A display device for a vehicle which includes: an image-taking unit which takes images of an area ahead of the vehicle at predetermined intervals; a display which displays the images taken by the image-taking unit; and a controller which divides a display area of the display into a plurality of areas including a center area and a right-and-left side area, wherein the controller sets a first interval for the image-taking unit for taking images to be displayed in the right-and-left side area of the display to become longer than a second interval for the image-taking unit for taking images to be displayed in the center area.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a display device for a vehicle.
Priority is claimed on Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-151292, filed May 24, 2005, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
2. Description of Related Art
A driving support system for a vehicle which detects conditions of roads based on images of the area ahead of the vehicle is known (see, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. H08-253059). In the support system, the images are captured by a camera disposed in the vehicle, and images made by the system, reflecting the conditions of roads detected by the system, are displayed on a display provided on the front window or on the dashboard of the vehicle.
In the driving support system of the related art, it has been impossible to modify the contents of the image to be displayed in accordance with changes of traveling conditions of the vehicle or the ability of occupants to view the surroundings because the images are made only based on the images captured by the camera. Therefore, there has been a problem in that the support system cannot assist the occupant's ability to view the surroundings when this ability declines in accordance with a change of the traveling conditions of the vehicle.


Disclosed herein are improved PNA based monomers, nucleobases, oligomers and probes for use in a variety of different methods of analysing nucleic acids. Further, the disclosure provides methods of preparing the modified and improved PNA molecules as well as methods of using the same.

DNA sequencing is a known procedure that has been the subject of much research. Various methods of DNA sequencing have been reported, including the chemical approach of Maxim and Gilbert (A. M. Maxam and W. Gilbert, PNAS, 1977, 74, 560-564) and the enzyme based methods of Sanger (F. Sanger et al., PNAS, 1976, 5463-5467).
A number of newer approaches have been reported, which fall into three categories: (i). Sequencing by repetitive single base addition, (ii) Pyrosequencing and (iii) Restriction enzyme mediated cleavage or kinase ligation with deconvolution/decoding.
Examples of such methods are disclosed in PCT Application Publication No. VO 2009/037473 (Bradley et al.).
Peptide nucleic acids (PNA) are synthetic compounds which have been used in a number of applications, including as genetic probes (see review by P. Paulosova and F. Pellestor, Ann. Genetique, 2004, 47, 349-358).
Peptide nucleic acid (PNA) is similar to the naturally occurring nucleic acids—deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). However, While DNA and RNA possess a deoxyribose or ribose sugar backbone respectively, the backbone of PNA comprises repeating N-(2-aminoethyl)-glycine units which are linked by peptide bonds. The various pyrimidine and/or purine bases (or nucleobases) of PNA, are linked to the peptide backbone by amide bond formation. One of skill in the art will understand that a single nucleobase linked via an amide bond to a single N-(2-aminoethyl)-glycine unit may be described as a PNA monomer, but other PNAs may include, for example, those containing modified aminoethyl-glycine backbones, such as, for example, pyrrolidine-based (R. J. Worthington et al. Org. Biomol. Chem., 2007, 5, 249-259) and indole-based DNA mimics (Formula 9). One skilled in the art will recognise other suitable oligomers.

An example of the use of a PNA array for detection of point mutations in antivial-resistant Hepatitis B virus is discussed in Hyunjung Jang et al., Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 2010, Vol. 48, No. 9, 3127-3131.
A review of fabrications, detections and applications of peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) microarrays is discussed in Huanhuan Shi et al., Biosensors and Bioelectronics, 2015, 66, 481-489.
PCT Application Publication No. WO 2009/037473 (Bradley et al.) discloses modified nucleobases, and modified PNA monomers and dimers and oligomers thereof, as well as their use in genetic analysis methods such as sequencing nucleic acids and characterising Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNP). SNP represents a form of variation in a genome wherein a particular nucleotide of the genome varies between members of a population. By way of example, a SNP may comprise two alleles (i.e. one of two possible nucleotides at a particular locus)—and, in such cases, some of the individuals within a population may carry one SNP allele at a particular locus while others may carry the other allele at the same locus.
WO 2009/037473 (Bradley et al.) discloses a PNA oligomer in which one or more of the secondary amines of the peptide backbone are not derivatised to comprise a nucleobase and are left uncoupled. The provision of such "blank" or "abasic" PNA unit provides for improved characterisation of a nucleobase in a nucleic acid sequence. For example, such method may comprise contacting a nucleic acid with the modified peptide nucleic acid (PNA) oligomer capable of hybridising to a portion of the nucleic acid and lacking a nucleobase complementary to a nucleobase of the nucleic acid, to form a nucleic acid/PNA duplex; and contacting the nucleic acid/PNA duplex with modified bases comprising a detectable tag. The modified nucleobase complementary to the nucleobase of the nucleic acid integrates with the nucleic acid/PNA duplex, and can then be characterised by means of the detectable tag.
However, it has been observed that the provision of one or more "blank" or "abasic" units in a PNA oligomer probe may lead to unexpected difficulties. For example, when the probe is attached to the surface of a solid support, e.g. a resin support material, it was observed that the space created by the absence of a nucleobase in the "blank" position, can cause the probe to flex, bend or otherwise deform from its "normal" linear configuration. This may lead to a number of problems:
Firstly, it was found that such probes can have a tendency to bind not only with nucleobases complementary to the nucleobase of the nucleic acid to be characterised, but also with nucleobases which are not complementary to the nucleobase to be characterised. This phenomenon may be described as reduced specificity.
Secondly, it was found that the efficacy or yield of detection of probes bound with nucleobases complementary to the nucleobase of the nucleic acid to be characterised, e.g., by detection of a detectable tag associated with the modified nucleobase incorporated in the "blank" position of the PNA probe, can vary and/or can be affected and/or reduced. This phenomenon may be described as reduced sensitivity.
The object of the present invention is to obviate or mitigate at least one of the aforementioned problems associated with the prior art.


The present invention relates to an ion exchange chromatography process for purifying a peptide from a mixture containing the peptide and related impurities, and to an industrial method including such ion exchange chromatography process.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an ion exchange chromatography process for purifying a peptide from a mixture containing said peptide and related impurities and to an industrial including such ion exchange chromatography process.
2. Description of the Related Art
For the purification and analysis of proteins and peptides, chromatography is a well-known and widely used method. A number of different chromatographic principles are applied, among these ion exchange chromatography (IEC). The IEC principle includes two different approaches: anion exchange and cation exchange according to the charge of the ligands on the ion exchange resin. A conventional IEC purification process usually consists of one or more: equilibration sections, application or loading sections, wash sections, elution sections, and regeneration sections (cf. Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, Gennaro, ed., Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa., 1990, or Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy, 19th Edition (1995)).
The main principle of elution in IEC in industrial purification processes is salt component gradients in an aqueous buffer solution at constant pH, either as step or linear gradients (cf. S. Bjørn and L. Thim, Activation of Coagulation Factor VII to VIIa, Res. Discl. No. 269, 564–565, 1986). Isocratic elution is possible, but seldom used. Organic solvents or modifiers have occasionally been added to the solutions to keep the protein or peptide on the desired form or just in solution (cf. K. H. Jørgensen, Process for Purifying Insulin, U.S. Pat. No. 3,907,676, Sep. 23, 1975; and J. Brange, O. Hallund and E. Sørensen, Chemical Stability of Insulin 5. Isolation, Characterisation and Identification of Insulin Transformation Products, Acta Pharm. Nord. 4(4), 223–232, 1992). Also, the change in pH may occasionally be employed to elute the target protein (cf. J. Lamy, J. Lamy, J. Weill, Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 193, 140–149, 1979).

Ion exchange chromatography of proteins and peptides


A method of decoding a bitstream by an electronic device is provided. A block unit is determined from an image frame received from the bitstream. First motion information having a first list flag for selecting a first reference frame and second motion information having a second list flag for selecting a second reference frame are received from a candidate list to reconstruct the block unit. A predefined one of the first and the second motion information is stored for a sub-block determined in the block unit without checking whether the first and second reference frames are included in a reference list indicated by a flag value different from the two list flags when the first list flag is identical to the second list flag. A following block is reconstructed based on the stored motion information when the following block is reconstructed based on the sub-block.

Triangle partitioning mode and geometric partitioning mode are coding tools in a video coding method. In the triangle partitioning mode and geometric partitioning mode, the encoder may select two of a plurality of merge candidates for predicting the block unit and provide two merge indices into a bitstream for the decoder to recognize the selected merge candidates.
An encoder and a decoder may split a block unit in an image frame to generate a plurality of sub-blocks, and store at least one of the two merge candidates for each of the sub-blocks in their buffer to predict a plurality of following blocks. However, in the triangle partitioning mode and geometric partitioning mode, some of a plurality of block components in the block unit may be predicted based on only one of the two merge candidates, and the others may be predicted based on both of the two merge candidates. If the two merge candidates are stored for each of the sub-blocks predicted based on both of the two merge candidates, the stored motion candidates may be too complex for the following prediction.


An automated consumer rewards/incentive program that accepts a registration of a consumer. The registration entitles the consumer to receive the benefits of the incentive program. To track the fulfillment of reward earning criteria established by member businesses, the registration includes information indicative of a credit card of the consumer. The system uses the credit card information to determine when member customers perform a transaction at a member business. When a member customer performs a transaction at a member business using the registered credit card, the system and method examines the credit card transactional information to determine if the consumer fulfilled the requirements of the incentive program for the member business. If the transactional information indicates that the consumer fulfilled the criteria of the rewards program of the member business, the consumer is rewarded in accordance with the benefits of the incentive program.

