A boxing training target is formed with a central, elongated, elastic bungee cord at its core. The elastic, bungee cord core line is encompassed within a plastic sheath that is surrounded by a resilient foam jacket having an outer diameter of between about one-half and six inches. The jacket extends over a length of at least about five feet of the core line in an area corresponding to the vertical level of the head, torso, and legs of an opponent. A sheath surrounds the jacket and has indicia thereon at different vertical levels. The elastic bungee cord is maintained in tension between an overhead support and a floor support. As blows are delivered to the target, the target quivers laterally thus necessitating good hand and eye coordination to repeatedly land blows upon the target. The vertically separated indicia provide different target areas for a boxer to vary the vertical level at which successive blows are delivered.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a training device or apparatus useful for improving the pugilistic skills of a boxer or the skills of practitioners of other martial arts.
2. Description of the Prior Art
For many years boxers have utilized punching bags and large stuffed, punching dummies as targets to improve their boxing skills. A typical, conventional punching bag has a generally pear-shaped configuration and is formed of a leather cover having an inflated rubber bladder therewithin. A conventional punching bag is about one foot in length and typically hangs from an overhead omnidirectional swivel. A punching bag is advantageous because it improves eye and hand coordination for repeated punches at the same target area. However, it does not train a boxer to improve hand and eye coordination in making rapid vertical shifts in the target area.
A punching dummy allows a boxer to vary the target area of successive punches vertically, but does little to enhance hand and eye coordination.
Various devices have been created as training aids to improve the skills of boxers and other athletes. Some of these are described in the following issued U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,685,495; 770,869; 4,749,185; 264,931; 5,700,229; 426,944; 318,766; and 3,785,643. However, none of these prior devices is particularly effective in improving a boxer""s skills in making repeated, accurate punches while rapidly vertically shifting the target area for successive punches.
The present invention is a device that can be used by boxers and martial arts enthusiasts for training purposes. The training device is designed to be mounted between a stationary overhead support and a base support located vertically beneath in the floor of a training area. The device may be between about five and ten feet in length. At its upper end it has a snap ring or some other catch or fastener mechanism to engage a ceiling fastener and an inextensible strap of adjustable length with an adjustment buckle or Velcro fasteners that allow the effective length of the strap to be adjusted between a few inches or as much as several feet.
The lower end of the strap terminates in a loop or eye or some other catch or coupling mechanism that may be engaged with the end of a very long bungee cord. The bungee cord may be five or more feet in length and has a coupling at its upper end to engage the adjustment strap and a coupling at its lower end to engage a floor fastener. The bungee cord is surrounded by vinyl tubing having an outer diameter of about five-eighths of an inch. Surrounding the vinyl tubing there is a cylindrical, annular sleeve of resilient foam having an outer diameter of about between about one-half and three inches. The outer surface of the foam is preferably covered with tape or some other sheath material. Also, visual indicia are marked on the outside of the sheath. This indicia may merely take the form of changes in color about every three, four, or five inches along the length of the sheath.
The resulting structure appears to an observer as a relatively thick, rope-like device having bands of different colors every few inches. A person practicing boxing or a person practicing some other form of the martial arts may utilize his or her fists or feet to jab at the different colored sections of the elongated structure. The device will yield each time is struck, but will quickly return generally to its original, upright position after each blow. Due to the resiliency of the bungee cord, the structure will waver and quiver somewhat, thus making it harder to strike each time it receives an impact. The adjustable strap can be utilized to alter the tension on the bungee cord, thus varying the extent to which the device quivers laterally. This challenges the user to maintain consistent, repeated contact with blows to the device and improves the hand-eye coordination and provides excellent training for pugilistic and martial arts endeavors.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved training device, useful to boxers and other individuals involved in the martial arts, that sharpens the skills of applying impacts to a relatively small target, while making vertical shifts in applying successive blows to the target.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a boxing training device from which a boxer can tell, through tactile sensation, or lack of tactile sensation, whether or not successive blows have been accurately applied to a target while vertically shifting the target area in successive blows.
A further object of the invention is to provide a boxing target which does not wildly gyrate when struck, but which does quiver laterally and in a fore and aft direction when impacted, and thereby presents a challenging target to a boxer to successfully land successive blows on the target.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a boxing training device that is extremely effective in improving eye and hand coordination in landing successive blows on a target that quivers about a vertical axis of alignment when the target has been struck.
An additional object of the invention is to provide a boxing target that can be stored within a relatively small volume and which can be erected for use in many different locations. For example, the target of the invention does not necessarily require the availability of the gymnasium or other facility dedicated to athletic training. The boxing target of the invention may be temporarily erected in a doorway, in a garage, or in innumerable other locations that are used for other purposes at other times.
In one broad aspect the present invention may be described as a martial arts training apparatus comprising: an elongated core line no less than about five feet in length having opposing upper and lower ends and at least a portion of which is formed of an elastic material; upper and lower couplings located respectively at the upper and lower ends of the core line for securement, respectively, to upper and lower vertically separated supports to stretch the core line therebetween; and a resilient jacket located between the couplings and surrounding the core line over a distance of at least about five feet, wherein the jacket has a minimum outer width of between about one inch-half and about six inches.
In another broad aspect the invention may be considered to be a self-defense training apparatus comprising: an elongated core line at least about five feet in length and having opposing upper and lower ends, wherein at least a portion of the core line is formed of an elastic material; upper and lower couplings respectively located at the upper and lower ends of the core line for connection, respectively, to vertically spaced upper and lower stationary supports between which the core line is maintained in tension; and an elongated, resilient jacket surrounding the core line over a length of at least five feet and having an outer dimension measured transverse to the core line of between about one-half and about six inches.
In still another aspect the invention may be considered to be a boxing training target comprising: an elongated core line, at least about five feet in length and at least a portion of which is elastic, having opposing upper and lower ends; an upper coupling at the upper end of the core line for securement to a stationary, overhead support; a lower coupling at the lower end of the core line for securement to a stationary base support to maintain tension on the core line between the upper and lower couplings; and an annular, resilient jacket disposed about the core line and surrounding it throughout a length of at least about five feet, wherein the jacket has an outer diameter of between about one-half and about six inches.
The invention may be described with greater clarity and particularity by reference to the accompanying drawings.


Phasor measurement units (108) provide phasor data from various locations (102) in an electrical power system. The phasor data is referenced to a common timing signal. Non-phasor measurement data is also obtained at various locations in the power system. A phasor assisted state estimator (120) uses the phasor data and the non-phasor data to determine the power system state.

The present application relates to the use of phasor measurements in electrical power system state estimation. It finds particular application to the integration of voltage and current phasors in the state estimation process.
Power system state information plays an important role in the operation and analysis of electrical power systems. Indeed, state information can be used for a number of purposes, including system security and contingency analyses, system optimization, and even the creation and operation of markets for electrical energy.
Traditionally, state estimators have performed an indirect estimation of the power system state (i.e., voltage magnitude and angles at the network buses, tap positions of tap changing transformers, etc.) using non-phasor measurements such as power flows and voltage and current magnitudes, to name a few. More recently, however, phasor measurement units (PMUs) have been developed. PMUs provide time-stamped measurements of voltage and current phasors at various locations in the power system. This additional information can be used to improve the network state estimation.
One of the difficulties inherent in providing phase angle measurements in a widely dispersed system, however, is the need to synchronize the measurements to a common reference frame. To this end, PMUs have provided phasor measurements which are synchronized based on time signals from the global positioning system (GPS). Moreover, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Synchrophasor standard defines a phasor's instantaneous phase angle in relation to Universal Time Coordinated (UTC), hence fixing the frame of reference for the PMU phasor measurements.
Due to the nature of power system networks, where the power flows on branches on the network are a function of the differences of the voltage phase angles across the branches, a reference or slack bus is chosen in order to render the state estimation problem solvable. Thus, a common reference angle, known as the slack bus angle, has been selected for the state estimation process. While it is generally possible to assign the slack bus angle to an arbitrary value, it is typically set to zero.
As will be appreciated, it is necessary to reconcile the phasor measurement and state estimator reference frames. This can be accomplished by requiring that a reference PMU be placed at the location of the slack bus and computing the angles of the various PMUs with respect to the reference PMU. Unfortunately, however, such an arrangement renders the system vulnerable to the loss of the signal provided by the reference PMU, for example due to an outage at a measurement location, a failure of the reference PMU, or a communication failure. While it is possible to compensate for such a loss, the process for doing so is relatively time-consuming and complex.

Estimation of real-time power system quantities using time-synchronized measurements


Method, article of manufacture and apparatus for monitoring operating characteristics of a system comprising a variable speed vacuum pump. Operating characteristics reflective of gas load on the pump are observed for behavior indicating a change in the gas load. In one embodiment, the operating characteristic is the current in a power signal being provided to the pump.

