A decryption method of decrypting a plaintext m from a secret exponent d, a public key n, and a ciphertext c includes steps of converting the ciphertext c into a randomized ciphertext t, a step of converting the randomized ciphertext t into a randomized plaintext u, and steps of converting the randomized plaintext u into the plaintext m.

The present invention relates to security technologies, and more particularly to a data processing method using the modular exponentiation operation.
The RSA cryptosystem is the public-key cryptosystem proposed by Rivest, Shamir, and Adleman. The public-key cryptosystem includes information called "public key" which may be open to the general public, and secret information called "private key" which must be kept confidential. The public key is used for encryption of given data and verification of the signature. Meanwhile, the private key is used for decryption of the encrypted given data and generation of the signature.
In the RSA cryptosystem, the private key is defined as large prime numbers p and q and an integer d, while the public key is defined as integers n and e. Among these numerical values, relations:n=pq  (expression 1)ed=1 mod Phi(n)  (expression 2)hold. Here, Phi(n) denotes the Euler function for indicating the number of positive integers which are relatively prime to the integer n. In the case of n=pq, the Euler function is given byPhi(n)=(p−1)(q−1).  (expression 3)From the expression 1 and the expression 2, a relation satisfyingzed=z mod n  (expression 4)holds for an arbitrary integer z. Taking advantage of this property allows accomplishment of the encryption, the decryption, and the like. Namely, in the encryption and verification of the signature,xe mod n  (expression 5)is computed. Meanwhile, in the decryption and generation of the signature,yd mod n  (expression 6)is computed. Here, x and y are integers for indicating input data. This type of computation is referred to as "modular exponentiation operation".
In general, for enhancement of the processing speed, the value of e is set as being small compared with the integer n. The value normally used ise=65537(=216+1).  (expression 7)
Also, as a high-speed implementation technique for speeding up the RSA cryptosystem, the Chinese Remainder Theorem (hereinafter, referred to as "CRT") has been known. Meanwhile, proposals have been made concerning various types of public-key cryptosystems which are created by enhancing performance of the RSA cryptosystem. Their examples are multi-prime RSA, multi-exponent RSA, Rabin cryptosystem, HIME(R), and the like, which have been described in after-mentioned documents 4 to 7. The CRT is applicable to these public-key cryptosystems as well.
When the RSA cryptosystem or the like has been implemented as a cryptographic device, it is possible to observe such information as the computation time and power-consumption amount needed for the cryptographic processing, and accompanying electromagnetic waves. As a result, a proposal has been made regarding a method which, based on these pieces of information, allows revelation of the secret information such as the private key stored inside the cryptographic device. This method is referred to as "side-channel attack". The side-channel attack has been described in P. C. Kocher, J. Jaffe, and B. Jun, "Differential Power Analysis" in the proceedings of CRYPTO 1999, Lecture Notes in Computer Science 1666, Springer-Verlag, pp. 388-397, 1999 (hereinafter document 1).
The side-channel attack on the RSA cryptosystem using the CRT has been described in R. Novak, "SPA-Based Adaptive Chosen-Ciphertext Attack on RSA Implementation" in the proceedings of 2002 International Workshop on Practice and Theory in Public Key Cryptography (PKC2002), Lecture Notes in Computer Science 2274, Springer-Verlag, pp. 252-262, 2002 (hereinafter document 2). This attack, which is referred to as "Novak's attack", is expandable to the above-described public-key cryptosystems as well, i.e., the multi-prime RSA, the multi-exponent RSA, the Rabin cryptosystem, the HIME(R), and the like.
On the other hand, a technique for preventing the side-channel attack has been described in P. C. Kocher, "Timing Attacks on Implementations of Diffie-Hellman, RSA, DSS, and Other Systems" in the proceedings of CRYPTO 1996, Lecture Notes in Computer Science 1109, Springer-Verlag, pp. 104-113, 1996 (hereinafter document 3). The method in the document 3, however, uses the inverse operation that necessitates a tremendous computation amount. Because of this, this method necessitates a tremendous computation time, although it is capable of preventing the side-channel attack. Also, it is possible to compute the inverse operation and store the computed value into a memory in advance. In this case, however, a large amount of memory is used.

Computation method for modular exponentiation operation in decryption or signature generation


A method of operating a digital signal processor to detect DTMF tones in a digital voice telephone system in which the digitally encoded signals appearing on the telephone channel are decimated to compress the spectrum to be monitored for the appearance of call signalling tones. The signals received in a decimated block are "correlated" or convolved with one another on a forward and backward time-shifted basis and each forward and backward correlation product is summed to form the elements of a 5.times.5 modified covariance matrix. The modified covariance matrix exhibits the desirable property that its eigenvectors will be symmetric. Since all eigenvectors of the modified covariance matrix are orthogonal and the eigenvectors associated with the signal span the signal subspace, the signal subspace is orthogonal to the eigenvector associated with the noise. The dot product of the noise eigenvector with the signal subspace is set to zero. The roots of the resultant polynomial identify the frequencies of the DTMF tones, if in fact the same were present in the received signal. The noise and signal eigenvectors of the modified covariance matrix are more quickly and efficiently determined and advantageously, on a "real time" basis, by partitioning the modified covariance matrix into conjugate and anti-conjugate submatrices. The conjugate matrix is inverted and its eigenvalues determined, advantageously by applying the well-known power method. The largest eigenvalue of the inverted conjugate submatrix is related to the smallest eigenvalue of the original modified covariance matrix. When appropriate tones are being received this last-mentioned eigenvector should be the eigenvector associated with the noise. After determining the noise eigenvector the product of the signal space vector and the noise eigenvector is set to zero and the roots of the resultant polynomial are identified as the frequencies of the DTMF tones, advantageously through the use of a fast search technique.

In-band call signalling systems use the same channel for carrying speech and for carrying call signalling messages. In early telephony systems the call signalling messages, consisting of dial pulses, preceded the appearance of voice signals on the channel. Later, dual tone multifrequency signalling came into use. These DTMF signals consisted of pairs of sinusoids lying within the frequency range of ordinary speech. This was possible because the call signaling tones would normally be permitted on only a portion of the telephone channel, usually before the complete end-to-end talking path was established, and so there was little likelihood that any speech components would be present while the DTMF signals were being detected. In the United States, DTMF signalling usually employs one tone in the high frequency group 1209, 1336,1477 and 1633 Hz and one tone from the lower frequency group 697, 770, 852 and 941 Hz.
As telephony has progressed and as digital telephone systems have become more prevalent, it has become more common for both the speech and the call signalling information originating at a telephone set to be digitally encoded either at the telephone set or at a line concentrator serving a number of telephone sets. With both speech signals and DTMF signals being encoded at the same point, the subsequent digital bit stream looks no different when carrying voice, voice and signalling tones or only signalling tones. It has thus become important to be able to more definitely distinguish call signals from speech components. Moreover, it is now common for tone signalling to be employed even after the complete speech path has been set up for such enhanced applications as controlling voice mail disposition, banking by telephone, etc.
Many techniques are known for detecting sinusoids in general and DTMF signals in particular. One sophisticated arrangement, described in Oppenheim and Schafer, Digital Signal Processing, Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, N.J. 1975, employs a discrete Fourier transform known as Goertzel's algorithm to detect the presence of sinusoidal signals. Other approaches, discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,119,322 issued Jun. 2, 1992 propose to detect the DTMF tones by convolving the input signal with sampled values of a reference signal or by repetitively applying Goertzel's algorithm either at each of the DTMF frequencies or in coarse and fine mode. One implementation of Goertzel's algorithm employing digital signal processors is disclosed in an article entitled "Add DTMF Generation and Decoding to DSP-.mu.P Designs" published in Digital Signal Processing Applications with the TMS 320 Family, Texas Instruments, 1989, vol. 1, p. 454 et seq. Basic spectral estimation techniques are disclosed in Digital Spectral Analysis, Marple, S. L., Prentice Hall 1987, pp. 64. While the importance of digitally detecting DTMF tones quickly and accurately has thus been recognized, more efficient techniques are desirable in such advanced digital applications as ISDN.

Detection of multifrequency tone signals


The invention provides an information playback apparatus and method by which enjoyment of a DVD can be restricted with certainty. A disk ID of a DVD video whose enjoyment is to be restricted and a password are stored in a corresponding relationship to each other in a flash ROM. When the DVD video of the disk ID stored in the flash ROM is loaded, a controller permits playback of the DVD video only if the corresponding password is inputted.

