A water sampling station installed adjacent the user of a residential water supply includes a housing, a cover removably fitted to the housing, a quick connect-disconnect coupler within the housing and a back flow preventer between the municipal water supply and the coupler. An elongated probe is provided with first and second ends and a quick connect-disconnect key at the first end and dimensioned for mating with the coupler of the sampling station, and with a shut off valve and back flow preventing valve adjacent the first end to prevent contamination at each sampling station. The sampling station may be installed in a residential user's meter box.

The present invention is directed to methods and apparatus for drawing a sample of water from a municipal water system, in order to permit the testing of the quality of the water.
There are various techniques disclosed in the prior art for permitting the introduction of a removable probe into a pressurized fluid system, in order to draw off a sample of the fluid for testing purposes. See, for example, the arrangements disclosed by Beveridge et al in U.S. Pat. No. 4,096,754 and Gould in U.S. Pat. No. 2,986,939.
The prior art also discloses a variety of constructions for quick connect-disconnect couplers and valves, and examples of such arrangements are disclosed in the following U.S. Pat. Nos.: 4,221,235 to Maldavs; 4,485,845 to Brady; and 3,625,251 to Nelson.

Method and apparatus for sampling water quality in a municipal water system


A communication device includes: a first and a second connectors that are connectable to an external device via a first and a second cables, respectively; a detector that detects attachment and detachment of the second cable to the second connector; and a controller that communicates information on attachment and detachment of the second cable to the external device via the first cable, changes a communication mode from a first mode to a second mode when the second cable is attached to the second connector, and changes the communication mode from the second mode to the first mode when the second cable is detached from the second connector, the first mode being a mode in which the controller communicates with the external device via the first cable, and the second mode being a mode in which the controller communicates with the external device via the first and the second cables.

Conventionally, there has been known a technique that switches a communication mode from wire communication to wireless communication (see Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application Nos. 09-305508 and 08-204777).
Further, there has been conventionally known a data transmission system including: a local unit that transmits an analog video signal (i.e., an RGB signal) output from a computer and a response signal relating to the operation of a keyboard and a mouse to a remote place with a Cat5 (i.e., category 5) cable including four pairs of signal lines; and a remote unit that transmits an operation signal of the keyboard and the mouse to the local unit and receives the above-mentioned analog video signal and the above-mentioned response signal (see Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2004-356939).

Data transmission system and data communication device


A control unit included in an information processing system determines, on the basis of information indicative of interface units and path information indicative of communication paths through a plurality of relay apparatus, whether or not the number of communication paths for access from the interface units to a node is greater than the number of the interface units. When the number of the communication paths is greater than the number of the interface units, the control unit controls the plurality of relay apparatus so as to block a part of the communication paths.

Information processing systems in which a plurality of nodes (information processing apparatus, such as computers, or storage apparatus, for example) are connected via a plurality of relay apparatus are used. These relay apparatus relay communication between nodes and form a network.
Redundant communication paths may be set in networks. Even if one of a plurality of communication paths set cannot be used, communication can be continued by the use of another communication path. As a result, the reliability of a network can be improved. For example, verifying the reliability of a network by tracing a connection relationship in the network from an access source apparatus to an access destination apparatus and determining whether or not there is a redundant route between them is proposed.
Furthermore, if communication is performed by selecting one of a plurality of links the cost of which is low, the following method for saving power is proposed. Communication is centralized on one link by making the cost of a high usage link low. When the usage of the other links becomes zero, power is disconnected from the other links. After that, when the usage of the link on which communication is centralized rises further to a determined value, power is applied to the other links, which are in a power off state, to restore redundancy.    Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2006-174157    Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2010-187166
By the way, there are cases where the level of the redundancy of communication paths between relay apparatus is higher than that of the redundancy of communication paths (number of communication paths) ensured on a node side.
For example, interface units for making a connection to a network the number of which corresponds to the level of redundancy ensured are included on the node side. On the other hand, a new node may be connected to a relay apparatus after its installation in order to enhance throughput or add a function. Accordingly, in order to avoid a subsequent change in connection between the relay apparatus, a connection structure which can accommodate a future increase in traffic or the like may be prepared in advance. However, the level of redundancy ensured on the node side may not match the level of the redundancy of communication paths between the relay apparatus and the latter may be higher than the former.
In this case, how to efficiently reduce the number of excess communication paths between the relay apparatus matters. For example, it takes many man-hours for a system administrator to perform the work of checking whether or not there are excess communication paths for each node. This method is inefficient. In particular, as the scale of a network grows, this work becomes more difficult.

Information processing system and information processing apparatus


The invention relates to the automatically transfer of a container between a flatcar (2) or the like and a transfer vehicle moving along said flatcar (2), whereby a method and a system is adapted to handle (3) both customized containers and ordinary standard containers, and it will automatically lock and unlock the freight (1) containers at the time of pulling a container between secured positions thereof.

In the prior art U.S. Pat. No. 4,522,546 a system is described for transfer of containers to and from flatcars of a freight train halted on a main track, by means of sets of self-propelled transfer vehicles running on ancillary tracks in parallel with the main track, wherein said transfer vehicles are equipped with supporting arms extendable transversely to the tracks enabling movement of a selected container onto such vehicle from a flatcar aligned therewith or, vice versa, from the vehicle to the flatcar. Said supporting arms can extend half of its length to span the main track and to project underneath a container on a flatcar, whereupon the arms are elevated by jacks in order to release the container from stationary sills and to shift it together with the arms moving back on the corresponding transfer vehicle and resting on said vehicle. Moreover, the container can be transferred between transfer vehicles on neighbouring tracks, and between a transfer vehicle and a roadside truck.
Said system faces balance problems during transfer operations that are counteracted by means of railhead-gripping jaws on the transfer vehicles.


The communiquxc3xa9 system for private virtual narrowcasts operates with existing cellular communication networks to provide private virtual narrowcast communication services, that are initiated by a narrowcast host, to subscribers. The Communiquxc3xa9 can be unidirectional (broadcast) or bi-directional (interactive) in nature and the extent of the Communiquxc3xa9 is narrowcast, where cells and/or cell sectors are grouped to cover a predetermined geographic area or demographic population or subscriber interest group to transmit information to a private group of subscribers who populate the target audience for the narrowcast transmissions. The grouping of cells to form the communiquxc3xa9 coverage area for the narrowcast transmissions need not be contiguous and can comprise dynamic combinations of contiguous and non-contiguous cells as well as combinations of in-building wireless coverage areas, standard terrestrial cells, non-terrestrial cells, orchestrated in a hierarchical manner. The private virtual narrowcasts use the code, frequency and time domains to enable multiple users to share the same wireless resource in a manner that, from the users perspective, has dedicated spectrum or channel capacity to their particular application. The applications can include asymmetric bi-directional communications where private virtual narrowcasts stimulate the generation of point-to-point responses from subscriber terminal devices.

This invention relates to cellular communication networks and to a communiquxc3xa9 system that makes use of the bandwidth capacity in existing point-to-point cellular communication networks to provide subscribers with access to a plurality of broadcast and narrowcast based services.
It is a problem in cellular communication networks that the network topology is exclusively point to point in nature. This paradigm represents the historical view of cellular communications as a wireless equivalent of traditional wire-line telephone communication networks, which serve to interconnect a calling party with a called party. An additional problem in cellular communication networks is that the need to concurrently serve many voice subscribers with the limited bandwidth available in cellular communication networks has prevented the provision of wide bandwidth communication services, such as data, to these subscribers.
The third generation (3G) wireless communication systems, as specified by the ITU/IMT-2000 requirements for cellular communications, represent a step toward solving the above-noted problems. The third generation wireless communication systems support the provision of advanced packet data services. In 3G/IMT-2000 systems, dynamic Internet Protocol address assignment is required in addition to static Internet Protocol (IP) address assignment. With static IP address assignment, the wireless subscriber station""s static IP address is fixed and assigned by the home wireless network. When the wireless subscriber station is away from its home wireless network (roaming), a special data communications link (Wireless IP tunnel) needs to be established between the visited wireless network and the home wireless network. In this case, IP packets destined to the wireless subscriber station""s IP address of the home wireless network are routed to the home wireless network according to standard IP routing. A Wireless IP tunnel is used in the home wireless network to redirect the IP packets that are destined to the wireless subscriber station""s static IP address to the visited wireless network where the roaming wireless subscriber station is located and being served. When a wireless subscriber station moves from one wireless network coverage area to another, Wireless IP mobility binding updates are performed between the wireless subscriber station and its Home Agent (HA) in the home wireless network. Since both the wireless station""s IP address and its Home Agent IP address are static or fixed, a shared secret between the wireless subscriber station and the Home Agent can be preprogrammed into the wireless station and its Home Agent so that the Home Agent can authenticate Wireless IP registrations requested by the wireless subscriber station and perform mobility binding updates in a secure manner.
However, even with advances in bandwidth utilization and the provision of packet data services, the cellular communication networks still operate on a point to point paradigm, with the networks being unable to concurrently communicate data to a plurality of subscribers, which is the fundamental concept of broadcast communications, especially in the case of a dynamically changing audience for the broadcasts.
The above described problems are solved and a technical advance achieved by the communiquxc3xa9 system for private virtual narrowcasts that operates with existing cellular communication networks to provide private virtual narrowcast communication services, that are initiated by a narrowcast host, to subscribers. The Communiquxc3xa9 transported by this system can be unidirectional or bi-directional (interactive) in nature and the extent of the Communiquxc3xa9 is narrowcast, where cells and/or cell sectors are grouped to cover a predetermined geographic area or demographic population or subscriber interest group to transmit information to a private group of subscribers who populate the target audience for the narrowcast transmissions. The grouping of cells to form the communiquxc3xa9 coverage area for the narrowcast transmissions need not be contiguous and can comprise dynamic combinations of contiguous and non-contiguous cells as well as combinations of in-building wireless coverage areas, standard terrestrial cells, non-terrestrial cells, orchestrated in a hierarchical manner. The private virtual narrowcasts use the code, frequency and time domains to enable multiple users to share the same wireless resource in a manner that, from the users perspective, has dedicated spectrum or channel capacity to their particular application. The applications can include asymmetric bi-directional communications where private virtual narrowcasts are the stimulus for point-to-point responses from subscriber terminal devices.
The content of these communiquxc3xa9 transmissions can be multi-media in nature and comprise a combination of various forms of media: audio, video, graphics, text, data and the like. The subscriber terminal devices used to communicate with the communiquxc3xa9 system for private virtual narrowcasts are typically full function communication devices that include: standard cellular telephones, WAP enabled cellular telephones, personal digital assistants, Palm Pilots, personal computers, and the like or special communiquxc3xa9 only communication devices that are specific to communiquxc3xa9 reception; or MP3 audio players (essentially a radio receiver or communiquxc3xa9 radio); or an MPEG4 video receiver (communiquxc3xa9 TV); or other such specialized communication device. The subscriber terminal devices used in the communiquxc3xa9 system for private virtual narrowcasts can be mobile wireless communication devices in the traditional mobile subscriber paradigm, or the fixed wireless communication devices in the more recent wireless product offerings, or wireline-based communication devices. Furthermore, the communiquxc3xa9 communication services can be free services, subscription based services, or toll based services, while the data propagation can be based on push, pull and combinations of push/pull information distribution modes.

