A suspension system for a vehicle includes at least two torsion bars, each of which are connected on their first end to respective wheel suspensions that are arranged on opposite lateral sides of the vehicle. Movement of the wheel suspensions produces torque in the respective torsion bars. Each of the torsion bars are connected on their second ends to a frame of the vehicle through a damper system. Movement of the wheel suspensions produces torque in the respective torsion bar. The damper system selectively applies resistance to the torque in the torsion bars to selectively provide active variable spring rates to the wheel suspension, which application of resistance may be coordinated amongst the various torsion bars to inhibit roll of the vehicle during a turning maneuver or to increase occupant comfort when the vehicle encounters a bump or hole.

Stabilizer bars are one of the most common methods for combating vehicle roll when performing a turning maneuver. Automobiles and off road vehicles will generally use a single torsional bar that will connect both left and right suspensions systems together. The stabilizing bar can be included in either of the longitudinal front or rear axles of the vehicles.
Current torsional sway bars can help reduce vehicle roll, but they also limit individual wheel articulation. This can greatly reduce the overall comfort of an occupant of the vehicle when the vehicle experiences a single wheel suspension event, because such an event will cause both wheels to move together, limiting the overall articulation a single wheel can experience. This in turn can cause the suspension and vehicle dynamics to become upset and reduce overall suspension performance. This also limits the maximum allowable sway bar stiffness, and will generally lead to a compromise in both the control of vehicle roll versus handling performance.
Additionally, suspensions that are expected to carry heavy loads or those used in performance applications will often include heavier/stiffer springs to compensate for the extreme conditions experienced so that the vehicle does not move to the bottom of its suspension stroke. This requires a spring with a proper stiffness to be used for the expected use of the vehicle. However, this use of the vehicle is not always constant, and the vehicle may be used in other varying applications with higher or lower loading conditions. In these cases, springs that are too hard or too soft provide a suspension that fails to properly isolate the vehicle from the road. There is currently no way to manipulate the vehicles spring rate, which causes the required use of stiffer springs to account for the most extreme use. This stiffer spring causes increased movement of the frame when the wheel encounters a bump or hole, and thus causes a reduction of overall comfort to an occupant of the vehicle. There can also be suspension events that can occur where a stiffer spring rate is desired but cannot be realized due to a compromise in performance of the suspension if a stiffer spring were used.


Fertility management can include: administering to the subject one or more doses of a compound according to Formula I so as to reduce fertility in the subject. Fertility management can also include administering an effective amount of the compound to: impair Sertoli cell function in a male subject; inhibit spermatogenesis in the subject; reduce testis weight in the subject; reduce ovary weight in a female subject; reduce serum progesterone in the female subject; impair ovarian follicle function in the female subject; causing reversible fertility in the subject. In order to return fertility, the method can include ceasing administration of the compound to the subject so as to return fertility in the subject. The compound can be administered for irreversibly sterilizing the subject.

The prevention of unplanned pregnancy in humans and other mammals is of continuing concern for both the developing and the developed world. A variety of methods and products have been proposed or developed for the prevention of pregnancy. These products include: surgical sterilization, condoms, birth control pills containing progestin or a combination of progestin and estrogen, subdermal implants containing delayed release forms of progesterone, intrauterine devices, spermicidal creams or gels, and intravaginal barriers such as sponges or diaphragms.
Male contraceptive approaches have included the barrier methods, hormonal methods, the rhythm method, and immunological methods. More recently, researchers have begun investigating compounds which inhibit spermatogenesis by disrupting junctional complex sites between Sertoli cells and germ cells in the testes. One such compound is lonidamine (1-(2,4-dichlorobenzyl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxylic acid). Lonidamine belongs to a group of indazole-carboxylic acid compounds that was found to be a potent inhibitor of spermatogenesis. However, the antispermatogenic effects of lonidamine at high doses were found to be irreversible and toxic. See generally Lonidamine: A New Pharmacological Approach to the Study and Control of Spermatogenesis and Tumors, Chemotherapy, 27 Suppl. 2, 1-120 (1981a 1981b); Lonidamine, Proceedings of the 2nd International Symposium, Vancouver (1982).
Several analogues of lonidamine have recently been investigated as spermatogenic inhibitors. See Silvestrini et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,001,865; Baiocchi et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,112,986; Silvestrini, U.S. Pat. No. 4,282,237; Palazzo et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,895,026; Cheng et al., Two New Male Contraceptives Exert Their Effects by Depleting Germ Cells Prematurely from the Testis, BIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION 65, 449-461 (2001); Grima et al., Reversible Inhibition of Spermatogenesis in Rats Using a New Male Contraceptive 1-(2,4-dichlorobenzyl)-indazole-3-carbohydrazide, BIOLOGY OF REPRODUCTION 64, 1500-1508 (2001); Corsi et al., 1-Halobenzyl-1H-indazole-3-carboxylic acids: A New Class of Antispermatogenic Agents, J. MED. CHEM., Vol. 19, No. 6, 778-783 (1976); Palazzo et al., Synthesis and pharmacological properties of 1-substituted 3-dimethylaminoalkoxy-1H-indazoles, J. MED. CHEM. Vol. 9, 38-41 (1966). Despite these advances, there remains a need for compounds which are antispermatogenic but preferably do not exhibit toxic side effects.
The somatic form of eEF-1 alpha (eEF-1 alpha S) mRNA is virtually undetectable in male and female germ cells of the adult gonad but is very abundant in embryonic cells after the neurula stage. In contrast, another form of eEF-1 alpha (eEF-1 alpha O) mRNA is highly concentrated in oogonia and in previtellogenic oocytes but is undetectable in eggs and embryos. eEF-1 alpha O mRNA is also present in spermatogonia and spermatocytes of adult testis. The latter finding identifies eEF-1 alpha O mRNA as a germ cell-specific gene product. Although germ cells contain very little eEF-1 alpha S mRNA, several eEF-1 alpha S retropseudogenes exist in X. laevis chromosomes. These genes are thought to arise in germ cells from reverse transcription of mRNA and subsequent integration of the cDNA copies into chromosomal DNA. It is suggested that eEF-1 alpha S pseudogenes are generated in primordial germ cells of the embryo before they differentiate into oogonia or spermatogonia. See Abdallah et al., Germ cell-specific expression of a gene encoding eukaryotic translation elongation factor 1 alpha (eEF-1 alpha) and generation of eEF-1 alpha retropseudogenes in Xenopus laevis, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 88: 9277-9281 (1991).
Protein synthesis is believed to be under control of the cell cycle during meiosis and mitosis. Any relationship between substrates for cdc2 kinase and components of the protein synthetic apparatus would therefore be of prime importance. During meiosis of Xenopus laevis oocytes one of the substrates for this kinase is a p47 protein, which is complexed to two other proteins, P36 and P30. Judged from partial amino acid sequence data on P47 and P30, the P30 and P47 proteins were reported to resemble the protein synthetic elongation factors (EF) 1 beta and 1 gamma from Artemia salina. See Belle et al., A purified complex from Xenopus oocytes contains a p47 protein, an in vivo substrate of MPF, and a p30 protein respectively homologous to elongation factors EF-1 gamma and EF-1 beta. FEBS Lett. 255: 101-104 (1989). This paper shows that the complex composed of P30, P47, and P36 from Xenopus is identical to the complex of EF-1 beta, EF-1 gamma, and EF-1 delta from Artemia according to two criteria. 1) Both stimulate elongation factor 1 alpha-mediated transfer RNA binding to ribosomes and exchange of guanine nucleotides on elongation factor 1 alpha to a comparable degree. 2) Each of the three subunits of the protein complex P30.P47.P36 from Xenopus shows a structural homology with one of the corresponding subunits of EF-1 beta gamma delta from Artemia. Presumably the phosphorylation of EF-1 gamma, which associates with tubulin at least in vitro, is important in processes following the onset of meiosis which is accompanied by a rise of protein synthesis. See Janssen et al., A major substrate of maturation promoting factor identified as elongation factor 1 beta gamma delta in Xenopus laevis. J. Biol. Chem. 266: 14885-14888 (1991).

Lonidamine analogues for fertility management


The present embodiment relates to a dual camera module, in which a first lens driving device is spaced apart from and arranged in parallel with a second lens driving device, a first Hall sensor of the first lens driving device is disposed is disposed at a corner portion which is spaced most apart from a second sensing magnet of the second lens driving device, among a plurality of corner portions of a first housing; and a second Hall sensor of the second lens driving device is disposed at a corner portion which is spaced most apart from the first Hall sensor, among a plurality of corner portions of a second housing.

This section provides background information related to the present invention, which is not necessarily prior art.
Concomitant with generalization of wide use of various mobile terminals, and commercialization of wireless internet services, demands by consumers related to mobile terminals are also diversified to allow various types of peripheral devices to be mounted on the mobile terminals.
Among the representative items thereof, there is mentioned a camera module photographing a subject in a picture or a video. Recently, researches are being briskly waged on a dual camera module in which two camera modules are arranged in parallel. However, when two camera modules are disposed nearby in order to obtainment of performance of dual camera, a magnetic force of a magnet of any one camera in two cameras may be disadvantageously affected on another camera module.