This invention relates to an information playback apparatus and method as well as a recording medium, and more particularly to an information playback apparatus and method as well as a recording medium wherein, where a scene which is not preferable for children to see such as a scene of violence is recorded on a disk, the disk can be prevented from being played back.
A DVD (Digital Versatile Disk or Digital Video Disk) on which image information is recorded has been and is being popularized recently. The DVD sometimes has information regarding parental lock recorded thereon. If a parental level for the parental lock is set to the DVD, then only those who know a password set in advance can enjoy video information recorded on the DVD.
A conventional DVD player executes such a playback process as illustrated in a flow chart of FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 1, first in step S1, the DVD player reads out a parental level recorded on a disk (DVD) from the disk. The parental level is set in advance by a manufacturer of the DVD.
In step S2, the DVD player discriminates whether or not a parental level is read out. If a parental level is read out, then the processing advances to step S3, in which the DVD player reads out a parental level stored in the DVD player itself.
In step S4, the DVD player compares the parental level read out from the disk in step S1 and the parental level stored in the DVD player itself and read out in step S3 with each other to discriminate whether or not the parental level of the DVD player is severer than the parental level of the disk. If the parental level of the DVD player is severer than the parental level of the disk, then the processing advances to step S5, in which the DVD player causes a password inputting screen to be displayed. When the password inputting screen is displayed, a user will input a password to the DVD player. The password is usually known only to a parent who owns the DVD player but not known to a child. Accordingly, the parent can input the correct password, but the child cannot input the correct password.
In step S6, the DVD player waits until a password is inputted, and when a password is inputted, the processing advances to step S7, in which it is discriminated whether or not the inputted password is correct. If the inputted password is correct, then the processing advances to step S8, in which the DVD player plays back the disk in a normal manner. On the contrary if it is discriminated in step S7 that the inputted password is not correct, then the processing advances to step S9, in which the DVD player executes controlled or restricted playback.
In the normal playback process, for example, scenes B suitable for adults are played back and displayed next to a scene A as seen in FIG. 2, and then a further scene D is played back and displayed. On the other hand, in the controlled playback process, a scene C suitable for children is played back and displayed next to the scene A, and then the scene D is played back and displayed. Accordingly, a child who does not know the password cannot enjoy the scenes B which are suitable for adults.
If it is discriminated in step S4 that the parental level of the DVD player is not severer than the parental level of the disk, then the processing advances to step S8, in which a normal playback process is executed immediately. In particular, if the parent considers that its child may enjoy a disk which includes some violent scenes from the reason that the child is not too young or from some other reason, then the parent will set the parental level of the DVD player to a comparatively low value. In such an instance as just described, the disk can be played back in a normal manner.
Also when it is discriminated in step S2 that a parental level is not read out from the reason that the DVD disk has no parental level recorded thereon or from some other reason, the processing advances to step S8, in which normal playback of the DVD disk is performed.
In this manner, the conventional DVD player can inhibit a DVD disk from being played back normally by a child or the like who does not know a password if a parental level is set to the disk. However, the conventional DVD player is disadvantageous in that, where a parental level is not recorded on a DVD disk, the DVD player cannot restrict enjoyment of the DVD disk even where the DVD disk includes an image of a scene whose enjoyment by children is not desirable.
Similarly, the conventional DVD player is disadvantageous in that, even if a parental level is recorded on a DVD disk, if the set parental level of the DVD disk is comparatively indulgent and the DVD includes images whose enjoyment by children is not desirable, the DVD player cannot restrict enjoyment of the disk unless the parental level stored in the DVD player is changed to a severer level.

Information playback apparatus method and recording medium


A drive gear for a generally cylindrical imaging component. The drive gear includes a body for engaging the generally cylindrical imaging component; a cylindrical shaft attached to the body, the cylindrical shaft having an end surface; and three prongs extending longitudinally outward from the end surface.

The present invention generally relates to manufacturing, remanufacturing or repairing replaceable imaging components, and more particularly to apparatus and techniques for providing a drive gear for a drum or roller, such as an organic photo conductor (OPC) drum, for example, of a replaceable imaging cartridge adapted for holding marking material, such as toner.
In the imaging industry, there is a growing market for the remanufacture and refurbishing of various types of replaceable imaging cartridges such as toner cartridges, drum cartridges, inkjet cartridges, and the like. These imaging cartridges are used in imaging devices such as laser printers, xerographic copiers, inkjet printers, facsimile machines and the like, for example. Imaging cartridges, once spent, are unusable for their originally intended purpose. Without a refurbishing process these cartridges would simply be discarded, even though the cartridge itself may still have potential life. As a result, techniques have been developed specifically to address this issue. These processes may entail, for example, the disassembly of the various structures of the cartridge, replacing toner or ink, cleaning, adjusting or replacing any worn components and reassembling the imaging cartridge.
Laser printer toner cartridges are typically composed of two portions. One of these sections is the waste bin assembly which houses the OPC drum. The OPC may include a drive gear which engages with a printer drive member. During the remanufacturing of a laser printer toner cartridge, the OPC drum may need to be replaced due to the wear or damage of the OPC drum. The replacement OPC drum may include a replacement drive gear, or gear, attached to one end of the replacement OPC drum. The present invention provides for an improved replacement drive gear.

Systems and methods for remanufacturing imaging components


The present invention relates to spiroindolinone derivatives of the formula

p53 is a tumor suppresser protein that plays a central role in protection against development of cancer. It guards cellular integrity and prevents the propagation of permanently damaged clones of cells by the induction of growth arrest or apoptosis. At the molecular level, p53 is a transcription factor that can activate a panel of genes implicated in the regulation of cell cycle and apoptosis. p53 is a potent cell cycle inhibitor which is tightly regulated by MDM2 at the cellular level. MDM2 and p53 form a feedback control loop. MDM2 can bind p53 and inhibit its ability to transactivate p53-regulated genes. In addition, MDM2 mediates the ubiquitin-dependent degradation of p53. p53 can activate the expression of the MDM2 gene, thus raising the cellular level of MDM2 protein. This feedback control loop insures that both MDM2 and p53 are kept at a low level in normal proliferating cells. MDM2 is also a cofactor for E2F, which plays a central role in cell cycle regulation.
The ratio of MDM2 to p53 (E2F) is dysregulated in many cancers. Frequently occurring molecular defects in the p16INK4/p19ARF locus, for instance, have been shown to affect MDM2 protein degradation. Inhibition of MDM2-p53 interaction in tumor cells with wild-type p53 should lead to accumulation of p53, cell cycle arrest and/or apoptosis. MDM2 antagonists, therefore, can offer a novel approach to cancer therapy as single agents or in combination with a broad spectrum of other antitumor therapies. The feasibility of this strategy has been shown by the use of different macromolecular tools for inhibition of MDM2-p53 interaction (e.g. antibodies, antisense oligonucleotides, peptides). MDM2 also binds E2F through a conserved binding region as p53 and activates E2F-dependent transcription of cyclin A, suggesting that MDM2 antagonists might have effects in p53 mutant cells.
A series of spiroindolinone as antagonists of MDM2 has previously been disclosed in J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2005, 127, 10130.
The present invention provides spiroindolinone derivatives which are small molecule inhibitors of the MDM2-p53 interaction. In cell-free and cell-based assays, compounds of the present invention are shown to inhibit the interaction of MDM2 protein with a p53-like peptide. In cell-based assays, these compounds demonstrate mechanistic activity. Incubation of cancer cells with wild-type p53 leads to accumulation of p53 protein, induction of p53-regulated p21 gene, and cell cycle arrest in G1 and G2 phase, resulting in potent antiproliferative activity against wild-type p53 cells in vitro. In contrast, these activities were not observed in cancer cells with mutant p53 at comparable compound concentrations. Therefore, the activity of MDM2 antagonists is likely linked to its mechanism of action. These compounds can be potent and selective anticancer agents.

Abstract: and their enantiomers and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters thereof wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 and R8, are as herein described.

Abstract: The compounds have utility as antiproliferative agents, especially, as anticancer agents.


A robot cleaning system for mopping floors is disclosed. The mopping assembly includes a reservoir with a dispenser for outputting fluid to a cleaning cloth. The rate at which fluid is dispensed is regulated with an air inlet in contact with the cleaning cloth. When the cloth is dry, more fluid is dispensed. When the cloth is damp, less fluid is dispensed. The dispenser in the exemplary embodiment also includes a wick configured to conduct the cleaning fluid directly to the cleaning cloth.

There are a variety of robots programmed to clean and mop floors. These robots may traverse a room in a random or pseudo-random manner pre-programmed in the robot navigation system. A pump on the robot is used to squirt cleaning agent or other fluid on the floor as the robot traverses the space. The pump is powered using a battery that is carried onboard the robot and recharged when not in use at a docking station, for example. Wires running to the battery provide power to the pump. Depending on the configuration of the robot, the electrical wiring may further include plugs to remove the pump along with a cleaning attachment. As such, use a pump adds to the complexity, weight, and power consumption of the robot without adding to its reliability. There is therefore a need for a mechanism to passively dispense cleaning fluid in a controlled manner without an electronically controlled pump.


Methods and apparatus for ray tracing, and methods and apparatus for generating acceleration structure or traversing acceleration structure are provided. A method of generating an acceleration structure includes assigning objects into bounding boxes, generating an acceleration structure comprising nodes and indicating inclusion relationships between the bounding boxes, and marking overlapping nodes among the nodes.