Communique system for virtual private narrowcasts in cellular communication networks


An improved decorative automotive vehicle trim strip and method and apparatus for forming by reshaping an end of a previously extruded length of thermoplastic material. The surface of the length of thermoplastic material intended for viewing is maintained at a cold temperature, well below the softening point of the thermoplastic material, during the reshaping operation. The length of thermoplastic material is heated during reshaping by a mold section heated 400.degree. to 410.degree. F. pressed against the surface intended to be affixed to the vehicle.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a plastic trim strip of the type used on automotive vehicles and to a method and apparatus for forming such trim strips.
2. Description of Related Art
Decorative trim strips are widely used to enhance the appearance of automotive vehicles. Typically, such trim strips are manufactured by a process which includes extrusion of a thermoplastic strip of a single unitary plastic material or multiple plies of different types or colors of plastic materials. Decorative plastic or metallic film may also be applied to the viewing surface of such trim strips.
As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the extruded plastic material, when cut to a desired length, will have the cut end exposed throughout the cross section of the strip. In the extrusion operation it is possible to obtain any one of a wide variety of surface appearances of the strip as extruded ranging from dull, to matted, to textured or to glossy, depending upon the type of extrusion die and operating conditions. This is well known in the art and does not form a part of the present invention. However, the surface appearance as extruded will usually be different from the surface appearance of an end cut through the cross section of the strip. The difference in appearance between a surface as extruded and a surface of such cut end is magnified in those instances in which a foam plastic strip is extruded as the cellular structure of the foam will be visible on such cut end while the surface as extruded may have a non-cellular or solid structure. Thus, for aesthetic purposes it is not desireable to have an end which is cut through the cross section of the extruded length of plastic exposed to view and much effort has been devoted to providing an end finish to such strips which is aesthetically pleasing in appearance. Frequently, it is desired that the strips terminate in tapered or pointed ends. However, whether such ends are tapered, pointed or some other configuration, it is desirable that no portion of the interior cross section of the strip be exposed and that only the decorative surface be exposed to view when the strip is attached to a vehicle.
Additionally, in many instances the surface appearance of the side of the extruded strip intended to face the vehicle is different from that of the surface intended for viewing. This is particularly true in those strips having multiple layers with the decorative layer intended for viewing having a different color than the base layer forming the side intended to face the vehicle. In those types of strips, it is commercially unacceptable for base layers to be visible when the strip is affixed to a vehicle.
Finished trim strips may be attached to a vehicle by any one of a number of means well-known to those skilled in the art. One such attachment means is a double-faced adhesive foam core strip, one side of which is attached to the vehicle and the other side of which contacts the surface of the trim strip facing the vehicle (i.e., the surface opposite the decorative viewing surface).
Numerous methods have been utilized in the past to provide decorative strips having aesthetically pleasing end portions; however, none of these have the combined advantages of aesthetics and cost economies which result from the present invention. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,489,019 and its divisional U.S. Pat. No. 4,579,755 disclose forming a longitudinal molding with non uniform sections. The process disclosed in such patents begins with an extrusion molded thermoplastic strip which is then reshaped to provide a remolded end portion. The extruded thermoplastic strip is placed into a mold, heated and partially fused by high frequency dielectric heating and then cooled in the mold so that the material is partially remolded. Preferably, the total volume of the whole material placed in the mold is equal to the volume of the cavity of the mold. The heated portions of the longitudinal strips are melted and flow along the surface of the cavity of each of the molds. Such patents also disclose reforming the strip around a separately molded clip which may be utilized to connect the part to the vehicle.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,959,538 discloses contoured end structures for trim strips formed from a length of extruded plastic material. The end structures have various configurations and are produced by removing a portion of the trim strip material as extruded between the side portions thereof to define a pair of V-shaped notches or recesses and then deforming the remaining portions of the trim strip adjacent the recess to close the recess and bring laterally opposite edges thereof into juxtapositional relationship. The juxtaposed edges are then bonded by heat sealing to complete the forming operation.
The method disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,174,986 also begins with a length of extruded thermoplastic material such as polyvinylchloride (PVC) which is cut into segments of desired lengths. Under that invention an improved method for forming tapered ends is disclosed with the stated purpose of avoiding the tendency of the finished strip to delaminate from the substrate to which it is attached. Under that invention a V-shaped wedge is cut from an end of the strip thereby creating two similar triangular legs which are drawn together and adhered to create the pointed taper. The legs at the notched ends are bent upwardly approximately 45.degree. to counteract the tendency of the end to arch after the taper is formed.
The inventions disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,617,209, 4,619,847 and 4,719,067 utilize separately molded end caps which are separately adhered or otherwise affixed to the trim strip to provide for the decorative end portion of the finished article.
With the exception of U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,489,019 and 4,579,755 the above-identified prior art involves costly operations of either cutting and adhering or of separately molding an end cap and adhering or otherwise connecting it to the extruded strip. Additionally, strips formed according to those inventions suffer from an aesthetic standpoint in that the parting line between the connected members is visible on the viewing surface of the finished part unless an additional decorative layer of film such as Mylar plastic or metallic foil is applied thereover.
Similarly, there is no indication in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,489,019 and 4,597,755 that any effort is made to deal specifically with finishing the end portions as proposed in the present invention. Although parts produced according to the invention disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,489,019 and 4,597,755 may not have a parting line on the viewing surface, the method utilized therein results in remelting the entire mass of the strip portion intended to be remolded so that all portions ". . . are melted and flow along the surface of the cavity of each of the molds." (See U.S. Pat. No. 4,489,019, column 4, lines 13 and 14). Such remelting and flowing of the melted surface results in the surface having an appearance different from that of the surface as extruded.

Decorative plastic trim strip and method and apparatus for forming


A card edge connector 100 includes a longitudinal insulating housing 1, a set of terminals 2 set in the insulating housing 1 and a lock mechanism 5 for locking a daughter card 9. The insulating housing 1 has an elongated slot 112 and a pair of towers 12 positioned at two opposite ends thereof. The lock mechanism 5 includes a locking portion 51 locking the daughter card 9 and an operating portion 52 moving the locking mechanism 5. A depression 55 is formed at one end of the lock mechanism 5 close to the locking portion 51. The card edge connector 100 further includes a handle column 6 received in the depression 55 and extending out of the depression 55. Hence, we can operate the lock mechanism 5 easily, and at the same time, the room the card edge connector occupies can be reduced.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a card edge connector and more particularly to a card edge connector with a lock mechanism.
2. Description of Related Art
U.S. Pat. No. 7,789,681, issued on Sep. 7, 2010, discloses a related card edge connector which includes an elongated insulative housing, a plurality of terminals retained in the housing and a pair of lock mechanisms pivoted on two opposited ends of the housing. The lock mechanism is pivot in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the insulative housing, thus can shorten the longitudinal size of the insulative housing and can adapt to a miniaturization trends of a printed circuit board. However, said card edge connector is a slanted type card edge connector and have not enough space to operate the lock mechanism.
Hence, an improved card edge connector is desired to overcome the above problems.

Card edge connector with improved lock mechanism


Production of oxides of nitrogen during combustion of liquid fuel can be reduced by burning at relatively low temperatures of about 1400.degree. C., by first producing a special combustible gaseous mixture of superheated steam, fuel vapor, and combustion air. Water is fed (9) to the apparatus in quantities of about 2 to 4 parts for each part of fuel (10). Then the fuel is vaporized (8) in a stream of the superheated steam. This avoids fuel cracking and formation of long-chain hydrocarbons. Preheated air (13,14,15) is added (17) in slightly over stoichiometric proportions. The resulting mixture is burned (2) and the hot effluent is used to heat the evaporator (6,7,8) and the air preheating chamber (15), with a bypass (20) equipped with a throttle (22) being used for regulation of evaporator temperature. For start-up, an external hot air source (23) or electric heat (24) can be used. The remaining heat in the effluent can be captured in a conventional heat exchanger. Preferably, mixing occurs in a chamber (3) located on the opposite side of the combustion chamber (2) from the evaporator (6) and the air preheating chamber (15).

