair. In addition to a high degree of hold, however, styling agents must also fulfill a number of other requirements. These may be subdivided roughly into properties involving the hair, properties involving the respective formulation, for example, properties of the foam, the gel or the spray aerosol and properties affecting the handling of the styling agent, with special importance being attributed to the properties involving the hair. In particular the humidity resistance, low tackiness and a balanced conditioning effect may be mentioned. Furthermore, a styling agent should be universally usable for all types of hair if possible. If the styling agent is a gel or a paste, the polymers should also have thickening properties.
PCT Application Publication WO2008/052886 discloses that a combination of special zwitterionic polymers and film-forming and/or hair-setting amphoteric polymers has self-thickening properties, and that the film-forming and/or hair-setting properties of the individual polymers are increased. However, problems nevertheless occur in thickening in particular when providing thickened agents, i.e., highly viscous cosmetic agents using this polymer combination. In particular the stability of thickened cosmetic agents in storage and providing thickened and transparent agents with this polymer combination are areas that need improvement.
The object of the present invention was therefore to make available suitable polymer combinations that impart optimized properties to the cosmetic agents even without the addition of further active ingredients. In particular cosmetic agents are to be thickened with the aforementioned polymer combination in a manner so that they are stable in storage while at the same time having good film-forming properties and/or hair-setting properties. Styling agents containing these polymers should have a very high degree of hold without having to do without flexibility and good moisture resistance—in particular resistance to perspiration and water. Production of stable viscous and stable transparent cosmetic compositions using this polymer combination should be made possible in particular.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A shaft clutch which may be designed as a dog clutch. In order to save axial construction space, the two end regions of the dog clutch are utilized for the transmission of torque from the shaft to the motor vehicle transmission member to be coupled. The middle region between the two end regions has solely the function of axial fixing during torque transmission and can be made correspondingly short axially.

Application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. xc2xa7119 of GERMAN Application No. 101 52 85.5 filed on Oct. 23, 2001.
The invention relates to a shaft clutch for the alternate positive connection of one of two motor vehicle transmission members to a shaft.
Such a shaft clutch is already known from DE 198 31 981 A1. This shaft clutch is designed as a dog clutch and has a shift sleeve with shift dogs. The shift sleeve is displaceable axially in two directions with respect to its longitudinal axis or axis of rotation. In the respective axial end position, that is to say in the engaged state, the said shift dogs of the shift sleeve make a rotationally fixed connection between the shaft and a motor vehicle transmission member. For this purpose, the motor vehicle transmission member has a shift toothing matching the shift dogs. In order to prevent a gear jump, both the shift dogs and the shift toothing are lined. This lining has the effect that, when torque is transmitted from the shaft to the motor vehicle transmission member, the circumferential force results in an axial force component which pulls the shift sleeve onto the shift toothing or holds the shift sleeve in this position. During this torque transmission, the circumferential support of the shift dogs takes place, on the one hand, on a guide toothing of the shift-sleeve carrier and, on the other hand, on the shift toothing of the motor vehicle transmission member to be coupled.
The object of the invention is to provide an axially short shaft clutch for the alternate positive connection of two motor vehicle transmission members.
The invention relates to a shaft clutch which may be designed as a dog clutch. In order to save axial construction space, the two end regions of the dog clutch are utilized for the transmission of torque from the shaft to the motor vehicle transmission member to be coupled. The middle region between the two end regions has solely the function of axial fixing during torque transmission and can be made correspondingly short axially.
One advantage of the invention is that the entire shaft clutch has an axially short build. This is achieved in that the two end regions of the dog clutch are utilized for the transmission of torque from the shaft to the motor vehicle transmission member to be coupled. By contrast, a middle region between the two end regions has the function of axial fixing during torque transmission and can be made correspondingly short axially. In particular, the axially middle region may be shorter than the two end regions. Furthermore, the axially middle region may advantageously have the function of the axial guidance of the shift sleeve in the non-torque transmitting state or in the neutral position.
According to a further advantage of the invention, a lining of the end regions of the shift dogs and of the two shift toothings which is complicated in manufacturing terms is not necessary. This is accompanied by cost benefits.
In this context, a refinement of the shift dogs is particularly cost-effective to manufacture and in which the flanks of the shift dogs are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft clutch.
An advantageous development of the invention permits relatively reliable axial securing of the shaft clutch in the engaged state, a relatively easy shift of the shaft clutch back into the neutral position nevertheless being made possible.
Further advantages of the invention may be gathered from the further subclaims, the description and the drawing.


In a liquid heating apparatus of the pulse combustion type, a mounting plate is secured to a side wall of a liquid vessel for supporting thereon an air-fuel mixer head outside the vessel and a combustion chamber inside the vessel, and an inlet pipe is secured at its inner end to a front end wall of the combustion chamber and extended outwardly from the vessel through the mounting plate. The air-fuel mixer head is mounted to an outer end of the inlet pipe at a position spaced from the mounting plate, and the combustion chamber is supported by the inlet pipe at a position spaced from the mounting plate. During pulse combustion, the inlet pipe is cooled by the liquid flowing into the space between the front end wall of the combustion chamber and the mounting plate to protect the mixer head from the heat of high temperature transmitted thereto from the combustion chamber.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a liquid heating apparatus, more particularly to a liquid heating apparatus of the type which includes a pulse combustion burner mounted to a liquid vessel to heat an amount of liquid such as cooking oil or other fluid medium stored therein.
2. Description of the Prior Art
As is disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Early Publication No. 62-125808, a conventional liquid heating apparatus of this type includes a pulse combustion burner the combustion chamber of which is secured at its inlet end to a side wall of an open top liquid vessel and the air-fuel mixer head of which is fixedly mounted to the inlet end of the combustion chamber through the side wall of the vessel to supply a mixture of gaseous fuel and air into the combustion chamber. The pulse combustion burner is provided with a spark plug which is mounted on the side wall of the vessel to ignite the mixture in the combustion chamber. In such an arrangement of the combustion burner, the combustion chamber is directly in contact with the side wall of the vessel without any intervention of liquid. As a result, the side wall of the vessel is extremely heated at a high temperature during pulse combustion of the mixture to cause overheat of the mixer head and the spark plug.