1. Field
The following description relates to methods and apparatus of image rendering and to methods and apparatus of generating and traversing an acceleration structure.
2. Description of Related Art
Three-dimensional (3D) rendering refers to an image processing technique for extracting an image viewed from a given viewpoint of a camera from 3D object data. Ray tracing refers to a process of tracing a point where scene objects to be rendered and a ray intersect to render an image. A ray tracing method involves tracing a path of light incident along a ray passing through each pixel of an image from a view point of a camera to generate the image from 3D object data. Since physical characteristics of light, such as reflection, refraction, and transmission, may be reflected in a rendering result by using the ray tracing method, high quality images may be obtained. Accordingly, ray tracing technique is widely used in 3D rendering fields such as a movie production or an animation production in which realistic scenes are rendered.
With regard to the ray tracing method, an image is rendered by repeating a process of finding an intersection at which an object intersects with a ray and tracing a ray that is reflected or refracted from the intersection. Ray tracing includes traversal of an acceleration structure and an intersection test between a ray and a primitive. Performing the traversal and the intersection test requires a large amount of computation and a broad memory bandwidth.

Method and apparatus for generating and traversing acceleration structure


A backup power supply apparatus. The apparatus includes a light absorbing device which consists of at least one light absorbing element. The light absorbing elements are pivotally engaged with each other and are foldable for being housed inside a casing for portability. The light absorbing elements may be unfolded to absorb light from a light source to generate electric power output required by a load.

The present invention relates to a backup power supply apparatus and particularly an apparatus for absorbing light from a light source and generating electric power output required by a load.
Electric devices (or loads) such as notebook computers, handheld computers, camcorders, digital cameras, Global Positioning Systems, walkmans, Compact Disc (CD) players, Mini-Disc players (MDs) when used indoors, in order to save electric power of batteries or charged batteries, users usually utilize transformers or voltage converters connected to the electric devices to plug in conventional outlet power of 110V/220V AC, to convert to DC power to supply electric power to the electric devices. When the electric devices are used outdoors and no conventional outlet power is available, then the charged batteries contained in the electric devices will provide the needed electric power.
However, portable electric devices have a common problem, i.e. when used outdoors, the charged batteries quickly run out of electric power, since no power from a conventional outlet is available to plug the transformers or voltage converters, or replacement batteries are not available. As a result, the electric devices could become useless and cause a lot of inconveniences.
The primary object of the invention is to resolve the foregoing disadvantages. The invention utilizes a light source absorbing device to absorb a light source for immediately generating electric power to supply the load.
Another object of the invention is to provide a foldable, small in size and light in weight backup power supply apparatus for outdoor use.
A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus that does not harm the environment or cause recycling problems.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus that can supply electric power to a load in the event of disasters to allow users to emit rescue signals through the load for seeking help.
In order to achieve aforesaid objects, the backup power supply apparatus of the invention includes a light absorbing device and a casing for housing the light absorbing device. The light absorbing device can absorb light and generate electric power output which may run through a charge circuit, a charge battery and a voltage conversion circuit to generate required electric power to supply the load.


An ergonomic grip for strength conditioning has a grip body composed of three adjoined, progressively larger oblate spheroids. The major and minor diameters of the spheroids and their spacings combine to form invected surfaces at the junctions of first and second and second and third spheroids. These invected surfaces admit curved fingers of a grasping hand to provide a secure grip while eliminating a common problem of the little finger (4th finger) of the hand being crushed or discomforted. A central shaft passes through the grip body and includes an attachment affordance at one protruding end, and is coupled to a washer at the other end. A central cavity in the grip body allows the spheroids to compliantly conform to the inner concavities of an individual user's palm for increased comfort and positive grip. They eyebolt may also swivel to align itself to a connected cable during use.

People who exercise for health and strength use a wide variety of equipment, and many popular machines offer a rope, a cord, a wire rope, a cable, a chain, or other flexible material or substantially linear assembly of linked components hereafter referred to as a "cable." Cables for exercise machines are commonly terminated with an eyelet, a swaged eye, a ring, a clevis, or other point of attachment.
People who want to exercise and condition their arms, upper body, and upper back may want to exercise against large forces, but they are often limited by the grip strength required for their hands to pass the larger forces in the cable along through their forearms and onto these larger muscle groups. Many people who try overall muscle conditioning regimens are discouraged by discomfort of the gripping tasks required of current and inferior products, and may give up before experiencing the pleasure and other benefits of a healthier and better conditioned body. Also, many other cable attachments tend to place a user's wrists and shoulders in an unnatural position which causes stress in those joints.


An optical-strength element, elongated in a direction transverse to the radiation beam at the location where the beam impinges on the element, directs the portion of the beam entering the objective system in a direction parallel to the entry axis of the objective system. A scanning element causes the radiation beam to scan along the length of the element as the objective system is moved along its stroke, thereby moving the focussed spot of the beam along the surface to be optically scanned.

The invention relates to a device for optically scanning a surface, which device comprises a radiation source for supplying a radiation beam, an objective lens mounted in an objective system for focusing the radiation beam on the surface and drive means for displacing the objective system over a long stroke crossing a multiplicity of scan-resolvable locations.
A device of this type is suitable, inter alia for reading disc-shaped optical record carriers in which the information is arranged in concentrical or spiral tracks. A single track on the record carrier can be scanned by rotating the record carrier. To scan other tracks, the objective lens must be moved radially across the tracks. For a short access time to the stored information, it must be possible to move the objective lens rapidly across the tracks.
A device as described in the opening paragraph is known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,363,116. In this known device the objective lens is secured in a carriage which can be displaced over a given stroke in the radial direction with respect to an optical record carrier to be scanned. The carriage is provided with a focus actuator for moving the objective lens in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the record carrier in order to keep the radiation beam focused in the plane of the tracks. The carriage is driven by a carriage actuator with which the carriage and hence the objective lens can be moved radially with respect to the record carrier. The carriage is also provided with an adjustable element in the form of a pivotal mirror for radially moving the focal spot in order to track small radial excursions of the track to be scanned, which excursions are too fast to be tracked by the carriage actuator. A non-movable part of the device includes an optical system accommodating a radiation source and a detection unit. The optical system supplies a collimated radiation beam which is passed to the carriage in the radial direction parallel to the plane of the record carrier. The pivotal mirror in the carriage, at a nominal angle of 45 .degree. to the radiation beam, deflects the radiation beam upwards to the objective lens. The mirror always receives the radiation beam, irrespective of the position of the carriage in said stroke.
A drawback of the known device is the relatively large mass of the carriage. Consequently, it is not possible to move the focal spot rapidly to an arbitrary radial position on the record carrier, in other words to realise a short access time to the information.

Rapid access optical scanner having a long optical element


The present invention relates to recombinant mussel adhesive protein wherein a DOPA residue is in vivo incorporated instead of a tyrosine residue, and a method for producing the same. More specifically, the present invention relates to recombinant mussel adhesive protein wherein a DOPA residue is incorporated instead of a tyrosine residue, and a method for producing the same, and a transformant for producing the recombinant mussel adhesive protein.

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for incorporating 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl-L-alanine (DOPA) into mussel adhesive protein, more particularly, to a method for producing DOPA-incorporated mussel adhesive protein comprising the steps of transforming tyrosine auxotroph so as to express mussel adhesive protein, and culturing the transformant in a DOPA-containing medium to express mussel adhesive protein.
(b) Description of the Related Art
Mussels, one of marine organisms, have been studied as a potential source of water-resistant bioadhesives as they produce and secrete specialized water-resistant adhesive protein, adhere tightly to solid surfaces such as rock underwater and are not influenced by wave impact or buoyancy of seawater. They adhere tightly to surfaces underwater using byssus secreted from the foot. At the end of each thread is an adhesive plaque containing water-resistant glue that enables the plaque to anchor to wet solid surfaces. Mussel adhesive proteins are known as a strong natural adhesive, and they exhibit about two times higher tensile strength than epoxy resin while having flexibility, compared to chemically synthesized adhesive. Mussel adhesive proteins can adhere to various surfaces such as plastics, glass, metal, Teflon and biomaterials, and the like, and they can be applied in medical fields such as adhesion of biotissues at surgery or adhesion of broken tooth, and the like, as they are non-toxic to human body and do not cause immune response. And, they are environmentally friendly as they are biodegradable.
Mussel adhesive proteins consist of 6 kinds of proteins, fp(foot protein)-1 to fp-6. Most of them contain high content of DOPA(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl-L-alanine) that is derived in the hydroxylation process of tyrosine residues, and in fp-3 and fp-5 adjacent to the adhesion side, DOPA residue content are confirmed to be highest. To the contrary, DOPA residue-deficient mussel adhesive protein analogues are known to have significantly reduced adhesion, and thus, it is assumed that DOPA performs a main function for adhesion to surfaces. And, DOPA residues are converted into DOPA o-quinone through an oxidation process, and the DOPA o-quinone causes cross-linking between adhesion proteins, thereby functioning for achieving strong adhesion and keeping adhesive proteins from being dissolved even underwater. Thus, DOPA residue content of mussel adhesive protein is closely related to adhesion property.
Currently, to obtain 1 g of naturally extracted adhesive material from mussels, about 10,000 mussels are required. Thus, despite mussel adhesive proteins have excellent properties, there are many limitations in the industrial use of naturally extracted mussel adhesive proteins. Particularly, fp-5 is expected to be applied as a strong surface adhesive as it exhibits highest DOPA content of 25 mol %, however, it is substantially impossible to obtain the amount for commercialization through extraction. Alternatively, studies on mass production of mussel adhesive proteins using gene recombination technology have been conducted, and it has been confirmed that mussel adhesive protein fp-5 containing 6×-Histidine can be mass-produced in E. coli, and can be separated and purified through Ni-NTA (Biofouling Vol. 27, No. 7, August 2011, 729-737 "Recombinant mussel adhesive protein fp-5 (MAP fp-5) as a bulk bioadhesive and surface coating material").
However, since a post-translational modification mechanism does not exist in E. coli, recombinant mussel adhesive proteins mass-produced in E. coli have unmodified amino acid residues unlike naturally extracted mussel adhesive proteins. Thus, mussel adhesive proteins produced in E. coli are subjected to separate enzymatic and chemical treatments so as to modify tyrosine with DOPA. For example, tyrosinase is known to be a representative enzyme for in vitro modification of tyrosine to DOPA or DOPA o-quinone, and tyrosine residues of mussel adhesive proteins produced in E. coli are in vitro modified to DOPA using tyrosinase. However, since this method requires additional reaction, involves high enzyme cost, and exhibits low modification degree, the industrial application is limited in terms of efficiency and economical feasibility.
Accordingly, there is a demand for development of technology for incorporating DOPA into mussel adhesive protein.

