An optical coupler module includes a semiconductor substrate disposed on the print circuit board; a reflecting trench structure formed on the semiconductor substrate; a reflector formed on a slant surface of the reflecting trench structure; a strip trench structure formed on the semiconductor substrate and connecting with the reflecting trench structure; a thin film disposed on the above-mentioned structure. The optical coupler module further includes a signal conversion unit disposed on the semiconductor substrate and the position of the signal conversion unit corresponds to the reflector; and an optical waveguide structure formed in the trench structures. The optical signal from the signal conversion unit is reflected by the reflector and then transmitted in the optical waveguide structure, or in a reverse direction to reach the signal conversion unit.

Conventionally, copper wires are widely used for transmitting electrical signals or data between different components in a cheap and convenient way. In a high performance electronic system, since more and more processors are connected to cooperate in tasks and the signal processing speed upgrades, it is important to enhance the quality and speed of transmitting the signals and data between the processors. However, the conventional copper wires fail to meet these requirements.
Compared with the electrical signals, optical signals can be transmitted over longer distances and at higher bandwidths. Therefore, optical connection is much emphasized nowadays, and the optical transmission gradually replaces the electrical transmission. For example, with development of light emitting diodes (LEDs) and semiconductor laser, light becomes suitable to be a transmission medium. An optical coupler device may be used to convert electrical signals into optical signals, convert optical signals into electrical signals, and emit and receive the electrical signals and optical signals. The optical coupler device includes for example an optical emitter or a light source unit for emitting optical signals, an optical receiver or a light-detecting unit for receiving optical signals, or a driver circuit or an amplifier circuit for driving these units or amplifying these signals.
An optical coupler device has been described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,306,378. Please refer to FIG. 1A, a side cross-sectional view illustrating the optical coupler device 101. The optical coupler device 101 includes a trench 105 defined in a semiconductor substrate 103. A reflector 107 is defined at a first end of the trench 105, and there is an angle between the reflector 107 and the lengthwise direction of the trench 105. An optical fiber 109 is disposed at a second end of the trench 105. An optical device 111 is mounted on the semiconductor substrate 103 proximate to the trench 105 such that the optical device 111 is optically coupled to the optical fiber 109 via the reflector 107. The optical device 111 may be an optical emitter for outputting optical signals 113 or an optical receiver for receiving optical signals 113.
The semiconductor substrate 103 is mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) 115 including contacts 117 which are electrically coupled to the semiconductor substrate 103. A circuit 125 is included in another semiconductor substrate 127 which is mounted on the semiconductor substrate 103 by contacts 131. The circuit 125 can drive or control the optical device 111 to convert electrical signals 119 from the contacts 117 into optical signals 113. The optical signals 113 are reflected by the reflector 107 and outputted through the optical fiber 109. In a reverse direction, the optical signals 113 inputted from the optical fiber 109 are reflected by the reflector 107 and received by the optical device 111. The optical signals 113 are converted into electrical signals 119 to be outputted through the contacts 117. A lid 133 is mounted over the semiconductor substrate 103 and encloses the optical device 111. The lid 133 protects the enclosed items.
A plurality of corresponding optical fibers 109, trenches 105, reflectors 107 and optical devices 111 may be included in one optical coupler device 101. As shown in FIG. 1B, two optical coupler devices 101a and 101b include a plurality of sets, each of which includes an optical device 111, a trench 105 and an optical fiber 109. They are connected to each other through the representative optical fibers (only two optical fibers 109a and 109b are shown) to achieve signal transmission.
However, in the above coupler device, it is difficult to accurately mount the optical fibers in the fine trenches. A slight error may affect the optical transmission because the light cannot travel in the optical coupler device precisely. Furthermore, because the optical fiber is close to the optical device, the optical device is easily to be damaged during assembly. Another disadvantage is that the optical fiber is fixed in the trench after assembly, and no pluggable function is provided. In addition, an exposed back end of the optical fiber may also cause some inconvenience of use.
Therefore, there is a need of providing an optical coupler module which can be manufactured easily without complicated assembling and aligning action in order to obviate the drawbacks encountered from the prior art.

Optical coupler module having optical waveguide structure


A gas turbine engine is used for power generation or propulsion and includes vanes. Each vane includes a trailing edge having a curvature and cooling slots that cool the vane. A photochemical edge shield includes an edge and projections that project from the edge. Before coating the vane, the photochemical edge shield is positioned on the vane such that each of the projections is received in one of the cooling slots. A ceramic coating is then applied to the vane. The photochemical edge shield prevents the ceramic coating from entering and clogging the cooling slots of the vane during the ceramic coating process.

The present invention relates generally to a method of coating and a shield for a component. In particular, the present invention relates to a photochemical edge shield that protects, for example, cooling slots of a vane of a gas turbine engine during a ceramic coating process.
A gas turbine engine includes alternating rows of rotary airfoils or blades and stationary airfoils or vanes. Each vane includes cooling slots that allow air to enter and cool the vane during use. The vanes are usually made of nickel superalloy and are commonly coated with a ceramic coating to provide a thermal barrier.
During the ceramic coating process, the ceramic coating can flow into and clog the cooling slots. If this occurs, the cooling effect of the cooling slots can decrease. A shield has been employed to cover the cooling slots and prevent the ceramic coating from entering the cooling slots during ceramic coating process. The shield of the prior art includes two projections that each fit into a corresponding slot in the airfoil to locate the shield relative to the airfoil. The projections are located at opposite ends of the shield, and a curved edge extends between the projections.
The airfoil is also commonly masked before coating to prevent the coating from flowing into the cooling slots. A grit blasting step is then employed after coating to remove any ceramic residue in the cooling slots.
A drawback to conventional shields is that the ceramic coating can leak around the shield and possibly flow into the cooling slots. Additionally, the steps of masking and grit blasting are costly. Finally, the shield does not include any feature to secure the shield relative to the airfoil.
Hence, there is a need in the art for a shield that prevents a ceramic coating from flowing into cooling slots of a vane of a gas turbine engine during a ceramic coating process and that overcomes the drawbacks and shortcomings of the prior art.

Method of coating and a shield for a component


A sheet for thermoforming made of a polylactic acid resin composition containing a polylactic acid-based resin, a plasticizer, and a crystal nucleating agent, wherein the sheet has a thickness of from 0.1 to 1.5 mm, and wherein Re (cal) calculated by the following formula (A): Re (cal)=Re (obs)/d×10−6 (A), wherein Re (obs) is a phase difference (nm) measured at a wavelength selected from wavelengths of from 380 to 780 nm, and d is a thickness (mm) of the sheet, is within the range of 0.001×10−3≤Re(cal)≤1×10−3. The sheet for thermoforming of the present invention has a wide moldable temperature region, so that the sheet can be suitably used in various applications such as food containers, packaging materials for daily sundries and household electric appliances, industrial trays of industrial parts, and the like.

Polylactic acid resins have some features that polylactic acid resins are inexpensive because the polylactic acid resins are produced from L-lactic acid used as a raw material according to a fermentation method from sugars extracted from maize, potato or the like, that the raw materials are derived from plants from which the amount of carbon dioxide discharged is very small, and that the resins have the properties of being strongly rigid and highly transparent, so that the utilization of the polylactic acid resins is expected at present.
For example, it is reported in Patent Publication 1 that a polylactic acid is combined with a particular plasticizer, e.g. a succinic acid ester, and a particular crystal nucleating agent, e.g. an organic crystal nucleating agent, thereby promoting crystallization in thermoforming while maintaining transparency, whereby a molded article having excellent heat resistance or the like is obtained.
In addition, Patent Publication 2 discloses that a film made of an aliphatic polyester-based resin is found to have a small change in double refraction due to an external force, so that the film is suitably used as a polarized plate protection film which is usable in displays such as liquid crystal displays and plasma displays.

Polylactic acid resin sheet for thermal molding use


A visualization tool for displays devices included within a self-organizing mesh network with respect to the physical space occupied by the network. The visualization tool receives an image representing the physical space occupied by the wireless mesh network, scale information defining the scale of the received image, and location information defining the location of each device within the physical space occupied by the network. Based on these inputs, the visualization tool displays the layout of the wireless mesh network with respect to the physical space occupied by the wireless mesh network.

