A method and apparatus relating to the recognition of free-form data input is disclosed. The method involves ordering writing strokes based upon spatial relationships between the strokes, and partitioning the strokes into segments. The segments are then ordered based upon spatial relationships between the segments, and the segments are analyzed to associate characters with the segments. The apparatus includes a capture interface, an ordering module, and a recognition module. The capture interface records the strokes, and the ordering module orders segments of the strokes based upon spatial relationships of the segments. The recognition module analyzes the segments and associates characters with the segments.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the recognition of handwritten electronic ink input in a computing device. Various examples of the invention are particularly suited to ordering and recognizing strokes and stroke segments including late strokes.
2. Description of Background Art
The use of graphical user interfaces has created a revolution in the field of computing devices. As an alternative to memorizing arbitrary or otherwise confusing commands, the individual may now manipulate software applications by simply controlling graphical objects representing their various functions and components. Rather than requiring an individual to delete a computer file with a delete command, for example, some operating systems (e.g., the Microsoft Windows® operating system) allow the individual to delete the file by dragging a graphical object representing the file to a graphical object having the appearance of a trash receptacle.
One conventional manner of manipulating software applications, controlling graphical objects rendered on a graphical user interface, or entering data involves the use of a keyboard and a pointing device, such as a mouse. The capability of manipulating software applications has been expanded, however, to allow the individual to input data through free-form data input methods, such as handwriting. For example, some software applications enable an individual to employ a stylus for writing on a digitizer, and the various data points measured by the digitizer are then collected and rendered as one or more strokes on a display. Because the strokes rendered from these data points resemble actual ink written with a pen, the data points are often referred to as electronic ink.
A stroke is a sequence of connected data points that are formed during the time period that the stylus is brought into contact with the digitizer and subsequently removed from the digitizer. Some software applications have the capacity to recognize shapes formed by the strokes by correlating the shape of a stroke with one or more specific characters.
Examples of characters include alphabetic characters, whether from the Roman, Cyrillic, Arabic, Hebrew, or Greek alphabets, for example. Furthermore, a character may be a numeral, a punctuation mark, or one of the various symbols that are commonly utilized in written text, such as ", ', (, &, @, ä, ĉ, or , for example. Groups of various characters may also form words. The software applications then convert the recognized shapes from one or more strokes into text data that corresponds with the characters or words. This recognition ability conveniently allows the individual to input text data into the computing device using the natural, familiar process of handwriting.
Characters generated through free-form data input methods may be formed from one or more strokes. Some characters are often formed with a single stroke, such as the characters "a", "b", and "c". Other characters, however, are formed with multiple strokes, such as the characters "i" and "t". When the individual forms words, which are combinations of characters, particularly through cursive writing, some words may be formed from a single stroke. As an example, the words "pen", "cup", and "dog" are generally formed from a single stroke when formed through cursive writing. Other words, however, are generally formed through multiple strokes. As an example, the words "pin", "cut", and "dot" each require two or more discrete strokes when formed through cursive writing. Accordingly, various characters and words (i.e., text data) may be formed through one or more discrete strokes when input through free-form data input methods.
One problem that has arisen with the use of electronic ink for the input of text data relates to the recognition of late strokes. A late stroke is a part of a character that has not been written in a conventional order during the writing of the character. An individual may delay a stroke, for example, to avoid removing the stylus from the digitizer, which would break or slow the flow of inputting text data. An example of a late stroke is the dot above the character "i", which can be written immediately after the vertical bar of the character "i", but is often written after the word, phrase, or sentence containing the character "i" has been written. That is, the individual will often form the dot above the character "i" following the formation of the remainder of the word, phrase, or sentence containing the character "i". Additional examples of strokes that are often formed as late strokes are the horizontal bar on the character "t" and the accents on various French and German characters.
Another type of late stroke forms a whole character, but is inserted before or within a previously-formed stroke. For example, the apostrophe in the word "it's" is often inserted following formation of the character series "its", particularly when formed through cursive writing. As further examples, an individual may insert a stroke that represents an opening quotation mark or an opening parenthesis following the formation of a sentence or phrase.
Because these strokes are late, it is often difficult to associate these late strokes with the other strokes to which they are related. For example, when a user crosses a "t" character with "-" stroke, it is difficult for many software applications to associate the "-" with the "t" as a result of the delay. Thus, instead of the recognized text accurately corresponding to the handwritten text, the text may include an additional "-" character after the text. Accordingly, there is a need for a method of analyzing and ordering strokes that will associate late strokes with previously-formed strokes to which the late strokes are related, so that the recognized text corresponding to the late strokes are accurately positioned.

Recognition of electronic ink with late strokes


Techniques for facilitating communication are provided. The techniques include using a machine-to-machine communication to facilitate communication between one or more human users of a communicator device and a compatible communicator device, wherein using the machine-to-machine communication to facilitate communication between one or more human users comprises initiating a machine-to-machine communication with a compatible communicator device if the device is within the geographic proximity, wherein the machine-to-machine communication incorporates one or more related items from a user profile of each device automatically extracted by the device initiating the machine-to-machine communication, and conducting the machine-to-machine communication in a manner in which the communication can be monitored by the one or more human users.

Individuals are often co-located, and yet can be hesitant to initiate dialogue with others in close proximity. There is frequently no clear way to determine a priori whether one individual is interested in engaging in conversation, or if an individual shares interests with another individual.
There exist social networking tools that can enable participants to "pre-meet." For example, a traveler about to embark on a trip can identify others going on that same trip using a social networking site. A traveler can establish a priori whether he or she shares common interests with other travelers. This process, however, requires a level of planning that is not practical or even possible in many situations.
Similar obstacles can occur in many settings where people gather such as, for example, a bar or restaurant, where individuals may also want to engage with others.

International Business Machines Corporation


A transmission device for a vehicle (1) having a variator (3), which is configured as a hydrostatic device, of a transverse axial construction that can be adjusted at least in the region of a pivot axis (11), a planetary gear set (4) and a manual gear unit (9). The orientation of the pivot axis (11) of the variator (3), following installation in the vehicle, at least approximately corresponds to the orientation of a vehicle vertical axis (16).

A hydrostatic-mechanical tractor transmission with a continuously variable hydrostatic drive train is known from DE 10 2006 025 348 A1. The hydrostatic drive train has a hydrostatic pump driven by an internal combustion engine and a hydraulic motor driven by the pump. The pump and the hydraulic motor are forcibly coupled via a single, common pivoting part and can be adjusted such that the pump is pivoted between a minimum angle and a maximum angle, while the motor synchronously pivots from a maximum pivot angle to a minimum angle at the same time. The pump is designed for only one conveying direction. A mechanical range transmission with several shift steps, which can be shifted via a clutch, is provided downstream.
Furthermore, a transmission device comprising a power split unit is known from DE 19 52 966 A which has a variator, a double planetary gear set and a manual transmission device to implement the drive ranges. The pump and motor means of the variator configured as a hydrostatic device can be adjusted via a common yoke.


Data are rerouted over a network having a uniform-capacity Tandem Connection by detecting a failure in a link in a path, maintaining the path through a Tandem Connection that does not include the failed link, and rerouting the data through the Tandem Connection based on information embedded in a tandem layer, and independent of the constituent payload capacities within the tandem connection.

