A hand-held power tool has a tool socket 2, a drive 5, 6 for driving the tool socket 2, and a housing 19 in which the drive 5, 6 is accommodated. A stationary part 14 of the drive 5 is connected by means of at least one detachable clamped connection 21 to at least one element 19, whereby the element 19 is the housing 19 or another stationary part of the drive 5, 6. The clamped connection 21 has a cylindrical pocket 22 in the one stationary part 14, a bushing 27 that is made of plastic and that is inserted into the cylindrical pocket 22, and it has a screw 30 that is screwed into the bushing 27.

A hammer drill of the type known, for example, from U.S. Pat. No. 6,981,625 consists of several components that are screwed to each other and to the housing. Accordingly, a first part has an inner thread and a second part has an eye. The screw is inserted through the eye of the second part into the first part and screwed into its inner thread. This attachment can advantageously be detached, which is necessary especially when high-end tools have to be serviced.

Hand-held power tool with detachable clamped connection


A display system for a vehicle is provided with a sensor sensing a traveling condition of a vehicle, an image pick-up device executing an image pick-up to take an image of an outside of the vehicle, a display displaying the image taken by the image pick-up device, an image irregularity determination section determining whether there is an image irregularity or not in the image taken by the image pick-up device based on the traveling condition of the vehicle sensed by the sensor, and a display control section executing a display control processing with respect to one of the image still containing the image irregularity and the image previously picked up and not containing the image irregularity when the image irregularity determination section determines that there is the image irregularity in the image.

The present invention relates to a display system for a vehicle and its related method, and more particularly to a display system for a vehicle and a method of controlling the same by which the difficulty of seeing images is reduced.
In recent years, technologies of taking an image of a view ahead of a vehicle at night by a near-infrared camera and providing a virtualized night-vision image to a driver of the vehicle through a head-up display (hereinafter referred to as HUD) have been developed (TOYOTA LAND CRUISER 100 New Model Instruction Manual: edited and issued by Toyota Motor Corporation: Aug. 5, 2002: pp. 4-96 to 115).

Display system for vehicle and method of controlling the same


The present application provides a game playing information integration system which is capable of objectively performing selection and/or settings according to preference of a player, particularly fixed customers, and thereby capable of effectively introducing a gaming machine to invoke demands of players as users and managers of gaming facilities in a well-balanced manner from a result obtained by logically analyzing the gaming machine. (a) Game playing period at one time of each player in gaming machine unit, (b) change in balance over time of player in a game playing period, (c) operation time of the gaming machine unit, and (d) data relating to profit of a shop side by the gaming machine are generated, the degree of satisfaction of player is computed based on (a) and (b), and the degree of satisfaction of a shop side is computed based on (c) and (d).

Conventionally, there have been systems which compute the number of times of big hit and number of games played or the payout quantity of gaming machines with an elapse of time and manages and analyzes the state of each gaming machine. Summing of the data indicating the state of each one of those gaming machines has been performed to analyze the states including sales by the type of the gaming machine, or by gaming facility.
However, as important elements in management of a gaming facility, the timing for replacing old gaming machines by new gaming machines and arrangement and layout of the gaming machines, and further which gaming machines to be replaced by which new gaming machines have been generally determined by the experience of humans based on the results of the analysis mentioned above. Moreover, in order to promote replacement with new gaming machines, manufacturers who conduct changes in designs and sell the gaming machines need to design popular device types. However, designing these popular device types has been also dependent on the rule of thumb and intuitions of the planners of gaming machines.
(1) Difficulties for Manufacturers Who Design, Manufacture, and Sell Gaming Machines in Designing Popular Device Types to Design
First, a method of designing the above-mentioned known popular device type is as follows: that is, it has been conventionally a proposition to design gaming machines which sell well for manufacturers to design, manufacture, and sell gaming machines. As approaches for achieving this object, it has been a routine practice to introduce new functions or stage effects to induce a sense of expectation or to promote famous copyrights in contents that are used in gaming machines while paying a large amount of license fees. However, manufacturers themselves have intuitively or experientially determined as to whether or not the device is an excellent gaming machine; and therefore, even if these approaches are employed, the popularity of gaming machines has often superseded the manufacturers' predictions.
(2) Difficulties in Selecting the Type of the Gaming Machine Seen from the Local Area Characteristics of the Gaming Facility and the Player Playing the Game
Second, a conventional method regarding the selection of game elements of gaming machines installed in the gaming facility and the determination of the timing to replace gaming machines performed by the manager of the above-mentioned gaming facility is as follows:
That is, for example, there are a variety of players' preferences for gaming machines such as differences in players' preferences depending on geographical conditions such as local area characteristics such as Las Vegas or Macao or whether or not the condition of location is near resort hotels, differences in preferences of customer categories depending on time intervals such as differences in visit time of housewives or businessmen, or differences in preferences of fixed customers (manias), unfixed customers (browsing customers), or novices (beginners), and such preferences are different depending on players. In addition, in respect of the management side of gaming facilities, requests for gaming machines that they desire to install in the gaming facilities are also different depending on the gaming facilities. For example, one gaming facility of the adjacent two gaming facilities desires to install gaming machines of such device type to stimulate gambling mind of players, whereas the other gaming facility desires to install gaming machines of such device type to enjoy the play of game over a long period of time without exerting such gambling mind. Namely, even within a same local area, the requests from the gaming facilities as to gaming machines may be different depending on management policy. Therefore, on the manufacturers' side, it is impossible to satisfy the requests of all players and gaming machines, and it is also unavoidable to design gaming machines while taking the greatest common preferences of all.
In such a present situation, in order for a gaming facility to obtain the maximal profit, the gaming facility itself must continuously install gaming machines of which device type and number is assigned in accordance with the request of that gaming facility and the preferences of players visiting the gaming facility.
However, timing of replacement with gaming machines of new device type has been conventionally determined on the basis of rule of thumb; and therefore, a difference takes place with economic efficiency related to the replacement, depending on persons who determine such replacement, and as a result, there has been apprehension that the gaming facility loses profit.
In addition, while, in a gaming machine, settings which are able to change a winning probability in a predetermined range are provided at a plurality of stages in general, these settings are often adjusted on the basis of rule of thumb; and therefore, a balance between improvement of ability to attract customers by setting a current mode to a high probability mode, the profit of the gaming facility lowers, and as a result, there has been apprehension that the gaming facility loses profit.
Further, there has been a problem that the manager in gaming facility takes preference to only improvement of one's own immediate profit against the manager's thought, highly sets a dividing number, and causes fixed customer to lose interest in shop in a long run.
Furthermore, players visiting a gaming facility vary depending on the time slot in a day, the season, the temperature, the game elements of the gaming machine installed and other factors. A management method for coping with such variation in real time as much as possible is desired.
Meanwhile, there are currently such systems that allows network connection between a gaming machine and an external game program download server, suitably selecting and downloading one game program to download from a plurality of game programs from the external game program download server, and executing a plurality of games on a single machine, not only changes in game programs, but also downloads for modifying their game contents in detail even in the same game program, for example, performing changes in denomination rates and other detailed changes in game elements have been also enabled. It has been also important how to link such a known system for changing software on a gaming machine by downloading with a method for managing gaming machines depending on the varying states mentioned above.
In Patent Document 1, there is disclosure of a management apparatus for gaming facility to sum and manage work data on pachinko gaming machines.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A method for generating a trigger signal for a magnetic resonance measurement by an R wave of an EKG signal is proposed. The EKG signal is captured by an algorithm manager. The algorithm manager includes at least a first trigger instance having a trigger algorithm. EKG signals from at least two different EKG channels are processed by the trigger algorithm. The algorithm manager includes at least a further trigger instance for capturing the EKG signal. The further trigger instance has at least one further trigger algorithm for processing EKG signals from at least two different EKG channels. The trigger signal is generated by selecting a trigger instance from the different trigger instances.

EKG (electrocardiogram) measuring apparatuses are primarily used for measuring and monitoring the action of a patient's heart. To this end typically the summation voltage of the electrical activity of the myocardial fibers is measured as an "EKG signal" via at least two electrodes. FIG. 1 illustrates by way of example an ideal curve of such an EKG signal as a voltage U over time. Characteristic curves of the EKG signal are characterized in accordance with Einthoven by the letters P, Q, R, S and T and usually reproduce the different phases of a heartbeat.
In addition to simply monitoring the action of a patient's heart there are other applications. For example, EKG signals are also used in medical imaging for generating trigger signals. The EKG signal is used during imaging to obtain information about the cardiac phase, in order thus to synchronize the imaging with the activity of the heart. In particular in imaging methods that require a longer recording time, high-quality cardiac recordings or even recordings of regions that are moved by the heartbeat can be created.
EKG measuring apparatuses are also used during an examination of a patient by means of a magnetic resonance device, for example for in-situ recording of EKG signals. In this case however the operation in the magnetic resonance device places special demands on the EKG measuring apparatus because of the strong gradient fields and high-frequency fields used there for imaging, in order to prevent mutual interference between magnetic resonance device and EKG measuring apparatus. EKG measuring apparatuses that are magnetic-resonance-compatible in the aforementioned sense are available on the market.
The determination of R waves in EKG signals is essential for reliable triggering. However, this determination is made more difficult e.g. by T wave elevations occurring in the magnetic field. A further major ongoing problem for reliable EKG signal measurement is temporally changing magnetic fields, as are used in the magnetic resonance device as magnetic gradient fields for spatial encoding. Such temporally changing magnetic fields generate interference voltages according to the law of induction, which are coupled in as interference in the EKG signal recorded by the EKG electrodes. Such magnetically generated interference signals overlap with the EKG signal generated by the heart and distort it.
These interferences are highly undesirable. To synchronize a recording of a magnetic resonance image with the heartbeat it is necessary to reliably identify the R wave of the EKG signal. The interference signals can, e.g. because of their often similar shape, be erroneously interpreted as an R wave and thus incorrectly trigger a recording of a magnetic resonance image. On the other hand it can happen that a "genuine" R wave is not identified as such because of the overlaid interference signals. This regularly leads to a significant worsening of the image quality.

