Provided is a solid electrolytic capacitor which retains a high capacitance and a low ESR and has high heat resistance. The solid electrolytic capacitor (10) is obtained by winding a porous anode foil (11) having a dielectric layer formed thereon and a cathode foil (14) together with separators (15) each interposed therebetween, the separators (15) having a solid electrolyte (13) supported thereon. Each layer of the solid electrolyte comprises a conductive composite (a) of a cationized conductive polymer with a polymer anion, a first hydroxy compound (b) having four or more hydroxy groups, and a second hydroxy compound (c) having an amino group and one or more hydroxy groups, the content of the conductive composite (a), in terms of mass proportion, being lower than that of the first hydroxy compound (b) and higher than that of the second hydroxy compound (c).

In recent years, as the digitization of electronic devices proceeds, it is demanded that impedance (equivalent series resistance) in a high frequency region of capacitors used for electronic devices should be reduced. Conventionally, to meet the demand, so-called functional capacitors (hereinafter abbreviated to capacitors) have been used in which an oxide film of a valve metal such as aluminum, tantalum or niobium is used as a dielectric.
As shown in Patent Document 1, the structures of these capacitors commonly include an anode composed of a porous material of a valve metal, a dielectric layer formed by oxidation of the surface of the anode, a conductive solid electrolyte layer, and a cathode in which a carbon layer, a silver layer and the like are laminated. As the solid electrolyte layer, a conductive film containing a conductive polymer may be used.
As methods for forming the conductive film containing a conductive polymer, electrolytic polymerization methods in which a conductive layer composed of manganese oxide is formed in advance on the surface of a porous material of a valve metal and this is then used as an electrode and energized to carry out polymerization (see Patent Document 2) and chemical oxidation polymerization methods in which a precursor monomer which forms a conductive polymer is polymerized using an oxidizing agent are widely known (see Patent Document 3).
As a method for forming a conductive film other than the electrolytic polymerization methods and the chemical oxidation polymerization methods, for example, Patent Document 4 proposes a method, that is, aniline is subjected to chemical oxidation polymerization in the presence of a polymer anion having a sulfo group, a carboxy group or the like to prepare a water soluble polyaniline and an aqueous solution of the polyaniline is applied and dried to form a coating film. This method is believed that a conductive film with high conductivity can be easily formed.
The present inventors have already disclosed a capacitor including an anode composed of a porous material of a valve metal, a dielectric layer formed by oxidation of the surface of the anode, and a solid electrolyte formed on the dielectric, wherein the solid electrolyte is formed from a composition including a conductive polymer to which a nitrogen-containing aromatic compound is added (PEDOT/PSS polymer dispersed liquid) as an essential component.
The features of the composition forming the solid electrolyte are that functional capacitors such as an aluminum electrolytic capacitor and a tantalum capacitor can be easily produced (see Patent Document 5).
Meanwhile, an attempt to use conductive polymer dispersions as a solid electrolyte of a capacitor has been already carried out for more than 10 years. As additives of the conductive polymer dispersions as above, a conductive complex of a cationized conductive polymer and a polymer anion (see Patent Documents 1 to 5) and a hydroxy compound having an amino group and one or more hydroxy groups (Patent Documents 6 to 14) are disclosed.

Solid electrolytic capacitor, method for producing the same and solution for solid electrolytic capacitor


Systems and methods are disclosed for generating a set of facies realizations. A computer-implemented method may use a computer system that includes a physical computer processor and data storage. The computer-implemented method may include: obtaining a geobody index, obtaining facies probability vectors for the multiple geobodies, assigning facies to the multiple geobodies based on the facies probability vectors, obtaining a target facies proportion for the subsurface volume of interest, reassigning a first geobody having a first facies based on a first facies probability vector of the first geobody, and reassigning remaining ones of the multiple geobodies with different facies.

In order to make realistic models to inform reservoir management decisions, such as infill and injector locations, the right-sizing of facilities, and other decisions, seismic data should be integrated into earth models of facies at the reservoir scale. Existing technologies may calibrate seismic attributes to well control using facies probability cubes. However, these facies probability cubes are often fuzzy with probabilities that are not near 0 or 1 because the seismic property distributions of one facies overlap with each other. As a result, geostatistical realizations may be highly variable from one realization to the next and provide poor representations of the actual subsurface volume of interest.

Systems and methods for generating facies realizations


Systems and methods for modular charging of vehicles are described. For example, a method may include connecting a vehicle to a charger using a charging plug interface that includes a first pair of conductors connected to alternating current terminals of an on-board alternating current-to-direct current converter of the vehicle and a second pair of conductors connected to terminals of a battery of the vehicle; and charging the battery of the vehicle via direct current flowing through the second pair of conductors concurrent with charging of the battery via alternating current flowing through the first pair of conductors to power the on-board alternating current to direct current converter.

Electric vehicles (e.g., electric cars) are charged from prevalent legacy alternating current power outlets of the existing infrastructure. An on-board charger (OBC) is included in the vehicle to enable convenient charging of its battery. By having the OBC on the car, the charging infrastructure can be less expensive (e.g., not every charger needs power conversion electronics, and some may pass AC power directly from a power grid to the car). The power level that can be achieved using an on-board charger is practically limited by size and weight considerations for equipment installed in the vehicle, which causes long charge times. Fast DC charging is available at specialized charging stations available only at select locations.


The present disclosure provides an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit includes a semiconductor substrate; a n-type filed effect transistor (nFET) formed on the semiconductor substrate and having a first gate stack including a high k dielectric layer, a capping layer on the high k dielectric layer, a p work function metal on the capping layer, and a polysilicon layer on the p work function metal; and a p-type filed effect transistor (pFET) formed on the semiconductor substrate and having a second gate stack including the high k dielectric layer, the p work function metal on the high k dielectric layer, and a metal material on the p work function metal.

Field effect transistors (FETs) have been used in conventional integrated circuit (IC) design. Due to shrinking technology nodes, high-k dielectric material and metal are often considered to form a gate stack for a FET. Integration issues exist when forming various metal-gate FETs onto a single IC chip, especially when resistors are integrated in an IC circuit. One issue is related with dishing effect during a polishing process. In another example, a gate replacement process includes an etch process to remove the polysilicon gate. However, the formed polysilicon resistors can be damaged and recessed by the etch process, causing the deviation of the resistance of the polysilicon resistor from the designed target. Therefore, a structure integrated with high k metal gate a method making the same are needed to address the above issues.

Structure and method for nFET with high k metal gate

TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.


A portable precision flange grinder grinds a flange on a duct. The flange has an axis, a radius, and a periphery. A mount mounts the grinder within the duct. The mount attaches to openings at ends of the duct. A grinding wheel grinds a flange on a duct and arranged to rotate along a periphery of the flange. A first linkage translates the grinding wheel along an axis of the flange to bring the grinding wheel laterally in grinding contact with the flange. The first linkage engages with the mount along an axis of the flange. A second linkage translates the grinding wheel along a radius of the flange bringing the grinding wheel radially in grinding contact with the flange. The second linkage attaches to the first linkage. A bearing assembly rotates the grinding wheel about the periphery of the flange. The bearing assembly is attached to the first linkage.

