An in-cylinder injector injects fuel to be sprayed in the form of an inverted letter V sandwiching a spark plug, as seen in a top view, and in a sector as seen in a side view. The sprayed fuel interferes with an intake valve assuming an open position. An engine ECU executes a program including the steps of: determining with reference to a map a timing of injection of the fuel through the in-cylinder injector (S100); determining a period for injection from an amount of fuel injected (S110); determining in accordance with map whether the sprayed fuel interferes with the intake valve (S120); modifying the period for injection to be advanced by a period for injection having the sprayed fuel interfering with the intake valve (S130); and determining a timing of injection and a period for injection (S140).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an internal combustion engine for a vehicle, and more particularly to an internal combustion engine that includes at least a first fuel injection mechanism (in-cylinder injector) for injecting a fuel into a cylinder and further includes a second fuel injection mechanism (intake manifold injector) for injecting a fuel into an intake manifold or an intake port.
2. Description of the Background Art
An internal combustion engine provided with an intake manifold injector for injecting a fuel into an intake manifold and an in-cylinder injector for injecting a fuel into a combustion chamber, in which fuel injection from the intake manifold injector is stopped when load of the engine is lower than preset load and fuel injection from the intake manifold injector is allowed when load of the engine is higher than the preset load, is known.
An in-cylinder injection type engine aiming at improvement in combustion efficiency and purification of exhaust gas by making smaller particles of fuel injected into the cylinder represents one example of techniques related to such an in-cylinder injector in an internal combustion engine. For example, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2003-254199 discloses an in-cylinder fuel injection type internal combustion engine that achieves ensured improvement in fuel efficiency by permitting setting of a high compression ratio even when an average air-fuel ratio of the whole air-fuel mixture in a cylinder bore is high and when the air-fuel mixture is lean on the average such as in a low load state of the internal combustion engine. In the in-cylinder fuel injection type internal combustion engine, an intake manifold is formed on one side of a cylinder head, whereas an exhaust manifold is formed on the other side thereof when the cylinder in which an axial center of the cylinder bore is aligned with a vertical line is viewed from a side. The in-cylinder fuel injection type internal combustion engine includes a fuel injection valve capable of injecting the fuel in an obliquely downward direction from an end side on one side of the cylinder head into the cylinder bore and a spark plug of which discharge portion is exposed within the cylinder bore substantially on the axial center of the cylinder bore. In the in-cylinder fuel injection type internal combustion engine, when the cylinder is viewed two-dimensionally, the fuel injected from the fuel injection valve is in an inverted V-shape with the discharge portion lying between two prongs, and the fuel is injected from the fuel injection valve in an intake stroke.
According to the in-cylinder fuel injection type internal combustion engine, the fuel injected from the fuel injection valve is in an inverted V-shape with the discharge portion lying between the two prongs. In addition, in the intake stroke of the internal combustion engine, the piston is lowered from the top dead center. This direction of lowering is the same as the direction of injection of the fuel from the fuel injection valve. Therefore, the fuel injected from the fuel injection valve travels along each outer side of the discharge portion. Here, furious collision of the fuel with an upper surface of the piston is prevented, and the fuel smoothly travels in a direction of injection. When forward ends of respective injected fuel prongs on the left and right reach an inner circumferential surface of the cylinder bore and the upper surface of the piston, the fuels are guided by these surfaces so that some part of the fuels comes closer to each other in a circumferential direction of the cylinder bore, while other part thereof moves away from each other in the circumferential direction of the cylinder bore. Then, in the intake stroke and the following compression stroke, most of the fuel injected into the cylinder bore is concentrated in an area in the vicinity of the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder bore substantially uniformly in the circumferential direction. Namely, when the cylinder is viewed two-dimensionally, a stratified, ring-shaped rich air-fuel mixture substantially around the axial center of the cylinder bore and a stratified, lean air-fuel mixture surrounded by the stratified rich air-fuel mixture and located in the vicinity of the discharge portion are formed in the cylinder bore.
If the fuel injection valve characterized by spraying fuel in a form in a direction as described in Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2003-254199 is used to inject fuel at the intake stroke, for which the intake valve is lifted, a portion of the injected fuel adheres on a back side of the flared head of the intake valve and forms droplets and thus flows in. This prevents the cylinder from having an air fuel mixture formed therein and as a result the internal combustion engine emits more uncombusted fuel (HC). Accordingly, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2004-316538 discloses a direct injection, spark ignited internal combustion engine contemplated to prevent an increased amount of uncombusted fuel emitted as fuel sprayed adheres to a back side of the flared head of the intake valve when the fuel is injected at the intake stroke. This internal combustion engine is a direct injection, spark ignited internal combustion engine that has a combustion chamber having a side portion provided with a fuel injection valve injecting fuel between two intake valves toward the center of the combustion chamber. While the internal combustion engine includes an air motion device allowing air flowing into the combustion chamber via the intake valve to be sprayed to a back side of the flared head of the intake valve that is closer to the center of the combustion chamber, the internal combustion engine includes means calculating a period of time that allows the valve to be lifted to allow the fuel sprayed through the fuel injection valve to adhere to the back side of the flared head of the intake valve that is closer to the center of the combustion engine and to also prevent the sprayed fuel from adhering to the back side of the flared head of the intake valve that is closer to a wall surface of the combustion chamber, and means controlling injecting the fuel, as based on the information of the period of time, in a mode of operation allowing the fuel to be injected at the intake stroke.
In this internal combustion engine at the intake stroke the sprayed fuel interferes with the intake valve only at the back side of the flared head of the intake valve that is closer to the center of the combustion engine and the fuel having adhered (or adhering) thereto can be blown away by a stream of air intensified by the air motion device. The fuel can thus be utilized to form an air fuel mixture in the cylinder to contribute to a reduced amount of uncombusted fuel emitted.
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2004-316538, however, injecting fuel is controlled as based on a period of time allowing the valve to be lifted in an amount that prevents the fuel sprayed through the fuel injection valve from adhering to the back side of the flared head of the intake valve that is closer to a wall surface of the combustion chamber. As such, the fuel is injected for a reduced period of time. As a result, an amount of fuel required may not be injected or an air fuel mixture reduced in homogeneity may be provided resulting in unsteady combustion or the like.
Furthermore, if the fuel sprayed through the fuel injection valve scatters along the back side of the flared head of the intake valve toward the spark plug, the spark plug is covered with the fuel and as a result smolders and can fail to normally spark.

Control device for internal combustion engine


Grain-destroying insects, and those which may infect other types of particulate matter, when feeding and moving about, induce vibrations in the grain or particulate material affected which is modified and amplified to an audible level. The detection is performed using a crystal with piezoelectric properties directly and physically connected to a vibratory receiving structure such as an elongated probe, a thin, flat diaphragm or the like which mechanically amplifies the vibrations to the crystal. The vibratory sounds are then analyzed, such as by comparison with other records of known destructive insects to determine the probable species of insect and its location.

Prior patents featuring vibratory sound amplification have generall related to stethoscopes in which a transducer is utilized for monitoring heart beats or the sound of blood produced in passing through heart valves, even detecting of fetal heart beats.
Although electronic devices for sensing insect-induced vibrations have been constructed in the past, such devices had only limited practicability due to the need for conflicting design parameters. Such devices need to be extremely sensitive to pick up the subtle vibrations in a structure or other article caused by insects. Yet if such sensitivity was achieved, the device also picked up a large variety of vibrations caused by other phenomena, as well as human activity. This has typically limited the usefulness of such prior art devices to laboratory-type environments.
R. C. Barton in "An Audio-Amplifying System for Termite Detection," Termites and Termite Control, 1934, pp. 711-714, discloses an early attempt to develop an audio-amplifying system for termite detection. The system used a phonograph-type needle as a probe which was actually inserted into the article under inspection, such as a wall, for detecting the mechanical vibrations in the object being inspected. The author apparently tried other transducers, such as an electrical stethoscope, but without the level of success that he had with the phonograph needle. The electrical signals from the needle transducer were then amplified and filtered prior to being transmitted to earphones. The article clearly indicates at p. 714, however, that the system was not successful out of a laboratory environment and, in addition, was too costly to be practical.
Another article also discloses a device for invasively detecting termites in a laboratory environment, Roy J. Pence, "Electronic Detective Developed by UCLA Uncovers Termites," Pest Control, Nov., 1954, p. 27. The device described in this article comprises a transducer having a needle probe which is actually inserted in the material to be inspected, and an amplifier which amplifies the portion of the electrical signals generated by the needle-type transducer which falls within a preselected frequency range. The article expressly indicates that its value is as a laboratory tool.
There is additionally a marketing brochure "Electronic Termite Detection", Physionics Corportion, (publication date unknown), that discloses an electronic termite detector which comprises a hand-held probe-type transducer, an amplifier for amplifying electrical signals generated by the probe which are within a specified frequency range, and earphones. Although the initial Instructions in the brochure indicate that it is only necessary to hold the probe firmly against the surface being inspected, a subsequent supplement to the instructions states that the operator should use a Safety Needle which was included with the device, both to protect the probe and crystal element and to allow greater clarity in listening to termites, by eliminating any noise generated by operator contact with the probe. None of the devices described in the publications are suitable for detecting insects in particulate matter, such as wheat, rice, or the like.
The invention is distinctive over the prior art by providing a piezoelectric transducer mechanically and directly connected to a probe or noise detection structure capable of detecting vibrations or noise in particulate matter infested with insects or larvae. The inventive device minimizes the conversions of energy because of the direct physical contact between the vibration receiving structure and the piezoelectric crystal. The apparatus will detect sounds generated by the movement, eating or other destruction of flour beetles, rice weevils, Indian grain moths, and other grain destroying insects in grain bins, trucks or other storage areas, and amplify those sounds sufficiently to permit an operator to hear such vibrations through a headset. The frequency ranges of those movements vary from 350 to 3,500 Hertz, and in a narrower range from 750 Hertz to 1500 Hertz depending upon the grain (milo, corn, wheat, rice, flax, etc.) and the insect making the noise. The movement pattern made by different insects due to varying sizes and speed of movement makes it possible to analyze the patterns and identify which insect is making the noises picked up through the transducer.