The present invention relates to communications on a network. In particular, the present invention relates to routing data along a Synchronous Optical Network.
Present-day optical data transport networks have high capacity and are very flexible in terms of allowing for different payload types and data rates. The combination of high capacity and high flexibility, however, gives rise to routing problems if data, for whatever reason, requires rerouting from its original path along the network. Specifically, because optical networks can carry large amounts of data at various speeds and packet sizes, present methods of rerouting are incapable of quickly and efficiently rerouting this data.
Within the field of optical networking, various standards exist for interfacing optical telephone networks. In North America, the SONET (Synchronous Optical Network) standards are used, while in Europe and most of Asia, the SDH (Synchronous Digital Hierarchy) standards are used. The SONET standards, and their SDH analogs, are used for interfacing equipment from different vendors. The SONET and SDH standards are similar; and for the purposes of this document, the term SONET includes both the SONET and SDH standards.
Several advantages are derived from using SONET. One advantage is that proprietary protocols for fiber-based digital transport have essentially been eliminated. SONET is based on the principle of direct synchronous multiplexing, which allows separate, slower signals to be multiplexed directly onto higher speed SONET signals without intermediate stages of multiplexing. Additionally, SONET provides advanced network management features, using nearly 5% of the total bandwidth. The SONET protocol is described in American National Standard for Telecommunicationsxe2x80x94Digital Hierarchyxe2x80x94Optical interface rates and formats specifications (SONET), ANSI T1.105-1991, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
A SONET protocol stack consists of the following four layers: the photonic layer, the section layer, the line layer, and the path layer. The photonic layer relates to converting electrical signals to optical signals. The section layer relates to the transport of STS-n (Synchronous Transport Signal) frames across the physical medium. Functions include framing, scrambling, section-error monitoring and communicating and adding the section-layer overhead.
The line layer allows the path layer payload to be transported, and it provides synchronization and multiplexing for the path layer. A line is the medium required to transmit data from the originating equipment to the terminating equipment. Finally, the path layer deals with the transport and mapping of services between path terminating equipment. These services include, but are not limited to, DS1, DS3 and video. The path layer carries information for mapping these services into an STS frame.
Providing end-to-end service requires fast service provisioning, maintenance, and quality assurance. The layered architecture in SONET helps a network operator to achieve service objectives for all service paths originating and terminating within the service provider""s network domain. Some SONET signals, however, originate and terminate outside a network operator""s domain. The network operators do not have access to the path-terminating points for such service signal. Thus, to meet end-to-end service objectives to manage all paths within the interface originating from all inter-network paths, an optional intermediate layer called Tandem Connection Overhead has been defined in the standards. This optional Tandem Connection Overhead layer exists between the line layer and the path layer, and is a standard specified in American National Standard for Telecommunicationsxe2x80x94Synchronous Optical Network (SONET) Tandem Connection Maintenance, ANSI T1.105.05-1994, hereby incorporated by reference. As discussed in the standard, the Tandem Connection Overhead layer deals with the reliable transport of path-layer payload and its overhead across a network. The use of Tandem Connection is application specific and at the discretion of the carrier.
A Tandem Connection is defined in the standard as a group of N STS-1s (N is any of the allowed line rate values) that are transported and maintained together through one or more tandem line systems, with the constituent SPE (Synchronous Payload Envelope) payload capacities unaltered. Tandem Connection maintenance can be performed in a single STS-1 (where STS is the digital version of the OC standard) or on a bundle with a capacity of N STS-1s, where N is any of the allowed line rate values. The size of bundles supported is application-specific and depends on the equipment used.
Before SONET was used, Plesiochronous Digital Hierarchy (PDH) networks existed with their own type of multiplexing. The types of multiplexing performed, however, placed severe restrictions on how a high-capacity pipe could be used to transport a variety of lower order digital pipes. In the pre-SONET world (including PDH), there was only one type of signal: the DS3 signal at 45 Mbit per second. In this signal, there is no standard overhead frame. Thus, if there is a failure in the network, only one type of signal with one type of payload at one type of rate needs to be multiplexed and sorted. If, however, a variety of signals, payloads and rates exist in a SONET environment, this multiplexing and sorting is extremely difficult, and can make it very difficult to reroute data in a practical way. In this scheme, if there is a network failure, rerouting and recreating the data is extremely difficult because within a few milliseconds, the system must figure out the slots needed for alternate routes, and then must assign those slots for alternate payloads.
It is clear from the above discussion that the desirable characteristics of high capacity and flexibility provided by optical networks creates efficiency problems if data packets on an optical network need to be rerouted.
To alleviate the problems inherent in the prior art, a system and method are introduced to route data along an optical network independent of payload type. Because the routing is performed independently of payload type, the routing is deemed service independent.
In one embodiment of the present invention, a network failure is detected on a path between a first point and a second point. An alternate path on the network is established from the first point to the second point, the alternate path comprising a uniform-capacity tandem circuit. The data are then rerouted through the alternate path based on information embedded in a tandem layer in the data, and independent of the constituent payload capacities within the tandem connection.
For the purposes of the present invention, the following definitions are used: A link is a physical connection between any connected nodes; a path is the physical portion of a network between, and defined by, a start point and an end point; and a path can traverse over multiple links.

System and method for service independent data routing


An electrical device such as a headset may have a cable. Wires in the cable may be used to connect speakers in the headset to a connector such as an audio jack. The cable may have a tubular intertwined cable cover that covers the wires. Computer-controlled servo motors in fiber intertwining equipment may be adjusted in real time so that intertwined attributes such as intertwining density and intertwining tension are varied as a function of length along the intertwined cable cover. The fiber intertwining equipment may make these variations to locally increase the strength of the intertwined cable cover and the cable in the vicinity of a bifurcation in the cable and in the vicinity of the portion of the cable that terminates at the audio jack.

This invention relates to structures formed from intertwined fibers, and more particularly, to ways in which to form structures for electronic devices from intertwined fibers.
Electronic devices such as music players often use headsets. Some headsets are formed from wires that are contained within a cable formed from braided fibers. Seams may be present at a bifurcation where the headset cable splits into left and right branches. The end of the cable may be terminated with an audio jack. To help prevent damage to the cable in the vicinity of the audio jack, a plastic strain relief structure is typically formed over the cable.
Headsets with cables such as these may be unsightly due to the presence of undesired seams and strain relief features. Moreover, if care is not taken, the fibers of the cable may be prone to unraveling in the vicinity of the bifurcation.
It would therefore be desirable to be able to provide improved cable structures such as improved intertwined cables with bifurcations and strain relief structures for devices such as headsets.

Cables with intertwined strain relief and bifurcation structures


Provided are a device control apparatus, a device control method, and a device control system which prevent a conflict from occurring in RPCs simultaneously transmitted from a plurality of applications to the same device, so that RPCs can be applied to exercise control over devices in an IoT system of a many-to-many connection which cannot accept non-completion of a series of processing operations in cooperation. The device control apparatus includes a memory (13h) in which information on a device (30) and an identifier of the device (30) is stored, and a memory (13i) in which authority of the device 30 for each application (20) is stored. The device control apparatus includes a memory (13h) configured to store information on a device (30) and an identifier of the device (30), and a memory (13i) configured to store authority for controlling the device 30 for each application (20). The apparatus, the method, and the system provide, in accordance with a request signal from, e.g., an application (20a) control authority to the application (20a), if the application (20a) has control authority for all devices (30) as a control object, and transmit a remote control signal from the application (20a) to devices (30a, 30b) as a control object while excluding a control authority for other applications (20b, 20c) to control the devices (30).

In an Internet of Things (IoT) system used in recent years, a device mounted with various sensors or actuators is connected to a network, and data from this device is collected and utilized.
In some cases, a plurality of applications (such as an apparatus, software, or process) are connected to this IoT system and control operation of the aforementioned device through transmission of control signals thereto.
As a specific control technique using the control signals, a Remote Procedure Call (hereinafter referred to as "RPC") has been used (see Non Patent Literature 1).

Device control apparatus, device control method, and device control system

NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION


A universal connector (100) is adapted to connect a wiper blade assembly (20, 102) with a variety of wiper arm ends (300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314, 316). In order to connect side pin type wiper arm ends (302, 304, 306), the connector includes a pin hole (216) having a figure “8” shape defined by larger and smaller overlapping lobes (218, 220). A flexible tongue (222) carried by the connector (100) includes a pair of scalloped pawls (224, 226) aligned with the respective larger and smaller lobes (218, 220) so as to engage either a ¼″ or 3/16″ wiper arm side pin (302-306). In order to connect wiper arm ends having hook slots (310, 312, 314 316), the connector (100) includes a generally planar upper landing (204), a generally planar lower return (206), and a forward nose profile (208). Sides (210) include cantilevered extensions (212) projecting beyond the nose profile (208) and which carry a pair of 9×4 stops (214) set below the plane of the lower return (206) by a clearance gap. When assembling a 9×3 hook end (316), the 9×4 stop (214) is bypassed entirely due to the clearance gap. However, when a 9×4 hook arm (310, 312, 314) is used, the 9×4 stops (214) retain the hook arm (310, 312, 314) in position.

