A package includes a thermal solution to thermal couple to a semiconductor device to remove heat generated by the semiconductor device, and a device to electrically isolate at least a portion of the thermal solution from the semiconductor device. The package also includes a biasing device to apply a voltage to a body of the semiconductor device.

There is an industry push toward reducing power consumption in computer systems. For example, some government bodies require energy compliant computing systems. The need for reducing the power consumption of computers is especially keen for battery-operated mobile computing systems, such as laptops or notebook personal computers. Because the power source of mobile computers accounts for a significant percentage of the bulk and weight of the device, attempts have been made since the advent of laptops to reduce their power consumption.
In addition, there is an ever-constant push in the computing industry to deliver computing systems having increased computing performance. Mobile computers, such as laptop and notebook computers, are not immune to the ever-constant push to deliver higher performing systems. In mobile computers, such as a laptop or notebook computer, there is also an ever constant push to manage power to maintain or increase the time between battery rechargings. In mobile computing environments, power management is also important since it is related to the amount of heat generated. Generally, the higher the amount of power consumed, the more heat that will be generated. In mobile computers, the components are packed into a smaller housing so any heat generated is concentrated within the smaller housing and must be managed more effectively to prevent device or component failure.
Power consumption of a semiconductor device or component includes not only the active power used by a component or device, but also includes the leakage power consumed by a component or device. Leakage power results from leakage current. Leakage current is inherent in devices or components that include transistors. Leakage current is current that conducts through a transistor even when the transistor is supposed to be off. In most circuit configurations, leakage current is undesirable because it consumes power without producing useful work. Leakage power consumption is inherent in semiconductor physics and is a product of the design methods used to create high speed processors. Leakage power consumption is caused by a voltage gradient across a junction within a semiconductor chip that causes current flow.
Currently, high performance devices are experiencing larger leakage currents as a percentage of total current consumption because of the greater number of transistors, with each transistor having a larger leakage current. The development of high performance devices or components, such as microprocessors, has lead to increased leakage power consumption because higher frequency devices employ smaller transistors in larger numbers than ever before. The smaller the transistor channel length and oxide thickness, the greater the leakage power consumption.

Method and apparatus for electrical isolation of semiconductor device


A bundling device includes a molding of a polymeric material. A flexible strap includes multiple teeth each including a notch. The strap is frangible at the notch of any one of the teeth. A strap engagement portion connected to the strap includes first and second flexible wings defining a strap receiving aperture therebetween receiving the flexible strap in a first direction. The flexible wings engage successive ones of the teeth to oppose removal of the strap in an opposite second direction. The first and second flexible wings each include a first arm having a first raised portion extending into the strap receiving portion; and a second arm having a second raised portion axially displaced with respect to the first raised portion and oriented out of plane with respect to the first raised portion.

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.
Several methods are currently in use in the automotive and other industries to temporarily retain multiple components such as wire bundles and harnesses. A first method uses tape to encircle the components during shipment. Tape creates several problems, including difficulty in removal which commonly creates damage to the components from sharp objects used to cut the tape. A further problem from use of tape is the waste which accumulates on the assembly area floor, because the adhesive portion of the tape tends to adhere to the floor and make cleanup costly and time consuming.
Bundling devices such as tie straps are known which are used in place of tape in these applications. Known tie straps include flexible straps having teeth which are received in a ratcheting type element to lock the strap about objects such as tubing, wires, wire bundles, harnesses, and the like. The teeth are commonly held in a non-removable manner by the ratchet member.
One problem with known tie strap devices occurs when the bundling device is a temporary device intended for use for shipment from a part supplier such as an electrical wireway or instrument supplier which is subsequently removed. Known tie straps are not easily removed by hand and are therefore cut to remove them. This additional step is slow and can also damage the product.


The variable-speed power transmission device comprises an input gearing for dividing the power into two fractions having different and variable speeds. The first of these two fractions is transmitted directly to an output gearing, while the second is transmitted to a hydrostatic pump-motor assembly which varies its speed and then to the above mentioned output gearing which recombines it with the first fraction.

The present invention relates to a variable-speed power transmission device.
Various types of devices adapted to continuously vary the speed in a transmission of motion are known, among which mention may be made of mechanical, hydrostatic and electric variators.
Among mechanical variators, those in most widespread use are based on the concept of employing the friction torque transmitted by a belt stretched between two pulleys having a fixed center distance and a variable diameter.
The speed change occurs by axially moving the plates of which the pulleys are composed so as to vary the winding diameters of said pulleys.
Hydrostatic variators transform mechanical energy into hydraulic energy with the aid of a pump-motor assembly.
Direct-current motors in which the applied voltage can be varied can be considered electric variators; as is known, the applied voltage is linked to the number of revolutions.
Other kinds of electric variators employ the principles of varying electrostatic and electromagnetic fields.
All these kinds of variators are however characterized by more or less modest results as to the factors of speed, power, torque, weight, dimensions and efficiency.

Variable-speed power transmission device


An information processing system uses data processing for content. The system includes a preference-data manager for managing user's preferences concerning types of the data processing which are used for said content, a content generator for generating content by using a user-preferred type of the data processing for said content, a content storage unit for storing said content as original content and the content generated by said content generating means, and a resource manager which manages system resources and which, in response to availability of the resources, requests said content generating means to process said content.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to information processing systems and information processing methods that link the operation of two or more network-connected information processing apparatuses, and to computer programs used with the systems and methods. In particular, the present invention relates to an information processing system and information processing method in which a plurality of network-connected information processing apparatuses cooperatively operate to perform distributed processing, whereby the information processing apparatuses operate as a virtual information processing apparatus, and to a computer program used with the system and method.
More specifically, the present invention relates to an information processing system and information processing method which grasp the surplus processing capability of a virtual information processing apparatus including a plurality of network-connected information processing apparatuses, and which perform distributed processing on a function, whose implementation is ordered by one network-connected information processing apparatus, and to a computer program used with the system and method. In particular, the present invention relates to an information processing system having a function of automatically performing data processing, which matches user's preferences, by using the surplus processing capability of a virtual information processing apparatus including a plurality of network-connected information processing apparatuses, and to an information processing method therefor and a computer program used the system and method.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is known that, by using a network to connect a plurality of computers to one another, sharing of information resources, sharing of hardware resources, and collaboration among a plurality of users are realized. Regarding connecting media between computers, there are various types such as a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), and the Internet.
In particular, recently, technologies of computers, networks, etc., have become greatly widespread even in general households. Information equipment such as in-house personal computers and personal digital assistants (PDAs), audio/video (AV) equipment such as television receivers and video players, various types of home information appliances, consumer electronics (CE) equipment, etc., are connected to one another by a home network. In many cases, this home network is connected to an external wide area network such as the Internet through a router.
Although, as described above, a utilization form in which a plurality of AV devices are connected to a home network is assumed, this form has a problem in that there is no sufficient linkage among the AV devices.
On this problem, recently, research and development concerning grid computing for realizing high calculation performance in order to link devices on a network have been advanced (see, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication Nos. 2002-342165, 2002-351850, 2002-358289, 2002-366533, and 2002-366534).
According to the grid computing technology, a plurality of information processing apparatuses on a network can cooperatively operate to perform distributed processing, whereby they can operate for a user as a virtual information processing apparatus.
For example, when a plurality of information processing apparatuses having recording reservation functions are connected to a network, they can realize cooperative operation for recording reservation. Specifically, when the information processing apparatuses mutually link the recording reserving operation thereof via the home network, they operate as a virtual recorder on the home network. In addition, by using a user interface of one of the information processing apparatuses, a user can use an arbitrary apparatus connected to the home network to perform recording reservation. For example, the information processing apparatuses exchange schedule information such as their recording reservations, and a graphical user interface (GUI) of any of them displays, in merged form, information of all programs reserved for recording, whereby operability is improved when the user sets the recording reservation.
Furthermore, by linking their recording reservation functions, programs (so-called "counterprograms") having the same time at which recording is reserved can be simultaneously recorded. For example, when a plurality of programs need to be reserved for recording at the same time, by using the GUI of a particular information processing apparatus, a recording reservation status of another information processing apparatus and a free area of an external recording unit can be confirmed, and recording reservation of still another information processing apparatus can be set.
Similarly, by linking the recorded-content playback operation of a plurality of apparatuses, simultaneous and synchronized playback of content can be realized. By using the linkage of the recorded-content playback operation to simultaneously and synchronously advance playback of pieces of content recorded by different apparatuses, the concept of channel switching can be introduced in content playback.
According to such a virtual information processing apparatus, even if it is difficult for only the hardware resources and processing capability of a single information processing apparatus to comply with a request from a user, by utilizing the surplus processing capability of another information processing apparatus, which is linked to cooperatively operate on the network, the virtual information processing apparatus can meet the user's request. Furthermore, a service that is not realistic with a normal information processing apparatus can be realized.
It is considered that, when users perform data processing by using information processing apparatuses, regarding types of data processing requested and parameters for use, preferences differ for each user. For example, although various types of data processing, such as image-quality improvement in which a user edits content to have preferred quality, and re-encoding that re-encodes content encoded in an encoding system into content in another encoding system, can be used for original content, each type of data processing used by each user reflects a user's preference.
However, filtering and re-encoding for performing image quality improvement of content is data processing that needs high processing capability. Accordingly, it is necessary to confirm availability of system resources, and it is necessary to set a parameter for use in order to obtain content having preferred quality. Such data processing is time-consuming.
Furthermore, in cases such as a case in which a user wishes to perform similar data processing on plural pieces of content, it is obvious that the amount of operation, on each piece of content, needed by the user, is huge.
In addition, in general, data processing on the pieces of content needs a large number of arithmetic operations, so that a large load acts on the resources. Therefore, starting data processing in response to a request from the user may cause an adverse effect, on the entire system, such as a case in which, during the data processing, the response of other processing is delayed.
For example, a content recommending system (see, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2003-233622) has been proposed in which an arithmetic operation load is small and which recommends content in accordance with the probability of polarization of user's preferences. This system includes a content feature value database for storing feature values including attribute values of one or more attributes associated with pieces of content, an attribute emphasis-factor database for storing emphasis factors of user attributes, and an attribute-value-emphasis-factor database for storing emphasis factors of plural attribute values of the user attributes, and, in this system, search conditions concerning a feature value are determined based on the emphasis factor of each attribute and the emphasis factor of each attribute value, and a piece of content to be recommended is selected based on the search conditions.
However, there is a possibility that content reflecting detailed user's preferences does not originally exist.