Apparatus for detecting insect-induced vibrations in particulate matter


A multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly utilizes a plurality of baseplates each having one or more sub-jaws pivotably attached thereto. Each baseplate is configured for attachment to, or is part of, the radially movable elements of a lathe chuck. Further, each baseplate has two pivotably attached sub-jaws. Each sub-jaw has two compression and two expansion workpiece gripping surfaces extending generally outwards from the front face of the baseplate: a first tier compression gripping surface, a second tier compression gripping surface, a first tier expansion gripping surface, and a second tier expansion gripping surface. The gripping surfaces each approximate a curved shape that matches the shape of a circle of a given radius allowing the sub-jaws to pivot and self-align to the workpiece surface for maximum surface contact and gripping force. Force-directed serrations can provide additional holding force toward the face of the chuck.

The field of art has known a number of different jaw designs. For example, the 29 Apr. 1980 saw the issuance of U.S. Pat. No. 4,200,300, which discloses the idea of utilizing removable jaws. Twelve years later, U.S. Pat. No. 5,141,239 was issued on Aug. 25, 1992. This patent illustrates a jaw designed to grip a workpiece internally or externally within the extendable range of a scroll chuck. In 1995, this patent was improved upon by U.S. Pat. No. 5,464,231, in which curved engagement surfaces were added on the jaws. Although an improvement, the described jaws provide a maximum clamping surface contact area between the jaws and the workpiece when the chuck is positioned at its minimum diameter clamping range. As the chuck's clamping diameter is expanded, the surface contact area between the jaws and the workpiece actually decreases; thus, reducing the gripping force of the jaws on the workpiece as the workpiece diameter increases. Given a fixed rotation velocity, centrifugal forces on the surface of a rotating workpiece are greater on workpieces of larger diameter versus those of smaller diameter, yet the prior art described above reduces its gripping force as the workpiece diameter increases. What is needed is a jaw assembly that improves the gripping force on the workpiece as the chuck's clamping diameter is increased.
Additionally, the prior art contains jaws that are designed to function best as inner gripping expansion jaws, and others that work best as outer gripping compression jaws. It is difficult to perform both tasks well. Yet another limitation of current jaw designs is that they unduly limit the minimum and maximum diameter range of a given lathe chuck. What is needed is a jaw assembly that provides improved gripping forces for both expansion and compression arrangements while increasing the minimum to maximum diameter range of a chuck.

Multiple pivoted lathe chuck jaw assembly


The sensor comprises a reference bolometer and a plurality of sensing bolometers. Each sensing bolometer is arranged adjacent to the reference bolometer. Each bolometer comprises (i) a substrate, (ii) a cap structure connected to the substrate, the cap structure configured to define a cavity between an inner surface of the cap structure and a first surface of the substrate, (iii) an absorber connected the substrate and arranged within the cavity, the absorber configured to absorb infrared radiation within the cavity, and (iv) a readout circuit connected to the absorber and configured to provide a signal that indicates an amount of infrared radiation absorbed by the absorber. The cap structure of the reference bolometer blocks infrared radiation from entering the cavity from outside the cap structure. The cap structure of each sensing bolometers allows infrared radiation to enter the cavity from outside the cap structure.

A bolometer is a type of sensor used to measure electromagnetic radiation. A bolometer generally comprises an absorptive element that is connected via a thermal link to a heat sink or thermal reservoir (i.e. a body of constant or near-constant temperature). A thermometer or other temperature sensitive element is attached to or embedded into the absorptive element in order to measure a temperature of the absorptive element. In some bolometers, the absorptive element may itself be the temperature sensitive element.
The essential operating principle of a bolometer is that, when incident electromagnetic radiation or photons are absorbed by the absorptive element, the energy from the radiation raises the temperature of the absorptive element. The change in temperature is measured by the temperature sensitive element in order to measure a magnitude of the absorbed radiation. In order to detect certain types of radiation, the absorptive element can be configured for sensitivity to different ranges of wavelengths.
FIG. 1 shows a microbolometer 100 for detecting infrared radiation 104. The microbolometer 100 includes an absorber 108 which comprises a material configured to absorb infrared radiation and exhibit relatively changes in resistance as a result of small changes in temperature. For example, the absorber 108 may comprise of amorphous silicon or vanadium oxide. The absorber 108 is suspended above a substrate 112 by a pair of electrodes 116 in order to thermally isolate the absorber 108 from the substrate 112. A current or voltage is applied to the absorber 108 via the electrodes 116 and changes in resistance of the absorber 108 are monitored in order to detect the radiation 104.
One common use for a sensor such as the microbolometer 100 is for measuring thermal radiation. Objects at any non-zero temperature radiate electromagnetic energy. At temperatures near room temperature, objects primarily radiate infrared radiation, which can be detected by a sensor, such as the microbolometer 100. However, it would be advantageous to use bolometer sensors to implement other kinds of sensors, beyond simple radiation sensors.

Bolometer fluid flow and temperature sensor


A combination support base and printer apparatus for use with laptop and other portable computers is easy to carry and particularly configured for letter or larger sized paper. The invention comprises a base having a bottom wall and a plurality of peripherally disposed upstanding walls that define paper storage and printer compartments, a lid to enclose one or both compartments, an upwardly disposed support surface on the lid for placement of the laptop thereon and a printer module disposed inside the printer compartment to print on paper pulled from the paper storage compartment. The support surface can be configured with various non-slip materials to reduce the laptop slipping relative to the lid. An attachment mechanism can be utilized to clamp the laptop to the lid. Side wings can be used to effectively expand the width of the support surface. A paper sizing mechanism can adjust for different paper sizes.

