According to some embodiments, a system includes an integrated circuit package to support an integrated circuit die. The integrated circuit package may include a plurality of conductive contacts and a decoupling capacitor. The decoupling capacitor may include a positive terminal contact pad coupled to a first one of the plurality of conductive contacts, the positive terminal contact pad comprising a first substantially non-conductive area, and a negative terminal contact pad coupled to a second one of the plurality of conductive contacts, the negative terminal contact pad comprising a second substantially non-conductive area.

An integrated circuit package may provide physical protection to an integrated circuit die, dissipate heat generated by the integrated circuit die, and electrically connect the integrated circuit die to external circuitry. In the latter regard, a conventional integrated circuit package may provide power and ground planes for distributing and routing power signals between the integrated circuit die and a motherboard. The transmission of these signals often results in unwanted resonance between the motherboard and the integrated circuit package, which may negatively affect the performance of the integrated circuit die.

System to control effective series resistance of decoupling capacitor


An electrode device for intracorporeal stimulation of body tissue, in particular for intracardial stimulation of heart tissue, has an electrode cable containing a coiled, flexible, insulated first wire running along substantially the entire length of the electrode cable and whose interior forms a channel, with at least one partially conductive electrode head provided on the distal end of the electrode cable. The cable also contains a second wire provided in the channel, this second wire running coaxially along the entire length of the electrode cable and being attached at or near the distal end of the electrode cable. The proximal end of the second wire extends beyond the proximal end of the electrode cable, a device for displacing the second wire in relation to the electrode cable in a selected way is provided so that by compressing the coiled first wire the electrode cable can be made stiff or pliant, as desired, with the need for a stylet.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electrode device for intracorporeal stimulation of body tissue, in particular for intracardial stimulation of heart tissue of the type having an electrode cable containing a coiled, flexible, insulated first wire running substantially the entire length of the electrode cable, and whose interior forms a channel, with at least one partially conductive electrode head provided on the distal end of the electrode cable, and with a second wire provided in the channel, wire running the entire length of the electrode cable and attached at or near the electrode cable's distal end.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is of major importance for the electrode cable in an electrode of this type to be sufficiently pliant to enable it to follow the venous pathway during introduction into a patient's heart through a vein without damaging venous walls. For conventional electrodes, the cable is introduced with the aid of a stylet, inserted into the cable's channel, made of a material offering the stiffness which is required for advancing the electrode cable through veins. The stiffness of the electrode cable can be varied, depending on the stylet's diameter and material. At awkward passages in which the electrode cable must be, e.g., bent sharply, the styler is often retracted a little to maximize the pliability of the electrode cable's distal end. (As used herein, "distal" means distal relative to a yet-to-be connected stimulation device, and the "distal end" of the electrode cable is the end which will come into contact with heart tissue. The "proximal end" of the electrode cable is the end which will be connected to the stimulation device.) After the cable has traversed such a passage, the stylet is again advanced to the distal end of the electrode cable so as to advance this end to the atrium or ventricle of the heart until the electrode head presses against heart wall for stimulation of the heart. Introduction of an electrode cable into a vein with the aid of a stylet is therefore not an entirely simple procedure for the surgeon.
An electrode device of the above-mentioned kind is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,677,990. The end of the second wire is attached to the electrode head. This wire runs the entire length of the channel and is eccentrically arranged between the first wire and the electrode cable's external insulation. When the surgeon pulls on the wire, the distal end of the electrode cable is bent into a J-shape. Introduction of the electrode cable into a patient's heart is performed with the aid of a stylet.
Another similar electrode device is prior art through the German OS 25 16 848. The function of the second wire in this electrode device is to release a spring-loaded anchor provided on the electrode head. The proximal end of the wire also runs through a lateral hole in the proximal end of the electrode cable. As a result of the wire's position inside the electrode cable, the electrode cable bends when the wire is tensioned until the distal end of the electrode cable assumes a J-shape. There is no description in German OS 25 16 848 of the way in which the electrode cable is introduced into the patient's heart.


An abrasive article includes a support pad, a first abrasive element, a second abrasive element and a fixation mechanism. The support pad has a first major surface, a second major surface, a first edge, a second edge and a channel. The channel is formed within the first major surface and extends from the first edge to the second edge. The first and second abrasive elements are each positionable over a portion of the support pad. The fixation mechanism is positioned within the channel ad secures an edge of the first abrasive element and an edge of the second abrasive element to the support pad.

Fixed abrasives are commonly used in chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) processes because they provide consistent planarity, high substrate removal rates, and low levels of nonuniformity and defects. In the field of semiconductors, it is well known that polishing a wafer, for example, over the edges of a fixed abrasive article may result in high defect levels on the wafer being polished. These defects can occur when the diameter of the fixed abrasive article is smaller than the diameter of the platen that the fixed abrasive article is positioned on. The defects can be in the form of scratches caused by the relatively rough and uneven edges of the fixed abrasive article contacting the wafer. Conventional solutions include either splicing the edges of two separate, fixed abrasive articles together or splicing two edges of a single fixed abrasive article together in order to cover the entire platen.

Splicing technique for fixed abrasives used in chemical mechanical planarization


A waveform display apparatus and method displays one or more waveforms of a signal under test at high throughput while acquiring digital data of the signal under test in a large acquisition memory. A user sets a time interval of user's interest when viewing a signal under test and sets trigger criteria through a user interface. An ADC converts the signal under test into digital data that is stored in a large acquisition memory. A trigger unit detects and produces trigger events, based on a trigger, as trigger event information during one acquisition process. A trigger event eliminator may discard some of the trigger events based on pre-trigger and post-conditions set through the interface by a user. The trigger events are recorded in a trigger list as the trigger event information. A control unit locates the digital data in the acquisition memory corresponding to the trigger events in the trigger list and displays a waveform associated with the trigger event for the time interval on a display device.

Modern digital oscilloscopes can acquire an electrical signal under test and store digital data corresponding to the acquired signal as a data record. Such oscilloscopes can be used to display one or more waveforms while acquiring the electrical signal under test. In addition, the previously-stored digital data from the data record can be viewed as a waveform on a display of the oscilloscope even though acquisition of the electrical signal under test has stopped. While older oscilloscopes would generally acquire a relatively small data record corresponding to an amount of time that could be displayed, advancements in the areas of memory speed, memory capacity, and processor speed have led to newer oscilloscopes having improved functionality in this area. Consider that most digital oscilloscopes now have the capability of storing a significantly larger data record, which corresponds to more time than can reasonably be displayed at once.
As a result of the larger data records, additional functionality can be made available to the user. For example, most oscilloscopes allow a user to adjust a horizontal or vertical control, thereby changing a position of the waveform on the display. In addition, some oscilloscopes allow a user to "scroll" through the waveform—particularly after the data record has been acquired. However, since the data record now represents much more time than can be displayed at one time, the time interval of user's interest may be short compared to the full acquired record, and scrolling through an entire data record can be impractical. This causes difficulty in finding and analyzing the time interval of interest. Moreover, the full record may contain other events of interest that are different from the one event being displayed.
Some oscilloscopes provide a search feature to flag events of interest in the data record. But due to the rapid advancements in memory capacities, the size of data records continues to expand, which can hinder or otherwise slow down conventional search techniques. Further, such search features require controls or interfaces separate from those with which the users are most familiar.
When viewing a short period of time, the oscilloscope samples the analog signal at a maximum sample rate. The record length of these waveforms is short. For example, when viewing 50 ns with a sample rate of 4 GS/s the record length is 200 samples. Although only a very small number of samples are needed, the oscilloscope acquisition memory is much larger, for example, 40 million samples long. The oscilloscope can be designed to always acquire the full 40 million samples even when the user has only asked to see 50 ns of time. By acquiring this extra data the user can stop the acquisition process and then view portions of the signal outside the original 50 ns time period. This can be useful. However, acquiring a full record takes a considerable amount of time. To acquire 40 million samples at 4 GS/s takes 10 ms. In such a case, the waveform drawing rate is limited to less than 100 waveforms each second.
In order to obtain high waveform throughput, the user can specify a shorter record length, such as a record length of 1,000 samples. However, if the user now stops the acquisition process the instrument has only acquired 1,000 samples and the user is limited to viewing a short period of time even if the oscilloscope has an acquisition memory record length which is considerably longer than 1,000 samples. US patent application Publication 2007/0226406 by Terrance R. Beale et al., discloses a way to write multiple (possibly overlapping) shorter waveforms into a long memory. However, with this technique information between the shorter waveforms may be lost.
What is desired is a way to acquire long records even when a user asks to view a short period of time while also displaying waveforms at rates that are much higher than the acquisition rate of the long record.