Information processing system, information processing method, and computer program used therewith


A dry etcher and method using two chambers can be used for anisotropic or isotropic etching. A pressure differential is created between the first and second chambers using a passage between the first and second chambers. Additionally, baffles which remove some of the ions created in the first chamber are used.

This invention relates to dry etchers for etching layers on a semiconductor wafer. Dry etching offers the important manufacturing advantage of eliminating the handling, consumption, and disposal of the relatively large quantities of dangerous acids and solvents used in wet etching processes.
Popular dry etch techniques include plasma etching and Reactive ion etching (RIE). These techniques are standard etching techniques used in the industry for anisotropic etching. In the RIE mode, the wafers are placed directly upon an electrode connected to a radio frequency (RF) power generator. Neutral chemical reactive species and ions are formed in a plasma discharge between the electrodes. These ions energetically bombard the wafer to help cause a directional etch.
In plasma etching, the wafer is placed on an electrode which is connected to the ground. The radio frequency power source produces chemically reactive species and ions. Since an electrical potential difference exists between the plasma and the grounded electrode on which the wafers are placed, the ions are still attracted to the wafers. Thus, even in plasma etch mode, wafers are subject to energetic ionic bombardment although usually to a much lesser degree than in the RIE mode.
In both RIE and in plasma etch modes the bombarding ions and the chemically reactive species can form an anisotropic or directional etch onto the wafers. In anisotropic etching, ions bombard the layer to be etched and the chemically reactive species aid in the etching.
In reactive ion etching, various forms of radiation damage can be formed on the materials being etched because of the energetic bombardment of ions. This radiation damage can include electron traps in the gate oxides, which if not annealed out, can cause shifts in the threshold voltages of metal-oxide-silicon (MOS) devices; displaced atoms and implanted atoms in the surface due to ion bombardment; and under some etching conditions, the destruction of the gate oxide.
An etching technique typically used for isotropic etching is downstream etching. Isotropic etches etch the wafer in all directions at substantially the same rate and therefore isotropic etches are not directional.
Downstream etching is discussed in "A New Chemical Dry Etching" Y. Horiike and M. Shibagaki, Proceedings of the 7th Conference on Solid State Devices, Tokyo, 1975. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a prior art radio frequency (RF) downstream etcher. A gas supply 2 provides gases to a container 4 defining a chamber 6. A radio frequency generator 8 is connected to electrodes 10 and 12. The electric signal between the electrodes 10 and 12 through the gases in the chamber 6 produces a plasma discharge that forms chemically reactive species and ions. Since the wafer 14 is some distance from the electrodes 10 and 12, the wafer will not suffer radiation damage. The chemically reactive species and ions created in the plasma discharge between electrodes 10 and 12 flow towards the wafer 14. Due to the distance of the wafer from the electrodes, the ions will recombine before reaching the wafer. Since the chemically reactive species are longer lasting, the etching at the wafer 14 is caused by the chemically reactive species. The gases in the chamber 6 are removed by ports 16 and 18 connected to a pump 20.
Downstream etching avoids the radiation damage to the wafer which is often found in reactive ion etching. The downstream etcher, however, cannot produce a truly anisotropic profile due to the lack of directional ion bombardment.


The present invention provides a photosensitive resin composition for a flexographic printing plate, the photosensitive resin composition including at least a hydrophilic copolymer (A), a thermoplastic elastomer (B), a photo-polymerizable monomer (C), a photo-polymerization initiator (D), a plasticizer (E), and an acidic group-containing polymer (F), wherein the photosensitive resin composition for the flexographic printing plate has an acid value of 1 to 100 mgKOH/g, as measured by neutralization titration.

Flexographic printing is one kind of relief printing, and has the advantage of being applicable to various objects to be printed because flexible materials such as rubber and synthetic resins are used for printing plates.
Flexographic printing has been conventionally according to a method including making a plate by use of a negative film as a printing plate or a method using a computer plate-making technique (hereinafter, CTP technique), the method including directly drawing information processed on a computer, on a printing plate, to thereby make a relief, and the method using a CTP technique has become increasingly mainstream in recent years.
Original plates of flexographic printing plates are different between the method using a negative film and the method using a CTP technique in terms of plate configuration. While both the method using a negative film and the method using a CTP technique are common to each other in that a photosensitive layer made of a photosensitive resin composition is provided on a substrate such as a PET resin, the method using a negative film and the method using a CTP technique are different from each other in terms of an article formed on each photosensitive layer.
The method using a negative film is conducted with a transparent image carrier layer for protection of a negative film from tackiness of a photosensitive layer, and includes allowing a negative film to closely adhere to a transparent image carrier layer before use and irradiating a photosensitive layer with external radiation from above of the negative film, to remove an uncured portion, thereby forming a relief image.
On the other hand, the method using a CTP technique includes stacking an infrared ablation layer on a photosensitive layer, performing direct drawing onto the infrared ablation layer by laser or the like, and thereafter irradiating the photosensitive layer with ultraviolet light to remove an uncured portion, thereby forming a relief image.
Recently, such removal of an uncured portion has been sometimes performed by a developer containing water as a main component (development with water), resulting in formation of a relief image.
Meanwhile, a general aqueous developable flexographic printing original plate is provided with a photosensitive layer formed on a support for maintaining of dimension accuracy, the photosensitive layer being made of a photosensitive resin composition obtained by mixing of a hydrophilic copolymer, a hydrophobic resin such as an elastomer, a polymerizable unsaturated monomer, a photo-polymerization initiator, and the like.
The photosensitive resin composition for use in such a photosensitive layer preferably includes each component finely dispersed in the composition in order that a required image is faithfully obtained, and the flexographic printing original plate using the photosensitive resin composition is preferably high in development speed for a decrease in plate-making time.
Furthermore, the photosensitive resin composition is preferably low in water swelling rate after curing because it is necessary to withstand use of an aqueous ink and wash off the ink attached, with water after plate making, and the flexographic printing plate using the photosensitive resin composition is naturally demanded to be high in printing resistance.
For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses, as a water-developable photosensitive resin composition, a photosensitive resin composition containing a water dispersion latex, a photo-polymerizable monomer, millable rubber, maleic acid half ester, and a photo-polymerization initiator.
Moreover, Patent Literature 2 discloses a photosensitive resin composition further containing a hydrophilic photo-polymerizable monomer, in which a dispersion phase with a latex dispersed in the hydrophilic photo-polymerizable monomer is formed.
Furthermore, Patent Literature 3 discloses a photosensitive resin composition where a water dispersion latex is synthesized by emulsion polymerization using a reactive emulsifier containing an unsaturated double bond and is internally crosslinked.