Method for in vivo residue-specific DOPA incorporation into mussel adhesive proteins


A toolless hot-swappable storage module system includes a base plate for mounting within a computer enclosure and a toolless hot-swappable storage module. The storage module includes a sled that is removably coupled to the base plate. The storage module further includes a printed circuit board (PCB) that is disposed on the sled. The PCB includes a plurality of storage media connectors, a PCB signal and power connectors. The storage module also includes a support frame disposed on the PCB. The support frame includes a plurality of support members that are disposed perpendicular to the PCB. Each support member has a first edge and a second edge and includes a plurality of dividers disposed in parallel rows. The support frame also includes a sidewall that is disposed across the first edge of the support members.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to housing data storage media. More specifically, the present invention relates to a modular storage system with storage modules that are both toolless and hot-swappable.
2. Description of the Related Art
Previously attempted storage systems have attempted to store media in storage modules, but they lack a number of desirable attributes. Previously attempted storage modules are plagued by single points of failure that can cause an entire data storage system to fail and require servicing. Specifically, sometimes a printed circuit board (PCB) failure may cause every storage media connected to it on the PCB to stop functioning. In such cases, the PCB must be serviced quickly and efficiently to get the storage media back up and running.
Storage modules are typically fixed within data storage system enclosures by fastening hardware such as screws or pins. With previously attempted storage modules solutions, the only way to service a PCB issue is to shut down the entire data storage system and use a tool to painstakingly remove each of the many fasteners. Doing so commonly requires at least thirty minutes of manual labor, during which time every storage medium in the storage module must remain out of commission.
Additionally, because the entire data storage system must be shut down, every other storage medium in the greater data storage system must be temporarily shut down as well, even if they are located on an entirely different PCB or in an entirely different storage module. Some data storage systems power and communicate with over seventy storage media at one time. As a result, when a user must shut down an entire enclosure, dozens of data storage customers may be adversely affected in a single instance. Having to shut down an entire data storage system due to a single PCB failure is an extremely costly and time consuming side effect associated with previously attempted storage module solutions.
Previously attempted storage module solutions also lack the ability to be transported and shipped easily and efficiently. Because data storage systems commonly house over seventy storage media at once, they are extremely heavy. Some systems weigh over two hundred pounds and, under OSHA regulations, can only be lifted and transported using a forklift. Data storage systems are also cumbersome and expensive to ship due to their weight. When using previously attempted storage module systems, this excessive weight has to be reduced prior to shipping; namely, a user must manually remove the storage media individually, a task that requires extensive time and manual labor—particularly in systems containing over seventy such media. Allowing the multiple storage media to be removed easily in a storage module also allows the modules to be easily removed and securely stored for security purposes if required
When the storage media are ready to be plugged back in, previously attempted storage module solutions enhance the risk that every medium will need to be reconfigured whenever redundant array of independent disks (RAID) sets have been configured across media. For example, if a medium is re-inserted into the PCB in the wrong location and the system is powered up, the RAID sets will need to be reconfigured. Potentially having to reconfigure RAID sets across numerous storage media after shipping a data storage system is an extremely time consuming and generally disadvantageous feature of previously attempted storage module solutions.
Lastly, most data storage units are designed such that the storage media may only be accessed by removing the storage media through the front of the unit. Such units only give users access to one layer of storage.
In short, there is a need in the art for a storage module system that gives users better access to storage media and allows them to quickly and efficiently remove storage media and their corresponding PCBs for service and shipping or security purposes.


An overriding drive for an overriding steering system, wherein a steering angle inputted by the driver can be overridden by another angle by a control according to correcting variables and the transmission ratio can be modified, and which is characterized in that the overriding drive is locked electromechanically in dependence on further correcting variables representative of an operating state of the vehicle.

Up-to-date motor vehicles, in particular passenger vehicles, are generally equipped with hydraulic or electrohydraulic servo steering systems, wherein a steering wheel is forcibly coupled mechanically to the steerable vehicle wheels. The power assistance is so configured that actuators, e.g. hydraulic cylinders, are arranged in the mid-area of the steering mechanism. A force generated by means of the actuators assists the actuation of the steering mechanism in response to the rotation of the steering wheel. This arrangement reduces the force the driver has to exert during the steering maneuver.
Overriding steering systems are disclosed in DE 101 59 800 A1 and DE 101 59 700 A1, the contents of which are part of the application and on which the application is based. Said overriding steering systems are characterized in that it is possible for an actuator to superimpose another angle, if required, on the steering angle inputted by the driver. The additional angle is defined by a controller and used to enhance the stability and agility of the vehicle. It is also feasible to compensate disturbances and to realize the gradient wheel steering angle by way of the steering wheel angle as a function of the driving speed of the vehicle. Hydraulic or electric actuators are used.

Differential drive for a superimposed steering system


There is disclosed a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device comprising a semiconductor chip having a connection portion and a wiring circuit board having a connection portion, the respective connection portions being electrically connected to each other, or a semiconductor device comprising a plurality of semiconductor chips having connection portions, the respective connection portions being electrically connected to each other. The connection portions consist of metal. The above described method comprises: (a) a first step of press-bonding the semiconductor chip and the wiring circuit board or the semiconductor chips to each other so that the respective connection portions are in contact with each other with a semiconductor adhesive interposed therebetween, at a temperature lower than a melting point of the metal of the connection portion, to obtain a temporarily connected body; (b) a second step of sealing at least a part of the temporarily connected body with a sealing resin to obtain a sealed temporarily connected body; and (c) a third step of heating the sealed temporarily connected body at a temperature equal to or higher than the melting point of the metal of the connection portion, to obtain a sealed connected body.

Heretofore, in order to connect a semiconductor chip with a substrate, a wire bonding method using a thin metal wire such as a gold wire has been widely applied. However, in order to meet the requirements of a high function, high integration, a high speed and the like for semiconductor devices, a flip-chip connection method (FC connection method) is getting widespread which forms an electro-conductive protrusion called a bump on a semiconductor chip or a substrate, and directly connects the semiconductor chip with the substrate.
As for the FC connection method, a method of metal bonding using solder, tin, gold, silver, copper or the like, a method of metal bonding by applying ultrasonic vibration, a method of retaining mechanical contact by a shrinking force of the resin are known, but from the viewpoint of the reliability of the connection portion, the method of metal bonding using solder, tin, gold, silver, copper or the like is common.
For example, in the connection between the semiconductor chip and the substrate, a COB (Chip On Board) type connection method is also an FC connection method, which is actively used for BGA (Ball Grid Array), CSP (Chip Size Package) and the like.
The FC connection method is widely used also in a COC (Chip On Chip) type connection method of forming a bump or wiring on a semiconductor chip and connecting the semiconductor chips to each other.

Method for manufacturing semiconductor device


A system for collecting, storing and forwarding account approval information to hosts and terminals performing transactions between each other, enabling an accountholder to authorize withdrawals and charges to his account by someone other than the accountholder which comprises an input terminal in which a source accountholder provides data indicating a source account at an institution from which funds will be paid, a cap value on the amount of the funds to be made available, authorization, and a secret code, all of which are transmitted to a trigger server which stores account information, authorization and secret code; and a requesting terminal at which the first person to enter the secret code is provided the source account approval information for a request for funds up to the cap limit to the institution in which the previously provided source account is maintained.