A. Field of the Invention
The field of the present invention generally relates to peripheral devices utilized with computers, particularly portable computers such as laptop computers and the like. More particularly, the present invention relates to printers that are configured to be easily transported and utilized with portable computers in various locations. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to such printers that are configured as a self-contained printer unit having a full-sized paper tray and which can support the portable computer thereon.
B. Background
Over the last twenty years or so, the computer has become an important and generally necessary tool that is commonly utilized for business, home, educational and recreational purposes. Relatively early in the history of computers, certain companies realized that it would be beneficial to be able to transport the computer to places away from the office or home in order to utilize the computer at a "remote" location. As a result, those in the computer industry developed portable computers, which are now commonly referred to as laptop computers. The portability of a laptop computer allows the user to perform tasks on the computer in many non-traditional work locations, including at a client's or customer's place of business or home, in a car, truck, boat or other vehicle and at an outdoor job site, a sporting event or a wide variety of other locations. While laptop computers greatly improve the ability of the user to perform computer-related tasks away from the typical office or home setting, there are known issues with regard to transporting the laptop computer to the desired location, finding a suitable support surface on which to place the laptop computer and having adequate space to work on the laptop computer. To complicate the remote use of laptop computers, utilization of the laptop computer is generally made more beneficial by being able to utilize various peripheral equipment and work materials with the computer. For instance, many people find it useful to connect the laptop computer to a printer so that he or she may print documents, including but not limited to forms, receipts, designs, bids, contracts and the like, at the remote location. Transporting the laptop computer and the printer, as well as all of the necessary cables, paper and other accessories to the desired location can be quite cumbersome. In addition, once at the remote location the user typically finds himself or herself significantly limited on space and often without a suitable surface on which to place the laptop computer.
Various portable printers have been available for use with laptop and other portable computing devices. Many of the printers that are marketed or otherwise identified as being portable derive their alleged portability from the fact that they are powered by or may be selectively powered by internal batteries. As is readily apparent to those who utilize such printers, having a printer that is free from the need to connect to an outlet does not necessarily make the printer easy to transport. In fact, many of the so-called portable printers are relatively heavy and bulky, such that transporting the printer with a laptop computer requires the user to handle a separate, often odd-shaped carrying case. This typically results in the user having to carry his or her laptop in a laptop compatible case, usually in the form of an expanded briefcase or the like, and the printer carrying case. One advantage of these larger-sized portable printers is that they are configured to print documents on the standard 8½″ by 11″ letter sized paper. Some of these printers are also capable of printing on legal sized (8½″ by 14″) or larger sized paper.
More recently, the computer industry has developed portable printers which are lighter, smaller and less bulky, making them much easier to transport and use with portable computers. One such printer is the Pocketjet® 3 mobile printer from Pentax. This printer utilizes thermal printing technology, weighs approximately four pounds, has dimensions of 2.2″ by 10″ by 1.2″ and utilizes built-in rechargeable nickle-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries. Due to its size, this printer is capable of printing documents on letter, legal and A4 thermal paper. Because the printer does not have paper storage capability, the paper has to be fed into the printer one sheet at a time or supplied in a continuous or perforated roll. The printer connects to the user's laptop or other computer via USB cable or integrated Bluetooth technology. Companies such as Brother, Fuji and Sony are marketing very small portable printers that, like the Pentax printer, generally rely on thermal printing technology to produce the printed document. Typically, these printers are hand-held devices that print documents or photographs on smaller sized paper, such as the postcard sized A6 paper, 4″ by 6″ photograph paper or card-sized paper. Due to their size, they are generally not suitable for printing documents on letter or larger sizes of paper. While thermal printing technology has certain benefits with regard to the size of the printer and not requiring ink, many people do not like documents, particularly important business or legal documents, printed on thermal printing paper. In addition, while the small size of the smaller portable printers has advantages with regard to transportability, they are not necessarily easy to utilize in the field, on a job site or other locations where handling and placement of the small, separate printer creates its own difficulties.
In addition to the foregoing, various portable printers have been the subject of issued patents. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,209,583 to Lewis, et al. describes a compact printer for portable teletransaction computers or data terminals that comprises a computer receiving well which restricts the orientation of the computer when the computer connector is being engaged by the printer connector. U.S. Pat. No. 7,036,925 to Fujiwara describes a very small printer that has hooks which hook on to the top of the display panel of a laptop computer and a housing configured to hold A6 or A7 size paper. U.S. Pat. No. 6,626,597 to Fujiwara describes a thin, compact printer that utilizes thermal technology to print on paper which is fed into the printer. Because no paper storage tray is provided with this printer, individual or rolled sheets of paper must be fed into the printer feed mechanism. U.S. Pat. No. 6,219,227 to Trane describes a portable computer assembly having the laptop computer incorporated therein such that the paper tray is positioned below the computer keyboard and processor, a printing device is attached to the side of the computer to receive paper from the paper tray and the computer monitor is incorporated into the cover lid. A portable telephone is releasably secured to the main outer casing and electrically connected to the computer.
Another product frequently utilized with laptop and other portable printers to improve their functionality are laptop lap desks and other portable desk or desk-like products. As their name implies, laptop lap desks are generally sized and configured to support a laptop computer in the lap of the person utilizing the laptop computer. Typically, laptop lap desks are made out of materials to prevent the heat from the computer transferring to the user's lap and are specifically formed and/or shaped to allow air to circulate around the computer and into its fan system. Some of the commercially available laptop desks have internal storage capability and a pivoting or extendable mouse pad for use with the computer's mouse. Other portable desks are primarily configured to be placed on another, typically less suitable, surface so as to provide the user with a generally planar work surface on which to work. Some of the portable desks have internal storage compartments for storing work supplies, including books, pens, paper, forms and the like. Some portable desks and like structures, particularly those specially configured for laptops, have an upwardly facing support surface that is adapted to beneficially support a laptop computer, such as having slide-resistant materials on the surface or one or more lips that prevent the laptop from sliding off of the desk or structure. While the various portable desks and the like solve the problem of providing a working surface, they do not address the issue of having the additional space required for a portable printer, particularly a portable printer that is capable of printing standard letter size or large paper and which has a stored supply of such paper.
Despite the foregoing, what is needed is a small compact printer that provides a work surface on which the user may place a laptop or other portable computer to interact with the printer and print documents and/or other materials therefrom. The desired printer should be relatively lightweight and small so as to be easily transported with the laptop computer. The preferred printer should have a profile which conveniently fits into a laptop computer case, briefcase or other similarly configured cases and be configured to store a supply of letter sized or larger paper for printing on by the printer. Preferably, such a printer should be configured to communicate with a laptop computer to receive printing instructions therefrom via wired or wireless means, as desired by the user. The preferred printer will be suitable for use with various printing mechanisms, including but not limited to ink jet, laser, thermal and other printing devices and be configured to feed paper from a paper storage area to the user.

Combination support base and printer for portable computers


A hair styling tool for performing weaves without leaving a bulky and unkempt look and without damaging hair including a housing having a plurality of compartments formed therein. The hair styling tool includes a plurality of hair styling tools each having interior ends and exterior ends. The interior ends are pivotally coupled with the housing whereby each of the hair styling tools being removably positionable within the plurality of compartments in a closed orientation. Each of the plurality of hair styling tools have a styling tool portion disposed on the exterior ends thereof.

The invention relates to a hair styling tool for performing weaves without leaving a bulky and unkempt look and without damaging hair.
Throughout history, men and women alike have modified and arranged their hair as a means of approving appearance, designating class and celebrating religion. Today, although the social, religious and political implications of styling hair has vastly changed, grooming the hair as a means of self expression and self improvement is still in practice. One particularly popular way many choose to style their hair is through a simple hair weave. Hair weaving is a trend that is growing among all groups of people with all textures of hair. A hair weave is a process through which natural or synthetic hair strands are bonded to a person's existing hair, typically at the root of the hair shaft, directly above the scalp. This process is especially popular among African American men and women, offering these consumers a simple way in which to sport long, straight or braided hairstyles without the hassle associated with growing out thick, textured hair or repeatedly visiting the salon for a perm.
While a beautifully rendered perm is almost undetectable, a poorly styled weave can look bulky or unkempt and can actually serve to damage the hair. The weight caused by glues or waxes used to apply a weave can actually weigh down the fragile hair shaft, pinching the hair. These pinch points create a small spot on the hair shaft that can become thin and vulnerable to a break. Further, as the hair grows out, attaching the weave to new hair continually damages the hair along the entire shaft. As many who have suffered a "bad" weave would attest, spending hundreds of dollars on a weave, only to have one's natural hair become irrevocably damaged can be an extremely frustrating experience. Because these methods of weaving the hair can be so damaging, many consumers prefer the traditional sewn-in weave, affixing the extensions to the hair by way of needle and thread. Typically far less expensive than the wax fusion method, and longer lasting than weaves applied with glue, a sewn-in weave is the favored method of countless consumers. As with other weaving methods however, sewn-in weaves can take many hours to complete and if not properly applied can result in knotty, unattractive lumps which can detract from the client's overall appearance. Further, as with bulky hair glue or wax, these heavy knots can cause the hair shaft to weaken, potentially breaking the hair.
The present invention attempts to solve the above referenced problems by providing a hair styling tool that will allow a person's hair to be woven in a manner that is comfortable to them without causing damage to the hair shafts.
Various hair treatment implements are well known in the art. Specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 5,417,230 to Wood discloses a hair styling tool comprised of a shaft with a U-shaped hook for creating a band of hair. U.S. Pat. No. 5,497,796 to Mochizui discloses a means for joining hair using a needle device. U.S. Pat. No. 5,279,255 to Northcutt discloses a horse hair banding device.
While these units may be suitable for the particular purpose employed, or for general use, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as disclosed hereafter.


A signal repeater (200) includes a signal processing part (202) and a signal repeating part (204). The signal processing part includes a converter (300) configured to receive an input signal and to convert the input signal into quadrature signals, and a processor (302, 304, 306) configured to process the quadrature signals to determine one or more characteristics of the input signal, and to compare the one or more characteristics of the input signal and a plurality of predetermined characteristics to generate a comparison result. The signal repeating part (204) is configured to selectively repeat the input signal as a repeated signal in accordance with the comparison result.

In modern warfare, radar guided weapons are widely deployed. For example, a radar guided missile can home in on an enemy target from a great distance at a high rate of speed. Therefore, slow moving targets such as surface ships are highly vulnerable to radar guided missiles due to their relatively slow maneuvering speed. Accordingly, surface ships or other slow moving or stationary platforms have been equipped with advanced defense system that can provide electronic attack/self protect capabilities against radar guided weapons. Such a defense system should be able to take immediate and appropriate responses to the radar signals emitted by fast approaching missiles or other radar guided weapons.

Wideband low latency repeater and methods


An image pickup device (10) includes: an image pickup section (11) that captures an image of an object (16); an illumination section (12) that irradiates the object (16) with light to cast a shadow over the object (16); and a calculator that calculates an illumination optical path (25) extending from a virtual illumination (20). Furthermore, the image pickup device (10) includes: a first conveyer (14) that moves the image pickup section (11) and the illumination section (12) in a first direction when the image pickup section (11) scans the object (16) to capture the image of the object (16); and a second conveyer (15) that moves the light from the illumination section (12) into a plane containing the illumination optical path (25), in accordance with the movement of the image pickup section (11) and the illumination section (12) in the first direction.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to an image pickup device that provides an image of an object in which a shadow is created in accordance with illumination for an exhibition.
2. Description of the Related Art
PTL 1 discloses a line scanner that, when scanning an object, irradiates the object with light from a light source such that shadows of projections included in the object are uniformly created, thereby providing an image with a uniform shadow.

PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.


The embodiments of the present disclosure disclose an OLED array substrate. The OLED array substrate comprises: a plurality of scan lines; a plurality of data lines; a plurality of OLED pixel units, each OLED pixel unit is connected to a corresponding data line and a corresponding scan line and being connected to a corresponding reset terminal; and a plurality of light detection units, each light detection unit is connected between the reset terminal of one OLED pixel unit and the corresponding data line, is configured to detect a light emitted by a detection light resource to generate a light detection signal, and output the light detection signal via the corresponding data line under a control of a reset signal from the reset terminal.

With the development of display technology, many display devices such as mobile phones, tablet computers or the like have fingerprint recognition functions. Current fingerprint recognition sensors can comprise three types. The first type is an optical sensor which has a larger size. The second type is a capacitive sensor, the dots per inch (dpi) required by which is higher. The third type is an ultrasonic sensor.

OLED array substrate, OLED display panel, pixel circuit, driving method and method for fingerprint recognition using OLED display panel

BEIJING BOE DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.


Technologies for dynamically allocating resources among a set of managed nodes include an orchestrator server to receive telemetry data from the managed nodes indicative of resource utilization and workload performance by the managed nodes as the workloads are executed, generate a resource allocation map indicative of allocations of resources among the managed nodes, determine, as a function of the telemetry data and the resource allocation map, a dynamic adjustment to allocation of resources to at least one of the managed nodes to improve performance of at least one of the workloads executed on the at least one of the managed nodes, and apply the adjustment to the allocation of the resources among the managed nodes as the workloads are executed. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

In a typical cloud-based computing environment (e.g., a data center), multiple compute nodes may execute workloads (e.g., processes, applications, services, etc.) on behalf of customers. During the execution of the workloads, the amounts and types of resources (e.g., memory, data storage, processor capacity, and/or specialized processors such as graphics processing units, etc.) utilized by the workloads varies over time, as the workloads pass through different phases of operation and as some workloads are completed and new workloads are assigned to the compute nodes. To guard against the possibility of having inadequate resources for the workloads, which would decrease the performance of the workloads, each compute node is typically equipped with enough of each resource to meet the peak amount that may occasionally be requested by the workloads. As such, given the variations in the resource utilization needs of the workloads as they are executed, the capacity of the local resources on each compute node may go unused for a significant percentage of the time, resulting in wasted resources in the data center.

Technologies for dynamic remote resource allocation


An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic data encryption and decryption system allowing a privileged user to decrypt all encrypted data without using a plurality of secret keys but only by using a single secret key that the privileged user himself has. An electronic data encryption and decryption system includes: a privileged user device, a user device, and an encrypted data generation device. The privileged user device has: a privileged user key generation means for generating a privileged user secret key x and a privileged user public key x·P (P is a generator); a first session key generation means for generating a session key K; and a first decryption means for decrypting the encrypted data by using the session key K generated by the first session key generation means. The user device has: a user key generation means for generating a user secret key r, a user public key r·P, and a public key rx·P; a second session key generation means for generating the session key K; and a second decryption means for decrypting the encrypted data by using the session key K generated by the second session key generation means. The encrypted data generation device has: a third session key generation means for generating the session key K by using the public key rx·P, session key generation information s, and a random point Q; and a means for encrypting the input electronic data by using the session key K generated by the third session key generation means.

At present, electronic data is often encrypted for transmission in order to prevent the content thereof from being leaked.
For data encryption, two basic encryption methods, a symmetric encryption method (secret key encryption method) and an asymmetric encryption method (public key encryption method), are generally used.
The symmetric encryption method uses a common secret key for both encryption and decryption.
The asymmetric encryption method uses a pair of asymmetric keys.
More specifically, the asymmetric encryption method uses one secret key and one public key. Data encrypted by the public key can be decrypted only by the corresponding secret key.
Organizations such as companies and public offices retain confidential information and need to manage the confidential information.
However, there is a danger that an organization insider may encrypt confidential information and transmit it to others.
In this case, since the data has been encrypted, it is difficult to determine whether the transmitted data is confidential information or not.
Thus, there is a possibility that the organization may be unaware of the leakage of confidential information, if occurs.
In order to avoid this, a system needs to be established in which a confidential information manager (hereinafter, referred to as "privileged user") of an organization can decrypt encrypted data irrespective of the intentions of a transmitter and a receiver and confirm whether the content of transmitted data includes confidential information or not.
Examples of a conventional method for the privileged user to decrypt encrypted electronic data are disclosed in PTL 1 and PTL 2.
Use of the method disclosed in PTL 1 allows the privileged user to decrypt encrypted electronic data.
However, in the method disclosed in PTL 1, it is necessary for the privileged user to retain and manage all information concerning the secret keys of users of the encryption system, making the key management work cumbersome and complicated.
The reason for the above is that the privileged user needs to mange information of individual secret keys of the users of the encryption system.
Use of the method disclosed in PTL 2 allows the privileged user to decrypt encrypted electronic data without a need to manage the secret keys of the users of the encryption system.
However, the privileged user needs to manage his own secret key. In addition, each of the encryption system users needs to manage two secret keys. Further, for electronic data encryption, each of the encryption system users needs to acquire four public keys.
The reason for the above is that since there does not exist a key for decrypting encrypted data but a pair of secret and public keys, it is necessary to create a pair of secret and public keys every time required.

Electronic data encryption and encrypted data decryption system, and its method


A medical instrument holder and sharps disposal device is disclosed wherein a pair of plastic container body halves are provided to be manipulated between opened and closed positions by associated hinge means and a mechanical lock. A medical instrument rest in the form of a one piece molded plastic insert is provided on one of the body halves for positioning medical instruments thereon when the container is in its open position. A cushion of reticulated foam material is provided to receive and envelope the tips of sharps associated with the instruments laid upon the rest. Sharps removal means are provided for assisting in the release of medical instrument sharps from the associated medical instruments. A magnetic means is also provided within one of the container body halves for receiving and holding such removed sharps to facilitate the counting a subsequent disposal thereof within the container when a medical operation has been completed and the sharps and container are to be discarded.

The present invention relates in general to medical instrument sharps containing and disposal devices and more particularly to such a device which is adapted to facilitate the positioning of medical instruments thereon during medical operations before removal and disposal of the sharps associated with such instruments.
It is common practice during surgical operations for the surgeon to request a syringe with a certain volume of medication for use during the course of the operation, portions only of such medication being injected at any one time. During the intervals between injections, there is a need for a device for positioning the syringe in a sterile safe environment. Presently such syringes and surgical scalpels are commonly simply laid upon a sterile table top when not being used. These items can be accidentally bumped, jostled or otherwise allowed to roll off of such sterile table top in such a manner that not only must such instruments be replaced in a sterile manner, but they may become a hazard to the health of the surgeons and assisting nurses if any one of them is scratched, or receives a skin puncture, by the needle point, blade point or other pointed end of a sharp surgical instrument. This is particularly dangerous to the medical staff where the patient has a communicable disease.
It has thus been recognized that there is a need for a way of handling such syringes, scalpels and related surgical instruments during and after a surgical operation in such a way that medical hazards are not presented to the operating room staff. It would thus be desirable to have a disposable container for disposal and storage of such sharps which could also be employed during and after an operating room operation for positioning and holding such syringes or scalpels in a sterile and secured stationary manner so that the operating room staff, whether it be the operating doctor or surgery room nurse can easily manipulate the sterile instrument for repeated, intermittent use with the instrument being maintained in a safe, non-hazardous and sterile condition during the intervals between such uses.

Medical instrument holder and sharps disposal container


A cleaning article. The cleaning article has a laminate construction. The cleaning article comprises a sheet and a hydrophilic gather strip element joined together at an elongate bond. The gather strip element has plural layers folded upon one another, providing strips extending outwardly from the bond. The folded layers provide a construction which allows the strips to advantageously present a dynamically changing area to the target surface during cleaning, under normal usage conditions. By changing the surface area, more liquids, and associated debris, can be cleaned from the target surface.

