Nucleic acid molecule which blocks synthesis and/or expression of an mRNA encoding B7-1, B7-2, B7-3 and/or CD40.

This invention relates to methods for the induction of graft tolerance, treatment of autoimmune diseases, inflammatory disorders and allergies in particular, by inhibition of B7-1, B7-2, B7-3 and CD40.
The following is a discussion of relevant art, none of which is admitted to be prior art to the present invention.
An adaptive immune response requires activation, clonal expansion, and differentiation of a class of cells termed T lymphocytes (T cells). T cell activation is a multi-step process requiring several signalling events between the T cell and an antigen presenting cell. The ensuing discussion details signals that are exchanged between T cells and antigen presenting B cells. Similar pathways are thought to occur between T cells and other antigen presenting cells such as monocytes or follicular dendritic cells.
T cell activation is initiated when the T-cell receptor (TCR) binds to a specific antigen that is associated with the MHC proteins on the surface of an antigen presenting cell. This primary stimulus activates the T cell and induces expression of CD40 ligand (CD40L) on the surface of the T cell. CD40L then interacts with its cognate receptor, CD40, which is constitutively expressed on the surface of B cells; CD40 transduces the signal leading to B cell activation. B cell activations result in the expression of B7-1, B7-2 and/or B7-3, which in turn interacts with constitutively expressed CD28 on the surface of T cells. The interaction generates a secondary co-stimulatory signal that is required to fully activate the T cell. Complete T cell activation via the T cell receptor and CD28 leads to cytokine secretion, clonal expansion, and differentiation. If the T cell receptor is engaged, absence of this secondary co-stimulus mediated by CD28, then the T cell is inactivated, either by clonal anergy (non-responsiveness or reduced reactivity of the immune system to specific antigen(s)) or clonal deletion (Jenkins et al., 1987 Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 84, 5409). Thus, engagement of the TCR without a concommitant costimulatory signal results in a state of tolerance toward the specific antigen recognized by the T cell. This co-stimulatory signal can be mediated by the binding of B7-1 or B7-2 or B7-3, present on activated antigen-presenting cells, to CD28, a receptor that is constitutively expressed on the surface of the T cell (Marshall et al., 1993 J Clin Immun 13, 165-174; Linsley, et al., 1991 J Exp Med 173, 721; Koulova et al., 1991 J Exp Med 173, 759; Harding et al., 1992 Nature 356, 607).
Several homologs of B7 (now known as B7-1; Cohen, 1993 Science 262, 844) are expressed in activated B cells (Freeman et al., 1993 Science 262, 907; Lenschowet al., 1993 Proc NatlAcad Sci USA 90, 11054; Azuma et al., 1993 Nature 366, 76; Hathcock et al., 1993 Science 262, 905; Freeman et al., 1993 Science 262, 909). B7-1 and B7-3 are only expressed on the surface of a subset of B cells after 48 hours of contact with T cells. In contrast, B7-2 mRNA is constitutively expressed by unstimulated B cells and increases 4-fold within 4 hours of activation (Freeman et al., 1993 Science 262, 909; Boussiotis et al., 1993 Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 90, 11059). Since T cells commit to either the anergy or the activation pathway within 12-24 hours of the initial TCR signal, it is thought that B7-2 is the molecule responsible for the primary costimulatory signal. B7-1 and B7-3 may provide a subsequent signal necessary for clonal expansion. Antibodies to B7-2 completely block T cell proliferation in a mixed lymphocyte reaction (Azuma et al., 1993 supra), supporting the central role of B7-2 in T cell activation. These experiments indicate that inhibition of B7-2 expression (for example with a ribozyme) would likely induce anergy. Similarly, inhibition of CD40 expression by a ribozyme would prevent B7-2 upregulation and could induce tolerance to specific antigens.
B7 (B7-1) is a 60 KD modified trans-membrane glycoprotein usually present on the surface of antigen presenting cells (APC). B7 has two ligands--CD28 and CTLA4. Interaction of B7-1 with CD28 and/or CTLA4 causes activation of T cell responses (Janeway and Bottomly, 1994 Cell 76, 275).
B7-2 is a 70 KD (34 KD unmodified) trans-membrane glycoprotein found on the surface of APCs. B7-2 encodes a 323 amino-acid protein which is 26% identical to human B7-1 protein. Like B7-1, CD28 and CTLA4 are selectively bound by B7-2. B7-2, unlike B7-1, is expressed on the surface of unstimulated B cells (Freeman et al., 1993 supra).
CD40 is a 45-50 KD surface glycoprotein found on the surface of late pre-B cells in bone marrow, mature B cells, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells and follicular dendritic cells (Clark and Ledbetter, 1994 Nature 367, 425).
Successful organ transplantation currently requires suppression of the reipient's immune system in order to prevent graft rejection and maintain good graft function. The available therapies, including cyclosporin A, FK506 and various monoclonal antibodies, all have serious side effects (Caine, 1992 Transplantation Proceedings 24,1260; Fuleihan et al., 1994 J. Clin. Invest. 93, 1315; Van Gool et al., 1994 Blood 83, 176) . In addition, existing therapies result in general immune suppression, leaving the patient susceptible to a variety of opportunistic infections. The ability to induce a state of long-term, antigen-specific tolerance to the donor tissue would revolutionize the field of organ and tissue transplantation. Since organ graft rejection is mediated by T cell effector function, the goal is to block specifically the activation of the subset of T cells that recognize donor antigens. A limitation in the field of transplantation is the supply of donor organs (Nowak 1994 Science 266, 1148). The ability to induce donor-specific tolerance would substantially increase the chances of successful allographs, xenographs, thereby greatly increasing the donor pool.
Such transplantation includes grafting of tissues and/or organ ie., implantation or transplantation of tissue and/or organs, from the body of an individual to a different place within the same or different individual. Transplantation also involve grafting of tissues and/or organs from one area of the body to another. Transplantation of tissues and/or organs between genetically dissimilar animals of the same species is termed as allogeneic transplantation. Transplantation of animal organs into humans is termed xenotransplants (for a review see Nowak, 1994 Science 266, 1148).
One therapy currently being developed that has similar potential to induce antigen-specific tolerance is treatment with a CTLA4-lg fusion protein. "CTLA4" is a homologue of CD28 that binds B7-1 and B7-2 with high affinity. The engineered, soluble fusion protein, CTLA4-lg, binds B7-1, thereby blocking its interaction with CD28. The results of CTLA4-lg treatment in animal studies are mixed. CTLA4-lg treatment significantly enhanced survival rates and ameliorated the symptoms of graft-versus host disease in a murine bone marrow tranplant model (Blazer et al., 1994 Blood 83, 3815). CTLA4-lg induced long-term (>110 days) donor-specific tolerance in pancreatic islet xenographs (Lenschow et al., 1992 Science 257, 789). Conversely, in another study CTLA4-lg treatment delayed but did not ultimately prevent cardiac allograft rejection (Turka, et al., 1992 Proc Nati Acad Sci USA 89, 11102). Mice immunized with sheep erythrocytes in the presence of CTLA4-lg failed to mount a primary immune response (Linsley, et al., 1992 Science 257, 792). A secondary immunization did elicit some response, however, indicating incomplete tolerance. Interestingly, identical results were obtained when CTLA4-lg was administered 2 days after primary immunization, leading the authors to conclude that CTLA4-lg blocked amplification rather than initiation of the immune response. Since CTLA4-lg has been shown to dissociate more raoidly from B7-2 compared with B7-1, this may explain the failure to induce long term tolerance in this model (Linsley et al., 1994 Immunity 1, 793).
CTLA4:lg has recently been shown to ameliorate symptoms of spontaneous autoimmune disease in lupus-prone mice (Finck et al., 1994 Science 265, 1225).
Linsley et al., WO 92/00092 describe B7 antigen as a ligand for CD28 receptor on T cells. The application states that--
"The B7 antigen, or its fragments or derivatives are reacted with CD28 positive T cells to reglulate T cell interactions with other cells . . . B7 antigen or CD28 receptor may be used to inhibit interaction of cells associated with these molecules, thereby regulating T cell responses."
De Boer and Conroy, WO 94/01547 describe the use of anti-B7 and anti-CD40 antibodies to treat allograft transplant rejection, graft versus host disease and rhematoid arthritis. The application states that--
". . . anti-B7 and anti-CD40 antibodies . . . can be used to prevent or treat an antibody-mediated or immune system disease in a patient."
Since signalling via CD40 precedes induction of B-7, blocking the CD40-CD40L interaction would also have the potential to produce tolerance. According to one report, simultaneous treatment of mice with antibodies to CD40L and sheep red blood cells produced antigen-specific tolerance for up to 3 weeks following cessation of treatment (Foy et al., 1993 J Exp Med 178, 1567). Anti-CD40L also produces antigen specific tolerance in a pancreatic islet transplant model (R. Noelle, personal communication). Targeted inhibition of CD40 expression in B cells in addition to B7 would therefore afford double protection against activation of T cells.
Therapeutic agents used to prevent rejection of a transplanted organ are all cytotoxic compounds or antibodies designed to suppress the cell-mediated immune system. The side effects of these agents are those of immunosuppression and infections. The primary approved agents are azathioprine, corticosteroids, cyclosporine; the antibodies are antilymphocyte or antithymocyte globulins. All of these are given to individuals who have been as closely matched as possible to their donors by both major and minor histocompatibility typing. Since the principal problem in transplantation is an antigenic mismatch and the resulting need for cytotoxic therapy, any therapeutic improvement which decreases the local immune response without general immunosuppression should capture the transplant market.
Cyclosporine: At the end of the 1970's and early 1980's the introduction of cyclosporine revolutionized the transplantation field. It is a potent immunosuppressant which can inhibit immunocompetent lymphocytes specifically and reversibly. Its primary mechanism of action appears to be inhibition of the production and release of interleukin-2 by T helper cells. In addition it also interferes with the release of interleukin-1 by macrophages, as well as proliferation of B lymphocytes. It was approved by the FDA in 1983 and by 1989 was almost universally given to transplant recipients. At first it was believed that the toxicity and side effects from cyclosporine were minimal and it was hailed as a "wonder drug." Numerous side effects have been progressively cited, including the appearance of lymphomas, especially in the gastrointestinal tract; acute and chronic nephrotoxicity; hypertension; hepatotoxicity; hirsutism; anemia; neurotoxicity; endocrine and neurological complications; and gastrointestinal distress. It is now widely acknowledged that the non-specific side effects of the drug demand caution and close monitoring of its use. One-year survival rates for cadaver kidney transplants treated with cyclosporine is 80%, much better than the 50-60% rates without the drug. The one-year survival is almost 90% for transplants with related donors and the use of cyclosporine.
Azathioprine: In addition to cyclosporine, azathioprine is used for transplant patients. Azathioprine is one of the mercaptopurine class of drugs and inhibits nucleic acid synthesis. Patients are maintained indefinitely on daily doses of 1 mg/kg or less, with a dosage adjusted in accordance with the white cell count. The drug may cause depression of bone marrow elements and may cause jaundice.
Corticosteroids: Prednisone, used in almost all transplant recipients, is usually given in association with azathioprine and cyclosporine. The dosage must be regulated carefully so as so prevent complications such as infection, development of cushingoid features, and hypertension. Usually the initial maintenance prednisone dosage is 0.5 mglkg/d. This dosage is usually further decreased in the outpatient clinic until maintenance levels of about 10 mg/d for adults are obtained. The exact site of action of corticosteroids on the immune response is not known.
Antithymoblast or antilymphocyte globulin (ALG) and antithymocyte globulin (ATG): These are important adjunctive immunosuppressants. They are effective, particularly in induction of immunosuppressive therapy and in the treatment of corticosteroid-resistant rejection. Both ALG and ATG can be made by immunizing horses, rabbits, or sheep; the main source is horses. Lymphocytes from human peripheral blood, spleen, lymph nodes, or thymus serve as the immunogen.
Tacrolimus: On Apr. 13, 1994 the Food and Drug Administration approved another drug to help prevent the rejection of organ transplants. The drug, tacrolimus, was approved only for use in liver transplant patients. An alternative to cyclosporine, the macrolide immunosuppressant tacrolimus is a powerful and selective anti-T-lymphocyte agent that was discovered in 1984. Tacrolimus, isolated from the fungus Streptomyces tsukubaensis, possesses immunodepressant properties similar to but more potent than cyclosporine. It inhibits both cell-mediated and humoral immune responses. Like cyclosporine, tacrolimus demonstrates considerable interindividual variation in its pharmacokinetic profile. Most clinical studies with tacrolimus have neither been published in their entirety nor subjected to extensive peer review; there is also a paucity of published randomized investigations of tacrolimus vs. cyclosporine, particularly in renal transplantation. Despite these drawbacks, tacrolimus has shown notable efficacy as a rescue or primary immunosuppressant therapy when combined with corticosteroids. The potential for reductional withdrawal of corticosteroid therapy with tacrolimus appears to be a distinct advantage compared with the cyclosporine. This benefit may be enhanced by reduced incidence of infectious complications, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia reported by some investigators. In other respects, the tolerability profile of tacrolimus appears to be broadly similar to that of cyclosporine.
In addition to induction of graft tolerance, T cell anergy can be used to reverse autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune diseases represent a broad category of conditions. A few examples include insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), multiple schlerosis (MS), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), myasthenia gravis (MG), and psoriasis. These seemingly disparate diseases all share the common feature of inappropriate immune response to specific self-antigens. Finck et al. supra have reported that CTLA4lg treatment of mice blocked auto-antibody production in a mice model of SLE. In fact, this effect was observed even when the CTLA4lg treatment was initiated during the advanced stages of the disease, suggesting that the autoimmune response was a reversible process.
Chappel., WO 94/11011 describes methods to treat autoimmune diseases by inducing tolerance to cells, tissues and organs. The application states that--
"Cells genetically engineered with DNA encoding a plurality of antigens of a cell, tissue, or organ to which tolerance is to be induced. The cells are free of costimulatory antigens, such as B7 antigen,. Such cells induce T-cell anergy against the proteins encoded by the DNA, and may be administered to a patient in order to prevent the onset of or to treat an autoimmune disease, or to induce tolerance to a tissue or organ prior to transplantation."
Allergic reactions represent an immediate hypersensitivity response to environmental antigens, typically mediated by IgE antibodies. The ability to induce antigen-specific tolerance provides a powerful avenue to alleviate allergies by exposure to the antigen in conjunction with down-regulation of B7-1, B7-2, B7-3 or CD40.
The specific roles of B7-1, B7-2 and B7-3 in T cell activation remains to be determined. Some studies suggest that their functions are essentially redundant (Hathcock et al 1994 J Exp. Med. 180, 631), or that the differences observed in the kinetics of expression might simply indicate that B7-2 is important in the initiation of the co-stimulatory signal, while B7-1 plays a role in the amplification of that signal. Other studies point to more specific functions. For example, Kuchroo et al., 1995 Cell 80, 707, have reported that blocking B7-1 expression may favor a Th2 response, while blocking B7-2 expression favors a Th1 response. These two helper T cell subpopulations play distinct roles in the immune response and inflammatory disease. Th1 cells are strongly correlated with auto-immune disease. Allergic responses are typically triggered by Th2 response. Therefore, the decision to target B7-1, B7-2, CD40 or a combination of the above will depend to the particular disease application.


