An interrogating device which includes a rule memory for storing forward inference rules utilizable in a forward inference control system or backward inference rules utilizable in a backward inference control system, a working memory for storing facts, and a forward inference control section for adding or deleting a fact relative to the working memory according to the forward inference rules or a backward inference control section for conducting a search according to the backwad inference rules.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an interrogating device based on a forward inference system or a backward inference system.
2. Description of the Related Art
In conventional interrogating devices, the priority of rules is determined beforehand and cannot be changed during the course of execution of an inference. Therefore, in order to solve the problem in which the priority of the rules changes dynamically, there is provided a special fact for use in controlling the change of the priority other than the ordinary fact so that the priority can be apparently changed. Also, although the deletion of the rules can be carried at a command level relative to the interrogating device, the detection cannot be carried out at an action level of the rules. Accordingly, where there is a rule which is used only under a special case, as is the case with the change of the priority of the rules as hereinabove described, a special fact for use in controlling the deletion of the rules is provided so that the rules can be apparently deleted. Because of this reason, the rules can be deleted at the time of executing a rule debug. However, once the rules are deleted they cannot be restored.
As hereinabove discussed, in the conventional art interrogating device, because the special facts for use in controlling the change of the priority and in controlling the deletion of the rules are required other than the ordinary facts so that, during the execution of the inference, the priority of the rules can be changed and the rules can be deleted, respectively, the device tends to be complicated. Because the rules cannot be restored once they are deleted the rules have to be prepared from the beginning where the inference is desired to be executed by using the rules which have been deleted. Also, in the interrogating device in which both the forward inference and the backward inference are employed, neither is available for the priority of the rules of the forward inference to be superseded by the rule of the backward inference so that the deletion and restoration of the rules can be accomplished.

Interrogating device for changing the priority of the inference rules


A method of monitoring hygiene compliance is provided. The method comprises the steps of receiving first location information which tracks movement and handwashing information, determining whether a person who has entered a patient contact zone has washed her hands since her most recent exposure to a contamination zone, and updating compliance information for the person based upon the determining step.

The present invention relates to a system for monitoring compliance with hygiene policies.
Systems to promote hygiene have been used in the healthcare industries as well as the food processing and preparation industries. See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,125,482, U.S. Pat. No. 6,038,331, U.S. Pat. No. 5,966,573, U.S. Pat. No. 5,952,924, U.S. Pat. No. 5,954,069, U.S. Pat. No. 5,945,910, U.S. Pat. No. 5,939,974, U.S. Pat. No. 5,900,801, U.S. Pat. No. 5,812,059, U.S. Pat. No. 5,793,653, U.S. Pat. No. 5,781,942, U.S. Pat. No. 5,610,589, U.S. Pat. No. 5,202,666, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,199,118.
Hygiene monitoring systems, which incorporate various features of the present invention, monitor location of persons in a facility, location of equipment in the facility, activities performed by persons in the facility, activities performed by equipment in the facility, and/or activities performed on equipment in the facility. From such gathered information, the hygiene monitoring systems determine whether certain actions (e.g. washing of a person""s hands, washing of a piece of equipment) need to take place in order to comply with a hygiene policy defined for the facility. The hygiene monitoring systems may evaluate level of compliance with the hygiene policy, and provide persons with information (e.g. alerts, reminders, etc.) which aid in increasing the level of compliance with the hygiene policy.


Provided is a group-based communication interface configured to allow users of the interface to communicate within group-based communication channels and across group-based communication channels to provide relevant information to other users efficiently and effectively. Group-based messaging communications across the plurality of group-based communication channels can be channeled to specific receiver channels providing relevant information to users of the group-based communication interface thereby increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of group-based messaging communications and the lifetime of the system.

Various messaging systems are available that allow users to have continuous conversations electronically between each other. In such systems, one or more users may send messages back and forth discussing various topics. In certain systems, the string of messages may be saved and later accessible to the participants of the conversation. Applicant has identified a number of deficiencies and problems associated with conventional messaging systems. Through applied effort, ingenuity, and innovation, many of these identified problems have been solved by developing solutions that are included in embodiments of the present invention, many examples of which are described in detail herein.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Channeling messaging communications in a selected group-based communication interface


A playback apparatus is provided, which comprises a switch device (200) that gives the user good feeling of operating. A tape-shaped switch (500) is provided on a base part (410), extending along the circumference of the base part (410). A ring-shaped rotational drive section (450) opposes the tape-shaped switch (500) and can move to and from the base part (410). A plurality of second rollers (440), each having a roller part (444) made of rubber or the like, are rotatably mounted on the rotational drive section (450). A flange (313) continuously extending outward from the disc-shaped table plate (311) of a jog table unit (310) is mounted on the rotational drive section (450). When the user rotates the jog table unit (310), the rotation-detecting section (470) provided on the base part (410) detects the rotation of the unit (310). The flange (313) is supported by the second rollers (440) at a position outside a position where the user touches the jog table unit (310) and rotates, so that the rotation of the jog table unit (310) can be reliably detected. The user can obtain good feeling of operating the switch device (200).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a switch device, a data-processing apparatus, and a playback apparatus.
2. Description of Related Art
Conventionally, various types of configurations such as a button-type switch and a volume-type switch are known as switch devices to control electric signal. Switch devices of each type are selected to use for various electric apparatuses in accordance with what kind of an electric signal controls it, how it is controlled by the signal and what outer appearance it has.
A DJ playing is known, in which a performer called "disc jockey (DJ)" operates a record player as a playback apparatus to play dance music or the like. The DJ playing is a method of effectively playing back the music data recorded on a record, such as dance music. More specifically, the disc jockey manually controls the rotation of the turntable of the record player to play back the music data recorded on the record placed on the turntable, and stop the playing back of the music, repeatedly plays back the same phrase, and rewind to the point for playing back.
In recent years, the playback apparatuses have been developed, each of which can play back dance music or the like from recording media such as a CD (Compact Disc) and a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) on which the music data is recorded in the form of digital data. The playback apparatus has various switch devices so that the disc jockey may operate the switch devices to control the rotation of a CD or a DVD, feeling as if manually controlling the rotation of the turntable of an analog record player.
Recently, the DJ playing has been much diversified. There is a demand for a CD or DVD playback apparatus that the disc jockeys can operate, feeling more vividly as manually controls the rotation of the turntable of an analog record player.

Switch device, data-processing apparatus and playback apparatus


A handlebar folding mechanism for a foldable motorized vehicle comprising: (a) a mounting base, (b) a first connecting member and a second connecting member, each having a connection portion and a locking portion, (c) a first locking lever and a second locking lever, (d) a steering axial rod and (e) a first steering handlebar and a second steering handlebar, each of the steering handlebar having an inside end and outside end, wherein the connection portions of the connecting members are connected to the inside end of the first steering handlebar, the locking portions of the connecting members are pivoted on the mounting base, the locking levers are retractably mounted in the mounting base to control the rotation of the connecting members.

In order to save storage space and facilitate carrying, the current trend is to build a foldable motorized vehicle, and in order to meet different requirements in respect of folding, various folding and locking mechanisms have been designed on the motorized vehicle, among which folding, unfolding and locking mechanisms are the most commonly used.
In a conventional handlebar of foldable motorized vehicle, multiple locking holes are needed in a steering handle, the steering handle is pivoted on a bicycle handle main body, the steering handle is positioned by passing a locking shaft pin through one of the locking holes, and during folding, the steering handle is rotated so that the locking shaft pin passes through different locking holes, thereby achieving an objective of folding and locking. During locking and unlocking, the locking shaft pin is required to enter into or withdraw from the locking holes repeatedly. In such a structure, in order to enable the locking shaft pin to enter into and withdraw from the locking holes freely, not only a push lever is required to be used to drive the locking shaft pin to move, which results in a complex structure, but also a clearance is required to be kept between the locking hole and the locking shaft pin in respect of diameters for fitting. The reason is that if the locking hole and the locking shaft pin fit too closely, the locking shaft pin cannot easily enter into or withdraw from the locking hole, resulting in inconvenience when folding. Therefore, the locking holes is required to be configured with a greater diameter, but if the diameter of the locking holes is greater than that of the locking shaft pin, another problem occurs. When the steering handle is unfolded and locked, the steering handle slightly rotates or becomes loose along the axis of the locking shaft, thereby making a rider feel that the locking is not rigid and secure, which in turn affects the rider's sense of security and safety.
Therefore, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the art to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.

Handlebar folding mechanism and foldable motorized vehicle having same


A delivery system for inclusion in an edible composition is formulated to have at least two active components with an encapsulating material for managing the release of the two actives relative to each other when used in an edible composition.