1. Field of the Invention
A wiper blade assembly of the type used for clearing water from a windshield or windscreen, and more particularly toward an improved connector for joining a wiper blade to any one of various style wiper arm ends including side pin and/or hook slot styles.
2. Related Art
Windshield wipers are used to remove water from the windshield or windscreen of motor vehicles and in related applications. In a typical wiper assembly, a wiper blade connects to the free end of an oscillating or sweeping wiper arm through a central connection device, known as a connector. The connector is usually clipped onto the top side of the wiper blade, generally midway along its length.
Traditionally, the free sweeping end of wiper arms are configured in one of several recurring styles which include pin-type arms, hook slot arms and straight arms. Each arm end style has a different technique for attaching (and detaching) with the connector. For example, a wiper blade assembly is connected to a pin-type arm by inserting a transverse pin through a side hole in the connector. Hook slot style arms are attached by sliding the hook over the connector until a tab or flexible tongue of the connector automatically locks in the so-called din slot of the hook. Straight arm style arm ends are typically attached by sliding the straight arm into the connector until a small stud locks in place. Each type of wiper arm end may come in a variety of sizes. For example, pin-type arms typically are designed with either 3/16 or ¼ inch diameter pins in the US, and in various metric sizes for the European markets. Hook type arms typically have hook bar thicknesses of 3 mm or 4 mm. The hook widths are commonly 9 mm, so that these two size classes are referred to as either 9×3 or 9×4 styles. The inside dimensions of a 9×3 style hook are typically smaller than the corresponding inside dimensions of a 9×4 style hook.
For replacement blade sales, the connector must be able to accommodate several, or more preferably all, of these arm end styles and sizes. Much attention has therefore been given to the configuration of the connector, together with the method in which it is fixed to the wiper blade. Another concern is the robustness of the connector. The connector is largely exposed to the environment and if damaged may lead to unintended disconnection of the wiper blade. For example, impact by a foreign object such as a stone thrown by a passing car or an ice scraper can conceivably cause the connector to release its otherwise secure engagement with the wiper blade, resulting in unexpected disassembly from the wiper arm.
Another disadvantage inherent in prior art connector designs resides in the self-locking retention features used by 9×3 and 9×4 hook ends on a wiper arm. Typically, in order to install a new wiper blade to a hook style wiper arm, and to remove same, the wiper blade must be rotated to a "service up" position where the wiper blade body is placed substantially perpendicular to the wiper arm. Only in this service up position can the wiper blade be installed or removed from a hook style arm due to self-locking stop features incorporated into the connector. It will be appreciated that not all vehicle wiper assemblies include a convenient service up position and therefore changing the wiper blades on hook style arms can be difficult.
Therefore, there is a need in this art for an improved connector between the wiper blade and wiper arm which will adapt to a variety of arm end designs without need of auxiliary adaptors, without requiring a service up position for some hook style arm configurations, and which is not susceptible to damage if impacted by a foreign object such as thrown stone or an over-zealous ice scraper.

Multifunction wiper blade connector and assembly


A sling bar assembly allows variable positioning of a sling on the sling bar assembly. Some sling bar assemblies include opposing sling bar members that are movable with respect to one another in a lateral direction. Some opposing sling bar members are repositionable between a locked position, in which movement of the sling members with respect to one another is restricted, and an unlocked position. Some sling bar assemblies include multiple sling hooks positioned on a sling bar member. Some sling bar assemblies include a biasing member that permits movement of a sling hook with respect to the sling bar assembly in the lateral direction.

Subject lifting systems, such as mobile lifts and overhead lifts, are used to transport subjects for any number of reasons. Overhead lifts may be mounted to a ceiling and operate like a winch, and may include a motor and a lift drum that is driven by the motor. A lift strap may be coupled to the lift drum for lifting and lowering a subject when the drum is rotated. For example, as the lift drum rotates, the lift strap is either wound up onto the lift drum, or paid out from the lift drum. Mobile lifts may include a lift device positioned on one or more wheels to transport a subject from one location to another. A sling bar may be attached to the overhead lifts and the mobile lifts to connect a subject to the overhead lift or the mobile lift. For example, an accessory such as a sling, a vest, or the like, may be attached to a subject, and the accessory may be coupled to the sling bar to connect the subject to the overhead lift or the mobile lift.
Conventional sling bars have defined sizes, such that different sling bars may be utilized with different sized subjects and/or with different sized accessories. For example, smaller sling bars may be utilized with smaller subjects using narrower accessories, and may not generally be suitable for use with larger subjects. Similarly, larger sling bars may be utilized with larger subjects using larger accessories, and may not generally be suitable for use with smaller subjects. As such, conventional sling bars may only be utilized with certain subjects and/or with certain accessories, requiring care givers to correlate appropriate sling bars with appropriate subjects/accessories, and requiring that care facilities stock and maintain multiple varieties of sling bars.
Accordingly, a need exists for alternative sling bars that may be adjusted to accommodate different subjects.

Adjustable sling bars for subject lifting systems and methods for operating the same


The present invention provides a process for producing a ceramic material, which comprises: (a) forming a green compact by compacting a powder comprising alumina and carbon, wherein the powder is substantially free of silicon carbide and wherein the amount of carbon present in the powder does not exceed 0.1% by weight of the powder; and (b) sintering the green compact under non-oxidising conditions to form a ceramic material comprising alumina and carbon, wherein the green compact is sintered at a temperature of less than 1550° C. Ceramic materials obtainable by said process are also provided.

Alumina (aluminium oxide; Al2O3) has been used in structural components such as heat engines and other applications requiring good oxidation, corrosion resistance and high wear resistance. However, the low toughness and brittle failure mode of monolithic alumina significantly reduces the reliability of the material during use.
Efforts to improve the mechanical properties of monolithic alumina have been the focus of attention of engineers and ceramic researchers for many years. As a result, a number of different approaches have been proposed in this area. Of these, the use of second phase reinforcements has been one of the most successful approaches. The second phase can play an important role, such as providing obstacles that can divert a propagating crack or act as bridging elements, thus increasing the crack resistance and flexure strength of the material. It has been found that the properties of alumina may be enhanced by incorporating a fine dispersion of a second ceramic phase throughout the material.
In particular, it has been found that the inclusion of a second phase comprising silicon carbide (SiC) nanoparticles may improve the wear resistance and surface finish of alumina. The silicon carbide nanoparticles cause the fracture mode of the material to change from intergranular to transgranular. The silicon carbide-containing materials have significantly improved wear resistance compared with monolithic alumina. According to Ortiz-Merino et al (Acta Mater., 53, 3345-57), the addition of only 2 vol % silicon carbide improves wear properties by a decrease in the number of pullouts and also a reduction in pullout size, both resulting mainly from the change in fracture mode.
Despite having commercially desirable properties, the cost of the silicon carbide nanopowders means that the materials may be significantly more expensive to produce than alumina. Moreover, the green compacts are usually sintered at relatively high temperature and pressure. This can add further expense and can limit the ability to produce large or complicated parts.

Alumina-based ceramic materials and process for the production thereof


A seating element for an automobile vehicle with a cushion formed from a central portion (10) with an exterior face for supporting a user seated on the seat and at least a lateral portion (20) on the door side, the lateral portion (20) being provided with at least one insert (30) lodged in the cushion, and in which the said insert (30) has a directional elasticity resulting in a stiffness in a first direction along the transversal axis with a first value and a stiffness in a second direction perpendicular to the said exterior face for support with a second value inferior to the said first value.

The seat in an automobile represents an element for the comfort and the safety of the passengers. An automobile vehicle seat comprises typically a seat cushion and a backrest. The seat comprises a seat frame on which is mounted a cushion covered with seat covering.
The seat cushion and the backrest comprise themselves a central portion and two lateral portions surrounding the central portion. The lateral portions are made as thicker parts and are therefore protruding which ensures the support of the user seated on the seat during the different driving phases. This maybe a particularly desired option when the route is windy and the lateral portions hold the user in a position facing the direction of travel. The resulting support can vary as the function of the physical properties of the padding employed in order to fill the lateral portions, in particular its density and its resistance. However, it is noted that the padding has a tendency to sag which does not allow an optimal support during the different driving phases of the vehicle, in particular when there are bends. However, this allows in turn the user an easy access to the vehicle seat.
One solution consists in providing a rigid insert in the filling of the lateral portions which may be a metallic insert and which reinforces the lateral portions in order for a better support of the user. However this solution has the disadvantage that it does not allow the access to the seat as the lateral portions are not removable after the passenger or the driver is on board.


A picture encoding apparatus configured to hierarchically partition a block of picture data into sub-blocks; determine that a sub-block being coded belongs to an unequally-sized partitioned block; prepare a list of neighboring blocks for the sub-block of the unequally-sized partitioned block based on a size of the sub-block of the unequally-sized partitioned block and a partitioning type of at least one neighboring block of the unequally-sized partitioned block; and derive a context model that is used to encode split information of the sub-block of the unequally-sized partitioned block into a bit stream based on the prepared list of neighboring blocks.

Digital video communication and storage applications are implemented by a wide range of digital devices, for example, digital cameras, cellular radio telephones, laptops, broadcasting systems, and video teleconferencing systems. One of the most important and challenging tasks of these applications is video compression. The task of video compression is complex and is constrained by two contradicting parameters: compression efficiency and computational complexity. Video coding standards, such as ITU-T H.264/AVC (Advance Video Coding) or ITU-T H.265/HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding), provide a good tradeoff between these parameters.
When encoding a video, a hierarchical encoder produces various syntax elements that are further signaled into a bit stream according to an assigned probability model. Syntax elements comprise data that represents how a picture is split into blocks. It is important that an entropy decoder is assigned the same context models that were assigned on the encoder side. Otherwise, the parsing and decoding processes cannot be correctly performed, because wrong values of syntax elements are parsed from the bit stream. As a consequence of this requirement, means of context derivation should not have differences at the encoder and decoder sides, and the same context models for the same input sequence of syntax elements should be provided at both sides. Syntax elements comprise data that represents how a picture is split into blocks. Covering a picture with a set of blocks can be referred to as partitioning. If blocks are of the same size, partitioning is considered to be regular. Hierarchical partitioning consists in splitting a block into smaller sub-blocks. Each of these sub-blocks could be further partitioned up to the smallest size possible. In the HEVC standard, a picture is regularly split into the largest coding units (LCUs), and each of these units could be further hierarchically partitioned. Encoding and parsing processes for hierarchically partitioned blocks is a recursive procedure, wherein a recursion step can be represented by a node of a tree structure. Each node within a tree-based representation has its split depth, i.e. a number of nodes in the path from this node to the root of the tree.
Unequally-sized partitioning produces sub-blocks of different sizes, and thus, the nodes of the same depth within a multi-type partitioning tree may represent regions of different sizes. Therefore split depth is not an accurate criterion to rely on when performing probability modeling.