Liquid heating apparatus of the pulse combustion type


A highly versatile, resilient and durable food casing sizing device for regulating the release of unfilled casing from a stuffing horn is specially useful in filling casings having string tied end-closures. The sizing ring provides a high degree of product dimensional uniformity and density. The sizing device which is flexible can also be used for stuffing delicate thin walled casings, such as unreinforced thermoplastic types and collagen casings without damage. The sizing devices are especially useful in relation to the production of smaller code products stuffed in plastic or plastic coated casings.

The present invention relates generally to new and useful devices and methods of packaging food products, and more specifically, to an improved tubular casing brake or sizing devices for food stuffing apparatus.
In the manufacture of sausage products, a tubular food casing, such as cellulose, is loaded onto the stuffing horn of a filling machine and stuffed with an emulsion, usually comprised of comminuted meat together with fillers, seasonings, spices, etc. In the case of small sausage products, like frankfurters, the filled casings are twisted, tied, or clipped into suitable links at predetermined intervals for further processing.
For larger diameter sausage products, like bolognas, salamis, and the like, the meat emulsion is introduced into larger, heavier walled fibrous type casings or casings formed from thermoplastic films, and formed into chubs or lengthy individual sticks. Like the smaller products, these large diameter sausage products are filled on stuffing machines comprising a meat pump and a delivery attachment in the form of a stuffing horn. However, unlike small diameter products, larger type sausage products, such as bologna, packaged in large code casings, rely on heavy-duty end-closures in the form of metal clips or caps which are frequently tied with a looped string, twine or other equivalent means, all for securely containing the meat emulsion during the stuffing process and for hanging or otherwise suspending the product during further processing, e.g., cooking and smoking, storage and display. U.S. Pat. No. 4,165,593 is one example of cut lengths of casing closed at one end with a clip for securing a loop for suspending the sausage product. The casing, with an end-closure clip and loop applied to one end, are manufactured in a first operation, and later, the opened end is fitted onto the horn of a filling machine, by a meat processor in an independent operation, where it is filled and then closed at the second end.
In stuffing both small and large diameter casings a sizing or braking system can be employed for controlling casing expansion to avoid exceeding casing manufacturers recommended stuffing diameters while also preventing back "purge" of meat emulsion. This is achieved with a brake device which applies uniform pressure to the exterior wall of unfilled casing on a stuffing horn as emulsion fills the casing interior. The braking device, which may comprise a ring assembly, engages the casing, restricting its rate of withdrawal from the horn by applying pressure or drag, generated by friction, to the casing as it is pulled from the horn by the meat emulsion being filled or stuffed into that casing. Representative brake systems are disclosed by U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,748,690 (Niedecker); 3,621,513 (Kupcikevicius); 3,457,588 (Myles et al); 4,438,545 (Kupcikevicius et al) and 4,558,488 (Martinek), to name but a few.
In most brake/sizing systems compressive force is applied uniformly and circumferentially (360.degree.) to the outer casing wall forcing it against the stuffing horn, thus creating friction between the inner casing wall and the stuffing horn and, respectively, between the outer casing wall and the brake/sizing system. The stuffing cycle typically begins with the operator loading a precut length of casing onto the stuffing horn with the first end of the casing having an end-closure, e.g. it may be tied or clipped, and it may have a looped string attached to the end-closure. The closed, first end of the casing is brought flush with the outlet end of the horn. The horn and the brake ring opening are, next, axially aligned. The brake ring assembly is then forced over the outer wall of the casing, which is on the horn, so that compressive force is applied to the casing, pushing it against the horn at a point adjacent to the outlet end of the horn. Frequently, however, in the process the looped string hanging from the clipped or capped end-closure or string tied casing becomes "locked" between the brake ring and casing side wall. Consequently, unless the string is released before stuffing is initiated, the casing is unable to peel off the horn and pressure builds up quickly at the outlet end of the horn causing the casing to rupture. This means costly down time for cleanup, lost meat emulsion, lost production and wasted casings.
Accordingly, the present invention contemplates improved sizing/braking devices for food stuffing apparatus for filling casings, string tied/looped or otherwise, which can significantly reduce snagging of the string, where used, and consequent casing rupture. This translates into economic advantage through higher production efficiency with reduced potential for down time.
A further important consideration in preparation of both large and small diameter sausage products is the maintenance of accurate diametrical and circumferential size control over the entire length of the sausage stick. It is particularly important that the diameter of the large sausage products be carefully controlled so that meat packers are able to cut the sausage into slices of predetermined thickness and diameter for prepackaging. The objective is to have a given number of slices weigh precisely a predetermined amount for each package. For the smaller products, it is critical that uniform diameters be maintained so that, for example, when the sausage product is formed into links, each link weighs the same as all other links, thus enabling the packaging of those links into standard weight containers. As a result, meat processors are constantly striving to improve operations that affect finished package yields. Constant sizing control of green stick diameter, during stuffing, assures more uniform slice and/or link weight and minimizes the over and under weight variations of the packages.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,748,690 and 3,872,543 to Niedecker disclose popular style sizing devices for controlling product diameter. During filling, controlled release of casing is achieved by a snubbing element bearing against the outlet end of the stuffing horn with the casing therebetween. It has been found, however, that the outlet end of stuffing horns can be fragile and subject to bending and loss of cylindrical shape unless specially reinforced. Because of distortion in roundness of horn outlets, snubbing rings, particularly those which operate by engaging the edge of stuffing horns, such as disclosed by the Niedecker patents, can fail to provide accurate product diameter control during filling operations.
Although snubbing lips of devices like those of Niedecker are fabricated from essentially resilient materials, they are nevertheless made relatively rigid and nonflexible due to steel backing members exerting pressure thereon. Consequently, desired flexibility and resiliency of such devices may be lost, to a significant degree, at the point of constriction of casing against the filling horn, making it difficult for irregular shaped folds in casing to smoothly negotiate constriction points without producing deviations in constant pressures and, ultimately, variations in product diameter. Rigid steel holders for such devices also shorten the useful life expectancy of their sizing rings due to excess wear.
Accordingly, the present invention contemplates inter alia improved flexibility and longer wearing sizing devices which offer a high degree of dimensional uniformity and caliber control without dependence on horn roundness and cylindrical shape for optimum size control during stuffing, and without casing wall thickness variations interfering with sizing ring performance.

