The object of the present invention is an absorbent paper product including at least three plies, and a method of manufacture therefore. The absorbent paper product is of an approximate specific surface weight between 36 and 105 g/m2, and includes at least three plies, namely a central ply and two embossed upper and lower outer plies each including salient patterns composed of at least in part discrete protrusions. The plies are joined by joining at least part of the protrusions of each of the outer plies to the central ply. At least one of the outer plies has a pattern density larger than 30 protrusions/cm2. The embossed lower outer ply (2) includes combined high and low patterns (5 and 7) of respective heights (H) and (h). The central ply (4) and the embossed upper outer ply (3) are joined in the nested mode to the embossed lower outer ply (2) at the level of at least part of the tops of the high pattern (5) of height (H) of the embossed lower outer ply (2).

The present invention relates to absorbent paper products and, more specifically, to products made of cellulose cotton and suitable for sanitary and household uses. Essentially, the invention applies to toilet paper, however it also may be used for household purposes such as towels, hand towels, table napkins, handkerchiefs, etc., all being of paper.
In general, absorbent paper products consist of one or more superposed, cotton cellulose plies which can be interconnected.
As regards toilet paper, conventional products include two or three, even four joined plies.
More specifically, the present invention concerns a product of at least three plies and to a method of manufacture therefore.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,414,459 describes an absorbent paper structure of at least two plies. It also cites a product of three joined plies, a third ply being sandwiched between two embossed outer plies. This structure is based on plies of a specific surface weight of about 17 g/m2 for each ply. According to the manufacturing method described in this patent, the two outer plies are embossed separately with a salient pattern consisting of discrete protrusions. Each ply is made to pass between a metal cylinder engraved in relation to the desired pattern and a smooth rubber cylinder. Each ply so made in general is fitted with a repeat pattern 3 to 30 protrusions per unit area, here cm2.
As regards the three-ply structures disclosed in the above U.S. patent, the pattern density, that is the number of protrusions per unit area is about 11 protrusions/cm2.
The third and unembossed ply is sandwiched between the two embossed ones and, more specifically, it is configured between the distal areas, or tops of the protrusions of each ply. In other words, the protrusions point inward of the structure. The three plies are joined by being made to pass within the compression interval between two engraved metal cylinders each belonging to the outer plies"" embossing apparatus. The bosses of each engraved cylinder are configured to be mutually opposite each other. This joining technique in general is called xe2x80x9ctip-to-tipxe2x80x9d. In the above U.S. patent, the three plies are connected by applying a sufficiently high pressure to produce interfiber connections. No adhesive at all is applied to the distal areas of the protrusion patterns of the outer plies.
However, the manufacturing method described in the prior art patent entails rapid wear of the embossing cylinders because of the high compression which must be applied to join the three plies.
Furthermore, the structure described in the above U.S. patent is of low pattern density (about 10 to 15 protrusions/cm2). The three ply products with such structures are mainly intended for use as rags or paper towels that foremost demand mechanical strength and especially absorption. Accordingly, the embossings are comparatively deep and hence of low density.
Other absorbent paper products consist of three plies which are joined in a different way. Illustratively, there are products for which on one hand a set of two superposed plies are embossed, and on the other hand, a third ply, by two distinct embossing apparatus. The first two superposed plies as well as the third ply are embossed into salient patterns constituted of protrusions. The pattern density per se remains low, that is it is less than 20 protrusions/cm2 for this kind of product. The two superposed plies and the third ply are joined by a joining cylinder so that the distal areas of the protrusions of the two superposed plies are situated opposite the surfaces situated between two protrusions in the plane of the third ply. This technique is called xe2x80x9cnestingxe2x80x9d.
In the text below, the definition of xe2x80x9cnestingxe2x80x9d is extended to the case wherein the interconnection plane between the distal area of the protrusions of a first embossed ply and a second ply are situated in the same plane as the plane of the second ply regardless of the relative position of the distal area relative to the protrusions of the second ply. In this manner, the distal area might be situated between two protrusions of the second ply, however it also might cover in part or in whole one of these protrusions which is crushed thereby.
A combination procedure of this sort for three plies is described in the European Patent Application 0 570 578.
The procedure consists in separately embossing a first and a second ply, the second ply consisting of two superposed foils, by means of a first and a second embossing apparatus, the apparatus including an embossing pattern having a density less than 20 protrusions/cm2, in applying at least partly an adhesive to the tops of the protrusions formed into the first or second ply and in joining the two plies by means of an inelastic joining cylinder configured parallel to the engraved cylinders of the embossing apparatus, whereby their protrusions will nest. In this cylinder, the joining cylinder is kept biased against the engraved cylinder at a predetermined minimum distance.
The objective of the structure such as described in the European patent is to manufacture thick products offering a good xe2x80x9cfeelxe2x80x9d. However, and especially with respect to toilet paper, the comparatively coarse embossing entails mediocre softness. Also, powerful embossing is required to attain the desired substantial thickness.
Other compound products composed of three plies also have been disclosed.
Illustratively, European Patent Application 0 564 319 describes a product including three separately embossed plies which are consecutively joined. More specifically, small and large protrusions are embossed into a first ply. Protrusions on a second ply are made by separate embossing. The latter protrusions are mutually apart by the same distance as there is between the protrusions of the first ply, that is, at least by the height of a large protrusion of the first ply. Adhesive is deposited on the ends of the protrusions of the second ply and then a pad is made between the first and second plies by superposing the ends of the small protrusions of the first ply and the ends of the protrusions of the second ply in the tip-to-tip position, the large protrusions of the first ply nesting between the protrusions of the second ply.
The third ply is embossed separately and the pitch of this embossing is identical with that of the first ply""s larger protrusions. The tops of the third ply""s protrusions are coated with adhesive and this third ply and the pad between the first two plies are joined in such a manner that the third ply""s protrusion tops will be glued in the tip-to-tip position on the second ply at the level of the first ply""s large protrusions.
The product so made offers improved thickness and stiffness. On the other hand its comparatively complex structure requires several gluing stages. The method per se is fairly complex in implementation and entails a fairly complicated industrial facility.
Moreover, the above procedure allows manufacture of only embossed products having a pattern density less than 20 protrusions/cm2 and the thickness of the products so made and consisting of these plies will not be optimal.
Lastly a three-ply paper product which is both thick and soft, offers a good feel and is crush-resistant is known from French Patent Application No. 98 02792.
In the above application, the product includes two outer embossed plies each having salient patterns consisting at least in part of discrete protrusions pointing inward the structure, and a central ply. The plies are joined to each other by connecting the distal areas of at least part of the protrusions of each of the outer embossed plies to the central ply. This product is characterized by each of the outer embossed plies being bonded adhesively to the central ply and by at least one of the plies being fitted with a pattern density larger than 30 protrusions/cm2.
Also, one of the plies may include joined patterns, for example being at two different heights relative to the ply""s reference plane.
However, the joining mode between the different plies is the tip-to-tip type with all the drawbacks attaching to this junction mode.
The object of the present invention is palliation for the set of above cited drawbacks both as regards the products and their manufacturing procedures.
Another object of the present invention is to create a novel product constituted by at least three plies which are thick and soft, offer a good feel, and resist crushing once wound up in a roll.
The object of the invention is an absorbent paper product with a specific surface weight of approximately 36 to 105 g/m2 and including at least three plies, two outer plies (namely a lower and an upper ply) which are embossed and each bearing salient patterns constituted at least in part of discrete protrusions, and a central ply, the distal areas of at least part of the protrusions of each of the outer plies facing toward the central ply, and at least one of the outer plies having a pattern density larger than 30 protrusions/cm2, the lower embossed outer ply being fitted with a first and a second pattern, the second pattern being of a height less than that of the first pattern, characterized in that the central ply and the embossed upper outer ply are joined in a nesting manner with the lower embossed outer ply at the level of at least part of the tops of the first pattern of the embossed lower outside ply.
In surprising manner, such a structure combines greater softness and greater thickness. On one hand, fine embossing imparts great touch softness to the sheet""s outer surface and, on the other hand, it offers very good crush resistance. The latter property is enhanced by the central ply which precludes any nesting between the two outer plies, as would take place in the absence of the central ply, because such very fine protrusions would provide only tiny support areas.
Another object of the present invention is a novel product including at least three plies of the nested type and which is used as toilet paper, table napkins, handkerchiefs, rags or the like.
Still another objective of the invention is a fabrication method for an absorbent paper product including at least three bonded plies, each of a specific surface weight of about 12 to 35 g/m2, preferably 12 to 25 g/m2, characterized in that it involves:
embossing a first outer ply on an embossing cylinder including at least one salient pattern composed at least in part of embossing tips of height H1 to fit the ply with a first pattern of protrusions,
superposing a central ply on the protrusions of the first outer embossed ply,
embossing a second outer ply on an embossing cylinder including a salient pattern composed at least in part of embossing tips of height hxe2x80x21,
joining in the nested mode the first outer embossed ply fitted with the central ply to the second outer embossed ply by means of a joining cylinder, and
applying sufficient pressure to join the three above plies.
Other features and advantage of the invention are elucidated in the comprehensive description below and in relation to the attached drawings.

