A clamp has an annular strap section enclosing an interior space and defining an opening between opposite ends of the strap section. A pair of insertion engagement sections are at opposite ends of the strap section. The insertion engagement sections stand outwardly and oppose each other at opposite ends of the opening. Each insertion engagement section includes an axle plate portion projecting from an end of the opening. A wing portion is bent down from a distal end of the axle plate portion. A stepped latching portion is formed on a distal end of the wing portion. A dimension of the opening is set to be narrower than a diameter of a wire harness to be contained in the interior space. The clamp contains the wire harness in the interior space while the annular strap section is elastically bent outwardly to widen the opening. After receiving the wire harness in the interior space, the annular strap section returns to its original position by elastic recovery to narrow the opening, thereby holding the wire harness in the interior space. The pair of insertion engagement sections are inserted into a through-hole in the car body panel. After inserting the sections into the through-hole, the stepped latching portions engage a periphery of the through-hole to lock the wire harness on a car body.

This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-179046, filed Jun. 19, 2002, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-264685, filed Sep. 10, 2002, which applications are herein expressly incorporated by reference.
This invention relates to a clamp and, more particularly, to a clamp wound around a wire harness arranged in an automobile vehicle and locked in a through-hole in a car body panel.
For convenience of explanation, a conventional clamp will be described below. FIGS. 30A through 30C are front elevation views of a conventional band type clamp. The figures illustrate operations to attach the clamp to the wire harness and lock the clamp on the car body panel. FIGS. 31A through 31C are front elevation views of a conventional base plate type clamp. These figures illustrate operations to attach the clamp to the wire harness and lock the clamp on the car body panel.
Heretofore, such a kind of clamp is broadly divided into a band type clamp shown in FIG. 30 and a base plate type clamp shown in FIG. 31.
A band type clamp 1 shown in FIG. 30 includes a box-like body 1a having a through-hole 1c. A band 1b extends from an end of the box-like body 1a. After the band 1b is wound around a wire harness W/H, the band 1b is inserted into the through-hole 1c in the box-like body 1a. A handgun type fastening-tool 6 clamps a latching piece 1d, provided in the through-hole 1c, so that the latching piece 1d engages one of the latching grooves 1e in the band 1b. Then, the band 1b fastens the wire harness W/H. A car body engagement section 1f stands up on an upper surface of the box-like body 1a.
A base plate type clamp 2 shown in FIG. 31 includes a base plate 2a, and a car body engagement section 2b that stands up on the base plate 2a. The base plate 2a is attached to the wire harness W/H by winding a tape T around the base plate 2a and the wire harness W/H.
The car body engagement sections 1f and 2b of the band type clamp 1 and base plate type clamp 2 include wing portions 1h and 2d bent down from distal ends of axle portions 1g and 2c. Stepped latching portions 1i and 2e are provided on distal ends of the wing portions 1h and 2d.
When the clamps 1 and 2 are locked on the car body, the wing portions 1h and 2d of the car body latching sections 1f and 2b are inserted into a through-hole 5a in a car body panel 5 while the wing portions 1h and 2d are narrowed. After inserting the wing portions 1h and 2d into the through-hole 5a, the wing portions 1h and 2d are widened to the original positions and the stepped latching portions 1i and 2e engage a periphery of the through-hole 5a in the car body panel 5.
In the band type clamp 1, after winding the band 1b around the wire harness W/H, the band 1b is inserted into the through-hole 1c in the box-like body 1a. The handgun type fastening-tool 6 clamps the band 1b to lock the band 1b in the body 1a. A cutter 7 cuts off an excessive end of the band 1b extending from the box-like body 1a. Accordingly, the band type clamp 1 requires the fastening tool 6 and cutter 7. Also, the steps of fastening the band 1b by using the tool 6 and cutting the band 1b by using the cutter 7 are necessary. The excessive end of the band 1b cut off by the cutter 7 is wasted. In the case where the wire harness W/H is a small size in diameter, a length of the band 1b to be cut off is increased. This will increase the waste of the band.
Furthermore, if a relative position between the clamp 1 and the through-hole 5a in the car body panel 5 is shifted, the clamp cannot be displaced with respect to the wire harness to correct the shifted position. This is due to the strength in which the band 1b fastens to the wire harness W/H. Consequently, a length of the wire harness W/H between the clamps 1 is set to be slightly longer than an allowable tolerance. This will increase the entire length of the wire harness and cause waste in the wire harness.
In the base plate type clamp 2, when the clamp 2 is attached to the wire harness W/H, the tape T is wound around the opposite ends of base plate 2a and the wire harness W/H. This requires tape and the step of winding the tape around the base plate and wire harness. Consequently, working steps are increased and different kinds of tapes must be prepared for the steps.
The attaching positions of the clamps 2 on the wire harness W/H are fixed, since the clamps 2 are attached to the wire harness by winding the tape T around the clamps and wire harness. In the event the relative position between the clamp 2 and the through-hole 5a in the car body panel 5 is shifted, as in the case with the band type clamp 1, the length of the wire harness must be longer than an allowable tolerance.
It is an object of the present invention is to provide a novel clamp that is different from the conventional band type clamp or base plate type clamp mentioned above. The novel clamp does not require any tape winding or band cutting steps. The novel clamp can be attached to the wire harness manually. The novel clamp can adjust an attaching position of the clamp on the wire harness. The novel clamp eliminates waste in the wire harness since the entire length of the wire harness may now be properly sized.
The present invention provides a clamp that is attached to a wire harness and inserted into and locked in a through-hole in a car body panel. The clamp comprises an arcuate annular strap section that enclose an interior space and defines an opening between opposite ends of the strap. A pair of insertion engagement sections are connected together with the opposite ends of the strap. The pair of insertion engagement sections oppose each other at opposite ends of the opening and stand outwardly. Each of the insertion engagement sections includes an axle plate portion projecting from an end of the opening. A wing portion is bent down from a distal end of the axle plate portion. A stepped latching portion is formed on a distal end of the wing portion. A dimension of the opening is set to be narrower than a diameter of the wire harness to be contained in the interior space. The annular strap section is elastically bent outwardly to widen the opening to receive and contain the wire harness in the interior space. After containment of the wire harness in the interior space, the annular strap section returns to its original position by an elastically recovery to narrow the opening thereby holding the wire harness in the interior space. The pair of insertion engagement sections are inserted into the through-hole in the car body panel. After insertion of the sections into the through-hole, the stepped latching portions engage a periphery of the through-hole, thereby locking the wire harness on a car body.
In the above clamp, when the wire harness is inserted into the opening enclosed by the annular strap section, the wire harness widens the opening and enters the interior space. A worker may widen the opening and then insert the wire harness into the interior space.
Since the annular strap section is formed into an arcuate configuration (C-shaped configuration), it is subject to an elastic recovery in a reduction direction in diameter. Even if an external force widens the opening, the annular strap section elastically returns to the original position when the external force is removed. Accordingly, since the annular strap section elastically returns to the original position to narrow the opening, the wire harness does not come out from the interior space enclosed by the annular strap section. It is possible to maintain the wire harness in the interior space enclosed by the annular strap section regardless of a diameter size of the wire harness, unless the wire harness is drawn out from the opening. Consequently, it is not necessary to prepare many clamps having various sizes in compliance with diameter sizes of the wire harnesses.
Further, even if the clamp is shifted slightly in the longitudinal direction from the through-hole in the car body panel, it is possible to easily displace the clamp on the wire harness to accord the clamp with the through-hole in the car body panel.
The insertion engagement sections for a car body are formed by dividing an insertion engagement section of a conventional band type clamp or a conventional base plate type clamp into half members. The half members stand on the opposite ends of the opening defined between the opposite ends of the annular strap section. These insertion engagement sections that are divided into two half members and stand on the opposite ends of the opening are spaced away from each other when the sections are widened upon insertion of the wire harness. However, after the opening returns to the original position, the insertion engagement sections approach each other. Further, when the insertion engagement sections are inserted into the through-hole in the car body panel, they are brought into contact with each other. The insertion engagement sections pass the through-hole while deflecting the wing portions. The wing portions return to the original position by an elastically recovery nature to widen a distance between them after passing the hole. The stepped latching portions of the wing portions engage the periphery of the through-hole to lock the clamp on the car body. Thus, even if the insertion engagement sections are divided half members that stand on the opposite ends of the opening of the annular strap section, they can be surely secured to the car body as in the case with the conventional band type or base plate type clamp.
Interlocking means are provided on the opposed surfaces of the axle plate portions of the pair of insertion engagement sections. Thus, the interlocking means are detachably coupled to each other. The opposed axle plate portions are coupled to each other to close the opening after inserting the wire harness into the interior space enclosed by the annular strap section.
The interlocking means are provided on the insertion engagement sections that stand on the opposite ends of the opening. After inserting the wire harness into the interior space enclosed by the annular strap section, the interlocking means are coupled to each other to close the opening. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the wire harness from coming out of the interior space enclosed by the annular strap section. It is not necessary for a worker to bring the pair of insertion engagement sections into contact with each other when inserting them into the through-hole in the car body panel. This will enhance the workers efficiency.
A support plate is provided on each of the opposite ends of the opening. The support plates are arranged in lateral directions opposite from each other. An axle plate portion stands on the one half side of each support plate. An auxiliary axle plate portion stands on the other half side of the support plate. The auxiliary axle plate portion is connected to either lateral end of the axle plate portion. When the opposed axle plate portions are brought into contact with each other, the auxiliary axle plate portions are disposed on the opposite lateral sides of the axle plate portions.
The wide support plates are perpendicularly disposed to the right and left wing portions. The stepped latching portions of the wing portions engage the rear peripheral surface of the through-hole in the car body panel in the right and left directions. The support plates engage the front peripheral surface of the through-hole in the front and back directions. Thus, the insertion engagement sections is stablely secured to the car body panel.
The support plate corresponds to a dish portion of a conventional clamp. A stopper rib may be provided on a distal end of the support plate so that the stepped latching portions on the lower ends of the wing portions are not outwardly displaced.
In the case of providing the auxiliary axle plate portions on the support plates, the inclined, stepped portion is provided on each of the opposed surfaces of the axle plate portions to form a thin thickness part toward the auxiliary axle plate portions. Inclining angles of the stepped portions are arranged in lateral directions opposite from each other. A latching protrusion is provided on a distal end of the stepped portion at a thick part side. A latching depression is provided on a distal end of the stepped portion at a thin part side and at a corner between the auxiliary axle plate portion and a curved portion. The insertion engagement sections are locked on each other when the latching protrusion is pushed into the latching depression.
Thus, it is possible to enhance a coupling force between the interlocking means by fitting the depressions and protrusions at two positions in the lateral direction and by reversing the latching protrusions and depressions at two positions.
In particular, it is possible to interlock the insertion engagement sections by forming round portions on the latching protrusions and depressions. The round protrusions are pushed into the round depressions over a half periphery.
Furthermore, the auxiliary axle plate portions may be provided on the opposite lateral sides of the axle plate portions as interlocking means of the divided insertion engagement sections. The one auxiliary axle plate portion is thick in the lateral direction while the other auxiliary axle plate portion is thin. The thin auxiliary axle plate portion is inserted into a gap between the other axle plate portion and the other wing portion.
Also, in order to facilitate or widen the annular strap section upon insertion of the wire harness, a depression is provided on a substantially central part of the annular strap section to oppose the opening. Opposite ends of the depression serve as support points when the annular strap section is bent outwardly. Alternatively, a thin hinge portion may be provided on a substantially central part of the annular strap section.
Thus, if the support points are provided on the annular strap section to be widened upon insertion of the wire harness, it is possible to reduce an inserting force of the wire harness. The support points can assist the annular strap section to return to the original position after inserting the wire harness.
A thin cantilever piece is provided on each of the opposite edges of the opening so that the cantilever pieces extend into the interior space enclosed by the annular strap section to close the opening. The wire harness is contained in the interior space enclosed by the annular strap section while widening the opening. The cantilever pieces return to their original position by elastic recovery after containing the wire harness in the interior space.
The one cantilever piece extending into the interior space is disposed on a front side in the lateral direction of the opening. The other cantilever piece is disposed on a rear side to prevent the cantilever pieces from interfering with each other.
Since the cantilever pieces close the opening at the inside of the interior space where interlocking means are absent on the insertion engagement sections, it is possible to prevent the wire harness from coming out from the opening.
However, the cantilever pieces may be provided when the interlocking means are provided on the insertion engagement sections. If the wire harness has a small diameter size and a clearance exists between the wire harness and the annular strap section in the interior space, the cantilever pieces can hold the wire harness with no play in the interior space.
The present invention in another aspect of the invention provides a clamp attached to a wire harness and inserted into and locked in a through-hole in a car body panel. The clamp comprises an arcuate annular strap section that encloses an interior space and defines an opening between opposite ends of the strap. A pair of outwardly standing insertion engagement sections are connected together with the opposite ends of the annular strap section to oppose each other at opposite ends of the opening. Each of the insertion engagement sections includes an axle plate portion projecting from an end of the opening. A wing portion is bent down from a distal end of the axle plate portion. A stepped latching portion is formed on a distal end of the wing portion. Reversed L-shaped locking portions, in cross section, project inwardly from at least one of the axle plate portions. Receiving portions, the upper parts of which are cut off, are provided on at least other of the axle plate portions. The wire harness is contained in the interior space enclosed by the annular strap section. The insertion engagement sections are interlocked by hooking the locking portions on the receiving portions to close the opening and hold the wire harness in the interior space. The interlocked insertion engagement sections are inserted into the through-hole in the car body panel. The stepped latching portions of the wing portions engage a periphery of the through-hole, thereby locking the wire harness on a car body.
The above construction does not require a conventional tape or tool. An attachment work of the clamp to the wire harness can be dramatically enhanced merely by hooking the locking portion on the receiving portion.
Since it is not necessary to cut off the annular strap section, the edge surface of the cut end does not effect an adjacent wire harness or a worker""s hand. There is no waste of material.
The conventional clamp was secured to the wire harness completely by using a tape or tool. However, in the clamp of the present invention, the pair of insertion engagement sections are interlocked with the wire harness. The wire harness is contained in the interior space enclosed by the annular strap section. Under this condition, a plurality of clamps are attached to the wire harness at given length intervals. Accordingly, even if a pitch between the adjacent clamps does not accord with a pitch between the adjacent through-holes in the car body panel, it is possible to easily correct a position of the clamp on the wire harness by unlocking the insertion engagement sections.
A rib to prevent lateral shift extends inwardly from a lower end of the axle plate portion of at least one insertion engagement section. A depression opposes the rib on the axle plate portion of the at least other insertion engagement section. The insertion engagement sections are prevented from shifting in a lateral direction in parallel to contact surfaces of the sections when the rib is fitted in the depression.
When the locking portion is hooked on the receiving portion, the pair of insertion engagement sections are firmly interlocked in a direction perpendicular to the contact surfaces of the insertion engagement sections. When the rib is fitted in the depression, the insertion engagement sections can be prevented from shifting in a lateral direction in parallel to the contact surfaces.