1 Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to vacuum pumping systems.
2. Description of the Related Art
Semiconductor wafer processing is generally performed in process chambers having sub-atmospheric pressures. Vacuum pumping systems are commonly utilized to achieve and maintain sub-atmospheric pressures within the processing chambers and are typically remotely located (i.e., outside the clean room) to prevent adverse affects on substrate processing.
Vacuum pumping systems serving a typical process chamber generally have a pumping capacity in the range of 1600 l/min up to 25,000 l/min in order to satisfy the needs of typical substrate processing operations. Vacuum pumping systems of this capacity generally consume up to about 6 kilowatts per hour of electricity. Further, vacuum pumps are typically operated at full speed throughout processing, while pressure is controlled by gas flow, throttle valve and isolation valve actuation. Accordingly, vacuum pumping systems are a significant source of power consumption in semiconductor processing systems, as well as other systems.
As a result, new approaches to reducing power consumption are constantly being explored. Reducing the power consumption is desirable both for reducing the energy associated with maintaining vacuum pressures and for reducing the heat generated and subsequent cooling requirements of the vacuum system, the clean room and the facility. Additionally, conservation of energy is additionally desirable for social, economic and environmental benefits.
One possible approach to conserving power is to utilize variable speed pumps. Typically, variable speed vacuum pumping systems include a motor driver which operates to maintain a selected speed setpoint(s). The speed setpoint(s) is determined according to the desired processing conditions. During operation, the speed of the pump may be changed according to the selected speed setpoints. By controlling the speed of the pump it is possible to slow the motor speed when a higher speed is not needed. However, this manner of speed control requires substantial changes to system software in order to integrate a variable speed pump into existing systems. Making software changes to existing systems is both expensive and time-consuming, and requires tracking a number of different software versions.
Therefore, there is a need for a vacuum pumping system that reduces power consumption.
The present invention generally provides methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture for monitoring operating characteristics of a system comprising a variable speed vacuum pump.
One embodiment provides a method of operating a variable speed pump in a vacuum processing environment comprising a vacuum chamber in fluid communication with the variable speed pump and wherein the variable speed pump is in electrical communication with a power source. The method comprises actuating the variable speed pump; sensing an operating characteristic of the variable speed pump indicative of a gas load on the pump; and in response to determining a predetermined behavior of the sensed operating characteristic, changing a speed of the variable speed pump.
Another embodiment provides a method of monitoring at least one operating characteristic of a variable speed pump in a vacuum processing environment comprising a vacuum chamber in fluid communication with the variable speed pump and wherein the variable speed pump is in electrical communication with a power source. The method comprises actuating the variable speed pump by provision of a power signal to the variable speed pump; monitoring a behavior of the power signal; and determining a change in the gas load by analysis of the monitored power signal.
Another embodiment provides a method of operating a variable speed pump in a vacuum processing environment comprising a vacuum chamber in fluid communication with the variable speed pump and wherein the variable speed pump is in electrical communication with a power source. The method comprises operating the variable speed pump; for an operating speed of the variable speed pump, sensing an operating characteristic of the variable speed pump reflective of a gas load on the pump; and reducing a speed of the variable speed pump when the sensed operating characteristic is indicative of a predetermined gas load characteristic requiring less than the operating speed of the pump.
Yet another embodiment provides a computer readable medium containing a program which, when executed, performs an operation for controlling a variable speed pump in a vacuum processing environment comprising a vacuum chamber in fluid communication with the variable speed pump and wherein the variable speed pump is in electrical communication with a power source. The operation comprises actuating the variable speed pump; sensing an operating characteristic of the variable speed pump indicative of a gas load on the pump; and in response to determining a predetermined behavior of the sensed operating characteristic, changing a speed of the variable speed pump.
Yet another embodiment provides a computer readable medium containing a program which, when executed, performs an operation for monitoring at least one operating characteristic of a variable speed pump in a vacuum processing environment comprising a vacuum chamber in fluid communication with the variable speed pump and wherein the variable speed pump is in electrical communication with a power source. The operation comprising actuating the variable speed pump by provision of a power signal to the variable speed pump; monitoring a behavior of the power signal; and determining a change in the gas load by analysis of the monitored power signal.
Yet another embodiment provides a computer readable medium containing a program which, when executed, performs an operation for operating a variable speed pump in a vacuum processing environment comprising a vacuum chamber in fluid communication with the variable speed pump and wherein the variable speed pump is in electrical communication with a power source. The operation comprises, for an operating speed of the variable speed pump, sensing an operating characteristic of the variable speed pump reflective of a gas load on the pump; and issuing a control signal to reduce a speed of the variable speed pump when the sensed operating characteristic is indicative of a predetermined gas load characteristic requiring less than the operating speed of the pump.
Still another embodiment provides a pump speed controller, comprising: a processor; a sensor interface connected to the processor for receiving sensor input from a sensor configured to collect pump operating data; and a control signal interface connected to the processor for transmitting a control signal to a variable speed vacuum pump; wherein the processor is configured by instructions to perform an operation comprising outputting a control signal instructing the variable speed vacuum pump to change its speed upon receipt, via the sensor interface, of pump operating data indicative of a changing gas load on the variable speed vacuum pump.
Yet another embodiment provides a vacuum pump control system, comprising: a vacuum chamber; a variable speed vacuum pump connected to the vacuum chamber; a power supply in electrical communication with the variable speed vacuum pump; a sensor configured to collect operating characteristic information of the speed controller, wherein the operating characteristic information is reflective of a gas load on the variable speed vacuum pump; and a pump speed controller in communication with the variable speed vacuum pump and the sensor and configured to issue speed control signals to the variable speed pump in response to sensor input from the sensor.


A system and methods for estimating the size of a parcel based on a mathematical formula derived from other parcels within a size category. The system may include a variety of modules in communication with a relational database for storing data related to parcels being delivered. Similar data may be retrieved from a variety of sources with embodiments of the present invention prioritizing the data based on the reliability of the source. In a further aspect, equipment needs are forecasted by evaluating parcel data over a period of time.

1. Technical Field
The following disclosure relates generally to the field of forecasting and, more particularly, to a system, method, and apparatus for analyzing actual shipping data in a worldwide shipping network to estimate the number of items or parcels per container, per aircraft or other vehicle, per day, along a particular shipping lane or route.
2. Description of Related Art
A significant challenge facing shipping enterprises such as United Parcel Service, Federal Express, DHL and postal services is determining future equipment needs such as, for example, the number of trucks needed to transport an expected volume of parcels from point to point. A parameter presently used to determine these needs is the number of items per container for a particular route, which is often referred to as the container density.
Currently, container density is estimated using a quick visual inspection, which often produces unreliable data. Typically, an individual will report the number of items loaded into a container and estimate the percentage of the container utilized by the loaded items. Using this data, the shipping enterprise makes equipment deployment and purchasing decisions. For example, the enterprise may decide not to add containers to a particular route if the estimated percent usage of the current container is low. However, because this data is based on unreliable estimates, additional equipment may be purchased when it is not necessary or insufficient quantities of containers may be available to handle an expected parcel volume.
Thus, there is a need in the art for systems and methods that provide a more accurate measure of container capacity usage and, in turn, provide a reliable forecast of future equipment needs.

Systems and methods for forecasting container density


A process for the manufacture of 6-aliphatic C.sub.2-20 -carboxylic acid esters of ascorbic acid by esterifying the ascorbic acid with an aliphatic C.sub.2-20 -carboxylic acid halide in the presence of a N,N-dialkyl-alkanecarboxylic acid amide, of a cyclic amide of the 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone type, of a tetraalkylcarbamide such as tetramethylurea, of a cyclic carbamide of the 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone type or of a phosphoric acid triamide of the hexamethylphosphoric acid triamide type. The 6-ascorbyl linolate which can be manufactured in this manner is novel and is likewise an object of the present invention. The thus-manufacturable 6-aliphatic C.sub.2-20 -carboxylic acid esters of ascorbic acid are important alternative application forms of L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is concerned with a novel process for the manufacture of ascorbic acid 6-esters which are important alternative application forms of L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C).
2. Description
Vitamin C is known not only as an additive to foodstuffs for human beings and animals, but also as an antioxidant, especially for fats and oils. In contrast to vitamin C itself, the vitamin C esters are oil-soluble, which leads, for example, to an increased efficacy as antioxidants.