Methods and apparatuses for signaling partioning information for picture encoding and decoding


A method for preventing a BIOS from getting viruses, wherein a changeable memory for storing BIOS codes is divided into two areas, one is a primary actuating area and other is a duplicating area. Initially these two areas store identical BIOS. The method comprises the steps of actuating from the primary actuating area and determining whether the step of actuating exists; performing the process to a testing point, and comparing the check sums of the primary actuating area and the duplicating area; through the comparison, performing the starting up process from the primary actuating area and duplicating area and copying the data of the primary actuating area and duplicating area to one another to maintain one area having a complete BIOS in order to prevent the BIOS from being destroyed by virus, or by abnormal modification, so that the system operates normally.

The present invention relates to a method for preventing a BIOS from getting viruses, wherein a single changeable memory serves to store two copies of BIOS codes in two areas, in order to prevent the BIOS from being destroyed by a virus, or by abnormal modifications, so that the system operates normally.
In a typical computer, a BIOS (BASIC INPUT OUTPUT SYSTEM) is a set of instructions stored in a read only memory (ROM), which serves to instruct the communication between the hardware of a computer, operating system, application programs and peripheral devices. Since the beginning of computers, a nonvolatile read only memory is employed, so that a user can not modify and update the contents of a BIOS. However, currently, variable memories (such as FLASH ROM MEMORY, EEPROM, FIRMWARE HUB) are widely used, after a computer is actuated, and the BIOS is loaded into the variable memory and then it is performed. Thus, the BIOS can be updated and then the new edition of the BIOS is retained. But it is probable that the updated BIOS has mistakes. Therefore, as the computer is re-actuated, the computer will not operate normally. In general, a disk is sent to buyer when a mother board is purchased. The disk is the disk of BIOS for updating the BIOS and it can become damaged. However, most users do not fully understand this function and search other sellers to maintain the computer, which is not only time-consuming, but also is costly both for the buyer and seller.
In general, the viruses of computers can be divided into file type, starting up type, etc. The starting up type primarily attacks the BIOS of a computer to modify and destroy the program code of the BIOS so that the system can not be started up. Thus, most computers are loaded with anti-virus software to remove the virus. The anti-virus softwares not only occupy a large amount of memory space that affect accessing and communications of the computer, but they can not operate during initial start up. Moreover, after a virus is removed, the BIOS must be re-performed again, this process is very tedious and thus not conveniently.
Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to provide a method for preventing a BIOS from getting viruses, wherein a changeable memory for storing BIOS codes is divided into two areas, one is a primary actuating area and other is a duplicating area, initially these two areas store identical BIOS. The method comprises the steps of actuating a computer from the primary actuating area and determining whether the steps of actuating exists; performing the process to a testing point, and comparing the check sums of the primary actuating area and the duplicating area. Through the comparison, performing the start up process from the primary actuating area and duplicating area and copying the data of the primary actuating area and duplicating area to one another to ensure that one of the areas have complete BIOS in order to prevent the BIOS from being destroyed by viruses, or by abnormal modifications, such that the system operates normally.
In the present invention, after the system is initiated, the system performs the function of BIOS in the primary actuating area. When the process enters into the testing point, the differences of the check sums of the primary actuating area and the duplicating area are compared.
1. If the check sums are equal, then the process after the testing point is performed from the duplicating area.
2. If the check sums are unequal, the content in primary actuating area is copied into duplicating area so that the two areas have identical contents. If copying fails, then the process returns to the primary actuating area.
3. If the start up process can be performed from the primary actuating area, the system starts up from the duplicating area in force. After entering into the testing point, the content in the duplicating area is copied to the primary actuating area, then the process is performed from the primary actuating area. If starting up process fails, then the system starts up by the BIOS duplicating area. After the actuating is complete from the duplicating area, the system informs the user that the primary actuating area is destroyed.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for preventing that a BIOS from getting the virus, wherein if starting up from the primary actuating area fails, the message is displayed on a screen. Thus, an interactive starting up process is achieved so that the user may understand the state of the system BIOS.

Method for preventing a BIOS to get viruses


A conductor for a flexible substrate, used for a flexible flat cable or disposed inside a flexible printed-circuit board, according to the present invention comprises: a base conductor made of Cu or Cu-alloy; a plating film made of Sn or Sn-alloy formed on a surface of the base conductor; and a surface oxide film formed on a surface of the plating film, in which the surface oxide film includes oxide of an element other than Sn or a mixture of Sn oxide and oxide of an element other than Sn.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a conductor for wiring and terminal connection, and in particular, relates to a conductor used for a flexible substrate, such as a flexible flat cable (FFC) and flexible printed-wiring board (FPC), used for electronic devices and a fabrication method of the conductor. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a flexible substrate using the conductor.
2. Description of Related Art
FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration showing a perspective view of an example of a joint between a connector and a flexible flat cable. As shown in FIG. 2, in a terminal connection at which a flexible flat cable (hereafter, referred to as FFC) 13 is connected to a connector 11, plating is applied to surface of a connector pin (metal terminal) 12 of the connector (connector member) 11 and a conductor 14 of the FFC 13. Conventionally, Sn (tin), Ag (silver), Au (gold) or Ni (nickel) plating is applied to a surface of wiring material, specifically copper and copper alloy, in order to prevent the wiring material from oxidizing. Especially, the cost of raw material for Sn is low, and Sn is soft. Therefore, Sn is easily deformed by pressure at a contact point, increasing a contact area, and thereby making it possible to keep the contact resistance low. For this reason, wiring material with its surface plated with Sn is widely used.
An Sn—Pb alloy having a good resistance to whiskers has been conventionally used as an Sn plating alloy. However, recently, from the viewpoint of environmental considerations, the use of Pb-free material (lead-free material) and non-halogen material are desired. Therefore, it is required that material used as wiring material be Pb-free and non-halogen, and a variety of research and development have been carried out. (For example, JP-A-2006-111898, JP-A-2005-216749, JP-A-2005-206869, JP-A-2006-45665, Reference for JEITA's lead-free achievement urgent proposal meeting (2005.2.17), and JEITA's 2005 research report about practical application of lead-free soldering (2005.6))
However, there is a problem with the development of Pb-free technology of the Sn plating, specifically in the Sn or Sn-group alloy plating. FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration showing an enlarged perspective view for explaining appearance (growth) of whiskers on the joint between the connector and the FFC. As shown in FIG. 3, whiskers 21 that are acicular crystals of Sn appear (grow) from the plating, thereby causing short-circuits between adjacent conductors.
It is considered possible to reduce appearance (growth) of whiskers by executing the reflow process of electroplated Sn so as to reduce a residual stress in the Sn plating which is considered one of the causes for the appearance (growth) of whiskers. However, a detailed mechanism to inhibit whiskers has not yet been clarified. Furthermore, in the cases in which external stress is newly applied to the contact point in the joint of the connector or the like after the reflow process, the application of the reflow process before the joint will not be helpful to inhibit the appearance of whiskers. On the other hand, although it is possible to suppress whiskers by applying Bi (bismuth) or Ag alloy electrolytic plating or electroless plating, there is a report indicating that the application of the reflow process may cause whiskers to appear more frequently than in the case of the pure Sn plating. Besides, it is assumed that the reflow process is a necessary process for electronic components in order to mount components, therefore, creating a problem with the use of this alloy (Bi or Ag alloy) plating.
Currently, an effective method is disclosed in which thin Sn plating with the thickness of 1 μm or less is applied. However, in this method, there is a problem in that contact resistance increases more than in the conventional technological methods, specifically when the plating is left under high temperatures.