This invention relates generally to metal forming and, more specifically, to grinding.
Modern manufacturers carry as small an inventory of parts as possible to construct a product. By limiting the number of parts carried in inventory, a manufacturer can reduce overhead and minimize capital by removing the need for storage of excess inventory. This xe2x80x9cjust-in-timexe2x80x9d philosophy of manufacturing has become the world-wide standard for manufacturers of most products.
While xe2x80x9cjust-in-timexe2x80x9d production practices have saved millions of dollars, those same practices can be intensely expensive where no substitute exists for a needed part. Even with rigorous standards for quality control the possibility exists that a needed part may be outside of the specifications necessary. For example, imperfections may occur in component parts fabricated from exotic metals that require for formation high heat or pressure. Where such imperfections occur, economic realities may make modification of an existing, out-of-specification part more feasible than shutting down a manufacturing line while a part within specifications is fabricated.
An example of such an instance exists in the aircraft industry. In the construction of commercial airplanes, the price of the engines may comprise up to 25% of the total production costs. Each aircraft engine, after assembly, must undergo extensive testing for certification. The engines are delivered in their assembled state with appropriate attachment points for various connections to existing systems within the airframe.
Included in these connections is a duct for high temperature or high-pressure xe2x80x9cbleedxe2x80x9d gasses. Generally, this duct is made of inconelxe2x80x94a nickel chromium alloy with good oxidation resistance at high temperatures. This inconel duct is welded at one end to the engine and terminates at the other end with a large flange for mating onto a second duct where the engine mounts to the airframe. In the course of duct fabrication or subsequent welding the duct to the engine some deformation of the flange for mating to the airframe may occur. When this flange is no longer within tolerance of the specification for the mating junction, the known practice includes tearing down the engine; removing the inconel duct; replacing or machining the duct back into tolerances; re-welding the duct to the engine; reassembling the engine; re-testing and certifying the engine; and returning the engine to its mount on the airframe.
Due to the high cost of aircraft engines, mounting and installing the engines is the last substantial step before delivering a completed commercial airliner to its prospective owner. Under known techniques, a deformed flange delays the engine installation causing the airframe to sit idle, waiting for the rebuilt engine. That idle time is costly in terms of both resources as well as customer satisfaction.
There exists, then, an unmet need in the art for machining ducting in place without necessitating the disassembly of the engine.
The present invention allows for precision grinding of flanges without disassembly of the attached mechanism. In the case of aircraft engines, use of the present invention to correct defects in flanges removes necessity of tear-down, rebuilding, and subsequent FAA recertification of attached engines.
A portable precision flange grinder grinds a flange on a duct. The flange has an axis, a radius, and a periphery. A mount mounts the grinder within the duct. The mount attaches to openings at ends of the duct. A grinding wheel grinds a flange on a duct and arranged to rotate along a periphery of the flange. A first linkage translates the grinding wheel along an axis of the flange to bring the grinding wheel laterally in grinding contact with the flange. The first linkage engages with the mount along an axis of the flange. A second linkage translates the grinding wheel along a radius of the flange bringing the grinding wheel radially in grinding contact with the flange. The second linkage attaches to the first linkage. A bearing assembly rotates the grinding wheel about the periphery of the flange. The bearing assembly is attached to the first linkage.
In accordance with further aspects of the invention, the present invention can remove defects that have occurred in the course of mounting or transporting a larger mechanism to which the flanged piece is attached. According to one aspect of the invention, the flange is affixed to an aircraft engine. However, according to other aspects of the invention, the present invention machines any flange that is circular in shape. Further, the base plug seals of the component against contamination by grinding debris.
According to other aspects of the invention, the present invention is adaptable to any metallic flange. The present invention further operates on suitably rigid non-metallic materials, such as plastic, to the extent that such materials are susceptible to grinding operations.


A device for registering the printing performed by a thermal transfer printer, wherein it is constituted by the film carrying the transfer ink after it has passed over the heating points of the print head and onto a film take-up spool that includes means enabling it to be coupled to a drive member synchronized with a drive member for driving the print medium.

In the field of cash registers, the printing performed by a print head is commonly registered. When a dot matrix impact printer is used for printing receipts, printing is performed simultaneously on two tapes, with the impact on the first tape marking the second which is then wound up and stored to constitute a record or journal of all the transactions performed by the machine.
With a thermal printer, the problem is different since there is no impact whereby marks can be made on a secondary medium. Two media are therefore used. In a first technique, the first medium may be fine thermal paper enabling heat to be transferred to a second paper that is heat-sensitive. In another version, the first paper is heat-sensitive on its front face and forms a transfer film on its back face to transfer ink onto normal paper that constitutes the second print medium.
Using two media in, and in association with, a thermal print head always constitutes a complication. It is necessary to ensure that each medium is guided separately since the media have different destinations.
Furthermore, thermal printing by a technique in which ink is transferred from an ink-carrying film onto a medium (e.g. ordinary paper) can be adapted to printing a journal of operations only by duplicating the print head and causing the heads to print identically and simultaneously. In addition to being expensive, that technique is not guaranteed to provide an exact record of the operations performed by the printer. One of the printers may not be operating in a manner that is identical to the other, in which case their printouts may be different.

Device for registering the operations of a thermal transfer printer


The present disclosure includes catheter systems and methods for treatment of occlusions, including coronary artery chronic total occlusions. The catheter system comprises a catheter coupled to a control system with a distal end inserted into a patient and proximal to a location within a blood vessel with an occlusion. The catheter comprises a flexible outer sheath surrounding a housing with a plurality of lumens to perform various functions to penetrate occlusions.

A vascular occlusion is a blockage of a blood vessel that restricts or prevents the flow of blood through the vessel. Reduced or lack of blood flow through an occluded vessel can lead to serious health complications for the patient. Treatment of vascular occlusions includes various techniques to clear the occlusion and prevent reformation of the occlusion within the vessel. Typical treatment techniques for vascular occlusions include directing a guide wire or other component through the occluded portion, often the wall of the blood vessel to assist in the placement of a stent. In certain techniques, the stent can be expanded to create and maintain an open passage through the previously occluded region, or outside the wall of the occlusion.
While techniques have been developed to treat vascular occlusions, certain types of occlusions can present difficulties in selecting treatment options. In particular, severely occluded vessels can prevent challenges in treatment.
A particular type of vascular occlusion that presents challenges in treatment is a chronic total occlusion (CTO), which is a complete, or substantially complete, obstruction of a coronary artery. Approximately twenty-five percent of patients undergoing an angiography are found to have a CTO. With roughly two million patients undergoing a diagnostic angiography annually in the United States, CTOs present health risks for a significant number of patients.
While pharmacologic applications can be used to treat angina that patients with CTOs suffer from, these are not always successful in the elimination of angina symptoms. Medical interventional procedures are used to provide CTO treatment in cases where medication is not successful. The two primary existing procedures for addressing CTOs include coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). CABG is an invasive surgical procedure in which a healthy artery or vein is grafted, past the occluded coronary artery. The grafted vessel bypasses the occluded region of the coronary artery and provides a path for blood to flow to the heart muscle. CABG is a relatively expensive procedure, more traumatic to the patient with longer patient recovery times as compared to PCI.
PCI procedures typically include advancing a collapsed stent into the occluded region and expanding the stent to provide a passageway through the previously-blocked vessel. Such procedures generally involve directing a guide wire through the occluded region to allow for placement of a stent. However, in the case of CTOs, it is often not possible to direct the guide wire through the occluded region which is completely blocked. In such cases, treatment options include directing a guide wire or other components through or around the occlusion, including through the vessel wall. Specifically, many typical treatment options require directing components through the subintimal space in the vessel.
Such treatment options present significant challenges to the physician, due in part to the limited space available and associated risks presented. One of the primary challenges is directing a mechanical component past the occlusion without inadvertently perforating the vessel wall. Such a perforating of the vessel wall can lead to severe complications, such as cardiac tamponade, and it is therefore highly desirable to avoid such risks when treating patients with vascular occlusions.
In addition, such treatment options can require significant amounts of time to perform—typically up to three hours. Completing a procedure requires extreme concentration by the physician over prolonged time periods while performing extremely precise maneuvers. This can lead to physician fatigue and increase the risks of inadvertently perforating the vessel wall. Accordingly, few cardiologists are capable of, or willing to, perform PCI procedures of CTOs. The extended time periods for such procedures also result in redirection of resources (both equipment and human) normally available for other procedures.
Accordingly, systems and methods are desired that overcome these and other limitations associated with existing systems and methods.

Systems and methods for coronary occlusion treatment


Expandable laser catheters for utilizing laser energy to remove obstructions from body passages are described. In one embodiment, the laser catheter includes a shaftway having a distal end including a flexible portion configured in a series of radial folds. Multiple optical fibers, configured to transmit laser energy, extend along the shaftway and are attached to the flexible portion. An inflatable, ring-shaped balloon is attached to the catheter within the flexible portion. In use, the catheter is inserted into a body passage such as an artery, and advanced until the distal end is adjacent to an obstruction. The balloon is inflated to expand the flexible portion and to bring the optical fibers nearer the inner wall of the body passage. Laser energy is directed by the optical fibers toward targeted regions of the obstruction. As the catheter is advanced and the process repeated, a core is formed from the obstruction and contained within the flexible portion. The flexible portion is then contracted to hold the core, and the core is removed from the body passage by withdrawing the catheter.

Atherosclerotic plaque is known to build up on the walls of arteries in the human body. Such plaque build-up restricts circulation and often causes cardiovascular problems, especially when the build-up occurs in coronary arteries. Other body passages such as the esophagus, ureter and bile ducts, for example, are subject to blockage by tumorous tissue. Accordingly, it is desirable to remove or otherwise reduce plaque build-up and other tissue obstructions from such body passages.
Known catheters use laser energy to remove plaque build-up on artery walls. One such known catheter has a laser source and a catheter body. The catheter body has a proximal end and a distal end, or head, and multiple optical fibers extending between the proximal and distal ends. The laser source is coupled to the optical fibers at the proximal end of the catheter body and is configured to transmit laser energy through the optical fibers.
To remove an obstruction from a body passage, such as atherosclerotic plaque in an artery, the catheter is positioned in the artery so that the distal end of the catheter is adjacent to the plaque. The laser source is then energized so that laser energy travels through the optical fibers and photoablates the plaque adjacent the distal end of the catheter. The catheter is then advanced further through the artery to photoablate the next region of plaque build-up.
While known laser catheters are generally acceptable for removing small obstructions, such catheters are limited to opening a path the size of the catheter head on each pass through the body passage. The multiple passes which are required for removing larger areas of obstruction increase the possibility of damaging the passage inner wall. In addition, multiple passes increase the possibility that a piece of the obstruction will break free, enter the blood stream and result in vessel blockage. Other known laser catheters are limited by the relative inflexibility of the catheter distal end which may inflict damage to body passage inner walls as the catheter is advanced.
Accordingly it would be desirable to provide a laser catheter which can remove substantial portions of an obstruction in a single pass. It would also be desirable to provide a laser catheter having a flexible, adjustable distal end which can substantially conform to the inner dimensions of the body passageway to minimize damage to the inner wall. It would be further desirable to provide a laser catheter which can expand and contract during photoablation to increase the area of obstruction which may be photoablated in a single pass through a body passage.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A sensor control apparatus (3) includes a full-range gas sensor composed of an oxygen concentration detection cell having a pair of electrodes (21, 22) and an oxygen pump cell having a pair of electrodes (19, 20). In an electric circuit section (30), an Ip current flowing between the electrodes (19, 20) is controlled such that an electromotive force Vs produced between the electrodes (21, 22) becomes equal to a reference voltage. The reference voltage is usually set to a first reference voltage. However, when the subject gas is air, the reference voltage is set to a second reference voltage. Humidity of the subject gas is detected on the basis of an error ΔIp between an Ip current detected when the reference voltage is set to the first reference voltage, and an Ip current detected when the reference voltage is set to the second reference voltage.