Photosensitive resin composition for flexographic printing plate, flexographic printing original plate, flexographic printing plate, and copolymer


Systems and methods for enhancing the handling of interrupts in a virtual computing environment are disclosed. A CPU is configured such that the CPU, when in a virtual machine (VM) mode, directs an interrupt to a VM. When in the VM context, a guest in the VM is run with a hypervisor interrupt descriptor table (hypervisor IDT) to determine how the interrupt should be handled. The hypervisor IDT directs an interrupt that is to be handled by the VM to an interrupt handler in a guest IDT without causing a transition to the hypervisor. If an interrupt is to be handled by the hypervisor, the hypervisor IDT causes a transition to the hypervisor.

A virtual machine (VM) is a software implementation that enables logic code to be executed on top of the VM as if interfacing with a physical machine (e.g., a host hardware or computing system). Thus, a VM may provide a platform which supports the execution of logic code such as an operating system (OS) or be designed to support the execution of a particular software program. A program running on top of a VM may be also referred to as a guest. A guest program generally is given limited access to the physical machine resources as managed by the VM and a hypervisor.
A hypervisor is a software or firmware layer generally implemented over the physical machine to monitor one or more VMs hosted on the underlying hardware. The hypervisor is often implemented as a standalone software program that executes on the host hardware and provides virtualization for a guest program or OS running on top of a VM. Typically, a hypervisor controls the interactions between the guest programs running in the VM and the physical resources of the host hardware.
Certain events and interactions in a virtualized computing environment may result in the generation of signals referred to as interrupts, which may be communicated to the hypervisor to indicate that an event has occurred that needs to be handled by the hypervisor. Such an event may be caused by a guest program hosted by a VM running on top of the hypervisor, when the guest performs a sensitive instruction or by a device serviced by the guest program, for example.
Interrupts may be classified into two types. Hardware generated interrupts cause a processor (CPU) in a computing system to save the state of execution of a currently running program and to begin execution of another program (i.e., an interrupt handler) to handle the interrupt. Software generated interrupts are usually implemented as instructions, which cause a context switch in the CPU so that an interrupt handler can handle the interrupt.
A hardware interrupt generates a transition to the hypervisor context for handling. One or more transitions are handled synchronously by the hypervisor while the guest is temporarily paused. The hypervisor resumes the guest after handling the interrupts. As such, interrupt handling in a virtualized environment is associated with a relatively high level of overhead, due to the requirements for switching between execution contexts and the memory space used for saving the state of the execution, etc.
I/O intensive applications suffer the maximum virtualization penalty, if the generated hardware interrupts result in many transitions and switches between execution contexts at the hypervisor level or the guest level. As per prior art, the hypervisor configures the mode of operation to cause a transition to the hypervisor when a hardware interrupt arrives in guest mode. The virtualization penalties may be attributed to the overhead associated with switching between the guest and the hypervisor contexts, the CPU cache becoming polluted with data for two different contexts, and the execution delay due to the hypervisor having to handle the interrupts while the guest is in a paused state.

Enhancing interrupt handling in a virtual environment

International Business Machines Corporation


A modular cage design providing a variety of environments and stimuli for primates or other animals, including a front panel, a rear panel, and a side panel switch are hinged or interlocked together. Where hinges are used, side panels are held together by longitudinal rods, which are threaded on each end, and which pass through bores provided in the front and rear panels. The front and rear panels are fixed to the side panels by nuts threaded onto the rods.. A sliding panel is provided, attached to handles which are accessible from outside the cage, for sliding forwardly, to move the primate towards the front of the cage.. Doors are provided on one end panel, in either a swinging or sliding configuration, for access to the interior to the cage.. The side panels are adjustable for forming multi-cage environments. In one embodiment, hooks are used, and the side panels are provided with angles, such that reversing a given side panel changes the overall shape of the cage. In multi-cage configurations, rectangular connecting passages are formed, which are closed off by rectangular end panels.. The cage materials are preferably lightweight, multi-colored and primate-proof, and provided with a variety of differently shaped apertures, for varying the environment of the primate. The modularity of the design allows individual elements of the cage to be interchanged freely, further providing environmental variety.. In some embodiments, the cage is mounted on a cone or bar, about which it may freely rotate, providing an exercise function. A brake is provided to prevent rotation when desired.

There is a variety of types of cages presently available for use in caging primates. A characteristic of many such cages presently available is that they are highly functional in nature, serving to house the primates and act as living quarters without providing significant adaptability, storage or environmental enrichment.
There is an increasing awareness that primates require a stimulating environment in order to sustain a healthy psychological state. Thus, there is a need for primate cages with greater capability for environmental enrichment in order to facilitate psychological well-being. There is also a need for providing primates with exercise, preferably at any time the primate wishes.
One drawback of cages presently available is that they do not provide such environmental variety. Another lack in present cages is that they are not adaptable to be used in different sizes and shapes, and do not provide the exercise capability mentioned above.
Another drawback of many cages presently in use is that they are not versatile, being constructed in a manner which allows only one configuration of the cage, and not allowing for easy disassembly and storage. Thus, there is a need for a cage design which may be easily disassembled and compactly stored, and which is adaptable into a variety of cage configurations, for both functional and aesthetic purposes. There is also a need for such a cage design which may be made of lightweight materials of different colors, patterns, textures and smells.


A light reflecting device capable of independently or synthetically using light rays delivered by at least two light-guide cables and of selectively changing the amount of light rays in accordance with the conditions of the object to be radiated, is described. The device has a pair of light-reflecting plates disposed symmetrically about the center axis and facing in opposite directions. Each of the plates are inclinably, rotatably and integrally mounted. Futhermore the device has a driving means for moving the pair of reflecting plates back and forth in the direction of their reflecting surfaces and a pair of mounting means for mounting the corresponding light sources for radiating parallel light rays toward the corresponding reflecting surfaces of the reflecting plates and along the reflecting plates' shifting axis.

The present invention relates to a light-reflecting device which receives light transmitted through a light-guiding cable and which effectively diffuses and radiates the same outwardly.
The present applicant has previously proposed various methods and systems to focus solar rays or artificial light rays by using lenses or the like to guide the focused light rays into a light-guiding cable and to transmit them to wherever the light is needed for illumination or for other purposes, as for example, to supply light energy for the photosynthesis of plants being cultivated in a controlled environment etc.. However, in the case of utilizing light energy for plant cultivation there arises the following problem. When light rays are supplied from the end of a light-guiding cable, they can be radiated only within a small angle of about 46.degree. since a light-guiding cable has a predetermined numerical aperture. Therefore, in such circumstances, desirable light radiation may not be obtained i.e. if the light is directly emitted from the end of the fiber optic cable. In order to solve this problem, the present applicant has also proposed various kinds of light radiators which can effectively diffuse light rays transmitted through a light-guiding cable and which can radiate the same over any desired area.
The present applicant has previously proposed a light-reflecting device comprising a light-guiding cable, a tubular body and a runner. In the tubular body, with at least one transparent side wall, two rails are installed extending in the axial direction thereof as well as a runner which travels along said rails. The runner is composed of wheels for traveling on the rails, a running body mounted on the wheels, a motor mounted on the body for driving the running wheels and a reflecting plate. Light emitted from the light-guide into the tubular body is reflected by the reflecting plate and radiated out of the tubular body through the transparent wall portion. The rails are made of a conductive material and sliders are in contact with these rails respectively. By changing the polarity of the voltage being applied between the rails, the motor is forced to rotate in the reverse direction causing the runner to reciprocate inside the tubular body. The above-mentioned device is able to more effectively diffuse and more widely radiate light emitted from a light-guide cable and its runner is easy to be driven. However, it has the drawback that the intensity of the light radiation is constant and cannot be increased when any object requires more intensive light radiation.

