An apparatus and method are provided for cleaning exhaust particulate from a contaminated vehicle exhaust gas filter. Regeneration gases, oxygen content, and input heat are controlled in order to efficiently control the heat of regeneration.

Particulate traps of exhaust gases are well known in the art. Since these traps or filters become contaminated or loaded with particulate material during use, they must periodically be regenerated or cleaned of the particulate in order to prepare them for further use.
An example of heretofore regeneration apparatus and method are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,065,574 which issued on Nov. 19, 1991 to John M. Bailey and is assigned to the same company as this instant invention.
Another example is found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,875,335 which issued on Oct. 24, 1989 to Yoshimasa Arai et al.
One of the problems of filter regeneration is that heretofore methods do not disclose desirable apparatus or method for controlling the burnout process. As is known in the art, as the particulate is oxidized, large amounts of heat is generated. Undesirable high temperatures can damage the filter. It should also be understood that the amount of particulate within the filter also has an effect on the burnout temperature. It is therefore necessary to control the temperature of burnout in order to efficiently regenerate the filter without the waste of time, labor, equipment and natural resources.
The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems as set forth above.

Apparatus and method for removing particulate from an exhaust gas filter


A lens displacement device includes a flexible piece, a fixed element and a mobile element. The flexible piece has a support, a flexible part and an oscillation absorber. The flexible part connects to the support and at least one gap exists between the flexible part and the support. The oscillation absorber is installed in the gap between the flexible part and the support. Moreover, the fixed element couples to the support of the flexible piece, and the mobile element couples to the flexible part of the flexible piece. Furthermore, the flexible part of the flexible piece is deformed in shape for providing a restoration force with the mobile element. A manufacturing process of the flexible piece is also disclosed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a lens displacement device; in particular, to a lens displacement device applicable for driving a micro imaging module lens and shortening the oscillation time.
2. Description of Related Art
An optical auto-focusing (AF) is to suitably move lens in an imaging module based on distance of an object from the lens, further allowing an optical image of the object to be accurately focused on an image sensor thereby creating a clear image. At the present, commonly used lens displacement devices for enabling movement of the lens in the imaging module may include a step motor, a piezoelectric motor and a voice coil motor (VCM) and the like.
Typically, mechanism of VCM is essentially implemented by placing a coil in the magnetic circuit comprising a permanent magnet. Therefore, according to Fleming's left-hand rule, the coil generates a driving force, which is from an interaction with the permanent magnet when the coil is electrically conducted, to move a lens holder connected to the permanent magnet and a lens assembly inside the lens holder. And corresponding optical zooming and focusing are achieved by having a current passing through the coil adjusted.
However, a restoration provided by VCM may take several milliseconds, which is relatively slower compared with other displacement methods, and thus at least one flexible component is additionally installed within the VCM to accelerate the restoration.
Refer now to FIG. 1, wherein Japan Patent Publication 2006-201525 discloses a flexible component 1a applied in the VCM. The flexible component includes an outer ring 11a, three meandering arms 12a extending from the outer ring 11a and an inner ring 13a installed inside the outer ring 11a and connected to an end of the meandering arm 12a. The inner ring 13a of the flexible component 1a is fixed to the lens holder of the VCM (not shown) with the outer ring 11a fixed to a base of the VCM. Therefore, the restoration provided by the VCM could be improved through the restoration force applied on the lens holder by the meandering arm 12a and the inner ring 13a.
Further refer to FIG. 2, wherein Japan Patent Publication 2003-295033 also discloses another flexible component 1b suitable for the VCM. The flexible component 1b provides two symmetrically C-shaped arc flexible arms 11b and a ring connector 12b. Each of the arc flexible arms 11b respectively bends at a first positioning end 111b and extends, and reversely bends and extends in a similar way to form a flexible arm 112b, and a second positioning end 113b is further formed at the end of the flexible arm 112b. The ring connector 12b is connected to these two arc flexible arms 11b. The first positioning end 111b of the two arc flexible arms 11b is placed at a base of the VCM with the second positioning end 113b positioned at the lens holder of the VCM. Accordingly, the restoration provided by the VCM could be improved through the restoration force applied on the lens holder by the flexible arm 112b and the ring connector 12b.
Through the flexible deformation in the aforementioned flexible components, the VCM with such flexible components provides contactless friction between the lens holder (mobile element) and the base (fixed element), further offering a feature of an accurate positioning. However, the aforementioned flexible component may undesirably result in excessively long oscillation time over the course of the positioning of the lens holder as well, undermining performance of an lens device featuring tracking AF. Therefore, as demands for dynamic imaging applications increase continually how to effectively shorten the oscillation time at the time of positioning the lens holder of the VCM has been one of tasks facing people having ordinary skill in the relevant field.
To facilitate better understanding of the characteristics and technical contents disclosed by the present invention, references are made to the following detailed descriptions and appended drawings; whereas the drawings shown hereunder are merely referential and exemplary, rather than intended to limit the present invention.

Lens driving device, flexible piece and the method for manufacturing the flexible piece