One of sensors conventionally used in automobiles is an oxygen sensor which is disposed in an exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine (automotive engine) so as to detect the concentration of oxygen contained in exhaust gas. This oxygen sensor detects not only the oxygen concentration of exhaust gas but also the air-fuel ratio of exhaust gas, by making use of a phenomenon that the magnitude of current flowing through a sensor element changes in accordance with the oxygen concentration of exhaust gas. A sensor control apparatus that controls drive of this oxygen sensor has a function of controlling the supply of electricity to the sensor element, converting current flowing through the sensor element to a voltage, and outputting the voltage to an electronic control unit (ECU). The ECU obtains the oxygen concentration and/or air-fuel ratio of exhaust gas on the basis of an output from the sensor control apparatus. In the ECU, the obtained oxygen concentration and/or air-fuel ratio of exhaust gas is utilized for air-fuel ratio feedback control such as adjustment of fuel injection amount.
An oxygen sensor mounted on an automobile has a possibility of its output shifting under a given condition if the characteristic of the sensor changes as a result of, for example, deterioration with time or deterioration of permanent properties. Therefore, there has been known a technique of correcting a change in the characteristic of an oxygen sensor on the basis of a sensor output in an air. For example, there has been disclosed an exhaust gas concentration detection method and an apparatus therefor in which air is supplied to a gas sensor, and the zero point of the detection output of the gas sensor is calibrated on the basis of the detection output of the gas sensor exposed to air (for example, see Patent Document 1). Further, there has been disclosed an air-fuel-ratio detection apparatus which detects the humidity of air, corrects an atmospheric condition output in accordance with the humidity, and employs the corrected output as an air calibration value, which accurately corresponds to the oxygen partial pressure of air, whereby the sensor characteristic is corrected accurately (for example, see Patent Document 2).


An optical disk apparatus records new information related to the ROM information into RAM at a position linked with the ROM information of an optical information storage medium while continuously regenerating the ROM information of the optical information storage medium. At least the ROM signals are read at n (n>2) times of the information regeneration velocity V, which is a reference, and stored in a buffer memory for reading, then the stored information is output at a velocity of the information regeneration velocity V. And while the stored information is being output from the buffer memory for reading, the input information is stored in the buffer memory for writing, then the optical head is accessed an address position that is managed so that the time relationship of the output information and the input information link for recording.

The advancement of technology in the information recording field is remarkable, and research and development are energetically ongoing for high density recording and regeneration and high-speed access of optical memories using lights and magneto-optical disk memories, for example. Research and development for utilizing the features of such optical disk memories are advancing, and in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H6-202820 or in the Journal of the Institute of Television Engineers of Japan, Vol. 46, No. 10, pp. 1319-1324 (1992), for example, a concurrent ROM-RAM optical disk which allows the simultaneous regeneration of ROM (Read Only Memory)—RAM (Random Access Memory) is disclosed.
Such an optical information recording medium which allows simultaneous regeneration of ROM-RAM has a characteristic whereby ROM-RAM simultaneous regeneration, which is impossible with a magnetic disk, is possible, in addition to a characteristic whereby storage capacity double a normal optical disk memory can be obtained.
For example, according to the prior art, on the optically transparent substrate where phase pits are formed in a spiral or concentric manner, an optical information recording medium on which magneto-optical recording film is formed is used. And light is condensed almost to the diffraction limit from the optical pickup, is irradiated onto the optical information recording medium, light returned from this optical information recording medium is modulated by the phase pits and light intensity thereof is regenerated as a ROM signal. And the differential amplitude in the polarization direction when the return light is modulated by the magneto-optical recording film is regenerated as a RAM signal.
And a magnetic head, for applying the magnetic field on the optical information recording medium, is installed on the optical pickup, and the RAM signals are recorded on the magneto-optical recording film by changing at least one of condensed light from the optical pickup and the magnetic field.
In this prior art, it is theoretically possible to regenerate ROM and RAM simultaneously by one optical pickup and record the data in the RAM while regenerating the data in the ROM. However various aspects require improvement to actually utilize these superb functions.
For example, it is desirable to record user data to be sequentially input in the RAM for a medium where such stream information as music and image information is recorded as ROM information while regenerating only ROM information or both ROM and RAM information of the medium. In other words, while regenerating music and images (e.g. scenery, maps) recorded as ROM information, such as a CD (Compact Disk) without interruption, a singing voice and commentary are recorded in RAM, or while regenerating music and images (e.g. scenery, maps) recorded as ROM information and RAM information without interruption, the playing sound of an instrument, new map and road information are recorded in RAM.
In such a case, with the prior art alone, recording in RAM while regenerating ROM is possible, but it is difficult to record RAM information in a predetermined relationship where regenerated ROM information and recorded RAM information are linked.
Also in the prior art, simultaneous regeneration of ROM and RAM is possible, but the data cannot be recorded in the RAM during this simultaneous regeneration. For the user, it is desirable that information can be input and recorded in the optical information recording medium without interruption while regenerating ROM information or already recorded RAM information.

Apparatus and method for storing ROM and RAM data into magneto-optical recording medium


An amplifier and an amplifying method are provided. The amplifier includes: an amplifying unit amplifying and transferring a transmission target signal to a TDD switch; the TDD switch transferring a signal received from the amplifying unit to a filter unit when the amplifier operates in a TDD mode, and transferring a signal received from the filter unit to a duplex mode selection switch; the duplex mode selection switch transferring a signal received from the filter unit to a receiving side; and a controller controlling the duplex mode selection switch to transfer the signal received from the filter unit to the receiving side without passing through the TDD switch when the received duplex mode selection signal is a FDD mode selection signal.

A pre-drive amplifier, a drive amplifier, and a main amplifier of a High Power Amplifier (HPA) in Long Time Evolution (LTE) communication and WiMax-FDD system receive and amplify a gate bias, and the gate bias is always applied regardless of time to continuously operation the HPA. Accordingly, the HPA continuously amplifies a signal in a transmission Tx mode, the amplified signal passes through a Band-Pass Filter (BPF) and then transmitted to an antenna Ant. This is why a frequency band of a transmission Tx mode and a frequency band of a receiving Rx mode differ from each other in a general FDD communication system.
However, the frequency band of a transmission Tx mode and the frequency band of a receiving Rx mode differ from each other in a TDD system such as WiMax and TD-LTE systems. Because the frequency band of a transmission Tx mode and the frequency band of a receiving Rx mode are the same in communication using a TDD mode, if an HPA always operates in a TDD communication system, great Tx leakage noise occurs. Accordingly, in a receiving Rx mode, this reduces a receiving Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR). For this reason, a switch of relatively high capacity is used at an output terminal of the HPA. However, since an RF communication switch S/W of high capacity has a very high cost and limitation in capacity, a simple RF S/W of high capacity is used.
A high output amplifier operates in a Tx mode using Gate bias on/off technology of an HPA but an operation of the high output amplifier is restricted in a Rx mode in a currently used TDD system. Owing to use of such modes, a Tx leakage noise level may be reduced less than −100 dBm and does not influence a receiving SNR characteristic degradation in a Rx mode to stably perform mobile system communication.
It is difficult to use an HPA for an FDD system in the TDD system. Conversely, an HPA for the TDD system may not be used in the FDD system. However, both of the HPA for an FDD system and the HPA for the TDD system are used in a recent system such as a recently developed LTE system and WiMax system in which the FDD and TDD systems coexist. Presently, the FDD system and the TDD system have been independently developed to increase a developing cost and human power twice. Moreover, due to a request of a business owner, if a system simultaneously using the two modes is needed, the two types of HPA should be provided and used, respectively.
In this case, price competitiveness and a space side of a system are very poor. First of all, rapid response to the request of the business owner is now required. To meet the requirements, because a new product should be again made in an existing mode, there is a need for much time and effort.