This invention relates generally to consumer reward or incentive programs and, more specifically, to a system and method for providing an automated consumer reward program.
In the prior art, various consumer reward programs are known. For example, the airline industry allows a consumer to make a plane reservation and to specify a frequent flyer number that is specific to the airline for which the reservation is made. In this manner, when the reservation is fulfilled by the consumer taking the reserved flight, the consumer is rewarded with redeemable frequent flyer miles. Such reservations can be made using a network, for example, the Internet, by phone, etc.
By way of further example, it is also known in the restaurant industry to provide a means by which consumers can make dining reservations and benefit from a rewards program. In this regard, reservations can be made via access to a Web site, such as www.opentable.com. Reservations made through "OpenTable" allow a consumer to earn "OpenTable points" that are redeemable for rewards. To earn the points, the consumer must arrive at the restaurant before or at the reservation time and check in with the restaurateur who will then notify "OpenTable" of the reservation fulfillment. If the consumer fails to check in with the restaurateur, the consumer must mail a copy of the dining receipt to "OpenTable" within three months to notify "OpenTable" of the reservation fulfillment. For this service the restaurateur is charged a fee.
While the described systems work for their intended purpose, they do suffer various disadvantages. For example, the currently implemented airline consumer reward program requires the consumer to remember their appropriate frequent flyer number and to individually register with each of the airlines to access the large population of reward providers. Meanwhile, the on-line reservation system of "OpenTable" requires the performance of some action by either the consumer or the restaurateur (beyond actual fulfillment of the reservation) to ensure the awarding of rewards. Accordingly, a need exists for an improved system and method for providing consumers rewards.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

System and method for providing consumer rewards


A process for the preparation of cross-linked polysaccharides containg carboxy groups. The process comprises a first step of activating the carboxy groups in an anhydrous aprotic solvent and then reacting with a polyamine. The cross-linked polysaccharide may be subjected to sulfonation of the five hydroxy groups.

The present invention refers to a cross-linking process of carboxylated polysaccharides.
The process of the invention provides a high degree of reproducibility of the obtained products, in terms of cross-linking degree, homogeneity of the distribution of the cross-linking chains, and chemico-physical characteristics of the products and the technological characteristics of the articles obtained therefrom.
The reproducibility is particularly important for the applications in the medical, pharmaceutical and dermo-cosmetic fields.
The invention further refers to the products obtainable by said process and their applications in the medical, pharmaceutical and dermo-cosmetic field.
The use of macromolecules in the medical/pharrnaceutical field and, more recently, in the dermatological-cosmetic field, is well established. Macromolecules are used in the preparation of pharmaceutical formulations as thickening agents, lubricants, gastro-resistant film coating agents, particularly in the preparation of capsules, gel, colloids and of different devices (e.g. contact lenses, gauzes, etc.). Macromolecules are also used in the preparation of controlled-release formulations of active ingredients.
Reviews of their characteristics and pharmaceutical uses are reported in
1) C. Hansch et Al. Editorsxe2x80x94xe2x80x9cComprehensive Medicinal Chemistryxe2x80x9dxe2x80x94Pergamon Press, Oxford, 1990xe2x80x94Vol. 1-6;
2) A. Wade and P. J. Wellers Editorsxe2x80x94xe2x80x9cHandbook of Pharmaceutical Excipientsxe2x80x9dxe2x80x94Ed. 1994xe2x80x94The Pharmaceutical Press.
Said macromolecules belong to different chemical families and may be either synthetic, or natural or semi-synthetic.
Examples of synthetic macromolecules include polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyoxyethylenealkyl ethers, polyvinyl alcohols, polymethacrylates. Examples of natural macromolecules include native hyaluronic acid (HY) and cellulose.
Examples of semi-synthetic macromolecules include carboxyalkylcelluloses, widely used in the food and personal care industries. These macromolecules are characterized by a linear or poorly branched structure.
A very important modification for increasing the chemical, enzymatic and mechanical strength is provided by cross-linking, which may be carried out both on synthetic and natural (more or less already modified) polymers.
Examples of cross-linked polymers include polymers used for the gastro-protection of tablets or capsules (polymethacrylates), as well as polymers used as emulsifiers, suspending agents, tablet hardeners (Carbopol), cross-linked hyaluronic acids, hereinafter discussed.
For the considered applications, and particularly for the preparation of invasive medical devices which have to be administered parenterally, said polymers must meet a number of requirements, of technical and regulatory kind.
The technical requirements include:
1) high biocompatibility;
2) resistance to enzymatic systems, both tissular or plasmatic (for injectable compositions) and gastrointestinal (for oral compositions).
In some cases a gradual degradation, for instance for the controlled release of a medicament, may be desirable.
This resistance is particularly important when the macromolecule is present in compositions/articles that must last for a long time, e.g. substitutes of the synovial liquid, films, sponges or gels as tissular antiadhesives in different kinds of surgery; in tissular engineering (artificial organs); artificial skins, in the treatment of burns and generally in aesthetic surgery;
3) moldability into different shapes (gels, films, sponges, etc.);
4) possibility to be sterilized chemically or physically without changing the product structure.
According to the regulatory requisites, the composition of the different production batches must be kept constant within very narrow limits; this implies that the production methods are standardized and that the base components have a very low intrinsic variability.
A possible cause of dishomogeneity for macromolecules derives from the dispersion of molecular weights. Said dishomogeneity becomes even higher as a consequence of cross-linking. This may be a serious drawback depending on the field of use and the applicative purposes of the final product.
EP-A-566118 (Kimberly-Clark) discloses cross-linked polysaccharides to be used as super-absorbents for diapers and similar articles.
The process described therein is based on the cross-linking of cellulose by formation of intermolecular amides, esters or ethers between polyamines, polyols or mixtures thereof and the carboxy group of polysaccharides.
The reaction is carried out by heating at about 80xc2x0 C. the mixture of the polysaccharide with the polyol and/or polyamine. This process is certainly economic and suitable for large scale production where the reproducibility requirements are less stringent.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,465,055 discloses cross-linked polysaccharides (hyaluronic acid and alginic acid) obtained by esterification of COOH of the polysaccliaride and OH groups of other molecules, without insertion of cross-linking arms.
WO 91/9119 discloses microcapsules for islets of Langerhans as biohybrid organs, consisting of alginic acid cross-linked with barium ions.
EP 190215 discloses the cross-linking of different polymers (carboxylated starches, dextran, celluloses) with di- or poly-functional epoxides.
The following cross-linking agents for hyaluronic acids have been proposed:
polyfunctional epoxides are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,716,224, 4,772,419, 4,716,154;
polyalcohols are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,957,744;
divinylsulfone is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,605,691, 4,636,524;
aldehydes are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,713,448 and 4,582,865;
carboxamides are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,356,833;
polycarboxylic acids are disclosed in EP-A-718312.
The invention refers to a process for the preparation of cross-linked polysaccharides containing carboxy groups, allowing complete control of cross-linking degree as well as high reproducibility in terms of constant characteristics of the final product.
The process of the invention comprises:
a) activation of the carboxy groups of the polysacchatide by reaction with suitable carboxy activating agents in anhydrous aprotic solvent;
b) reaction of the carboxy activated polysaccharide with a polyamine.
The obtained cross-linked polysaccharide, if desired, may be subjected to sulphation or hemisuccinylation of the free hydroxy groups.
The products obtainable by the process of the invention may also be complexed with metal ions such as zinc, copper or iron ions.
The carboxy-containing polysaccharide which may be used according to the invention may be of natural, synthetic or semi-synthetic origin. Examples of said polysaccharides include Hyaluronic acids (obtained from tissues or bacteria), carboxymethyldextran, carboxymetbylcellulose, carboxymethyl-starch, alginic acids, cellulosic acid, N-carboxy-methyl or butyl glucans or chitosans; heparins with different molecular weights, optionally desulphated and succinylated, derrnatan sulphates, Chondroitin sulphates, heparan sulphates, polyacrylic acids.
Hyaluronic acids, carboxymethylcellulose, heparins, alginic acids and polyacrylic acids are particularly preferred.
Said cross-linked polymers, obtained by different methods, are known and have been proposed for several uses (see, for instance, EP 566118, WO91/9119, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,465,055, EP 190215, EP 718312, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,716,224 discussed above).
The carboxy activating agents are usually those used in the peptide chemistry: examples of suitable agents include carbonyldiimidazole, carbonyltriazole, chloromethylpyridylium iodide (CMP-J), hydroxybenzotriazole, p-nitrophenol p-nitropheriyltrifluoroacetate, N-hydroxysuccinimide and the like. The use of chloromethylpyridylium iodide is particularly preferred.
The polyamines have preferably the following general formula:
R1xe2x80x94NHxe2x80x94Axe2x80x94NHxe2x80x94R2
wherein R1 and R2, which are the same or different, are hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, phenyl or benzyl groups, A is a C2-C10 alkylene chain, preferably a C2-C6 alkylene chain, optionally substituted by hydroxy, carboxy, halogen, alkoxy, amino groups; a polyoxyalkylene chain of formula
[(CH2)nxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94(CH2)n]m
wherein n is 2 or 3 and m is an integer from 2 to 10; a C5-C7 cycloalkyl group; an aryl or hetaryl group, preferably 1,3 or 1,4-disubstituted benzene. A is preferably C2-C6 linear alkylene or a chain of formula
[(CH2)nxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94(CH2)n]m
The cross-linking reaction is preferably carried out in a solvent selected from tetrahydrofuran, dimethylformamide or dimethyl sulfoxide, and the polysaccharide is preferably salified with a lipophilic cation, for example tetralkylammonium or other lipophilic organic bases.
The transformation of inorganic salts such as sodium salts, into suitable organic lipophilic salts may be carried out by known ion-exchange methods in homogeneous phase or by precipitation of the acidic component, followed by recovering of the latter and salification with the desired organic base.
The activation reaction of the carboxy groups is carried out in homogeneous phase and in anhydrous polar aprotic solvent.
The polyamine diluted in the same anhydrous solvent, is added to the solution of the activated ester, keeping the temperature from 0xc2x0 C. to 30xc2x0 C. The cross-linking reaction times range from 1 to 12 hours, also depending on the optional presence of suitable basic substances (e.g. triethylamine).
Generally, the final product is recovered by precipitation of the organic salt adding a different solvent to the reaction solvent or by evaporation of the latter, followed by centrifugation, washing with distilled water, repeated dispersions in the solutions of the desired alkali (for instance sodium, potassium), subsequent washing with water and final drying of the alkaline salt under vacuum or by lyophilization.
The cross-linking degree (C.L.D) may range within wide limits and may be adjusted by changing the amount of the carboxy activating agents, since the activation and the cross-linking reaction are substantially quantitative.
The cross-linked polysaccharides obtained according to the invention may be subjected to sulphation reaction of the hydroxy groups possibly present, usually by reaction with the pyridine-sulfur trioxide complex in dimethylformamide.
The reaction is carried out in heterogeneous phase at a temperature of 0-10xc2x0 C. for times ranging from about 0,5 to about 6 hours.
The sulphation degree obtained is comprised within wide limits with respect to the total of the hydroxy groups and it may be adjusted by changing the temperature and reaction times. Generally, the sulphation degree (defined as equivalents of sulphate groups/g) may range from 1xc3x9710xe2x88x926 to 6xc3x9710xe2x88x926, preferably it is of 2xc3x9710xe2x88x926 eq/g for a cross-linking degree of 0.5.
The cross-linked polymers obtained according to the invention, optionally sulphated, are able to complex metal ions such as zinc, copper or iron ions.
Said complexes may be obtained by dissolving or dispersing until complete swelling the product in water and adding under stirring, preferably at room temperature, a concentrated solution of an organic or inorganic metal salt, e.g. CuCl2, ZnCl2, Fe2(SO4); after stirring for 12-24 hours, the complex is recovered by centrifugation or by precipitation following the addition of a different solvent (for example ethanol or acetone) or evaporation under vacuum; the recovered crude product is thoroughly washed with distilled water so as to remove the excess ions. The complexes are then lyophilized. The content of metal ions varies depending on the used operative conditions, particularly the polymer to ion molar ratios; concentration and pH of the solutions; reaction times and particularly cross-linking degree.
The process of the invention, by suitably adjusting the cross-linking and/or sulphation degree, allows the preparation of cross-linked carboxylated polysaccharides in a wide range of shapes, characterized by different properties such as viscoelasticity, hydration degree, complexing ability towards metal ions, ability to form hydrogels, moldability in films or sponges, mechanical strength of the final materials.
This allows their use in many medical fields, in the human and veterinary field, and in dermo-cosmetology.