Absorbent paper product of at least three plies and method of manufacture


There is disclosed methods and systems for managing drop boxes. Events reflecting outputs from one or more sensors are detected. Information that is a function of the detected event is forwarded to a drop box management system. This information, along with additional information received by the drop box management system, is utilized to generate instructions including display instructions for each drop box. Displays of drop boxes are then updated based on the instructions.

Courier services use boxes to enable customers to drop off and secure packages intended for pickup by a courier at a later time and subsequent delivery of the packages by the service to a destination. These boxes are often referred to as "drop boxes." Many courier services provide drop boxes in a variety of locations so that customers are able to conveniently ship items.
Drop boxes utilize decals to display delivery service information, including, for example, scheduled pickup times when a courier is scheduled to pick up any packages at the drop boxes, marketing messages, and holiday and other temporary pickup time changes. These decals are usually physically applied by couriers or drop box installers. Human error can sometimes lead to incorrect decals being installed or the decals not being installed at all. Additionally, decals become outdated, for example, decals indicating pickup times during a holiday season may not be properly removed, leading to inaccurate information being provided to customers. Furthermore, the decals may simply fade and would have to be monitored regularly. These and other concerns with the use of decals on drop boxes may lead to packages not being shipped as intended.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Systems and methods for managing information associated with boxes used in the delivery of packages


A container having a sensor adapter for receiving a sensor arrangement for measuring at least one parameter of media contained in a container interior, wherein the sensor adapter is arranged on the wall to the container interior and has an externally accessible receiving opening in a receiving channel, which is bounded toward the container interior, for adapting the sensor arrangement, wherein toward the container interior the receiving channel in the sensor adapter has at least one boundary surface which is formed by a membrane and via which the medium or media to be measured can be supplied to the sensor arrangement.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a container having a sensor adapter for receiving a sensor arrangement for measuring at least one parameter of media contained in a container interior, wherein the sensor adapter is arranged on the wall to the container interior and has an externally accessible receiving opening in a receiving channel, which is bounded toward the container interior, for adapting the sensor arrangement.
2. Description of the Related Art
DE 10 2006 001 610 B4 discloses a bioreactor or container which is formed in particular as a disposable mixing bag and has a sensor adapter for receiving a sensor arrangement in the form of an optical sensor, which is formed by one end of a light conductor and is fitted in a reversible manner. The sensor adapter, which is arranged in the wall to the reactor interior, has an externally accessible receiving opening in a receiving channel, which is bounded toward the reactor interior by a transparent material.
The disadvantage of the known sensor adapter is that it is suitable only for optical measuring operations. The sensor adapter is not suitable for the installation of conventional reversible electrodes or sensor arrangements for measuring the pH, the carbon dioxide or oxygen content or for measuring the conductivity. The known adapters are also not suitable for the use of gas sensors, as are known for dissolved oxygen or dissolved carbon dioxide.
Furthermore, sensor adapters are known from DE 10 2006 022 307 A1 and from WO 2006/017951 A1, said sensor adapters likewise having the abovementioned disadvantages.
If in particular gas sensors are intended to be used, the known adapters either have to use permanently installed sensors, which are not reversible and are also susceptible to a need for sterilization, or the adapters have to be open toward the reactor interior. If the adapters are open toward the reactor interior, it is possible to use exchangeable gas sensors, but these likewise have to be sterilized, which is associated with problems.
Containers in the context of the present invention are understood to mean in particular containers for mixing, storing and transporting, and also bioreactors and fermenters. The containers can be made in particular of plastics material.
In the context of the present invention, media are considered to be in particular liquids, gases, suspensions, dispersions, buffers and cell culture broths.
Parameters are understood in the following text to mean in particular concentrations of substances, pressure or partial pressure of gases (oxygen, carbon dioxide), moisture, the number of particles, turbidity, temperature, pH, electromagnetic rays, fluorescence, electrical conductivity, and also capacitive and electrical resistances.
It is therefore the object of the present invention to develop the known containers having a sensor adapter in such a way that it is possible to use sensor arrangements which require contact with the media to be measured, for example gas sensors.


Specification of a printing mode or medium is identified, and gray axis correction control is performed based on the identified printing mode or medium. Subsequently, determination is made regarding whether or not to predict a value equivalent to the results of the gray axis correction control, for a different printing mode or medium, based on the results. If certain conditions are satisfied, the results of prediction are taken as the results of the gray axis correction control for the different printing mode.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a color image forming apparatus configured to form a color image based on image signals, and specifically, relates to a setting technique of an image forming condition thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
Previously, in e.g. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-107830, there has been proposed a technique for employing a sensor (color sensor) which detects the color information of a color image after fixing so that a proportion between cyan, magenta, and yellow can be obtained such that process gray becomes an achromatic color or generally achromatic color, thereby achieving gray balance (hereafter, gray axis correction control).
Also, with Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-125714, there has been proposed a technique for executing the above-mentioned gray axis correction control for each type of recording material regarding surface property, saving the execution results thereof, and thereafter, employing the saved execution results at the time of print execution of the corresponding type of recording material. Further, according to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-125714, there has also been proposed a technique for improving usability such that the execution results of the above-mentioned gray axis correction control are saved regarding the type of recording material which a user desires in accordance with the user's instructions. Note that, in general, the type of recording material also corresponds to the type of print mode, so let us say that the difference between the types of media can be interpreted as the difference between types of print modes.
Also, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-167550 has proposed a color sensing technique wherein a patch is formed on a recording material serving as a basic type, an image forming condition is set regarding the type of recording material employed for a subsequent job based on the detection result of the patch. Note that this color sensing technique differs from the above-mentioned gray axis correction control. Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-167550 has proposed a technique for forming a patch on all types of recording materials in the image forming apparatus when there is no job reservation, and setting an image forming condition regarding all types of recording material based on the detection results of these patches.
However, with Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-125714, the chromaticity or glossiness is detected regarding a certain type of recording material, and the gray axis correction control is executed, but in the following, the actual value is not updated until a gray axis correction control execution instruction regarding the type of recording material thereof is received. That is to say, usage of consumables, and change in control bias since the gray axis correction control has been performed regarding the same recording material in the past are not taken into consideration. In other words, there has been a case where it is difficult to follow change in image forming conditions (e.g., density/gradation property) due to fluctuation such as toner charge amount and particle sizes due to change in the usage of consumables, difference of transfer selection bias at the time of performing control, or the like. As a result thereof, in order to handle each recording material having multiple types of surface property (corresponding to each print mode), there is room for improvement in printing image quality.
Also, with Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-167550, each time a job of the user's desired media type is input, a patch is formed on a recording material having a basic type, and color sensing is performed. This case includes a problem wherein productivity deteriorates when attempting to obtain excellent image quality overall in order to handle each recording material having multiple types of surface property.
On the other hand, with Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-167550, color sensing is performed for all recording materials at the time of a printer standby (non-printing) state, but this causes a problem wherein significant downtime may occur as to a print execution instruction given by the user at an arbitrary time, in some cases. Also, at this time, there is also a problem wherein a great number of consumables including recording materials are consumed.
To this end, there has been demand for improved printing image quality overall in multiple types of print modes while reducing both downtime and consumption of consumables.

Color image forming apparatus, and image forming condition setting method for color image forming apparatus


A quantum noise random number generator system that employs quantum noise from an optical homodyne detection apparatus is disclosed. The system utilizes the quantum noise generated by splitting a laser light signal using a beamsplitter having four ports, one of which receives one of which is receives the laser light signal, one of which is connected to vacuum, and two of which are optically coupled to photodetectors. Processing electronics process the difference signal derived from subtracting the two photodetector signals to create a random number sequence. Because the difference signal associated with the two photodetectors is truly random, the system is a true random number generator.