A digital signal attenuation circuit for a CD-I player, specially designed to digitally attenuate an audio signal read-out from a CD-I disc, which comprises a 1/6 divider for dividing by 6 an attenuation control signal inputted from a controller and outputting a quotient signal and a remainder signal, a first attenuator for attenuating a 16-bit parallel digital audio signal obtained from a CD-I disc by -1 dB within the range of 0 to -5 dB in accordance with the remainder signal from the 1/6 divider, and a second attenuator for attenuating an output signal of the first attenuator by -6 dB within the range of 0 to -96 dB in accordance with the quotient signal from the 1/6 divider. According to the invention, the audio signal can be attenuated precisely by -1 dB within the range of 0 to -96 dB, not depending on the environmental conditions, and the overall attenuation circuitry can be highly simplified.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a digital signal attenuation circuit for a compact disc--interactive(CD-I) player, and more particularly to a digital signal attenuation circuit which can digitally attenuate an audio signal read-out from a CD-I disc.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A CD-I player is a kind of reproducing apparatus which can read out and reproduce audio and video signals recorded on a CD-I disc in which the audio and video signals as well as audio and video information data are recorded, and which can control the output levels of the read-out audio and video signals by software, utilizing a mouse, a remote-controller, etc.
An audio signal attenuation circuit for a CD-I player can be grouped into an analog signal attenuation circuit and a digital signal attenuation circuit. The standard of attenuation required for such attenuation circuits is set to attenuate the audio signal by -1 dB within the range of 0 to -127 dB.
The analog signal attenuation circuit attenuates the analog audio signal which is converted from the digital audio signal obtained from the CD-I disc in accordance with 7-bit attenuation control signal from a system controller. Serial control type electronic volume control IC(IC No.: LC7535 manufactured by a Japanese company, Sanyo Electronic Co., Ltd.) is one of the conventional analog signal attenuation circuits, which can attenuate an analog signal by -1 dB within the range of 0 to -80 dB.
As shown in FIG. 1, a CD-I player incorporating such a conventional analog signal attenuation circuit comprises a microprocessor 10 as a system controller, an ADPCM (Adaptive Differential Pulse Code Modulation) decoder 30 for decoding an ADPCM audio data signal read-out from a CD-I disc to a digital audio signal, and a digital/analog(D/A) converter 40 for converting the digital audio signal from the ADPCM decoder 30 into an analog signal. A low-pass filter 50 for eliminating a high-frequency noise signal from the output signal of the D/A converter 40, an analog signal attenuator 60 for attenuating the output signal of the low-pass filter 50 by -1 dB within the range of 0 to -80 dB according to attenuation data from the microprocessor 10, and an amplifier 70 for amplifying the output signal of the analog signal attenuator 60 and outputting the amplified signal to a loudspeaker 80 are also provided.
According to the circuit as described above, the ADPCM audio data signal read-out from CD-I disc 20 is decoded to a digital audio signal by ADPCM decoder 30 under the control of microprocessor 10, and the decoded digital audio signal is converted into the analog signal by D/A converter 40. The analog signal is inputted to analog signal attenuator 60 through the low-pass filter 50 for eliminating the high-frequency noise signal from the analog signal, and then attenuated for a desired decibel(dB) value within the range of 0 to -80 dB by analog signal attenuator 60 under the control of microprocessor 10. The analog signal attenuated by attenuator 60 is outputted to the loudspeaker 80 after being amplified by amplifier 70.
However, such a conventional analog signal attenuation circuit as described above suffers from the disadvantage in that, since the conventional circuit is directed to the attenuation of the analog audio signal converted from the digital audio signal, much noise may be easily generated in the attenuated analog signal. Also, the analog signal attenuator should include a resistor array having a plurality of resistors to meet the required attenuation standard and a plurality of switches connected therebetween so that the analog audio signal may be attenuated by selectively turning on/off the switches in accordance with the attenuation control signal outputted from microprocessor 10, with the result that it is difficult to effect precise attenuation by -1 dB within the range of 0 to -80 dB since the performance characteristic of the resistors may easily vary due to a change in environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity and so on. Further, the analog signal attenuator requires extra peripheral circuits including a number of linear elements such as capacitors, operational amplifiers, resistors, etc., and thus the overall circuitry is greatly complicated.
Meanwhile, the conventional digital signal attenuation circuit comprises a memory receiving the 7-bit attenuation control signal from the system controller as an address signal thereof and storing attenuation data for attenuating the digital audio signal by -1 dB within the range of the attenuation standard; and a logic circuit for calculating the attenuation value of the digital audio signal using the attenuation data outputted from the memory. In this circuit, the attenuation data for 0 to -127 dB stored in the memory are outputted in accordance with the attenuation control signal from the controller and the logic circuit calculates the attenuation value of the digital audio signal by -1 dB utilizing the attenuation data from the memory.
However, the memory used in such a conventional circuit should be provided with a data table of about 127.times.8 bits in order to meet the attenuation standard of the CD-I player. Further, the logic circuit, which calculates the attenuation value of the digital audio signal utilizing the attenuation data from the memory, may be highly complicated in structure.