An appliance ventilation assembly including an inlet pipe including a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is configured to connect to the back of a dryer and the second end is configured to partially insert into an outlet pipe. A front plate, an insert, and a back plate each include an opening adapted to receive the second end of the inlet pipe. The insert is disposed between the front plate and the back plate and is adapted to retain a press fit to the inlet pipe. The back plate includes an outlet pipe disposed on the back side. A rear end of the outlet pipe is configured to attach to an exterior pipe.

The present invention relates to dryer vents. More specifically, the present invention includes an inlet pipe, a front plate, an insert, and a back plate wherein the inlet pipe connects to the back of a dryer and partially insert into an outlet pipe.
Dryers must have adequate ventilation in order to remove heat and lint generated from the operation thereof. When installing dryer vent systems there is limited space available to do the work. Dryers are typically fitted into a space straddled by walls, a washing machine, cabinets, or shelving. Conventional installation requires the dryer to be located four to six inches away from the wall in order to allow ductwork to be placed therebetween. Unfortunately, the ductwork consumes a large amount of unusable space between the dryer and the wall. Thus, there is a need for a dryer vent system that allows a dryer to be placed closer to the wall.


A control system comprises a reset unit for outputting a reset output by the manipulation of a manually operable member, a first microcomputer adapted to be reset by the reset output, a second microcomputer, and a controller for deactivating the second microcomputer. The controller deactivates the second microcomputer in accordance with the outputs of the first microcomputer and the second microcomputer. When there is no output from the second microcomputer, the controller deactivates the second microcomputer in response to the output of the first microcomputer determining no response from the second microcomputer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a control system for an apparatus using a microcomputer.
2. Related Background Art
In a prior art apparatus using a microcomputer, a power supply control is also done by the microcomputer. In such an apparatus, if the microcomputer overruns, there is a risk that the power cannot be cut off.