Quantum key distribution involves establishing a key between a sender ("Alice") and a receiver ("Bob") by using weak (e.g., 0.1 photon on average) optical signals transmitted over a "quantum channel." The security of the key distribution is based on the quantum mechanical principle that any measurement of a quantum system in unknown state will modify its state. As a consequence, an eavesdropper ("Eve") that attempts to intercept or otherwise measure the quantum signal will introduce errors into the transmitted signals, thereby revealing her presence.
The general principles of quantum cryptography were first set forth by Bennett and Brassard in their article "Quantum Cryptography: Public key distribution and coin tossing," Proceedings of the International Conference on Computers, Systems and Signal Processing, Bangalore, India, 1984, pp. 175-179 (IEEE, New York, 1984). Specific QKD systems are described in publications by C. H. Bennett et al entitled "Experimental Quantum Cryptography" and by C. H. Bennett entitled "Quantum Cryptography Using Any Two Non-Orthogonal States", Phys. Rev. Lett. 68 3121 (1992).
The above mentioned publications each describe a so-called "one-way" QKD system wherein Alice randomly encodes the polarization or phase of single photons, and Bob randomly measures the polarization or phase of the photons. The one-way system described in the Bennett 1992 paper is based on two optical fiber Mach-Zehnder interferometers. Respective parts of the interferometric system are accessible by Alice and Bob so that each can control the phase of the interferometer. The signals (pulses) sent from Alice to Bob are time-multiplexed and follow different paths. As a consequence, the interferometers need to be actively stabilized to within a few tens of nanoseconds during transmission to compensate for thermal drifts.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,438,234 to Gisin (the '234 patent), which patent is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a so-called "two-way" QKD system that is autocompensated for polarization and thermal variations. Thus, the two-way QKD system of the '234 patent is less susceptible to environmental effects than a one-way system.
The general process for performing QKD is described in the book by Bouwmeester et al., "The Physics of Quantum Information," Springer-Verlag 2001, in Section 2.3, pages 27-33. During the QKD process, Alice uses a random number generator (RNG) to polarization-encode or phase-encode a photon and Bob uses another RNG to randomly select a polarization-basis or phase-basis, as appropriate, to measure Alice's sent photon.
One of the major problems in quantum cryptography is the generation of random numbers to randomly encode the photons. It is desirable that the RNG used be fast and truly random, in contrast to pseudo-randomness used in computer-based RNG's.
For commercial quantum cryptographic systems, the RNG must be simple and cost effective. Further, the underlying physical processes and any associated electronic circuits must be easily analyzed and understood. From this point of view, current optical quantum random number generators are by no means the best possible.
There are a number of prior art RNGs, including some based on single photon detection. However, the latter tend to be expensive and relatively slow (˜100 kHz) for the purposes of modern data transmission systems. Likewise, there are currently RNGs based upon noise quantization. These are fast, easy to reproduce and are relatively cheap. However, the problem is in the noise source. Most of the noise sources are based upon a particular type of semiconductor noise, such as Zener diode noise, transistor noise etc. These types of noise are complex in nature, and the mathematical models needed to describe them require a large number of parameters and are not particularly accurate. Further, the effect of aging of semiconductor components on the random generation process is difficult to plausibly test, especially for high-speed output devices.
What is needed therefore is a fast, truly random and relatively simple true random number generator (TRNG) for high-performance systems, such as QKD systems.
The various elements depicted in the drawings are merely representational and are not necessarily drawn to scale. Certain sections thereof may be exaggerated, while others may be minimized. The drawings are intended to illustrate various embodiments of the invention that can be understood and appropriately carried out by those of ordinary skill in the art.


A braking device for an exercising cycle includes a main body, a mounting member, and a plurality of braking mechanisms. Each of the braking mechanisms includes a braking member, a threaded block, and an elastic member. Thus, the braking device can achieve the braking effect without having to provide the brake pad, thereby saving consumption of material. In addition, the braking effect is provided by the multiple braking rods, so that the applied force can be evenly distributed, thereby increasing the lifetime of the braking device. Further, the threaded block can be rotated to adjust the magnitude of the braking force, thereby achieving the exercising effect efficiently.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a braking device for an exercising cycle, and more particularly to a braking device for an exercising cycle, wherein the braking device can achieve the braking effect without having to provide the brake pad, thereby saving consumption of material.
2. Description of the Related Art
An exercising cycle disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,961,424 comprising a chain for driving the front wheel to rotate by stepping the pedals, and a braking device mounted in the front wheel to reduce the speed of the front wheel or stop rotation of the front wheel. The braking device includes a brake pad to produce friction so as to reduce the speed of the front wheel or stop rotation of the front wheel.
However, the braking device of the exercising cycle has the following disadvantages.
1. The brake pad easily produces heat due to friction, so that the brake pad is easily worn out and needs to be replaced frequently, thereby decreasing the lifetime of the brake pad.
2. The brake pad is mounted in the braking device, so that the user needs to detach the whole braking device to replace or adjust the brake pad, thereby causing inconvenience in maintenance and replacement.
The present invention is to mitigate and/or obviate the disadvantage of the conventional braking device of the exercising cycle.
The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a braking device for an exercising cycle, wherein the braking device can achieve the braking effect without having to provide the brake pad, thereby saving consumption of material.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a braking device for an exercising cycle, wherein the braking effect is provided by the multiple braking rods, so that the applied force can be evenly distributed, thereby increasing the lifetime of the braking device.
A further objective of the present invention is to provide a braking device for an exercising cycle, wherein the threaded block can be rotated to adjust the pressing force of the elastic member on the braking rod so as to adjust the magnitude of the braking force, thereby achieving the exercising effect efficiently.
A further objective of the present invention is to provide a braking device for an exercising cycle, wherein the threaded block can be detached from each of the slots of the main body easily and conveniently so as to rapidly replace the braking rod when being worn out, thereby facilitating maintenance of the braking device.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a braking device for an exercising cycle, comprising a main body, a mounting member, and a plurality of braking mechanisms, wherein:
the main body has an inner wall formed with a hollow portion, the main body has a periphery formed with a plurality of slots, each of the slots of the main body has an inner end formed with an opening communicating with the hollow portion of the main body;
the mounting member is mounted in the hollow portion of the main body and has a periphery; and
each of the braking mechanisms is mounted in a respective one of the slots of the main body, each of the braking mechanisms includes:
a braking member mounted in each of the slots of the main body and having a distal end protruding outward from the opening of each of the slots of the main body and extending into the hollow portion of the main body to urge the periphery of the mounting member;
a threaded block mounted in each of the slots of the main body; and
an elastic member mounted in each of the slots of the main body and urged on the braking member and the threaded block.


A door module of a vehicle door is provided. The door module comprising a carrier plate, a drive unit arranged on the carrier plate for driving a power-operated adjustment device of the door module, and a decoupling means arranged on the carrier plate for attenuating an acoustic excitation of the carrier plate in operation of the drive unit. The decoupling means is formed by at least one slot, which partly separates a portion carrying the drive unit from another portion of the carrier plate and extends around the drive unit or around a fastening point of the drive unit on the carrier plate in a circumferential direction, and at least one web, which connects the portion carrying the drive unit with the other portion of the carrier plate.

This invention relates to a door module of a vehicle door.
Such door module includes a carrier plate and a drive unit arranged on the carrier plate for driving a power-operated adjustment device of the door module. The carrier plate can constitute an integrated assembly carrier for carrying different functional components of a vehicle door, for example a window lifter unit, a door lock, a loudspeaker or other functional components of the vehicle door. The drive unit for example serves for driving the window lifter and for this purpose for example includes an electric motor for the motorized drive of a window pane guided along guide rails.
A carrier plate of such door module extends in a planar manner and for mounting the door module on a vehicle door for example is connected with a door inner panel of the vehicle door. Nowadays, the carrier plate generally is formed of plastics and carries the drive unit connected via one or more fastening points.
In operation of the drive unit, components, for example movable parts of the electric motor or driven transmission parts, necessarily are set in motion. These movements of the drive unit or its components are also introduced into the carrier plate as vibrations via the coupling fastening points and excite the carrier plate to vibrate. As a result of this excitation, sound waves (also referred to as structure-borne sound) are generated, which can be perceived in the vehicle interior and, when the frequency range of the excitation vibrations overlaps with the natural resonance frequencies of the vehicle door arrangement, can even be amplified and possibly lead to a disturbing vibration and rattling.
In such door modules it is desirable to inhibit or at least reduce a sound generation and a sound propagation at least to such an extent that it is no longer perceived as disturbing for a vehicle occupant in the vehicle.
In a door module known from DE 10 2008 048 236 A1, a drive unit is coupled with a carrier plate via three fastening points, wherein as acoustic decoupling means for attenuating the excitation regions with increased elasticity are provided on the carrier plate around the drive unit or around each of the fastening points of the drive unit. For this purpose, circumferential rings of wave-like shape are provided around the drive unit or around the fastening points, which in their rigidity are softer than the remaining portions of the carrier plate and hence do not transmit vibrations of the drive unit to the carrier plate, or at least in an only strongly attenuated manner.