Cross-linking process of carboxylated polysaccharides


An improved concept for coding sample values of a spectral envelope is obtained by combining spectrotemporal prediction on the one hand and context-based entropy coding the residuals, on the other hand, while particularly determining the context for a current sample value dependent on a measure of a deviation between a pair of already coded/decoded sample values of the spectral envelope in a spectrotemporal neighborhood of the current sample value. The combination of the spectrotemporal prediction on the one hand and the context-based entropy coding of the prediction residuals with selecting the context depending on the deviation measure on the other hand harmonizes with the nature of spectral envelopes.

The present application is concerned with context-based entropy coding of sample values of a spectral envelope and the usage thereof in audio coding/compression.
Many modern state of the art lossy audio coders such as described in [1] and [2] are based on an MDCT transform and use both irrelevancy reduction and redundancy reduction to minimize the bitrate that may be used for a given perceptual quality. Irrelevancy reduction typically exploits the perceptual limitations of the human hearing system in order to reduce the representation precision or remove frequency information that is not perceptually relevant. Redundancy reduction is applied to exploit the statistical structure or correlation in order to achieve the most compact representation of the remaining data, typically by using statistical modeling in conjunction with entropy coding.
Among others, parametric coding concepts are used to efficiently code audio content. Using parametric coding, portions of the audio signal such as, for example, portions of the spectrogram thereof, are described using parameters rather than using actual time domain audio samples or the like. For example, portions of the spectrogram of an audio signal may be synthesized at the decoder side with the data stream merely comprising parameters such as the spectral envelope and optional further parameters controlling synthesizing, in order to adapt the synthesized spectrogram portion to the spectral envelope transmitted. A new technique of such kind is Spectral Band Replication (SBR) according to which a core codec is used to code and transmit the low frequency component of an audio signal, whereas a transmitted spectral envelope is used at the decoding side so as to spectrally shape/form spectral replications of a reconstruction of the low frequency band component of the audio signal so as to synthesize the high frequency band component of the audio signal at the decoding side.
A spectral envelope within the framework of coding techniques outlined above, is transmitted within a data stream at some suitable spectrotemporal resolution. In a way similar to the transmission of spectral envelope sample values, scale factors for scaling spectral line coefficients or frequency domain coefficients such as MDCT coefficients, are likewise transmitted in some suitable spectrotemporal resolution which is coarser than the original spectral line resolution, coarser for example in a spectral sense.
A fixed Huffman coding table could be used in order to convey information on the samples describing a spectral envelope or scale factors or frequency domain coefficients. An improved approach is to use context coding such as, for example, described in [2] and [3], where the context used to select the probability distribution for encoding a value extends both across time and frequency. An individual spectral line such as an MDCT coefficient value, is the real projection of a complex spectral line and it may appear somewhat random in nature even when the magnitude of the complex spectral line is constant across time, but the phase varies from one frame to the next. This involves a quite complex scheme of context selection, quantization, and mapping for good results as described in [3].
In image coding, the contexts used are typically two-dimensional across the x and y axis of an image such as, for example, in [4]. In image coding, the values are in the linear domain or the power-law domain, such as for example by use of gamma adjustment. Additionally, a single fixed linear prediction may be used in each context as a plane fitting and rudimentary edge detection mechanism, and the prediction error may be coded. Parametric Golomb or Golomb-Rice coding may be used for coding the prediction errors. Run length coding is additionally used to compensate for the difficulties of directly encoding very low entropy signals, below 1 bit per sample, for example, using a bit based coder.
However, despite the improvements in connection with the coding of scale factors and/or spectral envelopes, there is still need for an improved concept for coding sample values of a spectral envelope. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a concept for coding spectral values of a spectral envelope.

Context-based entropy coding of sample values of a spectral envelope

Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.


An automotive suspension strut upper mounting arrangement providing increased stroke length and enhanced tunability by virtue of the major working area of the mount being located above the tower attachment surface. The mounting assembly comprises an outer housing defined by an upper closure formed with a flanged brim and a lower closure formed with a terminal flange. The housing encloses a composite mount comprising an elastomeric isolator ring surrounding an inner metal cup with the cup upstanding side wall embedded in the ring. The ring has an upper end face which abuts an upper closure internal shoulder and a lower tubular extension sized for press-fit capture in a lower closure annular U-shaped channel. Upon the upper closure flanged brim and the lower closure terminal flange being secured in flatwise contact an axial pre-load is applied to the elastomeric ring.

This invention relates to automotive suspensions and, more particularly, to an improved upper mounting assembly for hydraulic suspension shock absorbers which is readily fabricated as a sub-assembly while requiring minimal installation time during vehicle production line assembly.
An example of one low profile suspension strut is found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,747,587 issued May 31, 1988 to Farrell and assigned to the assignee of the present application. The Farrell patent discloses a strut isolator and jounce bumper upper mount providing a compact resilient assembly adaptable for a vehicle having a reduced hood line.
The U.S. Pat. No. 5,078,370 issued Jan. 7, 1992 to McClellan is an example of a vehicle front suspension strut having integrated jounce and rebound stops. In the McCellan patent the suspension spring rebound load is placed on a lower rebound stop member of the mount and the suspension jounce load is placed on an upper jounce stop member of the mount.
The U.S. Pat. No. 4,934,730 issued June 19, 1990 to Okuzumi is an example of a vehicle front suspension strut wherein the upper end of the strut piston rod is engaged in an inner sleeve of a mount insulator for limited axial movement relative to the inner sleeve.
The U.S. Pat. No. 4,274,655 issued June 23, 1981 to Lederman discloses a resilient strut mount comprising an annular mounting plate, an elastomeric ring, a central sleeve with an attached end plate, and a ball thrust bearing. The annular mounting plate, the central sleeve and the upper bearing ring of the thrust bearing are bonded to the elastomeric ring to form a subassembly.


