Provided is a printer for printing stamps on boards and a method of printing stamps on boards. The printer is capable of printing multiple types of stamps simultaneously on boards.

The production of lumber involves the application of a stamp on a planed board that will remain with the board until it reaches the end user. These stamps primarily show the grade and sometimes other attributes of each piece of lumber. There are various sanctioning organizations that insure the quality and integrity of the various grades of lumber produced. These sanctioning organization control the issuing of stamps and their use. In addition to grade identification, stamps can be used to identify moisture content and heat treatment (for pest pasteurization) which is generally required on exported products.
For example, with southern yellow pine (SYP), most of the stamps are controlled or governed by SPIB http:www.spib.org/, which is an organization that sets and inspects the rules for each lumber grade. The stamp typically includes the grade mark, which identifies the grade of the board, and an identification indicating the SPIB "member" that manufactured the lumber. Generally, the board is only stamped in one location. However, recent market changes have required additional stamp locations along the lengthwise face of the board.
HT (heat treated for pest pasteurization) stamps usually are required to be applied to any wood packaging materials of any length being exported. Many manufacturers export two foot blocks that have been trimmed from the longer lengths of lumber to remove defects. Each two foot block must be marked with the HT stamp. The HT stamp cannot have a grade. The HT must state KD 19 HT. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Southern Pine Inspection Bureau (SPIB). The overall direction and control of the cooperative program is to be maintained by APHIS. The program provides the necessary documentation that kiln dried southern pine lumber exported to foreign countries has reached a critical temperature at the core to eradicate the "Pinewood Nematode" and its vectors (56° C./133° F. for 30 minutes). The HT mark is not limited to yellow pine, and is also used for other lumber types.
Mechanical printers, generally known as "grade printers," have been widely used in planer mill applications many years, stamping the grade on each individual piece of lumber using rubber stamps. The rubber stamps are typically located on rotating wheels with only one stamp being located on each wheel. The appropriate arm is lowered with a cylinder when the corresponding piece of lumber transverses beneath the rotating wheel. The wheel must travel the same lineal speed as the lumber to avoid smearing the stamp on the lumber. Presently, the wheels are driven by roller chains from the head shaft of the lugged conveyor that the boards are traversing on, i.e. the wheels are mechanically timed with the conveyor by the chains.
The lumber is generally transported on lugs, with one board per lug, transversely through a mill. Grade printers are located downstream of a board trimmer to apply a stamp to each board. For example, a lumber grader might call for grade #2-8′ on a near end of a board and grade #3-10′ on a far end of the board. When this happens, the trimmer will cut an eighteen foot board in two pieces at approximately an eight foot position. As these two pieces come out of the trimmer, the far end piece will be picked up and "jumped" into the empty lug behind it. Once these different grade boards are on different lugs, they can be stamped with the appropriate gradestamps.
In addition, the stamps must also be timed to land, preferably centered, on the width of the board. Thus, for different width boards, such as 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 inch boards, the stamp might not be located in the same position on a 4 inch wide board as on a 12 inch wide board. The timing is generally done mechanically, either with adjustable sprocket assemblies or an on-the-fly mechanical adjustment requiring a series of sprockets in a cross-shaped pattern.
Many mills desire to stock longer package lengths, such as 16, 18 and 20 foot lengths, with the ability to cut the finished package into two shorter lengths. If this is done, each end of the board must contain the same grade stamp so that when they are cut in two smaller sections, each piece will include the required grade stamp. When stamps, including the grade are required on each end of the board, the conventional grade printer must span across the conveyor and similar grade stamping arms must be placed on the far end of the board.
HT stamps must be placed every two feet or less on the board upstream of the trimmer to mark two foot cut-offs prior to trimming. Thus, when the stamp must include HT, two printers are required, the HT printer upstream of the trimmer and the grade printer downstream of the trimmer. Since the two foot blocks are normally dropped out to a turntable to be hand stacked, the HT stamp can be applied in the block conveyor or manually by the turntable operator.
The printers are mechanically driven via roller chain drives from the main drive. Chain slack and surge cause numerous maintenance problems and increase costs. There is generally insufficient room on present printers to include 6-8 grades on each end of a board and HT marks on 2 foot centers without interfering with the lugged chains that transport the lumber on 2 foot centers.
In view of the many shortcomings of present lumber printers, there is a great need for a printer that is capable of cost effectively applying stamps having different grades and other information, such as HT, manufacturer and dryness to lumber in one efficient step.


8-Substituted-2,6-methano-3-benzazocines of general structure I in which A is —CH2—OH, —CH2NH2, —NHSO2CH3,

Opiates have been the subject of intense research since the isolation of morphine in 1805, and thousands of compounds having opiate or opiate-like activity have been identified. Many opioid receptor-interactive compounds including those used for producing analgesia (e.g., morphine) and those used for treating drug addiction (e.g., naltrexone and cyclazocine) in humans have limited utility due to poor oral bioavailability and a very rapid clearance rate from the body. This has been shown in many instances to be due to the presence of the 8-hydroxyl group (OH) of 2,6-methano-3-benzazocines, also known as benzomorphans [(e.g., cyclazocine and EKC (ethylketocyclazocine)] and the corresponding 3-OH group in morphinanes (e.g., morphine).
The high polarity of these hydroxyl groups retards oral absorption of the parent molecules. Furthermore, the 8-(or 3-)OH group is prone to sulfonation and glucuronidation (Phase II metabolism), both of which facilitate rapid excretion of the active compounds, leading to disadvantageously short half-lives for the active compounds. Unfortunately, the uniform experience in the art of the past seventy years has been that removal or replacement of the 8-(or 3-)OH group has lead to pharmacologically inactive compounds.

Abstract: and Y is O, S orNOH are useful as analgesics, anti-diarrheal agents, anticonvulsants, antitussives and anti-addiction medications.

Abstract: 8-Carboxamides, thiocarboxamides, hydroxyamidines and formamides are preferred.


A system for controlling start-up of a feedback controller includes a memory device and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to receive a gain parameter from the feedback controller and to store the gain parameter in the memory device. The processing circuit is further configured to multiply the stored gain parameter and to cause the feedback controller to use the multiplied gain parameter in response to a determination that the feedback controller has restarted.

The present disclosure generally relates to the field of feedback controllers.
Feedback controllers are used to control variable devices such as valves, pumps, and dampers in control systems or processes. The object of such controllers is to control the device in a way that maintains a controlled variable (e.g., temperature, humidity, flow rate, pressure, etc.) at a desired setpoint. Many feedback controllers respond to feedback based on one or more control parameters. A common control parameter used in feedback algorithms is proportional gain (i.e., the proportional term, the gain, etc.)—a value that is used by a feedback algorithm to determine the magnitude of the adjustment to the controlled signal given the error signal. For example, when provided the same error signal, a feedback algorithm with a high gain generally results in a large adjustment to the controlled signal while a small gain generally results in a small adjustment to the controlled signal. In addition to the proportional gain, other control parameters such as an integral term or a derivative term are often used by feedback algorithms (e.g., in proportional plus integral (PI) control algorithms, in proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control algorithms, etc.).
In dynamic systems (e.g., where conditions outside of the control loop are affecting the controlled variable or where an aspect of the control loop is variably imperfect), the optimal control parameters for the feedback algorithm are often also dynamic. Accordingly, some feedback controllers or feedback algorithms are periodically tuned (e.g., manually, automatically) based on observed historical behavior of the system. Other feedback controllers or feedback algorithms include adaptive tuning algorithms that automatically adjust the control parameters during normal operation of the feedback algorithm. Such adaptive tuning algorithms can provide for improved performance relative to tuning algorithms that run only periodically.

Systems and methods for improved start-up in feedback controllers


A control system of a tape feeder that includes a reel on which is wound component supply tape, and a tape feeding device configured to draw out the component supply tape from the reel to a component pickup position, the control system including a sensor configured to detect information relating to a remaining amount of the tape on the reel; and a motor control section configured to change an operation parameter of a motor that is a drive source of the tape feeding device based on the tape remaining amount information detected by the sensor. Specifically, the motor control section changes the operation parameter of the motor so as to reduce the motor torque as the tape remaining amount on the reel decreases, based on the tape remaining amount information detected by the sensor.

Generally, a tape feeder includes a reel on which a component supply tape, in which components are packaged by being arranged at a predetermined pitch, is wound, and a tape feeding device that draws out the component supply tape from the reel and feeds the leading component of the component supply tape to a component pickup position where the leading component is picked up by a suction nozzle of the component mounter.
Further, in a tape feeder described in patent literature 1 (JP-A-2003-124688), the rotation speed and the rotation amount of the motor serving as the drive source of the tape supply device are changed in accordance with the type of the component supply tape used (the type of the component), and the tape feeding speed and the pitch feeding amount are changed in accordance with the type of the component supply tape.