Process for producing ascorbic acid 6-esters


A testing device includes a laser source, a current testing device, and a processor. The processor includes a user interface, a control unit, a calculation unit, and a data generation unit. The user interface receives user inputs to determine control parameters. The control unit controls the laser source to emit a laser beam on a photoelectric conversion die according to the control parameters. The laser beam has an optical output power value P. The control unit also controls the current testing device to measure a current value I output by the photoelectric conversion die after the laser beam irradiating on the photoelectric conversion die. The calculation unit calculates a photoelectric conversion efficiency F according to the formula: F=P/I. The data generation unit processes the photoelectric conversion efficiency F which indicates the electro-optical property of the photoelectric conversion die.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to photoelectric conversion elements and, particularly, to a testing method and a testing device for a photoelectric conversion die.
2. Description of Related Art
Photoelectric conversion elements include a photoelectric conversion die and a package packaging the photoelectric conversion die. An electro-optical conversion property of the photoelectric conversion element, which determines if the photoelectric conversion element is qualified, mainly depends on an electro-optical conversion property of the photoelectric conversion die. However, a quality of the photoelectric conversion element is only tested after being packaged. As such, an unsatisfactory unqualified photoelectric conversion die will not be discovered until after the electronic product is packaged, which wastes time and materials.
Therefore, it is desirable to provide a testing method and testing device for a photoelectric conversion die which can overcome the above-mentioned shortcomings.

Testing method and testing device for photoelectric conversion die


A method for pre-allocating memory for object-based cache data is provided in which request for an object having an associated property parameter that defines the memory requirements for the object. In response, a table of allocation buckets is searched for a bucket having the associated property parameter that can at least meet the memory requirements for the requested object. If an object identifier (OID), having a previously allocated physical address in main memory, is identified in the table of allocation buckets then the identified OID is assigned to the object. The object is stored in the object cache with the assigned OID, and the OID is removed from the bucket. Also included is a table of allocation buckets in a computer system in which each of a plurality of buckets is capable of holding object identifiers (OIDs). Each object identifier (OID) has a pre-allocated physical memory, with buckets of the table of allocation buckets being replenished by recycling a previously used OID when the object associated with the OID is reclaimed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the design of a computer system that supports an object-based memory hierarchy where the system manages objects. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for the efficient allocation of memory, by pre-allocating physical memory addresses to object identifiers.
2. Description of the Related Art
As object-based systems become widespread, the need for storing a large number of objects is becoming increasingly important. As processor speeds rise, these object stores need to provide fast access to large collections of repeatedly used objects so that system throughput is not interrupted.
FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a typical memory hierarchy for a conventional object-based system 100. The system 100 includes a processor 110, which is connected to an object cache 112. The object cache 112 is connected to a translator 114, which is connected to main memory 118. The main memory 118 is indexed by physical addresses 119 and is shown to include an object table 116.
The object cache 112 is a form of fast memory holding recently accessed objects. A cache line in the object cache 112 generally contains part of an object or a whole object. The objects stored in the object cache 112 are accessed through load or store instructions. Within each such instruction, the part of the object being accessed is identified by two components, an object identifier (OID) and an offset. These two components form an address which is used to access the objects stored in the object cache 112 without having to access the main memory 118.
However the problem arises when there is a cache miss such as a load or store request that cannot be satisfied by the object cache 112. In such situations the main memory has to be accessed using a physical address 119. The translator 114 uses an object table 116 to obtain the physical address 119 corresponding to an object, as illustrated by arrow 115. For each object in the main memory 118 there is a corresponding object table entry 117 that contains the corresponding physical address 119. The translator 114 uses the OID as an index into the object table 116 to obtain the physical address 119 for an object.
In the above described scheme, the translator 114 is also assigned the task of allocating memory when a new object is to be stored in the main memory 118. The allocation process through the translator 114 involves finding the object table entry 116 and assigning to it a free memory address range in the main memory 1118. However, the process of going through the translator 114 to allocate memory space in the main memory 118 can be time consuming and may result in delay. Furthermore, in cases where a garbage collector deallocates objects which are no longer in use, in order to reclaim memory, the objects need to be completely dismantled. The garbage collector may be required to clear the object table entry 117 for each reclaimed object, which is likely to entail a cache miss. Later, when the same OID is reused, the object table entry 117 must be rebuilt, which again is likely to entail a cache miss. These additional steps can significantly slow both the allocation and reclamation operations.
Also, at the present time the memory allocation by the translator 114 is accomplished by hardwiring an allocation strategy into the translator. This complicates the design of the translator. As there are different types of allocating algorithms presently available it would be limiting on the functionality of an object-based system to have a particular allocation strategy hardwired into the translator for the life of the system.
In view of the foregoing, there is a need for an object-based system that simplifies the process of translating and allocating memory space when objects are to be stored in the main memory, and further, there is a need for an allocation scheme that can be easily improved or modified in accordance with improvements in technology or application.

Memory space management for object-based memory system


A number of cases are stored horizontally in a stack in a magazine. A bottom upper-inner flap of a flat folded case is folded downward to open the case by a flap-folding member while the case is being lifted from a magazine station to a flap-folding station, and while attracted to and held by a suction cup. The case is opened during this lifting and folding step. Once the bottom upper-inner flap has been folded downward, it comes into the space between the bottom outer flaps. The bottom upper-inner flap, which has been folded downward, pushes the left outer flap during the lifting operation. As the case is lifted higher and higher, both outer side flaps are opened simultaneously. The case is therefore gradually opened, during lifting, thereby forming a hollow cylindrical case. The remianing bottom flaps are closed and then sealed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of opening and assembling flat-folded cardboard cases. The invention also relates to a machine for opening and assembling flat-folded cases, and to a mechanism for opening flat-folded cases. Throughout the following description and claims, the term "case" is used to denote a box, carton or the like.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Most corrugated cardboard cases have four panels, two pairs of top flaps, and two pairs of bottom flaps. When they are stored, their panels and flaps are folded flat. To form such a flat-folded corrugated cardboard case into an open case, the flat-folded case is first opened and shaped like a hollow cylinder, then the bottom flaps are folded and sealed, thus forming a bottomed case. Goods are packed into this case through the open top, and top flaps are folded and sealed, so that the packed goods may be shipped.
A case-assembling machine is used to open flat preassembled cases, shape them into open cases, and seal the bottom flaps of these cases. To pack goods into the cases, and to fold and seal the top flaps of these cases, a packaging machine is employed.
Of the bottom flaps of each flat preassembled case, a first pair, which are to be folded first, are called "inner flaps", while a second pair, which are to be folded next, are called "outer flaps." The same naming applies to the top flaps of the flat preassembled case. Of the four main panels of the flat folded case a first two opposing panels to which are connected the inner flaps, both top and bottom, are called "end panels", while a second two opposing panels are called "side panels."
Generally, a flat folded case is formed into an open case and sealed into a bottomed case, in the following steps:
1. First, a compressive force is applied to the flat folded case as is shown in FIG. 38(a), thereby opening same into a hollow cylinder as is illustrated in FIG. 38(b).
2. Then, the inner bottom flaps, i.e., upper-inner flap F1U and lower-inner flap F1L, are folded inward, as is shown in FIG. 38(c), and the bottom outer flaps, i.e., left-outer flap F2L and right-outer flap F2R, are folded inward onto inner bottom flaps F1U and F1L, as is illustrated in FIG. 38(d). As a result, a case, closed at the bottom and open at the top, is made as is shown in FIG. 38(e).
3. Finally, adhesive tape, gummed tape, staples, hot-melt, or other sealing means is applied to the folded outer bottom flaps F2L and F2R, thereby sealing the bottom of the case, as is illustrated in FIG. 38(f).
As has been described, a flat folded case is opened, shaped and sealed. Outer bottom flaps F2L and F2R tend to open by themselves immediately after they have been folded inward as is shown in FIG. 38(d). Unless these outer bottom flaps are strongly held at the folded position, the case will be deformed. In order to prevent such deformation of the case, both outer bottom flaps F2L and F2R are held together, with their opposing edges abutting on each other, while the sealing means such as adhesive tape is being applied to the abutting edges of flaps F2L and F2R. If the opposing edges of these outer flaps are spaced apart while the sealing means is being applied, the case will not only have a poor appearance, but also be insufficiently strong.
According to JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards), flat, corrugated cardboard cases are classified into A type, B type, and C type. The A type is sub-classified into A-1 to A-5 types; the B type is sub-classified into B-1 to B-6 types; the C type is sub-classified into C-1 to C-3 types. Of the cases of these sub-classes, the A-1 type case is the most popular.
As is illustrated in FIGS. 39 and 40, inner flaps F1 of the A-1 type case have a width f1, and outer flaps F2 thereof have a width f2. Widths f1 and f2 are equal, and are half the width W of the case. Namely, f1=f2=W/2. Therefore, when outer flaps F2 are folded inward onto inner flaps F1 already folded inwardly, their opposing edges abut on each other, and extend along the center line of the case. When sealing means, such as adhesive tape, is applied to the abutting edges of outer flaps F2, it also extends straight along the center line of the case. Hence, the bottom of the case is sealed strongly, and the sealed bottom looks tidy. This is the reason why the A-1 type case is used more commonly than any of the other types.
As for the other flat A type cases, i.e., the A-2 to A-5 type cases, the inner flaps F1 and outer flaps F2 have the following relationship with the width W and length L of the cases:
A-2 Type Case: f1=f2>W/2 PA0 A-3 Type Case: f1=L/2, f2=W/2 PA0 A-4 Type Case: f1=f2=L/2 PA0 A-5 Type Case: f1=f2>L/2
In the case of the A-3 type case, the abutting edges of the outer flaps extend along the center line of the case, as can be understood from FIG. 40. Therefore, the case-assembling machine designed for the A-1 type case can be employed also to assemble the A-3 type case, though the A-3 type case is used in less numbers than the A-1 type case.
The corrugated cardboard cases of the sub-classes of each type are commercially available, which are different in length L, width W, and depth D. The case-assembling machine for the A-1 type case is generally considered to be a standard one, whereas the machines for assembling any other types of cases are regarded as custom-made ones. The A-1 case-assembling machine needs to be versatile enough to make the A-1 cases of various sizes. In addition, the case guiding mechanism, case opening mechanism, flap-holding mechanism and case-sealing mechanism of the A-1 case-assembling machine must be adjusted such that they can open, shape, and seal A-1 type cases of different sizes. Here arises a problem with the conventional case-assembling machines, as will be explained below.
The conventional case-assembling machines, including those for assembling A-1 type cases, have a belt conveyor for transporting flat folded preassembled cases. While each flat folded case is being transported, it is first opened, then shaped, and finally sealed. More specifically, as is shown in FIG. 40, the flat folded case is loaded on the conveyor belt, with its two outer flaps of each pair, facing upward and downward, respectively. Obviously, the flat folded case for a case of a specific type has a width different from that of the flat folded case for a case of another type. Hence, to assemble cases of any other type than those which the machine has been assembling, the case guiding mechanism, the case opening mechanism, the flap-folding mechanism, and the sealing mechanism must be aligned to the center line of the folded cases for the cases of the other type. It usually takes a long time to align these mechanisms with the center line of the folded cases for the other type cases. The operation efficiency of the case-assembling machine is inevitably low. Since the machine repuires a device for aligning these mechanisms with the center line of the flat folded cases for any type case which the machine can assemble, the machine is rather complex, large, and heavy. In other words, if the machine is versatile enough to assemble cases of various types and sizes, it cannot be compact or light.
The method of assembling corrugated cardboard cases by means of the conventional machine described above gives rise to trouble in the process of holding the flaps of the cases. As can be seen from FIGS. 38(b) and 38(c), either inner flap F1 cannot be folded inward if either or both of the outer flaps F2 have been closed very little. When either inner flap is folded inward, with either or both outer flaps F2 closed, the inner flap F1 abuts on outer flap or flaps F2, and is interposed, as a bridge, between outer flaps F2. This trouble, occurring when either or both outer flaps F2 are closed, is known as "bridging." If inner flap F1 is forcedly folded inward in spite of the bridging, both the inner flap and the outer flaps will be deformed or broken, rendering the cardboard case unusable.
Therefore, a new type of a case-assembling machine has been invented which has a sensor for detecting such bridging. As soon as the sensor detects a bridging, that is, as soon as the detector detects a stress being applied to either inner flap F1, the flap-folding mechanism of the machine is automatically stopped, to thereby prevent the deformation or rupture of the case. The interruption of the flap-folding process inevitably reduces the efficiency of the case-assembling operation.
Another new type of a case-assembling machine has been developed which also has a sensor for determining whether or not either outer flap F2 is in a closing position to prevent inner flaps F1 from being folded inward, and a flap-folding mechanism first opens up the outer flaps from the closing positions and then folds the inner flaps F1 inward. The flaps cannot be folded fast, and the case-assembling efficiency is rather low. Further, due to the necessary use of the sensor and the flap-folding mechanism, which not only folds flaps but also opens them, the machine as a whole is complex in structure.