Amplifier supporting multi mode and amplifying method thereof


A motorcycle backrest with an integrated lighting system that can be connected to a motorcycle's existing lighting system. The motorcycle back rest additionally comprises of a protective cover with cushioning to protect any unique designs or paint applied to the motorcycle back rest frame. The lighting system can increase visibility of motorcyclist and may prevent any potential accidents. The lighting system implements a dim, bright, and flashing system to indicate that the motorcycle is either running, braking, or signaling for a turn.

Traditionally, motorcyclists ride their motorcycles without the back rest. For users who wish to use a back rest, attachment methods are available. These motorcycle back rests provide users a structure at the back of their motorcycle seats that allow the users to sit back on their seats while riding. The present invention introduces a new type of motor cycle back rest that also comprises of an integrated lighting system for signaling. The user will be able to attach the present invention onto their motorcycle seats along with an extension to for the signaling system. The increased visibility will help prevent potential collisions or accidents that may occur. The traditional motorcycle back rest does not comprise of an extension lighting system for attaching to a motorcycle's original back lighting system. The present invention contributes to the aesthetics of a motorcycle and increases visibility of the rider.

Motorcycle backrest with extension signal lights


An imaging apparatus includes an imaging lens forming an optical image of a subject, an image pickup device outputting an image signal according to the optical image of the subject, a display device displaying a subject image according to the image signal, an image processor converting the image signal to data in an image data format to be displayed on the display device, and a storage device storing a plurality of pieces of positional information respectively specifying a plurality of enlargement areas to be enlarged in the subject image. The image processor has an enlarged image generation device generating an enlarged image of each of the plurality of enlargement areas based on the positional information stored in the storage device, and an enlargement display device displaying the plurality of enlarged images on the display device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus in which, when a focusing operation is manually performed while confirming a subject image displayed on a monitor, a plurality of areas in the subject image displayed on the monitor are enlarged and displayed at the same time. The present invention also relates to an imaging method and an imaging program for operating the imaging apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
A digital camera as an imaging apparatus having a manual mode has been known. Here, the manual mode is an imaging mode where a focus processing for manually driving a focus lens to focus on a subject is performed. Such an imaging apparatus has a display device for visually confirming whether or not the imaging apparatus is focused on the subject.
For example, a single-lens reflex type imaging apparatus has a display device which is an optical finder on which an optical image of a subject obtained via an imaging optical system is displayed so as to be visually confirmed. On the other hand, a so-called compact type imaging apparatus has a display device which is not an optical finder but a liquid crystal monitor provided on a back side of the imaging apparatus.
When photographing in a manual mode in the compact type imaging apparatus, focus adjustment, that is, an operation for driving a focus lens and adjusting a focus on the subject is performed while visually confirming a subject image displayed on the liquid crystal monitor. The image displayed on the liquid crystal monitor is an image of a whole imaging field of view. Therefore, in some cases, it is difficult to judge a focused state when it is required to focus on a specific part of the subject image.
In order to solve the above problem, an imaging apparatus having a function of enlarging and displaying a part of an imaging field of view on a liquid crystal monitor has been known (see, for example, Japan Patent Number 4141800). In the imaging apparatus disclosed in Japan Patent Number 4141800, a part to be enlarged can be manually specified and the specified part is enlarged and displayed. Thereby, it is easy to visually confirm a focus state of the part of the whole imaging field of view. However, if a photo opportunity comes in the middle of the operation for specifying a part to be enlarged, the photo opportunity is missed. Especially if one part is judged to be enlarged after another part is judged to be enlarged instead, operations and processings for enlarging and displaying the one part are required so that quick operation cannot be achieved.
Then, an imaging apparatus in which a part to be enlarged and displayed may be quickly specified without missing photo opportunities has been known (see, for example, Japan Patent Application Publication Number 2003-189136). In the imaging apparatus, a photographer's line of sight to the whole imaging field of view is specified and the part viewed by the photographer is enlarged and displayed based on the line of sight. However, the imaging apparatus disclosed in Japan Paten Application Publication Number 2003-189136 requires a sensor for detecting an eye movement of the photographer and configurations for specifying the photographer's line of sight based on information detected by the sensor. A single-lens reflex type imaging apparatus may have such a sensor and configurations. However, it is difficult for a compact type imaging apparatus to have them because of increase of size and manufacturing cost.

Imaging apparatus, imaging method and imaging program for displaying an enlarged area of subject image


An automated quotation system is provided for generating firm binding price quotations for custom manufactured parts in either an online or offline context.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to automated quotation systems, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to an automated quotation system for providing binding instantaneous online quotes to a design engineer needing custom manufactured parts on an expedited basis.
2. Description of the Prior Art
When a design engineer is designing a new mechanical or electrical apparatus, it is often desired to construct a full scale three dimensional prototype of the apparatus in order to fully evaluate and visualize the arrangement and suitability of the components which have been proposed to make up the apparatus.
Originally, the construction of such prototypes was a painstaking, time consuming and expensive process which involved the creation by hand of each component through traditional machining processes wherein each desired component would be formed by machining away undesired material from a block of metal, plastic, wood or the like. Those traditional machining operations are generally referred to as subtractive manufacturing processes, because the component is formed by subtracting material from a solid block of material through the machining process.
More recently, with the advent of computer aided design (CAD) techniques wherein each of the proposed components is fully described by a digital electronic model, there have developed a number of additive manufacturing techniques. These additive manufacturing techniques involve the use of computer controlled manufacturing processes which can manufacture a three dimensional part from a CAD file describing the part. These additive manufacturing processes can be thought of as three dimensional printers which can take a digital file for the three dimensional part and automatically construct that part without human intervention.
These technologies for creating prototype parts from CAD files are generally referred to by the term "rapid prototyping". The following summary of rapid prototyping techniques is taken from the text of "rapid prototyping primer", Chapter 2, published by the Penn State University Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering.

Instantaneous price quotation system for custom manufactured parts


There is provided a polyester-based primer composition including 100 parts by weight of a polyester resin, 1 to 20 parts by weight of water-dispersible particles, and water as a remainder. Since a polyester-based primer composition of the present disclosure is excellent in water resistance and solvent resistance differently from a urethane primer composition, the polyester-based primer composition may obtain sufficient adhesive strength between a protection film and a functional coating layer even without assistance from additives such as a cross-linking agent, and may retain stable adhesive strength for a long period of time.

In general, polarizing plates have a stacked structure constituted by a polarizer formed of a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based resin and dyed with dichroic dyes or iodine, and a protection film attached to one or both sides of the polarizer using an adhesive. In the related art, triacetyl cellulose (TAC)-based films have mainly been used as protection films for polarizing plates. However, TAC films are easily deformed in high-temperature or high-humidity environments. Therefore, protection films made of various types of material have recently been developed to replace TAC films. For instance, methods of using polyethylene terephthalate (PET), cycloolefin polymer (COP), acrylic films, or combinations thereof have been suggested.
Such films for protecting polarizers may include various functional coating layers, such as reflection preventing layers and hard coating layers formed on sides opposite to polarizers for the purposes of preventing reflections, improving durability, preventing scratches, and improving visibility. Such functional coating layers are generally formed by applying coating compositions including base resins, solvents and additives to protection films, and then curing the coating compositions. However, functional coating layers may not adhere sufficiently to some kinds of protection films. In such cases, functional coating layers may be separated from the protection films or damaged, thereby lowering the performance of polarizing plates.
Although methods of performing surface treatments such as a plasma treatment and a corona treatment on protection films or forming primer layers on protection films have been suggested to solve such problems, such methods remain insufficient to secure reliable adhesion of functional coating layers and protection films (particularly acrylic protection films). In the related art, for instance, urethane primers suggested as primer layers for protection films have low water resistance and solvent resistance. Therefore, if urethane primers are stored under high-moisture conditions for a long period of time, adhesive strength of the urethane primers may be lowered by water penetration, and if coating compositions including organic solvents are applied to primer layers, the primer layers may be swollen by the solvents included in the coating compositions or may be separated from protection films while being dissolved in the coating compositions.
Therefore, there is a need for primer compositions having high water resistance and solvent resistance for polarizing plate protection films.