High waveform throughput with a large acquisition memory


A system includes a sensing cell having a walled structure configured to receive a fuel sample within an interior space of the walled structure. The sensing cell also has at least one cooling surface located on at least a portion of the walled structure and configured to cool the fuel sample. The sensing cell further has an optical port configured to couple to one or more optical fibers and to provide first radiation to the fuel sample. In addition, the sensing cell has a mirror configured to reflect the first radiation in order to provide second radiation to the optical port. The optical port defines a collinear optical geometry for providing the first radiation to the fuel sample and receiving the second radiation through the fuel sample. The system also includes at least one cooler configured to cool the fuel sample in the sensing cell by cooling the at least one cooling surface.

Diesel fuel, jet fuel, and other types of fuel are often manufactured or processed to have a specified cloud point or freeze point. The cloud point of a fuel denotes the temperature at which the first solidified wax particles form within the fuel as the temperature of the fuel decreases. The freeze point of a fuel denotes the temperature at which, after solidified wax particles have formed, the last solidified wax particles melt as the temperature of the fuel increases.
Traditional cloud point and freeze point measurements often use changes in optical scattering characteristics of a fuel as the temperature of the fuel is adjusted. However, conventional sensors often times require access to two sides of a fuel sample. This may be difficult or impossible in confined spaces. If access is limited to one side, a reflecting path can be used. Unfortunately, the refractive index of fuel is temperature-dependent, which can lead to misalignment.

Fuel cloud point or freeze point sensor with collinear optical geometry


An analog-to-digital conversion apparatus which has a variable resolution and allows a reduction in power consumption. This apparatus comprises an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) of parallel type, a controller, and an interpolation circuit. The analog-to-digital converter has a plurality of comparators connected in parallel, each for comparing potentials of an analog input signal and a reference signal. The controller generates a control signal for controlling the resolution of the analog-to-digital converter. Specifically, the controller controls the number of comparators (CMP) to operate by means of the control signal, thereby determining the resolution. The interpolation circuit interpolates the output data of the comparators that are disabled depending on the resolution. The controller avoids simultaneous operation of two adjoining comparators when the analog-to-digital converter is operated at a resolution lower than its maximum resolution.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to analog-to-digital conversion technologies.
2. Description of the Related Art
Information communication terminals such as cellular phones are equipped with analog-to-digital converters for converting analog signals received from wired or wireless communication lines into digital signals. Information communication terminals are powered by batteries, and technologies for lower power consumption have been intensively developed in recent years.
In some radio communication techniques, modulation schemes are switched depending on changes in the environment. In such radio communications, resolutions required of analog-to-digital converters vary with the modulation schemes. Even with a fixed modulation scheme, the resolutions required of analog-to-digital converters also vary depending on signal, noise, and other conditions. Consequently, when analog-to-digital converters are given a fixed resolution, they can sometimes operate with performance higher than required, wasting power uselessly. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2003-198368 has proposed an analog-to-digital converter which controls its power consumption to change performance.
Nevertheless, when a variable current source is used to adjust the amount of the current supplied to a preamplifier of the analog-to-digital converter, the adjustable range is narrow since the MOS transistors in the current mirror circuit must stay in their saturation regions. Considering the tendency toward lower power consumption and the future trend toward lower device voltages, the adjustable range will become even narrower. With increasing speedup, the power consumption of digital blocks within an analog-to-digital conversion apparatus, including a clock tree, becomes higher in proportion than that of the constant current passed through the preamplifier.

Analog-to digital converter and analog-to digital conversion apparatus


The present disclosure describes a therapeutic ultrasound system configured to adaptively transmit ultrasound pulses toward microbubbles in a treatment region to remove an occlusion. In some examples, the system may include a treatment pulse unit configured to transmit an ultrasound pulse to a treatment region of a subject, the treatment region including a plurality of microbubbles. An echo detection unit may be configured to receive one or more echoes responsive to the ultra sound pulse. In some examples, the system may also include a data processor configured to identify, using data associated with the echoes, at least one echo signature indicative of a dynamic state of the microbubbles in response to the ultrasound pulse. A controller may be configured to adjust one or more parameters of an additional ultrasound pulse transmitted to the treatment region via the treatment pulse unit based on the at least one echo signature.

Emerging treatments for ischemic stroke may include sonothrombolysis. Generally, sonothrombolysis may involve the use of focused ultrasound pulses to insonify microbubbles, an ultrasound contrast agent, flowing through a patient's vascular system in the vicinity of the occlusion, such as a clot, responsible for the stroke. In particular, ultrasound pulses may often be delivered through the skull temporal bone of a patient, targeting microbubbles congregating at the clot site. Energy received from the ultrasound pulses may cause mechanical oscillation of the microbubbles at the site of the clot, which may contribute to ischemic stroke treatment by dissolving the clot over time, thus recanalizing the occluded vessel(s) and re-initiating blood flow therethrough. An advantage of sonothrombolysis treatments incorporating only ultrasound pulses and microbubble oscillation is that they may be performed non-invasively and without the use of drugs, which are limited by significant use restrictions, potential adverse events, and overall low treatment success.

Adaptive pulsing for sonothrombolysis treatment


A cylinder block including a cylinder and two crankshaft supports at a bottom of the cylinder block is described. The cylinder block may be coupled to a structural frame such that the cylinder block is lubricated through the structural frame. The cylinder block may reduce vehicle weight and cost.

Internal combustion engine are continually being refined to increase the output of the engine as well as reduce the engine's weight and/or size. Boosting devices, such as turbochargers and superchargers, have been added to engines so that the engines may have output similar to larger displacement engines without the fuel economy and emissions of larger displacement engines. Further, vehicle fuel economy may be improved in vehicles having smaller engines at least in part because smaller engines may weigh less than larger displacement engines. Alternatively, output power of an engine may be substantially increased without adding a significant amount of weight to the engine. Additional techniques for increasing engine power such as direct injection may also be used without significantly increasing the engine's weight.
However, decreasing engine size and/or increasing engine power output can increase stress on the engine components. Such concerns may be particularly present for boosted engines which typically have a high power to weight ratio as compared to naturally aspirated engines. Therefore, some boosted engines are comprised of increased amounts of material, such as aluminum, to reinforce the cylinder block. But, increasing the amount of material used to form the cylinder block can increase engine weight as well as size, thereby undermining the basic objective of increasing the engine's power to weight ratio.
The inventors herein have recognized the challenges of boosting a weight reduced engine and have provided a cylinder block. The cylinder block may include a cylinder and two crankshaft supports at a bottom of the cylinder block. The cylinder block may further include a cylinder head engaging surface at a top of the cylinder block, first and second sidewalls extending from the cylinder head engaging surface to a structural frame engaging surface positioned above a centerline of two crankshaft supports, and a lubrication passage providing fluidic communication between the structural frame engaging surface and the cylinder head engaging surface.
In this way, lubrication passages may be internally routed through the structural frame and the cylinder block. The internal routing of the lubrication passages through both the structural frame and the cylinder block increases the compactness of the engine. Furthermore, external lubricant routing lines may not be needed when the lubrication lines are internally routed through the cylinder block assembly. Therefore, the likelihood of rupturing a lubrication line during engine installation may be reduced and in some cases substantially eliminated when lubrication passages are internally routed through the structural frame. Furthermore, the cost of manufacturing of the cylinder block assembly may be reduced when lubrication passages are internally routed through the cylinder block assembly.
This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in any part of this disclosure.


The method of protectively coating metallic uranium which comprises dipping the metallic uranium in a molten alloy comprising about 20-75% of copper and about 80-25% of tin, dipping the coated uranium promptly into molten tin, withdrawing it from the molten tin and removing excess molten metal, thereupon dipping it into a molten metal bath comprising aluminum until it is coated with this metal, then promptly withdrawing it from the bath.

This invention relates to metallic protective coatings for uranium. It is particularly concerned with bronze coatings on uranium for protection of the uranium against corrosion and for use under other metal coatings.
Metallic uranium is highly reactive with oxidizing agents and its use in the presence of air or other oxidizing media requires its protection by some less reactive coating. The metallic uranium has a tendency to alloy with some coating metals, especially at elevated temperatures, and this tendency may lead to diffusion of uranium through the coating metal with consequent reduction in resistance of the coating to oxidizing agents.
The present invention has for its object the provision of coatings which are not only resistant to oxidizing agents and other corrosive media but are also resistant to the diffusion of uranium and consequently retain their protective value over long periods and under widely varying conditions of exposure.

Coated metal articles and method of making

The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy


An electrode suitable for use as hydrogen-evolving cathode in electrolytic processes is obtained by thermal decomposition of a precursor consisting of an acetic solution of nitrates of ruthenium, and optionally of rare earths. The electrode displays a low cathodic hydrogen evolution overpotential, an improved tolerance to current reversal phenomena and a high duration in industrial operating conditions.