Control system of tape feeder for component supply from reel


An apparatus and method for coupling a normal bit line pair and a second bit line pair onto a desired bit line pair are described. This method comprises driving the desired bit line pair to emulate the normal bit line pair during a read cycle. Additionally, if the second bit line pair is active, the apparatus and method include overdriving the desired bit line pair with strength sufficient to overpower the normal bit line pair, such that the desired bit line pair emulates the second bit line pair. Electrical current differences in the bit line pair may be sensed by a sense amplifier to assert or negate a data output such that it emulates the desired bit line pair. The normal bit line pair may be coupled to a normal memory column and the second bit line pair may be coupled to a redundant memory column.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to semiconductor memory circuits, and particularly to circuits and methods for detecting redundant memory data to be used for replacing normal memory data.
2. State of the Art
Semiconductor memories generally include a multitude of memory cells arranged in rows and columns. Each memory cell is structured for storing digital information in the form of a "1" or a "0" bit. Many semiconductor memories include extra, i.e., redundant, memory cells that may be substituted for failing memory cells. Semiconductor memories are typically tested after they are fabricated to determine if they contain any failing memory cells (i.e., cells to which bits cannot be dependably written or from which bits cannot be dependably read). Generally, when a semiconductor memory is found to contain failing memory cells, an attempt is made to repair the memory by replacing the failing memory cells with redundant memory cells provided in redundant rows or redundant columns in the semiconductor memory.
Conventionally, when a redundant row is used to repair a semiconductor memory containing a failing memory cell, the failing cell's row address is permanently stored (typically in pre-decoded form) by programming nonvolatile elements (e.g., fuses, antifuses, Electrically Programmable Read-Only memory (EPROM), and FLASH memory cells) on the semiconductor memory. Then, during normal operation of the semiconductor memory, if the memory's addressing circuitry receives a memory address including a row address that corresponds to the row address stored on the chip, redundant circuitry in the memory causes access to a redundant row instead of the row identified by the received memory address. Since every memory cell in the failing cell's row has the same row address, the redundant row replaces every cell in the failing cell's row, both operative and failing, with the redundant memory cells in the redundant row.
Similarly, when a redundant column is used to repair the semiconductor memory, the failing cell's column address is permanently stored (typically in pre-decoded form) on the chip by programming nonvolatile elements on the chip. Then, during normal operation of the semiconductor memory, if the memory's addressing circuitry receives a memory address including a column address that corresponds to the column address stored on the chip, redundant circuitry in the memory causes a redundant memory cell in the redundant column to be accessed instead of, or simultaneously with, the memory cell identified by the received memory address. Since every memory cell in the failing cell's column has the same column address, every cell in the failing cell's column, both operative and failing, is replaced by a redundant memory cell in the redundant column. This process for repairing a semiconductor memory using redundant rows and columns is well known in the art.
Concerning redundant memory columns, various methods exist for selecting whether to use the normal memory column or the redundant memory column. As access times continue to decrease for memory devices, this normal versus redundant selection process for memory columns begins to take up a larger portion of the overall access time from a valid address into the memory array to a valid data signal out of the memory array. Conventionally, redundant memory column selection has involved some sort of multiplexer to select either the data bit pair (BIT and BIT*) from the normal memory column or the data bit pair for the redundant memory column. The multiplexer may occur in various places. In some implementations, the multiplexer may be positioned as directly after the normal and redundant memory columns (i.e., directly attached to the BIT and BIT* signals). In other implementations, a sense amplifier may be connected to the normal memory column and another sense amplifier may be connected to the redundant memory column, with the multiplexer connected to the outputs of the sense amplifiers. In yet other implementations, logic may be implemented to prevent the read cycle from taking place on the normal memory column when the redundant memory column is to be selected in place of the normal memory column. All of these implementations tend to slow the read process down relative to a column read without a redundant memory column. In the multiplexer implementations, the normal data may go through a longer, and therefore slower, logic path including the multiplexer. In addition, decode logic for the multiplexer select signal may be slow. In the normal memory column disabling implementation, the logic required to determine when to disable might add additional time to the read path.
It would be advantageous to provide an apparatus and method for allowing selection of a redundant memory column rather than the normal memory column that does not create any additional delay in the normal memory column access time and enables access times on the redundant memory column that are at least as fast as that for the normal memory column.

High speed redundant data sensing method and apparatus


A composite food packaging article having internal partitioning walls and corresponding method of manufacture is constructed from flat, machine formed paperboard. A pair of die cut and folded paperboard blanks are inserted within the opposing cavities of a blow mold. A hot-flow parison between the cavities expands to structurally unitize the folded paper blank into a fluid impermeable tray vessel.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a packaging article and corresponding method of manufacture.
2. Description of the Prior Art
U.S. Pat. No. 5,009,939 issued Apr. 23, 1991 to B. A. Goldberg describes a fluid tight packaging tray that is formed from machine laid paperboard. A pair of die-cut paperboard blanks are prefolded to a tray configuration and placed into a cooperative pair of blow molding cavities. A vacuum system within the respective cavities holds the blanks in place as a hot, extruded parison of polymer is positioned between the cavities. Sequentially, the paperboard blank lined cavities are closed upon the parison which is expanded by pressurized gas against the internal surface faces of the blanks. Here, the polymer is chilled to structurally unitize all the tray shaping panels of paperboard and to seal the tray walls with a continuous, fluid-tight barrier of polymer film.
The immediate product of a mold cavity pair is a singular, vessel enclosure having a circumferential band of unlaminated polymer. When the circumferential band is die-cut, the vessel enclosure opens into two completed trays, each having a stiff, tough, exterior paperboard cladding printed with sharp, bright, press-applied graphics.
Although the aforedescribed Goldberg tray and method of manufacture represents a hallmark in consumer packaging development, the further refinement of partitioning the tray volume within the perimeter walls has, until now, proven elusive. It has been the object of the present invention, therefore, to provide a planar, paperboard blank configuration, that, when folded and placed into a blow mold cavity set will produce a partitioned tray i.e., a tray in which the bottom area is divided by upstanding walls into separate, fluid-tight pool areas.


A distributed computer system enables end-users without direct access to a ZIP+4 database to obtain ZIP+4 zipcode values for specified addresses from a remotely located computer having a ZIP+4 database. The remotely located computer includes a modem for receiving calls from end-user's computers and a ZIP+4 database with query response software for transmitting ZIP+4 zipcode values retrieved from its ZIP+4 database in response to address information received from end-user computers. End-user computers that utilize the remotely located ZIP+4 database each include a modem for communicating with the remotely located ZIP+4 database computer, an address input program for storing address information input by a user, and a remote zipcode retrieval program for transmitting via the modem the stored address information to the remotely located ZIP+4 database computer and for receiving ZIP+4 zipcode values from the remotely located computer. The end-user computers preferably include a printer, and an envelope printing program for directing the printer to print ZIP+4 barcodes on envelopes, as well as other post-office mandated artwork. The address input program on the end-user's computer preferably is linked to the remote zipcode retrieval program such that a single predefined keystroke by the user causes the end-user's computer to call the remotely located computer, send a specified set of address information, receive ZIP+4 zipcode values, and insert the received ZIP+4 zipcode values into the stored address information.

Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the processing of mail in the United States and its territories. More particularly, the invention focuses on means to quickly and inexpensively access ZIP+4 information and then print US Postal Service POSTNET bar-coded mail pieces in small and medium quantities in typical small office and departmental environments.

System and method for accessing remotely located ZIP+4 zipcode database


A vehicle includes left-hand and right-hand video monitors. Each of the video monitors includes opposing top and bottom edges and opposing left-hand and right-hand lateral edges extending between the top and bottom edges. A translation mechanism couples the video monitors to a vehicle body. The video monitors are movable between a first position wherein the right-hand lateral edge of the left-hand video monitor is spaced apart from the left-hand lateral edge of the right-hand video monitor, and a second position wherein the right-hand lateral edge of the left-hand video monitor is adjacent to the left-hand lateral edge of the right-hand video monitor.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to infotainment systems for use in vehicles, and, more particularly, to video monitors for use in vehicles.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many vehicles, such as cars, trucks, vans and recreational vehicles (RVs) are equipped with an infotainment (entertainment/information) system having a video monitor or screen capable of playing video infotainment content. These infotainment systems typically include a head unit mounted in the dashboard and a video screen mounted on the ceiling of the vehicle. The video screen is electronically coupled to the head unit and is adapted to display images of video infotainment content played by the head unit. Some systems include multiple video screens, such as separate video screens mounted in the headrest of each of the front seats and viewable by the passengers in the rear of the vehicle. Each of these video screens is configured to display identical images. That is, each screen plays a same, single stream of video infotainment content which is transmitted to the screens by the head unit. The head unit may retrieve the video infotainment content from a storage medium, such as a DVD, or may receive the video infotainment content via air-borne signals, such as from a television broadcast, for example.
Although these systems have made vehicle travel more pleasant for passengers, in some cases passengers may not agree on which infotainment content to view. For instance, one passenger may want to watch one DVD, while another passenger may prefer to watch a different DVD. In these cases, it would be beneficial to have a system that would allow passengers to simultaneously enjoy different infotainment content.
In other cases, passengers may desire to watch the same infotainment content. In this case, rather than each passenger watching the video content on separate small screens, it would be beneficial if the passengers could each enjoy such video content on a screen that is larger than can be provided by each of the monitors individually.
Accordingly, what is needed in the art is a more flexible vehicle infotainment system that enables two passengers to select whether to watch different video content on different screens or to watch the same video content on a larger screen.