Various cleaning articles have been created for dusting and light cleaning. For example, cloth rags and paper towels used dry or wetted with polishing and cleaning compositions have been used on relatively flat surfaces such as countertops, showers, sinks and floors. But, rags and paper towels are problematic for reasons such as hygiene (the user's hand may touch chemicals, dirt or the surface during cleaning), reach (it may be difficult to insert the user's hand with the rag or paper towel into hard-to-reach places) and inconvenience (cleaning between closely-spaced articles typically requires moving the articles).
To overcome the problems associated with using rags and paper towels, various reusable dust gathering devices using felt and hair have been utilized for more than a century, as illustrated by U.S. Pat. No. 823,725 issued in 1906 to Hayden and using yarns as illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,145,787. To address the problems with reusable dust gathering devices, disposable cleaning articles have been developed which have limited re-usability. These disposable cleaning articles may include brush portions made of synthetic fiber bundles, called tow fibers, attached to a sheet as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,813,801; 7,003,856; 7,566,671; 7,779,502; 7,937,797; 8,146,197; 8,151,402; 8,161,594, 8,186,001; 8,245,349; 8,528,151; 8,756,746 and 8,763,197.
Disposable dusters may provide for wet cleaning as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,566,671 and commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 7,803,726 and commonly assigned US 2008/0028560. But tow fibers may become matted when wet and not be suitable for cleaning a large or heavily wetted surface, such as a floor. Thus, dusters may not suitable for cleaning extremely large or heavily soiled surfaces.
To overcome the problem of large and/or heavily wetted surfaces, mops which are repeatedly dunked into a bucket of liquid have been used. But these mops become saturated and can redeposit large amounts of dirty liquid onto the floor. Accordingly, disposable floor sheets have been developed. These floor sheets may contain large amounts of absorbent cellulose, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,191,486 and 7,721,381, and may include at least two interior sheets as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,032,577. Floor sheets may contain AGM to further assist in liquid absorption and retention, as disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,960,508; 6,003,191; 6,048,123 and 6,766,552. But if insoluble soils are not removed from the floor, or if soluble soils are inadequately absorbed by the floor sheet, streaking and/or filming may occur.
One attempt to clean overcome this problem is found in microfiber cleaning pads. Microfiber pads may be nylon and are intended to be washed and reused. But, as discussed below, microfiber pads may damage the floor and still leave filming/streaking.
This problem is exacerbated by some of the newer floor materials. For example, certain new flooring materials are relatively dark in color. Newer flooring materials may have relatively high gloss levels, and/or be difficult to wet during cleaning, due to surface energy. These properties may highlight filming/streaking which is left on the floor after wet cleaning, even if damage to the floor does not occur.
Yet other attempts to make cleaning pads incorporate both hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,694,379 and commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 7,480,956. Another attempt includes free floating cuffs, as disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 7,028,364. Other relevant attempts in the art include US 2003/0300991; 2011/0041274; U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,245,413; 6,681,434; 6,701,567; 7,458,128; 7,624,468; 8,341,797; 8,707,505 and 8,863,347.
While these attempts are directed to absorption of liquids from a wetted target surface, particularly a floor, problems remain. A generally flat floor sheet presents the same surface to throughout the cleaning task. Dirt can be re-deposited if the floor sheet is saturated. And a generally flat floor sheet may not adequately clean into floor crevices or grout lines. Damage to the floor may occur if a reusable microfiber floor pad is used.
Thus, there is a need for a disposable, generally planar cleaning article, usable on wetted surface and which presents dynamically changing surface throughout the cleaning task.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Cleaning article having multi-layer gather strip element


A package structure comprises a substrate, a plurality of first electronic components, at least a second electronic component, a first covering layer and a wiring layer. A surface of the substrate includes a first region and a second region. The first electronic components are disposed in the first region, wherein at least one of the first electronic components has a first conductive contact. The second electronic component is disposed in the second region. The first covering layer includes a recess and a first exposing region for exposing the first conductive contact. The wiring layer is formed on the recess and electronically coupled to the first conductive contact.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a package structure and manufacturing method thereof; in particular, to a package structure and manufacturing method thereof about enhancing packaging spatial utilization.
2. Description of Related Art
At present, the electronic products have been common in fields of entertainment, communication, power conversion, internet, computers, and consumer products. The electronic products can also be found in military applications, aviation, automobiles, industrial controllers, and office equipments. The electronic products are emphasized on short, thin, and light, so that the density of distribution of electronic components and circuit is too high. Besides, there is an increase in demand for improving the system processing speed and reducing the sizes of the electronic components. The objective of fabricating electronic products is not only maintaining high efficiency and quality of stabilization but also enhancing spatial utilization.
The efficiency of the system is related to the structure of the system. At present, although Through Silicon Via (TSV) in wafer manufacturing process is emphasized on economizing space and wiring length by stacking die, the reducible wiring length is limited and at most is on the order of millimeter. When the development of electronic products tends to miniaturization, the objective of designing electronic products is to have a smaller and thinner packing structure.

Package structure and manufacturing method thereof

Universal Scientific Industrial (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.

Universal Global Scientific Industrial Co., Ltd.


The X-ray imaging system includes an X-ray source, a console, an X-ray controller for controlling an operation of the X-ray source according to X-ray control parameters set by the console, and an X-ray detector for detecting X-ray radiated from the X-ray source and transmitted through a subject and thereby outputting an image signal of an X-ray image of the subject. The console includes an input unit for entering the X-ray control parameters, which are information for controlling the operations of the X-ray source and a controller for holding setting range information representing an allowable range of values of the X-ray control parameters and making a judgment as to whether values of the entered X-ray control parameters are settable values according to the setting range information and informing an user of the console of the judgment.

The present invention relates to an X-ray imaging system for irradiating a subject (patient) with X-ray and detecting the X-ray transmitted through the subject to produce an X-ray image and to a console and an input terminal used for the X-ray imaging system.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a conventional X-ray imaging system. An X-ray imaging system 50 illustrated in that figure is used to produce an X-ray image of a subject and comprises an imaging apparatus and a console 45.
The imaging apparatus 52 comprises an X-ray source 56 for radiating X-ray, an X-ray controller 58 for controlling the operation of the X-ray source 56 and an input unit 60 thereof, an X-ray detector 62 for detecting X-ray transmitted through the subject, and an imaging table 64 for positioning the subject. The console 54 comprises a controller 66 for controlling the operation of the whole X-ray imaging system 50 and an input unit 68 thereof.
In the imaging system 52, the input unit 60 is connected to the X-ray controller 58, which in turn is connected to the X-ray source 56. In the console 54, the input unit 68 is connected to the controller 66. The X-ray controller 58, the X-ray detector 62, the imaging table 64, and the controller 66 of the console 54 are connected to each other via a network 70.
With the conventional X-ray imaging system 50, a user (e.g., an X-ray imaging technician) enters X-ray control parameters or information for controlling the operation of the X-ray source 56 through the input unit 60 of the X-ray controller 58 and console control parameters or information for controlling the operation of the console 54 through the input unit 68 of the console 54.
The X-ray controller 58 holds first setting range information representing an allowable range of values of the X-ray control parameters, based on which judgment is made as to whether the values of the X-ray control parameters entered through the input unit 60 are settable values. Upon judging that the values are settable, the X-ray controller 58 sets the entered X-ray control parameters in the X-ray controller 58.
The controller 66 of the console 54 holds second setting range information representing an allowable range of values of the console control parameters, based on which judgment is made as to whether the values of the console control parameters entered through the input unit 68 are settable values. Upon judging that the values are settable, the controller 66 of the console 54 sets the entered console control parameters in the controller 66.
Control provided by the controller 66 of the console 54 ensures that when the values of the console control parameters are judged to be settable, the operation of the individual components of the X-ray imaging system 50 is controlled based on the console control parameters.
When the user pushes an exposure button at a time of X-ray image acquisition, the X-ray controller 58 controls the operation of the X-ray source 56 according to the X-ray control parameters. Thus, the X-ray source 56 radiates X-ray, and the X-ray transmitted through the subject is detected by the X-ray detector 62 to acquire an X-ray image. The acquired X-ray image is entered in the controller 66 of the console 54, undergoes image processing, etc., and is, for example, displayed on a monitor.
When the values of the X-ray control parameters entered through the input unit 60 and the values of the console control parameters entered through the input unit 68 are judged to be not settable, the user makes settings over again.
However, the X-ray imaging system 50 requires the user to enter the console control parameters from the input unit 68 of the console 54 and enter the X-ray control parameters from the input unit 60 of the X-ray controller 58. Therefore, whenever the X-ray control parameters or the console control parameters are judged to be unsettable values, the console 54 and the X-ray controller 58 needed to exchange data as illustrated in FIG. 6 to set new parameters.
Thus, the X-ray imaging system 50 had problems that imaging operations are complicated and hence reduce efficiency in imaging operations. The system also had a problem that it required a long time to accomplish imaging procedure, that is, the subject was required to wait a long period of time and bear an increased strain.
Among prior art literature describing X-ray imaging systems comprising an X-ray source, an X-ray controller, and an X-ray detector are, for example, JP 07-31609 A and JP 2008-142111 A. However, there is no prior art literature directly related to the present invention.


A belt drum device 1 for forming a belt 37 includes a drum base 2 rotatable around a drum rotational axis (2c) and belt support portions 3 arranged outside the drum base 2 and capable of extending and contracting. Each belt support portion 3 includes a first link plate 5 and a second link plate 6 both rotatable and each having an outer peripheral surface 11 around which the belt 37 is wound. The outer peripheral surface 11 in a contracted state includes a flat surface portion 16 extending straight in a drum axial direction on an outer-end side and an arc-shaped curved surface portion 17 curved toward the drum rotational axis (2c). The curved surface portions 17 of both link plates 5 and 6 in an expanded state are substantially continuous to form a continuous arc region 24 convex outwardly in a drum radial direction.