Light reflecting device with symmetrically disposed light reflecting plates


Disclosed is a slide switch comprising an insulator, at least one stationary contact member fixed in an upper surface of the insulator, a contact holder slidable on the insulator, movable contact members connected by a connecting member and mounted on the contact holder through contact biasing springs to make sliding electrical contact with the stationary contact member, and a casing enclosing the contact holder together with the insulator. In the slide switch, the movable contact members and the connecting member are formed of a thermally deformable material so that their side walls extending in a direction substantially orthogonal with respect to the upper surface of the contact holder are freely deformable when subjected to heat.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a movable contact member of a slide switch, and more particularly to a slide switch having a structure suitable for preventing undesirable heating of the components of the switch.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A slide switch such as an air control switch is composed of an insulator, at least one conductive stationary contact member fixed in an upper surface of the insulator and defining a boundary between it and the insulator, a contact holder freely slidable on the stationary contact member, and a movable contact member supported on the slidable contact holder through a contact biasing spring and having at least one conductive rivet fixed to it to make sliding electrical contact with the stationary contact member.
When, at the boundary between the insulator and the stationary contact member, the rivet engages the insulator at one of halves of its contact surface and engages the stationary contact member at the other half of its contact surface in a very narrow range, the associated contact surface of the stationary contact member and that of the rivet fixed to the movable contact member is oxidized. In other words, when the contact area between the stationary contact member and the rivet fixed to the movable contact member is very small, the sectional area of the path of electrical current is decreased to increase the electrical resistance, thereby heating the stationary and movable contact members. Also, when the rivet provided on the movable contact member is slightly displaced from the stationary contact member, a spark jumps across the corresponding portions of them, and heat attributable to the spark (Joule heat) is generated. Due to generation of heat from these portions, the functions of the other parts of the switch will be adversely affected by the heat, or the useful service life of the movable or stationary contact member will be shortened.
That is, when the distance of sliding movement of the movable contact member, after the slide switch is turned on, is shortened due to oxidization of the contact surface of the rivet or due to a shortened on-off stroke of the slide switch, the contact resistance increases to increase the electrical resistance, and Joule heat resulting from a voltage drop is generated to heat the movable and stationary contact members. As a result, the contact holder and the insulator may be damaged by fusion or burning.
Undesirable generation of the Joule heat can be prevented by slightly shifting the position of one of the movable and stationary contact members relative to the other. However, in the case of the slide switch which is turned on and off under control of a servo motor, the on-off positions of the movable contact member relative to the position of the stationary contact member are automatically determined. Therefore, even when the electrical contact between the movable and stationary contact members at each of intermediate positions may be ideal, the position where the movable contact member makes electrical contact with the stationary contact member cannot be accurately predicted.
Jp-A-50-107469 describes an electrical contact mechanism of a slide switch in which a stationary contact member is formed of a bimetal so that the contact area of the contact member increases with a temperature rise. However, this slide switch is defective in that, when the switch is used in an environment where the ambient temperature is considerably low, the area of electrical contact between the stationary contact member and its mating movable contact member is very small, resulting in the possibility of generation of heat at the contact area.

Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho


A carrier is provided with a flange-shaped carrier cover directly secured to a pinion shaft which supports a pinion, and the carrier cover is integrally formed to a countershaft by heat forging. The carrier cover is formed with a lubricant oil hole extending from the countershaft toward the pinion shaft, and the countershaft is formed with a small diameter on the side bounded by the carrier cover where the planetary gear unit is positioned, and with a large diameter on the opposite side. As a result, the countershaft has a high degree of strength and forms a compact gear unit in the axial direction. Lubricant is supplied from a lubricant oil hole in the center of the shaft to a lubricant oil hole formed in the carrier cover, and is forcedly fed to the support surface of the pinion through oil holes in the pinion shaft. The axial force from the counterdriven gear is applied to a thrust bearing between the hub and the carrier cover, and the axial force is backed up by the large diameter section of the shaft.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a carrier device in an automatic transmission, and, in particular, to a carrier device suitable for application as a carrier for an underdrive mechanism section in an automatic transmission used in a FF (Front Engine/Front Drive) vehicle wherein the underdrive mechanism section is positioned on a countershaft.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Recently, the applicant of the present invention proposed an automatic transmission, as disclosed in Japanese Laid Open Patent No. SHO-62-93546, which comprises a torque converter and a main transmission mechanism section arranged on an input shaft which is aligned on an engine crank shaft, an underdrive mechanism section arranged on a countershaft positioned in parallel on the input shaft, and a counterdrive gear and a counterdriven gear mounted on the center part in the axial direction to transmit power from the main transmission mechanism section to the underdrive mechanism section.
The underdrive mechanism section of the automatic transmission (additional transmission section) has a carrier boss section which engages on the countershaft through a spline, and the counterdriven gear is supported on the carrier boss section through a bearing. Also, the countershaft is provided with an annular protrusion which receives a thrust force and is constructed with almost the same diameter over its entire length. A large thrust force which is caused by the counterdriven gear comprising a helical gear is received only at the annular protrusion.
However, in the automatic transmission, the countershaft is positioned on the highest portion of three shafts, including the input shaft and the front axle shaft, and the dimension in the axial direction is largely controlled by the restraints from the vehicle load such as the side frame and the like. Because the carrier is separated from the countershaft, the dimension in the axial direction is large, and a problem arises in the loadability of the vehicle.
In addition, because the carrier is separated from the countershaft, it is difficult to supply the lubrication oil to the carrier cover from the shaft, and the supply of oil to the planetary gear is inadequate. This causes a problem with the durability of the planetary gear.
Further, because the large axial force from the counterdriven gear and the like is received only on the annular protrusion on the countershaft, a problem is produced with respect to the strength of the annular protrusion part. If the annular protrusion is thickened the increase in length in the axial direction becomes a problem.

Carrier device in an automatic transmission


A removable cover for a paint spray gun and similar tools. The cover is formed into two halves which enclose opposite sides of the gun. A tab on the front of each cover half is retained in a notch in the gun. Rear ends of the cover halves are releasable secured together by a first spring clip positioned in aligned grooves in the cover halves. Ends of the cover halves which extend over a gun handle are releasable secured together by a second spring clip positioned in aligned grooves in the cover halves.

Paint spray guns are most commonly provided with a solid metal body and an integral handle which are bored out to form paint and air passages and chambers for a triggering mechanism and for seals. During use, paint may accumulate on the exterior of the gun. Cleaning the exterior of the gun may necessitate submersion of the entire gun in solvent. It may be necessary to partially disassemble the gun to remove trapped solvent after cleaning. Some spray guns are provided with a plastic cover which encloses a frame including a body, a handle and a portion of the trigger mechanism. The cover is secured with screws set into recessed cavities in the cover. The cover can be removed from the frame to facilitate cleaning. Once removed, the cover is easily cleaned without having to submerge the entire gun in solvent and, once cleaned, the cover is easily dried. Removing a number of screws may be time consuming and there is a risk that the small screws will be lost. On spray guns and other tools, ease of cleaning and servicing with a minimum of tools is a valued product feature.
Providing a removable cover on a hand tool has an additional advantage. Tools are sometimes accidentally dropped or otherwise damaged during use. If the cover is damaged, it may be replaced. If the tool has no replaceable cover, it is necessary to construct the tool from stronger, heavier materials to reduce the risk of damage. This increases the weight of the tool which in turn increases operator fatigue during use.

Spray gun with removable cover and method for securing a cover to a spray gun


A motor driven fan capable of operating continuously in a dead-headed mode resulting from complete blockage of airflow from an outlet of the fan is provided. The fan includes a housing defining both a primary passage for directing a flow of air from an inlet to an outlet of the fan, and a secondary passage for directing a flow of air between the inlet of the fan and ambient air surrounding the housing opposite the primary passage. The secondary passage includes a motor compartment having an inlet passage in fluid communication with the primary passage and an outlet passage in fluid communication with the ambient air surrounding the housing. Impeller means, mounted within the housing, provide the flows of air in the primary and secondary passages. A motor, mounted within the motor compartment and operatively connected to drive the impeller means is continuously cooled by the flow of air through the secondary passage even when the flow of air through the primary passage is reduced to zero by a complete blockage of the outlet of the fan.