Dual display multi-modal vehicle infotainment system

Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, division of Panasonic Corporation of North America


A method and system for controlling engine speed during a vehicle launch (from a rest condition to a moving condition), such vehicle having the engine is coupled to an automatic shifting manual transmission. The method comprises determining a spark timing offset based on one or more of engine speed, a time rate of engine speed, relative air charge, engine coolant temperature, accelerator pedal position, and a time rate of change of accelerator pedal position. A new spark timing is determined as the base spark timing minus the spark timing offset. By adjusting spark timing based primarily on a time rate of change of engine speed, engine speed fluctuations arising during a clutch engagement associated with vehicle launch are largely attenuated.

1. Field of the invention
The invention relates to a method and a system for controlling engine speed and more particularly to a method for controlling engine speed when a vehicle having such engine transitions from a rest condition to a moving condition (i.e., a vehicle launch).
2. Background of the invention
As is known in the art, with a vehicle equipped with a manual transmission, during a typical, driver-actuated gearshift event, the driver matches the torque during the phases of the shift by adjusting the accelerator pedal position. The pedal position actuates either mechanically or electronically, the intake throttle valve.
As is also known in the art, with an Automatic Shift Manual (ASM) transmission the traditional manual gearshift lever is replaced with operator hand-operated up-shift and down-shift paddles which are part of a driver interface. The ASM transmission uses a sophisticated electro-mechanical control system to eliminate clutch pedal control by the operator of the vehicle completely. More particularly, with an ASM transmission, the driver makes gear selections with the easy-to-operate electronic paddles while the vehicle""s control system executes the driver""s decision. During such execution, the system co-ordinates all gear-change events including engine torque ramp-down and ramp-up. An ASM transmission is an automatic manual gearbox because the mechanical linkages, which would commonly be controlled by the operator of the vehicle in a manual transmission, are supplanted by high-speed electrohydraulic actuators.
There are two operator selectable modes by which an ASM transmission can operate: (1) An Operator Select-ASM (OS-ASM) mode; and (2) an Automatic Select-ASM (AS-ASM). The particular mode is selected by the operator by pressing one of a pair of operator hand-operated buttons which are also part of the driver interface. In the OS-ASM mode the operator depresses the appropriate upshift or downshift paddle to indicate a desire for a gear shift; in the AS-ASM mode the demand for a gearshift is not under the operator""s control but rather under control of the system itself. For example, in the AS-ASM mode, the demand for a gearshift is produced by an engine control unit and is computed as a function of driver demanded torque and engine operating conditions.
In the prior art, the ASM gearshift event is performed analogously to that of a manual transmission except that the engine control unit aboard the vehicle controls: the intake throttle valve position and spark timing. A gearshift as a function of time, according to the prior art, is shown in FIG. 1 for a vehicle launch. A launch is when a resting vehicle is caused to drive away. At the left hand side of FIG. 1, the clutch is fully open. Shortly thereafter, a launch is requested and the clutch is caused to partially close. As a consequence of the clutch being partially closed, engine speed drops. Clutch pressure is controlled based on engine speed, as well as driver demanded torque. So, when engine speed starts to drop, the clutch is caused to retract to a fully open position. As a consequence of the clutch fully opening, engine speed flares. This continues in an unstable fashion causing the engine speed to deviate wider and wider. This vast fluctuation in clutch position and engine speed leads to an undesirable bucking of the vehicle. Typically, the driver intervenes, as was the case for that shown in FIG. 1, by adjusting the accelerator pedal position. If the driver depresses the accelerator pedal, the launch becomes a heavier launch and the condition can be exited. In the example shown in FIG. 1, engine speed fluctuations are mostly damped and the clutch is allowed to fully close by the end of the time shown in FIG. 1. In some situations, which require the most precise and slow vehicle maneuvers, such as positioning a car on a transporter for delivery, the operator of the vehicle desires a very slow vehicle speed. Thus, the driver intervenes by backing off the accelerator pedal and the clutch is returned to a fully open position. When the driver reapplies pressure to the accelerator pedal to attain a slightly higher vehicle speed, the bucking phenomenon recurs.
In a transition from the vehicle being at rest to moving, (i.e., a vehicle launch), it has been found that it is difficult to provide a reliably smooth launch, particularly when the operator is requesting a gradual launch, such as might be requested to undergo a parking lot maneuver.
In accordance with the present invention, a method and system are provided for controlling spark timing for spark plugs disposed in cylinders of an internal combustion engine. The method includes determining a base spark timing for such spark plugs. A time rate of change dNe/dt of engine speed is determined. The base timing is modified in accordance with the determined dNe/dt.
In accordance with another feature of the invention, a method and system are provided for use in controlling engine torque of an internal combustion engine, such torque being controlled by a spark timing of spark plugs disposed in engine cylinders. A base spark timing for such spark plugs is determined in an engine control unit electronically coupled to the spark plugs. A time rate of change dNe/dt of engine speed is determined. A spark timing offset from the base timing is determined for the spark plugs. The spark timing offset is a function of the determined dNe/dt. A new spark timing is determined for the spark plugs, such new spark timing being a function of the base spark timing and said offset spark timing. The engine control unit commands said new spark timing to the spark plugs.
According to another aspect of the invention, the spark timing offset is a function also of one or more of engine speed, engine coolant temperature, accelerator pedal position, a time rate of change of accelerator pedal position, a relative air charge, and engine speed divided by vehicle speed.
According to an aspect of the invention, the offset spark timing is set to zero when the time rate of change of engine timing is negative.
In one embodiment, a method and system are provided for controlling spark timing for spark plugs disposed in cylinders of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle. The method includes determining a launch requested by an operator of the vehicle. A determination is made of a base spark timing for such spark plugs. A time rate of change dNe/dt of engine speed is determined during the vehicle launch. The base timing is modified during the launch in accordance with the determined dNe/dt.
In one embodiment, the base spark timing is a spark advance which provides the best torque (MBT spark timing, discussed in more detail below). Alternatively, the base spark timing is retarded from MBT spark timing thereby providing a torque reserve.
The inventors of the present invention have found that the unstable vehicle launch can be prevented by a method for controlling torque in an internal combustion engine which is coupled to an automatic shifting manual transmission and installed in the vehicle. The torque is controlled by adjusting a spark timing of spark plugs disposed in engine cylinders. The method includes determining engine speed, and adjusting spark timing based on a derivative of engine speed.
More particularly, the inventors of the present invention have recognized the problem underlying the phenomena is that the point at which the clutch plates first touch, the kiss point, i.e., when there is first some torque delivery between the clutch plate on the engine side to the clutch plate on the transmission side, is not known. One solution would be to very slowly engage the clutch so that the kiss point could be detected. However, this is an unsatisfactory clutch engagement which leads to excessive clutch slippage resulting to excessive clutch wear and overheating. An advantage of the invention is that spark timing affects engine torque rapidly. Therefore, when an initial portion of an engine overspeed condition is detected, spark is adjusted immediately and it affects engine torque in the next cycle, thereby thwarting engine overspeed. Because of the fast actuation provided by adjusting spark timing, an unstable control during vehicle launch is prevented.

Engine speed control in a vehicle during a transition of such vehicle from rest to a moving condition


Disclosed herein are agonistic anti-CD137 antibodies and methods of using such for eliciting CD137 signaling, thereby enhancing immune responses such as T cell functions. The antibodies disclosed within may be used to treat diseases, such as cancer and immune disorders.