A direct-current fan control chip comprises a magnetoresistive sensor, a controller, a driver and a substrate. The magnetoresistive sensor, the controller and the driver are integrated on the substrate. The sensing direction of the magnetoresistive sensor is perpendicular to or parallel to the surface of the direct-current fan control chip. The magnetoresistive sensor provides the controller with a rotor position signal, a rotor speed signal, and rotor a rotation direction signal for the controller. The controller outputs a control signal to the driver according to the received signals. After receiving the control signals, the driver outputs a drive signal. This control chip has the advantages of good temperature stability, good frequency response and so on.

With the development of science and technology and the improvement of quality of life, the performance of electronic products is continually improving. The enhancement of the performance of most electronic products is often accompanied by increased power consumption, and more heat is generated correspondingly. The electronic products cannot dissipate heat on their own but need to dissipate heat by adding a fan.
At present, cooling fans prevailing on the market are mainly fans that use a brushless direct-current motor. In the brushless direct-current motor, the position of a rotor determines which stator coil is to be driven, and the position of stator flux vector has to be synchronous with the position of rotor flux vector, such that the motor operates smoothly. To achieve such an objective, it is necessary to know the position of the rotor to determine a stator coil to be driven, lots of existing technologies can achieve such an objective, and the most commonly used technology is monitoring the position of the rotor by using a Hall Effect magnetic sensor. However, the Hall Effect sensor is great in size and weight, thus increasing the system cost and reducing the reliability. In addition, the sensor has poor temperature stability and high power consumption.
The Tunneling Magnetoresistive (TMR) magnetic sensor is a new magnetoresistive effect sensor that has been applied within the industry in recent years, which senses magnetic fields by using the tunnel magnetoresistive effect of magnetic multi-layer film materials, and has a smaller size, lower power consumption and a broader working range relative to the Hall Effect magnetic sensor. More importantly, compared with the traditional Hall sensor, the TMR sensor has an absolute predominance in terms of temperature stability and is more suitable for applications in environments with greater temperature changes. In a system with obvious heat generation, the range of changes in temperature of an environment where a fan control chip is located is broad, and the TMR sensor is more applicable thereto.


Multiple-head tool such as a multiple-head screwdriver includes an electrically insulated handle; a shaft which has one end inserted into the handle; a multiple-headed bit which is mounted to rotate within a slot in the other end of the shaft; and an electrically insulated sleeve which is mounted to move along the shaft and to rotate about the shaft. In use, the multiple-head bit is rotated so that the desired head extends outward from and substantially parallel to the shaft and another tool or a spur is disposed within and substantially parallel to the slot. The sleeve is then moved down the shaft to cover at least a portion of the slot to enclose and hold the head or spur disposed therein rotationally fixed.

1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to the field of hand and power tools and, in particular, to multiple-head tools such as a multiple-head screwdriver.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
Most people perform repairs in and about their house or apartment or build various implements such as desks, cabinets and so forth for use in and about their home or apartment. As these people can attest, there are many occasions when they need to use tools such as screwdrivers which have several different types of heads--such as "flat-head" screwdrivers, "phillips-head" screwdrivers, "robertson-head" screwdrivers, "hex-head" screwdrivers and so forth--as well as tools such as screwdrivers which have several different sizes of a particular type of head.
A common method of satisfying the above-identified need for using tools having several different types of heads has been to provide a multiplicity of different types of heads of a multiplicity of different sizes which can individually be fitted into a chuck in a handle. Such a solution has proved to be unsatisfactory for the primary reason that one constantly misplaces heads while working and, worse, one loses heads permanently. Further, another drawback of this common solution is that one often finds it difficult to change heads while working because the heads are often not conveniently at hand.
Another method of satisfying the above-identified need for using tools having several different types of heads has been to provide a multiple-head tool. Such a solution has proved unsatisfactory because such tools do not include a means for holding and steadying the head of the tool with one hand --without changing position the grip of the one hand--while applying torque to the handle of the tool with the other hand. In addition, such tools do not provide protection from electric shock when the tools are used around electrical wires, especially when the head is gripped to steady the aim and/or to improve the stability of the screwdriver when in use.
There have been many other attempts in the prior art to solve the above-identified need but they have all been unsatisfactory for one reason or another. For example, some such attempts pertaining to the first type of solution discussed above are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,799,226, 4,328,721, 4,463,788, 4,476,751, and 4,488,462 and some such attempts pertaining to the second type of solution discussed above are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 385,791, 750,182, 910,789, 966,529, 1,616,300, 2,629,415, 3,014,388, 4,512,693, 4,590,824, 4,774,736.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,799,226 issued on Mar. 26, 1974 discloses a screwdriver having a multiplicity of individual heads. The heads are rotatably mounted within a blade holder. The blades may be rotated to a first position for use or rotated to a second position for storage in a chamber in a handle. The disclosed screwdriver has several drawbacks. A first drawback is that there is no means for holding and steadying the head with one hand while applying torque to the handle with the other hand. A second drawback is that there is no protection from electric shock when it is used around electrical wires, especially when the head is gripped to steady the aim and/or to improve the stability of the screwdriver when in use. A third drawback is that the disclosed screwdriver is complex and, therefore, expensive to manufacture.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,328,721 issued on May 11, 1982 discloses a phillips-head screwdriver having a retractable slotted blade which forms a flat-head screwdriver. The phillips-head and the fIat-head are interchanged by means of a twist-lock mechanism and a lever or button. The disclosed screwdriver suffers from the drawback that it only has two heads, i.e., a single sized phillips-head and a single sized flat-head, in addition to the drawbacks discussed above with respect to the screwdriver disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,799,226.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,463,788 issued on Aug. 7, 1984 discloses a screwdriver having a multiplicity of heads which are stored in a handle. The heads may individually be inserted into position for use without being detached from the screwdriver. The disclosed screwdriver has several drawbacks which are similar to the drawbacks discussed above with respect to the screwdriver disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,799,226.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,476,751 issued on Oct. 16, 1984 discloses a screwdriver having a multiplicity of independent heads. The heads are each independently rotatably mounted at one end of a handle. Each head can be rotated for storage along the handle or rotated to extend outward from the handle for use. The disclosed screwdriver has several drawbacks which are similar to the drawbacks discussed above with respect to the screwdriver disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,799,226.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,488,462 issued on Dec. 18, 1984 discloses a screwdriver having a phillips-head and a flat-head. The disclosed screwdriver suffers from the drawback that it only has two heads, i.e., a single sized phillips-head and a single sized flat-head, in addition to the drawbacks discussed above with respect to the screwdriver disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,799,226.
In addition, there have been other attempts at solving the above-stated problem in which a multiplicity of different heads are each rotatably affixed to a handle in close proximity to each other. These attempts have failed because, in general, they are awkward to use, are unnecessarily bulky, and are fabricated from metal so that one must take special precautions when handling them around electricity.
U.S. Pat. No. 385,791 discloses a tool which combines in one structure, a bit (or gimlet), a countersink (or reamer), and a screwdriver. The disclosed tool suffers from the drawbacks that there is no means for holding and steadying the head with one hand while applying torque to the handle with the other hand; there is no protection from electric shock when it is used around electrical wires, especially when the head is gripped to steady the aim and/or to improve the stability of the screwdriver when in use; and the disclosed screwdriver is complex and, therefore, expensive to manufacture.
U.S. Pat. No. 750,182 discloses a screwdriver with a reversible head. The tool suffers from the drawbacks discussed above with respect to the tool disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 385,791.
U.S. Pat. No. 910,789 discloses a multiple-headed tool comprised of, for example, a multiplicity of watch-makers' tools of different sizes. Further, the tools which are not used are covered by a smooth shield. The tool suffers from the drawback that, although the shield may be grasped to steady the tool and help in applying torque, the shape of the shield is such that one cannot maintain contact with the shield without changing the position of the hand that grasps it. Further, because the disclosed tool is to be used for purposes of repairing watches, there is no disclosure of a protection from electricity. Lastly, the mechanism for fixing a tool in place for use is complex and, therefore, expensive to manufacture.
U.S. Pat. No. 966,529 discloses a mulitple-headed tool comprised of, for example, a multiplicity of watchmakers' key elements. The tool suffers from the drawback that there is no means for holding and steadying the head with one hand while applying torque to the handle with the other hand. Further, because the disclosed tool is to be used for purposes of repairing watches, there is no disclosure of a protection from electricity. Lastly, the mechanism for fixing a tool in place for use is complex and, therefore, expensive to manufacture.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,616,300 discloses a screwdriver with a reversible head which is pivotally mounted in a slot at one end of a shaft. The other end of the shaft is inserted into a handle. A ferrule is slidably mounted on the shaft and is adapted to hold the reversible head at the forward end of the shaft in an operative position. In addition, the ferrule has a notch cut in each end and a pin so that the ferrule may engage the bit in the groove so that the head can be disposed at an oblique or at a right angle to the shaft. The disclosed tool suffers from the drawbacks that there is no means for holding and steadying the head with one hand while applying torque to the handle with the other hand and there is no protection from electric shock when it is used around electrical wires, especially when the head is gripped to steady the aim and/or to improve the stability of the screwdriver when in use.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,629,415 discloses a double edged screwdriver having a reversible handle. The screwdriver has opposed working edges disposed at opposite ends of the shank. The tool suffers from the drawbacks discussed above with respect to the tool disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 385,791.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,014,388 discloses a multiple-headed tool comprised of, for example, a multiplicity of screwdrivers, Allen wrenches, socket wrenches, and so forth of varying sizes. The tool suffers from the drawbacks discussed above with respect to the tool disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 385,791.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,512,693 discloses a reversible drill and drive tool holder. The tool suffers from the drawbacks discussed above with respect to the tool disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 385,791.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,590,824 discloses a reversible bladed screwdriver. The tool suffers from the drawbacks discussed above with respect to the tool disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 385,791.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,774,736 discloses a tool for skateboards which has a pair of oppositely disposed screwdriver heads disposed at one end. The disclosed tool suffers from the drawbacks that there is no means for holding and steadying the head with one hand while applying torque to the handle with the other hand; and there is no protection from electric shock when it is used around electrical wires, especially when the head is gripped to steady the aim and/or to improve the stability of the screwdriver when in use.
As one can readily appreciate from the above, there exists a need in the art for a multiple-head tool such as a multiple-head screwdriver which has: (1) a multiplicity of heads of varying head type and/or varying head size in a single unit to provide ready access thereto to prevent loss of heads and (2) means for holding and supporting the head with one hand while the other hand supplies torque to rotate the head, which means protects against electric shock.