Periodontal and dental scalers and curettes for removing tartar and other debris from the outer surface of teeth and especially root areas and which incorporate blades which are carried by a handle with the blades including a concavely curved cutting edge which extends in a plane transverse to the elongated axis of the handle and which cutting edge is configured so as to conform to an arcuate segment of the outer surface of the root or crown portion of a tooth taken generally normal to the elongated axis of the tooth.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention is generally directed to scalers and curettes which are utilized in periodontics and particularly to scalers and curettes having one or more blades which include inner concave cutting edges which are configured so as to conform with an arc segment portion of a root or crown area of a tooth with such segment being oriented generally perpendicularly to the elongated axis of the tooth. Further, the inner cutting edges are curved so as to create an arc which extends in a plane transverse to the elongated axis of the handle of the instrument so that the cutting edge conforms to the surface of a tooth when the handle is oriented between 45.degree. and 90.degree. with respect to the elongated axis of the tooth. It is preferred that approximately two to three millimeters or more of scaling edge will continuously engage the surface of the tooth depending upon the size of scaler or curette.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the blades of the scalers or curettes include various sizes of blunted end portions, and the scalers incorporate an outer convex surface which is rounded so as not to adversely effect tissue adjacent the portion of the surface of the tooth which is being treated. However, in other embodiments, a pair of spaced generally parallel cutting edges will be provided along the blade of the scalers or curettes.
Although the scalers of the present invention are designed to incorporate blades which have cutting edges which continuously engage an arcuate segment of a tooth or the root of a tooth along a plane which is normal to the elongated axis of the tooth when the handle of the instrument is oriented in a conventional manner at angles of between 45.degree. to 90.degree. with respect to the elongated axis of a tooth, the specific curvature of the blades will be varied depending upon the circumference of a tooth and the size of root being scaled, planed or curettaged. The smallest working ends have a greater degree of curvature and are for use on small root areas such as the lower anterior and upper laterals and bifurcated first bicuspids and upper first molars. The medium or intermediately curved blades are for use on centrals, cuspid and bicuspids, and the least curved or large blades are for use on molars and other large surface areas.
The tip portion of the blades of the scalers in some instances may be curved uniformally with the cutting edges so that the tip will not gouge into tissue surrounding a tooth surface or root being scaled. In addition, the tips will preferably be provided in various sizes. The finest point tip will be utilized for finer bifurcations and narrower spaces; the intermediate blunted tip being utilized for small bifurcations between roots; and the larger rounded tips being utilized in larger areas of scaling between the two roots of lower first molars.
The scalers or curettes of the present invention will generally be designed to provide for both left and right hand curvature with a blade being disposed to the right along one end of the handle of the instrument for scaling one side of a tooth with the blade on the opposite end being oppositely curved so that the same instrument may be utilized for scaling the opposite side of the tooth.
In other separate embodiments, the concave cutting edge of the scaler blades may include one or more projections intermediate their length for scaling slight indentations along the surface areas of some teeth; a saw-toothed like edged surface for scraping hard built-up areas of tartar; or a notched surface for working in roughened or irregular surface locations and also hard built-up areas of tartar. In a further embodiment, the tip of the blade will be curved slightly upwardly to create a spoon effect for scaling all bifurcations and root indentations.
2. History of the Related Art
Periodontal treatment requires the use of a scaler or a curette instrument to remove off the tartar and debris which forms or accumulates on the root surfaces and periodontal pockets. This material acts like a foreign body much as a splinter would in a finger. By removing this material, the tissue adjacent the tooth will become less inflamed and will heal against the root surface or crown portion of the tooth. It has been found that regular scaling promotes healthy teeth and gums and results in many adults being able to retain their natural teeth.
Conventional scalers and curettes have relatively straight scraping or cutting blade portions in relation to the natural curvature of a tooth and also terminate with sharp tips. As conventional scalers and curettes are provided with a straight blade configuration when compared with the cross sectional configuration of a tooth, only a small portion of the working end of the curette or scaler engages a tooth at any one time. Generally, not more than approximately one-tenth of a millimeter of the cutting edge of the scaler or curette actually engages a tooth or the root of the tooth during scaling. Because of this, it is possible to gouge the surface of the tooth along a given portion of the tooth surface especially after repeated scalings as uniform scaling of the surface of the tooth is not provided for.
There have been several scalers designed to more closely conform to the surface characteristics or shapes of teeth. In U.S. Pat. No. 1,220,933 to Bates, dental scalers are disclosed which incorporate blades which are concave so as to conform to the convexity of a root of a tooth. However, the cutting blades are always formed so as to be aligned with the axis of the handles of the instruments. Thus, such scalers had a curvature which is similar to most of today's conventional scalers wherein the blades are curved upwardly toward the axis of the handles of the instruments. In this manner, the curved blades could be used to lift debris from between the roots of teeth and the surrounding gum tissue. However, due to the orientation of the blades and the handles only a small portion of a tooth could be scaled or curettaged with each vertical movement of the blades. Further, with the Bates blade structure, the pointed tip would gouge the surrounding tissue of patient causing pain.
In U.S. Pat. No. 1,605,320 to Bates, a similar scaler or curette is disclosed which includes a blade having cutting edges which are again curved toward the axis of the instrument handle except that a somewhat spiral configuration is given to the cutting edges. With such an instrument, the cutting blades can only be used to scrape larger surface areas of a tooth by rotating the instrument handle into a very angular relationship with respect to the elongated axis of the tooth thereby limiting the efficiency of the depth of treatment relative to a patient's gum tissue. Deeper scaling or curettaging requires the cutting edge to be progressively more vertically oriented and thus results in a smaller surface area being scaled or curettaged with each vertical lifting of the cutting blades relative to a patient's teeth.
Additional prior art references includes U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,605,321 and 1,605,322 to Bates, 2,366,671 to Montelius, 1,497,749 to Diack and 2,002,245 to McDaniel.
In addition to the foregoing, with conventional scalers and curettes, the tips of the blades extend outwardly relative to the surface of the tooth and therefore lacerates or cuts the surrounding tissue when the scaler or curette is being moved vertically relative to the surface of the tooth during scaling. In normal use, a scaler or curette is urged down to the root area of the gingival attachment to the tooth with the scraping or scaling being accomplished by raising or drawing the blade of the instrument vertically toward the top of the tooth. In order to provide a proper angle of contact of the cutting edge with the surface of the tooth, curettes are generally provided with a hooked end portion with the end portion being utilized to trap material being scraped and lift the material as the instrument is drawn upwardly toward the top of the tooth. Unfortunately, the curvature provided on conventional curettes and scalers does not provide for conforming the cutting edge of the scaler with the surface of the tooth. Therefore, only a small portion of the tooth is scraped with each movement of the scaler or curette.
A further problem inherent in conventional scalers and curettes is that they are normally provided with a cutting edge on opposite edges of the blade or working end of the scaler. Therefore, with the scaler engaging the surface of a tooth, there is a sharp cutting edge which extends outwardly into the surrounding tissue. As the scaler or curette is moved, the surrounding tissue is lacerated thereby causing trauma of the local tissue area and also inflicting pain upon the patient.


An RF phase shifter circuit includes first and second RF ports, and a switch circuit comprising a plurality of micro-electro-mechanical (xe2x80x9cMEMxe2x80x9d) switches responsive to control signals. The switch circuit is arranged to select one of a plurality of discrete phase shift values introduced by the phase shifter circuit to RF signals passed between the first and second RF ports. The circuits can be connected to provide a single-pole-multiple-throw (SPMT) or multiple-pole-multiple-throw (MPMT) switch function. The phase shifter circuits can be used in an electronically scanned array including a linear array of radiating elements, with an array of phase shifters coupled to the radiating elements. An RF manifold including a plurality of phase shifter ports is respectively coupled to a corresponding phase shifter RF port and an RF port. A beam steering controller provides phase shift control signals to the phase shifters to control the phase shift setting of the array of the phase shifters. The SPMT and MPMT switch circuits can be employed in other applications, including switchable attenuators, switchable filter banks, switchable time delay lines, switch matrices and transmit/receive RF switches.