CD137, also known as 4-1BB or tumor necrosis factor receptor subfamily 9 (TNFRSF9), is a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor family. It is expressed by activated T cells (more prevalently by CD8+ than CD4+), as well as dendritic cells, B cells, follicular dendritic cells, natural killer cells, granulocytes, and in the cells of blood vessel walls at sites of inflammation.
CD137 is a co-stimulator receptor for activated T cells and the crosslinking of CD137 enhances T cell proliferation, IL-2 secretion, survival, and cytolytic activity. CD137 can also induce proliferation in peripheral monocytes, enhance T cell apoptosis induced by TCR/CD3-triggered activation and regulated CD28 co-stimulation, resulting in the promotion of Th1 cell responses. Its expression is induced by lymphocyte activation, and TNF receptor associated factor (TRAF) adaptor proteins, in addition to CD137 ligand (CD137L) have been found to bind to the receptor, leading to the transduction of signals activating NF-κB.
Both antagonistic and agonistic antibodies specific to CD137 have been developed. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,569,997, 8,137,667, and Fisher et al., Cancer Immunol Immunother (2012) 61:1721-1733. Agonist antibodies specific to CD137 have been reported to enhance T-cell function and promote anti-tumor activity. Fisher et al., Cancer Immunol Immunother (2012) 61:1721-1733. On the other hand, agonist antibodies specific to CD137 have also been reported to induce significant liver toxicity in patients. Segal et al., Clin Can Res., 2017, 23: 1929-1936.
It is therefore of interest to develop effective and safe CD137 agonists for therapeutic applications.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


In structures of the typical conventional photo couplers, an unwanted rotation or a dislocation during the manufacturing thereof is occurred during the manufacture of the couplers. The photo coupler according to the embodiment includes a lead frame (first lead frame), a lead frame (second lead frame) having an end section bent toward the lead frame, a light emitting element (first optical device) fixed to the lead frame, a light receiving element (second optical device) fixed to the lead frame so as to face the light emitting element, and an electrically insulating film, provided between the light emitting element and the light receiving element, and including an end section having protruding and contracting sections in plan view. An end section of the lead frame has protruding and contracting sections in plan view. Further, the end section of the electrically insulating film fits in the end section of the lead frame.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a photo coupler and a method for producing thereof.
2. Related Art
Photo couplers are devices that exchange signals by optics, in which an input side (emitting-side) is electrically insulated from an output side (receiving-side). Various technologies are proposed for providing an increased isolation voltage between the input side and the output side, and among these, a structure, which includes light emitting elements and light receiving elements that are disposed to be opposed to the light emitting elements and also includes an electrically insulating film disposed therebetween, are broadly adopted, since such structure provides an increased internal creeping distance between the light receiving element and the light emitting element to achieve an improved isolation voltage.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. S58-95,879 (1983) describes a method for producing photo couplers having a structure that includes an electrically insulating film disposed between the light receiving element and the light emitting element. The method for producing the photo couplers disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. S58-95,879 is described in reference to FIG. 8 to FIG. 13. The FIG. 13 inclusively shows processes shown in FIG. 8 to FIG. 12.
First of all, one piece of a lead frame 130 is prepared for installing both of the light emitting element 101 and the light receiving element 102 (FIG. 8). The lead frame 130 is composed of a lead frame 106 for the light emitting element 101 and a lead frame 103 for the light receiving element 102. Then, the light emitting element 101 and the light receiving element 102 are installed on an upper principal surface of the lead frame 130, and then are wired to respective lead terminals by a wire bonding process (FIG. 9).
Next, a smaller amount of transparent silicone resin 104 is applied over an upper surface of the light receiving element 102, and an electrically insulating film 105 is installed thereon, and then the silicone resin 104 is cured. Subsequently, a transparent silicone resin 107 is applied over the light emitting element 101. Thereafter, the lead frame 130 is bent at a certain location so that the light emitting element 101 and the light receiving element 102 are mutually opposed with the electrically insulating film 105 disposed therebetween (see FIG. 10 and FIG. 11). This achieves an optical coupling between the light receiving element 102 and the light emitting element 101.
Next, the silicone resins 104 and 107 are completely cured to obtain a hardened structure, thereby forming an encapsulating material 108. Then, unwanted sections in the lead frame 130 are removed to form geometry as shown in FIG. 12.
A process for installing an electrically insulating film on a lead frame in the side of a photo acceptor in the current manufacturing process for general opposed couplers will be described below. First of all, as shown in FIG. 14A, a soft transparent silicone resin 104 is applied over the lead frame 103 in the side of a photo acceptor, and then the electrically insulating film 105 is installed thereon. Then, as shown in FIG. 14B, the electrically insulating film 105 is depressed by its self-weight, and is inclined toward various directions. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 14C, the electrically insulating film 105 may rotate along "A" direction, or may dislocate along "B" or "C" direction.
Then, distances D and E between the end sections of the encapsulating material 108 and the electrically insulating film 105, respectively may be extremely decreased as shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, depending upon the level of unwanted rotation or dislocation of the electrically insulating film 105. This triggers a failure in the production of the photo coupler. For example, the electrically insulating film 105 may partially protrude beyond the encapsulating material 108, or a package-crack may be generated on thinned sections of the encapsulating material 108 (sections indicated by "distance D and E") due to a stress concentrating during the production.

Photo coupler and method for producing the same


Computer-implemented techniques can include obtaining languages for automatic speech recognition, the languages being associated with a plurality of users and receiving an input indicative of a request to provide speech input. In response to receiving the input, a first indication that automatic speech recognition (ASR) is being performed in each of the plurality of languages can be displayed. A speech input from one of the plurality of users can be received and ASR can identify one of the languages associated with the speech input to obtain a detected language. In response to obtaining the detected language, a second indication that ASR is being performed in the detected language can be displayed. The speech input can be transcribed and translated to another one of the plurality of languages to obtain a translated text that can be displayed.

The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.
Automatic speech recognition systems can be configured to transcribe speech to text. In one example scenario, two users that speak different languages may utilize an automatic speech recognition system to transcribe each user's speech and then translate their speech to the language spoken/understood by the other user. This allows the users to communicate with each other in real-time without the need of a human translator. Conventional automatic speech recognition systems, however, may only be configured to recognize speech in a single language. Thus, the users may be required to manually switch between the particular language that the automatic speech recognition is listening for. This manual switching is time consuming and can interrupt the flow of the conversation between the users.

Automatic speech recognition techniques for multiple languages


QoS router system and method are provided for effectively processing fragmented IP packets transmitted over a network. When receiving a first fragmented IP packet of a set from a flow, a router determines whether to allow the first packet to pass or to drop by according to predefined QoS rules. A pass status is recorded in a record if the packet is allowed to pass. A drop status is recorded in the record if the packet is dropped. When receiving other fragmented IP packet of the same set, the router determines whether to allow the fragmented packet to pass or to drop by according to the previous record. If the record is drop status, the packet is dropped, and if the record is pass status, the packet is allowed to pass when the used bandwidth of the flow does not exceeds a predetermined bandwidth.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to quality of service (QoS) routers technology and, more particularly, to a QoS router system for effectively processing fragmented Internet Protocol (IP) packets and method thereof.
2. Description of Related Art
Conventionally, an IP fragmentation must be performed on a packet having a length larger than a maximum transmission unit (MTU) before the packet is sent to a specific interface via the IP layer. For example, as shown in FIG. 1A, a large packet is fragmented into three IP packets after the IP fragmentation is performed. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1B, each of the IP packets has the same identification (ID) and source IP address. This means that all three IP packets are formed from the same packet by means of IP fragmentation. Value '1' in a more fragments (MF) bit of the 'flag' field means that there are subsequent IP packets originated from the same packet that has been fragmented by means of the same IP fragmentation. On the contrary, value '0' in the MF bit of the 'flag' field means that there is no subsequent IP packet originated from the same packet which has been fragmented by means of the same IP fragmentation. Value in a field of fragment offset represents an offset of an IP packet within a packet that has not been fragmented by means of IP fragmentation. As shown, a first IP packet has a value of 0 in the field of fragment offset. Hence, a machine at a destination is able to reassemble the received IP packets.
A QoS router typically takes each packet as an independent one in deciding a passing or dropping of the packet without considering whether an IP fragmentation has been performed on the packet. Hence, the router may continuously allow subsequent fragmented IP packets to pass for being sent to a destination machine even a previous fragmented IP packet has been dropped when a plurality of fragmented IP packets originated from the same packet pass through the router. Unfortunately, in this case a complete original packet cannot be obtained at the destination machine by reassembling the passed fragmented IP packets because there is at least one fragmented IP packet dropped. This has the drawbacks of wasting channel bandwidth available on network and wasting both time and memory of the following routers and the destination machine for processing them. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a novel QoS router system and method for effectively processing fragmented IP packets for a potential reassembly of the same in order to mitigate and/or obviate the aforementioned problems.