The invention relates to an electrode for electrolytic processes, in particular to a cathode suitable for hydrogen evolution in an industrial electrolytic process. The electrolysis of alkali brines for the simultaneous production of chlorine and alkali and the electrochemical processes of hypochlorite and chlorate manufacturing are the most typical examples of industrial electrolytic applications where hydrogen is cathodically evolved, but the electrode is not limited to any particular application. In the industry of electrolytic processes, competitiveness depends on several factors, and primarily on the reduction of energy consumption, which is directly associated with the operating voltage. This is the main reason behind the efforts directed to reduce the various components making up the cell voltage, cathodic overvoltage being one of those. Cathodic overvoltages which can be naturally obtained with electrodes of chemically-resistant materials (for instance carbon steel) free of catalytic activation were considered acceptable for a long time. The market nevertheless increasingly requires, for this specific technology, a caustic product of high concentration, making the use of carbon steel cathodes unviable due to corrosion problems. Moreover, the increase in the cost of energy has made the use of catalysts facilitating the cathodic evolution of hydrogen economically more convenient. One possible solution is the use of nickel substrates, chemically more resistant than carbon steel, coupled with platinum-based catalytic coatings. Cathodes of such kind are normally characterised by acceptably reduced cathode overvoltages, resulting rather expensive due to their content of platinum and to their limited operative lifetime, probably caused by the poor adhesion of the coating to the substrate. A partial improvement in the adhesion of catalytic coatings on nickel substrates can be obtained by adding cerium to the formulation of the catalytic layer, optionally as an external porous layer aimed at protecting the underlying platinum-based catalytic layer. However, this type of cathode is prone to suffer considerable damages following the occasional current reversals inevitably taking place in the case of malfunctioning of industrial plants.
A partial improvement in the current reversal tolerance is obtainable by activating the nickel cathodic substrate with a coating consisting of two distinct phases, a first phase containing the noble metal-based catalyst and a second phase comprising palladium, optionally in admixture with silver, having a protective function. This kind of electrode presents, however, a sufficient catalytic activity only when the noble metal phase contains high amounts of platinum, preferably with a significant addition of rhodium. Replacing platinum with cheaper ruthenium in the catalytic phase entails, for example, the onset of considerably higher cathodic overvoltages. Furthermore, the preparation of the coating consisting of two distinct phases requires an extremely delicate process control to achieve sufficiently reproducible results.
There is then a need for providing a new cathode composition for industrial electrolytic processes, in particular for electrolytic processes with cathodic evolution of hydrogen, characterised, with respect to prior art formulations, by an equivalent or higher catalytic activity, a lower overall cost in terms of raw materials, a higher reproducibility of preparation, and a lifetime and tolerance to accidental current reversal equivalent or higher in the usual operative conditions.

Electrode for electrochemical processes and method for obtaining the same


A method for controlling distribution of a content stream in a communications network, comprising the steps of:                storing session state information about existing communication sessions within the network,        receiving a request (15) for transmission of a content stream to a requesting network client (4),        determining that an existing session includes the requested content stream,        determining that a receiver (1) of said content stream in said existing session has a network location correlated with a network location of the requesting network client,        selecting a relay network element (5) capable of servicing said correlated network locations, and setting up at least one communication session for streaming said requested content stream to both the requesting network client (4) and said receiver (1) of the content stream in the existing session through the relay network element (5).

Services like telecommunication, messaging, radio/television broadcast, and web browsing are increasingly using the same IP based transport technology. Converged IP networks will eventually enable a blending of those services. At the same time, demand increases for a personalized user experience: e.g. enjoying your favorite content regardless of network access type, terminal, place or time.
A streaming content refers to a media or multimedia that is continuously received by, and normally displayed to, an end-user while a provider is delivering it over a communications network. Unicast protocols send a separate copy of the media stream from the provider to each end-user. This is simple, but can lead to massive duplication of data on the network. Multicast protocols undertake to send only one copy of the media stream over any given network connection, i.e. along the path between any two network routers. However, all network segments do not currently support IP Multicast.

Distribution of shared content streams in communications networks


A paint brush storage and protection device includes a base having an upstanding wall, the upstanding wall being continuous from a first side of an open stem area to a second side of the open stem area, the first side and second side of the open stem area being generally parallel to one another along a longitudinal length of said device. The device also includes a top adapted to close against said upstanding wall and at least one latching mechanism. The at least one latching mechanism can be two latching mechanisms associated with either side of the open stem area.

Anyone who has painted, either professionally or as a do-it-yourselfer, knows that storage and protection of paint brushes is a major concern and warrants a great deal of attention. The present invention relates to the storage and protection of paint brushes, both new and used, when not in use, including paint brushes that have been used and are still covered with paint.
Storage and protection of paint brushes is particularly paramount in the case of used wet brushes. Often, painters mast cease working without completing a particular task. This may be for an extended break or at the end of the work day. Conventionally the painter would have to clean the brush in copious amounts of water and then store the brush to dry. The use of so much water and the washing of paint down the drain presents obvious environmental, issues. Moreover, storage and protection of the wet brush is problematic because one needs to ensure that it does not drip needlessly while also protecting the delicate bristles and metal ferrule. Because of simple laziness, some painters will discard a used brush instead of cleaning it. This presents both economic issues for the painter as well as environmental issues.
Even for new brushes protection is important. Brushes contain delicate bristles that may be bent, pulled out, or otherwise compromised in storage and transport.
It would therefore foe highly beneficial to provide a novel and effective manner of storing and protecting paint brushes, both new and used, when not in use.

Paint brush storage and protection device


An IDT produces a SAW when excited by a single electrical pulse and can be fabricated to embody a code, which code provides for a passive autocorrelation of a SAW input to the IDT and thereby lends itself to further application as a signal generator in a communication device. However, internal dimensions of IDTs are inversely proportional to operating frequency, such that high frequency IDTs present significant manufacturing difficulties. Fabrication of IDTs for high frequency applications is simplified by exploiting a harmonic frequency SAW generated by IDTs. An IDT may therefore be designed according to fundamental frequency internal dimension criteria but can operate at a multiple of the fundamental frequency, thereby providing much higher frequency operation than conventional SAW systems. Operation of a second harmonic SAW system at 2.4 GHz based on a fundamental frequency of 1.2 GHz is contemplated.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to short range communications using surface acoustic wave (SAW) expanders and compressors.
2. Description of the Prior Art
SAW technology is well known for its excellent radio frequency (RF) performance, low cost and small size. SAW is a passive thin film technology that does not require any bias current in order to function. SAW expanders and compressors have been used in RADAR applications for many years.
The basic "building block" of SAW expanders and compressors is the interdigital transducer (IDT) such as shown in FIG. 1. An IDT 10 is a series of thin metal strips or "fingers" 12 fabricated on a suitable piezoelectric substrate 14. One set of fingers is connected to an input/output terminal 16, while the opposite set of fingers is connected to another terminal 18. In single-ended IDTs, terminal 18 is grounded. For differential input signals however, terminal 18 is a pulse input/output terminal. Spacing "W" between IDT segments is adjusted to conform to the desired chip period of the coded sequence. When excited by a narrow pulse at terminal 16, the IDT generates a coded output SAW which propagates in both directions perpendicular to the fingers 12. If a similarly coded SAW impinges on the fingers 12, then an autocorrelation function is performed and a peak, with associated side lobes, is generated at terminal 16. These abilities of SAW expanders and compressors are well known in the prior art, having been demonstrated for example in Edmonson, Campbell and Yuen, "Study of SAW Pulse Compression using 5×5 Barker. Codes with Quadraphase IDT Geometries", 1988 Ultrasonics Symposium Proceedings, Vol. 1, 2-5 Oct. 1988, pp. 219-222.
Thus the structure shown in FIG. 1 can operate as both a SAW expander, generating a SAW output from a single pulse input, and a SAW compressor, generating a single pulse or peak output from a SAW input. Terminal 16, as well as terminal 18 in differential IDTs, is both a pulse input terminal and a pulse output terminal. Conversion of an output SAW into an electrical signal for further processing in conventional communications circuits and subsequent transmission through an antenna is accomplished by adding a transmit IDT 24, aligned with the IDT 22, as shown in FIG. 2. Both IDTs can be fabricated on the same substrate 14. A SAW output from IDT 22 is converted into an electrical signal by TX IDT 24. A SAW receiver would have the same structure as in FIG. 2. A signal input to a receive IDT from receiver processing circuitry would be converted to a SAW which is input to IDT 22. Like the IDT 22, the TX IDT 24 may be a differential IDT, wherein the grounded lower terminal would be a pulse output terminal.
The geometry of adjacent IDT fingers 12 is shown in FIG. 3, where Tf is the width of a metallized finger 12 and Ts is the width of the space between the fingers 12. In typical designs both Tf and Ts are equal to a quarter of a wavelength, λ/4. Since wavelength is inversely proportional to frequency of operation, higher frequency IDTs require thinner fingers 12 located in close proximity to each other, which complicates fabrication and reduces fabrication yields. For example, for a typical SAW system operating in the Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) band at 2.4 GHz the λ/4 dimension could be in the order of 0.425 microns, depending upon the substrate chosen.
Previous communications system designs sought to overcome these manufacturing difficulties by using lower frequency SAW expanders and compressors having larger and further spaced fingers in conjunction with mixers and local oscillators, as shown in FIG. 4. In the typical prior art communication system 30, the lower frequency 266 MHz signal generated by transmit IDT 20 is up-converted in mixer 34, which receives a 734 MHz signal from local oscillator 36. The output from mixer 34 is filtered in high pass filter 38 to produce a 1 GHz signal which is transmitted through antenna 40. On the receive side, the process is reversed in antenna 42, mixer 44, low pass filter 46 and receive compressor IDT 20′. As discussed above, transmit IDT 20 and receive IDT 20′ have similar structure. Undesirably, the mixers 34 and 44, oscillator 36 and filters 38 and 46 from the communications system 30, result in additional cost, power consumption, occupation in space and a much complex system than is desired for low-cost, low power, short range communication systems. Therefore, there remains a need in the art to reduce the number of components in such a communication system.
High-frequency communication techniques involving more conventional non-SAW based circuits and systems also exist. Bluetooth™ wireless technology is one such prior art example. Bluetooth is a de facto standard, as well as a specification for small-form factor, low-cost, short range radio links between mobile PCs, mobile phones and other portable wireless devices. The current Bluetooth short range communications specification operates in the 2.4 GHz (ISM) band; however, in reality the technology for mobile communication devices involves undesirable high cost, substantial power consumption and relatively complex hardware.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Wireless communication system using surface acoustic wave (SAW) second harmonic techniques