1. Field of the Invention
A delivery system for inclusion in an edible composition is formulated to have at least two active components with an encapsulating material for managing the release of the two actives relative to each other when used in an edible composition.
2. Description of the Background
High intensity sweeteners generally have a sweetening intensity greater than sugar (sucrose) and a caloric value lower than that of sugar at equivalent sweetness levels. In some situations, it is especially desirable to control the release of high intensity sweeteners in compositions since the high sweetness levels can easily overwhelm the consumer. Moreover, the controlled release of the sweetener provides desirable masking of unpleasant tasting materials and may help bring out flavor characteristics of other ingredients. Because each high intensity sweetener is chemically and physically distinct, each is a challenge to use in an edible composition and each exhibits one or more shortcomings, which may be moderated by encapsulation.
For example, many high intensity sweeteners lose their sweetness intensity rapidly when used in edible compositions such as chewing gums and confections with certain flavors. Encapsulation can modulate and prolong release to provide a more desirable taste profile. Some high intensity sweeteners such as saccharin, stevioside, acesulfame-K, glycyrrhizin, and thaumatin have an associated bitter taste or off-note. Certain high intensity sweeteners are also unstable in the presence of certain chemicals including aldehydes and ketones, and sensitive to exposure to environmental conditions including moisture. Solid sucralose is known to turn dark during prolonged storage and/or upon exposure to heat and ambient air. Encapsulation can be used to isolate unstable compounds to prevent degradation and prolong shelf life.
Typically, the taste profile of a high intensity sweetener can be described as a rapid burst of sweetness. Usually, high intensity sweeteners reach their peak sweet taste rapidly, with the intensity of sweet taste rapidly declining soon thereafter. The initial rapid burst can be unpleasant to many consumers as the strong sweet taste tends to overpower the other flavors that may be present in the edible composition. The relatively rapid loss of sweetness can also result in a bitter aftertaste. For this reason, it may be desirable to encapsulate high intensity sweeteners with an encapsulating material in order to modulate and prolong the release and to chemically stabilize and enhance the overall taste profile.
By incorporating different active components into separate delivery systems and then mixing the separate delivery systems in a single edible composition, different release profiles may be obtained due to the different interaction of the active component with the encapsulating material. The Inventors have identified this as a problem when trying to control the relative release profiles of the actives in a single edible composition.

Delivery system for two or more active components as part of an edible composition


The present disclosure relates to a substrate with an integrated heat spreader. The disclosed substrate includes a substrate core, at least one connecting structure, and a heat spreader. The substrate core has a top surface and a bottom surface opposite the top surface of the substrate. The at least one connecting structure extends through the substrate core from the top surface of the substrate core to the bottom surface of the substrate core. And the heat spreader extends through the substrate core from the top surface of the substrate core to a bottom level that is below the bottom surface of the substrate core.

At an ever increasing rate, high speed and high performance transistors are more densely integrated in semiconductor dies. The amount of heat generated by the semiconductor dies increases significantly due to the growth in number of transistors per semiconductor die, the large amount of power passing through the transistors, and the high operation speed of the transistors. If the heat generated by the semiconductor dies cannot be dissipated efficiently, the semiconductor dies may fail to operate or have a degraded operating performance. Accordingly, heat dissipation is an issue in densely integrated semiconductor dies, and efficient heat dissipation is highly desirable.
Semiconductor dies normally reside in or on a substrate and the substrate will affect the semiconductor dies performance in many ways. For instance, the heat produced by the semiconductor dies could be conducted away from their immediate vicinity through the substrate. Laminate materials are widely used in substrates, which are inexpensive and have a mature supply-base within the industry. However, the laminate materials have poor thermal properties. A heat spreader integrated in the substrate is now widely used to enhance the thermal conductivity of the substrate.
FIG. 1 shows a system 10 including a conventional substrate 12. The substrate 12 includes a substrate core 14, connecting structures 16, and a heat spreader structure 18. The substrate core 14 has a top surface and a bottom surface opposite the top surface of the substrate core 14. Each connecting structure 16 extends through the substrate core 14 from the top surface of the substrate core 14 to the bottom surface of the substrate core 14. The heat spreader structure 18 includes a top heat plate 20 residing over a portion of the top surface of the substrate core 14, a bottom heat plate 22 residing over a portion of the bottom surface of the substrate core 14, and a heat spreader 24 extending through the substrate core 14. The heat spreader 24 is in contact with both the top heat plate 20 and the bottom heat plate 22, and coupled to the substrate core 14 via an adhesive 26.
The system 10 also includes a wire-bonding die 28, a printed circuit board (PCB) 30, and a system heat sink 32. The wire-bonding die 28, which includes a wire-bonding die body 34 and wires 36, is attached to the substrate 12. The wire-bonding die body 34 has a top surface and a bottom surface that is opposite the top surface of the wire-bonding die body 34 and coupled to the heat spreader structure 18. Each wire 36 extends from the top surface of the wire-bonding die body 34 towards a corresponding connecting structure 16.
In addition, the PCB 30 is mounted over a portion of the system heat sink 32. In order to connect the connecting structure 16 with the PCB 30 and connect the bottom heat plate 22 with the system heat sink 32 simultaneously, the system heat sink 32 must have a pedestal 38, which extends through the PCB 30, such that a top surface of the pedestal 38 is coplanar with a top surface of the PCB 30. The top surface of the pedestal 38 is in contact with the bottom heat plate 22 and the top surface of the PCB 30 is in contact with the connecting structure 16.
However, forming the pedestal 38 as described above is not cost efficient. Instead, the system heat sink 32 must be machined from an excessively thick starting system heat sink precursor (not shown) in order to form the pedestal 38, which is directly connected to the bottom heat plate 22. The process to form the pedestal 38 is generally expensive and wasteful as well as increases dimensional uncertainty of the layout.
Accordingly, to accommodate the increased heat generation of densely integrated semiconductor dies and reduce the cost of the system heat sink assembly, there remains a need for improved substrate designs. The substrate design will be easily fabricated without increasing the product size.


A wound closure system having first, second and third adhesive pads with a pair of strap members fixedly secured to the first and third adhesive pads. The pair of strap members are slidably received within the second adhesive pad. When the third adhesive pad is displaced, the first and second adhesive pads are displaced toward each other to close the wound.

Present wound closure systems include bandages, stitches, staples, and adhesives. Each of these may be chosen for various types of wounds based on its advantages and disadvantages. However, none of these current solutions provide an elegant closure system for minor to moderate skin wounds without further disturbing the wounded area, increasing scarring, increasing wound care complexity, lengthening healing time, or some combination of the above. Furthermore, in creating a skin incision during the performance of medical procedures such as angiography, stenting, dermatological interventions and minor surgical procedures it is often necessary to uses stitches or other problematic means to close such an incision. The present invention provides a simple, elegant solution to quickly treat minor to moderate skin cuts or wounds without disturbing the cut or wound and minimizing potential scarring. Still further, the wound closure system described herein is particularly suitable for closing incisions in the skin made during either a surgical operation or an interventional procedure.

Device for the rapid closure of wounds and surgical incisions


An optical semiconductor device that combines low gas permeability and high reliability. A curable silicone resin composition comprising: (A) an alkenyl group-containing organopolysiloxane comprising an organopolysiloxane represented by an average composition formula (1) and containing at least two alkenyl groups per molecule:(R1SiO3/2)a(R22SiO)b(R3R42SiO1/2)c  (1)wherein R1 represents an alkyl group, R2 represents an aryl group, R3 represents an alkenyl group, and R4 represents an alkyl group or an aryl group,    (B) an organohydrogenpolysiloxane represented by an average composition formula (2) and containing at least two silicon atom-bonded hydrogen atoms per molecule:R1dR2eHfSiO(4-d-e-f)/2  (2)wherein R1 and R2 are as defined above, and    (C) an addition reaction catalyst.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a silicone resin composition that is useful as an encapsulating material for an optical semiconductor element, and an optical semiconductor device that uses the composition.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Recently, high-brightness LEDs that exhibit strong light intensity and generate a large amount of heat have become commercially available, and are now being widely used, not only as the BLU units within liquid crystal televisions and mobile phones, but also for general illumination. JP 2010-1335 A (Patent Document 1) discloses that by adding an epoxy-containing silicone to a phenyl-containing silicone resin to improve the adhesiveness, an encapsulating material having excellent heat resistance, light-resistant stability and weather resistance can be provided. Further, JP 2009-527622 A (Patent Document 2) discloses a silicone resin composition comprising a phenyl-containing resin and a linear phenyl-containing hydrogenoligoorganosiloxane which is useful for extending the life of an LED.
In an LED package, a structure known as a lead frame which is prepared by silver-plating a copper sheet is used. However, it is known that if an LED that has been encapsulated with a silicone is left to stand under conditions in which a sulfur content is generated, then if the gas permeability of the silicone is high, discoloration tends to occur at the silver surface, and silver sulfide is formed resulting in a blackening of the surface. Because it is known that blackening of the lead frame causes a reduction in the brightness of the LED, it is desirable that the encapsulating resin exhibits low gas permeability. However, although the silicone resins described above exhibit excellent light resistance, heat discoloration resistance and impact resistance, in the case of the resin of Patent Document 1, the epoxy groups exhibit poor heat resistance and light resistance, and therefore the resin tends to suffer from discoloration under high temperature or high-intensity light. Further, in combinations of a phenyl-containing resin and a linear phenyl-containing hydrogenoligoorganosiloxane such as that disclosed in Patent Document 2, the heat resistance and light resistance are inferior to those of a methyl-containing silicone resin, and improving the reliability has proven difficult.    Patent Document 1: JP 2010-001335 A    Patent Document 2: JP 2009-527622 A

Curable silicone resin composition with high reliability and optical semiconductor device using same


The present invention allows a CEC system to automatedly, and without human intervention, identify interactions that are likely in need of supervisor intervention. The system reviews all incoming and outgoing interactions for analysis by a metadata analytics service (MAS) software module. The MAS analyzes the interactions to generate interaction metadata, which is used by an interaction analysis engine (IAE) to score the quality of the interaction. If the quality of the interaction is not sufficient, the system marks the interaction as being a problem interaction and notifies a supervisor of the interaction. This ensures the intelligent and dynamic determination of interactions that require additional assistance and assures notification to a supervisor.