Dual camera module and optical instrument


A binder material activating device to activate a binder material on a fibrous substrate, the binder material activating device including a heat exposing device to expose the fibrous substrate with the binder material to heat. The heat exposing device includes a non-focused light source to provide a non-focused light beam and an optics device to be arranged in between the fibrous substrate to be exposed to heat and the light source to focus the non-focused light beam onto the fibrous substrate. Further, a preforming device includes the binder material activating device.

In DE 10 2007 012 608 A1 and DE 10 2008 012 255 A1 a device for manufacturing a preform for a load path aligned composite structure is described. DE 10 2007 012 607 A1 and WO 2009/115598 A1 describe single elements of this preform manufacturing device, in particular a spreading device to spread out the fibers of the fiber patches, and a cutting device to cut a fiber band into the single patches.
In these devices small fiber patches are provided with a binder material and then transferred to a preforming substrate. Before transferral, during transferral or after being laid down onto the preforming substrate the binder material is activated, for example by a resistance heater in a laying head which transfers the fiber patches onto the preforming substrate. Such a laying head is for example described in DE 10 2007 012 609 A1.
To transfer the heat generated by the resistance heater in the laying head to the single patches, a contact between the head and the patches is necessary. This results in the need to provide a laying head which is able to lay down the patches with the activated binder material without resulting in residues of the binder material on the surface of the laying head.
An alternative to the above described resistance heater can for example be a laser arrangement as a heating device that introduce heat directly on the substrate surface to be bonded. Unfortunately, laser arrangements are relatively expensive and can involve help or safety issues, in particular if the laser beam as a focused light-source impinges the eye of the user. Therefore, a laser arrangement is a possible alternative which has the disadvantage that it can be quite elaborate.

Thermal heating device using light for binder activation and its integration in preforming device


The present disclosure relates to a vehicle braking assembly with reduced squeal, having: a brake pad operative to apply a braking force to a brake rotor or drum, the brake pad being subject to vibration during braking; and a damper attached to the pad, configured to force a squeal reducing vibration in the brake pad, the damper including: (i) a first mass; (ii) a second mass connected to the first mass by a first shaft; and (iii) a third mass connected to the first mass by a second shaft.

Conventional automobiles include braking assemblies to reduce or restrict movement of a vehicle. Braking assemblies include a brake rotor and a brake pad that is configured with a friction element to engage the rotor. The brake pad can be actuated using, e.g., a hydraulic piston. A vehicle operator controls actuation of the brake pads. The brake rotor is coupled to a vehicle drive axle, which is also connected to the vehicle's powertrain.
During braking, as the brake pads engage the rotor, doing so can produce high pitched or undesirable noises. This noise is sometimes referred to as brake squeal or squeak. Brake squeal has been a customer issue within the automotive industry for years. Prior methods to reduce brake squeal, however, fall short of the teachings discussed in the present disclosure.
Shims, for example, are used in some braking assemblies to level the surface of the brake rotor, thereby reducing some unwanted noises during braking. In some designs the shims are composed of rubber. Shims, however, require additional assembly steps and increased material costs for the braking assembly. In addition to shims, some brake manufacturers include chamfers on rotor edges to reduce noise during braking. Chamfering also typically requires an additional manufacturing step to remove material from the rotor. Some braking assemblies utilize ventilation mechanisms (such as slots or pins) to reduce temperatures in the braking assembly during operation. Finally, some conventional braking assemblies include insulators attached to the back of pad shoes. These features, however, require complicated forming techniques, higher material costs and fail to consistently reduce squeal as much as the techniques discussed in the present disclosure.
Therefore it is desirable to provide a cost-effective braking assembly, and method of manufacturing the same, which reduces break squeal.

Vehicle braking assembly with reduced squeal


An off-road vehicle has a frame and at least one wheel. A suspension arm suspends the wheel from the frame. The frame includes at least one horizontal member that extends generally horizontally fore to aft. A set of retainers are attached to the horizontal member. The retainers are spaced apart from each other fore to aft. The retainers swingably retain the suspension arm therebetween.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a suspension system for an off-road vehicle.
2. Description of Related Art
Off-road vehicles are designed to be operated over rugged terrain. These vehicles are often operated off-road over terrain such as, for example, steep inclines and declines, rough roads, and areas covered in mud and water.
Off-road vehicles typically include a frame that is supported by wheels. In one common arrangement, the vehicle has four wheels, i.e., a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels. An internal combustion engine is employed to power at least the rear or front wheels, and most commonly, all of the wheels. Typically, the engine is combined with a transmission to form an engine unit. The transmission transfers power to an output shaft from a crankshaft of the engine. The output shaft drives the wheels. For example, Japanese Patent Utility Model No. JP-Y2-H6-34213 discloses such an arrangement.
The off-road vehicles also include suspension mechanisms that suspend the front and rear wheels in a manner permitting the wheels to move generally vertically relative to the off-road vehicle frame. The frame also typically has brackets that journal axles of the front and rear wheels. Because the frame is formed with tubular members, only limited space is available to fix the brackets to the frame. Moreover, the particular framework to which the brackets are affixed need to ensure sufficient stiffness. As a result, the off-road vehicle's fundamental framework often times needs to be rearranged in order to meet the space and stiffness requirements for prior suspension mechanisms.


In a driver apparatus for driving a voltage-controlled switching element, an absolute value of a voltage difference between a voltage at a reference terminal that is one of terminals of a current path of the switching element and a voltage at the switching control terminal of the switching element is clamped at a clamping voltage greater than a threshold voltage. A voltage greater than the threshold voltage applied to the switching control terminal allows the switching element to be turned on. When the current flowing through the switching element becomes equal to or greater than a clamp threshold after the switching element transitions from an off-state to an on-state, a voltage-drop-rate at which the absolute value is decreased to the clamping voltage is decreased.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a driver apparatus for driving voltage-controlled switching elements.
2. Related Art
A known driver apparatus, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2010-246251, clamps a voltage between a gate and an emitter of a switching element (IGBT) at a clamping voltage when a current following through the switching element increases excessively.
In general, a current flowing through the switching element may increase more excessively when the switching element is turned off than when the switching element is in an on-state with a voltage between the gate and the emitter of the switching element being kept constant. An amount of current flowing through the switching element when the switching element is turned off may increase since a maximum value of current allowed to flow through the switching element may increase with increasing voltage between the gate and the emitter of the switching element. Accordingly, clamping the voltage between the gate and the emitter of the switching element when the switching element is in the on-state with the constant voltage between the gate and the emitter and excessively large current is flowing through the switching element may lead to an increased reduction rate of current flowing through the switching element, which may cause an increased surge current.
In consideration of the foregoing, it would therefore be desirable to have a driver apparatus for driving a voltage-controlled switching element by manipulating a voltage at a switching control terminal of the switching element in response to a received operation signal, which is capable of advantageously suppressing a surge voltage.


An LED lighting device, and a smart home control system and method are provided. A smart terminal is configured to send a control instruction to an LED lighting device and to receive at least one sound pulse signal from the LED lighting device to remotely control one or more household electrical appliances that have an infrared remote control function. The LED lighting device includes a Wi-Fi module, an infrared remote control module and a sound pulse detection module. The Wi-Fi module receives the control instruction and transmits the control instruction to the infrared remote control module. The infrared remote control module converts the control instruction to an infrared control signal. The sound pulse detection module detects a prompt tone when the one or more household electrical appliances are turned on remotely, converts the prompt tone to a sound pulse signal, and sends the sound pulse signal to the smart terminal.

Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) technology is a technology used to connect smart terminals (e.g., personal computers (PCs), smartphones, etc.) together wirelessly. LED lighting may generally provide advantages in energy conservation, environmental protection, controllable lighting, solid state lighting, and long operational lifetime. LED lamps thus have been widely used in various areas for public, commercial, and/or indoor lighting in a low carbon life. The specific power supply and control method of the LED lighting device make it very easy to integrate certain intelligent/smart control and multimedia functions.
Currently, in a smart home, there is a big demand for wireless and remote control of household electrical appliances. However, because some household electrical appliances, such as air conditioners, have a long service life and may not be upgraded or replaced in a short time. Because the traditional air conditioners only support an infrared remote control, a handheld remote controller is needed to emit a control signal. Also, the control signal has directivity, and the signal cannot go through a concrete wall. Therefore, the wireless remote control for the traditional household electrical appliances (e.g., air conditioners) becomes a more difficult problem. In addition, a universal remote control may not be used to remote control all household electrical appliances. A unified control for the household electrical appliances cannot be realized.
The disclosed LED lighting devices, and smart home control systems and methods are directed to solve one or more problems set forth above and other problems.

LED lighting device, and smart home control system and method


The invention concerns a method for modeling, documenting and validating a system, preferably a company, comprising the following steps: Providing one or more sensors in a system, defining data to be recorded, parameterizing the data to be recorded, transforming the parameterized data to objects with parameters, linking the parameters of the objects by standardized relationships, checking and, if required, completing or modifying the recorded objects and their parameters, recording the parameterized data by means of the sensors, standardized analysis of the relationships of the objects, outputting the results of the standardized analysis in printed or in electronic form. Said steps are repeated at time intervals.