This invention relates to techniques for introducing phase shifts in RF applications, and more particularly to phase shifting techniques using micro-electro-mechanical switches (xe2x80x9cMEMSxe2x80x9d).
Exemplary applications for this invention include space-based radar systems, situational awareness radars, and weather radars. Space based radar systems will use electronically scan antennas (ESAs) including hundreds of thousands of radiating elements. For each radiating element, there is a phase shifter, e.g. 3 to 5 bits, that, collectively in an array, control the direction of the antenna beam and its sidelobe properties. For ESAs using hundreds of thousands of phase shifters, these circuits must be low cost, be extremely light weight (including package and installation), consume little if no DC power and have low RF losses (say, less than 1 dB). For space sensor applications (radar and communications) these requirements exceed what is provided by known state of the art devices.
Current state of the art devices used for RF phase shifter applications include ferrites, PIN diodes and FET switch devices. These devices are relatively heavier, consume more DC power and more expensive than devices fabricated in accordance with the present invention. The implementation of PIN diodes and FET switches into RF phase shifter circuits is further complicated by the need of additional DC bias circuitry along the RF path. The DC biasing circuit needed by PIN diodes and FET switches limits the phase shifter frequency performance and increase RF losses. Populating the entire ESA with presently available T/R modules is prohibited by cost and power consumption. In short, the weight cost and performance of the currently available devices fall short of what is needed for ESAs requiring electrically large apertures and/or large numbers of radiating elements, e.g. greater than 5000 elements.
Other applications for the invention include switchable attenuators, switchable filter banks, switchable time delay lines, switch matrices and transmit/receive RF switches.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, an electronically scanned array is described. The array includes a linear array of radiating elements, with an array of phase shifters coupled to the radiating elements. An RF manifold including a plurality of phase shifter ports is respectively coupled to a corresponding phase shifter RF port and an RF port. A beam steering controller provides phase shift control signals to the phase shifters to control the phase shift setting of the array of the phase shifters. The phase shifters each include a plurality micro-electro-mechanical (xe2x80x9cMEMxe2x80x9d) switches responsive to the control signals to select one of a discrete number of phase shift settings for the respective phase shifter.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, an RF phase shifter circuit includes first and second RF ports, and a switch circuit comprising a plurality of micro-electro-mechanical (xe2x80x9cMEMxe2x80x9d) switches responsive to control signals, said switch circuit arranged to select one of a plurality of discrete phase shift values introduced by the phase shifter circuit to RF signals passed between the first and second RF ports, the circuits connected to provide a single-pole-multiple-throw (SPMT) or multiple-pole-multiple-throw (MPMT) switch function.

Multi-bit phase shifters using MEM RF switches


A transistor cell includes a first stage comprising a first transistor that is coupled to a RC filter arrangement. A second stage has a second transistor that is coupled to the first stage. The linearity of the transistor cell is improved by shifting the DC bias point so that the first stage is biased at a high quiescent current while the second stage is biased at a low quiescent current.

The invention relates to the field of linearized transistors for a linear amplifier stage and in particular to circuits which employ a transistor cell to produce a high linearity amplifier.
There are many kinds of linearization techniques for amplifier designs. All these techniques employ circuitry around the nonlinear active transistor cell. FIG. 1 shows an example of an active transistor cell 20. The transistor cell 20 includes a FET 22 having a gate 26, source 28, and drain 30. The gate 26 and drain 30 and each are coupled to their corresponding voltages Vg and Vd, while the source 28 is coupled to ground. Moreover, a resistor 24 is coupled between the drain 30 and source 28 of the FET 22. However, in prior art the relationship between the transconductance gm1 of the FET 22 and the gate to source voltage (Vgs) are tightly correlated and thus degrades the linearity of FET 22.

Distributed transistor structure for high linearity active CATV power splitter


Diamines containing pendent ethynyl and substituted ethynyl groups are synthesized. These diamines are reacted with dianhydrides to form polyamide acids, which are chemically or thermally cyclodehydrated to form polyimides and copolyimides with pendent ethynyl groups. Upon heating, the pendent ethynyl groups react to form crosslinked resins that are useful as adhesives, composite matrices, coatings, moldings and films.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to condensation polymers. It relates in particular to polyimides containing pendent ethynyl groups. It relates also in particular to diamines containing pendent ethynyl groups, which diamines are used in the preparation of the polyimides containing pendent ethynyl groups.
2. Description of Related Art
Polyimides are condensation polymers that can be prepared by various synthetic routes. The most popular route involves the reaction of an aromatic dianhydride with an aromatic diamine. The intermediate polyamide acid is either thermally or chemically cyclodehydrated to form the polyimide, which has a repeat unit of the general type ##STR1## where Ar is a tetravalent aromatic radical, which can be as simple as a 1,2,4,5-tetrasubstituted benzene. Alternatively, Ar may be a bis-4(1,2-methylenediphenylene) having the general structure ##STR2## where X=nil, O, S, SO.sub.2, C.dbd.O, etc. Moreover, Ar may be any other appropriate tetravalent radical. Ar' is a divalent aromatic radical which may be 1,3=phenylene, 1,4-phenylene, 4,4'-oxydiphenylene, 4,4'-biphenylene, 4,4'-thiodiphenylene, 4,4'-carbonyldiphenylene, diphenyimethane or any other appropriate divalent radical.
Synthesis and characterization of polyimides has been extensively reported in the literature. The preparation of aromatic polyimides by reaction of an aromatic dianhydride with an aromatic diamine, followed by thermal cyclization was first reported in 1963 (G. M. Bower and L. W. Frost, J. Polym. Sci. A1, 3134 (1963)) with patents awarded in 1965 (W. M. Edwards, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,179,614 and 3,179,634 and A. L. Endrey, U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,1796,631 and 3,179,633). Several reviews on polyimides have been published (C. E. Sroog, "Polyimides" in Encycl. of Polymr. Sci. and Tech. [H. F. Mark, N. G. Gaylord and N. M. Bikales, ed.] Interscience Pub., New York, 1969, Vol. 11, pp. 247-272; N. A. Adrova, M. I. Bessonov, L. A. Lauis and A. P. Rudakov, Polyimides, Technomic Pub. Co., Inc., Stamford, Conn., 1970).
Wholly aromatic polyimides are known for their exceptional thermal, thermooxididative and chemical resistance, but are generally difficult to process as structural adhesives or composite matrices. Several polyimides such as Kapton.RTM. (DuPont), PI-2080 (Dow Chemical), XU-218 (Ciba-Geigy), Ultem.RTM. (General Electric) and LaRC.TM.-TPI (Mitsui Toatsu) are commercially available and used as films, moldings, adhesives or composite matrices.
The incorporation of ethynyl groups in polyimides has been reported in the literature, typically as terminal groups to yield acetylene-terminated imide oligomers (ATI). Therimid-600, an oligomide with acetylenic end groups, was first developed at the Hughes Aircraft Co. [N. Bilow, A. L. Landis and L. J. Miler, U.S. Pat. No. 3,845,018 (1974); A. L. Landis, N. Bilow, R. H. Boschan, R. E. Lawrence and T. J. Aponyi, Polym. Prepr., 15, 537 (1974); N. Bilow and A. L. Landis, Natl. SAMPE Tech. Conf. Ser., 8,94 (1976)]. Several reviews on polyimides or acetylene-terminated prepolymers are published which discuss other acetylene containing polyimides [P. M. Hergenrother (H. Mark, ed.), Encycl. Polym. Sci. and Eng., 2nd. ed., Vol. 1, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 61 (1985); P. M. Hergenrother (H. Mark, ed.) Encycl. Polym Sci. and Eng., 2nd ed., Vol. 7, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 639 (1987); T. Takekoshi (C. G. Overberger, ed.) Advances in Polymer Sci., 2 ( 1990)]. Polyimides containing pendent ethynyl groups has been reported [F. W. Harris, S. M. Podaki and S. Varaprath, Polym. Prepr., 21 (1), 3 (1980)]. This reference contains an abstract only, no experimental details or polymer properties being reported.