Method for generating a trigger signal by an EKG signal as well as an EKG measuring apparatus and a magnetic resonance device


The present invention relates to a novel non-invasive method for the diagnosis of a non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, in particular non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, and/or liver fibrosis.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a silent disease defined as an accumulation of fat into the liver (steatosis) for causes other than excessive alcohol consumption. NAFLD is the most common cause of elevated aminotransferases in patients referred to hepatologists. NAFLD ranges from benign simple steatosis to a morbid condition for some patients, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), where a necro/inflammatory process drives progressive accumulation of fibrosis into the liver, ultimately leading to cirrhosis, liver failure, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), liver transplant and liver death. Both on epidemiological and pathophysiological standpoints, NAFLD and NASH are closely associated with obesity, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. Therefore, in parallel with epidemics of obesity and type 2 diabetes, the prevalence of NAFLD and NASH has dramatically increased in the last decades and NASH is becoming the first cause of liver transplant in the US. Consequently, NASH is considered as a growing worldwide public health issue knowing that there is no optimal solution for diagnosis and no yet approved treatment for NASH.
While NAFLD may be diagnosed by detecting the presence of fat accumulation into the liver using ultrasound techniques, NASH and NASH-associated liver fibrosis can only be diagnosed by histological examination of a liver biopsy. At microscopic examination of a liver biopsy, NASH is defined by fatty acid accumulation (lipid droplets) associated with damaged hepatocytes (ballooning or necrosis of the hepatocytes) and signs of lobular inflammation. Although fibrosis is not a required histological feature for diagnosis of NASH, presence and staging of liver fibrosis is critical for assessing the severity of the disease and the risk of evolution to cirrhosis, HCC (hepatocellular carcinoma) and liver death which is the liver-related patient death.
Histological scoring/staging systems have been developed for assessing NAFLD activity level and fibrosis stage and estimating the risk of evolution to clinical liver outcomes. The NALFD-Activity-Score (NAS) has been developed for assessing the activity of the disease. The NAS is the sum of the unweighted biopsy's individual scores for steatosis (0 to 3), lobular inflammation (0 to 3), hepatocellular ballooning (0 to 2). According to Kleiner et al., (Hepatology, 2005; 41:1313-21), NAS is the sum of three histological scores made from liver biopsy slices:                S: Steatosis score: 0: <5%; 1: 5-33%; 2: 34-66% and 3: >66%        LI: Lobular Inflammation score (foci per 20× field): 0: none; 1: <2; 2: 2-4 and 3>4        HB: Ballooning degeneration score: 0: none; 1: few; 2: many cells/prominent ballooning.
Using this scoring system a patient with NASH has NAS≥3 and at least 1 point in steatosis, at least 1 point in lobular inflammation and at least 1 point in hepatocyte ballooning. A patient is considered as having an Active-NASH when NAS≥4 with at least 1 point in steatosis, at least 1 point in inflammation and at least 1 point in hepatocyte ballooning.
Localization and extent of fibrosis at histological exam signs the severity (advancement) of the disease and the NASH-CRN has developed a dedicated fibrosis staging system (Kleiner et al., Hepatology, 2005; 41:1313-21).
Perisinusoidal or periportal fibrosis1 Mild perisinusoidal fibrosis (zone 3)1aModerate perisinusoidal fibrosis (zone 3)1bPortal/periportal fibrosis1cPerisinusoidal and portal/periportal fibrosis2 Bridging fibrosis3 Cirrhosis4
Using this fibrosis staging system, patients with no or minimal fibrosis (F=0-1) are generally not considered at risk of cirrhosis, HCC or liver death. Patients with significant (F=2) and moderate fibrosis (F=3) are at increasing risk of developing cirrhosis, liver failure, HCC and liver death. Patient with compensated cirrhosis have severe fibrosis (F=4) and are at high risk of liver failure (decompensated cirrhosis), HCC and liver related-deaths.
Derived from these widely accepted two scoring and staging systems, special attention has been recently paid on the Activity Index (AI) which can be defined as the sum of the lobular inflammation score and the hepatocyte ballooning scores. In addition Munteanu et al., Aliment Pharmacol Ther., 2016, 44(8):877-89 have proposed SAF signature to report separately scores of Steatosis, disease Activity and Fibrosis.
The diagnostic of NAFLD and NASH, and scoring of disease activity using the aforementioned NAS, AI and staging of liver fibrosis requires liver biopsies, which have a number of obvious drawbacks precluding their routine use. Indeed, liver biopsy is an invasive procedure that may be cumbersome, worrisome and painful for the patient and liver biopsy is associated with risks of hemorrhages and even deaths. Accordingly, because of growing NASH and liver fibrosis epidemic and because biopsy cannot be seen as a sufficiently efficient and safe procedure, there is an urgent need for new non-invasive methods for diagnosis of NAFLD, NASH and/or liver fibrosis.
Ultrasound and imaging techniques (ultrasonography, controlled attenuation parameter, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and the MRI-estimated proton density fat fraction (MRI-15 DPFF)) have been developed to diagnose NAFLD. However, these techniques are limited by both interobserver and intraobserver variability, by cost and/or are time consuming. In addition, MRI-DPFF is not routinely available and is too complicated to be used in clinical practice. Moreover, fibrosis stage is associated with all-cause mortality in a dose dependent manner, with increased risk apparent in patients with F2 fibrosis. Ultrasound-based 20 elastography such as Fibroscan and shear wave elastography has moderate to high accuracy in diagnosing advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis. However F2 fibrosis is not an advanced fibrosis stage and thus cannot be accurately detected with these techniques.
Besides ultrasound and imaging techniques, intense efforts have been paid for identification and validation of new circulating biomarkers for a reliable, simple and cost-effective non-invasive detection of NAFLD, NASH and/or liver fibrosis. The following table lists individual biomarkers which have been reported as modulated in NAFLD/NASH and/or liver fibrosis.
HepatocyteAdiposeOxidativefunctiontissueMetabolismstress/apoptosisFibrosisInflammationALTAdiponectinFasting plasmaMalondialdehydeFibronectinTNFaASTLeptinglucoseTBARSHyaluronic acidIL1b, IL6,ALPResistinFasting insulinOx LDLType IVIL8, IFNg,GGTHOMA indexCK18-M30collagenTGFbHaptoglobinTrglyceridesCK18-M65PIIINPhs -CRPAlbuminHDL-CholeterolFerritinTIMP-1MCP1BilirubinVLCL-CYKL-40 (CHI3L1)sCD14PlateletApolipoproteinsCount(ApoA1, ApoB,ApoCIII)
Several studies have suggested that some of these serum biomarkers had better diagnostic values than the routine serum markers of liver dysfunction like transaminases (Naveau S. et al., Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol., 2005; 3(2): 167-74; Castera L. et al., J. Hepatol. 2000; 32:412-8; Annoni G. et al. Hepatology. 1989; 9:693-7; Nojgaard C. et al. J Hepatol. 2003;39: 179-86; Chossegros P. 1995; 22(2 Suppl):96-9). However none of these studies has really identified and validated a powerful biomarker for diagnosing NAFLD, NASH and/or liver fibrosis. Trying to improve diagnostic performances, multiparametric scores have been generated combining several biomarkers and/or routine variables but their diagnostic performances for identification of patient with NAFLD, NASH and/or liver fibrosis remains largely improvable.
NASH is associated with faster fibrosis progression than NAFLD and is currently the main target for pharmacological treatment. NASH patients are more likely to develop cirrhosis and die from cardiovascular and liver-related causes, with the prognostic deteriorating as the 15 fibrosis stage progresses (Ekstedt et al, 2015). Despite the large number of serum biomarkers, combination panels, and imaging biomarkers that have been proposed, the identification of effective, less invasive, and more affordable methods for diagnosing and monitoring NAFLD, NASH and liver fibrosis are still needed, in particular methods confirmed with an independent clinical validation panel.
Identifying patients who are at risk of developing HCC, cirrhotic complications and liver-related deaths, is the ultimate reason for liver assessment.