It is known to vaporize heating oil by application of vaporization energy and to subsequently mix with combustion air. However, complete vaporization of the heating oil requires relatively high boiling temperatures, which cause formation of cracking products. These cracking products comprise primarily cokes, which deposit in the vaporization chamber and are difficult to remove.
My earlier patents, U.S. Pat. No. 4,486,362 and corresponding German Patent DE-PS 31 22 770, further disclose vaporization of liquid fuel in a stream of heated combustion air. Using this method, the fuel can be transferred into the combustion air at significantly lower temperatures. These temperatures, for heating oil, are on the order of half the maximum boiling temperature of the liquid fuel. However, the heating oil reacts with oxygen in the combustion air to form long-chain hydrocarbons which no longer vaporize in the combustion air at the aforementioned low temperature level. Thus, even according to this method, there remains an unprocessible oil residue.

Apparatus for generating a combustible gaseous mixture


An internal combustion engine including a belt tension adjusting device and a belt tensioner damping arrangement.

1. Field of the Invention:
This invention relates to internal combustion engines which employ flexible link transmissions, such as belts. The belts rely on mechanical adherence, or friction, to drive a pulley. Such a belt operates driven devices which receive mechanical power, from the belt. These belts are driven by an internal combustion engine. The belts are used, more specifically, to drive accessories on automobile engines. The belts must be placed under a specific amount of tension for proper operation. Such tension may be applied by a roller, positioned at the end of a movable lever arm.
The lever arm receives an elastic torque, which may be provided by a biasing means in the form of a flat elastomer which is positioned, or sandwiched, between rigid armatures. The elastomer may be adherized, during vulcanization, to the armatures. In use, the elastomer is subjected to shear stress, after initially being subjected to a uniform axial prestress. The axial prestress is transmitted through the friction surface material of the armatures thus damping the elastic tension variations of the belt, by counteracting the variations of shear stress.
2. Description of the Prior Art:
Flexible link transmissions, which rely on frictional, or other mechanical, interaction with a pulley, are, generally, called engine belts. Such belts are essential to the operation of internal combustion engines and are used in automobiles and on stationary engines to drive various accessories, such as alternators, water pumps, air conditioners, power steering pumps, etc.
The accessories can be positively driven by a lubricated articulated chain, as well as by synchronous toothed flexible belts. When utilizing either of such links, as well as when utilizing mechanical adherence belts, the adjustment for wear and for thermal expansions and contractions of the links is performed by a device called a tensioner. The tensioner, generally, operates by means of a cam or by displacement of one of the pulleys of the tensioner. Nevertheless, because of dynamic pulsations applied to the belt during operation, and the longitudinal rigidity of the belt in synchronous drives, the center distances, between pulleys over which the belt runs, should be fixed after adjustment. However, this, possibly, could be at the expense of seeking a desired compensation of expansions and contractions of the engine, as explained in French Patent Application No. 88 13147.
Mechanical adherence transmissions require a permanent tension. In the past, such tension has, generally, been provided by the elasticity of flexible armatures. This is particularly the case in technology employing trapezoidal cross-section or vee belts. With those belts, as well as with those belts described above, but for different reasons, the tensioning device is blocked in a fixed position after preliminary adjustments have been made.
In the most recent generation of flexible links, called multirib belts, the frictional adherence of the belts to parts of the engine is achieved by the employment of a number of inclined faces on the conical sides of the pulleys over which the belts travel.
Flexibility of the armature is acceptable with belt materials having great longitudinal rigidity or rather being inelastic along the length thereof, such as polyester, glass fiber and aramid.
The manufacturers of internal combustion engines have sought a tensioning device with remains elastic in operation and, generally, includes a sheave pulley, supported by an elastic tension lever arm, hereinafter designated a "tensioning roller."
Various tensioning rollers use elastomers to provide elastic tension. Examples of such tension rollers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,144,772, which is assigned to The Toro Company, and which discloses a torsion ring embedded in a square block to provide both tension and damping. Great Britain Patent No. 2,070,727, which is assigned to Alan Crosley Pritchard, describes a similar technique, applied to a rocking plate, while European Patent No. 01 57 193, which is assigned to RIV-SKF, applies the technique to a tensioning cam.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,702,727, which is assigned to Daimler-Benz, U.S. Pat. No. 4,472,162, which is assigned to Dyneer Corporation and French Patent No. 25 09408, which is assigned to Litens Automotive, all disclose the utilization of an elastomer for damping purposes through the employment of friction, while an elastic, or biasing, force is exerted by a metal spring. This configuration makes possible the establishment of a tension which provides relatively little variation due to dynamic equilbrium displacements. The reliability, or stability, of the tensions required by the automobile industry may not always be achieved with the damping action provided by elastomer friction, since the tensions provided thereby can vary due to the appearance of fine powder caused by wear or, on the other hand, a softening of surfaces, or creep, because of excessive alternating movements.
For this reason, a ring attached to concentric armatures has been used in the device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,975,965, which is assigned to Dayco Corporation, and in European Patent No. 01 14 779. The rotation of the interior ring provides regulation of the tension, although the patents differ in the means used to re-establish the tension during maintenance.
The technique of applying radial prestress to an interior ring, for example by hammering on an exterior ring which covers the interior ring, by expanding the interior ring, or by employing both techniques when the interior ring has an intermediate armature, provides rigidity to the interior ring and reduces deformation, since the ring takes on a somewhat conical configuration when twisted. This design also allows additional stress to be applied to an elastomer between the armatures. Such stress, however, is limited by the geometry of the elastic ring, which is used to exert significant tension forces, since the ring occupies a great deal of longitudinal space over the axis of rotation of the lever supporting the tensioning roller. Such a space requirement would require the device to be too thick to be practical.
To avoid rapid variations of tension when variations of the perimeter of the flexible link occur due to wear or creep, good flexibility is necessary. However, such flexibility requires that additional thickness be given to the elastomer ring. That, in turn, increases the volume occupied and the weight of the tensioning device, while the damping is limited by the visco-elastic characteristics of the elastomer material, even if a prestress is applied as mentioned above.
An additional disadvantage of the prior art is that the reduction of the conical deformation occasionally requires the addition of several roller bearings to counteract the deformations of the elastic rings.

Caoutchouc Manufacture et Plastiques S.A.


The invention includes a method and resulting structure for fabricating high performance vertical NPN and PNP transistors for use in BiCMOS devices. The resulting high performance vertical PNP transistor includes an emitter region including silicon and germanium, and has its PNP emitter sharing a single layer of silicon with the NPN transistor's base. The method adds two additional masking steps to conventional fabrication processes for CMOS and bipolar devices, thus representing minor additions to the entire process flow. The resulting structure significantly enhances PNP device performance.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a high performance PNP transistor and method of forming vertical PNP and NPN transistors.
2. Related Art
The ever increasing use of mobile communications is driving improvements in radio frequency (RF) communications. In particular, this expanding market is demanding lower power consumption and increased performance. One possible solution that has found many applications is bipolar complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (BiCMOS) technology. See e.g., Wilson, et al., "Process HJ: A 30 GHz NPN and 20 GHz PNP Complementary Bipolar Process for High Linearity RF Circuits," BCTM, 1998, page 164; Onai, et al., "Self-Aligned Complementary Bipolar Technology for Low-Power Dissipation and Ultra-High Speed LSI's," IEEE TED, 43:3, 1995, page 413; Miwa et al., "A Complementary Bipolar Technology for Low Cost and High Performance Mixed Analog/Digital Applications," BCTM, 1996, page 185; and Chyan et al., "A 50 GHz 0.25 um . . . BiCMOS Technology for Low-Power Wireless-Communication VLSI's," BCTM, 1998, page 128.
One problem with increasing usage of this technology, however, is that only high performance vertical NPN transistors are currently available. Current low performance lateral PNP transistors are only available with a cutoff threshold (fT) of less than 1 GHz.
In view of the foregoing, there is a need in the art for a high performance PNP transistor and a method for creating NPN and PNP transistors that both exhibit high performance.

High performance vertical PNP transistor method

International Business Machines Corporation


A ramp which comprises a user support element, an edge element at an edge of the user support element, a handrail, a support connector which is slidably engagable with the edge element, an elongate upright handrail support, and an adjustable elongate depending ramp support. The handrail support and the ramp support are coaxially held by the support connector. The ramp may also comprise a user support element, an edge element at an edge of the user support element, and a height adjustable ramp support which includes a foot and two arms pivotably engaged with the foot. Each arm has a slider pivotably engaged at its distal end remote from the foot, and each slider is slidably engagable with the edge element for lengthwise adjustment of the ramp support along the edge element and for slidable adjustment relative to each other so as to set a distance between the edge element and the foot. Each slider is further fixedly holdable in place to maintain its set position.

Ramps are widely used to provide access for the disabled to their domestic properties, places of work and shops. However, even though modular in nature to accommodate different installation environments, the ramps are still onerous to install, typically requiring significant amounts of cutting, fastening, adjustment, and even welding. This kind of installation is generally beyond the normal user and requires specialist trained installers.
Furthermore, the design of many ramps is unforgiving if a user knocks or bumps for example into its handrail. This is of particular concern for an older user who is liable to bruise and mark much more easily.
Additionally, ramps must often be installed on uneven ground, requiring particular positioning and adjustment of the ground supports.
The present invention seeks to provide solutions to these problems.