Novel, semi-crystalline depsipeptide polymers and copolymers particularly suitable for use in fabricating bioabsorbable medical implant devices such as sutures or clips and obtained through ring-opening polymerization of certain 3-substituted-2,5-morpholinediones prepared by reacting a naturally occurring alpha-amino acid with an alpha-halo acid chloride in inert solvent in the presence of an acid acceptor.

This invention concerns certain 3-substituted-2,5-morpholinediones and their polymerization or copolymerization to bioabsorbable depsipeptide polymers which can be fabricated into useful medical implant devices such as sutures.
For the past decade or so, synthetic resorbable sutures have been replacing natural catgut in many applications as biodegradable wound closures since the synthetics, unlike the natural polymers, are consistent and predictable in their strength and sorption properties.
At present, the synthetic suture market is dominated by high molecular weight polyglycolic acid (PGA) and a modified PGA copolymer containing about 10 mole percent lactic acid. Despite their superiority to catgut, however, these resins lack certain desirable properties. For example, they tend to be resorbed too readily, they are too rigid as monofilaments, and they cannot be sterilized by irradiation.
Certain modifications of these resins have been introduced in an attempt to overcome such limitations. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,052,988 discloses a poly(p-dioxanone) (PDS) having a structure similar to PGA but purportedly of a lower resorption rate and more readily handled as monofilaments. Such property improvements are also claimed by the modified PGA polymers of U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,209,607 and 4,343,931, which incorporate amide bonding into the polymer chain.
Attempts at preparing resorbable polydepsipeptides include the copolymerization of a racemic N-carboxyanhydride with a racemic anhydrosulfite as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,773,737. Such a copolymerization, however, produces a heterogeneous product having random and racemic ester/amide groups and is therefore incapable of yielding crystalline polymers. The copolymerization of p-dioxanone with up to 15 mole percent of a 2,5-morpholinedione disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,441,496 was purported to improve the resorption rate of PDS. Recent publications by Helder et al., Makromol. Chem., Rapid Commun., 6, 9-14, 1985, and Yonezawa et al., ibid, 6, 607-611, 1985, have demonstrated the preparation of polydepsipeptides from the ring-opening polymerization of 6-substituted-2,5-morpholinediones.
Despite such developments, the need still exists for a true alternating bioabsorbable polymer of suitable strength and resorption rate which can be readily melt processed. The primary objective of the present invention, therefore, is to satisfy this need.
Preparation of 3-benzyl-2,5-morpholinediones, employed in this invention, by silver oxide catalyzed condensation of N-(bromoacetyl)-L-phenylalanine is reported by Rumsh et al., FEBS Letters, 9, 64, 1970.


An apparatus for compiling images within a respondent interface includes a survey datastore recording surveys including one or more test images. A rendering engine accesses the survey datastore and displays the one or more test images with controls for at least one respondent to provide feedback about the one or more test images during at least two modes of operation. A respondent feedback object instantiation engine detects respondent interaction with a touch screen displaying the one or more test images during first and second modes of operation, and records results of the respondent interaction in a feedback datastore by feedback types according to the first and second modes of operation.

Market research is an organized effort to gather information about markets or customers. Market research can include social and opinion research performed to systematically gather and interpret information about individuals or organizations using statistical and analytical methods and techniques of the applied social sciences to gain insight or support decision making. Viewed as an important component of business strategy, market research can be a key factor to obtain advantage over competitors. Market research provides important information to identify and analyze market need, market size, and competition.
The advent of mobile devices, such as smart phones, presents new opportunities for enlisting mobile device users as respondents in performing market research. However, the limited touch screen interfaces of such mobile devices presents new challenges for interfacing with respondents in performing market research surveys. Accordingly, new challenges have arisen regarding obtaining and meaningfully representing results of such research.

Compiling images within a respondent interface using layers and highlight features


An image display apparatus includes a first display control unit configured to enlarge and display a target object on a screen among a plurality of objects included in an image, and, based on receiving an instruction to display on the screen an object other than the target object being displayed on the screen from a user, to display a next object to be displayed, a second display control unit configured to display the image on the screen, and, in a case where the instruction from the user is received while display of the screen is controlled by the first display control unit, display an image on the screen with respect to each of the plurality of objects, the image indicating display order, and a changing unit configured to change the display order by receiving the user's operation for which display is controlled by the second display control unit.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a technique for changing display order of partial areas of a page image in a system that displays the partial areas in order.
Description of the Related Art
Materials used for a presentation given in a conference room or product explanation in face-to-face sales are typically displayed page by page on an image display apparatus for explanation, each single page image (slide) constituting the materials. Depending on the composition of the materials, some slides may be difficult for the audience to understand where the speaker is explaining. The audience may get bored if the same slide continues to be displayed and described for a long time without a change.
Some image display methods display a page image in consideration of a small screen of a mobile terminal such as a smartphone. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-170638 discusses an image display method for automatically analyzing partial areas of a page image according to document components such as characters and figures included in the page image. Each of the automatically-analyzed partial areas can be displayed at an enlargement factor of the corresponding partial area, adjusted to the small screen of the mobile terminal, with a simple operation such as a button tap.
A mobile terminal discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-170638 is connected to a projector, and the projector projects images displayed on the mobile terminal for presentation. In such a case, each of the partial areas recognized in advance can be displayed in order at an enlargement factor for the corresponding partial area, so that the audience can easily understand where on the slide the speaker is explaining. As the partial areas are explained in order, the projected images also change in succession, which prevents the audience from getting bored.
According to the foregoing conventional technique, the partial areas of a page image are displayed in the automatically-analyzed order.
For example, in the case of giving a presentation or explaining a product, the speaker may wish to flexibly select explanation contents or change the order of explanation according to the audience to give the best explanation to the audience, not just giving the same explanation in the same order every time. Such a demand, however, has been difficult to meet.
Specifically, to check the display order of partial areas of a page image, the partial areas have needed to be actually enlarged and displayed in order. The display order of all the partial areas in a page image has therefore not been able to be wholly comprehended, and the partial areas of which the user wishes to change the display order could not have been identified.
According to the foregoing conventional technique, intuitive operations for changing the display order of partial areas from a mobile terminal such as a smartphone and a tablet have not been provided.

Image display apparatus, image display method, and storage medium


A color processing apparatus includes the following elements. A point group generator generates a point group existing in a color gamut of an output apparatus. A design point group extracting unit extracts, from the point group, a design point group that satisfies predetermined design conditions. A corresponding point group setting unit sets, on the basis of the design point group, a corresponding point group indicating a boundary of a color gamut represented by the design point group, such that points of the corresponding point group are associated with individual points of a boundary point group existing on a boundary of the color gamut of the output apparatus. A design color gamut boundary generator generates a boundary of a design color gamut that satisfies the predetermined design conditions, by using a set of the boundary point group and the corresponding point group.

