A modular air conditioning (AC) system including one or more AC modules is provided. The AC modules may be adapted to function individually or cooperatively as part of a modular system. The AC modules may be further adapted to connect in a variety of advantageous ways to facilitate the supply of conditioned air to a variety of downstream applications.

The invention relates generally to heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) systems, and, more particularly, to modular HVACR systems.
HVACR systems are utilized for a variety of applications that require the temperature and quality of surrounding air to be regulated. For example, HVACR systems are utilized to provide ventilation, filter air, and maintain desirable pressure relationships for buildings, aircraft, and so forth. As such, HVACR systems typically include a refrigeration cycle with a variety of internal components that cooperatively function to output the desired air stream. Unfortunately, in many traditional systems, if a single internal component malfunctions, the entire HVACR system must be shut down until the malfunction is fixed or a broken part is replaced. In some industries, such a situation may result in lost productivity due to the resulting downtime. Accordingly, there exists a need for improved HVACR systems that overcome such a drawback.

Modular heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems and methods


A semiconductor memory device includes a redundancy selection circuit. The redundancy selection circuit includes generating means for simultaneously generating a first redundancy address and a second redundancy address in response to the column address at a read cycle. The first redundancy address indicates whether the column address is defective, and the second redundancy address indicates the place where a defective one of the first selected columns is positioned. The redundancy selection circuit further includes means for generating redundancy selection signals each corresponding to the first selected columns in response to the first and second redundancy addresses. According to the present invention, the redundancy selection circuit stores defective addresses by use of flash EEPROM cells similar to those of the main memory cell. Addresses can be programmed, without limitation in the redundancy selection circuit. All the redundant memory cells of an array are tested.

This application claims priority from Korean Priority Document No. 99-20445, filed on Jun. 3, 1999, and 99-22498, filed on Jun. 16, 1999, both with the Korean Industrial Property Office, which documents are hereby incorporated by reference.
This invention relates to semiconductor devices. More particularly, the invention relates to a redundancy selection circuit of a flash memory device and a method of using same that allows testing for defective redundant memory cells.
Generally, semiconductor memory devices for storing data are classified into volatile semiconductor memory devices and nonvolatile semiconductor memory devices. The volatile semiconductor memory devices lose their data at power-off, while the nonvolatile semiconductor memory devices maintain their data even at power-off. Therefore, the nonvolatile semiconductor memory devices have been widely used in applications in which power can be interrupted suddenly.
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device, such as a flash memory device, comprises electrically erasable and programmable ROM cells, each of which is referred to as xe2x80x9ca flash EEPROM cellxe2x80x9d. The flash EEPROM cell includes a cell transistor. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the cell transistor has a semiconductor substrate (or bulk) 2 of a first conductive type (e.g., P-type), and source and drain regions 3 and 4 of a second conductive type (e.g., N-type) spaced from each other. A floating gate 5 for storing charges is placed over a channel region between the source and drain regions 3 and 4, and a control gate 6 placed over the floating gate 5. Gate 5 is understood to have a floating voltage potential. Other structure around it is not shown.
Programming of the flash EEPROM cell is carried out by a hot carrier injection mechanism. The hot carrier injection is performed by applying a high voltage (e.g., +10V) to its control gate 6 and an appropriate positive voltage (e.g., +5V-+6V) to its drain at the drain terminal Vd. At this time, the bulk 2 of the EEPROM cell transistor is grounded, along with the source, by grounding the source terminal Vs. According to this bias condition of the flash EEPROM cell, hot charge carriers are injected to the floating gate 5 from the channel region adjacent to the drain 4, and thereby the threshold voltage of the EEPROM cell transistor is shifted into a target threshold voltage range for a programmed cell transistor (e.g., 6V-7V).
Erasing of the flash EEPROM cell is carried out by a Fowler-Nordheim (F-N) tunneling mechanism. The F-N tunneling is performed by applying a negative high voltage (e.g., xe2x88x9210V) to its control gate 6 and an appropriate positive voltage (e.g., +5V) to its bulk 2. At this time, its source and drain remain at a high-impedance (or floating) state. According to this bias condition, negative electrons in the floating gate 5 are discharged into the source 3 or into the bulk 2, and thereby the threshold voltage is shifted into a target threshold voltage range for an erased cell transistor (e.g., 1V-3V). The target threshold voltage distributions of the programmed and erased EEPROM cell transistors are illustrated in FIG. 2.
Reading of the EEPROM cell transistor is carried out by applying a voltage of 4.5V to its gate 6, and a voltage of 1V to its drain 4. During reading, its source 3 and bulk 2 are grounded. According to this bias condition, the programmed EEPROM cell transistor conducts no current from its drain 4 to its source 3, and is referred to as an xe2x80x9cOFFxe2x80x9d cell. On the other hand, the erased EEPROM cell transistor conducts current from its drain 4 to its source 3, and is referred to as an xe2x80x9cONxe2x80x9d cell.
The flash memory device includes an array of the flash EEPROM cells arranged along rows and columns, which are arranged orthogonally to each other. The density of defects generated in such a flash memory device during manufacturing is relatively independent of the integration density of the device, but is dependent on the semiconductor manufacturing technology. The higher the integration density of the device, the greater is the ratio of the number of normal memory cells to that of defective memory cells. Even if the device, however, includes only one defective memory cell therein, the device cannot operate normally, and therefore, the device is abandoned (discarded). This limits the manufacturing yield.
In order to be able to operate the flash memory device in spite of such defective memory cells, a redundant cell array is incorporated in the flash memory device along with the main cell array. In a flash memory device incorporating such a redundant cell array, the manufacturing yield can be improved.
Referring to FIG. 3, a conventional flash memory device includes a main cell array 10 with a plurality of first columns of main memory cells and a redundant cell array 20 with a plurality of second columns of redundant memory cells. Furthermore, the flash memory device includes a circuit 30 for replacing a first column of at least one defective memory cell (or a defective column of main memory cells) with a second column of redundant memory cells. Hereinafter, such a circuit 30 is named xe2x80x9ca redundancy selection circuitxe2x80x9d.
As illustrated in FIG. 3, an address storage block 32 and an input/output coding block 34 constitute the redundancy selection circuit 30. The address storage block 32 stores column addresses for defective columns so that a defective column in the main cell array 10 can be replaced with a redundant column in the redundant cell array 20 by use of fuse elements (e.g., electrical fuses or laser beam fuses). The input/output coding block 34 generates redundancy selection signals RSi in response to output signals from the address storage block 32. The redundancy selection signals RSi correspond to input/output pins I/O (in this embodiment, i=0-15) of the flash memory device, respectively.
During reading, a column pass gate circuit 40 responds to output signals from a column decoder circuit 50 and selects a part of first columns in the main cell array 10 and at least one of second columns in the redundant cell array 20. The selected columns of the main cell array 10 correspond to the input/output pins I/O0-I/O15, respectively. Simultaneously, a row address decoder 60 decodes row addresses RA into signals WL0, . . . , WLm.
Then a sense amplifier SA and write driver WD circuit 70 reads out data from the main cell array 10 via the selected columns. A sense amplifier and write driver circuit 80 reads out data from the redundant cell array 20 via the selected column. If the column address CA inputted in block 32 equals a stored address in the address storage block 32, one of the redundancy selection signals RSi is activated. This happens because one of the selected columns in the main cell array 10 is defective. Therefore, a multiplexer circuit 90 responds to the activated redundancy selection signal RSi, and selects data read out via the selected column of the redundant cell array 20, instead of data read out via the defective column of the main cell array 10. An I/O buffer 100 outputs the data from multiplexer 90.
A problem arises when the address storage block 32 stores addresses for defective columns by cutting electrical or laser beam fuses incorporated in the blocks 32 and 34 at a wafer level or at a package level. This problem is that it is impossible to test all redundant memory cells in the redundant cell array 20 for defects. In order to solve this drawback, additional circuitry has been used for enabling the redundant memory cells to be estimated. However, the additional circuitry occupies space, which makes the size of the flash memory device increase. Furthermore, cutting the fuses of the redundancy selection circuit 30 takes a long time.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a flash memory device with a redundancy selection circuit, which is capable of testing all redundant memory cells for defects, without limitation.
It is another object of the invention to provide a flash memory device with a redundancy selection circuit, which is capable of reducing test time.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a flash memory device is provided, and a method of using the same.
The flash memory device of the invention includes a main cell array divided into plural input/output blocks, each of which corresponds to the input/output pins and has a bit segment of plural main columns of main memory cells, and a redundancy cell array including a redundant bit segment of plural redundant columns of redundant memory cells. The device also includes a column selector for selecting at least two of the main columns and at least one of the redundant columns in response to a column address. The device additionally includes a plurality of first sense amplifiers each corresponding to the input/output blocks, each for sensing and amplifying stored data in a corresponding input/output block via a corresponding main column thus selected, and at least one second sense amplifier for sensing and amplifying stored data in the redundant cell array via the redundant column thus selected. A plurality of multiplexers are coupled to the input/output pins, each for receiving outputs from a first corresponding sense amplifier and from the second sense amplifier, and for selecting one of the outputs thus received in response to a corresponding one of the redundancy selection signals.
An important part of the invention is a redundancy selection circuit for generating redundancy selection signals, each corresponding to the input/output pins in response to the column address. The redundancy selection circuit includes generation means for simultaneously generating a first redundancy address and a second redundancy address in response to the column address at a read cycle. The first redundancy address indicates whether the column indexed by the column address is defective, and the second redundancy address indicates the place where a defective one of the selected main columns is positioned. The device also includes means for generating the redundancy selection signals in response to the first and second redundancy addresses.
In this embodiment, the flash memory device can perform a test mode of operation in which all the redundant memory cells are tested for defectiveness.
In this embodiment, during the test mode of operation, test addresses are programmed in the generating means such that data on the selected redundant column is outputted at a read cycle of the test mode of operation, regardless of whether defective memory cells exist in the main cell array.
In this embodiment, the generating means comprises an array of a plurality of cell units, each of which includes at least two memory cells that are the same as the main memory cells. Each of the memory cells comprises an electrically erasable and programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) cell, which includes a cell transistor having a source, a drain, a floating gate and a control gate. The gates are connected in common to a word line in the generating means, the drains of the two EEPROM cells are connected in common to a corresponding bit line in the generating means, and the sources of the two EEPROM cells are connected to a source line in the generating means.
In this embodiment, the generating means further includes a decoder for generating selection signals in response to the column address; a second column selector for selecting a part of the bit lines in the generating means in response to the selection signals; and a plurality of third sense amplifiers, each for reading out a data bit signal from the array in the generating means via the selected bit line. The data bit signals that read out by the third sense amplifiers are outputted as the first and second redundancy addresses.
A method according to the invention is to place the flash memory device in a test mode, and testing the main cells. Then a plurality of column addresses is sequentially generated, for each of the redundancy columns. The column addresses are applied to a redundancy selection circuit, which generates redundancy selection signals. The redundancy selection signals are applied to a plurality of multiplexers to select a redundancy column. Then all the redundant cells in the selected redundancy column are tested.