In order to manufacture a sausage skein of any geometrical external contour, a sausage-forming device has a coextrusion head for coextruding a paste mass and a casing enclosing the mass, wherein the extrusion head is provided with a filling tube for ejecting the paste mass and an extrusion die assigned to the filling tube with an extrusion gap for the casing material, wherein the filling tube exhibits, at least in the region of the ejection end, a cross-sectional shape deviating from the circular shape and the extrusion gap exhibits a cross-sectional shape deviating from the annular ring.

A device of this nature is already known from the publication EP 1371293. This publication shows a device for the manufacture of continuously produced sausage skeins with coextruded sausage casing and a cylindrical external contour. Here, an extrusion head, which comprises a filling tube for the sausage mass and an extrusion die for the casing material, is used to coextrude the paste mass with a casing enclosing the mass into a skein shape.
Once the product skein leaves the extrusion head, the coextruded sausage casing must be consolidated. To do this, the coextruded sausage casing is, for example, subjected to a saline solution.
The known methods for the manufacture of sausages with a continuously produced endless sausage skein and coextruded sausage casing are in this respect based on the shape provided by the traditional manufacture of sausages with pre-prepared casings (e.g. casing sleeves of plastic or collagen casing material).
Previously, it was not possible to produce a sausage skein with a freely definable external contour geometry with coextrusion heads of this nature in one manufacturing stage. If, for example, Landjäger sausages with a square cross-sectional shape are manufactured, they were previously brought into the rectangular shape in a subsequent process stage.

Device and method for the manufacture of a sausage skein with any geometrical external contour

Albert H. Handtmann Maschinenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG


A circuit, system, and method are provided for regulating the mark-to-space ratio of a clocking signal. In instances where the mark-to-space ratio is targeted at 1:1 (i.e., a 50% duty cycle), then a regulated signal is formed which will produce a 50% duty cycle whenever that regulated signal is forwarded to a buffer which will produce a duty cycle other than 50% if the input signal were not regulated. The regulated signal is derived from a feedback circuit which will take into account the periodic nature of the clocking signal and whatever threshold skews might be attributable to the clock buffer. The feedback signal derives its input from a tap connected to receive the clocking signal from an output of the buffer, and the tap forwards that clocking signal to switching transistors which impute the periodic clocking frequency onto a threshold skewed output which will then form the regulated signal. Any skew resulting from the oscillator will not be passed to the node which bears the regulated signal. Instead, only the AC coupled portion of the oscillating signal will be coupled.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a clocking circuit for synchronizing an electronic subsystem and, more particularly, to a circuit for regulating the mark/space ratio (or xe2x80x9cduty cyclexe2x80x9d) of a clocking signal produced by an oscillator and fed to the electronic subsystem.
2. Description of the Related Art
The following descriptions and examples are not admitted to be prior art by virtue of their inclusion within this section.
Within nearly every electronic subsystem that relies upon sequential operations, it is essential to have an oscillator or waveform generator of some sort. The oscillator functions to produce a periodic waveform, and that waveform serves as a source of regularly spaced pulses, alternatively known as a xe2x80x9cmark.xe2x80x9d Pairs of marks are separated by a xe2x80x9cspace.xe2x80x9d
There are numerous types of oscillators used to generate clocking signals for electronic subsystems. Popular oscillators include RC oscillators or LC oscillators which are fairly stable at relatively high frequencies. However, for much greater stability at even higher frequencies, crystal oscillators are used.
A crystal oscillator involves a piece of quartz that vibrates at a certain frequency. The quartz crystal can, therefore, be a central element in numerous types of oscillators, such as the Pierce oscillator or the Colpitts oscillator. As the quartz oscillates, the quartz output can be brought to a particular logic level by circuitry connected to the quartz output.
In addition to the Pierce and Colpitts oscillators, another popular oscillator is the Complimentary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (xe2x80x9cCMOSxe2x80x9d) inverter oscillator. This oscillator generally involves an inverter placed in parallel to the quartz crystal. Depending on the RLC model of the oscillator, resistors and capacitors may also be coupled in parallel or series to the quartz and CMOS inverter.
In most instances, the output of the oscillator must drive one or more distally located electronic subsystems. If an electronic subsystem has a rather substantial clock signal load, the output of the oscillator must be buffered. A buffer can, therefore, present a constant load impedance to the oscillator, yet drive possibly numerous clocking signal loads or electronic subsystems. The buffer, thereby, serves to isolate the impedance change applicable to those subsystems from the oscillator and, thereby, stabilizes the oscillator load.
FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a CMOS crystal oscillator 10 and a buffer 12. The quartz crystal 14 may be selected to oscillate at a particular frequency, and that frequency is perpetuated and maintained at a particular logic level by inverter 16. The output from inverter 16 is a periodic waveform that has a voltage amplitude sufficient to drive buffer 12. In the example shown, the oscillator output (VOSC) is a sine wave 18. Oscillator 10 output need not, however, be a sine wave, yet if the p- and n-channel transistors of inverter 16 are relatively weak, then a sine wave is achieved. Depending on the strength of the inverter 16, the ramp up and ramp down (leading and trailing edges) of each waveform transition can change.
Buffer 12 can be made of any circuitry which isolates the impedance of electronic subsystem 20 from oscillator 10. One example of a buffer might be an inverter or a number of inverters, depending on the needed logic value at the output of buffer 12. Preferably, buffer 12 has p- and n-channel transistors of sufficient drive strength to create a rather steep leading and trailing edges of the resulting clocking signal 22, labeled as VOUT, produced from buffer 12.
Typically, crystal 14 is connected to input/output pads of a chip 24. Chip 24 is a single crystalline silicon substrate on which inverter 16, buffer 12, and electronic subsystem 20 can be formed. The oscillation frequency of a given crystal 14 is selected by the user and attached to the pins of chip 24 for driving a chosen frequency into buffer 12, which then fashions the clocking signal that can drive a rather large sequentially operating subsystem 20. Unfortunately, processing skews can sometimes change the voltage at which the p- and n-channel transistors of inverter 16 and buffer 12 transition from a relatively low output voltage to a relatively high output voltage. Those thresholds skews can be further compounded by temperature variations upon the chip 24. These transistor threshold skews culminate in a variation in the overall threshold (or trigger) voltage of buffers 12 and 16.
FIG. 2 illustrates the effects of threshold skew upon the resulting clock signal. For example, if the p- and n-channel transistors of buffer 12 are skewed due to transistor threshold skews, then the sinusoidal wave 18 will trigger a transition in buffer 12 at a different voltage. Alternatively, taking the trigger voltage as the point of reference, this could also be considered as an apparent DC shift in the sinusoidal waveform 18. This is shown in phantom as waveform 18a and will produce an apparent DC offset voltage, labeled as VOS. If the thresholds of the p-channel transistor 26 and the n-channel transistor 28 of buffer 12 do not change relative to, or be adjusted to compensate for, this increased offset voltage of the sinusoid 18a, then the n-channel transistor 28 or p-channel transistor 26 may trigger much sooner or later, thereby causing an output waveform or clocking signal that has a greater mark or space timing.
In many instances, the incoming sinusoidal wave may be isolated from buffer 12 operation. In those instances, the incoming sinusoidal wave may not be accompanied by a DC offset, or a DC offset may be removed before placing the sinusoidal wave on the input of the buffer 12. In these circumstances, a DC offset must be applied which is consistent with the threshold of buffer 12. The mark/space ratio of the clocking signal 22 is then dependent primarily on any threshold voltage skews within p- and n-channel transistors 26 and 28. For example, if the n-channel transistor 28 threshold is lowered relative to the p-channel transistor 26, then n-channel transistor 28 will turn on much quicker as the input sinusoidal wave extends upward from a ground voltage towards to power supply rail. This will cause a skewing in the inverter 12 threshold and, thereby, a greater space-to-mark ratio (i.e., the low voltage value times will be greater than the high voltage value times). However, if the n-channel transistor 28 threshold increases relative to p-channel transistor 26, then the overall threshold of inverter 12 will increase. In the example shown by waveform 22 in FIG. 2, an increase in the inverter threshold VTH, alternatively known as VTRIG, will cause the p-channel transistor 26 to turn on much sooner than the n-channel transistor 28. This will skew the mark/space ratio so that the period of time for a mark will be greater than the period of time for a space. Thus, a duty cycle of the mark-to-space ratio will be greater than 50%. Even though the incoming sinusoidal signal (VOSC) does not carry an offset voltage, any skewing of the buffer 12 threshold value will cause a proportional skew in the duty cycle of the clocking signal 22, shown as VOUT.
Most electronic subsystems rely upon a duty cycle that is approximately 50%. In other words, an electronic subsystem will expect an equal mark and space time for the clocking signal being used to synchronize the various circuits of an electronic subsystem or subsystems. Many microprocessor applications, for example, require a duty cycle of 50%+/xe2x88x923% symmetry. If the duty cycle skews outside the acceptable tolerance range, either due to temperature variations or processing variations, then the desired application may be severely jeopardized or, worse yet, the application may fail.
It is, therefore, desirable that an improved clocking signal circuit be employed that can dynamically regulate the mark/space ratio even though processing and temperature fluctuations can exist within the oscillator and buffer circuitry. The desired circuit contemplates an accurate clocking signal output that is symmetrical with, preferably, a duty cycle less than 50%+/xe2x88x925%, more preferably 50%+/xe2x88x923%, and even more preferably 50%+/xe2x88x922% over variations in frequency, temperature, supply voltage, and semiconductor fabrication or processing.
The problems outlined above are in large part solved by a circuit, system, and methodology that overcomes the aforementioned deficiencies. The present circuit, system, and method can adapt to and regulate the clocking signal depending on any fluctuations within the oscillator and/or buffer. Preferably, fluctuations in temperature, supply voltage, frequency, and processing can be compensated by a feedback circuit that will mimic those skews placed on the clocking signal, and feed back a regulated signal to the buffer in a way that will effectively cancel out those skews. The regulated signal can then be used by the buffer to produce a duty cycle in the 50% range, preferably, less than +/xe2x88x925%, more preferably less than +/xe2x88x923%, and even more preferably less than +/xe2x88x922% deviation.
According to one embodiment, a circuit is provided for regulating a clocking signal. The circuit includes a buffer coupled to produce the clocking signal. The circuit further includes a feedback circuit coupled to receive the clocking signal from the buffer which produces a regulated signal forwarded back to the buffer. This feedback circuit regulates the duty cycle of the clocking signal in proportion to any threshold skew within the buffer. Alternatively, the regulated signal regulates the duty cycle in proportion to any skew within the buffer, such as temperature skew or any form of semiconductor processing skew that will affect the performance of the buffer. Such processing skews include gate oxide breakdown, current drive, or overall resistance fluctuations in the xe2x80x9coffxe2x80x9d mode, xe2x80x9clinearxe2x80x9d mode, or xe2x80x9csaturationxe2x80x9d mode. Therefore, any temperature or process variations which cause the buffer to perform differently than how it was ideally designed, will be compensated for by the feedback circuit to ensure a substantially 50% duty cycle.
According to an alternative embodiment, a feedback circuit is provided. The feedback circuit includes an inverter and a pair of switching transistors coupled between the inverter and a pair of power supplies. This switching transistors can receive a clocking signal produced by a buffer. The feedback circuit also includes a biasing inverter coupled to the input of the inverter. The biasing inverter has, preferably, the same threshold voltage as the buffer for producing the regulated signal from the inverter that is proportional to and compensates for any duty cycle skew placed on the clocking signal by the buffer.
According to yet another embodiment, a method is provided. The method is one that is adapted to produce a clocking signal by making a direct current DC offset voltage proportional to a threshold voltage of one or more transistors within a buffer. The method also includes modulating the DC offset voltage with only an alternating current voltage component of an oscillator to produce a regulated signal that, when input to the buffer, produces the clocking signal having a duty cycle that is substantially 50% (i.e., 50%+/xe2x88x925%, +/xe2x88x923%, or +/xe2x88x922%).