Digital signal attenuation circuit for a compact disc-interactive player


A scintigraphic device includes a case open at an application end, and coated by a shielding shell; a collimator positioned inside the case, made of a material with high atomic number and high density and having a plurality of collimation channels extending mutually parallel according to a predefined direction of measurement; a measuring member positioned inside the case in proximity to the collimator and including a scintillation crystal for converting each ionizing radiation originating from a source in exam into light radiation, and at least one photosensor, for determining the energy and the position of each detected event. The measuring member and the collimator are relatively movable to increase and/or reduce the distance between the converter and the application end and consequently to vary the total length of the collimator. The collimator may include two or more blocks at least one of which is movable relative to the others.

The present invention relates to a scintigraphic device of the kind comprising: a case open at an application end and coated with a shielding shell; a collimator made of a material with high atomic number and high density and having a plurality of collimation channels extending substantially parallel to each other according to a predefined direction of measurement, the collimator being positioned inside the case in such a way as to allow the passage of radiation directed substantially parallel to the direction of measurement; a measuring member positioned inside the case in proximity to the collimator and comprising at least one converter able to convert each ionizing radiation coming from a source in exam in light radiation and at least one photosensor for determining the energy associated to each event and its position in the visual field; at least one electronic processing unit operatively associated to the photosensor.
The present invention is aimed at the diagnostic medical sector, and in particular, it is dedicated to the location of tumor lesions and similar pathologies or to the observation of radio marked substances, introduced into the organisms before the exam to be conducted in order to visualize the distribution of the introduced substance.
As is well known, the systems for locating and visualizing the distribution of radioactivity, such as those illustrated and described in the U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,242,744 B1 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,232,605 B1, operate on particularly small visual fields and are used in Nuclear Medicine as locating and diagnostic device able to identify neoplasias with high spatial resolution. It is also known that the aforementioned devices are used to carry out scintigraphic analyses on small animals, to test new radio-marked antibodies, specific for determined pathologies. It is also possible that said scintigraphic devices are used for the guided location of lesions of the prostate and of the breast, in order to identify the regions subjected to high capture to be subjected to bioptic sampling, integrating current radiographic and/or echographic techniques. These devices can also find additional applications in Astrophysics and in systems for industrial non destructive checks.
More specifically, the main use of the aforementioned device pertains to the location of tumor lesions, especially in those techniques that require an adequate precision in detection such as biopsies (prostate and breast) or in radio-guided or radio-immunoguided interventions during which the detected signals are converted in digital form to provide necessary information through light or sound scales related to the intensity of the signals that fall within the selected energy window.
Although known technologies allow quite precise diagnoses, the Applicant has noted that they are nonetheless not free of some drawbacks, mainly in relation to spatial resolution in general, and in particular, to the spatial resolution of about one centimeter, as well as to the dimensions and to the overall masses of the current gamma-cameras present on the market.
These problems, along with a growing and necessary demand for definition and spatial resolutions of the aforementioned diagnostic instruments and/or devices, have already been confronted in the U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,242,744 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,232,605 (Soluri et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 5,783,829 (Sealock et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 5,864,141 (Majewski et al.), U.S. Pat. No. 6,021,341 (Scibilia et al.) and in the international patent WO 96/37791 (De Notaristefani et al.). This notwithstanding, in some applications the required spatial resolutions is a fundamental parameter, so still higher resolutions must be obtained. The achievement of a high spatial resolutions, however, is hindered by inaccuracies in the location of one or more events detected by the scintillation crystals. This drawing persists even if to the crystal matrices are associated last generation photomultipliers, or photo tubes, known as PSPMT (Position Sensitive Photomultiplier Tube) and a high resolution lead collimator, generally provided with hexagonal holes. It is also detectable in the presence of scintillation crystals positioned inside the individual holes of the collimators or of planar elements positioned at the collimators, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,734,430 (Soluri et al.).
Another factor able negatively to influence the spatial resolution of the aforementioned diagnostic devices is the length of the respective collimators, unsuitable for the type of exam to be performed, as well as the distance of the lesions to be detected and located with respect to the scintillation crystals. In general, the difficulty in locating lesions increases as a function of their distance from the detector.
Usually, scintigraphic devices are provided with collimators with fixed length, chosen and mounted according to the type of exam or detection to be carried out. The collimators may also be replaced by other collimators with different structural characteristics. However, the complicated operation of replacing the collimators is rarely performed to execute particular exams that require a different spatial resolution or counting efficiency from those normally in use.

Scintigraphic device with variable resolution


A pavement temperature monitoring system (10) is used on paver vehicle (12) that is capable of forming a pavement material mat (11) upon abase surface (13), as paver vehicle (12) travels generally in a single direction. A temperature sensor (14) can be either a thermal imager, a thermal scanner, or a thermal imager operating in line xe2x80x9cscanxe2x80x9d mode. The temperature sensor (14) is mounted on a rear end (12a) of the paver vehicle (12) in such a way that the entire width of the formed mat can be scanned or imaged. A display device (16) is capable of receiving a plurality of electrical signals from the thermal scanner generating and displaying a graphical image (17) of the formed mat temperature profile.