Brake-sizing devices for food stuffing apparatus and methods of use


The present invention pertains to a patch of flexible surgical mesh material having at least one elongated semi-rigid member secured to the mesh material for use in facilitating positioning of the mesh material in surgical operations. In variant embodiments of the invention a plurality of semi-rigid members are formed either integrally with the flexible mesh as a single unit of the same material, or as separate component parts secured to the mesh material.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to a patch of flexible surgical mesh material having at least one elongated semi-rigid member comprised of or secured to the mesh material for use in facilitating positioning of the mesh material in surgical operations. In variant embodiments of the invention a plurality of semi-rigid members are formed either integrally with the flexible mesh as a single unit of the same material, or as separate component parts secured to the mesh material.
2. Description of the Related Art
Surgical mesh of various different types has long been known and used in the prior art. The known types of mesh material range from mesh constructed from resins such as that disclosed in the U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,671,444 of Pease, Jr. and Usher U.S. Pat. No. 3,124,136, to surgical mesh constructed of yarns or threads such as that disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,054,406, of Usher to surgical mesh constructed of absorbable or partially absorbable fibers such as that disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,633,873, of Dumican et al. Much of the prior art surgical mesh was designed for use in conventional surgery from exterior of the body where a large enough incision is made to provide ample access for the insertion of a patch of surgical mesh in a desired position or orientation in the body where reconstruction or repair is required. However, when employed with laparoscopic surgical techniques, difficulties are often encountered using conventional laparoscopic instruments in the insertion of conventional surgical mesh inside the body cavity through tubular trocars and in the subsequent positioning of the mesh in a desired orientation where reconstruction or repair is needed. Specialized surgical apparatus have been developed to facilitate the use of conventional surgical mesh in laparoscopic surgery, for example the apparatus disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,141,515 of Eberbach. However, it is still an often difficult and time consuming task to insert a patch of surgical mesh into a body cavity through a laparoscopic trocar, and then position the inserted mesh using laparoscopic instruments to an internal defect placing it against the defect where it is to be sutured.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved surgical mesh having a unique construction that facilitates the use of the mesh with laparoscopic surgical techniques as well as other surgical techniques.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a surgical mesh having a unique construction that enables the mesh to be easily and quickly moved to and positioned in a desired location using conventional laparoscopic surgical instruments as well as other surgical instruments.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a surgical mesh of unique construction which assists in the mesh being unfolded and positioned contiguous with or overlapping an area of damaged tissue being reconstructed or repaired.

Surgical mesh with semi-rigid border members


This invention relates to a method, a computer program product, a device and a system for formatting an object to obtain a formatted object, wherein the object comprises a plurality of elements, and wherein the formatted object is affected by at least one constraint, wherein the constraint is scaled by a first scaling factor to obtain a scaled constraint; wherein at least one of the elements is scaled by a second scaling factor to obtain a scaled element; wherein a layout structure is generated for the plurality of elements including the scaled element under consideration of the scaled constraint; and wherein the layout structure is scaled by a third scaling factor to obtain the formatted object.

In modern browsers, rendering of documents such as for instance World Wide Web (WWW) documents formatted according to the Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) or derivatives thereof (such as for instance the Extensible HTML (XHTML)), is frequently based on the Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) processing model, for instance the CSS level 2 (CSS2) processing model (cf. Cascading Style Sheets, level 2 revision 1 CSS 2.1 Specification, W3C Candidate Recommendation, 25 Feb. 2004, available at www.w3.org). Style sheets represent a set of statements that specify the presentation of a document. For instance, a style sheet may uniformly define the background colour of all pages of a web document that is specified in HTML. In the CSS processing model, a user agent, for instance a browser or a part thereof, first parses a document that is to be displayed and creates a document tree that hierarchically contains the elements of said document. The user agent then identifies the target media type on which the document is to be rendered, for instance a display of a hand-held multimedia device, and retrieves style sheets associated with the document and specified for the target multimedia device. The elements in the document tree are then annotated by assigning values to properties of the respective elements that are applicable to the target media type. From the annotated document tree a formatting structure is generated in a formatting process that obeys a formatting model, for instance a visual formatting model in case of the target media type being a display. Therein, for the elements in the document tree, zero or more rectangular boxes are generated according to a CSS box model, and these boxes are then laid out according to the visual formatting model to obtain the formatting structure.
The visual formatting function that performs the formatting according to said formatting model takes as an input various internal constraints imposed by the structure and style of the document that is being processed and external constraints imposed by the browser application and environment.
Internal constraints often limit the minimum width of the boxes that make up the generated layout. For example, if a box contains an image, it cannot be narrower than the image. Similarly, if the document sets a table column to some fixed pixel width, it cannot become any narrower or wider than the specified value. Ignoring any of these constraints is a violation against the formatting model and will distort or destroy the document layout.
Currently, the most important external constraint for the formatting function is the width of the browser view port (on a desktop browser, the width of the browser window; on a mobile browser, the width of the available display area, i.e. the width of the display minus UI elements like window borders). The formatting function tries to make the formatting structure width match the view port width while still satisfying the internal constraints. If that is not possible, the formatting structure becomes wider (or narrower) than the view port width. In this case viewing the whole content of the document on a display might require sideways scrolling.
The text content of a box is formatted after the box width is determined. Still the text content provides constraints to the box width. Minimum width of a box containing text is the width of the longest word in the box. The box height, and eventually the total height of the formatting structure, is determined by the formatted height of the text content. Width and height of individual pieces of text depends on the used font and must be known during the formatting process.
Finally, said formatting structure is transferred to the target medium, for instance painted on a display. Therein, the "canvas" denotes the space where the formatting structure (with a certain area) is painted. The painting step can be repeated without reformatting the document, for example when the view position changes as a result of a user scrolling the displayed formatting structure. However, re-formatting may be required when the dimensions of the view port are changed by a user.
The view ports of hand-held multimedia devices such as mobile phones or Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) are necessarily significantly smaller than the view ports of the computer or television screens for which documents are usually designed. If for instance content of the World Wide Web (WWW), i.e. web documents formatted, for example, in HTML or XHTML, is to be displayed on the display of a hand-held device, it has to be considered that these web documents normally have an original presentation size designed for portrayal on a computer monitor, the dimensions of which are often remarkably larger than the display of a hand-held device such as a mobile phone. As an example, the width of the display of a computer monitor is generally 800 picture elements (pixels) or more, whereas the display area on a typical hand-held multimedia device (such as for instance one of the Nokia Series 60 devices) is only 176×208 pixels.
In prior art, various methods have been developed that reformat the web document content to better fit the width of small view ports. For instance, US 2004/0049737 A1 proposes to format the web document content to selectively minimize the horizontal scrolling required to view the content on a small display. Each component or sub-component of the original area, such as a frame, table row, table cell or nested table is considered separately and may be preserved, resized or replaced. Where the context requires that the content be wider than the view port width of the display, horizontal scrolling is preserved.
This prior art approach leads to a reformatting of the entire content of the web document into a tall column (even when the original content contained more than one column) that substantially fits the width of the view port and thus requires less or no horizontal scrolling. Only components of the web document that can not be appropriately fitted to the view port width exceed said view port width and then require horizontal scrolling. The original design intent of the web document is thus destroyed and made unrecognizable to the user.
Improved methods for formatting large web documents to fit small displays should target to maintain the original document layout while making some adjustments to better fit it to the small view port. In particular, readability of text passages should be improved. Therein, some or all of the following design rules could be considered:                On the small display, substantially keep the original document layout so that the document looks generally similar to how it looks on a large display. This allows the user to navigate by location of the information on the page, which is essential also on a Personal Computer (PC).        Reduce the size of the document area so that less scrolling is needed to traverse the document.        Format larger text paragraphs so that as little as possible horizontal scrolling is required during their reading.