With the advent of globalization and now overwhelmingly by the arrival of the Internet, institutions and individuals face new challenges and seek new methods for facilitating financial transactions between parties domestically and internationally. The credit and debit card network has been the subject of prior art related to electronic money transfers using ATM machines, point of sale and other terminals. They provide solutions for performing funds transfer between a source account maintained by an institution affiliated with a network and individuals or entities with access to collection terminals on the network.
Tannenbaum, U.S. Pat. No. 5,326,960 (Jul. 5, 1994) and Brody et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,350,906 (Sep. 27, 1994) describe the use of the ATM bank network to provide money transfers via fixed limit ATM cards. They describe a system where senders using temporary ATM cards and secret codes, transfer funds to a "master account" on a centralized computer, to which the beneficiary has access by using another temporary collecting card and the matching secret code previously assigned to the funds by the sender.
The system is an evolution over traditional money transfer methods used by specialized money transfer institutions like Western Union and MoneyGram. Terminals on the ATM bank network provide a 24 hours/day×7 days/week collection point for the beneficiary to pick-up the funds instead of having to rely on pick-up offices, clerks and business hours.
Marcous et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,650,604, (Jul. 22, 1997) describe a cardless electronic money transfer method, based on ATM machines and on a secret code. It discloses a system where first, a customer, using an ATM, presents a request to the institution providing the money transfer, to withdraw a specific amount of funds from his account so that funds can be available to the one who first presents the secret code assigned to the funds. The second part of the transaction occurs when another individual requests the assigned funds, from the same or other ATM machine presenting only the secret code. The institution C providing the money transfer service will then disburse the code's value to the first presenter of the fund's secret code.
The system is similar to the one from Tannenbaum and Brody suppressing the use of temporary ATM cards and based exclusively on a secret code given to the sender by the input terminal at the purchase of the service. It also uses the same two-step processes where first, a sender using an ATM machine provides funds to be assigned to a secret code, and second, the money is disbursed to the one who first presents the matching secret code assigned to the funds.
Doggett et al, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,677,955 (Oct. 14, 1997) describe an electronic money transfer instrument suitable to institutions effecting a transfer of funds from an account of a payer in a funds-holding institution to a payee. The system can be portrayed as an electronic substitute for a check used to transfer funds from a source account at a financial institution to a beneficiary.
Simon, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,768,385 (Jun. 16, 1998) attempts to eliminate the plastic card, basing his electronic transaction model solely on a secret code. His system provides a standard protocol for financial institutions to create electronic "coins" and allow them to be exchanged between several banks all committed to disburse the value of a coin to the first presenter of the coin's secret code. It describes the use of one-way functions, encryption and mathematical algorithms so that only the possessor of the secret code could have access to a coin's funds. It is a broad expansion of the previous art assuming a mathematical and cryptographic model where electronic "coins" are exchanged among several banks, all committed to disburse a coin's value to the first presenter of the coin's electronic secret code.
Downing, et al, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,963,647 (Oct. 5, 1999) also rely on a secret code for their money transfer method. The system is another implementation of the coin-based money transfer model where funds are not collected from the source account until the second step of the transaction when a request is issued by the beneficiary at a collection terminal. The institution C providing the money transfer will only then collect the requested amount of funds from the source account institution B and disburse it to the beneficiary requesting the transaction on a collection terminal A. The method also describes the implications of international settlements, compliance regulations and exchange rate conversions.
Current systems and methods described in the prior art, though, present a similar problem related to their efficiency, complexity and liability. Institutions providing money transfers—either through the traditional method, with full disclosure of the target beneficiary by the sender or through the electronic coin method, recognizing the beneficiary through a secret code—are responsible for the collection and delivery of the funds. Funds collected from the source account institution are given to either the specified target beneficiary provided by the sender or to the first presenter of the coin's electronic secret code. The institution that provides the money transfer service C is assumed by the prior art to be responsible for settlement with both institutions involved in the transaction, collecting the funds from the institution where the source account is maintained B and delivering it to the institution that maintains the collection terminal A. Funds are collected either at the first step when the service is established and the target beneficiary or secret code is assigned or at the second step when funds are requested by the collection terminal and delivered to the ultimate beneficiary. When providing money transfers through any of the previous methods, institutions require connectivity and settlement capabilities with both the source account institution B and the institution that maintains the requesting terminal A.
As a result of the dual-entry system (accounting credits and debits) and its money accountancy implications, the process of collecting and disbursing funds creates a lock on institution's liability and cash flow requirements, growing it proportionally with increasing volume of transactions and the corresponding receivable-payable contract commitment dates (settlements). The problem derives from the fact that institutions cannot guarantee delivery of funds they do not possess and that is why commitments are previously established for their collection with the institution that maintains the source account B prior to guaranteeing its subsequent availability to the collection terminal A.
The electronic coin model as well as the traditional money transfer model used by banks and other specialized money transfer institutions like Western Union and MoneyGram presents a further problem related to the legal burdens of said institutions. In order to provide money transfers, the institutions have to collect, store and disburse someone else's funds. Consequently, they are required to be financial institutions regulated by banking departments. That implication exposes companies to the extensive regulatory complexities applied to institutions capable of holding and disbursing other people's money.
Institutions are also required to have sufficient cash flow in order to pay for transactions for which money has not yet been received from the source account institution B since commitments for the delivery of the funds to the collection terminal A happen prior to the settlement for the transfer of the funds between the institution that maintains the source account B and the institution that temporarily holds the funds C. Institutions C providing money transfers through present methods are required to perform two financial transactions, first collecting the money from the institution B where the source account is maintained and then transferring it to the institution A maintainer of the requesting terminal (ATM, POS, etc. . . . ).
Such unavoidable cash flow and liability burdens derived from the dual-transaction process (collection and disbursement) are impacts that money transfer service provider institutions C will face under the methods of Tannenbaum, Brody et al, Marcous et al, Doggett et al, Simon and Downing, et al. That impact is likely to produce higher operational costs and higher service prices to the final consumer. In contrast, the system of the invention relies on a direct financial transaction scheme that not only provides more flexibility, but also eliminates unnecessary liabilities and limitations derived from the previous methods.
The introduction of a third company, the service provider company C to serve as a temporary storage for the funds and to which funds are to be transferred to, and from which then transferred or disbursed; elevates the complexity of the money transfer model leading to additional overheads and diminishing its effectiveness. The system and method of the invention allows the trigger server D to provide other hosts and terminals, accounts and account approvals, triggering transaction requests between terminals and hosts, and not participate in the transaction itself or in any settlement related to the transfer of the funds.
In current systems and methods, institutions are required to establish connections to both other institutions involved in the transaction. Said money transfer institutions C are portrayed by previous methods as responsible for conducting and controlling the transfer of the funds; arranging for the collection of the funds from the source account provided and for its subsequent transfer to the terminal requesting the transaction. Institutions C performing money transfer through said methods require settlement capabilities with both institutions involved in the transaction. The institution that provides the money transfer service C is ultimately the one responsible for approving and delivering funds to the institution maintainer of the collection terminal A on all previous money transfer methods.
The specifics of the method by which the trigger server provides hosts and terminals with the source account component of a transaction, as well as possible response interactions between terminals and hosts and the trigger system will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the description which follows.

Electronic withdrawal authorization store and forward for cash and credit accounts


A belly hook attachment is provided. The belly hook attachment has a first support arm, a second support arm spaced from the first arm, the first support arm and second support arm receiving first, second and third pins. A belly hook support arm is carried by the first pin and pivotable about the first pin. A belly hook is carried by the belly hook support arm. A translational member is also carried by the belly hook support arm and is engagable with a track on a conveyor assembly such that the interaction between the track and the translational member results in pivotal movement of the belly hook support arm about the pin between the second pin forming an upper stop and third pin forming a lower stop, thereby moving the belly hook. A modular conveyor belt is also provided.

It is known to use conveyor systems including conveyor belts in many industries to transport product. Conveyor belts and systems in the food industry must be cleaned continuously and effectively to keep the belts and systems sanitary. Modular plastic belts or chains are frequently used in the food industry as they are cleanable.
Unfortunately, current hook devices used to secure product, such as meat or other food product, on a conveyor belt are not efficient for use with a modular conveyor belt. Current belly hook assemblies include belly hooks which engage the meat product from above the conveyor or more specifically from above the conveyor belt. A belly hook which is engaged with the product from above causes obstacles for an operator who must cut the meat product, or to machinery through which the meat product must pass. Moreover, these hook assemblies are often difficult to clean, leading to problems maintaining a sanitary conveyor system. Furthermore, current belly hook systems are prone to bind or jam, are heavy, and are generally cumbersome to install and use. Current hook assemblies also carry a high maintenance cost.
Accordingly, what is needed in the art is belly hook assembly which is easy to install, use, and maintain in a sanitary condition with a modular conveyor belt.

Industrial Design Fabrication & Installation, Inc.


A hydraulic system for a vehicle adapted for operating a plurality of reel mower cutting units and for driving at least one vehicle component such as drive wheels or power steering. The vehicle carries an engine near the front of the vehicle which generates heat. The system includes a fluid reservoir located remote from the engine and near the rear of the vehicle. An input line is coupled with the reservoir, and a first pump is operatively coupled with the input line. A first motor receives fluid from the first pump for driving a reel mower, and a branched line having first and second branches receives fluid from the first motor. The first branch is a first return line extending to the reservoir. A second pump having a lower capacity than the first pump is operatively coupled with the second branch, and a second motor receives fluid from the second pump for driving the vehicle component. A second return line receives fluid from the second motor and is coupled with the input line for allowing fluid from the second motor to flow to the first pump without first flowing to the reservoir.