Door module having an acoustic uncoupling means

Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG, Hallstadt


The inventive polyfunctional biocompatible hydrogel comprises 1.3–15 mass % of acrylamide, 0.004–0.975 mass % of cross-linking agents—N,N′-methylen-bis-acrylamide, 0.004–5.1 mass % of N,N′-ethylen-bis-acrylamide, 0.002–0.45 mass % of poviargol and water up to 100 mass %. Said hydrogel is produced by sopolymerising acrylamide with the cross-linking agents in an aqueous medium in the presence of peroxide polymerisation initiator, the incubation of reaction mixture being carried out in two stages. The first stage is carried out at a temperature ranging from 20 to 90° C. during a time of 2 to 24 hours, the second stage being carried out at a temperature ranging from 107 to 130° C. during a time equal to or less than 2 hours.

Medical practice is faced with the task to produce artificial materials for replacement of soft tissues—muscular and subcutaneous tissue. They must be rather inexpensive, easy-to-make, and posses all specific physical and chemical characteristics including appropriate density and chemical inertness, the ability to shrink or swell, and the ability to be placed into the body which requires biological inertness, and, in particular, lack of antigenic activity causing rejection or any other tissue response. Additionally, the material must have a form which is suitable for injection into muscular tissue with minimum injury to the patient. Hydrogels based on polyarcylamide can be used for such purposes.

Polyfunctional biocompatible hydrogel and method for the production thereof


Lighting evaluation technology, in which lighting usage information for an area is collected and analyzed. Through the use of one or more devices in communication with a light source device that collects usage data, lighting system usage information may be analyzed and meaningful results may be provided to the user. Such results may help to inform the user of one or more light bulb products which may be recommended for use in the particular area evaluated.

Homes may include lighting systems that a user may control based on light levels perceived by the user. For example, a user may interact with a lighting switch or, in a connected home system, a control panel, to activate and deactivate a light source in a room of the home.

Method, system, and manufacture for lighting evaluation technology


The force sensor assembly has axis of measurement along an axial direction of the force sensor assembly and comprises a force ring provided with at least two sensing elements, a printed circuit board having electronic components thereon, a covering plate for holding the printed circuit board onto the force ring, and a sensor cap covering the printed circuit board and covering plate and attached to the force ring. Manufacturing is easily accomplished using stacking, fixing and welding.

The present invention relates to a force sensor assembly having an axis of measurement along an axial direction of the force sensor assembly.
German patent application DE-A-103 50 085 discloses a measurement device for an electromagnetic brake. The measurement device comprises a closed ring member having a C-shaped profile, which deforms under a force being applied in the axial direction in a brake system. The C-shaped profile is provided with e.g. strain gauges that can measure the amount of deformation of the C-shaped profile (e.g. oriented in a radial direction).
UK patent application GB-A-2 147 426 discloses a ring-shaped load-measuring device, allowing to measure an axial force applied on the measuring device. A ring is provided with a special shape, such that under force a region of the ring is placed into hoop tension, and a further region of the ring is placed into hoop compression. Sensing elements such as strain gauges are positioned on each of the two regions, and the force can be calculated from the sensor element signals.

Force sensor assembly and method for assembling a force sensor assembly


The present invention relates to a method of, and corresponding apparatus for, electronically steering an antenna beam. Beam steering is accomplished by altering the electric-field distribution at the open-end of one or more overmoded waveguides through the controlled mixing of multiple modes. An example method includes propagating a signal in multiple modes in a waveguide, and controlling the relative phase and amplitude of the respective modes, relative to each other, to steer the beam. A further example includes a common waveguide enabling the propagation of multiple modes, first and second waveguides enabling the propagation of respective first and second modes, a splitter/combiner coupling the first and second waveguides to the common waveguide, and a controller for controlling a propagation characteristic of the modes relative to each other in a least one path to steer the beam. Electronically steering a beam is useful for fine-tuned angle adjustments and tight beam scanning.

Two of the most important applications of microwave technology include microwave communications systems and radio detection and ranging (radar).
Microwave (or radio frequency (RF)) communications systems can be used to provide communications links to carry voice, data, or other signals over distances ranging from only a few meters to deep space. At a top-level, microwave communication systems can be grouped into one of two types: guided systems, where the signal is transmitted over a low loss cable or waveguide; and radio links, where the radio signal propagates through space. In a broad sense, radio link microwave communications systems and radar systems operate in a similar way and share many components.
Developed during World War II, radar is quite possibly the most prevalent application of microwave technology. In the basic operation of radar, a transmitter sends out a signal, which is partially reflected by a distant target, and then a sensitive receiver detects the partially reflected signal. If a narrow fixed beam antenna is used, the direction of the target can be accurately given by the position of the antenna beam. The distance to the target is determined by the time required for the transmitted signal to travel back to the receiver after reflecting off of the target. The radial velocity of the target can be determined from the Doppler shift of the reflected return signal. Radar systems can be used in a variety of applications, including airport surveillance, aircraft landing, marine navigation, weather radar, meteorological surveillance, speed measurement (i.e., police radar), detection and tracking of aircraft, missiles and spacecraft, missile guidance, fire control for missile and artillery, astronomy, mapping and imaging, and the remote sensing of natural resources.
An important component in radar and radio link communication systems is the antenna. An antenna is a component that converts a wave propagating on a transmission line to a wave propagating in free space (transmission), or a wave propagating in free space to a wave propagating on a transmission line (reception). A wide variety of antenna types and geometries exist, including aperture antennas, reflector antennas, phased array antennas and combinations thereof.
Aperture antennas are often flared sections of waveguide, typically referred to as a horn, or simply even an open ended waveguide. Such antennas are commonly used at microwave frequencies and have moderate antenna gains. Antennas of this type are often used for aircraft and spacecraft applications, because they can be conveniently flush mounted on the skin of the vehicle and filled with a dielectric material to provide protection to the aperture from hazardous conditions of the environment, while maintaining the aerodynamic properties of the vehicle.
Reflector antennas are typically used for applications requiring high antenna gains, such as radar systems. Usually, the high gains of such antennas are achieved by focusing the radiation from a small antenna feed onto an electrically large reflector. An antenna feed is a component of an antenna that couples electromagnetic energy (i.e., microwaves or radio waves) to a focusing component of an antenna structure, such as a reflector. In other words, for transmission, an antenna feed guides RF energy from a transmission line to a reflecting or directive structure that forms the RF energy from the antenna feed into a beam or other desired radiation pattern for propagation in free space. For reception, an antenna feed collects incoming RF energy, which is converted it into RF signals that are propagated along a transmission line to the receiver. Often, the antenna feed is a dipole, horn or even open ended waveguide. Antennas typically consist of a feed and additional reflecting or directive structures (such as a parabolic dish or parasitic elements) whose function is to form the radio waves from the feed into a beam or other desired radiation pattern.
The high gains provided by reflector antennas are useful for increasing the range of a microwave system. Reflector antennas, of which dish antennas are a specific type, are relatively easy to fabricate and are typically quite rugged. However, such antennas can be large and unwieldy to move. Because of this, robust mechanical systems are typically needed to steer reflector antennas. The directive beam of reflector antennas are typically directed along the boresight axis and steered solely by mechanical means.
Phased array antennas are comprised of multiple stationary antenna elements, typically identical, which are fed coherently and use variable phase or time delay control at each element to scan a directive beam to a given angle and space. (Variable amplitude control is often also used to provide beam pattern shaping.) Examples of typical phased array antenna elements, also called radiators, include dipoles, microstrip or patch elements. The primary advantage that a phased array antenna has over more traditional antenna types, such as aperture and reflector antennas, is that the directive beam that can be repositioned, i.e., scanned, electronically. Electronic beam steering can be useful for quickly and accurately repositioning a beam.
Hybrid antennas, such as reflector antennas with a phased array feed, combine useful characteristics of both antenna types, such as the high gain and robust design of a reflector antenna and the agile electronic capabilities of a phased array antenna. Although not typically used due to design costs outweighing the increased performance, a hybrid reflector antenna with a phased array feed can be electronically scanned over a limited angular region.
Many microwave systems, such as high-power radar systems, rely on waveguide transmission lines for the low loss transmission of microwave power. Waveguide, which is typically a rectangular or circular tube, is capable of handling high power microwave signals but is bulky and expensive. Because waveguides are comprised of a single conductor, they support transverse electric (TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) waves, which are characterized by the presence of longitudinal magnetic or electric field components, respectively.
Waveguides were one of the earliest types of transmission lines used to transport microwave signals and are still used today. Because of this, a large selection of waveguide components, such as splitters/combiners, couplers, detectors, isolators, attenuators, phase shifters and slotted lines, are commercially available for various standard waveguide bands from 1 giga-hertz (GHz) to over 220 GHz. Due to the recent trend towards miniaturization and integration, many microwave circuits are currently being fabricated using planar transmission lines, such as microstrip and stripline, instead of waveguide. However, there is still a need for waveguide in many applications that require high power, such as high-power radar and millimeter wave systems.
For the sake of design simplicity, most waveguide-based transmission line systems support only a single "fundamental" propagating mode. Although waveguide is generally considered a low-loss type of transmission line, ohmic losses can significantly limit the distance over which energy traveling in the fundamental mode can be transmitted. Due to the inverse relationship between wavelength and frequency, high-frequency waveguide components, such as millimeter wave systems, have small dimensions. In high-power systems, voltage breakdown, or arcing, can occur when the dielectric material (typically air for waveguides) separating conductors breaks down. Such arcing is more likely to occur in high-power, high-frequency systems because of the relatively small dimensions between conductors.
To avoid these limitations, particularly in applications requiring high power and high frequency signals, overmoded waveguide is useful. "Overmoded" refers to waveguide structures where the dimensions are larger than the wavelength of the transmitted signal. In such waveguide geometries, more than one propagating mode can simultaneously exist. Such waveguide geometries can be useful to significantly reduce ohmic loss by propagating a particular mode, wherein the electric and magnetic fields maximum are situated far from the walls (i.e., the conductor) of the waveguide. The power saved by avoiding ohmic loss by using overmoded waveguide can be offset by unwanted mode conversion, where power can be shifted from the intended mode to a parasitic mode. Such parasitic mode conversion typically results in power loss and reflections due to mismatch.
For highly oversized waveguide, many propagating modes can exist. One of these modes can be selected for efficient, low loss transmission in a radar transmission line. Typically, such a mode is low order and couples well with a free-space radiating beam, i.e., the low order mode is well-matched to the propagation coefficient of free-space. In such instances, the propagating mode represents the beam pattern at the feed horn which illuminates the radar's focusing antenna. Generally, the goal is to have a pure, single mode at the feed to minimize beam distortion.