In complex situations, processes and systems that comprise a multitude of interrelated parameters, it is very difficult to predict the influence of changes to single parameters on the behavior of the total system. For example, when leading an enterprise, or when organizing large projects, taking decisions is a problem. Since the number of control parameters increases with the size of an enterprise or a project, the control variables often cannot be viewed as a whole. Therefore, it is very difficult to distinguish relevant factors from irrelevant ones, to weigh them and to analyze them in context. For the above reasons, decisions on a management level are nowadays often taken arbitrarily. A further problem lies in the fact that influencing parameters cannot be recorded objectively. Due to changing circumstances and given facts, and due to lack of standardization, influences are appraised and interpreted differently. This constitutes a further problem in decision taking, which requires a solution.
A standardized recording of relevant influencing parameters, their qualification and analysis is nowadays practically impossible, or involves a very large amount of time and use of resources. A dynamic recording and analysis of a multitude of measurements fails due to the abovementioned problems, the complexity, the quality and consistency of the relevant information.

Dynamic process management for the recording, modeling, documentation and validation of complex processes and systems


According to one embodiment, a self checkout terminal includes a reading section, a main display, a ticker display and a controller. The reading section reads identification information of a commodity from the commodity. The main display displays information relating to the commodity whose identification information is read by the reading section to an operator. The ticker display displays information in the same direction as the main display and is provided at a position closer to the reading section than the main display. The controller controls the ticker display and causes arbitrary information to be selectively displayed.

In general, a counter selling type POS (Point Of Sales) terminal in which a cashier operates to register sales data includes a customer side display to display the amount of money of a registered commodity to a customer during accounting. In some of this type of POS terminals, not only the amount of money of the registered commodity, but also an advertisement of a store and a commodity, news, weather prediction and the like are displayed on the customer side display.
In recent years, in a retail store such as a supermarket or a convenience store, a self checkout type accounting system becomes popular. In this system, a self checkout terminal is used which is a kind of POS terminal and by which a customer himself/herself can complete a series of accounting processes.
The customer himself/herself, who tries to settle the account by the self checkout terminal, holds a barcode attached to a purchased commodity to a reading window of a scanner provided on the housing surface of the terminal, and registers commodity information. When the registration of the commodity information of all commodities is completed, the customer pays for the purchase with cash, card, electronic money or the like and completes the series of accounting processes. In addition to the registered commodity information, the guidance of an operation method for a customer unfamiliar with the operation is displayed on the display provided on the self checkout terminal.
When the self checkout type accounting system as stated above is introduced, it is unnecessary to allocate a clerk to each checkout counter, and the labor cost can be remarkably reduced.
When settling the account by the self checkout type POS terminal, the customer must hold the barcode attached to the commodity to the reading window of the scanner, and accordingly, the frequency of seeing the information displayed on the display is decreased. Then, even if the advertisement of the store and commodity, news, weather prediction and the like are displayed on the display, there is a fear that the content is not sufficiently transmitted to the customer and becomes useless.
Besides, even if the guidance of the operating method is displayed on the display, the customer performs the accounting process while confirming both the reading window and the display, a time required until completion of the account is increased, and there is a fear that another customer is made to wait.
Under such circumstances, in the self checkout terminal, it is necessary to provide a unit configured to improve the information transmitting capacity of the display and a unit configured to smooth the accounting process.

Self checkout terminal and control method of the same


A multi-antenna mounting device includes: a mounting member to which two or more antennas are fixable; and a tilt angle adjusting mechanism including an upper adjusting component and a lower adjusting component spaced apart along a length direction of the mounting member. The upper adjusting component includes a plurality of tilt angle adjusting holes arranged in a row, one end of the upper adjusting component is connectable to the mounting member, and the other end is connectable to a user's support pole with a fastening element extending through one of the tilt angle adjusting holes. When the fastening element extends through different tilt angle adjusting holes, the multi-antenna assembly has different mechanical tilt angles relative to the support pole. The lower adjusting component includes a first section and a second section. The second section has a predetermined length and the first section is pivotable relative to the second section.

In wireless communication systems, signals are transmitted and received by base station antennas. Attitudes (such as horizontal azimuth and vertical mechanical tilt angle) of the base station antennas are critical to wireless communication networks and may affect the coverage of the base station antennas. Thus, in the process of mounting and employing the base station antennas, it is often necessary to adjust the attitudes of the base station antennas to enable the coverage of the base station antennas up to standard.
With the rapid development of the wireless communication networks (for example, 4G and 5G networks), in some cases, several base station antennas of the same or different types need to be mounted together to accomplish different functions. These base station antennas of the same or different types may also need to cooperate with each other, so it is desirable that their attitudes (especially mechanical tilt angles) can be adjusted synchronously during use. However, in the prior art, these base station antennas are either directly fixed to a user's support pole with their attitudes unable to be adjusted, or these base station antennas' attitudes cannot be adjusted synchronously. Therefore, there is a need for improving the prior art.

Multi-antenna mounting device and multi-antenna assembly


An information playback apparatus is provided to obtain sound effects by using an optical disc in much the same way an analog record is manipulated. A pressing pressure applied onto a rotatable jog dial is detected by providing a pressure sensing layer to the jog dial. When no pressing pressure is applied onto the jog dial, audio information is played back from an optical disc at a normal tempo. When an end of the jog dial at rest is pressed with a pressing pressure within a predetermined range, a tempo of a playback sound played from the audio information is changed in response to the pressing pressure. When an end of the jog dial at rest is pressed with a large pressing pressure, a tempo of a playback sound played from the audio information is changed in such a manner that playback of a playback sound is stopped eventually. When the pressing pressure is released from the jog dial at rest, a tempo of a playback sound played back from the audio information is changed in such a manner that a playback sound is eventually played back at the normal tempo. Also, a tempo of a playback sound is changed in various manners in response to a pressing pressure onto the jog dial by providing manipulation keys for adjusting a quantity of change when changing a tempo of a playback sound in response to the level of a detection signal.

The present invention relates to an information playback apparatus for playing back audio information, such as music and voices, while applying effects processing to generate sound effects.
The present application claims priority from Japanese Application No. 2001-52228, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
There has been known a performance technique for performing effects processing to impart various sound effects to a playback sound, according to which a rotational direction and a rotational speed of an analog record, such as an LP record, being played by an analog record player are changed forcefully by applying a load by hand onto the turntable on which the analog record is placed.
For example, as a sight seen in a discotheque or the like, a performer called a disc jockey imparts various sound effects to a playback sound played back from an analog record by performing manipulations, such as turning the turntable forcefully in the forward direction or in the reverse direction at speeds different from the original number of revolutions, and further stopping the turning turntable forcefully or turning the turntable at rest.
Incidentally, storage media adopting the digital recording method, such as a CD (Compact Disc) and a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), become popular with the development of the digital technique, and there has been an increasing need for a technique which allows the user to perform the effects processing with these storage media in much the same way a conventional analog record is manipulated.
However, because information is played back from the storage media, such as a CD or a DVD, with a special digital technique which cannot be perceived by a human sense, there is a problem, for example, that the effects processing cannot be performed as desired (by manipulating a CD being played by a CD player) as an analog record in the same manner.
The present invention was devised to solve the conventional problems, and therefore, has an object to provide an information playback apparatus for achieving the effects processing with a storage medium having recorded information digitally, such as a CD and a DVD, in the same way as an analog record is manipulated. Also, the present invention has another object to provide an information playback apparatus which allows the user to feel as if he/she were imparting sound effects to a playback sound played back from an analog record in response to the movement of the turntable provided in an analog record player.
In order to achieve the above and other objects, an information playback apparatus of the present invention is an information playback apparatus for producing a playback sound to which sound effects are imparted by applying an editing process to audio information fed from a source, including: detecting device for detecting an absence or a presence of a physical touch or a pressing pressure on a manipulation unit and outputting a detection signal; and editing device for changing a tempo of the playback sound in response to a level of the detection signal outputted from the detecting device.
According to the information playback apparatus arranged as above, when the manipulator of the information playback apparatus touches or keeps out of touch, or presses the manipulation unit, the detecting device detects the absence or presence of physical touch or a pressing pressure on the manipulation unit and outputs a detection signal. Then, the editing device changes a tempo of a playback sound in response to the level of the detection signal when it produces the playback sound from the audio information.
Consequently, it is possible to generate the same sound effects obtained when the manipulator turns the turntable of an analog record player at the varying number of revolutions by applying a pressing pressure or the like on the turntable or by touching the turntable, stops the turning turntable by applying a pressing pressure or the like, allows the turntable (forcefully stopped by a pressing pressure or the like applied thereon) to resume turning by releasing the pressing pressure or the like, etc.
Also, because the tempo of the playback sound changes in response to a pressing pressure or the like acting on the manipulation unit, the manipulator can generate sound effects as if he/she were pressing the turntable of the analog record player, etc.
The editing device changes the tempo of the playback sound in response to the increasing or decreasing level of the detection signal.
According to the information playback apparatus described above, the tempo of the playback sound changes when the pressing pressure or the like applied onto the manipulation unit increases or decreases. Consequently, it is possible to generate the same sound effects produced when the manipulator moves his/her hand off the stopped turntable, or stops the turning turntable by hand. The information playback apparatus further includes adjusting device for adjusting a quantity of change when the tempo of the playback sound is changed in response to the level of the detection signal.
According to the information playback apparatus described above, the correspondence between the tempo of the playback sound and a pressing pressure or the like is adjusted. Consequently, for example, even when the same pressing pressure is applied to the manipulation unit, it is possible to change the tempo of the playback sound by pre-adjusting a quantity of change with the adjusting device. Also, by pre-adjusting a quantity of change with the adjusting device, it is possible to generate the same sound effects produced when the manipulator changes the movement of the turntable by moving his/her hand off the stopped turntable, or when the manipulator changes the movement of the turntable by stopping the turning turntable by hand.
Hence, it is possible to provide desired versatility in generating various sound effects by adjusting a quantity of change with the adjusting device as has been described.
The editing device stops producing the playback sound when the level of the detection signal has increased to exceed a predetermined value.
According to the information playback apparatus arranged as above, it is possible to generate the same sound effects produced when the manipulator stops the turning turntable by hand in such a manner that the number of revolutions of the turntable decreases gradually to stop the turntable eventually until a playback sound is no longer played.
The detecting device is provided to a rotatable rotary body for detecting a pressing pressure applied onto the rotary body.
According to the information playback apparatus arranged as above, when the manipulator presses the rotary body, he/she can feel as if he/she were pressing the turntable of the analog record player.