A helmet position detection system for aircraft including a helmet comprising a fixed visor used as an optical mixer and a substantially spherical mobile visor that is able to occupy a position of use and a stowage position, the visor being arranged in front of the pilot's eyes in the position of use. The helmet detects the position of the mobile visor and the helmet position detection system detects an orientation of the helmet corresponding to the pilot's line of sight and applies an angular correction due to the mobile visor to the orientation measurements when the mobile visor is detected in the position of use. Optical sensors are preferably used to detect the position of the mobile visor.

The field of the invention is that of helmet sights and displays. These optical devices are used essentially on aircraft. They comprise an image source and an optical assembly ensuring the collimation and the superposition of the said images on the exterior landscape, the assembly being mounted on the pilot's helmet. The images presented are essentially synthetic images intended for aiding piloting or the designating of objectives. These devices form part of a system which also comprises a device for detecting the posture of the helmet making it possible to servocontrol, for example, the weapons system or the image presented in the helmet display. Initial setup of the image of the helmet sight with respect to the aircraft is carried out by a reference alignment or capture of the posture detection device. This operation is carried out by sighting a reference test pattern in a collimator or a head-up sight previously harmonized with the aircraft's weaponry and navigation system.
The latest-generation helmet sights use the helmet's protection visor as projection and collimation mirror. FIG. 1 represents a simplified view of a helmet sight of this type. An image source represented by the rectangle 3 in this figure generates an image which is collimated towards the pilot's eye by the optics 2 and a part of the visor 1 specifically treated for this purpose. Most helmet sights possess only one visor for reasons of head-borne mass and mechanical simplification. This single visor is in general "missionable", that is to say there exist various tints thereof as a function of the luminous conditions encountered in the course of the mission. In this case, the pilot chooses his visor at the start of the mission and retains it throughout the flight.
This single visor solution is not satisfactory from the operational point of view since it does not allow the use of the helmet sight under all the conditions of the mission in particular when the weather changes or when the flight is performed at the start or at the end of the day.
Helmet sights with two visors correspond better to round-the-clock 24 h/24 mission conditions. The main visor used for image projection is the clear visor for protection against bird strikes or dust and the sun visor is a second visor usable at the pilot's discretion. The visibility of the information presented in the helmet display in fine weather requires an image of high brightness. A sun visor whose uniform transmission is around 15% is used to increase the contrast. The sun visor is placed outside the projection visor so as not to decrease the brightness of the image of the helmet sight and to improve the contrast.
The optical system of a helmet sight such as represented in FIG. 1 is an off-axis system, that is to say the visor 1 is inclined in such a way that the collimation optics 2 and the image source 3 lie outside the visual field of the eye of the user 4 wearing the helmet 5. The visor 1 is in general of spherical form or close to a sphere. This arrangement gives rise to a slight deviation of sighting which increases with the curvature and the thickness of the visor and depends on the refractive index of the material of the visor. FIG. 2 represents an enlargement of the centre of the visor. As seen in this figure, the double refraction of an incident ray 13 corresponding to the line of sight on the two spherical faces 11 and 12 of the visor 1 occurs at slightly different angles of incidence, having regard to the large inclination θ of the visor 1, causing the shift α of the exterior line of sight. In this figure, the chain-dotted lines represent the normals to the diopters 11 and 12. This deviation is automatically compensated during the image alignment and posture detection during the manufacture of the helmet sight.
The sun visor is in general parallel to the clear visor and exhibits the same type of prismatic deviation. Lowering it therefore gives rise to a shift of the exterior image with respect to the image of the helmet sight, of the order of 5 mrad, that must be compensated through a new alignment with the reference collimator. This operation carried out in flight is tricky and often carried out in a rather imprecise manner because of the movements and vibrations of the aircraft. The prismatic deviation of the sun visor can be cancelled or greatly reduced by making a visor of variable thickness whose external and internal surfaces are determined so as to exhibit surfaces locally parallel to the lines of sight leaving the eye. Such a visor can be made but it exhibits the drawbacks of an additional mass of about 30 grams and of a transmission that is likewise variable with the thickness of the visor therefore in the field, the transmission being about 8% at the bottom of the visor and 15% at the top.

Helmet comprising visor position detection and associated helmet position detection


A liquid crystal display having touch sensing functionality includes a display panel and a sensing unit integrated in the display panel. The display panel has a gate line for delivering a gate signal, a scan line for delivering a scan signal and a readout line for delivering a readout signal. The sensing unit resets a sense voltage according to the low-level voltage of the gate signal. Further, the sensing unit performs a pull-up operation on the sense voltage according to the high-level voltage of the gate signal and performs a boost operation on the sense voltage according to the high-level voltage of the scan signal, for enhancing touch sensitivity. The readout signal is generated by the sensing unit according to the sense voltage and the high-level voltage of the gate signal.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display, and more particularly, to a liquid crystal display having touch sensing functionality and touch sensing method thereof.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Liquid crystal displays (LCDs) have advantages of a thin profile, low power consumption, and low radiation, and are broadly adopted for application in media players, mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), computer displays, and flat screen televisions. Utilization of LCDs to perform touch input functions has steadily become the mainstream, making application of touch-sensitive LCDs increasingly widespread. Touch-sensitive LCDs employ touch panels, which includes resistive touch panels and capacitive touch panels. Resistive touch panels locate touch input positions through voltage drops, but are unable to provide multitouch input functionality. Capacitive touch panels typically include sensing capacitors, and perform signal processing on capacitance variations of the sensing capacitors corresponding to touch points to locate touch input positions.
FIG. 1 is a structural diagram schematically showing a prior-art touch panel device. As shown in FIG. 1, the touch panel device 100 includes a touch panel 101, a plurality of readout lines 110, a plurality of sensing capacitors 120, a plurality of storage capacitors 140, and a plurality of comparators 150. When the touch panel 101 is touched, capacitance of a sensing capacitor 120 corresponding to a touch point changes, causing capacitor voltage thereof to change. The change in capacitor voltage is transmitted to the corresponding storage capacitor 140 through the corresponding readout line 110, and the corresponding comparator 150 compares the capacitor voltage of the storage capacitor 140 with a reference voltage Vref to generate a touch readout signal Sro.
However, as dimensions of the touch panel 101 increase, trace resistance of the readout lines 110 increases, such that the change in capacitor voltage of the sensing capacitor 120 transmitted to the storage capacitor 140 experiences a voltage drop due to the trace resistance, causing reduced touch sensitivity. Further, as parasitic capacitance of the readout lines 110 increases with increased size of the touch panel 101, transmission delay of the capacitor voltage from the sensing capacitor 120 to the storage capacitor 140 also increases, lowering responsiveness of the touch panel 101. Finally, the touch panel 101 that is externally attached to a display cannot meet the requirements of thin profile, low cost displays having touch sensing functionality.