In modern high-volume customer engagement centers (CEC), there are a number of ways communication between a customer service representative (CSR) and a customer can take place. For example, communication in a CEC can take place over the telephone, through email, and text chat, among other known communication methods. In a CEC, supervisors are typically assigned to monitor and assist frontline Customer Service Representatives (CSR's). Supervisors are typically experienced staff with detailed knowledge of the business domain the CEC is dealing with. CSR's are typically less experienced and rely on supervisors to help with complex or difficult interactions with customers.
Supervisors within a CEC are responsible for ensuring CSRs are providing a consistently high level of customer service. Current CEC computerized systems help with this task by allowing supervisors to monitor CSRs interactions with customers. Interactions can be monitored as they occur. For example, the supervisor can view a list of phone conversations that are in progress and select to listen in on one or a supervisor can view a list of active text chat conversations and select to view the chat messages being sent between the CSR and customer. If the supervisor detects a problem, such as the customer becoming frustrated or the CSR being rude then the system allows them to take action. For example, the supervisor may provide guidance to the CSR (unseen to the customer) helping them to resolve the issue or the supervisor may join the conversation or replace the CSR in the conversation to resolve the issue.
However, current CEC systems rely on supervisors to manually select and determine which interactions to monitor. There are not as many supervisors as there are CSRs, so it is impossible for a supervisor to monitor every interaction. Therefore, supervisors must use their judgement to select interactions to monitor, guessing where their assistance may be necessary in order to maintain a high level of customer service.
The result is that supervisors miss incidents where customer service is compromised and the supervisor could have intervened to help if they had been aware. These incidents may be detected after the fact, if customer phones back to complain or the supervisor reviews an interaction retrospectively, but customer satisfaction will already have been negatively impacted in these scenarios. Ideally a supervisor would be able to know which interactions are likely to require supervisor intervention and be able to concentrate on those interactions. There is an unmet need in the art for a system capable of automatedly notifying supervisors of interactions that have a greater need for monitoring and supervision.

System and method of real-time automated determination of problem interactions


A semiconductor device according to the present invention is a semiconductor device for driving and controlling a power device in the high-potential side of two power devices connected in series between a main power source potential of a high potential and a main power source potential of a low potential, and is equipped with a pulse generating circuit for generating first and second pulse signals corresponding to the level transition to first and second states of input signals having a first state showing the conduction of the power device in the high-potential side and a second state showing the non-conduction of the power device in the high-potential side, respectively; a level shift circuit for obtaining first and second level-shifted pulse signals by level-shifting the first and second pulse signals to the high-potential side; an SR-type flip-flop circuit inputting the first level-shifted pulse signals from set input terminal and the second level-shifted pulse signals from reset input terminal; and a delay circuit for delaying the output of the SR-type flip-flop circuit by at least the pulse width of the first and second pulse signals.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device that drives and controls a high-potential-side power device of two power devices connected in series between a main power source potential of a high potential and a main power source potential of a low potential, and specifically, to a semiconductor device that can prevent the malfunction of power devices.
2. Background Art
FIG. 14 is a circuit diagram showing a half bridge circuit. Power devices 101 and 102, such as IGBT (insulated gate bipolar transistor), are totem-pole-connected between the positive pole and the negative pole (grounding potential, GND) of the power source PS. To power devices 101 and 102, free-wheel diodes D1 and D2 are connected in inverse-parallel, respectively. A load (inductive load, such as a motor) 103 is connected to the connecting point N1 of the power device 101 and the power device 102.
The power device 101 is a device that makes the potential at the connecting point N1 with the power device 102 a reference potential and performs switching operation between the reference potential and the power-source potential supplied by the power source PS, and is called a high-potential-side power device. On the other hand, the power device 102 that makes grounding potential a reference potential and performs switching operation between the reference potential and the potential of the connecting point N1, and is called a low-potential-side power device.
The power device 101 is driven by the high-potential-side power device driving circuit HD, and the power device 102 is driven by the low-potential-side power device driving circuit LD. To the high-potential-side power device driving circuit HD, a voltage VB of the anode of the high-potential-side power source 104 (high-potential-side floating power source absolute voltage) and a voltage VS of the cathode of the high-potential-side power source 104 (high-potential-side floating power source offset voltage) are supplied. The high-potential-side power device driving circuit HD outputs output signals HO to the gate electrode of the power device 102. Since the low-potential-side power device driving circuit LD is little related to the present invention, the description thereof will be omitted.
FIG. 15 is a circuit diagram showing a conventional semiconductor device. The semiconductor device is a high-potential-side power device driving circuit that drives and controls the high-potential-side power device of the two power devices connected between the main power source potential having high potential and the main power source potential having low potential in series.
Input signals HIN are given from an externally provided microcomputer or the like. Input signals HIN have "H (high potential)" (first state) that shows the conduction of a power device in the high-potential side, and "L (low potential)" (second state) that shows the non-conduction of a power device in the high-potential side.
A pulse generating circuit 11 generates pulsing ON signals (first pulse signals) and OFF signals (second pulse signals) corresponding to the level transition to "H" and "L" of input signals HIN, respectively.
The two outputs of the pulse generating circuit 11 are connected to gate electrodes of high breakdown voltage N-channel field effect transistors (hereafter referred to as HNMOS transistors) 12 and 13, which are level shift transistors, respectively. ON signals are given to the gate electrode of the HNMOS transistors 12, and OFF signals are given to the gate electrode of the HNMOS transistors 13. The drain electrodes of the HNMOS transistors 12 and 13 are connected to an end of each of resistors 14 and 15, and also connected to input terminals of inverters 16 and 17, respectively.
A level shift circuit is composed of the HNMOS transistors 12 and 13, resistors 14 and 15, and inverters 16 and 17. The level shift circuit shifts the levels of ON signals and OFF signals toward the high-potential side to obtain first and second level-shifted pulse signals, respectively.
An SR-type flip-flop circuit 19 inputs the output signals of the inverters 16 and 17 (first and second level-shifted pulse signals) via a protective circuit 18 from the set input terminal S and reset input terminal R, respectively. Here, the protective circuit 18 is a filter circuit for preventing the malfunction of the SR-type flip-flop circuit 19, and is composed of a logic gate.
The output terminal Q of the SR-type flip-flop circuit 19 is connected to the gate electrode of an NMOS transistor 20, and also connected to the input of the inverter 21. The output of the inverter 21 is connected to the gate electrode of an NMOS transistor 22. The voltage of the connecting point of the NMOS transistors 20 and 22 is outputted as an output signal HO in the high-potential side. By thus complementarily turning the NMOS transistors 20 and 22 ON and OFF, the power device 101 is switched.
The other ends of the resistors 14 and 15 are connected to the drain electrode side of the NMOS transistor 20, and a voltage VB is supplied. The source electrode of the NMOS transistor 22 is connected to the anodes of diodes 23 and 24 and the connecting point N1 shown in FIG. 14, and a voltage VS is supplied. The cathodes of the diodes 23 and 24 are connected to the drain electrodes of the HNMOS transistors 12 and 13, respectively.
Next, the operation of a conventional high-potential-side power device driving circuit will be described referring to the timing chart shown in FIG. 16.
First, the pulse generating circuit 11 generates pulse ON signals that transit to "H (high potential)" corresponding to the rise of input signals HIN. By the ON signals, the HNMOS transistor 12 is turned ON. At this time, OFF signals are in "L (low potential)", and the HNMOS transistor 13 is in the OFF state.
Thereby, voltage drop occurs in the resistor 14 connected to the HNMOS transistor 12, and "L" signals are inputted into the inverter 16. On the other hand, since no voltage drop occurs in the resistor 15 connected to the HNMOS transistor 13, "H" signals are continuously inputted into the inverter 17. Therefore, the output signals from the inverter 16 become pulse signals that transit to "H", and the output signals from the inverter 17 are maintained in the "L" state.
Then, the protective circuit 18 that has received output signals from inverters 16 and 17 outputs pulse signals that transit to "L" corresponding to the output signals from the inverter 16 into the set input terminal S of the SR-type flip-flop circuit 19. On the other hand, the protective circuit 18 outputs "H" signals corresponding to the output signals from the inverter 17 into the reset input terminal R of the SR-type flip-flop circuit 19.
The pulse generating circuit 11 generates pulse OFF signals that transit to "H (high potential)" corresponding to the fall of input signals HIN. In this case, the protective circuit 18 also performs the same operation as described above, and outputs "H" signals corresponding to the output signals from the inverter 16 into the set input terminal S of the SR-type flip-flop circuit 19. On the other hand, the protective circuit 18 outputs pulse signals that transit to "L" corresponding to the output signals from the inverter 17 into the reset input terminal R of the SR-type flip-flop circuit 19.
As a result, the output terminal Q of the SR-type flip-flop circuit 19 transits to "H" in the timing when ON signals are given, and transits to "L" in the timing when OFF signals are given. Furthermore, output signals HO obtained by complementarily turning the NMOS transistors 20 and 22 ON and OFF also become the same sort of signals.
A problem that arises here is dv/dt transient signals generated in the line from the connecting point N1 to the anodes of diodes 23 and 24 depending on the switching state of the half-bridge-type power device composed of power devices 101 and 102.
If dv/dt transient signals are generated, a dv/dt current obtained by the product of a parasitic static capacitance between the drains and sources of the HNMOS transistors 12 and 13 and the dv/dt transient signals simultaneously flows in the HNMOS transistors 12 and 13. Thereby, erroneous pulse by the dv/dt transient signals is simultaneously given instead of ON signals and OFF signals. In such a case, the protective circuit 18 is constituted so as to prevent simultaneous signal input into the SR-type flip-flop circuit 19 (for example, refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-200017).


