A mast assembly of a forklift truck has outer and inner masts, a lift cylinder, a rearward projection and a cylinder support. The outer mast is supported by the truck body at the front thereof. The inner mast is movable upward and downward relative to the outer mast. The lift cylinder moves the inner mast relative to the outer mast. The rearward projection extending toward the truck body is mounted to the outer mast. The cylinder support is mounted to the rearward projection for supporting the lift cylinder at the bottom end thereof.

The present invention relates to a mast assembly in a forklift truck having an outer mast supported by a truck body at the front thereof, an inner mast movable upward and downward relative to the outer mast and a lift cylinder for moving the inner mast relative to the outer mast.
Conventionally, various types of forklift trucks are known. Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication Nos. 2005-67861 and 8-295496 disclose a forklift truck having a mast assembly 21 a part of which is shown in FIG. 6. The mast assembly 21 has a pair of outer masts 22 (only one being shown in FIG. 6) mounted to the truck body at the front thereof, a mast support 24 mounted to each outer mast 22 at the bottom end thereof and a lower beam 26 connected to the mast support 24. Holes 26a (only one being shown in FIG. 6) are formed in both ends of the lower beam 26. The bottom end of a lift cylinder of the mast assembly 21 is inserted into the hole 26a so that the lift cylinder is supported by the lower beam 26.
There are various types of mast assemblies each having outer and inner masts and a lift cylinder of different sizes for different purpose of use. Thus, the number of components for such different mast assemblies tends to be increased. Furthermore, the lift cylinder is directly fixed to the lower beam which receives the thrust of the lift cylinder in operation to elevate the inner masts. The lower beam is also subjected to twisting force of the outer masts and also the force which is created when the outer masts are opened. The above mast assembly has been disadvantageous in that the above complex forces are applied to the joint which connects the lower beam to the mast support. In the structure wherein the lower beam is connected directly to the outer masts, the joints which connect the lower beam to the outer masts are subjected to the above complex forces. Therefore, there has been the need to increase the strength of the joint.
The supporting structure for the bottom end of the lift cylinder is provided by a lower beam that is a relatively large-sized component. Therefore, this supporting structure needs to be made by machining a large-sized work, which complicates the manufacturing process and increases the manufacturing cost.
The object of the present invention is to provide a mast assembly in a forklift truck, which permits the use of common components, restrains the development of the complex forces and reduces the manufacturing cost.


The described systems and methods determine a driver's fitness to safely operate a moving vehicle based at least in part upon observed impairment patterns. A smart ring, wearable on a user's finger, continuously monitors impairment levels. This impairment data, representing impairment patterns, can be utilized, in combination with driving data, to train a machine learning model, which will predict the user's level of risk exposure based at least in part upon observed impairment patterns. The user can be warned of this risk to prevent them from driving or to encourage them to delay driving. In some instances, the disclosed smart ring system may interact with the user's vehicle to prevent it from starting while the user is in a state of impairment induced by substance intoxication.

Driving while impaired by an intoxicating substance, legal or illegal, is a road hazard that results in a grave number of injuries and lost lives. Intoxicated drivers endanger themselves and others on the road because their alertness, coordination, judgement, and reaction time may be compromised.
Some drivers have the best intentions to avoid operating a vehicle while impaired to a degree of becoming a safety threat to themselves and those around them, however it can be difficult to correlate the amount and type of a consumed intoxicating substance with its effect on driving abilities. Notably, some people may suffer severe impairment even when staying below legal intoxication limits and may not realize the degree of risk they are exposing themselves to at those low levels of intoxication. The severity of impairment can be a variable of many factors, such as individual metabolism rate, blood pressure, fatigue, diet, and many other personal and environmental factors. The effects and severity of impairment induced by intoxication can vary not only between individuals, but also from one day to another for the same person due to a variety of transient factors. Further, in some instances, the intoxicating substance might alter the user's consciousness and prevent them from making a rational decision on their own about whether they are fit to operate a vehicle.
There is a need for discrete systems for self-assessing the severity of impairment induced by intoxicating substances and making a prediction of the effects of that impairment on driving safety.

Smart ring system for measuring driver impairment levels and using machine learning techniques to predict high risk driving behavior


Circuits that solve stochastic problems and techniques for operating them. These natively stochastic circuits may produce samples from probability distributions of interest for particular stochastic problems, and may be combined together in any suitable way to yield potential solutions to stochastic problems. In some implementations, the stochastic circuits may generate samples from conditional probability distributions conditioned on input data provided to the stochastic circuits. The circuits may be constructed from multiple interconnected stochastic subcircuits such that a circuit may produce a sample from a joint probability distribution, or from a marginal distribution of a joint distribution. These circuits may be used to implement stochastic sampling algorithms to solve stochastic processes, and may include stochastic subcircuits that operate concurrently.

Many computational problems can be categorized as either deterministic or stochastic. In general, in a deterministic problem, an "answer" to the problem, or a next state of a solution of the problem, is computable with certainty based on input values and the current state of the problem. In general, in a stochastic problem, the "answer" to the problem, or a next state of a solution of the problem, is uncertain and defined in accordance with a probability distribution.
One type of stochastic problem that occurs often in the real world arises when any of multiple possible events could have generated an observed scenario. Data can be collected about a scenario that exists and used to compute probabilities that the observed scenario is caused by each of the possible events. Based on the determined probabilities, decisions can be made. For example, decisions may be made assuming that the most probable event actually gave rise to the scenario. Though, in more complex scenarios, decisions may be made in other ways, such as by evaluating, based on the probabilities, an expectation that a particular decision will give rise to a give or bad result.
Image analysis is an example of a field that includes stochastic problems. In one stereo vision problem, two different images may be generated by two digital cameras placed close to one another—such as when approximating human eyes for a robotics problem. It may be desirable to determine, based on the images themselves, a distance to a particular object in the images. Each of the stereo images represents measurements of light traveling to a camera from the object. Because the light will travel in predictable paths when reflecting off objects, it may seem that the position of the object from which that light is reflected could be deterministically computed. However, in reality, many factors could influence the actual light measured at the camera. The shape, size and surface properties of the object as well as the position, strength and other properties of the light source may influence what is measured. As a result, any of a number of different objects at different distances from the cameras may generate the same or similar measured values.
Accordingly, when stereo image analysis is treated as a stochastic problem, what is computed is the probability that particular objects in particular locations gave rise to the measured images. This data can be used, for example, to guide a robot using the stereo vision system. The control algorithm of the robot may simply react to the data provided by stochastic analysis of the image as if the most probable objects are actually present. A more complex control algorithm may guide the robot to maximize the expectation that it will reach its intended destination without getting entangled with objects or minimize the expectation that the robot will be damaged due to collisions with objects.
Text analysis is another example of a stochastic problem: Given a set of words in the text of a document, it may be desirable to identify the topic of the document. The set of words in the document defines a scenario that could have been created by any of a number of events. Specifically, it is possible that the document could be on any of a number of topics. Similarly, if the point of the text analysis is to determine the point of view of the author, it is possible that any of a number of points of view will give rise to the words found in the document. When treated as a stochastic problem, it may be possible to determine probabilities associated with these events such as that the document describes a particular topic or that the author subscribed to a particular point of view. These probabilities can then be used in decision making, such as whether to return the document in response to a particular search query or how to catalog the document.
Other problems similarly follow this pattern and can be solved by determining probabilities of events that may give rise to a particular observed scenario. Such problems are generally characterized by a conditional probability density function. The conditional probability density function defines the probability of events within a set of events given that a particular scenario exists. From observations that tell what scenario exists and the probability density function, the probability that each event in the set gave rise to the observed scenario can be computed.
A second type of stochastic problem arises when it is desired to determine values for values for variables defining a scenario, but the values of these variables have a random component. This can arise in many situations where the variables cannot be directly observed, for example when they describe the microscopic structure of a chemical system of interest, or when they describe the clustering of biological, text, or demographical data. In all these settings, while the variables cannot be specified deterministically, they can be described in terms of a probability distribution. By selecting values according to the probability distribution, typical values may be obtained for inspection, or for use in solving other, larger stochastic problems.
A third type of stochastic problem arises when it is theoretically possible, but practically very difficult, to compute a value for some parameter in a scenario. If the scenario can be described in accordance with a probability distribution that assigns a high probability to the actual value of the parameter, selecting a value in accordance with the probability leads to a good approximation of the actual value. The widely used technique of Monte Carlo approximation provides a rich source of examples of this kind of stochastic problem.
Each of these types of problems has in common that it involves generating one or more samples in accordance with a probability distribution. Often, this process is complex and cannot be done by hand or mentally; accordingly, computers are necessary to solve a stochastic problem.
One traditional approach for using a conventional computer to solve a stochastic problem is to determine a set of possible events that is possible under the probability distribution and then computing the probability of each potential event. In the context of the stereovision problem, this may involve identifying all potential distances to an object and calculating a probability that each distance is the correct distance.
These probabilities are typically computed with high precision, to ensure that they closely approximate the actual probabilities. Accordingly, when a stochastic problem is approximated as a deterministic problem, it may be computed using 64-bit floating point processes, such that a probability of each event occurring (or each output being the "correct" output) is calculated and stored with 64-bit precision.