Presentation of large objects on small displays


Temperature-sensor calibrating method enables a wireless-data-communicating wearable clinical thermometer to be reused. The thermometer's temperature sensor, for sensing and measuring a target subject's body temperature, is detachable from/reattachable into a main unit of the thermometer. The temperature sensor is calibrated whenever it is to be swapped out, making thermometer main unit post-multicycle-use disposable. The calibration is accomplished by sampling and acquiring a base resistance value per the temperature sensor, computing, based on the difference between the acquired base resistance value and a resistance value gauged with a standard temperature gauge, a calibration coefficient, storing the calibration coefficient in a measuring-device storage medium, and transmitting the calibration coefficient to the thermometer main unit.

In hospitals and other medical institutions, patients' body temperatures are periodically measured, and the measurement results are administered. Generally, in measuring body temperature, the thermometer is applied to a measurement region on the examinee, who for a fixed period of time until the measurement finishes is kept in a still state, and when the measurement finishes the measurer checks and records the measurement result. In cases where the examinee is an infant or a seriously ill patient, however, continuing to apply the thermometer to the measurement region can be challenging, such that carrying out an accurate body-temperature measurement is not a simple matter; what is more, with newborn babies and infants, at times, such as during the night, when the body temperature abruptly changes, the changes must be grasped objectively by chronologically gauging the body temperature. Moreover, the job of checking and recording the measurement results places a high burden on the measurer, such that lightening the load on the measurer has been desired.
While interest in medical technologies that take advantage of portable computers, smartphones, and tablet computers has been on the rise in recent years, so-called wearable devices for gauging body temperature have already been developed, whereby checking and recording, via wireless communication means, measurement results of having gauged body temperature has become possible.
As to the body-temperature measurement/recording device set forth in Patent Document 1, a body-temperature logging patch ("patch" in the following)—a wearable clinical thermometer—that chronologically accumulates a patient's body temperature in a memory is proposed. With this body-temperature measurement device, the patch can be fitted onto the body of a patient—for example, onto the forehead, trunk, arms, legs, or other location on the body—and through a plurality of sensors a plurality of temperatures in the same positions or in different positions on the patient may be sensed, and further, via a wireless communication means, checking and recording measurement results of having gauged body temperature is possible.

Method of calibrating temperature sensor


This invention relates to isolated nucleic acids comprising genes of human chromosome 20p13-p12 and the proteins encoded by these genes. Expression vectors and host cells containing such genes or fragments thereof, as well as antibodies to the proteins encoded by these nucleic acids are also included herein.

Mouse chromosome 2 has been linked to a variety of disorders including airway hyperesponsiveness and obesity (DeSanctis et al., Nature Genetics, 11: 150-154 (1995)); (Nagle et al, Nature, 398: 148-152 (1999)). This region of the mouse genome is homologous to portions of human chromosome 20 including 20p13-p12. Although human chromosome 20p13-12p has been linked to a variety of genetic disorders including diabetes insipidus, neurohypophyseal, congenital endothelial dystrophy of cornea, insomnia, neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation 1 (Hallervorden-Spatz syndrome), fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva, alagille syndrome, hydrometrocolpos (McKusick-Kaufman syndrome), Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and Gerstmann-Straussler disease (See National Center for Biotechnology Information world wide web.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/omim/), the genes affecting these disorders have yet to be discovered. There is a need in the art for identifying specific genes for such disorders because they are also associated with obesity, lung disease, particularly, inflammatory lung disease phenotypes such as Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COPD), Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), and asthma. Identification and characterization of such genetic compositions will make possible the development of effective diagnostics and therapeutic means to treat lung related disorders.

Human gene relating to respiratory diseases and obesity


Systems and processes for managing personal data are provided herein. Personal data associated with a data subject may be received or derived in association with a virtual identity of the data subject. The personal data may be stored, and identifying information that is linked to the personal data may be stored, where the identifying information is included in shadow data associated with the personal data. The identifying information may include a virtual identity identifier of the virtual identity, and, in some examples, a creation timestamp of the personal data. When a request to retrieve personal data for a data subject, shadow data storage may be searched to locate identifying information provided in the request, and personal data items linked to the located identifying information may be returned as a result of the request.

Organizations that collect personal data from individuals are typically subject to regulations or rules regarding protection and accessibility to the data. For example, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) includes provisions and requirements for data controllers (e.g., the natural or legal person, public authority, agency or other body which, alone or jointly with others, determines the purposes and means of the processing of personal data, as defined in Article 4 of the GDPR). The provisions and requirements of the GDPR include protecting the rights of data subjects that correspond to collected personal data (e.g., by following principals in Article 5 of the GDPR, which may include pseudonymization of the data or other practices) and providing personal data of a particular individual to that individual if requested (e.g., in accordance with the provisions in Article 15 of the GDPR, which includes the provision that the right to obtain a copy of personal data shall not adversely affect the rights and freedoms of others). As the data stored for a particular individual by a data controller may include different types of personal data that is distributed within one or multiple databases, it may be difficult to efficiently identify and provide an individual's personal data to the individual while maintaining security and privacy of other data collected by the data controller. Accordingly, there remains a need for improved technologies to manage personal data.