In a motor driven fan of typical construction having a motor operatively connected to drive an impeller within a housing which defines a passage for directing a flow of air generated by the impeller, it is common practice to mount the motor within the passage so that the motor may be cooled by the flow of air through the passage. While this approach is simple to incorporate and has proven to be quite acceptable for providing motor cooling in a majority of applications, it has proven inadequate and may result in motor damage due to overheating in those applications where the fan must be operated continuously for extended periods with the flow of air severely restricted or entirely blocked.
One well known example of such an application is a gasper vent system which has been utilized for many years in aircraft to provide a source of ventilation for passengers in the form of an air jet issuing from small individually adjustable air nozzles, commonly known as "gasper vents", positioned above each passenger seat, which may be adjusted by each passenger according to his or her personal whim to restrict or to entirely block the air stream. Such a system typically includes a fan, commonly called a gasper boost fan, positioned in a flowpath defined by a duct configured to supply air to a large number of such gasper vents.
Since the amount of air required may vary considerably due to restriction and blockage of the individual air jets supplied by the duct, and since it is desirable to avoid annoyance to the passengers caused by either a lack of sufficient airflow or the need for continually readjusting his or her individual gasper vent, gasper boost fans must typically supply airflow at a relatively constant pressure over a wide range of flow rates. In addition, since it is desirable that the system supply air essentially instantaneously when the passenger opens a vent, it is generally a requirement of such systems that the gasper boost fan run continuously, even when all of the gasper vents are fully closed.
One approach utilized in prior gasper vent systems to ensure a flow of air for motor cooling during extended periods of operation with all gasper vents blocked has been the inclusion of an air recirculation duct either integral with or external to the gasper boost fan to allow means for air to recirculate from the outlet to the inlet of the fan due to the pressure rise across the impeller. While this approach has been utilized for reasonably extended periods of operation with all gasper vents blocked, the length of time is limited by the fact that, once the system is blocked, no new air enters the system, and eventually the temperature of the air being recirculated will be raised to the point that motor overheating will occur.
In another approach utilized in prior gasper vent systems, a pressure responsive relief valve is included in the duct to provide an alternate outlet for air flowing in the duct which opens when a predetermined pressure is reached inside the duct. With this approach, even though all of the gasper vents are blocked, a flow of air through the fan is maintained to provide motor cooling. While this approach has been utilized successfully, the inclusion of the valve adds cost and weight and reduces reliability of the gasper vent system.
The instant invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the aforementioned problems and disadvantages.

Fan with secondary air passage for motor cooling


A compressor section for a gas turbine engine includes a blade including a platform, a tip and an airfoil extending between the platform and tip. The airfoil includes a root portion adjacent to the platform, a midspan portion and a tip portion. Each of the root portion, midspan portion and tip portion define a meridional velocity at stage exit with the tip portion including a first meridional velocity greater than a second meridional velocity of the midspan portion. A blade for an axial compressor of a gas turbine engine and a method of operating a compressor section of a gas turbine engine are also disclosed.

A gas turbine engine typically includes a fan section, a compressor section, a combustor section and a turbine section. Air entering the compressor section is compressed and delivered into the combustion section where it is mixed with fuel and ignited to generate a high-speed exhaust gas flow. The high-speed exhaust gas flow expands through the turbine section to drive the compressor and the fan sections. The compressor section typically includes low and high pressure compressors, and the turbine section includes low and high pressure turbines.
An axial compressor includes a plurality of stages, each including two rows of airfoils—one rotating row, followed by one stationary row. A clearance between the tip of each rotating airfoil and the housing or other static structure is controlled and minimized to improve efficiency. As the size of the compressor decreases the relative size of the clearance gap relative to both the blade span and chord, increases. A clearance to span and a clearance to chord ratios are larger for smaller compressors. Larger clearance to chord ratios can contribute to instability of the flow through the compressor airfoil row.
Turbine engine manufacturers continue to seek further improvements to engine performance including improvements to thermal, transfer and propulsive efficiencies.

Repeating airfoil tip strong pressure profile


Embodiments generally relate to providing block lists in a social network system. In some embodiments, a method includes enabling one or more first users of a social network system to generate at least one block list containing one or more blocked users, where one or more restrictions are applied to the one or more blocked users. In some embodiments, the method further includes enabling the at least one block list to be shared with one or more second users.

Social networking has become a popular form of social interaction over the years, enabling users from around the world to communicate and share content with each other. Particular user behavior such as a user sending unsolicited messages or advertising (e.g., spam) have negatively impacted the social network experience for many users of social network systems. Users can handle unwanted spam and offensive content as well as unwanted antisocial/offensive behavior (e.g., harassment by other users) in various ways. For example, a user can ignore, block, and/or report unwanted messages.

Sharing and shared blocklists on social networks


Formulated propellants and methods of forming the same are described herein. The formulated propellants include a hydrocarbon fluid, wherein the formulated propellant exhibits a distillation curve 10% point at a temperature between 365° F. (185° C.) and 410° F. (210° C.) and an end point at or below 525° F. (273° C.).

Currently, rocket propellant 1 (RP-1), in combination with liquid oxygen, is used as the propellant system in a large percentage of launch vehicles and rockets. However, supply is limited, resulting in little opportunity to optimize fuel formulations. Furthermore, limited supply results in little to no redundancy in supply in the event of supply shortages/failures.
Therefore, a need exists to develop alternative propellant formulations.

Propellant compositions and methods of making and using the same


A structure and method for entering data into an electronic device (110). A deterministic data input element (130) coupled to the electronic device (110) is operable to accept a user-selected data input. Modulation of a motion of a non-deterministic data input element (140) coupled to the electronic device (11) is operable to select a varying precision of data input choices. A feedback element (120) coupled to one or more of the deterministic data input element (130) and the non-deterministic data input element (140) presents the data input choices to the user. The user enters data into electronic device (110) using one of the deterministic input element (130) and the non-deterministic input element (140) and the feedback element (120) displays a sequence of data choices to the user. The user then navigates a tree of possible data completions in order to select a particular data completion to be entered into the electronic device (110).

Electronic devices are becoming smaller and more powerful, with more functionality packed into a smaller physical footprint. The power of these electronic devices and their capabilities imply the use of a fully featured data entry element to allow a user to access these capabilities. Providing these capabilities to a user makes the design of the data entry element challenging. Input devices of larger electronic devices can be used, at the expense of wasting the potential small footprint. Small input devices can be used, but these small input devices tend to be limited in functionality and difficult to access. One method for allowing input of a wide range of items is to list items for user selection, but this requires menu lists of unwieldy length.

Method for combining deterministic and non-deterministic user interaction data input models


A method of controlling an output voltage of an inverter driving an electric motor may include removing harmonic components of an output current, which is output to the electric motor, by using a low pass filter and obtaining a fundamental component of the output current; calculating a current total harmonic distortion by using the fundamental component of the output current; comparing the current THD with a reference current THD; determining a pulse width modulation method to be changed from a first modulation method for reducing the harmonic components of the output current to a second modulation method for reducing a switching frequency of the inverter if the current THD is less than the reference current THD, the PWM method modulating a pulse width of a control pulse signal for controlling the output voltage of the inverter; and/or generating the control pulse signal based on the determined PWM method.

1. Field
Some example embodiments may relate to methods and/or apparatuses for controlling output voltages of inverters driving electric motors.
2. Description of Related Art
Electrical motors that convert electrical energy into mechanical power are widely used in various applications such as electric cars, industrial equipment, and electrical appliances. In order to generate a stable torque with high efficiency by using an electric motor, it is important to effectively control an inverter driving the electric motor. Various pulse width modulation (PWM) techniques have been employed to control an output voltage of an inverter.
Since harmonic components in an output current or an output voltage output to an electric motor may cause unnecessary loss such as heat or noise, a method of controlling an output voltage of an inverter is required for reducing harmonics over the whole range of power of the electric motor and increasing the efficiency of the electric motor.