Flash memory device with a novel redundancy selection circuit and method of using the same


A lead anchor includes a core housing defining a cavity; a swivel anchor disposed in the cavity and having a tubular portion and a locking portion; at least two locking members; and at least two sleeves with a portion of each of the sleeves and each of the locking members disposed within the cavity at a periphery of the cavity. The tubular portion is adapted to receive an external tool to rotate the swivel anchor within the cavity. The lead anchor has an unlocked configuration, in which the swivel anchor can rotate within the cavity of the core housing without compressing the sleeves, and a locked configuration, in which opposing ends of the locking portion of the swivel anchor each lie between one of the sleeves and one of the locking members and compress the sleeves and any lead disposed within the sleeves to hold that lead in place.

Implantable stimulation systems have proven therapeutic in a variety of diseases and disorders. For example, spinal cord stimulation systems may be implanted in the spinal cord to treat chronic pain syndromes, and in the brain to treat refractory chronic pain syndromes, movement disorders, and epilepsy. Peripheral nerve stimulation systems may be used to treat chronic pain syndrome and incontinence. In some cases, paralyzed extremities in spinal cord injury patients may be treated using functional electrical stimulation. Moreover, electrical stimulation systems can be implanted subcutaneously to stimulate subcutaneous tissue, including subcutaneous nerves, such as the occipital nerve.
In general, a stimulator includes a control module (with a pulse generator), a lead, and an array of stimulator electrodes. The stimulator electrodes are placed in contact with or near the nerves, muscles, or other tissue to be stimulated. The pulse generator in the control module generates electrical pulses that are delivered through the electrodes to body tissue. The lead is often anchored at one or more places to prevent or reduce the movement of the lead or stimulator electrodes which could damage tissue, move the stimulator electrodes out of the desired position, or interrupt the connection between the stimulator electrodes and the control module.
Conventionally known lead anchors have shown inadequate lead retention strength and thus result into lead migration, which may further include chances of lead breakage or loose connection. In addition, many conventional anchors provide anchorage to a single lead and thus employment of multiple lead anchors increases overall volume of the implantable stimulation system.
Therefore, there exists a need for a robust lead anchor to secure leads efficiently during stimulation procedures.

Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation


A cellular phone having a first opening for delivering voice on a shell is provided. A printed circuit board (PCB) is disposed within an inner space enclosed by the shell and divides the inner space into a first acoustic room and a second acoustic room. A speaker is disposed within the first acoustic room and electrically connects the PCB. A through hole is formed on the PCB to communicate the first acoustic room and the second acoustic room to increase the size of total resonance chamber for improving resonance effect in low frequency voices. Furthermore, at least a second opening is formed on the shell to communicate the first acoustic room or the second acoustic room to the environment for flattening the resonance curve to improve the voice quality.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a resonance chamber of a cellular phone, and more particularly to a resonance chamber with an improved resonance effect in low frequency voices and a flattened resonance curve.
2. Description of Related Art
As a vigorous development in telecommunication industry, the demand for cellular phones has been massively increased. The cellular phone utilizes electric-acoustic transducers, such as transmitters and speakers, to transform electric signals into mechanical vibrations so as to animate acoustic messages, or to transform acoustic messages into electric signals for telecommunication purposes. The speaker is one of the most popular electric-acoustic transducers, and it is a mechanical design that can enable an input electric signal to transform into an acoustic message. Basically, according to different operation theories, the speakers nowadays can be separated into three categories: a moving-coil type, an electrostatic type, and a piezoelectric type.
In addition, as the cellular phone becomes slimmer in order to improve portability, the size of the speaker inside the cellular phone should be definitely reduced as well, and so is the inner space of the cellular phone. In the inner space of the cellular phone, a resonance chamber is particularly form to generate acoustic messages.
FIG. 1 shows a traditional cellular phone 100 having a printed circuit board (PCB) 104 housed by a shell 102 of the cellular phone 100. A displaying panel, an input device (such as a touch panel or a mini keyboard), a speaker, and a transmitter are placed in front of the PCB 104, while a battery 106 is placed behind the PCB 104. Referring to FIG. 2, which shows a cross-section view reference to A-A′ of FIG. 1, the inner space of the cellular phone 100 is divided into a first acoustic room 120 and a second acoustic room 140 by the PCB 104. The speaker 110, which is placed just behind openings 108 on the shell 102, further divides the first acoustic room 120 into a front space 122 and a rear space 124. The front space 122 and the rear space 124 are both used as resonance chambers for the speaker 110 to generate acoustic messages conveying outward through the openings 108 on the shell 102.
FIG. 3 shows a typical Helmholtz resonance chamber, which is widely applied to simulate frequency responses of a speaker system. As shown, the Helmholtz resonance chamber is a rigid-wall cavity with a narrow, short neck portion to connect to the environment. If the diameter and length of the neck portion is much smaller than the wavelength of an acoustic wave, the air inside the neck portion can be regarded as a massive block. Moreover, for the volume inside the chamber is much larger than that in the neck portion, the air inside the chamber presents a quasi spring-and-damper structure. Thus, when the frequency of an acoustic wave equals to the natural frequency of the chamber, the quasi massive-block (i.e. the air in the neck portion) inside the neck portion would be actuated to vibrate in a predetermined pattern. The actuated quasi massive-block would simultaneously rub the sidewall of the neck portion so as to damp down the dynamical motion thereof. Definitely, during the vibration described above, a respective sound is generated.
According to a calculation of Temkin in 1936, a vibration frequency of a Helmholtz resonance chamber is defined as:
                    f        =                              c                          2                            π                                                                    s                              V                                                                                ℓ                  ′                                                                                (        1        )
In which c stands for the speed of the sound in meters per second, s stands for the opening size of the neck portion in square meters; V stands for the volume of the resonance chamber in cubic meters; and l′ stands for an effective length in meters. In the case that the cross section of the neck portion is circular, l′=l+0.8 d, in which l is the length of the neck portion in meters and d is a diameter of the cross section in meters. It is clearly that, as the size of the resonance chamber increases, the effective resonance frequency would be lowered down.
As mentioned, the cellular phone 100 of FIG. 2 has a resonance chamber positioned in front of the PCB 104, and the size of the resonance chamber is restricted mainly by the size of the cellular phone 100. Therefore, as the cellular phone becomes slimmer, the resonance effect of low frequency voices would be worse due to a smaller resonance chamber. On the other hand, an increase in the size of the resonance chamber may result in a larger cellular phone and sacrifice the portability of the cellular phone.
Accordingly, how to enlarge the resonance chamber without changing the size of the cellular phone has become an important issue in improving voice quality of the cellular phone.


An embodiment of the present invention provides a method of using differential precoding for highly correlated channels in a wireless network, comprising, using a differential codebook optimized for highly correlated antennas.

In orthogonal frequency multiple access-multiple input multiple output (OFDMA-MIMO) based broadband radio systems such as, but not limited to, those that conform to the institute for electronic and electrical engineers (IEEE) 802.16m or LTE (Long Term Evolution—3GPP 4 G technology) systems, beamforming is an effective method to improve the receiving signal to noise ratio (SNR). When the base station's (BS's) transmit antennas are closely mounted, the antenna beam pattern usually has low spatial selectivity, and thus the principle Eigen mode dominates the capacity. In addition, the elements of the ideal precoding vectors are usually constant modulus for highly correlated antennas.
Thus, a strong need exists for techniques using differential precoding for highly correlated channels in wireless networks.
It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements illustrated in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements are exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.