The present invention relates to paver vehicles and compactor vehicles, and more specifically to systems for monitoring and controlling paver vehicles and compactor vehicles used for forming asphalt mats.
Paver vehicles or xe2x80x9cpaversxe2x80x9d capable of forming mats of material, such as asphalt, upon a base surface are well known. Such paver vehicles basically consist of a tractor and a screed assembly towed by the tractor. The tractor includes a tractor body and wheels and/or a pair of continuous tracks mounted to the tractor body for mobilizing the tractor to travel upon a base surface. The tractor also generally includes an operator station and a material hopper mounted to the front end of the tractor for holding a quantity of paving material. Further, a conveyor extends longitudinally between the hopper and the rear of the tractor and functions to transport paving material from the hopper to be deposited off the rear of the tractor. A rotatable auger is mounted to the rear of the tractor and operates to spread deposited paving material laterally across the base surface to form a head of paving material in front of the screed.
The screed assembly functions to level and compress the material head to form a continuous formed material mat on the base surface, generally in the form of an elongated strip, as the tractor travels forwardly upon the base surface. The screed assembly includes a main or primary screed and may include one or more extensions attached to the main screed, which may be fixed or extendable with respect to the main screed. The main screed and any extensions each include an upper frame and a lower screed plate attached to the frame, the screed plate providing the working surface for leveling (i.e., establishing formed material mat thickness), and generally also compressing, the paving material into a formed material mat.
Typically, the screed assembly includes one or more vibrators mounted on the upper surface of the screed plates which function to increase the compression or compressive force applied by the screed plates to the formed material mat during the leveling operation. Certain paver vehicles, particularly those used in countries where xe2x80x9clow speedxe2x80x9d paving is preferred, include one or more reciprocating tamper bar that are disposed forwardly of the screed plates. The tamper bars function to pre-compress the paving material prior to leveling by the screed plates.
In addition, many screed assemblies are provided with one or more mechanism(s) referred to as xe2x80x9cscreed assist device(s),xe2x80x9d which includes one or more hydraulic cylinders having a first end connected with the tractor and a second end connected with the screed assembly. These screed assist device(s) are used to raise and lower the screed assembly with respect to the base surface, and can be operated so as to increase or decrease the compressive force exerted by the screed plates on the formed material mat by appropriate vertical displacement of the entire screed assembly (and thus also the screed plates).
Further, compactor vehicles or xe2x80x9ccompactorsxe2x80x9d are also well known. Typically, compactor vehicles used with asphalt material mats include a vehicle body and a pair of drum members or xe2x80x9cdrumsxe2x80x9d rotatably mounted to the body. Such compactor vehicles generally function by rolling over sections of the formed material mat such that the drums compact the formed material mat with every pass made over a particular section of the formed material mat, the drums also functioning to mobilize the compactor vehicles. Typically, a vibratory mechanism is mounted within each drum to increase the extent of formed material mat compaction made by each pass of the drums. These vibratory mechanisms are generally variable in frequency and amplitude, variations in frequency enabling the compactor to be effectively operated at different speeds and variations in amplitude affecting the degree of compaction made by the drums.
In a typical project for forming an asphalt mat, such as in roadway constructions, the paver vehicle forms a continuous mat of material behind the paver vehicle as the paver vehicle travels forwardly upon the base surface. One or more compactor vehicles follow the paver vehicle and generally roll over all sections of the formed material mat until the formed material mat is compacted to a desired degree or extent.
Preferably, the formed material mat is formed such that the material is within a desired temperature band. If sections of the formed material mat are at a lower than preferred temperature, compactor(s) may have to make additional passes across these sections to ensure sufficient compaction. On the other hand, if sections of the formed material mat are at a higher than preferred temperature, compactor operators will have to take caution to avoid over compacting these sections.
If would therefore be desirable to provide a system to monitor the temperature of the formed material mat as the formed material mat is being formed such that the temperature information may be used by an operator of a paver vehicle or a compactor vehicle to make appropriate adjustments to the operational parameters of the paver vehicle or compaction vehicle. Further, it would be desirable to provide a system for readily identifying sections of a formed material mat that may require additional compaction or sections of a formed material mat where it may be necessary to compact with greater caution. Furthermore, it would be desirable to provide a system for using formed sensed material mat temperature information to automatically adjust paver vehicle or compactor vehicle to provide an acceptable formed material mat.

Temperature sensing for controlling paving and compaction operations

Blaw-Knox Construction Equipment Corporation


A force absorbing device is provided for use with a walking aid having proximal and distal tubes arranged in a telescoping configuration for relative movement therebetween along a longitudinal axis. A proximal end member is affixed within a hollow bore of the proximal tube with no relative movement between the proximal tube and the proximal end member. A distal end member is longitudinally spaced from the proximal end member and affixed to a proximal end of the distal tube with no relative movement between the distal tube and the distal end member. A resilient damper is located longitudinally between, and affixed to both of, the proximal and distal end members. The resilient damper compresses under a compressive force to absorb at least a portion of the compressive force while permitting relative longitudinal movement between the proximal and distal tubes.

The use of walking aids such as walking sticks, hiking sticks, elbow crutches, axilla (underarm) crutches, walkers (A.K.A. "Zimmer frames"), rollators, or canes by users with short- or long-term leg injuries or other mobility concerns (e.g., a desire for sure-footedness on uneven ground for a hiking stick) is commonplace. As the tip of the walking aid is placed on a ground surface during walking, large forces can be transmitted to the upper body (at the hands, wrists, arms, shoulder, back, neck, elbow joints, shoulder joints, or other body structures), which can result in upper body pain and/or fatigue which, in turn, may lead to crutch palsy, aneurysms, thrombosis, or other serious conditions.
In an effort to damp the impact force resulting from the load transmitted to the user during walking, walking aids incorporating force, or shock, absorbers have been developed. These known shock-absorbing crutches include dedicated spring-loaded crutches where the shock absorber is permanently integrated into the crutch body and which requires the user to purchase and use the spring-loaded crutch in preference to the traditional rigid crutch.
The disadvantages associated with the use of dedicated shock-absorbing crutches include the extra expense of purchasing the new crutch, the increased weight of the crutch (which can affect maneuverability), and the inconvenience of using a shock absorbing crutch on ground surfaces which do not require shock absorption and which therefore can lead to instability for the user. More recently, conversion kits have been developed to fit to existing crutches. However, known shock absorbers may suffer from one or more of the following disadvantages:
Attachment of the shock absorber to the body of the crutch can require the use of tools and therefore be inconvenient for the user to easily convert between a shock-absorbing crutch and a rigid crutch.
Multiple individual parts can make fitment of the crutch with the shock absorber inconvenient.
Attachment of the shock absorber to the body of the crutch can affect the integrity of the body of the crutch and therefore present a danger of failure of the crutch during use.
The lack of adjustability of the shock absorber can make use of the shock-absorbing crutch limited over different surfaces or with users of different weight.


A superabrasive compact cutting element, for example, a insert utilized in shear cutter bits. The cutting elements include a layer of superabrasive materials that is provided with different shapes and positions relative to the substrate in order to enhance the abrasion resistance performance of the cutting element. The cutting element includes a top, bottom and peripheral surface. The cutting element further includes at least one superabrasive material portion comprising polycrystalline diamond (PCD) or cubic boron nitride (CBN), a substrate supporting the at least one superabrasive material portion, and an interface where the at least one superabrasive material portion and the substrate are joined. The interface slopes downwardly with a slope angle of less than about 40° and/or the cutting element has a longitudinal thickness of the at least one superabrasive material portion measured along a peripheral surface of the cutting element in a longitudinal direction greater than about 3 mm.

In the discussion of the background that follows, reference is made to certain structures and/or methods. However, the following references should not be construed as an admission that these structures and/or methods constitute prior art. Applicant expressly reserves the right to demonstrate that such structures and/or methods do not qualify as prior art.
Currently available cutting elements utilized in shear cutter bits use superabrasive materials having Knoop hardness greater than 2000 such as, but not limited to, single crystal diamond, polycrystalline diamond (PCD), thermally stable polycrystalline diamond, CVD diamond, metal matrix diamond composites, ceramic matrix diamond composites, nanodiamond, cubic boron nitride, and combinations of superabrasive materials. The superabrasive layer or table is supported by or joined coherently to a substrate, post or stud that is generally made of cobalt tungsten carbide (Co—WC). The overall shape is generally cylindrical. The relative position of the diamond table to the Co—WC stud is directly on the top. From the side view of the overall structure is a layered structure with the diamond table forming the top portion and the Co—WC stud forming the bottom portion.
FIG. 13A is an example of a traditional shear cutter bit 100 including at least one traditional cutting element 102 that includes a superabrasive material 104 and a substrate 106. The cutting element 102 is brazed or pressed into the shear cutter bit 100 for subterranean formation drilling. The cutting element 102 is mounted into the shear cutter bit 100 at a certain angle which is called the back-rake angle β. The back-rake angle β is the angle between the shear cutter bit axis 110 and the front surface 112 of the superabrasive material. The back-rake angle in many shear cutter bits is between about 15° and about 25°, but can be as high as 30° or even 45°.
As illustrated in FIG. 13A, the cutting element will plow and shear the bottom of the hole in the subterranean formation 108 during the cutting operation. As illustrated in FIG. 13B, after a certain period of drilling, the cutting element will generally have a wear pattern or wear surface 114 with a wear angle γ that is approximately equal to the back-rake angle β. The wear angle γ is the angle between the cutting element longitudinal axis 116 and the wear surface 114.
FIG. 14 illustrates a top perspective view of the cutting element 102 after it has been removed from the shear cutter bit 100, because of wear. The wear surface 114 extends into the substrate 106 at the wear surface bottom 118.
Cutting element abrasion resistance performance can be measured by Vertical Turret Lathe with Coolant (VTL-c) testing in which a granite log is machined by a cutting element The abrasion resistance performance is graphically presented with the cutting element wear volume plotted on the vertical axis and the linear distance the cutting element has traveled through the granite log along the horizontal axis. Plots of VTL-c testing results for traditional cutting elements have an inflection when the cutter element wear volume begins to accelerate quickly in relation to the linear distance. Further, it has been determined that the inflection generally correlates to the event when the wear surface (114) extends beyond the superabrasive table and beyond the interface between the superabrasive material and substrate. It appears the inflection develops because the heat generated by the friction of the substrate, especially Co—WC, against the rock in the subterranean hole degrades or damages the superabrasive material and makes the cutting element more vulnerable to abrasion failure.
It has further been determined that the inflection and accelerated cutter insert wear can be delayed by increasing the thickness of the superabrasive material. However, simply increasing the thickness of the superabrasive table leads to increased stress in the superabrasive material from the thermal expansion coefficient mismatch with the Co—WC substrate during and after the high pressure high temperature (HPHT) sintering process. The thermal expansion coefficient mismatch can lead to failure of the superabrasive material from horizontal cracks or delamination. In particular, commercial cutting elements have a superabrasive material limited to no more than 3 millimeters thick to avoid the delamination and failure concerns.