Non-invasive diagnostic of non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and/or liver fibrosis


A multi-layer ceramic capacitor having a large capacitance comprising:. (a) internal electrode layers whose thickness is y .mu.m, and PA1 (b) ceramic dielectric layers, whose thickness is x .mu.m, extending between the internal electrode layers, where x, y and x/y are defined by the formula 1.0.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.7.0, 0.07.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.0.7 and 10.0.ltoreq.x/y.ltoreq.100.0 respectively.

This invention generally relates to a multi-layer ceramic capacitor, and particularly relates to multi-layer ceramic capacitors having large capacitance.
Recently, multi-layer ceramic capacitors have been widely used to meet the need for small-sized and large-capacitance capacitors. Conventional electrolytic capacitors generally have a large capacitance, but can not operate normally at high frequencies. The multi-layer ceramic capacitors also have large capacitances and can operate normally at high frequencies. Therefore, increasing capacitance and miniaturization have become strongly desired.
Increasing capacitance and miniaturization is attained by increasing the number of the electrode layers and decreasing the thickness of the dielectric layers, in conjunction with intensive development of high dielectric constant materials. However, increasing the number of electrode layers causes increased internal stress in a multi-layered structure, so that cracks through dielectric layers or delaminations at the electrode-dielectric interfaces tend to be generated. Moreover, increasing the number of electrode layers results in increased cost of the internal electrode materials per chip.
The proposed multi-layer ceramic capacitors and related matters concerning the above-mentioned problems are classified into three groups. The first group concerns the multi-layered structure or processing method decreasing internal stress. The second group concerns dielectric materials with a high dielectric constant. The third group concerns electrode materials with low cost.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 55-83216 discloses a multi-layer ceramic capacitor which uses an internal electrode containing a dielectric ceramic powder. In the sintered body, the ceramic powder dispersed at the electrode-dielectric interface behaves as an anchor. This relates to the above-mentioned first group.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,265,668 discloses high dielectric constant materials based on Pb complex perovskite oxide. These have a high dielectric constant of up to 20000. This relates to the above-mentioned second group.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,752,858 discloses a multi-layer ceramic capacitor which uses copper as an internal electrode material. This relates to the above-mentioned third group.
In the known multi-layer ceramic capacitors, electrode materials must be sintered with dielectric ceramics, so the thickness of internal electrode materials was up to 2 micrometers. If the printed electrode mass was under 2 micrometers thickness equivalent mass, the electrode layers were divided into individual parts, so the electrical connection of the electrode layers disappeared and capacity of the multi-layer ceramic capacitor was decreased.

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


There is described an operation panel, which is detachably or movably mounted onto an image-forming apparatus, and which includes a data-inputting section to input operational data necessary for operating the image-forming apparatus and/or a displaying section to display status information of the image-forming apparatus. The operation panel comprises: a circuit board, on which electronic parts are mounted; a supporting member to support the circuit board, the data-inputting section and/or the displaying section, so as to integrate them into a single unit serving as the operation panel; a signal line, through which electronic signals are communicated between the operation panel and the image-forming section; and a conductive member for directly grounding at least one of the data-inputting section, the displaying section and the circuit board to a conductive main-frame of the image-forming apparatus. The signal line and the conductive member are disposed at separate positions being different relative to each other.

The present invention relates to image-forming apparatus such as copiers, printers, facsimile devices, etc., and specifically relates to improvement of an operation panel utilized for the image-forming apparatus.
Generally speaking, the image-forming apparatus is provided with an operation panel on which operating members such as various kinds of operating buttons for setting a number of copy sheets, density of the image, magnification of the image and other various kinds of conditions for forming the image, and a button for commanding the commencement of the image-forming operation, etc., are mounted. Further, the operation panel is also equipped with a display section for displaying statuses of the operating members and the image-forming apparatus and for displaying various kinds of warning messages.
A touch panel including the liquid-crystal display is usually employed for the display section, and the operator operates both the operating members, such as a start button, etc., equipped as hard keys, and the touch panel to operate the image-forming apparatus. However, the operation panel has been basically fixed onto the mainframe of the image-forming apparatus.
Conventionally, since the liquid-crystal display for general use has a considerable directivity depending on viewing angles, the visibility of the operation panel has been deteriorated due to variations of the installed places and/or the operating methods of the image-forming apparatus, resulting in a bad maneuverability of the image-forming apparatus.
Concretely speaking, in conventional image-forming apparatus, since the number of items to be displayed on the touch panel is not large so much and the operating environment of the image file is substantially kept constant, the visibility of the operation panel has not been such a serious problem. In recent development of the image-forming apparatus, however, since the screen layout of the touch panel has been getting complicated in conjunction with the digitized multi-functioning trend and the multi-compounding trend, in which a plurality of image-forming functions, such as a copying function, a printing function, a facsimile function, etc., are compounded, and the viewing angle of the touch panel has been getting wider than ever in conjunction with the trend of widening the variety of the operating environments of the image-forming apparatus due to the wide variety of the applications of image-forming apparatus, the visibility of the operation panel and the maneuverability of the image-forming apparatus have been increasingly getting worse.
To overcome the abovementioned drawbacks in conventional image-forming apparatus, which occurs in conjunction with the digitized multi-functioning trend, the multi-compounding trend and the versatility of operating environments as mentioned above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a user-friendly image-forming apparatus having an operation panel matching with the functions provided for the image-forming apparatus, and being easy to use.
Although it has been applied that the operation panel is attached to the image-forming apparatus so as to be movable relative to the main-body of it in order to attain the abovementioned object of the present invention, the grounding problems of the electronic pars, such as the liquid-crystal display, etc., have been arisen as another problem in such the case.
The electronic parts employed in the image-forming apparatus are grounded to the conductive mainframe of the image-forming apparatus. In the structure in which the movable operation panel is employed, however, it has been revealed that operation errors, caused by noises, are liable to occur in the movable operation panel, when the grounding wires, for grounding the electronic parts in the movable operation panel to the conductive mainframe of the image-forming apparatus, are bounded together with the signal wires, through which the electronic signals are communicated between the movable operation panel and the image-forming apparatus.
Accordingly, another object of the present invention is to solve the abovementioned grounding problem arising in conjunction with the employment of the movable operation panel.
Accordingly, to overcome the cited shortcomings, the abovementioned objects of the present invention can be attained by operation panels and image-forming apparatus described as follow.
(1) An operation panel, which is detachably or movably mounted onto an image-forming apparatus, and which includes a data-inputting section to input operational data necessary for operating the image-forming apparatus and/or a displaying section to display status information of the image-forming apparatus, the operation panel comprising: a circuit board, on which electronic parts, constituting electronic circuits for driving the data-inputting section and/or the displaying section, are mounted; a supporting member to support the circuit board, the data-inputting section and/or the displaying section, so as to integrate them into a single unit serving as the operation panel; a signal line, connected to a connecting port of an image-forming section incorporated in the image-forming apparatus, through which electronic signals are communicated between the operation panel and the image-forming section; and a conductive member for directly grounding at least one of the data-inputting section, the displaying section and the circuit board to a conductive main-frame of the image-forming apparatus, which is maintained at a ground-potential of the image-forming apparatus; wherein the signal line and the conductive member are disposed at separate positions being different relative to each other.
(2) The operation panel of item 1, wherein the supporting member comprises an opening section through which the conductive member is led out of the operation panel.
(3) The operation panel of item 1, wherein the data-inputting section includes at least one of a touch panel, a hard-keys board and a ten-keys board, and/or the displaying section includes at least one of a liquid-crystal display unit, a fluorescent display-tube and a light emitting diode.
(4) The operation panel of item 1, further comprising: a shielding member to electrically shield either a part of or all of the operation panel; wherein the conductive member is electrically coupled to the shielding member.
(5) The operation panel of item 1, wherein the signal line is a bundle of a plurality of signal wires, each of which is coupled to each of active points of the electronic circuits, and the conductive member is a bundle of a plurality of grounding wires, each of which is coupled to each of grounding points selected within the operation panel.
(6) The operation panel of item 5, wherein the grounding points are selected as being effective for preventing the operation panel from occurring an error in data inputting and/or information-displaying operations, caused by a noise induced or generated in the operation panel.
(7) The operation panel of item 1, wherein the conductive member is a plate member having electrical conductivity, mechanical flexibility and elasticity.
(8) The operation panel of item 1, wherein the conductive member is a resin material having electrical conductivity, mechanical compressibility and elasticity.
(9) An image-forming apparatus, comprising: an image-forming section: and an operation panel, which is detachably or movably mounted onto the image-forming apparatus, and which includes a data-inputting section to input operational data necessary for operating the image-forming apparatus and/or a displaying section to display status information of the image-forming apparatus; wherein the operation panel comprises: a circuit board, on which electronic parts, constituting electronic circuits for driving the data-inputting section and/or the displaying section, are mounted; a supporting member to support the circuit board, the data-inputting section and/or the displaying section, so as to integrate them into a single unit serving as the operation panel; a signal line, connected to a connecting port of the image-forming section, through which electronic signals are communicated between the operation panel and the image-forming section; and a conductive member for directly grounding at least one of the data-inputting section, the displaying section and the circuit board to a conductive main-frame of the image-forming apparatus, which is maintained at a ground-potential of the image-forming apparatus; and wherein the signal line and the conductive member are disposed at separate positions being different relative to each other.
(10) The image-forming apparatus of item 9, wherein the supporting member comprises an opening section through which the conductive member is led out of the operation panel.
(11) The image-forming apparatus of item 9, wherein the data-inputting section includes at least one of a touch panel, a hard-keys board and a ten-keys board, and/or the displaying section includes at least one of a liquid-crystal display unit, a fluorescent display-tube and a light emitting diode.
(12) The image-forming apparatus of item 9, wherein the operation panel further comprises: a shielding member to electrically shield either a part of or all of the operation panel; and wherein the conductive member is electrically coupled to the shielding member.
(13) The image-forming apparatus of item 9, wherein the signal line is a bundle of a plurality of signal wires, each of which is coupled to each of active points of the electronic circuits, and the conductive member is a bundle of a plurality of grounding wires, each of which is coupled to each of grounding points selected within the operation panel.
(14) The image-forming apparatus of item 13, wherein the grounding points are selected as being effective for preventing the operation panel from occurring an error in data inputting and/or information-displaying operations, caused by a noise induced or generated in operation panel.
(15) The image-forming apparatus of item 9, wherein the conductive member is a plate member having electrical conductivity, mechanical flexibility and elasticity.
(16) The image-forming apparatus of item 9, wherein the conductive member is a resin material having electrical conductivity, mechanical compressibility and elasticity.
Further, to overcome the abovementioned problems, other image-recording apparatus, embodied in the present invention, will be described as follow:
(17) An operation panel used for an image-forming apparatus, characterized by comprising:
an operation panel main-body, in which at least a liquid-crystal display section is movable relative to a main-body of the image-forming apparatus;
a signal line, through which the operation panel main-body is coupled to the main-body of the image-forming apparatus; and
a conductive member for grounding, equipped separately from the signal line, through which electronic parts of the operation panel main-body are electrically connected to a conductive mainframe of the image-forming apparatus.
(18) The operation panel, cited in item 17, characterized in that the conductive member is composed of a wire material.
(19) The operation panel, cited in item 17, characterized in that the conductive member is a plate member having electrical conductivity, mechanical flexibility and elasticity.
(20) The operation panel, cited in item 17, characterized in that the conductive member is made of a resin material having electrical conductivity, mechanical compressibility and elasticity.
(21) An operation panel used for an image-forming apparatus, characterized by comprising:
an operation panel main-body, in which at least a liquid-crystal display section is movable relative to a main-body of the image-forming apparatus;
a signal line, through which the operation panel main-body is coupled to the main-body of the image-forming apparatus;
a conductive member, electrically connected to a conductive mainframe of the image-forming apparatus; and
a shielding member, through which electronic parts of the operation panel main-body are electrically connected to the conductive member.
(22) An operation panel used for an image-forming apparatus, characterized by comprising:
an operation panel main-body, in which at least a liquid-crystal display section is movable relative to a main-body of the image-forming apparatus;
a signal line, through which the operation panel main-body is coupled to the main-body of the image-forming apparatus;
a conductive supporting member, through which electronic parts of the operation panel main-body are electrically connected to a conductive mainframe of the image-forming apparatus, while movably supporting the operation panel main-body onto the main-body of the image-forming apparatus.
(23) The operation panel, cited in item 22, characterized by further comprising:
a conductive member, through which electronic parts of the operation panel main-body are electrically connected to a conductive mainframe of the image-forming apparatus.
(24) The operation panel, cited in item 21 or 23, characterized in that the conductive member is composed of a wire material.
(25) The operation panel, cited in item 21 or 23, characterized in that the conductive member is a plate member having electrical conductivity, mechanical flexibility and elasticity.
(26) The operation panel, cited in item 21 or 23, characterized in that the conductive member is made of a resin material having electrical conductivity, mechanical compressibility and elasticity.
(27) An image-forming apparatus, characterized by comprising:
a main-body of the image-forming apparatus; and
the operation panel, cited in anyone of items 17-26.