Diamines and polyimides containing pendent ethynyl groups

The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration


A polyvinyl chloride-type covering material for electric wire that has an excellent damage-resistance property, cold-resistance property and low-temperature property after aging. The covering material containing a polyvinyl chloride comprises, with respect to 100 parts by mass of the polyvinyl chloride, (A) 15 to 30 parts by mass of a plasticizer comprising 15 parts by mass or more of one or more plasticizers selected from trimellitate plasticizers and pyromellitate plasticizers, (B) 2 to 10 parts by mass of a chlorinated polyolefin, and (C) 1 to 6 parts by mass of a methyl methacrylate-butadiene-styrene copolymer.

Conventionally, a covering material for electric wire is known, that is made from a polyvinyl chloride-containing composition, which is a composition containing a polyvinyl chloride. A plasticizer is usually contained in this kind of covering material to impart flexibility to the covering material.
As an example of such a covering material, PTL1 discloses a covering material made from a polyvinyl chloride composition that contains a plasticizer and at least one of a polyester elastomer and a methyl methacrylate-butadiene-styrene. As another example, PTL2 discloses a covering material made from a polyvinyl chloride composition that contains a chlorinated polyethylene.


A seat reclining apparatus comprises a pair of base plates (10A, 10B) on the outer side and on the inner side fixedly mounted respectively on both right- and left-hand sides of a seat cushion, and a pair of arms (90) fixedly mounted respectively on both left- and right-hand sides of a seat back, and mounted respectively on the base plates. The seat reclining apparatus further comprises a pair of locking mechanisms which have a pair of upper teeth (20) mounted respectively on the arms, a pair of lower teeth (30) engageable with and disengageable from the upper teeth, respectively, and a pair of cam members (50) for operating the lower teeth, respectively. The arrangement is such that the cam members are operated by operation of an operating lever (40) which is mounted on one of the base plates. In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the pair of upper teeth is so set as to be movable angularly through a predetermined angle with respect to a corresponding one of the arms. Further, a synchronizing mechanism is provided for synchronizing operation of the left-hand cam member and operation of the right-hand cam member with each other. The base plates are reinforced respectively by a pair of reinforcing members (80).

A seat reclining apparatus of this kind comprises a pair of base plates on the outer side and on the inner side fixedly mounted respectively on the left- and right-sides of a seat cushion, and a pair of arms fixedly mounted respectively on both left- and right-hand sides of a seat back and mounted respectively on the base plates. The seat reclining apparatus further comprises a pair of locking mechanisms which comprise a pair of upper teeth mounted respectively on the arms, a pair of lower teeth engageable with and disengageable from the upper teeth, respectively, and a pair of cam members for operating the lower teeth, respectively. The arrangement is such that the cam members operate by operation of an operating lever which is mounted on one of the base plates.
The arrangement is such that, by operation of the operating lever which is arranged on the base plate on, for example, the outer side, the locking mechanism of the seat reclining unit on the inner side follows in interlocking relation to the locking mechanism of the seat reclining unit on the outer side, so that locking and unlocking of the lower teeth with respect respective to the upper teeth are executed. As this interlocking arrangement, an actuating lever on the outer side, which is arranged at a rear portion of the base plate on the outer side and which is interlocked with the operating lever, and an actuating lever on the inner side, which is arranged at a rear portion of the base plate on the inner side, are connected to each other by a wire which is so, arranged as to wind a front section of the seat.
However, in the above-described conventional seat reclining apparatus, there is a case where shift in phase at locking occurs between the seat reclining units on the outer side and on the inner side, due to distortion of a seat frame, distortion of a floor of a vehicle body, and the like, whereby, even if, for example, the seat reclining unit on the outer side is locked, the seat reclining unit on the inner side is brought to imperfect or incomplete locking, that is, so-called half locking. In order to prevent breakage of the upper tooth, the lower tooth and the like due to this half locking, the conventional seat reclining apparatus is arranged such that thickness of each of the upper tooth, the lower tooth and the like increases to raise strength thereof. For this reason, there is a problem that weight increases and a cost is raised.
Further, by variation in dimension of various parts of the seat reclining units on the outer side and on the inner side, and the like, there is a case where shift in phase occurs between the seat reclining units on the outer side and on the inner side at unlocking so that unlocking of the seat reclining unit on the outer side and unlocking of the seat reclining unit on the inner side are not synchronized with each other. For this reason, there is a fear that operating feeling of the operating lever is reduced.
Furthermore, the wire is arranged so as to extend from the rear portion of the base plate on the outer side to the rear portion of the base plate on the inner side through the front portion of the seat. In such wire arranging method, the wire is inevitably lengthened. For this reason, there is a problem that pulling or tension efficiency of the wire is reduced so that operability of the operating lever is deteriorated, and a cost increases.
Moreover, recently, reduction in weight of the vehicle has strongly been desired and, in keeping therewith, plate members such as the base plates and the like use plates thin as far as possible. Since, however, a considerably large load from the seat back through the arms is applied to various pivots of the seat reclining apparatus, i.e., pivots for the upper teeth, it is required to fixedly mount these pivots firmly on the base plates. For this reason, it was impossible to reduce the thickness of each of the base plates to a value equal or smaller than a predetermined thickness.
Further, since the pivots for the upper seats are important for supporting the seat cushion, the pivots are fixedly mounted by welding because the base plate is thin in thickness, or are caulked to pivot mounting portions in which washers are welded to the pivots to increase the thickness thereof. Since welding operation is executed in this manner, a welding step is required in addition to an assembling step. For this reason, there was a problem that automatizatlon of the assembling is made impossible, and a manufacturing cost increases.
This invention has been done in order to solve the above-discussed problems of the prior art, and an object of the invention is to provide a seat reclining apparatus capable of correcting shift in phase at locking and unlocking of a pair of seat reclining units which are arranged respectively on both left- and right-sides of a seat.
Mother object of this invention is to provide a seat reclining apparatus in which, in an interlocking arrangement of a pair of seat reclining units on the outer side and on the inner side, a wire can be shortened as far as possible.
Still another object of this invention is to provide a seat reclining apparatus capable off reducing thickness of each of a pair of base plates as far as possible, and capable of eliminating a welding step.


A vehicle alerting system includes at least one security device at the vehicle for generating security signals on the data communications bus, a remote receiver to be carried by a user, a local transmitter at the vehicle, and a paging controller at the vehicle. The paging controller is connected to the local transmitter and data communications bus. The paging controller is for causing the local transmitter to transmit to the remote receiver based upon security signals on the data communications bus to thereby alert the user when away from the vehicle. The system may further include an indicator connected to the remote receiver for providing an indication to the user relating to security of the vehicle. The at least one security device may comprise at least one of a door switch, trunk switch, hood switch, motion sensor, and proximity sensor. The at least one security device may also or alternately comprise a security controller. The paging controller may include a desired signal enabling feature for causing the local transmitter to transmit to the remote receiver based upon predetermined security signals for a corresponding desired vehicle from a plurality of sets of security signals for different vehicles.