Method and apparatus for storing flat-folded cases in a pile, and for opening and sealing said cases


Provided are improvements to photo detecting devices and methods for enhancing the sensitivity of photo detecting devices. A photo detecting device generates an electronic signal in response to a received light pulse. An electro-mechanical acoustic resonator, electrically coupled to the photo detecting device, damps the electronic signal and increases the signal noise ratio (SNR) of the electronic signal. Increased photo detector standoff distances and sensitivities will result.

1. Field of the Invention
The present disclosure relates to photo detecting devices, and more specifically to improvements for providing enhanced sensitivity to photo detecting devices and methods of enhancing the sensitivity of photo detecting devices.
2. Description of the Related Art
Photo detecting devices are found in everything from television remote controls to advanced weapon guidance systems. Photo detecting devices are generally defined as any radiant electromagnetic detecting apparatus. Examples may include photoresistors, photovoltaics, photodiodes, etc.
Electromagnetic radiation is classified by wavelength into radio, microwave, infrared, ultraviolet, X-rays and gamma rays. When light waves strike materials within certain photo detecting devices, a voltage and current are generated, or a change in electrical resistance will occur. As long as the light is present, the electrical voltage and current will modulate; and it stops when the light is removed. Any of the above conditions may be used to change the flow of electrical current or voltage in an external circuit and thus may be used to monitor the presence of the light and to measure the light's intensity.
The wavelength response of a photo detecting device shows a long-wavelength cutoff. If the wavelength is longer than the cutoff wavelength, the light energy is too small to produce a free electron and the response of the photo detector drops to zero. Photo detection device sensitivity to light pulses is generally developed during device fabrication, and there exists little means to improve sensitivity after fabrication. In some instances, electronic instrumentation is used to lower photo detecting device output noise. However, these instruments have low quality factors that reduce their ability to detect very low signals.
An electro-mechanical acoustic resonator is a mechanical device that will resonate when excited by a voltage in an electrical circuit. Some examples of electro-mechanical acoustic resonators include quartz crystal tuning forks, quartz crystal microbalances, microcantilevers and piezoelectric actuators. Quartz crystal tuning forks are typically used to keep extremely accurate time in quartz watches. The piezoelectric properties of quartz cause the quartz tuning fork to generate a pulsed electrical current as it resonates. Quartz crystal microbalances measure the change in frequency of a quartz crystal resonator and can be used to dampen oscillations. Microcantilevers work by measuring the change in deflection or vibrational frequency of the microcantilever. Piezoelectric actuators are transducers that convert electrical energy into a mechanical displacement or stress. The Piezoelectric effect is reversible, so an applied stress is capable of producing electrical energy in proportion to the stress on the material. The piezoelectric effect typically occurs in non conductive materials such as crystals and quartz.

Acoustic enhancement for photo detecting devices


A basket on a wheeled frame has as its front and side walls a generally U-shaped mesh and a planar mesh as the floor. A rear gate closes an open rear of the basket and pivots upward when another cart is nested therein. A basket top margin is reinforced by an inner and outer horizontal ring, both running along the upper terminuses of vertical struts of the U-shaped mesh, and by vertical struts of larger diameter uniformly distributed among the other vertical struts. A bottom outside horizontal ring makes smooth the bottom corners of the basket. Bumper strips are mountable on top the terminuses of said vertical struts. A raised collapsible pocket inside the basket has as its front wall a panel moveable between an open position tilted away from the rear gate and a collapsed position flat against the rear gate. The panel is also a back rest for a seated child. A floor of the pocket collapses downwardly of its own weight through a hole defined by the panel as the panel is collapsed. Holes in the rear gate accommodate a child's legs. A hole closure is moveable between a raised position against the rear gate and a lowered position resting on the pocket floor, and has an inclined forward edge by which it is forced by a collapsing panel into its raised position where it will remain until intentionally lowered by an operator. Bumpers mount on front vertical corners of the basket.