An EGR gas cooling device for hybrid vehicle provided in an EGR system for refluxing a part of exhaust gas of an engine as EGR gas to an intake passage and configured to cool the EGR gas in a hybrid vehicle including the engine and a motor as travel drive sources of the vehicle includes an EGR cooler for cooling the EGR gas using a refrigerant flowing in a strong electric cooling circuit for cooling the motor.

JP2007-92718A discloses a technology for, in an EGR device including an EGR passage for recirculating a part of exhaust gas by allowing communication between an exhaust side and an intake side of an engine and an EGR cooler provided in this EGR passage, blocking an exit-side cooling water flow passage of the EGR cooler when engine cooling water is at a predetermined temperature or lower and allowing the communication of the exit-side cooling water passage when the temperature of the engine cooling water exceeds the predetermined temperature. In this way, the temperature of the cooling water is increased in a short time to suppress the production of condensed water in the EGR cooler when the engine cooling water is at a low temperature.

EGR gas cooling device for hybrid vehicle and EGR gas cooling method for hybrid vehicle


Embodiments of the invention include a wavelength-converting material defined by AE3−x1−y+zRE3−x2+y−z[Si9−wAlw(N1−yCy)[4](N16−z−wOz+w)[2]]Eux1,Cex2, where AE=Ca, Sr, Ba; RE=Y, Lu, La, Sc; 0≤x1≤0.18; 0≤x2≤0.2; x1+x2>0; 0≤y≤1; 0≤z≤3; 0≤w≤3.

Semiconductor light-emitting devices including light emitting diodes (LEDs), resonant cavity light emitting diodes (RCLEDs), vertical cavity laser diodes (VCSELs), and edge emitting lasers are among the most efficient light sources currently available. Materials systems currently of interest in the manufacture of high-brightness light emitting devices capable of operation across the visible spectrum include Group III-V semiconductors, particularly binary, ternary, and quaternary alloys of gallium, aluminum, indium, and nitrogen, also referred to as III-nitride materials. Typically, III-nitride light emitting devices are fabricated by epitaxially growing a stack of semiconductor layers of different compositions and dopant concentrations on a sapphire, silicon carbide, III-nitride, or other suitable substrate by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD), molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), or other epitaxial techniques. The stack often includes one or more n-type layers doped with, for example, Si, formed over the substrate, one or more light emitting layers in an active region formed over the n-type layer or layers, and one or more p-type layers doped with, for example, Mg, formed over the active region. Electrical contacts are formed on the n- and p-type regions.
A light emitting device such as an LED is often combined with a wavelength converting material such as a phosphor. U.S. 2010/0289044 describes desirable properties of a red-emitting phosphor. In particular, "for >200 lm/W white down-conversion LEDs, red is the most critical spectral component since the spectral position and width of the red emission directly determines luminous efficacy and color rendition. Besides high efficiency and stability, a suitable Eu2+ doped host lattice for narrow emission red should fulfill at least part of the following requirements:
1. Strong, covalent activator-ligand interactions are needed to efficiently lower the net positive charge of the activator. A medium condensed nitride lattice with coordinating N[2] ligands is considered as most suitable.
2. The host should contain only one substitutional lattice site for the activator ion and no statistical site occupation within the host structure (as found for SiAlONes or CaSiAlN3:Eu) to avoid inhomogeneous broadening of the emission band. In case that more than one substitutional lattice is present in the host lattice, the substitutional lattice sites should differ significantly in chemical nature to avoid spectral overlap of emission bands.
3. The activator site should show a high symmetry to limit possible structural relaxation modes of the activator in the excited state. Preferably, the activator site is larger (Ba site) than Eu2+ to hinder excited state relaxation and thus minimize the Stokes shift.
U.S. 2010/0289044 further states Preferably, the red emitting Eu(II) phosphor should also show coordination numbers of the Eu(II) activator between 6 and 8 and an activator-ligand arrangement that leads to a strong splitting of the Eu(II) 5d levels required for red emission in combination with a small Stokes shift. The activator-ligand contact length should lie in the range 210-320 pm. In other words, a suitable red phosphor is characterized by a six fold to eightfold coordination of the red emitting activator by its ligands and activator-ligand contact lengths in the 210-320 pm range."

Wavelength converting material for a light emitting device


A medium for image formation which comprises a monomolecular film or monomolecular built-up film of a metal chelate compound and a process for image formation which comprises (1) manipulating the adsorption of a gas on a metal chelate compound and the desorption of the gas therefrom or (2) reducing metal ions in molecules of a metal chelate compound.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a novel medium for image formation and more particularly to a medium for image formation which comprises a monomolecular film or monomolecular built-up film of a metal chelate compound provided on a substrate.
The invention also relates to a novel process for image formation, and more particularly to a process for image formation based on the application of active energy signals to a monomolecular film or monomolecular built-up film of a metal chelate compound to control adsorption and desorption of a gas on the film or to reduce metal ions in molecules of the metal chelate compound, thereby forming an image.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Various recording media and processes are known for recording images by applying optical, thermal, or electrical energy signals. Some of these media or processes have been put into practical use (see, for example, "Insha Kogaku (Printing Technology", II, III, published by Kyoritsu Shuppan Co., Ltd.). In particular, there are many investigations on recording media and processes using metal chelate compounds. As an example, the recording medium disclosed by J. J. Robillard [Photographic Science and Engineering, 8, 18 (1964)], which forms a visible image on image exposure with a high voltage applied, is constructed as follows: Particles of a compound (e.g. CuSCN) which produces catalytic ions on light exposure, together with a color-forming material (a metal chelate compound, e.g. Na[Co(C.sub.5 H.sub.7 O.sub.2).sub.2 (NO).sub.2).sub.2 ]) adsorbed around the particles, are dispersed in a binder; a conductive substrate is coated with a several microns thick layer of the resulting dispersion; this layer, acting as a recording film, is overlaid with a transparent plate such as a glass plate on which a transparent SnO.sub.2 electrode is formed by vapor deposition. In this medium, a colored image based on metallic cobalt can be formed by image exposure of the medium while applying a high voltage between the SnO.sub.2 electrode and the conductive substrate.
Another example of the chelate-based recording media is one disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 45,622/75 and 130,218/1976. This medium is constructed by dispersing a tellurium metal chelate compound (e.g. dichlorotellurobisacetophenone) and a photosensitizer (e.g. pyrenequinone) in a binder, and coating the dispersion on a substrate. In this medium, a colored image based on metallic tellurium is obtained by image exposure followed by heating. As an example of media for image recording similarly to this by light exposure and heat treatment, the recording medium of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 109,720/75 is known, which comprises a .beta.-diketonito-metal chelate compound and a photosensitizer.
A further example of the chelate-based recording media is a medium developed by Eastman Kodak Co. In this case, the image formation process is similar to the above; that is, a colored cobalt chelate image is reproduced by light exposure and heat treatment. As a modified example, there has been proposed a technique of color formation on a diazo paper by utilizing ammonia gas evolved from said recording medium during the heat development. More specifically, this recording medium is constructed by dispersing a hexamine cobalt III complex ([Co(NH.sub.3).sub.6 ].sup.3+ 3Cl.sup.-), a photosensitizer (e.g. quinone), and a compound (e.g. 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol), hereinafter abbreviated as PAN) capable of forming a colored chelate jointly with cobalt ions, in a binder, and coating the dispersion on a substrate. On heating after image exposure of this recording medium, the cobalt in the exposed portion is reduced from trivalent to divalent and the divalent cobalt ion, jointly with the PAN, forms a chelate. This chelate undergoes a ligand exchange reaction with the hexamine cobalt complex [III), yielding a colored chelate of trivalent cobalt with PAN. The reaction chelating a divalent cobalt ion with completely free PAN is repeated to a yield the trivalent cobalt-PAN colored chelate according to a chain reaction, thus forming a visible image.
A still further example of the chelate-based recording media is a medium constructed of a supported layer of a mixture of a metal salt of higher fatty acid and a compound capable of forming, jointly with the metal of said salt, a colored chelate, dispersed in a binder, or otherwise two supported layers containing separately these compounds dispersed in a binder, wherein a colored image is developed corresponding to the recorded image by heating the medium to fuse together the metal salt and the chelating agent. For instance, a combination of zinc stearate with diphenyl carbazone gives a red image and the combination of ferric stearate with gallic acid gives a black-purple image.
These prior techniques, however, have the drawback of forming much blurred or fuzzy images because the thickness of the recording layer is as large as several microns in any of these media. Another drawback of these media is that when the recording layer is to be formed of a dispersion of recording compounds in a binder, coating operation using a solvent is necessary to apply the dispersion and the color forming reaction partly occurs during the coating step, this tending to cause so-called fogging. When recording compounds are distributed separately in plural recording layers in order to inhibit the above undesirable reaction, another drawback arises in which the efficiency of the reaction between these compounds is markedly lowered and further the resolution of images and the sensitivity are notably deteriorated. Additionally when voltage application across these recording layers is necessary, a high voltage (e.g. several hundred of volts) is required since the recording layers are thick as a whole.


