Methods for forming structures to use in atomic force probing of a conductive feature embedded in a dielectric layer and structures for use in atomic force probing. An insulator layer is formed on the dielectric layer such that the conductive feature is covered. A contact hole penetrates from a top surface of the insulator layer through the insulator layer to the conductive feature. The contact hole is at least partially filled with a conductive stud that is in electrical contact with the conductive feature and exposed at the top surface of the insulator layer so as to define a structure. A probe tip of an atomic force probe tool is landed on a portion of the structure and used to electrically characterize a device structure connected with the conductive feature.

The invention relates generally to semiconductor device fabrication and, in particular, to methods of forming structures for use in atomic force probing, as well as structures for use in atomic force probing.
Atomic force probing is routinely used to locate and electrically characterize features in integrated circuits for performing root cause failure analysis of defective devices. In particular, failure analysis investigations can be conducted for sub-0.1 micron complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technology to contact defective devices. Atomic force probing at the contact level of such CMOS devices permits accurate determination of basic transistor parameters such as transistor drive current in the saturation region (Idsat), threshold voltage in the linear region (Vtlin), and threshold voltage in the saturation region (Vtsat).
As the technology node shrinks, the physical defects that cause device failures also diminish in size. Because of their limited spatial resolution, it is difficult, if not impossible, to use other types of conventional probing to perform root cause failure analysis at advanced technology nodes. An atomic force probe tool is ideally suited to probe and electrically characterize transistors made with sub-0.1 micron CMOS technologies at the contact layer.
The atomic force probe tool consists of multiple atomic force heads configured to image in a contact mode using sharp probe tips composed of tungsten. The probe tips are scanned in unison across a small surface area of the integrated circuit, which has been delayered to expose the transistor contacts of interest. A force feedback loop is used to maintain a constant force pressing the probe tips against the surface. A nanometer resolution map of the topography of the surface structure is created from the scan. The transistor contacts of interest are identified in the topographic map and their locations are specified. The same probe tips are then used to probe these contacts and electrically characterize the transistor.
Sample preparation is required for probing an integrated circuit to remove overlying metallization levels of a back-end-of-line (BEOL) wiring structure so that an interlayer dielectric containing the contacts of interest for the defective device under investigation can be accessed. One approach for sample preparation is to partially delayer the BEOL wiring structure down to the interlayer dielectric by mechanical polishing to reveal the contacts of interest. Another sample preparation approach is to use a focused ion beam to drill small, deep contact holes through the various interlevel dielectrics to the lower metallization levels in order to access the transistor contacts.
Probe lifetime and image resolution are both limited by the ability of the force feedback loop to timely respond to interactions between the probe tip and the surface. Conventional sample preparation for atomic force probing provides a relatively rough surface topography that is not optimum for atomic force probing. Because the probing is performed in contact move, the probe tips are dragged along the surface. As a result, collisions with objects on the surface can damage the probe tip, which reduces the probe lifetime and the resolution.
After a sample is prepared for atomic force probing, the exposed metal can readily oxidize when exposed to atmosphere and sometimes in a day or less. The oxidation increases the probing resistance, which in turn increases significantly impacts the measurement results. Copper wires are readily prone to rapid oxidation.
Consequently, methods and structures for atomic force probing are needed that overcome these and other disadvantages of conventional atomic force probing techniques and structures.

Methods of forming structures with a focused ion beam for use in atomic force probing and structures for use in atomic force probing


A temperature-compensated crystal oscillator with good phase noise characteristics has a crystal unit, a voltage-variable capacitive element inserted in a closed oscillating loop including the crystal unit, and an amplifier for keeping oscillation in the closed oscillating loop. The frequency vs. temperature characteristics of the temperature-compensated crystal oscillator can be compensated for by the temperature compensating voltage input thereto. The temperature compensating voltage is applied to an anode of the voltage-variable capacitive element, and a voltage to prevent a current from flowing through the voltage-variable capacitive element is applied to a cathode of the voltage-variable capacitive element. The voltage-variable capacitive element preferably comprises a variable-capacitance diode.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a temperature-compensated crystal oscillator (TCXO), and more particularly to a temperature-compensated crystal oscillator with reduced phase noise.
2. Description of the Related Art
Temperature-compensated crystal oscillators are used as a reference frequency source in mobile communication devices such as cellular phone terminals or the like, for example, because they are capable of compensating for the frequency vs. temperature characteristics thereof due to the crystal unit for increased frequency stability. In recent years, there has been a demand for a temperature-compensated crystal oscillator with reduced phase noise for the purpose of maintaining desired communication quality in digital communications.
FIG. 1 shows a circuit arrangement of a conventional temperature-compensated crystal oscillator. As shown in FIG. 1, the conventional temperature-compensated crystal oscillator generally comprises a crystal oscillator and a temperature compensating mechanism, which are integrated in an IC (integrated circuit) chip. The crystal oscillator has crystal unit 1 as an inductor and a pair of voltage-variable capacitive elements 2a, 2b connected respectively to the opposite ends of crystal unit 1, the voltage-variable capacitive elements 2a, 2b doubling as oscillating capacitors. Crystal unit 1 comprises, for example, an AT-cut quartz-crystal blank whose frequency vs. temperature characteristics is represented by a cubic curve nearly at the room temperature. Each of voltage-variable capacitive elements 2a, 2b typically comprises a variable-capacitance diode. Voltage-variable capacitive elements 2a, 2b and crystal unit 1 jointly make up a resonance circuit. Voltage-variable capacitive elements 2a, 2b have respective anodes connected to a ground potential as a reference potential and respective cathodes to which there is applied a temperature compensating voltage Vc via respective resistors 6a, 6b which serve to cut off high frequency components.
Inverting amplifier 4 with feedback resistor 3 connected thereacross is connected across crystal unit 1 for amplifying the resonance frequency component of the resonance circuit. Inverting amplifier 4 should preferably comprise a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) inverter. DC-blocking capacitors 5a, 5b are provided respectively to input and output terminals of inverting amplifier 4. The temperature-compensated crystal oscillator produces an output voltage Vo from the junction between capacitor 5b and crystal unit 1. The temperature-compensated crystal oscillator may be summarized as a crystal oscillator with voltage-variable capacitive elements 2a, 2b inserted in its closed oscillation loop. The frequency vs. temperature characteristics of the crystal oscillator is represented by a cubic curve because of the characteristics of the crystal unit.
The temperature compensating mechanism generates a low-level detected-temperature signal in response to the ambient temperature based on, for example, the temperature vs. resistance characteristics of a resistor in the IC chip, and generates the temperature compensating voltage Vc from a constant voltage source based on or amplifying the detected-temperature signal. As shown in FIG. 2, the temperature compensating voltage Vc has temperature vs. voltage characteristics having a reference voltage Vco at 25xc2x0 C., which corresponds to the frequency vs. temperature characteristics of the crystal oscillator, and is represented by a cubic curve superposed on the reference voltage Vco. Various circuits for generating the temperature compensating voltage Vc are known to those skilled in the art.
When the temperature compensating voltage Vc from the temperature compensating mechanism is applied to the cathodes of voltage-variable capacitive elements 2a, 2b, the capacitances across these voltage-variable capacitive elements change. Since the equivalent series capacitance as viewed from crystal unit 1 also changes, a change in the frequency vs. temperature characteristics of the crystal oscillator can be compensated for and the frequency vs. temperature characteristics can be made flat by thus applying the temperature compensating voltage Vc which corresponds to the frequency vs. temperature characteristics of the crystal oscillator.
The temperature compensating voltage Vc is of a positive potential to apply a reverse voltage to the cathodes of voltage-variable capacitive elements 2a, 2b, so that the capacitances across voltage-variable capacitive elements 2a, 2b will be reduced in inverse proportion to the applied voltage. That is, the capacitances across voltage-variable capacitive elements 2a, 2b are changed by the reverse voltage applied thereto, with no current flowing between the anodes and cathodes of voltage-variable capacitive elements 2a, 2b.
However, the above crystal oscillator suffers the following problems by applying the temperature compensating voltage Vc to the cathodes of voltage-variable capacitive elements 2a, 2b. As shown in FIG. 3, the output signal Vo of the temperature-compensated crystal oscillator has a waveform represented by a high-frequency voltage superposed on the temperature compensating voltage Vc. The waveform of the output signal Vo has an upper limit Vmax and a lower limit Vmin. In order to keep the cathode of the voltage-variable capacitive element positive with respect to the anode thereof, the lower limit Vmin of the output signal Vo has to be greater than the potential (0 V in FIG. 3) of the anode. Therefore, the temperature compensating voltage Vc which is typified by the reference voltage Vco needs to be of a value depending on the amplitude level of the output signal, i.e., a value with the half value (Vmax+Vmin)/2 of the amplitude level being added as an offset voltage thereto. However, as described above, the temperature compensating voltage Vc is generated from the constant voltage source based on or amplifying the low-level detected-temperature signal according to the temperature vs. resistance characteristics of the resistor. The voltage signal generated by the constant voltage source generally contains more noise as the voltage value thereof is higher. Consequently, since the conventional temperature-compensated crystal oscillator needs to set the temperature compensating voltage Vc (or the reference voltage Vco) to a higher value depending on the output signal thereof, the output signal contains large noise, deteriorating the phase noise characteristics of the temperature-compensated crystal oscillator.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a temperature-compensated crystal oscillator with good phase noise characteristics.
According to the present invention, the above object can be achieved by a temperature-compensated crystal oscillator comprising a crystal unit having frequency vs. temperature characteristics, a voltage-variable capacitive element inserted in a closed oscillation loop including the crystal unit, an amplifier for keeping oscillation in the closed oscillating loop, means for applying a temperature compensating voltage to an anode of the voltage-variable capacitive element, and means for applying a voltage to prevent a current from flowing through the voltage-variable capacitive element to a cathode of the voltage-variable capacitive element, whereby the frequency vs. temperature characteristics can be compensated for by the temperature compensating voltage applied to the anode of the voltage-variable capacitive element.
Because the temperature compensating voltage is applied to the anode of the voltage-variable capacitive element, the voltage applied to the cathode of the voltage-variable capacitive element is relatively increased to apply a reverse voltage to the voltage-variable capacitive element, thus preventing a direct current from flowing through the voltage-variable capacitive element. As a result, the temperature compensating voltage can be set to a desired value without having to take into account the amplitude level of a high-frequency output voltage (oscillated output) of the temperature-compensated crystal oscillator. Since it is not necessary to add an offset voltage (Vmax+Vmin)/2 to the temperature compensating voltage and hence the temperature compensating voltage can be lowered, noise contained in the temperature compensating voltage can be reduced. As a result, the phase noise characteristics of the temperature-compensated crystal oscillator is maintained at a good level.