Raw diesel fuel is reformed to produce partially oxygenated hydrocarbons in the liquid fuel by use of a nonthermal plasma reactor. The reformed diesel fuel is formed by passing a stream of air plasma bubbles through a liquid volume of diesel fuel to strip low molecular weight hydrocarbons from the fuel, while partially oxygenating an abundance of them as a reformate for addition to the exhaust. This reformed diesel fuel is introduced as a sidestream into the exhaust of a diesel engine or other lean-burn power plants as reactants for selective catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxides in the exhaust. Fresh fuel is added to the liquid volume as diesel reformate is stripped from it, and a portion of the stripped fuel is withdrawn from the liquid volume.

Diesel engines and other lean-burn engines or power plants are operated at higher than stoichiometric air to fuel mass ratios for improved fuel economy. Such lean-burning engines produce a hot exhaust with a relatively high content of oxygen and nitrogen oxides (NOx). The temperature of the exhaust from a warmed-up diesel engine is typically in the range of 200° C. to 400° C. and has a representative composition, by volume, of about 10-17% oxygen, 3% carbon dioxide, 0.1% carbon monoxide, 180 ppm hydrocarbons, 235 ppm NOx and the balance nitrogen and water. These NOx gases, typically comprising nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), are difficult to reduce to nitrogen (N2) because of the high oxygen (O2) content in the hot exhaust stream.
Co-pending patent application, docket number GP-305427, titled Reforming Diesel Fuel for NOx Reduction, and assigned to the assignee of this invention, discloses a method of fractionating diesel fuel and reforming the fractionated vapor for use in the selective catalytic reduction of NOx (including NO and NO2) in an exhaust from a lean burn combustion source. The fractionated diesel fuel vapor is reformed to yield relatively low molecular weight oxygenated hydrocarbons using air plasma produced in a nonthermal plasma reactor. The reformed material is added to the exhaust to provide oxygenated hydrocarbon reactants for catalytic reduction of NO2. A separate side stream of ozone-containing air plasma is also added to the exhaust for oxidation of NO to NO2.
The subject invention provides apparatus and a continuous operating method for nonthermal plasma reforming of diesel fuel hydrocarbons.

Continuous reforming of diesel fuel for NOx reduction


A fuel combustion control system for an internal combustion engine having an exhaust gas purifying catalyst installed in an exhaust line therein advances an ignition timing to try to stabilize combustion when a fluctuation of engine speed is larger than a limit speed on stable combustion and further retards an ignition timing to accelerate a rise in catalyst temperature together with securing combustion stability while the engine is still cold or when a fluctuation of engine speed is smaller than the limit speed on stable combustion.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a control system for an internal combustion engine equipped with a catalytic converter for purifying exhaust gas from the engine, and, more particularly, to a fuel combustion control system for providing combustion stability when an ignition timing is retarded in order to rise the temperature of a catalyst of the catalytic converter during a cold start of the engine.
2. Description of the Related Art
Typically, there have been known various types of catalytic converters for purifying exhaust gas from an engine. Such an catalytic converter incorporates a three way catalyst to purify or significantly lower emission levels of unburnt hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO), oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and the like which can pose a health problem for the nation if uncontrolled. The three way catalyst is hard to present desired catalytic conversion efficiency if it is at lower temperatures and is, however, activated to present catalytic conversion efficiency when heated higher than a specific temperature sufficiently.
In this type of engine control system, it has been known to accelerate a rise in catalyst temperature by significantly retarding an ignition timing after top dead center to present desired catalytic conversion efficiency which is dictated by a temperature of engine cooling water while the catalyst has not yet attained an activated condition necessary. One of the engine control systems of this type is known from, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 8-232645. This engine control system causes a large retard of an ignition timing to provide a large exhaust heat loss with an effect of rising an exhaust gas temperature, as a result of which the catalyst is quickly heated and activated sufficiently. Further, in order to prevent fuel combustion from being made unstable due to a retard of ignition timing, the engine control system is designed and adapted to improve ignitability and combustibility of an air-fuel mixture by generating a swirl of intake air in the combustion chamber, increasing a speed of an intake air stream or rising ignition energy.
The prior art engine control system has a necessity to have much scope for controlling an engine, so that the engine does not exceed a limit on necessary combustion stability. This imposes a restraint on retarding an ignition timing to its limit. In view of this, it is desired to improve activation of the catalyst by rising the temperature of exhaust gas.
As a practical matter, fuel is varies in quality such as heaviness to some extent, so that it is the possibility that the engine is deprived of combustion stability if a fuel of inferior ignitability and combustibility is used. When a limit to combustion stability is exceeded, the engine encounters an increase in vibration and a sharp increase in harmful emission level.

Fuel combustion control system for engine


The present invention relates to an optical relay system for transmitting multi-band frequency signals with limited bands by using optical lines. According to the present invention, a plurality of band-limited signals are band-combined into one signal by using a combiner, and the signals are transmitted through multiple outputs by using a distributor, and thus a multi-stage filter is not necessary. In addition, the present invention is capable of effectively solving various problems such as damage to the original signals caused by the band combination of the multi-stage filter, and there is no need to precisely connect each of the band-limited signals to the determined ports of the combiner and the signals can be connected to random ports, thereby improving convenience of use.

In general, with development of mobile communication, use patterns of and demands for a communication device of users have been diversified. Users wish to perform communication without time and space restriction. However, an output of a radio frequency signal from a base station is restricted and a base station is mounted in each area or region. A shadow area may exist due to the location of a base station or the topography of an area. In order to eliminate the shadow area, an optical replay capable of obtaining a predetermined effect at low cost has been provided. The optical relay is mounted in an area in which a radio frequency signal is not received or is weak, such as the inside of a building, the basement of a building, a subway, a tunnel or an apartment complex of a residential area.
An optical relay system is used to extend the coverage of a base station such that a service is provided to a shadow area which a signal of a base station is unlikely to reach due to special topography or geographic features between base stations configuring a wireless communication service network.
In an optical relay system, a donor unit and a remote unit are connected through an optical cable. The donor unit converts an RF signal received from a base station into an optical signal and transmits the optical signal to the remote unit. The remote unit restores the optical signal received from the donor unit into an RF signal and transmits the RF signal to a mobile terminal.
The donor unit of the optical relay system includes a frequency module to amplify or control a TX signal received from the base station in order to send the TX signal to an apparatus and amplify or control an RX signal received from the apparatus in order to send the RX signal to the base station, on a frequency-by-frequency basis. In addition, the donor unit receives a band-limited signal from each frequency module and combines signals of multiple bands into one signal by passing only a signal of a desired band and filtering out a signal of an undesired band.
In the related art, for band combination of the signals output from the frequency modules into one signal, a filter corresponding to each frequency band is necessary. As the number of signals, the bands of which will be combined, is increased, the number of filters is increased. The filter needs to be accurately connected to each frequency module according to the frequency band, but may not be erroneously connected to each frequency module, in which case an original signal may be damaged. If frequency bands to be combined partially overlap, the bands may not be combined only using the filter.


A transverse mode ultrasonic probe is provided which creates a cavitation area along its longitudinal length, increasing the working surface of the probe. Accessory sheaths are also provided for use with the probe to enable a user to select from features most suited to an individual medical procedure. The sheaths provide acoustic enhancing and aspiration enhancing properties, and/or can be used as surgical tools or as medical access devices, protecting tissue from physical contact with the probe.