Embodiments described herein relate generally to compositions that include a synthetic redox-active receptor, and in particular to compositions that include a boronic acid based synthetic redox-active receptor which can electrochemically sense a target analyte in a sample solution. In some embodiments, a synthetic redox-active receptor can have a composition of formula I:

Embodiments described herein relate generally to compositions that include diquaternary ammonium salts, and in particular to compositions that include a boronic acid based synthetic redox-active receptor that can electrochemically sense a target analyte in a sample solution.
Electrochemical sensors are defined as sensors that employ an electronic parameter, for example, current, voltage, capacitance, impedance, or any other electronic parameter to measure the concentration of a target analyte, for example, a chemical, a biochemical, or a biological analyte. Among these electrochemical sensors, amperometric electrochemical sensors (i.e., current measuring sensors) are most common. Amperometric electrochemical sensors can include a working electrode, a reference electrode and optionally, a counter electrode, which can be electronically coupled via an electrical circuit, for example, a potentiostat. The working electrode is biased at a predetermined positive (i.e., oxidation) or a predetermined negative (i.e., reduction) voltage, capable of oxidizing or reducing the target analyte, respectively. The redox reaction produces a current that is measured and compared with calibration plots to determine the concentration of the target analyte.
Known amperometric electrochemical sensors are also used as biosensors for sensing non-electroactive target analytes, for example, a biomolecule such as glucose. Such known amperometric electrochemical sensors can include a biosensing molecule such as, for example, an enzyme or a synthetic biocatalyst immobilized on the surface of the working electrode. The biosensing molecule can catalytically decompose the non-electroactive biomolecule to yield an electroactive molecule and a by-product. For example, glucose oxidase decomposes glucose to yield gluconic acid, which is non-electroactive, and hydrogen peroxide which is electroactive. The electroactive hydrogen peroxide is oxidized or reduced on the surface of the working electrode to produce a current which is measured and is correlated to the concentration of the target analyte.
Electrochemical biosensors that include conventional biosensing molecules however, suffer from numerous drawbacks. The conventional biosensing molecules, for example, enzymes, can decompose or degrade over a period of time, or when exposed to non-physiological conditions leading to degradation of the sensitivity and resolution provided by the biosensor. Conventional enzymatic-based biosensors create by-products making them susceptible to biofouling, which can reduce the diffusion of the target analyte to the biosensing molecule and/or the working electrode and degrade the electrochemical signal. Furthermore, conventional biosensing molecules consume the target analyte during the redox reaction. This can make it difficult to sense very small concentrations of the target analyte and thereby negatively impact the limit of the detection of conventional biosensors.
Thus, it is an enduring goal of electrochemical sensing systems to develop new electrochemical sensors and biosensing molecules for in vitro and in vivo measurement that can provide a higher signal to noise ratio, longer life, and do not consume the target analyte.

Non-enzymatic electrochemical sensor for measuring analytes

Abstract: wherein the variables L, L′, R, R′, n and X− are described herein.


A high-perveance steady state deuterium ion gun was developed using a magnetic-index resonator in an Inductive Coupling Radio Frequency (ICRF) configuration. This approach made it feasible to generate an ion beam within millimeter dimensions extracted by negative potential placed at several centimeters from the exit of the ion source. The ion gun allows high extraction efficiency and low beam divergence as compared to other approaches.

The present invention relates to control and/or production of ion beams, and more particularly, but not exclusively, relates to ion beam gun designs and applications.
Ion beam source applications span a broad and immense spectrum of technologies. This spectrum includes solid state device fabrication, application of focused ion beams, surface modification, increased tool wear resistance, thin film deposition, semiconductor ion implantation, fabrication of molecular and macromolecular electronic devices, sheet metal processing, sputtering, scattering and backscattering studies, surface analytical techniques, fusion reactors, and ion-beam etching just to name a few.
Desirable goals for an ion source are a simple-design, i.e. reasonable size relative to the applicant unit, and ease of maintenance. It is also desirable that the ion source should have "relatively" high extraction efficiency (current density/deposited power). It is often desired that the approach be scalable. Thus, there are many opportunities for further advancement in this area of technology.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Methods, apparatus, and systems involving ion beam generation


A communication system including a wireless communicator including a baseband modem for connecting to the Internet via a cellular network, and a connector for physically connecting the wireless communicator to a laptop computer port, and a laptop computer including a wireless modem for communicating in a wireless mode with the wireless communicator, a port for physically connecting the wireless communicator to the laptop computer and for communicating in a wired mode with the wireless communicator, and a connection wedge, wherein the laptop computer connects to the Internet via a link between the laptop computer and the wireless communicator, and wherein the connection wedge selectively uses the wired mode or the wireless mode for the link according to whether or not the wireless communicator is physically connected to the laptop computer, respectively. A method is also described and claimed.

Conventional laptop computers generally connect to the Internet using an internal or an external modem, such as a dial-up or a cellular modem. The connection between a laptop computer and an external modem may be via network cable, USB, PCMCIA or wireless.
Despite ubiquitous connectivity available today, situations still abound where a laptop computer-does not have Internet connectivity, or where a laptop computer loses Internet connectivity during an ongoing Internet session. In such situations, a user may use his cell phone as a link to connect his laptop computer to the Internet via a cellular communication network. However, using standard connection protocols, such as Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), if a laptop computer's Internet connection is changed during an ongoing Internet session from linking to the Internet via a physical (wired) modem to linking via a wireless modem connection, or vice versa, a new IP address must be allocated. Allocating a new IP address disrupts the ongoing Internet connection session.
It would thus be of advantage if a user could use his cell phone to connect his laptop computer to the Internet in such a way that the same IP address persists when his Internet connection is handed over from a physical link to a wireless link, or vice versa, during an ongoing Internet connection session.


An integral multi-functional apparatus is used with building trusses which provides structural integrity in the horizontal and vertical dimensions. The apparatus also serves to permit ventilation and maintain insulation in a desired position. Each apparatus includes a face plate having a plurality of air passages, a back plate having a lip, opposing stud straps for vertical interconnection of truss chords with the frame, and opposing truss chord flanges for horizontal interconnection of the truss chords. A top truss chord web is joined to each truss chord flange for securement to the top of the truss chord. A top plate tab is also joined to each truss chord flange for attachment to the top plate of the frame.