A composition is provided for detecting a Salmonella microorganism in sample. The composition comprises at least one first selective agent that inhibits the growth of Gram-positive microorganisms, a first differential indicator system comprising at least one first differential indicator compound that is converted to a first detectable product by a Salmonella microorganism, and a second differential indicator system comprising a second differential indicator compound that is converted by urease enzyme activity to a second detectable product. Optionally, the composition may comprise a third differential indicator system comprising a third differential indicator compound that is converted by a β-galactosidase enzyme activity to a third detectable product. Methods of using the composition to detect a Salmonella microorganism are also provided.

The family Enterobacteriaceae includes a large number of metabolically-diverse, facultatively-anaerobic bacteria that are capable of fermenting sugars (e.g., glucose) to lactic acid and/or other acidic end products. The family includes several well-known human pathogens such as Escherichia coli, several subspecies of Salmonella, Yersinia pestis, several species of Klebsiella, and several species of Shigella.
The genus Salmonella includes two species, S. enterica and S. bongori, that include subspecies capable of causing illness in humans. Some of the pathogenic Salmonellae can be transmitted to humans via the ingestion of contaminated food or beverages. The detection of Salmonella microorganisms in food samples can be difficult due to the presence of relatively low numbers of the Salmonella microorganisms in the sample, the presence of relatively high numbers of closely-related non-Salmonella enteric microorganisms in the sample, and/or the presence of non-microorganism materials (e.g., food particles or soluble chemicals) in the sample that can interfere with the growth or detection of the Salmonella microorganisms.
A variety of selective and/or differential microbiological culture media have been developed to detect Salmonella microorganisms in a sample and to distinguish them from one or more non-Salmonella microorganisms. Typically, these culture media include a selective agent that inhibits the growth of non-enteric microorganisms. In addition, many of these culture media rely on one or more differential indicator systems to distinguish between Salmonella and non-Salmonella microorganisms.
In spite of the variety of microbiological culture media to detect Salmonella microorganisms in a sample, there remains a need for improved methods to detect a Salmonella microorganism in a sample.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method of detecting a salmonella microorganism


A panel meter including an energy test pulse device that enables the panel meter to be used for revenue applications and eliminates the need for two separate meters, one for panel indication, and the other for energy and revenue applications. The electrical panel meter including at least one sensor configured for measuring an electrical parameter; at least one analog-to-digital converter coupled to the at least one sensor for converting the measured electrical parameter to a digital signal; a display for continuously displaying at least one electrical parameter; a processor configured to receive the digital signal and calculate an amount of energy consumed; and a test pulse circuit configured to receive the calculated amount and generate a plurality of pulses equal to the calculated amount, wherein each of the plurality of pulses is equal to a predetermined amount of energy.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to electrical panel meters, and more specifically, to a system and method for utilizing test pulses in electrical panel meters to enable their use for revenue metering.
2. Discussion of the Related Prior Art
Electric utility companies use revenue meters to track electric usage by customers. These meters track the amount of power consumed at a particular location. These locations range from commercial businesses to residential homes. The electric utility companies use the revenue meter to charge its customers for their power consumption, i.e., revenue metering. Typically, the revenue meter connects between utility power lines supplying electricity and a usage point, namely a residence or commercial place of business.
Traditionally, panel mounted or panel meters were utilized only for a visual indication of instantaneous readings on an electrical switchboard panel. In the past, these panel meters were exclusively analog, and were utilized for measuring the amount of voltage, current, wattage etc., supplied to consumers through the utility lines. As metering technology progressed, the panel meters became multifunction, and have the ability to measure energy as well as instantaneous measurements.
However, even though the panel meters had the ability to measure energy, the panel meters did not have the ability to be tested and verified for accuracy using traditional Utility energy based testing methods. Furthermore, since these types of meters are used generally for indication, the hardware design for panel meters was limited to a low accuracy standard, e.g., 1%, making energy test pulses futile. Therefore, conventional panel meters do not have the capability to be used for revenue billing measurements.
Traditionally, revenue meters used mechanical or analog means to track the amount of consumed power. The inductive spinning disk power meter is still commonly used. The spinning disk drives mechanical counters that track the power consumption information. Newer to the market are electronic power meters, which have replaced the older mechanical meters. Electronic revenue meters utilize digital sampling of the voltage and current waveforms to generate power consumption information. In addition to monitoring power consumption, electronic revenue meters can also monitor and calculate power quality, e.g., voltage, current, real power, reactive power, apparent power, etc. These power quality measurements and calculations are displayed on an output display device on the meter.
The traditional method for testing the revenue meters is to take an infrared pulse supplied by the mechanical energy meter, which pulses proportionally to the energy accumulated, e.g., one revolution of the inductive spinning disk equals one pulse. The standard revolution value is 1.8 watt-hours per pulse, but this value is generally adjustable. The pulses are then counted and compared to pulses generated by a standard energy reference. If the accuracy of the taken infrared pulses is within the percentage required by the industry standards, then the energy meter would be determined to be in good standing and put into service. Otherwise, the meter would be re-calibrated and tested again or not used.
The veracity of panel measuring devices could not be determined in the field through the use of traditional methods and equipment. Since utility testing equipment relies on energy pulse accumulation of which are not available with indication panel instrumentation. Therefore, these meters would not be used for billing purposes as the supplied data can potentially be erroneous.

Test pulses for enabling revenue testable panel meters


An automatic transmission calculates a current thermal load state of the frictional element, predicts (S24, S31), prior to the start of the shift, a heat generation amount of the frictional element if the shift is performed in the first shift mode, predicts (S25, S32) a thermal load state of the frictional element upon shift completion on the basis of the current thermal load state of the frictional element and the predicted heat generation amount, and either performs (S28, S38) the shift in a second shift mode, in which a heat generation amount is lower than that of the first shift mode, or prohibits (S39) the shift when the predicted thermal load state upon shift completion is inside a predetermined region.

In a typical conventional automatic transmission for an automobile, the rotation of an engine is input via a torque converter, varied in speed by a shift mechanism having a plurality of planetary gears, and output to a drive shaft or a propeller shaft (the axle side).
The shift mechanism of this type of automatic transmission executes a shift by transmitting the rotation of an input shaft to a specific gear or carrier of the planetary gear in accordance with a shift position and transmitting the rotation of the specific gear or carrier to an output shaft appropriately. The shift mechanism also comprises a plurality of frictional elements such as clutches and brakes to converge the rotation of the specific gear or carrier appropriately during the shift, and performs a predetermined shift by switching a torque transmission path in accordance with engagement and disengagement combinations of the frictional elements. Hydraulic clutches and brakes, the engagement state of which is controlled through the supply and discharge of oil pressure, are typically employed as the frictional elements.
If a vehicle travels in the vicinity of a boundary region of a vehicle traveling condition when performing a predetermined shift in a conventional automatic transmission, the selected gear position may vary such that the shift is repeated. For example, when performing a 3-4 shift from a third speed to a fourth speed, the 3-4 shift from the third speed to the fourth speed and a 4-3 shift from the fourth speed to the third speed are repeated such that the gear position varies continuously from three to four to three to four and so on.
When shifts are performed continuously in this manner, the same frictional elements are repeatedly engaged and disengaged over a long time period, and therefore the thermal load applied to the frictional elements increases (the temperature increases). As a result, the burns may occur on the frictional elements, leading to eventual burnout. It should be noted that in this specification, "thermal load" is used to mean "temperature" or "heat generation".
In response to this problem, JP3402220B, published by the Japan Patent Office, discloses a technique using a timer. More specifically, a timer is counted down during a continuous shift, and when the timer value reaches a predetermined value, subsequent shifts are prohibited, assuming that the thermal load state (temperature) of the frictional element has reached a burnout temperature. When the continuous shift ends before the timer value reaches the predetermined value, the timer is counted up on a fixed gradient, assuming that heat radiation is underway.
Hence, when the continuous shift resumes immediately after the end of the continuous shift, countdown of the timer value begins from a smaller value than an initial value, and therefore control is executed taking into consideration the amount of accumulated heat in the frictional element.