This invention relates to hydraulic systems for vehicles having reel mower cutting units.
Reel mowers are typically used to mow grass in well groomed areas such as golf courses. Some vehicles which are adapted for operating reel mowers include a hydraulic system which powers the reel mowers and also the vehicle's drive wheels. These hydraulic systems typically include a fluid reservoir which stores and recirculates hydraulic fluid. The reservoir can generally cool the fluid stored therein and thereby maintain fluid in the system at sufficiently low temperatures during operation.
One type of conventional reel mower vehicle includes reel mower cutting units located at the front of the vehicle, which allows the cutting units to mow grass before the vehicle wheels trample or compress the grass. A hydraulic gear pump is positioned near the front portion of the vehicle for powering the cutting units. A charge pump, hydraulic pump and hydrostatic system are also carried near the front portion of the vehicle for powering the vehicle's ground engaging drive wheels. Fluid within the hydraulic system becomes heated under operational loads. Also, many of the hydraulic components and lines are positioned within or relatively close to the warm engine compartment located near the front portion of the vehicle, which further heats the hydraulic fluid flowing in the system. Once the hydraulic fluid has passed through the pumps and other hydraulic componentry it is routed back to the reservoir via a common return line. Conventional hydraulic systems typically position the reservoir near the front portion of the vehicle, and relatively close to or within the engine compartment in order to make the vehicle relatively compact. The reservoir's close proximity to the warm engine can generally hinder the fluid within the reservoir from cooling. A hydraulic fluid cooler may therefore be necessary, adding further expense to the vehicle.
The gear pump which operates the reel mowers, and the hydrostatic pump which operates the drive wheels have different operating flow rates or capacities, and operate different vehicle components. The two pumps and their respective motors therefore generally act as separate systems. Many conventional systems connect the two pumps in parallel such that the two pumps draw fluid from the reservoir via a common input line. The parallel configuration of the two pumps allows each pump to draw the proper amount of fluid it requires from the reservoir via the common input line even though the pumps draw in fluid at different rates. Since the input line supplies both pumps with fluid, a relatively large amount of fluid must be drawn in from the reservoir through the input line.
Cavitation is a phenomenon which can occur when the pressure head in a hydraulic system is insufficient and the fluid is allowed to reach its vapor pressure. The combination of a long suction line and a pump with a marginal inlet vacuum is an ideal environment for cavitation to occur. When the hydraulic fluid is relatively cold, the fluid viscocity increases, making it more difficult for a pump to draw in fluid. Cavitation causes fluid to vaporize into vapor cavities which are carried with the flowing liquid. As cavities encounter a region of high pressure, they may collapse as the vapor condenses. This collapse is accompanied by intense pressures caused by fluid rushing in to fill the cavity where its momentum is converted into pressure from the impact of the walls of the cavity as they meet. Any boundry or wall containing the fluid in the vacinity of the collapse will be subjected to repeated and intense localized pressures, which may cause damage to components, pumps or fluid lines. Conventional reel mower hydraulic systems generally do not experience many pump cavitation problems. Most conventional reel mower hydraulic systems are relatively compact, and therefore do not include long hydraulic lines which would significantly contribute to problems of cavitation.
It would be desirable to provide a hydraulic system which operates a plurality of components such as reel mower cutting units and vehicle drive wheels, and which generally cools the hydraulic fluid in a reservoir while hindering or preventing the occurance of pump cavitation, even when operating at relatively low ambient temperatures.

Hydraulic system for reel mower vehicles


A unique packet format is disclosed including a unique transport word, i.e, header, and a number M of relatively short-fixed length information words. The transport word includes a packet size field indicating the number M of information words in the packet and a field indicating the number of bytes of information in the last word of the packet. Additionally, the transport word includes a field which indicates whether the number M of information words in the packet is greater than zero. If the number of information words is not greater than zero, any user information being transported is in a predetermined field in the transport word. In one example, the size field in the transport word is used to transport the user information when the number of information words is indicated as being zero.

Prior known packet transmission systems and/or switching systems used packets including either a totally variable length information field wherein the packets were delimited by flags or a fixed length information field including a relatively large number of bits or bytes. The arrangements using flags to delimit the packets and, hence, the length of the packet information field require bit stuffing so that the information does not emulate the flags. Such systems are difficult, if not presently impossible, to implement for high bit rate transmission systems and/or switching systems. Indeed, any possible implementation would be extremely expensive and, therefore, undesirable from an economic standpoint.
Prior arrangements using the fixed length packets are undesirable because the entire packet must be transmitted whether or not only one bit or byte of information is being transmitted. Consequently, such systems are very inefficient and costly.

Multi-length packet format including fixed length information words


The present invention relates to a single post module which provides all the connections needed to make a fence. This module can be assembled, by unskilled persons, with other like modules to form fence posts by end-to-end assembly and connection. Each module in a post has a connector to which hollow fence rails or panel sleeves may be attached. Fence panels thus formed have a post at each end. Each module in every post has projecting hinge fins which, when overlapped with the fins of modules in similar posts, permits joining of up to four posts and their fence panels by making a pin connection at the common axis through the holes in the hinge fins at that location. This permits construction of a fence which can branch into as many as three new fences at any location. Further, because the fence comprises independent panels connected by pin connections, any panel or pair of adjacent fence panels can be converted into a gate by removal of a pin connector at any number of desired locations along any portion of the fence. The fence may be permanently or temporarily installed depending on how the pin connector is installed: the fence may be freestanding, straight or polygonal in layout, or anchored by pin connectors in set into a footing or driven into the earth.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to fences, especially those to be used for visual barriers, for decorative effect, for animal containment, for light-duty crowd control, and for a variety of other functions where this contemporary and abstracted equivalent of a split-rail fence might be used. This invention is a condensation and simplification of the components and connections from which fences are made.
2. Description of Prior Art
Heretofore, fences have been designed to be installed using posts of pre-cut lengths, which are designed to accept prefabricated fence panels or panel material (such as woven wire chain-link fence "cloth") which come in a limited number of predetermined widths. These fence posts and panels, or rails, are then connected by a variety of hardware components (such as u-bolts, clamps, to fit end-posts of panels to be mounted, etc.) or by the fitting together of posts and panels by the geometry of pegs, projections, rails, or end-posts with receiving holes, slots, or other configurations. One odor art fence is designed to be assembled from a kit of parts fabricated to work to together in a fence system. These fence systems are usually too complicated for the average user to assemble and are commonly installed by commercial distributors and fence specialists who also sell the components.
All fences are modular in that they are made up of a limited number of structural components used repetitively. A modular fence system is desirable if it has a combination of characteristics including the following: low initial cost of parts, lightweight components of small size and therefore easily transported and handled; easily and quickly assembled at the site by unskilled labor; requiring the fewest possible subassemblies or components to constitute a complete system; capable of being assembled into a wide variety of sizes and configurations; capable of extension of reduction of height or length; capable of being reinforced as needed to increase strength to meet loading requirements; capable of being converted between any two posts to a gate; capable of disassembly without destruction of fence panels and posts for re-use elsewhere; and being aesthetically attractive.
All of the foregoing are desirable, if not necessary, of maximum performance in a fence system and hence for value to the fence owner. Prior art fences, "modular" or not, have fallen short on one or more of the above characteristics, even though their general desirability was recognized.
For support and anchorage, most fence posts require several feet of length, beyond what will be above ground, to go into the earth or a concrete footing. This extra length (and weight) adds difficulty to transpod, handling, and it adds cost. Posts are commonly made in standard lengths: if the user needs a different length, he must cut off and waste materials, or he must pay a premium price for a custom length. Most prefabricated fence panels tend to be large, heavy, and/or awkward to handle. There is no easy way to vary the length of such panels to fit dimensions in the field. Panel materials are usually fabricated in a limited variety of lengths for the manufacturer's convenience and economy of production, and for competitive pricing. Most users have, until now, had to rely on sellers or contractors for pads, installation, and service. Installation by the fence supplier, or by a third-party contractor, usually increases the owner's cost, per linear foot of fence, by a factor of two or more.
One prior art fence, the "Modular Fence System" (U.S Pat. No. 4,498,660), comprises individual louver blade modules (affording visual privacy while maintaining free airflow.) Each louver module is an element of both fence post and fence panel and comprises a single, sloped, louver blade having at opposite ends, alternating, offset cylinders of 1/2 the louver-module height, such that consecutive louvers can be joined at their ends, threaded over prefabricated posts, pipes, or rods which link the louvers in a structural, pin-connection. Louvers may be of any length and may be arranged in any continuous, linear, polygonal layout as long as the louver-linkage continuity is maintained. Disadvantages in this system include the lack of provision for any kind of opening or gate in the fence (other than a fence discontinuation,) virtually no adaptability to changes in terrain elevation or slopes, and no provision for three- or four-way fence intersections (as at corners of adjoining properties) without disruption of the vertical spacing between louvers.
Another prior art fence, the "Fence" (U.S. Pat. No. 4,174,096,), comprises complete panel modules, with end extensions similar to those cited above, which may be formed in any continuous, straight, zig-zag, or polygonal configuration, by making vertical pin-connections between consecutive panels. The panel modules are to be pin-connected with pipes, posts, or rods. Some of the same disadvantages described above apply to this system. There is no separate "post" in this system. The complete panels represented in the "Fence" patent could be awkward to handle due their size and/or weight (a typical fence layout has posts set eight feet apart.) This system can be set up to form multi-fence intersections, but the spacing of the louvers would be changed and the privacy provided by the louvers would be lost if branching to create new fence runs were attempted. There is no indication that this fence system can be adapted to varied ground slopes, due to the fixed sizes and rectangular shapes of the fence panels, without again varying the louver spacing. Disassembly of this fence is simple: pull out the pin connectors and all the louvers fall to the ground; or, lift off the entire top row of louvers, followed by the second, third. . . etc. Re-use of the louvers requires complete reassembly of the fence.
The patent for "Interchangeable Fence Construction" (U.S. Pat. No. 3,454,262) describes another type of fence comprising discrete posts and wood panels. Its claim is for the interchangeability of prefabricated panels mounted between pre-installed posts. Design of the panel field may be infinitely varied, but the panel perimeter shape and size is always the same, making it interchangeable between posts. The design variation of the panel "field" is the basis of this patent, and panel design is not relevant to the present invention.
"Fence Structure" (U.S. Pat. No. 4,007,919) claims an "H"-shaped post and plastic-foam-filled, plastic, rectangular rails which fit into the slots of the "H" posts. The rail in the post slot is the primary claim, It is presumed that the post must be set into the ground for stability. This type of fence is only capable of straightline layout, but it is capable of adapting to changes of ground slope because the post slot is deep enough to permit vertical rotation of the rails in the slot before they are fixed or pinned to the post. There is no provision for making a gate within the system. Also, there is no provision for multi-fence intersections (branching to form new fence runs) because each post has but two, opposing, longitudinal slots, A multi-slotted post is a possibility, but that is not the primary claim, The slotted post is not germane to the present invention.
The"Modular Railing Assembly" (U.S. Pat. No. 3,491,984) claims a post and rail system which focuses on the joining of hollow metal or plastic post and railing components by means of a spline which fits and locks into both top of post (notched) and adjoining (hollow) rail (s). Each joint of this railing assembly system requires a number of components to achieve all the required connections. This modular assembly may be adapted to other than straightline layout, but adaptation to changes of ground or balcony elevation is difficult, if not impossible. A gate function is not part of this invention, nor is provision for branching at multi-fence intersections. This invention is primarily aimed at balcony or wall railing applications and is not relevant to the present invention.