In constructing wood framed buildings, and especially in residential construction, it is common to use trusses to support the roof. Trusses are typically triangular in shape and are positioned on, and secured to, the top plate of the frame directly above the vertically extending studs. Top plates typically include upper and lower boards or members.
A variety of techniques and products have been developed for use in this environment. With respect to securing the truss to the frame it is known in the art to guard against the uplifting or removal of the roof from the structure by using hurricane clips or similar hardware, such as straps, to connect truss members to the frame of the building. Hurricane clips typically are metal clips secured to one truss member and to the frame of the house with nails or other fasteners.
The use of ventilation devices and insulation stops is also known in the practice of building construction. Ventilation devices are typically disposed between adjacent roof trusses and immediately above the top plate. Ventilation devices allow a free flow of air to cool the attic space in the summer and to restrict moisture buildup during the winter. Insulation stops are known to be used with ventilation devices to prevent unwanted movement of insulation.
Also known in the art are spacing and support construction members which provide proper spacing between adjacent roof members and which support adjacent roof members by providing physical linkage between adjacent roof members and between roof members and the support structure, otherwise known as bridging.

Integral multi-functional apparatus used with a building truss


A shield cleaning system, operating solely by spraying with washing fluid, for shields (2) of an automobile light has a plurality of washing nozzles (12-14) which are arranged on a washing arm (6) pivotable about a pivot axis (7) and which are located opposite and at a short distance from the shield (2) and together spray a part region of the shield (2) with washing fluid. The washing nozzles (12-14) are guided by the washing arm (6) over that region of the shield (2) which is to be cleaned.

The invention relates to a shield cleaning system, operating solely by spraying with washing fluid, for shields of an automobile, in particular for shields of automobile lights, with a washing arm movable over and at a distance from the shield by a motor and with a washing nozzle which is arranged on the washing arm and which is provided for spraying washing fluid onto the shield.
In a known shield cleaning system, the washing nozzle is moved by the washing arm from a position of rest next to the shield into an operating position in a central position above the shield. The shield cleaning system is thereby essentially independent of the external design of the automobile. However, since the washing nozzle also has to clean the edge regions of the shield from the central position above the latter, in the operating position the washing nozzle is at a long distance from the shield. The washing fluid jet may consequently be deflected by the relative wind. In order to clean the shield, therefore, the known shield cleaning system requires particularly high pressure at the washing nozzle and a large quantity of washing fluid. The known shield cleaning system therefore has a very high-powered washing fluid pump and a washing fluid container of large volume. This leads, however, to a high outlay in terms of construction and to high production costs of the shield cleaning system.
Furthermore, a washing nozzle has become known, which has a swirl chamber with an axial and a tangential inlet. A conical and a central washing fluid jet can thereby be generated alternately. The dirt adhering to the shield is consequently flushed from inside outward to the shield edge, as a result of which a particularly good cleaning action is to be achieved. Since, in this case too, the washing nozzle is located in a central position above the shield, a very high pressure at the washing nozzle and a large quantity of washing fluid are also required in this design, particularly in order to clean the edge regions of the screen.
It would be conceivable to improve the cleaning action by means of a shield wiper which wipes away the dirt released by the washing fluid. This is not possible, however, particularly with regard to automobile light shields produced from transparent plastic, since they may be scratched by the screen wiper. In future automobiles, for example, video cameras could well also be used, the shields of which would likewise have to be protected from being scratched by a screen wiper.
The object on which the invention is based is to provide a shield cleaning system of the initially mentioned type, in such a way that, with a particularly small quantity of washing fluid, it cleans the shield thoroughly and without the risk of the shield being scratched.
This object is solved, according to the invention, in that the washing nozzle is provided for spraying a part region of the shield and can be moved by the washing arm over that region of the shield which is to be cleaned.
Since the washing nozzle of the shield cleaning system according to the invention sprays only a part region of the shield with washing fluid, said washing nozzle may be arranged at a substantially shorter distance above the shield than the washing nozzle of the known shield cleaning system. Since the washing nozzle is at a short distance from the shield, the washing fluid jet is deflected only insignificantly by the relative wind. As a result, dirt adhering to the shield is flushed away according to the movement of the washing arm, so that the shield is cleaned particularly thoroughly. Moreover, only a particularly small washing fluid pump and a very small washing fluid container are required, since losses of washing fluid are kept particularly low due to the short distance of the washing nozzle from the shield. The shield cleaning system according to the invention can therefore be produced particularly cost-effectively and has particularly low washing fluid consumption. Furthermore, scratching of the shield is ruled out because it is cleaned solely by the washing fluid jet. Shields of any size can be cleaned by arranging a plurality of washing nozzles which overlap slightly in the spray region.
According to an advantageous development of the invention, the shield cleaning system according to the invention has a particularly high cleaning action, along with a particularly low washing fluid consumption, if the washing nozzle is designed as a fluidic nozzle with a washing fluid jet oscillating essentially transversely to the direction of movement of the washing arm. Even if the pressure in the washing fluid line is relatively low, such fluidic nozzles generate a sharp punctiform washing fluid jet which constantly oscillates laterally through an intended angle. As a result, the washing nozzle has a striplike or elliptic spray region. The washing fluid jet is guided over the entire shield by means of the movement of the washing nozzle by the washing arm.
According to another advantageous development of the invention, the washing arm is particularly simple in terms of construction if it is of tubular design for receiving a washing fluid duct leading to a plurality of washing nozzles and has a connection for a washing fluid line.
If there is a plurality of washing nozzles connected to a common washing fluid duct, all the washing nozzles receive the same quantity of washing fluid if, according to another advantageous development of the invention, the washing fluid duct has a tapering inner contour, as seen from the connection of the washing fluid line.
According to another advantageous development of the invention, washing fluid is constantly present in the vicinity of the washing nozzles if a nonreturn valve is arranged in the washing fluid duct. This design keeps a delay in cleaning the shield after the shield cleaning system has been switched on particularly short.
According to another advantageous development of the invention, the washing nozzles can be prevented in a simple way from freezing up if a heating element is arranged in the washing fluid duct and/or at the washing nozzles.
According to another advantageous development of the invention, the shield cleaning system can be produced particularly cost-effectively if the washing arm is mounted pivotably about a pivot axis.
In known shield cleaning systems irregularly shaped screens can be cleaned only partially, since, in this case, the washing nozzle sprays the edges of the shields only inadequately with washing fluid. However, according to another advantageous development of the invention, shields of irregular shape are cleaned virtually completely if they have means for adjusting the distance of the washing nozzle from the shield during the movement of said washing nozzle. By virtue of this design, the washing nozzle is at a particularly long distance from the shield when a wide region of the shield is to be sprayed. Since the spray region, of fluidic nozzles in particular, widens with an increasing distance from the washing nozzle, the shield is reliably cleaned as far as and into its edge regions.
According to another advantageous development of the invention, the means for increasing the distance of the washing nozzle from the shield are particularly simple in terms of construction if the washing arm has a yoke mounted pivotably in a lateral region of the shield and, when in the basic position, at least partially surrounding the shield.
According to another advantageous development of the invention, the washing arm is particularly stable if it has a yoke mounted on two opposite sides of the shield. By virtue of this design, for example, round or elliptic shields can be cleaned in a particularly simple way, since, in this case, the distance of the washing nozzle from the shield and, consequently, the width of the sprayed region change uniformly with the pivot angle of the washing arm. Oval shields are cleaned completely by means of a plurality of washing nozzles arranged next to one another, without washing fluid being sprayed alongside the shield.
According to another advantageous development of the invention, the washing nozzle always sprays perpendicularly onto the shield if the washing arm has two yokes running parallel and the washing nozzle is mounted pivotably relative to each of the yokes.
According to an advantageous development of the invention, a lateral boundary of the spray region of the washing nozzle moved at a variable distance over the shield can be set in a simple way if the washing nozzle is inclined transversely to its direction of movement.
Particularly in the case of convexly curved shields of automobile lights, the intended distance of the washing nozzles from the shield can often be maintained by means of the pivotably mounted washing arm. According to another advantageous development of the invention, even in the case of convexly curved shields, the washing nozzles are at the intended distance from the shield if the washing arm has a push rod mounted so as to be longitudinally displaceable and shaped according to the contour of the shield.
According to another advantageous development of the invention, the washing nozzles are reliably protected from damage if, in a basic position, the washing nozzles are countersunk in a recess of an automobile component adjacent to the shield.
According to another advantageous development of the invention, soiling of the washing nozzles countersunk in the recess can be reliably avoided if the washing arm has a cover closing the recess in the basic position. Furthermore, by virtue of this design, the shield cleaning system has virtually no influence on the automobile""s air resistance. For visual reasons, the cover may be lacquered in the color of the automobile component adjacent to the shield.
According to another advantageous development, the washing arm can be produced particularly cost-effectively if it is produced from plastic by the injection molding method. If the washing arm has a cover for the recess, the cover may, for example, be colored in the color of the automobile component adjacent to the shield.
The shield cleaning system according to the invention is fitted in a particularly simple way if a guide of the push rod or a mounting of the washing arm is produced in one piece with a housing of the automobile light.
Experience has shown that shield cleaning systems have a considerable influence on the visual appearance of the automobile. A particular advantage due to the fact that a washing arm is visible only during the cleaning operation is afforded if the washing arm is designed as a component shaped according to the contour of a body element and is arranged so as to be movable out of said body element. This body element is expediently located in a region directly in front of the shield.
A high proportion of already prefabricated and preassembled components is particularly profitable in automobile production. A particular embodiment of the shield cleaning system according to the invention can be fitted by a supplier, independently of the automobile, if the body element is a fender of an automobile.
Conventional shield cleaning systems often have the disadvantage that, in order to be used, they first have to be moved into an operating position and only thereafter can the actual washing operation commence. The washing arm is already in a position for operation if, according to a further embodiment according to the invention, the washing nozzle is arranged on the top side of the component.
A shield cleaning system of the type mentioned should operate reliably precisely under adverse environmental conditions. In the case of washing arms of the conventional type which are exposed, the washing nozzle may be covered, for example, with a layer of snow in winter, thereby considerably restricting the action of such washing nozzle arrangements. The shield cleaning system is largely protected against environmental influences if the washing nozzle is arranged on the underside of the component. In this version, the washing nozzle, when in the position of rest, remains inside the body elements surrounding it and is therefore visible only in the operating position.
The shield cleaning system according to the invention can be produced particularly economically if the fitting outlay is diminished by a reduction in the components. A corresponding embodiment, in which the component is designed in one piece with the washing nozzle, can be achieved if the component is designed as a washing nozzle.
The component according to the invention, movable out of the contour of a body element, opposes little resistance to the air flow, even at high speeds, and can be arranged in a particularly simple way if the component is pivotable about a joint running transversely to the longitudinal axis of the automobile.
Arranging a joint for the component involves a high outlay in terms of construction, depending on the nature of the surface. Another embodiment of the invention, which is particularly advantageous for this purpose, therefore dispenses with a joint. Such an embodiment can be implemented particularly effectively, even in the case of highly convexly curved surfaces and difficult conditions of space, if the component can be moved out of the contour of the body element in parallel by means of the motor.
In addition to lightweight construction, it is of primary importance in modern automobile manufacturing, to cut back on additional structural elements. The drive of the washing arm can be achieved in a simple way if, according to another development of the invention, the motor for moving the washing arm can be driven by the washing fluid. This motor consists, for example, of a piston which has a connected push rod and which is moved slowly out of a position of rest as far as maximum deflection by the pressure of the washing fluid conveyed by means of a washing fluid pump. In this case, the speed of movement can be adapted, for example, by means of a throttle. It would also be possible, however, to drive the piston by means of a vacuum which is generated by the flow of washing fluid.
According to another advantageous development of the invention, the shield cleaning system has particularly low washing fluid consumption, along with a particularly high cleaning action, if it has a control device for conveying the washing fluid to the washing nozzles at the start and end of an intended time interval. By virtue of this design, dirt located on the shield is first softened and is subsequently flushed away.
Present-day automobiles have a shield cleaning system with a washing fluid pump for conveying washing fluid to a front shield. The shield cleaning system according to the invention necessitates a particularly low outlay in terms of construction if the washing fluid pump is designed for selectively conveying washing fluid in two directions, the washing fluid being capable of being conveyed in one direction to the front shield and in the other direction to the shields of automobile lights. The front shield or the shields of the automobile lights can thereby be cleaned in succession.