Cutting element structure with sloped superabrasive layer


An adaptor is set forth for assuring a hygienic position of the outlet of an appliance indirect drain conduit relative to an input of a hub drain.

It is known that fixtures, appliances and devices not regularly classified as plumbing fixtures may be drained by indirect means if they are provided with drip or drainage outlets. Appliances of this type include refrigerators, ice boxes, bar sinks, automatic ice makers, drinking fountains, cooling or refrigerating coils, laundry washers, extractors, steam tables, egg boilers, coffee urns, stills, sterilizers, water stations, water lifts, expansion tanks, cooling jackets, drip or overflow pans, air conditioning condensate drains, drains from overflows, and relief vents from the water supply system.
Such indirect drainage, which is almost universally required in building codes within the United States, is intended to prevent bacteria from backing-up from sewage lines into these special fixtures and from contaminating their contents. For example, overflow and relief pipes on expansion tanks, such as sprinkler systems, and cooling jackets must always be indirectly connected to the sanitary drainage system. This avoids the possibility of a cross-connection which would contaminate the potable water supply system. A positive separation by indirect means, i.e., a physical distance between the waste drain inlet and the indirect drainage outlet of appliances of the above type and of hospital equipment.
The so-called indirect method of piping is unique and is most practical for fixtures with low discharge rates. While some building codes do not require specified horizontal lengths for indirect waste piping, others impose a maximum length of fifteen feet. Also, the required positive separation between the appliance fixture outlet and the waste drain input typically varies between one inch and two inches. The basic problem in indirect waste piping is that the horizontal length of the piping, in combination with the gravity vector, gives rise to a moment of rotation of the outlet piping of the indirect drain. Thereby, over time, the indirect waste piping exhibits a tendency to droop, in some instances to the point that the required positive separation between the outlet of the indirect waste piping and the drainage inlet is compromised. This, for the reasons above set forth above can pose a serious hazard to the contents of the consumer or hospital appliance or the type enumerated above. It is accordingly, in response to this problem that the present invention is directed.
To the knowledge of the inventor, the hereinafter set forth response to the above problem is completely novel.

Means for hygienically positioning an outlet of an appliance indirect drain conduit


A method for conducting a passive label query in a radio frequency identification system, wherein a query process conducted by a reader for a group of passive labels comprises a first query and a subsequent query. The link frequency used by a reverse link from the passive label to the reader in the subsequent query is smaller than that the link frequency used by the reverse link in the first query. The method improves the reverse link performance of a passive label radio frequency identification system, and increased the reading success rate of the passive label. A reader is also provided to implement the method.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to radio frequency identification (RFID) technology and, more particularly, to a method for conducting a label query in a RFID system and a reader to implement the method.
2. Background of the Invention
An RFID system basically comprises a reader and labels. Usually each label has a unique identification, and the labels can be attached to an object, such as a commodity, to identify the target object and can carry other relevant information. The reader sends a signal to the label or receives a signal from the label in an RF link by an antenna to read the identification and other relevant information of the target object from the label. There are two types of labels, i.e., read-only and read-write. For a read-write label, the reader can write relevant information to the label. Depending on the excitation method, labels can be classified into active RFID labels and passive RFID labels. An active label is powered by a battery to send signals to the reader actively. Without a battery, a passive label needs to obtain energy from the RF wave emitted by the reader for power supply. Therefore, the query process of the RFID system using passive labels is initiated by the reader.
Taking Electronic Product Code (EPC) global Class-1 Generation-2 standard EPC Radio-Frequency Identity Protocols Class-1 Generation-2 (C1G2) UHF RFID Protocol for Communications at 860 MHz-960 MHz Version 1.0.9 as an example, the basic operation process of the RFID system using passive labels is shown below. The reader loads information related to query at a certain radio frequency and sends it to the label. The label obtains energy from the radio frequency signal, and acquires information related to the query from the radio frequency signal received from the reader. Then, the reader sends a continuous-wave radio frequency signal to the label, and receives returned information from the label at the continuous-wave frequency, and the label returns information related to the label to the reader at the continuous-wave frequency through backscattering. The signal direction from label to reader is called a reverse link.
The RFID system transmits information through a radio signal. Consequently, the environment influences the performance of the radio link, thus influencing the operation performance of the system, such as reading rate and reading time. In an actual multipath environment, it is possible that not all passive labels can return information to the reader successfully due to poor performance of the reverse link of some passive labels. To solve this problem, in conventional systems several queries are usually conducted for labels which failed to return information in order to increase the reading rate of the system. However, in these queries, the reverse link uses a fixed link frequency (LF) to return information from the label to the reader, which cannot actively improve and influence the performance of the reverse link. Therefore, reliance is normally made simply on repeated readings to increase the reading rate.
In addition, in an environment with dense readers, the reverse link from passive label to reader may develop another problem. That is, as readers do not know the reverse link frequency selected by other readers, one reader may select a reverse link frequency that has already been used by another reader. At this point in time, the reverse link of some readers is blocked at this reverse link frequency, causing poor performance of the reverse link.
To solve the aforesaid problems, a method to conduct a label query in the RFID system and corresponding apparatus are needed to improve the successful reading rate on passive labels by improving the performance of the reverse link while balancing overall reading time.

Method and reader to conduct a label query in a radio frequency identification system


A output buffer circuit comprises a pull-up transistor, a boost transistor and a boost-controlling circuit. The pull-up transistor has a drain connected to a voltage source, a source connected to an I/O node and a gate connected to a data out through a voltage-boosting node. The boost transistor has a drain connected to the voltage source, and a source connected to the voltage-boosting node. The boost-controlling circuit has an input connected to the I/O node and an output connected to a gate of the boost transistor. The input of the boost-controlling circuit senses an excessive voltage at the I/O node and the output thereof turns on the boost transistor. Therefore, a gate voltage of the pull-up transistor is sustained to a predetermined high level when the pull-up transistor is turned off, and a voltage difference between the gate voltage and a source voltage of the pull-up transistor is reduced.