The present invention is related to self-organizing wireless mesh networks, and in particular, to tools for orienting the mesh network in physical space.
A wireless mesh network is a communication network made up of a plurality of wireless devices (i.e., nodes) organized in a mesh topology. In a true wireless mesh network, which may also be referred to as a self-organizing multi-hop network, each device must be capable of routing messages for itself as well as other devices in the network. The concept of messages hopping from node to node through the network is beneficial because lower power RF radios can be used, and yet the mesh network can span a significant physical area delivering messages from one end to the other. High power radios are not needed in a mesh network, in contrast with point-to-point systems which employ remote devices communicating directly to a centralized base-station.
The term 'self-organizing' refers to the capability of mesh networks to form alternate paths for messaging between devices and between devices and a data collector, or a bridge or gateway to some higher-level, higher-speed data bus. Having alternate, redundant paths for wireless messages enhances data reliability by ensuring there is at least one alternate path for messages to flow even if another path gets blocked or degrades due to environmental influences or due to interference.
The paths provided from each node to a bridge or gateway are dynamic, meaning the paths can change in response to a path being blocked or a new path being added. For example, when a device node is commissioned it will generate a list of devices (i.e., neighbors) with which it can communicate. This list may be particularly dynamic the radio frequency (RF) environment and physical space occupied by the network change (e.g., a wall or metal shield is constructed between two devices limiting communication between the devices). Based on the dynamic neighbor list the device selects parent/child devices which define the communication path to/from the device to the gateway device. The list of parent/child devices is also dynamic, but typically less dynamic than the neighbor list. Because of these dynamics, the organization of the wireless mesh network is continuously changing.
One method of analyzing the operation of a mesh network is to review the organization of the mesh network based on the neighbor lists, parent-child lists, etc. provided by the network. Changes in the organization of the network are used to diagnose problems associated with the network. Prior art methods of analyzing the list include displaying each node in a diagram with lines connecting neighbors and/or parent-child pairs. However, the diagram fails to orientate the diagram in the physical space occupied by the devices making up the mesh network. As a result, effects of the physical space on the performance of the network may not be recognized.
This lack of association between the mesh network and the physical space it occupies is also evident in the design of mesh networks. Typically, designers lay out the mesh network by hand or with the aid of a computer, but without the benefit of tools for analyzing how a particular network will function in a particular physical environment.
It would be beneficial for a design/diagnostic tool to display a mesh network with respect to the physical space occupied by the network.

System for visualizing design and organization of wireless mesh networks in physical space


The present disclosure discloses a method for traffic counting, in which an address space for storing the traffic data of a user is allocated in a wireless network card. The method includes the following steps of: within a preset counting period, counting uplink traffic and downlink traffic after the wireless network card accesses the network, and updating the traffic data of the current online user stored in the address space of the wireless network card. The present disclosure also provides a method for automatically calculating a cost of surfing a network, including the following steps of: monitoring updated charging standards in real time or periodically; within a preset counting period, counting uplink traffic and downlink traffic and updating the traffic data corresponding to the current user; and within a preset charging period, calculating the current cost of surfing a network of the current day or the current month according to a charging standard for surfing the network and the traffic data of the current user. Accordingly, the present disclosure further provides a device for traffic counting and a device for automatically calculating a cost of surfing a network.

With the wireless network getting more and more popular, more and more users begin to access the network with a wireless network card. However, one wireless network card is usually used on several computers, making the traffic counting of surfing the network with a wireless network card more difficult. The traffic of surfing the network is currently counted by a traffic counting software equivalent to a network traffic monitor (DU Meter). Such traffic counting software stores the result of a traffic counting locally, so in the case where a wireless network card is configured to access the network on multiple computers, such traffic counting software cannot accurately count the actual traffic of surfing the network with a wireless network card.
At present, in order to count the traffic of surfing the network, Chinese Patent Application No. 200610124026.2 has provided a method for a network traffic counting. This application achieves traffic counting by requesting a subscription on network traffic, but only the traffic during this current connection. Moreover, the traffic acquired with this method is only stored locally. For a mobile wireless network card, if a user accesses the network through multiple computers with the same wireless network card, the total traffic of multiple network accesses of the same wireless network card cannot be counted by using this method.
The problem above makes it difficult for the user of a wireless network card to control the cost of surfing the network and pushes the user to inquiry the cost of surfing the network by telephoning the wireless network operator or by visiting the website of the wireless network operator, which often leads to a great difference in the cost of surfing the network estimated by the user and that charged by the wireless network operator, and further to a distrust of the user in the wireless network operator or even a complaint.
For this reason, the Chinese Patent Application No. 200310102404.3 provides a system for the authentication, authorization and billing of multiple Wireless Local Area Network (WLANs) operated by multiple WLAN operators, in which, when an authenticated user accesses the network, the authentication server instructs a billing server to start to calculate the cost of surfing the network; the fee calculation is ended when the user is offline, and the total fee is calculated according to the surfing fees. This patent can calculate the total cost of surfing the network for the current access of the user terminal in real time, but as the cost of surfing the network for each accessing is stored locally, for a user using one wireless network card to access the network through multiple computers, it is hard to accurately acquire the total cost of surfing the network of the current day and/or current month. Yet, the main reason why the user cares about traffic of surfing the network is that the user cares about their cost of surfing the network of the current day and/or the current month.
In addition, wireless network operators often update their charging standards, but users hardly acquire the up-to-date charging standards of their wireless network operators in time. The billing server disclosed in Chinese Patent Application No. 200310102404.3 cannot automatically update charging standards of wireless network operators. Therefore, when a wireless network operator changes a charging standard, if the fee is still calculated according to the former charging standard, the result will not be accurate any more.
It is thus clear that, the existing technologies are disadvantaged in that it is hard to accurately count the traffic of surfing the network with a wireless network card, which results in that it is hard to accurately calculate the cost of surfing the network, and it is also hard for the subscriber of a monthly payment service to know whether or not the traffic has exceeded a traffic quota.

Method and device for counting traffic and automatically calculating a cost of surfing a network


Invention relates to a multilayer article comprising successively: a non-woven layer of fibers (3) comprising at least 50% by weight of at least one biodegradable polymer melting point of which is below 220° C.; a layer of food-safe adhesive (2); a cellulose-fiber based support (1).

The molds for food products known in the prior art conventionally comprise aluminum foil which gives certain rigidity to the mold whether the conditions are dry or damp. However, this type of mold is not biodegradable.
Additionally, because of the presence of aluminum, such molds cannot be used in microwave ovens and they are not suitable for use in production lines which include metal detectors.
In order to solve these problems, paper-based molds were developed. Although the resistance of such paper-based molds to the required cooking temperature of food products is satisfactory, such molds have the disadvantage of losing their initial shape in the presence of moisture. In fact, conservation period of a food product in air-tight container, in some cases with modified atmosphere and at fridge temperatures moisture coming from the food products diffuses into the paper of the mold and thus causes the rims thereof to sag.
It is known as such to improve such paper-based molds by incorporating an outer layer of plastic on the paper-based layer, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET). A shortcoming of using PET is that PET is not biodegradable and cannot be composted.
In publication GB 2443810A there is shown a packaging material comprises a compostable substrate, such as paperboard, provided with a surface film, also of compostable material, on an external surface of the substrate. The surface film may be cellophane, polylactic acid, polyhydroxybutyric acid or polyhydroxylvaleric acid amongst numerous others mentioned. Lamination may be by means of a compostable adhesive. This kind of a structure where the substrate is provided with a film of compostable material has a shortcoming that typically such a film is substantially incompressible and poorly stretchable, which makes it difficult process in converting process.
It is an object of the invention to provide a multilayer article, a behavior of which as a food accessory and/or mold of a food product is considerably improved. It is also an object of the invention to provide a method of manufacturing a multilayer article, by means of which a food accessory and/or a mold of a food product may be produced with good usability.

Multilayer article comprising a biodegradable polymer-based layer and a cellulose-fiber based support; method of manufacturing multilayer article and food accessory comprising a multilayer article


A gun safe door storage system is permanently affixed to an interior surface of a gun safe door. The door storage system comprises a plurality of integrated pouches or pockets and a rack arranged such that the pouches or pockets are accessible even when the rack is holding rifles or rifle parts, such as barrels. Substantially all of the available space on the interior surface of the door is filled with pockets or pouches. The pouches or pockets are affixed to a backing material having strength and weight sufficient to prevent sagging. The backing material is permanently affixed to the interior surface of the gun safe door. The rack comprises a barrel support and a stock support mounted permanently on the interior surface of the gun safe door over the pouches or pockets.