System and method for restoring the mark and space ratio of a clocking signal output from an oscillator


Disclosed herein is a transistor including: a semiconductor layer; a first gate insulation film and a first interlayer insulation film which are provided on a specific surface side of the semiconductor layer; a first gate electrode provided at a location between the first gate insulation film and the first interlayer insulation film; an insulation film provided on the other surface side of the semiconductor layer; source and drain electrodes provided by being electrically connected to the semiconductor layer; and a shield electrode layer provided in such a way that at least portions of the shield electrode layer face edges of the first gate electrode, wherein at least one of the first gate insulation film, the first interlayer insulation film and the insulation film include a silicon-oxide film.

The present disclosure relates to a radioactive-ray imaging apparatus proper for X-ray imaging operations for typically medical cares and nondestructive inspections and relates to a radioactive-ray imaging display system employing such an apparatus as well as transistors employed in the apparatus and the system.
In recent years, a technique making use of a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor and/or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor is the mainstream of imaging techniques based on photoelectric conversion. The imaging technique based on photoelectric conversion is a technique for acquiring an image as an electrical signal. The imaging area of the imaging sensor is limited by the size of a crystal substrate or a silicon wafer. In the field of the medical care carried out by making use of an X ray in particular, however, there are demands for an imaging area having a large size, and the number of demands for a good moving-picture performance is also increasing.
A radioactive-ray imaging apparatus for obtaining an image based on radioactive rays as an electrical signal without making use of a radioactive-ray photographic film is being developed as an imaging apparatus required to have an imaging area with a large size. A typical example of the imaging apparatus required to have an imaging area with a large size is the X-ray imaging apparatus for taking an image of the chest of a human body. Such a radioactive-ray imaging apparatus is an apparatus having a wavelength conversion layer (serving as a fluorescent material) on a circuit substrate including photoelectric conversion devices such as photodiodes and TFTs (thin-film transistors). In the radioactive-ray imaging apparatus, after an incident radioactive ray has been converted into a visible ray, the visible ray is received by the photoelectric conversion device for converting the visible ray into an electrical signal. Then, a circuit employing the TFT reads out the electrical signal, the magnitude of which is determined by the quantity of the visible ray.
In this case, the transistor is created as follows. A plurality of layers are created on a substrate to form a laminated stack having the so-called top-gate structure or the so-called bottom-gate structure. The layers include an electrode layer for the gate, source and drain electrodes of the transistor and the like, a semiconductor layer used for creating the channel of the transistor, a gate insulation film and an interlayer insulation film. However, if a silicon-oxide film is used as the gate insulation film in the transistor having such a structure for example, an X ray may propagate to the inside of the film. If an X ray propagates to the inside of the silicon-oxide film, holes are generated in the film so that a threshold voltage Vth of the transistor is shifted to the negative side as is generally known. (Refer to documents such as Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2008-252074.)
On the other hand, there has been proposed a transistor allowing the length of the shift of the threshold voltage Vth to be reduced by adoption of a dual-gate structure in which two gate electrodes are provided to sandwich a semiconductor layer. (Refer to Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2004-265935.)

Radioactive-ray imaging apparatus, radioactive-ray imaging display system and transistor


A support structure for a frame formwork panel including a support structure and a formwork skin connected to the support structure, the support structure having two longitudinal edge girders and two transverse edge girders, wherein a corner connecting piece which is welded to the two respective edge girders is provided in at least some of the corner regions of the support structure where a longitudinal edge girder and a transverse edge girder come together.

Support structures with two longitudinal edge girders and two transverse edge girders for frame formwork panels are known in a large number of configurations. In the known support structures, the edge girders mentioned are mostly welded to one another at the four corner regions of the support structure. These welded regions must be able to transmit large forces. Support structures in which oblique struts have been welded in at the corner regions are known as well. However, this is complex in the production process, and the support structures of this type cannot be used as universally as those without oblique struts.

Support structure for a frame formwork panel


A covered food container or serving platter incorporates a cover stand as part of the structure of the container. The cover may be temporarily stored on the stand while the user obtains access to the container. In one embodiment a portion of the cover is received within a suitably configured retention area formed within the container. Another covered serving container utilizes a central support extending from the platter and a corresponding support that extends from the cover, with an interlocking possible at the maximum extension of each support, thus separating the cover from the platter. A further embodiment utilizes a pair of covers, one receivable upon another to enable a nesting storage with access available to the exposed container storage area. A surface rib and groove formed in corresponding surfaces of the two covers provides stability when in the nested configuration.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to food containers and, more particularly, to such containers having a removable cover. More specifically, the present invention relates to covered food containers wherein a structural feature of the container receives a matching structural component of the cover to provide a temporary resting location for the cover when access to the interior of the container is required.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The ideal of a xe2x80x9cfamily dinnerxe2x80x9d where all members of a family gather at a certain time to enjoy conversation during a relaxed meal continues on the endangered list. Existing more in memory than in fact, dinnertime in most families will extend over an ill-defined period of time, with members eating as the opportunity arises. Covered dishware enables cooked food to be enjoyed at a later time, without worry of exposure to airborne germs or of the food drying out.
Covers for dishware also provide these same services for group gatherings, whether at holidays or at potluck events. In both instances, the food is prepared at an earlier time, and is then stored and later re-heated at the time it is served (or re-served). At those events where seconds (or even thirds!) are the norm, covers are essential towards maintaining the food in an appetizing and safe condition.
In most instances, covers are not directly connected to the dishware or other container with which they are used. As a result, covers can be misplaced when in storage. Covers also present a problem at the time of food service. For self-service events, it becomes awkward to raise and hold the cover, hold the serving utensil, and hold the plate upon which the food is received. Consequently, it is the custom to remove all of the covers just prior to food service, and then replace them after all parties have passed through the food line.
Finding space for all of these covers can be difficult, and typically they are removed from the area and all piled together. This makes their replacement more difficult, and thus less likely to occur, to the detriment of food quality. A need exists for dishware having a symbiotic relationship with its respective cover. To the extent that a cover for a particular piece of dishware could remain engaged with that dishware at all times during food service, considerable savings in space and efficiency could be obtained.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a covered food container or serving platter that incorporates a cover stand as part of the structure of the container. A user is thereby able to temporarily store the cover upon the stand while accessing the contents of the container. The presently preferred embodiments enable such temporary storage utilizing a variety of different structures.
A STAND-A-COVER(trademark) brand pan utilizes a retaining slot formed at each end of the pan to receive the extended portion of the cover that, when in a covering position, overlies the end handles of the container. Thus, when access to the interior of the container is desired, the cover is removed, rotated to a vertical position, and then inserted into either of the retaining slots where it remains, standing on end, until removed to once again cover the container.
The HALF-COVERED(trademark) brand server utilizes the cover itself as a support. Two half-covers cooperate in an overlapping manner to cover a serving platter. To seal their interface, a projecting rib on one is received by a corresponding groove formed in the surface of the other. When access to the platter is required, one of the half-covers is removed, and is then placed on top of the other half-cover. The covers are so positioned that the projecting rib and receiving groove cooperate to again form a stable, nested relationship. When access to the serving platter is no longer required, the upper half-cover is lifted and rotated to a position that once again covers the previously exposed platter.
In yet a further embodiment, a TWIST-A-COVER(trademark) brand covered dish includes a central support that extends up from the dish and a centrally located support shaft that extends down from the cover. When the cover is resting upon the dish, the shaft is fully received within the central support. As the cover is raised, the support shaft follows, and is gradually withdrawn from the central support. Projecting cam lobes are formed in a longitudinal manner on the surface of the support shaft, and support shaft stops project inwardly from the outer walls of the central support near the upper opening thereof.
The cam lobes cooperate with the shaft stops to either permit the withdrawal of the support shaft from the central support or, if the cover is twisted to a different radial positioning of the cam lobes, the support shaft stops will permit the support shaft to rest upon them, thus supporting the cover in an up-raised position with respect to the dish. When it is again desired to lower the cover, the cover is twisted to permit the cam lobes to pass between the support shaft stops as the cover is lowered.
Some further objects and advantages of the present invention shall become apparent from the ensuing description and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.