Conventionally, in a process of forming a green tire (tire before vulcanization) for a pneumatic tire, the following method has been known. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8A, belt plies (b1), a tread rubber (b2), and the like are laminated on a belt drum device (a) to fora a cylindrical belt structure (b) in advance. The belt ply (b1) is formed by winding a sheet-like belt ply in a circumferential direction, for example. The tread rubber (b2) is formed by winding a sheet-like tread rubber material in the circumferential direction, for example.
Further, at this time, a green tire main body (f) is formed by being inflated to have a toroidal shape on a shaping drum (c) positioned adjacently to the belt drum device (a), for example. In the method of forming the green tire main body (f), first, a sheet-like carcass ply (d) is wound in a cylindrical shape on a carcass forming drum (not shown), second, bead cores (e) are attached to both edges of the wound carcass ply to form a carcass base body, then a cylindrical green tire main body (f1) including the carcass base body is formed. Next, by using the shaping drum (c), the green tire main body (f1) is inflated to form the toroidal green tire main body (f). Next, as shown in FIG. 8B, the belt structure (b) is moved onto the green tire main body (f) and bonded together. Next, by using a stitch roller (g), for example, both edges of the belt structure (b) are pressed against the green tire main body (f) so that the entire belt structure (b) is bonded to the green tire main body (f). This process of pressing by the stitch roller (g) may be sometimes referred to as a stitch process.
However, in this stitch process, an outer diameter of the belt structure (b) is remarkably decreased at both edges thereof, resulting in a so-called minus stretch, which leads to undulating deformation, therefore, meandering and arrangement disorder occur in belt cords (not shown) of the belt plies (b1). In particular, if a band ply (not shown) is included in the belt structure (b), since the band cords are continuous in the circumferential direction, meandering becomes large. As described above, it is possible that tires manufactured by the conventional manufacturing method cannot exert high high-speed durability performance for the reasons described above. In order to solve such a problem, for the purpose of suppressing the undulating deformation in the stitch process, it is required that the belt plies (b1) of the belt structure (b) have a shape close to a profile of the belt of the tire after vulcanization in advance of the stitch process.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2014-226813 has disclosed a belt drum device for solving the above problem. For example, as shown in FIG. 9A, a belt drum device (h) has an outer peripheral surface (h1) around which the belt structure (b) including the belt plies (b1) is wound, and includes a drum base (i), belt support portions (j), and expansion and contraction means (k). The drum base (i) is formed so as to be rotatable around a drum rotational axis (i1) A plurality (not shown) of the belt support portions (j) is arranged outside the drum base (i) around the drum rotational axis (i1) in a drum circumferential direction. Each of the belt support portions (j) has a central portion (j1) which forms the outer peripheral surface (h1) and extends in a drum axial direction and a pair of side portions (j2) which also form the outer peripheral surface (h1) and are provided on both sides of the central portion (j1). The central portion (j1) is hinge-coupled with each of the side portions (j2) and each of the side portions (j2) is hinge-coupled with the drum base (i). Each of the expansion and contraction means (k) is connected to the central portion (j1) and has a structure to move the central portion (j1) inwardly and outwardly in a drum radial direction. Thereby, each of the expansion and contraction means (k) can expand and contract the outer peripheral surface (h1).
In the belt drum device (h) configured as described above, the outer peripheral surface (h1) can be secured in parallel with the drum rotational axis (i1) of the drum base (i) in a contracted state. Further, as shown in FIG. 9B, in a expanded state, the outer peripheral surface (h1) is deformed so as to protrude outwardly in the drum radial direction. Thereby, in the contracted state, the belt structure (b), especially the sheet-like belt plies (b1) can be wound accurately. Further, by changing from the contracted state to the expanded state, it is possible to make the belt plies (b1) into a toroidal shape convex outwardly in the drum radial direction, therefore, it is possible that the undulating deformation in the stitch process is suppressed.
However, each of the central portion (j1) and the side portions (j2) of the belt drum device (h) is formed in a substantially rectangular shape in a transverse cross-sectional view thereof, thus, in the expanded state, the outer peripheral surface (h1) is formed by a combination of three straight lines, therefore, angular protruding portions (n) are formed at connecting portions between the central portion (j1) and the side portions (j2), thereby, it is difficult to form the belt plies (b1) in a smooth circular arc shape.


The invention is a medical simulation system having a system computer, at least one output display device, at least one input device an instructor terminal and a mannequin. The invention includes scenarios that execute on the computer system and output simulated physiological values to the display devices. The invention includes a means to communicate between multiple executing scenarios to allow integration of the executing scenarios. The invention includes a control panel interface displayable on the instructor terminal to provide a user friendly input means for the instructor.

Training physicians in particular tasks generally involves "student" physicians working under the close supervision of a treating physician (an "instructor") as that treating physician deals with and treats patients experiencing particular medical conditions. Drawbacks to this training system are numerous. For instance, students are given limited access to medical conditions, as students can only be exposed to medical conditions that actual patients experience. Further, students generally are not given the latitude to make improper treatment decisions due to the catastrophic conditions that may result.
To provide controlled but realistic training, simulated patients have been developed that can emulate the physiological conditions of a patient experiencing commonly occurring trauma or other medical conditions. For instance, Medical Education Technologies, Inc ("METI") has developed a computer simulation system consisting of a computer controlled mannequin (a simulated human patient), a physiological monitor, and software used in conjunction with the system. The mannequin and monitor "display" the physiological conditions of a "patient" experiencing a pre-scripted medical condition. The "scripted" medical condition is a software file referred to as a scenario. Each scenario is executed on the computer and specifies: (1) the baseline or starting state of the "patient" experiencing the medical condition; (2) possible stages, or states, of the evolving medical condition. Each "state" within a scenario is composed of (a) physiological events that may occur within the particular state, and (b) possible transitions from one state to another within the scripted medical condition. As the script plays out, the mannequin and monitor will display the physiological conditions and changes specified by the executing scenario.
Transitions can be under instructor control, student control, or system control based upon detection of a change. For instance, the instructor, from a control station, may manually force the script to change states. Alternatively, the script may detect a student response (an "intervention"), for instance, the administration of medication, and automatically change states based upon the intervening action (the medication given/dosage levels, etc.). In this fashion, the METI system allows the evolution of a particular medical condition to be dependent upon decisions made by the student or the instructor. Hence, the same scenario can result in different outcomes based upon the student's responses and interventions.
The METI system accomplishes this by: (1) monitoring variables, such as an intervention detection, and (2) using the variables as inputs to the executing scripted file. The scripted file uses the transition variable's value to make decisions on how the medical condition evolves. Variable values can be automatically determined or set by student actions or the computer system or may be manually input by the instructor from the control station. An example of an automatically determined variable value in the METI system is "lapse of time;" another automatically detected value could be the detection of the administration of electrical shock, detected by sensors placed on the mannequin. Additionally, the instructor can manually modify the ongoing scenario through instructions input through a control station, such as by setting a transition variable value, or forcing the scenario to move to another scripted state (such as through a inputted "go to" type of command).
While flexible in allowing for evolution a single particular physiological event, simulated patient systems, including the METI system, remain cumbersome when used to portray complex medical cases. Many medical conditions or cases reflect more than one physiological event. For instance, an automobile accident trauma patient's overall condition may be the result of internal bleeding, lung collapse, and head injuries. The overall physiological state of the patient may be the result of interactions of the separate physiological events. Further, proper treatment of the overall complex state may progress or sequence differently than would treatment of each physiological event considered alone. To attempt to deal with complex events, some simulations systems, such as the METI system, allows the user to run several scenarios simultaneously. However, each individual scenario runs independently of all other scenarios, and hence, the interaction between scenarios is lacking. What is needed is a method of providing communication between scenarios so that the multiple scenarios can be interwoven into a complete complex case and to provide overall control of the complete case of multiple scenarios by the instructor.

Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College


A railcar coupler assembly allowing rotation of a coupler between a stored position within the railcar and an extended position for engagement with the coupler of an adjacent railcar. The coupler can be locked into either the stored or extended position with a locking pin.

It is known in the art of rail-supported vehicles or rolling stock to connect multiple units into a single train to enable transportation of increased amounts of materials or passengers. This connection is achieved by means of a coupling mechanism between cars, and numerous coupling mechanisms have been developed and standardized over the years. One example of such a coupling mechanism is the Janney coupler or knuckle coupler, which was subject of U.S. Pat. No. 138,405 and is in wide usage under specifications overseen by the Association of American Railroads, or AAR. An example of a prior art coupler is shown in FIG. 1a, the coupler 1 comprising a head 2 and pivot end 4 connected by a shank 3. Railcars are provided with both a coupler and a brake pipe, and both are connected to the coupler and brake pipe of an adjacent railcar to achieve the desired utility. The couplers are commonly situated within a rigid housing that allows for limited side-to-side motion, on the order of 10 degrees rotation off of the direction of travel, to enable both connection to the adjacent railcar and necessary connection flexibility during transport. An example of a prior art coupler within a housing is shown in FIG. 1b, the coupler 8 situated within a housing 5 and retained between housing walls 6 and 7 to limit side-to-side rotation of the coupler 8 while allowing projection of the coupler head 9.
While it is common to see such couplers projecting forwardly and/or rearwardly of railway cars, it has been found that there are situations where such projection is undesirable. For example, in the case of so-called road/rail vehicles which can be driven on either rails or flat road surfaces due to the presence of both rail wheels and rubber tires, the projection of an unused coupler may result in a total vehicle length that exceeds highway use regulations. Also, certain maintenance of way equipment might benefit from a selectively projectable coupler.
What is needed, therefore, is a means for selectively projecting a coupler in a rail-supported vehicle.