Techniques using differential precoding for highly correlated channels in wireless networks


A method of forming an integrated circuit structure is provided. In an embodiment, the method includes bonding top dies onto a bottom wafer and then molding a first molding material onto and in between the top dies and the bottom wafer. The bottom wafer, the top dies, and the first molding material are sawed to form molding units. Each of the molding units includes one of the top dies and a bottom die sawed from the bottom wafer. The molding units are bonded onto a package substrate and a second molding material is molding onto the one of the molding units and the package substrate. Thereafter, the package substrate and the second molding material are sawed to form package-molded units.

The semiconductor industry has experienced continued rapid growth due to continuous improvements in the integration density of various electronic components (i.e., transistors, diodes, resistors, capacitors, etc.). For the most part, this improvement in integration density has come from repeated reductions in minimum feature size, which allows more components to be integrated into a given area.
These integration improvements are essentially two-dimensional (2D) in nature, in that the volume occupied by the integrated components is essentially on the surface of the semiconductor wafer. Although dramatic improvement in lithography has resulted in considerable improvement in 2D integrated circuit formation, there are physical limits to the density that can be achieved in two dimensions. One of these limits is the minimum size needed to make these components. Also, when more devices are put into one chip, more complex designs are required.
An additional limit comes from the significant increase in the number and length of interconnections between devices as the number of devices increases. When the number and length of interconnections increase, both circuit RC delay and power consumption increase.
Three-dimensional (3D) integrated circuits (ICs) are therefore created to resolve the above-discussed limitations. In a typical formation process of 3D ICs, two wafers, each including an integrated circuit, are formed. The wafers are then bonded with the devices aligned. Deep vias are then formed to interconnect devices in the two wafers.
An alternative scheme for forming 3D ICs is bonding dies. Conventionally, to bond two dies together, each of the dies is bonded onto a package substrate, and then the package substrates are further bonded together to form a package. The known methods include package-in-package (PIP) bonding and package-on-package (POP) bonding. These bonding methods, however, suffer from drawbacks. With the usage of package substrates, which are typically larger than the dies, the size of the final package is increased over any of the dies, which may not be desirable. Further, in conventional packaging schemes, a molding compound is used. However, in some high-performance applications, a significant amount of heat is generated in dies, and the molding compounds, which are often not good thermal conductors, reduce the efficiency in heat dissipation.

Method of forming wafer-level molded structure for package assembly

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.


A paper container with multiple variable compartments which is formed from a paper board of adequate thickness cut into a predetermined pattern. The paper board is made of paper of pure fibers and additives, laminated to adequate thickness and coated with polyethylene to meet the FDA regulations. The paper pattern is formed with inner openings and embossed with a plurality of folding lines, whereby the paper pattern can be folded about the folding lines and heat-sealed by means of molds to form a container having multiple variable compartments of which the size, shape and number can be varied through changing the positions, numbers and shapes of the inner openings so as to more suitably contain various foods or articles and facilitate the package thereof.

The present invention relates to a paper container with multiple variable compartments which is formed from a paper board in proper thickness. The paper board is cut into a predetermined pattern with some portions thereof removed and a plurality of folding lines embossed in advance, whereby the paper board can be folded about the folding lines and then heat-sealed to form a container having a large compartment and two small compartments. To meet different requirements, the numbers, positions and shapes of the removed portions and folding lines can be changed to give the compartments different sizes, shapes, and positions, allowing the paper container to contain various kinds of food and article of different shapes and volumes.
Conventional food containers are mainly made of paper, polymer or plastic, wherein the polymer-made container is integrally formed from the foaming material and the plastic-made container is formed from melted plastic molded in a set of upper and lower molds. Both of the polymer and plastic made food containers can be formed with several compartments to meet the requirements of containing foods. Basically, the advantages of these partitioned polymer and plastic made food containers are convenient in use and easy to manufacture. However, such containers are not subject to natural decomposition after they are used and discarded, and therefore, will cause serious pollution of and detriment to the whole ecological environment that will cost the entire society a higher price to protect the environment. Therefore, the polymer and plastic made food containers are gradually given up by the users.
The paper container is mainly made from a paper board cut into a predetermined pattern with a plurality of folding lines embossed in advance which define several sections of the container. The paper board can be folded about the pre-embossed folding lines such that four wall sections and corner sections are formed, then, the corner sections so formed are overlapped and attached to the wall sections to form a container having one single compartment. To contain different kinds of solid or liquid foods without mixing their different tastes and flavors, several partitioning paper cards are disposed inside the container, giving it several compartments. Such paper cards are not fixedly disposed and are likely to shift due to the movement of the contained foods. As a result, the contained foods are still easy to mix with one another and lose their original tastes. Although the paper container is subject to natural decomposition and the environment pollution caused thereby is relatively low, the conventional paper container is not so practical in use and would need improvement.
It is therefore a need to develop an improved paper container which has secure multiple compartments and can be easily manufactured to eliminate the above shortcomings existing in the conventional paper container.

Paper board foldable into a container with multiple compartments

11th-1 Floor, No. 90, Fu Hsin S. Road, Sec. 1, Tah An District


A electronic ballast according includes a DC power source circuit for generating a DC voltage from an AC power source, a pair of switching elements, an LC series resonance circuit, an inverter circuit for converting the DC voltage into a high frequency voltage to supply to a fluorescent lamp FL, and means such as a current transformer for detecting a current flowing into the fluorescent lamp FL, wherein oscillation of the inverter circuit is stopped when a value of a current flowing into the fluorescent lamp exceeds a predetermined value.

The present invention relates to electronic ballasts for realizing high frequency lighting of a fluorescent lamp and a lighting fixture using the same.
Conventional electronic ballasts for fluorescent lamps includes those disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2005-216553 in which the ballast continuously varies a light output of a fluorescent lamp by operation of a variable resistor for dimming control operation. In such an electronic ballast according to this conventional example, a high frequency output in a inverter circuit is determined depending on a dimming control level determined by a variable resistor for dimming control operation, which is connected to a dimming circuit. A user can obtain a desired light output in a range from a dimming control upper limit to a dimming control lower limit by freely operating the variable resistor for dimming control operation.
Release of electrons from a cathode on one side of a fluorescent lamp is diminished at the end of life stage of the fluorescent lamp and lamp rectification occurs as shown in FIG. 7. At this stage, a voltage drop is increased in the cathode where electrons are hard to be released and power loss is increased in the vicinity of the cathode. As a result, excessive heat is generated in the vicinity of the cathode and a voltage stress applied to a switching element in a inverter circuit is increased, thereby impairing the reliability of the ballast and a lighting fixture with a electronic ballast mounted thereon.
A conventional ballast circuit is shown in FIG. 6 includes means adapted to detect a voltage of a fluorescent lamp FL, wherein an inverter control circuit 3 detects an increase in a voltage applied to the fluorescent lamp FL when a rectification phenomenon occurs at a lamp end of life. This is followed by disabling oscillation of switching elements Q1 and Q2 arranged in inverter circuit 2. However, in this conventional example, it is impossible to determine the difference between an increase in a voltage applied to the fluorescent lamp FL in a dimming control and an increase in a voltage applied to the fluorescent lamp FL at a lamp end of life.
The present invention was achieved by taking the above problems into consideration, having an object to provide a electronic ballast with high reliability by detecting a lamp end of life condition with high accuracy even in the vicinity of a lower limit of a dimming control, without affecting the dimming control level of a fluorescent lamp, and thereby controlling the electronic ballast in a protection mode.

Dimming electronic ballast with lamp end of life detection


Provided is a novel cyclic oligosaccharide derived from cellulose. The cyclic oligosaccharide is a cyclic oligosaccharide of Formula (1) having a β-1,4 glucosidic bond. In the formula, R represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent thereof, a plurality of the Rs may be identical or different, and n represents an integer of 0 to 3.

Conventionally, cyclodextrins are known as cyclic oligosaccharides. Cyclodextrins have a cyclic structure in which glucoses are linked by α-1,4 glucosidic bonds, as represented by the following general formula (X) (wherein m is an integer of 1 to 3), and generally include α-cyclodextrin in which 6 glucoses are bound, β-cyclodextrin in which 7 glucoses are bound, and γ-cyclodextrin in which 8 glucoses are bound.

Such cyclodextrins have pores with a size of about 1 nm inside the cyclic structure, in which relatively small molecules called guest molecules can be taken. Since the hydroxy groups of cyclodextrins are outside the pores, the outside of the cyclic structure is hydrophilic, and the inside of the pores is hydrophobic. Therefore, cyclodextrins have the property of including hydrophobic guest molecules or some of them in the pores, and, through the use of this property, cyclodextrins and their chemically modified products, i.e., cyclodextrin derivatives, are used in foods, cosmetics, toiletry products, pharmaceuticals, and the like for the purpose of non-volatilization and sustained release of volatile substances, stabilization of unstable substances, solubilization of poorly soluble substances, and the like (see, for example, Patent Literatures 1 to 4 below).