This invention relates to nesting grocery carts with an open-top container having a rearwardly collapsible, raised pocket therein for use as a rear-facing child's seat or a carrying bin.
Prior art grocery carts with a rearwardly collapsible, baby seat show a cart consisting of a wheeled frame with a wire mesh, open-top container (commonly called a "basket") mounted thereon. A panel which serves as a back rest for a child is pivoted at the rear of the container and is movable between two stable positions: a collapsed position flat against the container rear wall and an open position where it is tilted away from said rear wall. A base member (commonly called a "baby seat") which serves as a horizontal base for a child's seat is pivoted to the basket's rear wall and linked to the panel such that when the panel is in its collapsed position the base member is also collapsed either downwardly or upwardly against the rear wall, and when the panel is in its open position, the base member is generally horizontal between the panel and the rear wall. The rear wall of the basket defines a pair of leg holes or one large hole with a vertical crossbar to accommodate a seated child's legs which hang out the back of the basket through the holes. To close these holes when the baby seat is being used as a carrying bin to store groceries, purses and/or other items, a leg hole closure, usually a plate, is pivotally mounted and is movable to two stable positions: a raised position in which it closes said holes, and a lowered position where it provides a seat for the buttocks of a child.
Prior art grocery carts adapted to be nested together in telescopic fashion show a cart identical to the type previously described except that the rear wall of the basket is an upwardly swinging gate, and the baskets are generally tapered-down from back to front so that a substantial portion of the basket from one cart can be inserted into the basket of another cart from the rear, the rear gate of the receiving cart being pushed swingingly up and out of the way by the entering cart.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,891,801 by H. J. Sides and U.S. Pat. No. 2,896,959 by F. W. Young et al. both show a nesting grocery cart, as described above, with a container having an upwardly swinging rear gate and a raised pocket with a base member. In each case a rear end of the base member is pivoted to the container's rear gate and a front end of the base member rides vertical struts of the panel upward by force applied to it by the panel when the panel is being pushed to its collapsed position. In such an arrangement the base member can stick for various reasons (e.g. deformation due to rough treatment, corrosion and Wear) causing resistance to the collapse of the panel. Furthermore, any mechanical advantage gained by the panel acting as a lever against the base member decreases as the panel is moved closer to the rear wall of the container because the line of application of force moves up the vertical struts resulting in a decrease in effective lever arm length.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,890,059 by W. Brooks et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 2,911,227 by L. N. Davis both show a similar nesting grocery cart with a container having an upwardly swinging rear gate and a raised pocket with a base member. In each case a front end of the base member is pivoted to the panel and a rear end of the base member rides the container's rear gate upward when the panel is being collapsed. This arrangement also has the disadvantages inherent in designs where an end of the base member rides struts upward by force applied to it by a collapsing panel. This invention presents a base member which is not forced up, but rather it collapses downward of its own weight.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,890,057 by L. N. Davis and French Patent 84.169 by Ateliers Reunis S. A. both show a similar nesting grocery cart with a container having an upwardly swinging rear gate and a raised pocket with a base member. In each case the base member is pivoted to the container's rear gate, but as the panel collapses the base member collapses through an opening in the panel. These patents also each show a leg hole closure plate pivoted at the pivotal junction of the base member and the rear gate. In both cases the leg hole closure plate collapses downward through the panel with the base member when the panel is collapsing. When the panel is reopened the leg hole closure plate's initial position is the lowered position, i.e. resting on the base member. Such an arrangement is disadvantageous for most shoppers, because most shoppers do not have a small child with them and are in no need of a child's seat. However, it is well known that most shoppers tend to use the pocket to carry items, e.g. small parcels, fragile items and purses. With the initial position of the leg hole closure plate being in the lowered position, such shoppers must always move the plate to its raised position to prevent items from falling out of the leg holes in the rear gate. This invention presents a hole closure whose initial position, when the pocket is opened, is the raised position.
A problem common to all nesting cart baskets as described above is "swelling" which refers to an undesirable outward bowing of the basket walls, particularly the side walls. Swelling can be caused by cart collisions with walls, posts and the like. It can be caused by the countless impacts with the rear gates of other carts while being nested. It can also be caused, over time, by a property inherent in the vertical struts of most baskets as a result of the way said baskets are formed. Heretofore, baskets were formed by welding straight wire bars into a planar welded-wire mesh to form the floor of a basket. Extensions of the bars were then bent up to form vertical struts for the walls of the baskets, and horizontal strut "rings" were used to confine the upwardly bent portions to the desired shape. Vertical struts thusly formed have residual memory of their originally straight condition. This residual memory urges them outwardly against the rings and eventually can cause the sides to bow outwardly.
Excessive swelling can cause several problems. A swollen cart can be too wide to nest or fully nest, and even if such a cart can be nested, it can be very difficult to extract from the cart in which it is nesting. Moreover, the rear gate of a cart in which a swollen cart is nested can collapse into the nested cart making it very difficult to free the carts from each other.
Another problem common to all nesting carts as described above is "droop" which refers to the undesirable downward sagging of the front of a basket in relation to the basket's rear. Drooping is primarily a deformation, over time, of the basket due to the countless loads carried by the basket. Drooping essentially misaligns the basket's front end and prevents or makes more difficult the nesting of a drooped cart.
In addition to nesting and unnesting problems caused by swelling and droop, they can also cause the painted finish of a cart to become marred. This is so because the carts must be more violently maneuvered during nesting and unnesting operations, which maneuvers can cause rubbing and jamming of the painted surfaces resulting in unsightly scars and nicks in the paint.
A further problem common to all cart baskets described above is the exposure of the tops of the vertical struts which can be irregular and oftentimes jagged. Clothing and other items can snag on them and be damaged. This problem is so pervasive that some manufactures have gone to plastic baskets to avoid it.
A further problem is caused by the fact that the edges along the bottom of the baskets of the prior art baskets are really pluralities of individual wire corners, the wires being bend at approximately a right angle and spaced apart. Edges of table tops, counters, and the like can catch the corners of the bent wires and deform them. Besides making the basket unsightly, such deformations can themselves cause nicks and other damage to a surface, such as a counter top or table, because said edges are not smooth.
This invention presents an improved grocery cart which eliminates the problems discussed above which are inherent in prior art carts. Other advantages and attributes will either be discussed or readily discernible from a reading of the text hereinafter.


Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable media can identify a page within a social networking system. Information associated with at least one of the page or a representative of the page can be acquired. A set of calls to action implementable at the page can be identified. The set of calls to action can be ranked based on the information associated with at least one of the page or the representative of the page.

Today, people often utilize computing devices (or systems) for a wide variety of purposes. Users can use their computing devices to, for example, interact with one another, access content, share content, and create content. In some instances, users can utilize their computing devices to engage with businesses, utilize web resources, and/or access information about various subjects that may be of interest to them. For example, users of a social networking system (or service) can, via their computing devices, access various pages within the social networking system to inquire about various matters, obtain information, or perform various tasks associated with the pages.
In one example, a user can utilize a computing device to access the social networking system (or service) and view information about a resource, such as a page, within the social networking system. However, under conventional approaches specifically arising in the realm of computer technology, only limited functionality can be provided to the user via the page within the social networking system. In another example, the user can use the computing device to browse online and encounter a call to action (CTA) while browsing online. However, conventional approaches to utilizing calls to action (CTA's) can be inefficient, irrelevant, or not adequately interactive. As such, conventional approaches can create challenges for or reduce the overall experience associated with utilizing online resources, such as pages within social networking systems.

Systems and methods for ranking calls to action based on information associated with online resources


Past air intake systems have failed to effectively and efficiently utilize the arrangement of structural components to increase boost at low engine speeds. The present air intake system effectively and efficiently utilizes the arrangement of structural components to increase boost at low engine speeds. The air intake system directs intake air through a turbocharger and evaluates the quantity of flow of intake air to the engine as compared to the flow of fuel. And, depending on the results of the evaluation, a directional control valve directs the flow of intake air to a supercharger or to the engine. The supercharger is driven by a motor having a variable rate of speed as compared to the engine.

Attempts have been made to provide an efficient and effective intake air supply system for engines. One such example, utilizes a turbocharger or twin turbochargers to increase the intake air supply to the engine increasing boost pressure and increasing output power. Thus, an exhaust gas from the engine which would be spent to the atmosphere is used by recovering the heat within the exhaust to drive a turbine, increasing efficiency. With the engine operating at or near high speed, an adequate supply of exhaust is available to drive the turbocharger and produce an efficient and effective air supply system for engines. However, at low speed sufficient exhaust to drive the turbocharger and produce an adequate supply of intake air is not available. Thus, the efficiency and effectiveness of the turbocharger is lost.
Other attempts have been made to provide and efficient and effective intake air supply for engines by incorporating a supercharger or blower. In these applications, a supercharger or blower is mechanically driven by the engine such as by a belt connected to a pulley on a crankshaft or by a gear or plurality of gears driven by the engine. With these systems, the low speed engine efficiency and effectiveness can be overcome by having a fixed speed ratio between the engine and the supercharger. For example, the speed of the supercharger can be 2 or 3 times that of the engine speed. Thus, the output of the supercharger at low engine speed can deliver adequate intake air for efficient and effective engine operation at low speed. The major disadvantage of using the supercharger is that power of the engine is used to drive the supercharger and can not be deliver as output power.
Attempts have also been made to combine the turbocharger system and the supercharger system. An example of one such system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,903,488 issued to Noriyoshi Shibata on Feb. 27, 1990. The patent discloses a multiple compressed air supply system. A turbocharger is driven by an exhaust from an engine and a supercharger is drivingly connected to the engine by a belt and is driven by a crankshaft. The supercharger is driven at a constant speed relative to an engine speed. Thus, the effectiveness and efficiency of each system can be combined. However, with the system as disclosed, the efficiency and the effectiveness of the engine can be further improved.
The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems as set forth above.