Control system for an apparatus using a microcomputer


A combination P-trap, shutoff switch and cleanout fitting for installation in a drain line has a hollow generally cylindrical body with a central chamber, an integrally formed tubular inlet and outlet, and a removable cap with a depending float switch which is disposed in the chamber. The float switch is electrically connected between the thermostat and air handler unit. The inlet conducts liquid from a drain pan into the lower portion of the chamber beneath a partition and the outlet conducts water from the upper portion of the chamber into the downstream portion of the drain line. When the surface of the liquid in the chamber is above the partition the device functions as a P-trap to prevent backflow of undesirable gases and odors from downstream being drawn up through the drain line by the air conditioner recirculation fan and entering into the system. As long as the float switch is in a lowermost or intermediate position, power is supplied to the thermostat, and the air conditioner operates in a conventional manner. When the downstream portion of the drain line becomes obstructed, the level of liquid in the chamber and the float rises above the intermediate level to close the switch and interrupt the circuit to the thermostat, thereby shutting off the air conditioner and preventing the accumulation of further liquid in the drain pan which might otherwise overflow and damage ceilings, walls, and flooring. The cap and float switch can be removed to clean the chamber and/or blow the upstream or downstream portions of the drain line clear of the obstruction.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to air conditioning equipment and drain lines, and more particularly to a combination P-trap, shutoff switch, and clean-out fitting for use in a condensate drain line associated with the fan coil of an air conditioning system.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
In the normal operation of an air conditioning system, the evaporator or fan coil tends to be at temperatures below the dew point of the surrounding air. The resulting condensation is collected in a drain pan located under the coil, with the pan then being drained off to an appropriate disposal site such as a sewer drain or to the ground outside via a drain line. It is very common for the drain pan and/or the drain line to become plugged or clogged by debris that may fall into the drain pan or sedimentary material which accumulates in the drain line, which results in the liquid in drain pan overflowing and thereby damaging or destroying ceilings, walls and flooring.
It is common in many installations to install a capped tee-fitting or clean out in the drain line to provide access to the interior of the drain line so that a clogged or plugged drain line can be serviced by introducing air or other gas under pressure to blow the obstruction out of the drain line.
There are also devices know in the art that may be connected in the drain line to mechanically or electrically de-activate the air conditioning system when a blockage or excessive build-up of sedimentary material occurs within the condensate line.
Because of a low pressure condition that is created by the operation of the fan inside the unit, it has become conventional practice, and a requirement in many city codes, to provide a P-trap in the drain line to isolate the system from the backflow of dangerous or undesirable gases and odors that would otherwise occur when the system is connected to discharge condensate directly to the sewer.
Thus, it requires three separate fittings to be installed in the drain line in order to shut off the air conditioner to prevent liquid in drain pan from overflowing, to prevent the backflow of dangerous or undesirable gases and odors into the system, and to provide access to the interior of the drain line for clearing it of obstructions.
Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a single fitting which can be installed in the condensate drain line, which would function as a P-trap, a shut off switch, and a clean out fitting.
Others have attempted to overcome these problems, however none of the devices of the prior art are capable of performing all of the utilitarian functions of present invention.
Morrison et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,633,673 discloses an emergency shutoff for air conditioners comprising a fitting mounted in the drain pan with a primary drain opening and a secondary or emergency drain opening for draining away fluid accumulated in the pan when the primary drain becomes blocked. A one-way valve is provided in the drain for preventing back flow of air or other fluids from the drain to the pan, and a venturi is positioned in the drain pan to produce a low pressure from the flow of air circulated by the air conditioner fan. A tube connects the venturi with a reservoir which collects the fluid drained by the emergency drain, whereby the fluid is evacuated through the emergency drain.
O""Mara et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,693,091 discloses a condensate disposal system for an air conditioning system having a condensate tube interconnecting a condensate pan and a trap. A vent is provided in the condensate tube for relieving any internal pressure that would otherwise cause a restriction of condensate flow within the condensate tube.
Bell, U.S. Pat. No. 4,998,412 discloses a sediment alert and purging unit for a condensate drain pan and removal return line of a refrigeration system. The unit includes an element for monitoring the level of condensate within the condensate drain pan and removal line, a switch element for disabling the compressor and air handler of the refrigeration system responsive to an unacceptable level of condensate within the drain pan and removal line, and an annunciation element with the switch element to alert a user when a disabling of the compressor and air handler has occurred. The unit also includes a purge port within the condensate removal line and a first condensate line closure valve disposed upstream of the purge port. Further provided is a second condensate line closure valve disposed downstream of the purge port. Through the location of closure valves both upstream and downstream of the purge port, a clogged condensate line may be purged, either upstream or downstream of the purge port by effecting the closure of that closure valve located at that side of the purge valve opposite to where the condensate blockage is believed to exist.
Keen, U.S. Pat. No. 5,402,813 discloses an in-line algaecide dispenser having a central vertical chamber with an inlet and outlet in communication therewith in laterally opposed horizontally aligned relation and a removable cap threadedly engaged at the top end of the chamber. The dispenser is installed in a condensate or cold water drain line and a water-leachable algaecide tablet is placed in the central chamber of the dispenser to prevent growth of cold-water algae and provide protection from clogging or plugging of the downstream condensation or drain line by algae for as long as the algaecide takes to dissolve in the flowing stream of condensate.
Powell, U.S. Pat. No. 5,797,426 discloses a combination check valve and fluid trap device for connection to the outflow aperture of a condensate moisture drain system on an air conditioner, ice maker, cooler or like apparatus. The device comprises a ball float sealingly seated on a float seat within a housing, the float seat being connected to the outflow conduit of a generally U-shaped fluid trap having an inflow conduit for connection to the drain system, whereby water and gas are prevented from entering the fluid trap through the outflow conduit but excess water will move the ball float from the float seat to allow water to flow out of the outflow conduit. Preferably the fluid trap is provided with rotation means whereby the longitudinal axis of the inflow conduit can be adjusted relative to the longitudinal axis of the outflow conduit so that the two axes are not aligned in parallel.
SMD Research, Inc. of Boca Raton, Fla., manufactures and markets a safety switch, known as the Safe-T-Switch(copyright), which is installed in an air conditioner condensate drain between the drain pan outlet and the P-trap to detect down stream clogs in condensate drains and interrupt the thermostat circuit to shut off the unit before flooding occurs. It may also be installed to activate an alarm. This device has a generally tee-shaped configuration and does not replace the P-trap.
The present invention is distinguished over the prior art in general, and these patents in particular by a combination P-trap, shutoff switch and cleanout fitting for installation in a drain line which has a hollow generally cylindrical body with a central chamber, an integrally formed tubular inlet and outlet, and a removable cap with a depending float switch which is disposed in the chamber. The float switch is electrically connected between the thermostat and air handler unit. The inlet conducts liquid from a drain pan into the lower portion of the chamber beneath a partition and the outlet conducts water from the upper portion of the chamber into the downstream portion of the drain line. When the surface of the liquid in the chamber is above the partition the device functions as a P-trap to prevent backflow of undesirable gases and odors from downstream being drawn up through the drain line by the air conditioner recirculation fan and entering into the system. As long as the float switch is in a lowermost or intermediate position, power is supplied to the thermostat, and the air conditioner operates in a conventional manner. When the downstream portion of the drain line becomes obstructed, the level of liquid in the chamber and the float rises above the intermediate level to close the switch and interrupt the circuit to the thermostat, thereby shutting off the air conditioner and preventing the accumulation of further liquid in the drain pan which might otherwise overflow and damage ceilings, walls, and flooring. The cap and float switch can be removed to clean the chamber and/or blow the upstream or downstream portions of the drain line clear of the obstruction.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a single fitting for drain lines that replaces and performs the functions of a P-trap, a shutoff switch, and clean-out fitting.
It is another object of this invention to provide a combination P-trap, shutoff switch, and clean-out fitting that will detect clogs downstream in a condensate drain line and shut off the air condensing unit before expensive water damage can occur to ceilings, walls, and flooring.
It is another object of this invention to provide a combination P-trap, shutoff switch, and clean-out fitting that will sound an alarm upon detection of clogs downstream in a condensate drain line and shut off the air condensing unit before expensive water damage can occur to ceilings, walls, and flooring.
Another object of this invention is to provide a combination P-trap, shutoff switch, and clean-out fitting which will prevent poisonous gases and bad odors from entering a building through the air conditioning system.
Another object of this invention is to provide a combination P-trap, shutoff switch, and clean-out fitting having a removable cap that allows easy access to clean out deposits left by an evaporator coil, and/or blow the drain line clear upstream or downstream when it becomes clogged.
A further object of this invention is to provide a combination P-trap, shutoff switch, and clean-out fitting that is easily and quickly installed in a condensate drain line or other drain line.
A still further object of this invention is to provide a combination P-trap, shutoff switch, and clean-out fitting that is simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, and rugged and reliable in operation.
Other objects of the invention will become apparent from time to time throughout the specification and claims as hereinafter related.
The above noted objects and other objects of the invention are accomplished by a combination P-trap, shutoff switch and cleanout fitting for installation in a drain line which has a hollow generally cylindrical body with a central chamber, an integrally formed tubular inlet and outlet, and a removable cap with a depending float switch which is disposed in the chamber. The float switch is electrically connected between the thermostat and air handler unit. The inlet conducts liquid from a drain pan into the lower portion of the chamber beneath a partition and the outlet conducts water from the upper portion of the chamber into the downstream portion of the drain line. When the surface of the liquid in the chamber is above the partition the device functions as a P-trap to prevent backflow of undesirable gases and odors from downstream being drawn up through the drain line by the air conditioner recirculation fan and entering into the system. As long as the float switch is in a lowermost or intermediate position, power is supplied to the thermostat, and the air conditioner operates in a conventional manner. When the downstream portion of the drain line becomes obstructed, the level of liquid in the chamber and the float rises above the intermediate level to close the switch and interrupt the circuit to the thermostat, thereby shutting off the air conditioner and preventing the accumulation of further liquid in the drain pan which might otherwise overflow and damage ceilings, walls, and flooring. The cap and float switch can be removed to clean the chamber and/or blow the upstream or downstream portions of the drain line clear of the obstruction.

Combination P-trap, shutoff switch and cleanout fitting


The computer system includes: a controller; a switch configured to perform, on a received packet complying with a flow entry set by the controller, a relay operation regulated by the flow entry; and a host terminal configured to be connected to the switch. The switch notifies the controller of transmission source address information of a received packet which does not comply with a flow entry set for itself. The controller judges, when legal address information of a host terminal does not coincide with the transmission source address information, that a transmission source address of the received packet is spoofed.