A color ink ribbon comprising a ribbon body on which a plurality of colors are sequentially aligned in a ribbon feeding direction, color recognition marks which sequentially represent next colors on the ribbon body by bar code information, and ribbon speed detection marks formed on the ribbon body at equal intervals in the ribbon feeding direction. The bar code marks and the speed detections marks are used together with a compensation coefficient to determine the identity of the subsequent color portion on the ink ribbon body.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an improvement of a color ink ribbon and a printer using this ribbon.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a color ink ribbon used for, e.g., a color bar code printer, three primary colors, i.e., yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) are sequentially aligned in the ribbon feeding direction. In addition, color recognition marks (bar codes) representing the types of primary color are formed immediately before portions of the three primary colors. A detector is arranged in a printer using this color ink ribbon to detect a color recognition mark of each of the three primary colors. The next color of the ink ribbon fed by a ribbon drive motor is detected in accordance with a detection output (i.e., a color recognition mark read output) from this detector. More specifically, black level detection outputs from the color recognition mark detector are counted to recognize a bar code width of each color recognition mark in accordance with the count. If the recognized bar code width is only width a, the color is discriminated as yellow (Y). If the width is a combination of width a and width 2a, the color is discriminated as magenta (M). If the width is only width 2a, the color is discriminated as cyan (C). Cuing of the ink ribbon corresponding to printing data is performed, and then a color image is printed on paper by a thermal head or the like.
Most of the color ink ribbon is wound around a ribbon supply core in an initial condition, and the color ink ribbon is sequentially supplied upon constant-speed rotation of the ribbon drive motor and is taken up by a ribbon take-up core. In an end condition, the most of the ribbon has already been taken up by the ribbon take-up core. Therefore, the ink ribbon feeding speed in the initial condition is different from that in the end condition. In particular, when the overall length of the ribbon is large or a core diameter is small, a speed difference is large.
Since a color to be fed next is determined by recognizing the width of a bar code formed on the ink ribbon, as described above, a large speed difference tends to cause color discrimination errors because the width of each bar code is erroneously detected. For this reason, an ink ribbon having a small overall length or a large core is conventionally used to overcome the above problem.
As described above, in the conventional color ink ribbon, since each bar code represents only the next color, color discrimination is erroneously performed by a change in ribbon feeding speed. For this reason, only a wasteful color ink ribbon having a small overall length or a large core is used in a color printer to always perform accurate color discrimination.

Color ink ribbon and printer using this ribbon


A voltage regulation system for an electrical power distribution network that receives electricity from one or more distributed energy resources includes: a voltage regulation device configured to maintain a voltage in the electrical power distribution network to within a voltage bandwidth, the voltage bandwidth including a range of voltages; and a control system coupled to the voltage regulation device, the control system configured to: analyze voltage data, the voltage data including a plurality of voltage samples, each of the voltage samples representing the voltage in the electrical power distribution network at a time within a period of time; determine an adjusted voltage bandwidth for the voltage regulation device based on the analysis; and change the voltage bandwidth of the voltage regulation device to the adjusted voltage bandwidth.

Voltage regulation systems are used to monitor and control a voltage level in an electrical power distribution network. The voltage regulation system performs a voltage regulation operation to change the voltage level in the electrical power distribution network when the voltage level in the network is outside of a range of voltages that correspond to a voltage bandwidth. The voltage regulation operation brings the voltage in the electrical power distribution network closer to a set voltage, which is within the voltage bandwidth. In a traditional voltage regulation system, the voltage bandwidth is fixed and does not change during operation of the voltage regulator.

Adaptive voltage bandwidth for a voltage regulation device


Systems, devices, and methods for an aircraft having a fuselage; a wing extending from both sides of the fuselage; a first pair of motors disposed at a first end of the wing; and a second pair of motors disposed at a second end of the wing; where each motor is angled to provide a component of thrust by a propeller attached thereto that for a desired aircraft movement applies a resulting torque additive to the resulting torque created by rotating the propellers.

Vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aerial vehicles may take-off vertically, transition from vertical flight to horizontal flight, and fly forward horizontally. Quadrotor aerial vehicles have four motors and four propellers that are all aligned vertically toward a longitudinal axis of the quadrotor. The size of the propellers in a quadrotor is significant relative to the overall size of the quadrotor in order to provide appropriate control over the quadrotor and to reduce the power required to fly the quadrotor.

Vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) winged air vehicle with complementary angled rotors


An example operation may include one or more of receiving an identification of vendor resources held by each of a plurality of members of a social network, extracting respective preference information of the plurality of members from web pages associated with the plurality of members on the social network, automatically determining to exchange resources of a first vendor issued to a first member of the social network with resources of a second vender issued to a second member of the social network based on extracted preference information of the first and second members, and triggering execution of the exchange of resources via one or more blockchain computing networks associated with the social network.

A blockchain may be used as a public ledger (or private ledger) to store transactional information within a database. Transactions are executed within a blockchain database when it is determined that certain conditions are satisfied. The results of the transaction are stored in a database which is replicated (i.e., distributed) across multiple blockchain nodes. Because any individual or entity can provide information to a public blockchain, this information should be reviewed and confirmed. This review operation is known as consensus. Blockchain systems typically rely on a decentralized consensus which transfers authority and trust to a decentralized network and enables its nodes (i.e., blockchain peers) to continuously and sequentially record their transactions on a public "block", creating a unique "chain" referred to as a blockchain. Cryptography, via hash codes, is used with a blockchain to secure an authentication of a transaction source and removes the need for a central intermediary.
Web-based social networks (e.g., FACEBOOK®, LINKEDIN®, TWITTER®, GOOGLE+®, etc.) enable users to make social connections through social media platforms. Social networks establish interconnected online web-based communities that assist users in making contacts for the purposes of business, health, education, and the like. These contacts are often people that users likely would not have met except for the online relationship established through the social network. Within a social network, members are often connected to one another via direct and indirect relationships. Online social networks have provided a unique environment for cutting edge technologies which are being developed to take advantage of the limitless potential that is provided by social networks.