Conductor for flexible substrate and fabrication method of same, and flexible substrate using same


A bolt and nut engaging tool includes a loop that has an outer surface, an inner surface, a top side and a bottom side. The inner surface has a size and shape adapted for removably receiving a fastener. Each of a pair of the finger grips is coupled to the loop and extends in opposite directions with respect to each other. Each of the finger grips has an outer end extending away from the loop. The fastener may be removably positioned within the loop member so that the loop member engages the fastener and may be rotated by placing rotational force on the finger grips.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to wrench devices and more particularly pertains to a new wrench device for allowing the rotation of a bolt or nut with finger grips and which may be used within tight locales.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of wrench devices is known in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 5,287,775 describes a torque limiting wrench having a circular hand grip. Another type of wrench device is U.S. Pat. No. 5,005,448 which includes a circular handgrip having a plurality of cut outs therein for aiding the grip of the handgrip. Yet another such device is found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,138,531 which again includes a circular handgrip. This handgrip is scalloped for again aiding in gripping the handgrip.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the need remains for a wrench which may easily used by the fingers. This will aid a person who is attempting to loosen or tighten a fastener in a confined space which does not easily allow for an elongated handle or for the user's hand as would be required in the above devices. In particular, finger engaging members should be utilized to allow for rotation of a wrench using only fingers.


There is provided a machine component having an IC tag attached thereto, which can be controlled consistently from manufacture to disposal without the IC tag missed on the way. The machine component is embedded with the IC tag (110) made up of an IC chip having recorded thereon information unique to the relevant machine component and an antenna connected electrically with the IC chip.

The RFID technology is a generic term descriptive of a data identification method using radio frequencies or identifying media utilizing such data identification method and makes use of an RFID system including an IC tag serving as a data carrier, an IC tag reader/writer and an administrative personal computer. As shown in FIG. 4, the IC tag includes an IC chip, carrying data on merchandise or product information, and a miniature antenna, all embedded in a plastic card. The IC chip contains an ID memory and a communication control circuit. When the IC tag is attached to an object to be identified and information carried thereby is picked up by means of a reader/writer by radio, a traffic control, a merchandise or product control or identification can be accomplished.
By way of example, the Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2001-56847 discloses an ID tag (IC tag), in which the antenna works satisfactorily even when held in contact with a metallic plate, which can be formed to a relatively small thickness and which does not spoil portability.
However, any machine component carrying an IC tag has not yet been made available in the art, which can be consistently controlled from production to disposal with no possibility of the IC tag being lost.
Under these circumstances, demands have recently increased to enable the traceability of the products, which makes it possible to trace the history, application and whereabouts of products to be identified. When it comes to the quality control of machine components, it is desired that the production history on quality, lot and others at every stage of the manufacturing process from purchase of materials to completion of manufacture (including purchase of materials, forging stage, heat treatment stage, grinding stage and others) can be ascertained or identified on each of the machine components or on a lot-by-lot basis. By way of example, specialty goods such as aircraft bearings are generally examined one by one and, accordingly, it is generally required for the production history of each of those specialty goods to be ascertained. In the case of general goods such as bearings for use with automobiles and industrial machines, the lot-based control is generally practiced and the lot-by-lot sampling inspection procedure is carried out for each lot of products and, accordingly, it is required for the lot-by-lot production history to be ascertained. If the production history is available, not only can the manufacturer easily work around with replacement, identification of a batch or lot of products containing one or more products to be rejected and/or future improvements in the event of occurrence of one or more defective products, but life estimation and a prior replacement in anticipation of a possible occurrence of machine troubles can also be performed easily. In addition, determination of mix-up of analogous goods can also be performed easily.
As a quality control method for clarifying the production history, the method has hitherto been practiced, in which information arising from each stage of the manufacturing process is recorded on a check note or sheet and/or inputted to a database terminal.
On the other hand, in the field of physical distribution management and stock management, the IC tag is increasingly used and, even in the manufacture of components for automobiles, the control from production to disposal using the IC tag has been suggested. See, for example, the Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2002-169858. Since the IC tag has the ability to record and read out information on a non-contact basis and, since it can have a large storage capacity, a sophisticated control can be expected.
According to the conventionally suggested quality control method using the IC tags, by directly recording various pieces of information about a machine component on the IC tag attached to such machine component, or by consulting the database for the machine component having such identification information while recording identification information about the machine component on the IC tag, material, lot control information and data on various histories, all associated with the machine component can be identified. However, the cause of trouble in the machine component may not be ascertained only with the information on the machine component. By way of example, difference in processing condition at every stage of the manufacturing process often brings about difference in quality and such difference brought about by the difference in the processing condition cannot be often recognized from results of examination. Considering that machine components such as rolling bearings, shaft couplings and ball screws are generally made up of a plurality of elements, even though the results of examination of the machine components are made available, it is virtually difficult to identify the presence or absence of any defect and/or trouble arising from the difference in quality of those elements. In particular, in the case of the machine component including rolling elements of, for example, the rolling bearing, even slight difference in material and precision affects the performance of the resultant machine component and, therefore, the conventionally suggested quality control method using the IC tags is incapable of resolving those problems.
Also, as for the production control, the conventional control method in which data are recorded on a check note or sheet and/or inputted to a terminal device at every stage of the production process requires complicated and time-consuming procedures in accomplishing the recording and/or inputting and, therefore, it is quite difficult for a substantial amount of information to be recorded carefully and meticulously. Specifically, in the case that machine components such as rolling bearings are made up of a plurality of elements and those elements are manufactured on a lot basis throughout the manufacturing process including purchase of material, forging stage, heat treatment stage and grinding stage, the control of those elements at every stage of the manufacturing process is complicated and it is time-consuming to record and input the history information on each of the elements by hand. For this reason, it is difficult to provide the detailed information on history of the machine components, and the control of such information is costly.
In view of the foregoing, the use of the IC tag has been contemplated, but it has been found that the quality control system employed in association with articles of manufactures such as automobiles cannot be applied to the machine components of the kind discussed above. According to the previously mentioned Patent Document (Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2002-169858), the IC tag is attached to automobiles, which are an object to be controlled, so that information on every stage of the manufacturing process can be recorded. This IC tag is affixed to a frame of each automobile. However, considering that the machine components such as rolling bearings do not make use of any complete element usable as a standard object similar to the automobile frame and that during the manufacturing process those elements are manufactured through forging, heat treatment and the others, no IC tag can be affixed to each machine component itself from the beginning of the manufacturing process. Also, since in the case of the machine components such as rolling bearings, inner races, outer races, rolling elements and other elements are controlled individually at each stage of the manufacturing process including, the purchase of material, a forging stage, a heat treatment stage and a grinding stage, it is difficult to determine how to use the IC tags for the quality control. More specifically, it is difficult to determine which stage of the manufacturing process the IC tag is applied to and/or what portion of each machine component the IC tag should be attached to. Thus, the efficient use of the IC tags is difficult.
Also, there are numerous machines and equipments employing a number of rolling elements as machine components. It is often experienced that the rolling bearings are hardly controlled for lifetime despite of the needs for such control. For example, in the case of the thermal power plant, coals used as fuel are transported with a coal carrier vessel and are then disembarked by a coal lifting crane onto a belt conveyor. The coals transported by the belt conveyor are subsequently piled up on a coal yard and are, when to be consumed, again transported by a belt conveyor towards a boiler. This boiler must be continuously operated along with the belt conveyor to maintain the electric power supply and high fuel efficiency. The belt conveyors make use of hundreds of bearing units of a structure in which bearings are incorporated in tubular rollers.
The belt conveyor must be halted once any abnormality occurs as a result of damages in a major bearing portion used in, for example, a drive unit and, therefore, the major bearing portion must be monitored at all times. To meet this requirement, it is a general practice to use temperature sensors and vibration sensors in those bearings so that they can be monitored at all times as to changes in temperature and vibration. In contrast thereto, since each roller positioned generally intermediate of the length of the belt conveyor and supporting the endless belt makes use of hundreds of bearings, all of those bearings cannot be controlled individually in a manner similar to the major bearing portions of the drive unit and it is not realistic to monitor all of those bearings at all times in the terms of the cost. For this reason, based on a record of the previous replacement date of the bearings, replacement of the bearings is carried out ahead of time to ensure safety before the rated lifetime reaches. In such case, the replacement of the bearings is carried out with the roller incorporating the bearings on a roller-to-roller basis without the belt conveyor being halted.
When it comes to a railway vehicle in which a considerable number of bearings are employed for rotatably supporting wheels, once the railway vehicles start moving, they cannot be brought to a stop along the way in order to transport passengers and/or cargos to the destination. As such, to prevent any trouble from occurring during the operation of the railway vehicles, the bearings are regularly inspected and controlled while the railway vehicle is not operated.
Even with the intermediate rollers used to support the endless belt in the conventional thermal power plant, it is highly possible that the conveyor must be halted depending on the condition of damages once an abnormality occurs in the bearings. The routine bearing replacement can be carried out with proper measures without halting the conveyor solely for replacement purpose. However, the replacement of the bearings while the conveyor is being driven will not be accomplished in the event of an unforeseeable abnormality in the bearings. Even where the early replacement is performed before the rated lifetime, an unforeseeable abnormality in the bearings may occur and no one can know in advancement when it occurs.
On the other hand, in the case of the wheel support bearings used in the railway vehicles, the routine examination of those wheel support bearings is generally carried out while the railway vehicles are not operated as discussed previously. However, in the case of railway vehicles that are operated for a substantial period of time and over a long distance at high speeds, conditions of use of the wheel support bearings are indeed severe. As such, the routine examination is not sufficient to prevent any abnormality in the bearings. As a matter of course, the condition of the wheel support bearings while the railway vehicles are operated cannot be grasped when the railway vehicles are not operated.