A PON (Passive Optical Network) system, which modulates multiple subcarriers with data of multiple users to output an optical multiplexed signal from a station device, splits the optical multiplexed signal to transmit the split signals to multiple subscriber devices that are provided for each of the users, and demodulates the data of the users at the respective subscriber devices, includes: an obtaining section configured to obtain a transmission characteristic for each of the subcarriers at each of the subscriber devices, by receiving a test signal at the subscriber devices, which is transmitted from the station device; and an assigning section configured to assign one or more of the subcarriers for each of the subscriber devices suited to the transmission characteristics of the assigned subcarriers at each of the subscriber devices.

As an optical subscriber system construction technology to realize FTTH (Fiber to the Home), PON that has couplers placed in an optical fiber becomes generally popular due to a reduced fiber laying cost, which is one of its merits.
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an example of a PON system. In FIG. 1, an OLT (Optical Line Terminal) 11 outputs an optical multiplexed signal in which optical signals of user data #1-#3 are modulated with time-division multiplexing. The optical multiplexed signal is split by an optical splitter 12 in three ways, each of which is transmitted to one of ONUs (Optical Network Units) 16, 17, and 18 with different-length optical fibers 13, 14, and 15, respectively.
The ONU 16 demodulates the original data #1 from the optical multiplexed signal. The ONU 17 demodulates the original data #2 from the optical multiplexed signal. The ONU 18 demodulates the original data #3 from the optical multiplexed signal.
Incidentally, a technology to multiplex subcarriers for OFDM signals with TDM (Time Division Multiplexing) is proposed (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).
Also, a technology for executing multi-rate transmission is proposed by changing the number of subcarriers for multi-carrier signals (for example, refer to Patent Document 2).

PON system and subcarrier assigning method


The rotation axis of each mirror of a DMD (4) defines an angle of 45° with respect to long and short sides of a rectangular image display area. A polarization conversion optical system (24) makes a polarization direction of light from a light source (1) arranged in one direction and projects the arranged light, and after total reflection from the critical surface (31b) of a TIR prism (3), the light is guided to the DMD (4). When the incident surface of the critical surface (31b) and the mirror incident surface of the DMD (4) are in parallel with each other, a PBS prism array of the polarization conversion optical system (24) carries out the polarization and separation of the light from the light source (1) in a direction corresponding to the long side direction of the image display area of the DMD (4) in the case of the separation of the light from the light source (1) into two linear polarizations having different polarization directions. A polarization control means makes the two linear polarizations after the polarization and separation arranged in parallel or vertical polarization directions with respect to the incident surface of the critical surface (31b) and projects the same. Thus, a polarization condition of the light for illuminating the DMD (4) can be prevented from falling into disorder at a reflecting surface in the optical path, so that a light amount of the projection image can be prevented from reducing.

As a projector which projects an image that is displayed on a display element onto a projection surface such as a screen, one that employs a DMD as the display element for its fast switching speed has been in practical use. Recently, movies that can be enjoyed as stereoscopic images (hereinafter, 3D images) have been produced; movie theaters where such movies can be enjoyed have started to be set up, and projection TV sets for household use which are capable of displaying 3D images have started to be commercially available. A projector incorporating a DMD is commonly used as a 3D projector, because it displays images for a right eye and images for a left eye in a time-division manner, and a viewer can enjoy the thus displayed images as 3D images by wearing a pair of polarization glasses or a pair of shutter glasses.
Either pair of glasses mentioned above transmit circularly polarized light or linearly polarized light and direct the light to the right and left eyes of a viewer, and thus, if an image is projected in the form of randomly polarized light by using a projector incorporating a DMD, half or more of the amount of light is lost through the glasses. To prevent this, it is desirable to illuminate the DMD with illumination light having an aligned polarization direction, to obtain a projection image by using polarized light such that light is used efficiently. In this respect, for example, in a projector according to Patent Literature 1, a DMD is illuminated with light generated in the following manner: a polarization conversion optical system performs polarization separation on light from a light source, and then, one light is converted into light (linearly polarized light) having the same polarization direction as the other light.
Note that, in the projector according to Patent Literature 1, for an illumination system to effectively illuminate a light irradiation surface (an image display region) of the DMD, the illumination system including the polarization conversion optical system is disposed such that it is rotated about an optical axis by a predetermined angle (in this case, a polarization separation direction at the polarization conversion optical system corresponds to a long-side direction of the rectangular image display region of the DMD). As a result, linearly polarized light that has an aligned polarization direction and emerges from the polarization conversion optical system is obliquely incident on a reflection surface (for example, a dichroic surface or a reflection surface of a reflection mirror) in an optical path leading to the DMD, that is, the lineally polarized light is incident on the reflection surface such that the polarization direction thereof is in any state but being parallel or perpendicular to an incidence plane. Incidentally, the incidence plane is defined as a plane which, when a central light ray of a light beam travelling toward a center of the image display region of the DMD from the light source is incident on a surface, includes the central light ray which is incident on the surface and a normal line of the surface at the point where the central light ray is incident on the surface.


A surface-independent antenna that operates consistently and independently of a material of its mounting surface. The antenna includes a ground plane having an outer perimeter, an antenna element having a floating portion and a non-floating portion. The non-floating portion is affixed in a generally parallel orientation above an end of the ground plane, and the floating portion extends beyond the outer perimeter of the ground plane. The antenna also includes a housing including a top portion and a bottom portion, the housing sized to generally encapsulate the ground plane and the antenna element.

The performance of a typical antenna may be greatly affected by the surface onto which it is mounted. Therefore, most antenna designs take into account the material of the surface onto which the antenna will be mounted. For example, a typical antenna that will be placed onto a metal box may be designed for optimal performance knowing that the metal box will affect the operation of the antenna. However, if that same antenna is placed on a wooden box, or in free space, the antenna will operate in a much different, non-optimal, way.
Further, conformal antennas on metals, in general, tend to provide relatively poor performance with very weak efficiencies (less than 40%). Patch antennas, in contrast, exhibit good efficiency numbers while being very conformal, but they suffer from the drawback that the peak gains usually are higher than 4 or 5 dBi. Such a peak gain causes problems for FCC compliance purposes. Peak gain of patch antennas can be reduced by reducing their efficiencies, such that patch antennas have very poor performance. Designing multiband antennas is also a big challenge for patch antennas. Patch antennas are not omni-directional and are not favored in applications where RF power needs to be distributed adequately in all directions.
Therefore, for applications requiring high-performance, multiband operation, patch antennas are usually not an option. Even more difficult are those same applications where the antenna may be mounted on a variety of surface materials.

Surface-independent body mount conformal antenna


The invention relates to a method for conditioning double metal catalysts which are used in the production of polyether polyols. The conditioning enhances the performance of the catalyst, so that lower concentrations of the DMC catalyst can be used in polyether polyol production.