Liquid crystal display having touch sensing functionality and touch sensing method thereof


For use in warming a rider on a motorcycle having a heat-producing engine, a portable heat transfer system and method of warmth. The system includes an air blower having an air inlet and an air outlet and being adapted to be positioned and secured preferably behind the engine in an area of heated air build-up beneath a rider seat where heat as a byproduct of engine operation accumulates. The air blower is connectable to an electric power source of the motorcycle to operate the air blower. An elongated flexible air transfer conduit is connectable at one end thereof to the air outlet of the air blower while an air outlet nozzle is connected to another end of the conduit. The outlet nozzle is adapted in size and shape to be inserted and held beneath a conventional upper torso garment worn by the rider whereby warmed air is drawn into the conduct from the area of heated air build-up by the air blower is discharged from the nozzle beneath the upper torso garment to warm the rider.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to motorcycle riders' accessories and more particularly to a portable body warming apparatus easily attachable between the motorcycle and a conventional upper torso garment worn by the rider.
2. Description of Related Art
A broad array of accessory equipment is readily available to the motorcycle-riding enthusiast. One aspect of these popular accessories is related to dealing with inclement weather, including rain and cold winds and temperatures. During riding periods of cold air temperatures, engine heat typically warms the lower torso of the rider; however, the upper torso being typically exposed more directly to oncoming cold air, is subject to greater degrees of air chill and requiring heavier upper torso garments.
Prior art teaches a number of environmental-modifying apparatus and equipment for transferring air of different temperatures from one location or equipment component to another or into equipment worn by a user. The following U.S. patents are examples of heat transfer equipment of this general nature:                U.S. Pat. No. 4,024,730 to Bell, et al.        U.S. Pat. No. 4,146,933 to Jenkins, et al.        U.S. Pat. No. 5,146,757 to Dearing        U.S. Pat. No. 5,404,652 to Sher        U.S. Pat. No. 5,429,534 to Cano        U.S. Pat. No. 6,343,483 to Armstrong        U.S. Pat. No. 6,510,696 to Guttman, et al.        U.S. Pat. No. 6,676,188 to McKinney
U.S. Pat. No. 4,146,933 to Jenkins, et al. discloses a conditioned-air suit and system and in particular FIG. 7 illustrates the system adapted for use with the hot-water radiator system or engine oil system of a vehicle. Sher teaches a portable heater for personal use in U.S. Pat. No. 5,404,652.
Guttman, et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 6,510,696 teaches a system for conditioning air and in particular with regard to FIG. 11A disclosing use with a motorcyclist. The discussion in Column 10 teaches a motorcyclist connecting the hot air outlet to a body suit or jacket.
The present invention provides an easily manufacturable, economical portable heat transfer system and method which will derive heated air from an area immediately behind the engine and between the legs of the rider and directed by a small blower included in the system upwardly through a flexible conduit and beneath an outer upper torso garment worn by the rider.

Portable heat transfer system and method


A brake pad having a backing plate and a friction pad, with the friction pad including a particular slot configuration in the friction surface. The friction pad includes a slot with a main body portion and an angled cutout portion. The angled cutout portion includes a radial arc extension that helps form a continuous cooling arc at a portion of a top radius of the peripheral edge of the friction pad. The slot features can help promote desirable airflow patterns while the brake pad is in use.

Disc brake pads are used in a variety of vehicles of varying size, including motorcycles, automobiles, and trucks, and generally include a backing plate and a friction pad attached to the backing plate. The size and shape of the brake pads, backing plates, and/or friction pads may vary depending upon the size and/or weight of the vehicle with which they are used. One or more features such as slots may be included in the friction surface to aid in cooling. Particular configurations for the slots may amplify the speed and/or amount of airflow, thereby improving the cooling effect.


A memory includes a plurality of latching predecoders, each including a first transistor coupled between a power supply voltage and a latch and having a control electrode coupled to a clock signal; a second transistor coupled to the first transistor and having a control electrode coupled to a first address bit signal; a third transistor coupled to the second transistor and having a control electrode coupled to a second address bit signal; a fourth transistor coupled to the third transistor and having a control electrode coupled to a delayed and inverted version of the clock signal; a fifth transistor coupled between the fourth transistor and ground and having a control electrode coupled to the clock signal; and an output which provides a predecode value during a first portion of a clock cycle of the clock signal and a predetermined logic level during a second portion of the clock cycle.

1. Field
This disclosure relates generally to memories, and more specifically, to clocked memories with clock-controlled word line activation.
2. Related Art
Word selection is in the critical path for reading or writing a memory. The word line is selected which enables memory cells along the selected word line. The enabled memory cells couple their stored state to bit lines. Sense amplifiers then respond to the bit lines in the case of a read or write drivers provide data to be written onto the bit lines in the case of a write. Thus, as the process of word line selection is made more efficient, memory operation is correspondingly made more efficient. One of the difficulties is providing reliable timing, especially in initiating the process of selecting the word line. One problem that is relevant is the combination of when to respond to an address and when to provide a decoded output. Often this is controlled by a delayed clock signal which results in the issue of waiting long enough to ensure that the signal is sufficiently developed to ensure that the signal detection is valid but not so long as to unnecessarily extend the time required to perform the detection.
Accordingly there is a need to provide word selection with circuitry that improves upon one or more of the issues raised above.

Clocked memory with word line activation during a first portion of the clock cycle


Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for generating synthetic queries using seed queries and structural similarity between documents are described. In one aspect, a method includes identifying embedded coding fragments (e.g., HTML tag) from a structured document and a seed query; generating one or more query templates, each query template corresponding to at least one coding fragment, the query template including a generative rule to be used in generating candidate synthetic queries; generating the candidate synthetic queries by applying the query templates to other documents that are hosted on the same web site as the document; identifying terms that match structure of the query templates as candidate synthetic queries; measuring a performance for each of the candidate synthetic queries; and designating as synthetic queries the candidate synthetic queries that have performance measurements exceeding a performance threshold.

This specification relates to generating search queries.
The Internet provides access to a wide variety of resources, e.g., video and/or audio files, webpages for particular subjects, news articles, and so on. A search engine identifies resources of particular interest to a user in response to a user query. The user query includes one or more search terms, and the search engine uses these terms to identify documents that are responsive to the user query.
When performing a search, a user may not clearly express his or her need for information. For example, the user may provide a query that is very broad, is ambiguous, or is otherwise vague. Accordingly, the search engine may return results that are not of interest to the user, or do not fully satisfy the user's need for information. In contrast, a well-formulated query is a query that contains terms that result in the search engine identifying resources that address the user's intent, as measured by one or more performance metrics. For example, for both a vague query and a well-formulated query, the search engine may identify resources that satisfy the user's interest. However, for the vague query, search results that link to the resources that satisfy the user's need for information may not be highly ranked, and may not even be presented on a first page of search results. Conversely, for a well-formulated query, the search results that link to these resources are highly ranked.
Conventional technologies allow a search engine to identify well-performing queries from queries entered by users. The search engine recognizes well-performing queries. Well-performing queries can be, for instance, queries with results that many users have selected. These well-performing queries can then be suggested to users when the users provide queries to the search engine.
While the process of determining which queries provided by users are well-performing queries and using these queries and variations of these queries as query suggestions works well, the process only works on existing well-performing queries. As a result, the process may not identify other types of queries that may be well-performing queries if the other types of queries are not the underlying well-performing queries, or variations of those well-performing queries.

Query generation using structural similarity between documents


A torsional vibration damper or rotationally elastic coupling comprises: an outer housing including a flange; an inner part arranged within and rotatable relative to the outer housing; a plurality of intermediate pieces arranged around the inner part and spaced apart from each other in circumferential direction so as to form a plurality of chambers filled with a damping medium; a plurality of leaf spring assemblies having one or more leaf springs, said leaf spring assemblies being arranged in said chambers and having outer end portions engaging with receptacles formed between neighboring intermediate pieces and inner end portions engaging with the inner part; and a clamping ring extending around the intermediate pieces and the leaf spring assemblies for securing the leaf spring assemblies between the intermediate pieces.

Dampers and couplings of this type are primarily used in large two-stroke and four-stroke diesel engines and gas engines for counteracting torsional vibrations in the power train. They may reach outer diameters of up to three meters.
Dampers and couplings of this type are known e.g. from DE 1 202 590 A or DE 30 33 302 A.
In order to provide defined damping properties the leaf spring assemblies have to be mounted very precisely between the intermediate pieces so as to correctly engage with the inner part. Further, their flexural behavior must be adapted to the desired purpose of application, which usually requires individual machining of the leaf springs. Usually, the leaf spring assemblies and the intermediate pieces are arranged on a flange and subsequently secured against each other by pressing or heat shrinking a clamping ring on the outer circumference of the leaf spring assemblies and of the intermediate pieces to create a clamping force in circumferential direction. Subsequently, this unit is fixed on the flange by means of screws connecting the intermediate pieces with the flange.
In this connection, DE 1 202 590 A suggests one or more inner rings between the clamping ring and the leaf spring assemblies and the intermediate pieces. The inner ring or rings have an axially tapered outer circumference engaging with a correspondingly tapered conical inner circumference of the clamping ring. Upon mounting the leaf springs assemblies and the intermediate pieces in the inner ring the outer clamping ring is placed on the outer circumference of the inner ring and pressed thereon axially by tensioning oppositely arranged flanges of the outer housing against each other via screws. These screws also secure the intermediate pieces on the outer housing and thus position the leaf spring assemblies and the intermediate pieces relative to the inner part.
The use of additional inner rings renders assembly of the damper or coupling complicated and laborious. Since the leaf spring assemblies and the intermediate pieces may slightly move relative to each other and further, as setting effects may occur, proper positioning of the leaf spring assemblies is difficult. In addition, setting of the intermediate pieces may reduce the overflow channels between the chambers and thus affect the damping properties.
As an alternative, DE 30 33 302 A suggests pressing a plurality of wedges between the leaf spring assemblies and the intermediate pieces, in which case the additional inner rings and a taper at the clamping ring can be avoided.
In both cases the leaf spring assemblies are clamped in circumferential direction, i.e. between substantially parallel side walls of the intermediate pieces to avoid reaction forces in radial direction.

Torsional vibration damper or rotationally elastic coupling

Ellergon Antriebstechnik Gesellschaft m.b.H.