(i) Technical Field
The present invention relates to a color processing apparatus and method and a computer readable medium.
(ii) Related Art
Generally, an output apparatus outputs color images by using basic color components, such as cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y), and red (R), green (G), and blue (B), and such basic color components are necessary for outputting color images. An output apparatus using C, M, and Y as basic color components, for example, may use other color components. A color gamut, which is a range of colors reproduced by an output apparatus, may be represented, not only by basic color components, but also by a black (K) component or by a specific color component, such as an orange (O), green (G), or violet (V) component. By the use of the K component, the brightness becomes lower than that when the color gamut is represented only by the basic color components. By the use of the O, G, or V component, the chroma becomes higher than that when the color gamut is represented only by the basic color components.
When color images are output from an output apparatus, certain conditions (hereinafter called "design conditions") may be added to some color components or all color components. For example, design conditions, such as the total value of color components is equal to or less than a predetermined maximum total value, may be added. As another example of design conditions, a range of values may be applied to each color component. If such conditions are imposed, the color gamut, which is a range of colors reproduced by an output apparatus, may sometimes be narrower than that when such conditions are not imposed. For example, concerning the above-described K component, there may be some colors that are not possible to reproduce if the K component is not used, and such colors are not reproduced if the use of the K component is restricted by the design conditions for the sake of image quality.
There may also be some cases in which a color represented by a color signal supplied to an output apparatus is not included in the color gamut of the output apparatus. In this case, generally, processing for converting such a color into a color included in the color gamut is performed. In order to perform such conversion processing, it is necessary to determine the boundary of the color gamut, which is an interface between colors that are reproduced by an output apparatus and colors that are not reproduced by the output apparatus.
When design conditions are set, the boundary of the color gamut becomes different depending on the types of design conditions. It is thus necessary to determine the boundary of the color gamut in accordance with set design conditions.

Color processing apparatus and method, and computer readable medium


The sanitary fitting has a control cartridge which is arranged in an end region of a fitting housing and defines a longitudinal axis (A). The control cartridge and an end, on this side, of the fitting housing are covered by a fitting cap. The fitting cap has a through-passage, through which an actuating shaft of the control cartridge is connected to an actuating lever which is arranged outside the fitting cap, said actuating shaft being pivotable about a pivot axis (B) that runs at right angles to the longitudinal axis (A). A deformable, annular covering element according to the invention is fastened by way of a first rim, facing the control cartridge, to a supporting ring arranged on the control cartridge, and engages in a sealing manner by way of a second rim around the actuating shaft or a connecting element seated thereon.

The present invention relates to a sanitary fitting.
A sanitary fitting of this kind is known from the document EP 0 061 562 B1. The sanitary fitting has a control cartridge which is arranged in an end region of a fitting housing and defines a longitudinal axis, and is covered by a fitting cap at an end, on this side, of the fitting housing. The fitting cap has a through-passage, through which an actuating shaft, as part of the control cartridge, is connected to an actuating lever which is arranged outside the fitting cap, said actuating shaft being pivotable about a pivot axis that runs at right angles to the longitudinal axis.

Sanitary fitting having a covering element for protecting a control cartridge


A simple method of attaching an audio transducer to a sounding board of a string musical instrument without altering or disturbing the function of the component parts of the instrument, so the instrument can be electrically activated to produce sound without being played by a musician or together with a musician playing the instrument.

The present invention relates to audio transducers and string musical instruments such as violins, chellos, bass violas, guitars, etc. Heretofore it has been known that an audio transducer could be attached to the sounding board of a string musical instrument to activate the instrument electrically. This has been advantageous because when the sound board of a string musical instrument is mechanically activated over periods of time, the wood is flexed and artifically aged. This flexing can be done over long periods of time by electrically activating an audio transducer connected to the sounding board of the musical instrument with a sound signal from a signal source. The present invention can also be advantageous when teaching music students and can also be used so sound can be superimposed upon the sound produced by the musician playing the instrument. Previously, it has been necessary to alter the instrument by gluing a block of wood to the instrument to screw the audio transducer into or place a hole in the instrument to secure the audio transducer to the instrument. The present invention provides a novel and simple method for attaching an audio transducer to a string musical instrument without disturbing or altering any of the component parts of the musical instrument.

Method for attaching an audio transducer to a string musical instrument


A hair drying turban made from a single piece of absorbent cloth and having a cap portion and, extending forwardly, a hair basket portion. In use, the wearer places the cap portion on his or her hair with the hair extending forwardly over the forehead and face (the wearer bending at the waist). Then, with the hair placed neatly within the hair basket portion, the hair basket is twisted about the longitudinal axis of the hair. The hair basket portion is then folded backwardly along the center line of the cap portion and secured to the back of the cap portion. A loop is provided for allowing the turban to be easily hung on a door peg and/or, alternatively, to facilitate the tucking in of the hair basket portion beneath the cap portion.