Methods and apparatuses for controlling output voltages of inverters driving of electric motors


Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for channel quality estimation in consideration of interference control and coordinated communication in a cellular system. A base station receives an SRS transmitted by a terminal to thus measure received power, and then configures, for the terminal, a CSI process which may measure SINRs for base stations having higher SRS received power. If the terminal feeds back, to the base station, channel quality information for the configured CSI process, the base station determines an SINR and a MCS to be applied to data transmission in consideration of a received CQI and a CoMP transmission scheme, and applies the determined SINR and MCS to thus transmit data.

The mobile communication system has been developed for the user to communicate on the move. With the rapid advance of technologies, the mobile communication system has evolved to a level capable of providing a high speed data communication service as well as a voice telephony service.
Recently, as one of the next generation mobile communication systems, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) is being standardized by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). The LTE-A is a continuously evolving technology for realizing high-speed packet-based communication at a data rate of 3 to 10 times higher than that of current systems.
LTE-A adopts Coordinated Multi-Point (CoMP) transmission/reception as a communication scheme in which neighboring base stations transmit/receive data based on the channel information provided by a terminal in a way of cooperation and interference control, thereby reducing inter-base station interference and improving the data rate of the terminal in an optimal communication environment.
Although the coverage of base stations participating in a CoMP transmission is restricted to the cells of one evolved Node B (eNB) in an LTE-A Release 11 standard system, the present invention is applicable to systems supporting the inter-eNB CoMP transmission as well as the systems following the CoMP transmission scenarios defined in the LTE-A release 11 standards. In the following description, the term "base station" is used in the meaning of coverage including the cells belonging to one or more eNBs or base stations specified for other communication systems. For this reason, drawings are depicted as normal diagrams without boundaries between inside and outside of eNBs.
In the following description, the term "LTE system" is used with the meaning to include legacy LTE and LTE-A systems.

Method and apparatus for channel quality estimation in consideration of interference control and coordinated communication in cellular system


An overvoltage protection device includes first and second electrically conductive electrode members and a varistor member formed of a varistor material and electrically connected with each of the first and second electrode members. The overvoltage protection device has an integral fail-safe mechanism operative to electrically short circuit the first and second electrode members about the varistor member by fusing first and second metal surfaces in the overvoltage protection device to one another using an electric arc.

Frequently, excessive voltage is applied across service lines that deliver power to residences and commercial and institutional facilities. Such excess voltage or voltage spikes may result from lightning strikes, for example. The voltage surges are of particular concern in telecommunications distribution centers, hospitals and other facilities where equipment damage caused by voltage surges and resulting down time may be very costly.
Typically, one or more varistors (i.e., voltage dependent resistors) are used to protect a facility from voltage surges. Generally, the varistor is connected directly across an AC input and in parallel with the protected circuit. The varistor has a characteristic clamping voltage such that, responsive to a voltage increase beyond a prescribed voltage, the varistor forms a low resistance shunt path for the overvoltage current that reduces the potential for damage to the sensitive components. Typically, a line fuse may be provided in the protective circuit and this line fuse may be blown or weakened by the surge current or the failure of the varistor element.
Varistors have been constructed according to several designs for different applications. For heavy-duty applications (e.g., surge current capability in the range of from about 60 to 200 kA) such as protection of telecommunications facilities, block varistors are commonly employed. A block varistor typically includes a disk-shaped varistor element potted in an epoxy or plastic housing. The varistor disk is formed by pressure casting a metal oxide material, such as zinc oxide, or other suitable material such as silicon carbide. Copper, or other electrically conductive material, is flame sprayed onto the opposed surfaces of the disk. Ring-shaped electrodes are bonded to the coated opposed surfaces and the disk and electrode assembly is enclosed within the plastic housing. Examples of such block varistors include Product No. SIOV-B860K250, available from Siemens Matsushita Components GmbH & Co. KG and Product No. V271BA60, available from Harris Corporation.
Another varistor design includes a high-energy varistor disk housed in a disk diode case. The diode case has opposed electrode plates and the varistor disk is positioned therebetween. One or both of the electrodes include a spring member disposed between the electrode plate and the varistor disk to hold the varistor disk in place. The spring member or members provide only a relatively small area of contact with the varistor disk.
Another type of overvoltage protection device employing a varistor wafer is the Strikesorb™ surge protection module available from Raycap Corporation of Greece, which may form a part of a Rayvoss™ transient voltage surge suppression system. (See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,038,119, U.S. Pat. No. 6,430,020 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,433,169.
Varistor-based overvoltage protection devices (e.g., of the epoxy-shielded type) are commonly designed with an open circuit failure mode using an internal thermal disconnector or overcurrent disconnector to disconnect the device in case of failure. Other varistor-based overvoltage protection devices have a short circuit as a failure mode. For example, some epoxy-shielded devices use a thermal disconnector to switch to a short circuit path. However, many of these devices have very limited short circuit current withstand capabilities.

Overvoltage protection devices including wafer of varistor material


Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, to assemble a collection of documents according to a document list. The document list represents documents to be included in the collection, and includes multiple entries that identify document templates. Each document template includes instructions that a web server can execute to generate a web document based on one or more parameters. A web document corresponding to each of the multiple entries is requested; the requested web documents are received and stored in the collection of documents. Links in the received web documents can be identified and updated. The collection of documents can be accessed as part of a web site.

The present invention relates to generating electronic documents.
The Internet is a global network that uses a common communication protocol, the Transfer Control Protocol/Internet Protocol ("TCP/IP"), to transmit data from one computer to another. In order to use the transmitted data, computer applications adopt communication standards. For example, the World Wide Web ("Web") is a system that includes server applications supporting Hyper Text Markup Language ("HTML") documents. Such computer applications are referred to as web servers, because they deliver, i.e., 'serve', electronic documents to users on the Web. The served documents are called web pages or web documents. Each web document has a Uniform Resource Locator ("URL") address that allows web users to request the web document from a corresponding server and to view the requested document, for example, by using web browsers, such as Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer. Web documents can include images, texts, scripts, or any other content in HTML or any other format.
A web server can serve web documents from one or more web sites. Each web site is a collection of web documents and can include static web documents, document templates, or both. A static web document, also called static web page, has only static content that is provided each time the document is requested from the server. A document template, also called dynamic web page, identifies a class of web documents; an instance of the class is generated each time a web document is requested according to the template. The generated web document depends on parameters that can be specified by the web server, can be a result of communication with a user, or can be directly included in a URL request. The document template includes instructions for generating the requested web document that are typically implemented using a server side scripting technology such as Active Server Pages ("ASP"), JavaServer Pages ("JSP"), and PHP Hypertext Preprocessor ("PHP"). In addition to instructions, document templates can include static content, for example, in HTML format.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Using document templates to assemble a collection of documents


An image forming apparatus having a recognizing member configured to read a property stored in a memory member of a consumable item via a communication member, and to recognize if the consumable item can be used. The image forming apparatus also includes a property changing member configured to communicate to the memory member and to change a parameter so that information stored in the memory member cannot be accessed when the recognizing member recognizes the consumable item can be no longer used.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and a consumable item, and more specifically to the consumable item as used in the image forming apparatus for forming images in a copying apparatus, a facsimile apparatus, a printer or the like, and to the image forming apparatus which uses the consumable item.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
An image forming apparatus of the type using electrostatic image transfer system, ink jet image forming system, or the other image forming system, uses a consumable item that is consumed by forming images. The consumable item is, for example, a photoconductive member, a charging device, a developing device, a toner used in the developing device, a transferring device, a fixing device, and the like. The consumable item may be formed as a unit that includes one consumable item, or collectively includes a plurality of consumable items. For example, a consumable item may be a toner used in a developing device is formed a toner bottle as a unit that is manufactured or sold. Also, a process cartridge is a consumable item that is well known. The process cartridge is a unit that collectively includes a photoconductive member, a charging device, and a developing device.
A consumable item like a process cartridge or a toner bottle sometimes has a memory member storing predetermined information. Both Japanese laid-open patent publication no. 2003-076230 and Japanese laid-open patent publication no. 2001-272890 show a consumable cartridge having a memory area which can store an ID code. Both of Japanese laid-open patent application nos. 2003-076230 and 2001-272890 further describe image forming apparatuses that check the ID stored in a memory area of the cartridge. The image forming apparatuses permit the forming an image only if the ID code can be confirmed.
that In Japanese laid-open patent application nos. 2003-076230 and 2001-272890, when the cartridge reaches an end of life or when the consumable item is depleted, the ID code is deleted to prevent unauthorized refurbishment, repair, refilling and/or reuse.
However, in both of Japanese laid-open patent application nos. 2003-076230 and 2001-272890, if the cartridge is abandoned after the cartridge reaches an end of life, or after the consumable item is used up, information stored in the memory area may be exposed to third party. Examples of information that may be exposed includes seller information, manufacturer information, and user information.
Also, Japanese laid-open patent publication no. 2003-131544 shows a cartridge having a memory with separate areas. One of these areas stores information regarding a seller. Such information originally stored in the area is saved on an image forming device or its host computer, when the cartridge mounts on the image forming device or when an accident occurs. However, like the previously identified references, if a cartridge built according to Japanese laid-open patent publication no. 2003-131544 is abandoned after the cartridge reaches an end of life, or after the consumable item is used up, information stored in the memory area may be exposed to third party.
Thus, as discovered by the present inventors, it is desirable to have an image forming device and corresponding consumable item that can protect information stored in a memory area of the consumable item.