QoS router system for effectively processing fragmented IP packets and method thereof


The development of a region of interest (ROI) video frame that includes only ROIs of interest and not other elements and providing the ROI video frames in a single video stream simplifies the development of gallery view continuous presence displays. ROI position and size information metadata can be provided or subpicture concepts of the particular codec can be used to separate the ROIs in the ROI video frame. Metadata can provide perspective/distortion correction values, speaker status and any other information desired about the participant or other ROI, such as name. Only a single encoder and a single decoder is needed, simplifying both transmitting and receiving endpoints. Only a single video stream is needed, reducing bandwidth requirements. As each participant can be individually isolated, the participants can be provided in similar sizes and laid out as desired in a continuous presence display that is pleasing to view.

For many years videoconferencing was primarily a conference room to conference room method of communication. Multiple participants would sit in respective conference rooms and video streams of the conference rooms would be exchanged. A continuous presence layout of participants placed each conference room into a different window or square.
Over time, single person endpoints based on personal computers and cell phones became commonplace, so that the paradigm of videoconferencing began to change. The paradigm shift accelerated dramatically when individuals were required to work from home and not go to the office, and hence did not have access to a conference room. Everyone began working from home using their PCs or cell phones as the videoconferencing endpoints. The common arrangement of a continuous presence videoconference had single individuals in each window or square, referred to here as gallery view.
As we move forward into an expected hybrid environment, where some people work from an office and have access to a conference room, and others work from home using their personal computers, it would be desirable to provide uniformity to a hybrid environment.

Representation and compression of gallery view for video conferencing


A passive acoustic booster attachment for a mobile media device is disclosed, the attachment including an attaching portion, and a passive acoustic boosting portion extending from the attaching portion. The attaching portion attaches the passive acoustic booster attachment to the mobile media device. The passive acoustic boosting portion includes an acoustic waveguide, the acoustic waveguide being a conduit capable of guiding sound waves from at least one speaker of the mobile media device towards a listener. In some embodiments, the attaching portion serves as a case that holds and secures the entire perimeter of the mobile media device. In some embodiments, the attaching portion is a clip that can attach to a mobile media device. By guiding the sound waves produced by the speakers of the mobile media device, the passive acoustic booster attachment provides an enhanced listening experience.

Mobile media devices provide many functions, such as a mobile phone capability, email device capability, web browser capability, and/or music player capability, for example. Mobile media devices generally have speaker outputs to produce sound that can be heard by a user of the device. The speakers of these devices can provide sound output for a variety of purposes, such as a phone conversation, music, news, and/or talk radio, for example.
Traditional speakers embedded within mobile media devices often fail to provide adequate sound quality and/or volume, and they typically direct sound in a manner inconsistent with the goal of providing maximal audio power transmission to the mobile media device user's ears. These deficiencies generally have not been addressed by the prior art, with a few exceptions.
Earphones and/or earbuds, or other separate accessory speaker systems, are sometimes used to provide different sound superior to speakers incorporated within the mobile media device. However, each of these alternatives have significant drawbacks.
Earphones/earbuds or separate accessory speaker systems can detract from the convenience of mobile media device usage. Earphones/earbuds require insertion into a user's ears, which may be undesirable or inappropriate, as in the case of multiple listeners, for example.
Furthermore, separate accessory speaker systems may not be desired, as they are often bulky and therefore do not easily afford a user the opportunity to be mobile. Even with regard to smaller accessory speaker systems that can be attached to the mobile media device for easy transport, the operation of such accessory speakers still requires extra energy, thereby increasing the user's power needs further.

Mobile media device case/attachment for providing passive acoustic boosting


We describe methods for identifying aggregation-prone regions in structured—that is folded—proteins. Embodiments of the method use a local propensity for aggregation (Ai) at an amino acid position, this being determined by a combination of a hydrophobicity value, an α-helix propensity value, a β-sheet propensity value, a charge value and a pattern value for the amino acid position. This is combined with local structural stability values for the amino acid positions to identify one or more regions in the amino acid sequence which, in the folded protein, are predicted to promote aggregation.

Background prior art is described in Protein Science, Vol 15, 2006, J A Marsh et al, "Sensitivity of secondary structure propensities to sequence differences between alpha- and gamma-synuclein: Implicationd for fibrillation", 2795-2804; and in silico Biology, Vol 7, 2007, S Inicula-Thomas et al, "Correlation between the structural stability and aggregation propensity of proteins", 225-237. We have previously described, in WO 2004/066168 and in WO 2005/045442, techniques for predicting the rate of aggregation/solubility of proteins in their native, unfolded state. These techniques are useful, for example, in predicting aggregation-resistant mutational variants of unstructured polypeptide chains but they are not in general applicable to the prediction of aggregation in structured (folded) proteins. However, the aggregation of proteins from their folded state is important for many diseases, and the accurate prediction of this phenomenon is considered a difficult problem which, heretofore, has not been solved. We will describe a tool to address this problem; there are many applications of the tool, including rational design of drugs as well as protein production techniques.


A multiple-set heat-dissipating structure for a LED lamp for performing the heat dissipation of the LED set includes a heat-conducting base, a plurality of heat pipes and a plurality of heat-dissipating bodies. On end face of the heat-conducting base is used for adhering to and contacting with the LED set. Each heat pipe has a heat-absorbing end and a heat-releasing end, respectively. The heat-absorbing end is connected to the other end face of the heat-conducting base. Each heat-dissipating body has a hollow cylinder. The outer periphery of the cylinder is formed with a plurality of radial heat-dissipating pieces and is connected on the heat-releasing end of each heat pipe. By dispersing each heat pipe and heat-dissipating body, the heat generated by the operation of the LED set can be conducted and dissipated by each heat pipe and heat-dissipating body at multiple points. In this way, the LED set can be continuously operated under a suitable working temperature and thus its life can be elongated.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a multiple-set heat-dissipating structure for a LED lamp, and in particular to a multiple-set heat-dissipating structure for performing the heat dissipation of the LED lamp.
2. Description of Prior Art
Since light-emitting diodes (LED) are high-intensity, energy-saved and long-life, they are widely used in the illumination of electronic devices or lamps. Further, in order to increase the illuminating range and intensity thereof, a plurality of light-emitting diodes are usually combined to form a LED set. However, with the subsequent development of increasing number of light-emitting diodes and high-power light-emitting diodes, the heat generated by the operation of the light-emitting diodes is inevitably increasing. Therefore, it is an important issue for those skilled in this art to provide a heat-dissipating structure for LED lamps.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the conventional heat-dissipating structure for the LED lamp mainly comprises a heat pillar 10a and a heat-dissipating body 20a connected onto the heat pillar 10a. The bottom surface of the heat pillar 10a is used for adhering to and contacting with a LED set (not shown). The heat-dissipating body 20a has a hollow cylinder 21a. A plurality of heat-dissipating pieces 22a extend radially from the outer periphery of the cylinder 21a. With the above arrangement, a heat-dissipating structure for the LED lamp can be formed.
However, in practice, the conventional heat-dissipating structure for the LED lamp still has the following problems. The heat generated by the LED set is transferred to the outside only by single heat pillar 10a. Since the inner volume of the heat pillar 10a is large, it responds to the heat slowly, and thus the speed of transferring the heat to the outside will be greatly reduced. Further, in the heat transfer path, since the heat is transferred from the surface of the heat pillar 19a to the cylinder 21a, and then from the cylinder 21a to each heat-dissipating piece 22a, the heat received by each heat-dissipating piece 22a is gradually decreased from its root portion to the outer portion. The region other than the middle portion of each heat-dissipating piece 22a only occupies a limited space and thus is insufficient for the heat dissipation of the LED set. Therefore, in the above-mentioned heat-dissipating structure, the heat transferred by such structure is greatly restricted, so that the life of the light-emitting diodes in the LED set is reduced.
In view of the above, the inventor proposes the present invention to overcome the above problems based on his expert experiences and deliberate researches.

Multiple-set heat-dissipating structure for LED lamp


A latch assembly has a ratchet that pivots between open and closed conditions selectively cinching a striker. A pawl engages the ratchet. A pawl lever engages the pawl for releasing rotation thereof. An inside release assembly has an inside release lever connected to an inside clutch lever and an override lever. The inside clutch lever selectively engages the pawl lever. Manipulation of the inside release lever selectively releases the pawl lever. An outside clutch lever selectively engages the pawl lever. Manipulation of the outside release lever releases the pawl lever when the outside clutch lever engages the pawl lever. A first motor operably engages a first shaft having a lock cam. A second motor operably engages a second rotatably mounted shaft having a child lock cam. The lock cam is rotatable to engage the inside and outside clutch levers and the override lever.