In a layer 2 network, a MAC (Media Access Control) address is used in order to uniquely identify network devices (including computers and virtual machines) configuring a network. However, there is a problem that the MAC address can be easily spoofed. On the other hand, when a route of a packet flowing in the layer 2 network is changed in association with a physical transfer of a computer or a transfer of a virtual machine, Gratuitous ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) is widely known to be advantageous (refer to a non-patent literature 1). The Gratuitous ARP is an ARP request packet in which its' own IP (Internet Protocol) address is set to a target IP address and provides two effects. One lies in the effect of finding out whether or not a something except itself uses the same IP address. If a different network device that uses the target IP address set in the ARP request packet sends back the ARP Reply, the IP address can be judged to be duplicative. The other effect lies in a fact that a switch configuring the layer 2 network updates its own ARP table and MAC table with reference to a transmission source MAC address of the Gratuitous ARP packet, and consequently can follow the transfer of the computer and/or virtual computer to change the transfer route of the packet. However, by using this property, a trouble can be induced in the network. For example, when the Gratuitous ARP packet in which the transmission source MAC address or target IP address is spoofed is transmitted by an illegal third party, the ARP table or MAC table of the switch configuring the layer 2 network is rewritten. Consequently, a TCP/IP communication of a legal user is easily interrupted. Moreover, a packet to be sent to the legal user can be intercepted because the packet is changed to be sent to an illegal person.
A technique for monitoring and preventing illegal access and interruption using the foregoing ARP packet is described in, for example, JP 2005-210451A (refer to a patent literature 1). A system described in the patent literature 1 includes a monitoring host for monitoring an ARP request packet, and a database in which an IP address and physical address of a legal host inside a network are registered in advance. The monitoring host, when detecting an ARP request packet for the IP address or physical address that is not registered in the database, transmits the ARP request packet whose request source is the above monitoring host itself, to a request destination node of the ARP packet, and updates the ARP table of the node. Consequently, a reply packet to the illegal access is transferred to a monitor server without being sent to the illegal third party.
In this way, the system described in the patent literature 1 can prevent the illegal access to the network, because the monitor server that detects the illegal ARP packet controls the transfer destination of the packet in the node.
On the other hand, a technique in which transfer operations and the like in respective switches are unitarily controlled by an external controller in a computer network (openflow) is proposed by the OpenFlow Consortium (refer to a non-patent literature 2). A network switch (hereinafter, referred to as an openflow switch (OFS)) corresponding to the above technique holds detailed information such as a protocol type, a port number and the like in a flow table, and can control the flow and acquire statistical information. The flow table of the OFS inside the network is unitarily set and managed by an openflow controller (OFC).
With reference to FIG. 1, a configuration and operation of the computer system that uses an openflow protocol are described. With reference to FIG. 1, the computer system based on the technique related to the present invention includes: an openflow controller 100 (hereinafter, referred to as an OFC 100); a switch group 200 including a plurality of open switches 102-1 to 102-n (hereinafter, referred to as OFS 102-1 to 102-n); and a host group 300 including a plurality of host computers 103-1 to 103-i (hereinafter, referred to as hosts 103-1 to 103-i). However, each of n and i is a natural number of 2 or more. In the following explanation, when the OFSs 102-1 to 102-n are not distinguished from each other, they are collectively referred to as an OFS 102. In addition, when the hosts 103-1 to 103-i are not distinguished from each other, they are collectively referred to as a host 103.
The OFC 100 sets a communication route between the hosts 103 and sets a transfer operation (relay operation) to the OFS 102 on the route and the like. At this time, the OFC 100 sets a flow entry in which a rule for specifying a flow (packet data) and an action for defining an operation for the flow are correlated, in a flow table held by the OFS 102. The OFS 102 on the communication route determines a transfer destination of received packet data and carries out a transfer process, in accordance with the flow entry set by the OFC 100. Consequently, the host 103 can transmit and receive the packet data to and from the different host 103 by using the communication route set by the OFC 100. That is, in the computer system that uses the openflow, the OFC 100 for setting the communication route and the OFS 102 for carrying out the transfer process are separated, which enables the communication in the entire system to be unitarily controlled and managed.
With reference to FIG. 1, when the packet is transmitted from the host 103-1 to the host 103-i, the OFS 102-1 refers to transmission destination information (header information: for example, a destination MAC address and a destination IP access) in the packet received from the host 103-1 and searches an entry, which coincides with the header information, from the flow table held inside the OFS 102-1. The content of the entry set in the flow table is defined in, for example, a non-patent literature 2.
If the entry about the received packet data is not described in the flow table, the OFS 102-1 transfers the packet data (hereinafter, referred to as a first packet) or the header information of the first packet to the OFC 100. The OFC 100, which receives the first packet from the OFS 102-1, determines a route 400 on the basis of the information, such as a transmission source host and a transmission destination host, which is included in the packet.
The OFC 100 instructs all of the OFS 102 on the route 400 to set a flow entry for defining the transfer destination of the packet (issue a flow table update instruction). The OFS 102 on the route 400 updates the flow table managed by itself, on the basis of the flow table update instruction. After that, the OFS 102 starts transferring the packet, in accordance with the updated flow table. Consequently, through the route 400 determined by the OFC 100, the packet arrives at the host 103-i of the destination.

Computer system, controller and network monitoring method


A curable polyorganosiloxane composition for use in an LED or optical lens, including: (A) an alkenyl group-containing polyorganosiloxane which contains a (A1) branched polyorganosiloxane including an SiO4/2 unit and an R3SiO1/2 unit, and optionally an R2SiO unit and/or an RSiO3/2 unit, wherein at least three R per molecule are vinyl groups, and optionally (A2) a linear polyorganosiloxane having R bonded to a silicon atom, wherein at least two R per molecule are vinyl groups, wherein 100 mol % or more of the R present in components (A1) and (A2), excluding alkenyl groups, are methyl groups; (B) a polyalkylhydrogensiloxane including an SiO4/2 unit and an R3(CH3)2SiO1/2 unit, the polyalkylhydrogensiloxane having the formula [R3(CH3)2SiO1/2]8[SiO4/2]4 or [R3(CH3)2SiO1/2]10[SiO4/2]5, wherein each R3 represents a hydrogen atom, and (C) a platinum-vinylsiloxane complex. The composition having desirable light transmission properties, and is unlikely to suffer yellowing due to exposure to heat.

From silicone resins and silicone rubbers, including polymers exhibiting physical properties between those of the silicone resin and rubber, there can be obtained products which are advantageous not only in that they have a heat resistance, a low-temperature resistance, electrical insulation properties and others, but also in that they are transparent. Therefore, the silicone resins and silicone rubbers are used in various optical applications. Particularly, in the applications of sealing or protection of LED and lens, a polyorganosiloxane composition which is cured to form a transparent cured product having high hardness is useful.
Patent document 1 discloses that a resin-form cured product, which is obtained by crosslinking branched polyorganosiloxane having an alkenyl group bonded to a silicon atom, particularly the polysiloxane having a phenyl group for achieving high refractive index, with polyorganohydrogensiloxane, is used in protection, bonding, or wavelength changing or controlling of LED, and lens. However, there is a problem in that, when the phenyl group content of the polyorganosiloxane is high, the resultant resin-form cured product has poor light transmission properties in a short wavelength region, i.e., in the blue to ultraviolet region. Further, the cured product has a drawback in that it suffers yellowing when exposed to heat. In recent years, in the field of LED, the luminance is improved, and the heat release increases as the luminance is increased. Hence, this problem must be solved as soon as possible.
On the other hand, as, a technique approaching the same task, which is different from introducing a phenyl group into polyorganosiloxane, patent document 2 discloses a resin-form cured product obtained by crosslinking polyorganosiloxane with polyorganohydrogensiloxane, wherein the polyorganosiloxane has a hydroxyl group or alkoxy group bonded to a silicon atom and has monovalent hydrocarbon groups bonded to a silicon atom wherein 80% or more of the monovalent hydrocarbon groups, excluding alkenyl groups, are methyl groups. However, there is a problem in that hydrolysis or polycondensation proceeds in the resultant resin-form cured product due to the remaining hydroxyl group or alkoxy group to cause a change with the lapse of time in hardness and others, so that the cured product becomes brittle.    Patent document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-186168    Patent document 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-221308

Momentive Performance Materials Japan LLC


A method for electrically connecting a surface electrode of a solar battery cell and a wiring member via a conductive adhesive film, wherein the conductive adhesive film contains an insulating adhesive and conductive particles, and wherein when the ten point height of roughness profile and maximum height of the surface of the surface electrode in contact with the conductive adhesive film are Rz (μm) and Ry (μm) respectively, the average particle diameter r (μm) of the conductive particles is equal to or greater than the ten point height of roughness profile Rz, and the thickness t (μm) of the conductive adhesive film is equal to or greater than the maximum height Ry.