Polyether polyols are important intermediates utilized to manufacture a wide range of products, including polyurethanes. Polyether polyols are produced by polymerization of epoxides, e.g., propylene or ethylene oxide. It is known that double metal catalysts (DMC catalysts) are effective polymerization catalysts, producing polyols with narrow molecular weight distribution, low viscosity and low unsaturation.
DMC catalysts are normally prepared by combining an aqueous solution of a metal salt and an aqueous solution of a complex metal cyanide salt. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,470,813 and 5,714,639 describe preparation of DMC by combining an aqueous solution of ZnCl2 (excess) with an agueous solution of K3Co(CN)6. The desired DMC catalyst, in this case specifically Zn3[Co(CN)6]2, precipitates from the mixture.
US 2002/193245 A1 describes one-step preparation of DMC catalysts by combining the aqueous solution of the first metal salt, e.g. ZnCl2, with the aqueous solution of the second metal salt, e.g. CoCl2, and the aqueous solution of the alkali metal cyanide, e.g. KCN, in a single step to synthesize the DMC catalyst, in this case specifically Zn3[Co(CN)6]2.
Other methods for DMC catalyst synthesis are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,472,560, U.S. Pat. No. 4,477,589, U.S. Pat. No. 5,627,120, U.S. Pat. No. 5,482,908, U.S. Pat. No. 5,789,626, U.S. Pat. No. 6,376,420 B1, U.S. Pat. No. 6,869,905 B1, EP 1 079 926 A1, EP 1 194 231 A1, EP 1 290 060 A1, WO 2005/094989 A1, US 2002/0177523, US 2007/0203367 A1, DE 198 09 538 A1, and WO 99/56874 A1.
Crystalline DMC catalysts are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,303,833 B1, U.S. Pat. No. 6,613,714 B2, U.S. Pat. No. 6,689,710 B2, U.S. Pat. No. 7,470,823 B2, US 2004/249221 A1, US 2005/0203274 A1, and US 2008/300376 A1.
Although DMC catalysts, for instance those described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,689,710 B2 or US 2004/0249221 A1, display high activity and afford polyether polyols with low unsaturation level, various attempts have been made to further increase catalyst activity, in order to be able to use smaller catalyst concentrations in the polyol production process and avoid an increase in the viscosity of the resulting polyols at DMC catalyst concentrations below 100 ppm.
Modifications to the process of catalyst preparation include continuous preparation of crystalline DMC catalysts via a mixing nozzle (EP 1 799 344 A1), preparation of the DMC catalyst in ionic liquids (WO 2008/095853 A1), or spray-drying the catalyst (WO 2004/022227 A1).
In order to increase catalyst activity, a number of conditioning methods have been proposed. US 2004/0242937 A1 teaches conditioning of a crystalline DMC catalyst by ultrasonic irradiation, in order to effect deagglomeration of the catalyst particles. WO 03/029326 A1 describes conditioning of the DMC catalyst at 80-130° C. in the reactor prior to the polymerization.
EP 1 288 244 A1 discloses a process wherein a substantially crystalline double metal cyanide catalyst is subjected to a contact treatment by heating the catalyst with an aqueous solution containing an organic ligand and a metal salt at temperatures from 45 to 125° C., and then separating the resuiting solid from the obtained slurry.

Conditioning of double metal cyanide catalysts


A resealable, tamper-evident, low cost plug for an edible oil (or other foodstuffs) container is contemplated. The plug includes a single-piece, hinged construction with the base panel having a removable diaphragm revealing an opening that is sealed by structure provided on the hinged panel. Smooth pouring features may also be incorporated within and/or beneath the opening.

Low cost plugs are particularly important for use by governments and aid agencies who must ship relatively large on containers used of edible oils and other liquids or pourable foodstuffs. These closures must be easy to manufacture. In terms of their use, single piece, rugged, and resealable closures are most desirable. Further still, a design with a low profile (relative to the surface of the container to which it is affixed) is needed.
A "nutritive" substance delivery container is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,823,723, along with similar types of concepts disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,523,837 and 7,017,735. Notably, these systems all seem adapted for screw-attachment to bottles and are representative of higher cost closure options.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,113,374 describes a closure and container combination for flowable substances with a hinged cap attached to a base. A frangible center portion can be removed via cooperation of pull ring and teeth, thereby revealing a membrane concealed under and attached beneath the base to seal the container opening.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,135,411 discloses a tubular pouring spout with an integral, flexible diaphragm. This diaphragm includes a lever and pull tab to facilitate the outward removal of the diaphragm so as to expose the spout opening.
None of the foregoing disclosures addresses the specific needs of bulk container shipments. In particular, a low profile seal that can be snap-fit and/or crimped onto a bung or other commonly-sized opening in drums and other large containers is needed. Further, the specific needs of a resealable, anti-glug, and/or low cost and easily manufactured closure are not necessarily addressed in these disclosures.

Unitary, tamper-evident plug with smooth pouring spout


The present invention provides water-soluble drugs, in particular, water-soluble analogues of geldanamycin, and compositions comprising the same. This invention also provides a method of rendering water-soluble drugs soluble in water through derivatization with a bifunctional linking molecule and subsequent conjugation to a polar moiety through a thio ether. The present invention ether provides a method of treating cancer in a mammal.

The present invention relates to water-soluble drugs, in particular water-soluble analogues of geldanamycin, and compositions comprising the same. This invention also relates to a method of rendering water-insoluble drugs soluble in water and a method of treating cancer.
A common problem associated with drugs intended for parenteral, and especially intravenous, administration has been the solubilization of a slightly soluble or water-insoluble active ingredient (Sweetana et al., PDA J. Pharm. Sci. and Tech. 50, 330 (1995)). As a result, many drugs of potential benefit in cancer chemotherapy and other areas of therapeutics have been abandoned. Methods have been developed whereby drugs can be enveloped in micelles and placed into aqueous solutions (Hawthorne et al., J. Neurooncol., 33, 53-58 (1997)). Likewise, cosolvents and complexing agents allow some drugs to be dissolved in water (Badwan et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,646,131). The use of these reagents, however, can be complex and have negative attributes due to the additional reagent required to dissolve the active ingredient (Sweetana et al. (1995), supra). Prodrugs also have been developed by attaching groups, such as phosphates and other conjugates, to increase their solubility and enhance their performance (Schacter et al., Cancer Chemother. Pharmacol., 34, S58 (1994); Kingston et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,278,324).
One water-insoluble drug of potential beneficial use in cancer therapy is geldanamycin. The drug is an ansamycin isolated from the broth of Streptomyces hygroscopicus var. geldanus (DeBoer et al., Antiobiot., 23, 442 (1970)). It has been found to exert its antiproliferating and anticancer activities by binding with the heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) chaperone and, in turn, altering the translocation properties of the tumor suppressor protein p53 (Stebbins et al., Cell, 239 (1997); Sepehrnia et al., J. Biol. Chem., 271, 15,084 (1996); Dasgupta et al., Experimental Cell Research, 29, 237 (1997)). Despite its therapeutic potential as an anticancer agent, initial studies indicate that the bioavailability of geldanamycin must be enhanced and the toxicity associated with the natural product reduced before significant progress can be made with respect to the anticancer use of geldanamycin. Chemical modifications of geldanamcyin could potentially provide analogs with improved bioactivity and bioavailability. While derivatives of geldanamycin have been developed to enhance the cancer-fighting effects of the drug, the low solubility of such derivatives have required the use of emulsifying or suspending agents in order to obtain aqueous solutions. This has tended to reduce the bioavailability of the drug, and has thereby affected its utility as an anticancer agent.
The present invention addresses these problems by providing a method of producing water-soluble analogues of water-insoluble drugs and, in particular, by providing a water-soluble analogue of the anticancer drug geldanamycin. Due to its thiol ether linkage, the analogue is expected to exhibit superior bioavailability and stability under physiological conditions.
The present invention provides a water-soluble compound of the formula
where A is a water-insoluble drug, B1 and B2 together are a spacer moiety, and X is a polar moiety. The invention further provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and the above-described compound. In addition, the present invention provides a method of treating cancer in a mammal. The method comprises administering to a mammal having cancer an effective amount of the above-described compound.
The present invention further provides a method of rendering soluble in water a water-insoluble drug. The method comprises contacting a water-insoluble drug comprising a side-chain that can react with a bifunctional linking molecule with a bifunctional linking molecule comprising a maleimido functional group to obtain a first derivative of the water-insoluble drug comprising a side-chain that comprises a maleimido functional group. The method further comprises contacting the first derivative with a polar moiety comprising a thio group (Xxe2x80x94SH) to obtain a water-soluble compound as described above.
The present invention still further provides a water-soluble compound of the formula
or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein:
R1 is an ionic moiety bound to the carbon at position 17 via a nitrogen atom,
R2 is a halo or an xe2x80x94OR8 when there is a single bond between R2 and the carbon at position 11, wherein R8 is hydrogen, a C1-C8 alkylamido, a C1-C8 alkyl, a C2-C8 alkenyl, a C2-C8 alkynyl, a C1-C8 hydroxyalkyl, a C1-C8 alkyl carbamoyl, a C1-C8 alkylcarbonyl, or an aralkyl, any of which R8 can be further substituted with one or more substituents, which can be the same or different, selected from the group consisting of a nitro, a halo, an azido, a hydroxy, an amido and an amino group, or
R2 is oxo (xe2x95x90O) or oximino (xe2x95x90NOH) when there is a double bond between R2 and the carbon at position 11,
R1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and a group of the formula
wherein R5, R6, and R7 are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, a halo, an azido, a nitro, a C1-C8 alkyl, a C1-C8 alkoxy, an aryl, a cyano, and an NR10R11R12, wherein R10, R11, and R12, are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and a C1-C3 alkyl,
R4 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, a halo, a C1-C8 alkylamino, and a C1-C8 dialkylamino, and the bond between the carbons at positions 4 and 5 can be a single bond or a double bond.
Also provided by the present invention is a water-soluble compound of the formula
or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein:
Y is a spacer group,
P is a polypeptide or a protein that selectively binds to the surface of a mammalian cell,
R2 is a halo or an xe2x80x94OR8 when there is a single bond between R2 and the carbon at position 11, wherein R8 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, a C1-C8 alkylamido, a C1-C8 alkyl, a C2-C8 alkenyl, a C2-C8 alkynyl, a C1-C8 hydroxyalkyl, a C1-C8 alkyl carbamoyl, a C1-C8 alkylcarbonyl, and an aralkyl, any of which R8 groups can be further substituted with one or more substituents, which can be the same or different, selected from the group consisting of a nitro, a halo, an azido, a hydroxy, an amido and an amino group, or
R2 is oxo (xe2x95x90O) or oximino (xe2x95x90NOH) when there is a double bond between R2 and the carbon at position 11,
R3 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and a group of the formula
wherein R5, R6, and R7 are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, a halo, an azido, a nitro, a C1-C8 alkyl, a C1-C8 alkoxy, an aryl, a cyano, and an NR10R11R12, wherein R10, R11, and R12 are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and a C1-C3 alkyl,
R4 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, a halo, a C1-C8 alkylamino, and a C1-C8 dialkylamino, and the bond between the carbons at positions 4 and 5 can be a single bond or a double bond.