Ultrasonic energy has been considered for tissue ablation and fragmentation of plaque and thrombosis for removal of intravascular occlusions due to atherosclerotic plaque and intravascular blood clots. Surgical devices utilizing ultrasonic probes for generation and transmission of ultrasonic energy, have been disclosed in the art (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,112,300; 5,180,363; 4,989,583; 4,931,047; 4,922,902; and 3,805,787). Typically, the energy produced by an ultrasonic probe is in the form of very intense, high frequency sound vibrations, results in fragmentation of tissue (plaque and thrombosis) either as a result of mechanical action thereon or "cavitation" thereof, in which high energy ultrasound frequency applied to liquids generates vapor-filled microbubbles or "cavities" with the concomitant rapid expansion and collapse of the cavities that is accompanied by intense localized hydraulic shock, that causes fragmentation or dissolution of the tissue. Medical applications for ultrasonic probes providing cavitation include surgical procedures for ablation of tissues, for example, treatment of cancer, tissue remodeling, liposuction, and removal of vascular occlusions. Typically, ultrasonic probes described in the art for use in surgical procedures include a mechanism for irrigating an area where the ultrasonic treatment is being performed (e.g., a body cavity or lumen) to wash tissue debris from the area, and may further include an aspiration means to remove irrigation fluid and tissue debris from the site of the procedure. Mechanisms used for irrigation or aspiration described in the art are generally structured such that they increase the overall cross-sectional profile of the probe, by including inner and outer concentric lumens proximal to or within the probe to provide irrigation and aspiration channels. In addition to making the probe more invasive, prior art probes may also maintain a strict orientation of the aspiration and the irrigation mechanism, such that the inner and outer lumens for irrigation and aspiration remain in a fixed position relative to one another, which is generally closely adjacent the area of treatment. Thus, the irrigation lumen would not extend beyond the suction lumen (i.e., there is no movement of the lumens relative to one another) and any aspiration would be limited to picking up fluid and/or tissue remnants within the defined distance between the two lumens.
Ultrasonic probes described in the art for tissue ablation suffer from a number of limitations. Such probes depend on longitudinal vibration of the ultrasonic member comprising the probe i.e. vibration of the probe in the direction of the longitudinal probe axis to effect tissue fragmentation. Probe action in this modality therefore depends primarily on mechanical and thermal action of the probe tip for disrupting tissue, since the cavitational energy emanating from the tip, especially in narrow diameter probes such as those used to remove vascular occlusions, is minimal due to the small surface area of the tip itself. This primary mode of action imposes the following limitations on probe efficiency:
i) tissue ablation is restricted to very small area defined by the surface area of the probe tip, thereby necessitating time consuming surgical procedures to remove relatively large occluded areas with blood vessels in comparison to instruments which excise tissue by mechanical cutting, electrocautery, or cryoexcision methods.
ii) occurrence of late restenosis (typically within three months), and to a lesser extent acute re-occlusion after coronary angioplasty are major clinical problems limiting the long-term efficacy of ultrasonic surgical procedures for treatment of atherosclerosis and coronary angioplasty. While the pathogenosis of restenosis is still unclear, it has been demonstrated from autopsy specimens from patients with restenosis the pathophysiologic process leading to acute occlusion after coronary angioplasty is related either to a thrombotic mechanism or to major plaque dissection and superimposed thrombosis, and that these events leading to chronic restenosis involves vascular injury, platelet deposition and thrombosis and connective tissue synthesis. Such post operative processes are typically result from localized trauma at the surgical site caused by mechanical and thermal action of longitudinally vibrating probes.
Attempts to reduce some of the aforementioned problems associated with longitudinally vibrating probes have been disclosed in the art, wherein the primary action of the probe through longitudinal vibration is supplemented by a limited, supplementary transverse vibration of the probe tip i.e. perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the probe. It is proposed that such secondary transverse vibrations in these probes will result in increased efficiency for surgical procedures. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,961,424 to Kubota, et al. discloses an ultrasonic treatment device that produces both a longitudinal and transverse motion at the tip of the probe. The Kubota, et al. device, however, still relies solely on the tip of the probe to act as a working surface. Thus, while destruction of tissue in proximity to the tip of the probe is more efficient, tissue destruction is still predominantly limited to the area in the immediate vicinity at the tip of the probe. U.S. Pat. No. 4,504,264 to Kelman discloses an ultrasonic treatment device, which improves the speed of ultrasonic tissue removal by oscillating the tip of the probe in addition to relying on longitudinal vibrations. Although tissue destruction at the tip of the device is more efficient, the tissue destroying effect of the probe is still limited to the tip of the probe. Both probes described in Kubota, et al., and Kelman, et al., are further limited in that the energy produced at the tip of the probe is unfocused, the action of the probe tends to push the tissue debris ahead of the probe tip. Likewise, the concentration of energy solely at the probe tip results in heating of the probe tip, which can create tissue necrosis, thereby complicating the surgical procedure and potentially compromising the recovery of the patient. Furthermore, such probes do not eliminate the problems associated with longitudinally vibrating probes.
The aforementioned limitations associated with longitudinally vibrating probes can be overcome entirely by utilizing an ultrasonic probe that vibrates exclusively in the transverse mode. Such probes are capable of generating substantially higher cavitational energy through a plurality of anti-nodes along the entire longitudinal axis of the vibrating probe, thereby eliminating the need for mechanical and thermal action at the probe tip. The advancing probe tip can therefore be shielded to prevent mechanical injury to the walls of the blood vessel for example, thereby precluding scarring, platelet deposition and clotting that lead to restenosis. Additionally, such probes are capable of tissue fragmentation over greater surface area (along the entire longitudinal axis) resulting in high efficiency, thus allowing for rapid surgical procedures and substantially eliminating thermal effects on tissue caused by prolonged probe operation.
Since probe vibrating exclusively in a transverse mode is entirely dependent on cavitational energy for their action, important factors for maintaining efficiency of such probes are (i) narrow probe diameter to facilitate oscillation at lower ultrasonic energies and (ii) increased longitudinal axis (probe length) that results in more cavitation anti-nodes. Although narrow probe diameters are advantages especially for negotiation through narrow blood vessels and occluded arteries, the utilization of such probes have been precluded by inability to effectively control the vibrational amplitude of thin probes, that result in potential damage to the probe and greater risk, of tissue damage resulting from their use. The use of narrow diameter probes have been disclosed in the art for providing greater maneuverability ease of insertion in narrow blood vessels. U.S. Pat. No. 4,920,954 to Allinger discloses a narrow diameter ultrasonic device wherein a rigid sleeve is used to prevent transverse vibrations U.S. Pat. No. 5,380,274 discloses a narrow diameter probe for improved longitudinal vibration having a sheath to inhibit transverse vibration U.S. Pat. No. 5,469,853 to Law discloses a thin, longitudinally vibrating ultrasonic device with a bendable sheath that facilitates directing the probe within narrow blood vessels. While the prior art has focused on the need for using sheaths on thin ultrasonic devices, their use has been entirely to prevent transverse, vibrations of the device and to protect such devices from damage resulting from such vibrations
Based on the aforementioned limitations of ultrasonic probes in the art, there is a need for ultrasonic probe functioning in a transverse mode that further obviates the shortcomings of that further overcomes limitations imposed by of narrow diameter requirements for efficient operation of such probes for rapid tissue ablation. Transversely vibrating ultrasonic probes for tissue ablation are described in the Applicant's co-pending provisional applications U.S. Ser. Nos. 60/178,901 and 60/225,060, and 09/776,015 which further describe the design parameters for such a probe its use in ultrasonic devices for tissue ablation. The entirety of these applications are herein incorporated by reference.
There is a further need for controlling the for procedures which require precise delivery of cavitation energy to defined locations, to be able to restrict the cavitation energy emanating circumferentially from a transversely vibrating p at multiple anti-nodes wastes a portion of the energy given off by the probe, as the energy is unfocused and dispensed along the length of the probe.
There is also a need in the art for a means of focussing the cavitational energy emitted by such a probe to deliver the energy to exactly to the desired location within a blood vessel while shielding the surrounding tissue from damage.

Ultrasonic device for tissue ablation and sheath for use therewith


The present invention generally relates to the use of EPDM (ethylene-propylene diene monomer) polymer compounds used in place of NR (natural rubber), SBR (styrene butadiene rubber), polyisoprene and other polymers in energy absorption elastomeric systems. In one embodiment a method of continuously manufacturing an EPDM based compound cured via a peroxide based cure system and used in an energy absorption elastomeric system is disclosed. The method includes the steps of forming a continuous part from a compound based on ethylene-propylene diene terpolymer and then curing the part via a continuous process and optionally cutting the final part to the appropriate length. Various advantages are achieved via the use of peroxide cured EPDM as replacements for NR, SBR, polyisoprene and other polymers.

Various polymer configurations are integral parts of energy absorption systems. EPDM (ethylene-propylene diene monomer) are not utilized in energy absorption systems. Typically NR (natural rubber), SBR (styrene butadiene rubber), polyisoprene and/or any combination of the various other polymers are used as the base polymers in a rubber compound formulation for energy absorptions systems. This rubber compound has specific properties needed in an energy absorption application. Typical properties measured include, but are not limited to, hardness, modulus, elongation, elasticity, rebound, compression set, tensile strength and other rheometric properties. The use of NR, SBR, polyisoprene and/or combination of various other polymers has drawbacks though as these polymers have a tendency to breakdown in certain applications. It is for these reasons that the use of an EPDM in some applications, is desired.
In the field of vehicle dynamics, one attempts to minimize the amount of travel an axle undergoes. One such suspension system includes the use of a semi-hollow steel torsion bar in which an axle is located inside a steel torsion bar. Located in close proximity to or alongside the steel torsion bar are various rubber parts which dampen the movement of the axle inside the semi-hollow steel torsion bar. Such a setup can be employed to displace a leaf spring. The rubber parts used to dampen the movement can be a variety of shapes, all of which may be molded to the shape desired (i.e., compression molded, transfer molded, injection molded, etc.). It would be advantageous to develop a continuously cured compound which could be cut to length after extrusion and curing and utilizes EPDM in place of other polymers (this would occur in place of this compression molded rubber part). It would also be advantageous to develop a peroxide cured EPDM in place of other polymer to provide the degradation resistance and overall properties available in such a system.

Continuously cured EPDM used in various dampening applications including vehicle axle cords


This invention relates to preparation and use of in situ functionalized elastomers in a rubber composition, namely post polymerization functionalization of elastomers, in rubber compositions containing precipitated silica filler reinforcement and tires having components thereof.