A server computer is disclosed. It comprises a processor and a computer readable medium coupled to the processor. The computer readable medium comprises code executable by the processor for implementing a method comprising: a) receiving an authorization request message, wherein the authorization request message requests authorization to proceed with a transaction conducted between a first party and a second party using a portable device; b) analyzing the authorization request message by a server computer to determine if the portable device is enrolled in a transaction alert program; c) if the portable device is enrolled in the transaction alert program, sending a transaction alert request message to a third party requesting approval to proceed with the transaction; d) receiving a transaction alert response message from the third party; e) sending the authorization request message to an issuer associated with the portable device; f) receiving an authorization response message from the issuer; and g) sending the authorization response message to the second party.

There are many occasions where a consumer may want to be notified when his credit card or the like is used. For example, he may want to know when his credit card account number has been used to make a purchase. Some (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,878,337) have suggested sending a notification transmission to a cardholder to allow the cardholder to approve or deny a transaction after receiving the notification transmission.
However, in some instances, it may be more appropriate for someone other than the cardholder to approve of the transaction. As will be discussed below, allowing a person other than the cardholder to approve of the transaction can increase security and can help control expenses in some instances.
Embodiments of the invention address these and other problems, individually and collectively.

System and method including indirect approval


A method for determining a fully extended position of a screening body (14) of a screening device (12) for a roof window. The screening device (12) comprises a control unit comprising a data storage device, an electric motor (18) comprising a tachometer (181), a roller tube (15), a screening body (14) and a first and a second spring element (164, 174). The method comprises the steps of driving the screening body (14) from a fully retracted position to a fully extended position, in which the spring elements (164, 174) are tensioned to a first tension level, T1, stopping the electric motor (18) at a point at which the spring elements (164, 174) are tensioned to a second tension level, T2, above the first tension level, T1, measuring the number of revolutions, Rd, of the roller tube (15) necessary to drive the screening body (14) to the said position at which the motor (18) is stopped, storing the measured number of revolutions, Rd, in the data storage device, measuring the number of revolutions, Rb, of the roller tube, that a release of a tension corresponding to the difference, ΔT, between the first tension level, T1, and the second tension level, T2, will cause the roller tube (15) to move back towards the fully retracted position, storing the number of revolutions, Rb, in the data storage device, and calculating and storing in the data storage device a value R=Rd−Rb.

A well-known problem in relation to screening devices of the above mentioned type lies in the risk of the screening body of the screening device sagging and/or wrinkling during operation. If the screening body of the screening device is caused to sag and/or wrinkle during operation there is a risk of the screening body getting damaged or getting stuck. This in turn may damage or jam the driving mechanism. Furthermore, the appearance of the screening device in the fully extended position may become aesthetically un-pleasing for the user. In screening devices operated by means of an electric motor it is therefore essential that the control system is enabled to determine and/or detect the fully extended position of the screening body of the screening device.
In the prior art, various methods have been suggested in an attempt of alleviating the above problem. For instance, EP 3 121 364 A1 describes a method for controlling a driving unit of a roller shutter in which a learning process is employed in order to enable the controller to detect the fully extended position and the fully retracted position of the screening body. In the learning process the controller drives the screening body between its fully extended position and its fully retracted position a predetermined number of times, such as four times, and in doing so detects when a threshold of for instance a torque or an intensity of the current drawn by the electric motor driving the screening body is exceeded within a predetermined time span and registers the corresponding position of the screening body. The position of the screening body may, for instance, be defined as a number of revolutions of the roller tube of the screening device.
However, the prior art methods have the drawback of being excessively cumbersome and time consuming to perform. Furthermore, the prior art methods pose a significant risk of inaccurate detection of the fully extended position of the screening body. Therefore, in the prior art methods, a risk of sagging and/or wrinkling of the screening body of the screening device in the fully extended position is nevertheless still occurring, and in consequence the screening body may still wrinkle or get stuck.
Thus, there is a desire to propose an improved method of the type mentioned by way of introduction, with which the above drawbacks are more fully alleviated.

Method for determining a fully extended position of a screening body of a screening device


An improved apparatus and method for the hot air roasting of coffee beans is provided and includes structure for inhibiting contaminants from entering the hot air stream used in the roasting of coffee beans, structure for obtaining a uniform roast of the coffee beans, unitary structure for mounting a handle to a roasting chamber and removably and releasably mounting a cover to the roasting chamber, structure for initiating a roasting cycle and terminating the roasting cycle for a predetermined cooling period at any point during the roasting cycle, structure for double sealing a cover to a roasting chamber, structure for assembling a vessel, a metallic base, and a plastic mount ring into an integral roasting chamber, structure for releasably and removably mounting a roasting vessel to a main housing, dual filters for preventing the blockage of a hot air stream through a hull and chaff collector, and a "fan based" method for controlling the roasting temperature.

Recent years have seen an explosion of interest in gourmet coffee products and the interest has not been limited to the purchase of coffee-based beverages from vendors who prepare the beverage on premise and purvey it to consumers over the counter. Similarly, the interest has not been limited to gourmet blends, coffee that may be purchased already ground, and then brewed in the home. Many consumers desire the ultimate in freshness and flavor and have taken to roasting their own beans and then grinding them shortly before the coffee brewing process is initiated.
As a consequence, there is an increasing market for coffee roasting apparatus that may be used in the home. A variety of coffee roasting apparatus have been devised to meet this market. Examples of such a coffee roasting apparatus are illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,564,331 issued Oct. 15, 1996 to Song, and in application Ser. No. 09/134,324, filed Aug. 14, 1998, titled "APPARATUS FOR ROASTING COFFEE BEANS", to Kelley, the entire disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference. These roasters work well for their intended purpose, but there is always room for further improvement.
For example, to achieve optimum roasting, it is necessary that the beans be uniformly heated. If the heating is not uniform, some of the beans may pop early in the roasting process and others, not at all. Consequently, uniform flavor cannot be obtained. Thus, there is a continuing need to improve the uniformity of heating, and/or provide uniformity of heating in connection with other improvements.
Similarly, it is desirable for the roasting temperature to be accurately controlled to assure maximum husk removal, as well as proper flavor development, which cannot occur if the roasting temperature is either too low or too high. The roasting temperature can be affected in a number of ways. For example, coffee roasters intended for home use have generally subjected the coffee beans to an air stream that is heated by an electrical resistance heater, the heat generation of which can be significantly affected by variation in line voltage.
To control the electrical resistance heater, and/or accommodate the voltage fluctuations, at least one coffee roaster has energized and de-energized the electrical resistance heater by opening and closing a relay. However, this may reduce the life of the relay and may provide fluctuations in the roasting temperature that are less than optimum.
Another common concern for home use coffee makers is the consistency from one roasting cycle to the next roasting cycle, which may occur several days apart. Typically, coffee roasters are provided with a mechanical timer that must be turned to the desired roasting time each time the roaster is used. It can be difficult to return the mechanical timer to precisely the same setting from one operation to the next to achieve the desired roast. Further, because of the time period between operation of the coffee roaster, a user may forget which setting on the timer has provided the user with the user's desired roast.
Another common challenge for all coffee roasters is the relatively high temperatures required for roasting the coffee beans. These temperatures create a number of concerns, including the safety of the user and the type of materials that can be used in the roaster to accommodate the high temperatures and the costs associated with such materials.
A concern somewhat related to the high temperature of the roasters is the energy efficiency of such roasters, which can require relatively large amounts of power to provide the high temperatures.
Other concerns include the potential for contaminants to enter the hot air stream of the coffee roaster, cooling of the coffee roaster components, the convenience of using the coffee roaster, and the appearance and functionality of the coffee roaster components.
The present invention is directed to addressing one or more of the above concerns.