The present invention relates to an accessory for use in hair-drying operations following hair and scalp treatment in the home, beauty parlors, hair dressing establishments or the like, or for use at beaches, pools, bathing establishments, or wherever it is desired to dry, at least partially, the hair after wetting thereof. It is also intended to be used by women with long hair who desire, after showering or bathing, to keep their wet hair above their heads, off of their shoulders and backs. As the hair dries, the user can dress and/or put on make-up without the wet hair getting in the way or wetting clothing. Customarily, it is the current practice to effect such drying by wrapping the hair in a rectangular-shaped bath sheet or towel which is then hand-manipulated into a turban-like headdress. The cloth of the turban contacts the hair and is worn until the hair has at least partially dried to an extent that it is manageable, or, alternatively, while the individual otherwise gets dressed after the shower. However, the wrapping of a towel or other rectangular-shaped drying fabric into a turban-like headdress requires considerable manual dexterity and practice in order to provide a sufficiently tight fit about the wearer's head and hair. If not performed correctly, accidental unwrapping and/or displacement will quickly occur. In any event, movement of one's head, with the conventional turban-like towel, often results in the turban coming undone. That is obviously troublesome and a result to be avoided. Substantial amounts of time are thus consumed by those with long hair who desire the advantages of the turban-like towel wrap. Much time is spent in the wrapping and rewrapping of the conventional turban-like headdress. Primarily, this is due to the fact that the rectangular-shaped towel is much larger than needed for drying only the hair and the towel not ideally suited or shaped for wrapping of one's head and hair nor suitable for holding it above the head. The present invention, therefore, is directed to a hair drying towel/turban, preferably made from water absorbent cloth (terry). It is constructed to fit over the head and wet hair. When the towel/turban is manipulated properly, it creates a turban with the hair contained therein, located and secured on top of the head. It is very easy to apply and remove, as desired.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a hair-drying towel/turban which is ideally shaped and sized for use on one's head. Thee device is extremely easy to use, convenient and light-weight. It is a highly efficient drying device for the hair. At least partial drying of the hair is accomplished. Use of the device results in the hair being manageable for further drying operations, if desired. The device allows the user, if desired, to perform other tasks, e.g., applying make-up, donning clothing, other chores, etc.
The present invention relates to a hair-drying towel/turban which can be easily hand-manipulated to contain and wrap the hair, after a wetting, to allow the hair to at least partially dry, or, alternatively, to allow the user to do other chores while the hair is wrapped and drying. The present invention is extremely easy to manipulate, and, indeed, it uses familiar hand movements to those used by current users of full bath sheets, wrapped into a conventional turban. Therefore, it requires little new training for users. It can even be used by teenagers and small children.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,694,204 shows a hair drying and protective turban having two ends which, according to the specification, are twirled, one about the other, in a relatively complicated hand moving manner. Then, according to the specification, the ends 10 and 11 are passed through eyelets 12 and 13. The ends are tied together behind the neck of the wearer (See FIG. 5). The present invention, as will be more fully explained hereinafter, is far easier to apply and requires far less manual dexterity to ensure securement above the wearer's head. The present device is to be contrasted with the '204 patent which requires tying ends together; rather, the single free end of the present invention is tucked under the head cowl portion to secure it in place.
U.S. Des. Pat. No. 275,827 shows a hooded towel. This patent neither teaches nor suggests the manner by which it is intended to be secured to one's head. It is believed that the use of the hooded towel shown in the '827 patent does not result in substantially all of the hair being held above the wearer's head, in a secure manner so as to enable, at least in part, the hair to dry. The procedure for wrapping the hooded towel does not appear to track that currently employed for securing a bath sheet as a turban.
U.S. Pat. No. 770,338 shows a bathing cap. It does not teach nor suggest the use of an absorbent cloth-like material which is intended to be worn in a turban-like manner to facilitate drying of the hair. Rather, the bathing cap of the '338 patent seems to be directed to preventing the hair from becoming wet. Also, the bathing cap requires that long length hair be massed directly on top of the head. The present invention wraps the long length of hair in a towel-like fabric and overlays the long hair on a towel covered portion on the head. Hair massing and entanglement is avoided.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,161,260 relates to an article of athletic wear. It neither teaches nor suggests wrapping hair in an absorbent cloth and holding it above the wearer's head. Rather, the device allows the wearer's hair to flow freely behind and down the neck of the individual, with only the top portion of the hair being covered.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,788,722 shows a fabric fashion accessory which is primarily used as a scarf. FIG. 14 shows that the scarf can also be used as a head covering. Here, again, formation of the scarf into a head covering requires quite a bit of manual dexterity, and, in addition, requires tying of the two ends into some form of knot or bow. The present invention, on the other hand, is extremely simple to use and utilizes the same manner of hand movement as is currently used by those who employ bath sheets for wrapping their hair into a turban. The present invention is far simpler to use than the scarf of the '722 patent.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,541,610 10 relates to a head scarf and, again, requires that two ends be tied together to secure the same beneath the neck of the wearer. U.S. Pat. No. 5,083,318 also relates to a scarf-like device for wrapping the head and, again, requires that the two free ends be tied together into a knot or bow to secure the same. U.S. Pat. No. 3,480,970 relates to a reversible head scarf with a rain visor, and, again, requires that the two free ends of the device be tied together beneath the wearer's chin to hold the scarf on the head. U.S. Pat. No. 3,238,536 relates to a head scarf which is intended to be secured beneath the wearer's chin and, again, requires that the two free ends be wrapped together to secure the same. The present invention uses a single free end for wrapping the hair and securing the same in place. It is far easier to use than the prior art devices which require manipulation of two free ends and tying the ends together.
Many of the above listed prior art patents necessitate that the device be secured beneath the wearer's chin. Clearly, this is a disadvantage. The present invention, on the other hand, allows for the hair drying turban to be secured, in place by folding a single free end over the top of the head and tucking it beneath the head cowl portion of the device, behind the wearer's head. This, therefore, allows the chin to be unencumbered. This is a significant advantage especially for those who are trying to get dressed while their hair is at least partially drying and, further, removes an uncomfortable piece of cloth from beneath the wearer's chin.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,804,695 relates to a bonnet-like device for drying wet hair and utilizes elastic-like material about its perimeter edge to secure the same over the scalp. If this device were employed by those with long hair, the hair would simply be massed together beneath the cap and on top of the head. This might lead to hair entanglement, especially if the user has long hair. On the other hand, the present inventive turban is effective for use by those with both short and long hair. The hair is held longitudinal, free of entanglement, in a manner well known by those who have formed and used ordinary bath sheets into a drying turban. The long hair is separately wrapped and overlaid over the hair, separated from the hair close to the scalp by a separate layer of cloth. U.S. Pat. No. 2,653,326 shows a turban cap having two ends which are adapted to be tied together into a bow above the forehead of the individual. U.S. Pat. No. 2,363,198 is quite similar to the '326 patent and also shows a turban. A method of fabrication of the turban is also shown. This patent too, shows two free ends which are intended to surround the head in a variety of ways to suit the fancy of the wearer. The cowl of this turban may then be drawn together and formed by a short drawstring running through and gathering together the material running from the prow 28 of the cowl 11 about half way to what is called the crotch 17. The present invention, as will be more fully described hereinafter, is different. It uses a single hair holding basket to entwirl the hair and hold the same, tangle free, i.e., longitudinally directed away from the scalp. Only one end is twisted, by simple and familiar hand movements to secure it in place.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,336,356 shows a head covering having two flee ends which are intended to be wrapped around and secured to one another or, alternatively, tucked beneath the remainder of the head covering so as to secure the same in place. Again, the hand manipulation required for securement of this device seems significantly more complicated than that contemplated by the present invention. The hand movement required for the present invention substantially corresponds to the hand movement currently used by those who employ ordinary bath sheets as hair-drying turbans.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,279,867 shows a hair net which is secured in place by loops 5 and 6 being secured over center button 4. This, device requires that two free ends be attached to secure the hair net.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,920,387 shows a bathing cap for swimmers and, again, requires that the tying extensions 7 be secured to one another to form a bow or knot 8. This requires manual dexterity which can be difficult, especially if the operations are above the head.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,819,558 shows a cap. The free ends must be tied into a knot, beneath the wearer's chin or, alternatively, tabs 8, a ring 9 and a hook 10 cooperate to secure the same in place behind the wearer's head. Clearly, this is difficult to accomplish by an individual, especially an elderly one or a child.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,742,314 also relates to a bathing cap. Tabs 7 are provided with separable components of a snap fastener 8 which cooperate to secure the same in place. This seems difficult to coordinate especially since the two ends are located behind one's head.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,569,942 shows a reversible hat and has two free ends which cooperate to secure the same in place. Specifically, the free end of one end is passed through a slot located in the other end. Here, again, this device, used by those with long hair will result in hair entanglement.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,541,810 shows a bathing cap, again, having two free ends which are intended to be tied together into a bow behind the wearer's head. The same disadvantages previously discussed with respect to similar devices are equally applicable here. U.S. Pat. No. 1,146,829 also shows a bonnet and, again, has two strings or ribbons, 8 and 9, which are adapted to facilitate holding the bonnet in place on the wearer's head. U.S. Pat. No. 2,497,892 shows a cap also having a pair of free ends, adapted to be tied together to secure it in place.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,144,121 shows a bathing cap with elastic loops 6 which are adapted to be secured over a button 3 located above the forehead of the wearer. Here, again, this device necessitates the hand manipulation of two free ends of the device to secure it. U.S. Pat. No. 2,970,318 shows a hood with multiple snaps. It, too, will result in hair entanglement for those having long hair since the hair is massed on top of the head.


In one embodiment, the methods and apparatuses simultaneously display a first content stream and a second content stream within a spherical display; receive instructions to change a partition between a first area for displaying the first content stream and a second area for displaying the second content stream; and dynamically partition the first area and the second area based on the instructions, wherein the first area and the second area are within the spherical display.

There are many personal video cameras in use. With the increase in quality of personal video cameras and decrease in cost and size of these cameras, it is getting easier and cheaper for individuals to capture high quality video footage of events detailing their lives. For example, many users capture traditional events such as vacations, birthdays, and weddings with their video cameras. With the increase in portability of modern personal video cameras, users are also capturing video footage of their hobbies that reflect their active lifestyles such as skiing, mountain climbing, mountain biking, kayaking, sky-diving, and the like.
With the increase in use of personal video cameras, there is an increasing amount of video footage recorded by users. Although potentially more video footage is captured, the amount of time and desire dedicated to spend viewing the captured video footage does not necessarily increase. Accordingly, there is an increasing demand to improve the quality of the captured video footage.


A sash mounting structure includes positioners which are respectively provided at the lower end of an insertion support portion and the upper end of a lower sash that are inserted into and supported by a door panel, and which define the position of the lower sash relative to the side sash by being mutually engaged; and a fixer which is provided between the lower sash and the door panel, has a predetermined degree of freedom in fixing position in a vertical direction and fixes the lower sash to the door panel, wherein the lower sash is fixed to the door panel with the lower sash being positioned by the positioners. This structure strikes a balance between easiness of positioning the lower sash and accommodation of variations in accuracy, thus making it possible to improve the mounting workability when mounting the lower sash to the door panel.

Vehicle doors having a structure such that door frame (sash) is mounted onto a door panel are provided, in addition to side sashes that project from the door panel to form a window opening, with lower sashes that guide a window class in the door panel. Conventionally, the lower sashes have been positioned and fixed independently with respect to the door panel (an inner panel which constitutes a part of the door panel), separately from the side sashes. For instance, in the vehicle door sash disclosed in Patent Literature 1, an approximate position of each lower sash can be set by inserting a lug provided at the upper end of the lower sash into the associated side sash (upper sash). However, in order to tolerate variations in part accuracy and assembling accuracy, a clearance is provided between each lower sash and the associated side sash (upper sash) in the sash lengthwise direction, so that a delicate position adjustment needs to be made to each lower sash in the sash lengthwise direction when the lower sashes are fixed to the door panel.

Sash mounting structure for vehicle door and sash mounting method for vehicle door


A method of forming a ball valve element for a rotary ball valve assembly, the method comprising the steps of: (a) inserting an impedance element through an insertion opening of a ball valve element into a bore; (b) forming a fluid opening in the ball valve element which is non-rectilinearly aligned with the insertion opening and which communicates with the bore; and (c) sealing the insertion opening. A ball valve element for a rotary ball valve assembly formed using such a method; and a rotary ball valve assembly comprising a ball valve element formed using such a method are also provided.