Cyclic oligosaccharide and method for producing same


A container (24) for holding a stack of envelopes (122) includes pusher means (146) for pushing envelopes from a receiving zone (A) into a storage zone (B) past resiliently mounted flaps (132). The stack is supported on a support member (130) which is slidably and resiliently mounted in the container (24). A shaft (184) to which gear means (186, 188) are secured is rotatably mounted on the support member (130), the gear means (186,188) engaging with fixed rack means (180). A ratchet wheel (194) engageable by a pawl (200) is freely mounted on the shaft (184) which passes through a torsion spring the ends of which are respectively attached to the shaft (184) and the ratchet wheel (194). When the support member (130) is moved away from the flaps (132) torsion is built up in the spring since rotation of the ratchet wheel (194) is prevented, this torsion serving to urge the support member (130) back towards the flaps (132). The support member (130) is removable from the container (24) together with the stack.

This invention relates to a container for holding a stack of articles.
The invention has application, for example, to a depository apparatus included in an automated teller machine (ATM) of the kind which is arranged to dispense currency notes, or accept a deposit of money, as may be required by a customer. As is well known, in operation of an ATM of this kind, a user inserts a customer identifying card into the machine and then enters certain data (such as a personal identification number, type of transaction, and quantity of money required or to be paid in) on one or more keyboards included in a user console of the machine. The machine will then process the transaction, dispense currency notes or accept a money deposit as may be requested, and return the card to the user as part of a routine operation. If money is to be deposited, the user typically inserts an envelope containing the money (cash and/or checks) through a deposit entry slot in the user console, and the depository apparatus of the ATM transports the envelope to, and deposits it in, a portable container included in the apparatus.
In some known types of depository apparatus, envelopes are simply dropped one by one by a transport mechanism into a portable container. Such an apparatus has the disadvantage that envelopes are deposited in a non-orderly manner in the container, thereby reducing the storage capacity of the container and hindering checking and reconciliation procedures when the envelopes are removed from the container.
A depository apparatus in which envelopes are stacked in an orderly sequential manner in a container is know from U.S. Pat. No. 4,512,263. In operation of this known apparatus, each envelope to be stacked is fed under gravity into a receiving zone which is separated from a storage zone by gate means arranged to permit one-way passage of the envelope from the receiving zone into the storage zone. When in the receiving zone, each envelope is supported by one of its edges in a vertical position, and pusher means are provided for pushing the envelope past the gate means into the storage zone against the pressure of a vertical stacker plate which is positioned in the storage zone and which is resiliently biased towards the gate means. The stacker plate forms part of a stacker plate assembly incorporating a tension spring which passes around a pulley positioned adjacent the gate means and the ends of which are respectively attached to the stacker plate and to a stud secured to a part of the container remote from the gate means. No means is described as to how a stack of envelopes may be removed from the container, but in any case the incorporation in the container of the stacker plate assembly described above would present problems regarding such removal.

Container for holding a stack of articles


The present invention relates to a styrene-based resin having a weight average molecular weight Mw′ as determined by the GPC-MALS method of 1,000,000 or more and 5,000,000 or less, a degree of long-chain branching of 0.2 or more per 1,000 styrene units, and a tetrahydrofuran-insoluble matter of 0.1% by weight or less (including 0), the styrene-based resin being free from a component derived from a polyfunctional monomer in a molecular chain thereof. In a method for producing this styrene-based resin, in an impregnation step of adding a polymerization initiator and a styrene monomer in an aqueous medium, thereby impregnating the polymerization initiator and the styrene monomer in the seed particle at a temperature at which polymerization of the styrene monomer does not substantially proceed, the amount of the styrene monomer is 20 to 200 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the seed particle; and in an additional impregnation polymerization step of graft polymerizing the styrene monomer on the styrene-based resin, the addition amount of the styrene monomer is 50 to 700 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the seed particle, and the content of the styrene monomer in the seed particle is held at 10% by weight or less.

A styrene-based resin is used as raw materials of various molded articles because it is excellent in dimensional stability, molding stability, and so on, is high in rigidity, and is inexpensive. In general, by increasing the molecular weight of a styrene-based resin, the melt tension of the resin can be increased. However, as the molecular weight of the resin is high, the fluidity of the resin in a molten state is lowered. Thus, the molding processability of the resin and productivity of molded products thereof were liable to be lowered.
In order to solve such a problem, various attempts are being made.
For example, there is disclosed a styrene-based resin composition containing a linear polystyrene and a multi-branched polystyrene, in which (1) its weight average molecular weight determined by the GPC-MALS method is 250,000 to 750,000, and (2) the gradient in a logarithm graph obtained by setting the weight average molecular weight as an abscissa and the radius of gyration of the resin composition determined by the GPC-MALS method as an ordinate is 0.35 to 0.45 (see, for example, PTL 1).
As a method for increasing the melt tension of the styrene-based resin other than the method of increasing the molecular weight of the styrene-based resin, it is known to make the molecular chain of the styrene-based resin in a branched state. However, there is a concern that a polyfunctional monomer that is indispensable for making the molecular chain in a branched state brings about gelation at the time of synthesis of the resin. In order to solve such a problem, for example, the following methods are disclosed. That is, there is disclosed a method in which a solvent-soluble polyfunctional vinyl compound copolymer having two or more vinyl groups in average in one molecule and having a branched structure is added in an amount 50 ppm to 5,000 ppm on a weight basis to a vinyl-based monomer essentially including styrene, and the contents are subjected to suspension polymerization in water, thereby producing a styrene-based resin composition containing a highly branched ultra-high-molecular weight copolymer resulting through polymerization of the solvent-soluble polyfunctional vinyl compound copolymer and the vinyl-based monomer and a linear polymer resulting through polymerization of the vinyl-based monomer (see, for example, PTL 2).
In addition, a polystyrene-based resin composition for foaming, which can allow a foamed molded article thereof to be made lightweight and productivity to be improved, is disclosed. That is, there is disclosed a polystyrene resin composition for foaming which contains, as a base material resin, a polyfunctional vinyl aromatic compound and a component derived from a styrene-based monomer, wherein the polyfunctional vinyl-based aromatic compound has a molecular weight of 100 or more and less than 1,000; the base material resin is one obtained by polymerizing a monomer mixture containing 50 to 500 ppm of the polyfunctional vinyl-based aromatic compound in the styrene-based monomer; and the base material resin has (1) a melt flow rate (MFR: g/10 minutes) and a melt tension value (MT: cN) satisfying the following relational expression under a measuring condition at 200° C.: [MT≥−3×ln(MFR)+12], and (2) a ratio of a loss tangent tan δ at an angular frequency ω at 0.01 rad/s and 100 rad/s satisfying the following relational expression: [4≤tan δ (ω=0.01 (rad/s))/tan δ (ω=100 (rad/s))≤20] (see, for example, PTL 3).
Furthermore, a polystyrene-based resin composition for extrusion foaming which allows improvement of productivity at the time of molding while reducing elution of styrene and an oligomer thereof into a foamed molded article, is disclosed. That is, there is disclosed a polystyrene-based resin composition for extrusion expansion which has following physical properties: (1) a top peak molecular weight (Mp) in the molecular weight distribution is 140,000 to 220,000; (2) a ratio of molecular weights equal to or lower than Mp is 40 to 55% of the whole; (3) a (z+1) average molecular weight is 800,000 to 3,500,000; (4) the content of an oligomer composed of a styrene dimer and a styrene trimer is 2,000 ppm or less; and (5) the content of styrene is 1,000 ppm or lower (see, for example, PTL 4).

Styrene resin and method for producing styrene resin


In a lighting device, sets of LEDs are employed using the natural characteristics of the LEDs to resemble incandescent lamp behavior when dimmed, thereby obviating the need for sophisticated controls. A first set of at least one LED produces light with a first color temperature, and a second set of at least one LED produces light with a second color temperature. The first set and the second set are connected in series, or the first set and the second set are connected in parallel, possibly with a resistive element in series with the first or the second set. The first set and the second set differ in temperature behavior, or have different dynamic electrical resistance. The light device produces light with a color point parallel and close to a blackbody curve.