Thermal oxidation of conjugated diene-based elastomers occurs during high temperature high shear mixing of the elastomers to result in a formation of oxidative components on the elastomer which are randomly distributed along the polymer chain. Representative of such resulting oxidative components are, for example, various aldehydes, ketones and epoxides.
It is a purpose of this invention to utilize such thermally oxidation formed components to form functionalization of such elastomers with functional groups pendent from and distributed along the elastomer chain.
To achieve such functionalization it is proposed to react a compound with such oxidative components on the elastomer chain having a general structure, or formula: (I):X—R—Y   (I)where X represents a group reactive with at least one of said oxidative components on said elastomer chain, Y represents a group reactive with hydroxyl groups (e.g. silanol groups) on precipitated silica (a synthetic amorphous silica) and R is a group connecting X and Y.
Representative examples of X are, for example, primary amines, secondary amines, alkyl hydrazines, aryl hydrazines, hydroxyl amines, carboxylic acids, aryl alcohols and aryl thiols. Representative of Y is, for example, an alkoxysilane group. In general Y can be defined as —SiZ3 where Z is comprised of OR, Cl, NMe2, SR, OC(═O)R or mixture thereof wherein R represents an alkyl group.
Representative of R is, for example, alkanediyl, benzenediyl, and cycloalkanediyl groups.
A representative example of such compound for such elastomer functionalization is, for example, an organoaminoalkoxysilane.
For such compound, its amine component (X component of formula I) can react with the aforesaid oxidation formed components of the elastomer and its alkoxysilane component (Y component of formula I) can react with hydroxyl groups (e.g. silanol groups) of the precipitated silica to promote rubber-silica interaction with its organo portion (the R component of formula I) being, for example, propanediyl. In this manner, then a coupling of the precipitated silica to the elastomer can be promoted to create a reinforcement effect of the precipitated silica for the elastomer.
It is considered that such created elastomer-precipitated silica interaction can be used in addition to or as an alternative to use of a sulfur-containing organoalkoxysilane compound (e.g. bis(3-triethoxysilylpropyl)) polysulfide having an average in a range of from 2 to 4 connecting sulfur atoms in its polysulfidic bridge)) which have heretofore been used as reactive coupling agents between diene-based elastomers and precipitated silica for promoting rubber-silica filler interaction and thereby various improved physical properties of rubber compositions.
Historically, use of aminosilane compounds has been previously proposed in combination with sulfur-containing organosilicon compounds for silica filled conjugated diene-based rubber compositions. For example, see U.S. Pat. No. 5,698,619.
However, for this invention, it has been discovered that a specialized procedure, or method, of functionalizing the conjugated diene-based elastomer(s) in situ within the rubber composition with an organoaminosiloxane can enable a more effective functionalization of the elastomer.
It is to be appreciated that in the manufacture of various rubber articles, rubber compositions (e.g. rubber compositions containing conjugated diene based elastomers) typically contain at least one of rubber reinforcing carbon black and precipitated silica filler reinforcement to attain desired physical and chemical characteristics. The interaction between rubber and the reinforcing filler (rubber-filler interaction) in such rubber compositions has a profound effect on the physical properties of vulcanizates (the vulcanized rubber composition). The interaction between the rubber and the filler regulates the degree of dispersion of the filler, the formation of elastomer-filler interface, and the filler-filler network within the rubber composition. All of these interactions have a significant effect on the physical properties of the cured rubber composition, such as, for example, stress-strain properties, energy loss under dynamic cyclic load, abrasion resistance, and tear propagation resistance. Increased rubber-filler interaction promotes dispersion of the filler within the rubber composition to a greater degree to thereby promote a higher level of rubber reinforcement. It can also promote an incorporation of higher amounts of the reinforcing filler within the rubber composition of which disperse into conventional rubbers with difficulty.
The importance of attaining better rubber/filler interaction has been appreciated for many years and has been the subject of numerous research projects throughout the rubber industry and within academic settings. Attaining improved rubber/filler interaction is of particular interest to manufacturers of rubber products such as tires, hoses, power transmission belts, conveyor belts, windshield wiper blades, and a multitude of other industrial rubber products and consumer goods.
One recognized approach for attaining better compatibility between rubbery polymers and fillers is to initiate or terminate polymerization using an initiator or a terminating agent which contains a filler reactive group. This approach is largely limited to anionic living polymerization.
Another recognized approach is to use a small amount of comonomer which carries a filler reactive group in the synthesis of the desired polymer.
Both of such approaches have several drawbacks. The functional initiator, terminating agent or monomer has to be synthesized and it has to be separated from byproducts if a high purity requirement of a polymerization process is desired. Functional group carrying initiators or monomers have to be stable at the polymerization temperature and should not cause undesired chain transfer or termination reaction. Functional monomers have to a have a suitable reactivity with the other monomers in order to incorporate them in a uniform manner into the polymer chain and it is usually desired that they not slow down the polymerization process significantly. Frequently a portion of the functional initiator, terminating agent or monomer has to be protected and after the synthesis of the polymer the protecting groups have to be removed. Functional groups should be stable during the finishing as well as the storage of the polymer. Therefore it is highly desirable to develop a method which permits the functionalization of the polymer after polymerization and preferentially in situ within the rubber composition during the mixing of the polymer with the reinforcing filler, particularly precipitated silica, and other ingredients.
Without intending to be bound by theory, as previously indicated, it is believed that the in situ elastomer functionalization method of this invention is based on the following reaction mechanism. Attachment of precipitated silica filler reactive aminosilane groups to the elastomer chain is based on two consecutive steps. In the first step oxygen containing reactive groups, such as one or more of aldehydes, ketones and epoxides, form along the chain due to the thermal oxidation of the polymer in the mixer via a free radical mechanism. Subsequently the amino group of the organoaminoalkoxysilanes chemically reacts with these oxygen containing entities resulting in elastomer chain bound alkoxysilane groups. Parallel with these reactions, condensation of the alkoxysilane groups with the hydroxyl groups on the precipitated silica surface takes place. The end result of these consecutive and parallel reactions is the formation of chemical bond between the elastomer chain and the precipitated silica surface to thereby promote the elastomer-filler interaction.
As free radicals and peroxides are considered to actively play an important role in the formation of the amine reactive oxygenated structures to promote the aforesaid elastomer-filler interaction, it is important that certain stabilizers should not be present during the aforesaid elastomer functionalization reaction. Representative examples of such unwanted stabilizers during the amine-based elastomer functionalization are stable free radicals such as, for example, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) or 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy (TEMPO), nitroxy radical forming amine or hindered amine type stabilizers such as N-1,3-dimethyl butyl, N′-phenyl paraphenylene diamine (6PPD) or derivatives of 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl piperidine. Peroxide decomposing secondary stabilizers should also be avoided such as tris-nonylphenyl phosphites or thioethers. Contrarily, on the other hand, phenolic type (phenolic based) stabilizers have no significant effect on the functionalization reaction. Representative of such phenolic stabilizers is butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). This may be due to, for example, a decomposition of alkylperoxycyclohexadienones at mixing temperatures exceeding 110° C.
In one aspect, as previously indicated, preparation and use of aminosilane functionalized elastomers are proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,698,619 for use with silica-filled rubber compositions.
However, it has been discovered that primary and secondary amines can disadvantageously and significantly interfere with functionalization of elastomers with organoaminoalkoxysilanes in a sense of retarding the functionalization process itself and, also, in the sense of the primary and secondary amines competing with the amino group of the aminosilane for preferentially reacting with the elastomer(s). Such primary and secondary amines particularly include amine type (amine based) stabilizers (antidegradants) used in rubber compositions such as, for example, N-1,3-dimethyl butyl, N′-phenyl paraphenylene diamine.
For this invention, functionalization of elastomers with organoaminoalkoxysilanes is to be accomplished in the absence of primary and secondary amine compounds either by pre-forming the organoaminoalkoxysilane functionalized elastomer(s) prior to addition to the elastomer or, more desirably in an alternative, by reacting the organoaminoalkoxysilane with the elastomer(s) in situ within the rubber composition, in the absence of primary and secondary amine compounds. If desired, primary and/or secondary amines may be added to the rubber composition following the reaction of the organoaminoalkoxysilane with the elastomer(s).
In the description of this invention, the term "phr" where used relates to parts by weight of an ingredient per 100 parts by weight of rubber, unless otherwise indicated.
The terms "rubber" and "elastomer" may be used interchangeably unless otherwise indicated. The terms "vulcanized" and "cured" may be used interchangeably unless otherwise indicated. The terms "compound" and "rubber composition" may be used interchangeably unless indicated.

Preparation and use of functionalized elastomers in rubber compositions containing silica filler and tire components thereof


A safety arrangement for selectively disabling a firearm is provided. The firearm includes a handle, a trigger, a hammer, and a barrel. The hammer, in an unlocked condition, is movable into a functional position for being actuable by the trigger for striking a magazine causing firing of a bullet and, in a locked condition, is mechanically locked so that it cannot be actuated by the trigger for causing firing of a bullet. The arrangement includes a control unit adapted in the locked condition to lock the hammer and, in the unlocked condition, to unlock the hammer; an electronic decoder unit adapted to decode input signals and to provide corresponding output signals; an electronic driver stage being adapted on receipt of the output signals from the electronic decoder unit, to cause corresponding operation of the control unit for locking and unlocking the hammer as the case may be; and a keypad unit having a number of key buttons, the key buttons being adapted on operation thereof to provide input signals to the electronic decoder unit when the keypad unit is electrically coupled thereto.