This invention relates to a ball valve element for a rotary ball valve assembly, and more particularly to a method of forming such a ball valve element.
Rotary valve assemblies are well known, such as described in W03/087643 and shown in FIG. 1, and generally comprise a spherical or substantially spherical ball valve element 1 having a fluid-flow bore or conduit 2 therethrough. To provide pressure control of, and energy dissipation from, liquid flowing through the ball valve element, an impedance element 3 is commonly provided in the bore or conduit. The impedance element defines a typically tortuous path along which the fluid can flow, resulting in the desired pressure change.
The impedance element can be a separate device which is located in the bore or conduit of the ball valve element. However, an opening 4 to the bore or conduit, leading to the impedance element, then has to be provided either integrally formed as part of the ball valve element or as a further separate element. In either case, an external surface 5 of the ball valve element which defines the opening 4 to the impedance element must be accurately machined to match the internal dimensions, and specifically the internal radial dimensions, of a housing 6 of the rotary ball valve assembly in which the ball valve element will be rotatably located.
In the case when the impedance assembly itself partly defines an exterior surface 7 of the ball valve element, again this part of the impedance assembly must be accurately formed to fit the internal dimensions of the ball valve housing.
Accurately post-forming part of an exterior surface of a ball valve element, so that the exterior surface corresponds to the internal dimensions of the ball valve housing, is problematic and time consuming.
The present invention seeks to provide a solution to this problem.


An acid-relief agent comprising a fermented vegetable extract obtained from a mixture of banana leaves, sweet potato roots, potato skin, seaweed, grape leaves, tendrils leaves, fig roots, emperor bean roots, and deep sea water; and nanocalcium mineral powder obtained from the thermal decomposition and grinding of a mixture of mica ore, mother of pearl, oyster shells. and oyster bay.

At present, environmental pollution and food safety are the major livelihood topics that people are concerned about. The heavy use of contaminated air, electron radiation, and various additives in foods can cause imbalances in chemical composition and acidity in the human body. Acidic compounds are used as food additives, detergents, bactericides, and disinfectants in our daily lives. These acidic chemicals can harm humans and cause secondary pollution, especially in food, drinking water, and beverages. It is easy to ingest into the body through the oral cavity, and at the same time, the cleaning agent used by people can easily enter the body through the skin.
Common in foods such as: fruit, vegetables, meat, poultry and seafood are frequent use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, antibiotics and growth hormones, and all kinds of food additives, these items can promote the plant growth and used to keep the beautiful appearance, all of the remaining on the surface or internal acid compounds, especially the human daily intake of food surface accumulation of harmful chemicals, which makes human body more and more acidic. Cleaning products, such as, 90% of the soap, shampoo containing sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), lauryl sulfate (SLES), laurel composition of pure poly (ether sodium sulfate (SLS), one drop of the solution will remain in the body for 5 days, these soaps and shampoos are very strong, and the acid compounds are gradually make damage to our skin. In terms of food and drug safety, substances with an acidity below standard should be strictly controlled. Therefore, how to balance human pH has become a research trend nowadays, and the demand for health products has also increased sharply. The purpose of this present invention is to provide a rich in sodium potassium ions and nano calcium in order to meet the shortcomings of the existing technology.
The preparation of relief agent can thoroughly remove ingredients and ingredient within the surface of the harmful pesticides, pesticides, antibiotics and growth hormones and other acidic compounds and heavy metals, its ingredients are all natural, and the preparation technology is simple, stable control.

Acid-relief agent and method of preparation


A curable top coating composition essentially including. (A) a hydroxyl-containing vinyl type resin containing 45 to 55% by weight of styrene monomer as a copolymerized unit of the resin, PA1 (B) at least one member selected from among amino resins and (blocked) polyisocyanate compounds, and PA1 (C) a microparticulate polymer having an average particle diameter within the range of 0.01 to 1 .mu.m and containing 40 to 60% by weight of styrene monomer as a copolymerized component of each particle, PA1 wherein the cured film from the coating composition contains the styrene-derived benzene ring in a proportion of 13 to 40% by weight of the total resin solids;. a coating method using the above coating composition, and PA2 a coated article obtainable by using the above coating composition.

Among the important performance parameters of automotive finish coatings are smoothness, gloss and distinctness-of-image. The currently used automotive top coating based on a hydroxyl-containing acrylic resin and an amino resin is good enough to provide a finish coat satisfactory in appearance, weather resistance, physical properties and the like. However, the recent aggravation of atmospheric pollution and the consequent acid rain destroying woods and ecology in general, for instance, are presenting serious social problems and under the circumstances the automotive body coated with the above coating material is not sufficiently resistant to surface corrosion or aging. The finishes on articles used outdoors are also etched or suffer blushing and staining under the influence of acid rains. Therefore, the development of a coating film excellent in acid resistance has been earnestly sought. Aside from the above problems, the finish coat on the exterior surface of the car body is liable to be marred, for example by car-washer brushes, to impair its surface appearance and, therefore, mar resistance is also an important quality parameter that must be improved.
The primary object of the present invention is to provide a top coating composition capable of yielding a cured film with remarkably increased acid resistance without being compromised in appearance, weather resistance and physical properties.
The inventors of the present invention found, after assiduous and diligent research to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art coating composition, that the above object can be accomplished by providing a coating composition designed to insure the presence of benzene rings in a proportion of 13 to 40% by weight in a cured film containing a specified microparticulate polymer. The present invention has been developed on the basis of the above finding.

Curable coating compositions containing polystyrene microparticles


A carburetor spacer is provided with an isolation member to isolate the flow of atomized fuel from a carburetor to an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine comprising first and second hollow members fitting one inside the other and an elastomeric member interposed between said fitted hollow members. The elastomeric member also serving to thermally insulate the flow of fuel-oxidizer from heat produced by the engine. Thus, the isolation member helps prevent the fuel from reverting to a liquid state before being introduced into the cylinders of the engine and by reducing the heat input to the fuel-oxidizer mixture, less expansion of the mixture occurs before being introduced into the engine's cylinders. Less expansion results in more of the mixture of the fuel-oxidizer can be input to the cylinders resulting in a greater power output by the engine.

a) Field of the Invention
This invention relates in general to the field of improved internal combustion engine
performance, and in particular to methods and apparatus to assist in stabilizing the flow
of flow of fuel mixture into the intake manifold of a carbureted internal combustion engine by providing and improved carburetor spacer
b) Description of the Prior Art
It is advantageous for carbureted internal combustion engines, especially engines used in performance automobiles or racing automobiles, to increase performance by developing maximum power and torque throughout the revolutions per minute (RPM) range of the engine. Such performance is usually manifested in engine throttle response and acceleration and of course top speed.
In a carbureted engine, the carburetor serves to determine the amount of fuel and oxidizer to be provided to the cylinders for burning and production of power. Thus air, an oxidizer, or another oxidizer, such as nitrous oxide, and fuel, usually gasoline, are input to a carburetor which meters both the air and oxidizer to provide a predetermined ratio of fuel and oxidizer. The carburetor also atomizes or vaporizes the fuel and mixes it with the oxidizer such that optimum burning of the fuel occurs during the power stroke of the pistons. Thus, the carburetor sets the stage for the ultimate performance of the engine. However, the output of a carburetor must be delivered in equal parts to each of the cylinders of an engine in order to continue the performance chain. An intake manifold serves this function. Many improvements have been made to intake manifolds in the nature of maintaining the previously supplied optimal mixture of the atomized fuel—oxidizer by not allowing the fuel to revert back to its liquid state and deposited out of the mixture onto one or more surfaces of the intake manifold, and to minimize pressure drop losses within the intake manifold that can inhibit the maximum flow of the fuel-oxidizer mixture.
In the relatively recent past, the performance of carbureted engines have been improved by the advent of a spacer located between the outlet of the carburetor and the inlet of the intake manifold. The spacer being exactly as it is stated, a device that adds space between the carburetor and the intake manifold. As would be expected, the spacer has been improved over the years and present day spacers significantly add to the power and torque produced by performance engines.
Present day spacers take a number of different forms. They are of different lengths, different internal sizes, have one or more flow passages, are made from different material, are manufactured by different methods such as casting, CNC machining, and the internal passages have taken on different shapes- all or any one of them to improve velocity of the fuel-oxidizer, the atomization and vaporization of the fuel, the oxygenation of the fuel and the mixing of the fuel and oxidizer. Still another improvement has been to provide means within the spacer to input an additional oxidizer and fuel. My previous U.S. Pat. No. 6,269,805, issued Aug. 7, 2001. is directed to this latter improvement.
Unfortunately, there are factors that occur during the operation and running of an internal combustion engine that tend to upset even a very carefully optimized and distributed fuel mixture. For example, the engine itself creates vibrations and resonances during its operation which can result in disturbing the atomization, vaporization, oxygenation, and distribution of the fuel mixture and therefore disadvantageously affect the output of the engine. Additional vibrations and resonances can be induced into the fuel mixture delivery system due to the engine being connected to its supporting structure. For example, if the engine is bolted directly to its supporting structure with no rubber or isolation dampening medium placed between the engine and its mounting structure, which direct bolting is often used in race cars. the probably of induced vibrations is increased. Even with the use of an isolation medium between the engine and its supporting structure, vibrations can be induced. Likewise, if the engine is used in an automobile, performance or otherwise, the road conditions can have an effect on the induced vibrations. There are probably other factors that cause and or aggravate the unwanted vibrations. As noted, the vibrations are one factor that can reduce the optimum performance of an internal combustion engine by disturbing the preferred or optimal atomization and distribution of the fuel mixture.
Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to minimize the effect of the ever present resonances and vibrations on the atomization, vaporization, mixing, and distribution of the fuel mixture being delivered to the cylinders of an internal combustion engine. The present invention accomplishes this objective in a proven manner.