Engine having increased boost at low engine speeds


Circuits, apparatuses, electrochemical device charging methods, and lithium-mixed metal electrode cell charging methods are provided. According to one aspect, a circuit includes charging circuitry adapted to apply electrical energy to an electrochemical device to charge the electrochemical device, and the electrochemical device being configured to assume an open-circuit condition in a substantially charged state; shunting circuitry electrically coupled with the charging circuitry and configured to shunt the electrical energy around the electrochemical device responsive to the electrochemical device reaching the substantially charged state; and indication circuitry configured to output a signal responsive to the shunting of the electrical energy to indicate a charge status of the electrochemical device.

This invention relates to circuits, apparatuses, electrochemical device charging methods, and lithium-mixed metal electrode cell charging methods.
The sophistication and uses of electrical devices have increased dramatically in recent years. Consumer items having electrical components are ubiquitous in communications, computing, entertainment, etc. The size of mobile telephones, notebook computers, music players, and other devices has continued to decrease while the capabilities and quality of the devices continues to increase as modern electronic components used in such devices are developed and improved upon.
Numerous people rely upon or have grown accustomed to usage of electrical consumer devices for business, education, or for other needs. Electronic consumer devices are increasingly portable to accommodate these needs during travels from home or the workplace. The sophistication and capabilities of power supplies, such as batteries, for such devices have also improved to meet the requirements of the electronic consumer devices. For example, cost, size, and capacity are some product characteristics which have been improved for the portable power supplies for electronic applications. There is a desire to provide improved devices and methodologies for maintaining and charging power supplies.


Bees are maintained in a hive complex which maintains multiple clusters of bees. The purpose of the complex is twofold: queen rearing and comb honey production. This hive allows for six compartments, each with its own entrance when used as a single story unit for queen rearing. When used for comb honey production, the first hive body can be converted to four compartments and succeeding hive bodies also divided into four compartments can then be stacked upon the first to provide additional brood space or to produce comb honey.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a method of housing four or more distinct clusters of bees in the same unit. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method of constructing the beehive so that each cluster can occupy as much space as is required for brood and honey production while remaining completely independent of other clusters also occupying the same unit, the various hive bodies are easily stackable and the hive is easily moved.
(2) Discussion of Prior Art
In 1851, Lorenzo L. Langstroth invented a beehive which has become standard in the United States, Canada, and many other countries. This beehive consists of a variable number of stacked hive bodies open at the top and bottom in which are hung frames containing individual combs, the lowermost hive body is placed upon a bottom board by which the bees enter the hive, and the uppermost hive body is covered by a lid. The most common size frame in use measures 91/8 inches high by 175/8 inches long and is referred to as a standard frame. Two size hive bodies which accommodate either ten or eight frames are most commonly used today.
Generally, commercial hives used for honey or queen production consist either of a multistoried Langstroth hive containing a single cluster of bees or a single story unit with different compartments separated by divider boards and which houses any number of separate clusters of bees. The latter beehive is built for queen production but can be employed for honey production by covering it with a queen excluder and stacking honey supers on top; the worker bees from the different clusters then mix in the honey supers. The problem in using a hive such as this for honey production is due to the fact that bees from different clusters do not readily occupy a common honey super but do so after only running out of space for honey storage in the brood chamber. Filling all available comb space with honey then prevents the queen from laying eggs and the hive population in this type of hive tends to decline with a good honey flow.
A two queen system for increased honey production is a common practice in commercial apiculture today. Double queening is achieved by maintaining the queens in different hive bodies of the same unit separated by a queen excluder. Bees produced by the different queens are allowed to mix. This two queen system has a number of disadvantages. The second queen must be slowly introduced after the hive has built up a sufficiently large population and is not always accepted. The larger population produced by a two queen hive is sometimes too late for important honey flows and can endanger the hive with starvation if there is no honey flow. The bees tend to abandon the lowermost queen during overwintering and a single queen hive results the following Spring.
In the past, a number of patents were filed which demonstrated a system by which a vertical partition of two honey bee colonies was achieved. This was accomplished by either stacking different boxes side by side (Persson, Gibbs, Pannell) or by using a single partition without easily stackable hive bodies (Parke, Huetter). These past inventions were not employed by the commercial beekeeper because they were complicated, working them was time consuming and these hives could not be easily moved.

Combination queen rearing nucleus and comb honey hive


Various embodiments for retaining diagnostic information for data in a computing storage environment are provided. In one such embodiment, a diagnostic component, apart from a volume table of contents (VTOC), associated with an integrated catalog facility (ICF) catalog and with a base data set from data sets via a catalog association record is initialized. The diagnostic component configured to retain base data set-specific diagnostic information retrievable by the computing storage environment to assist in error diagnosis and the ICF catalog is one of the data sets storing information about the data sets for facilitating a retrieval of a name of the base data set and assists with retaining and retrieval of the base data set-specific diagnostic information. The base data set-specific diagnostic information is stored pursuant to at least one event associated with the base data set.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to computers, and more particularly to a method, system, and computer program product for retaining base data set-specific diagnostic information for troubleshooting in a computing environment.
2. Description of the Related Art
The majority of businesses in the world today use computers and computer operating systems to store and manage information. The information stored in computer operating systems is typically organized into catalogs. Users may want to pass information from one catalog to another for several reasons. For example, the user might want to assign each division within a company its own catalog. Thus, the company would need to pass information associated with the division that is stored in the company catalog into a corresponding division catalog.
Catalogs are utilized to organize and locate data sets. A catalog in essence is a data set that contains information required to locate other data sets. A data set is often the fundamental unit of data storage and retrieval and typically consists of a collection of data in one of several prescribed arrangements. These arrangements are described by control information to which the computer operating system has access. A data set is a collection of logically related data records stored on a single external storage volume, or a set of volumes. A data set can be, for example, a source program, a library of macros, or a file of data records used by a processing program. A catalog does not have to be on the same volume(s) as the data sets the catalog describes. A catalog can refer to hundreds or thousands of data sets spread across many volumes.
Catalogs are sometimes structured in an integrated catalog facility (ICF). An ICF catalog may include two components. One component contains non-data-specific information, or the logical description, of a data set. The other component contains data-specific information, or the physical description, of a data set. Catalogs allow users to find and access a data set by name without knowing the exact location of the data set in memory storage. By cataloging data sets, users do not need to know about the storage setup.
Currently, when a user receives an error for a specific data set, the user must gather information from numerous sources in an attempt to pinpoint the root cause of the error. For example, the user may have to examine system logs, logrec error logs, joblogs, system management facility (SMF) records, and a variety of additional shared repositories for information related to this specific data set. The process of sorting through potentially numerous amounts of data to find small portions relating to the specific data set may expend resources, such as time and bandwidth.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

International Business Machines Corporation


A baby feeding apparatus for the preparation and warming of infant formula with audio instructions includes a baby bottle having a well and an electrical probe for insertion into the well for heating the contents of the bottle. The apparatus also includes a reservoir for containing a supply of heated fluids such as water for maintaining the temperature of the infant formula and a visual and audio indicator to advise an individual when the temperature of the formula is appropriate for feeding a child. A brush for cleaning the bottle and a cover for the apparatus are also provided.

Apparatus for heating and cooling baby bottles are well know and have been in use for many years. For example, a U.S. Pat. No. 4,597,435 of Fosco Jr. discloses a device for heating and cooling a baby bottle or similar article with a thermal transfer fluid. The device includes a container for holding the bottle in contact with a fluid such as water. The bottle is held on a platform above the bottom of a container and the liquid flows upwardly against the bottle.
A more recent approach to a bottle warmer is disclosed in a Padilla, U.S. Pat. No. 5,808,276 for a device for unattended simultaneously heating and agitating a bottle of infant formula. As disclosed, the formula preparation device comprises a housing in which a reciprocating semi-cylindrical closed in sleeve is located. The sleeve, in conjunction with a semi-cylindrical concavity in a cover of the device produces a cylindrical cavity within which a formula bottle is horizontally agitated while being heated to provide a warmed, agitated bottle of formula.
Another approach to provided heated infant formula is disclosed in a Shields et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,417,498. As disclosed therein a receptacle-type heating device for automatically warming and vibrating a multitude of containers simultaneously in order to thaw, warm and mix cold or frozen liquid in an expedient and accurate manner. The device heats each container to a desired temperature using heated water with the container. The device includes a heater block having multiple walls therein and removable reservoirs disposed respectively within the wells for receiving the water. Heating elements are disposed between the removable reservoirs and the heater block within the walls for heating the removable reservoirs, the water and the containers placed therein. The container typically is a baby bottle, syringe, test tube or the like.
Finally, a container for promoting thermal transfer is disclosed in a U.S. Pat. No. 7,287,656 of Guilford III et al. The Guilford patent discloses a container that comprises an outer shell and an inner membrane with cooperatively defined a first compartment and a second compartment. The first compartment defines a first opening through which the first compartment receives a consumable liquid, the second compartment defines a second opening through which the second compartment receives a second liquid. The first compartment and the second compartment are shaped and arranged such that greater than 50% of the surface area of the second compartment is located adjacent to the first compartment. Alternatively, the first compartment and the second compartment may be shaped and arranged such that the first compartment substantially surrounds at least a portion of the second compartment.
Notwithstanding the above it is presently believed that there is a need and a potential commercial market for an improved baby feeding apparatus of the type disclosed herein. There should be a need and a potential market for such devices because they provide an apparatus for preparing, weighing and warming infant formula with audio instructions. In addition the devices in accordance with the present invention are durable, easy to use with verbal instructions for their use, and presently believed to be manufactured at a competitive cost.