Antenna beam steering through waveguide mode mixing


To provide a sunroof apparatus including a front panel and a rear panel closing a roof opening formed in a roof of a vehicle, capable of keeping a large distance in a back-and-forth direction between the supporting portions supporting the front and rear portions of the rear panel in a fully closed state of closing the roof opening by the front panel and the rear panel.

Conventionally, there has been a sunroof apparatus that includes a front panel retractably opening/closing a front portion of a roof opening formed in a roof of a vehicle, a rear panel retractably opening/closing a rear portion of the roof opening, a front slider actuating the front panel by moving back and forth, and a rear slider actuating the rear panel by moving back and forth (see Patent Literature 1). In this sunroof apparatus, a pair of front and rear lift guide grooves are formed in a rear lifter attached to a lower surface side of the rear panel, and each of the lift guide grooves is formed to be a rearward up-grade inclined groove.
Meanwhile, supporting portions for supporting the rear panel are provided in the front and rear portions of the rear slider. In a state that the rear panel is positioned in a close position closing the rear portion of the roof opening, the supporting portion provided in the front portion of the rear slider is positioned at a front end of the front lift guide groove and the supporting portion provided in the rear portion of the rear slider is positioned at a front end of the rear lift guide groove.
From this state, when the rear slider is moved backward, the supporting portion in the front portion is moved backward within the front lift guide groove and the supporting portion in the rear portion is moved backward within the rear lift guide groove so that the rear portion of the rear panel is lowered.

Abstract: In a fully closed state of panels, a rear forward supporting portion supporting the front portion of the rear panel is provided in a rear portion of a front slider and a rear backward supporting portion supporting the rear portion of the rear panel is provided in a rear slider.


A catheter, and preferably a urinary catheter, is disclosed, comprising an elongate shaft with a catheter insertion end and a flared connector connected to the elongated shaft opposite to the catheter insertion end. The flared connector forms a catheter connector end. Further, a gripping sleeve is fixedly connected to the flared connector, and arranged to enclose at least part of, and preferably essentially the whole, flared connector, apart from the catheter connector end. Hereby, a standard catheter can easily be customized for various use situations and users with different needs, in terms of e.g. gripping and manipulation possibilities. A method for producing such a customized catheter is also disclosed.

The present invention relates to a catheter for draining bodily fluids, e.g. from the bladder. Urinary catheters are e.g. used by a large group of persons for intermittent catheterization, which is a daily-life procedure, taking place several times a day. Typically catheters for intermittent catheterization are used by patients suffering from urinary incontinence or by disabled individuals like para- or tetraplegics. Using an intermittent catheter, the bladder may be drained through a natural or artificial urethra. Many catheters for intermittent catheterization are provided with a hydrophilic coating or the like, providing a smooth and slippery surface for safe and comfortable insertion in the urinary canal.
To this end, catheters should preferably be designed to enable easy handling and introduction into the urethra, even for users having reduced dexterity. Further, in order to reduce the risk of e.g. urinary tract infections, the catheters should preferably be handled in a clean manner, without directly touching the insertable part of the catheter with the hands, in order to avoid contamination prior to use.
Catheters, such as urinary catheters, are normally produced in large volumes, having standardized lengths and standardized connector designs. However, it is sometimes requested to have large connector ends, in particular for short, female catheters, in order to improve maneuverability. However, provision of large assortment of different catheters, having different connector lengths, connector designs, catheter lengths, etc, makes the production costly. Typically catheters are designed for one-time use and accordingly the costs for producing, packing and sterilizing a catheter is an important issue. There is therefore a need for a simple and cost-effective way of modifying a pre-produced standard catheter to various specific needs, such as improved gripping possibilities.
An alternative approach to obtain improved usability of catheters is disclosed in US 2005/0070882, which discloses a urinary catheter with a cuff loosely arranged over the connector end. This loosely arranged cuff can be moved along the catheter, for use when handling the catheter. However, this approach requires a relatively skilled user, and is e.g. complicated to for users with reduced dexterity, and is also difficult to use with short catheters, such as female urinary catheters.
Further, US 2007/0066963 discloses a catheter assembly comprising a detachable catheter handle, which is connected to the rearward end of the catheter before use, in order to provide an enlarged handle for easier manipulation. Still further, US 2006/0142737 discloses a catheter assembly, including a catheter with a long connector end, for improved manipulation. However, both these prior art solutions are related to relatively complex catheter products, which are difficult and expensive to produce.
In other products the contamination problem of the handle portion has been addressed by providing a handle formed separately from the catheter for attachment to the catheter prior to the insertion. Unfortunately, handles which are separate from the catheter imply other problems both with respect to the manufacturing costs and with respect to handling of two separate components when attaching the handle to the catheter. In addition, separation of the catheter into two separate components implies an increased risk of contamination, in particular, if the handle part is reused. Furthermore, division of the catheter into a handle part separate from an insertable part does not solve the problems of complicated unpacking.
In conclusion there is still a need for catheters, which may be designed for simple and clean use, even for users with a reduced dexterity, and which can be produced in a cost-efficient manner.


A communication system includes a first communication apparatus including one or more first processors that determine a first bandwidth variance for each flow, based on a requested bandwidth variance amount and a surplus bandwidth of a physical line, and a first transmitter that transmits the first bandwidth variance to an adjacent apparatus; and a second communication apparatus including one or more second processors that set the received first bandwidth variance as a requested bandwidth variance amount for the second communication apparatus and determine a second bandwidth variance for each flow from the first bandwidth variance and the surplus bandwidth, and a second transmitter that transmits the second bandwidth variance to an adjacent apparatus.

A data center is a facility that provides connection lines for the Internet and maintenance and operating services, and the demand for such data centers is increasing in accordance with the widespread use of the Internet.
In a data center, servers, storage units, Layer 2 switches (L2 switches), etc. are housed in a number of racks, and L2 switches serve to transmit all the traffic together from servers or storage units to a host.
Meanwhile, in accordance with the development of cloud computing, the number of virtual machines (VMs) within a physical server is increasing, and accordingly, communication control is becoming more complicated in a network within a data center. Under these circumstances, it is desirable to construct a data center that secures data traffic and implements high-quality communication even though the number of VMs is increasing.
As known bandwidth setting techniques, a technique for allocating a surplus bandwidth in accordance with the proportion of requested bandwidths has been proposed in, for example, Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2003-069627.
In an operation management system within a data center, bandwidth setting control for allocating bandwidths to VMs is performed. As the number of VMs increases, bandwidth setting for allocating a bandwidth to each VM becomes more complicated, thereby increasing a load imposed on the operation management system.
An increase in the load increases delay time, which makes it difficult to speedily perform bandwidth setting, thereby decreasing the communication quality in a network within a data center.