Cognitive determination system connecting social network and blockchain network

International Business Machines Corporation


Dynamic gain and phase compensation is provided in a radio frequency (RF) receiver (106) including at least one switched Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) (212) coupled to an RF gain control unit (226) providing a gain control signal to the at least one switched LNA (212) for control thereof. The RF receiver also includes an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter (222) for digitizing the RF signal and outputting an N-bit digital signal to the RF gain control unit (226). The method for gain compensation includes dynamically adjusting the N-bit digital signal to compensate for the at least one switched LNA (212) in response to the gain control signal. The method for phase compensation includes dynamically normalizing the N-bit digital signal into an M-bit signal range to derive an M-bit digital signal, where M≦N and dynamically phase adjusting the M-bit digital signal to compensate for the at least one switched LNA (212) in response to the gain control signal.

Switched Low Noise amplifiers (LNAs) are commonly used in wireless radio frequency (RF) receivers to sufficiently amplify the desired signal at a given sensitivity with minimum added noise. Therefore, under very weak signal conditions, these LNA stages must be turned on. Alternately, under strong signal levels, these switched LNA stages must be turned off to avoid compressing downstream RF and IF stages. An automatic gain control (AGC) unit is typically used to control the states of these switched LNA stages under various weaker and stronger input signal conditions. When such an RF gain control unit dynamically changes the state of these switched LNA stages, it leads to an abrupt gain (e.g., >16 dB) and phase (e.g., >70 degrees) discontinuities in the received signal.
Accordingly, it is desirable to compensate for such large gain and phase discontinuities in a controlled manner to avoid gain transients and phase discontinuities which can otherwise occur. In addition, other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description of the invention and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background of the invention.

Method and apparatus for dynamic gain and phase compensations


An embodiment of the invention provides a semiconductor fabrication method. The method comprises forming a strained channel region in semiconductor devices. Embodiments include forming a stressor layer over an amorphous portion of the semiconductor device at an intermediate stage of fabrication. The device is masked and strain in a portion of the stressor layer is relaxed. Recrystallizing the amorphous portion of the intermediate device transfers strain from the stressor to the substrate. At least a portion of the strain remains in the substrate through subsequent device fabrication, thereby improving performance of the completed device. In other embodiments, a tensile stressor layer is formed over a first portion of the device, and a compressive stressor layer is formed over a second portion. A tensile stressor layer forms a compressive channel in a PMOS device, and a compressive stressor forms a tensile channel in an NMOS device.

Semiconductor devices are used in a large number of electronic devices such as computers, cell phones and others. One of the goals of the semiconductor industry is to continue shrinking the size and increasing the speed of individual devices. Smaller devices can operate at higher speeds since the physical distance between components is smaller. In addition, higher conductivity materials such as copper are replacing lower conductivity materials such as aluminum. One other challenge is to increase the mobility of semiconductor carriers such as electrons and holes.
One technique to improve transistor performance is to strain (i.e., distort) the semiconductor crystal lattice near the charge-carrier channel region. Transistors built on strained silicon, for example, have greater charge-carrier mobility than those fabricated using conventional substrates. One technique to strain silicon is to provide a layer of germanium or silicon germanium. A thin layer of silicon may be grown over the germanium-containing layer. Since the germanium crystal lattice is larger than silicon, the germanium-containing layer creates a lattice mismatch stress in adjacent layers. Strained channel transistors may then be formed in the strained silicon layer.
Another technique is to provide a stress layer over the transistor. Variants of stress layers can be used for mobility and performance boost of devices. For example, stress can be provided by a contact etch stop layer (CESL), single layers, dual layers, stress memory transfer layers, and STI liners. Most of these techniques use nitride layers to provide tensile and compressive stresses. In other applications, oxide layers can be used.
One drawback of stress layers deposited on top of transistor structures is that the distance between the stressor and the transistor channel partially relaxes the applied strain. Additionally, and especially in small devices, contact holes penetrating the stress layer reduce the total area of the stress layer, thereby reducing the performance enhancement.
In light of these and other problems, there remains a need for improved structures and methods for creating performance-enhancing strain in semiconductor devices.


An imaging system includes a positionable device configured to axially shift an image plane, wherein the image plane is generated from photons emanating from an object and passing through a lens, a detector plane positioned to receive the photons of the object that pass through the lens, and a computer programmed to characterize the lens as a mathematical function, acquire two or more elemental images of the object with the image plane of each elemental image at different axial positions with respect to the detector plane, determine a focused distance of the object from the lens, based on the characterization of the lens and based on the two or more elemental images acquired, and generate a depth map of the object based on the determined distance.