This invention relates to a latch for a vehicle door. In particular, this invention relates to a powered door latch with a manual override.
Vehicle door latch systems are well known in the art. Typically, a vehicle door will have a latch for engaging and cinching onto a striker. The latch will have a rotatably mounted ratchet engaging a pawl in a ratchet relation. The ratchet cooperates with a mouth of a housing to pivot between an open and closed condition for receiving, engaging and cinching a keeper of a striker. The ratchet has a cam surface having abutment surfaces. As the ratchet engages the keeper of a striker, the ratchet rotates in a latching sense and the pawl travels along the cam surface to retain the ratchet in the closed and cinched conditions.
The vehicle door itself has inner and outer manually movable release handles which are operably connected to inner and outer release levers on the latch. To release the latch, the pawl is rotated by responsive movement of either of the inner or outer release levers to disengage the ratchet.
In powered latch systems, as illustrated in WO 98/33998, power actuators are utilized to lock and unlock the latch. These systems embody solenoids, and sometimes, electrical motors with speed reduction gears. There is a need to provide locking assemblies in which the power operation is more versatile and more universally applicable to all of the various and desirable functions which are required with respect to both front doors and rear doors in four door vehicles.
The disadvantages of the prior art may be overcome by providing a latch assembly and an actuator assembly for a vehicle having a simple mechanism which will lock and unlock the door latch and also provide a mechanism for a manual override.
According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a latch assembly and actuator assembly for locking and unlocking a vehicle door latch. The latch assembly comprises a latch housing, a ratchet pivotally mounted to the latch housing to pivot between a biased open condition and a closed condition for receiving, engaging and cinching a striker and a pawl pivotally mounted to the latch housing and biased against the ratchet to maintain the ratchet in the closed condition. A pawl lever is operatively coupled to the latch housing and the pawl for effecting releasing rotation of the pawl relative to the ratchet. An inside release assembly comprises an inside release lever pivotally mounted to the latch housing and operably connected to an inside clutch lever and an override lever. The inside clutch lever is moveable to engage and disengage the pawl lever, manipulation of the inside release lever responsively effecting releasing movement of the pawl lever when the inside clutch lever engages the pawl lever. An outside release assembly comprises an outside release lever pivotally mounted to the latch housing and operably connected to an outside clutch lever. The outside clutch lever is moveable to engage and disengage the pawl lever, manipulation of the outside release lever responsively effecting releasing movement of the pawl lever when the outside clutch lever engages the pawl lever. The actuator comprises an actuator housing and a first motor operably engaging a first shaft rotatably mounted in the actuator housing. The shaft has a lock cam mounted thereon. The actuator housing is in mating engagement with the latch housing such that the lock cam is rotatable in the latch housing to engage the inside clutch lever and the outside clutch lever whereby rotation of the lock cam selectively moves at least one of the clutch levers out of engagement with the pawl lever to unlock the latch assembly for releasing the pawl and the ratchet from the closed condition to the open condition.

Powered vehicle door latch and actuator therefor


A system and method is disclosed for locking down a capability of a computer system. Hardware instructions initiate a sequence of boot cycles to launch a computer operating system on a computer-enabled device. During the boot cycles, multiple levels of boot code are verified. Each verified stage of boot code verifies a subsequent stage of boot code. If the subsequent stage of boot code cannot be verified, the verified stage locks a capability of the computer so that the subsequent stage of boot code cannot modify the capability.

Modern computer-enabled devices may include various initialization mechanisms. Generally, a sequence of boot stages executes in a boot path to initialize the hardware components of a device and load an operating system for use by a user. To add or remove hardware or software functionality, some portions of the boot sequence may be modified and/or supplied by parties other than the provider of the operating system. A modified boot stage inserted into the boot path may cause the system to be used in a manner not intended by its original manufacturer or provider.

System and method for locking down a capability of a computer system


A chuck (600) for use with a powered driver having a rotatable drive shaft is provided. The chuck may include a body, a plurality of movable jaws (610), a nut (625), a sleeve (640), and an anti-vibration assembly (620). The anti-vibration assembly may be operably disposed between the sleeve and the nut and configured to absorb vibration caused by operation of the power driver and maintain a position of the sleeve relative to the nut when the sleeve is in at least a locked position.

Both hand and electric or pneumatic tool drivers are well known. Although twist drills are common tools on such drivers, other common tools include screw drivers, nut drivers, burrs, mounted grinding stones, and other cutting or abrading tools. Each tool may include a tool shank to operably couple the tool to the driver. Since the tool shanks may be of varying diameters and cross section shapes (e.g., polygonal), a driver is often provided with a chuck adjustable over a relatively wide range. The chuck may be attached to a driver by a threaded or tapered bore.
A variety of chucks have been developed in the art. In an oblique jawed chuck, a chuck body includes three passageways disposed approximately 120 degrees apart from each other. The passageways are configured so that their center lines meet at a point along the chuck axis forward of the chuck. The passageways constrain three jaws which are moveable in the passageways to grip a cylindrical or polygonal tool shank disposed approximately along the chuck center axis. The chuck includes a nut that rotates about the chuck center and that engages threads on the jaws so that rotation of the nut moves the jaws in either direction along the center lines within the passageways. A body of the chuck is attached onto the drive shaft of a driver and is fixed relative the driver. The nut is configured to rotate relative to the body when the driver is turned. The body may be configured so that rotation of the body in one direction with respect to the nut forces the jaws into gripping relationship with the tool shank, while rotation in the opposite direction releases the gripping relationship. Chucks may be keyless if the nut can be tightened and loosened by hand. Examples of such chucks are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,125,673 and 5,193,824, commonly assigned to the present assignee and the entire disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein. Various configurations of keyless chucks are known in the art and are desirable for a variety of applications.

Locking chuck with anti-vibration feature

JACOBS CHUCK MANUFACTURING (SUZHOU) COMPANY, LTD.


A method for calibrating a phase include comparing a phase of an in-phase output signal and a phase of a quadrature-phase output signal and generating a digital code corresponding to a comparison result, and controlling the phase of the in-phase output signal in response to quadrature-phase differential input signals and the digital code, and controlling the phase of the quadrature-phase output signal in response to in-phase differential input signals and the digital code, to make a phase difference between the in-phase output signal and the quadrature-phase output signal 90°.

The inventive concept relates to a phase calibration technology, and more particularly, to a method and circuit for calibrating a phase to make the phase difference between an in-phase signal and a quadrature phase signal to be 90°, and a transceiver having the phase calibration method and circuit.
A method of adjusting a phase difference between an in-phase signal and a quadrature phase signal by finely controlling a DC operating point of a divider for generating the quadrature phase signal is used in a transmitter. In this case, since the oscillation frequency is twice the local frequency, the method may not be applied for a high frequency system.
Thus, in a high frequency system, the in-phase signal and the quadrature phase signal having the same frequency as the oscillation frequency is generated by using a polyphase filter or a quadrature voltage controlled oscillator (QVCO). However, the polyphase filter or the QVCO does not use a divider, the method of adjusting a phase difference using a DC operating point of the divider may not be used therefor.

Method and circuit for calibrating phase, and signal processing apparatus having the same


A magnetic material for mircowave and millimeter wave frequencies consists essentially of a basic composition and at least one additive incorporated therein, the basic composition being represented by the general formula: EQU Li.sub.x Fe.sub.y Ti.sub.z O.sub.0.5+y+1.5z. where x, y and z are mole fractions of three components and each takes a value within the following respective ranges, 0.15.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.30, 0.55.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.0.85, 0.ltoreq.z.ltoreq.0.30, and x+y+z=1.00, and the additive being at least one oxide selected from the group consisting of lead oxide, vanadium oxide, boron oxide and silicon oxide. The content of the additive ranges from not less than 0.01 mol % to not more than 1.0 mol % in terms of PbO, V.sub.2 O.sub.5, B.sub.2 O.sub.3 and SiO.sub.2, respectively.

1. Field of the invention
The present invention relates to a magnetic material for high frequencies and, more particularly, to a magnetic ceramic composition for high frequency circuit elements designed for use in the microwave and millimeter wave frequency ranges.
2. Description of the Prior Art
As a magnetic material for high frequencies, there have been used materials such as Mn-Mg ferrites, Ni-Zn ferrites, YIG ferrites, lithium ferrites these materials are highly advantage in that they have high saturation magnetization (4.pi.Ms) ranging from 500 to 4000 gauss. Among them, lithium ferrite has the greatest potential for use in the production of highly stable circuit elements such as isolators and circulators. This is because lithium ferrite, has a large saturation magnetization of about 3700 gauss, a high Curie temperature (Tc) of about 650.degree. C., and a small temperature coefficient of saturation magnetization at room temperature.
However, lithium ferrite has some disadvantages such that it measures large losses in the ferromagnetic resonance line width (.DELTA.H) and the dielectric loss tangent (tan .delta.e) as compared with the other ferrite materials used in the construction of microwave and millimeter wave frequencies. For example, pure lithium ferrite, Li.sub.0.5 Fe.sub.2.5 O.sub.4, has a large value of the ferromagnetic resonance line width (.DELTA.H) of more than 500 Oersted and a dielectric loss tangent (tan .delta.e) of more than 0.01 at 10 GHz. These properties make it impossible to use as a magnetic material for practical circuit elements for microwave and millimeter wave frequencies.