Headlight cleaning system operating exclusively by spraying with washing liquid


A semiconductor device includes a first-conductivity-type SiC substrate, a first-conductivity-type SiC semiconductor layer formed on the substrate, whose impurity concentration is lower than that of the substrate, a first electrode formed on the semiconductor layer and forming a Schottky junction with the semiconductor layer, a barrier height of the Schottky junction being 1 eV or less, plural second-conductivity-type junction barriers formed to contact the first electrode and each having a depth d1 from an upper surface of the semiconductor layer, a width w, and a space s between adjacent ones of the junction barriers, a second-conductivity-type edge termination region formed outside the junction barriers to contact the first electrode and having a depth d2 from the upper surface of the semiconductor layer, and a second electrode formed on the second surface of the substrate, wherein following relations are satisfied d1/d2≧1, s/d1≦0.6, and s/(w+s)≦0.33.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a Schottky barrier semiconductor device provided with electrode layers forming Schottky barriers in an SiC semiconductor layer.
2. Description of the Related Art
An SiC Schottky barrier diode is used in, for example, a high-frequency circuit owing to its switching characteristics of enabling high-speed operation and a relatively small forward loss. In a conventional SiC Schottky barrier diode, a Schottky barrier formed by joining an electrode layer to a semiconductor layer can be changed depending on a material such as a metal used in the electrode, and a forward rising voltage and a reverse leakage current change in accordance with the height of the Schottky barrier. One electrode material which increases the height of the Schottky barrier is nickel (Ni). When this material is used as the electrode material, a threshold voltage increases, but the reverse leakage current is suppressed. In contrast, one material which decreases the height of the Schottky barrier is titanium silicide (TiSi2). When this material is used, the height of the Schottky barrier decreases, but the reverse leakage current increases. Thus, the electrode material having a low forward threshold voltage increases the reverse leakage current, and it has been impossible that both the forward threshold voltage and the reverse leakage current are low.
On the other hand, there has been disclosed a structure in which a junction barrier is provided at a Schottky junction so that the reverse leakage current of a Schottky barrier semiconductor device is reduced to increase a reverse breakdown voltage (refer to JP-A 59-35183 [KOKAI]). In this Patent document, the reverse leakage current is reduced to enhance the breakdown voltage by a depletion layer which is formed on the side of a first semiconductor region (2) by a junction barrier (4), as disclosed in FIG. 1 of this document.
As described above, the Schottky barrier using a practical electrode material has the characteristics of the forward threshold voltage and the leakage current corresponding to the electrode material, and it has heretofore been impossible to avoid such reciprocal characteristics. Moreover, if a semiconductor region whose conductivity type is different from that of the above-mentioned SiC semiconductor layer serving as a drift layer is formed on the surface of this semiconductor layer, this region does not function as an operation region, and the work area of the drift layer is reduced. In this case, there is a problem of increased series resistance between the electrode layer and an ohmic electrode provided on the rear surface of an SiC semiconductor substrate. Further, the SiC Schottky barrier semiconductor device is required to ensure operation at a high temperature. Especially when the dependency of the leakage current on the temperature is considered, stronger suppression of the leakage current is needed at the high temperature, and a more advanced technique for suppressing the leakage current is demanded.
In view of the foregoing circumstances, the most satisfactory condition of combination is searched for, and it is then clear that a junction barrier controlled Schottky (JBS) structure can be used which selects a Schottky electrode material having a low work function to reduce an on-voltage and which suppresses the reverse leakage current as a measure against the leakage current. A Schottky electrode material having an excessively low work function has an excessively high reverse leakage current and leads to difficulty in obtaining a diode characteristic as such. However, if the height of the Schottky barrier is 1.2 eV or more, the threshold voltage of a conventional Si-PiN diode having the same breakdown voltage is exceeded. Thus, a sufficient reduction of loss expected by the use of the SiC diode might be impaired. It is necessary that the height of the Schottky barrier be 1 eV or less in order to provide a threshold voltage equal to at least that of the Si-PiN diode.
Thus, it has been desired to realize an SiC Schottky barrier semiconductor device which stably operates without much increase of the reverse leakage current even in the case of a temperature variation.