Pairs of a TFT and a pixel electrode, the number of which is (m×n), are provided. The TFT has a gate electrode connected to a scanning line, a source electrode connected to a data line, and a drain electrode connected to the pixel electrode. The pixel electrodes are arrayed in a matrix of m rows and n columns. Each of the pixel electrodes on any column is alternately electrically connected to either of two adjacent data lines via the TFT.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to an electro-optical apparatus which enables a plurality of different images to be viewed.
2. Related Art
Nowadays, two-view display apparatuses each enabling viewers located at respective different observation positions to view corresponding different images, and three-dimensional display apparatuses each displaying three-dimensional images by enabling a viewer to view images for the right eye thereof and images for the left eye thereof, have been widely well known. There have been image display apparatuses each employing a parallax barrier as one of technologies for enabling a plurality of images to be viewed. In JP-A-8-331605, a display panel, in which each of pixels for the right eye and each of pixels for the left eye are alternately allocated on each of rows, and also, on each of columns, and an optical filter, which is located at the viewer side of the display panel, and separates images for the right eye and images for the left eye, have been disclosed. In JP-A-2005-234533 and JP-A-2006-71891, in a display apparatus not performing a three-dimensional display, for pixel electrodes arrayed along a certain column (along a direction in which data lines extend), pixel electrodes located at even-numbered rows and pixel electrodes located at odd-numbered rows are connected to two different data lines, which are located at the left-hand side and the right-hand side of the certain column, respectively. In each of these display apparatuses, a so-called line inversion driving method is employed. Further, in JP-A-2007-316460 and JP-A-2009-80237, technologies for correction of a cross talk in a three-dimensional image display apparatus or a two-view display apparatus, have been disclosed.
However, technologies disclosed in the above-described patent documents: JP-A-8-331605, JP-A-2005-234533, JP-A-2006-71891, JP-A-2007-316460 and JP-A-2009-80237 still have disadvantages in that degradations of image quality occur due to flickers, horizontal stripes (or oblique stripes), vertical cross talks or horizontal cross talks.

Electro-optical apparatus and electronics device


A radiation detecting apparatus includes a substrate 1, a scintillator layer 7 converting a radiation into light, and scintillator protection members 8, 9 and 10 to cover the scintillator layer 7, wherein the scintillator protection member includes a scintillator protection layer 8 consisting of a hot-melt resin, and the scintillator protection layer 8 touches the scintillator layer 7. As the substrate 1, there is provided a sensor panel including a photoreceiving layer 15 on which photoelectric conversion elements 2, receiving light, are arranged in a two-dimension array, and a protection layer 5 provided on the photoreceiving layer 15 and touching the scintillator layer 7 and the scintillator protection layer 8. By using such a scintillator protection layer, a film formation time of the scintillator protection layer can be shortened, and the film thickness dispersion of the scintillator protection layer can be suppressed. Moreover, the adhesion property to the scintillator foundation layer and to the reflective layer protection layer can be improved.

In recent years, digital radiation detecting apparatuses have been commercialized. The known digital radiation detecting apparatus includes a scintillator (phosphor) layer laminated on at least the surface of a photoelectric conversion element formed on a large-area plane. The scintillator layer emits light responsive to X-ray irradiation. As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,262,422, U.S. Pat. No. 6,278,118 and the like, a radiation detecting apparatus (also called a "direct deposition type" or a "direct type") composed of a photodetector (also called a "sensor panel") and a scintillator layer formed directly on the photodetector is known as an apparatus having a high sensitivity and a high sharpness among the digital radiation detecting apparatuses. The photodetector is composed of a photoelectric conversion element unit in which a plurality of electric elements such as photosensors and TFTs is two-dimensionally arranged. The scintillator layer is for converting radiation to light capable of being detected by the photoelectric conversion element.
As disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002/17613 and the like, a radiation detecting apparatus (also called a "paste together type", or "indirect type") composed of a photodetector and a scintillator panel bonded together with the photodetector is known. The photodetector is composed of a photoelectric conversion element unit in which a plurality of electric elements such as photosensors and thin film transistors (TFTs) is two-dimensionally arranged. The scintillator panel is composed of a scintillator layer formed on a supporting substrate. The scintillator layer is for converting radiation to light capable of being detected by the photoelectric conversion element. As the scintillator layer, for example, a material containing CsI having a columnar crystal structure formed by evaporation as the principal component is known. In order to prevent the penetration of moisture from the outside into such a scintillator layer, it is practiced to form a scintillator protection layer. In particular, the CsI material is an absorbent material, and consequently a problem of deterioration of resolution caused by the absorption of moisture by the CsI material can easily occur.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,262,422 discloses the radiation detecting apparatus produced by preparing the photodetector by forming a protection layer on the surface of the photoelectric conversion element unit formed on the surface of a glass substrate, by forming the scintillator layer made of CsI having the columnar crystal structure directly on the surface of the protection layer by the evaporation method, and by forming a scintillator protection layer consisting of an organic thin film by the CVD method so as to cover the surfaces of the photodetector and the scintillator layer. Poly-para-xylylene is disclosed as a material of the organic thin film.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,278,118 discloses a radiation detecting apparatus produced by forming the scintillator layer made of CsI having the columnar crystal structure on the surface of the photodetector with a protection layer put between them by the evaporation method, and by forming a scintillator protection layer so as to cover the surfaces of the photodetector and the scintillator layer, and further by providing a covering resin making the periphery of the scintillator protection layer adhere closely to the surface of the photodetector.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002/017613A discloses a radiation detecting apparatus produced by pasting the scintillator panel together on the photodetector. The scintillator panel is formed on a supporting substrate made of a carbon substrate and then, sequentially, a reflective layer consisting of a reflective metal thin film, the scintillator layer formed on a supporting member arranging a scintillator foundation layer thereon by evaporation, and the scintillator protection layer consisting of an organic film (poly-para-xylylene) provided so as to cover the surface of the supporting member and the scintillator layer.
However, there is a case where an abnormal growth (splash) defect is generated in the scintillator layer, which has the columnar crystal structure formed by the evaporation and consists of alkali halide such as CsI:Na and CsI:Tl, at the time of the formation of the scintillator layer. In particular, in a radiation detecting apparatus for radiographing a human body, the thickness of the scintillator layer is needed to be 400 μm or more, and the abnormal growth parts sometimes become projections each having a diameter of 300 μm or more and a height of 20 μm or more in that case. Furthermore, there is a case where concave portions each having a depth of 20 μm or more in a doughnut shape are formed around each of the abnormal growth parts in the projections. The inventors found that the thickness of the scintillator protection layer was required to be 20 μm or more for covering the abnormal growth defect parts of the scintillator layer including such projections and concave portions to satisfy the need for moisture proofing. However, because the scintillator protection layer using the organic film made of poly-para-xylylene disclosed in the above-mentioned patent document is formed by the CVD method, the film formation speed of the scintillator protection layer is about 100 to 2000 angstroms/minute, which is slow, and the film formation time required for forming a 20 μm scintillator protection layer is correspondingly between 100 minutes and 2000 minutes. Consequently, the prior art has the problem that productivity is poor.
Moreover, when the scintillator protection layer consisting of an organic film made of poly-para-xylylene used for a large-area radiation detecting apparatus (for example, 43 cm×43 cm) such as an X-ray digital camera is formed as a film by the CVD method, the film thickness distribution in the surface of the scintillator protection layer becomes large. When the light emitted by the scintillator layer is reflected by a reflection film to enter the photoelectric conversion element in the radiation detecting apparatus like ones disclosed in the above-mentioned prior art documents 1 and 2, optical path lengths are different from one another owing to the film thickness distribution in the surface of the scintillator protection layer. As a result, the organic film has a problem that the resolution of the acquired image decreases. Moreover, in the radiation detecting apparatus like the above-mentioned prior art technical document 3, when the light emitted by the scintillator protection layer enters a light receiving element, differences are generated in optical path lengths by the film thickness distribution in the surface of the scintillator protection layer, and consequently this radiation detecting apparatus also has the problem that the resolution of the acquired image decreases.
Moreover, the organic film made of poly-para-xylylene has the following problems. First, the organic film does not adhere well with the protection layers of the patent documents 1 and 2 and the scintillator foundation layer of the patent document 3, and exfoliation or a gap is generated at the interface between the scintillator protection layer and the protection layer, or the interface between the scintillator protection layer and the scintillator foundation layer. Consequently, the organic film suffers from the problem that the moisture resistance and the shock resistance are both lower at the interface between the scintillator protection layer and the protection layer, and at the interface between the scintillator protection layer and the scintillator foundation layer. Moreover, although the prior art disclosed in the patent documents 1 and 2 secures the moisture resistance and the shock resistance by providing a covering resin at the ends of the scintillator protection layer end, this also has the problem that the configuration may increase in cost.