The use of gun safes for storing and preventing unauthorized access to firearms and firearm supplies (such as ammunition) and accessories is well known. An example of a prior art gun safe is shown in FIG. 1. The interior of such prior art gun safes generally includes several shelves 2 and a rack 4 for storing rifles in a vertical position. Because the storage components are all located in the interior portion of the gun safe, the gun safe's door 6 must be substantially opened to provide access to the firearms, supplies and accessories stored therein (not shown), and a user would have to reach into the gun safe to remove any of the items stored therein.
It is also known to attach devices to the interior surface of a safe door in order provide additional means for storing firearms, supplies and accessories. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,957,308 to Zierenberg discloses a system for hanging pistols on the interior surface of a safe door, including a retrofitable (or removable) panel hung over the top edge of the door made from a hook-and-loop type material (such as VELCRO) and removable fabric holsters or pouches for holding pistols or other valuables also made from a hook-and-loop type material, such that the pouches are easily movable.
Other means for storing firearms, supplies or accessories on the interior surface of a gun safe door are disclosed in the Sentry® FIRE-SAFE® Gun Safes (e.g., Model GT8423). The Sentry® safes include an optional restraint cord system consisting of a bungee cord secured to the interior surface of the door in a zig-zag pattern around pegs secured through the interior surface of the door. Alternatively, hooks may be secured to the interior surface of the door for hanging items, such as spare gun barrels, pistols, binoculars, etc. The Sentry® safes may also include a door pocket recessed into the door's interior surface.
However, none of the prior art provides a means for storing rifles on the door of a gun safe to provide easier access and to reduce the risk of damage (e.g., nicks and scratches) to the rifles. As used herein, the term "rifle" generally refers to a firearm with an elongated barrel and a stock having a butt. Thus, the term "rifle" refers not only to rifles but also includes shotguns, carbines and other similar firearms. It is a broad object of the invention to provide a gun safe door storage system that provides easy access to rifles, minimizes risk of damage to rifles, and also provides a wide range of storage options for firearm supplies and accessories to efficiently maximize the use of space on the interior surface of a gun safe door.


The invention provides an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing program that can improve convenience of a user and facilitate participation of a user, with respect to an existing group having members (users).

In recent years, since the Internet spreads in each home, an environment where each user reads information, purchases a product, participates in a group on a specific page to exchange information, and grasps the behavior of other users on the Internet is constructed. For this reason, various types of advertisements such as a banner advertisement, a listing advertisement, and an affiliate advertisement using the Internet are developed.
Under this situation, a social participation of the user who uses the Internet advertisement is made. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an international welfare support method using an affiliate advertisement in which an organization is constructed by server managers/operators, plural nonprofit groups, personal supporters who support the nonprofit groups, advertisers, providers, advertisement agents, financial institutions, and support groups, in which terminals are networked through the Internet such that host computers of the server managers/operators manage accession, withdrawal, combination, and the like with respect to the organization, and manage counting, distribution, and the like of support money, contributions, proceeds, and the like.

Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and information processing program

Abstract: In the invention, a search request including a search keyword 44 input to an entry field 31 for search in a toolbar 30 displayed on a screen of a terminal 21, toolbar identification information 42 associated with and allocated to each of the groups, and member identification information 43 identifying members are received from the terminal (S6), the members are identified on the basis of the member identification information, a member search request of each of members is counted by accumulating a history of the search request for each of members, and a group search request as the group is counted by counting the member search request on the basis of the toolbar identification information (S10), member total points 33 that are distributable to the members are updated on the basis of the counted group search request (S33 and S34), and information of the member total points is transmitted to the terminal (S15).


A data processing system includes a query progress analyzer. The database processing system comprises a receiver that receives database queries including a target query directed to a database and a query analyzer. The query analyzer is coupled to the receiver and analyzes progress status of the target query based on comparison of measured target query resource usage to resource usage predicted from a query plan of the target query and measured system resource usage.

Business Intelligence (BI) database systems are typically used to process extremely complex queries operating upon massive amounts of data. Processing of complex queries is a fundamental task of modern enterprises which rely upon the collection, integration, and analysis of an expanding sea of information.
Analysts predict that data warehouses will grow in size and complexity, and find that Business Intelligence (BI) is at a point in evolution between manual and automated techniques. Traditionally, enterprises have used BI for offline, strategic decision-making with a small number of expert users analyzing historical data and decision-making cycles last weeks or months. As enterprises become more automated, real-time, and data driven, the industry is evolving toward adaptive, operational BI systems that support online, operational decision-making at all levels in the enterprise using high quality information that is delivered in real-time to analytic applications and integrated into the enterprise's business processes.
For example, an on-line retailer may want to analyze a user's real-time click stream data and up-to-the-minute inventory to offer dynamically priced product bundles. A bank's goals generally include detection and reaction in real-time to fraudulent transactions. A logistics provider would like to dynamically reconfigure shipping routes in response to weather conditions. The worldwide business analytics market, which includes data warehouse platform software, BI tools, and analytics applications, is expected to have steady growth in the coming years.
Workload management is particularly useful to data warehouses, for the same reasons that workload management is especially challenging in the data warehouse context. BI queries exhibit a huge variance in response times. Most queries are known to execute in under a minute, but some small number of queries may require hours of execution time. According to conventional wisdom, presence of even a few poorly optimized queries can significantly impact the performance of a data warehouse system by dominating resources that could otherwise be used by properly functioning queries. Accurate estimation of the duration of a long-running query is not straightforward. Although customers may have service level agreements (SLAs) that set job deadlines and specify financial consequences for failing to meet the deadlines, some deadlines are not necessarily explicit linking of SLAs to deadlines may be difficult or impossible. Furthermore, prediction of runtime characteristics of a database query can be extremely difficult because resource contention with other queries running in the system concurrently can cause a query to spend significantly more time waiting on one or more system resources than is spent actually using the resources. Such contention is also extremely difficult to predict.
Query execution has traditionally been monitored using query progress indicators, parameters formed as part of workload execution management, and query runtime statistics. Query progress indicators are tools that attempt to quantify as a fraction the work that a running query has completed over the amount of work the query is likely to complete in total. Most commonly, progress indicators are based on usage of intermediate result size as a direct reflection of progress. For example, statistics including output cardinality (count) and average tuple size can be collected to determine progress. Some techniques distinguish between classes of physical operators based on how effective estimation methods are for different classes. Specifically, accuracy of estimation can be improved when excluding physical operators that perform nested iteration. Query progress indicators have several disadvantages. First, query progress indicators rely on accurate counts of the tuples processed by various operators and thus require developers to instrument the database core engine in order to count the tuples input and emitted from every operator. Second, different types of operators process tuples at different rates so that tuple-count based progress indicators require a model of how the time spent to process a query is divided among various types of operators. Thus, per-operator models of tuple processing rates and a model of mutual interactions among the per-operator models within processing of a single query are required for analysis. Third, query progress indicators do not reflect measures of work that are independent of tuples processed. For example, analysis of a workload management system may depend on whether a given query has already completed the disk-I/O portion of work, information that is not available through usage of a tuple-count based query progress indicator.
Workload execution management is implemented in many commercial database systems and includes various techniques and systems for dealing with problem queries. For example, HP-UX Workload Manager, IBM Query Patroller for DB2, SQLServer Query Governor, Teradata's Dynamic Workload Manager, and Oracle's Database Resource Manager all include functionality to control or address queries that exceed a limit on estimated row counts, processing time, or place a limit on the number of join operations that can appear in a plan. IBM's Query Patroller for DB2 and Oracle's Database Resource Manager enable a system administrator to define usergroups to which a static priority and a share of system resources for each group are assigned. The higher the priority of a group, the more resources are allocated. However, the static prioritization is not associated with response time requirements or service level agreement (SLA) conformance. Similarly, SQLServer Query Governor prevents queries with estimated query costs that exceed a user-set upper cost limit from starting, as opposed to stopping the queries after reaching a predefined limit. These commercial attempts at managing long-running queries have required one or more of the following: (1) absolute limits on resource usage (for example, not admitting a query or stopping a query that exceeds a limit on estimated row counts, processing time, or placing a limit on the number of join operations that can appear in a plan), and (2) capability to obtain statistics such as actual input and output cardinalities. Obtaining such statistics can be prohibitively expensive, placing a great load on a running system.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP


A failure-detecting device detects failure of a tank internal pressure sensor for an internal combustion engine. The tank internal pressure sensor is provided in a fuel tank for detecting pressure within the fuel tank. The failure of the tank internal pressure sensor is detected by detecting an amount of variation in an output from the tank internal pressure sensor occurring within a predetermined time period elapses after the start of the engine and determining that the tank internal pressure sensor is abnormal when the amount of variation is below a predetermined value upon the lapse of the predetermined time period. A fail-safe device inhibits abnormality diagnosis of the evaporative emission control system when it is determined that the tank internal pressure sensor is abnormal. A fail-safe device performs a fail-safe action including at least opening a control valve arranged at an air inlet port of a canister for closing and opening the air inlet port, when it is determined that the tank internal pressure sensor is abnormal.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a failure-detecting device for detecting failure of a tank internal pressure sensor for detecting pressure within a fuel tank of an internal combustion engine, and also to a fail-safe device which performs a fail-safe action when failure of the tank internal pressure sensor has been detected.
2. Prior Art
Conventionally, there has been widely used an evaporative fuel-processing system for internal combustion engines, which comprises a canister having an air inlet port provided therein, a first control valve arranged across an evaporative fuel-guiding passage extending from a fuel tank of an internal combustion engine to the canister, and a second control valve arranged across a purging passage extending from the canister to the intake system of the engine.
A system of this kind temporarily stores evaporative fuel in the canister, and then purges the evaporative fuel into the intake system of the engine.
Whether a system of this kind is normally operating can be checked, for example, by bringing the evaporative emission control system into a predetermined negatively pressurized state, measuring a change in the pressure within the fuel tank (tank internal pressure) with the lapse of time after the evaporating emission control system has been brought into the predetermined negatively pressurized state, and determining whether the system is normally operating, from the measured tank internal pressure, as proposed by U.S. Ser. No. 07/942,875 assigned to the assignee of the present application.
The abnormality-determining system according to the earlier application includes a third control valve provided at the air inlet port of the Canister, for closing and opening the same, tank internal pressure-detecting means (tank internal pressure sensor) provided in the fuel tank for detecting pressure within the fuel tank, a first pressure change rate-detecting means for detecting a rate of change in the pressure within the fuel tank by controlling opening and closing of the first control valve, negatively-pressurizing means for setting the evaporative emission control system to a predetermined negatively pressurized state by controlling opening and closing of the first to third control valves when the engine is operating, a second pressure change rate-detecting means for detecting a rate of change in the pressure within the fuel tank by closing the second control valve after the predetermined negatively pressurized state has been established, and abnormality-determining means for determining abnormality of the evaporative emission control system, based upon results of detection by the first and second pressure change rate-detecting means.
According to the above-mentioned abnormality-determining manner, the rate of change in the pressure within the fuel tank detected by the first pressure change rate-detecting means is a rate of change of the pressure in the fuel tank which occurs in the direction toward a positive pressure side (positive pressure side change) due to generation of evaporative fuel within the fuel tank, while the rate of change in the fuel tank pressure detected by the second pressure change rate-detecting means is a rate of change in the fuel tank pressure which starts from a negative pressure state by closing the second control valve, after the evaporative emission control system been brought into the predetermined negatively pressurized state (the pressure within the fuel tank and that within the canister have been made negative) by opening the second control valve (negative pressure side change). The two kinds of pressure change rates detected by the first and second pressure change rate-detecting means are compared with each other to detect an abnormality in the evaporative emission control system (i.e. an amount of evaporative fuel leaking from the system).
However, according to the abnormality-determining manner, in carrying out the negative pressurization of the evaporative emission control system, if the tank internal pressure sensor is faulty, the output from the tank internal pressure sensor does not change irrespective of a change in the pressure within the fuel tank, which may lead to excessive negative pressurization of the evaporative emission control system.

Failure-detecting device and fail-safe device for tank internal pressure sensor of internal combustion engine


A seal assembly configured to seal a first machine part relative to a second machine part includes a sliding ring provided on the first machine part, the sliding ring having a sealing surface configured to slidingly abut a counter surface of the second machine part, and includes a clamping ring configured to exert a force on the sliding ring in a direction of the counter surface. The sliding ring includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced recesses in the seal surface that extend axially and radially into the sliding ring.

Rotary distributors are used, for example, in construction machines in order to distribute media, such as, for example, hydraulic fluids and/or lubricant in various channels, so that they can be guided to corresponding points of the machine. Here it is often necessary that the media are distributed from a central point, for example, a reservoir, via a central distributor device under high pressure, which in individual cases is up to hundreds of bar.
Known embodiments of rotary distributors include a shaft that is supported in a housing, which is traversed by a plurality of channels so that the medium to be distributed can be pumped into the channels under high pressure. Here the shaft performs a rotating or pivoting movement by which one or more of the channels can receive and transport medium. In such applications it is essential to seal the individual channels with respect to each other as well as with respect to the environment on the rotating or pivoting shaft, both in order to prevent the penetrating of medium from the environment into the interior of the machine and to prevent a contamination of the environment by the medium to be guided by the rotary joint. Due to the combination of high pressure differences (hundreds of bar) with high sliding speeds between 2 respectively adjacent channels, or the end channel and the environment and the interior, this application places high demands on the seal. In all possible operating states a secure sealing of the rotating shaft must be ensured and a leakage largely prevented.
Seal assemblies are already known from the prior art that partially meet these requirements.
Thus for example a seal assembly is known from DE 10145914 A1 (family member of US 2004/251636), wherein a seal ring including a seal surface abuts on a shaft. The seal ring is pressed onto the shaft by a clamping ring. Both rings are supported in a groove in the housing. Under high pressures the seal ring is deformed such that an additional sealing edge abuts on the shaft on the low-pressure side.


A method to assist a user of a software application. The method steps include displaying, in a user interface window, a first group of navigation tabs corresponding to an active set of features and a second group of navigation tabs corresponding to an inactive set of features, disposed at a first location and a second location, respectively, within the user interface window, and wherein the user is authorized to access the active set of features based on a user license and unauthorized to access the inactive set of features based on the user license, receiving a notification regarding a modification of the user license, wherein the user is authorized to access an activated feature of the inactive set of features based on the modification, and relocating a navigation tab of the second group to the first location.

In the area of graphical user interfaces (GUI), a tabbed document interface (TDI) is one that allows multiple documents to be contained within a single window, using tabs as a navigational widget for switching between sets of documents. TDI is an interface style most commonly associated with web browsers, web applications, text editors, and preference panes. In keeping with the desktop metaphor, GUI tabs are modeled after traditional card tabs inserted in paper files or card indexes.
Software as a service (SaaS), also referred to as "on-demand software," is a software delivery model in which software and its associated data are hosted centrally (e.g., in the Internet) and are typically accessed by users using a thin client, such as using a web browser over the Internet. SaaS has become a common delivery model for most business applications, including accounting, collaboration, customer relationship management (CRM), enterprise resource planning (ERP), invoicing, human resource management (HRM), content management (CM) and service desk management. Whether in an online configuration or a desktop configuration, SaaS products often use a purchasing model that entails offering a core set of functionality (often for free with SaaS subscription) and allowing the user to pay for additional functionality modules from a selection menu.

Leveraging navigation tab placement for in-product discovery


A soldering iron system with automatic variable temperature control comprising a hand piece or robot arm including a soldering cartridge having a soldering tip, a coil that generates a magnetic field, and a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature of the soldering tip; a variable power supply for delivering variable power to the coil to heat the soldering tip; a processor including associated circuits for accepting a set temperature input and the sensed temperature of the soldering tip, and providing a control signal to control the variable power supply to deliver a suitable power to the coil to keep the temperature of the soldering tip at a substantially constant level of the set temperature input.