A traditional light bulb is an example of a lighting device comprising a light source, i.e. the lamp filament, having two terminals for receiving power. When a voltage is applied to such light bulb, a current flows through the filament. The temperature of the filament rises due to Ohmic heating. The filament generates light, having a color temperature related to the temperature of the filament, which may be considered as being a black body. Normally, a lamp has a nominal rating corresponding to a nominal lamp power at nominal lamp voltage, for instance 230 VAC in Europe, and corresponding to a certain nominal color of the emitted light.
Since many decades, people have been used to the light of incandescent lamps of different powers. The light of an incandescent lamp provides a general feeling of well-being. Generally, the lower the power of the incandescent lamp is, the lower the color temperature of the light emitted by the lamp is. As a characterization, the human perception of the light is "warmer" when the color temperature is lower. With one and the same incandescent lamp, the lower the power supplied to the lamp is, which occurs when the lamp is dimmed, the lower the color temperature of the emitted light is.
It is already known that it is possible to dim a lamp, i.e. to reduce the light output. This is done by reducing the average lamp power by reducing the average lamp voltage, for instance by phase cutting. As a result, also the temperature of the filament reduces, and consequently the color of the emitted light changes to a lower color temperature. For instance, in a standard incandescent lamp having 60 W nominal rating, the color temperature is about 2700 K when the lamp is operated at 100% light output while the color temperature is reduced to about 1700 K when the lamp is dimmed to a 4% light output. As is commonly known to a person skilled in the art, the color temperature follows the traditional black body line in a chromaticity diagram. A lower color temperature corresponds to a more reddish impression, and this is associated with a warmer, more cozy and pleasant atmosphere.
A relatively recent tendency is to replace incandescent light sources by lighting devices based on LED light sources, in view of the fact that LEDs are more efficient in converting electric energy to light and have a longer lifetime. Such lighting device comprises, apart from the actual LED light source(s), a driver that receives the mains voltage intended to operate an incandescent lamp and converts the input mains voltage to an operating LED current. LEDs are designed to provide a nominal light output when operated with a constant current having a nominal magnitude. An LED can also be dimmed. This can be done by reducing the current magnitude, but this typically results in a change of the color of the light output. In order to keep the color temperature of the generated light as constant as possible, dimming an LED is typically done by Pulse Width Modulation, also indicated as duty cycle dimming, wherein the LED current is switched ON and OFF at a relatively high frequency, wherein the current magnitude in the ON periods is equal to the nominal design magnitude, and wherein the ratio between ON time and switching period determines the light output.
It is desirable to have a lighting device having one or more LEDs as light source, wherein the dimming behavior of the traditional incandescent lamp is simulated so that, on dimming, the color temperature of the output light also follows a path (preferably close to the black body line) from a higher color temperature to a lower temperature.
Lighting devices capable of such functionality have already been proposed, for instance in US-2006/0273331. Such prior art devices comprise at least two LEDs of mutually different colors, each provided with a corresponding current source, and an intelligent control device, such as a microprocessor, controlling the individual current sources to change the relative light outputs of the respective LEDs. The known device receives an input voltage signal that carries power and a control signal. In the device, the control signal is taken from the input signal and transferred to the intelligent control device, that controls the individual current sources on the basis of the received control data. By changing the ratio between the respective light outputs, the relative contributions to the overall light output is changed and hence the overall color of the overall light output, as perceived by an observer, is changed. Such lighting device, therefore, requires a separate control input signal.
In LED lighting devices, a behavior of the color temperature of the LED light can be obtained which, in dimming conditions, is similar to that of an incandescent lamp, but until now only at the expense of extensive current control, such as e.g. known from DE10230105. The necessity of adding controls to the LED lighting device for the desired color temperature behavior increases the number of components, increases the complexity of the lighting device, and increases costs. These effects are undesirable.

LED lighting with incandescent lamp color temperature behavior


A composite material comprising a para-oriented aramide fiber sheet and a thermosetting resin matrix. The composite material is characterized in that the reinforcing para-oiented aramide fiber sheet is pre-treated with a reactive siloxane oligomer prior to impregnation with the thermosetting resin. The reactive siloxane oligomer is represented by the following general formula (1) of: ##STR1## wherein Z is ##STR2## CH.sub.2 --O--, HS, NH.sub.2 -- or CH.sub.2 .dbd.CH--; m is an integer of from zero to 4; n is an integer of from 1 to 9; and R.sub.1 is the same or different groups selected from methyl, ethyl and phenyl.. The composite material is improved in electric resistance properties, particularly after being dipped in boiling water, and also improved in thermal resistance to soldering.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an improved composite material reinforced by a para-oriented aramide fiber sheet, and to a process for preparing the same. More particularly, it relates to a composite material reinforced by a para-oriented aramide fiber sheet to have improved properties well suited for use as a composite material or reinforcing substrate for electrical applications, such as a printed circuit board or an insulating laminate.
2. Prior Art Statement
Para-oriented aramide fibers have improved physical properties, for example, they have excellent resistance to heat, resistance to fatigue and resistance to chemicals, and they have high strength and a high modulus of elasticity. However, since they have poor adhesiveness to thermosetting resins and cannot be intimately bonded to thermosetting resins using conventional technology, their excellent properties are not thoroughly utilized when they are used as substrates for composite materials. In order to overcome this problem, it has been proposed to expose the aramide fibers to plasma (as disclosed, for example, by Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication Nos. 125689/1984 and 171738/1986), to treat them with an aminopolyamide resin (as disclosed by Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 204229/1986), to treat them with a polyurethane compound (as disclosed by Japanese Patent Publication No. 14166/1986) or to treat them with a resorcin/formalin oligomer (as disclosed by Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 121591/1975). Although it is stated that the aramide fibers treated through these prior art techniques have improved adhesiveness, the results are not yet satisfactory.
In particular, a laminate for electrical uses should have high electric resistance even after it has absorbed water. However, a composite material reinforced by para-oriented aramide fibers and having satisfactory electric resistance in such a situation has not yet been known.
It has been known that a laminate can be prepared initially by impregnating a para-oriented aramide fiber sheet with a thermosetting resin, such as an epoxy resin, to form a prepreg which is then stacked and subjected to hot-press molding. The laminate prepared by such a process is low in thermal expansion coeficient and improved in dimensional stability due to the excellent properties of the para-oriented aramide fibers. (Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 60500/1986)
However, the para-oriented aramide fibers in the resultant laminate do not adhere sufficiently to the thermosetting resin, which results in unsatisfactory electric resistance after it has absorbed water. Accordingly, the laminate prepared using conventional technology cannot be applied in practical uses.

Composite material reinforced by para-oriented aramide fiber sheet and process for preparing the same


A variable color optical device repeatedly develops a start signal and two end signals respectively timed in relation to the start signal in accordance with the values of two sets of data. Two stable signals are developed, each from the start signal to the respective end of signal. Two control signals are applied, in accordance with the two stable signals, for respectively forwardly biasing the light emitting diodes of two primary colors.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to display systems utilizing a variable color digital display.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A display device described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,740,570, issued on Jun. 19, 1973 to George R. Kaelin et al., uses special LEDs that exhibit different colors when subjected to different currents. The LEDs are biased by pulses of different amplitudes, to achieve different colors of the display, and by the length inversely proportional to the pulse amplitude, to compensate for variable brightness of the display caused by different amplitudes of the pulses.
A circuit employing a dual-color LED driven by a dual timer is described in the article by Bill Wagner entitled 2-color LED+driver=versatile visual effects, published on Oct. 2, 1980 in EDN volume 25, No. 19, page 164. Since dual-color LEDs are connected to conduct currents in opposite directions, it would be impossible to forwardly bias them simultaneously.
An electronic display having segments wherein each segment is capable of selectively illuminating two colors is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,488,149 issued on Dec. 11, 1984 to William A. Givens, Jr. Two AND gates are provided for biasing, in each display segment, either a first light emitting diode, for emitting a first color, or a second light emitting diode, for emitting a second color. It is not contemplated to blend the colors by simultaneously activating two buses to which the light emitting diodes of different colors are coupled in accordance with their colors.
A multi-colour LED display for seven segment figures is disclosed in German Patent No. 3,009,416 issued on Sep. 17, 1981 to Klaus Gillessen. The LED circuit consists of seven group of diodes, each group made up of two diodes, one red and one green. The cathodes of all red diodes are terminated in a common connection, and the green ones likewise, the anodes of each pair of diodes being common for that pair. Two transistors connected in cascade are utilized for activating either all green LEDs, or all red LEDs, but not both simultaneously. When a low level signal is applied to the base of the first transistor, the first transistor is blocked, and the second transistor is turned ON to illuminate the second set of the diodes. When a high level signal is applied to the input of the first transistor, the first transistor is turned ON, while the second transistor is blocked, whereby the first set of the diodes is illuminated. Since the first transistor cannot be simultaneously turned ON and OFF, it would be impossible to illuminate the two sets of the diodes simultaneously. In another embodiment is shown a multi-colour LED display utilizing three sets of LEDs: red, green, and blue, which are respectively commonly connected and may be activated by manual switches. It is not contemplated that the three sets of LEDs be activated in selective combinations to blend the colors.
A digital electrooptical display with anti-parallel light emitting diodes is disclosed in East German Patent No. 220,844 issued on Apr. 10, 1985 to Thomas Hoffmann et al. Two light emitting diodes for emitting light of different colors are connected in each segment back-to-back. Since the light emitting diodes are connected to conduct currents in opposite directions, it would be impossible to illuminate them simultaneously, because the opposite currents attempting to pass through a single conductor would cancel.
A system for measuring radioactivity is described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,643,344, issued on Jun. 23, 1953 to Ian H. McLaren et al. Another systems for measuring radioactivity are described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,648,015 issued on Aug. 4, 1953 to Alexander Greenfield et al., and in U.S. Pat. No. 2,682,000 issued on Jun. 22, 1954 to Joseph F. Clayton et al. Since these three patents are very similar, they are equally authoritative. The system for measuring radioactivity, disclosed in the three patents, includes an analog pointer indicator having three scales, with three associated colored light bulbs, for indicating which scale is applicable for the reading of the measured value. A mechanism for automatic range selection is provided, which is controlled by two solenoids, and which also controls the three associated colored light bulbs. In response to the range selection, one of the light bulbs illuminates the indicator face with a distinctive color to indicate which measurement scale is applicable.
A digital meter is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,889,518, issued on Jun. 2, 1959 to Harold R. Hudson et al. The digital meter includes a motor, a wheel counter rotatable by the motor, a potentiometer rotatable by the motor, and a mechanical sampler (vibrator). An unknown voltage is compared, by the sampler, with an instant reference voltage that appears on the wiper of the potentiometer. The motor keeps rotating the potentiometer until the unknown voltage is equal to the reference voltage. The rotation of the motor is then automatically stopped, which also stops the wheel counter, whose position numerically indicates the value of the measured voltage. The decimal point monochromatic lamps are placed between the wheels of the counter. One of the decimal point lamps is illuminated, by manually operated range switch, to indicate by its position the selected measurement range.
A high speed multi-channel voltage indicator is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,878,450 issued on Mar. 17, 1959 to Jean C. Rabier. The magnitudes of the input voltages are adjusted by a resistor network, subtracted from a single reference voltage source, and sequentially connected by a rotatable arm of a motor to an evaluator circuit, which produces on an oscilloscope screen one of three readings, xe2x80x9cToo Highxe2x80x9d, xe2x80x9cToo Lowxe2x80x9d, or xe2x80x9cGoxe2x80x9d. The test results may be indicated on the oscilloscope screen either by a red color square, or by a green color square, or by a blue color square.
The prior art display systems do not contemplate that a digital indication of numeric data may be colored in accordance with the relation of the value of the data to a limit.
In a broad sense, it is the principal object of this invention to provide an improved display system.
It is another object of the invention to provide a variable color display system for coloring a digital indication of displayable data in accordance with the relation of the value of the data to a predetermined limit.
It is still another object of the invention to provide a variable color display system with a comparator for comparing the value of the exhibited indication with a limit.
It is still another object of the invention to provide a variable color display system for controlling the color of the exhibited indication in accordance with its relation to two limits.
In summary, a display system of the invention includes a plurality of adjacent variable color display elements for providing a digital indication of numeric data in one of two or three predetermined colors.
The invention resides in the provision of a comparator, for comparing the value of the data with a single limit or with two limits, and a color control, responsive to the comparator output, for illuminating the digital indication in a color in accordance with the result of the comparison.