Communication system and communication apparatus


A two-wheeled vehicle comprising a frame, a pair of wheels, and a pedal assembly. The pedal assembly has a sprocket, right crank arm assembly and a left crank arm assembly (the crank arm assemblies include pedals), wherein at least one of the two crank arm assemblies comprises an outer member and an inner member, typically, the inner member being cylindrical at least partially telescopically received in the outer member. Typically one of the inner or outer member is moveable, telescopically between a retracted locked, fixed position and an extended locked, fixed position. In the extended position, the two members lock with respect to each other and allow the bicycle or other two-wheeled vehicle to lay adjacent the support surface on the removed end of the extended member, which extended member typically contains the pedal portion of the pedal assembly.

Two-wheeled pedal vehicles, such as bicycles and mopeds, typically require some support mechanism to support the vehicle on a support surface when it is not being pedaled or when it is not in motion.
Most support stands, sometimes called "kickstands," are not incorporated into the bicycle, per se, but are added on features. Sometimes, for example, they are bolted to the frame.

Support stand for a two-wheeled pedal vehicle


A drive axle assembly comprises a carrier member having a trunnion outwardly extending from the carrier member, an output shaft axially outwardly extending from the carrier member, a differential assembly including a differential case supported for rotation within the carrier member and a side gear rotatably mounted about the output shaft, a clutch collar non-rotatably coupled thereto and configured to selectively drivingly engage the side gear, and an annular clutch actuator for axially moving the clutch collar between a first position and a second position. The clutch collar drivingly engages the side gear in power transmitting relationship in the first position, while the clutch collar is disengaged from the side gear in the second position.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to vehicle axle assemblies in general, and more particularly, to an axle disconnect assembly for an auxiliary drive axle assembly of a four-wheel drive motor vehicle.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Four-wheel drive vehicles which are operable in either a two-wheel drive mode or a four-wheel drive mode are known as part time four wheel drive vehicles, are well known in the prior art. It is also known to provide the part time four wheel drive vehicle with an axle disconnect (or differential disconnect) mechanism in a front (or sometimes rear) axle assembly. Various axle disconnect assemblies or mechanisms have been proposed. These mechanisms in general have a number of moving parts, are fairly complex, and would be suitable only for installation on relatively wide vehicles because of the space required.
Such axle disconnect mechanisms typically include a fluid motor (hydraulic, pneumatic or vacuum) and a shift fork assembly. The fluid motor communicates with a fluid source that is usually controlled by a two position solenoid valve. The fork shift assembly under control of the fluid motor controls the axial shifting of a clutch collar between positions corresponding to coupled and uncoupled operating modes.
This conventional system has the drawback of an externally mounted actuator that requires considerable extra space particularly when vehicle suspension travel is taken into account. The use of an externally mounted actuator also necessitates the use of a fork shift assembly which adds to the cost and complexity of the prior art arrangement exemplified by this system. Moreover, such prior art axle disconnect systems do not provide a modular arrangement necessary for easy of manufacture, assembly and repair. Consequently these prior art arrangements are also complex and expensive to produce particularly when the difficulty of assembly is taken into account.
Moreover, the prior art axle designs typically include an axle shaft with male splines connected to a side gear bore with female splines, to prevent relative rotation and transmit torque. For beam axles (or rigid axles), shaft lateral movement is usually restrained by (A) the shaft bearing at the wheel end, or (B) a C-clip attached to the axle shaft inboard of the side gear. For independent axles, i.e. the axles allowing the relative motion (or travel) between the left-hand and right-hand outer axle shafts, the shaft lateral movement is usually restrained by a collapsing/expanding ring contained within grooves on the shaft O.D. and side gear bore I.D.; this method is utilized for independent axles to facilitate shaft connection to the axle during the vehicle build. To integrate axle disconnect mechanisms within an independent axle assembly, the prior art methodology of axle shaft retention is not satisfactory. C-clips and expanding rings cannot be used because the shaft and side gear must be capable of rotating independently in disconnect mode. The shaft cannot be retained exclusively at the wheelend, because the length of the shaft varies due to wheel travel and the inboard plunging CV joint. Therefore, a new mechanism is required to (A) retain the shaft within the axle assembly, and (B) permit shaft to side gear relative rotation.
The need therefore exists for an axle disconnect assembly and an axle shaft retention in an independent axle assembly that are simple in design, compact in construction and economical to package and manufacture.


The resectoscope apparatus comprises an elongate hollow sheath to be inserted into a body cavity, an electrode inserted through the sheath to make such treatments as of resecting and coagulating tissues within the body cavity by using a high frequency current, an operating part which can operate the electrode from outside the body, a cord for feeding a high frequency current to the electrode from a high frequency current source and an optical sighting tube inserted through the sheath and having an optical system which can observe the body cavity interior and the electrode is made integral at least on the rear end side with the cord. For example, the electrode has a shaft part connected at the rear end to the above mentioned operating part and inserted through the sheath and a tip electrode part provided at the tip of the shaft part and projected and retracted from the sheath tip. The operating part has a connecting part removably connectable to the sheath at the rear end and a slider connected with the electrode shaft part at the rear end and slidable in the axial direction. The resectoscope apparatus further comprises, for example, a connecting apparatus mechanically and removably connecting the electrode shaft part at the rear end to the slider.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a resectoscope high in the electric safety and stability.
2. Related Art Statement
Recently, there are extensively utilized endoscope apparatus whereby organs within a body cavity can be observed by inserting an elongate insertable part into the body cavity or various therapeutic treatments can be made by using treating tools inserted, as required, through a treating tool channel.
High frequency endoscope apparatus for resecting a prostate gland, womb internal cavity, urethra interior, kidney interior and the like are among the above mentioned endoscope apparatus.
As shown, for example, in the publication of a Japanese utility model application laid open No. 149616/1985, one of such high frequency endoscope apparatus is a resectoscope which is inserted into a bladder through a urethra and is electrified with a high frequency current at a resecting electrode so that the prostate gland or the like may be resected.
Generally, a resectoscope apparatus comprises a hollow sheath to be inserted into a body cavity, an operating part having a slider removably fitted to this sheath at the rear end and an observing scope (optical sighting tube) removably fitted to this operating part from the rear end side so that an electrode branched to be forked like a loop at the tip to reset tissues within a body cavity may be projected and retracted from the above mentioned sheath tip.
In a conventional resectoscope apparatus, as shown in a Japanese utility model application laid open No. 183803/1987, the above mentioned electrode is removably fitted to the operating part, an electrical and mechanical fixing mechanism is provided within the above mentioned slider and a cord for feeding a high frequency current to the fixing mechanism from a current source is also removably fitted to a connector provided in the slider.
However, in case mechanisms for removably fitting an electrode and cord are in the slider, it will be difficult to secure the water-tightness of the connecting parts of the slider and electrode and of the slider and cord, the current will be likely to leak through the entering liquid and a burn or the like will be likely to be caused. Particularly, in case a sterilizing liquid containing a surface active agent is used, this liquid will be very likely to enter the connecting parts, form an electric circuit and leak the current.
Also, a blood, dirt and the like will be likely to enter the respective electric connecting parts, deteriorate the conduction of electricity and reduce the resecting capacity.
Further, there are problems that the respective mechanisms for removably fitting the electrode and cord will be separately required, the structure will be complicated and the slider will be large and breakable.


The present disclosure provides a semiconductor package. The semiconductor package includes a carrier member, a plurality of inductors and a memory chip. The carrier member includes a first surface, a second surface and a centrally-located opening. The carrier member also includes a plurality of conductive pads on the second surface proximal to the opening. The memory chip is attached to the carrier member in a face-down manner. The memory chip includes a plurality of bidirectional and unidirectional signal-transmission pins electrically coupled to the inductors. The memory chip also includes a plurality of bonding pads. A plurality of bonding wires, passing through the opening, electrically connect the bonding pads on the memory chip to the conductive pads on the carrier member. A first insulative structure substantially encapsulates the memory chip and the inductors. A plurality of solder balls are attached to the second surface of the carrier member.