The present invention provides a USB cord organizer, including a stationary base with a USB port and an electronically coupled USB cord extending from the base. A caddy for holding and storing multiple spare USB cords is rotatably mounted on the top of the base. The caddy includes a number of cleats attached to a rotatable central port. Each of the cleats has a pair of projecting horns that engage and secure a spare USB cord when it is wrapped around the cleat. The ends of each spare USB cord are secured by a pair of clips disposed adjacent a respective pair of projecting horns. The organizer provides a USB extension cord built into a USB cord storage caddy.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of cord organizers, and more particularly to a combination USB extension cord and USB storage caddy.
2. Description of the Related Art
As can be seen by reference to the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,669,571; 6,147,859; 6,165,010; 6,904,374; and 6,983,341, the prior art is replete with myriad and diverse organizers.
While all of the aforementioned prior art constructions are more than adequate for the basic purpose and function for which they have been specifically designed, they are uniformly deficient with respect to their failure to provide a simple, efficient and practical USB cord organizer.
As a consequence of the foregoing situation, there has existed a longstanding need for a new and improved USB cord organizer and the provision of such a construction is a stated objective of the present invention.


A safety ladder is disclosed. The safety ladder comprises at least two legs each of which containing a smooth longitudinal blind bore, a steel hollow pipe having an outer surface and being smoothly disposed in the longitudinal blind bore while providing additional strength to the at least two legs, a rod disposed concentrically in the steel hollow pipe and vacillating up and down therein without any hindrance so that its ease of operation is increased, a solid piece of steel drilled and tapped so as to contain a throughbore that will accommodate the steel hollow pipe, and a flat steel plate affixed to the solid piece of steel and containing a skewly drilled hole so that the skewly drilled hole lines up with the outer surface of the steel hollow pipe.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a ladder.
More particularly, the present invention relates to a safety ladder.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Typical home owners have a constant need for ladders of different sizes for doing home repairs. There is always something that has to be fixed or cleaned, etc.
Everyone at one time or another has used a rock, a block of wood, or one thing or another to stand on when a high reach is required. There has to be a safer way than this to reach high places.
Numerous innovations for ladders have been provided in the prior art that are adapted to be used. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described.


A system for containing or transporting wind turbine components is provided. The system includes at least one container for receiving at least a portion of the wind turbine components, and the wind turbine components are arranged within the container in a nested configuration.

This invention relates generally to transportation containers, and more specifically to systems and methods for containing and/or transporting wind turbine components.
Wind turbines can be comprised of large components, such as, rotor blades, hubs, towers and nacelles. Wind turbine rotor blades are used to generate electrical power from the wind, and can be rather large (e.g., some exceeding up to 200 feet or more in length and up to 12 feet or more in width). Because of their size and/or fragility, some known large rotor blades may be damaged during transportation from where the rotor blades are manufactured to where the rotor blades are used. Rotor blades can be damaged during the loading or unloading from known transportation containers or vehicles. Such damage may degrade performance of the blade.
Wind turbine components may come in a variety of different sizes and shapes. Accordingly, at least some known transportation containers are sized to fit the largest component, which may increase the weight and overall size of transporting smaller components. An alternative to using containers uniformly sized to the largest component is to provide different containers for differently sized components. However, providing differently sized containers may increase the cost and/or difficulty of transporting custom sized containers. Containers of various sizes may present logistical difficulties in that containers of the proper size may or may not be available for each shipment or manufacturing process. Transportation equipment (e.g., overhead cranes, trucks, etc.) may not be designed to handle non-standard size shipping containers.
Shipping containers may be transported using multiple modes of transportation, (e.g., by ship, truck, and/or rail). Many modes of transportation have restrictions on large loads, for example height and/or width limits thereof. For example, when transporting large loads over land, the container height may sometimes be limited to about four meters, or about twelve feet. The height and width limits help to ensure containers clear bridges, overpasses, and other obstructions located on overland transportation routes. Gross vehicle weight limits can also be a challenge. Many primary roads (in the United States) have a maximum weight limit of about 40 tons (or 80,000 pounds) and secondary roads often have weight limits much lower. These limits may increase the difficulty of transporting more than one component in a single container, which may increase the cost of transporting some components and/or increase an impractability of transporting more than one component in a single container. Some wind turbine locations are situated in remote and difficult to access areas. Typically, a truck is used for the final leg of the transportation, and large, heavy, bulky loads can be difficult to navigate along winding or steep roads. For example, a wind turbine located along a winding, steeply graded mountain road can be very difficult to reach with oversize and heavy loads.
Accordingly, a need exists in the art for a more economical and logistically simpler way to store and transport wind turbine components.

System for containing and/or transporting wind turbine components


A power-off detection device is formed without use of a photo coupler, which is expensive and occupies a relatively large area. The power-off detection device rectifies AC power, provided as external input power from a power supply device, into DC power, detects the power-off of the external input power from the power supply device as provided to an electronic appliance, provides a power-off detection signal to central control means of the electronic appliance, and enables the central control means to prepare for the power-off, thereby reducing manufacturing cost of the power supply device, and achieving miniaturization thereof.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a power-off detection device and, more particularly, to a power-off detection device that enables an electronic appliance to detect the power-off of external input power from a power supply device that supplies DC power to the electronic appliance so as to safely prepare for the power-off.
2. Related Art
A typical power supply device for an electronic appliance provides power by converting AC (Alternating Current) power into DC (Direct Current) power.
The power-off detection device detects a power-off of the external input power that provides the AC power to this typical power supply device, and detects the power-off of the external input power at a certain time before the supply of the DC voltage to the electronic appliance is stopped, so that the central control means of the electronic appliance can complete its work safely without any loss.
The typical power-off detection circuit comprises a number of resistors, a bridge rectifier, a photo coupler, a capacitor and a voltage comparator, and the photo coupler includes a photodiode and a phototransistor.
For this power-off detection circuit, the AC power inputted as external input power from a power supply device is transmitted and rectified via the resistor and the bridge rectifier.
Further, the transmitted and rectified power is applied to the photodiode of the photo coupler, and the photodiode emits light depending on the applied AC power.
Further, the phototransistor of the photo coupler converts the emitted light of the photodiode into a corresponding electrical signal.
The photodiode and the phototransistor of the photo coupler should be kept dielectric for electrical stability between circuits.
Further, the capacitor is charged by a predetermined current of the electrical signal produced by the phototransistor, and the capacitor rectifies the charged current to produce a DC voltage.
When the predetermined current is not provided by the phototransistor, the capacitor discharges through a non-inverting (+) terminal of the voltage comparator, thereby providing a comparison voltage thereto.
A reference voltage is applied to the inverting (−) terminal of the voltage comparator according to the resistance ratio between voltage dividing resistors while the a comparison voltage is applied by the capacitor to the non-inverting (+) terminal of the voltage comparator.
Therefore, the voltage comparator compares the reference voltage with the comparison voltage, and when there is a difference between the two voltages, a power-off detection signal is outputted to an output terminal through a pull-up resistor during a predetermined time period.
That is, when the comparison voltage value is not equal to the established reference voltage in the voltage comparator, a predetermined power-off detection signal is outputted through a pull-up resistor.
The output terminal of the voltage comparator, which is the output terminal of the power-off detection circuit, is connected to central control means of the electronic appliance, and when the power-off detection signal is received from the output terminal of the power-off detection circuit, the central control means completes its work safely while primary power continues to power-off.
In preparation for the power-off of the primary power, the central control means can store, in storage means, information as to currently running or pending work, and can complete its work safely before the supply of DC power ceases.
This typical power-off detection circuit has to use the photo coupler having the photodiode and the phototransistor to keep dielectric relationship between circuits.
However, there is a problem in that the cost of manufacturing the power supply device increases because the photo coupler is expensive.
Further, when designing the power supply device, if a photo coupler is employed, it is difficult to guarantee a safe distance between a primary circuit and a secondary circuit, and to make the appliance smaller since the area occupied by the photo coupler becomes large.
The following patents are considered to be generally pertinent to the present invention, but are burdened by many of the disadvantages set forth above: U.S. Pat. No. 6,378,068 to Foster et al., entitled SUSPEND/RESUME CAPABILITY FOR A PROTECTED MODE MICROPROCESSOR, issued on Apr. 23, 2002; U.S. Pat. No. 6,223,293 to Foster et al., entitled SUSPEND/RESUME CAPABILITY FOR A PROTECTED MODE MICROPROCESSOR, issued on Apr. 24, 2001; U.S. Pat. No. 6,081,752 to Benson IV et al., entitled COMPUTER SYSTEM HAVING POWER SUPPLY PRIMARY SENSE TO FACILITATE PERFORMANCE OF TASKS AT POWER OFF, issued on Jun. 27, 2000; U.S. Pat. No. 5,765,004 to Foster et al., entitled SUSPEND/RESUME CAPABILITY FOR A PROTECTED MODE MICROPROCESSOR, issued on Jun. 9, 1998; U.S. Pat. No. 5,603,038 to Crump et al., entitled AUTOMATIC RESTORATION OF USER OPTIONS AFTER POWER LOSS, issued on Feb. 11, 1997; U.S. Pat. No. 5,560,023 to Crump et al., entitled AUTOMATIC BACKUP SYSTEM FOR ADVANCED POWER MANAGEMENT, issued on Sep. 24, 1996; U.S. Pat. No. 5,551,043 to Crump et al., entitled STANDBY CHECKPOINT TO PREVENT DATA LOSS, issued on Aug. 27, 1996; U.S. Pat. No. 5,511,204 to Crump et al., entitled PERFORMING SYSTEM TASKS AT POWER-OFF USING SYSTEM MANAGEMENT INTERRUPT, issued on Apr. 23, 1996; U.S. Pat. No. 5,175,847 to Mellott, entitled COMPUTER SYSTEM CAPABLE OF PROGRAM EXECUTION RECOVERY, issued on Dec. 29, 1992; U.S. Pat. No. 4,641,064 to Testin et al., entitled TELEVISION POWER SUPPLY SHUTDOWN CIRCUIT, issued on Feb. 3, 1987; U.S. Pat. No. 5,903,766 to Walker et al., entitled SUSPEND/RESUME CAPABILITY FOR A PROTECTED MODE MICROPROCESSOR, issued on May 11, 1999; U.S. Pat. No. 5,758,174 to Crump et al., entitled COMPUTER SYSTEM HAVING A PLURALITY OF STORED SYSTEM CAPABILITY STATES FROM WHICH TO RESUME, issued on May 26, 1998; U.S. Pat. No. 5,446,904 to Belt et al., entitled SUSPEND/RESUME CAPABILITY FOR A PROTECTED MODE MICROPROCESSOR, issued on Aug. 29, 1995; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,868,729 to Suzuki, entitled POWER SUPPLY UNIT, issued on Sep. 19, 1989.