Shift control device for automatic transmission and control method thereof


A gas-discharge waveguide CO2 laser has a Z-shaped folded waveguide formed by three ceramic tubes. Ends of the adjacent tubes are shaped and fitted together to form a common aperture. The tubes are held fitted together by spaced-apart parallel discharge electrodes. Four mirrors are arranged to form a laser-resonator having a longitudinal axis extending through the tubes.

Waveguide CO2 gas-discharge lasers with output power of about 100 Watts (W) or lower are generally preferred for applications such as product marking, engraving and fine cutting, where high beam-quality is important. In such a laser, a lasing mode in a resonator of the laser is controlled by confining the lasing mode in mutually perpendicular, transverse axes in a dielectric waveguide. Radio frequency (RF) power, supplied to electrodes on opposite sides of the waveguide in one of the transverse axes, creates a gas-discharge in a lasing-gas mixture in the waveguide. The gas-discharge energizes the lasing gas mixture and thereby provides optical gain in the laser-resonator. The lasing-gas mixture typically is a mixture of carbon-dioxide (CO2) with inert gases, such as nitrogen and helium.
For any given lasing gas mixture, and RF power applied to the electrodes, the laser-resonator will have a certain gain-per-unit-length. Because of this, power in a beam delivered from the laser is directly dependent, inter alia, on the length of the laser-resonator.
In order to confine a waveguide CO2 laser within a convenient space or "footprint", the laser-resonator is typically "folded" one or more times by a plurality of mirrors. A detailed description of such folded-resonator, waveguide CO2 lasers is provided in U.S. Pat. No. 6,192,061, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, and the complete disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. A principle feature of these waveguide CO2 lasers is that the correspondingly-folded waveguide is machined, by a grinding process, into a block of a ceramic material, such as alumina. This permits adjacent waveguide branches at an angle to each other to overlap at the "fold", and merge into a single aperture. One advantage of such machined waveguide branches is that the waveguide branches are held permanently in exact alignment with each other. A disadvantage of machined waveguide branches, however, is that the grinding operation is time-consuming and relatively expensive. By way of example the cost of a Z-shaped three channel waveguide can be as high as 17% of the cost of a complete laser with power-supply. Accordingly, there is a need for a comparable folded ceramic waveguide arrangement that does not require an expensive ceramic machining or grinding operation.


A cooling air blower for a combustion engine for a two-stroke engine of a hand-held working tool has a cooling air channel for supplying cooling air to a combustion engine and a blower fan for conveying air into the cooling air channel. A combustion air channel branches off the cooling air channel for guiding combustion air to an intake member of the combustion engine. The combustion air channel has a section extending adjacent to the cooling air channel. The combustion air channel has furthermore an air intake socket within that section, the air intake socket being narrower than the cooling air channel and extending transverse, when viewed in a plan view, to a main air flow direction of the cooling air channel into the cooling air channel. The air intake socket is positioned at a slant relative to the main air flow direction and has an inlet opening located on a side of the intake socket facing away from the blower fan. The inlet opening allows passage of air from the cooling air channel into the combustion air channel.

The invention relates to a cooling air blower for a combustion engine, especially for two-stroke engines for hand-held tools such as motor-driven chain saws, blowing devices, cutting-off machines etc., which have a blower fan that supplies cooling air for the combustion engine to a cooling air channel. The cooling air blower further has a combustion air channel branching off the cooling air channel which supplies the intake member of the combustion engine with combustion air needed for operation, whereby the combustion air channel has one section that is adjacent to the cooling air channel and is provided with an inlet opening for allowing air from the cooling air channel into the combustion air channel.
In a known cooling air blower according to Swedish printed document 442 232 the combustion air channel is positioned approximately in a plane parallel to the radial blower fan and limits axially a cooling air spiral surrounding the blower fan. An annular slot is provided within the combustion air channel and is facing the cooling air channel, whereby the annular slot is covered relative to the blower fan by a baffle plate in order to prevent a direct introduction of dirt particles contained within the cooling air into the combustion air channel. Due to the great extension of the annular slot a considerable disturbance of the cooling air flow within the cooling air spiral occurs which may result in an impairment of the cooling effect of the combustion engine. Furthermore, the annular slot is positioned close to the exit of the cooling air spiral where a relatively high static pressure is present which favors the transfer of dirt particles from the cooling air flow into the combustion air channel.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to improve a cooling air blower of the aforementioned kind such that with a relatively low disturbance of the cooling air flow even great amounts of substantially dirt particle-free combustion air can be branched off.

Cooling air blower with combustion air channel


A system and method for interfacing equipment with flight Aircraft Equipment without causing interference between same. An isolation module includes transmission and power control functionality for ensuring safe and secure operation of the equipment on the aircraft.

Government regulation requires all aircraft equipment to be certified prior to in-flight use to ensure compatibility of equipment and safety of flight. Equipment is classified as 'flight critical' or 'non-critical', where the level of certification depends on the criticality of that component to safe flight. Consumer and industrial grade devices, such as laptop computers and other electronics, are often desirable for in-flight use with the aircraft systems for a variety or uses, however, such equipment, normally cannot be inexpensively certified for aircraft use. This is because this unshielded equipment can, for example, induce damaging electromagnetism into the aircraft wiring by acting as an antenna to high intensity radio frequencies (HIRF) or lightning (even when such equipment is not switched on), or can interfere with on-board equipment by emitting radio and/or electromagnetic interference (EMI). Heavy shielding is therefore required, and certification requirements thus reduce the ease with which such equipment may be introduced to the aircraft. U.S. Pat. No. 6,401,013 proposes providing a specially-designed, shielded housing to permit direct connection of a consumer laptop to cockpit systems, however, the solution lacks flexibility and is still expensive, since it requires special shielding and is adapted for use with a specific piece of equipment (a PC) for a specific purpose (connection to cockpit computers). Also, changing equipment requires modification, such as modified security measures suitable for the new device, which reduces interchangeability. Consequently, the problem of permitting relatively easy use of consumer and industrial grade equipment on an aircraft remains to be addressed.

Method and apparatus for isolating aircraft equipment


A lithium-containing complex oxide exhibits a high performance as a cathode active material of a lithium secondary cell or the like and having a high tap density. A granular lithium-containing complex oxide, such as lithium manganese complex oxide, is made up of “complex oxide grains produced by integrating lithium-rich material grains abnormally grown during a firing reaction with the surfaces of the base grains by sintering.” The number of complex oxide grains is not more than 50 per gram of the complex grains. A metal oxide such as manganese oxide and lithium carbonate not more than 5 μm in average grain size are mixed by means of a mixer which grinds and mixes particles by using a shearing force and heated and fired at a warming rate of not more than 50° C./h., thus producing the lithium-containing complex oxide.