The present invention relates to an output buffer circuit, especially to an output buffer circuit for excessive voltage protection, whereby the risk of device damage and the leak current can be prevented.
The developing trends of microelectronic device are more compact size and higher integration on a single chip. As the demand of higher integration and operation speed, the microelectronic device is forced to use lower operation voltage than commonly used rate voltage for reducing power consumption. Therefore, a buffer circuit should be provided between an external circuit and the microelectronic device to adapt a signal voltage difference and to protect a chip core circuit in the microelectronic device.
FIG. 1 shows a conventional output buffer circuit, which is connected between a data out 161 of the chip core and an I/O pad 145 in the demonstrated example. The data out 161 is connected to a first input end of an AND gate 141 and an output control 163 is connected to a second input end of the AND gate 141. The output end of the AND gate 141 is commonly connected to a pull-up circuit and a pull-down circuit at a node 181. The signal of the data out 161 of the chip core is transmitted to the I/O pad 145 through either the pull-up circuit or the pull-down circuit. The pull-up circuit comprises a pull-up transistor 121 and a protective transistor 123. The pull-up transistor 121 has a drain connected to an external voltage source VPP, a source connected to a drain of the protective transistor 123, and a gate connected to the node 181. The protective transistor 123 has a source connected to the I/O pad 145 through a node 183, a gate connected to the external voltage source VPP to form a protective element. The pull-up transistor 121 is turned on or off by the data out 161 and the voltage level at the node 183 is conditionally boosted by the pull-up transistor 121.
The pull-down circuit has an inverter 143, a pull-down transistor 127 and a protective transistor 125. The protective transistor 125 has a drain connected to the node 183, a source connected to a drain of the pull-down transistor 127, and a gate connected to the external voltage source VPP to form a protective element. The pull-down transistor 127 has a source connected to a ground voltage VGG. The inverter 143 has an input end connected to the node 181 and an output connected to a gate of the pull-down transistor 127. When the data out 161 is a low output (xe2x80x9czeroxe2x80x9d), the voltage at the node 181 is also a low output. At this time, the inverter 143 has a high output to turn on the pull-down transistor 127 and the voltage level at the node 183 is dropped to provide a low-level output for the I/O pad 145.
The above-mentioned output buffer circuit provides voltage buffer for the chip core circuit and external circuit. However, the above-mentioned output buffer circuit uses two cascaded transistors, which occupies considerable area due to increased channel width. The channel width should be increased to provide compatible current driving ability as single transistor in condition of same channel length.
Moreover, the output buffer circuit in scheme of two cascaded transistors also hinders a discharge path between the I/O pad 145 and VPP/VGG for electrostatic discharge (ESD). It is difficult to turn on transistors in cascaded arrangement.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an output buffer circuit for excessive voltage protection, whereby the risk of device damage and the leak current can be prevented.
In one aspect of the present invention, the output buffer circuit for excessive voltage protection uses a stage of pull-up transistor as output buffer with reduced occupied area.
In another aspect of the present invention, the output buffer circuit for excessive voltage protection uses s a stage of pull-up transistor with a boost circuit on a gate thereof. The gate voltage of the pull-up transistor is sustained to a certain high level when the pull-up transistor is turned off. The voltage difference between the gate voltage and the source voltage of the pull-up transistor can be reduced. The risk of device damage and the leak current can be prevented.
In still another aspect of the present invention, the output buffer circuit for excessive voltage protection has a transmission gate for a data out to protect the chip core circuit in the microelectronic device.
In still another aspect of the present invention, the output buffer circuit for excessive voltage protection has a boost circuit with a boost element and a boost-controlling circuit. The boost-controlling circuit senses the excessive voltage at the I/O node and activates the boost element to boost the gate voltage of the pull-up transistor.
In still another aspect of the present invention, the output buffer circuit for excessive voltage protection has an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protecting circuit to provide further protection.
The various objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the appended drawing, in which:

Output buffer circuit for excessive voltage protection


A waveguide system wherein a top cladding layer leaves portions of an underlying core channel exposed to ambient air. The ends of core channels are exposed so that light can exit out of or enter into each of the core channels. Openings are formed in the top cladding layer to expose a curved section of a core channel to the ambient air. The low index of refraction of the ambient air allows the curved section to have a reduced turn radius and thereby allows the waveguide system to have a smaller footprint. A via in the top cladding layer provides access to an underlying core channel so that optical communication with the underlying core can be established. An optical computer input device formed of waveguide systems having top cladding layers that leave portions of an underlying core channel exposed.

A waveguide system provides a medium through which electromagnetic waves are transmitted. For instance, an optical waveguide system transmits optical waves. The two most common types of optical waveguides are rib-form waveguides and buried-channel waveguides.
A rib-form optical waveguide system is typically formed by providing multiple core channels, each of which transmit optical signals, on top of a cladding layer that has a relatively lower index of refraction, IOR. Above the cladding layer, the core is exposed to ambient air that forms an "air cladding." Air also has a lower index of refraction compared to that of the core (IORair approximately equals 1). Parallel arrangement of these exposed channels lend to the name "rib-form" waveguides. Light can be guided through the core since the index of refraction of the core is relatively higher than that of the surrounding claddings. The very low index of refraction of the air cladding allows the waveguide system to effectively guide light through bends or curves without excessive lost of light. One disadvantage, however, is that the air cladding can leave the core channels exposed to physical damage and contamination from dust and other types of contaminants.
When waveguide systems include an additional cladding layer to sandwich the core channels between the two cladding layers, the waveguide system is commonly referred to as a buried-channel waveguide system. The buried channel waveguide system is more structurally sound since the channels are completely covered (or "buried") and thereby protected by the additional cladding layer. Unfortunately, the index of refraction of the additional cladding layer is typically higher than that of air. This means that buried-channel waveguide systems are less able to guide light through curves without losing a large amount of light through each turn. To avoid excessive loss of light, the core channels must be formed such that the turns have larger turn radii. Unfortunately, this causes waveguide systems to occupy a larger footprint in systems that typically put a premium on maintaining small form factors.
In light of the constant miniaturization of computing systems and the increased use of optical transmission systems, waveguide systems that have smaller form factors and that are able to endure physical handling during manufacturing processes would be desirable.


Drill tools with eccentric bits for drilling a hole having a large diameter generally include a bit for swinging out to an eccentric position for drilling, and for swinging into a non-eccentric position for removal from a tubular casing. Relatively complicated structures are required for effecting bit movement, and it is often difficult to remove the bit for replacement or repair. A drill assembly offering a solution to both problems includes a mandrel for rotatable mounting in a tubular casing, a bit rotatably mounted in the mandrel, the bit and mandrel normally rotating together in one direction with the bit eccentric with respect to the mandrel, whereby the bit can bore a hole larger in diameter than the casing, a head on the bit for engaging a formation to stop rotation of the bit, shoulders on the bit and mandrel for retaining the bit in the eccentric drilling position, and inclined cam surface on the bit for engaging the bottom of the casing when the bit is moved upwardly to cause the bit to rotate in the other direction (opposite to the drilling direction) to a release position in which the bit is aligned with the casing for movement therethrough, and second shoulders on the mandrel and bit for limiting rotation of the bit to the release position. The shoulders on the mandrel and bit are in the forms of projections which overlap in the vertical direction, each projection defining approximately one-quarter of the cylinder for rotation between the bit extended and the bit retracted positions.

This invention relates to a drill assembly, and in particular to an eccentric earth boring drill assembly.
The drill assembly of the present invention was designed for drilling tough overburdens. The use of an eccentric assembly, i.e. an assembly having a bit eccentrically mounted at the bottom of a drill string results in the formation of a hole which is larger than the remainder of the drill string for facilitating insertion of a casing into a drilled hole. Drill tools with eccentric bits are disclosed, for example by U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,416,616, issued to H. H. Ahlgren on Dec. 17, 1968; 3,648,789, issued to A. S. Eriksson on Mar. 14, 1972; 3,753,470, issued to G. Lagerstrom et al on Aug. 21, 1973; 4,408,669, issued H. A. I. Wiredal on Oct. 11, 1983; 4,440,244, issued to H. A. I. Wiredal on Apr. 3, 1984 and 4,545,443 issued to H. A. I. Wiredal on Oct. 8, 1985.
A common problem with eccentric drill bits of the type described in the patent literature is that of removing the bit from the bottom end of the drill string following drilling. Another problem is that of replacing bits, which are commonly threaded into a mandrel or the like.
An object of the present invention is to provide solutions to the above defined problems in the form of a relatively simple drill assembly, which is easy and consequently relatively inexpensive to produce, and which facilitates penetration of a formation and aids casing insertion into a bore.
Another object of the invention is to provide a drill assembly including a bit of which can quickly and easily be connected to or removed from the remainder of the assembly.


A method and apparatus for characteristic-based video processing include: in response to receiving a region of a picture of a video sequence, determining a characteristic in the region, the region being independent of other regions of the picture for video coding; determining a class associated with the region based on the characteristic, the class being selected from a plurality of classes; and encoding the region using a parameter set associated with the class, the parameter set being selected from a plurality of parameter sets for video coding at different quality levels.

High-definition (HD) videos (e.g., having a resolution of 1920×1080 pixels) are gaining popularity in various applications of video compression, such as online video streaming, video conferencing, or video surveillance. A software or hardware video encoder (e.g., H.264/AVC, H.265/HEVC, or the like) can encode raw video data (e.g., pictures or frames) captured by a camera into a compressed video bitstream under a bitrate that reflects the number of bits conveyed or processed per unit time.
Video surveillance applications are increasingly and extensively used in many application scenarios (e.g., security, traffic, environment monitoring, or the like), and the numbers and resolutions of the surveillance devices keep growing rapidly. Many video surveillance application scenarios prefer to provide HD videos to users to capture more information, which has more pixels per frame to capture such information. However, an HD video bitstream can have a high bitrate that demands high bandwidth for transmission and large space for storage. For example, a surveillance video stream having an average 1920×1080 resolution can require a bandwidth as high as 4 Mbps for real-time transmission. Also, the video surveillance generally monitors 7×24 continuously, which can greatly challenge a storage system, if the video data is to be stored. The demand for high bandwidth and large storage of the HD videos become a major limitation to its large-scale deployment in video surveillance.