A method is provided of using a neutral event file for manufacturing line analysis. The method includes the steps of constructing a neutral event file and executing a manufacturing line analysis model using the neutral event file. The method also includes the steps of determining whether a good manufacturing line exists based on the manufacturing line analysis model and using the manufacturing line analysis model to build the manufacturing line if a good manufacturing line exists.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to methods and, more specifically, to a method of using a neutral event file for manufacturing line analysis for manufacturing a motor vehicle.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is known that a manufacturing line is typically made of three to twenty linked workcells. Each workcell consists of a tool such as a fixture to position a product, for example sheet metal, and associated automation, for example robots, that process the product, for example by welding. The workcell typically consists of a fixture/tool surrounded by three or four robots. The product is then transferred to the next workcell in the manufacturing line for further processing, until it exits the manufacturing line.
It is also known that the workcells for a manufacturing line can be modeled before the manufacturing line is implemented. The modeling techniques, such as Robcad from Tecnomatix and Igrip from Deneb, for the manufacturing process are limited in scope to a workcell level, due to how these type of technologies represent and manipulate three dimensional data and tool motions. This scope limitation is due to the manner in which tooling geometry is defined and the manner in which tool motions are described and displayed to a user. The geometry representation is typically defined using Non-Uniform Rational BSpline (NURB) type equations, which are very exact and precise, but require intensive microprocessor calculations. The tooling and robotic motions are also microprocessor intensive in that the articulations and movements are described through the use of complex kinematic equations and solvers. Presently, there is no mechanism to verify that the planned interactions between linked workcells is indeed feasible until the manufacturing line is actually fabricated and assembled on a floor of a manufacturing plant.
Therefore, it is desirable to represent tooling space, tooling motions, and product information and transfer to enable integration and coordination into a manufacturing line for analysis prior to tool fabrication, assembly, and tryout. It is also desirable to provide a neutral event file which is not specific to any manufacturing tooling design or process planning system that contains a description of interlocked events which define the required dependencies, actions, and signals that are associated with sequencing and cycling manufacturing tooling devices. It is further desirable to provide a method that uses a neutral event file to enable collecting, locating, and event integration of independently defined tooling and workcell modeling for manufacturing line analysis. Therefore, there is a need in the art to provide a method of using a neutral event file for manufacturing line analysis for manufacturing a motor vehicle.
Accordingly, the present invention is a method of using a neutral event file for manufacturing line analysis. The method includes the steps of constructing a neutral event file and executing a manufacturing line analysis model using the neutral event file. The method also includes the steps of determining whether a good manufacturing line exists based on the manufacturing line analysis model and using the manufacturing line analysis model to build the manufacturing line if a good manufacturing line exists.
One advantage of the present invention is that a method of using a neutral event file for a manufacturing line analysis is provided for use in building a manufacturing line to manufacture a motor vehicle. Another advantage of the present invention is that the method uses a neutral event file that enables integration of multiple and independently defined three dimensional CAD tooling, fixture, workcell, and product design models into a single and comprehensive total manufacturing line analysis model. Yet another advantage of the present invention is that the method enables analysis for entire manufacturing lines within one single modeling environment, prior to tooling fabrication and tryout of the actual manufacturing line. Still another advantage of the present invention is that the method brings together all the three dimensional product data, three dimensional tooling design data, tooling motions/behaviors, and interactions between tools and product data associated with an entire manufacturing line. A further advantage of the present invention is that the method provides for pre-build verification of workcell to workcell interactions and total manufacturing line operation, so that any necessary adjustments or changes in tool design can be made while the manufacturing line is still in xe2x80x9cdesign statexe2x80x9d, rather than the current practice of not being able to test for workcell to workcell interaction issues until tool build and manufacturing line tryout.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood, after reading the subsequent description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Method of using neutral event file for manufacturing line analysis


Described is an apparatus for a motion activated decorative light connectable to a predetermined article. A housing connects the light to the article. A power source is positioned within the housing for energizing a light source. A switch is connected to the power source and to the light source so as to energize the light source responsive to motion. The housing comprises a material which allows light from the light source to shine through so that it may be seen by a person observing the moving vehicle, and preferably includes a fluorescent material excited by an LED which emits ultraviolet light. The light may comprise an ornamental shape for forming a visually perceptible light image when the light source is energized.

The present invention relates to the field of accessory decorative lights and, more particularly, to a motion activated light structured for connection to a variety of items to be decorated, particularly to a zipper pull.
Accessory lights of various kinds have become popular for enhancing the appearance of clothing and utilitarian articles. Some such accessory lights may additionally provide added visibility to the wearer in low light conditions, thereby aiding to increase safety.
Colored lights for lighting the undercarriage of a motor vehicle have also become popular, particularly with younger drivers. Similarly, other known accessory lights for vehicles may be connected to a vehicle wheel for producing a lighting effect on the wheel. Some of these lights, for example, may be suitable for mounting onto wheels on bicycles, motorcycles, automobiles and other motor vehicles.
Accessory lights for mounting on vehicle wheels have been known. Some wheel lights mount onto the spokes of a bicycle wheel. Some lights mount onto the air valve stem of a wheel, but are only reflectors not producing emitted light, or require that they be manually switched on and off. Yet other similar lights for mounting on a tire""s air valve stem are energized on contact with the valve stem and remain energized for as long as the battery lasts.
With the foregoing in mind, the present invention advantageously provides a motion activated wheel light for a vehicle wheel having an air valve stem, and a connector which engages complimentary threads on the wheel light so as to adapt it for connection to many other articles, besides a vehicle wheel.
The present invention advantageously provides a connector for connecting to an automatic wheel light originally intended for use with a wheel""s air valve stem. The novel connector allows the wheel light to be connected to a myriad articles, for example, any article having a zipper pull. key chains, decorative necklaces, and others limited only by the mind of the user.
The wheel light energizes responsive to movement of the device, so that the light is off when there is little or no movement, and turns on when the wearer imparts movement to the light or the article to which it is connected. Such operation provides for extended battery life, and avoids the inconvenience of having to manually turn the wheel light on and off. In addition, the wheel light is inexpensive to manufacture and is useful for enhancing the appearance and visibility of an article, or the wearer of the article.
The light preferably comprises a housing having a connector for connecting the light to a predetermined article; a power source positioned within the housing; a light source positioned within the housing and connected to the power source; and a switch positioned within the housing and connected to the power source and to the light source so as to energize the light source responsive to motion.
The housing provides an enclosure for protecting the other components of the light and, preferably, also serves to connect the light to the article, such as a zipper pull. The housing comprises a material which allows light emitted by the light source to shine through so that it may be seen by a person.
The switch is motion activated, and is responsive to motion energy such as vibration. The light source is energized when the switch is activated, thereby lighting the article to which the light is connected.
The light may comprise an ornamental shape for forming a visually perceptible light image when the light source is energized.


A low thermal expansion alloy having a high rigidity and a low thermal expansion coefficient comprising, by mass %, C: 0.040% or less, Si: 0.25% or less, Mn: 0.15 to 0.50%, Cr: 8.50 to 10.0%, Ni: 0 to 5.00%, and Co: 43.0 to 56.0%, S: 0 to 0.050%, and Se: 0 to 0.050% and having a balance of Fe and unavoidable impurities, the contents of Ni, Co, and Mn represented by [Ni], [Co], and [Mn] satisfying 55.7≤2.2[Ni]+[Co]+1.7[Mn]≤56.7 and the structure being an austenite single phase.

As a material for components in electronics and semiconductor related equipment, laser processing machines, and ultraprecision machining equipment, broad use is being made of the thermally stable low thermal expansion alloy. However, in conventional low thermal expansion alloy, there was the problem of the Young's modulus being a small one-half of that of general steel materials. For this reason, it was necessary to make the thickness of the components covered greater and otherwise design the components for higher rigidity.
PTL 1 discloses an alloy having a high elastic modulus and a linear thermal expansion coefficient of 2 to 8×10−6/K as a material for a die made of a low expansion Co-based alloy for use for press-forming optical glass lenses excellent in corrosion resistance of glass. This alloy preferably has a single crystalline structure with a [111] crystal orientation aligned with the press axis of the die.
PTL 2 discloses a low expansion Co-based alloy exhibiting an excellent low expansion property equivalent to that near ordinary temperature in an ultralow temperature region of less than −50° C.


A system is disclosed having a camera, a processor, and a user interface. The camera transmits image data responsive to a scene within a field of view. In response to the image data, the processor indicates whether a condition has been satisfied. The user interface is operably connected to the processor and allows a user to select criteria for detection of objects, for indicating criteria selected, and for providing visual confirmation that an object has been detected.