In the known replacement gate process, the relatively high-ohmic poly gate is replaced by a low-ohmic metal gate by depositing a thick oxide layer and subsequently planarizing this layer by CMP until the gate is reached, which gate can be selectively removed and replaced by a metal gate. The process is simplified considerably by providing the gate structure as a stack of a dummy poly gate (4) and a nitride layer (5) on top of the poly gate. When, during the CMP, the nitride layer is reached, the CMP is stopped, thereby precluding an attack on the poly. The nitride and the poly are selectively removed relative to the oxide layer (10).

The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device with a field effect transistor, in which method a semiconductor body is provided, at a surface, with a source region and a drain region, while using a doping mask containing a polycrystalline silicon (hereinafter referred to as poly), and in which method subsequently a dielectric layer is provided which is subjected to a material-removing treatment, such as etching or polishing, to remove a part of its thickness, so that the poly-containing doping mask is exposed again, whereafter said poly-containing doping mask is removed by means of a selective etch step and, subsequently, a conductive layer is provided in the resultant recess in the dielectric layer, which conductive layer constitutes the gate of the transistor. Such a method is known, inter alia, from the article "Sub-100 nm gate length metal gate NMOS transistors fabricated by a replacement gate process" by A. Chatterjee et. al., IEDM 97, pp. 821/824. The "replacement gate process" enables MOS transistors with a metal gate to be manufactured in a self-recording manner, instead of the customary polysilicon gates which have a much higher resistance.
In the known process, a dummy gate of polysilicon is formed in the same manner as the poly gate in standard CMOS processes. After the formation of the source and drain regions, an oxide layer which serves as the dielectric layer is deposited, whereafter the thickness of the dielectric layer is reduced down to the poly by means of chemico-mechanical polishing (hereinafter referred to as CMP). Subsequently, the poly of the dummy gate is removed by selective etching. The resultant recess in the oxide layer is filled by a metal gate of Al or W.
In practice it has been found that the reproducibility of this process is limited. In particular the point in time at which the chemico-mechanical polishing operation of the oxide layer is interrupted proved to be very critical. If the CMP is stopped too early, the remaining oxide makes it very difficult to remove the poly. If the CMP process is continued too long, then the height of the gate to be formed eventually proves to be ill-defined.

Method of manufacturing a semiconductor device with a field effect transistor


A filesystem can be shared between containers. For example, a computing device having a host filesystem can launch a first container from an image file. Launching the first container can include creating an initialization directory for the first container on the host filesystem. The initialization directory can include a filesystem to be shared between containers. Launching the first container can also include creating a first filesystem directory for the first container on the host filesystem and mounting the initialization directory to the first filesystem directory. The computing device can also launch a second container from the image file. Launching the second container can include creating a second filesystem directory for the second container on the host filesystem and mounting the initialization directory to the second filesystem directory to enable the second container to access the filesystem.

Computers use operating systems to manage system processes and resources. Some operating systems, such as the Linux operating system, include a low-level software component for managing system processes and resources. The low-level software component is called a "kernel." The kernel can provide features, such as namespaces and cgroups, for isolating processes and resources from one another. These features can be used to segregate processes and resources (e.g., filesystems, memory, CPU processing power, and network resources) into isolated virtual environments called "containers."
An operating system can run multiple containers simultaneously. The containers can be configured so that processes and resources in one container are isolated from (e.g., private and inaccessible to) another container. This isolation can be useful to, for example, enable the containers to run applications at the same time, without the applications interfering with one another.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A pinwheel toy having a handle, a shaft engaged to the handle and blades which spin about the shaft in response to wind pressure, has blades formed of holographic film having a three-dimensional appearance of a hologram, an electronic module within a capsule, and having a plurality of lights facing backward toward front faces of the blades, the electronic module being engaged with the shaft, and an impact switch engaged by tapping a front face of the capsule.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to pinwheel toys and more particularly to a pinwheel toy presenting an unusual visual display produced by an electronic head with flashing lights which reflect off the pinwheel blades made from holographic film or the like.
2. Prior Art
Pinwheel toys are well known in the prior art. They usually consist of one or more shaped pieces of plastic, paper or the like, cut from sheet material to define a plurality of blades with a central orifice through which a pin or shaft is passed when the pinwheel is mounted for rotation on the pin or shaft. The pin or shaft is usually mounted perpendicular to another elongated shaft which is used as a handle. Wind blowing against the blades of the pinwheel causes rotation of the blades about the pin or shaft like a propeller, creating an effect enjoyed particularly by children.
Attempts are often made by pinwheel makers to create impressive visual displays with the rotation of the pinwheel. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,857,507 discloses an electric lawn ornament having multicolored lights behind a pinwheel to produce an impressive visual display while spinning. Some pinwheels are also made to be visually impressive while not rotating such as by having various patterns imprinting on the blades. A prior pinwheel was known and was sold commercially, having lights on "wings" facing the pinwheel.
Plastic toys of various types containing dyes or pigments, even fluorescent, phosphorescent and dayglow dyes or pigments, are also known.


Receipt of a radio broadcast signal by a mobile communication device is tracked based on a signal strength measurement signal and location information. The signal strength measurement signal indicate a signal strength of the radio broadcast signal, received via a communication channel and measured at the mobile communication device, over a particular time period. The location information indicates a location of the mobile communication device within a geographic area over the particular time period. Effectiveness of the radio broadcast signal is determined with respect to receipt of the radio broadcast signal by a plurality of mobile communication devices within the geographic area over the particular time period.

The receipt and effectiveness of radio broadcasts are typically hard to track and determine. Conventionally, the extent to which radio broadcasts are received is measured via estimation or plotting through field measurement. This is typically a manually intensive task, and the accuracy of such measurements may vary with changes to the environment in which the signals are broadcast, such as by construction modifying the landscape or seasonal or weather-related impacts.
The effectiveness of radio broadcasts is currently determined by assessing a listenership of the radio broadcasts. This is currently done by telephone polling, manual log maintenance, or through personal viewer data collection devices. Each of these has various limitations with regard to timeliness, completeness, accuracy, and cost.