Variable color display system for comparing exhibited value with limit


A system, method and article of manufacture are disclosed which implement a training session for training a user to validate assumptions. First, a plurality stimuli are presented to a user in the context of a simulation. The user is then prompted to enter responses to the stimuli which are subsequently recorded. The user is then allowed to enter assumptions that form a basis of the responses. Next, the user is prompted to enter information on how to validate the assumptions which is subsequently received. Feedback is then outputted based on the stimuli and responses. Such feedback relates to appropriate assumptions and information on how to validate the appropriate assumptions. As an option, the feedback may be further based on a number of assumptions entered.

The present invention relates to training software, and more particularly to training a user to validate assumptions on which his or her decisions are based.
The behaviors, assumptions and attitudes of police officers are strongly influenced by the overall xe2x80x98culturexe2x80x99 of the service. The police service culture has been established and reinforced over many years. Police officers naturally tend to tolerate and conform to the behaviors, assumptions and attitudes common to the culture. They may find they are most effective as police officers if they behave in the way the culture demands, or they may feel they have to do so in order to xe2x80x98fit inxe2x80x99 and feel comfortable around fellow officers. They may not believe themselves to be acting or thinking in accord with any culture, and the actions in question may not be overt, conscious or deliberate. That is the nature and influence of an organization""s culture and the way it is shared amongst the organization""s members.
This is not unique to police service. Most public institutions, and likewise private sector firms, develop a culture of their ownxe2x80x94with prevailing behaviors, assumptions, attitudes and vocabulary amongst their employees. Such a culture can be a positive strength. It can attract people to join and stay with an organization, and it can help people work well together in performing the organization""s business.
Efforts to change the weaknesses in a culture must not destroy the strengths that help give an organization its effectiveness. But a culture has a problem when some of its consequences come to be judged unacceptable. For the police service, that public judgment has been reached, and is acknowledged by senior officers and officials.
The common thread of unacceptability is a police service culture with behaviors, assumptions and attitudes that fail to accommodate the differences between individuals, or worse, that are based on stereotypes of race, sex, age, or dress. It has been stated that it was not enough for police officers to be fair and to avoid acting on stereotypes by treating everyone the same. Instead, the challenge is to treat everybody as individuals.
Whilst the nature of policing is unique, this challenge of individualizing the treatment of all members of the public is not unique to the police service. It is one that is shared by many other public servantsxe2x80x94by tax inspectors, employment and benefits advisers, fraud investigators, and all others who must offer public services to people with individual needs and circumstances, and must do so with equity.
For police and other public services, changing behavior towards individuals requires awareness of diversity amongst members of the public. But awareness of diversity does not produce change without the breaking down of old habits of behavior and action, and without the acquisition of new skills, including:
being able to recognize one""s own stereotypes and false assumptions about other people
knowing how to determine quickly the important circumstancesxe2x80x94emotional as well as physicalxe2x80x94of each individual
understanding how to deal with people according to these circumstances, as well as according to the equity of relevant policies and procedures.
These skills and behaviors are not easy for anyone to acquire, and it must also become a new habit for officers to apply them in both routine and exceptional circumstances on duty. Achieving this re-skilling and breaking down of old habits is at the heart of the challenge at hand.
It is a challenge similar to the one faced by many private sector companies seeking to win and retain consumer business. The nature of the diversity that needs to be recognized by a business may be different, and simpler, than that which the police service must recognize. The opportunity may exist for businesses to decide to ignore some apparently xe2x80x98unprofitablexe2x80x99 individuals; a moral luxury police service cannot have. And for the private sector, the consequences of failure to individualize treatment are seldom matters of life, death or basic human dignity for the individual concerned. At the center of individualized treatment is the awareness and validation of assumptions which may tend to cause the treatment of people in a generalized manner.
A system, method and article of manufacture are disclosed which implement a training session for training a user to validate assumptions. First, a plurality stimuli are presented to a user in the context of a simulation. The user is then prompted to enter responses to the stimuli which are subsequently recorded. The user is then allowed to enter assumptions that form a basis of the responses. Next, the user is prompted to enter information on how to validate the assumptions which is subsequently received. Feedback is then outputted based on the stimuli and responses. Such feedback relates to appropriate assumptions and information on how to validate the appropriate assumptions. As an option, the feedback may be further based on a number of assumptions entered.
In one embodiment, the stimuli may include a prerecorded audio clip, a prerecorded video clip, an animation, a graphic, a text presentation, a real-time audio stream, and/or a real-time video stream. Further, the user may be automatically prompted to enter the assumptions that form the basis of the responses and the information on how to validate the assumptions.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the simulation may include a police call regarding a situation with the stimuli including images of at least one person in the situation. Further, the responses may include questions for the person in order to collect evidence pertinent to the situation. The user may be prompted to enter the responses to the stimuli by listing a plurality of responses, and allowing the user to select between the listed responses.
As one aspect of the present invention, the stimuli and the responses are displayed after the receipt thereof in the form of a transcript during the course of the simulation. Similarly, the assumptions and the information on how to validate the assumptions may be displayed after the receipt thereof during the course of the simulation.

Computer enabled training of a user to validate assumptions


A heat dissipating system comprises a computer enclosure (1), a motherboard (2), at least one dividing panel (271), at least one heat generating element, and at least one heat dissipating device. The computer enclosure has a bottom panel (11). The motherboard is mounted on and substantially parallel to the bottom panel. The at least one dividing panel is perpendicularly attached to the motherboard. The computer enclosure and the at least one dividing panel cooperatively form at least two heat dissipating chambers. The at least one heat generating element is disposed in each of the at least two chambers. The at least one heat dissipating device is disposed in each of the at least two heat dissipating chambers.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to heat dissipating systems, and more particularly to a heat dissipating system divided into several heat dissipating chambers.
2. Description of Related Art
Computer systems have attained widespread use in many segments of today's modern society. Computer systems are typically provided with enclosures, which protect the operating components therein.
Many components of computers generate heat during operation, making it necessary to cool those components so that proper functioning continues, particularly because of the confined space of the enclosure which makes it more difficult for heat dissipate. Cooling strategies for computers usually rely upon forced airflow through the computer enclosure. A typical arrangement provides a heat sink attached on heat generating elements in a computer enclosure and a fan, which induces a flow of air through the heat sink to dissipating heat out of the computer enclosure. However, placement of heat generating elements in a common area allow the heat from the different elements to combine making heat dissipation with the above method more difficult.
What is needed, therefore, is an effective and efficient heat dissipating system for dissipating heat from electronic components therein.

Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd.


A motion picture camera for transporting and exposing a motion picture film with an adjustable rotary shutter, a rotation surface (dark sector) of which reflects the recording path of rays to at least a video recording device that has a CCD image sensor and a video electronic mechanism, and an opening sector (bright sector) of which releases rays to a recording path for film exposure, and with a sensor for determining the shutter aperture angle of the adjustable rotary shutter. A shutter logic controls the light quantity falling onto the CCD image sensor and/or the charging of the CCD image sensor dependent upon the shutter aperture angle.