With the greater variety of components used on printed circuit boards (PCBs), smaller passive components and larger ICs with finer ball pitch dimensions, the demands on high quality solder joints to aid PCB assembly (PCBA) fabrication and rework have increased. Faulty solder joint has cost companies billions of dollars over the years. Many processes have been developed to reduce failure rate for wave solder systems. However, for point to point handheld soldering and rework applications, companies are relying on operators' skills to produce good solder joints with quality electrical connections. Regardless of how much training is provided to the operators of the soldering iron, without guidance during a soldering activity, the operators may make and repeat mistakes due to the fact that there are many factors that impact heat transfer by the soldering iron for forming a solder joint with good electrical connection. These factors include solder tip temperature, geometry of the solder tip, oxidation of the solder, human behavior, and the like.
Moreover, automatic (e.g., robotic) soldering is currently strictly an open-loop time based event, where a robot moves to the specific joint, the solder tip is automatically placed on the joint, solder is automatically applied, and a prescribed time later (determined by a specific software for the robot), the solder tip is automatically removed from the joint. This process is repeated until the robot's program is complete.
Heating of a soldering tip is typically performed by passing an (fixed) electric current from a power supply through a resistive heating element. However, different soldering applications require different heating temperatures. Since a single tip having a specific alloy is capable of producing heat at a certain (maximum) temperature, different soldering tips are needed for different heating applications. Simple soldering irons reach a temperature level determined by thermal equilibrium, dependent upon power (current) input and the materials of the workpiece, which it contacts with. However, the tip temperature drops when it contacts a large workpiece, for example, a large mass of metal and therefore a small soldering tip will lose significant temperature to solder a large workpiece. More advanced soldering irons have a mechanism with a temperature sensor to keep the tip temperature steady at a constant level by delivering more power to the tip, when its temperature drops.
Typically, a variable power control, which changes the equilibrium temperature of the tip without automatically measuring or regulating the temperature. Other systems use a thermostat, often inside the iron's tip, which automatically switches power on and off to the soldering cartridge/tip. A thermocouple sensor may be used to monitor the temperature of the tip and adjust power delivered to the heating element of the cartridge to maintain a desired constant temperature.
Another approach is to use magnetized soldering tips which lose their magnetic properties at a specific temperature (the Curie point). This approach depends on the electrical and metallurgical characteristics of a particular tip material. For example, the tip may include copper, which is a material with high electrical conductivity, and another magnetic material (metal) with high resistivity. As long as the soldering tip is magnetic, it closes a switch to the power supply and the heating element. When the temperature of the tip exceeds the required temperature (for the specific application), it opens the switch and thus the tip starts cooling until the temperature drops enough to restore magnetization of the tip material. The selection of a material with a fixed Currie point results in a heater that generates and maintain a specific, self-regulated temperature and the constant level and thus the heater requires no calibration. That is, when the heater temperature drops (when it contacts a thermal load), the power supply responds with sufficient power required to increase the tip temperature back to the fixed required temperature to correctly solder the workpiece. Again, a specific tip having a specific alloy with particular magnetization properties is capable of producing heat at or up to a certain temperature. Accordingly, different soldering tips are needed for different heating applications. This requires an inventory and maintenance of a variety of different soldering tips with different thermal characteristics. It also adds significant time to the soldering process of a workpiece large enough or with different types of components that require different tips since the operator has to keep changing the soldering tips.

Variable temperature controlled soldering iron


A wrapping material comprising a paper-based substrate and a coating comprising a polypropylene-based wax having a molecular weight between approximately 1000 to 3000 provided on the substrate for heating and storage of articles of consumption.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed generally to polymer-coated wrapping material, and more specifically is directed to a wrapping paper having a polypropylene-based wax coating for heating and storage of articles of consumption. This invention also relates to a method of heating articles of consumption.
2. Description of Related Art
Composite wrapping materials have long been used for packaging, heating and storing articles of consumption such as food articles. Such wrapping materials not only help to preserve the freshness and cleanliness of food articles over a period of time, but also facilitate cooking, heating and heat retention of food articles by confining and retaining heated moisture or water vapors within the wrapping enclosure. Since the introduction of microwave ovens, microwave cooking and heating of foodstuffs have become widespread. Conventional wrapping materials, however, have not performed very well under microwave conditions.
Composite wrapping materials which are currently available include polyethylene coated paper, hot melt coated paper, paper with foil tissue laminations, dry waxed paper, paraffin wax coated paper, etc. These wrapping materials, however, are not well- suited for use in connection with the heating and cooking of food articles under microwave conditions. Wax papers such as paraffin wax coated paper suffer from the serious disadvantage of losing its integrity in microwave conditions since the wax melts at below 140.degree. F. Other wrapping papers such as polyethylene coated paper suffer from the drawback of sticking together when exposed to high temperatures and thus exhibit poor release characteristics. Papers with foil tissue laminations are not suitable for use under microwave conditions since they reflect microwave energy and impede the cooking and heating of articles of food using microwaves.
Accordingly, there presently exists a need to develop a composite wrapping material which is suitable for use under microwave conditions and which overcomes the aforementioned deficiencies. Considerations of economy and efficiency in terms of both costs and manufacturing logistics must be borne in mind so as to not render the wrapping material prohibitively expensive.

Polypropylene-coated microwaveable waxed paper


A button-attaching device 40 includes a snap upper chuck unit 20. A button holder 10 of the chuck unit 20 temporarily holds a button 1, and the button holder 10 is then rotated by a rotating arm 21, so that the button 1 is transferred from the button holder 10 to a button fixing part 31 of an upper die 30.

Conventionally, there have been generally used button-attaching devices in attaching a button to a fabric of a garment or the like in the industry (see, for instance, Japanese Patent Applications No. 58-9799 and No. 4-163304 and Japanese Utility Model Application No. 60-189524).
The button-attaching devices described above each include an upper die that can be lifted up and down and a lower die that is supported on the lower side of the upper die. When a button is attached using these button-attaching devices, first, the button is fixed to the upper die, and then a socket or a stud as a coupler coupling with the button is inserted to and set on the lower die. Next, after placing a garment fabric on the lower die, an operator lifts down the upper die while checking an attaching position. Due to the operation, an attachment part (eyelet, prong, etc.) projecting from the button penetrates the garment fabric, which is then bent and caulked to be integrally coupled with the above-described socket or stud, and thereby the button is attached to the garment fabric.
Note that, there is another method in which the button is fixed to the lower die, but the method causes the button to be placed under the garment fabric and impedes the operator from observing the attaching position on the garment fabric. Therefore, it is common to fix the button to the upper die as described above. Further, although there is another device capable of automatically feeding and fixing the button to the upper die, in a case where, for instance, production quantity of a garment or the like is small or various types of buttons are attached to the garment, attachment work can be performed more smoothly by manually fixing the button to the upper die rather than using such automatic device.
However, in the button-attaching device described above, when the button is manually fixed to the upper die, the button is inserted into the upper die from the upper face of the button. Thus, when the upper face of the button has a design that is orientated, the operator cannot observe the upper face of the button in fixing the button to the upper die, which might cause a circumferential position of the design to be displaced. In addition, much attention is required to perform such positioning work precisely, resulting in degrading workability.
Further, since the button is inserted and fixed to a dented fixing part of the upper die, the operator has to hold with his/her fingers the above-described attachment part (eyelet, prong, etc.) that shapes like a pin projecting from a body of the button, so that the operator feels pain on the fingers after a long work.

Button-attaching device and method of attaching button to upper die of button-attaching device


A method and apparatus supporting the handling of calls using multimedia information are disclosed. Multimedia information exchanged by an associated access device and a gateway. The access device may request for the multimedia information to be recorded during a call. The gateway may store the received multimedia information locally or may communicate the multimedia information to storage.