Methods, devices, and computer program products for tracking receipt and determining effectiveness of radio broadcast signals


A light guide structure and a display device are provided. The light guide structure includes: a first substrate including at least one first through hole; a second substrate arranged opposite to the first substrate and including at least one second through hole; and at least one fiber bundle including a first end and a second end, the first end of each of the fiber bundle fixed in one of the first through holes, and the second end of the fiber bundle is a free end; wherein a distance between the first substrate and the second substrate is adjustable; and an orthogonal projection of at least part of the first through hole on the second substrate coincides with the second through hole.

With the development of information technology and the widespread use of the Internet, information security is becoming more and more important. ATMs and other public places need to have anti-peeping capabilities. At the same time, they are required to have a wide viewing angle when presenting public information. However, current ATMs do not have this feature. In addition, electronic products such as mobile phones and tablet computers used in business places and public places such as subways and buses need to have anti-peeping functions to protect trade secrets and privacy, but when users need to share display contents with multiple people, the display device are required to display at a wide viewing angle.
At present, the conventional anti-peeping display device uses a peep prevention film. A kind of anti-peeping film adopts ultra-micro shutter technology. On the one hand, the anti-peeping film which is attached to the upper surface of the display screen, is easy to be damaged and the cost of the anti-peeping film is high; on the other hand, this manner cannot take into account the sharing of the wide viewing angle display features and the anti-peeping function with narrow viewing angles. Furthermore, if switching between a wide viewing angle and a narrow viewing angle is achieved by repeatedly mounting and removing the anti-peeping film, it is inconvenience and the screen of the display device may be damaged. Therefore, there is a need for a structure which is easy to be operated and cheap, and which can enable the display device to switch between a wide viewing angle and a narrow viewing angle.

Light guide structure and display device

FUZHOU BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.


A method and system for enhancing a digital image stores the original image and a series of codes describing the manipulations performed on the image. Each time the image is retrieved from an original image archive (110) for viewing on a display (120), corresponding codes are retrieved from an original sequence archive (122). If the codes have previously been optimized, the image processing system (108) applies the optimized codes to the image in order to recreate the enhanced image. If the codes have not been optimized, an optimizer (126) combines and reorders the image enhancement codes in light of certain criteria, including minimizing information loss. A strategy used by the optimizer (126) to minimize information loss separates the codes into sequences and then commutes and combines the codes based on the code types. The optimized codes are applied to the image and produce the image that is displayed on the display (120) and saved in the enhanced image cache memory (114).

1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains in general to digital image processing and in particular to a method and system for enhancing digital X-ray images.
2. Description of Background Art
Modern X-ray systems digitally capture X-ray images with a solid state sensor plate. The images are typically high resolution, e.g. 2688.times.2688 pixels, and have thousands of levels of gray scale. The images are usually previewed on a monitor associated with the X-ray system and then stored in an image archive for later retrieval and analysis with a more sophisticated viewing system.
The monitor provides a user with a real-time view of the X-ray image received by the sensor plate. A general preference among radiologists is to have a patient's spine aligned with the vertical axis of the image. In emergency room situations, however, the X-rays must be taken immediately and under desperate circumstances. Accordingly, X-rays are often misaligned with respect to the preferred axis. The real-time view in the monitor can be used by the X-ray system operator to correct this misalignment.
When the X-rays are later retrieved with the more sophisticated viewing system, the doctor or other viewer can re-align or otherwise enhance the image by performing one or more digital image manipulations. These manipulations include, for example, rotating, scaling, thresholding, and filtering. Some of the manipulations are lossless, meaning that all information in the original image is retained after manipulation, while others are lossy, meaning that information about the original image is lost during manipulation.
When a manipulation is performed on an image, the most recent, modified, version of the image is stored in the archive for later retrieval. If multiple lossy digital manipulations are performed on the image, the amount of information lost may become substantial. For example, the digital rotation manipulation is generally lossy and the amount of information lost with each rotation is not dependent on the magnitude of the rotation displacement. In use, a first radiologist in the emergency room may make a hasty rotation of an image. Then, at a later date, a second radiologist may desire a more precise alignment and introduce a second, very small, image rotation. Even though the second rotation involves a small angle, the amount of additional information loss is generally the same as for the first, larger, rotation.
Since each enhanced image becomes the latest enhanced image and displaces the previous enhanced image in the cache, the image stored in the cache progressively deteriorates with each lossy digital manipulation. Since the cached image is the only copy of the image, the information lost through lossy digital manipulation cannot be recovered.
Accordingly, there is a need for an image manipulation and enhancement system that optimizes the order, kind, and number of manipulations performed on an image in order to minimize the amount of deterioration suffered by an image after multiple manipulations.


A produce packaging device for weighing and packaging produce in an appropriate package based upon the produce type and quantity. In one embodiment, the device includes: (1) a scale for receiving and weighing produce to be packaged; (2) produce-type determination circuitry coupled to the scale; and (3) a control module, coupled to the scale and the produce-type determination circuitry and having a packaging database associated therewith, that (i) selects an appropriate package for the produce based upon a quantity received from the scale and a produce-type received from the produce-type determination circuitry, and (ii) causes the appropriate package to be dispensed for use in packaging the produce.

The present invention is directed, in general, to a packaging device and, more specifically, to a produce packaging device for weighing and packaging produce in an appropriate package based upon the produce type and quantity.
Every grocery shopper has waited impatiently in line behind another shopper who is checking out a number of separately bagged items of produce. Because each produce item must be separately identified, weighed and priced, it always seems to take forever, particularly if the waiting shopper is in a hurry and the shopper checking out does not seem to be. Invariably, at least one item will require the checker to obtain assistance because the item is not on the checker""s price list or because it is incorrectly priced on such list.
Not only is the grocery shopper being held up while other shoppers seem to take forever going through the check-out line, but there is always some lingering doubt as to the cleanliness of produce items once they are taken home. Every shopper can recall an instance where he or she has been selecting produce while another shopper has been coughing or sneezing while handling the same produce. Of course, there is always the shopper who insists on manually handling each and every produce item in an effort to select the choicest.
It would greatly facilitate the check-out process if each shopper would arrive at the check-out line with his or her produce items already weighed, priced and packaged. It would also provide a public health benefit if the produce items were sanitized before being removed from the store. Of course, the typical grocery store does not have the resources to devote employees to the weighing, washing and packaging of produce items. Even if a store had the manpower to do so, consumers would object to the additional cost such a service would impose which would, of course, be passed on as part of the retail price.
Accordingly, what is needed in the art is a device to package produce that can be located in a grocery store""s produce department so that produce can be packaged, labeled and priced before the customer arrives at the check-out line.
To address the above-discussed deficiencies of the prior art, the present invention provides for a produce packaging device for weighing and packaging produce in an appropriate package based upon the produce type and quantity. In one embodiment, the device includes: (1) a scale for receiving and weighing produce to be packaged; (2) produce-type determination circuitry coupled to the scale; and (3) a control module, coupled to the scale and the produce-type determination circuitry and having a packaging database associated therewith that (i) selects an appropriate package for the produce based upon a quantity received from the scale and a produce-type received from the produce-type determination circuitry, and (ii) causes the appropriate package to be dispensed for use in packaging the produce.
The present invention thus provides a useful device for a grocery store to install for use by its customers that provides a convenient method for weighing, packaging and pricing produce products. This invention enables a customer to go through the grocery check-out line with produce-items already packaged and priced. In one embodiment the invention permits the packages of produce to be scanned during check-out, just as the majority of other items sold at a grocery store are scanned. This conveniently reduces the time required for the store to process its customers, because the check-out personnel will no longer be required to individually weigh and price each produce-type.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the produce packaging device can be used to package produce selected from the group consisting of string beans, corn on the cob, celery, squash, cucumbers, carrots, apples, berries, pears, peaches, and melons. Of course, any other type or kind of produce that can be packaged with the device is well within the scope of the present invention.
In another particularly useful embodiment of the present invention, the produce packaging device is further comprised of a camera that is coupled to the produce-type determination circuitry. An aspect of this embodiment provides for the produce-type determination circuitry to determine produce-type based on an image detected by the camera.
In yet still another embodiment of the present invention, the produce packaging device provides for user selection circuitry, coupled to the produce-type determination circuitry, that permits a user to designate the produce-type. As will be understood by those skilled in the pertinent art, a number of alternative forms of user selection circuitry can be used and be within the intended scope of the present invention.
In one embodiment of the present invention the produce packaging device has a packaging dispenser containing a plurality of different packaging types coupled to the scale and the produce-type determination circuitry. This embodiment will dispense packages suitable for the produce-type and quantity to be packaged.
In yet still another embodiment of the present invention, the produce packaging device is further comprised of a produce cleaning module coupled to the scale. This embodiment provides a significant public health benefit of sanitized the produce, by washing, irradiation or other means, before the produce is removed from the store.
In yet still another useful embodiment of the present invention, the produce packaging device is further comprised of a custom produce-processor coupled to the scale. The custom produce-processor enables a customer to select certain processing functions that he or she wants performed with respect to the produce at the point of purchase. Such custom processing functions are selected, in one embodiment, from the group consisting of trimming, cutting, peeling, coring, dicing, chopping, and slicing of course any other kind or type of custom processing function is well within the intended scope of the present invention.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the produce packaging device is further comprised of a label dispenser coupled to the control module for dispensing a package label. In one aspect of this embodiment the label includes the price for the produce. In still another aspect, a bar code is imprinted on the label.
The foregoing has outlined preferred and alternative features of the present invention so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description of the invention that follows. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they can readily use the disclosed conception and specific embodiment as a basis for designing or modifying other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Produce packaging device and method of use thereof


In accordance with the invention, rapid surface seeks to the measurement surface by a scanning probe microscope are enabled by using an actuator coupled to a position sensor.