The invention relates to the field of vehicle-related electronics, and, more particularly to vehicle alert systems and related methods for alerting a user when away from the vehicle.
Vehicle security systems are widely used to deter vehicle theft, prevent theft of valuables from a vehicle, deter vandalism, and to protect vehicle owners and occupants. A typical automobile security system, for example, includes a central processor or controller connected to a plurality of vehicle sensors. The sensors, for example, may detect opening of the trunk, hood, doors, windows, and also movement of the vehicle or within the vehicle. Ultrasonic and microwave motion detectors, vibration sensors, sound discriminators, differential pressure sensors, and switches may be used as sensors. In addition, radar sensors may be used to monitor the area proximate the vehicle.
The controller typically operates to give an alarm indication in the event of triggering of a vehicle sensor. The alarm indication may typically be a flashing of the lights and/or the sounding of the vehicle horn or a siren. In addition, the vehicle fuel supply and/or ignition power may be selectively disabled based upon an alarm condition.
A typical security system also includes a receiver associated with the controller that cooperates with one or more remote transmitters typically carried by the user as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,383,242 to Sassover et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,146,215 to Drori. The remote transmitter may be used to arm and disarm the vehicle security system or provide other remote control features from a predetermined range away from the vehicle. Also related to remote control of a vehicle function U.S. Pat. No. 5,252,966 to Lambropoulous et al. discloses a remote keyless entry (RKE) system for a vehicle. The RKE system permits the user to remotely open the vehicle doors or open the vehicle trunk using a small handheld transmitter.
Unfortunately, the majority of vehicle security systems need to be directly connected by wires to individual vehicle devices, such as the vehicle horn or door switches of the vehicle. In other words, a conventional vehicle security system is hardwired to various vehicle components, typically by splicing into vehicle wiring harnesses or via interposing T-harnesses and connectors. The number of electrical devices in a vehicle has increased so that the size and complexity of wiring harnesses has also increased. For example, the steering wheel may include horn switches, an airbag, turn-signal and headlight switches, wiper controls, cruise control switches, ignition wiring, an emergency flasher switch, and/or radio controls. Likewise, a door of a vehicle, for example, may include window controls, locks, outside mirror switches, and/or door-panel light switches.
In response to the increased wiring complexity and costs, vehicle manufacturers have begun attempts to reduce the amount of wiring within vehicles to reduce weight, reduce wire routing problems, decrease costs, and reduce complications which may arise when troubleshooting the electrical system. For example, some manufacturers have adopted multiplexing schemes to seduce cables to three or four wires and to simplify the exchange of data among the various onboard electronic systems as disclosed, for example, in xe2x80x9cThe Thick and Thin of Car Cablingxe2x80x9d by Thompson appearing in the IEEE Spectrum, February 1996, pp. 42-45.
Implementing multiplexing concepts in vehicles in a cost-effective and reliable manner may not be easy. Successful implementation, for example, may require the a development of low or error-free communications in what can be harsh vehicle environments. With multiplexing technology, the various electronic modules or devices may be linked by a single signal wire in a bus also containing a power wire, and one or more ground wires. Digital messages are communicated to all modules over the data communications bus. Each message may have one or more addresses associated with it so that the devices can recognize which messages to ignore and which messages to respond to or read.
The Thompson article describes a number of multiplexed networks for vehicles. In particular, the Grand Cherokee made by Chrysler is described as having five multiplex nodes or controllers: the engine controller, the temperature controller, the airbag controller, the theft alarm, and the overhead console. Other nodes for different vehicles may include a transmission controller, a trip computer, an instrument cluster controller, an antilock braking controller, an active suspension controller, and a body controller for devices in the passenger compartment.
A number of patent references are also directed to digital or multiplex communications networks or circuits, such as may be used in a vehicle. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,538,262 Sinniger et al. discloses a multiplex bus system including a master control unit and a plurality of receiver-transmitter units connected thereto. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,055,772 to Leung discloses a power bus in a vehicle controlled by a low current digitally coded communications system. Other references disclosing various vehicle multiplex control systems include, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,760,275 to Sato et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,697,092 to Roggendorf et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,792,783 to Burgess et al.
Several standards have been proposed for vehicle multiplex networks including, for example, the Society of Automotive Engineers xe2x80x9cSurface Vehicle Standard, Class B Data Communications Network Interfacexe2x80x9d, SAE J1850, July 1995. Another report by the SAE is the xe2x80x9cSurface Vehicle Information Report, Chrysler Sensor and Control (CSC) Bus Multiplexing Network for Class xe2x80x98Axe2x80x99 Applicationsxe2x80x9d, SAE J2058, July 1990. Many other networks are also being implemented or proposed for communications between vehicle devices and nodes or controllers.
Unfortunately, conventional vehicle security systems for hardwired connection to vehicle devices, such as aftermarket vehicle security systems, are not readily adaptable to a vehicle including a data communications bus. Moreover, a vehicle security system if adapted for a communications bus and devices for one particular model, model year, and manufacturer, may not be compatible with any other models, model years, or manufacturers. Other systems for remote control of vehicle functions may also suffer from such shortcomings.
Yet another shortcoming of vehicle security systems to the extent they may be compatible with a vehicle having a data communications bus, is that such systems provide only a local indication of an alarm trigger, for example. Accordingly, should the user be unable to hear the alarm indication at the vehicle, such as when the user is in an adjacent building, the user is not alerted to the alarm and can take no preventive action.
In view of the foregoing background, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a system and method for alerting a user when away from the vehicle regarding vehicle security or other vehicle-related information when the vehicle includes a data communications bus.
This and other objects, features and advantages in accordance with the present invention are provided by a vehicle alerting system comprising at least one device at the vehicle, such as for generating security signals on the data communications bus, a remote receiver to be carried by a user, a local transmitter at the vehicle, and a paging controller at the vehicle. The paging controller is connected to the local transmitter and data communications bus. The paging controller is for causing the local transmitter to transmit to the remote receiver based upon security signals on the data communications bus to thereby alert the user when away from the vehicle.
The system may further include an indicator connected to the remote receiver for providing an indication to the user relating to security of the vehicle. For example, the indicator may comprise at least one of an audible, visual, or tactile indicator.
The at least one security device may comprise at least one of a door switch, trunk switch, hood switch, motion sensor, and proximity sensor. Alternately or in addition, the at least one security device may comprise a security controller. For the security controller, the security signals generated may be at least one of an alarm signal and a security controller status signal. For example, the security signals could relate to triggering of the alarm, or changing the status of the security controller from an armed to disarmed mode or vice-versa.
The system may also include a remote transmitter to be carried by the user, and a local receiver at the vehicle connected to the security controller for receiving signals from the remote transmitter. In a variation, a common housing may contain both the remote transmitter and the remote receiver.
In some embodiments, the transmission from the local transmitter to the remote receiver may be a direct path. In other embodiments, at least one additional communications link may be provided for relaying signals from the local transmitter to the remote receiver.
Another optional aspect of the invention relates to adaptability to a variety of vehicles, or, more particularly, to different signal sets for different vehicle makes or models. In other words, the paging controller may include desired signal enabling means for causing the local transmitter to transmit to the remote receiver based upon predetermined signals for a corresponding desired vehicle from a plurality of sets of signals for different vehicles. The desired signal enabling means may comprise a memory for storing a plurality of sets of signals for different vehicles, and a selector for selecting predetermined signals from the plurality of different sets of signals for different vehicles. The selector may include a user selector for permitting a user to select the predetermined signals. In other embodiments, the desired signal enabling means may comprise bus learning means for learning the predetermined signals based upon signals on the data communications bus. The desired signal enabling means may also comprise download learning means for learning the predetermined signals from a downloading device.
A method aspect of the invention is for alerting a user when away from a vehicle. The vehicle is preferably of a type comprising a data communications bus, and at least one device at the vehicle for generating signals on the data communications bus. The method preferably comprises the steps of providing a remote receiver to be carried by the user, and installing a paging unit in the vehicle. The paging unit preferably includes a local transmitter and a paging controller connected thereto for causing the local transmitter to transmit to the remote receiver based upon signals on the data communications bus.