Polyester-based primer composition, optical film and polarizing plate comprising


An apparatus and method are presented which are used by operators of trail vehicles to share information with each other about the number of vehicles in their group of trail users. A display module attached to a vehicle displays a number which indicates how many vehicles are in that vehicle's party. As oncoming trail users pass each other, they can read the value of the displayed numeral and know instantly how many vehicles to expect before the path is clear of traffic. The display module projects a number which is changeable, user determined, and has optical properties that allow the drivers of passing vehicles to readily convey information to each other.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates most generally to visual display devices used to communicate information between vehicles. More particularly, the present invention relates to devices which may be used to signal between oncoming operators of vehicles that are traveling in opposite directions on a common trail in order to convey the number of vehicles that are traveling in each of the operators' respective parties.
2. Description of Related Art
The figures illustrate the apparatus and method of the present invention used in conjunction with snowmobiles. However, the present invention can be used with all types of trail vehicles. Therefore, for the purposes of this specification and the claims, the term "trail vehicle" incorporates all transportation means on a recreational trail, including but not limited to snowmobiles, all-terrain multi-wheeled vehicles, cyclists, skaters, and skiers. Additionally, reasonable analogies can be extended from the descriptions associated with the term "snowmobile" to other types of trail vehicles.
The general use of recreational trails is currently popular and growing in all parts of the world, particularly so in the United States and Canada. A substantial percentage of these trails are groomed and marked snowmobile trails that have been developed and maintained by snowmobile clubs working with local government and private land owners. There are at least 200,000 miles of groomed and marked snowmobile trails in North America. Increased popularity of snowmobile riding has created increased traffic on some of these trails. The increase in traffic has caused an increased danger of collisions between oncoming snowmobiles passing in opposite directions, especially on narrow trails with winding turns that create a limited line of sight.
The state of the art in snowmobile trail riding includes a loosely followed method or convention for signaling group size information from the operator of a snowmobile traveling in a first direction on a designated, confined snowmobile trail to the operator or operators of one or more oncoming snowmobiles traveling in a second, opposite direction on the trail. According to the current convention practiced by some typically more experienced riders, riders traveling in the first direction and riders traveling in the second direction signal the number of snowmobiles traveling behind them within their group by raising that number of fingers on one hand. The last rider in the group signals his status as the last rider by raising a closed fist. This convention has significant limitations and shortcomings. Hand gestures are frequently confused with a greeting hand wave. Even in those trail areas where hand gestures are well understood, riders often forget to perform the hand signal, or the riders are wearing mittens that do not permit individual finger signals, or the riders are unable to remove one hand from their handle bars or steering system because they might lose a level of control over their trail vehicle.
The invention presented by Brady et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,886,627, SIGNALING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TRAIL VEHICLES, issued Mar. 23, 1999, provided an apparatus and method that overcame some of the limitations of hand signaling. This signaling method included the use of user-selectable colored lights mounted on the trail vehicle in order to convey information to oncoming traffic about whether there are trailing party members or whether it is the last member of the party, depending on the color of light selected by the operator. For example, a yellow/amber light warns oncoming riders that additional members of the group are trailing, and a green light indicates that the snowmobile is the last of its party. This signaling method has limitations. First, the information presented by the use of colored lights is useful information only to those riders who understand the meaning of the color convention used by the signaling rider. Second, the colored lights used by Brady et al. do not present any information about how many trailing vehicles are within that operator's party the oncoming operator should expect to meet.
The present invention provides a signaling apparatus and method which are believed to substantially overcome some of the shortcomings of the known art because it includes a lighted numeral that readily conveys to oncoming trail users how many trail vehicles to expect before the path is clear of traffic.

Numerical display module for trail vehicles


A golf club head according to this invention is a wood type golf club head including a face portion, a crown portion, and a sole portion. A plurality of grooves are formed in the face portion. The depth of the plurality of grooves is less than 0.025 mm. A film having a thickness not more than the depth is formed on the face portion by a surface treatment.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a wood type golf club head.
Description of the Related Art
Generally, a golf club head is believed to increase the back spin amount of a shot when the surface roughness of the face portion increases. A maximum distance performance-oriented wood type golf club head is known to be unable to obtain a long carry of a shot if the back spin amount of the shot is large. However, also known is that a long carry of a shot cannot be obtained if the back spin amount is too small. In the wood type golf club head, when forming grooves such as score lines in the face portion, the number of grooves tends to be relatively small. Additionally, in the wood type golf club head, the face portion is sometimes made thin to improve the coefficient of restitution of the face portion. However, the strength of the thin face portion may lower. Hence, there are proposed techniques of making grooves shallow for the purpose of preventing the strength of the face portion from lowering when forming grooves in it (Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 2003-299753 and 2002-153575 and U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2003/0032498, 2004/0192465, and 2010/0009773).
On the other hand, in a golf club head having a relatively small loft angle (for example, 20° or less), the larger the surface roughness of the face portion is, the smaller the back spin amount may be. A golf club head described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-201787 is based on an idea of decreasing the surface roughness of the face portion at a position where the back spin amount decreases and increasing the surface roughness of the face portion at a position ere the back spin amount increases. That is, the golf club head is based on the reverse of a general idea concerning the relationship between the roughness of the face portion and the back spin amount of a shot.
In a wood type golf club head represented by a driver or a spoon, since the loft angle is relatively small, the surface roughness of the face portion is preferably made large to decrease the back spin amount of a shot. As a method of adjusting the surface roughness of the face portion, a process such as sand blast or shot peening is known. However, the process may be difficult or may require effort. As another method of adjusting the surface roughness of the face portion, contriving score lines is considerable. However, in, for example, a golf club head for games, a problem may arise in terms of conformity to rules (R & A rules).
On the other hand, if the surface roughness of the face portion is increased, the quality may degrade as the face portion readily wears or attains a poor appearance.

Golf club head with grooves shallower than scorelines and surface film thickness


An internal natural light delivery system collects light rays through a series of reflective surfaces redirects the light to an internal area of such building. The system includes a collector and a first reflector positioned adjacent a translucent structure of a building. The collected light rays are directed vertically upward by the first reflector. A first hollow member is adjacent the collector and the reflected light rays are reflected therethrough. A first elbow having a second reflector is adjacent the first hollow member. The first elbow is positioned such that the reflected light rays encounter the second reflector and are directed in a horizontal direction. A second hollow member is adjacent the first elbow and the light rays reflected by the second reflector are directed therethrough. The second hollow member extends horizontally into a desired internal space within the building. A second elbow having a third reflector is adjacent the second hollow member, and the light rays reflected through the second hollow member encounter the third reflector and is directed downward. A diffuser for dispersing the light rays into the desired internal space is adjacent the second elbow.

The present system relates to the collection of visible light energy from solar radiation and the distribution of such light energy to the internal areas of a building for lumination purposes. A great variety of light transmitting systems have been proposed in this field of art. Most of the known systems typically include a light collector element mounted on the roof of a building for collecting the radiation energy and some form of light diffuser element connected to the collector element from which the light is emitted into the internal area of the building. Other systems further include some form of conductor element mounted between the collector element and diffuser element to provide an extended optical path through which the light energy may be transmitted over a particular distance.
There are a number of drawbacks associated with the lighting systems currently known in this field. Indeed, there are serious drawbacks associated with some of the more complex systems in that they are quite expensive both to purchase and install and require a good deal of ongoing maintenance. Further problems are encountered as these rooftop-mounted systems are susceptible to the adverse effects of weather.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a less expensive passive lighting system having a collector element mounted adjacent a vertical translucent surface of a building for the collection of visible light energy therein.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a natural lighting system that is modular in design and hence easily adaptable to both new and existing building structures.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a natural lighting system which is mounted entirely within the interior space of a building.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a natural lighting system which employs a plurality of reflectors for transmitting solar rays collected at a vertical collector element along a reflective conduit to an internally-mounted light diffusion element for the dispersion of natural light about an interior area of the building.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reference to the accompanying detailed description when taken in conjunction with the following drawings.


Described are systems and methods, including computer program products for controlling an unmanned vehicle. A user controls one or more unmanned vehicles with a smart phone. The smart phone receives video stream from the unmanned vehicles, and the smart phone displays the controls from the unmanned vehicle over the video. The smart phone and the unmanned vehicle communicate wirelessly.

Unmanned vehicles generally refer to any type of vehicle that can be driven without a pilot in the vehicle. For example, PackBot® and Small Unmanned Ground Vehicle (SUGV)® are unmanned ground vehicles manufactured by IRobot®. Typically, unmanned vehicles are driven by an operator using a controller that is remote relative to the unmanned vehicle. Unmanned vehicles can be automatically driven along a predetermined path. The predetermined path can be stored in a computer of the unmanned vehicle or communicated to the unmanned vehicle.
Unmanned vehicles are used by the military in air, on ground, and in water. For example, the military uses unmanned vehicles for reconnaissance, attack missions, and as decoys. Unmanned vehicles are used in civilian applications as well. For example, fire-fighting and non-military surveillance activities are considered civilian applications.
Unmanned vehicles can be driven using controllers that are specific to the unmanned vehicle or universal controllers. For example, an SUGV® can be controlled by an SUGV® controller or by an Xbox® controller. A controller that is specific to the unmanned vehicle requires training for a user to learn how to operate the controller. For users who operate multiple types of unmanned vehicles (e.g., military personnel), learning a new controller for each unmanned vehicle can become time consuming and costly. Users who operate multiple unmanned vehicles are prone to make controlling errors because they are likely to confuse the various controllers in a high pressure situation.
Unmanned vehicle controllers can be large, bulky, and heavy, making it difficult to carry the controllers from place to place. A large controller typically requires a large amount of power, making battery life short. In addition, unmanned vehicle controllers are often expensive. Therefore, a universal unmanned vehicle controller that is light weight and inexpensive is desirable

Teleoperation of unmanned ground vehicle


The present disclosure discloses a method and apparatus for pushing information. A specific embodiment of the method comprises: acquiring video information of a video played by a user using a terminal, and analyzing the video information to generate a keyword set; selecting at least one piece of candidate push information to generate a set of push information, based on a matching relationship between the keyword set and each piece of candidate push information; and pushing the set of push information to the terminal. This embodiment improves pertinence of the pushing for the information.