The invention relates to a method for controlling a video reflection device for a motion picture camera containing a CCD image sensor and a video electronic mechanism, and to a device for implementing the method.
In order to expose a motion picture film in a motion picture camera, unexposed film is unwound from a film cassette and intermittently moved past a film gate, where the unexposed film goes into the path of rays through a recording lens. During the exposure of the motion picture film, rays are released into the film path, while for the duration of film transportation from one film image to be exposed to the next, the path of rays is covered by means of a shutter. When the next film image has reached the prescribed position in front of the film gate, the rays are again released into the film path for the purpose of exposing the film image in question.
In motion picture cameras with an adjustable rotary shutter, the release and covering of rays in a film path with intermittent film transportation takes place through a rotary shutter that is mechanically or electrically coupled to the film transport mechanism. The rotary shutter has a semi-circular-shaped reflection surface (dark sector) and an opening sector (bright secto). During film transportation, the reflection surface covers the film gate and leads rays from the film pathxe2x80x94because the reflection surface is facing the objectxe2x80x94through one or several ray dividers into an ocular, a video reflection device, and the like. During film transportation, the object can thus be observed through the ocular, recorded through the video reflection device and transmitted to a monitor. When the motion picture film is stationary in front of the film gate, the opening sector, or bright sector of the rotary shutter, releases rays into the recording path for the purpose of exposing the respective film image.
For the purpose of changing the exposure time of the motion picture film when there is a prescribed or variable film transport speed, the adjustable rotary shutter is formed from two coaxial circular sectors which can be adjusted against one another in such a way that the shutter aperture angle is variable. WO 90/08975 for example, disclosed an adjustable rotary shutter for a motion picture camera that consists of a rotary shutter and a shutter adjusting blade that can be adjusted coaxially thereto. The shutter adjusting blade is connected by a drive mechanism to an adjustment motor coupled to the rotary shutter shaft. The rotary shutter shaft is driven by either the main motor of the motion picture camera for the film transport mechanism or by its own drive motor that is electronically coupled to the main motor of the motion picture camera and/or synchronized with the number of revolutions thereof.
Between the shutter adjusting blade and the rotary shutter or the rotary shutter shaft there is a first recording device in the form of an analog or digital angle indicator, that emits a signal corresponding to the position of the shutter adjusting blade in relation to one or more of the rotary shutter and rotary shutter shaft. A second recording device in the form of a light barrier positioned in the region of the rotary shutter measures the opening time of the rotary shutter during operation.
The changing of the shutter aperture angle can be carried out either manually or automatically, or programmed so that the shutter aperture is adapted to respective light ratios, to achieve specific effects or so that the shutter aperture and thus the exposure time of the motion picture film is adapted to the respective film speed.
By adjusting the shutter aperture angle of the adjustable rotary shutter, the amount of light falling onto the motion picture film is varied. However, the reflection surface of the adjustable rotary shutter that refracts rays from the film path into the viewfinder ocular and a video reflection device during film transportation generally has a constant sector angle of 180xc2x0. Therefore, a constant light quantity goes into the viewfinder ocular and to the video reflection device. On the other hand, if there is a change in the shutter aperture angle, for example by 4 shutter stages from 11.75 to 180xc2x0, a variable light quantity reaches the film.
In the case of an unchanged reflection surface of 180xc2x0 sector angle and constant rotation speed of the rotary shutter, in relation to the video reflection device, the video image becomes too light or too dark depending upon the prevailing light ratios. With an adjustment field of the adjustable rotary shutter from an opening angle of 11.75xc2x0 to an opening angle of 180xc2x0, the light quantity reaching the video reflection device changes by 4 shutter stages.
An adaptation of the video image to the respective light ratios may be produced through automatic gain control (AGC). Such automatic adaptation to the respective light ratios is, however, undesirable if the lightness on the video image is to correspond to the lightness on the film, to create equal ratios.
DE 42 11 427 A1 disclosed a method for reducing the lightness shimmer of video images of a video camera directed at the path of rays of a motion picture camera with an adjustable rotary shutter. The number of revolutions and position of the adjustable rotary shutter are registered by a sensor and emitted as a shutter pulse signal, whereby the video camera has a CCD image sensor, an image storage device and a video signal output. With this existing method, the phase displacement between the shutter pulse signal and a video synchronizing signal is recorded. The amplitude of the video signal emitted from the video camera to the image storage device is controlled depending upon the size of the phase displacement between the shutter pulse signal and the video synchronizing signal, and is used as a control signal for the voltage-controlled intensifier of the video camera.
The existing method can be used to solve the problem that occurs when using video cameras with high light sensitivity in video reflection devices of a motion picture camera. The charge of the CCD image sensor is erased with each semi-image selection, resulting in a strong lightness shimmer with a viewfinder image reflection on a motion picture camera. The rotation speed is recorded and the phase position of the adjustable rotary shutter is emitted as a shutter pulse to a control and regulating device. The control and regulating device contains an image storage device, a programmable binary counter, an octal flip-flop and a digital-analog converter. The connection between the shutter pulse and the control pulses of the CCD image sensor of the video reflection device serves to influence the control voltage of the voltage-controlled intensifier of the video reflection device so that amplitude variations that occur with differing motion picture speeds and video frequencies are reduced to a minimum.
The existing control method does not address the problem that occurs when using a video reflection device with a CCD image sensor in a motion picture camera, into which a highly sensitive or less sensitive motion picture film can be loaded, wherein the video signal emitted by the video reflection device is over-modulated or has an amplitude which is too low.
A further problem is that in the case of a change in the shutter aperture angle of the adjustable rotary shutter of the motion picture camera, the light quantity falling onto the motion picture film in the light phase of the shutter sector is inversely proportional to the light quantity falling onto the CCD image sensor in the dark phase of the shutter sector. Exposure differences of up to 4 shutter stages can thereby arise.
Both problems lead independently of one another to a situation whereby the lightness of the film images can deviate considerably from the lightness of the video images. Therefore, the visual impact of a film recording sequence that is reproduced on a video image can deviate considerably from the visual impact that the sequence imparts on the motion picture film.
It is an object of the present invention to create a method for controlling a video reflection device containing a CCD image sensor and a video electronic mechanism, that ensures adaptation of the video image to differing light ratios and/or shutter aperture angles of the adjustable rotary shutter.
The solution according to the invention ensures that in the case of differing light ratios and/or differing shutter aperture angles of the adjustable rotary shutter, a prescribed light quantity corresponding to the film exposure is processed by the video reflection device. In the case of a constant reflection surface of for example 180xc2x0 with a change in the shutter aperture angle for the purpose of changing the exposure time of the motion picture film, the video image can be varied by at least 4 shutter stages and thus be adapted to the exposure of the film image.
Preferably, a shutter logic fixes the time and duration of the charging of the CCD image sensor depending upon the shutter aperture angle in such a way that the exposure time of the CCD image sensor and thus the light quantity taken up is proportional to the film exposure time. This control makes it possible to adapt the exposure ratios of the video reflection device to changes in the film exposure very quickly and with limited technical switching.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the shutter logic controls the substratum voltage of the CCD image sensor so that the CCD image sensor is constantly discharged during the fading-out of rays in the film exposure path.
In an alternate embodiment, the shutter logic controls the substratum voltage of the CCD image sensor so that the CCD image sensor is discharged before it is charged dependent upon the exposure time of the CCD image sensor that is determined by the shutter logic.
With this control of the shutter logic, a change in the film exposure recorded immediately beforehand in the film exposure phase is converted, and equal ratios created, between the charging of the CCD image sensor and the film exposure.
Preferably, the shutter logic connects the video timing frequency to one or more of the shutter aperture angle determined by a first sensor and the position of the adjustable rotary shutter determined by a second sensor.
The shutter logic facilitates control of the charging of the CCD image sensor dependent upon the adjusted or prescribed film exposure of the motion picture camera both in standstill or out of standstill and during the operation of the film transport mechanism.
A device for implementing the above-described method comprises a microprocessor that on the input side is struck with a video timing signal emitted by the video electronic mechanism and with the output of at least one of a sensor recording the shutter aperture angle and a sensor recording the position of the adjustable rotary shutter. The microprocessor is connected on the output side to a timing generator. The timing generator, which is also struck with the video timing signal, controls the CCD image sensor on the output side and emits output signals to a shutter logic. The shutter logic connects these signals and emits a control signal with which the respective stored charge of the CCD image sensor is once again discharged if the shutter aperture angle of the adjustable rotary shutter deviates from a prescribed value. The shutter logic emits the control signal to a component that is subsequently switched and that influences the substratum voltage of the CCD image sensor, whereby the component times the substratum voltage for the purpose of discharging the CCD image sensor.

Method for controlling a video reflection device containing A CCD image converter and a video electronics unit, for a motion picture camera

Arnold and Richter Cine Technik GmbH and Co. Betriebs KG


Techniques prepare a document for electronic signing. Such techniques involve identifying a set of signature fields common within the document, the set being for use with different pages of the document. Such techniques further involve, in response to identifying the set of signature fields, modifying content of the different pages to include the set of signature fields. Such techniques further involve outputting a prepared version of the document that includes the modified content of the different pages of the document.