A lithium secondary battery, which has lately been in rapidly increasing demand, comprises three basic elements, namely, a cathode, an anode, and a separator holding an electrolyte interposed between the cathode and the anode.
The cathode is made of a current collector, such as a metal foil, metal mesh and so forth, and coated with a slurry prepared by mixing an active material, an electro-conductive material, a binding agent, and a plasticizer, where necessary, in a dispersive medium.
Incidentally, for a cathode active material, a lithium-cobalt complex oxide (LiCoO2) has mainly been used.
However, disadvantages of using cobalt (Co) as the raw material of the cathode active material from the aspects of cobalt resources, and its higher price have recently become a concern, so that attention is being focused on the use of cheaper cathode materials such as lithium-manganese complex oxide (LixMn2O4) and lithium-nickel complex oxide (LiNiO2).
The lithium-manganese complex oxide (LixMn2O4) among others has been regarded as a preferable material for use as the cathode active material of the lithium secondary battery because its discharge voltage is high and the thermal stability in the charging state is relatively high.
In general, the lithium-manganese complex oxide (LixMn2O4) is synthesized by sintering a mixture of electrolytic manganese dioxide, chemical manganese dioxide, or a manganese oxide, such as Mn2O3, Mn3O4, obtained by applying heat treatment to the former, with a lithium compound (lithium carbonate, and so on) at a predetermined mixing ratio.
However, there has been pointed out a problem of the conventional lithium-manganese complex oxide (LixMn2O4) when it is used as the cathode active material of the lithium secondary battery that cycle characteristics (particularly cycle characteristics at a high temperature) are not satisfactory.
To solve such a problem, a new method of producing a lithium-manganese complex oxide has been proposed in JP-2000-281349A, which states that manganese oxide not more than 10 μm in median grain size obtained, by a process comprising the steps of applying heat treatment at a temperature in a range of 400 to 800° C. to manganese carbonate, for example, spherical in grain shape, in an atmosphere with an oxygen concentration less than 15%, and applying heat treatment again at a temperature in a range of 530 to 800° C. in an atmosphere with an oxygen concentration not less than 15%, is mixed with a lithium compound (lithium carbonate, and so on) to be subsequently sintered.
Further, in JP-2000-281349A, it is described that a lithium-manganese complex oxide with the chemical composition represented by LixMn2O4 (1.0≦x≦1.2), spherical in grain shape, and not more than 10 μm in medial grain size, having a tap density of not less than 1.8 g/cm3, can be obtained by the method proposed as above, and if the lithium-manganese complex oxide described above is used as the cathode active material of a lithium secondary battery, a lithium secondary battery having fully satisfactory cycle characteristics, even at a high temperature, can be implemented.
However, as a result of further studies conducted by the inventors, it has been found out that a lithium-manganese complex oxide sufficiently high in tap density cannot be obtained occasionally, even by the method disclosed in JP-2000-281349A, and it is therefore not possible to fully dispel apprehensions for adverse effects on the coating properties thereof against the current collector of the lithium secondary battery, and for a possibility that this might turn out to be a factor for blocking further enhancement of the performance of the lithium secondary battery.
In view of the above, it is an object of the invention to establish means for stably providing a lithium-containing complex oxide which is high in tap density and capable of exhibiting satisfactory performance as the cathode active material of a lithium secondary battery.

Lithium-containing complex oxide and method of producing same


A brake controller for controlling the brakes of a towed vehicle which is pulled by a towing vehicle comprises a sensor assembly which determines the position of the brake pedal of the towing vehicle, and if necessary, compensates for inertia which can affect the output of some sensors. The output of the sensor assembly is transmitted to a processor, which in turn transmits a signal (the strength of which is a function of the pedal position) to brakes of the towed vehicle to activate the brakes of the towed vehicle.

This invention relates generally to towed vehicle brake controllers and, in particular, to a novel towed vehicle brake controller which can be retrofitted to a towing vehicle to effect a gradual application of the towed vehicle brakes proportional to the movement of the towing vehicle brake pedal.
Towed vehicles, such as recreational and utility trailers adapted to be towed by automobiles and small trucks, are commonly provided with electric brakes. The electric brakes generally include a pair of brake shoes located at each wheel which, when actuated, frictionally engage a brake drum on the towed vehicle. An electromagnet is mounted on one end of a lever to actuate the brake shoes, and is drawn against the rotating brake drum when an electrical current is applied, thereby pivoting a lever to actuate the brake shoes. Typically, the braking force provided is proportional to the electrical current applied to the electromagnet. The electrical current may run as high as 12 amperes on a double axle trailer.
Early trailer brake controllers for towed vehicles tied directly into the towing vehicles' braking system, either by tapping into the brake lines of the towing vehicle to determine the brake pressure or determining the position of the brake pedal with different types of linkages to determine the pedal position and to then apply the brakes of the towed vehicle accordingly. Some controls used a timer tied to the towing vehicle's brake lights that would gradually apply trailer brakes over a period of seconds.
Current commercially available controllers (apart from some integrated vehicle controllers) generally are either timer based controllers or velocity sensor based controllers.
In timer based controllers, the towed vehicle brakes are engaged a set time period after the towing vehicle brakes are engaged. The time period is set by the driver and is often adjustable. These controllers are typically tied into the brake light system, to be activated when the brake lights are activated. In timer based control systems, braking increases at a preset rate until the brakes are released or maximum braking is reached. Such systems are of simple design, are inexpensive, and are easy to mount. However, because they are time based, the braking of the towed vehicle is not proportional to the braking of the towing vehicle. Further, they must be connected to the brake indicator system.
In a velocity sensor based controller, the towed vehicle's brakes are applied in a proportional manner according to changes in velocity of the towing vehicle. Velocity changes are sensed either by pendulum based sensors or accelerometer chips. True velocities are not detected, only changes in "g-forces" are detected. Unlike the timer based systems, velocity sensor based systems provide for a form of proportional braking when deceleration is detected. These velocity sensor based systems are responsive to changes in speed, rather than braking activity, and can thus be fooled by road conditions and/or vehicle orientation. Also, like the timer based systems, the velocity sensor based systems require connectivity to the towing vehicle's brake indicator system.
Current towed vehicle brake controllers suffer from the flaw that they try to infer braking activity, rather than measuring braking activity. Therefore, typical timer-based systems or velocity sensor based systems apply the brakes of the towed vehicle after the brakes have been applied to the towing vehicle. However, it is preferable to begin application of the towed vehicle brakes prior to application of the towing vehicle brakes so that the towed vehicle will begin slowing down prior to, and no later than, the time the towing vehicle begins to slow down. This issue was solved by the controller described in my U.S. Pat. No. 6,050,649, which is incorporated herein by reference. The controller of that patent has worked well. However, it can be improved.

James C. Hensley Revocable Living Trust A


The present invention is directed to a method to monitor user trajectories within a virtual universe. A method for monitoring a user trajectory of any avatar in a virtual universe may include recording an activity of an avatar within a virtual universe, and then rendering the recording as a visible path. The activity may include movement, duration at a coordinate, time between coordinates, and/or angle of positioning of the avatar. The invention, for example, reminds an avatar a reminder as to where he/she has traversed in the past; shows paths that their team or family members have traversed; and/or gives an indication of popular paths taken by avatars.

A virtual environment is an interactive simulated environment accessed by multiple users through an online interface. Users inhabit and interact in the virtual environment via avatars, which are two or three-dimensional graphical representations of humanoids. There are many different types of virtual environments, however there are several features many virtual environments generally have in common:    A) Shared Space: the environment allows many users to participate at once.    B) Graphical User Interface: the environment depicts space visually, ranging in style from 2D "cartoon" imagery to more immersive 3D environments.    C) Immediacy: interaction takes place in real time.    D) Interactivity: the environment allows users to alter, develop, build, or submit customized content.    E) Persistence: the environment's existence continues regardless of whether individual users are logged in.    F) Socialization/Community: the environment allows and encourages the formation of social groups such as teams, guilds, clubs, cliques, housemates, neighborhoods, etc.
An avatar can have a wide range of business and social experiences. Such business and social experiences are becoming more common and increasingly important in on-line virtual environments (e.g., universes, worlds, etc.), such as that provided in the on-line world Second Life (Second Life is a trademark of Linden Research in the United States, other countries, or both). The Second Life client program provides its users (referred to as residents) with tools to view, navigate, and modify the Second Life world and participate in its virtual economy.
Second Life and other on-line virtual environments present a tremendous new outlet for both structured and unstructured virtual collaboration, gaming, exploration, and travel, as well as real-life simulations in virtual spaces. While virtual environments allow avatars to move between different locations, there are no known methods of tracking movements of the avatar to allow either the traveling avatar him/herself, or other avatars (e.g., third parties), to know where the avatar has traveled. As a result, for example, virtual city planners, civil engineers, and other agents are unable to plan, design, modify, and/or construct any new aspects of the virtual universe that incorporate or account for any of these various movements.
Accordingly, there is an opportunity to improve upon the existing virtual universe experience.

Method to monitor user trajectories within a virtual universe

International Business Machines Corporation


The present invention relates to a brivaracetam intermediate, a preparation method therefor, and a preparation method for brivaracetam. The steps of the method for preparing brivaracetam described in the present invention are short and the raw materials are cheap, moreover, the method is simple and highly effective without requiring isomer separation by means of column chromatography or asymmetric synthesis, being suitable for industrial large-scale production. In addition, disclosed by the present invention is a compound as shown in formula (II), which may be used for the synthesis of brivaracetam.

Brivaracetam is a new-generation antiepileptic drug developed by UCB. In February 2016, the US FDA approved brivaracetam for the market. Brivaracetam can be used as an additional drug for other drugs in the treatment of partial epilepsy.
The structure of brivaracetam (S)-2-((R)-2-oxo-4-propylpyrrolin-1-yl)butanamide is shown below. Since there are two chiral centers in the brivaracetam, corresponding to four different isomers, this brings certain difficulties to the synthesis of brivaracetam. The current methods for synthesizing brivaracetam are mainly reported as follows.

The earliest method, developed by UCB, used n-valeraldehyde as a raw material, first cyclized with glyoxylic acid, and then reacted with L-aminobutanamide, the resulting product was hydrogenated to form a pair of diastereomers, and then separated and purified by the column chromatographic to obtain the product brivaracetam. Such as described in CN1208319C and CN1882535B. Although the steps of this method are short, the last step can only be separated by column chromatography, which is costly and is not suitable for mass production and limits its application.