The simultaneous appearance of a large number of comments displayed in a subtitle form is called a bullet screen. A bullet screen video numerous user comments on a video in a scrolling form when the video is played. The bullet screen, as a viewer actively participated, real-time video content interacting text, may comprehensively reflect information related to the video clip and the bullet screen sender.
Currently, the approach for placing information that needs to be specially pushed by a website or web page (for example, an advertisement to be inserted in the video) is still simple. The existing placing approaches mainly include: insertion of the video or page information to be specially pushed before or during the video, resulting in a poor correlation and a low conversion rate for the information displayed using this approach. The bullet screen information, and the information reflecting the video clip and the bullet screen sender, which information is contained in the bullet screen information are not fully discovered, and the information of the bullet screen is not combined with the information to be specially pushed by the website or web page.

Method and apparatus for pushing information

Baidu Online Network Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd.


An enhancing inner structure of an inflating ball with an outer layer has a round inflated inner bladder by inflating an inflatable inner bladder which is processed in advance by a separating agent. Then the inflated inner bladder is wound by fabrics to form with an enhancing layer. Then, the enhancing layer is enclosed by a plurality of piece-like structures to be as an outer layer. The fabrics are mixed with foamed soft sponge rubber. Then the outer layer is seamed. Then the whole ball structure is heated. Since the foaming material on the outer surface of the enhancing layer is non-viscous in normal temperatures, and the inner bladder is processed in advance with a separating agent; thereby, when the air in the bladder is released; the inner layer and the enhancing layer will separate naturally.

The present invention relates to ball structures, and particularly to an enhancing inner structure of an inflating ball with an outer layer; wherein the foaming material will form with a uniform elastic clamping layer. Thus, the whole surface of the ball has uniform elastic strength.
There are several structures used in inflatable ball which are required to have a uniform surface and a strong structure. These balls are used in the field of such as footballs, as illustrated in FIG. 1. These balls are enclosed with a plurality of outer pieces. A plurality of seaming lines P are formed as the pieces are seamed together. The edges of the pieces are formed with folding portions 21. Thereby, strip edges 2A are formed. As an inner bladder is placed within the ball forming by a plurality of pieces, the bottom of the outer layer 2 will form with space 2R due to the edge 2A. Thereby, the inner bladder 3 can not completely adhere to the outer layer 2 and thus the strength and elasticity of the ball will not be uniform.
To overcome above problem, the U.S. Pat. No. 5,772,545, xe2x80x9cSportsball and manufacturing method thereofxe2x80x9d discloses a structure, referring to FIG. 2, in that the inner surface of each piece of the outer layer 2 is added with a pad 4 which has a size smaller than the piece so that the width of the pad 4 can compensate the spaces generated from the strip edge 2A. The pad 4 may be made of EVA or other elastic plastics. Thereby, this structure can improve above mentioned defect and cause a uniform and elastic ball. However, the manufacturing process is complex and thus the cost is high. Moreover, the lateral gaps 2S still exists so that the inner bladder 3A enclosing with enhancing layer H cannot completely adhere to the outer layer 2. This is the defect of the prior art.
Accordingly, the primary object of the present invention is to provide an enhancing inner structure of an inflating ball with an outer layer. The structure has a round inflated inner bladder by inflating an inflatable inner bladder which is processed in advance by a separating agent. A plurality of fabrics is wound around the inflated bladder so as to form with an enhancing layer. Then, a plurality of piece-like structures are enclosed around the enhancing layer to be as an outer layer. The fabrics are mixed with foamed soft sponge rubber. Then the outer layer is seamed. Then the whole ball structure is heated. Since the foaming material on the outer surface of the enhancing layer is non-viscous in normal temperatures, and the inner bladder is processed in advance with a separating agent; thereby, when the air in the bladder is released; the inner layer and the enhancing layer will separate naturally.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an enhancing inner structure of an inflating ball with an outer layer; wherein the foaming material will form as a uniform elastic clamping layer. Thus, the whole surface of the ball has uniform elastic strength.
The various objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the appended drawing.

Enhancing inner structure of inflating ball with outer layer


An improved, low horsepower, compact, high driving power, outboard motor having a reducing transmission located in the upper portion of the driveshaft housing and lower unit so as to provide a larger reduction ratio while maintaining a small lower unit to reduce drag.

This invention relates to an outboard motor and more particularly to a reduction drive transmission for an outboard motor.
Relative low horsepower outboard motors are frequently employed as auxiliary power plants for sailboats. By low power, this generally means that the horsepower employed for such applications is something in the neighborhood of 10 horsepower or less. With these low horsepowers, however, the acceleration from standstill to the desired cruising speed can be quite slow. Also, in some instances the engine may not provide sufficient power to achieve the desired speeds.
Although this problem can be somewhat reduced by using a higher reduction ratio in the gear drive from the engine to the propeller, the desire to keep the lower unit, where the transmission resides, small generally limits the reduction ratio in the range of 1.8 to 2.4 to 1. Larger reduction ratios require bevel gears of larger diameters and this will produce a protracted lower unit. As the lower unit size increases, the hydrodynamic drag increases and thus, some of the advantage of the reduced gear ratio will be lost by the increased drag.
It is, therefore, a principal object of this invention to provide an improved marine drive transmission useable with outboard motors to provide a gear reduction greater than the bevel gear of the lower unit and which transmission is located so that it will not increase the size of the lower unit.
It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved reduction gear transmission for outboard motor that does not increase hydrodynamic drag.


An electric vehicle including a plurality of motors for individually driving left and right drive wheels is provided with a motor abnormality detector for detecting the occurrence of an abnormality in each of the motors and one side abnormality response controller. The one side abnormality response controller controls, when an abnormality other than a motor stoppage is detected the motor in the wheel of either one of the left and right, which are arranged at the same forward or rearward position of the vehicle, by the motor abnormality detector, the motor for the other wheel to approach the same condition as that of the motor in which the abnormality has been detected.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electric vehicle in the form of an in-wheel motor driven vehicle or the like of a type having motors for driving individual wheels, such as, for example, a battery powered drive or a fuel battery powered drive.
2. Description of Related Art
In an electric vehicle, an in-wheel motor drive system of a type that can contribute to an improvement in driving stability of the vehicle and to an enhanced availability of a vehicle effective space. For example, a vehicle of a type, in which four wheels are driven by respective in-wheel motor drive systems, and a vehicle of a type, in which two wheels are driven by respective in-wheel motor drive systems and the remaining two wheels are used as driven wheel, are currently available in the market. Even in an electric vehicle of a type that employs no in-wheel motor drive system, an electric vehicle of a type which makes use of motors for driving individual wheels is also available in the market.
In the vehicle of a type in which four wheels or two, left and right wheels are driven by individual motors such as, for example, in-wheel motor drive systems, in the event of failure of one of the motors used to drive one of the wheels, application of a braking force to the motor in trouble leads to the spinning of the vehicle. In order to secure a postural stability of the vehicle at that occasion, both of the left and right motors are stopped.


A fastener having an assembly comprising a sleeve and pin for telescoping movement therein useful for clamping together a plurality of work pieces has two mechanical locking structures for locking the pin and sleeve together. One locking mechanism comprises material contained in a reduced diameter section of the sleeve which is formed into a first locking groove of the pin as a result of pulling the pin into the sleeve. A second lock comprises a locking crown formed in the sleeve head which is formed into a second locking groove in the pin by means of increased pulling pressure applied by the setting tool against the locking crown after pin movement has stopped. The design of the pin head is such that a clamping of the work pieces occurs prior to expansion of the sleeve in the apertures of the work pieces and prior to setting the double locks of the pin to the sleeve.