Operation panel utilized for image-forming apparatus and image-forming apparatus


An exemplary method includes detecting two or more event interval times associated with an arrhythmic condition, averaging event interval times to provide an average event interval time, providing a fraction and calling for delivery of an anti-arrhythmia shock at a delivery time based on the fraction and the average event interval time. In this exemplary method, the events optionally correspond to early coarse ventricular fibrillation events and the delivery time is optionally less than about three seconds from the detecting of a first event of a first event interval time. Other exemplary methods, devices, systems, etc., are also disclosed.

Conventional implanted cardiac defibrillation devices (ICDs) are typically programmed to deliver a defibrillation shock only after a device's capacitors have been fully charged. For high voltage shocks, charge times may exceed 10 seconds. For example, a conventional ICD can achieve a stored energy charge of 25 J in about 10 seconds, which is sufficient to deliver a high voltage shock (e.g., leading edge of about 800 V).
While high voltage shocks have proven effective for ventricular defibrillation, the delay between detection of an arrhythmia and delivery of a high voltage shock may be needlessly long and, further, the voltage or energy may be needlessly excessive. Therefore, a need exists for alternative or adjunct therapies that can treat arrhythmic conditions more quickly and/or at a lesser voltage or energy. Such alternative or adjunct therapies may also reduce patient pain and increase acceptance of certain shock therapies in suitable patient populations. Early conversion of an arrhythmia may also reduce the occurrence of loss of consciousness due to reduced blood flow to the brain. Various exemplary methods, devices, systems, etc., described herein aim to address such needs and/or other needs.

Optimally timed early shock defibrillation


A device for separating materials of different densities is provided. A cup body has an internal cavity configured to hold media. An inner wall defines a central body region having an upper and lower end. The upper end is wider than the lower end. An interior shoulder circumscribes the upper end of the central body region. The interior shoulder defines a neck region above the central body region and a shoulder trap below the neck region. The shoulder trap circumscribes the upper end of the central body region and is wider than the neck region. When the device is spun about a central axis, the media travels upward along the inner wall toward the shoulder trap. Relatively more dense material in the media is collected in the shoulder trap, and relatively less dense material is expelled from the device through an opening above the neck region.

The electrical behavior of cells and cell membranes is of profound importance in basic research as well as in modern drug development. A specific area of interest in this field is in the study of ion channels and transporters. Ion channels are protein-based pores found in the cell membrane that are responsible for maintaining the electrochemical gradients between the extracellular environment and the cell cytoplasm. Ion channels are passive elements in that, once opened, ions flow in the direction of existing electrochemical gradients.
The study of ion channels is a very diverse and prolific area encompassing basic academic research as well as biotechnical and pharmaceutical research. Electrophysiology is performed on isolated cell membranes or vesicles as well as on synthetic membranes where solubilized channels are reconstituted into a manufactured membrane. Instrumentation for automated, high-throughput studies of ion channels have been developed and may be referred to as high-throughput electrophysiological measurement systems.
Generally, many types of assays require adequate cell preparation. Thus, an ongoing need exists for effective methods for cell preparation and apparatuses or devices configured to implement such methods. Adequate cell preparation is of particular interest in the context of automated assays, which may entail performing multiple assays with minimal human intervention to increase throughput and hence the number of data points acquired per day. While known automated high-throughput measurement systems such as noted above may be employed to perform electrophysiological assays in a relatively quick and efficient manner, such systems may not be equipped to automatically prepare the cells and cell solutions used in the assays. Therefore, a need exists for systems and methods to automatically prepare the cells and cell solutions used in electrophysiology assays.

Apparatus and method for separating materials of different densities


An improved layout for a manufacturing facility is disclosed. The layout includes a hub surrounded by a production corridor. The production corridor comprises production stages used in the manufacturing process. The hub, having direct line-of-sight to the production stages, can easily monitor the manufacturing process.