Typical scanning probe microscopes (SPM) such as a typical atomic force microscope (AFM) only sense the probe tip position once the probe tip is in contact with the surface to be scanned. Typical SPMs image a measurement surface by applying a thin probe tip at the end of flexible cantilever to the measurement surface. With respect to FIG. 1, as the probe tip moves across the measurement surface, variations in the probe tip height are typically detected by the use of a laser beam reflected off the back of cantilever 130 that is received by optical detector 120. Cantilever 130 is typically actuated by piezoelectric actuator 110. Because optical detector 120 only senses the deflection of cantilever 130, e, and not the absolute position of the probe tip, the control feedback loop is known as an output error only loop. Typically, output signal u of controller 140 is used as an estimate of the measurement surface as shown in the block diagram of FIG. 1. This typically limits the bandwidth and accuracy of the measurement surface estimate u. Note that in FIG. 1 "C" designates the control portion of the SPM which includes optical detector 120 and controller 140 while "P" designates the plant which includes cantilever 130 and piezoelectric actuator 110. Furthermore, the laser beam reflected from cantilever 130 only falls near the center of optical detector 120 when the probe tip is interacting with measurement surface 105. When the probe tip is away from measurement surface 105, cantilever 130 is in an undeflected position. This means that the signal from optical detector 120 is independent of the probe tip height over measurement surface 105. Hence, the signal detected by optical detector 120 is not useful for probe tip position information until the probe tip is close enough to measurement surface 105 to interact with surface 105. This typically creates difficulties for fast seeks of measurement surface 105 because the speed of the approach to measurement surface 105 typically needs to be slow enough so that the approach can be stopped as soon as measurement surface 105 is detected by optical detector 120.

Method for rapid seeks to the measurement surface for a scanning probe microscope


Method estimating flying height of read-write head in slider near rotating disk surface. Sensing leakage current between slider and spindle motor to create potential difference measurement. Converting potential difference measurement to create estimate of flying height. Method controlling flying height using method for estimating by adjusting vertical actuation signal to micro-actuator assembly. Embodiments implement these methods. Embedded circuit and hard disk drive, each including the apparatus. The invention includes methods of manufacturing and their products.

Contemporary hard disk drives include an actuator assembly pivoting through an actuator pivot to position one or more read-write heads, embedded in sliders, each over a rotating disk surface. The data stored on the rotating disk surface is typically arranged in concentric tracks. To access the data of a track, a servo controller first positions the read-write head by electrically stimulating the voice coil motor, which couples through the voice coil and an actuator arm to move a head gimbal assembly in positioning the slider close to the track.
When the slider is positioned close to the rotating disk surface, an air bearing forms, supporting the read write head at a flying height near the disk surface. The flying height is very small, often less than ten nanometers. This is an inherently dangerous situation. The slider can easily get too close or too far away from the rotating disk surface. These situations degrade the ability of the read-write head to access the data on rotating disk surface. In the case of collisions, the data being stored on the rotating disk surface and/or the read-write head may be damaged.
Methods and apparatus are needed to estimate the flying height of the read-write head near the rotating disk surface. Methods and apparatus are further needed to adjust the flying height based upon the estimated flying height.

Method and apparatus for estimating and controlling the flying height of a read-write head in a hard disk drive


A wall-mounting frame is used to mount fixtures to building walls having siding. The wall-mounting frame includes two major parts, a base section and a holding section which are non-detachably connected to each other. The holding section is separated into two halves which pivot about the base section to hold surrounding siding to the base section once it has been attached to a wall substrate. The present design eliminates the need for special hardware to attach the holding section to the base section, and helps prevent awkward mounting situations.

Standard frame construction is used in virtually all residential and related construction in the United States, and many other places throughout the world. This method of construction includes a wooden or steel framework of studs covered with a light sheathing of foam, light fiberboard or plywood, Celotex™, or any number of other light sheathing or substrate materials. Normally, heavy-duty fiberboard or plywood is not used throughout a frame construction due to the cost. Further, it has been found far more desirable to use a sheathing material that has some insulating or even waterproof value. Normally, some type of siding material is applied over the sheathing to provide water resistance and decorative features.
Sometimes the sheathing is of wood, and has substantial structural value. In other cases, the sheathing can be low-gauge vinyl supported by a foam backing to obtain improved insulating properties, but having little structural value. The same types of materials can also be used for the overlying siding. In many cases, neither the siding nor the underlying sheathing is separately capable of supporting a fixture to be mounted on the wall. Consequently, standard frame construction very often requires that both the sheathing and the siding be used in conjunction to support any fixtures to be added to the wall. Otherwise the fixture must be moved so as to be supported by a stud.
As a result, the building industry has developed a number of mounting frames that utilize the combined strength of the siding and the underlying substrate or sheathing. This is done by having a lower mounting frame attached around an aperture to the sheathing at as many points as feasible. Preferably, one of these points will be at a supporting stud, or a piece of sheathing that is constituted by heavy-gauge plywood or fiberboard, as is used at the corner of many structures. A second mounting frame piece is attached to the lower mounting frame on the sheathing. Normally this second piece is used to constitute the support for the external fixture, and is firmly connected to the sidewalls extending from the frame on the sheathing. The second mounting frame piece derives a great deal of its strength by firmly interfacing with the perpendicular framework of the lower mounting frame. Finally, there is a holding piece (or pieces) which attaches either to the fixture support or the lower mounting frame (in some cases both) to utilize the structural capability of the siding around the overall mounting frame.
By placing a solid framework around the aperture in the wall, and firmly interlocking all three of the mounting frame pieces, a moderately stable mounting support for a fixture can be effected even on a relatively flimsy wall. The key has often been to completely frame the aperture and reinforce the framework using all parts of the wall structure. However, using conventional mounting frames, this process has not always been easy to carry out. In many traditional arrangements, three different pieces must be fit together, in addition to mounting the fixture on one part of the wall-mounting frame. Consequently, the process could be extremely awkward, especially if unskilled labor is employed.
Another problem, even for highly skilled workers, is the fact that the conventional mounting frames normally come in three separate pieces, often with separate connecting devices for each piece. Under the often-chaotic conditions of construction sites, pieces of the mounting frames, especially the connectors, can be misplaced or lost. This results in delays or other difficulties, and often leads to the expedient of ordering redundant mounting frames just to make certain that a full kit is available when needed.
This problem has been addressed in part by arrangements in which two of the three components are attached together. However, there have been difficulties with such arrangements since sometimes the attached components must be separated for one to be mounted, and then reattached to the other. This leads to the same problems previously described.
In some cases, two of the components are permanently mounted together, alleviating some of the aforementioned difficulties. However, the upper holding piece which is used to hold the entire mounting frame tight to the surrounding siding, is always a separate piece in conventional mount frame designs. Otherwise, it would be impossible to position and connect the mounting bracket to the wall using conventional mounting frames. In many cases, this upper holding piece can be lost. In some cases, even if the upper holding piece is not lost, its connectors can be, thereby compromising the overall mounting frame.
Accordingly, there is a substantial need for an improved wall-mounting frame that overcomes the difficulties of the conventional mounting frames. In particular, such an improved mounting frame would alleviate the problems of lost parts, and facilitate easy mounting. Also, an improved mounting frame would provide for varying thicknesses of siding and sheathing.


A method for sensing damage of bearing of engine using a vibration signal may include separating a vibration signal of an engine sensed by a vibration sensor installed at one side of the engine of a vehicle into a vibration signal by combustion knocking and a vibration signal of a bearing installed between a crank pin and a connecting rod; extracting, by a signal processing filter, a signal of a predetermined natural frequency band from the vibration signal of the bearing; determining whether the vibration signal of the bearing is higher than a predetermined bearing damage threshold, in a predetermined engine state condition in order to sense breakage of the bearing during operation of the engine; and confirming that the bearing has been damaged.