Machine components having IC tags, quality control method and abnormality detecting system


Anhydrous oral compositions are disclosed containing an anhydrous humectant and a carboxyvinyl polymer neutralized with an appropriate base.

There are many materials which have limited solubility in aqueous systems or are unstable in such systems. To overcome these problems, various modifications of the conventional aqueous dentifrice systems have been employed. These range from encapsulating the unstable material to having two separate compositions which are combined just prior to product use.
Another way of improving solubility and stability is to utilize an anhydrous composition. Examples of anhydrous compositions are disclosed in WO 88/06879, Sept. 22, 1988 to Peroxydent Group; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,687,663, Aug. 18, 1987 to Schaeffer.
Although anhydrous systems have been disclosed, there is still the need for improved systems.
The present inventors have surprisingly found that anhydrous dentifrice compositions can be prepared utilizing neutralized carboxyvinyl polymers capable of providing dentifrice viscosities and an anhydrous humectant.
It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to provide such dentifrice compositions.
It is a further object to provide dentifrice compositions utilizing glycerine as the humectant.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide dentifrice compositions utilizing triethanolamine as the neutralizing agent.
These and other objects will become readily apparent from the detailed description which follows. All percentages and ratios herein are by weight and all measurements are made at 25.degree. C. unless otherwise specified.


End effector assemblies for drilling a plurality of spaced-apart holes in a part, robots including the end effector assemblies, and associated methods are disclosed herein. The end effector assemblies include a first force application structure, an end effector, and a second force application structure. The first force application structure is configured to apply a first force to a surface of the part. The end effector is configured to selectively transition the first force application structure between a retracted state and an extended state and to selectively extend a drill bit into the part and subsequently retract the drill bit from the part. The second force application structure is configured to continuously apply a second force to the surface of the part while the first force application structure is in the retracted state and as the end effector assembly transitions from a first predetermined location to a second predetermined location.

In certain manufacturing environments, such as aerospace applications, a part includes a skin that is attached to a frame by a plurality of fasteners. In order to accomplish this attachment, a plurality of spaced-apart holes is drilled through the skin and the frame and a corresponding fastener is positioned within each hole. It is beneficial to avoid a space and/or a gap between the skin and the frame, and it is challenging to avoid this space. This is especially true for large and/or complex parts, such as an aircraft fuselage. Conventionally, attachment of the skin of the fuselage to the frame of the fuselage is performed manually and is a labor-intensive and time-consuming process. It is desirable to automate the skin attachment process. Thus, there exists a need for end effector assemblies for drilling a plurality of spaced-apart holes in a part, for robots that include the end effector assemblies, and/or for associated methods.


A latch assembly for a sliding door, which comprises a casing having an L-shaped latch member including a finger application arm and a latch arm, the L-shaped latch member being pivoted by a transversal pivotal pin at the intersection of the finger application and latch arms, and a striker having a circular hole, the latch arm having a free end portion formed on the back surface thereof with a latch projection capable of being engaged in and disengaged from the circular hole of the striker, the L-shaped latch being rotationally biased in the latching direction by a torsion spring, the latch projection having a front edge face formed with an inclined cam face, the latch projection having a circular sectional profile having a smaller diameter than the diameter of the circular hole of the striker. The latch projection can be reliably engaged in and disengaged from the striker hole even if there is a slight deviation from the design position of securement between the striker and casing.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a latch assembly used for sliding doors of electric product accommodation boxes, display cases, vehicles and so forth.
2. Prior Art
In a well-known latch assembly having a casing thereof secured to a sliding door, an L-shaped latch is pivoted by a transversal pin to the casing at an intersection between a finger application arm and a latch arm thereof. The latch arm has a free end portion provided on the back side thereof with a latch projection, which can be engaged in and disengaged from a hole formed in a striker secured to a stationary frame of a display case or the like, the L-shaped latch being rotationally biased in the latching direction by a torsion spring, and the latch projection has its front edge face formed with an inclined cam face.
In this latch assembly, immediately before the sliding door being moved in the closing direction is fully closed, the inclined cam face is brought into frictional contact with an edge surface of the striker to cause slight rotation of the L-shaped latch in the direction opposite to the direction of biasing by the torsion spring. Thus, the latch arm rides on the striker. When the sliding door is completely closed, the L-shaped latch is rotated in the latching direction by the biasing force of the torsion spring, causing its latch projection to be engaged in the hole of the striker. The engagement between the hole and latch projection is held by the spring force of the torsion spring, thus holding the sliding door in the latched position.
With this prior art latch assembly, however, the hole of the striker is a rectangular hole, and also the latch projection has a rectangular sectional profile. Therefore, if there is a departure from the design position of either or both of the striker and casing so that the striker hole and latch projection fail to be aligned accurately, the rectangular sectional profile of the latch projection fails to overlap the rectangular hole. In consequence, an edge of the sectional profile of the latch projection is caught by an edge portion of the striker around the rectangular hole thereof, thus resulting in the failure of engagement between the latch projection and striker hole.


Assemblies and methods for delivering an implant to a patient are disclosed. A delivery assembly can comprise an elongate tube, an outer magnetic member, and an inner magnetic member. The elongate tube extends from a proximal end portion to a distal end portion and defines a delivery lumen. The outer magnetic member can be movable along an outer surface of the tube; the inner magnetic member can be positioned within the delivery lumen and magnetically coupled to the outer magnetic member through a sidewall of the tube. The inner magnetic member can be movable through the delivery lumen when actuated by relative movement between the outer magnetic member and the tube. The delivery assembly can further comprise a syringe or an inflator/deflator couplable to a hub at the proximal end portion of the tube. The syringe or inflator/deflator can be used to urge fluid against a proximal end portion of the inner magnetic member.

Medical implants can be delivered into a defect site or target region within a patient using a delivery device. One type of delivery device used to deliver a medical implant includes a barrel and a plunger. The implant can be advanced into the defect site or target region by depressing the plunger.

Magnetically-driven delivery assembly and method


A reflector unit may behave as a retroreflector to reflect light of a selected color. The reflector unit may comprise a first reflector having a first color, a second reflector having a second color, and a mask that either allows incoming light to reach the first reflector and not the second reflector or allows incoming light to reach the second reflector and not the first reflector. An active light unit may emit light of a particular color in response to receiving light. In this fashion, the active light unit may simulate the operation of a reflector. The reflector unit and the active light unit may operate on a bi-directional vehicle.

Vehicles typically have multiple different types of lights and reflectors to illuminate the exterior of the vehicle. Such lights and reflectors allow a vehicle to be conspicuous and visible with respect to, for example, its presence, position, direction of travel, intended or actual change in direction or deceleration, and so on. Lights may shine steadily, blink, or flash, depending on their intended and regulated function. Reflectors are passive and reflect incident light from other vehicles or objects in the vicinity of the vehicle. Lights and reflectors are generally located on the vehicle pair-wise, one left and one right. The lights and reflectors on the front of the vehicle are often different than the lights and reflectors on the rear of the vehicle.

Vehicular lighting using passive and/or active optics


An apparatus for analyzing a golf swing or other biomechanical movement includes first and second rectangular force plate mounted within a respective first and second rigid rectangular frame by means of at least one load cell proximate each corner of each rectangular force plate. The second rigid rectangular frame being secured to the first rigid rectangular frame so as to prevent relative lateral movement therebetween, and each of the load cells is operably connected to one or more microprocessor devices for receiving a signal generated by each of the load cells indicative of a force applied thereto.