An ultrasonic motor includes an annular stator, a rotor, a rectangular parallelepiped multilayer piezoelectric transducer, a support shaft, three transducers with drivers, a holder for holding the transducers with an elastic plate therebetween, and a leaf spring for urging the holder. The holder having the transducers is inserted into transducer attaching holes arranged at positions where the circumference of the stator is divided into three parts in a state wherein the holder is urged by the leaf spring from the back of the holder. The leaf spring abuts and urges the drivers of the transducer against a hardwearing ring fixed to the outer circumference of the rotor on the side of the internal circumference of the stator. When the transducer is driven so as to excite an elliptical movement produced in the drivers by combining a bending standing-wave vibration with a longitudinal vibration, the rotor is rotated relative to the stator. This ultrasonic motor can be used for a drive source of an object of rotation with small frictional loss and improved conversion efficiency.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an ultrasonic motor using a transducer exciting an elliptical movement produced by combining a bending standing-wave vibration with a longitudinal vibration.
2. Description of the Related Art
A linear ultrasonic motor that relatively moves a driven object by urging a transducer in contact with an elastic body, the transducer being composed of a piezoelectric element exciting an elliptical movement produced by combining a bending standing-wave vibration with a longitudinal vibration, is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2871768 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 8-182356.
An ultrasonic motor for driving a body of rotation proposed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 3401097 is an ultrasonic actuator including an ultrasonic actuator body, which is a set of circular transducers composed of a multilayer piezoelectric transducer, an elastic body, and a sliding member, a flame clamping the actuator and supporting a rotor (below-mentioned), and the rotor with a shaft. The ultrasonic actuator excites an elliptical vibration form the ultrasonic actuator body so as to rotate the rotor via the sliding member.


In a valve device (1), when a valve (33) is closed, an output shaft of an actuator unit (10) is connected to the valve (33). A control unit of the valve device (1) determines a control constant to be a value by which a response speed of the actuator unit (10) is smaller as ambient temperature is higher, and performs feedback control.

For example, it is conventionally known that control of a valve device is performed by feedback control like a current control type solenoid valve disclosed in Patent Literature 1.
The valve device includes an actuator unit including a motor or the like. The actuator unit is formed of various parts, and there is a weak part, for example, at a connecting part between the parts. Especially, in a case where the valve device is configured to close in a state in which the actuator unit and a valve are connected to each other, impact generated by contact of the valve with a valve seat at the time of closing the valve is directly transmitted from the valve to the actuator unit. For this reason, it is necessary to pay attention to the weak part in the actuator unit.


A turbo compressor in an axial type of construction is disclosed. The turbo compressor has a bladed stator and a bladed rotor, and has a longitudinally split compressor casing and a guide blade ring with adjustable guide blades. The guide blades are pivotably mounted about radial axes radially within their aerofoil on an inner ring belonging to the stator. The inner ring is split, i.e., segmented, at at least two points of its circumference. Furthermore, the inner ring has for each guide blade at least one bearing bush which can be inserted radially into an opening from inside.

This application claims the priority of International Application No. PCT/DE2007/000916, filed May 18, 2007, and German Patent Document No. 10 2006 024 085.5, filed May 23, 2006, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein.
The invention relates to a turbo compressor in an axial type of construction for a gas turbine, having a bladed stator and a bladed rotor, wherein the stator is comprised of a compressor casing that is longitudinally split on diametrically opposed sides and at least one guide blade ring with adjustable guide blades.
In the case of turbo compressors in an axial type of construction for gas turbines, in principle a differentiation is made between two designs with respect to the casing construction. There is a longitudinally split compressor casing with two diametrically opposed, axial-running parting lines, which are able to be dismantled into two "half shells." This design is also called "split case." In addition, there is also a transversely split compressor casing, which is made up of several concentric casing rings that are lined up axially in a row. As a rule, the casing rings are screwed to one another via flanges pointing radially outwardly. Both designs have specific advantages and disadvantages and may also be combined in the case of multi-stage compressors having a considerable axial extension.
The case at hand deals with compressors or compressor modules having a longitudinally split casing, i.e., the "split case" design, which offers advantages with respect to lightweight construction and ease of assembly.
Furthermore, these should be compressors which have a minimum of a guide blade ring with adjustable guide blades. These types of compressors may be better adapted to changing operating conditions, this with a low number of stages, small construction volume and low weight. It is common to position adjustable guide blades radially outside the aerofoil on or in the compressor casing, radially within the aerofoil on or in an inner ring belonging to the stator. For this purpose, the guide blades emanating from the aerofoil have an outer peg that is longer as a rule along with an inner peg that is shorter as a rule. On the aerofoil/peg transition, there is often a plate-like disk which has flow-related and mechanical functions. The static inner ring, whose radially outer surface forms a portion of the inner ring space delimitation, features for every guide blade a complementary indentation for the inner, plate-like disk on the guide blade as well as a bearing for the inner peg. As a rule, the bearing is designed as a sliding bearing with a radially oriented longitudinal center axis. The inner ring is transversely split, wherein the parting line runs through the longitudinal center of the bearing. In addition, the inner ring is longitudinally split on two diametrically opposed sides so that for all intents and purposes it is comprised of four half rings, two of which respectively abut axially and are normally screwed together. Thus, it is possible to install the guide blades in the separate compressor casing halves and then mount the inner ring with the bearing for the inner pegs. In this case, for every compressor casing half, two half rings of the inner ring axially are moved against one another over the freestanding inner pegs and the plate-like disks of the guide blades until they touch in the target position and are then screwed together. In this connection, the inner ring parts themselves are often already provided with a rub coating or run-in coating, which cooperates with circumferential fins (fins) so that it seals on the rotor (inner airseal). There are disadvantages to this inner ring construction in accordance with the prior art. The mechanical stability and the end precision are not optimal because of the transverse split and screw connection. The radial and axial dimensions are larger as a rule in relation to a monolithic component, which has implications for the rotor dimensioning. The local rotor diameter must be reduced, and in addition the rotor length increases under some circumstances. Both have disadvantages for the dynamic rotor behavior (rigidity, oscillation behavior, weight, etc.) The parts of the screw connection are able to detach during operation and produce serious damage. Because of the transverse split, the parting line impacts the position and extension of the run-in coating, because the line extends over the entire circumference of the inner ring. Due to its complexity, this design is also very expensive.
On the other hand, the objective of the invention, in the case of a turbo compressor of the type cited at the outset with adjustable guide blades, is optimizing the inner ring, which is positioned in the area of the inner airseal and the rotor, and supports the guide blades in this area, with respect to its mechanical properties, its construction volume, its weight and its ease of assembly in order to ultimately also improve rotor dynamics.
In adapting to the longitudinally split compressor casing, the inner ring is also split, i.e., segmented, at at least two points of its circumference. Each of its at least two segments is one-piece, i.e., monolithic. The inner ring has in its segments for each of the adjustable guide blades at least one bearing bush which may be inserted radially into an opening from inside. Starting from a state in which the adjustable guide blades are already inserted in the dismantled compressor casing halves, and the aerofoils' inner pegs serving as the inner bearing freely project inwardly, the segments may still be moved without bearing bushes radially from inside with their openings for the bearing bushes beginning on one segment end over the inner pegs. Through progressive feed-in, more and more openings move over the inner pegs until all inner pegs are sitting in the openings of the segment assigned to them. This mounting procedure utilizes the fact that the openings in the segments are considerably larger in terms of the diameter than the inner pegs so that the latter may be positioned temporarily eccentrically and diagonally in the openings.
The bearing bushes may then be inserted radially from the inside into the segment situated in the target position, wherein one or more bushes may be provided per bearing, i.e., per inner peg and opening. The as such monolithic segments are optimal in terms of strength, construction space and weight and do not require any additional elements such as screws, nuts, pins, etc., which are detachable. As expendable parts, the bearing bushes may be replaced without the segments of the inner ring or the guide blades having to be disassembled.
A sealing support with a rub coating or run-in coating should preferably be detachably fastened on the inner ring. The sealing support, like the inner ring itself, should be segmented and be held on the inner ring in a radially form-fit manner as a sheet metal profile.