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.
In an engine of a vehicle, various parts are operated in a state where they are coupled to each other, and a bearing is mounted on a portion where each part is coupled to operate in order to reduce friction.
FIG. 1 shows a portion where a connecting rod 11 and a crankshaft 12 are coupled with each other. The large end portion of the connecting rod 11 is fastened to surround a crank pin 12b at the crank shaft 12, and a bearing 13 is provided between the large end portion of the connecting rod 11 and the crank pin 12b. The crankshaft 12 is supported to a cylinder block through a crank journal 12a, and the small end portion of the connecting rod 11 is connected with a piston 14. In addition, engine oil is filled between the large end portion of the connecting rod 11 and the crank pin 12b to reduce friction between the large end portion of the connecting rod 11 and the crank pin 12b at operation. In a normal state (see FIG. 1), a gap between the bearing 13 and the crank pin 12b is small, and an oil film is formed therebetween, such that noise and vibration are small.
However, in the case that the engine progresses long-term durability in an abnormal condition (e.g., foreign matter inflow, oil shortage, poor connecting rod journal processing state, etc.) (see FIG. 2), when the engine continuously operates in a state where the bearing 13 has been worn and damaged, a gap G between the bearing 13 and the crank pin 12b is increased, and noise and vibration occur due to the hitting of the connecting rod 11 and the crank pin 12b at operation of the engine.
If such a state is continued, as shown in FIG. 3, the bearing 13 is seized in the crank pin 12b to block the oil from being supplied between the large end portion of the connecting rod 11 and the crank pin 12b. As described above, when the engine operates in a state where the bearing 13 has been damaged in the connecting rod 11, the seizure progresses and the metal contacts the bearing 13, the large end portion of the connecting rod 11, etc. to occur noise and vibration out of the normal range. In addition, there occurs the phenomenon that the bearing 13, etc. is broken.
When the bearing 13 is broken, an increase in frictional resistance causes the engine stall phenomenon of the vehicle. That is, when the bearing 13 is broken, the output of the engine is reduced due to an increase in frictional resistance, and when an accelerator pedal is operated to make up for it, the RPM of the engine increases. However, an increase in the RPM of the engine causes to repeat the vicious cycle that again increases the frictional resistance of the portion where the bearing 13 has been installed. At this time, the temperature of the friction portion rises due to an increase in frictional resistance, thereby accelerating seizure as the temperature of the bearing 13 rises, and thereby damaging the parts adjacent to the bearing 13, that is, the connecting rod 11 and the crank pin 12b.
As described above, when the seizure of the bearing 13 occurs, it causes the overall problem of the engine, thereby occurring the problem such as engine stall, and this cannot be solved only by repairing or replacing any one part, and the entire engine should be maintained or replaced.

Method for sensing damage of bearing of engine using vibration signal


Switched current circuits include current memory cells which store analogue currents by way of the charge on the gate source capacitance of an MOS transistor. A source of inaccuracy in these circuits is switch charge injection into the gate source capacitance. It has been found that the error current produced by a single current memory cell is relatively flat over a current range centered above a peak value of stored current. When two current memory cells are connected in cascade this error may be cancelled. In order to produce equal errors an optimum bias current is generated which depends on parameters variable in integrated circuit manufacturing processes but which are relatively constant within an individual integrated circuit. The two cascaded current memory cells include controllable bias current sources and a control circuit controls the current sources so that the current memory cells operate at the optimum bias current. The control circuit includes two further current memory cells connected in cascade and two different value current sources are provide. The error current due to switch charge injection charges a capacitor (Cx). The voltage across this capacitor controls current sources (T16,T17) and also current sources (T14, T15). The current sources (T14,T15) and capacitor form a control feedback loop that causes the bias current to approximate the optimum value.

This invention relates to a circuit arrangement for processing electrical signals in the form of sampled analogue currents, the circuit arrangement comprising a first current memory cell having a current input for receiving an input analogue current and a current output for producing a stored analogue current and comprising a first field effect transistor having its drain and gate electrodes coupled via a first switch which is controlled by means of a clock signal such that it is closed during a first portion of a clock period, means for coupling the current input to the drain electrode of the first transistor during the first portion of the clock period, means for coupling the current output to the drain electrode of the first transistor during a second portion of the clock period, and means for feeding a first bias current to the drain electrode of the first transistor, a second current memory cell connected in cascade with said first current memory cell, said second current memory cell having a current input for receiving an input analogue current and a current output for producing a stored analogue current and comprising a second field effect transistor having its drain and gate electrodes coupled via a first switch which is controlled by means of a clock signal such that it is closed during a second portion of the clock period, means for coupling the current input to the drain electrode of the second transistor during the second portion of the clock period, means for coupling the current output to the drain electrode of the transistor during the first portion of the clock period, and means for feeding a second bias current to the drain electrode of the transistor.
A class of analogue signal processing arrangements which manipulates units of currents has become known as switched current circuits. These arrangements are constructed from current amplifying and summing circuits and current memory circuits. The current memory circuits or cells may comprise in their simplest form a field effect transistor having a switch connected between its gate and drain electrodes. An input current is fed to the drain electrode when the switch is closed and causes the gate-source capacitance to be charged. When the switch is opened the voltage at the gate electrode is maintained by the charge on the gate-source capacitance and this causes the transistor to reproduce the same current as was fed to it when the switch was closed. Normally two further switches are provided, one closed in synchronism with the first switch to apply an input current to the transistor and the other closed during a second period to provide a means for deriving an output current, the output current being a replica of the input current and being produced during a later portion of the clock period or during a portion of a later clock period. Thus the current memory cell can act as an analogue signal delay circuit with a unit delay of half a clock period being easily realisable.
This basic current memory cell has certain limitations in its analogue performance due to non-ideal MOS transistor performance, in particular non-zero output conductance, finite bandwidth, and switch charge injection.
The reduction of switch charge injection in dynamic current mirrors which use a cell having the same form as used in switched current circuits as the current memory cell is proposed in a paper by G. Wegmann and E. A. Vittoz entitled "Analysis and Improvements of Accurate Dynamic Current Mirrors" published in IEEE Journal of Solid State Circuits, Vol. 25, No. 3, June 1990, pages 699-706. The authors adopt two measures, the provision of symmetrical dummy switches and the control of the amplitude of the clock signal controlling the switches to cause it to adopt the minimum level required to switch the current applied to the cell. Both of these measures will reduce the magnitude of the error current produced as a result of charge injection when the switches are operated by reducing the magnitude of the charge injection.


A hydrocarbon polymer modifier (HPM) having high softening point and high aromaticity, is an interpolymer of (i) a piperylene component; (ii) an aromatic component; and (iii) a cyclic pentadiene component comprising a dicyclopentadiene fraction (DCPD fraction) and a dimethylcyclopentadiene fraction (MCPD fraction), wherein a weight ratio of the MCPD fraction to the DCPD fraction is from 0.8 to 20, and wherein the MCPD fraction is at least 20 wt % of the cyclic pentadiene component. In a method, the proportions of (i), (ii), (iii), and an optional amylene component are adjusted to control aromaticity, softening point and Mz of the HPM. An elastomeric composition incorporates the HPM.

(1) Field of the Invention
This invention relates to hydrocarbon polymer modifiers and their use in elastomeric compositions. More particularly, this invention relates to hydrocarbon polymer modifiers having a balance of properties including molecular weight, softening point, and aromaticity.
(2) Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98
Hydrocarbon resins are used in a variety of applications. In elastomeric compositions, for example, hydrocarbon resins are used as a processing aid and to improve the characteristics of elastomeric composition, e.g., in tire components, such as treads and sidewalls, hoses, belts, footwear components, and vibration isolation devices. The selection of ingredients for the commercial formulation of an elastomeric composition depends upon the balance of properties desired, the application, and the end use for the particular application.
Generally, the raw ingredients and materials used in tire compounding impact all tire performance variables, thus, the ingredients must be compatible with the rubbers, not interfere with cure, be easily dispersed in all tire compounds, be cost effective, and not adversely impact tire performance. Rolling resistance, dry and wet skid characteristics, heat buildup, and so on, are important performance characteristics, as well as the ability to improve the endurance of tires used in a wide variety of conditions, such as is required for agricultural tires, aircraft tires, earthmover tires, heavy-duty truck tires, mining tires, motorcycle tires, medium truck tires, and passenger car tires. On the other hand, maintaining ease of processability of the uncured elastomeric composition is also of significant importance. Additionally, the goals of improving air impermeability properties, flex fatigue properties, and the adhesion of the elastomeric composition to adjoining tire components without affecting the processability of the uncured elastomeric composition or while maintaining or improving the physical property performance of the cured elastomeric composition still remain.
Conventionally, various processing oils, such as naphthenic, paraffinic, and aromatic oils, have been added to most tire components to aid compound processing. Aromatic oil has been preferred due to its processing effectiveness and beneficial secondary properties, e.g., adhesion. However, these processing oils, particularly aromatic oils containing distilled aromatic extracts, are being replaced due to health, safety, and environmental concerns. Current industry PAH (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon) oil replacement options, such as treated distillate aromatic extracts ("TDAE") and mild extract solvates ("MES"), are limited in supply and have shown deficiencies, such as reduced dynamic properties, reduced tire wet traction performance, reduced tear strength, and reduced tire durability. For example, tire component-to-component adhesion may be less with TDAE and MES than with conventional aromatic oils. Therefore, a need exists for better replacements for processing oils in tire and tire tread compounds which will maintain beneficial compounding properties without adversely impacting tire performance.
It is known to improve rubber compounding with resins which are compatible or soluble in the rubber base, and which have a high softening point and low molecular weight. With some elastomers, however, the resin requires a relatively high aromatic content for compatibility. The aromatic compounds, however, tend to reduce the softening point of the resin. The softening point can be elevated by using a higher cyclics content, but this leads to undesirably increased and/or broadened molecular weight and agglomeration of the resin pellets.
There is a need for a resin with a balance of properties including softening point, Tg, aromaticity, molecular weight, and molecular weight distribution.