Vehicle alert system for vehicle having a data bus and associated methods


The present application is directed to the separation of a solid fraction from a fluid sample particularly a therapeutic cellular fraction from a biological sample such as a bone marrow sample by a porous filter which separates a filtration unit into an upper pre-filtration chamber into which a fluid sample requiring cell separation is introduced and a lower post-filtration chamber into which a fluid capable of transmitting an acoustic standing wave is introduced. An acoustic element is coupled to a substrate which is located within and at the bottom of the lower chamber and which resonates in response to the acoustic generating element and generates a standing wave through the two fluid phases and the filter to agitate the sample. Simultaneously, a cyclic process of vacuum draw, causes movement of the sample downwards through the filter. Vacuum pressure, fluid flow rate and frequency of vibration are controlled from a remote unit housing appropriate pumps and valves.

Progenitor cells have multi-lineage potential when differentiated and therefore potentially lend themselves to a diverse range of therapeutic treatments. It is conceived that an enriched fraction of these cells delivered to a diseased or damaged tissue site may have maximum therapeutic benefit through accelerated tissue healing. Progenitor cells are typically a very rare population of cells (Caplan 2005) contained within a heterogeneous mixture of non-therapeutic cells in some mammalian tissues and fluids.
Various techniques and devices to capture cells have been reported in the literature including sedimentation (Takazawa & Tokashiki, 1989), centrifugation (Apelman et al, 1992; Jaeger, 1992) spin filters (Himmerlflab et al 1969) and cross-flow microfiltration (Maiorella et al 1991). However, these are associated with a number of disadvantages. Sedimentation processes suffer from low sedimentation velocity of cells and a slow separation process. Centrifugation devices rely on a radial force to drive cells outwards from the fluid and although high recovery is quickly achieved these devices typically have a high capital cost associated with them. In addition, high shear stresses could potentially damage cells or induce unwanted changes in e.g. progenitor cells. Spin filters and cross-flow filters use membranes to filter the cell suspension and these are susceptible to fouling with subsequent loss in performance. Other processes using such filters include controlled shear filtration (Vogel and Kroner, 1999), tangential flow filtration (Radlett, 1972) and dynamic filtration. The rate and efficiency of separation is dependent on the degree of fouling. Dynamic filtration relies on relative motion between the membrane and the housing to generate a shear flow independent of flow across the filter (Castilho & Medrohno, 2002). Vortex flow filters and rotating disc filters are the two common types of dynamic filtration devices (Stromberg et al, 1989). Karumanchi et. al. (2002) have provided a review of field-assisted separation techniques for cells and biomacromolecules which include electric, magnetic and acoustic phenomena to achieve the desired separation. Dielectrophoresis is the lateral motion of uncharged particles due to the polarization effect produced by non-uniform electric fields (Docoslis et al, 1997, 1999). This is applicable only to very low electrical conductivity media otherwise excessive heating of the fluid will occur. Magnetic separations fall into two types. In the first, the cells to be separated have an intrinsic magnetic property (eg. red blood cells, magnetotactic bacteria) and in the second type the non-magnetic component of the mixture that are required must be rendered magnetic by a magnetic-responsive entity. In both cases the fluid must be subjected to a magnetic field to achieve separation. Magnetic separation has been used extensively for numerous cell separations including bone marrow processing to enrich for progenitor cells (Roath et al, 1990). Acoustic separators have been widely used to separate micro-organisms and cells but almost universally rely on using ultrasonic waves. Ultrasonic cell retention is achieved due to the formation of standing waves when an ultrasonic wave is reflected in the direction opposite to the propagation of the wave. Cells become trapped in the pressure node planes of the standing wave. Kilburn et al, (1989) and WO95/001214, first reported the possibility of using these waves as a means to separate cells from suspension and many other reports using this technique have been reported since (Coakley et al, 1994; Dobelhoof-Dier, 1994; Gaida et al, 1996; Gorenflo et al, 2003, 2004). Ultrasonic separators require careful tuning and typically have a limited loading capacity whereby only a small volume of cells is recovered. In addition this technique is used to remove a homogeneous population of cells from the fluid phase and therefore cannot capture a specific population from a heterogeneous mixture.
The present invention is directed towards apparatus and methods for separating a solid fraction from a fluid sample. In particular the present invention is directed to the separation of a cell fraction from a heterogeneous mixture of cells within a fluid sample. The process is a single step process with the cell separation being based upon the mechanical filtration of a sample using only physical means.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Apparatus and method for filter cleaning by ultrasound, backwashing and filter movement during the filtration of biological samples


The objectives of these inventions are to provide simple, reliable, and low-cost mechanical means to obtain (1) second impact detonation and (2) substantial safe arming separation from the gun for point detonating fuzes for small caliber spin stabilized shell. The first objective is attained by use of a heavy shield over the firing pin which is removable between the first and second impacts by spin forces; the second objective is attained by a centrifugally driven rotor, containing the out-of-line explosive element, which deforms a ductile material to effect the arming delay.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to mechanical impact fuzing of rifle fired munitions and more specifically, to such fuzing of shells with diameters 40 mm and under as used in anti-aircraft defense, air-to-air, air-to-groiund, and ground-to-ground systems
2. Description of Prior Art
A mechanical impact fuze has been developed for 20 mm fuzes which meets current safety and arming requirements for the U.S. military, but leaves considerable room for improvement. Current requirements include the detection of two independent firing signatures, traditionally set back and spin, before completely arming the fuze. Two other characteristics that have been desired, but not satisfactorily implemented are second impact detonation and an arming delay, not only to prevent premature firing in the barrel, but to protect friendly forces close to or in front of the weapon. Second impact detonation has meant the ability to poke through the skin of an aircraft and explode them inside on impact with a wing spar or other structural member.
The current fuzes for 20 mm ammunition use out-of-line detonators and fire on the first impact. An earlier model of this type of fuze had provisions for second impact detonation by virtue of adjusted detonator sensitivity to shock, but was found to be unreliable. To provide additional arming delay a number of techniques have been investigated. These include time escapement mechanisms, as first used in watches and clocks; slow burning pyrotechnic trains and fluid dashpots using gases and liquids. The dashpots have shown the most promise, but there are still problems with temperature, viscosity, aging and costs. Another desirable characteristic is the ability to detect and fire on a grazing impact.