The invention is related generally to fasteners and more particularly, to blind fasteners having a sleeve and setting pin and means for retaining the setting pin in the sleeve.
Where access to work pieces exists on one side of the work only, blind fasteners are often used for fastening the work pieces together. The side of the work from which the fastener is applied is referred to as the "access side" and the other side is referred to as the "blind side." Many blind fasteners comprise two basic parts, a tubular sleeve and a setting pin which moves telescopically in the sleeve. The sleeve typically comprises a radially enlarged head integral with one end thereof which presses against the access side of the work pieces. The sleeve also comprises a shank through which the pin moves.
The pin comprises a "tail" or pulling section at one end which is relatively free to move through the sleeve and projects out the access side of the work pieces. The pin also comprises a head having an outer diameter which is greater than the inner diameter of the sleeve. Prior to use the sleeve and pin are assembled with the pulling section of the pin projecting from the head end of the sleeve and the head of the pin located at or near the shank or blind end of the sleeve.
With the two basic parts in telescoped relation, the fastener customarily is inserted into aligned apertures in the work pieces to be fastened together from the access side thereof, and is positioned with the head of the sleeve on the access side and with the head of the setting pin on the blind side. The pin is pulled from the access side while a restraining force is applied against the sleeve head to hold it in place. This draws the head of the pin into the sleeve shank which results in the shank being radially expanded or "upset" on the blind side to clamp the work pieces together. It is also desirable in setting a blind fastener to expand the sleeve within the apertures in the work pieces into pressure engagement with the walls thereof, thus improving the shear strength of the resulting connection.
Frequently, the work pieces which are to be fastened together are initially separated from each other and must be clamped together during fastening. To achieve this without having to clamp the pieces together by some independent means, it is desirable that the projecting portion of the shank of the sleeve on the blind side be expanded sufficiently to clamp the work pieces together before the shank portion within the apertures is expanded against the walls of the apertures. If this is not done, that is if the expansion of the shank portion within the apertures takes place before clamping, the parts will not be clamped together. This premature expansion of the fastener will lock the pieces in their separated position. Failure to properly clamp the work pieces will preclude the fastened combination from developing either the desired shear or tensile strength. Thus a satisfactory fastener must first operate to clamp the work pieces and then expand within their apertures to secure them in that position.
In prior fasteners, the larger outer diameter head of the pin engages the lesser inner diameter sleeve to form a bulged, bulb-shaped head on the blind side end of the sleeve. As the setting pin is pulled through the sleeve, the expanding sleeve first causes clamping of the work pieces to occur and then causes expansion of the sleeve within the apertures of the work pieces. To enable successful fastening, the size of the apertures in the work pieces are such that the fastener can be easily inserted but with a minimum of clearance.
In some fasteners, there exists a means to stop further movement of the pin after it has been pulled into the sleeve to a certain extent and to lock it in position. Without some locking means, the pin and sleeve may pull apart later, such as when exposed to high levels of vibration. Where the sleeve itself cannot provide the desired shear strength and the additional strength of the pin in the sleeve is required but is not available due to disengagement, unfastening of the work pieces could occur. In some devices, friction alone was used to hold the pin and sleeve together. This method of locking has been found to be inadequate in some applications. A contributing factor to a lack of adequate strength is that the pin and sleeve take on complementary tapered configurations at their juncture surfaces as the pin is drawn into the sleeve. The resulting taper is so directed that the diameter of the juncture surface increases toward the blind end, thus facilitating retrograde movement of the pin out of the sleeve. This retrograde movement may be accelerated by using the assembly in a high vibration environment. Further, the resilient metal of the pin is strained somewhat during the setting so that when the pulling force is rapidly released by fracturing the pin at the breakneck groove, the pin tends to spring back slightly. As a consequence, the clamping force on the work pieces is relaxed somewhat and the joint will loosen somewhat.
Various techniques for locking the pin and sleeve together have been developed. However, many include only a single lock and, depending upon the application, stronger locking of the pin to the sleeve may be required. For example, work pieces which may be used in a high stress or high vibration environment should have fasteners whose components are locked together strongly enough to resist any tendencies to separate when subjected to such vibration.
In view of the foregoing, it would be desirable to provide a pull-type blind fastener which is adapted to provide improved locking of the pin to the sleeve when assembled. It would also be desirable to provide a two piece blind fastener in which the pin and sleeve are mechanically locked together by two locking structures and further, a blind fastener in which the pin and sleeve are mechanically locked together by material from the sleeve.


In an electro-pneumatic system for controlling a double-acting pneumatic actuator having first and second working chambers, first and second preliminary pneumatic control components generate first and second preliminary pneumatic control signals transferred to respective first and second main pneumatic control components having outputs connected to the respective first and second working chambers. An electronic splitter circuit precedes the first and second preliminary pneumatic control components for splitting and inverting an electrical control signal input to the splitter circuit around an electrical mean control value to create first and second mirror-inverted electrical control signals respectively connected to the respective first and second preliminary pneumatic control components. The electrical mean control value is adjustable such that the first and second preliminary control components respectively generate the respective first and second preliminary pneumatic control signals mutually inverted around a pneumatic mean value.

The preferred embodiments relate to an electro-pneumatic system for controlling a double-acting pneumatic actuator having a first pneumatic working chamber and a second pneumatic working chamber controllable independently from the first working chamber.
Commonly an electro-pneumatic system comprises a preliminary pneumatic control component, especially an I/P-converter, for generating a preliminary pneumatic control signal, whereby the preliminary control signal is fed to a main pneumatic control component such as an air pressure amplifier connected to an air pressure supply of, for example, 6 bar. In this exemplary case the air pressure amplifier can generate a maximum pressure of 6 bar.
Double-acting pneumatic actuators have multiple applications in the technical processing industry, especially in power generation technology. For example, typical applications of double-acting pneumatic actuators are directed towards demanding control tasks in which, for example, a valve cap in a pipeline filled with fluid must be positioned rapidly and precisely. A double-acting pneumatic actuator does not require internal springs to drive a positioning member of the actuator into a certain emergency position when the pneumatic actuator is vented. The double-acting pneumatic drive can have a positioning piston separating two pneumatic working chambers, being coupled to the valve flap and being displaced when the pressure difference between the two working chambers reaches a predefined value. Double-acting actuators have the general advantage to be particularly robust and durable while having a structure that is of simple design and cost effective.
Commonly, the double-acting pneumatic actuator is controlled by an electro-pneumatic positioner generating an electrical control signal based on an electrical actual position value, such as the position of the control valve in the technical processing plant and an electrical set point signal from a superordinate control unit, and transforms the control signal by means of an I/P-converter into a preliminary pneumatic control signal. The preliminary pneumatic control signal is then fed to an inverting amplifier which transmits opposing main pneumatic signals to the working chambers of the double-acting actuator. The pneumatic working chambers of the double-acting pneumatic actuator are pressurized against each other by a constant mean pressure value.
DE 10021 744 A1 gives an example of a double-acting pneumatic actuator in which a pressure difference between the two working chambers of the actuator is defined as the control variable. For adjusting the pressure difference the pneumatic inverting amplifier receives the control pressure generated by the I/P-converter on the basis of which the desired pressure difference is generated in the working chambers of the double-acting pneumatic actuator. The first output of the inverting amplifier receives the control pressure of the I/P-converter, wherein at the second output a respective opposite pressure is built up, complementing the control pressure at the first output to the constant supply pressure of, for example, 6 bar.
The functional necessity for the inverting amplifier results from the fact that a decrease of the first control pressure in the first working chamber requires an increase of the second control pressure in the second working chamber, wherein the main pressure value remains unchanged.
Commonly, a double-acting pneumatic actuator works by means of a supply pressure of about 6 bar, wherein a constant mean pressure value of 3.5 bar is defined between the first and the second working chamber. The double-acting pneumatic actuator can realize fast control cycles but has the disadvantage not to be sufficiently rigid because of the compressibility of the working medium air at 3.5 bar. If the application of the actuator requires a higher rigidity, hydraulic actuators are commonly used which are expensive and not suitable for all applications, especially due to the threat they pose to the environment by the hydraulic oil.