CN107663185A reported that (R)-4-propyldihydrofuran-2(3H)-one was used as an intermediate to react with L-aminobutanamide to obtain brivaracetam. However, the synthesis route of chiral (R)-4-propyldihydrofuran-2(3H)-one is very long, involving the reaction of metal reagents, and it also needs multiple conversions with L-aminobutanamide to obtain the target product. This makes the entire synthesis route long and complicated to

CN106748950A reported a method of using a mixture of epimer acid as an intermediate to obtain a single isomer acid through the method of salt formation and purification with R-phenethylamine, and then converting into brivaracetam. This method is relatively simple, but it is difficult to implement in actual operation.

Brivaracetam intermediate, preparation method therefor, and preparation method for brivaracetam


Various features pertain to embedded key generation and provisioning systems, such as systems installed within smartphones for generating public-key/private-key pairs for use in encryption/decryption and digital signature generation. In some examples, an embedded system is provided that generates two public-key/private-key pairs—one for encryption/decryption and the other for signing/verification—where the two public-key/private-key pairs share a common modulus but are otherwise distinct or uncorrelated. This allows the two key pairs to be generated more efficiently than if two entirely separate key pairs were generated and yet, at least in the context of embedded systems, satisfactory integrity and confidentiality is achieved. Techniques for decrypting and signing messages using common modulus keys are described for use by an embedded component of a mobile device, along with techniques for encrypting and verifying messages for use by a remote system such as a key provisioning server of a partner software vendor.

Field of the Disclosure
Various features relate to encryption/decryption and digital signature generation, particularly asymmetric cryptography involving public and private keys.
Description of Related Art
Asymmetric cryptographic systems such as public key systems (also referred to as public-key/private-key systems) typically have advantages over other cryptographic systems in terms of key management and distribution. However, public key systems often may be computationally difficult and may involve large digital signatures. The key generation process may be computationally expensive. Accordingly, asymmetric cryptographic systems may require a powerful processor or may require additional processing time, which may cause delays, use more energy and/or drain batteries or other resources.
Furthermore, it is generally considered good cryptographic practice to have separate keys for different applications/protocols. In particular, if an asymmetric cryptographic system needs to receive encrypted messages and decrypt them, and also generate digital signatures, it is often advisable to have distinct keys for the two protocols. However, when using asymmetric cryptographic systems such as Rivest-Shamir-Adleman (RSA) systems, it is often too computationally expensive to generate two keys (e.g., in general twice as burdensome as generating just one key.) This can be especially problematic in embedded devices of key provisioning systems with limited resources, such as smartphones or the like. Note that herein, for brevity, the term key provisioning system generally refers to a system capable of generating and/or provisioning keys. It should be understood that, in practice, separate systems may be employed to generate the RSA keys while other systems provision the keys.
In view of the foregoing, it would be helpful to provide improved key generation and provisioning techniques and systems, particularly for use with embedded key provisioning systems.

Common modulus RSA key pairs for signature generation and encryption/decryption


A board member including a plurality of linear and arcuate tracks are provided, with each of the tracks including respective openings directed therethrough extending from the board top through bottom walls to permit the execution of lettering by the board to accommodate each letter of the alphabet.

1. Field of the Invention
The field of invention relates to lettering guide structure, and more particularly pertains to a new and improved letter guide apparatus wherein the same is arranged to provide for a unitary board member permitting simulation of each alphabet letter.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Letter guides of various types are indicated in the prior art and exemplified by the U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,392,306; 3,584,385; as well as various stencil structure such as exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 4,916,826, as well as U.S. Pat. No. 4,972,598.
The instant invention attempts to overcome deficiencies of the prior art by employing a unitary board member arranged to provide for the stenciling of each alphabet letter on a selective basis and in this respect, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.


A single chip GSM/EDGE transceiver comprises a fully differential receive chain, a subharmonic mixer in the receive chain, the subharmonic mixer configured to receive a radio frequency (RF) input signal and a local oscillator (LO) signal that is phase-shifted by a nominal 45 degrees, and a synthesizer having a voltage controlled oscillator and having at least one frequency divider to generate desired transmit and receive LO signals. The transceiver also comprises a transmitter having a closed power control loop, and a harmonic rejection modulator, the use thereof made possible by a frequency plan designed to allow the synthesizer to develop the transmit and receive LO signals without a frequency multiplier.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to transceiver architecture in a wireless portable communication device. More particularly, the invention relates to a single chip implementation of a global system for mobile communication (GSM)/enhanced data rates for GSM evolution (EDGE), referred to as "GSM/EDGE," transceiver having closed loop power control.
2. Related Art
Radio frequency (RF) transmitters are found in many one-way and two-way communication devices, such as portable communication devices, (cellular telephones), personal digital assistants (PDAs) and other communication devices. An RF transmitter must transmit using whatever communication methodology is dictated by the particular communication system within which it is operating. For example, communication methodologies typically include amplitude modulation, frequency modulation, phase modulation, or a combination of these. In a typical global system for mobile communications (GSM) mobile communication system using narrowband TDMA technology, a Gaussian minimum shift keying (GMSK) modulation scheme supplies a very clean phase modulated (PM) transmit signal to a non-linear power amplifier directly from an oscillator.
In such an arrangement, a non-linear power amplifier, which is highly efficient, can be used, thus allowing efficient transmission of the phase-modulated signal and minimizing power consumption. Because the modulated signal is supplied directly from an oscillator, the need for filtering, either before or after the power amplifier, is minimized. Other transmission standards, such as that employed in IS-136, however, use a modulation scheme in which the transmitted signal is both phase modulated (PM) and amplitude modulated (AM). Standards such as these increase the data rate without increasing the bandwidth of the transmitted signal. Unfortunately, existing GSM transmitter hardware is not easily adapted to transmit a signal that includes both a PM component and an AM component. One reason for this difficulty is that in order to transmit a signal containing a PM component and an AM component, a highly linear power amplifier is required. Unfortunately, highly linear power amplifiers are very inefficient, thus consuming significantly more power than a non-linear power amplifier and drastically reducing the life of the battery or other power source.
This condition is further complicated because transmitters typically employed in GSM communication systems transmit in bursts and must be able to control the ramp-up of the transmit power as well as have a high degree of control over the output power level over a wide power range. In GSM this power control is typically performed using a closed feedback loop in which a portion of the signal output from the power amplifier is compared with a reference signal and the resulting error signal is fed back to the control port of the power amplifier.
The EDGE communication system attempts to increase the data transmission capability of a GSM communication system by including an amplitude modulation (AM) component in the transmit signal. However, when attempting to add an AM component to the GSM type modulation system, the power control loop will attenuate the amplitude variations present in the signal in an attempt to maintain a constant output power. In such an arrangement, the power control loop tends to cancel the AM portion of the signal.
Further, in those transmission standards in which both a PM signal and an AM signal are sent to a power amplifier, unless the power amplifier is very linear, it may distort the combined transmission signal by causing undesirable AM to PM conversion. This conversion is detrimental to the transmit signal and can require the use of a costly and inefficient linear power amplifier.
In the past, the transceiver components for such a communication system were typically implemented using multiple devices, also referred to as "chips." However, industry pressures to reduce cost, implementation complexity and power consumption and to extend battery life are driving the industry to attempt single chip architectures. Unfortunately, a single chip implementation for a GSM/EDGE transceiver presents many design challenges, especially in a system in which a closed power control loop is used to control output power of the transmitter. For example, when a closed loop power control system is implemented on the same chip as the transceiver components, the radio frequency (RF) on-chip isolation requirement between the components becomes a major factor affecting transceiver performance.

Single chip GSM/EDGE transceiver architecture with closed loop power control


A spacer for delivering a medicinal substance is provided having a chamber having a tubular body defining a first reservoir, the top end of the body narrowing to define a single unobstructed central chamber aperture, a base for the body having an inlet for admission of the substance into the first reservoir, a vented member connected atop the body, a mouthpiece connected atop the vented member and partly defining a second reservoir, the mouthpiece having an outlet for withdrawal of the substance from the second reservoir The spacer also has a valve within the chamber having a self-supporting central domed portion and defining a central cross slit at its peak, the domed portion opening during inspiration and closing during expiration, and a flat ringed portion surrounding the domed portion with a circumferential free edge, the diameter of the ringed portion being approximately twice the diameter of the domed portion.