The prior art includes a number of different firearm safety arrangements. These safety arrangements can be classified in various groups, namely:
1. The mechanical key operated type, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,512,099 (Mathew), U.S. Pat. No. 4,509,281 (Dreiling et al), U.S. Pat. No. 3,673,725 (Cravener).
2. The magnetically operated key type, such as found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,154,014 (Smith).
3. The electronic remote control type, having a separate controlling transmitter and a receiver located on the firearm, such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,682,435 (Heltzel), U.S. Pat. No. 4,563,827 (Heltzel), U.S. Pat. No. 3,939,679 (Barker et al), U.S. Pat. No. 4,488,370 (Lemelson), U.S. Pat. No. 4,189,712 (Lemelson), U.S. Pat. No. 4,354,189 (Lemelson).
4. The mechanical combination lock type, such as described by U.S. Pat. No. 4,499,681 (Bako et al).
5. The electronically programmable key lock type, such as disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 4,457,091 (Wallerstein).
Most of the above devices require substantial changes to be effected to a firearm prior to fitting the safety arrangement.
It is an object of the invention to provide a safety device which can be fitted to a firearm requiring a minimum of changes to such a firearm.


An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a pixel circuit, including: a reference writing circuit configured to write a reference voltage to a control electrode of a driving transistor; a data writing circuit configured to write a data voltage to a threshold compensation circuit; the threshold compensation circuit configured to acquire a threshold voltage of the driving transistor, and to supply a first control voltage to the control electrode of the driving transistor and supply a second control voltage to a second electrode of the driving transistor; a reset circuit configured to write a reset voltage to the pixel circuit; and the driving transistor having a first electrode electrically coupled to a first operating voltage terminal and the second electrode electrically coupled to a first electrode of a light emitting element, and configured to drive the light emitting element to emit light.

A light emitting element in an Organic Light-emitting Diode (OLED) display device is driven to emit light by a current generated by a driving transistor in a saturation state, but the current process for manufacturing the OLED display device is difficult to ensure uniformity of threshold voltages of driving transistors, and the threshold voltages of the driving transistors may drift to different degrees during usage, so that the OLED display device has a defect of non-uniform brightness of pixels.
In addition, the larger the influence of voltage drop (i.e., IR-Drop) on an operating voltage supplied by an operating power supply is, the easier the defect of non-uniform brightness of the OLED display device is caused.

Pixel circuit, display substrate, display panel and pixel driving method

BEIJING BOE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CO., LTD.


A plug may be coupled with a cable and include a fiber ferrule extending from the plug. A biasing mechanism may be arranged to bias a cover toward a covered configuration in which the fiber ferrule is situated within an internal volume defined by the cover and away from an uncovered configuration in which the fiber ferrule is situated at least partially outside of the internal volume defined by the cover. Bristles or other blockers may be positioned along or within a boundary of the internal volume of the cover, may be arranged to block particulate entry through the blockers into the internal volume of the cover in the covered configuration, and may be movable to permit passage of the fiber ferrule through the blockers in response to movement of the cover between the covered configuration and uncovered configuration.

Datacenters house collections of servers and networking hardware, including switches and routers. Often many different cabled connections between components are used to connect the components, for example, to permit data transfer between the components. The number of connections for any given component can quickly become nontrivial as one component may connect to tens or hundreds of other components through such cabled connections. If any of these many connections are inadequate (e.g., if a cable or connector is fouled by dust or otherwise damaged), functionality of components within a server cluster may be negatively impacted, for example, causing reduction in network capacity, speed, or reliability, or, in some cases, even preventing the components from functioning as a network at all.
In many situations, installers may prepare to connect components by laying out a large number of cables that are then individually installed into appropriate sockets in the components. Significant amounts of dust, debris, or other foreign particulate may be kicked up as installers move about the laid out cables. Such foreign particulate may foul or otherwise cause damage to the cables or couplers used to connect cables to respective components. For example, for optic cables, foreign particulate can cause damage to the surface of the optic cable including scratching, pitting, obscuring, etc. Damage points may result in loss of signal quality and ultimately, underperforming or error prone connections.
Accordingly, many cables feature removable caps mounted on cable connectors to reduce exposure to dust or other foreign particulate during transport and/or installation of the cables. In practice, such caps can be removed to expose fiber optic ferrules or other sensitive couplers, for example, just before installation into respective components. However, such caps may be prematurely removed or lost and thus in many cases fail to block exposure to dust or other foreign particulate that may negatively affect cables, couplers, and/or networks.

Contamination prevention system for fiber optic cabling


Techniques are provided which may be implemented using various methods and/or apparatuses in a mobile device to classify and/or otherwise determine a “motion state” of the mobile device. The mobile device may, for example, classify a motion state of the mobile device based on sensed data (e.g., from inertial sensors, environmental sensors, etc.) that may be filtered based on a vibration profile. A motion state may then affect operation of one or more other functions performed or supported by the mobile device.

1. Field
The subject matter disclosed herein relates to electronic devices, and more particularly to methods, apparatuses, and/or articles of manufacture for use in determining and/or otherwise classifying a motion state of a mobile electronic device.
2. Information
Mobile electronic devices, such as, mobile phones, "Smart Phones", laptop computers, etc., may include positioning capabilities that allow for a relative location to be estimated, for example, as part of a navigation function. Additionally, certain mobile devices may include various sensors, such as, inertial sensors, that allow for inertial navigation, orientation, and/or certain user input related functions. For example, accelerometers and/or gyroscope sensors may be provided to measure or otherwise identify movement in linear and/or rotational directions.
Such sensors may be particularly sensitive and detect even the slightest movements of a mobile device. Such sensitivity may be of particular usefulness when for orientation and/or user input related functions.
There may be some functions in a mobile device that operate in a certain manner depending on whether the mobile device is considered to be moving or stationary. For example, a navigation function that uses received satellite positioning system (SPS) signals may operate in different modes based on whether the mobile is considered to be stationary or moving. In other examples, one or more functions, circuits, etc., may be enabled or disabled depending on whether a mobile device is considered to be stationary or moving.
With an increasing number of sensors, many of which may be highly sensitive, mobile devices may be able to determine with great accuracy when the mobile device is very stationary, e.g., when left sitting on a stable table. However, many devices may unnecessarily detect that a mobile device is "moving" when in fact it may be considered "stationary" (e.g., sitting in a jacket pocket of a person standing "still" in a line at a theater entrance). Hence, the slight movements of the person may falsely trigger changes in a motion state which may affect other functions.