In an image forming apparatus, a calibration controller controls an exposure device to form a toner patch image for calibration in a non-printable area outside a printable area in a main scanning direction, and executes at least one of density adjustment and gradation adjustment based on a density measurement value of the toner patch image. A toner refresh controller controls the exposure device to form a toner band for toner refresh in accordance with a coverage rate. Further, when the length of the toner band to be formed in the non-printable area exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the toner refresh controller forms at least a part of the toner band to be formed in the non-printable area in parallel with a subsequent page image.

The present disclosure relates to image forming apparatus.
In the image forming apparatus of electrophotographic method, when the coverage rate at the time of printing is low, the toner consumption amount decreases, and the quality of toner in the developing roller decreases over time, and the quality of the print image also decreases. Therefore, a toner refresh operation is performed. In the toner refresh operation, a toner band is discharged from the developing device between page images (toner images) in a print image. This toner band is recovered without transfer to print paper.


Embodiments of the present invention provide a semiconductor structure and method to dissipate heat generated by semiconductor devices by utilizing backside thermoelectric devices. In certain embodiments, the semiconductor structure comprises an electronic device formed on a first side of the semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure also comprises a thermoelectric cooling device formed on a second side of the semiconductor structure in close proximity to a region of the semiconductor structure where heat dissipation is desired, wherein the thermoelectric cooling device includes a Peltier junction. In other embodiments, the method comprises forming an electronic device on a first side of a semiconductor structure. The method also comprises forming a thermoelectric cooling device on a second side of the semiconductor structure in close proximity to a region of the semiconductor structure where heat dissipation is desired, wherein the thermoelectric cooling device includes a Peltier junction.

The present disclosure relates generally to a design structure, and more specifically to a design structure for dissipating thermal energy generated by semiconductor devices utilizing backside thermoelectric devices.
The cooling of integrated circuits becomes increasingly difficult with scaling, as there are more devices per unit area per die. There are a variety of cooling solutions, for example, servers may be cooled by using large metal heat sinks, fins, and water cooling. However, for portable devices, a small form-factor cooling device is desirable. One solution involves thermoelectric cooling (hereinafter "TEC"), which uses the Peltier effect to create a heat flux between the junction of two different types of thermoelectric materials. TEC devices are solid-state active heat pumps which transfer heat from one side of the device to the other.
Thermoelectric devices formed from semiconductor thermoelectric materials do not need any liquid or gas as coolant and have the advantages of continuous work capabilities, no pollution, no moving parts, no noise, long life, small volume and light weight. However, traditional thermoelectric devices have a large volume and require a separate power supply circuit. As such, they can only be attached to an outside of 3D stacked integrated circuits, which may have issues with effectively cooling the interior high temperature areas.

Thermal energy dissipation using backside thermoelectric devices


A package that has both child-resistant and non-child-resistant modes of operation. A container has an end with an open mouth surrounded by a container wall with a central axis and at least one first lock element extending radially outwardly from the wall. A closure includes an annular base wall having inner and outer peripheral edges. A cylindrical skirt extends from the outer peripheral edge of the base wall, and at least one second lock element is disposed on the skirt. A projection extends axially from the inner peripheral edge of the base wall in a direction opposite from the skirt. The projection has an annular sidewall spaced radially inwardly from the outer peripheral edge of the skirt. The closure is adapted to be secured to the container in a child-resistant mode of operation with the second lock element on the skirt releasably engaged with the first lock element on the container wall, and with the inner peripheral edge of the base wall in resilient engagement with the outer surface of the container wall to bias the lock elements in engagement with each other and to seal the package. The closure is adapted to be inverted and secured to the container in a non-child-resistant mode of operation with the annular sidewall of the projection received in plug-sealing engagement within the container mouth.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,057,159, 4,059,198 and 4,485,932 disclose child-resistant closure and container prescription packages that include a container or vial, a closure, and a spring/seal disk arrangement disposed between the closure and the container. The closure has lugs on an inside surface of a skirt that cooperate with external locking notches or pockets on projections around the mouth of the container for securing the closure to the container. An internal abutment on the closure cooperates with the spring/seal disk(s) to urge the closure away from the container so that the lugs are resiliently captured within the notches. When it is desired to remove the closure, the closure is pushed toward the container so that the lugs clear the notches, and then turned counterclockwise. When the closure is assembled to the container, the lugs cam beneath surfaces on the projections against the force of the spring seal disk(s) until the lugs snap into the notches on the projections.
Although the closure and container packages disclosed in the noted patents have enjoyed substantial commercial acceptance and success, improvements remain desirable. For example, it can be difficult for adults with impaired dexterity to push and twist the closure with respect to the container to open the package for access to the contents. One general object of the present invention to provide a closure and container package, a closure and a container for use in such a package, and/or a method of making such a package, in which the closure can be secured to the container in a child-resistant mode of operation as described above, and in a non-child-resistant mode of operation for use by adults with impaired manual dexterity, for example, when child-resistance is not needed. It is another and more specific object of the present invention to provide a package, a container, a closure and/or a method of the described character that achieves the non-child-resistant mode of operation with little additional material, tooling or labor cost as compared with conventional child-resistant packages as described in the noted patents.
Another general object of the present invention is to provide a two-piece package of the subject type—i.e., a closure and a container without a separate spring element—in which the spring forces for holding the closure on the container are provided by resilient flexure of either or both of the closure and the container. In furtherance of this objective, another object of the invention is to provide a package in which the closure and container are economical to manufacture. A further objective is to provide a package that is readily suited to automated packaging—i.e., is automation friendly.
The present invention embodies a number of aspects that can be implemented separately from or, more preferably, in combination with each other.
A child-resistant package in accordance with a first aspect of the present invention includes a container having a wall surrounding an open mouth, a plurality of external projections extending radially outwardly from the container wall at positions spaced from the mouth, notches on undersides of the projections, and an external surface on the container wall that slopes radially inwardly and axially upwardly between the projections and the mouth. A closure has an annular base wall with an internal peripheral edge, an external a peripheral skirt and a plurality of internal lugs on the skirt. The internal peripheral edge of the base wall is engagable with the sloping external wall surface of the container between the projections and the mouth for both sealing the package and resiliently urging the closure lugs into the notches of the projections. The holding forces can be supplied by resilient flexure of the closure or the container, or both. A two-piece package in accordance with this aspect of the invention thus eliminates any need for additional spring/seal disk elements in the assembly.
A package in accordance with another aspect of the present invention has both child-resistant and non-child-resistant modes of operation. A container has an end with an open mouth surrounded by a container wall with a central axis and at least one first lock element extending radially outwardly from the wall. A closure includes an annular base wall having inner and outer peripheral edges. A cylindrical skirt extends from the outer peripheral edge of the base wall, and at least one second lock element is disposed on the skirt. A projection extends axially from the inner peripheral edge of the base wall in a direction opposite from the skirt. The projection has an annular sidewall spaced radially inwardly from the outer peripheral edge of the skirt. The closure is adapted to be secured to the container in a child-resistant mode of operation with the at least one second lock element on the skirt releasably engaged with the at least one first lock element on the container wall, and with the inner peripheral edge of the base wall in resilient engagement with the outer surface of the container wall to bias the lock elements in engagement with each other and to seal the package. The closure is adapted to be inverted and secured to the container in a non-child-resistant mode of operation with the annular sidewall of the dome received in plug-sealing engagement within the container mouth.
In the preferred embodiments of the invention, the annular base wall of the closure is flat and lies in a plane between the inner and outer peripheral edges of the base wall. The inner and outer peripheral edges of the base wall preferably are circular and concentric. In some embodiments of the invention, the portion of the container wall between the lock element(s) on the container wall and the container mouth tapers in radial thickness. This container wall portion is flexible radially inwardly upon engagement with the inner peripheral edge of the base wall in the child-resistant mode of operation, and radially outwardly upon engagement with the closure projection in the non-child-resistant mode of operation. In one embodiment, an undercut on the inner surface of the container enhances the flexibility of the container end. In other embodiments of the invention, an external stiffening bead or rib surrounds the container mouth to prevent flexure of the container wall portion surrounding the mouth, and the closure itself is resiliently flexible radially outwardly in the child-resistant mode of operation for sealing the package and biasing the locking elements in engagement with each other. In some embodiments of the invention, an external bead on the closure projection engages an internal bead on the container wall to secure the closure to the container in the non-child-resistant mode of operation. In other embodiments of the invention, an external wall on the closure surrounds the projection and externally engages the container to secure the closure to the container in the non-child-resistant mode of operation.