A conventional electronic signature application enables multiple parties to electronically sign contracts, leases, and purchase and sale agreements from their respective electronic devices. Such an application alleviates the need for the parties to appear at a physical location and sign in person. Later, the fully signed copy may be made electronically accessible to all parties.

Preparation of signature fields within electronic documents


Disclosed herein is a protector for wire harness, which comprises a first protector body for protectively covering a first wire harness to be secured therein and a second protector body for protectively covering a second wire harness to be optionally secured therein. The second protector body having a substantially L-like shape in cross section. The second body is pivotally coupled with the first protector body through a hinge member so as to enable pivotal movement of the second protector body with respect to the first protector body. The protector further comprises a plurality of supporting pieces for supporting the second wire harness thereon which may be secured in addition to the first wire harness. The supporting pieces are provided on the first protector body so as to secure the second wire harness in cooperation with the second protector body.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a protector for wire harness for covering and protecting wire harness to be arranged on a vehicle floor or the like.
2. Description of the Prior Art
As shown in FIG. 1, conventionally, when a wire harness is arranged along side sills 2 of a body 1 of an automotive, a protector 3 is used in order to restrict the wiring path of the wire harness and to protect it.
The protector 3 is formed of a synthetic resin having a gutter-shape of which cross section is reversely U-shaped. The wire harness 4 is secured within the gutter shape portion of the protector 3 by winding a tape 5 for several times around the wire harness and the protector 3. The protector 3 to which the wire harness 4 is secured is fixed to the side sills 2 of the body 1 of the automotive, as shown in FIG. 2.
The protectors for wire harness of this kind are disclosed in Japanese Laid-open Utility Model Publication Nos. 100636/1977 and 100637/1977, in which a wire protecting tube to be mounted on an inner panel is shown, respectively. Another protector is also disclosed in Japanese Laid-open Utility Model Publication No. 50196/1979, which has a wire supporting body in which a wire harness is secured. This supporting body is mounted on a mounting panel through a hook and an upper open side of the supporting body is covered by a lid after wire harness is secured therein. Yet another protector is disclosed in Japanese Laid-open Utility Model Publication No. 142162/1983, in which wire harness and pipes are arranged on a shelf of an inner panel of a side sill, the upper side of the inner panel is covered by a protector, and a floor carpet is stapled onto the end of the protector.
However, in each of these protectors for the wire harness according to the prior arts, there is problem that only a primary single wire harness is secured and protected thereby. Therefore, any additional wire harness which is also desired to be mounted together cannot be secured and protected by the same protector, once the primary single wire harness has been mounted by the protector on a vehicle.
In order to solve this problem, conventionally another wire harness which is expected to be added was in advance secured together with the primary wire harness, and they were covered by a single protector. Further, a plurality of protectors for different wire harnesses have been preliminarily provided on a vehicle.
It is difficult, however, to preliminarily predict, at the time of mounting the primary wire harness, that another wire harness may become necessary. Accordingly, in the former case, the additional wire harness which may be unnecessary has to be disposed in advance. This results in the disadvantage that the labor cost for the disposing the additional wire harness as well as its material cost are increased. Further, in the latter case, a plurality of the protectors have to be mounted on a vehicle, which also results in increase of the labor cost for mounting the protectors as well as their material costs. In this respect, please note that none of the protectors for wire harness according to the prior arts as described above fails to take problems concerning another wire harness to be added later into their consideration.


An aircraft propulsor that includes an exhaust combustor is disclosed. The aircraft propulsor can include an internal combustion engine and a turbocharger. The turbocharger can be spooled while motoring the internal combustion engine. For example, when restarting the internal combustion engine at high altitude, an injector and an igniter can provide fuel to the exhaust and combust fuel to spool the turbocharger, decreasing load on the engine during restarting. In another example, an electric turbocharger can be driven with an electric motor to spool the turbocharger.

In certain situations, operation of aircraft at high altitude can require restarting operation of an aircraft propulsor. For example, certain aircraft propulsors can be an internal combustion engine that can include one or more turbochargers powered by energy from the exhaust of the internal combustion engine. As the air at high altitude is thin, the internal combustion engine can fail to provide enough airflow and power to both restart the internal combustion engine and spool the turbocharger.

High altitude internal combustion engine/turbocharger exhaust combustor


According to one embodiment, a developing device includes a developer storage unit, a toner supply unit, a magnet roller, a first stirring screw, and a second stirring screw. The developer storage unit is configured to be made to be able to circulate and convey a developer. The toner supply unit supplies a toner to the developer storage unit. The magnet roller adsorbs the developer. The first stirring screw conveys the developer from a second opening portion to a first opening portion along a longitudinal direction. The second stirring screw includes a rotating shaft, a screw, a paddle, and a protrusion. The screw conveys the developer from the first opening portion to the second opening portion along the longitudinal direction by rotation. The paddle protrudes from the rotating shaft to a lateral side. The paddle stirs the developer by rotation. The protrusion protrudes from the paddle in the rotating direction.

A developing device of an image forming apparatus stirs a developer containing a toner and a carrier, thereby triboelectrically charging the toner. The charged toner is adsorbed on a magnet roller and thereafter transferred to a photoconductive drum.
In this manner, the developing device causes the toner contained in the developer to adhere to the photoconductive drum according to an electrostatic latent image. When the toner is consumed by development, the toner is supplied to the developing device. The developing device includes a stirring screw. The stirring screw stirs the developer and the suppled toner, and also circulates and conveys the developer in the developing device.
However, the suppled toner does not mix into the existing developer and is conveyed along the surface on the developer in some cases. In such a case, mere stirring of the toner is insufficient.
The toner which is insufficiently stirred is not sufficiently charged, and image formation is hardly accomplished.

Developing device and image forming apparatus


The invention relates to a heatset printing ink especially suitable for the intaglio printing of security documents, particularly currency. The ink comprises: a) an epoxy resin ester reacted with an unsaturated monobasic acid and a reactive monomer, b) a cationic polyamide/ epichlorohydrin resin, c) a glycol and/or glycol ether, d) a pigment and e) a drier.

The current process for printing security documents, especially currency, is sheetfed non-heatset intaglio. Sheetfed non-heatset intaglio inks are based on oxidizable resins and alkyds and are very slow drying. Typically, one side of the currency is printed first and after 24-48 hours, the other side is printed. The typical maximum printing speed of such inks is about 75 m/min. U.S. Pat. No. 4,966,628 discloses typical non-heatset sheetfed intaglio inks suitable for printing of security documents.
The term "intaglio printing" refers to a printing process wherein a printing cylinder or printing plate carries the engraved pattern and the engraved recess is filled with printing ink to be transferred to the printing substrate in order to create the document. In this type of printing, typically a rotating engraved cylinder (usually manufactured from steel, nickel or copper and plated with chromium) is supplied with ink by one or more template inking cylinders by which a pattern of inks of different color is transferred to the printing cylinder. Any excess ink on the surface of the cylinder is then wiped off by a rotating wiper cylinder covered by a plastisol, using a dilute aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide and sulfonated castor oil as an emulsifying medium for the wiped-off excess ink. Thereafter, the printing pattern is transferred, under a pressure of up to 105 kg/cm.sup.2, to the substrate.
Recently, a heatset intaglio printing ink was developed at the laboratories of the assignee. Such ink is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,100,934 assigned to the same assignee. The inks described in the '934 patent permitted security documents, especially currency, to be printed by heatset intaglio, thereby resulting in an improved product and in a printing process which permits the obverse of the printed document to be printed an instant after printing the face. However, the inks described in the '934 patent require relatively high heatset temperatures. While such high temperatures insure very rapid drying and high throughput rates, the high heatset temperatures also tend to produce undesirable yellowing and/or crinkling of the paper substrate. In contradistinction thereto, the heatset inks of the present invention require much lower heatset temperatures but yet result in a high quality product showing no evidence of yellowing or crinkling when printed at the same throughput rates as those utilized in intaglio printing with the '934 patent inks.
The principal requirements for a security document heatset intaglio printing ink are as follows:
(a) correct rheological properties in respect to transfer of the ink to the printing cylinder and transfer therefrom to the substrate;
(b) ability of the excess ink to be easily and quantitatively removed from the non-image areas of the die surface by the wiping cylinder (wipeability);
(c) ease of cleaning the wiping cylinder by means of a cleanser such as dilute aqueous caustic soda solution containing about 1% NaOH and 0.5% sulfonated castor oil or other surfactants;
(d) stability of the ink on the printing rollers; i.e. control of the evaporation of volatile materials during the printing process to prevent premature drying of the ink on the rollers;
(e) film-forming characteristics allowing handling of the webs carrying printed films of up to 200.mu. thickness immediately after printing;
(f) proper drying properties when printing at speeds of up to 200 m/min. with engravings of up to 200.mu. thickness;
(g) outstanding chemical and mechanical resistance of the printed document pursuant to specifications established by INTERPOL at the 5th International Conference on Currency and Counterfeiting in 1969 and by the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing in BEP 88-214 (TN) .sctn. M5.
All of the foregoing requirements have been met by the ink compositions of the present invention. Indeed, the ink compositions of the present invention have been accepted by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing for use in printing currency by heatset intaglio printing.