Any discussion of documents, devices, acts or knowledge in this specification is included to explain the context of the invention. It should not to be taken as an admission that any of the material forms a part of the prior art base or the common general knowledge in the relevant art in Australia or elsewhere on or before the priority date of the disclosure herein.
Sufferers of asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) often use a metered dose inhaler in order to inhale a bronchodilatory drug such as Salbutimol into their lungs, thereby opening up their pathologically constricted airways. However, if the patient is unable to co-ordinate spraying of the medication into their mouth (which is actuated by depressing a medication canister inside a housing of the inhaler), with a deep inspiratory breath, much of the medication may be deposited on the back of their mouth instead of being drawn deep into their lungs. A spacer may be particularly beneficial for patients struggling with this timing issue as the spacer allows the patient draw medication deep into the lungs by a process of spraying the medication into the spacer and then slowly and deeply breathing in and out, usually for about 5 to 10 breaths.
Whilst not being an admission of common general knowledge, U.S. Pat. No. 5,816,240 describes a spacer having: a chamber with a mouthpiece; an inspiratory valve with a radially extending disc and an axially extending plug retainer, the inspiratory valve being configured for opening on inspiration by a patient and closing upon expiration by a patient; and an expiratory valve comprising a radially extending ring, the inspiratory valve being configured for opening upon expiration by a patient and dosing upon inspiration by a patient.
A disadvantage of prior art spacers such as the one mentioned above may be the use of two valves which both move during inspiration and expiration, potentially causing increased resistance to flow and leading to overly complex designs. Another disadvantage with these types of spacers may be the need for ultrasonic welding of the chamber components, potentially adding to the complexity and reducing efficiency of assembly during manufacture.
Thus, it may be advantageous to provide a new spacer, or new component for a spacer, which reduces, limits, overcomes, or ameliorates some of the problems, drawbacks, or disadvantages associated with prior art devices, or provides an effective alternative to such devices.


A dual compound and isolated exercise machine includes a frame including a first portion and a second portion positioned in a plane generally perpendicular to the first portion. The spool line may be relocated to any leverage point on or near the frame. The spool assembly can be wirelessly controlled. Wireless signal sent to a wireless receiver activates a motor, gear reduction box, and variable speed drive to join the spool assembly, causing the release or retraction of the spool line. Tension along the spool line is measured by a force transducer and converted to readable real time measurements for display on a data monitor. The device is capable of producing and measuring maximum (0 to 100%) potential muscle concentric, isometric and concentric muscle contractions. The device is collapsible, portable and wheel chair and paraplegic accessible.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to exercise and rehabilitation machines. More particularly, the invention relates to a self-adjusting apparatus that is capable of producing and measuring 0-100% of maximum voluntary eccentric, concentric, and static muscular contractions of an individual while exercising or rehabilitating.
2. Description of the Related Art
Various exercise machines have been developed to exercise certain types of human body muscles. These machines are categorized into two broad groups: 1) compound machines which exercise multiple pairs of muscles at the same time and 2) isolation machines which exercise only one pair of muscles at a time. In either case the actual exercise occurs with the movement and contraction of the muscles against an opposing force. The effectiveness of the machine in meeting the specific needs of the user will depend on the quality of interaction between the machine and its user.
The human body muscle is capable of three distinct types of contractions. The first is a positive or concentric function in which the muscle contracts under a load that is less than the muscle strength. The second is a static or isometric function in which the muscle attempts to contract against a load that is greater than the muscle strength. The third is a negative or eccentric function in which an external load is large enough to overcome the muscle strength and force the muscle to elongate in spite of an attempt by the person to contract the muscle.
It is well known that the muscles perform much more efficiently during eccentric functions than during concentric or isometric functions. This is because the same muscle is capable of exerting greater force during its eccentric function than it can during either concentric or isometric functions. Further, concentric and isometric functions results in a comparatively greater expense of energy and stress to the nervous system than eccentric functions, resulting in greater stress to the overall body for the same work out. For this reason, eccentric contraction exercises are preferable from a rehabilitative stance since it produces the much desired benefits of strength building and injury prevention at a much lower metabolic cost with less demand on the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems of the body.
Various types of muscle strengthening equipment have been developed over the years but few take advantage of the varying efficiencies in muscle physiology during motion. These include simple conventional barbells to prohibitively expensive hydraulics. These machines are generally limited to one particular muscle, requiring the purchase of a complete line of machines, which can be very expensive and can occupy a large amount of space. The inconvenience from the lack of versatility in the foregoing machines is experienced at a greater level by physically disabled users, their therapists and trainers. The current rehabilitation equipment available for physically disabled users, particularly those who are wheel chair bound, often require additional handling assistance and do not permit autonomy of use. The difficulty of handling by disabled users often leads to injury, feelings of dependence and frustration which leads to depression.
With few exceptions, prior art exercise and rehabilitation machines continue to be cost prohibitive, non-versatile and fail to maximize on the user's potential workout by exploring the full range muscle functions discussed above. An improvement on these combinations of features would be ideal.
Almost all known prior machines impose a single load that the person must overcome during both concentric and eccentric muscle functions. A few machines are capable of imposing different loads for concentric and eccentric muscle functions, but those machines invariably include very expensive and complicated hydraulic systems.
Examples of prior mechanical exercise machines are plentiful. The Nautilus Co., among others, employ the use of spiral cams in their machines to accommodate the force curves that take place as muscles lengthen and leverage changes occurring during a concentric contraction. However, these machines do not address the difference in performance between concentric, static and eccentric contractions.
Other commercially available exercise machines utilize guided sliding weight stacks. In these machines, the weight can only be changed in between exercise repetitions but not during. Many other styles of commercial exercise machines such as lever based weight machines and plate-loaded machines suffer the same problem in that the inability to manipulate weights during exercise repetitions prohibits the machine from taking advantage of the user's full work out potential as it relates to the various muscle functions.
Examples of lever based machines include the standard bench press, as ones marketed by the Powertec Direct Company. Somewhat similar equipment is shown in PCT patent WO89/01805. Other examples of beam and weight type exercising machines may be seen in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,050,873; 5,066,003; 5,125,881; 5,135,449; 5,135,456; 5,171,198; 5,180,354; 5,181,896; 5,273,504; 5,273,505; and Des 321,391. No machine of the foregoing patents gives any indication that different loads should be overcome by the user during concentric and eccentric functions.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,826,155 shows equipment that takes into account the inherent ability of human muscles to perform differently during concentric and eccentric functions. This patent shows a harness worn by the user that is tied with a rope through a block and tackle to assist the user in raising weights during concentric muscle functions. During eccentric muscle functions, a spotter allows an increased load to be imposed on the user.
My earlier patent, U.S. Pat. No. 7,070,543, is a recent invention which does attempt to maximize on the benefits between concentric, isometric and eccentric contractions. The device is a compound weight machine with leverage arms pivoted to a frame. A small force is applied while the lever is in a raised position, imposing an additional load that the user must resist during the eccentric muscle function. The manipulation of weights during each repetition allows the user to maximize his potential concentric and eccentric exertion potential. However, since the variation in load is based on preset weights, it is difficult to measure gradual real time changes in the user's voluntary muscle contraction during exercise. Further, the machine is not self adjustable because it requires assistance of a second party spotter to apply additional loads during repetitions to accomplish the intentions of the machine.
The counterpart to the above referenced compound exercise machine is an isolated exercise machine, U.S. Pat. No. 7,070,544, which maximizes the benefits between concentric, isometric and eccentric contractions. The device comprises a bench style work station with a leverage arm that rotates in unison with one or the other of two force stations. A spotter applies a small force to the leverage arm in its raised position, creating an amplified force against the working muscles during eccentric contractions. As with its counterpart in the above referenced patent, this invention functions manually and is not self-adjusting. Similarly, changes in performance during exercise are limited by the preset loads of the weights. The inability to achieve more accurate real time measurements limits the ability of physical trainers and therapists to control their client's rehabilitation process.
None of the above-patents show a user adjustable machine that is controlled by the user.
Further, none show a machine that has a drive assembly that is controlled at the handle by the user.
Still further, none show a machine that has a drive assembly that is wirelessly controlled by the user.
Still further yet, none show a spool that selectably winds and unwinds.
Still further yet, none show a spool that can utilize a variable amount of force as adjusted by the user during an exercise.
Still further yet, none show a dual or compound drive assembly that is selectably adjustable between a vertical frame and a horizontal frame.
Still further yet, none show a frame having guide posts that allow the user to select from multiple exercises based on use of either the vertical or horizontal frame.
Still further yet, none show a force transducer and converter that converts to standard units to provide real-time feedback to the user.
Still further yet, none show a machine that is adapted for removal of the seat assembly for use with a wheel chair.
Thus there exists a need for a user controlled exercise machine that solves these and other problems.