Closure and container package with child-resistant and non-child-resistant modes of operation


A gas turbine engine includes a turbine section that is configured to drive a fan through a fan shaft. The fan includes a plurality of fan blades rotatable about an axis of rotation of the gas turbine engine. A fan nacelle includes a first electrical machine component. The fan is located within the fan nacelle. A plurality of fan inlet guide vanes includes a second electrical machine component. The plurality of fan inlet guide vanes are rotatable about the axis.

A gas turbine engine typically includes a fan section, a compressor section, a combustor section and a turbine section. Air entering the compressor section is compressed and delivered into the combustion section where it is mixed with fuel and ignited to generate a high-energy exhaust gas flow. The high-energy exhaust gas flow expands through the turbine section to drive the compressor and the fan section. The compressor section typically includes low and high pressure compressors, and the turbine section includes low and high pressure turbines.
The turbine section drives a fan that provides a substantial portion of thrust generated by the engine. Guide vanes aft of the fan direct airflow into the compressor section to increase compressor efficiency. Airflow into the fan maybe directed to some extent by a nacelle structure surrounding the fan blades, but otherwise is not pre-conditioned.

Turbofan with motorized rotating inlet guide vane


A stand-alone platform and a method for the multi-dimensional rendering, display, manipulation, and analysis of full high resolution volumetric data sets. The systems and methods provide the ability to volumetrically render images with extremely high resolution in applications such as medical imaging procedures, digital microscopy such as in use of a confocal microscope, and other areas where extremely large data sets are produced from the imaging process. Certain embodiments of the system and methods produce left and right eye images of the rendered data, for viewing in parallax via a synchronized headset, and the ability to manipulate the data and display of image data easily and in real time.

There have been attempts to provide three-dimensional (3D) imaging of data to facilitate analysis of the data for various applications, including for use in medical imaging for example. Medical personnel have an important need to see and visualize image data of the structure and condition of a patient's internal anatomical structures. Such image data may be generated by non-invasive techniques, such as by imaging modalities which produce three dimensional (3D) image information. These techniques include, for example, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), tomographic gamma scintillation imaging, ultrasound imaging, nuclear medical imaging/spectroscopy and other techniques.
Using such medical imaging techniques, extremely large data sets are produced in many cases. The mere volume of data can make it prohibitive to attempt to use the data in generating display of the image data. It would be desirable to use the entire image data set to generate a 3D display of image data in real time, but prior attempts at volumetrically displaying the image data have not produced a system or methods which allow for such rendering while making it possible to manipulate the data for evaluation and analysis. The data sets in many cases are simply too large to handle in known display systems. Thus, such attempts have been directed at reducing the size of the data set and interpolating the data to produce a volumetric display without using all the available data. Such attempts produce results of limited value as important structures, details or information may not be seen in the displayed data. Further, it would be desirable to provide a system and methods which allow large data sets from any type of imaging device, regardless of manufacturer and/or imaging techniques, where volumetric data is produced. This includes, but is not limited to MRI data, ultrasound data, PET scan data, CT scan data, Echo data or any other imaging devices or technologies.
It would therefore be desirable to provide a medical image data display system and methods which produces a 3D volumetric representation of internal anatomical structures produced from a medical imaging technique, using all available data and providing the physician or other observer with the ability to manipulate the displayed image data interactively in real time such that the object may be viewed from various directions and in various modes in real time. It would also be desirable to generate a real time display of volumetric image data for viewing in a 3D stereoscopic format.
Other environments and applications also generate extremely large volumetric data sets, such as in the acquisition of image data using digital microscopy such as from a confocal microscope, for example, or in the acquisition of seismic data representative of a volume of earth or other medium, weather system data or in other areas. Prior systems and methods may not be suitable for real-time volume rendering to visualize a large-scale volume data set, in terms of handling the data and being cost-effective. Although very expensive and sophisticated dedicated systems may provide certain features, the cost and end user availability of such systems is prohibitive for general use. It would be desirable to provide a system which both gives high resolution of the data with stereoscopic viewing and real time manipulation of the image data for effectively visualizing information contained therein in a cost effective solution.
Prior systems are further generally unable to handle time varying data sets, which generally cannot be rendered in a form where the data can be viewed based upon its time relationship with other related data. For example, in medical imaging it would be desirable to provide the ability to image time varying data to perceive differences between the data over time. Generally, time varying data is not able to be rendered for viewing in a coherent manner, and cannot be rendered in real time to allow a user to interact with the data in the desired way.
Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional, traditional, and proposed approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of such systems and methods with the present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings.

System and methods for multi-dimensional rendering and display of full volumetric data sets


The present invention provides novel metal complexes and solutions containing the complexes which are useful for converting light energy into electrical energy. The complexes are formed by complexing certain metals, such as iron, with a carboxyl compound, chloride and ammonia to form a complex having carboxyl ligands, chloride ligands and ammonia ligands. The preferred carboxyl compound is citric acid, acetic acid or salts thereof. The invention also provides a solar cell which comprises a transparent container which contains a pair of electrodes immersed in the metal complex.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to solar voltaic storage cells which are capable of generating and storing electrical energy due to the action of sunlight on a cell having a pair of electrodes immersed in certain types of metallic complex solutions. The invention also relates to novel carboxyl metallic and related organometallic complexes for use in the solar cells.
2. Background Information
Generation of electrical power in the United States involves a heavy dependence on fossil fuels and nuclear energy, both of which have serious environmental consequences which make these sources of energy less than desirable. Alternative sources of electrical energy, particularly solar electrical generators, have been developed for a cleaner production of electricity without the environmental hazards which are associated with nuclear and fossil fuel generators. A typical device for generating electricity from sunlight utilizes certain light sensitive chemicals in a solution having electrodes immersed therein. One such device which utilizes a solution of light sensitive chemical is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,190,705. U.S. Pat. No. 4,190,705 discloses a photogalvanic cell which produces electricity due to the interaction of light with a specific light sensitive solution within the cell having one-half cell exposed to light and the other half cell exposed to dark. The light sensitive solution is acidic and contains a dye such a thionine and a metal redox couple such as Fe.sup.+.spsp.2 /Fe.sup.+.spsp.3. Each half cell contains an electrode. The reaction at the electrode exposed to light is: Th+Fe.sup.+.spsp.2 .fwdarw.Fe.sup.+.spsp.3 +Th.sup.- and the reaction at the dark electrode is Fe.sup.+.spsp.3 +e.sup.- .fwdarw.Fe.sup.+.spsp.2.
When the half cells are electrically connected, a current flows from the electrode exposed to light to the electrode exposed to dark. However, a reverse reaction at the dark electrode diminishes the efficiency of the cell. The reverse reaction is: Fe.sup.+.spsp.3 +Th.sup.- .fwdarw.Fe.sup.+.spsp.2 +Th.
In order to minimize the loss of efficiency due to the reverse reaction, the reverse reaction is suppressed by adding a complexing agent to the solution. The reverse reaction is suppressed due to the formation of a complex with the higher valent ion (e.g., Fe.sup.+.spsp.3) of the redox complex. Suitable complexes for suppressing the reverse reaction are formed by adding fluoride ions, phosphate ions, citrate ions, oxalate ions or 2-amino-propionate ions to the cell containing the dye and redox couple.
It will be readily appreciated that certain deficiencies exist with respect to the device described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,190,705. Most notable, it will be observed that the device requires that one of the electrodes be kept in the dark while the other electrode is exposed to light. Such an arrangement requires a more complex structure to assure that light does not enter into one of the half cells. In addition, the device requires the presence of thionine to carry the charge to the electrode. The presence of thionine is disadvantageous because of the above described reverse reaction which takes place at the dark electrode.
Also, U.S. Pat. No. 4,190,705 utilizes iron complexes to suppress the reverse reaction. The iron complexes serve mainly to suppress this reaction and, although they result in an increase in power output due to the suppression of the reverse reaction, the total output still remains quite low in this device. It is believed that the complexes formed in the '705 patent are not very efficient due to poor complex formation.
Accordingly, a need exists in the art to provide a more efficient solar cell which avoids the deficiencies noted above with respect to U.S. Pat. No. 4,190,705.

Organometallic solar voltaic storage cell