Ideally, the layout of a manufacturing facility should promote efficient flow of work and people as well as facilitating production control to minimize defects and ensure desired quality in the products manufactured. This is particularly important for the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry which operates under a strict regulatory environment. For example, in the United States, the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry must comply with "Current Good Manufacturing Practices" (CGMP) promulgated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). See 21 CFR §§ 210-226. Other regulations or guidelines which the pharmaceutical industry may be subjected to include, for example, World Health Organization GMP guidelines and Pharmaceutical Inspection Co-operation Scheme (PICS). CGMP defines requirements with which a drug manufacturing facility and process must comply. This includes for example, design and construction of building and facility, identifying phase of process, identifying and verifying cleaning and maintenance of equipment, location of equipment, and PICS. See Subpart C 211.42, Subpart D 211.63, Subpart F 211.182, and PICS Chapter 3.4 and 3.5.
Non-conformity with CGMP renders a drug "adulterated" under the Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act. See 21 USC § 501(a)(2)(B) (a drug is deemed adulterated "if the methods used in, or the facilities or the controls used for its manufacture, process, packing or holding do not conform to or are not operated or administered in conformity with CGMP." The purpose of 21 USC § 501(a)(2)(B) is to protect the public interest, ensuring that that drugs marketed meet the health and safety requirements as well as to satisfy quality and purity characteristics which are claimed to possess. To prevent a drug product from being deemed adulterated, a total quality control, approach and system is necessary. A failure to comply with any regulations may result in the drug being withdrawn from the market, as well as subjecting the manufacturer to sanction. This places a heavy burden on the manufacturer to ensure compliance with CGMP.
However, ambiguity in the language of the statute subjects it to interpretation and imparts uncertainty about the requirements for compliance. For example, compliance is not ensured even though the quality manufacturing process or engineering facility is considered "average" compared to the industry. This is because compliance with the regulations requires that a pharmaceutical product must be manufactured by current good manufacturing practice methods, controls and system in order to protect the public. The absence of a consistent and widely accepted interpretation of some of regulatory requirements has led to increased cost in engineering new facilities. This has also led to longer lead-times and, in some cases, delays in bringing new pharmaceutical products to market. In an attempt to clarify the regulatory requirements, the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering and the FDA have cooperated to publish a Baselines Pharmaceutical Engineering Guide (Guide).
The Guide includes suggestions from the FDA for compliance with CGMP. The main basic philosophy promoted by the Guide is "Good Engineering Practice" (GEP), which is defined as "established engineering methods and standards that are applied throughout the project life cycle deliver appropriate, cost effective solutions". It takes into account the design and installation of facilities and equipment and takes "full account of CGMP, safety, health, environmental, ergonomic, operational, maintenance, recognized industry guidance, and statutory requirements". See Guide.
FIG. 1 shows a layout of a conventional pharmaceutical manufacturing flicility 101. As shown, the facility comprises a rectangular shaped building with two levels 103a and 103b. Typically, the production area 140 is located on the ground level 103a while non-production areas are located on die second level 103b. Also located on the ground level are storage area 195; and packing area 197. Additional areas, such as changing area 194, cafeteria 191, engineering area 193 can also be included on the ground level. The non-production areas on the second level include administration area 108, laboratory area 141, storage area 145, and HVAC plant room 146. In sonic facilities, all the different areas are provided in a single level.
The various production suites 165 form different stages of a production line for manufacturing pharmaceutical products. Products are tested from the various stages for quality control. The finished products are transferred to the packing area for packaging and then to the storage area.
Although such a layout may comply with CGMP, it is, however, inefficient. For example, quality assurance and quality control cannot be easily and effectively carried out in conventional layouts. The different production stages are not visible from a single point, making it inconvenient to monitor, identify, and verify the manufacturing process. Furthermore, testing of drugs for different stages is inconvenient since the laboratory is not located nearby to provide easy access. These deficiencies increase process time. Therefore, a manufacturer incurs additional costs to ensure that the process can be monitored adequately for verification and quality control, rendering such layouts not cost effective.
From the foregoing discussion, it is desirable to provide a more efficient and cost effective layout for a manufacturing facility.


A method for generating a terminal key includes calling a terminal key generation instruction through an interface provided by the driver, generating the terminal key in response to the terminal key generation instruction, and deleting the driver from the terminal when the terminal key has been successfully generated.

With the constant development of terminal technologies, a growing number of functions can be implemented by using third-party applications installed on a terminal. The third-party applications usually involve the privacy and property security of a user when performing information interaction with the terminal. Moreover, when performing data interaction with the terminal, the third-party applications usually need to obtain a public key of a terminal key to encrypt and decrypt data. Therefore, generating a key with higher security has become one of important methods for improving the security of the terminal.
In conventional technologies, a key provider server generates a terminal key by calling a driver interface that generates the terminal key. However, with this key-generating method, after a terminal is delivered, the driver interface that generates the terminal key is exposed outside. A malicious program or individual can find a command identification code corresponding to the driver interface and, according to the command identification code, call the driver interface that generates the terminal key to modify the terminal key that has been generated and stored. This causes a private key of the terminal key to be not paired with a public key of the terminal key, and hence all operations related to the terminal key cannot be performed, leading to a relatively low security of the terminal.

Method and apparatus for generating terminal key

TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) COMPANY LIMITED


The present invention is directed to a novel polymerizable organic composition comprising one or more radically polymerizable monomers with at least one radically polymerizable monomer having at least two (meth)acryloyl groups that have backbone linkages selected from thiourethane linkages, dithiourethane linkages, combinations of thiourethane linkages and dithiourethane linkages. The present invention is also directed to polymerizates prepared from the polymerizable organic composition, shaped articles prepared from the polymerizable compositions, and photochromic articles that may be prepared from the polymerizable organic composition of the present invention.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to polymerizable organic compositions and polymerizates obtained therefrom having a refractive index of at least 1.6, an Abbe number of at least 33 and an initial Barcol hardness of at least 1. More particularly, the present invention relates to certain polymerizable organic compositions comprising a radically polymerizable monomer having at least two (meth)acryloyl groups and backbone linkages selected from thiourethane linkages and/or dithiourethane linkages. The present invention also relates to photochromic articles prepared from such polymerizable compositions.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A number of organic polymeric materials, e.g., plastics, have been developed as alternatives and replacements for glass in applications such as optical lenses, fiber optics, windows and automotive, nautical and aviation transparencies. As used herein, the term 'glass' is meant to refer to silica-based inorganic glass. These polymeric materials can provide advantages relative to glass, including, shatter resistance, lighter weight for a given application, ease of molding and ease of dying. Representative examples of such polymeric materials include, poly(methyl methacrylate), thermoplastic polycarbonate and poly[diethylene glycol bis(allylcarbonate)].
The refractive indices of many polymeric materials are generally lower than that of glass. For example, the refractive index of poly[diethylene glycol bis(allylcarbonate)] is about 1.50, compared to that of high index glass, which can range, for example, from 1.60 to 1.80. When fabricating lenses to correct a given degree of visual defect, e.g., a correction for myopia, the use of a polymeric material having a lower refractive index will require a thicker lens relative to a material having a higher refractive index, e.g., high index glass. If the degree of correction required is substantial, as in the case of severe myopia, a lens fabricated from a low index polymeric material can be required to be very thick. A very thick lens may negate any benefit of reduction in weight relative to an equivalent degree of correction obtained from a higher refractive index lens, e.g., a high index glass lens. In addition, thicker optical lenses are not aesthetically desirable.
It is known that polymeric materials having refractive indices greater than 1.50 can be prepared from aromatic monomers and monomers containing halogens and/or sulfur atoms. The materials from which lenses, and in particular optical lenses, are fabricated can be categorized by their refractive indices. As is known to those of ordinary skill in the art, low indices typically include indices of refraction of from less than 1.50 through 1.53; middle indices comprise indices of refraction of from 1.54 through 1.57; and high indices commonly include indices of refraction of 1.58 and greater. Lenses prepared from polymeric materials having high refractive indices typically also have lower Abbe numbers (also known as nu-values). Lower Abbe numbers are indicative of an increasing level of chromatic dispersion, which is typically manifested as an optical distortion at or near the rim of the lens.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,384,379 to Bader et al. discloses sulfur-containing poly(meth)acrylates for optical applications. Although the materials disclosed by Bader et al. can be used as lenses to provide optical corrections, the poly(meth)acrylates disclosed generally provide an inadequate refractive index and chromatic dispersion. They also, generally, have poor impact resistance.
It is accordingly desirable then to identify new polymerizable organic compositions, which can be used to prepare transparent polymerizates, particularly optical lenses, that possess a combination of high refractive index and adequately high Abbe numbers. It is further desirable that these polymeric materials also possess physical properties, and in particular thermal properties, that are at least equivalent to and preferably better than those of lower index polymeric materials.


A sheet support assembly for fluid jet cutting operation having a first support extending through and independent of a catcher tank of the cutting jet system to support the central portion of said sheet and a frame assembly mounted independent of said catcher tank to support selected edge portions of the sheet to be cut. The first support includes a vertically adjustable vacuum plenum to secure the sheet thereto. The sheet edge supports on the frame are vertically and horizontally adjustable so that they may support the edges of a variety of sheet sizes.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to cutting sheet material and in particular to an arrangement for supporting a sheet during cutting using an abrasive cutting fluid system.
2. Technical Considerations
Shaped glass sheets are widely used as transparencies such as windows for automobiles and the like. To be suitable for such applications, glass sheets must be cut to a predetermined outline and shaped to a predetermined surface contour to precisely define the outline of the window opening in the vehicle. One commonly known method of cutting glass sheets is the use of an abrasive fluid jet cutting device. In particular, an abrasive jet device includes a pressurized fluid, such as water, combined with an abrasive material to form a cutting fluid which is discharged from a nozzle in a high velocity, narrow cutting stream to penetrate the full thickness of the glass sheet. The spent abrasive jet fluid is deposited in a tank below the glass sheet which decreases the velocity of the abrasive cutting stream and negates its cutting capabilities.
It would be advantageous to support the glass sheet in such a manner so as to isolate the glass and support from any conditions that may effect the accuracy of the cutting, such as vibration from the abrasive jet cutting device or the abrasive fluid catcher tank.