Radiation detecting apparatus, scintillator panel, their manufacturing method and radiation detecting system


A rear spoiler for a motor vehicle has a spoiler body (14) for deflecting a stream of air to provide an aerodynamic effect. The spoiler body (14) has a main spoiler (16) with a main surface (21) and an auxiliary spoiler (18) with an auxiliary surface (62). A multi-jointed actuating kinematics (34) can move the main spoiler (16) and the auxiliary spoiler (18) between a storage position where the auxiliary surface (62) of the auxiliary spoiler (18) is at least partially below the main spoiler (16) and a use position where the auxiliary spoiler (18) is substantially in a common plane with the main surface (21).

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a rear spoiler for a motor vehicle.
2. Description of the Related Art
EP 1 118 529 A2 discloses a rear spoiler with a spoiler body that can be shifted between a storage position and a use position with the aid of an adjustment unit that is extendable in a translatory manner. The spoiler body has a main spoiler that can be shifted by the adjustment unit and an auxiliary spoiler that is accommodated in a cavity of the main spoiler. The auxiliary spoiler can be extended out of the main spoiler along a linear guide with the aid of a lever drive provided within the main spoiler.
There is a need to improve the aerodynamic effect of a spoiler by structural measures that are simple to implement.
It is the object of the invention to provide a structurally simply constructed spoiler having a good aerodynamic effect.

Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft


Methods, devices, and systems for a memory in logic cell are provided. One or more embodiments include using a cell structure having a first gate, a second gate, and a third gate, e.g., a control gate, a back gate, and a floating gate, as a memory in logic cell. The method includes programming the floating gate to a first state to cause the memory in logic cell to operate as a first logic gate type. The method further includes programming the floating gate to a second state to cause the memory in logic cell to operate as a second logic gate type.

Communication bottleneck between memory and logic modules is one of the most serious problems in recent deep submicron very-large-scale integration (VLSI) systems. The programmable computing array is more complex to build and has lower storage density than a normal memory array because of the overhead involved in the storage and logic.
A floating gate MOS transistor is generally used as a memory cell device of flash EEPROMs, which can be back-gated. One example of a back-gated MOSFET transistor is provided in U.S. Pat. No. 7,089,515 entitled, "Threshold Voltage Roll-Off Compensation using Back-Gated MOSFET Devices for System High-Performance and Low Standby Power", issued Aug. 8, 2006. However, the back-gated transistors in the above referenced patent are directed toward compensating the threshold voltage roll-off.
An example of programmable logic arrays using floating gates is provided in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 6,124,729 entitled, "Field Programmable Logic Arrays with Vertical Transistors", issued Sep. 26, 2000. The cells therein have a semiconductor pillar providing a shared source and drain region for two separate transistors each having individual floating gates and control lines. Whole arrays of such structures are field programmed together, versus programming on an individual cell basis, in order to function as a particular type of logic plane. In this previous approach, however, the number of connects between planes due to the absence of programmability of each cell independently and need to connect various entire planes in a certain way to achieve a desired logic state may add to the complexity and area consumed by such a layout.


To provide a mute circuit capable of reducing or eliminating noises generated in accordance with an offset voltage under a mute operation. The present invention comprises a summing amplifier, switch, and mute signal generating circuit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a mute circuit for outputting or not outputting an input analog signal according to necessity.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is necessary to smoothly vary outputs of the mute circuit to reduce click noises from occurring when mute mode are changed.
The circuit shown in FIG. 1 has been already known as the above type of the circuit.
As shown in FIG. 1, the mute circuit comprises an inverting circuit 2 including an operational amplifier 1, resistor R11 and R12, a capacitor, and a switch 1 connecting the output of the inverting circuit 2 and ground. An analog signal is supplied to the inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier 1 through the capacitor and the resistor 11, and a mute signal is directly input to the non-inverting input terminal.
In the mute circuit, it is known that a mode of shutdown or reducing power consumption (hereafter referred to as power-down mode), the power-down mode is canceled and power is supplied according to necessity. Operations of the power-down mode are described below.
Under the power-down mode, the operational amplifier 1 is not operated and the switch SW1 closes to fix the output of the operational amplifier 1 to the earth.
When the power-down mode is canceled, the operational amplifier 1 is ready for operations and the switch SW1 opens. Then, a mute signal rises from 0 (V) up to an analog common voltage. Therefore, the operational amplifier 1 outputs a voltage in which an inverting analog input signal is added to the analog common voltage.
In general, the operational amplifier 1 has an offset voltage of several mV to tens of mV. Therefore, when the switch SW1 is opened, and the mode changes from or to the power-down mode, the output of the operational amplifier 1 shifts by the offset voltage and occurs noises.
It is possible to lower or eliminate the offset voltage by increasing the size of a MOS transistor which constitutes the operational amplifier or adding a calibration circuit. However, a disadvantage occurs that the chip size of the operational amplifier 1 is increased.
Moreover, in a conventional circuit, mute signals of 0 (V) to analog common voltage Vc are input to the inverting input terminal of an operational amplifier. Therefore, an operational amplifier needs an input range of 0 (V) to Vc.
Therefore, a mute circuit has been requested which can reduce or eliminate noises generated due to an offset voltage under a mute operation.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a mute circuit in which no click sound is generated even if a power source is turned off.
The present invention a summing amplifier for an inverting analog input signal and a mute signal, the summing amplifier for outputting sum of the inverted input signal and mute signal; a switch for connecting the output of the summing amplifier to the ground voltage; and a mute signal generating circuit capable of stepping down the output of said summing amplifier to the ground voltage; wherein the mute signal generating circuit generates a predetermined voltage for canceling the offset voltage generated by the summing amplifier.
As an aspect of the present invention, the above summing amplifier comprises a first operational amplifier having an inverting input terminal, a non-inverting input terminal, and an output terminal; a first resistor connected to the inverting input terminal of the first operational amplifier to supply the analog input signal; a second resistor connected to the inverting input terminal of the first operational amplifier to supply the mute signal; and a feedback resistor connected between the inverting input terminal and the output terminal of the first operational amplifier, the non-inverting input terminal of the first operational amplifier being supplied the analog common voltage.
As another aspect of the present invention, a capacitive element is connected between a terminal for inputting the analog signal and the first resistor.
As still another aspect of the present invention, the mute signal generating circuit further comprises a selecting circuit for selecting either of the analog common voltage and the ground voltage, the selected voltage being supplied to the mute signal generating circuit; a comparing circuit for comparing the level of the mute signal generated by the mute signal generating circuit with a reference level; and a control circuit for controlling the selecting circuit based on the output of the comparing circuit.
As still another aspect of the present invention, the mute signal generating circuit comprises; a second operational amplifier having an inverting input terminal, a non-inverting input terminal, and an output terminal; a third resistor connected to the inverting input terminal of the second operational amplifier to supply the analog common voltage or the ground voltage selected by the selecting circuit; and a feedback resistor connected between the inverting input terminal and the output terminal of the second operational amplifier, the non-inverting input terminal of the second operational amplifier being supplied the analog common voltage; and the mute signal generating circuit generates a mute signal for canceling the offset voltage of the first operational amplifier.
As still another aspect of the present invention, the selecting circuit comprises a first switch for connecting the output terminal of the selecting circuit to an analog common voltage via a first resistor, a second switch for connecting the output terminal of the selecting circuit to the ground voltage via a second resistor, and a capacitor connected to the output terminal of the selecting circuit; and outputs of the output terminal are varied with the time constant of the first and second resistors and capacitors.
As described above, the present invention includes a summing amplifier, a switch, and a mute signal generating circuit.
Therefore, the present invention is possible to reduce or eliminate noises generated due to the offset voltage generated by a summing amplifier under a mute operation.