Synchronous dynamic random-access memory (SDRAM) is a new type of memory device that mainly uses a synchronous clock to control input and output signals of the memory. Computing devices utilize various types of SDRAM, such as double data rate (DDR) SDRAM. DDR is a memory transmission standard and indicates that there are two transmissions per clock cycle. As technology improves, the capacity of DDR SDRAM devices in computing devices has increased significantly. Earlier DDR SDRAMs are retroactively referred to as DDRx SDRAMs. This series of standards has evolved from DDR1 to DDR2, DDR3 and DDR4.
Signal quality is of great importance when data or address information is input into or output from a memory device. SDRAMs are capable of achieving greater concurrency and higher data transfer rates than conventional DRAMs. However, when SDRAMs are operated at high frequencies, a signal between the memory controller and the memory device may be distorted after the signal is transmitted. Signal distortion is one of several signal-quality problems that are caused not by a single factor, but by a variety of factors. Such signal distortion may result in incorrect data or a system malfunction in the memory device. Therefore, there is a need to prevent signal distortion in order to ensure signal integrity.
This Discussion of the Background section is provided for background information only. The statements in this Discussion of the Background are not an admission that the subject matter disclosed in this Discussion of the Background section constitutes prior art to the present disclosure, and no part of this Discussion of the Background section may be used as an admission that any part of this application, including this Discussion of the Background section, constitutes prior art to the present disclosure.

Semiconductor package and method of fabricating the same


A continuous time equalizer for equalizing an input signal using a feedforward equalizer portion and a feedback equalizer portion is provided that includes: a slicer operable to make bit decisions on a combined output from the feedforward and feedback equalizer portions; an adaptive delay circuit operable to delay the combined output to form a delayed output; and a controller operable to control the delay provided by the adaptive delay circuit such that a first group delay through the slicer and a second group delay through the adaptive delay circuit in response to a sinusoidal form of the input signal are substantially equal.

Intersymbol interference (ISI) is a hindrance to high-speed digital communication. Effective digital communication depends on a sharp transition between data pulses whereas pulse transitions "smear" into each other in communication channels having ISI, a phenomenon denoted as pulse dispersion. Pulse dispersion occurs because high-frequency components of the data pulses are attenuated by the transmission medium. At higher data rates, the interference can become such that data pulses cannot be accurately distinguished from one another, leading to unacceptably high error rates. Such interference may be classified into two types: a) Precursor ISI in which interference from a given pulse (the cursor) leads and interferes with previously sent pulses; and b) Postcursor ISI in which interference from a given pulse trails and interferes with subsequently sent pulses.
Equalizers combat pulse dispersion by partially canceling the high-frequency cutoff that occurs in the transmission medium. A feedforward equalizer performs this mitigation of ISI using a combination of signal samples and thus addresses precursor ISI. In contrast, a feedback equalizer mitigates ISI based upon a combination of past output decisions and thus addresses postcursor ISI. A decision feedback equalizer (DFE) is a combination of both a feedforward and a feedback equalizer and typically provides greater ISI mitigation then either technique alone in that both precursor and postcursor ISI are mitigated. FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary DFE 10, which includes a feedforward equalizer portion 105 and a feedback equalizer portion 110 to equalize an input signal s(t). A slicer 115 operates on the combined outputs from equalizer portions 105 and 110 to output a current digital decision 120. The number of taps in equalizer portions 105 and 110 is arbitrary and may be denoted as n and m, respectively.
It will be appreciated that a feedback loop (not illustrated) is required to control the adaptation of the coefficients employed in the taps. For example, the input signal to slicer 115 may be sampled and compared to delayed versions of the slicer output signal to generate an error signal. Corresponding error mixers (not illustrated) then process the error signal to generate the coefficients for the feedforward and feedback equalizer portions.
Although DFE equalizers may effectively equalize transmission channels to abate ISI, there are limits to their effectiveness as data rates in the transmission channel continue to be increased. Timing misalignments between the error mixers and the feedforward and feedback portions make ISI performance problematic at higher data rates. For example, semiconductor process variations may cause one portion to operate too slow or fast with respect to the remaining portions.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for equalizers having adaptive timing alignments.

Accurate timing alignments for decision directed continuous time equalizers


An inspection system is provided that can calculate highly accurate data for inspection having a high S/N ratio with high freedom. In order to attain this, an imaging timing is adjusted to synchronize a time for a projected image of an object to move by “m” pixels (“m” is an integer number greater than or equal to 1) in the X-axis direction on imaging elements, with an imaging time interval, and partial image data imaged at the identical inspection position on the object is specified from each unit of two-dimensional image data based on the object appearing deviated by “m” pixels in the X-axis direction in each unit of the two-dimensional image data imaged at each of the imaging timings, and data for inspection in which a noise reducing processing is conducted at the inspection position is produced based on each section of the partial image data.

A CCD is often utilized as a line sensor for this kind of the inspection system. The line sensor has an arrangement wherein multiple photodiodes are arranged in line and CCDs are arranged in parallel to correspond to each of the photo diodes. Then, electric charge generated due to exposure of the photodiode is charged to the CCD and the charged electric charge is read out respectively so that a line of the image data is produced.
Since it is not possible for this kind of line sensor to conduct a next exposure until an electric charge charged to the CCD is read out and reset, it is relatively difficult to significantly shorten an interval of exposure, namely, an imaging interval, if a reset time is also included. However, by conversely utilizing the property that an electric charge is stored in succession until the CCD is reset, recently a line sensor has been developed that employs a TDI (Time Delay Integration) method which can conduct sensing at high speed and high accuracy.
The TDI method is to synchronize a moving speed of an object projected to the CCD in a direction of a column with a timing of transferring the electric charge in a vertical direction and to conduct an integral exposure by a number of vertical steps (for example, "M" steps) by utilizing a property that the electric charge is vertically transferred by a unit of a column at a time of reading out the electric charge, where the CCD is arranged in two-dimensions, so that a sensitivity by "M" times of an ordinary linear image sensor can be realized. In short, the identical position of the object is imaged at "M" times and all of the imaged images are overlapped so as to improve the sensitivity.
Patent document 1: Japan Patent Laid-open number 2004-251878


A method and an apparatus are described that delay application of a higher order Power Density Multiplier (PDM) using a time based moving average of a number of active cores in a multicore system. A PDM is applied to a thermal design power budget of a thermal entity and performance of the thermal entity is increased by transferring available power from a thermal entity not in an active state to a thermal entity in an active state. Sufficient time is allowed for the cooling effect of reduced active cores, to influence the active core that receives the extra power (a higher PDM). Similarly delaying application of a lower PDM with the same moving average, but a different threshold, allows a core to retain a higher power allocation until the more active neighbor core(s) cause it to heat up, thereby boosting core performance.

Power density per unit area of a semiconductor chip continues to increase exponentially with each new technology generation, posing a major challenge for thermal management in modern processors. In general, past work has examined architectural details for reducing total consumed chip power, but these techniques alone are insufficient.
Because power density has increased exponentially with Moore's Law, thermal cooling challenges have become a prominent and vexing aspect of computer systems design. Mechanical cooling solutions such as heat sinks and fans remain a possible approach for dealing with thermal issues. However, these solutions are costly and unwieldy.
"Thermal-aware" techniques at the architecture level have gained momentum for optimizing processor performance while also abiding by rapidly worsening thermal constraints. Thermal-aware architecture techniques are related to power-aware techniques, but are a distinct area because thermal-aware designs concern both local hotspot constraints as well as aggregate thermal limits.
The current industry trend has been toward multicore architectures, which provide additional opportunities for dynamic thermal management. Examples of this multicore architecture include devices that have multiple central processing units (CPUs); multiple graphics processing unit (GPUs), multiple digital signal processors (DSPs), multiple field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), an application processor (Apps processor), or various combinations thereof. Thermal simulations on these hybrid devices show that lateral thermal influence is at least two orders of magnitude slower than self-heating events.
A processor core is an example of a thermal entity, but other examples of thermal entities include other logic blocks, such as video encoders/decoders, memory controllers, I/O blocks, schedulers etc.
In general, processors are designed while keeping thermal constraints in mind. It is common in the industry to assume an equal power distribution among all thermal entities. But this assumption leads to a result that is generally inefficient, because one thermal entity may be in an active state while others may be inactive. It is not possible to immediately allocate power from an inactive thermal entity and distribute it to an active thermal entity and still remain within the thermal constraints.
Hence what is required is a method and apparatus to efficiently allocate power from an inactive thermal entity to an active thermal entity while keeping thermal constraints in mind.

Method and apparatus for application of power density multipliers optimally in a multicore system


A ceramic substrate is described, which comprises a fired ceramic sheet that has on its surface a metallized layer made of Au or Cu, or Au-Pt, Au-Pd, Cu-Pt or Cu-Pd alloy that is overlaid with a Ni plating layer.