A device for placing individual road markers in desired configurations along a road surface comprises an application wheel having at least one aperture connected to a frame by an axle. The frame and application wheel are then connected to a trailer that is pulled along behind a pulling device. The apertures of the application wheel are dimensioned to receive a part of the road marker in a position tangential to the surface of the application wheel. As the application wheel rolls over the surface, the base portion of the marker contacts the road surface. An adhesive portion of the marker causes the base of the marker to become adhered to the road surface. As the application wheel continues to roll, the standing reflective portion of the marker is withdrawn from its position within aperture of the application wheel, and remains in a desired location upon the road surface.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a device for placing temporary pavement markers used as short-term temporary road markers during road resurfacing, and more particularly relates to a device for placing temporary pavement markers in a desired location from a moving vehicle.
2. Background Information
Periodic road maintenance normally includes pavement resurfacing using either a chip, slurry, or road seal compound that is applied over the original surface in order to restore and protect it. When this is done, the existing painted traffic lines, be they centerlines, passing lines, no passing lines, turn lane lines, or any other traffic painted line will be covered and thereby obliterated and no longer visible.
In order to preserve the accurate location and type designation of these lines, temporary pavement markers are first installed on the road surface prior to any road coating operation. These temporary pavement markers are typically formed of a resilient plastic material and have a base portion and an upwardly extending standing reflective portion that will extend up through each and every layer of coating applied to the road surface during the resurfacing operation. Typically, the base portion of the marker has affixed to it an adhesive that holds the temporary pavement marker to the road. The material from which temporary pavement markers are made is not intended to withstand permanent road traffic conditions, and will either be manually torn off, break off because of weather exposure, or will be pulverized by traffic on the resurfaced road. However, they are designed to last long enough for the entire resurfacing project to be completed, and up to and including the repainting of the various traffic lines upon the new surface.
Placement of these temporary pavement markers are usually done either manually, where they are set in position by someone walking along the road and placing them on a surface, or they are put in place by some type of mechanical apparatus, which may be towed or driven along the road. The placement of these devices along the roadway requires that the adhesive flat backing portion be activated so as to allow the marker to interact with the surface of the road upon which it is placed. These pavement markers must also be placed in correct locations so as to provide for safe operation of motor vehicles in roads that are under construction. This requires that the placement of these reflective devices is done in a way that is both quick and precise.
For purposes of illustration in this specification, a chip sealing operation will be described, including the three stages thereof so as to fully understand the prior art and present invention. FIG. 1 shows a typical temporary road pavement marker. These markers have a base portion to which an adhesive is applied, and an upwardly extending standing portion that has one or more reflectors attached thereto. For convenience this portion will be referred to as the standing portion throughout the specification. Covering the reflective standing portion of the temporary marker are layers of clear protective covers. The purpose of these clear protective covers is to enable the maintenance crew to renew the reflective properties of the temporary road marker between the various coatings that are applied to the road during the chip sealing operation.
In practice a crew of laborers, prior to any chip sealing work, lays down temporary pavement markers over the top of the existing traffic lines. These markers signal the location of the traffic lines and are necessary both for safety reasons as well as to designate the location for permanent road marker placement which will be placed after the road resurfacing operation is completed. After the markers are placed, the remainder of the chip seal operation can continue. Typically, this would include a coating of oil being applied to the pavement which will coat the pavement and the reflective surfaces of the temporary road marker. This is followed by the deposit and compaction of a layer of chips or gravel, which would seal to the original surface through the base coat of oil. After this has been done the reflective portions of the markers are often covered with this mixture of oil, rock chips and gravel. In order for the reflective portions of the road marker to be seen, one of the protective covers is removed and the reflective portions of the marker are then visible. After the rock chips are deposited and compacted, a third sealing coat of oil may be applied to the road surface. In as much as this step would again cover the reflective standing portion of the device, another protective covering must be removed in order to reveal the reflective standing portion of the road marker.
After this is done a paint truck will follow along the road and repaint the lines using the temporary markers as a guide for the type and position of the lines to be painted. If markers have come loose or are placed inappropriately, it is possible that the road could be marked incorrectly thus resulting in a dangerous situation for drivers on the road.
Typically, placement of the road markers is done in a coded fashion to indicate the existence of solid and broken traffic lines, turn lanes, and fog lines. As discussed previously, this placement must be done both quickly and correctly. Misplaced markers can result in traffic accidents and misplaced permanent traffic indicators. Since the markers must be placed both correctly and quickly, a variety of prior art means have been developed.
The prior art describes both manual placement of these temporary marking devices, which is very time consuming, as well as automated placement devices which allow the markers to be placed more quickly. In the manual method, an adhesive is placed upon the base portion of the marker, or a preexisting portion of the base marker is exposed and the marker is placed manually in a desired location upon the road surface. Usually the persons who place these markers either walk or drive from location to location. When these persons arrive at a desired location they stop, apply an adhesive and place the base portion of the marker upon the road. This process is both time consuming and labor intensive.
Some automated devices also exist which place pavement markers in desired locations. Most of these devices have a feeder means which feed markers into a position for placement, an adhesive means is then either placed upon the roadway or the base of the marker and the marker is placed upon the road surface. One significant drawback to most of these pieces of machinery is cost. Many of these pieces of machinery, while useful, are also expensive and therefore inaccessible by a variety of smaller companies. Another drawback of many of these automated devices is that they lack the ability to place marks in complicated patterns or to account for other modifications in road surfaces or traffic pattern layout.
Accordingly, what is needed is a device for placing temporary pavement markers on road surfaces that allows these markers to be placed quickly and correctly in proper locations. Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for placing road markers upon a road surface which is economically accessible to a greater variety of persons than present devices. Another object of the invention is to provide a device for placing road markers which can be used in conjunction with a motorized vehicle to place road markers in desired locations in a way that is quicker than manual placement and more accurate than traditional prior art mechanical placement devices. Another object of the invention is to provide a device for placement of temporary road marker in complex patterns that is more efficient than placing such markers manually.
Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
The invention is a device for placing individual road markers in desired configurations along a road surface. Each of the road markers to be placed has a base portion (preferably with an adhesive surface) and an upright standing portion which is usually covered with a reflective marker or coating. In its simplest form, the invention comprises a application wheel having at least one aperture connected to a frame by an axle. This frame is then moved by a moving means which rolls the application wheel across a road surface.
The apertures of the application wheel are dimensioned to receive all or part of the standing reflective portion of the road marker therein. When the standing reflective portion of the road marker is inserted within the aperture, the base portion of the road marker is oriented tangential to the surface of the application wheel. In this position, an adhesive can be placed upon the base portion of the application wheel or the adhesive portion of the base can be exposed. It is also to be understood that the adhesive may be applied or exposed prior to placing the marker within the application wheel. Once the marker is in a desired position within the wheel, the application wheel can then be rolled over a surface. As the application wheel rolls over the surface, the base portion of the marker contacts the road surface. The adhesive portion of the marker causes the base of the marker to become adhered to the road surface. As the application wheel continues to roll, the standing reflective portion of the marker is withdrawn from its position within aperture of the application wheel, and remains in a desired location upon the road surface.
The placement of the marker upon the road surface is further facilitated by a compression means such as a subsequent wheel or other device which passes over the marker after the marker has been applied and compresses the marker into the road surface. This compression helps the adhesive to contact the road surface more fully and assists to maintain the marker in a desired location.
In various embodiments, additional means may be employed to control a variety of factors relating to the application and compression wheels, for example the rotation of the application wheel, the size of the apertures, the placement of the markers or the attachment means for connecting the frame of the application wheel to a moving means may all be variously configured to achieve the desired results.
In one embodiment of the invention, the application wheel and frame are connected to a pull-along type trailer. The trailer is made up of a hitch that is configured to connect to a pulling means such as an all-terrain vehicle or other motorized vehicle. The hitch is connected to a platform which is supported upon rolling wheels. One side of the platform has an adjustment bracket and a pivot axle which hold the frame containing the application wheel and the compression wheel in a desired position. One of the support wheels which support the platform may be configured for placement behind the application wheel so as to act as a compression wheel to the markers placed by the application wheel. This wheel supports the platform, and can also act as a secondary compression wheel to further compress the placed marker into the road surface.
The frame and application wheel are adjustably connected to one side of the platform by an adjustable connection bracket and by a pivot rod. The position of the frame and application wheel are controlled through a release lever that is connected both to the platform and to the application wheel frame. The release lever is configured to control the movement of the application wheel from a loading position where the application wheel is not in contact with a road surface to an application position where the application wheel is in contact with the road surface. A catch latch is configured to interact with a portion of the application wheel and holds the application wheel in a position for loading markers into the apertures. The top of the platform has a seatback and a storage rack configured to respectively support the user and provide a storage rack for markers to be used with the device. Other materials and features such as a shield may also be added the platform or other parts of the trailer in order to assist the user of the device.
In use, the user of the device is seated upon the platform behind the storage rack with their back against the seatback. The application wheel and frame are held in the loading position wherein the application wheel is not in contact with the road surface. The hitch of the platform is connected to the pulling means that is pulling the device forward at a desired rate of speed. The user is seated next to the application wheel and frame. The user places a road marker into the slot of the application wheel and prepares the adhesive portion of the base. If so desired the user may also prepare the adhesive portion of the base prior to placing the marker within the slot of the application wheel. Upon finding the location where the marker is to be placed, the user activates the lever to lower the application wheel into contact with the road surface and activates the catch release allowing the application wheel to rotate. The application wheel then rotates to place the wheel upon the road surface in the desired position. Upon contacting the road surface the adhesive of the marker base contacts and adheres to the road surface. The standing reflective portion of the marker then removes itself from within the application wheel and the application wheel continues to roll. After the marker has been placed, the user can then raise the application wheel back to the loading position and place another marker into the device. In some embodiments, this process is facilitated by the catch release re-engaging the application wheel and preventing further rotation of the application wheel beyond a position where the apertures are accessible to the user for marker insertion.
After the marker has been placed, a compression wheel runs over the marker to compress the marker into the road surface, and to further adhere the base of the marker to the road surface. In some embodiments, the compression wheel may be a second wheel placed in a frame and configured to follow the application wheel. In other embodiments the compression may be achieved by one of the support wheels of the trailer rolling over the marker and further compressing the marker into the road surface. Depending upon the necessities of the user or the application a variety of a number of compression means may be utilized.
Since the speed at which the vehicle pulling the device can be varied, and the placement of the markers is done manually, this device enables persons to place complex patterns in a manner that is more rapid and precise than existing prior art methods and devices. This device thus provides a method and device for placing temporary road markers upon a surface to be paved in a way that can be done in a way that can be done more quickly and at a lower cost than methods currently known in the prior art. This device also enables a user to place temporary pavement markers on road surfaces quickly and correctly in proper locations. The present invention also provides a device which is economically accessible to a greater variety of persons than present devices. The present invention also provides a device which can be used in conjunction with a motorized vehicle to place road markers in desired locations in a way that is quicker than manual placement and more accurate than traditional prior art mechanical placement devices. The present invention for placement of temporary road markers in complex patterns is more efficient than placing such markers manually.