Assembly for extendable rail-supported vehicle coupler


Input codes are sequenced at a lower-resolution linear DAC and the output is converted to a linear current waveform. A first of two interconnected analog current multipliers multiplies the linear current by itself and by the inverse of a first constant current source to create a quadratic current output. A second current multiplier multiplies the quadratic output current by the linear current and by the inverse of a second constant current source to generate a cubic current output. The quadratic and cubic currents are subtracted from the linear current to generate an approximation of the first 180 degrees of a sine wave current. Alternate (pi to 2*pi) positive-going one-half sine waves may be polarity reversed to create a complete positive-going and negative-going sine-shaped electrical current of higher resolution than is available from a sine DAC of resolution equivalent to that of the lower-resolution linear DAC.

An output waveform generated by a DAC is required by many applications to be a linear function of a digital code appearing at the DAC input. Indeed, the degree of such linearity is often considered to be a quality of merit of the DAC. For digitized music and other audio applications, for example, non-linearities in a DAC output may cause artifacts perceivable by the human ear as distortion.
However, other shapes of DAC output waveforms may be better suited to other applications. Another output waveform shape that may be desirable is that of a sine or cosine waveform. In bipolar stepper motors, for example, motor position is controlled by regulating the current in two motor windings, one such winding beginning at a position of 90 degrees from the other. For a smooth motion profile, the currents in the two windings are regulated in a sine and cosine fashion with respect to each other. For regulating this current, a sinusoidal reference voltage is generated using a sinusoidal DAC. A stepper motor is simply an example, however; any application requiring a sinusoidal waveform may use a sinusoidal DAC to generate the waveform digitally.
As the sinusoidal waveforms flatten out (e.g., as dv/dt approaches zero from any of the four quadrants), the step resolution required to accurately reproduce the sinusoidal waveform at that level is much higher as compared to the step resolution needed for a larger dv/dt that exists when the waveform is close to zero. In the case of an 8-bit sinusoidal DAC used in a bipolar stepper motor application, for example, the step resolution needed at the top is approximately 0.007 percent. When the winding current is close to zero, however, the resolution requirement significantly relaxes to approximately 1.2 percent for first step. Thus, in the example case of a bipolar stepper motor application, an 8-bit sine DAC required for 256-level micro stepping will have 1.2 percent of full scale as the biggest step size and 0.007 percent of full scale as the smallest step size. A 12-bit or higher linear DAC together with steering logic to select the input bit combinations resulting in a sinusoidal output would be required to achieve such a high dynamic range of resolution. The latter method wastes many bit combinations, may be significantly area intensive, and may require a high degree of layout precision and effort.

Digital-to-analog sinusoidal driver apparatus, systems and methods


A method and apparatus for applying optical or other thermal energy to tissue using a clamp. The energy is supplied at a frequency which biologically welds or fuses tissue. A material that is transmissive to the energy treatment frequency is embedded in one or more jaws of the clamp and engage the tissue during the tissue fusion process. The transmissive material has a thickness selected to insure that the energy source is spaced at the proper distance from the tissue so that the tissue receives the proper amount of energy for sealing. The transmissive material holds the tissue in the jaw to maintain the edges of the tissue in tight approximation. The energy may be coupled to the clamp by one or more optical fibers. These fibers are recessed in or placed adjacent to the jaw at a specified distance from the surface of the transmissive material and directs treatment energy through the transmissive material to weld the edges of the tissue together.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for applying thermal energy to biological tissue whereby tissue is converted to a denatured proteinaceous substance to join tightly approximated tissue segments, and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for reconstructing severed tissue, including vessels and ducts by use of a clamp which is constructed to hold edges of the tissue in tight proximity while directing heat energy onto the tissue to denature the proteinaceous substance therein.
Optical energy has been used to convert biological tissue into a denatured collagenous substance for facilitating healing and wound closure. This healing technique is referred to generally as laser tissue welding. Examples of such laser tissue welding methods are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,672,969, 4,854,320, 5,002,051, and 5,140,984. These methods deliver optical energy to tightly approximated tissue in the vicinity of a wound. This application of thermal energy results in the denaturation of tissue protein including collagen, with disruption of the cell walls which allow the intra- and intercellular fluids to mix. Additional heat further denatures this protein soup which binds together creating something akin to a "biological glue".
In many prior methods of optical energy wound closure, such energy is delivered through an optical fiber to the tissue being reconstructed. Typically one end of the fiber is connected to a laser that supplies optical energy to the wound site. Another end of the fiber is typically spaced a predetermined distance from the tissue, depending on the tissue type. A foot pedal or hand held device activates and deactivates the laser. The parameters such as intensity and duration of the optical energy are controlled so that substantially all of the tissue being heated is raised to a predetermined non-destructive temperature. The minimum predetermined temperature is one at which tissue is converted to a denatured collagenous substance. The maximum predetermined temperature is one at which water in the tissue boils.
Other methods known for healing and wound closure include suturing and stapling. These methods are often used in minimally invasive surgery in combination with various types of scopes, such as, for example, endoscopes, laparoscope, arthroscopes, etc. These scopes along with other medical equipment are inserted by a surgeon through incisions in the patient and then moved to the wound area being repaired. The scope is connected to a monitor so that the surgeon can view the procedure while the surgery is being performed.
Laser tissue welding may be used in minimally invasive surgery to repair vessels; however, conducting certain minimally invasive operations using current laser surgery techniques is long and tedious as the surgeon must weld at successive points along the circumference of the vessel or duct. This tissue welding process is further complicated as the distal end of the optic media that directs the laser doing the welding must be placed a predetermined distance to the tissue being reconstructed. If the distal end is not a predetermined distance from the area being reconstructed, the tissue would be temperature outside the aforementioned predetermined temperature sealing range. A drawback to prior welding methods is that it is difficult to place edges of tissue being repaired in close approximation. Placing the edges in tight proximity is necessary to insure proper denaturation and intercellular fusion of the tissue.
It is also desirable during surgery to occlude vessels. Occluding the vessel typically requires that clips or sutures be placed on the vessel to clamp the vessel shut. Clips, suture and staples left in the tissue are foreign bodies that can later have adverse effect on the patient.

Method and apparatus for applying thermal energy to tissue using a clamp


A wipe comprises fibres selected from at least one of cellulosic material, polyvinyl acetate (PVA) or a combination thereof; together with a binder which is soluble in water at standard ambient temperature and pressure (SATP). The wipe can be flushed away and is suitable for carrying a solution. The wipe is especially suitable for carrying a solution for medical purposes.

It is well known to use disposable wipes for infant care and also for domestic cleaning purposes. Existing wipes are typically pre-moistened sheets of material, made, for example, from viscose, polypropylene or cotton fibres. The sheet of material is usually moistened with an aqueous composition which may contain ingredients such as an anti-bacterial agent, oil or a scent, depending on the intended use for the wipe. The known wipes can be stored and used without the sheet material breaking down. However, the stability of the wipe makes it difficult for the wipe to be safely disposed of by flushing to the sewer. Known wipes must be disposed of in a bin, which may not be hygienic or convenient for a user. It has been found that, when known wipes are flushed away, they may pass out of the toilet bowl, but remain caught within the pipes of a plumbing system. For example, it is common for known wipes to catch on any rough surface or snag within a sewer pipe and remain there to block further matter passing through the pipe and this can lead to a blockage of the sewer pipe.
Indeed, in recent years, representatives from the Water Industry have become concerned about the disposal of inappropriate items to a sewer. This concern has resulted in the UK Water Industry developing a standard protocol to assess individual products, to better understand if they are appropriate for disposal to sewer and whether disposal in this way is sustainable. The protocol includes a disintegration test, used to establish if items disposed of to the sewer network will break down in the drainage, so as not to contribute to blockages.
The disintegration test includes a laboratory based procedure designed to replicate conditions in drains and involves a sample of test product being agitated in a flask of water on an orbital shaker at a specified frequency for a specified time. This is followed by rinsing of the sample through a sieve of a specified perforation, to remove material that has separated from the sample, followed by drying and weighing of the sample. For a sample to pass the test, the sample must start to disintegrate into pieces smaller than 12.5 mm in diameter, following 3 hours of agitation in water in a shaking flask test. At least 50% of the product must break up into pieces of no greater than 12.5 mm diameter within three hours. The remaining pieces should also show a degree of break up, into pieces having a maximum length of 25 mm in their largest dimension
Disposable wipes are used by ostomy patients to clean the area around their stoma at the time of removing and disposing of an ostomy bag. Developments in ostomy appliances have led to ostomy bags and liners, which can be hygienically flushed to the sewer. Ostomy bag users also require a cleaning wipe that can be flushed away without the risk of causing a blockage to a drain or sewer pipe.
Known wipes include fabrics which are sensitive to ionic strength to assist breakdown of the material, but there still remains a need for a wipe that is strong enough to be stored and used for cleaning, whilst also being suitable for flushing to the sewer.
The present invention sets out to provide a wipe which is strong enough to be stored and used for cleaning, and which can be flushed away and alleviates one or more of the problems discussed above.