A system and method for capturing screen events, and processing these events to form data in a data format which is susceptible to analysis. Preferably, the method also comprises analyzing the data in order to extract useful information about the user of the screen and computational device which generated these screen events. More preferably, the method of the present invention is able to assess the quality of the performance of the user whose interaction with the computational device caused the screen events to be generated.

The level of service provided by a company to its customers has an increasing effect on the loyalty of customers to the company's products and the value of its brand name. A considerable segment of the interaction of a customer with a company may be through that company's call/contact center. These centers provide services to the customer through customer service representatives, who are the personnel of the centers in direct contact with the customer. The potential impact of this experience on customer loyalty to a company makes it imperative that the service provided by a customer service representative is the best possible and that customer service representatives are familiar with the services and/products of the company, and also with the goals of that company.
During sessions with customers, while conversing on the phone, chatting on the Web and/or through other types of "chat" or instant messaging systems, answering an e-mail message or any other form of communication with the customer, a customer service representative is expected to demonstrate a certain level of service, familiarity with the underlying software systems of the company, courtesy to the customer and various other attributes. The quality of the performance by the customer service representative is therefore quite important, in order to provide high quality customer service and thereby generate customer loyalty. Thus, the accurate assessment of the quality of this performance is quite important.
Certain methodologies for quality measurement (QM) of customer service representative performance on the job have evolved. Most of these methodologies use automatic tools for recording and playback of customer sessions, occasionally with synchronized recording of the activities on the screen or monitor of the computer of the customer service representative during the interaction. Capturing and playback of screen activities enables evaluation of the customer service representative's abilities with regard to operation of software applications used by the company to manage the relevant processes, such as a CRM (customer relations management) system, e-mail message system and so forth. The ability of the customer service representative to properly operate these systems both with regard to the functional aspect (the ability to type quickly and accurately, and the familiarity with the various screens relevant to the task), and also with regard to the ability to accomplish one or more customer-related goals which may occur as a result of an interaction.
Currently, various QM systems conduct recording of screen shots at varying degrees of frequency on the customer service representative's desktop screen. These screen shots are a collection of bitmaps and are either synchronized with applicable telephone interactions or can be viewed stand-alone.
Currently available technologies for attempting to assess the quality of interactions of customer service representatives with the customer have a number of drawbacks. For example, these technologies may cause network congestion, as the type of information transmitted requires excessive use of the network bandwidth and can affect the performance of highly important applications on the network, if a heavy implementation of the software program is used. Furthermore, for those workstations which are connected to the network by a modem or other low bandwidth devices, screen recording is currently not a realistic or practical option.
Another drawback of currently available technologies is their potentially excessive consumption of workstation (computer) resources. Certain of the workstation resources are dedicated to performing the screen recording and may slow down the performance of the workstation for the customer service representative, hence hampering the ability of that representative to perform the work.
In addition, these technologies do not provide actual data, as the screen shots by themselves are not susceptible to automatic analysis and can only be understood by a human supervisor with a high level of familiarity with the subject matter. Such manual analysis of the screenshots is clearly inefficient and time consuming.

System and method for capturing analyzing and recording screen events


An image recording apparatus is capable of reducing a vibration of a hologram recording medium so that a holographic stereogram which provides an excellent reproduced image can be prepared in a short time period. A vibration member 55 is provided on the light path of reference light L4, and a hologram recording medium 10 is intermittently fed with the medium 10 kept in contact with an end portion 55a of the member 55. The reference light L4 passes through a slit 56 of the vibration restriction member 55 and is irradiated onto the hologram recording medium 10 through an opening portion 57 opened at the end side 55a.

A holographic stereogram is prepared as follows. For example, an object is sequentially picked up from different observation view points, to obtain a number of images. These images which are used as original images are recorded sequentially as hologram elements in form of strips or dots onto a piece of hologram recording medium, by means of an image recording apparatus.
For example, as shown in FIG. 1, a holographic stereogram having parallax information in only the lateral direction is prepared in a manner in which a plurality of original images 101a to 101e obtained by sequentially picking up an object 100 from different observation points in the lateral direction are sequentially recorded as strip-like hologram elements 102 onto a hologram recording medium by an image recording apparatus. A plurality of original images which are recorded as hologram elements onto the hologram recording medium are not always limited to those images that are obtained by actually picking up the object 100 but may be CAD (Computer Aided Design) images or CG (Computer Graphics) images.
In case of this holographic stereogram, pieces of image information obtained by sequentially picking up an object from different observation points in the lateral direction are sequentially recorded as strip-like hologram elements in the lateral direction. Therefore, when this holographic stereogram is observed with eyes by an operator, two-dimensional images respectively projected on the left and right eyes are slightly different from each other. As a result, the operator feels parallax and understands these images as a three-dimensional image.
Meanwhile, an image recording apparatus records hologram elements of a holographic stereogram onto a hologram recording medium using a photosensitive material as a recording material, in the following manner. That is, in case of preparing a holographic stereogram of a reflection type, a laser beam having a good interference characteristic is branched into two beams, and one of the two beams is irradiated, as a projection image (object light) subjected to two-dimensional image modulation by an image display means such as a liquid crystal panel or the like, onto one surface of a hologram recording medium. Also, in the image recording apparatus, the other one of the two branched laser beams is irradiated, as reference light, onto the other surface of the hologram recording medium. As a result, an interference fringe is formed, as a change of the refraction factor or a change of the transmittance, in the photosensitive material ofthe hologram recording medium, and thus, ahologram element is recorded.
For the image recording apparatus for recording hologram elements of a holographic stereogram onto a hologram recording medium, it is necessary to fix perfectly the hologram recording medium during exposure of a recording image so that even a slight vibration which is as small as the order of wavelength of light might not be generated, in orderto prepare aholographic stereogram which provides an excellent reproduced image.
The image recording apparatus is arranged so as to record sequentially a large number ofhologram elements while transferring the hologram recording medium little by little. Therefore, in case where a hologram recording medium is transferred, for example, with use of an electrically movable stage, a vibration is caused in the hologram recording medium itself as the medium is transferred. Accordingly, in this kind of image recording apparatus, exposure must be carried out after a vibration caused by transfer of a hologram recording medium is attenuated, in order to prepare a holographic stereogram which provides an excellent reproduced image. Therefore, there is a problem that a very long time is required to prepare one holographic stereogram and the productivity is low.
The present invention hence has an object of providing an image recording apparatus by which vibrations of a hologram recording medium are reduced and a holographic stereogram which provides an excellent reproduced image can be prepared in a short time period.


A catalyst mixture made from or containing (a) particles of a solid catalyst component comprising Ti, Mg, Cl, and (b) from 0.5 to 5.0% by weight, based upon the total weight of the mixture, of particles of a solid compound having particle size ranging from 0.1 μm to 1 mm containing more than 50% by weight of SiO2 units.

In some instances, Ziegler-Natta catalyst components are used for the stereospecific polymerization of olefins, such as propylene. In some instances, the catalysts were made from or contains solid TiCl3 obtained by the reduction of TiCl4 with aluminum alkyl compounds and the resulting polymers was subjected to a de-ashing treatment to remove the catalyst residues as well as to a washing step to remove atactic polymer. In some instances, catalysts are made from or contain a solid catalyst component made from or containing a magnesium dihalide and one or more of a supported titanium compound, an internal electron donor compound, and an Al-alkyl compound as a cocatalyst.
In some polymerization techniques, the particle size of the catalyst ranges from about 5 to about 200 μm. In some instances, this size range presents cohesiveness problems, which are believed to worsen flowability and decrease the homogeneous distribution of the catalyst particles in the reactor.
In some processes, slip agents such as stearates or erucamide are employed. In some instances, the catalyst or carrier particles are coated with a layer of nanoparticles made of conductive material, such as carbon black. In some instances, a step for the preparation of a gel made from or containing the nanoparticles is performed. In some instances, it is believed that an additional layer prevents interaction between the catalytically active metal(s) and the carriers. In some instance, it is believed that a water-based nanoparticles gel, can inactivates the Ti based catalyst.

Catalyst components for the polymerization of olefins