Device for placement of temporary pavement markers


A property-enhanced cover sheet, and methods for forming a property-enhanced cover sheet, for a portable electronic device are disclosed. A property-enhanced cover sheet is formed by thermoforming a glass sheet into a specified contour shape while modifying one or more properties of the glass. Other property-enhanced sheets can be formed by layering two or more glass sheets having different material properties, and then thermoforming the layered sheets into a required contour shape. Property enhancement for a cover sheet includes, hardness, scratch resistance, strength, elasticity, texture and the like.

The cover sheet for a small form factor device, like a handheld electronic device, is typically made of polished glass. While polished glass is readily available and relatively inexpensive, it may be susceptible to damage due to an impact or fall. Additionally, glass sheets are typically flat, which may limit the form factor or shape of the electronic device. The articles, systems, and techniques described herein are directed to glass that has been strengthened in conjunction with a thermoforming process used to provide a contoured or curved shape.

Thermoformed cover glass for an electronic device


A biaxially rotational structure for a planar antenna comprises a biaxial base having a vertical direction and a horizontal direction, a vertical shaft assembly disposed at the vertical direction of the biaxial base, the vertical shaft assembly has a rotation limiting member; a support frame pivotally mounted on the vertical shaft assembly, the support frame having a stopper extending downwardly in a manner that the rotation limiting member limits the stopper to rotate within one turn with respect to the vertical shaft assembly; a first resilient member disposed between the vertical shaft assembly and the support frame for exerting a pressing force on the support frame; a horizontal shaft assembly disposed at the horizontal direction; and a second resilient member disposed between the horizontal shaft assembly and the biaxial base for exerting a friction force therebetween. Therefore, the biaxially rotational structure of the present invention will prevent the user from unlimitedly rotating the planar antenna 1 along the directional angle (vertical direction), thereby the cable therein might not be tangled and broken.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to a biaxially rotational structure, and more particularly to a biaxially rotational structure for a planar antenna in which the angle of the planar antenna can be adjusted biaxially.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventional antenna for one-dimension polarized wireless communication is configured as a retractable elongated rod. For receiving the one-dimension polarized wireless communication signals, the conventional retractable elongated antenna can be adjusted its orientation at its joint according to the polarized direction of the one-dimension polarized wireless communication signals. However, due to the obstruction of any barriers and the interference of any other signals or electromagnetic fields, the one-dimension polarized wireless communication signal will significantly decay in the transmission path. Even though the antenna is adjusted to its optimal position, the one-dimension polarized wireless communication signal received by the antenna is still not clear enough as required.
In order to overcome the disadvantages of the one-dimension polarized wireless communication, a planar antenna for two-dimension polarized wireless communication is developed. With the radio frequency (RF) signal, the distances that the planar antenna can cover are much greater. For use in the two-dimension polarized wireless communication, the planar antenna has two freedoms of rotation such that the inclined angle and the directional angle of the planar antenna can be adjusted to conform to the polarized angle of the two-dimension polarized wireless communication signal. Accordingly, the planar antenna can receive better wireless communication signal.
FIG. 1 depicts a conventional planar antenna which mainly comprises an antenna 1, a box set 2, a hollow tube body 31, ear members 32, a plate 41, two supports 42, screws 43 and a cable. The supports 42 of the plate 41 press against the ear members 32 of the hollow tube body 31 such that the frictional force between the supports 42 and the ear members 32 enables the hollow tube body 31 to rotate horizontally with respect to the box set 2. The antenna 1 also can rotate with respect to vertical direction of the box set 2. According to the conventional planar antenna, the user might rotate the planar antenna along the vertical direction without any limitation and the cable therein might be tangled or even be broken. Besides, the conventional planar antenna utilizes friction force to sustain the twist force of the cable and the gravity force of the planar antenna. When the conventional planar antenna has been used for a long while, the frictional parts of the conventional planar antenna will wear out and thus will not function well any longer.


An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for generating a delta across like java bean components. The apparatus includes a store module, a comparison module, and a delta module. The store module stores a first java bean on a client. The comparison module compares a second java bean to the first java bean at the client. The second java bean is similar in format to the first java bean. The delta module generates a delta at the client. The apparatus, system, and method improve efficiency of a network system by decreasing network overhead when delta java beans are transmitted in place of the first or second java beans.

1. Field of Art
This invention relates to java beans and more particularly relates to generating and using a delta across like java bean components.
2. Background Technology
JavaBeans is the name of a component architecture for use with the Java programming language. ("JAVABEANS" and "JAVA" are trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc.) A java bean is the java term for a "component," where a component is a reusable building block of application logic that a programmer can combine with other components to form an application program. JavaBeans is an architecture and platform-neutral Application Programming Interface (API) for creating and using dynamic Java components. Java beans enhance the java platform by allowing richer, more dynamic interaction. Java beans allow developers to define independent components that can be used and re-used in a variety of combinations to compose new applications inside a variety of browser and non-browser environments.
A java programmer creates a java application program by assembling components that provide the desired functionality for the application. A java bean may contain code for a relatively simple function such as displaying a button on a graphical user interface (GUI), but it may also contain quite complex code. For example, JavaBeans components can be non-visual functions and services, applets, and more full-scale applications. Each of these components can be built by different developers at separate times. JavaBeans components do not need to be part of the same application build because they are capable of communicating dynamically.
"Enterprise JavaBeans" is a server component architecture which extends the JavaBeans architecture to an enterprise system. "Enterprise" in this sense refers to an organization that uses computers in a networking environment, typically on a very large scale. An enterprise java bean (EJB) is similar to a java bean, with several notable exceptions. Java beans are intended to execute locally, within the java virtual machine (JVM) on which a java application is running. EJBs, on the other hand, are intended to execute on a server machine in a network, where they are remotely invoked by messages sent from a client machine's JVM. Java beans may provide code for visual objects, such as the GUI button discussed above; EJBs are always non-visual.
Both java beans and EJBs differ from "pure" objects in object-oriented programming in that they have a required external interface. This interface is called the "properties" interface. Using this external interface, a development tool can interrogate the java bean or EJB to determine what its component does and how its function is to be invoked by other components. The properties interface also enables developers to customize the behavior of components without having access to the source code. As a simple example, when the component contains code for displaying a button on a GUI, the developer may use a component property to specify the text that should be displayed on the button face.
In large-scale enterprise computing environments, a single server application may serve multiple concurrent client applications, each accessing an overlapping set of EJBs, while other server applications are also accessing the EJBs. A collection of EJBs is stored in a data store, such as a database. These stored EJBs may be accessed concurrently by one or more server application programs. Each server application may have one or more clients that are executing the application at a given time.
One use for java beans, EJBs, or another type of similar component, is to transmit status data from a client to a server. For example, a software program may scan a file system and store certain status data in a first component, which may subsequently be sent to a network server to be stored in a centralized database. At a later time, the software program may scan the file system again and generate a second component that may be sent to the server and stored in the centralized database. However, sending the entire data set of each component every time may require substantial bandwidth and network overhead.
From the foregoing discussion, it should be apparent that a need exists for an apparatus, system, and method that overcome the limitations of conventional network systems that use java beans or other data objects to transmit status data from a client to a server. In particular, such an apparatus, system, and method would beneficially minimize the network overhead consumed by the transfer of the java beans or other data objects.

Apparatus, system, and method for java bean delta generation