A counter-rotating rotary-piston engine has an output shaft with a cylindrical inner cavity rotatably mounted on a single support spindle in the frame of an aircraft. The output shaft extends substantially through the length of the engine block, which is suitably journaled on the shaft or the spindle to permit its counter-rotation. Internal combustion power is transmitted to the output shaft by means of an inner rotary piston fixed to the shaft which cooperates in conventional manner with an outer working chamber in the engine block, thereby producing concurrent rotation of the shaft and counter-rotation of the engine block. Dual propellers mounted on the shaft and on the block improve thrust performance, balance the torques and moments of inertia of the two counter-rotating masses, and virtually eliminate any resultant torque to the aircraft.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention is related in general to the field of counter-rotating engines and, in particular, to a novel configuration for a rotary engine that enables the advantageous counter-rotation of the engine""s shaft and block for suitable applications.
2. Description of the Related Art
All internal combustion engines share the characteristic of transforming the pressure generated by the combustion of a fuel into the useful rotation of a shaft. Piston engines cause the rotation of the shaft by expanding the combustion gases between a stationary cylinder and a movable piston connected to the shaft. Turbine engines similarly utilize the expansion of combustion gases between an array of stationary blades and a corresponding array of rotatable blades attached to an output shaft.
Thus, in typical applications the engine is firmly mounted on a support structure and delivers power to a useful load by means of a rotating output shaft. In aviation applications, the engine is attached to the body of the aircraft and a propeller is mounted on the shaft to produce propulsion. As a result of the torque produced by the operation of the engine on the rotating shaft and propeller, an opposite reactive torque is produced on the stationary parts of the engine and the frame of the airplane to which it is attached.
Aviation engineers have long searched for ways to reduce the instability that results from this reactive torque. One way has been to provide two propellers that rotate in opposite directions to produce symmetrical counter-balancing actions and reactions, either in twin-engine or in single-engine configurations. The twin-engine solution can obviously be implemented with any kind of power plant, including reciprocating-piston engines, simply by providing opposite directions of propeller rotation in each engine.
The single-engine solution to achieving counter-rotating propeller propulsion has been explored in aviation technology by allowing both the rotation of the crankshaft and the counter-rotation of the cylinders of a reciprocating-piston engine. This approach involves counter-rotating structures (engine block and crankshaft) which support two propellers rotating in opposite directions to each other, which results in a greater amount of propelling force and a substantially perfect torque balance. To that end, the combustion-chamber/crankcase configuration of internal-combustion engines has been modified in various manners over the years to attain a well balanced counter-rotating propeller system. See, for example, the solutions provided by Escher (U.S. Pat. No. 1,052,658), Conill (U.S. Pat. No. 1,151,568), Exel (U.S. Pat. No. 1,561,424), Hockney (U.S. Pat. No. 2,336,787), Muffly (U.S. Pat. No. 2,419,787), Olcott (U.S. Pat. No. 2,838,123), Conkle (U.S. Pat. No. 3,554,666), Keever (U.S. Pat. No. 6,193,189), and Canton (French Patent No. 397,499).
These patents describe four-cycle reciprocating-piston engines designed to balance opposite torques internally either by means of two counter-rotating output shafts connected to multiple crankshafts originating from a stationary enclosure, or by a rotating crankshaft cooperating with a counter-rotating combustion-chamber enclosure. The various solutions disclosed in these patents involve complicated engine mounting, inlet/exhaust porting and lubricating systems, all of which greatly affected their practical implementation.
The very nature of four-cycle reciprocating-piston engines, which comport the use of cranks in the output shaft and pistons traveling radially with respect to the axis of rotation of the crankshaft and cylinders, produces an inherently heavy and precarious structure that requires bearing supports at both ends of the engine. In addition, because each piston operates radially from a corresponding crank in the output shaft, access to the combustion chamber for fuel delivery is necessarily limited to the distal end of each cylinder, which presents very difficult problems during rotation of the cylinders. Lubrication is similarly complicated by centrifugal-force effects that tend to cause the accumulation of oil below each piston and away from the crankshaft. Accordingly, no counter-rotating engine has been successfully implemented commercially using four-cycle reciprocating-piston configurations in spite of the theoretical advantages provided by this concept.
Since reciprocating-piston engines are designed to operate at substantially the same rpm required for proper propeller performance, no additional transmission device is required between the engine and the propeller. On the other hand, rotary-piston engines, which afford many well-known advantages with respect to reciprocating-piston engines, operate at speeds 2 to 4 times higher than propeller operating speeds. Therefore, rotary engines are less satisfactory for propeller-driven aircraft propulsion because they require additional transmission mechanisms to convert engine operating speeds to propeller operating speeds. The additional weight and complexity of a transmission have greatly reduced the performance advantages of rotary-piston engines and, therefore, also their usefulness for normal propeller-driven aircraft applications.
No attempt has been made to convert a rotary-piston engine to a counter-rotating dual propeller system. U.S. Pat. No. 1,594,035 (Bailey) and No. 1,841,841 (Munn) describe unique rotary-type engines configured to allow the combustion chamber enclosure and rotor mechanisms to rotate about a stationary crankshaft. Neither patent describes a propulsion system that balances opposite torques internally. U.S. Pat. No. 1,461,436 (Messina) describes a rotary engine as a propulsion device for a craft that relies upon airframe manipulation to counteract the forces of adverse torque caused by the rotary-engine-driven propulsion system. Thus, the Messina patent does not describe a rotary, internal combustion propulsion system that resolves torque internally, either.
Therefore, there is still a need for a better implementation of the counter-rotating propeller approach to solving the dynamic balance problems experienced in aviation and other applications as a result of the torque imparted by a fixed engine on a supporting structure. This invention provides a novel approach based on the recognition that engines that do not require a crankshaft, such as rotary-piston engines, turbine engines, and electric motor engines, may be advantageously mounted on a fixed spindle.
The primary goal of this invention is an engine propulsion system, especially for propeller driven aircraft, that balances opposing crankcase/crank torques internally and thereby transmits no resulting torque to the airframe.
Another objective is a counter-rotating engine wherein the absence of engine components with reciprocating radial motion prevents the accumulation of fluids in engine cavities, which hinders high-speed performance of the engine, as a result of centrifugal forces.
Another goal of the invention is a counter-rotating engine propulsion system, especially for propeller driven aircraft, that requires no additional component for transmission or speed reduction in order to achieve satisfactory propeller operation.
Another objective of the invention is a counter-rotating engine propulsion system, especially for propeller driven aircraft, that can be stably and safely journaled on a single spindle mounted on the frame of the aircraft.
Still another objective of the invention is a counter-rotating engine propulsion system, especially for propeller driven aircraft, that can be fueled and exhausted through internal ports that are fixed with respect to the aircraft""s frame.
Another goal is a counter-rotating engine propulsion system, especially for propeller driven aircraft, that eliminates the need for auxiliary combustion-chamber temperature-distribution apparatus by providing a combustion-chamber enclosure that includes a plurality of internal cooling tubes which, during rotation of the enclosure, cause thermally conductive fluid to evenly distribute combustion chamber temperatures across the entire surface of the combustion chamber.
Yet another goal is a counter-rotating engine propulsion system, especially for propeller driven aircraft, that eliminates the need for auxiliary engine cooling mechanisms by providing a combustion-chamber housing that includes external cooling fins which, during rotation of the housing, cause sufficient air movement across the cooling fins to adequately cool the combustion chamber.
Finally, another goal of the invention is a counter-rotating engine propulsion system, especially for propeller driven aircraft, that eliminates the need for auxiliary combustion-air induction mechanisms by providing channels integral to either the combustion chamber enclosure or the crankshaft which, during rotation, cause combustible air to circulate under pressure into the combustion chamber.
Therefore, according to these and other objectives, one aspect of this invention consists of a counter-rotating rotary-piston engine having an output shaft with a cylindrical inner cavity rotatably mounted on a single support spindle in the frame of an aircraft. The output shaft extends substantially through the length of the engine block, which is suitably journaled on the shaft or the spindle to permit its counter-rotation. Internal combustion power is transmitted to the output shaft by means of an inner rotary piston fixed to the shaft which cooperates in conventional manner with an outer working chamber in the engine block, thereby producing concurrent rotation of the shaft and counter-rotation of the engine block. Dual propellers mounted on the shaft and on the block improve thrust performance, inherently balance the torques and moments of inertia of the two counter-rotating masses, and virtually eliminate any resultant torque to the aircraft.
According to another aspect of the invention, a counter-rotating turbine engine has an output shaft that is similarly rotatably mounted on a support spindle in the frame of an aircraft. The engine block is journaled on the shaft or the spindle to permit its counter-rotation. Turbine power generated by a pressurized fluid is transmitted to the output shaft by means of rotating vanes in the shaft that cooperate in conventional manner with corresponding stationary vanes in the engine block, thereby producing rotation of the shaft and counter-rotation of the engine block. As in the case of the rotary-piston engine, dual propellers are mounted on the shaft and on the block to improve thrust performance, balance the two counter-rotating masses, and virtually eliminate resultant torque.
Various other purposes and advantages of the invention will become clear from its description in the specification that follows and from the novel features particularly pointed out in the appended claims. Therefore, to the accomplishment of the objectives described above, this invention consists of the features hereinafter illustrated in the drawings, fully described in the detailed description of the preferred embodiment and particularly pointed out in the claims. However, such drawings and description disclose but one of the various ways in which the invention may be practiced.

Rotary engine with counter-rotating housing and output shaft mounted on stationary spindle


The invention relates to a device (1) for supplying at least one molding device (2) with a polymerizable mixture of at least two reactants.

In order to simultaneously supply several molds of a molding device from a single supply device, notably with a reactive polymerizable mixture, a person skilled in the art is faced with various problems.
One major problem consists in ensuring that all of the molds are supplied satisfactorily under stable conditions, these conditions depending, inter alia, on the pressure at the inlet of the molding device, on the pressure at the inlet of the molds, on the supply volume, or on the viscosity of the mixture received by the molds, notably in the case of a reactive polymerizable mixture.
The problem of supplying several molds simultaneously from one supply device has already been addressed in the past.
However, the existing supply devices are frequently complex and expensive since they provide individual commands relating to each of the molds of the molding device.
Moreover, in the prior art molding devices, the stability of supply, when it is obtained, is associated with a significant loss of molding material.
Thus, the patent FR2407805 discloses a molding line in which, in order to supply a plurality of molds of a molding device, it is necessary, in the supply device, to associate with each mold a control element for regulating the supply of the mold with molding material.
Supply devices for supplying molds with a polymerizable mixture are also known from the documents FR2856007 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,435,943.

Supply device for a molding device, molding line and method for controlling said molding line

Abstract: According to the invention, said supply device comprises: a buffer tank (10) suitable for receiving said polymerizable mixture via an inlet (101) of said buffer tank, a supply circuit (11), looped with said buffer tank, to convey the polymerizable mixture to an inlet (110) of said at least one molding device and including, beyond said inlet of the molding device, a return pipe (115) connected to the inlet of the buffer tank for sending a portion of the polymerizable mixture from said return pipe, and a filling pipe (42) of said buffer tank, connected to said inlet of said buffer tank, separate from the return pipe, wherein said buffer tank is also suitable for receiving said polymerizable mixture or at least one of said reactants from said filling pipe.