A quantum key distribution system includes a quantum security key management (QSKM) device, a plurality of quantum security key distribution (QSKD) devices, and a quantum security key service (QSKS) device. The QSKD device splits an identity-based system private key into a plurality of system sub-private keys, and distributes the plurality of system sub-private keys to a corresponding number of the QSKD devices. The QSKS device forwards a request for acquiring an authorized private key from a first QSKD device to a predetermined number of second QSKD devices. The predetermined number of second QSKD devices each generate an identity-based authorized sub-private key from the system sub-private key. The first QSKD device acquires, from the predetermined number of second QSKD devices, the identity-based authorized sub-private keys, and reconstructs an identity-based authorized private key based on the identity-based authorized sub-private keys.

With development of computers and network technologies, systems providing various services for users emerge, including, for example, cloud computing systems that provide applications, data and IT services for users. In such systems, to ensure security of stored static data and generated dynamic data, it is necessary to encrypt the data with an encryption algorithm. For example, in a cloud computing environment, two data encryption modes are typically used: a first encryption mode based on certificate authentication and a second encryption mode based on cloud computing key management.
The basic principle of the certificate-based encryption authentication mode is as follows: a server in the system controls and saves keys by itself; when encrypting and storing the static data, the server uses symmetric keys to encrypt the data, and then uses a digital certificate to encrypt the symmetric keys (i.e., using a public key to encrypt the symmetric keys) and stores the encrypted data; when reading the data, the server or another server first uses a private key to decrypt the symmetric keys and then uses the decrypted symmetric keys to decrypt the data.
Compared with the certificate-based encryption authentication mode, the encryption mode that uses a cloud computing key management system is more widely applied to cloud computing environments, and is also the foundation of the security of cloud data.
FIG. 1 is an exemplary cloud computing key management system. The cloud computing key management system includes two parts, i.e., a cloud computing key client end and a cloud computing key management service end. The cloud computing key client end resides in a cloud computing server and is responsible for providing a key service for cloud computing applications in the cloud computing server. The cloud computing key client end uses a standard key management protocol to apply for management services such as key generation, key recovery and key update to the cloud computing key management service end. The cloud computing key management service end applies for corresponding services to a symmetric password management server according to a service application type, and then returns a key service operation result to the cloud computing key client end, and may also act on behalf of the cloud computing key client end to apply for the corresponding services to a digital certificate center.
Because both modes use classical cryptography based on computational complexity, they can potentially be cracked in light of the emergence of cloud computing, quantum computing, and other computing technologies. In addition, for the first mode, the encrypted key must be kept safe. Once lost or damaged, the key or data cannot be recovered. For the second mode, although handing over the key to the system for central management improves security, administrators of the key management server, who have higher operation permissions, can access user data and keys, may give away the keys and user confidential information.

Method, apparatus, and system for quantum key distribution


Each access event for a plurality of business objects is logged. Using the log, a user profile for each of a plurality of users is generated that identifies one or more recently accessed business objects. A relevance value for each business object identified in the user profile is calculated and an aging function is applied to the calculated relevance values. The relevance information can graphically rendered.

In today's hyper information age, it is not uncommon to manage numerous business objects. Many existing applications have been developed to manage a single type of information object. For example, some applications have been developed to manage e-mail messages, calendar entries, tasks, notes, etc. Similarly, some applications have been developed to manage business objects such as purchase orders, sales orders, contracts, service orders, etc. However, existing applications have limited capability to track access of particular business objects and/or related objects. Moreover, access to business objects are not tracked across multiple applications.
In part, existing applications are limited due to the use of multiple devices and applications to access a variety of business objects. Advances in computing technologies have enabled smaller devices, such as mobile phones and tablets, to execute more sophisticated functions and applications. As a result, people often utilize their mobile phones and tablets to perform many of the functions that they previously performed on their personal computers and laptops.
Accordingly, the inventors have provided systems and methods that enable users to search for business objects relevant to particular users. Enterprise search results may be ranked such that that business objects may be displayed according to a calculated relevance value correlated with a user's expectations, interests, and/or business needs.

Event driven data staging and data aging algorithms for personalization data in enterprise search


In existing standards for packet data communication over enhanced cellular networks, for a subscriber having a static address, the network relies on the terminal to provide the static address. Consequently, the terminal needs to know (be programmed with) its own static address and typically the address of a home agent element of the network. To eliminate the attendant need to provision such address data in the mobile station, the static address is stored in a node of the network, and the network assigns that one address to the mobile station, every time when the subscriber requests packet data service, for example, using a mobile IP (MIP) type address assignment procedure. The address assignment operation may also provide the home agent address to the station.

In recent years, cellular or personal communication service type mobile telephones have emerged as a must-have appliance among mobile professionals and consumers alike, growing in popularity every year since they were first introduced. The public has come to accept that mobile service enhances business and personal communications and may contribute to personal security. Consequently, mobile communication is becoming increasingly popular, particularly for voice-grade telephone services, and more recently for data communication services.
The cellular wireless networks originally were designed to service circuit-switched voice communications. More recently, many mobile service providers have been upgrading the wireless networks to support packet-switched data communications services, which are intended to extend the common data communication capabilities of the wired domain to the wireless mobile domain. For such services, a node of the radio access network (RAN) provides an interface between the transmission of the packet data over the air interface of the radio network and the transmission of the packet data in the fixed network.
A packet-switched network routes each packet individually through the network, though not necessarily through a common path; as opposed to the traditional circuit switched approach to telephone service and the like that provides a path through the network for the duration of the communication session. Packet switching uses a standard packet protocol, such as the Internet Protocol (IP). The routing decision regarding each packet's next hop through the packet switched network is made on a hop-by-hop basis (typically between neighboring switching nodes). A circuit switched link provides constant sequential throughput with minimal delay caused by the network. In contrast, because they take different paths, different packets take different times to transit the network and may even arrive out of sequence.
The wireless data services, for example, support a range of communication applications utilizing two-way packet-switched packetized data, such as browsing, instant messaging, e-mail and the like. Wireless network operations for data calls are tailored to support traditional IP packet-based service applications. To conduct packet data communications through such a network, as in any other IP-based packet data network, each operating mobile station must have its own IP address. The station uses the IP address as a source identifier, when sending packets, and other data terminals on the wide area packet data network(s) use the IP address as a destination address when sending packets to the mobile station. The various points in the network that must decide how to route the packets rely in major part on analysis of the addresses in the packet headers to make such decisions.
In many cases, the addresses are assigned to terminals on a temporary basis, e.g. for the duration of a session. However, some data terminals have permanently assigned or "static" IP addresses that they keep all of the time. In the mobile network, some mobile stations similarly have statically assigned IP addresses. For static IP subscribers, the prior practice has been to rely on the terminal to provide the static IP address, which requires the service provider to program the static IP address into the respective mobile station. Mobile packet data operations also require that the station know the IP address of its assigned home agent, which is a node of the network that receives packets addressed to the mobile station and forwards them to the station's current roaming location in the network. For static IP subscribers, this has required additional pre-provisioning of the mobile station with the home agent IP address (HA IP). One disadvantage of that current solution is that the service providers need to pre-provision the static IP address and HA IP address into the terminal. Such provisioning tasks create noticeable amounts of work for the carrier's technical support personnel.
Also, if a service provider needs to move a static IP subscriber into a region served by a different home agent (HA) node, which itself has a different HA IP address, then the static IP subscriber will need to bring the mobile station into the provider's store or service center, to allow technical personnel to modify the Home Agent IP address programmed in the mobile station. The need for the customer to take the mobile station to the provider's location has been a major disturbance for the effected subscribers
Similarly, if the static IP subscriber decides to either change from the static IP service to dynamic IP service, or to change the static Home IP address, the subscriber again must bring the mobile station into the provider's store or service center, to allow technical personnel to modify the Home IP address to 0.0.0.0. or to the new value for the static Home IP address. This need for the customer to take the mobile station to the provider's location again is a major disturbance for the effected subscribers. In addition, when there is a change, the service provider has no way to stop the subscriber from continuing to use the static IP service, unless and until the subscriber takes the mobile station to store or service center for re-programming, which potentially reduces service provider's revenue.
Also, a potential fraud issue relates to MIP static IP subscribers. The IS-835 standard does not provide any mechanism to prevent a valid subscriber from using another subscriber's static IP. This allows a fraudulent person to hijack another subscriber's information. For example, a fraudulent person, who is a valid static IP subscriber, can send his valid NAI, MN-AAA, MN-HA, FA-Challenge, but program his mobile station to send another subscriber's static IP address via the mobile request message (RRQ). All information except the static IP address will be sent to AAA server for validation. The AAA server will grant the request, as the fraudulent person is a valid static IP subscriber. However, actual communications are conducted using the victim's fraudulently obtained static IP address. From now on until his mobile station disconnects, the fraudulent person is allowed to receive the other person's "pushed" services. Some of those may be confidential.
It is believed that this fraud issue may even extend to permit abuse by hacker's subscribing to dynamic assignment service, for example mobile IP (MIP) service. With current standard based solution, any subscriber, regardless dynamic or static, is able to request any static IP address from the network by providing non-default values in the mobile request message (RRQ). Since there is no validation of the addresses from that message with respect to the particular mobile station or subscriber, the network is likely to grant the static IP address, even for the dynamic IP subscriber/hacker. For example, assume that the hacker subscribes to dynamic IP service and the victim subscribes to static IP service, from the same provider. If the hacker knows the victim's static IP address, the hacker can modify her handset so as to provision the victim's static IP address and Home Agent IP address into her phone. Then, when the hacker initiates a data call from the modified mobile station, the station requests a MIP service to the provider's wireless network but provides the static IP address and home agent IP address of the victim's static service. Most likely, the provider's network will grant the hacker's service request, assign the victim's static IP address to the hacker's mobile station for that specific session and duration. During that fraudulent session, the hacker is able to get all the proprietary and confidential "pushed information" from different servers that otherwise would be intended for delivery to the victim's mobile station. For example, this may allow the hacker to obtain information from the victim's bank, clients, etc.
Hence a need exists for a technique to automatically provide static address information in a mobile communication device, that does not entail pre-programming of that information into the device, particularly without the need for programming by a carrier or service provider's technical personnel. An attendant need exists for enhancing security and reducing the potential for fraudulent misuse of static IP addresses in the wireless network.