Methods and apparatuses for use in determining a motion state of a mobile device


The device comprises a body for arrangement in the vagina for compressive action on and support of the neck of the bladder and optionally the urethra. The body has a substantially elongated shape with a longitudinal axis extending, in the intended direction of insertion, from a proximal to a distal end, and is made from a compressive and elastically deformable material. The body comprises at least one part protruding from the outer surface of the body and providing at least one pressure area for contact with the neck of the bladder and optionally the urethra.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to devices for prevention of involuntary urination, in particular devices comprising a body for arrangement in the vagina for compressive action on and support of the neck of the bladder, combinations of such devices and applicators for use in insertion of the devices into the vagina and methods of manufacturing such devices.
2. Description of the Related Art
The present invention relates to a device for prevention of involuntary urination in a female, comprising a body for arrangement in the vagina for compressive action on and support of the neck of the bladder and optionally the urethra, in which the body has a substantially elongated shape with a longitudinal axis extending, in the intended direction of insertion, from a proximal to a distal end, and in which the body is made from a compressive and elastically deformable material.
Stress incontinence is a nuisance experienced by up to a third of all women at some time or other during their lives.
Stress incontinence is often due to hypermobility of the bladder neck because of insufficient support thereof. Treatments of stress incontinence are aimed at improving the closure of the urethra by better support of the pelvis.
Severe cases of stress incontinence are normally relieved by surgical intervention, while less severe cases of stress incontinence can often be fully or partially relieved by training or retraining of the pelvic musculature.
Training or retraining of a pelvic muscle may, however, extend over many months, and as mentioned, may not in all cases relieve the problem completely.
Thus, there is still a need to find a product which can relieve stress incontinence. The use of sanitary towels and napkins for relieving the inconveniences connected with involuntary urination is generally known. This, however, is a method associated with great disadvantages for the woman, as the sanitary towels are unhandy and voluminous, among other things.
Furthermore, it is known that stress incontinence may be relieved by the use of a tampon-like device which is arranged in the vagina for compressive action and support of the neck of the bladder.
Such a device for relief of stress incontinence is discussed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,019,498. This device consists of a body of compressible elastic material in the form of a mushroom which is compressed and then placed in a bag. The bag with the body is inserted in the vagina, whereupon the bag is punctured. The body will then press against the neck of the bladder and support this. This method partly involves a cost-increasing componentxe2x80x94the bagxe2x80x94and partly there is a risk of damaging the vagina and adjacent tissue when puncturing the bag. The device excerts sufficient pressure on the anterior wall of the vagina to close the urethra and the woman has to remove the device when she has to urinate. Removing of the device is facilitated by the stem portion of the mushroom which is projecting toward the vagina opening.
Furthermore, it is impossible or difficult to adjust the position of the body after the placing in the vagina. Additionally, the body acts purely by the compressibility of the material, for which reason it is necessary to manufacture it in several sizes.
EP-A-363421 also describes a device for arrangement in a woman""s vagina with the object of relieving incontinence. This device also has the disadvantage that it acts as a support of the bladder neck merely in consequence of the compression taking place depending on the size of the vagina and the size of the body. It is therefore also in this case necessary to manufacture different sizes to compensate for the different vaginal diameter.
Still further, EP-A-264258 describes an incontinence devicexe2x80x94specifically for use in vaginal and rectal prolapsexe2x80x94designed as a U-shaped body, which acts by lifting the neck of the bladder, as, after being arranged, the body returns to its rest position, and one leg of the U bears against the bladder neck of the bladder, which is lifted, whereby continence is obtained. This is thus a relatively rigid structure which is also designed in rather large dimensions.
This device, as well, is required to be manufactured in several different sizes to compensate for the different vaginal diameters, as its lift is exclusively due to its shape, just as it is uncomfortable to wear owing to its rigid and fairly large structure.
A common feature of the above incontinence products is thus that it is necessary to manufacture the product in many different sizes to compensate for the various vaginal diameters.
This is partly economically inappropriate and partly the body will not have an optimum function even after careful selection of size according to a woman""s vaginal diameter, as the support by the bodies of the bladder neck will vary according to the physical posture of the woman and the state of tension of her pelvic muscle. There is thus a great risk that by use of the above mentioned devices, the woman will suffer from involuntary urination, and/or that the device will cause inconvenience, cause pain or even damage the vaginal mucous membrane when the woman is in physical movement or tightens her pelvic musculature.
Thus, the above-mentioned devices are economically unsuitable, just as they do not have an optimum function throughout their service life.
Published international application No. WO95/05790 discloses a device having a body comprising two or more legs which are joined in a flexible base. The body of the device is inserted into the vagina in an elastically deformed state with the legs bent in a direction towards each other. Due to the compressive and elastic properties of the body in combination with its properties of restitution deriving from the deformation of the legs, the device will provide support for the bladder neck without blocking the urethra for varying spatial conditions in the vagina.
Although this known device alleviates the drawbacks of the above-mentioned devices, it still has rather large dimensions and furthermore, the two-legged design has a risk of improper placement during insertion.
It is the object of the present invention to provide an improved device of the kind mentioned in the introduction, which comfortably relieves the nuisances indicated and thus secure the woman an optimum support regardless of her physical condition and which is at the same time easy to handle. Just as important, the woman shall be able to urinate normally without having to remove the device. Eventually, the device should be easy to manufacture.
The present invention relates, in its broadest aspect, to a device for prevention of involuntary urination in a female, comprising a body for arrangement in the vagina for compressive action on and support of the neck of the bladder and optionally the urethra, in which the body has a substantially elongated shape with a longitudinal axis extending, in the intended direction of insertion, from a proximal to a distal end, and in which the body is made from a compressive and elastically deformable material, said device being characteristic in that the body comprises at least one part protruding from the outer surface of the body and providing at least one pressure area for contact with the neck of the bladder and optionally the urethra and in that the body is provided with at least one string extending from the distal end.
The protruding part(s) ensure a higher pressure during movements and thereby a better support of the neck of the bladder. The device seems relatively small and appealing to the user although it performs the same pressure as larger and already known products. Also it assures that no involuntary urination will occur while at the same time voluntary urination is possible.
The device according to the invention for prevention of involuntary urination in a female may be symmetric with respect to the longitudinal axis of the body, preferably axisymmetric. Symmetric and in particularly axisymmetric products have the advantage that the body need not be oriented at insertion. Additionally, symmetric products are generally easier and cheaper to manufacture and therefore economically appropriate, especially for disposable products.
The protruding part or parts may in an embodiment protrude from the body circumferentially, substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the body. It is difficult to define the size and height of the protruding part(s) as these measures depend on the chosen material but the protruding part(s) has to be so elevated above the adjecent lower parts and has to cover an area adequatly big in order to produce an increased pressure against the bladder neck. The pressure should be increased when compared to the pressure performed by a cylindric body with a diameter equal to the cross section in the lower adjecent part(s). On the other hand the area covered by the protruding part(s) can not be to big as this will increase the material consumption, affect the user-appeal of the product and could possibly spoil the ability to urinate voluntarily.
Exactly how elevated and how big a certain area of a protruding part should be depends mainly on the elasticity of the chosen material.
How far away the protruding part(s) should be placed from each other also partly depends on the material but as a guideline the adjecent low areas should have a width of at least 3 mm preferably of at least 5 mm measured halfway between the top of a protruding part and the bottom of a low adjecent part.
In order to facilitate removal of the device after use, the body is provided with at least one string projecting from the distal end of the body.
In a further development of this embodiment, there are two or more, e.g. three, protruding parts with adjecent low part(s) formed as a narrowed waist(s) between them.
In another embodiment, there are at least two protruding parts extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the body. The adjecent low area between the longitudinally protruding parts makes a xe2x80x9ccradlexe2x80x9d which fits the neck of the bladder not only at the bottom, but also along the sides and provides an optimum support.
The body may have a substantially conical or frusto-conical shape, which provides for a reliable support of the neck of the bladder and possibly the urethra. The base of the cone or the frustum may correspond to the distal end of the body, i.e. the end facing outwards in the position of use, which facilitates insertion of the device. In a preferred embodiment, however, the base of the conical or frusto-conical body corresponds to the proximal end thereof. By this design, forces acting on the device due to sudden movements of the user, such as sneezing, coughing and jumping, will be transferred into one transverse and one longitudinal component. The latter component will prevent the device from being pressed out of the vagina.
The body of the device may be formed in a traditional, hydrophilic material, such as polyurethane or polyvinyl alcohol, in which case the device has to be wetted before use, but in a preferred embodiment the body is formed in a hydrophobic material, preferably hydrophobic polyurethane. The use of a hydrophobic material instead of a hydrophilic material that needs to be soaked in water or the like before use has the advantage that the woman is free to apply the device any place she wants without the need of water. Further it reduces the risk of infection caused by water of poor quality.
The material is preferably porous.
In a further aspect the invention relates to the combination of a device for prevention of involuntary urination in a female and an applicator for use in the insertion thereof into the vagina.
The applicator is characteristic in that it comprises an elongated member for abutment with at least the distal end of the body of the device during the insertion. The elongated member of the applicator will protrude from the vagina during the insertion and secures that a reliable positioning of the device may take place with minimum manual contact with the device.
Also the employment of the applicator reduce the circumference of the device at the time of insertion which make the device even more appealing to the female users. Normally the maximum sectional area of the body will be reduced by at least 50% when the applicator is employed.
In its simplest form, the applicator comprises one substantially rod-shaped end portion for abutment with an indentation in the distal end of the body of the device.
In order to indicate the correct depth of introduction, the applicator may at the other end portion comprise marks.
In a preferred embodiment, the elongated member of the applicator comprises a piston-like element, which fits into a substantially tubular part.
The tubular part may be open at both ends and define a cavity for accommodating the device in a compressed and elastically deformed state.
Alternatively, the elongated member of the applicator comprises a tubular part and accommodates the device in a compressed and elastically deformed state.
In the case of devices made from a hydrophobic material, which do not have to be soaked before use, the preferred combination of a device and an applicator comprising at least one tubular part for accommodating the body of the device in a compressed and elastically deformed state is particularly advantageous, as the device and the applicator may be delivered as a ready-to-use unit, e.g. in hygienic one-piece packagings.
Still further the invention relates to a method of manufacturing a device for prevention of involuntary urination in a female.
The method comprises the steps of mixing the components of the material, injecting the material into a mould, optionally accelerated hardening by heating the mould, and removing the body from the mould.
At some stage of the manufacturing process, at least one string is fastened to the body.
In a preferred embodiment, the string is fastened to at least one portion of the mould prior to the injection of the material into the mould. This provides for an easier and cheaper production in comparison with traditional methods, in which the string has to be sewn into the body of the device after the removal of the body from the mould, which is a time-consuming operation.

Device for prevention of involuntary urination


A method, apparatus and computer readable medium for an RTS/CTS system that utilizes a plurality of channels for data transfer, includes sending, by a first device, an RTS frame over the plurality of channels; receiving, by a second device, the RTS frame and outputting a CTS frame to the first device based on receipt of the RTS frame, the CTS frame being output over at least one of the plurality of channels; setting, by each device within a network that receives the RTS frame, a network allocation vector (NAV) to a time duration that is based in part on information included in the RTS frame; and transmitting, by the first device, data to the second device within the time duration set by the NAV using the at least one of the plurality of channels.

1. Field of the Disclosure
This disclosure relates generally to apparatus and methods for a wireless system that utilizes the RTS/CTS protocol. More particularly, the disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for transmission and recovery modes for an RTS/CTS system that utilizes multiple channels.
2. Related Art
One type of wireless system is an RTS/CTS protocol system. In this system, a source node that desires to send data to a destination node over a communications channel sends a Request to Send frame (RTS) to the destination node over the communications channel. The RTS frame is also received by other nodes in the system that are in the vicinity of the sending node, and those other nodes should refrain from sending data for a given time, which is called a Network Access Vector (NAV) duration. The destination node sends back a Clear to Send frame (CTS) to the sending node, if it is available to receive data. The amount of time that a node should wait before trying to get access to a channel (the NAV duration) is included in both the RTS frame and the CTS frame.
A problem exists in the RTS/CTS protocol for multichannel wireless systems, in which the CTS bandwidth is smaller than the RTS bandwidth, in which the NAV duration has to be reset accordingly.

Apparatus and method for transmission and recovery modes for an RTS/CTS system that utilizes multichannels