Water-soluble drugs and methods for their production

The United States of America as represented by the Department of Health and Human Services


The invention provides an aqueous acidic formulation suitable for use as in the preparation of a pharmaceutically acceptable fluorocarbon-linked peptide formulation, which aqueous formulation comprises a first fluorocarbon-linked peptide, wherein: the peptide linked to the fluorocarbon is at least 20 amino acid residues long, comprises at least 50% hydrophobic amino acid residues and has an isoelectric point greater than or equal to 7; and the fluorocarbon-linked peptide is present in micelles.

Synthetic peptide antigens are of interest for use in vaccines to prevent infectious diseases (such as viral, bacterial, parasitic and fungal infections). Synthetic peptide antigens are also of interest in the field of immunotherapeutics, including the treatment of infection, the stimulation of immunity to cancer cells, the down-regulation of polypeptide hormones and the control of inappropriate immune responses such as anaphylaxis and allergy.
One difficulty in the practical use of peptide-based vaccines and immunotherapies is ensuring the induction of an immune response by efficient delivery of the peptide antigens to an antigen presenting cell. Without such targeting, unfeasible amounts of the peptide may be required, which would not only be uneconomical to manufacture but could also lead to toxicity issues.
Enhancement of peptide delivery may be achieved through specialised delivery vehicles, such as particulate-based structures enabling sustained release. In addition, peptide derivatives or modified peptides comprising the peptide of interest covalently linked to a delivery-enhancing agent have been developed to improve the bio-availability and presentation of the peptide to specific target cells and receptors.
One particular class of peptides modified to improve delivery to antigen presenting cells are constructed through the covalent attachment of a fluorocarbon chain to either the peptide N- or C-terminus, or at any position in between, to create a fluorocarbon-linked peptide (FCP). Examples of fluorocarbon-linked peptides are given in WO2005/099752 and WO2009/027688 and the advantages afforded by the fluorocarbon attachment in the enhancement of immune responses to the peptide are provided therein.
It will be understood by vaccine designers that more than one peptide may be required to provide a broader prophylactic or immunotherapeutic effect. Such multi-component products are desirable since they are likely to be more effective at eliciting appropriate immune responses.
In order to manufacture a pharmaceutical product of this nature, the fluorocarbon-linked peptides must be synthesised, purified, blended together at appropriate ratios, rendered sterile and presented in a homogenous format suitable for administration.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


Toner remaining on a photosensitive drum may be prevented from being given out after a toner image is transferred, by causing a seal member to abut on both a photosensitive portion of the photosensitive drum and a flange disposed on each of ends of the photosensitive portion and having less hardness than the photosensitive portion, further a flange being configured to be smaller in outer diameter than the photosensitive portion so that a contact pressure of the seal member on the flange may be reduced, and accordingly, in an image formation apparatus, this may allow flange galling to reduce without seal characteristic degradation.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image formation apparatus, and in particular to a configuration for preventing toner remaining on a photosensitive drum from being given out after a toner image is transferred.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, in an image formation apparatus such as a copy machine, printer and facsimile which provide image formation by using electrophotographic technology, and after a toner image is formed on a photosensitive drum, i.e. an image bearing member, this toner image is transferred onto a sheet or intermediate transfer belt at a transfer portion. Moreover, when the toner image on the photosensitive drum is transferred at the transfer portion in such a manner, toner may remain on the photosensitive drum, and in such a case, the residual toner may be reclaimed by a cleaning device.
The residual toner may be corrected, for example by bringing a cleaning blade into abutment on the photosensitive drum. However, in the case of using this cleaning blade, because the residual toner may run away transversely on the cleaning blade, a seal 71 is provided on each of ends of a cleaning blade 28 in order to block the toner, as shown in FIG. 6.
Further, on the outside of the seal 71 is disposed a seal 74 for sealing an aperture of a cleaning container, and these two seals 71 and 74, both are arranged to contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum in the entireties of their longitudinal portions.
Moreover, this seal 74 is disposed to always contact with a circumferential abutting surface 82 shown by a shaded area where a spacing member 81 abuts on a photosensitive drum 1, as shown in FIG. 7. Further, this spacing member 81 spaces apart a developing sleeve 4b for supplying toner to the photosensitive drum 1 and the photosensitive drum 1.
Further, this seal 74 is, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-132027 (see FIG. 8), a two-layer structure composed of a raising member 74a abutting on the photosensitive drum 1 and an elastic member 74b such as a sponge, and the elastic member 74b is attached to a cleaning container 91 by using double-faced adhesive tape.
Then, by providing such a seal 74, even if toner adheres to the spacing member 81 and subsequently to the circumferential abutting surface 82 of the photosensitive drum 1, the residual toner may be wiped off by the seal 74 when the photosensitive drum 1 rotates.
In such a conventional image formation apparatus, an image region has extended more in the direction perpendicular to the sheet feed direction because of demands for paper extension, a frameless image and the like, and therefore, a photosensitive drum tends to extend in width direction.
However, if a photosensitive drum changes in length as such, a conventional drum manufacturing facility becomes unusable so that a new facility is to be necessary, and accordingly, the drum will be expensive. As a result, the entire product cost of an image formation apparatus and service parts costs of a process cartridge and the like will be raised.
Then, to use a photosensitive drum having a conventional length, for example, a cylinder 1a of a photosensitive drum 1 shown in FIG. 9A remains the same, while a flange 1b made of resin may be configured to be wider to provide a longer virtual drum length, as shown in FIG. 9B.
Here, when the drum length is virtually elongated in such a manner, positions of seals 74 shown in FIG. 9A are required to be displaced to positions shown in FIG. 9B. Then, when the seals 74 are moved to the positions shown in FIG. 9B, the seals 74 may be arranged to overlie both the cylinder 1a and the flange 1b.
However, if the seals 74 are arranged in such configuration, the flanges 1b made of resin may be ground to wear away due to difference between materials of the cylinder 1a and the flanges 1b and difference in surface characteristics. Moreover, if a contact pressure of the seals 74 is configured to be lower so that the flanges 1b may not be ground, seal characteristic cannot be satisfied. That is, if the seals 74 are arranged to overlie both the cylinder 1a and the flanges 1b, it may be difficult to satisfy both endurance and seal characteristic.

Image forming apparatus including a seal member in contact with an image bearing member and a flange provided at an end of the image bearing member


An outputting apparatus such as a laser beam printer comprises a memory to store designation information to designate a selection-impossible font from a plurality of fonts and a selector to select a font which is most adaptive from the fonts other than the selection instructed font in accordance with an input of selection instruction information to instruct so as to select the selection-impossible font that is designated by the designation information stored in the memory. The plurality of fonts include internal fonts provided in the apparatus and fonts which are supplied from the outside.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the outputting apparatus and method of a printer, a display (CRT, LCD), or the like in which information supplied from the outside is analyzed and the information is transformed into a visible image form on the basis of the result of the analysis and is outputted.
2. Related Background Art
Hitherto, in an outputting apparatus, a font is selected on the basis of information regarding the font selection supplied from the outside. In the case where the font is newly added without changing the information supplied from the outside, the added font cannot be selected unless the information regarding the font selection supplied from the outside is changed. As a result, there is a problem such that even when the number of kinds of fonts increases, the fonts cannot be effectively used.
The present invention is made in consideration of the above circumstances and it is an object of the invention to provide an outputting apparatus and method which can select a newly added font without changing information regarding the font selection in information which is supplied from the outside.
To solve the above problem, according to the present invention, there is provided an outputting apparatus comprising: memory means for storing designation information to designate a selection-impossible font from a plurality of fonts; and selecting means for selecting the most suitable font from the fonts other than the selected and instructed font in accordance with an input of selection instructing information to instruct so as to select the selection-impossible font which is designated by the designation information stored in the memory means.
The above plurality of fonts include fonts provided in the apparatus and fonts which are supplied from the outside.
The designation information is supplied from the outside.
The selection instruction information is supplied from the outside.
The selecting means has comparing means for comparing attribute information of the font instructed by the selection instruction information and attribute information of the fonts other than such a font and selects a font having the attribute information that is nearest to the attribute information of the font instructed by the selection instruction information from the fonts other than the font instructed by the selection instruction information.
To solve the above problem, according to the present invention, there is provided an outputting method whereby designation information to designate a selection-impossible font from a plurality of fonts is stored and the most suitable font is selected from the fonts other than the selected and instructed font in accordance with an input of selection instruction information to instruct so as to select the selection-impossible font which is designated by the designation information stored.
The above plurality of fonts include fonts which are provided in the apparatus and fonts which are supplied from the outside.
The designation information is supplied from the outside.
The selection instruction information is supplied from the outside.
In the selection of the font, the attribute information of the font instructed by the selection instruction information is compared with the attribute information of the fonts other than such a font, and the font having the attribute information that is nearest to the attribute information of the font instructed by the selection instruction information is selected from the fonts other than the font instructed by the selection instruction information.
According to the present invention as mentioned above, even in the case where the data supplied from the external apparatus such as a host computer or the like cannot select the newly added font, an output image can immediately be outputted by using the newly added font.

Method and apparatus for selecting a preferential font