Network based IP address assignment for static IP subscriber


An occupant restraint system comprises a seat belt tension application device; a longitudinal acceleration detector; a lateral acceleration detector; and a control device that controls the tension applied by the seat belt tension application device based upon a longitudinal acceleration detection value and a lateral acceleration detection value and the control device engages the seat belt tension application device to apply the tension to the seat belt if a point on the map determined in conformance to the longitudinal acceleration detection value and the lateral acceleration detection value obtained as the vehicle decelerates is outside a range enclosed by the operation decision-making threshold line and the other axis.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system and method that restrain a vehicle occupant with a seat belt.
2. Description of the Related Art
Occupant restraint systems in the known art include the system disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. H 09-132113. This occupant restraint system judges the condition manifesting between the vehicle and an object present ahead of the vehicle based upon the results of a detection of the object by an object detection sensor and adjusts the tension of a seat belt with an electric motor in conformance to the condition manifesting between the vehicle and the object. In addition, there is a mechanical lock device in the related art that prevents the seat belt from being drawn out if the vehicle undergoes a deceleration to an extent equal to or greater than a predetermined value through emergency braking or the like. Another mechanical lock device in the related art prevents a seat belt from feeding out if it is pulled abruptly.
In addition, there are occupant restraint systems in the related art that detect that the vehicle is currently traveling in a turn along a winding road by utilizing a steering angle sensor or the like when there is another vehicle approaching from the opposite direction on the other side of the winding road as the vehicle travels with its wheels turned on the outer side of the winding road, and adjust the tension of the seat belt.
However, the occupant restraint systems that detects an object present ahead of the vehicle with an object detection sensor described above is bound to be costly.
In the mechanical seat belt lock devices described above, factors such as play in the lock mechanism, slack in the seat belt as it is being taken up, stretching of the seat belt itself and slack in the seat belt as it is fastened are present. For this reason, the upper body of the occupant moves forward for a while even after the seat belt is locked, and thus, it is difficult to restrain the upper body of the occupant with a high degree of reliability at an early stage. This gives rise to a problem in that it is difficult to give the occupant a restricting feeling effectively.
It is desirable that the present invention provides an occupant restraint system that restrains an occupant of a vehicle in an effective manner with a seat belt.
An occupant restraint system comprises a seat belt tension application device that adjusts tension applied to a seat belt to restrain an occupant with the seat belt, a longitudinal acceleration detector that detects a longitudinal acceleration occurring in a vehicle along a longitudinal direction, a lateral acceleration detector that detects a lateral acceleration occurring in the vehicle along a lateral direction, and a control device that controls the tension applied by the seat belt tension application device based upon a longitudinal acceleration detection value detected by the longitudinal acceleration detector and a lateral acceleration detection value detected by the lateral acceleration detector. A two-dimensional map, with a deceleration (negative acceleration) occurring in the vehicle along the longitudinal direction set on a + side of one of two axes orthogonally intersecting each other in a two-dimensional coordinate system, an acceleration of the vehicle occurring along the longitudinal direction set on a xe2x88x92 side of the one axis, an acceleration of the vehicle to a right set on a + side of the other axis in the two-dimensional coordinate system and an acceleration of the vehicle to a left set on a xe2x88x92 side of the other axis, is provided, and an operation decision-making threshold line, which forms one of a semi-elliptic shape and a polygonal shape, intersects the other axis on the + side at A, intersects the other axis on the xe2x88x92 side at xe2x88x92A and intersects the one axis on the + side at +B satisfying B less than A, is set in a first quadrant and a second quadrant of the map. The control device engages the seat belt tension application device to apply the tension to the seat belt if a point on the map determined in conformance to the longitudinal acceleration detection value and the lateral acceleration detection value obtained as the vehicle decelerates is outside a range enclosed by the operation decision-making threshold line and the other axis.
An occupant restraint system comprises a seat belt tension application device that adjusts tension applied to a seat belt to restrain an occupant with the seat belt, a longitudinal acceleration detector that detects a longitudinal acceleration occurring in a vehicle along a longitudinal direction, a lateral acceleration detector that detects a lateral acceleration occurring in the vehicle along a lateral direction, and a control device that controls the tension applied by the seat belt tension application device based upon a longitudinal acceleration detection value detected by the longitudinal acceleration detector and a lateral acceleration detection value detected by the lateral acceleration detector. An XY two-dimensional map, with a deceleration (negative acceleration) of the vehicle occurring along the longitudinal direction set on a +Y axis, an acceleration of the vehicle occurring along the longitudinal direction set on a xe2x88x92Y axis, an acceleration of the vehicle to a right set on a +X axis and an acceleration of the vehicle to a left set on a xe2x88x92X axis, is provided, and a first operation decision-making threshold line, which forms one of a semi-elliptic shape and a polygonal shape, intersects the +X axis at A, intersects the xe2x88x92X axis at xe2x88x92A and intersects the +Y axis at +B satisfying B less than A, is set in a first quadrant and a second quadrant of the map. The control device engages the seat belt tension application device to apply the tension to the seat belt if a point on the map determined in conformance to the longitudinal acceleration detection value and the lateral acceleration detection value obtained as the vehicle decelerates is outside a range enclosed by the first operation decision-making threshold line and the X axis.
An occupant restraint system comprises a seat belt tension application device that adjusts tension applied to a seat belt to restrain an occupant with the seat belt, a longitudinal acceleration detector that detects a longitudinal acceleration occurring in a vehicle along a longitudinal direction, a lateral acceleration detector that detects a lateral acceleration occurring in the vehicle along a lateral direction, and a control device that controls the tension applied by the seat belt tension application device based upon a longitudinal acceleration detection value detected by the longitudinal acceleration detector and a lateral acceleration detection value detected by the lateral acceleration detector. An XY two-dimensional map, with a deceleration (negative acceleration) of the vehicle occurring along the longitudinal direction set on a +Y axis, an acceleration of the vehicle occurring along the longitudinal direction set on a xe2x88x92Y axis, an acceleration of the vehicle to a right set on a +X axis and an acceleration of the vehicle to a left set on a xe2x88x92X axis, is provided, and an operation decision-making threshold line, which forms a substantial semi-elliptic shape achieved by connecting a plurality of quadratic curves at a plurality of inflection points intersects the +X axis at A, intersects the xe2x88x92X axis at xe2x88x92A and intersects the +Y axis at +B satisfying B less than A, is set in a first quadrant and a second quadrant of the map. The control device engages the seat belt tension application device to apply the tension to the seat belt if a point on the map determined in conformance to the longitudinal acceleration detection value and the lateral acceleration detection value obtained as the vehicle decelerates is outside a range enclosed by the semi-elliptic operation decision-making threshold line and the X axis.
An occupant restraint system comprises a seat belt tension application device that adjusts tension applied to a seat belt to restrain an occupant with the seat belt, a longitudinal acceleration detector that detects a longitudinal acceleration occurring in a vehicle along a longitudinal direction, a lateral acceleration detector that detects a lateral acceleration occurring in the vehicle along a lateral direction, and a control device that controls the tension applied by the seat belt tension application device based upon a longitudinal acceleration detection value detected by the longitudinal acceleration detector and a lateral acceleration detection value detected by the lateral acceleration detector. An XY two-dimensional map, with a deceleration (negative acceleration) of the vehicle occurring along the longitudinal direction set on a +Y axis, an acceleration of the vehicle occurring along the longitudinal direction set on a xe2x88x92Y axis, an acceleration of the vehicle to a right set on a +X axis and an acceleration of the vehicle to a left set on a xe2x88x92X axis, is provided, and an operation decision-making threshold line, which forms a polygonal shape achieved by connecting a plurality of sides at, at least, one inflection point intersects the +X axis at A, intersects the xe2x88x92X axis at xe2x88x92A and intersects the +Y axis at +B satisfying B less than A, is set in a first quadrant and a second quadrant of the map. The control device engages the seat belt tension application device to apply the tension to the seat belt if a point on the map determined in conformance to the longitudinal acceleration detection value and the lateral acceleration detection value obtained as the vehicle decelerates is outside a range enclosed by the polygonal operation decision-making threshold line and the X axis.
An occupant restraint system comprises a seat belt tension application means for adjusting tension applied to a seat belt to restrain an occupant with the seat belt, a longitudinal acceleration detection means for detecting a longitudinal acceleration occurring in a vehicle along a longitudinal direction, a lateral acceleration detection means for detecting a lateral acceleration occurring in the vehicle along a lateral direction, and a control means for controlling the tension applied by the seat belt tension application means based upon a longitudinal acceleration detection value detected by the longitudinal acceleration detection means and a lateral acceleration detection value detected by the lateral acceleration detection means. A two-dimensional map, with a deceleration (negative acceleration) occurring in the vehicle along the longitudinal direction set on a + side of one of two axes orthogonally intersecting each other in a two-dimensional coordinate system, an acceleration of the vehicle occurring along the longitudinal direction set on a xe2x88x92 side of the one axis, an acceleration of the vehicle to a right set on a + side of the other axis in the two-dimensional coordinate system and an acceleration of the vehicle to a left set on a xe2x88x92 side of the other axis, is provided, and an operation decision-making threshold line connecting an intersecting point +A at which the other axis is intersected on the + side, an intersecting point xe2x88x92A at which the other axis is intersected on the xe2x88x92 side and an intersecting point +B satisfying B less than A at which the one axis is intersected on the + side is set in a first quadrant and a second quadrant of the map. The control means engages the seat belt tension application means to apply the tension to the seat belt if a point on the map determined in conformance to the longitudinal acceleration detection value and the lateral acceleration detection value obtained as the vehicle decelerates is outside a range enclosed by the operation decision-making threshold line and the other axis.
An occupant restraint method achieved by using a two-dimensional map, with a deceleration (negative acceleration) of a vehicle occurring along a longitudinal direction set on a + side of one of two axes orthogonally intersecting each other in a two-dimensional coordinate system, an acceleration of the vehicle occurring along the longitudinal direction set on a xe2x88x92 side of the one axis, an acceleration of the vehicle to a right set on a + side of the other axis in the two-dimensional coordinate system and an acceleration of the vehicle to a left set on a xe2x88x92 side of the other axis, in which a semi-elliptic or polygonal decision-making threshold line intersecting the other axis on the + side at A, intersecting the other axis on the xe2x88x92 side at xe2x88x92A and intersecting the one axis on the + side at +B satisfying B less than A is set, comprises detecting an acceleration of the vehicle occurring along the longitudinal direction; detecting an acceleration of the vehicle occurring along the lateral direction; and applying tension to a seat belt so as to restrain an occupant when a point on the map determined in conformance to a longitudinal acceleration detection value and a lateral acceleration detection value obtained as the vehicle decelerates is outside a range enclosed by the operation decision-making threshold line and the other axis.