The invention relates to an apparatus for analyzing a golf swing or other biomechanical movement used repetitively in sports activity or simulated sports environmental activity setting or to assess medical and biomechanical functions of the human body, specifically to such an apparatus employing dual force plates.
Elements and characteristics of an individual's performance during a physical, biomechanical or other sports activity, such as swinging a golf club or tennis racquet, kicking a soccer ball or football, can be analyzed to improve and optimize performance and develop better technique. This requires computerized input and analysis, since the activity during the relevant action is quick, and multiple elements are occurring nearly simultaneously, often beyond the conscious knowledge of the player involved. When all of the data is collected and analyzed, it needs to be conveyed back to the golfer or other player in an immediate and easily comprehensible way so that difficulties can be noted and corrected with repetition of the activity and comparative re-analysis.
Sports action analysis devices, often golf swing devices with other adaptations possible, have been available for decades. In their simplest computerized form, the devices include a foot plate or plates and sensors to analyze weight shift. These have evolved in complexity as computers have evolved, and current devices outstrip their predecessors in ability to analyze the components of a golf swing or other repetitive sports move, although an optimum device has yet to be developed.
Kretsinger (U.S. Pat. No. 3,169,022) patented a simple device in 1965 that contains two completely independent foot plates and a row of indicator lamps in front of each that light up to show which foot bears most of the weight; the light pattern freezes at the time of ball strike. No memory of the swing is available, and swing to swing comparison is not possible.
Other later devices, such as those seen in work by Bregman (U.S. Pat. No. 5,118,112), Heisler (US Pat. No. 5,150,902), Cromarty (U.S. Pat. No. 5,419,562), and Nesbit (U.S. Pat. No. 6,402,635), feature small, independent footplates that have to be separable and able to be angled in relation to each other to accommodate the golfer's most comfortable stance. Such plates can determine the proportion of total weight on each, but cannot provide data on center of gravity because the computer does not know the position of one in relation to the other. The foot pads can also potentially slip apart during use.
Several of the devices, notably those of Heisler and Cromarty and another by Cecchin (U.S. Pat. No. 6,039,658), include two foot plates that measure total weight on each foot, but are unable to differentiate weights from different portions of the foot, such as the heel and toes or the inside versus the outside of the foot. Data from these devices is often in the form of two continuous, intertwining graphs, one from each foot's weight during the weight shifting of a swing, sometimes shown along with a video image of the golfer.
Detailed interpretation of these lines and correction of the swing often requires the assistance of a skilled third party.
Advances in the art produced devices that could differentially measure the forces of the toe and heel portions of the foot. Bregman asserts this, but does not specifically teach how this information is collected. Nesbit and Mooney (U.S. Pat. No. 7,946,928) have cantilevered devices to measure heel and toe weights, but in each case the foot pads, like Bregman's, are separate and movable, so the center of gravity cannot be measured.
Key components of a golf swing have been chosen in the past as the focus of the devices. There has been some disagreement about which features are the most key. Bregman's and Cecchin's devices collect data from three non-identical points in the swing. Cecchin requires the activation of a timer at pre-swing, apparently by a third party, which takes measurements then and at two other timed points, which are presumed to be maximum backswing and follow-through. This raises the possibility that these measurements may be slightly off of the maximums that should be measured if the swing does not progress at the presumed speed. Mooney's device concentrates on six featured areas of the swing, from addressing the ball through follow-through. It compares the player's golf swing to previously-loaded typical and probable sequences and times of occurrence of feature events in golf swings. It determines the timing of the selected feature events of the player's swing by assigning probabilities of finding feature events at different time periods of the swing by comparison to when these events occur in the sample information. This also raises the possibility that the actual times when the feature events occur in the player's swing may not be exactly when predicted and measured by the pre-set timing parameters of the device.
Measuring parameters from the entire swing, not at pre-selected and possibly not entirely accurate moments, would be optimal to give the player data from the true key points and the fullest amount of possible feedback so that he could work on smoothly correcting his deficiencies throughout his sports action and chart his overall improvement.
In addition, a common disadvantage of the previous devices has been that they have been non-portable and connected to computers via bulky cables.
None has been capable of being taken outside for simulation in the yard or at an actual driving range or golf course.
From the foregoing, it is apparent that improvements are needed to produce such a more complete and versatile sports action device.


An ECL to TTL translator converts a signal from ECL logic levels to TTL compatible logic levels without introducing current spikes in the output signal during logic translations. The ECL input signal is transformed into first and second differentially related currents which develop first and second voltages for biasing first and second switching circuits which in turn generate first and second complementary control signals. The sum total of the differentially related currents are limited to a predetermined magnitude blocking simultaneously assertion of the control signals. An output stage includes an upper and lower transistors each responsive to the first and second control signal respectively for developing a TTL high and TTL low output signal. The first and second switching circuits inhibit simultaneous conduction of the upper and lower transistors of the output stage preventing undesirable current spikes in the output signal thereof.

The present invention relates to voltage translators, and more particularly, to an ECL to TTL translator which eliminates current spikes in the output thereof.
As is well known, many of today's complex systems mix and match integrated circuits (ICs) of different logic families to accomplish a series of interrelated functions. In one example, signals produced in a one logic family, ECL, are translated to levels compatible with another logic family, TTL, for further processing. A typical ECL to TTL translator converts a differential ECL input signal to first and second complementary control voltages for driving upper and lower transistors of an output stage respectively. The collector-emitter conduction paths of the upper and lower transistors are serially coupled between a positive supply voltage, V.sub.CC, and ground potential. The complementary control voltages are generated in independent conduction paths coupled between power supplies, V.sub.CC and V.sub.EE, typically operating at 5 volts and -5.2 volts respectively. The currents flowing therethrough are made large, typically 7 milliamps (ma) or greater, for rapid switching of the control voltages, but not without the cost of considerable power consumption.
During logic transitions, as the differential ECL input signal passes through zero, the upper and lower transistors of the output stage are simultaneously enabled allowing undesirably large currents to flow therebetween. These current spikes induce noise into the power supplies causing a myriad of problems in adjacent circuits including false logic switching. The greater the frequency of operation, the greater the noise problem. Furthermore, the inherent base discharge time of the output stage transistors may permit one transistor to turn on before the other one turns off again enabling simultaneous conduction and current spikes.
Hence, there is a need for an improved ECL to TTL translator which eliminates current spikes in the output signal during logic transitions. The improved ECL to TTL translator should be operative with reduced quiescent currents and consume less power.


A harvesting header frame has a top beam, a bottom beam, and a diagonal truss member. A first end of said diagonal truss member is structurally connected to the top beam and an opposing second end of said diagonal truss member is structurally connected to the bottom beam. The header frame also has a diagonal truss length adjustment mechanism that adjusts the length of the diagonal truss member to selectively lengthen or shorten the effective length of the diagonal truss member to modify the concavity of the header frame after the top and bottom beams and diagonal truss member have been connected. In one embodiment, the diagonal truss length adjustment mechanism is a telescoping compression member.

1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to a harvesting header for a combine harvester, and more particularly, to a header frame having a diagonal truss member with a length adjustment mechanism used to change the amount of bow in the header frame.
2. Description of Related Art
Agricultural harvesters such as combines are typically equipped with a harvesting header. For example, corn headers are specifically designed to pick corn and vary in size from two-row units to twelve-row units or more. As the harvester moves through the field, each row-unit passes between rows of corn. Corn header row units typically use gathering chains to covey crop material and ears rearward toward a cross auger. A set of driven snap rolls, which rotate based on the speed of the harvester, grabs the corn stalks and forces them downward between stripper plates. The ears of corn are snapped free of the stalk and the cross auger passes the ears to the feeder housing of the harvester. If the snap rolls are operated too fast or too slow, ears of corn may be lost or entire corn stalks may be passed to the cross auger and feeder housing.
Over the years, the width of harvesting headers has increased in order to reducing the number of passes through the field required by the harvesting machine to cover the entire field. However, as the width of headers increases, the amount of flexing of the structure of the header which occurs has also increased. This has resulted in increased difficulties in maintaining the header in a straight orientation for proper operation. Headers are typically supported by the harvesting machine at a location in the middle of the header. When the header is suspended above the ground, the ends of the header tend to deflect downward under the load. As headers increase in width, it is harder to prevent this deflection.
Header manufacturers have taken various approaches to address this problem. One approach is to build a header frame with an inner section having a pair of central inner support beams spaced outwardly from a midpoint of the header and a pair of outer sections having at least one outer pair of support beams which are arranged at or adjacent the outer ends of the inner section. A number of braces and gussets connect to the beams to form a truss like structure to reduce the deflection. The individual pieces are welded together with the intent that the header will resist deflection under load. However, stresses can concentrate at the interfaces between the sections leading to frame failure or requiring additional reinforcement.
In order to accommodate this downward flexing of the outer ends of the header, in initial manufacture, the support beams of the header are welded such that, in an unstressed condition, the header is upwardly concave, that is the middle portion of the header is lower than the outer end of the header. When the header is fully assembled onto the harvesting combine, the weight of the header tends to flex the frame so as to reduce the concave shape. However, the weight and positioning of header components during assembly can vary so it is not always possible to properly calculate the required concave shape. Additionally, over time, the frame may continue to settle into an upwardly convex shape in which the ends are lower than the center.

Variable length header truss for harvesting header


Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for brokering the purchase and/or sale of mixed-color glass and/or cullet, optionally over a computer network. In one embodiment, the broker facilitates the purchase and/or sale of three color mixed cullet between beneficiators, MRFs and/or glass plants, in order to supply, for example, glass plants with and/or allow glass plants to purchase desired quantity and/or quality (e.g., cleanliness) of cullet.