One major common problem faced by cellular and landline service providers is market competition. In today's climate of competitive markets, cellular service providers have found that one way for them to grow market share and defend their businesses is to be proactive and form alliances, and to partner with landline service providers. In addition, cellular service providers seek to differentiate their service offerings, and to capture the largest portion of market revenue by meeting an ever increasing demand for access to a wide range of media forms such as MP3 encoded audio, still and video imaging, data, instant messaging, and email. In a similar manner, the landline service providers have found that to grow market share and ward off competition, they too must be proactive and form alliances, and to partner with cellular service providers. Support for broad economical access to these converging forms of communication is needed to enable unfettered market growth, and to support the development and use of new handheld devices needed to provide increasing levels of mobile multimedia communication functionality.
Although the formation of alliances and partnerships between cellular service providers and landline service providers may help to ward off competition, such alliances and partnerships are faced with other problems. For example, the erection of cellular infrastructure such as cellular towers may be an expensive venture since this may require acquisition of real estate, whether in the form of outright purchases or through leasing. Cellular infrastructure also requires the establishment of one or more expensive backbone links to handle core network traffic. Another cellular-related problem is that the cellular signals do not penetrate and propagate in buildings such as homes and offices very well. This is especially true with the frequencies that are typically utilized in the United States, which may vary between 800 MHz and 1900 MHz or 1.9 GHz.
Present day communication networks and, in particular, wireless networks, are subject to varying conditions that may cause temporary losses of signal, and can ultimately lead to loss of a call. Some of the participants on the call may not receive all of the information exchanged by the parties during the call due to poor communication conditions. There are also times when portions of a call are of importance and one or more parties wish to have a record of the call.
Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of such systems with some aspects of the present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Extended multimedia call handling functionality


The present invention is directed to a high density mapping catheter including a number of shape memory electrode fibers and associated methods of construction and operation. The invention ensures good electrical contact between a large number of mapping electrodes and cardiac tissue in relation to a number of cardiac tissue approach angles, including head-on approaches. In addition, the invention allows for a reduced range of deflection angles in relation to deployment and retraction of the electrode fibers, thereby reducing resistance to retraction and reducing stress on the fibers and associated concerns regarding patient safety. The catheter of the present invention allows for rapid acquisition of a large amount of mapping data and allows for a variety of different geometries in relation to sweeping of the catheter across the cardiac tissue.

a. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to electrical mapping of a patient's heart and, in particular, to a catheter that can quickly gather data for high resolution cardiac mapping and associated methodology.
b. Background
A number of mapping and navigation options have been developed to enable electrical mapping of a patient's heart as well as navigation of an instrument, such as an electrode catheter, to a desired site for ablation or other treatment. For example, the EnSite NavX® utility is integrated into the Ensite® Advanced Mapping System by St. Jude Medical, Inc., and provides non-fluoroscopic navigation of conventional electrophysiology catheters. The navigation methodology is based on the principle that when electrical current is applied across two surface electrodes, a voltage gradient is created along the axis between the electrodes. Although any suitable number of electrodes may be utilized, typically six surface electrodes are placed on the body of the patient and in three pairs: anterior to posterior, left to right lateral, and superior (neck) to inferior (left leg). The three electrode pairs form three orthogonal axes (X-Y-Z), with the patient's heart being at least generally at the center.
The noted six surface electrodes are connected to the Ensite® Advanced Mapping System, which alternately sends an electrical signal through each pair of surface electrodes to create a voltage gradient along each of the three axes, forming a transthoracic electrical field, Conventional electrophysiology catheters may be connected to the Ensite® Advanced Mapping System and advanced to the patient's heart. As a catheter enters the transthoracic field, each catheter electrode senses voltage, timed to the creation of the gradient along each axis. Using the sensed voltages compared to the voltage gradient on all three axes, the EnSite NavX® utility calculates the three-dimensional position of each catheter electrode. The calculated position for the various electrodes occurs simultaneously and repeats many times per second (e.g., about 93 times per second).
The Ensite® Advanced Mapping System displays the located electrodes as catheter bodies with real-time navigation. By tracking the position of the various catheters, the EnSite NavX® utility provides non-fluoroscopic navigation, mapping, and creation of chamber models that are highly detailed and that have very accurate geometries. In the latter regard, the physician sweeps an appropriate catheter electrode across the heart chamber to outline the structures by relaying the signals to the computer system that then generates the 3-D model. This 3-D model may be utilized for any appropriate purpose, for instance to help the physician guide an ablation catheter to a heart location where treatment is desired/required.
In order to generate an accurate and highly detailed map of a patient's heart, a large amount of data is required. Accordingly, an electrode catheter may be swept across various surfaces of the heart while obtaining data as described above. In order to accelerate this mapping data acquisition and/or increase the volume of data available for mapping, a number of high-density electrode catheters have been developed or proposed. Generally, these include a number of electrodes in an array in relation to a catheter body so as to substantially simultaneously obtain many mapping data points for a corresponding surface of cardiac tissue proximate to the catheter body. For example, these electrodes may be deployed along the length of a section of the catheter body that has a coil or other three-dimensional configuration so as to provide the desired spatial distribution of the electrodes. Alternatively, the electrodes may be disposed on a number of structural elements extending from a catheter body, e.g., in the form of a basket or a number of fingers. Work continues towards developing a high density mapping electrode catheter that achieves the goal of rapidly gathering mapping information while being safe in operation and simple in construction.

St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.


An automated magazine loading device having an ammunition hopper adapted to receive a firearm cartridge and a conveyor coupled to the ammunition hopper. The conveyor is configured to transport the firearm cartridge to a projectile indexer located in proximity to the conveyor and the conveyor is configured to deposit the firearm cartridge into the projectile indexer in a first orientation. The projectile indexer is configured to reorient the firearm cartridge into a second orientation. The projectile indexer also includes a port for receiving a magazine therein. Finally, the automated magazine loading device includes an actuator for engaging the firearm cartridge and inserting the firearm cartridge into the magazine.

Both semi-automatic and fully automatic firearms, such as various pistols and rifles, often utilize detachable cartridge magazines for storing ammunition and feeding the firearm. Instead of loading only one cartridge at a time into a firearm (or even a few cartridges), cartridge magazines evolved in order to permit a user to load and fire multiple cartridges from the firearm without having to stop and reload the firearm after discharging a relatively low number of cartridges. The use of firearm cartridge magazines also permits a user to carry magazines, which are loaded with multiple cartridges, instead of carrying loose cartridges. As such, a user can more efficiently store and reload the firearm. Enumerable cartridge magazines have been created and utilized; however, the most commonly used magazines today are known as detachable box magazines.
Box magazines became popular after World War II, and today, most semi-automatic firearms, like the AR-15 rifle, utilize box magazines to store ammunition and consecutively/sequentially relay the cartridges into the powder chamber of the firearm. There are many types and configurations of cartridge magazines, but generally, box magazines are adapted to hold anywhere from a few rounds of ammunition to many dozens or more. The cartridges are typically loaded by hand, one at a time, and positioned in one or more columns within the interior of the magazine. The process of hand loading cartridge magazines, one at a time, can be incredibly arduous and time consuming. Moreover, wounded veterans often suffer from limb loss or have reduced hand or limb function, which prevents or reduces such a user's ability to hand load a magazine for use with popular firearms. Thus, improvements that provide for an automated loading process for firearm cartridge magazines are needed.

Cartridge magazine loading optimization device


A refrigeration compressor incorporating an improved arrangement and method for securing the motor cover to the motor stator is disclosed which arrangement and method also greatly facilitate the setting of the air gap between the stator and rotor.

The present invention relates generally to refrigeration compressors and more specifically to hermetic refrigeration compressors incorporating a motor cover assembly which is designed to enable the air gap between the motor rotor and stator to be accurately set prior to securing the cover thereto and a method of assembling such motor covers and stators.
Hermetic refrigeration compressors normally incorporate a compressor and associated driving motor within a hermetically sealed shell. The motor will generally include a rotor secured to a drive shaft journaled in the compressor housing or other suitable bearing means and a stator secured to the compressor housing by means of bolts extending through the stator core. In many designs a motor cover is also porvided which is secured to one end of the stator by the same bolts used to secure the stator to the compressor housing. In such designs it is very difficult to insure accurate setting of the air gap between the rotor and stator due to the presence of the motor cover.
However, the present invention provides an inproved motor/motor cover assembly of the aforementioned general design but which allows the stator to be accurately positioned and secured to the compressor prior to assembly of the motor cover while still allowing the stator securing bolts to be used to secure the motor cover to the stator. In the present design a first pair of stator securing bolts are used to secure the stator in position once the air gap has been set. Thereafter the cover member is positioned over the stator and a second pair of stator securing bolts are inserted therethrough and tightened to thereby secure both the stator to the compressor housing and the cover to the stator.
This arrangement thus greatly facilitates the accurate and precise setting of the air gap yet does not require the separate fabrication and assembly of any additional components. Thus cost savings are obtained both in terms of labor and material while also providing a positive reliable securement of the motor cover.
Additional advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent description and the appended claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.