Occupant restraint system and occupant restraint method


A tape back-tension mechanism for a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus provides an instantaneous and secure braking force during mode shifting. In the mechanism, a take-up reel table includes a reel gear and a reel disk coupled to the reel gear and frictionally rotated by the reel gear. A predetermined force is applied to the take-up reel disk to prevent a magnetic tape from becoming loose due to the inertia created when a reel gear of a supply reel table stops during the shifting of the operational mode. Each of the reel disks accommodate a reel of a tape cassette. Further, the mechanism includes a fixed gear constantly engaged with a take-up reel gear, a floating gear constantly engaged with the fixed gear, the floating gear alternatively engaging and disengaging the take-up reel gear, and a connection lever for connecting the fixed gear and the floating gear.

The present invention claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn..sctn.119, and 120 based upon an application in the United States Patent & Trademark Office on 7 Apr. 1992, assigned Ser. No.:07/864,941, and an application filed in the Korea Industrial Property Office on 30 Aug. 1991, assigned Ser. No.:1991/15149.
The present invention relates to a magnetic recorder/reproducer, such as a tape recorder or a video player, and particularly to a tape back-tension mechanism wherein a constant tension is applied to a tape travelling in the counter-clockwise direction during review and rewind modes.
Generally, in magnetic recorders/reproducers, such as tape recorders and video players, when a tape cassette, having a magnetic tape therein, is seated on a supply reel table and a take-up reel table, the magnetic tape is loaded and is placed in close proximity to the outer periphery of a head drum. Also, in accordance with the operational mode, an idler gear selectively engages either the supply reel table or the take-up reel table. That is, the idler gear engages the take-up reel table during the play and fast-forward modes, thereby making the tape travel clockwise. Alternatively, (during review and rewind modes), the idler gear engages the supply reel table, making the tape travel counter-clockwise.
However, while the tape travels in a selected direction by the rotation of the selected reel table, the tape is loosened due to the inertia of the unselected reel table's rotation.
Accordingly, the tape becomes loose at the outer periphery of the head drum during the review mode, which causes noise. Moreover, since the tape is excessively drawn out from the unselected reel table during the rewind mode, noise occurs, and the tape may become tangled within the recorder/reproducer. In order to prevent such problems, a weak back-tension may be applied to the tape while the tape travels in the review or rewind mode. To provide the weak back-tension, a weak brake is installed, wherein the weak brake applies a force to the reel table which is not driven by the idle gear. In addition, the weak brake is not driven by the idler gear.
FIG. 1 is an art published in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,951, illustrating a braking system having a weak brake for putting a back-tension on a magnetic tape. Here, a cam gear 1 has an irregularly formed slot 2, and a roll follower 4 is inserted into slot 2, to be slid along the irregularly formed slot. Roll follower 4 is coupled to one arm of a Y-shaped brake-releasing member 3. Brake-releasing member 3 is fixed to be rotatable about a pivot 3a, and drawn toward the unreleased direction (clockwise) by a spring 3b. Due to this connection, roll follower 4 is maintained in slot 2 of cam gear 1. Brake releasers 3s and 3t are fixed on the other arm of brake-releasing member 3. Brake releasers 3s and 3t are connected to a reel brake 5s of a supply reel 7s and a reel brake 5t of a take-up reel 7t, respectively.
Also, brake releaser 3s is coupled with a weak brake 6, and fixed on a pivot 5a, coaxial with reel brake 5s. Reel brake 5s of supply reel 7s and reel brake 5s of take-up reel 7t are rotated about pivots 5a and 5a', respectively, and kept under pressure by springs 5b and 5b', respectively, thus counteracting the rotation of reels 7s and 7t, respectively. In the same manner, weak brake 6 is kept under pressure by spring 6a, to counteract the rotation of supply reel 7s.
FIG. 1 shows the fast-forward mode of the system's operation. As cam gear 1 is rotated clockwise, brake-releasing member 3 rotates counter-clockwise. Then, reel brakes 5s and 5t are released, and accordingly, only weak brake 6 applies a gentle braking force to supply reel 7s. As a result, back-tension is provided to the tape during the fast-forward mode due to the braking force of weak brake 6, thereby preventing the tape from being drawn out.
However, the brake system with the weak brake apparatus having the above structure requires many parts to selectively operate weak brake 6 according to respective modes. That is, a driving source is separately required for driving the cam gear. Further, a cam gear with an irregularly shaped slot, as well as a brake-releasing member connected to the cam gear, are also required to operate the weak brake in accordance with the cam gear's rotation.
Therefore, the apparatus is complicated in its structure, and requires excessive space for installation, so that its manufacture and assembly become overly fastidious. These drawbacks, in turn, lead to deterioration of operation and degraded accuracy for the end product.

Tape back-tension mechanism for a magnetic reproducing apparatus


Data is recorded on the film by the manufacturer prior to exposure at a first magnetic head azimuth angle. The camera magnetically records information on the film frame-by-frame at a second head azimuth angle with each exposure or shortly thereafter. Before exposure of any frame, the camera determines whether the frame has already been exposed by sensing the recorded signal amplitude at one of the two magnetic head azimuth angles. In order to prevent a double exposure, the camera transports the film past any frame having data magnetically recorded therein corresponding to the second azimuth angle.

The problem of film cameras creating double exposures is a familiar one. After reinserting partially exposed film back into a camera. There is a need for a simple, reliable and inexpensive way of preventing a camera from creating double exposures, particularly when the film is reloaded after prior exposures have caused the film to be wound to near mid-roll.
Magnetically recording data on film by the film manufacturer, the camera, the customer order station and the photofinisher is described in the above-referenced patent application by Cloutier et al. Typically, using the ability to magnetically record data on the film to provide mid-roll interrupt protection (i.e., to prevent the camera from double exposing the film) has required the camera to be able to interpret the recorded data. The disadvantage is that interpreting the data is an elaborate task, as described in the above-referenced Cloutier application. As such, a mid-roll interrupt protection system in a camera which reads and interprets the magnetically recorded data must be disadvantageously elaborate. Moreover, it is not possible to provide such a system in those cameras not having the ability to read and interpret magnetically recorded data.
Accordingly, it is the object of the present invention to provide a mid-roll interrupt protection system in a camera which is simple and inexpensive and does not require that the camera to read, decode or interpret data magnetically recorded on the film in order to prevent double exposures.

Film mid roll interrupt protection for a camera using magnetic azimuth recording on film