Sensor and imaging systems are increasingly in demand in today's technology driven economy. These systems include a camera for viewing objects included within a field of view. The camera generates image data that is analyzed by a computer to determine what, if any, action should be taken in response to the object detected.
Many recognition systems use two or more cameras for viewing objects included within one field of view. In addition to the costs associated with using several cameras, these systems require a specific mounting arrangement for each of the cameras. Such systems have a reduced level of reliability over single camera systems because both cameras are needed for proper operation.
Single camera systems are typically mounted at a fixed location and look for objects that satisfy, or fail to satisfy, predetermined criteria. For instance—systems that check for structural defects. These systems are incapable of making decisions that are not already specified.
Accordingly, a need exists for a sensor and imaging system that, by using an image provided by a camera, can decide whether a condition has, or has not, been satisfied.


A robotic animal puzzle is assembled from flat board pieces. The robotic animal includes a head portion. The head portion includes a neck group, a torso portion, including a holder 15 for an optional battery, multiple leg portions, and a tail portion. Those pieces and groups are connected using either interlocking mechanisms or flexible linkages to form the robotic animal-shaped puzzle. Movement and gestures may be controlled by an externally connected processor powered by an on-board battery pack. A pull and drag mechanism is provided to conveniently tune the center of mass. Slots allow the screw that connects the battery holder to slide.

The application generally relates to a robotic animal puzzle. The application relates more specifically to a robotic animal puzzle with articulated appendages with controllable movements.
Robotic puzzles are used for entertainment and educational purposes, to teach mechanical skills and anatomy, and for enjoyment. The process of assembling modular components into a replica of an animal provides entertainment and is instructive in the assembly and interconnection of interactive parts. In addition, with the inclusion of microprocessor controls, the robotic puzzle may be assembled to be interactive and mobile, to simulate actual animal movements.
What is disclosed is a system and/or method that provides an animal shaped robot arranged in puzzle form that satisfies one or more of these needs or provides other advantageous features. Other features and advantages will be made apparent from the present specification. The teachings disclosed extend to those embodiments that fall within the scope of the claims, regardless of whether they accomplish one or more of the aforementioned needs for interlocking mechanisms and flexible linkages for a robotic animal puzzle.


An error check apparatus including, a packet protocol error check processing circuit configure to detect a protocol error of a packet, a retry control circuit configured to receive the protocol error of the packet from the packet protocol error check processing circuit, and to perform request for retry for data of the packet if the received protocol error has not been detected from a packet retransmitted by retry request, and an error notification circuit configured to notify of the protocol error of the packet to a processing unit in a higher-level layer if the protocol error is not a first protocol error for the packet.

In packet transmission, a packet format check process is performed after a transmission error check process at the data recipient side.
In the transmission error check process, an error is recovered by determining it as a transmission path error according to error detection (CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) error, parity error, for example) and performing retransmission request.
In a protocol error check process, a setting error, determination mistake and the like at the transmission source is determined according to error detection (for example, detection of an undefined packet), and the transmission is terminated by closing the port, or a retry process at a higher level layer is performed.
[Patent Document 1] Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2006-186557
[Patent Document 2] Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2006-211632
[Patent Document 3] Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2005-072950
[Patent Document 4] Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2003-264607

Apparatus and method for error check of transmission data


A call progress detection circuit filters the audio input along parallel bandpass and band reject paths. The relevant band of frequencies is defined by the range of 350-620 Hz, within which band all of the call progress tones are found. The energy output from the bandpass path is compared to the energy output from the band reject path to determine if the audio input is generated by a call progress tone or by vocal input.

Automatic dialing systems, which have found increasing commercial application in areas such as operator direct sales and the delivery of prerecorded messages, often include detection means with which to monitor the progress of the dialed call. Such detection means must be capable of distinguishing between the call progress tones emitted by a "busy" signal, a dial tone and a ringing telephone and the signals generated by vocal input. Although the range of frequencies for the call progress tones is generally between 350-620 Hz, monitoring the signals is additionally complicated by the fact that human vocal signals can fall within the same frequency range, though seldom would remain at the same frequency throughout a series of successively emitted signals. The various call progress tones have different periods, for example, a "busy" signal tone endures for a brief period followed by a period during which there is, ideally, no detectable signal, whereas a "ring" signal is emitted for a period of longer duration than that of the busy signal and is followed by a longer period during which there is no detectable signal. Call progress circuitry must therefore be equipped to detect, characterize and respond to the variously emitted tones. Call progress detection circuitry must also be readily incorporated into the operating environment, requiring it to be compact. In addition, although there are currently standardized identifiable tones ranges, the established call progress tone frequencies may be varied in the future to accommodate increasingly sophisticated equipment and services. Call progress detection circuitry should also, ideally, be adaptable to new frequency ranges.
In the past, signal filtering systems have been provided to automatic dialing equipment for the monitoring of specific frequencies of incoming call progress signals. A simple detection circuit of the prior art includes a bandpass filter centered on the call progress frequency range of 350-620 Hz. Such a wide range filter will, however, falsely detect voice signals falling within the relevant frequency range. Yet another, more elaborate, call progress detection system includes a series of narrow bandpass filters at each of the relevant frequencies of the known call progress tones, 350, 440 480 and 620 Hz Although the latter filtering system minimizes the possibility of misinterpreting a voice signal as a call progress tone, it is limited in its ability to both receive and correctly identify signals outside of its narrow filter ranges.
All of the prior art circuitry detects call progress signals by the presence of energy in its pass band. Distinguishing between false triggering, such as in the instance of voice signals in the bandpass range, is not possible in such an "either/or" (i.e., energy in the pass band or not) system.
It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provide an improved call progress detection circuit for incorporation with automatic telephone dialing equipment.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a call progress detection circuit which is capable of detecting and identifying signals in a broad frequency range.
It is yet another objective of the present invention to detect the presence of call progress tones to the exclusion of voice signals in the same frequency range, using more than just the energy in a pass band to detect same.
It is still another objective of the present invention to provide apparatus for distinguishing between call progress tones and human voice signals input to the apparatus.
Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide apparatus for incorporation into an automatic telephone dialing system which is compact.
Still another objective of the present invention is to provide call progress detection apparatus on an integrated circuit chip.
It is a further objective of the invention to provide call progress detection circuitry which can not only detect but also specifically identify the input call progress tone and which is adaptable to newly-established tone frequency ranges.

Matsushita Electric Corporation of America


The present invention relates to the field of wireless charging technology and provides a wireless charging prompt method and device, and a wireless charging system. The method includes establishing a wireless charging connection between a transmitting device and a receiving device; acquiring relative displacement information of the transmitting device and the receiving device and charging efficiency of the transmitting device charging the receiving device in real time; and generating a displacement indication according to change of the charging efficiency with the relative displacement information, where the displacement indication indicates relative movement of the receiving device and/or the transmitting device to improve the charging efficiency.

With the advent of the information age, portable electronic products have brought great convenience to people. Wireless charging technology that emerged at the same time not only reduces the inconvenience of carrying data cables for portable electronic products, but also improves dustproof and waterproof performance of portable electronic products as wireless charging technology does not need to reserve an additional charging port on the portable product.
In general wireless charging technology applications, a transmitting coil is disposed on a transmitting device and a receiving coil is disposed on a receiving device, and then, wireless charging is performed by means of magnetic induction.
It should be noted that the information disclosed in the Background section above is only for enhancing the understanding of the background of the present disclosure and thus, may include information that does not constitute prior art known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

Wireless charging prompt method and device, wireless charging system


Designs and methods are provided for a retractable broadhead blade. In one exemplary embodiment the broadhead blade is configured to be received in a slot in a broadhead body, and moveable between a retracted or in-flight position, and a deployed or target penetrating position. The broadhead blade includes a front end that faces substantially forward when the blade is in the retracted position, a distal end opposite the front end, an outward facing sharpened leading edge between the front end of the blade and the distal end, and an inward facing trailing edge opposite the leading edge. The blade further includes an integral spring member with a contact surface configured to bear against a blade locating portion of a broadhead body when the blade is in the retracted, or in-flight position.

The technical field of the present invention relates generally to broadheads, a well known type of arrowhead, and more particularly to an expanding broadhead, a type of broadhead with an in-flight configuration in which the blades are retracted, and upon striking a target converts to a deployed, or target penetrating position in which the blades are expanded outward.