A wind turbine and methods for controlling wind turbine thrust are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes measuring a tilt angle of a wind turbine in a loaded position using a measuring device. The wind turbine includes a tower, a nacelle mounted on the tower, a rotor coupled to the nacelle, and a plurality of rotor blades coupled to the rotor. The method further includes comparing the tilt angle to a predetermined tilt angle for the wind turbine and, if the tilt angle exceeds the predetermined tilt angle, adjusting a pitch of at least one of the plurality of rotor blades such that the tilt angle is less than or equal to the predetermined tilt angle.

Wind power is considered one of the cleanest, most environmentally friendly energy sources presently available, and wind turbines have gained increased attention in this regard. A modern wind turbine typically includes a tower, generator, gearbox, nacelle, and one or more rotor blades. The rotor blades capture kinetic energy of wind using known airfoil principles. The rotor blades transmit the kinetic energy in the form of rotational energy so as to turn a shaft coupling the rotor blades to a gearbox, or if a gearbox is not used, directly to the generator. The generator then converts the mechanical energy to electrical energy that may be deployed to a utility grid.
During operation of a wind turbine, the wind turbine is subjected to thrust due to the interaction of wind with the rotor blades of the wind turbine. Excessive thrust may cause damage to the wind turbine. For example, thrust may cause the tower of the wind turbine to bend, causing fatigue loading of the structure. Excessive thrust may cause the tower to bend past a limiting point, causing failure of the tower and the wind turbine in general.
Known methods for controlling thrust in order to prevent damage or failure involve estimating the thrust by measuring the actual power produced by the wind turbine. This estimate of the thrust may be monitored, and if the estimated thrust reaches a predetermined peak value, the pitch of the rotor blades may be adjusted to reduce the estimated thrust. However, this thrust estimate may be influenced by various extraneous factors, such as variations in blade geometry, icing, fouling, and/or pitching errors, and may thus generally not be an accurate measurement of thrust.
Accordingly, an improved method and apparatus for controlling wind turbine thrust would be desired in the art. For example, a method and apparatus for more accurately controlling wind turbine thrust would be advantageous.

Methods and apparatus for controlling wind turbine thrust


An electric motor toy transport trailer configured to transport an electric motor toy 21 includes a charger 17 includes a rechargeable main power source 17a and a charging connector 17c connected to the rechargeable main power source 17a via a cord 17b. The rechargeable main power source 17a is housed in the electric motor toy transport trailer body 12 in a manner such that the rechargeable main power source 17a is disposed at a position lower than the upper edge of tires 13. The charging connector 17c is stored in an openable and closable container box 14 provided on the electric motor toy transport trailer body 12.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electric motor toy transportation trailer configured to transport an electric motor toy.
2. Description of the Related Art
A known electric motor toy transportation trailer is used only for transporting an electric motor toy. Also, a known mounting base for loading an electric motor toy is used only for loading and displaying the electric motor toy.
For reference, refer to non-patent document "Catalog and Handbook 2004" (pp. 189-198) issued by Kyosho Corporation.


An evaporative emission control system for a turbocharged engine. The system includes a fuel vapor canister in fluid communication with an intake manifold of the engine, a purge valve positioned between the intake manifold and the canister, a bypass valve positioned between the purge valve and the canister and connected to the atmosphere, and an evaporative system integrity monitor operable to seal the canister from the atmosphere when the engine is off. In operation, the monitor is closed so as to seal the canister from the atmosphere, the purge valve is closed so as to isolate the intake manifold from the canister, and the bypass valve is opened so as to connect the canister to the atmosphere. Proper operation of the monitor is determined if the monitor toggles from closed to open when a vacuum in the fuel vapor canister reaches a predetermined level.

Modern internal combustion engines generate approximately 20% of their hydrocarbon emissions by evaporative means, and as a result, automobile fuel vapor emissions to the atmosphere are tightly regulated. For the purpose of preventing fuel vapor from escaping to the atmosphere an Evaporative Emissions Control (EVAP) system is typically implemented to store and subsequently dispose of fuel vapor emissions. The EVAP system is designed to collect vapors produced inside an engine's fuel system and send them through an engine's intake manifold into its combustion chamber to get burned as part of the aggregate fuel-air charge. When pressure inside a vehicle's fuel tank reaches a predetermined level as a result of evaporation, the EVAP system transfers the vapors to a charcoal, or purge canister.
Subsequently, when engine operating conditions are conducive, a purge valve located between the intake manifold of the engine and the canister opens and vacuum from the intake manifold draws the vapor to the engine's combustion chamber. Thereafter, the purge canister is regenerated with newly formed fuel vapor, and the cycle continues.
As opposed to vacuum in naturally aspirated applications, at higher throttle levels a turbocharged/supercharged engine's intake manifold can see relatively high boost pressures generated by forced induction. Under this condition, a one-way check valve can be used to prevent backflow through the EVAP system and furthermore a vacuum ejector tee can be used to provide vacuum for purge flow.
In addition to a fuel vapor recovery function, an EVAP system may perform a leak-detection function. To that end, a known analog leak-detection scheme employs an evaporative system integrity monitor (ESIM) switch which stays on if the system is properly sealed, and toggles off when a system leak is detected. When the ESIM switch fails to toggle under specific conditions, an engine control unit (ECU) detects this situation and alerts an operator of the vehicle with a malfunction indicator.
Furthermore, an EVAP system's ability to detect leaks can be regularly verified in engine key-off mode via a so-called rationality test. Presently known rationality tests confirm the ESIM switch functionality through a simulated system leak which is generated by opening the purge valve to relieve a low level of system vacuum (approximately 0.5 KPa) retained from when the engine was running. The ECU then detects if the ESIM toggles from on to off, which is an indicator that the switch is functioning correctly. For the rationality test to be performed in a turbocharged/supercharged engine, however, a leak-detection scheme utilizing an ESIM switch has been heretofore known as requiring a two-way low airflow communication between the purge valve and the intake manifold. A simple check-valve does not permit two-way flow, therefore it will not support both purge flow during boost operation and ESIM functions in an EVAP system of a turbocharged/supercharged engine.

Turbocharged engine canister system and diagnostic method


A flexible display panel includes a flexible substrate; a display layer on the flexible substrate; a reinforcement layer on a side of the display layer distal to the flexible substrate; and a protective layer on a side of the reinforcement layer distal to the flexible substrate; wherein the reinforcement layer is a multi-layer laminate structure comprising at least one colorless polymide layer and the reinforcement layer is configured to enhance the reliability testing of the flexible display panel.

The present flexible display module consists of a multi-layer film structure, and a general flexible display module includes, arranged sequentially on a flexible substrate, a display layer (including an OLED display device and a pixel circuit), a circularly polarized light layer (C-POL), a touch layer, a protective layer, and a base film disposed on the back of the flexible substrate, etc. Among them, the protective layer plays a role in protecting the overall flexible display module.
In order to meet the bending characteristics of the flexible display module, there is a limit to the thickness of the flexible protective layer of the flexible display module, thereby affecting the protective properties of the protective layer to the underlying OLED device. In the ball drop test, although the protective layer is not damaged, the OLED device in the flexible display module may have failures which show up as extremely large black spots. As the thickness of the protective layer increases, the protection characteristics of the OLED device will be improved, but the bending characteristics of the flexible display module are affected.
Therefore, how to enhance the reliability of the flexible display module while maintaining the bending characteristics of the flexible display module is a technical problem that needs to be solved in the field.
It should be noted that, information disclosed in the above background portion is provided only for better understanding of the background of the present disclosure, and thus it may contain information that does not form the prior art known by those ordinary skilled in the art.

Flexible display module and display device


Various arrangements for handling enterprise resource planning (ERP) tasks external from ERP software are presented. An email client, executed on a user computer system, may retrieve ERP tasks that are assigned to a user from an ERP computer system. The email client executed on the user computer system may integrate the ERP tasks retrieved from the ERP computer system into an email client task list such that the email client task list displays the ERP tasks assigned to the user. The email client executed on the user computer system may display the email client task list that comprises the ERP tasks retrieved from the ERP computer system.