A solar battery module has a structure in which a plurality of solar battery cells are connected in series and/or in parallel via wiring members electrically connected to the surface electrodes of the solar battery cells. In fabricating this solar battery module, solder has been conventionally used for the connection of the surface electrode of the solar battery cell and the wiring member (for example, see Patent Documents 1 and 2). Solder is widely used because it has excellent connection reliability, such as conduction and adhesion strength, and is inexpensive and versatile.
On the other hand, in terms of environmental protection and the like, methods for connecting wiring without using solder, in a solar battery, are proposed. For example, Patent Documents 3 to 6 disclose methods for connecting wirings by a conductive adhesive, such as a conductive paste.
Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-204256
Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-050780
Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-286436
Patent Document 4: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-357897
Patent Document 5: Japanese Patent No. 3448924
Patent Document 6: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-101519

Connected structure and method for manufacture thereof


An electronic device may include a finger biometric sensor and a processor cooperating with the finger biometric sensor. The processor may be capable of determining enrollment finger ridge flow angles over an enrollment area for an enrolled finger, and determining match finger ridge flow angles over a match area for a to-be matched finger. The processor may also be capable of determining at least one likely match sub-area of the enrollment area by dividing the enrollment area into a plurality of regions and determining a respective enrollment ridge flow histogram for each region of the enrollment area, and determining whether the to-be matched finger matches the enrolled finger based upon the at least one likely match sub-area.

Fingerprint sensing and matching is a reliable and widely used technique for personal identification or verification. In particular, a common approach to fingerprint identification involves scanning a sample fingerprint or an image thereof and storing the image and/or unique characteristics of the fingerprint image. The characteristics of a sample fingerprint may be compared to information for reference or enrolled fingerprints already in a database to determine proper identification of a person, such as for verification purposes.
Traditional approaches for fingerprint matching generally rely on minutia, which are point features corresponding to ridge ends and bifurcations. However, minutia-based matchers may have certain drawbacks. First, minutia extraction may be difficult in images of poor quality. Second, a minimum fingerprint area may be needed to extract a reasonable number of minutiae. Thus, minutia-based matchers may be unsuitable in applications where poor quality images or small sensors are involved. Using fingerprint pattern features, instead of minutiae, for matching may potentially mitigate both of these drawbacks. Examples of fingerprint pattern features are image pixel values, ridge flow, and ridge frequency.
Ridge flow information has been used in a variety of stages in fingerprint recognition. It is commonly extracted through tessellating the fingerprint image into small square blocks or cells and estimating the dominant ridge flow within each block. The resulting map is referred to as the ridge flow map.
Despite the existence of such ridge flow techniques, they may not provide desired matching speed for some implementations.

Finger biometric sensor providing coarse matching of ridge flow data using histograms and related methods


The present invention relates to a reclining device of a seat for a vehicle, which makes it possible to prevent backlash between an external gear 12 and an internal gear 22 in stop, resulting in preventing a vibration noise due to movement of the seatback. Further, it is possible to obtain sufficient power from even a small-output motor in operation, by minimizing the gear press angle to increase the operational efficiency. In addition, it is possible to design a compact reclining device by simplifying the shape and reduce the size of assemblies of wedge blocks 70, 120 and cams 80, 110, resulting in reducing the weight and the manufacturing cost and making it possible to freely designing the reclining device, depending on a disposing space.

In general, a seat in a vehicle is largely composed of a seatback supporting the passenger's back and a seat cushion supporting the part of the passenger from the hip to the thigh, in which the angle of the seatback can be adjusted by the reclining device.
Further, the reclining device includes left and right recliners each disposed to the left and right sides of the seat and a connecting shaft of which both ends are connected with the left and right recliners by splines to connect the left and right recliners.
The connecting shaft can be rotated by a driving force transmitted from an electric motor (not shown).
On the other hand, it is preferable to minimize the size and thickness of the reclining device in consideration of the seat because the reclining device is disposed the connecting portion of the seatback and the seat cushion.
However, decreasing the size of the reclining device decreases the engagement strength between geared parts and backlash is caused in stopping the reclining device, such that the seatback rocks back and forth or, if excessive, the reclining of the seatback unexpectedly operates, which threatens the passenger's safe. Accordingly, researches to prevent these problems are being made in recent years.


A module in an envelope insertion station for transporting an envelope to an enclosure material insertion location, which uses endless belts to move the envelope until it is stopped by rotatable stops. A fixedly-mounted vacuum module having vacuum ports provides a suction force to the envelope urging the trailing edge of the envelope to press against the belts and provides the normal force required to move an envelope downstream as it enters the insertion deck without slippage against the translating endless belts. Additionally, a second vacuum module having vacuum ports provides suction force urging the leading edge of the envelope to press against the belts and provides the normal force required to prohibit the leading edge of the envelope from buckling during impact with the rotatable stops. The second vacuum module is removably mounted and mechanically linked to the rotatable stops so they can be repositioned together to accommodate different-sized envelopes.