Electro-pneumatic system for controlling a double-acting pneumatic actuator


The electronic camera is provided with an image pickup device which picks up an image, an image processing device which outputs the picked up image to a recording medium and at the same time records the image in a memory capable of executing a writing process or reading process with a speed higher than that of the recording medium, and a display device which displays the image. In case of reproducing and displaying the image, the image recorded in the memory is read and displayed on the display device, and therefore it is possible to reproduce and display the image in a short time.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electronic camera and a method of reproducing its images, and in particular relates to an electronic camera capable of quickly reproducing and displaying captured images and a method of reproducing the images.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a conventional electronic camera, for checking once captured images, it is necessary to designate reproduction and display of the images after switching from a shooting mode with which the images are captured and recorded on a recording medium to a reproduction mode with which the images recorded on the recording medium are reproduced and displayed. As the recording medium which records a large amount of image data, a magneto-optical (MO) disk, a hard disk or the like available with relatively low cost for its recording capacity is used. Such recording medium generally requires a long time to read or write information thereon.
The electronic camera has caused to its user the inconvenience of waiting for a long time until captured images are reproduced and displayed because the images once recorded on the recording medium are read and then displayed after switching to the reproduction mode. Besides, in recent years, there has been a growth in use of electronic cameras equipped with an image pickup device of large number of pixels owing to development of the image pickup device and market demand. If an image is captured with a large number of pixels, the amount of data constituting the image extremely increases; and therefore, it requires a longer time to read the image data out of the recording medium and causes the inconvenience of taking a long time for checking the captured images.
Because the number of pixels in the image pickup device has greatly increased in recent years, it takes much more time than before to process the image data outputted from the image pickup device. Particularly, in the conventional electronic camera, processes of writing or reading to or from the recording medium are slow due to the characteristics of the nonvolatile recording medium, and therefore much time is spent on the processes. For example, for recording or reading the compressed data of image data having 2 million pixels outputted from the image pickup device, it requires about 2 seconds for recording or reading. Accordingly, it is necessary to wait for 12 seconds only for temporarily recording and reading image data of 6 million pixels, and in the actual image pickup process, the time required for the automatic exposure (AE), automatic focus (AF) or image processing is added; therefore, when immediately displaying the reproduced images for checking, the user may have an impression of very bad operability.
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-23365 discloses a digital camera which enables high-speed image data recording by providing a plurality of recording media of low recording speed to a conventional electronic camera so as to simultaneously record pieces of image data on respective recording media. This conventional method of transferring image data of the digital camera is effective in successively recording or reproducing plural images, but imposes inconvenience that the time required to execute the process of reading the image data for reproducing the image of the first page is not at all shortened.
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-215455 shows an image display device which increases a browsing speed, in browsing reduced image data in an image file with a browsing display mode, by shortening the display time for browsing per each frame if image data has a large number of frames. This conventional image display device reduces the time required to successive reproduction of images by shortening the display time per one frame of image, and therefore inconvenience also occurs that the time required to execute the process of reading the image data for reproducing the image of the first page cannot be shortened.
The present invention has been developed in view of the above-described circumstances, and has as its object the provision of an electronic camera capable of reproducing and displaying images in a short time when captured images are reproduced, and a method of reproducing images of the electronic camera.
In order to attain the above-described object, the present invention is directed to an electronic camera, comprising: an image pickup device which picks up an image; an image processing device which outputs the picked up image to a recording medium and at the same time records the image in a memory capable of executing a writing process or reading process with a speed higher than that of the recording medium; and a display device which displays the image, wherein, in reproducing and displaying the image, the image recorded in the memory is read and displayed on the display device.
According to the present invention, it becomes possible to reproduce and display the image in a short time.

Electronic camera and method of reproducing image thereof


The table with integrated and ground-covering blanket includes a foldable table from which a cover extends from a bottom, perimeter of a tabletop surface and which covers the surrounding ground. The foldable table includes attaching indicia at the bottom, perimeter that enable attachment of the blanket thereto, as well as to fold and secure shut the table when not in use. The foldable table may include at least one cup holder, and legs that rotate downwardly from underneath.

A. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of outdoor picnic-styled tables, more specifically, a table that is centrally located and extends up from a blanket integrated there under.
Small tables and foldable card tables have been around for quite some time. These types of tables have a plurality of uses, which range from outdoors to indoors; from adult use to use by children. These tables can sometimes include legs that fold down from underneath in order to support said tables.
What is needed is an improved foldable table that can help keep the surrounding area clean. In the past, one could lay down a blanket or tarp upon the ground, and thereafter place a foldable table thereon. What is more needed is a foldable table wherein a blanket or tarp attaches along a bottom, perimeter and extends down and outwardly to cover the ground in the immediate vicinity of said table. The device of the present application seeks to address this need.
B. Discussion of the Prior Art
As will be discussed immediately below, no prior art discloses a folding table in which a blanket extends from below and upon the ground surrounding said table, and upon which individuals may sit upon said blanket; wherein the table and blanket attach to one another via attaching means located along a bottom, perimeter of said table, and in which said attaching means comprises of a zipper; wherein the table includes legs that can rotate downwardly to elevate and support said table above a ground surface; wherein said table features at least one cup holder thereon; and where upon removal of said blanket, the table can be folded along a middle line and secured via the attaching means.
The Rodebaugh et al. Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 4,705,084) discloses a cover for an outdoor table and benches. However, the cover is not a ground-covering cover that attaches to a bottom, perimeter of said table and which descends down and expands across the ground surrounding said table.
The Crider et al. Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 6,381,812) discloses a device and method for securing a tablecloth to a picnic table. Again, the device and method are directed to covering a picnic table or chaise-styled lounge, and not a cover that extends away from said table and which covers the surrounding ground.
The Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 4,883,001) discloses a picnic table cover.
The Roth Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,084,321) discloses a disposable tablecloth for a table that is attached by hook and loop type fastening tape. Again, the disposable tablecloth is directed to covering the tabletop surface of a table, and not to extending from the bottom, perimeter of the tabletop surface in order to cover the surrounding ground.
The Figueroa Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 4,708,183) discloses a combination table cover and skirt retainer. However, the skirt retainer does not extend a cover down and away from a tabletop surface, and provide coverage over the surrounding ground.
The Jones Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 4,627,363) discloses a table covering apparatus. Again, the table covering apparatus is directed to covering the tabletop surface of a table, and not to extending from the bottom, perimeter of the tabletop surface in order to cover the surrounding ground.
The Holzrichter Patent (U.S. Pat. No. Des. 338,364) illustrates an ornamental design for a patio tablecloth, which extends to and only covers the tabletop surface.
The Trinkner Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 4,337,812) discloses a combined picnic bag and tablecloth. Again, the tablecloth is directed to covering the tabletop surface of a table and providing a means of storing items associated with a picnic when not in use, and not a cover extending from the bottom, perimeter of the tabletop surface in order to cover the surrounding ground.
The Kesh et al. Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 3,279,515) discloses a table cover for outdoor use. Again, the table cover is directed to covering the tabletop surface of a picnic table, and not to extending from the bottom, perimeter of the tabletop surface in order to cover the surrounding ground.
While the above-described devices fulfill their respective and particular objects and requirements, they do not describe a folding table in which a blanket extends from below and upon the ground surrounding said table, and upon which individuals may sit upon said blanket; wherein the table and blanket attach to one another via attaching means located along a bottom, perimeter of said table, and in which said attaching means comprises of a zipper; wherein the table includes legs that can rotate downwardly to elevate and support said table above a ground surface; wherein said table features at least one cup holder thereon; and where upon removal of said blanket, the table can be folded along a middle line and secured via the attaching means. In this regard, the table with integrated and ground-covering blanket departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art.

Table with integrated and ground-covering blanket


A container for holding storage media is provided which contains an image carrying member, an upper and lower case member and a storage media holding member. Display flanges are provided for displaying the mage carrying is removed from the container.

This invention relates generally to flat storage and display boxes and, more particularly to an optical arrangement for providing enhanced viewing of textual, graphic, and/or other symbolically coded information located on the inside of flat, transparent storage and display boxes for compact discs, audio tapes or the like.
Compact discs, which were first developed by Phillips and Sony in the early 1980's, are now a well established form of medium for recording a variety of retrievable information. Their popularity and success stem from their compactness, convenience, competitive cost, and information storing capacity.
Such thin, flat, circular objects are stored in flat containers referred to as "jewel" boxes. Such boxes are generally made of durable, transparent plastic such as polycarbonate or styrene and have been designed to occupy a minimal amount of space consistent with their protective function. The current technique for informing CD users about the contents of recorded CD information is to provide the information in the form of a thin paper booklet or sheet that is visible through the flat, transparent panel of the jewel boxes front cover or base, or both. In addition, uses also made of the edge of the box for display information about the title and author or artist of the CD. Many forms of CD case artwork have been incorporated into CD cases. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,738,221 shows the display of a "pop-up" display within the case.
The limited exterior surface of the conventional CD box, limits the amount of information that can be seen through any one surface thus requiring relevant information to be distributed among available surfaces. This forces a respective buyer to flip through stacks of CDs while scanning the front covers in search of the identity of a particular CD, usually by title and/or artist, and may be of interest and then turning the box around to examine the rear surface for information about the detailed contents.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,850,913 entitled "Compliant Image Carrying Printed Insert", issued on Dec. 22, 1998 discloses the use of horizontally and vertically oriented lenticulated panels in combination with interlaced images to convey different views by physically manipulating the angle of observance of the box. The lenticulated panels are formed into the outer covers of the display box and focus on an interlaced image in the thin paper booklet or CD below.
While optical approaches have been used in the past for using parallax effects to increase the amount of visible information within a jewel box, these systems require the molding of complex shapes into the CD case as well as precise positioning of the paper or booklet insert.
As the artwork provided in CD cases becomes more sophisticated, collectors and appreciators of album cover artwork are need of a simple mechanism for display the artwork shown in the paper booklets or sheets. Hence, there is a need for a solution to the foregoing problems, and it is a primary object of this invention to provide a solution through the use of optical arrangements which enhance the viewing opportunities and amount of information that can be visually detected by a perspective CD owner.
In view of the known art, there continues to be a demonstrable need for more efficient ways to provide significantly improved visual access to flat containers and display boxes for the purpose of informing perspective users about the contents of the containers. Further, there continues to be a need for improved ways to improve the attractiveness and facilitate the display of the album cover artwork and therefore induced increased sales of these products. It is a primary objective of this invention to fulfill this need.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide flange or stand means within the jewel box for attachment to the CD artwork to provide an easy means for displaying the artwork.
Other benefits of the invention will be apparent and will appear hereinafter in the following detailed description when read with the appended drawings.

Compact disc holder with artwork display system