A hoodscoop for attachment to a motor vehicle hood. The hoodscoop has a rear facing surface visible to the driver which is equipped with indicating instruments such as a tachometer, a pair of directional signal indicators, a pair of parking lamp indicators and a pair of high-beam headlamp indicators that are visible to the driver without taking his eyes off the road. The hoodscoop can have a removable back plate so that it can be alternatively a decorative panel or contain the indicating instruments.

I. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to indicating devices carried by an automobile, and more particularly to a mount for instruments such as a tachometer, directional signal, parking lamp indicator, high-beam headlamp indicator or the like.
II. Description of the Prior Art
It has long been required to position directional or turn signals, headlamps or the like upon the exterior of motor vehicles. In the past, operation of these signals or indicators has been conventionally monitored by a corresponding indicator or instrument visible to the driver and positioned, for example, on the vehicle dashboard. Often a plurality of such instruments are gathered into a cluster located above the steering wheel shaft. Instrument clusters of this type often include a tachometer, a speedometer and an odometer.
One drawback of prior vehicle operation instruments has been that the driver is often required to move the eyes in substantial angular distance from the road in order to observe the status of operation of signals displayed by the instruments. Of course, it is particularly dangerous to remove the eyes from the road during periods of acceleration, either linear or during turning, passing or the like, which necessarily require the driver's greatest attention.
Another drawback of prior vehicle instruments has been the difficulty of maintaining and repairing them. For example, some instruments are lamps, which display the status of operation of the associated vehicle signal by being lit or not. Such lamps are, of course, subject to burnout, and it is at best troublesome to change such burned out lamp bulbs when confronted with the mass of wires and sockets present in the dark confines behind a conventional dashboard.


A semiconductor device comprising a first semiconductor section including a first wiring layer at one side thereof, a second semiconductor section including a second wiring layer at one side thereof, the first and second semiconductor sections being secured together with the respective first and second wiring layer sides of the first and second semiconductor sections facing each other, a conductive material extending through the first semiconductor section to the second wiring layer of the second semiconductor section and by means of which the first and second wiring layers are in electrical communication.

The present invention relates to a semiconductor device such as a solid-state imaging device, a method of manufacturing the same, and an electronic apparatus such as a camera with the solid-state imaging device.
Solid-state imaging devices include an amplification type solid-state imaging device of which an illustrative example is a MOS image sensor such as a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor). In addition, solid-state imaging devices include a charge-transfer type solid-state imaging device of which an illustrative example is a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor. These solid-state imaging devices are widely used in digital still cameras, digital video cameras, and the like. In recent years, MOS image sensors have widely been used as solid-state imaging devices mounted on mobile apparatuses such as portable phones with an attached camera or PDAs (Personal Digital Assistant), in terms of low power voltage, power consumption, and the like.
A MOS solid-state imaging device includes a pixel array (pixel region), where a plurality of unit pixels each including a photodiode serving as a photoelectric conversion unit and a plurality of pixel transistors are arranged in the form of a two-dimensional array, and a peripheral circuit region. The plurality of pixel transistors are formed as MOS transistors and include three transistors of a transfer transistor, a reset transistor, and an amplification transistor, or include four transistors, including a selection transistor.
In the past, various MOS solid-state imaging devices were suggested in which a semiconductor chip in which a pixel array arranging a plurality of pixels is formed and a semiconductor chip in which a logic circuit performing a signal process is formed are electrically connected to each other to form one device. Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2006-49361 discloses a semiconductor module in which a back-illuminated image sensor chip including a micropad in each pixel cell and a signal processing chip including a signal processing circuit and micropads are connected to each other by a microbump.
International Publication No. WO 2006/129762 discloses a semiconductor image sensor module in which a first semiconductor chip including an image sensor, a second semiconductor chip including an analog/digital converter array, and a third semiconductor chip including a memory element array are stacked. The first and second semiconductor chips are connected to each other by a bump which is a conductive connection conductor. The second and third semiconductor chips are connected to each other by a through contact penetrated through the second semiconductor chip.
As disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2006-49361, various techniques for combining different kinds of circuit chips such as an image sensor chip and a logic circuit performing signal processing have been suggested. In techniques according to a related art, functional chips in a nearly completed state are connected to each other by forming a through connection hole or via a bump.
The inventors have recognized a problem with bonded semiconductor chip sections where pair ground capacitance and adjacent coupling capacitance occur as parasitic capacitance. The pair ground capacitance is parasitic capacitance occurring between a wiring and a semiconductor substrate, for example, with a ground potential. The adjacent coupling capacitance is parasitic capacitance between adjacent laying wirings or adjacent conductors. While the counter ground capacitance may be cleared when a power source is enhanced or a buffer circuit is provided to allow current to flow, the adjacent coupling capacitance may not be cleared due to interference between adjacent lines.
This problem with the parasitic capacitance may also arise in a semiconductor device in which semiconductor chip sections each including a semiconductor integrated circuit are bonded to each other and both the semiconductor chip sections are connected by a connection conductor and a through connection conductor.
It is desirable to provide a semiconductor device such as a solid-state imaging device reducing parasitic capacitance to achieve high performance and a method of manufacturing the semiconductor device. It is desirable to provide an electronic apparatus, such as a camera, which includes the solid-state imaging device.

Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same, and electronic apparatus


Systems and methods for switching among heterogeneous networks and inter-working between a source access system and a target access system. An inter-system handoff control component can facilitate setting an IP tunneling by the mobile unit, wherein IP addresses for inter-working security gateway and Radio Access Network of the target access system can be identified. The inter-system handoff control component can then implement tunneling between the source system and the target system, wherein signaling/packeting associated with the target system can be transferred over the source system.

1. Field
The following description relates generally to wireless communications, and more particularly to methods and apparatus for session handoff procedures in heterogeneous networks.
2. Background
Wireless networking systems have become a prevalent means to communicate with others worldwide. Wireless communication devices, such as cellular telephones, personal digital assistants, and the like have become smaller and more powerful in order to meet consumer needs and to improve portability and convenience. Consumers have become dependent upon these devices, demanding reliable service, expanded areas of coverage, additional services (e.g., web browsing capabilities), and continued reduction in size and cost of such devices.
In particular, as the evolution of wireless technologies continues to advance, the progression of mobile services will continue to evolve into ever-richer, more compelling mobile and converged services. With end users demanding more and higher-quality multimedia content in all environments, the evolution of device technologies will continue to enhance the increasing consumption of data usage. For example, over the last several years, wireless communications technologies have evolved from analog-driven systems to digital systems. Typically in conventional analog systems, the analog signals are relayed on a forward link and a reverse link and require a significant amount of bandwidth to enable signals to be transmitted and received while being associated with suitable quality. As the analog signals are continuous in time and space, no status messages (e.g., messages indicating receipt or non-receipt of data) are generated. In contrast, packet-switched systems allow analog signals to be converted to data packets and transmitted by way of a physical channel between an access terminal and a base station, router, and the like. In addition, digital data can be relayed in its natural form (e.g., text, Internet data, and the like) via employing a packet switched network.
As such, digital wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide various communication services such as telephony, video, data, messaging, broadcasts, and the like. Such systems commonly employ an access network that connects multiple access terminals to a wide area network (WAN) by sharing the available network resources. The access network is typically implemented with multiple access points dispersed throughout a geographic coverage region. Moreover, the geographic coverage region can be divided into cells with an access point in each cell. Likewise, the cell can be further divided into sectors. However, in such system architecture, supplying an efficient handoff between access systems that do not share the same communication procedures and policies becomes a challenging task.

Method and apparatus for handoff between source and target access systems


An information processing apparatus and a communication terminal can carry out first wireless communication and second wireless communication. The first wireless communication is established when a distance between the information processing apparatus and the communication terminal is equal to or less than a first distance. The information processing apparatus determines whether data communication is to be carried out over the first wireless communication or the second wireless communication. When the data communication is to be carried out over the first wireless communication, the information processing apparatus carries out the data communication over the first wireless communication. When the data communication is to be carried out over the second wireless communication, the information processing apparatus carries out data communication of first setting information with the communication terminal over the first wireless communication to establish the second wireless communication and carries out data communication over the second wireless communication.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus communicable with a communication terminal, the communication terminal, and a non-transitory storage medium storing a plurality of instructions executable by a processor of the information processing apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
There is known a technique for carrying out wireless communication between two communication devices. For example, the two communication devices use short-distance wireless communication (i.e., wireless communication according to NFC (Near Field Communication) standard) to carry out communication for wireless settings. These wireless settings are used for carrying out wireless communication according to a communication standard (e.g., IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b) that differs from the NFC standard. Accordingly, the two communication devices can carry out wireless communication according to the wireless settings.

Information processing apparatus, communication terminal, and non-transitory storage medium storing instructions executable by information processing apparatus