The present invention relates generally to a mail inserting system and, more particularly, to an envelope transport module to be used in the envelope insertion station in the mail inserting system.
In a typical mail inserting system, a plurality of enclosure feeders are used to release enclosure documents onto a chassis or deck. The released documents are collated into stacks and pushed from an upstream direction to a downstream direction into an envelope inserting station where each stack of the collated documents is inserted into an envelope. Mail inserting systems are known in the art. For example, Roetter et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,169,341) discloses a mail inserting system consisting of a document collating section and an envelope insertion section, wherein a plurality of document feeders are used to release documents onto a continuous conveying mechanism that collects and collates the documents and then conveys the collated documents to the envelope insertion section in a continuous manner. Auerbach et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,660,030) discloses a high speed envelope inserting station wherein a plurality of depressor fingers are used for applying pressure to the envelope flap during the insertion of the enclosure material. At the same time, a pair of throat openers are used to keep the throat of the envelope opened by separating the bottom side of the envelope from the upper side. Belec et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,374,044) discloses an envelope inserting device wherein a plurality of rotatable stops are used to register the envelope at the insertion location. The rotatable stops can be rotated away to allow a stuffed envelope to move downstream. Before the envelope is stuffed, it is moved into the insertion location by a plurality of endless belts. After being stuffed, the envelope is moved away from the insertion station by the same belts. Furthermore, a rotatable vacuum drum and a fixed vacuum deck are used to provide a vacuum suction force to the envelope for urging the envelope to press against the endless belts.
In general, a mail inserting system 1, as shown in FIG. 1, comprises an envelope supply module 10, an envelope insertion station 20 and an enclosure material supply module 30. In the envelope supply module 10, an envelope feeder (not shown) is used to retrieve one envelope 12 at a time from a stack 13 and release the retrieved envelope to the envelope insertion station. The envelope 12, after being fed from below a transport module 50 through an exit path 22, is moved to an insertion location defined by a plurality of rotatable stops 82. The flap of the envelope 12 stays opened as the enclosure material 32 is moved from the enclosure supply module 30 into the envelope insertion station 20 to be inserted into the envelope 12. After the insertion, the rotatable stops 82 are rotated away so that the stuffed envelope 42 can be moved out of the envelope insertion station 20.
In Belec et al., the vacuum ports on the vacuum deck are distributed over a large area so that the vacuum suction force can be applied to a large envelope as well as a small envelope. On the one hand, when a small envelope is positioned at the insertion location, a considerable part of the vacuum suction force is wasted because the envelope only covers a small number of vacuum ports. On the other hand, when a large envelope is used, it covers a large number of vacuum ports. Consequently, the suction force exerting on the large envelope may be too large, rendering the moving of the envelope from the upstream end to the insertion location difficult.
FIGS. 2 to 5 are schematic representations of a prior art transport module 50, wherein a plurality of endless belts 58, driven by rollers 54, 56, are used to move an envelope from the upstream end to the downstream end along a direction 250. There is a gap 60 between a plurality of adjacent endless belts 58, running along the belts from the upstream end to the downstream end. A registration mechanism 80 having a plurality of rotatable stops 82 is used to stop the envelope at an insertion location 240 so that enclosure material can be inserted into the envelope. Each of the rotatable stops 82 protrudes above the surface of the endless belts 58 through the gap 60 into the moving path of the incoming envelope. As shown in FIG. 3, when the rotatable stops 82 are oriented at an upright position, the edge 84 of each rotatable stop 82 provides a registration point to the envelope to be inserted with enclosure material. After the envelope is inserted with enclosure material, the rotatable stops will be rotated in a clockwise direction by 90 degrees so as to allow the stuffed envelope to move out of the insertion location along the moving direction 250. As shown in FIG. 4, the envelope 12 has a leading edge 14, a trailing edge 16 and a flap 18 at the trailing edge. The leading edge 14 of the envelope 12 is stopped by the rotatable stops 82. In order to hold down the envelope 12 for insertion, a vacuum module 70 is used to provide a suction force on the envelope 12. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the vacuum module 70 comprises a plurality of vacuum ports 72 along the gaps 60. The vacuum module 70 has two air outlets 74 from which the air in the vacuum module 70 is drawn in order to create a negative pressure in the vacuum module 70. When the vacuum ports 72 are covered by the envelope 12, the covered vacuum ports 72 provide a vacuum suction force 272 through the gaps 60 for urging the envelope 12 to press against the endless belts 58. In addition to holding down the envelope 12 during the envelope insertion process, the suction force 272 provided by the vacuum ports 72 is also necessary for the movement of the envelope 12 to the insertion location 240. It should be noted that that after an envelope is released by the envelope supply module 10 through the exit path 22 (FIG. 1), the transport module 50 must pick up the envelope 12 and move it toward the downstream end. As the suction force 272 exerted through the vacuum ports 72 causes the envelope 12 to press against the surface of the endless belts 58, frictional force between the envelope 12 and the surface of the endless belts 58 is developed, and this frictional force renders it possible for the endless belts 58 to carry the envelope 12 along the moving direction 250 until the leading edge 14 of the envelope 12 registers with the edge 84 of the rotatable stops 82 (see FIG. 3).
The envelope must be positioned at the insertion location in order to receive the enclosure material for insertion. To accommodate envelopes of different sizes, the position of the registration mechanism 80 must be adjustable so that the rotatable stops 82 can be moved toward the upstream end or toward the downstream end according to the size of the envelope. For registration purposes, the size of the envelope 12 is defined by the leading edge 14 and the trailing edge 16 of the envelope. To register a large envelope 12xe2x80x2, as shown in FIG. 5, the registration mechanism 80 is moved closer to the downstream end. A large envelope 12xe2x80x2 covers a large number of vacuum ports 72. While this coverage reduces the waste of the vacuum suction, it may create excessive frictional force between the envelope 12 and the surface of the endless belts 58 hindering the movement of the envelope 12xe2x80x2. In order to avoid this excessive frictional force problem, one could reduce the negative pressure in the vacuum module 70. However, the reduction of negative pressure may result in insufficient frictional force for a small envelope.
Thus, it is desirable and advantageous to provide a transport module wherein the vacuum suction force is more properly provided to the envelope at the insertion location, while the transport module can accommodate a wide range of envelope sizes.
It is a primary objective of the present invention to provide a transport module which is capable of providing a substantially equal vacuum suction force to envelopes of different sizes when the envelope is positioned at the insertion location. This objective can be achieved by disposing at least two vacuum modules in the transport module in order to provide the vacuum suction force to the envelope at the insertion location. One of the vacuum modules can be repositioned according to the size of the envelope.
Thus, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an envelope transport module to be used in an envelope insertion station of a mail inserting machine, wherein an envelope has a leading edge and a trailing edge defining a dimension of the envelope, the trailing edge having a flap which is opened for enclosure material insertion when the envelope is securely held at an insertion location in the envelope insertion station, wherein the transport module comprises:
a frame having an upstream end and a downstream end;
a transport mechanism disposed on the frame for moving the envelope from the upstream end to the insertion location, the transport mechanism having a support surface to support the envelope;
a registration mechanism to register the leading edge of the envelope as the envelope reaches the insertion location, wherein the registration mechanism is adjustably mounted on the frame so as to allow the registration mechanism to be positioned at a location between the upstream end and the downstream end in order to accommodate the dimension of the envelope; and
a vacuum suction device positioned relative to the frame between the upstream end and the downstream end so as to urge the envelope to press against the support surface, wherein
the vacuum suction device comprises a first vacuum module and a separate second vacuum module, and wherein
the first vacuum module is disposed between the upstream end and the registration mechanism near the upstream end to provide a suction force on the envelope near the trailing edge thereof, and
the second vacuum module is adjustably disposed between the first vacuum module and the registration mechanism so that the second vacuum module can be repositioned to provide a further suction force on the envelope near the leading edge thereof.
Preferably, the first vacuum module is fixedly disposed on the frame.
Preferably, the second vacuum module is mechanically linked to the registration mechanism so that the second vacuum module is relocated along with the registration mechanism, based on the dimension of the envelope.
Preferably, the transport mechanism comprises a plurality of conveyor belts moving from the upstream end to the downstream end, wherein a gap is provided between two adjacent conveyor belts, extending from the upstream end to the downstream end, and the second vacuum module has at least one vacuum port located in the gap for providing the further suction force.
Preferably, the registration mechanism comprises a plurality of rotatable stops operable
in a first position protruding over the support surface to register the leading edge of the envelope as the envelope is located at the insertion location, and
in a second position to retreat under the support surface so as to allow the envelope to move downstream after the insertion is completed.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of securing an envelope on an envelope transport module in an envelope insertion station of a mail inserting machine, wherein the envelope has a leading edge and a trailing edge defining a dimension of the envelope, the trailing edge having a flap which is opened for enclosure material insertion when the envelope is securely held at an insertion location in the envelope insertion station, wherein the transport module comprises:
a frame having an upstream end and a downstream end;
a transport mechanism disposed on the frame for moving the envelope into the envelope insertion station from the upstream end to the insertion location, the transport mechanism having a support surface to support the envelope;
a registration mechanism to register the leading edge of the envelope as the envelope reaches the insertion location, wherein the registration mechanism is adjustably mounted on the frame so as to allow the registration mechanism to be located to a location between the upstream and downstream ends in order to accommodate the dimension of the envelope; and
a vacuum suction device positioned relative to the frame between the upstream end and the downstream end for urging the envelope to press against the support surface. The method comprises the steps of:
providing at least one first vacuum port in the vacuum suction device in order to apply a suction force on the envelope near the trailing edge thereof, and
providing at least one second vacuum port in the vacuum suction device between said at least one first vacuum port and the registration mechanism, wherein said at least one second vacuum port can be repositioned in order to apply a further suction force on the envelope near the leading edge thereof.
Preferably, said at least one vacuum port is mechanically linked to the registration mechanism so as to allow said at least one vacuum port to be repositioned along with the registration mechanism based on the dimension of the envelope.
The present invention will become apparent upon reading the description taken in conjunction with FIGS. 6 to 12.

Envelope transport module with vacuum ports for use in an envelope inserting machine


An image processing apparatus implements a plurality of functions and includes a display device. The plurality of functions include a function belonging to a first group and a function belonging to a second group. A selection accepting unit accepts selection of any of the first group and the second group. A first display control unit causes the display device to display on a display screen, a plurality of first keys corresponding to respective functions belonging to the first group, regardless of which of the first group and the second group has been selected. A second display control unit causes, when the second group is selected, the display device to display in a second region of the display screen other than a first region where the first keys are displayed, second keys corresponding to respective functions belonging to the second group.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and particularly to an image processing apparatus displaying a key for setting its own function.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, such image processing apparatuses as a digital copying machine and an MFP (Multi-Functional Peripheral) have more functions and a large number of functions are provided in one apparatus. Meanwhile, a display space on an operation panel included in the MFP is limited and hence it is difficult to simultaneously display keys corresponding to all functions (setting) provided in the MFP on the operation panel. If simultaneous display of all function keys on the operation panel is attempted, keys become smaller in size and an interval between the keys inevitably becomes narrow. Consequently, an erroneous operation is more likely and operability becomes poor.
In order to address this, document 1 (Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2004-306478) discloses a technique for displaying a plurality of windows in an image forming apparatus. In the image forming apparatus, when a function key in a function setting screen (a function setting main screen) is selected, a function setting sub screen corresponding to the selected function key is displayed in a manner superimposed on a part of the function setting main screen.
In addition, document 2 (Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2006-085683) discloses a technique substantially the same as in document 1 that a plurality of windows are displayed in a computer system having a graphical user interface.
According to these techniques, a new setting screen (a sub window) is displayed in response to a user's operation, in a manner superimposed on an original setting window (a main window), and hence more complicated setting can be made in a limited display space.
According to the techniques described in document 1 and document 2, however, for example, when the user selects a key in connection with a "function 1" in the main window, a sub window for making detailed setting in connection with "function 1" is displayed in a manner superimposed on the main window. In such a situation, the user can make detailed setting for "function 1", whereas the user cannot see a key displayed in a region in the main window under the sub window (that is, on which the sub window is superimposed). In addition, the user cannot operate a key displayed in that region either.
In general, in many cases, functions (keys) more frequently used by the user (that is, relatively of higher importance) than keys displayed in the sub window are displayed in the main window.
Therefore, according to the conventional techniques as in document 1 and document 2 that a sub window is displayed in response to a user's operation in the main window in a manner superimposed on the main window, once the sub window is displayed, the user can no longer see or operate a function of relatively high importance displayed under the sub window. In this regard, the conventional techniques have not been satisfactory in operability.

Image processing apparatus displaying key for setting its own function

Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.