Method and system for characteristic-based video processing


An image reading device includes a CCD which photoelectrically converts optical information and outputs an image signal in an analog form, a PGA which receives an output from the CCD, amplifies the output with a programmable gain, and outputs the output, an ADC which receives an output from the PGA, A/D-converts the output, and outputs an image signal in a digital form, and a CPU which calculates a gain which makes an output from the ADC match a reference value by using an output from the ADC and the reference value, thereby setting a gain for the PGA. This arrangement makes it possible to set a gain in a short period of time and shorten the first copy time in an image forming apparatus or MFP system using the image reading device of this invention.

In an image reading device such as a scanner used in an image forming apparatus or MFP (Multi Functional Printing) system, a signal output from a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) upon photoelectric conversion must be amplified by using an amplifier before image processing. This is because outputs from the CCD contain variations in the light amount of the lamp, changes in light amount due to secular changes in the lamp, variations in mirror reflectivity, variations in CCD sensitivity, and the like, and hence need to be set at a predetermined level before image processing.
Conventionally, a gain is set in such a preamplifier in the following manner.
First of all, the gain is set in advance to the minimum magnification in the early stage. The exposure lamp is then turned on to read light reflected by a white reference plate by using the CCD. The analog value of an output signal from the CCD is converted into a digital value and compared with a target value.
If they do not coincide with each other, the set gain value of the preamplifier is increased from the minimum magnification by a predetermined value. As described above, light reflected by the white reference plate is read again by the CCD. The analog value of an output signal from the CCD is converted into digital value and compared with the target value.
If they do not coincide with each other, the set magnification is increased by a predetermined value. When a read output value reaches the target value or more after repetition of such operation, the gain setting operation is finished. The gain is set to the resultant value.
Such a conventional gain setting method takes much time to obtain a gain with which an output signal having a target value can be obtained from the CCD. This prolongs the time between turning on the power of the image reading device and starting read operation. As a consequence, in an image forming apparatus or MFP system, the first copy time slows down, resulting in low customer satisfaction level.
The present invention has been made in consideration of the above situation, and has as its object to provide an image reading device and a gain setting method in the image reading device, which can shorten the time taken for the image reading device to start read operation.

Image reading device and gain setting method in image reading device


There are provided a plurality of sheet feed trays in which sheets are stored, a sheet feeding section which enables a continuous sheet feeding of sheets stored in the above sheet feed tray, and a control section which controls the above sheet feeding section and has an auto tray switch function, and the aforesaid control section obtains information on an amount of sheets stored in the above sheet feed tray, during a continuous sheet feeding from the above sheet feed tray, and judges whether or not the amount of the remaining sheets in the above sheet feed tray satisfies the prescribed condition. In the case where the above prescribed condition is satisfied, the control section stops motion of sheet feeding from the above sheet feed tray while leaving sheets in the above sheet feed tray.

The present invention relates to a sheet feeding device which enables continuous sheet feeding to an image forming apparatus and the like which forms an image on a sheet, and an image forming apparatus provided with the aforesaid sheet feeding device.
When image formation is carried out using an image forming apparatus based on an image data, the image is transferred on the aforesaid sheet by feeding a sheet from a sheet feed tray in which sheets are stored. The aforesaid sheet feed tray is provided in an image forming apparatus. In addition, there also exist an apparatus in which the sheet feed tray is provided in a sheet feeding device separated from the image forming apparatus. Heretofore, when sheets are successively fed from the aforesaid sheet feed tray, in the case where it is required to feed more number of sheets than those in a sheet feed tray, the sheet feeding is continued until the sheet feed tray becomes empty. At this time, there is no intention to leave remaining sheets in a tray, and the issue is how to feed sheets without generating remaining sheets.
Further, there is also proposed a function to continue sheet feeding by switching to another tray having the same settings (a sheet size, a sheet type, and the like) as those of the current tray (an auto tray switch function) in the case where the number of sheets in the current sheet feed tray becomes insufficient. However, also in this case, the switching is carried out after the current sheet feed tray becomes empty.
In general, the sheet feed tray is provided with a sensor to detect existence or nonexistence of a sheet, and when the aforesaid sensor detects that there is no sheet in the tray, it is noticed to urge the operator to refill sheets.
In Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Publication No. H10-310285, a sheet feeding device is disclosed, which is capable of detecting sheets in three levels of number of sheet stored in a sheet feed tray being more than or equal to the prescribed one, less than the prescribed one, and the number of remaining sheet being zero, using a sensor to detect existence or nonexistence of a sheet and an adsorption sensor. That is, when the sheet sensor detects a sheet before and after adsorption of a sheet, the sensor detects that the number of remaining sheets is more than or equal to the prescribed one; when the sheet sensor detects no sheet after adsorption of a sheet, the sensor detects that the number of remaining sheets is less than the prescribed one; and when the sheet sensor detects no sheet before adsorption of a sheet, the sensor detects that the number of remaining sheets is zero. However, even in the above device, in the case where, at a continuous sheet feeding, the number of sheets required exceeds the number of sheets capable of feeding, the sheet feeding is continued until the sheet feed tray becomes empty.
When sheets are refilled after the sheet feed tray becomes empty such as described above, it is generally required to refill sheets of the same kind (such as a sheet type, and a sheet size). But, recently, since, in markets such as a POD (a print on demand) market, a plenty of sheet types exists and various sheet types are used, and further, there exist a trend of a larger apparatus such as a multi-sheet feed unit and increase in the number of sheet feed trays, it becomes difficult to select a required sheet from a plurality of sheet types. Consequently, there exists a case where it is difficult to determine a sheet type (for example, a sheet type, a color, a setting orientation (a back and front, top and end, and left and right)), based only on sheet information displayed on an operation screen of a device, resulting in a different sheet being likely to be set before and after the sheet refill. In particular, for papers for additional printing, coated papers, back side reuse papers, papers for label, processed papers, and the like, when a wrong sheet is set, an image is not formed at an intended part, and as a result, the above paper sheets become wasted ones.
Further, when a sheet feed tray is away from a sheet storage place, it is also difficult in terms of security or quality preservation of a printed sheet to take away printed sheets and bring it to the sheet storage place to compare it with sheets for refilling.
For coping with the problems, an image forming apparatus has been proposed (Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 200-234490) in which, when an amount of remaining sheets in a sheet feed tray reaches an appropriate one, printing operation is stopped. In the above image forming apparatus, when a back surface of a sheet, in which printing is completed on one surface, is used for a printing surface, it makes possible for the user to refill right sheets by observing the orientation (upward or downward) of a sheet remained in a sheet feed tray because the above printing operation is stopped. Therefore, based on the above constitution, it becomes possible to confirm, by using a remaining sheet, a sheet type or a sheet size.
However, since in the image forming apparatus, which was disclosed in the above Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-234490, the printing operation stops when the number of remaining sheets reaches an appropriate one, the image forming apparatus remains stopped unless a user confirms a sheet in the sheet feed tray. For this reason, unless, for example, a user knows that the apparatus remains stopped, the apparatus remains stopped for a long time, resulting in a problem of significant decrease of production efficiency.

Sheet feeding device and image forming apparatus with a plurality of sheet feed trays

Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.


A first image is provided to a projector, which is configured to project the first image on a projection screen. A captured first image is received from a camera configured to capture the projected first image and an occluding object between the projector and the projection screen. A key including a difference between the captured first image and the first image is generated. A second image is modified according to the key to generate a new second image. The new second image is provided to the projector, which is further configured to project the new second image.

Projectors are designed to display content on a projection screen. For example, projectors are commonly used for giving presentations. A conventional projector may include a light source, an optical modulator, and a projector lens. The optical modulator may form an image by modulating a light beam emitted from the light source in accordance with given image information. The projection lens may then enlarge and project the image formed by the optical modulator.
When giving a presentation, a presenter may be positioned between the projector and the projection screen. For example, the presenter may stand near the projection screen and utilize a pointing device to direct an audience's attention to specific portions of the projected image. By standing between the projector and the projection screen, the presenter may occlude at least a portion of the projected image. The occlusion causes at least a portion of the image to be displayed on the presenter's face and body, which can be embarrassing to the presenter as well as distracting to the audience. Further, the bright light from the projector may blind, irritate, and/or distract the presenter.
It is with respect to these and other considerations that the disclosure made herein is presented.


One embodiment of the present invention discloses a method and system for implementing concurrent access of multiple bearer protocols in a M2M platform. The method comprises: after receiving an uplink message of a terminal, an access module of a M2M platform determining a bearer type of the uplink message, obtaining corresponding key information of the bearer type, and packaging the key information and an original datagram of the uplink message into an internal message to send to a service module of the M2M platform; and after completing a service processing flow based on the internal message, the service module packaging datagram response contents and the key information into a downlink message to send to the access module, which sends the downlink message to a terminal corresponding to the downlink message based on the key information after receiving the downlink message.