Embodiments of the invention relate generally to a system and method for depth from defocus imaging, and more particularly to a contactless multi-fingerprint collection device.
It is well known that the patterns and geometry of fingerprints are different for each individual and are unchanged over time. Thus fingerprints serve as extremely accurate identifiers of an individual since they rely on un-modifiable physical attributes. The classification of fingerprints is usually based on certain characteristics such as arch, loop or whorl, with the most distinctive characteristics being the minutiae, the forks, or endings found in the ridges and the overall shape of the ridge flow.
Traditionally, fingerprints have been obtained by means of ink and paper, where a subject covers a surface of their finger with ink and presses/rolls their finger onto paper or a similar surface to produce a rolled fingerprint. More recently, various electronic fingerprint scanning systems have been developed that obtain images of fingerprints utilizing an optical fingerprint image capture technique. Such electronic fingerprint scanning systems have typically been in the form of contact based fingerprint readers that require a subject's finger to be put in contact with a screen and then physically rolled across the screen to provide an optically acquired full rolled-image fingerprint. However, contact-based fingerprint readers have significant drawbacks associated therewith. For example, in a field environment, dirt, grease or other debris may build up on the window of contact based fingerprint readers, so as to generate poor quality fingerprint images. Additionally, such contact-based fingerprint readers provide a means of spreading disease or other contamination from one person to another.
In recent electronic fingerprint scanning systems, contactless fingerprint readers capture fingerprints without the need for physical contact between a subject's finger and a screen. The goal is to generate a rolled equivalent fingerprint image using a contactless imaging system in which images are formed by a lens. Conventional imaging provides 2D representation of the object, whereas to generate the rolled equivalent fingerprint, one requires the 3D profile of the finger. For an object such as a finger, some parts of the object are in focus and some are defocused when imaged with a shallow depth of field imaging system. Typically, an in-focus region is a region of an object that is in as sharp as possible focus, and conversely defocus refers to a lack of focus, the degree of which can be calculated between two images. Known systems may generate a depth map of the object using either a depth from focus (DFF) or a depth from defocus (DFD) algorithm.
In one system, a contactless fingerprint scanning system acquires an image of the finger by utilizing a structured light source, and a 3D image is generated using a DFF algorithm. In a DFF algorithm, as an example, many measurements are made at various focal plane positions and the many measurements are used to generate a depth map. Typically, the various focal plane positions are obtained by either physical movement of the object or lens, or by adjustment of the focal plane (using known techniques or using one or more birefringent lenses producing focal shifts at different polarization angles passing therethrough). DFF-based systems, however, typically require many measurements to be obtained and also may include adjustment of the focal plane to focus on the object, as well as a structured light source.
For a given object, the amount of defocus depends on at least two parameters: 1) a distance of the object to the lens, and 2) the lens characteristics. If the second parameter (i.e., the lens characteristics) is known, and the system can accurately measure an amount of defocus, then the object distance can be determined. Such forms the basis of known DFD algorithms.
Thus, in some contactless finger print readers, the system acquires an image of the finger by utilizing a white light source, and a 3D image is generated using a DFD algorithm. In a DFD algorithm, a defocus function acts as a convoluting kernel with the fingerprint, and the most direct way to recover it is through the frequency domain analysis of obtained image patches. Essentially, as the amount of defocus increases, the convolving kernel's width decreases, resulting in elimination of high frequency content.
DFD algorithms typically start with an assumption of a simplified Gaussian or pillbox estimator for a point spread function (PSF), building up on a polychromatic illumination assumption. Typically, an object point, when imaged, will look like a bell curve rather than a sharp point. The function describing the shape of the bell curves is called the 'PSF', and the shape of the PSF on an image detector depends on the distance of the object point to the lens, as well as internal lens characteristics. Thus, these assumptions simplify the mathematical derivations and provide a convenient approach to DFD. The extent to which such assumptions hold depends on the particular imaging system and illumination condition. For highly corrected imaging optics and white light illumination, the PSF resembles a Gaussian or a pillbox and assuming so typically generates a depth estimator with a reasonable error. However, it can be shown that depth estimation based on DFD is highly sensitive to proper determination of PSF structure, and applying DFD based on Gaussian (or pillbox) PSF models to an imaging system where PSF departs from this assumption results in unreliable depth estimates. That is, the simplified model does not adequately describe physical lens behavior when there is a high degree of aberration, when a lens has a small depth-of-field compared to object size, when quasi-monochromatic light is used (such as an LED), or when monochromatic light is used (such as a laser), as examples. Thus, known DFD systems fail to estimate object distance and fail to accurately reproduce a fingerprint in a contactless system.
Therefore, it would be desirable to design a system and method of acquiring fingerprints in a contactless application that accounts for lens imperfections.

System and method for depth from defocus imaging


Expired paper rolls are removed from one unwinding station in a paper processing plant by engaging them with a gripper and transferring them onto a conveyor which can be operated to move expired rolls axially. Each expired roll is rotated about its own axis before the conveyor is set in motion so that the projecting remnant of web is convoluted around the expired roll before the latter begins to move axially. The one unwinding station is adjacent a second unwinding station which receives a fresh roll from a conveyance while the preceding roll is caused to pay out its web at the one station. The supporting arms for the roll at the one station are pivotable between the two stations so that a partly expired fresh roll can be shifted from the second station to the one station prior to conversion of such roll into an expired roll.

The invention relates to an apparatus for manipulating rolls of convoluted webs, especially paper rolls of the type used in many paper processing plants for the making of pads, for assembling stacks of sheets and the like. More particularly, the invention relates to the manipulation of so-called expired rolls of paper or the like, namely rolls which must be removed from an unwinding station to provide room for fresh rolls.
Webs of paper which are processed in many paper processing plants are supplied in the form of huge rolls wherein a core is surrounded by a large number of convolutions. A huge roll is suspended at an unwinding station and is rotated to pay out the web. When the roll has expired, i.e., when its diameter has been reduced to a predetermined minimum value, such expired roll must be severed from the length of paid out (already unwound) web and the trailing end of the paid out length of the web must be spliced to the leader of a fresh web so as to ensure that the processing machine will receive a continuous web for conversion into sheets, panels or the like or that the intervals of idleness will be as short as possible.
Removal of expired rolls from unwinding stations in or next to paper processing and other web processing machines presents many problems, especially when the rolls are bulky and heavy. As a rule, much of the work which is involved in removing an expired roll from the unwinding station and in replacing it with a fresh roll is still performed by hand. Additional problems arise in connection with the manipulation of expired rolls wherein remnants of the webs project from the cores upon severing of expired rolls from the lengths of paid out web material. Such remnants can interfere with proper manipulation of expired rolls.

Apparatus for manipulating rolls of convoluted paper webs and the like


Techniques for efficient coding of digital media data are presented. A resource controller component dynamically allocates computing resources between an estimator component and a coder component. The estimator component generates initial motion estimation of a raw video frame of a sequence, based on a previous raw video frame, in parallel with the coder component encoding the previous raw video frame to generate a reconstructed previous video frame. The coder component encodes the raw video frame based on the reconstructed previous video frame. The coder component can dynamically allocate initial subsets of bits for respective coding units of the raw video frame based on residual data identified from the initial motion estimation. After completing encoding of a specified number of coding units, the coder component can dynamically adjust bit assignments for remaining coding units of the raw video frame based on initial residual data and identified real residual data.