This invention provides a new standby mode circuit design which reduces the power dissipation of static random access memory, SRAM circuitry. The circuit and method of this invention provides a reduced power supply voltage to SRAM memory cells so as to reduce the power dissipation of memory cells, while utilizing the full power supply voltage for the SRAM bit line and peripheral circuitry so as to preserve memory access performance.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a new standby mode circuit design to reduce the power dissipation of static random access memory, SRAM circuitry.
More particularly this invention relates to providing a reduced power supply voltage to SRAM memory cells so as to reduce the power dissipation of memory cells, while utilizing the full power supply voltage for the SRAM bit line and peripheral circuitry so as to preserve memory access performance.
2. Description of Related Art
As semiconductor integrated circuits become more dense and complex, the power consumption requirements are increasing dramatically. In addition, these dense integrated circuits include integrated static random access memory. In many applications, integrated circuits with SRAM must be operated using battery technology. The current available from batteries is limited. Therefore, there is a need to find ways to reduce the power consumption of all integrated circuits, especially memory. As portable, battery-operated circuit functions become more complex, they utilize more and more integrated memory. However, the circuit and memory design must operated at faster speeds. The design of high performance memory with reduced power consumption is an on-going area of invention in today""s circuit technology.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,046,627 (ltoh, et al.) xe2x80x9cSemiconductor Device Capable of Operating Stably with Reduced Power Consumptionxe2x80x9d describes a memory circuit device which allows reduced power dissipation via reduced substrate bias voltage, reduced power supply voltage and reduced threshold voltages.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,344,992 B1 (Nakamura) xe2x80x9cSRAM Operating with a Reduced Power Dissipationxe2x80x9d describes a SRAM design provides for reduced power dissipation by using circuitry which generates different voltage reference levels as a function of SRAM design and mode.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,294,404 (Sato) xe2x80x9cSemiconductor Integrated Circuit Having Function of Reducing a Power Consumption and Semiconductor Integrated Circuit System Comprising this Semiconductor Integrated Circuitxe2x80x9d discloses an SRAM circuit which creates a standby state which results in power reduction.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,088,269 (Lambertson) xe2x80x9cCompact Page-Erasable EEPROM Non-Volatile Memoryxe2x80x9d discloses a page erasable memory which uses two layers of conductive or semiconductive material.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,541,885 (Takashima) xe2x80x9cHigh Speed Memory with Low Standby Currentxe2x80x9d discloses a semiconductor memory device which consumes a very small amount of current during standby mode.
It is the objective of this invention to provide a new standby mode circuit design to reduce the power dissipation of static random access memory, SRAM circuitry.
It is further an object of this invention to provide a reduced power supply voltage to SRAM memory cells so as to reduce the power dissipation of memory cells, while utilizing the full power supply voltage for the SRAM bit line and peripheral circuitry so as to preserve memory access performance.
The objects of this invention are achieved by a standby mode circuit for SRAM standby power reduction made up of an input stage whose input is a primary input control signal and whose output drives a mid-stage, a mid stage whose input comes from said input stage and whose output drives an output stage, and an output stage whose input comes from said mid-stage and whose output is the primary output of this standby power reduction circuit and which drives the Vcc node of an SRAM. The standby mode power reduction circuit contains two devices, a p-channel metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor PMOS FET and an n-channel metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor NMOS FET. The standby mode power reduction circuit input stage PMOS FET has its gate connected to a primary input control signal, its source connected to a power supply Vdd and its drain connected to a drain of the NMOS FET in the input stage, and connected to the input of the mid-stage. The standby mode power reduction circuit of the input stage has an NMOS FET which has its source connected to Vss or ground, its gate connected to the primary input control signal and its drain connected to the drain of the PMOS FET of the input stage and connected to the primary input of the mid-stage.
The standby node power reduction circuits mid-stage contains two devices, a p-channel metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor PMOS FET and an n-channel metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor NMOS FET. The standby node power reduction circuit""s mid-stage PMOS FET has its gate connected to the output node from the input stage, has its source connected to a power supply Vdd and its drain connected to a drain of the NMOS FET in the mid-stage and this mid stage output node connected to the input of the output stage. The standby node power reduction circuit""s mid-stage NMOS FET has its gate connected to the output node from the input stage, has its source connected to a power supply Vdd and its drain connected to the drain of the PMOS FET in the mid-stage and this mid-stage output node connected to the input of the output stage.
The standby node power reduction circuit""s output stage contains two devices, a PMOS FET and an NMOS FET. The standby node power reduction circuit""s output stage PMOS FET has its gate connected to the input stage output node, its source connected to the mid-stage output node and its drain connected to the output stage output node.
The standby node power reduction circuit""s output stage NMOS FET has its gate and drain are both connected to the the Vdd power supply voltage, and its source is connected to the output stage output node.
The standby node power reduction circuit has a primary input control signal which selects either active node or standby node. The standby node power reduction circuit has a primary output which provides a lower Vcc node voltage to an SRAM during standby node in order to save power.
The standby node power reduction circuit has a primary output which provides the standard Vdd voltage to the SRAM during active mode and provides PMOS FET of the output stage provides a voltage, Vdd to the primary output node to the SRAM during active node. The standby node power reduction circuit""s NMOS FET of the output stage provides a voltage reduced from Vdd by Vt to the SRAM where Vt equals NMOS threshold voltage. The standby node power reduction circuit""s primary output provides a low Vcc (Vdd-Vt) where Vt is threshold of MOS FET during standby node, in order for save power dissipation. The standby node power reduction circuit""s primary output provides reduced Vcc power for the memory cells during standby but maintain a full Vdd on SRAM periphery circuits and bit lines for field performance. The standby node power reduction circuit""s primary output provides a full Vcc voltage level during active node.

Standby mode circuit design for SRAM standby power reduction

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company


An optical sight includes an optical train with a reticle having a reticle substrate, and a reticle relief pattern in the reticle substrate having a relief surface oriented so that the relief surface faces an output end of the optical sight. A layer of a barrier material that is opaque to visible light is deposited upon the relief surface. There is a wavelength-converting material within the reticle relief pattern that converts a non-visible excitation wavelength to visible light. A light source of the non-visible excitation wavelength controllably illuminates the wavelength-converting material. The optical train prevents the non-visible wavelength from propagating out of the input end of the optical train.

Refractive or reflective optical sights are used in a wide variety of applications to obtain increased magnification of a scene. In one common application, an optical sight is affixed to the upper side of the barrel of a rifle-type weapon used by a soldier. The user sights through the optical sight to acquire a target and aim the weapon toward the target to increase the likelihood of hitting the target with a projectile fired from the weapon.
A reticle is typically provided in the optical path of the optical sight. The reticle normally has reference markings or other information that aids the user in aiming the optical sight and thence the weapon toward the intended target. The reference markings usually include a cross hair or similar marking to indicate the bore sight of the weapon. The reference markings may also include elevation, windage, and other reference markings that assist in aiming the weapon.
The reticle may be illuminated by an artificial light source within the optical sight. The reticle illumination ensures that the reticle will be visible in lighting conditions including normal daylight, low-light ambient conditions, and, particularly for infrared and other optical sights to be used at night, in near-darkness conditions. If only ambient light is used to illuminate the reticle, the illumination may be uneven and undependable.
The illumination of the reticle ideally satisfies a number of requirements. The illumination of the reticle must not interfere with the observation of the scene being viewed, yet the reticle must stand out against the scene. The reticle output desirably is adjustable and has low power consumption. The reticle illumination must be relatively uniform over the entire reticle so that the entire exit pupil is filled. Existing illumination approaches do not fully meet these requirements.
There is a need for an approach for an improved optical sight having an illuminated reticle. The present invention fulfills this need, and further provides related advantages.

Optical sight having obscured reticle illumination


A coupler for attaching an implement to a tractor is provided. The coupler has three pivot arrangements allowing pivoting about three axes that are generally normal to one another with two axes of pivoting lying in substantially in a first plane and the third axis of pivoting intersecting that plane at a variable angle in a second plane generally perpendicular to the first plane. The three axes of pivoting substantially intersect and the implement may be attached wherein the load from the implement is directed downwardly and over the draft arms of the tractor.

Work machines such as tractors are often used to pull implements such as box blades, compactors, rollers, scrapers, etc. These implements may be supported by wheels or may drag along the ground. Implements are typically not dedicated to a particular work machine and therefore are in the need of a fast, efficient and effective means to couple the implement to the work machine (hereinafter tractor). Tractors typically have a three point hitch arrangement and many implements only use two points of the three point hitch arrangement particularly those implements utilizing one or more wheels for support. Two point hitch arrangements utilize the two draft arms which are selectively moveable between elevated and lowered positions and retainable at one of various positions between a lowered position and an elevated position. A cross bar may be secured to the draft arms to extend therebetween and is typically pivoted to the draft arms for rotation about a generally horizontal axis or an axis generally parallel to the axis of the rear wheel axles of the tractor.
Numerous types of couplers have been devised for connecting an implement to a tractor. The couplers may be divided into three categories. The first category is the coupler that attaches to a draw bar with multiple pivots trailing behind the draw bar a substantial distance. Examples of these can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,706,901, 5,531,283 and 4,838,015. This style of coupler, unless the implement is supported by front and rear wheels can apply a significant amount of downward force to the tractor hitch and can result, in some cases, in lifting the front wheels of the tractor from the ground. To avoid this, implements have been provided with front and rear wheels when such implements or their loads are heavy.
A second type of coupler releasably attaches the tongue of the implement to the draw bar as for example with a ball or pin or the like. The tongue rests on the draw bar and pivotal movement is accomplished by rotation about the ball in multi-axes or about a hitch pin through holes within the coupler arrangement. While effective, the freedom of movement about a ball or hitch pin is limited. A pintle hook is another such type of hitch.
A third form of coupler arrangement is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,091,009. As shown, and described, the coupler is required to be forward of the rear wheels in order to prevent lifting of the front wheels when heavy loads are encountered. To accomplish that goal, a large U-shaped yoke bridges the drive train in front of the rear wheel differential allowing pivoting in a forward and rearward direction by being hinged at pins connected to the drive train. Second and third pivots are provided to provide both steering pivoting and irregular terrain pivoting. However such an arrangement is cumbersome and eliminates, at least for modern tractors, the ability to use the seat on the tractor. Also, because of the large height of the coupler, large moments (torque) will result. Such an arrangement would also be difficult to attach an implement to the tractor and the ability to raise and lower the implement is precluded.
One common element to many of these hitches, particularly of the first and third categories just described, is the ability to provide pivoting about three distinct axes using three separate pivot arrangements. Further, the first and third categories tend to be complex mechanisms that do not accommodate the applied forces necessarily very well. Thus, there is a need for an improved coupler and tractor/implement/coupler arrangement.
The present invention involves the provision of a tractor, implement and coupler arrangement that includes a coupler attachable to the draft arms of a tractor and having three pivot devices for allowing the tractor and implement to pivot relative to one another about three axes. The axes of the pivots are such as to substantially intersect with one another to provide a low profile coupler arrangement. The coupler interconnects the tractor hitch arrangement and hence the tractor to an implement having a draw tongue. The tongue is preferably, at least for certain types of implements, a goose neck type tongue to help provide clearance for tight turns without interfering with the rear wheels or other portions of the tractor. The implement may use support wheels or may have support wheels that are selectively engageable with the ground or in certain cases the implements may not utilize wheels for support. The coupler permits the use of a link from the third point of a three point hitch, in a selective manner, to elevate certain implements for transport by using the three point hitch arrangement on the tractor.