The Machine-to-Machine/Man (M2M) is a networked application and service technique which takes machine terminal intelligent interaction as core. It uses wireless communication as an access means to provide a synthetic informatization solution for customers by embedding a wireless communication module into the machine so as to meet informatization requirements of the customers for aspects such as monitoring, commanding and dispatching, data collection, and measurement.
The Wireless M2M Protocol (WMMP) is an application layer protocol designed by the China Mobile for implementing data communication processes between a M2M terminal and a M2M platform, between M2M terminals, and between the M2M platform and an application platform in M2M services. Bearer protocols of the WMMP protocol include the China Mobile Peer to Peer (CMPP) short message protocol of the China Mobile, the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), the User Datagram Protocol/Internet Protocol (UDP/IP) and the Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD), etc, a protocol stack structure of which is shown in FIG. 1. These different bearer protocols are applied to different M2M service flows and scenarios, for example, the CMPP is usually used when the platform calls the terminal actively, the UDP is used when the network quality is poor, the TCP is used by key information and multiple flows interaction, etc.
With the continuous popularization and application of the M2M, there are various types of terminal accesses, and the M2M platform is required to support multiple bearer protocols simultaneously.
Currently, a typical implementation method in the industry is to configure a plurality of access servers, deploy access modules of multiple bearer protocols on several servers respectively, and analyze their born WMMP protocol datagram respectively. Each access module establishes a link connection with a service module, while link maintenance function of the service module and each access module is required to be implemented to control a connection state of a terminal.
However, the above implement method has following problems.
1. A plurality of access servers is required to be configured and a plurality of access modules is required to be installed in the M2M platform, so the hardware cost is high;
2. The implementation of multiple service modules is more difficult when the capacity is expanded, and each service module is required to connect with an access module of each bearer protocol;
3. The reusability of software development is low such that the implementation of one function needs to be accomplished on a plurality of access modules;
4. Inspection problems and signaling tracking are complicated, since the bearer protocol of a terminal is required to be determined first such that the problems can be inspected and signaling can be tracked on corresponding modules.

Method and system for realizing concurrent access of multi-kinds of bearer protocols on machine-to-machine (M2M) platform


In entity transition from legacy systems to a big data distributed data platform, numerous system-based architectural gaps have surfaced. There exists a need for a bridge component for each of the architectural gaps in order to support the entity transition to the big data distributed data platform. These bridge components include a variety of frameworks that are configured to automate certain processes that are needed for the transition. These processes have only become necessary as a result of the Hadoop platform. The automated processes include a snapshot load platform. The snapshot load platform enables the addition of a new view to the historical tables. The platform includes replacing the entire table in a truncated scenario. The platform includes replacing cases in a refresh or update scenario.

In the digital world, organizations utilize data to perform fundamental daily functions. Examples of organizations include grocery stores, universities and financial institutions. Each organization may utilize and store different categories of data. For example, grocery stores may utilize and store point-of-sale ("POS") data, customer data, available food stock data and employee data. Universities may utilize and store student data, book data, class schedule data and employee schedule data. Financial Institutions may utilize and store customer data, bank account data, credit bureau data, card data, mortgage data, vehicle loan data and employee data.
Many times, because there may be different types of data stored within one organization, an organization's data may be stored in multiple source systems, also known as systems of record. Each source system may operate as a mini entity. Each source system may include its own dedicated database and computing system. In an example, an organization may include multiple departments; each department within the multi-department organization may maintain its own database.
However, there may be disadvantages associated with hosting multiple mini entities within an organization. One disadvantage may be data duplicity. Because each mini entity includes its own database and computing system, there may be many records, such as customer records, that are included in more than one mini entity. There may be numerous problems associated with duplicate records. Firstly, duplicate records may waste resources. Secondly, duplicate records may increase the risk of data discrepancies. An example of a data discrepancy may be that a first department may include a middle initial of a person's name and a second department may not include the middle initial of the person's name.
Therefore, it may be desirable to combine the data from all of the source systems to an amalgamated data lake. An amalgamated data lake may be a system or repository of data. The data stored in a data lake may be stored in a natural or raw format, such as blobs or files.
A data lake may be a single storage location for all enterprise data. The enterprise data may include raw copies of source system data. The enterprise data may also include transformed data used for reporting, visualization, advanced analytics and machine learning.
A data lake may also store structured data, semi-structured data and binary data. Structured data may include row and column data retrieved from relational databases. Semi-structured data may include comma separated value ("CSV") files, log files, extensible markup language ("XML") files and java script object notation ("JSON") files. Binary data may include image files, audio files and audio-visual files.
However, there may be limited functionality within the data lake when compared to the capabilities of the source systems. Therefore, it may be further desirable to create frameworks that offer certain data manipulation capabilities that have been previously unavailable within the data lake.
A framework may be a platform for developing, hosting and executing software applications. A framework may include predefined classes and functions that can be used to process input, manage hardware devices and interface with system software. A framework may include one or more application programming interfaces ("APIs"). A framework may be used to execute a specific set of functions.
It may be yet further desirable to enable each department to access their data within the data lake.
It may be still further desirable to provide a system to migrate the data from the source systems to the data lake.


A device is provided for winding wire into a coil. The device includes a shaft for turning on an axis; a hub attached to the shaft; inner and outer wheels; a mandrel having an outer radial surface for looping the wire; and a guide connectable to the mandrel and extending past the inner wheel. The shaft is structurally supported by a housing. The inner wheel, mandrel and outer wheel are removably fastened to the hub, the wire passes along the guide and lays along the radial surface of the mandrel, and the shaft rotates for looping the wire around the mandrel. The shaft can be rotated either manually or by a motor. A system is provided that includes the winding device, and further includes a wire-feed device, particularly for arranging several strands of wire into a ribbon.

The invention relates generally to wire winding devices. In particular, the invention provides an apparatus for winding wire having a square or rectangular cross-section.
Efforts to incorporate instrumentation in gun-launched projectiles are adversely affected by damage to sensitive electronics from propellant-induced sudden acceleration. To mitigate this condition, development has been initiated of launchers having more gradual acceleration by using electromagnetic induction-motors, such as for example in U.S. Pat. No. 7,444,919 (under Navy Case 97941). To maximize magnetic field density, coated copper wire that incorporates rectangular cross-sections have been investigated to flow electric current there-through to induce the Lorentz-force motive fields.

Winder for rectangular cross-section wire

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy


Disclosed is a transfer-resistant and long-lasting two-step cosmetic system, and a method for applying the cosmetic system. The disclosed system includes a first composition that includes a styrenic block copolymer, a silicone acrylate copolymer, and a volatile oil and a second composition that includes a silicone oil.

Commercially available long wear cosmetics are typically comprised of a silicone resin, such as MQ resin, and a plasticizing agent. However, these products tend to have tacky feel. The feel of these products can be improved by incorporating silicone polymers, and shine can be improved by incorporating non-volatile solvents. However, these additional ingredients reduce the wear properties of the underlying formulation. As such, a long wear cosmetic composition having acceptable aesthetics is desirable.


[Problem] Proposed is a head-mounted display capable of preventing deformation or damage of an image display apparatus due to concentration of an external force on a part of the image display apparatus. [Solution] A head-mounted display includes a frame that is worn on a head of an observer, an image display apparatus that is connected to a central part of the frame in a left-right direction and that includes an image forming apparatus and an optical member that is connected to the image forming apparatus and arranged in front of left and right eyes of the observer, and a rotation restricting unit that is arranged opposite to, across a predetermined gap in a front-rear direction, one of the optical member and an extended part extending from the optical member.

In recent years, a head-mounted display that is used by being worn on a head of an observer (user) has been known. The head-mounted display causes a virtual-image optical system to display, as an enlarged virtual image, a two-dimensional image formed by an image forming apparatus and causes the observer to observe the image, for example.
Patent Literatures 1 and 2 disclose a structure in which, in a binocular vision head-mounted display, light guide plates of two left and right optical modules are joined together by a joint member, and the joint member is mounted on a central part that is located between left and right eyes of an observer on a front part of a frame. Further, Patent Literature 3 discloses a structure in which, in a binocular vision head-mounted display, an image display apparatus in which light guide plates of two left and right optical modules are connected by a connection plate is mounted on a central part that is located between left and right eyes of an observer on a front part of a frame.
In the structures disclosed in Patent Literatures 1 to 3, even if the frame is deflected because a temple part is stretched outward when a user wears the frame on the head, it is possible to prevent deformation of the optical modules. Therefore, it is possible to reduce variation between left and right convergence angles.

Head-mounted display capable of preventing damage of an image display apparatus