The amount of data representing media information, such as a still image and video image, can be extremely large. Further, transmitting digital video information over communication networks can consume large amounts of bandwidth. The cost of transmitting data from one location to another can be a function of number of bits transmitted per second. Typically, higher bit transfer rates are associated with increased cost. Higher bit rates also can progressively add to required storage capacities of memory systems, which can thereby increase storage cost. Thus, at a given quality level, it can be much more cost effective to use fewer bits, as opposed to more bits, to store digital images and videos. It therefore can be desirable to compress media data for recording, transmitting, or storing.
For a typical compression scheme, achieving higher media quality can require that more bits be used, which can, in turn, increase cost of transmission and storage. While lower bandwidth traffic may be desired, so may higher quality media.
An encoder is a device capable of encoding (e.g., coding) (and sometimes decoding) digital media data. A decoder is a device capable of decoding digital media data. A codec is a device capable of coding and/or decoding digital media data. The term codec is derived from a combination of the terms code and decode, or the terms compress and decompress. A variety of codecs are commercially available. Generally speaking, for example, codec classifications can include discrete cosine transfer codecs, fractal codecs, and wavelet codecs. An encoder or codec, by encoding the digital media data, can reduce the number of bits required to transmit signals, which can thereby reduce associated transmission costs.
During encoding of video frames of a video, bit allocation can be an integral task to achieve desired video quality while also controlling costs associated with bit usage. Assignment of a proper (e.g., correct, optimal) number of bits to each coding unit (e.g., blocks, macroblocks) can improve visual quality of the video significantly. Conventional encoding systems, using sequential encoding processes, may not assign a proper number of bits to each coding unit. As a result, video quality may be undesirably (e.g., negatively) affected and/or the costs of transmission and storage of the video may be undesirably increased.

Dynamic bit allocation in parallel video encoding


Remediating a suspicious element in a web page is disclosed. An indication of a suspicious element is received. A quarantine instruction is sent to a server of the web page. One example of a quarantine instruction is an instruction to block the page from being served. Another example of a quarantine instruction in as instruction to block an element of the page from being served.

One way computers have traditionally been protected from unauthorized (and frequently malicious) programs/modifications (hereinafter collectively "malware") is through the use of antivirus software, typically installed on the computer to be protected. Increasingly, malicious individuals and organizations are focusing their attacks on servers. Unfortunately, while server-oriented antivirus software can be used to protect the applications and operating systems of such servers from being compromised, any exploits that evade detection can readily be propagated by the server to potentially hundreds of thousands of clients, or more. Further, even if the server itself is fully protected, the pages that it serves to clients may nonetheless include malicious content loaded from external sources.
The potential for damage to many clients by a single server is sufficiently high that increasingly, major search providers, browser developers, and other entities such as third party security companies have begun blacklisting servers that are believed to be propagating infections. While such actions can potentially protect clients from being infected (because they are unable to retrieve any content from the blacklisted servers), the operators of blacklisted servers may have a difficult time correcting the problem (e.g., due to obfuscation techniques employed by the nefarious individuals) and/or being removed from the blacklist in a timely manner. For the operators, being blacklisted can result in the loss of both good will, and also revenue.


A processor has an architecture that provides the processing speed advantages of the Harvard architecture, but does not require special purpose instructions or two separate external memories in order to expand both data memory and program instruction memory. The processor has separate program memory space and data memory space, but provides the capability to map at least a portion of the program memory space to the data memory space. This allows most program instructions that are processed to obtain the speed advantages of simultaneous program instruction and data access, yet provides a means to access program memory resident data without special purpose instructions. It also allows program memory space and data memory space to be expanded externally to the processor using only one external memory device that includes both program instructions and data. The processor includes a program memory space operable to store program instructions and data, a data memory space operable to store data, and mapping circuitry operable to map at least a portion of the program memory space to the data memory space. The program memory space may be internal to the processor. The processor may further comprise a page register operable to specify a location of the program memory space that is mapped to the data memory space.

The present invention relates to a modified Harvard architecture processor having data memory space mapped to program memory space.
Processors, including microprocessors, digital signal processors and microcontrollers, operate by running software programs that are embodied in one or more series of program instructions stored in a memory. The processors run the software by fetching the program instructions from the series of program instructions, decoding the program instructions and executing them. In addition to program instructions, data is also stored in memory that is accessible by the processor. Generally, the program instructions process data by accessing data in memory, modifying the data and storing the modified data into memory.
One well-known architecture for processors is known as the Harvard architecture. In this architecture, data and program instructions are stored in separate memories that can be accessed simultaneously. Because of this simultaneous access, the Harvard architecture provides significant processing speed advantages over other architectures. A typical Harvard architecture processor that includes internal memory includes two separate memories, one for data, and one for program instructions. In order to expand the memory capacity of such a processor, memory external to the processor must be added. However, since a Harvard architecture processor has two separate memories, in order to expand both data memory and program instruction memory, two separate external memories must be added. This is a significant disadvantage when low-cost systems are being built. Some conventional processors provide the capability to access data that is stored in program instruction memory using special instructions, but this is a limited solution.
A need arises for a processor having an architecture that provides the processing speed advantages of the Harvard architecture, but does not require special purpose instructions or two separate external memories in order to expand both data memory and program instruction memory.
The present invention is a processor that has separate program memory space and data memory space, but provides the capability to map at least a portion of the program memory space to the data memory space. This allows data that is stored in the program memory space to be accessed as though it were actually stored in data memory space, using standard data memory access instructions, including arithmetic and logical operation instructions. The processor has an architecture that provides the processing speed advantages of the Harvard architecture, but does not require two separate external memories, or two external memory busses, in order to expand both data memory and program instruction memory. This allows most program instructions that are processed to obtain the speed advantages of simultaneous program instruction and data access. It also allows program memory space and data memory space to be expanded externally to the processor using only one external memory device that includes both program instructions and data and without using special purpose instructions.
According to the present invention, a processor includes a program memory space operable to store program instructions and data, a data memory space operable to store data, and mapping circuitry operable to map at least a portion of the program memory space to the data memory space. The program memory space may be internal to the processor. The processor may further comprise a page register operable to specify a location of the program memory space that is mapped to the data memory space.
In one aspect of the present invention, the processor may be operably connected to an external memory device operable to store program instructions and data. The processor may further comprise circuitry operable to map at least a portion of the external memory device to the data memory space. The external memory device may further comprise program memory space. The portion of the external memory device that is mapped to the data memory space may be separate from the program memory space in the external memory device or the portion of the external memory device that is mapped to the data memory space may overlap with the program memory space in the external memory device.
In one aspect of the present invention, at least a portion of the program memory space may be internal to the processor. The processor may further comprise a page register operable to specify a location of the program memory space that is mapped to the data memory space. The processor may be operably connected to an external memory device operable to store program instructions and data. At least a portion of the external memory device may be mapped to the program memory space that is mapped to the data memory space.

Modified Harvard architecture processor having program memory space mapped to data memory space