System, apparatus, and method for preventing access to information stored in a consumable item of an image forming apparatus


This invention relates to a can carrier for forming into a package and carrying one or more cans, normally six cans to form a six-pack. The can carrier is primarily formed of a sheet of readly foldable and deformable material including paperboard. For each can, the sheet is provided with a pair of cutouts defining foldable flaps. The flaps are foldable beneath the sheet with each pair of flaps being remote from one another. The result is that the connection between each flap and the sheet provides two layers of materials which are engagable beneath a can chime to interlock the can with the can carrier. The folded connection between each flap and the sheet may be reinforced by stretchable self shrinking glue disposed generally in the apex of the connection between each flap and the under side of the sheet. Another form of flap reinforcement is the bonding of a synthetic thread to the under side of the sheet and the flaps with the thread extending longitudinally of the sheets and the flaps. The thread may be utilized with or without the glue. Finally, the upper surface of the sheet around the cutout may be provided with a layer of water resistant material so as to resist the absorption of water into the sheet surrounding each cutout. If desired, a central portion of the sheet may be provided with a pair of cutouts for defining flaps which may be pressed down between adjacent cans to define finger receiving openings for carrying the can package.

In the past, there has been developed a can carrier formed from a sheet of paperboard and the like wherein there are cutouts defined by folded flaps struck from cutouts. However, the chime of a can to be carried by the can carrier engages a single thickness of a sheet and when the can package, such as a six-pack of beer, is immersed in water, the can carrier becomes unduly weakened and releases the cans carried thereby in an undesirable manner. Such a can carrier is disclosed in the patent to Hughes, U.S. Pat. No. 2,965,410.


Certain aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to radio frequency (RF) front-end circuitry. For example, certain aspects provide an apparatus having a first converter circuit configured to upconvert a first baseband (BB) signal to a first RF signal based on a mode of operation, and a second converter circuit configured to upconvert a second BB signal to a second RF signal based on the mode of operation. The apparatus also includes a first RF weight adjustment circuit configured to selectively apply an amplitude weight or a phase weight to at least one of the first RF signal or the second RF signal based on the mode of operation, and a controller configured to control a power state of the second converter circuit in dependence on the mode of operation.

A wireless communication network may include a number of base stations that can support communication for a number of mobile stations. A mobile station (MS) may communicate with a base station (BS) via a downlink and an uplink. The downlink (or forward link) refers to the communication link from the base station to the mobile station, and the uplink (or reverse link) refers to the communication link from the mobile station to the base station. A base station may transmit data and control information on the downlink to a mobile station and/or may receive data and control information on the uplink from the mobile station. The base station and/or mobile station may include radio frequency (RF) front-end circuitry, which may be used for communication within a millimeter wave (mmW) communication band, for example.

Dynamically adjustable radio-frequency (RF) front-end


An information processing device is provided. The device comprises a 3D sensor configured to acquire depth information of a user's hand image and depth information of a background image on an object plane; a storage device in which a character input application is stored; a processor configured to execute the character input application; and a display configured to display a virtual keyboard by executing the character input application.

As the mobile environment has been rapidly generalized and advanced, mobile devices which can be used regardless of place or time have been actively developed. In particular, mobile devices having various and simple shapes have been developed in order to increase mobility. By way of example, a touch screen-based mobile device such as a smart phone and a table PC is not equipped with a separate physical keyboard, but may output a virtual keyboard on a screen. Such a mobile device is easy to carry, and can reduce errors caused by unskilled usage by providing a QWERTY keyboard similar to a physical keyboard.
However, a touch screen-based virtual keyboard may have various sizes depending not on a size of a user's hand but on a size of a touch screen. Thus, the touch screen-based virtual keyboard may not be enough for all of ten fingers to be used or is highly likely to cause the user to make typing errors depending on the size of the user's hand. Meanwhile, a mobile device or electronic device which is not based on a touch screen may be integrated with a physical keyboard or may include a separate keyboard. However, the integrated physical keyboard includes small-sized keys and thus is highly likely to cause the user to make typing errors. Further, the separate keyboard is inconvenient to carry and may be limited in space.
Meanwhile, in this regard, Korean Patent Laid-open Publication No. 2002-0079847 (entitled "Method and apparatus for entering data using virtual input device") suggests a virtual input device configured to: provide a sensor capable of capturing three-dimensional positional information of a relative position of at least one user digit with respect to a work surface upon which the user may input data with the user digit; process information captured by the sensor to determine whether the user digit contacted a portion of the work surface and, if contacted, to determine a position of the contact; and output, to the companion system, digital information identical in size with the contact position.

Device and method for information processing using virtual keyboard

KOREA UNIVERSITY RESEARCH AND BUSINESS FOUNDATION, SEJONG CAMPUS


A temperature measuring apparatus comprises a casing, an infrared sensor assembly, a probe, and a trigger device. The infrared sensor assembly is disposed in the casing. The trigger device is connected between the casing and the probe in such manner that when the probe moves toward the casing, the trigger device is activated by the probe to trigger the infrared sensor assembly to proceed sensing. The temperature measuring apparatus could be operated to measure without pressing any measuring button, so that the temperature measuring apparatus could have a stable operation in the measuring process. Hence, the error of the temperature measuring is reduced and the operation is more convenient.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a temperature measuring apparatus, and more particularly to an infrared temperature measuring apparatus.
2. Description of Related Arts
The conventional contact thermometer, such as the mercury-in-glass thermometer or the electrical resistance thermometer, should generally be contacted to the subject to be measured for a longer time for temperature measurement. However, due to the limitation of the contact area and the portion to be measured, the temperature measurement operation is relatively slow and inaccurate. Especially during the body temperature measurement of a baby, it is difficult to conduct a long time measuring. Such problems could be resolved if the infrared sensor would be adopted in the temperature measuring.
The subjects with different temperatures will respectively radiate infrared rays with different frequencies, so a device for receiving infrared rays could be used to detect the infrared rays in order to sense the temperature of a subject quickly. Conventionally, an infrared sensing device with a built-in infrared sensor, such as the infrared security device, the temperature sensor, the clinical thermometer, the forehead-temperature measuring gun, or the ear-temperature measuring gun, has already been used to detect the infrared ray of the subject for measuring the temperature of the subject.
Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional infrared ear-temperature measuring gun is illustrated. When the ear-temperature of a human body is measured, firstly, a power supply button (not shown in FIG. 1) must press down to activate the measuring gun entering into a stand-by mode. Then, insert the probe 11 of the ear-temperature measuring gun 1 into the human auditory canal E to be measured, and, subsequently, press down a measuring button 12 disposed on the casing to switch the measuring gun into a measuring mode for measurement. After a period of time, the ear-temperature measuring gun finishes the temperature measurement that the detected infrared ray energy is converted and calculated to obtain the body temperature of the human body, which is shown on a display unit provided on the casing.
However, when the above mentioned ear-temperature measuring gun 1 is used to measure temperature, since the measuring button 12 for triggering the measuring is disposed on the casing, it is difficult for the user to control when should be the right time to press down the measuring button 12. In addition, it is difficult for the user to operate and press down the measuring button 12 with his or her finger while aiming the ear-temperature measuring gun 1 at the auditory canal E, resulting in indirectly reducing the stability of the measuring procedure and adversely affecting the accuracy of the temperature measurement.
Hence, it is very important to provide an infrared temperature measuring apparatus with a maintainable stable operation, so as to reduce the error in the temperature measuring result and to render the operation more convenient.


Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for optimizing content presentation. In one aspect, a system includes a training database that stores training data including attribute information about users and corresponding proxy metrics quantifying behavior by the users following content presentation; a content database; a model generator that accesses the training data and trains a model for content distribution; and a content distribution server that receives a content request, uses the model to select content, transmits data identifying the selected content, wherein the model: obtains a set of attributes for a user associated with the request, receives information about a given content, predicts a proxy metric based on the set of attributes and the information about the content, the predicted proxy metric providing information about subject retention or awareness; and identifies the given content for distribution if the predicted proxy metrics meet a threshold.

This specification relates to optimizing content presentation.
Video content can be distributed for presentation on various client devices, such as mobile devices and personal computers over the Internet. The types of content provided for a particular user can be selected in various ways in order to present content that will be of interest to the particular user.

Optimizing content distribution using a model


A system for separating particles entrained in a fluid includes a base with a first channel and a second channel. A precision gap connects the first channel and the second channel. The precision gap is of a size that allows small particles to pass from the first channel into the second channel and prevents large particles from the first channel into the second channel. A cover is positioned over the base unit, the first channel, the precision gap, and the second channel. An port directs the fluid containing the entrained particles into the first channel. An output port directs the large particles out of the first channel. A port connected to the second channel directs the small particles out of the second channel.

1. Field of Endeavor
The present invention relates to separators and more particularly to a precision gap particle separator.
2. State of Technology
U.S. Pat. No. 5,425,802 to Robert M. Burton, et al. assigned to The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of Environmental Protection Agency and President and Fellows of Harvard, patented Jun. 20, 1995, provides background information regarding a virtual impactor for removing particles from an airstream. The virtual impactor comprises nozzle means for accelerating an entering airstream, particle receiving means positioned downstream from the nozzle means, and a chamber in fluid communication with the gap between the nozzle means and the receiving means. The nozzle means comprises an inlet and an elongated outlet having a width dimension of between about 0.007 and 0.010 inches, and further having a longitudinal axis normal to and passing through the center of the elongated outlet. The particle receiving means comprises an elongated inlet having a width dimension of between about 0.013 and 0.015 inches and an outlet and further has a longitudinal axis normal to and passing through the center of the elongated inlet. The particle receiving means is positioned downstream from the outlet of the nozzle means so that the flow gap therebetween is between about 0.008 and 0.012 inches, and is further positioned so that the longitudinal axis of the nozzle means and the longitudinal axis of the receiving means are substantially coaxial and so that the width dimension of the nozzle means outlet and the width dimension of the receiving means inlet are substantially parallel. The chamber is configured to be in fluid communication with a vacuum source, as is the outlet of the particle receiving means.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,040,424 to Virgil A. Maple, et al., assigned to Regents of the University of Minnesota, patented Aug. 20, 1991, provides background information regarding a high-volume aerosol sampling inlet housing which provides smooth inlet flow to a 10 micron classification device in a high volume flow. The high volume sampler with which the inlet is used establishes a high flow, for example, 40 cubic feet per minute. The air flow into the inlet has a standard 40 cubic feet per minute leading to the high volume sampler which requires a secondary inlet flow of about two cubic feet per minute needed for particle classification. The two cubic feet per minute flow is exhausted at a separate outlet and is not connected to the standard high volume sampler. Thus, a total flow of 42 cubic feet per minute enters the inlet. The entrance opening to the inlet is an annular opening below a dome cover. Screens are provided to keep any bugs or large debris from entering the inlet housing. The debris-free air flow is passed through the desired impactor device, and the large particles will be collected with the secondary outlet flow of only two cubic feet per minute while the smaller particles are carried out by the major flow of 40 cfm to the high volume sampler filter placed below. The larger particles are thus inertially separated from the major flow and are flushed by the smaller secondary or minor flow. The major flow through to the high volume sampler is maintained at the standard 40 cubic feet per minute. The particles in the inlet air stream are separated into size classifications larger and smaller than 10 microns. The large particles that are flushed out with the two cubic feet per minute flow can either be removed from the air stream by a second filter, or analyzed in a conventional impactor or some other device, or may be allowed to pass through the air pump and be blown back into the atmosphere.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,183,481 to William Felder, assigned to Aerochem Research Laboratories, Inc., patented Feb. 2, 1993, provides background information regarding a supersonic virtual impactor. A supersonic gas flow is employed with a virtual impactor to separate fine particles completely from the gas. The carrying gas and fine particles are accelerated to supersonic speeds and then impacted against a virtual impactor. When the supersonic stream strikes the virtual impactor, a shock wave forms in the gas stream near the impactor surface. The carrying gas turns sharply away while the particles in the gas stream, carried by their inertia, continue in their original direction and pass into the virtual impactor. On the downstream side of the virtual impactor surface, a non-contaminating inert gas maintains a pressure equal to or greater than the pressure of the carrying gas between the virtual impactor surface and the shock wave.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,402,817 to Warner Bergman, assigned to the Regents of the University of California, patented Jun. 11, 2002, provides background information regarding a low pressure drop, multi-slit virtual impactor. A virtual impactor system is provided for dividing a particle containing gas flow into (a) a small flow component with a small portion of the gas flow that carries particles essentially greater than a predetermined size and (b) a large flow component with a large portion of the gas flow that carries particles essentially less than the predetermined size. The gas can be either air or other gases. The virtual impactor system can also utilize fluids other than gas, for example, liquids. The virtual impactor system includes multiple nozzles for accelerating and channeling the fluid stream and multiple receivers positioned downstream from the nozzles. The nozzles are located so that each receiver has a substantially common axis with a corresponding nozzle. The receivers are separated from the nozzles by gaps. The virtual impactor system also includes multiple exhaust chambers in fluid communication with the gaps between the nozzles and the receivers. The multiple exhaust chambers are sandwiched alternately between the multiple receivers. The nozzles have an elongated outlet, with the nozzle outlet positioned to direct the accelerated fluid flow into the receivers in an approximate straight line.
Features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description. Applicants are providing this description, which includes drawings and examples of specific embodiments, to give a broad representation of the invention. Various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this description and by practice of the invention. The scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed and the invention covers all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims.
The present invention provides a method of producing a particle separator for separating particles entrained in a fluid. Some of the particles are of a small size, smaller than a predetermined size, and some of the particles are of a large size, larger than said predetermined size. A first channel and a second channel are etched in a base. A precision gap is etched in the base connecting the first channel and the second channel. The precision gap is etched to a size that allows the small particles to pass from the first channel into the second channel and prevents the large particles from passing from the first channel into the second channel. A cover is positioned over the base unit, the first channel, the precision gap, and the second channel. An input port is connected to the first channel for directing the fluid containing the entrained particles into the first channel. An output port is connected to the first channel for directing the large particles out of the first channel. A port is connected to the second channel for directing the small particles out of the second channel.
The present invention provides a system for separating particles entrained in a fluid. Some of the particles are of a relative small size, smaller than a predetermined size, and some of the particles are of a relative large size, larger than said predetermined size. The system comprises a base, a first channel in the base, a second channel in the base spaced from and substantially parallel to the first channel, and a precision gap connecting the first channel and the second channel. The precision gap is of a size that allows the small particles to pass from the first channel into the second channel and prevents the large particles from passing from the first channel into the second channel. A cover is positioned over the base, the first channel, the precision gap, and the second channel. An input port connected to the first channel directs the fluid containing the entrained particles into the first channel. An output port connected to the first channel directs the large particles out of the first channel. A port connected to the second channel directs the small particles out of the second channel.
The invention is susceptible to modifications and alternative forms. Specific embodiments are shown by way of example. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular forms disclosed. The invention covers all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

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