Enterprise management software, such as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software, often requires one or more tasks to be performed by a specific user. Once the user has performed the task, the user may be required to indicate within the ERP software that the tasks delegated to the user have been completed. Following this user indicating a task as completed, one or more related tasks may be assigned to a different user. As such, a significant number of users may be required to log in to the ERP software to indicate that tasks have been completed. Such an arrangement may be time-consuming, may be inefficient, and/or may result in an increased security risk by requiring a larger number of users to log in and access the ERP software.


An apparatus and a method for saving power of a mobile station (MS). The apparatus includes an RF unit for processing radio signals transmitted between an MS and a BS, and a processor for performing an RX task, a layer 2 task, a main control task, and a searcher task. The RX task receives a message from the BS by controlling the RF unit, determining if an address included in the received message matches an address stored in the MS, transmitting the received message to another task when the address match, and generating a fast sleep command when the address do not match. The layer 2 task transmits the message received from the RX task to another task, the main control task processes the message, and the searcher task shifts the MS to a fast sleep state when receiving the command from the RX task.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an apparatus and a method for saving power of a mobile communication terminal in a mobile communication system, and more particularly to an apparatus and a method for saving power by quickly processing a message.
2. Description of the Related Art
Mobile communication terminals repeat a process of periodically awaking from an idle state according to a slot cycle index, checking their own slots, and then shifting to a sleep state again. For example, when a slot cycle index is 1, a period is 2.56 seconds.
More specifically, mobile communication terminals generally awake at their own slots, receive general page messages, and then sleep or sleep fast. However, sometimes mobile communication terminals receive overhead messages due to the change of base station (BS) information or a sequence. Further, sometimes mobile communication terminals receive Data Burst Messages (DBMs), order messages, Channel Assignment Messages (CAMs), Extended Channel Assignment Messages (ECAMs), etc.
Messages received from a base station (BS) are processed via an RX task, a layer 2 task, and a main control layer. In a mobile communication terminal, the RX task generates a 20 ms interrupt for the messages received from a base station (BS) and then transfers the interrupted message to an upper layer. When a paging channel data rate is 9600 bps, a 20 ms frame has a size of 192 bits and this frame is sent to an upper layer for processing.
Theoretically, the slot of a paging channel has a unit of 80 ms and a mobile communication terminal awakes for 80 ms slot. However, actually considering a period of time for which the mobile communication terminal awakes and prepares to sleep, the mobile communication terminal awakes for about 95 ms. Accordingly, when a slot cycle index is 1, the mobile communication terminal awakes for 95 ms every 2.56 seconds. This is associated with the battery consumption of the mobile communication terminal. That is, when the mobile communication terminal is awake for a long time, the battery consumption increases.
Typically, a mobile communication terminal receives many data burst messages, i.e., short message service (SMS) messages, through a traffic channel. The data burst message includes a data burst message (general data burst message) having a general address and a data burst message (broadcast data burst message) having a broadcast address. The former is received through a point-to-point scheme and the latter is received through a broadcast scheme. The general data burst message or the broadcast data burst message as described above is discarded or processed according to agreement or disagreement of an address. Herein, the agreement of an address means that an Electronic Serial Number (ESN)/phone number or a broadcast address of a mobile communication terminal included in a message transmitted from a base station (BS) is identical to those stored in a mobile communication terminal receiving the message. This enables the mobile communication terminal to recognize if the message transmitted from the base station is directed to the mobile communication terminal itself.
In the Republic of Korea, a typical SMS message capable of being transmitted by a general user once has a limited size of 80 bytes. Further, because a broadcast SMS message is also used when a base station (BS) provides a mobile communication terminal with information, the broadcast SMS message is generally transmitted after 80 bytes are completely filled with contents. Herein, when a mobile communication terminal receives a data burst message having such a size in an idle state, a layer 2 of the mobile communication terminal discards the data burst message by reason of the disagreement of an address. Because a message such as an ECAM/CAM and a command has a small size, the message may be processed in one frame. However, because the data burst message has a large size, unnecessary overhead occurs in an RX task and the layer 2 and a time point at which the mobile communication terminal enters a sleep state is also delayed. Therefore, the battery power is wasted.
More specifically, when a paging channel data rate is 9600 bps, a mobile communication terminal sends a message with 192 bits each time to the layer 2 task about six times. Then, all the sent bits are reassembled and whether their addresses agree with each other or not is examined. As a result of the examination, the mobile communication terminal discards the message when the message does not target the mobile communication terminal itself.
Accordingly, when an RX task generates many frames and sends the frames to a layer 2, a mobile communication terminal cannot process the frames while it awakes only for one slot. Further, under the environments of reception of many data burst messages, even though the mobile communication terminal is in an idle state, the power of the mobile communication terminal is greatly consumed.

Apparatus and method for saving power of a mobile communication terminal


The present invention is a method of firing fuel injectors for an engine of an automotive vehicle. The method includes the steps of determining whether injection timing for firing fuel injectors has changed from one predetermined state to another predetermined state of a distributor reference signal, firing the injectors for a predetermined time period and delivering a calculated amount of fuel for the one predetermined state if the injection timing has not changed. The method also includes determining whether a need for transition fuel has ended if the injection timing has changed and firing the fuel injectors for another predetermined time period and delivering a calculated amount of transition fuel at another predetermined state if the need for transition fuel has not ended. The method further includes firing the fuel injectors for another predetermined time period and delivering a calculated amount of fuel for the another predetermined state either after completion of the firing of transition fuel or if the need for transition fuel has ended.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to fuel injection for engines of automotive vehicles, and more particularly to, a method for firing a fuel injector on an engine of an automotive vehicle.
2. Description of Related Art
Typically, an engine of an automotive vehicle has one or more fuel injectors for delivering fuel from a fuel source to cylinders of an internal combustion engine. Generally, a sensor on a distributor of the engine transmits a signal from the distributor as to the crank angle of the engine. This distributor reference signal is received by an electronic control unit (ECU) which outputs a signal to fire the fuel injectors at predetermined states of the distributor reference signal. One predetermined state may be a "zero degree" or "falling" edge of the distributor reference signal as illustrated by reference letter A in FIG. 1. Previously, these fuel injectors were fired in pairs, e.g. two at a time, at the predetermined state. This type of fuel injection is termed "two-group" or "banked" fuel injection.
Fuel injector firing at the zero degree edge of the distributor reference signal is optimum for peak performance of the engine (e.g., open throttle, vehicle moving). However, fuel injector firing may occur at another predetermined state. This predetermined state may be an "eighty-three (83) degree" or "rising" edge of the distributor reference signal as illustrated by reference letter B in FIG. 1. Fuel injector firing at the eighty-three degree edge of the distributor reference signal is optimum for idle quality (e.g., closed throttle, vehicle not moving). The fuel injectors may be fired sequentially, e.g. one at a time, at the predetermined states. This type of fuel injection is termed "bi-modal sequential" fuel injection.
One problem that occurs in fuel injection timing is the transfer from one predetermined state to another predetermined state for firing the fuel injectors; that is, the transfer from the zero degree edge to the eighty-three edge of the distributor reference signal for firing the fuel injectors in bi-modal sequential fuel injection. This problem results in a lean engine operating condition. Moreover, a closed throttle bucking/engine RPM undershooting may result from the lean engine operating condition any time a transfer from open to closed throttle occurs.


A method for producing an organic EL display device is disclosed. The display device comprises a substrate, a transistor disposed on the substrate, a flattened inter-layer insulation film covering the transistor, a pixel electrode, and an organic EL layer.

1. Field of Invention
The invention relates to a display apparatus in which a current-driven light-emitting device, such as an organic electro luminescence (hereinafter referred to as "EL") display device, are driven by using thin-film transistors. More particularly, the invention relates to a current-driven light-emitting display apparatus driven by thin-film-transistors, which realizes the suppression of deterioration with time, and to a method of producing the same.
2. Description of Related Art
The inventor of this invention carefully examined organic EL display devices driven by thin-film transistors, and ascertained the following facts.
(1) In an organic EL display device driven by thin-film transistors, since the organic EL display device is a direct-current device, direct current also runs through thin-film transistors, which are connected in series to the EL device, for the purpose of controlling it.
(2) Thin-film transistors are classified into an n-channel type and a p-channel type. These types differ extremely in the manner in which deterioration with time occurs.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to suppress the deterioration with time of thin-film transistors in a current luminescent device driven by the thin-film transistors.

Current-driven light-emitting display apparatus and method of producing the same