Small caliber fuze with arming delay, second impact and graze sensitivity


Various embodiments of a tire having grooves comprising sipes or other cross-groove negative geometry are disclosed.

Tires, including passenger tires, typically comprise a tread portion including a series of ribs and grooves. The ribs are often oriented to engage a driving surface and provide traction, while the grooves are often oriented to channel and evacuate water that may be present on the driving surface.
Some tires are optimized to provide increased performance in dry/wet conditions, while other tires are optimized to provide increased performance in snow/ice conditions. Additionally, some tires, typically referred to as "all-season" tires, are optimized to provide acceptable performance in both dry/wet conditions, and snow/ice conditions. However, optimization of performance across all seasons is particularly difficult in light of the very distinct mechanisms through which tire performance is increased in these varying conditions.
What is needed is a tire configured to provide increased performance in both dry/wet conditions and snow/ice conditions.

Tire having grooves comprising sipes and/or other cross-groove negative geometry

Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC


A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device is provided, which comprises at least a steps of forming a gate insulating film over a substrate, a step of forming a microcrystalline semiconductor film over the gate insulating film, and a step of forming an amorphous semiconductor film over the microcrystalline semiconductor film. The microcrystalline semiconductor film is formed by introducing a silicon hydride gas or a silicon halide gas when a surface of the gate insulating film is subjected to hydrogen plasma to generate a crystalline nucleus over the surface of the gate insulating film, and by increasing a flow rate of the silicon hydride gas or the silicon halide gas.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a display device using a thin film transistor at least for a pixel portion.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, a technique that is used to form thin film transistors using semiconductor thin films (with thicknesses of from several nanometers to several hundreds of nanometers, approximately) formed over substrates having an insulating surface has been attracting attention. Thin film transistors are applied to a wide range of electronic devices such as ICs or electro-optical devices, and prompt development of thin film transistors that are to be used as switching elements in image display devices, in particular, is being pushed.
As a switching element in an image display device, a thin film transistor using an amorphous semiconductor film, a thin film transistor using a polycrystalline semiconductor film, or the like is used. As a method for forming a polycrystalline semiconductor film, there is known a technique in which a pulsed excimer laser beam is shaped into a linear laser beam by an optical system and an amorphous silicon film is scanned and irradiated with the linear beam so as to crystallize the amorphous silicon film.
As a switching element in an image display device, further, a thin film transistor using a microcrystalline semiconductor film is used (see Reference 1: Japanese Published Patent Application No. H4-242724; and Reference 2: Japanese Published Patent Application No. 2005-49832).

Method for manufacturing semiconductor device

Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.


An injection ratio control system for an internal combustion engine performs a multi-injection, in which multiple pilot injections and a main injection are performed. The system prohibits a first injection among the pilot injections if a main injection quantity command value for the main injection is less than an N time(s) minimum guarantee determination value. An injection quantity for the first injection is added to the injection quantity for the main injection. Thus, the system controls an injection frequency per combustion in the multi-injection to prevent the use of a minute main injection quantity command value equal to or less than the N time(s) minimum guarantee determination value. As a result, the main injection is prevented from vanishing.

This application is based on and incorporates herein by reference Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-151254 filed on May 24, 2002.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an injection ratio control system for an internal combustion engine that drives injectors based on injection quantity command values such as an injector injection command pulse period, an injector energization period, an injector injection period, or an injector valve-opening period. The injection quantity command values are calculated from command injection quantity set in accordance with an operating state or operating conditions of the engine, and fuel injection pressure measured by a sensor and the like. Specifically, the present invention relates to a fuel injection system for an internal combustion engine capable of performing a multi-injection in which fuel is injected into cylinders of the engine in multiple times by driving electromagnetic valves of the injectors during a compression stroke or an expansion stroke of the engine.
2. Description of Related Art
Conventionally, as a fuel injection system for a diesel engine, an accumulation type fuel injection system is known. The accumulation type fuel injection system accumulates high-pressure fuel in a common rail as an accumulator and injects the high-pressure fuel to respective cylinders of the engine through electromagnetic fuel injection valves (injectors) respectively mounted in the cylinders of the engine. In the accumulation type fuel injection system, a command injection quantity is calculated in accordance with an engine rotation speed and an accelerator position. Command injection timing is calculated in accordance with the engine rotation speed and the command injection quantity. An injector injection period (an injection command pulse period) is calculated in accordance with an actual fuel pressure in the common rail, which is measured by a fuel pressure sensor and the like, and the command injection quantity. Then, an electromagnetic valve of the injector is applied with pulse-shaped injector driving current for opening a nozzle needle from the command injection timing until the injection command pulse period ends. Thus, the system controls the injection quantity and the injection timing of the fuel injected into the respective cylinders.
The accumulation type fuel injection system performs a multi-step injection (a multi-injection) in compliance with present restrictions on exhaust gas and noise. More specifically, the accumulation type fuel injection system performs the multi-injection to perform stable combustion from the start of a main injection so that noise and vibration of the engine are reduced and emission performance is improved. In the multi-injection, multiple pilot injections are performed before the main injection, which can generate engine torque. In each pilot injection, a small quantity of the fuel is injected. The electromagnetic valve of the injector of a specific cylinder is driven at least twice to open the nozzle needle of the injector at least twice during a compression stroke or an expansion stroke of the engine. Thus, the multi-injection including at least two injections is performed in the cylinder. For instance, the multi-injection includes one or more pilot injections and one main injection, or includes one pilot injection, one main injection and one after injection, or includes one main injection and one or more after injections. Thus, the system inhibits rapid increase in the injection ratio in an early stage of the combustion. As a result, the noise and vibration of the engine are inhibited.
In the conventional accumulation type fuel injection system, control of a minute quantity of the fuel is more important than ever when performing the above multi-injection. However, even if the minute injection quantity command value is calculated and outputted, the pilot injection may vanish or excessive fuel may be injected in the pilot injection due to variation in hardware. The variation in the hardware includes individual difference of the injector, variation in the injection quantities among the cylinders, or performance degradation of the injector with time. In such a case, noise reduction effect of the multi-injection may be reduced, and the actual injection quantity or injection frequency may fluctuate. As a result, fluctuation of drivability or emission may be caused.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an injection ratio control system that regulates an injection frequency per combustion in a multi-injection if an injection quantity command value reaches a minimum guarantee injection quantity. Thus, the use of a minute injection quantity command value is prevented. As a result, variation in an actual injection quantity or an injection frequency is prevented. Thus, variation in the actual injection quantity or the injection frequency is prevented without reducing a noise reduction effect of the multi-injection.
According to an aspect of the present invention, a main injection quantity command value for a main injection in a multi-injection is calculated in accordance with an operating state or operating conditions of an internal combustion engine. An injection frequency per combustion in the multi-injection (a multi-injection frequency) is regulated so that the main injection quantity command value becomes equal to or greater than an N time(s) minimum guarantee determination value. Thus, vanish of a pilot injection or an excessive fuel injection in the pilot injection due to variation in hardware is prevented. As a result, the variation in the actual injection quantity or the injection frequency is prevented without reducing a noise reduction effect of the multi-injection.