A data storage rack may only have a subset of the HDDs therein operating in an active mode where read/write operations may be performed. Other HDDs may operate in an idle mode, which is a power-saving state that permits the HDDs to quickly change-over to the active mode, when needed. In storage racks containing numerous HDDs, a majority of the HDDs may be operated at idle mode for a majority of the time. Where a large number of HDDs are operated at idle mode, a fixed common idle speed shared by the numerous HDDs can cause unwanted excitation, vibration, and resonance. This can yield increased wear on rack components, decreased performance from the HDDs therein, and increased noise. Variable HDD idle spindle speeds mitigate the foregoing, which is caused by an idle spindle speed previously common to many, if not all HDDs within the data storage rack.

Growing use of cloud-based storage solutions has driven demand for low-cost data storage systems capable of retaining large volumes of data. Various implementations of these cloud-based storage solutions may utilize combinations of multiple hard disc drives (HDDs) known as disc arrays. One or more of the disc arrays may be arranged within a storage rack. While disc arrays may contain multiple HDDs, the disc arrays have common functionality used across the multiple HDDs, such as cache memory, and advanced functionalities (e.g., RAID, deduplication, encryption, and virtualization).
A disc array operated using a common cache memory may elect to only have a subset of the HDDs therein operating in an active mode where read/write operations may be performed. Other HDDs within the array may operate in an idle mode, which is a power-saving state that permits the HDDs to quickly change-over to the active mode, when needed. Typically, HDDs are set at the factory to operate at a fixed idle mode spindle speed and a fixed active mode spindle speed. In storage racks containing numerous disc arrays, each of which may contain numerous HDDs, a majority of the HDDs may be operated at idle mode for a majority of the time.

Variable hard disc drive idle spindle speeds within a disc array


A sprayer capable of avoiding clogging caused in the nozzle includes liquid supplies for supplying a liquid, and a nozzle connected to the liquid supply. The nozzle includes a first internal tube and a second internal tube through which a first liquid and a second liquid supplied from the liquid supply pass, respectively, and an external tube into which respective internal tubes are inserted, and which allows a gas to pass through the gap between it and each internal tube, for ejecting the first liquid and the second liquid with the gas. At least a part of the longitudinal direction of each internal tube is formed of a coil including a helically wound wire rod, so that the gas can flow into the inside of the coil from between the adjacent portions of the wire rod of the coil.

There is known a method in which two or more liquids are mixed and ejected to the affected part or the like to form an anti-adhesive material, a biological tissue adhesive, or the like. A sprayer for this purpose is used.
Such a sprayer is configured to feed components which coagulate upon mixing, such as a thrombin-containing solution and a fibrinogen-containing solution, in a mutually separated manner to the vicinity of the affected part, and to spray them at the affected part while mixing.
A known sprayer disclosed in Japanese Application Publication No. 2002-282368 includes two syringes respectively containing different types of liquids, and a nozzle for mixing the liquids from respective syringes, and spraying the mixture. The nozzle is connected to a gas supply source for supplying an aseptic gas, so that the liquids are sprayed together with the aseptic gas. The nozzle is specifically configured in a double tube structure including two internal tubes through which the liquids from respective syringes pass, respectively, and an external tube in which the two internal tubes are inserted, and which passes the gas between it and these internal tubes. Then, in respective inner tubes, the distal end openings respectively function as liquid ejection ports for respectively ejecting the liquids. Whereas, in the external tube, the distal end opening includes the liquid ejection ports disposed in the inside thereof, and functions as a gas ejection port for ejecting a gas.
With the nozzle configured, in this manner, upon stopping the liquid ejection operation, the residual pressures in respective internal tubes cause the liquids to eject outward from the liquid ejection ports in the respective internal tubes. In this state, the liquids are mixed with each other so that the liquids coagulate. As a result, clogging occurs in each liquid ejection port. Further, the liquids ejected from the liquid ejection ports of respective internal tubes outward also respectively extend to the gas ejection port. Accordingly, the liquids are also mixed with each other to coagulate at the gas ejection port, resulting in clogging. Then, when the clogged sprayer is used to try to performing spraying again, the coagulated liquids inhibit the ejection of the liquids from respective liquid ejection ports, and the ejection of the gas from the gas ejection port. Thus, respraying or further spraying cannot be performed.


A system for providing additional network security of a user for a web-based system. Two methods of the same basic idea for additional network security for online accounts: (1) Passive screensaver check: a method to take a snapshot of your desktop and save it, and (2) Active screensaver check: a method to take a snapshot of your desktop and compare it to a baseline snapshot of your desktop.

The present invention embodies an improved method of providing additional network security of a user for a web-based system. Many of our personal financial transactions are done online these days: banking, shopping, document processing, etc. As the number of personal transactions handled online have grown, so has the risk of having personal accounts compromised. Sometimes, when one logs in onto the computer to check your bank or credit card balance, one might see a large disparity between what they believe the account balance should be and what they see. The first thing one thinks is, "I've been breached. Someone has been here since I last visited and made transactions without my knowledge." Then as one is frantically double-checking their accounts, they may deduce that they had forgotten a large transfer or purchase—which explains the balance gap.
There is a need for a visual method to confirm that you were the last visitor to the site and to use that information in a safeguarding manner.
This idea is needed because sometimes people need a quick visual confirmation that they were the last ones to visit their site. Many times, people may break into a computer account and not do anything that particular visit. Or, if it is to steal or compromise information, they may learn your private information and not alter anything.
It would be good to have a passive way and an active way to detect non-changing snooping on your personal accounts.

System and method for providing last log-in screen shots for security confirmation

International Business Machines Corporation


The present invention provides a shim for a valve drive mechanism which is interposed between a pad surface of a rocker arm and a stem end surface of a valve. The shim includes a ship top surface that is contacted by the pad surface. The shim top surface is rotated about a center thereof to be cut, is provided with a center hole at the center thereof, and is shaped such that the pad surface does not contact an intersection line between an inner peripheral surface of the center hole and the shim top surface when the rocker arm is swung.

In some valve drive mechanisms in which a valve 52 is opened and closed by a rocker arm 50 as shown in FIG. 4A, a shim 55 having a predetermined thickness selected from a plurality of ranks of shims is interposed between a pad surface 51 of the rocker arm 50 and a stem end surface 53 of the valve 52 to adjust a valve clearance. The plurality of ranks of shims have respective plate-like portions with thicknesses that differ by several tens of μm (Patent Literature 1). The shim 55 includes a plate-like portion 56 and a tubular portion 57 extending downward from the peripheral portion of the plate-like portion 56. The valve 52 is fitted into the tubular portion 57 from below so that the stem end surface 53 contacts the lower surface of the plate-like portion 56, which causes the pad surface 51 to contact a shim top surface 58 which is the upper surface of the plate-like portion 56.
The shim top surface 58 is prepared by a variety of methods. In the case where the shim top surface 58 is prepared by cutting, the shim 55 is set onto a lathe, and rotated about a center X of the shim top surface 58. A blade is applied to the shim top surface 58 to perform cutting. At the center X of the shim top surface 58, the peripheral speed is 0 even during rotation, and thus cutting cannot be performed. Therefore, a center hole 59 has been formed at the center X before the cutting. The center hole 59 does not disappear but remains even after the cutting, and an intersection line a between an inner peripheral surface 60 of the center hole 59 and the shim top surface 58 defines a corner portion of an opening edge of the center hole 59.
The shim top surface 58 has been crowned with its center bulged upward by a difference in height of about 1 to 20 μm as shown in FIG. 4B for the purpose of preventing corner contact due to misalignment with respect to the rocker arm 50, that is, a phenomenon that a corner of the pad surface 51 contacts the shim top surface 58 when the rocker arm 50 is tilted. This crowning is also intended to facilitate cutting.
Similarly, the pad surface 51 facing downward has also been crowned with its center bulged downward by a difference in height of about 1 to 30 μm in the width direction, and with its center bulged downward by a radius of curvature of about 10 to 20 mm in the longitudinal direction.
In FIGS. 4B and 4C, the curves of the shim top surface 58 and the pad surface 51 are shown as exaggerated compared to the actual curves for clarity.

Shim for valve drive mechanism, and valve drive mechanism