1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to systems and methods for glass recycling and, more particularly, to brokering mechanisms related to buying and selling recycled glass.
2. Background of the Invention
Cost-effective recycling of materials such as glass has become an increasingly important issue to many businesses due, for example, to ever increasing legislative mandates at the federal, state and local levels, and the associated cost of complying therewith. In a conventional recycling process, entities typically interact with each other on an individual and/or ad hoc basis.
FIG. 1, generally at 100, shows entities within a recycling process that include originator points 110a-n, collectors 120a-n, material recovery facilities (MRFs) 130a-n, beneficiators 140a-n, glass plants 150a-n, and bottlers 160a-n. In FIG. 1, the lines connecting the various entities represent both communication (e.g., electronic/computerized and/or telephonic) that may take place between the various entities, as well as a physical flow of goods. For example, MRF 130c may communicate with and/or deliver goods, for example, to beneficiator 140g and/or glass plant 150b.
Originator points 110a-n are areas where a waste originator can deposit waste. Originator points 110a-n may include, for example, community drop-off points and/or reverse vending sites. Originator points 110a-n may perform the function of separating waste into recyclables and non-recyclables. Waste originators may include commercial generators (e.g., a restaurant generating wine bottles and/or beer cans), as well as residential generators.
Collectors 120a-n receive solid waste from originator points 110a-n, and generally perform functions such as separating, for example, paper from commingled plastics, glass and/or metal objects. Collectors 120a-n can also separate recyclables into glass, paper, and plastics, and place the separated material into respective bins for collection. In addition, collectors 120a-n may also sort glass by color. Collectors 120a-n may also commingle glass, paper, plastics and metals together, as a single stream collection.
The material from collectors 120a-n is transported to a MRF 130a-n or, if the material is clean enough, directly to a beneficiator 140a-n. MRFs 130a-n provide additional cleaning and/or sorting of the material. For example, MRFs 130a-n may further sort recyclable material from non-recyclable material and/or perform a finer sort of recyclables by type, such as glass, plastics, and paper. Glass may be sorted by color (e.g., into amber, green, and flint) and/or to further remove contaminants, such as ceramics.
During the processing of recyclables, a large percentage, typically greater than 50% by weight, of the collected glass falls out and is rendered unusable due, for example, to the size of the glass pieces. Glass that is less than approximately 2.5 inches in diameter is generally undesirable because it is too small to be effectively color-sorted by hand, is difficult to color-sort optically, and is difficult to contaminant-sort. Sorting out the pieces of glass less than approximately 2.5 inches in diameter results in a large quantity of residual mixed-color glass (hereinafter, mixed cullet) that currently has limited, if any, market value. Mixed cullet of flint, amber and green glass is referred to herein as three color mixed cullet (C3MC).
Conventional MRFs 130a-n (and beneficiators 140a-n) typically amass stockpiles of mixed cullet and/or C3MC, which is typically used either as a landfill daily cover material, or is further processed, at an additional cost, so that it can be used in glassphalt (a highway paving material in which recovered ground glass replaces some of the gravel in asphalt) and/or aggregate (material such as glass, sand or small stones mixed with a binder such as cement to produce mortars and concrete). Disposal in a landfill, whether as residue or landfill cover, does not allow the glass to be re-used, and adds to the mass in landfills. Even if a MRF 130a-n or a beneficiator 140a-n utilizes optical sorting equipment that can, at additional cost, process and sort the C3MC by color, the percentage of C3MC recovered is rarely, if ever, 100%. Thus, it would be desirable if greater quantities and percentages of mixed cullet and/or C3MC that results from processing performed by MRFs 130a-n and beneficiators 140a-n could be utilized in an economically viable manner.
Once the glass has been sorted by color, MRFs 130a-n then transport the color-sorted glass and, optionally, any mixed-color glass and/or C3MC to beneficiators 140a-n for further processing. If beneficiators 140a-n have limited or no optical color-sorting capabilities, beneficiators 140a-n generally will not order and/or accept delivery of mixed-color glass and/or C3MC from MRFs 130a-n. If beneficiators 140a-n have a color sorting capability, beneficiators 140a-n can color sort the C3MC, and blend one or more sorted colors of cullet in with other (e.g., previously delivered) glass of the same color (e.g., flint, amber or green). The combined glass may then be sorted for contaminants such as organics, ceramics, and any other non-glass debris.
As a matter of economics, however, flint cullet is the only color of cullet that can generally be profitably color sorted. Although green and amber cullet can be color sorted, it typically is either discarded, or blended into flint glass in small percentages to avoid substantial or unacceptable color contamination and/or rejection by glass plants 150a-n. Thus, even if beneficiators 140a-n sort out flint cullet, a significant percentage of green and amber cullet typically remains. This presents a number of issues, including storage and eventual disposal of the mixed cullet. Thus, it would be desirable if greater quantities of mixed cullet that results from beneficiators 140a-n processing could be utilized in an economically viable manner.
Conventional glass plants 150a-n receive a quantity of color-sorted glass from beneficiators 140a-n. Existing glass, including cullet, has been used as a substitute for virgin glass raw materials at percentages up to 70%-80%. The use of recycled glass advantageously results, for example, in less energy required to produce a same quantity of glass, less pollution from the glass manufacturing process, less wear and tear and maintenance cost associated with equipment such as furnaces, and less landfill waste.
Glass plants 150a-n may add a percentage of color-specific glass from beneficiators 140a-n or MRFs 130a-n, which generally closely matches the color of the glass article being manufactured at glass plants 150a-n. The color-specific glass acts as a substitute for a portion of the required virgin glass raw materials. Once the appropriate amounts of glass from beneficiators 140a-n and virgin glass raw materials have been added to the batch, the glass manufacturing process proceeds as normal to produce a glass article, e.g., a glass bottle. Once the glass articles are produced, they are transported to bottlers/retailers 160a-n, which fill the bottles using conventional and well-known bottling techniques.
We have discovered that no single company or entity has generally integrated, physically and/or logically, at least some of the entities in system 100 in order to facilitate purchase and/or shipment of glass and/or cullet, for example, to glass plants 150a-n. We have determined that there are inefficiencies and lost market opportunities associated with having entities within the glass recycling process and/or industry interact with each other on an individual basis. We have also determined that facilitating market transactions may reduce the cost associated with producing glass.
We have thus discovered that no active centralized market for cullet currently exists. Therefore, each entity must negotiate for its own needs, generally on an entity-entity basis. We have further determined that if a means to increase the amount of cullet used in glass manufacturing is provided, there would be a further need to facilitate the purchase and sale of cullet between, for example, MRFs 130a-n, beneficiators 140a-n, and glass plants 150a-n.

Method, system and computer readable medium for brokering the purchase and sale of glass cullet


A magnesium alloy containing Al, Sr, Ca, and Mn, with the balance being Mg and inevitable impurities, the magnesium alloy having: a structure having an α-Mg phase, and a precipitate dispersed in at least one of a grain boundary of the α-Mg phase and a cell boundary, the precipitate including: at least one phase selected from a group A consisting of an Al2Sr phase, an Al4Sr phase, a (Mg, Al)2Sr phase, and a (Mg, Al)4Sr phase; and at least one phase selected from a group B consisting of an Al2Ca phase and a (Mg, Al)2Ca phase, the magnesium alloy having, in a cross section, a total area rate of a group A precipitate and a group B precipitate of greater than or equal to 2.5% and less than or equal to 30%.

Magnesium alloys have attracted attention as a lightweight material because they have the lowest specific gravity among practical metals and are excellent in specific strength and specific rigidity. PTL 1 discloses a magnesium alloy containing Al, Sr, Ca, and Mn, with the balance being Mg and inevitable impurities. Further, PTL 2 discloses a cast member containing a magnesium alloy (the cast member is referred to as a magnesium alloy member) having thicknesses different between component parts.

Magnesium alloy and magnesium alloy member

National University Corporation University of Toyama


Provided are a method for a user equipment (UE) to perform early data transmission (EDT) in a wireless communication, and an apparatus supporting the same. The method may include: receiving system information including a threshold for the EDT; determining whether or not a condition for initiating the EDT is satisfied, by comparing the threshold for the EDT with a size of data for transmission; if the condition is satisfied, performing the EDT; and if the condition is not satisfied, performing a radio resource control (RRC) connection establishment or resume procedure.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system, and more particularly, to a method for a user equipment (UE) to perform early data transmission (EDT) and an apparatus supporting the same.
Related Art
In order to meet the demand for wireless data traffic, which has been increasing since the commercialization of a fourth-generation (4G) communication system, efforts are being made to develop an improved fifth-generation (5G) communication system or pre-5G communication system. For this reason, a 5G communication system or pre-5G communication system is referred to as a beyond-4G-network communication system or post-long-term evolution (LTE) system.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.