A zoom lens includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit having a positive refractive power, a second lens unit having a negative refractive power, a third lens unit having a positive refractive power, a rear lens group including one or more lens units, and an aperture stop. During zooming, with the first lens unit not moving, the second lens unit and at least one of the lens units of the rear lens group move. In this zoom lens, the configuration of the third lens unit and the location of the aperture stop are appropriately set.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a zoom lens and an image pickup apparatus including the same, advantageously applicable to an image pickup apparatus that uses an image pickup element, such as a video camera, an electronic still camera, a broadcasting camera, or a monitoring camera, or to an image pickup apparatus that uses a silver-halide film.
Description of the Related Art
In recent years, a zoom lens for use as an image pickup optical system in an image pickup apparatus is desired to have a small overall lens length, a high zoom ratio, and a high resolving power. As a zoom lens meeting these demands, a positive lead type zoom lens is known, which has a lens unit having a positive refractive power at a position closest to an object side.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-145565 discloses a four-element zoom lens consisting of, in order from an object side to an image side, first to fourth lens units having positive, negative, positive, and positive refractive powers, respectively. For zooming, the second lens unit and the fourth lens unit move with the first lens unit not moving. For focusing, the fourth lens unit moves.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-88603 discloses a four-element zoom lens consisting of, in order from the object side to the image side, first to fourth lens units having positive, negative, positive, and positive refractive powers, respectively. For zooming, the second, third, and fourth lens units move. For focusing, the fourth lens unit moves. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-212926 discloses a five-element zoom lens consisting of, in order from the object side to the image side, first to fifth lens units having positive, negative, positive, positive, and negative refractive powers, respectively. For zooming, the second and fourth lens units move with the first lens unit not moving. For focusing, the fourth lens unit moves.
It is typically easy to increase the zoom ratio of a positive lead type zoom lens. However, when the zoom ratio is increased, aberration variation increases in a range from a wide-angle end to a middle zoom position.
In order to obtain a zoom lens offering a high zoom ratio and high optical performance, it is important to appropriately determine the refractive power and configuration of each lens unit, or especially, the third lens unit.

Zoom lens and image pickup apparatus including the same


A frequency selection system includes a wireless microphone and a receiver. The wireless microphone includes a microphone element for receiving sound and outputting a corresponding audio signal, and a transceiver device electrically coupled to the microphone element for wireless transmission of the audio signal and configuration communication. The transceiver device has a first communication unit operable to receive a frequency code. The transceiver device also includes a wireless transmission unit operable to wirelessly transmit the audio signal received from the microphone element using a wireless transmission frequency that corresponds to the frequency code received by the first communication unit. The receiver includes a second communication unit for wirelessly receiving a command code from the first communication unit and wirelessly sending the frequency code to the first communication unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a frequency selection system , and more particularly to a frequency selection system including a wireless microphone and a receiver.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional frequency selection system may permit a user to manually select a frequency of a wireless microphone followed by manual selection of the same frequency for a receiving device. Interference above a threshold limit in one or more attempted frequencies may require multiple attempts to manually determine an acceptable frequency for transmission and reception of audio signals. Operation of the conventional frequency selection system may therefore be tedious, time consuming, and inconvenient.

Frequency selection system including a wireless microphone and a receiver


An integrated protective fishing case for storing and protecting fishing rod, reel, line and pretied lure. The protective fishing case includes a handle section and a rod sleeve section thereby forming a protective case with an outwardly protruding belly section. The case includes the features: The handle section cover with an outwardly protruding section having an internal cavity for covering and protecting a fishing reel; the internal cavity includes a protective double padded section, internal protective right hand and left hand pockets for storing pretied lures; perforated material allowing ventilation and moisture to escape, thereby protecting the fishing tackle stored in the case from rust; to custom fit fishing rod blanks of varying lengths, the rod tip section length is adjustable.

It is well known that many people go fishing every year. Most fishermen and fisherwomen use a rod with an attached reel, spooled with fishing line, and a lure, or hook with bait to attract fish. A fisherman/fisherwoman usually owns multiple rod and reel combinations. In doing so, it is common practice to pre-tie their lures or hooks and weights to their fishing line before embarking on a fishing excursion. This is done so that when they arrive at their destination, they can begin fishing immediately. The result of doing so is that the pre-tied lure, sharp hooks and/or weights bang against, scratch and cause permanent damage to fragile fishing rod blanks, fishing reel/finishes and fishing line. Fishermen/fisherwomen often spend substantial amounts of money on their equipment and prefer to protect their fishing tackle from damage that often occurs while the rods, reels and lures are in transit, whether it be in a boat, car or on land by foot. Some current options include multiple separate covers to protect a user's tackle while being transported/stored in their boat rod lockers or while in transit to a fishing site by vehicle, vessel or on foot. Handling, carrying and keeping track of these multiple separate protective/storage devices/covers for the aforementioned fishing tackle during fishing trips can become tedious and frustrating as items often become scattered throughout the boat or fishing site, not to mention, sometimes being blown from a vessel while moving to another location, resulting in loss of said covers. Using separate multiple covers does not sufficiently address the needs of the fishermen/fisherwomen to simplify this act, all while efficiently/effectively separating, protecting and storing their fishing rod, reel and pre-tied lures/hooks and weight combinations.

Integrated protective case for fishing rod and reel and pretied fishing lure


A method for drilling a plurality of well bores through a single conductor housing which comprises providing a base plate which includes at least first and second well slots that extend therethrough, supporting the base plate on the conductor housing, suspending a temporary casing string from the first well slot, drilling a first well bore through the second well slot, removing the temporary casing string from the first well slot, and then drilling a second well bore through the first well slot.

The present invention is directed to a system for completing multiple hydrocarbon wells. More particularly, the invention is directed to a system and method for guiding a drill string during the drilling of multiple well bores in a side-by-side wellhead system.
In the oil and gas industry, side-by-side (xe2x80x9cSXSxe2x80x9d) wellhead systems, or multiple completion systems, are commonly used to drill and complete a number of hydrocarbon wells from within a single conductor housing. In such systems, multiple casing strings are run through the same conductor housing in order to reduce cost and space requirements. As shown in FIG. 1, a prior art SXS wellhead system may comprise a drive pipe housing A which is welded to the top of a conductor housing B, two or more casing strings C which are each suspended from the drive pipe housing, and a base plate D which is bolted to the top of the drive pipe housing. In this example, the well on the right is covered by an abandonment cap E, and a wellhead F is installed in the well on the left. In the drilling mode of operation of the SXS wellhead system, a drilling riser G may be bolted to the top of the wellhead F or connected directly to the base plate D.
One difficulty with SXS wellhead systems arises in the need to align and guide the drill string while drilling the well bores for the individual casing strings. If the first well bore is drilled too close to the center of the conductor housing, insufficient space will exist for the remaining well bores. One solution to this problem is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,142,235 to Monjure et al., which teaches using a permanently installed drilling guidance device in the conductor housing. However, this guidance device must be specially fabricated for each specific application, and this can be both costly and time consuming. Moreover, the guidance device must be permanently installed in the conductor housing, which requires that the cost for each guidance device be born for each SXS completion.
These and other disadvantages in the prior art are addressed by providing a system and method for drilling a plurality of well bores through a single conductor housing. The method comprises providing a base plate which includes at least first and second well slots that extend therethrough, supporting the base plate on the conductor housing, suspending a temporary casing string from the first well slot, drilling a first well bore through the second well slot, removing the temporary casing string from the first well slot, and then drilling a second well bore through the first well slot.
In accordance with one embodiment of the invention the diameter of the temporary casing string is larger than the diameter of a casing string which is subsequently suspended in the first well slot during completion of a well through the second well bore. In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, the temporary casing string is suspended from an offset casing hanger. Furthermore, individual lengths of the temporary casing string may be connected together by connector collars which have a larger diameter than the diameter of the temporary casing string.
Thus, the present invention comprises an economical method for guiding a drill string during the drilling of individual well bores in an SXS or multiple completion wellhead system. Since the diameter of the temporary casing string is larger than that of a subsequently installed casing string, sufficient room will exist after drilling the first well bore to drill the remaining well bores. In addition, because the temporary casing string is suspended from an offset casing hanger, the diameter of the temporary casing string can be significantly larger than the diameter of the subsequently installed casing string. Furthermore, after all the well bores have been drilled, the offset casing hanger and temporary casing string can be removed from the well. Consequently, these components can be reused on other multiple well completions.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be made apparent from the following detailed description, with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numbers are used to denote similar components in the various embodiments.