The present invention relates to a ceramic substrate with a metallized layer that is typically useful as a substrate for IC (integrated circuit) packages.
Substrates for IC packages, multiple chip mounting substrates, substrates for pressure sensors, etc., are conventionally made of ceramics. The surface of ceramic substrates intended for use in such applications is provided with a metallized layer which assists in the soldering of seal plates or outer lead pins.
With a view to saving energy and simplifying the manufacturing process, it has become a common practice in the production of ceramic substrates to coat a green sheet (a substrate to be fired) with a metallizing ingredient and then form a metallized layer simultaneously with the firing of the green sheet. In this practice of forming a metallized layer simultaneously with the firing of a green sheet, if a ceramic material that can be fired at low temperatures of from 800 to 1,100.degree. C. is used, Au or Cu, or Au-Pt, Au-Pd, Cu-Pt or Cu-Pd alloy that have melting points close to the firing temperature can be used as metallizing components. In particular, Au and Cu have appreciably low resistance to conduction as compared with W, Mo and other metals that are conventionally used in alumina-base ceramics, as ingredients of the metallized layer of a type that is formed simultaneously with the firing of the green sheet. The use of Au and Cu offers advantages such as faster transmission of electrical signals and lower power loss.
However, if common solder, which is made of a tinlead base alloy, is applied to the metallized layer formed of Au or Cu, or Au-Pt, Au-Pd, Cu-Pt or Cu-Pd alloy, the lead or tin component of the solder will get into the metallized layer, which can result in formation of an alloy that has low strength of adhesion to the metallizing component.


A sump draining apparatus having an pressure transducer engaged in a receptacle that is in turn engaged in an open-ended collar of a housing. The receptacle and thus the pressure transducer is slideable in the axial direction into and out of the open-ended collar. The housing is generally cylindrical and contains a pump and motor, each of which has a generally cylindrical shape and is axially stacked in the housing. A cord having a vent and electrical leads for the pressure transducer is releasably engaged via a cord restraint at one end portion of the housing and the pressure transducer is releasably engaged in the receptacle in the open-ended collar at the other end of the housing. The receptacle and sensor may be removed, serviced, and/or replaced without the housing being opened and without the pump and motor being removed.

The present invention relates generally to a sump draining apparatus, particularly to a mount for a liquid level sensor in the sump draining apparatus, and specifically to a receptacle shaped mount for such a pressure transducer in the sump draining apparatus wherein the receptacle shaped mount and pressure transducer are slideable in the axial direction in and out of a distal end of the sump draining apparatus.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,992,030 (issued Feb. 12, 1991) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,966,534 (issued Oct. 30, 1990) relate to sump draining apparatus having a pressure transducer directly set in a distal closed end of an elongate cylindrical housing. Two problems for improvement have been identified. First, ready access to the pressure transducer is difficult. To get to the pressure transducer, the proximal end of the housing is removed, so that in turn a pump and motor can be removed, so that yet in turn the pressure transducer can be removed for being serviced or replaced. Second, the pressure transducer is directly fixed in the distal closed end with screws being tightened against the body of the pressure transducer. The pressure transducer, like many sensors, is relatively delicate and expensive.
A feature of the present invention is the provision in a sump draining apparatus having first and second end portions of a housing and a pump and motor stacked axially in the sump draining apparatus, of a sensor mounted on a sensor mount drawable axially into and out of an open end of the second end portion of the housing.
Another feature of the present invention is the provision in such a sump draining apparatus, of the mount being receptacle shaped for cradling the sensor therein.
Another feature of the present invention is the provision in such a sump draining apparatus, of a venting and electrical cord for the sensor being releasably engaged at the first end portion of the housing such that the sensor can be safely drawn out of the second end of the housing.
Another feature of the present invention is the provision in such a sump draining apparatus, of the mount instead of the sensor being engaged to a housing of the sump draining apparatus.
Another feature of the present invention is the provision in such a sump draining apparatus, of the sensor being engaged in the mount via a first set of radially oriented pin connectors at a first axial location and via a second set of radially oriented pin connectors at a second axial location.
Another feature of the present invention is the provision in such a sump draining apparatus, of the receptacle shaped mount having a hole for the entry of fluid into the receptacle shaped mount and to the sensor.
An advantage of the present invention is accessibility. The pressure transducer is readily accessible for service or replacement. Only set screws and a cord restraint are loosened. Time is saved.
Another advantage of the present invention is sensitivity. Like an infant, a pressure transducer behaves best when cradled. The receptacle shaped mount is engaged by set screws, not the pressure transducer itself. The receptacle shaped mount isolates the pressure transducer from the housing of the sump draining apparatus that may be jarred as the sump draining apparatus is lowered to remote locations.
Another advantage of the present invention is cost. By improving accessibility of the sensor, time is saved and therefore labor and labor costs are saved. By cradling and guarding the sensor, the sensor has a longer operating life. Less replacement is required and replacement costs are saved.

Sensor mount for sump draining apparatus


A copying apparatus is provided with an image reading device for reading image information on an original as electrical image signals, a manually operable device for designating an arbitrary area of the original and apparatus for outputting a gate signal in accordance with the area designated by the manually operable device. In response to the gate signal thus formed, a gate device extracts from the electrical signals generated by the reading device image signals corresponding to the designated area which signals are stored in a memory device. A recording device can then record an image in the designated area on plural sheets of recording medium in response to repeated readout of the image signals from the memory device.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a copying apparatus which can produce copies of a desired form, and more particularly to a copying apparatus which can produce copies with a desired part of an original masked.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In a copying apparatus, when an original to be copied has a part which need not be copied, copying has been effected after such part of the original has been cut off or with such part of the original covered with white paper.
However, according to such a conventional system, the original to be copied must be cut off or otherwise processed and this has led to damages imparted to the original or much time involved for copying.

Copying apparatus capable of designating image areas


The present invention relates to a transmission for a vehicle, and more particularly, to a compound transmission of combining a differential gear and a continuously variable transmission, which transmits power through the differential gear and a transmission gear at a low speed and transmits the power through the continuously variable transmission and the differential gear at a high speed.

A transmission is a transmission device that changes power of an engine to required torque according to a speed and transmits the torque.
Vehicles or apparatuses such as excavators and mechanical pumps, which operate using the power generated by the engine, require stronger torque and lower rotation at lower speeds, and require high-speed rotation rather than the torque as a speed increases. The transmission plays such a role.
For example, a general automotive transmission includes shift stages from a first stage to a fifth stage. In first and second-stage gears, a reduction ratio is set to be large so as to exert strong force and in third and fourth-stage gears, a gear ratio is set to a gear ratio similar to the engine speed so as to maintain or accelerate the speed at a medium speed and the high speed. The fifth stage is referred to as an overdrive and has a gear ratio lower than the engine speed for driving at the high speed.
The transmission has a manual method in which a person manually operates a clutch and an automatic method in which a mission is directly shifted in accordance with the speed by hydraulic pressure according to whether the clutch is operated and includes a continuously variable transmission (CVT) which may obtain a continuously variable transmission ratio by using a belt instead of a gear.
In the past, the manual method was mainly used, but due to troublesomeness of an operation method, the automatic transmission or the continuously variable transmission has been mainly used in recent years.
Among them, the automatic transmission has a complicated structure and a high price, especially, the automatic transmission has a high fuel consumption rate compared to the manual method and since the gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission is continuously changed, it is possible to continuously use specific rpm to show the largest force, and as a result, fuel efficiency is improved, but there is a limit in transmitting large force, and as a result, in particular, there is a limitation that the automatic transmission is mainly used for a light-weight vehicle because there is a disadvantage that the power may not normally transmitted at the start or at the low speed and durability is weak.
Therefore, it is required to develop a new compound transmission that can get the advantages of each transmission out of a single-type transmission.
Meanwhile, the transmission is applied even to the excavator or a water pump to perform drilling or pumping of groundwater while rotating a shaft and even in this case, in order to change a pumping rate and change drilling performance, the rpm or torque of the shaft needs to be smoothly varied, a new compound transmission is required.

Compound transmission of combining differential gear and continuously variable transmission

Abstract: According to the present invention, the shifting is performed through the differential gear unit at a low stage requiring large torque and low rpm and performs the shifting through the continuously variable transmission at a high stage requiring relatively small torque and high rpm to provide optimum shifting efficiency by collecting only advantageous of the respective units.

KOREA INSTITUTE OF GEOSCIENCE AND MINERAL RESOURCES