Turbo compressor in an axial type of construction


A method is provided for producing electrically conductive lines (23a, 23b), wherein spacers are deposited on a sacrificial structure present on a stack of layers, including a hardmask layer on top of a dielectric layer into which the lines are to be embedded, and an intermediate layer on top of the hardmask layer. A self-aligned litho-etch step is then performed to create an opening in the intermediate layer, the opening being self-aligned to the space between two adjacent sidewalls of the sacrificial structure. This self-aligned step precedes the deposition of spacers on the sacrificial structure, so that spacers are also formed on the transverse sidewalls of the opening, i.e. perpendicular to the spacers on the walls of the sacrificial structure. A blocking material is provided in the area of the bottom of the opening that is surrounded on all sides by spacers, thereby creating a block with a reduced size.

The back end of line (BEOL) refers to the interconnect structure of a semiconductor chip and to the process of fabricating this structure. The BEOL structure comprises multiple levels of electrical conductors, connected together through interconnect vias. The continuing trend in terms of scale reduction has led to the application of specific techniques for the production of a dense array of nano-scaled metal lines in the BEOL. In particular, the use of self-aligned patterning techniques has been introduced. One challenge is the scaling of the tip-to-tip space between two colinear metal lines, which can be typically produced using a self-aligned block approach. However, whereas the pitch between parallel metal lines has been reduced to about 16 nm using dual and quadruple self-aligned patterning techniques, there are currently no reliable techniques for reducing the tip-to-tip spacing to values lower than about 18 nm. The tip-to-tip spacing can be therefore disproportionately high with respect to the linewidths and pitch, and a reduction of this spacing is desirable in terms of obtaining a more efficient utilisation of the available chip surface.

Semiconductor fabrication method for producing nano-scaled electrically conductive lines


Methods and apparatus for identifying and analyzing clusters of medical billing claims in a queue to identify a shared root cause issue for the medical billing claims in the cluster. Exemplary methods and apparatus involve grouping each of the plurality of medical billing claims into clusters based on predetermined cluster patterns that include at least one attribute, validating the clusters using predetermined criteria to determine if the clusters should be analyzed, discarded, and/or marked for further analysis, collecting information about each of the medical billing claims in clusters, and determining a root cause issue for the medical billing claims in the clusters based on the collected information.

Lists of records or queues are commonly used to collect and analyze data for a variety of applications. For example, queues may be used to store and track the status of claims issued by a medical services provider. A typical medical services provider, or a third-party acting on behalf of the medical services provider, processes a large volume of claims detailing expenses incurred by patients treated by the medical services provider. Each of these claims includes information and costs associated with one or more procedures or services provided to the patient, and which the medical services provider would like to recover payment. For many patients, payment is recovered by transmitting the claims to the patient's insurance provider or other payer who, in turn, evaluates the charges on the claim and remits the appropriate payment to the medical services provider. Ensuring that this payment process operates smoothly is important to the medical services provider to facilitate payment for the medical services provider's services in a timely manner.
Medical services providers process hundreds or thousands of claims a day. One way to facilitate tracking the status of these claims is to enter the claims as entries in a database which keeps track of, among other things, when the claims were sent and when remittance was received. Due to the large volume of claims being processed, a medical services provider may not receive a response for some claims even though the claims were submitted several weeks or months prior. For each claim in which a response was not received, a follow-up call is typically placed to the payer in order to determine why there was no response. If even a relatively small percentage of the claims do not receive a response, the number of follow-up calls required may be quite large, resulting in a process that is both time-consuming and costly for the medical services provider.

Methods and apparatus for queue-based cluster analysis


A controller performs a mediation of an assigned radio resource such that the radio resource assigned to each of a plurality of other user terminals does not overlap each other, in a case where a transmission of user data is not performed among each of the plurality of other user terminals through D2D communication, and in a case where each of the plurality of other user terminals assigns the radio resource for transmitting the user data through the D2D communication.

In 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) which is a project aiming to standardize a mobile communication system, the introduction of Device to Device (D2D) communication is discussed as a new function after Release 12 (see Non Patent Document 1).
In D2D communication, a plurality of proximal user terminals perform direct device-to-device communication without passing through a network. On the other hand, in cellular communication which is normal communication in a mobile communication system, a user terminal performs communication via a network.
Further, it is assumed that scheduling for assigning a radio resource used for transmitting and receiving user data in D2D communication includes a case where a user terminal performing the D2D communication takes an initiative to perform the scheduling as well as a case where a base station included in a network takes an initiative to perform the scheduling. As a result of the user terminal performing the D2D communication assigning the radio resource by the user terminal itself, it is possible to reduce a load of the base station.

Mobile communication system, user terminal, and network apparatus


A system and method for collecting, indexing, searching, accessing and downloading of data over local and global computer networks. The data is reposed in a central database, where it is indexed and interrelated documents by attributes characteristic of the data type. The data is typically objects such as documents, queries, attribute lists and the like. The data is indexed and managed using a relational database management system (RDBMS). The central database and the RDBMS reside in a server that can be coupled to the global network through a network/user interface, queries received by a user based on known network protocols are converted to a format such as SQL understood by the RDBMS. Objects can be returned as an image file for viewing by the user, and can be purchased for downloading to the user""s computer through some security mechanism, such as membership in a group having access to the database. Content to the database may be provided by individuals or proprietors of other databases, either run the network or through direct input to the server. Content to the database can also be self-generated by the RDBMS.

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of appropriate sections of this document or disclosure as it appears in the US Patent and Trademark Office file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to database management systems. More particularly, the present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for information storage, retrieval and delivery using a relational database operable with a computer network such as the Internet and the associated World Wide Web (WWW).
2. Description of Related Art
Current computer technology allows information, for example, documents, records, etc., to be distributed electronically. Electronic distribution is generally cost effective when compared with conventional hard copy distribution methods. Moreover, electronic distribution generally permits faster transmission of information to users interested in such information. Global computer networks, such as the Internet, enable information to be distributed to a wide range of people at locations around the world. One of the many advantages of the Internet, particularly the World Wide Web (WWW or the xe2x80x9cWebxe2x80x9d), is that the communication protocols used for transmitting documents and other information are non-proprietary, thereby enabling end users to access and use the Internet without the need for highly customized hardware or software.
One of the areas where information production and distribution has assumed an overwhelming importance is the legal profession, especially the litigation practice. It is well-known that in this area there is a tremendous need for systems where a user, typically a legal professional (e.g., an attorney), can inexpensively access, exchange and store documents critical to various aspects of litigation research. Moreover, such user interaction must be secure and reliable.
Of valuable consideration in litigation research, often, is whether there are other legal professionals who might have experience in a particular aspect of a litigation matter in which a user is currently interested and if there exists any documents relating to that matter provided by the legal professional. Such documents may typically comprise depositions, briefs, pleadings, seminar papers, etc. Another consideration, certainly, is whether the user can quickly access and, download relevant documents, with or without any fees associated therewith.
A further consideration in litigation research frequently relates to the arena of expert witnesses. Clearly, it would be highly useful for legal professionals if they could inexpensively access relevant information about a particular expert who has testified in the area that is related to the matter of interest. Another useful feature would be where a party (that is, a legal professional or an entity that contributed or provided a document in a common electronic exchange) possesses the capability to know if other legal professionals have accessed its document.
Often, an information provider operating an electronic exchange of information wishes to provide information to users on a controlled basis. For example, the provider may want to provide information only to those users who have paid a fee or completed a registration process. Also, the provider may want to restrict access to certain types of information to certain classes of users. Additionally, the information provider or the users may require that the format of the information provided to one user be different from the format of the same information provided to another user or class of users.
It can be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that an electronic exchange of information may be advantageously provided, especially with particular relevance to the subject matter set forth herein above, using the Internet and a centralized database coupled therewith. Whereas there has been a fast growing demand for Internet/Web access to databases, there are no extant systems that provide the unique and useful features of the present invention as described herein below.
To alleviate the above description problems with existing systems and other problems recognized by those skilled in the art, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a computerized method and a system for data management. In a particular exemplary embodiment, the computerized method for data management includes the steps of: receiving a first query from a first user; receiving a first user identity indicator; storing the first query and the first user identity indicator in a first database; receiving a second query from a second user, the second query including at least a portion of the first query; searching the first database according to the second query; and responsive to searching the first database, returning the first query and the first user identity indicator.
In another embodiment, the computerized method can perform the steps of receiving a document from a third user; receiving a third user identity indicator; and storing the document in association with the third user identity indicator.
In yet another embodiment, the method can perform the steps of presenting the first query to a second database, the second database including the document; and providing the document to the first user responsive to the first query corresponding to the document.
Another exemplary embodiment can perform steps of adjusting an indicator value associated with the third user, whereby the indicator value indicates that the document received from the third user has been provided to the first user.
Moreover, one exemplary embodiment can include the step of calculating a royalty based upon the indicator value associated with the third user. In should be noted, however, the present invention can include any combination of the above features or any other features as described herein.

Information storage, retrieval and delivery system and method operable with a computer network