Injection ratio control system for internal combustion engine


Embodiments of the invention provide a method, system and computer program product for a multi-source search. In an embodiment, a method for multi-source searching for a data driven application includes defining a form for a data driven application that includes user interface controls each corresponding to respectively to different fields in different data sources. The method also includes generating a search index for the form incorporating the different fields, coupling the form with a search user interface that includes a search control configured to accept at least one query term and associating the search control with a selection of the different fields. Thereafter, during execution of the data driven application, a search engine query can be directed for the selection of the different fields in the search index and not the different data sources according to the at least one query term provided in the search user interface.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of database query operations and more particularly to search multiple fields of multiple different data sources through a query interface.
2. Description of the Related Art
A database query is an inquiry into a database used to extract data from the database in a readable format according to the user's request. A database query generally requires a connection into a database, an interface through which one or more query terms can be specified and a query engine configured to process the query terms according to one or more conditions—generally expressed by boolean operators or mathematical operators or both. The interface can be nothing more than an application programming interface specifying a prototype to which a database query should conform. Alternatively, the interface can be a graphical user interface into which an end user can specify search terms and operators—in more advanced forms—using a drag and drop interface for either or both of bounded query terms and operators.
A database often includes multiple different tables. As such, to query multiple different tables, first the tables must be treated as one so that a query can be performed against the different tables as if the different tables were a single, unitary table. In structured query language (SQL), the JOIN statement is used to achieve the treatment of different tables as one when conducting a query operation. However, joining two tables together can be computationally expensive and effective only when access and control to both tables can be achieved. For external data sources, no such access and control can be provided thereby impeding the joining of an internal data source with an external data source.
Historically, data driven applications relied upon data disposed in locally disposed data stores. With the advent of distributed computing and advanced database management technologies, however, modern data driven applications access data in both local and remote data stores. Even more advanced business object centric applications access data both in local data stores and also remotely over the Internet through intermediate business objects accessing external data stores—oftentimes not within the control of the application itself.

Multi-source searching in a data driven application


A suspension system for suspending a vehicle frame above a plurality of ground-engaging wheels includes a wheel-carrying axle comprising a first end a second end, and a pair of frame bracket assemblies each comprising a resiliently-bushed pivotable connection defining a pivot axis, wherein the frame bracket assemblies are operably coupled to opposite sides of the frame bracket, and wherein the resiliently-bushed pivotable connection comprises a substantially cylindrically-shaped bushing. The suspension system also includes a pair of trailing arms each comprising a first end operably coupled to the first end and the second end of the axle, respectively, and a second end comprising an aperture that receives the bushing of one of the frame bracket assemblies therein, wherein the aperture of the second end of each trailing arm is nonsymmetrical, thereby causing a nonsymmetrical compression of the bushing about the pivot axis. The suspension system also includes embodiments wherein the aperture of the second end of each trailing arm is nonuniform, thereby reducing rotation of the bushing with respect to the trailing arm, wherein a mating surface of each trailing arm operably coupled to the first and second end of the axle comprise a cavity, thereby reducing a localized stress transferred from the trailing arm to the axle, wherein the second end of each trailing arm further comprises a lip extending radially outward from the aperture and at least one engagement surface extending radially outward from the lip and adapted to abut a bushing-removal tool, as well as other improvements.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to vehicle suspension systems, and in particular to suspensions for semi tractor-trails incorporating single-piece, cast trailing arms.
2. Description of the Related Art
Trailing beam suspensions for semi tractor-trailer combinations are well-known in the trucking industry. The typical trailing beam suspension comprises a hanger bracket suspended from a trailer frame rail. A trailing beam or arm is pivotably connected at one end to the hanger bracket to enable the trailing beam to pivot about a horizontal axis. The pivotable connection may comprise a resiliently bushed connection. The free end of the trailing beam is attached to a spring that is, in turn, attached to the trailer frame rail for cushioning the ride. The spring can comprise a mechanical spring, such as a coil spring, or an air spring. An axle is attached transversely to a pair of trailing beams on either side of the trailer through a rigid or resilient axle-to-beam connection. Other suspension and braking components can be attached to the trailing beam and/or the axle, such as a brake assembly, track bars, and shock absorbers.
Trailing beams can take a variety of shapes and cross sections, and are typically fabricated by welding individual components into the final assembly, thereby providing a beam with a hollow cross section. An example of such a beam is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,366,237 to Dilling et al. Such beams are typically designed for the maximum stress to which the beam will be subjected at any point on the beam. This approach results in sections of the beam having more material than is necessary for the maximum stress imposed on the beam at that section. This excess material adds to the cost and weight of the beam. Moreover, the welds induce stresses into the beam that can contribute to premature failure of the beam. Weld-induced stresses can be minimized by laying down welds that are of a consistent thickness. However, such detailed welding techniques can also increase the cost of fabrication and the weight.
Attachment of the axle to the beam is typically through some type of welded connection, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,366,237 to Dilling et al. Welded connections can induce in the axle stresses and cracks that can contribute to premature failure of the axle. Weld-induced axle stresses can be minimized by limiting the welded area to the region around the axle's neutral axis, and by starting and ending the weld at the same point on the axle. Moreover, the extent and location of the weld can preclude separation of the axle from the beam, which would be desirable in order to replace a damaged axle or beam without replacing the entire suspension.
Heretofore, resilient bushings have been utilized within the pivotable connection between the beam and the associated hanger bracket. It is also known to use bushings that have apertures extending along the length thereof to alter the spring-rate of the bushing along a particular path. Typically, these apertures are provided in pairs juxtaposed across the bushing. The bushing is then placed within the associated beam with the apertures vertically oriented, thereby altering the spring rate of the bushing for lateral shift of the trailer as compared to the spring rate for the bushing for roll of the trailer. In operation, these bushings are fixed with respect to the beams and pivot about pivot pins that are fixed with respect to the associated hanger brackets. However, these bushings can sometimes rotate with respect to the beam rather than the hanger bracket, thereby changing the orientation of the busing, and the orientation of the apertures located therein, and changing the direction in which the bushing affords a reduction in the spring-rate.
In previously known systems, significant wear of the trailing arms may occur proximate the hanger brackets during operation of the associated suspension system. Specifically, in many systems the roll of the vehicle causes the beams to shift within and contact the respective hanger brackets in a location about the periphery of the aperture of each beam within which the bushing are located. These areas about the aperture are typically constructed as thin as possible in an attempt to reduce the overall weight of each beam. The contact between the beams and hanger bracket causes excessive wear requiring the replacement of the beams to avoid catastrophic failure of the beams and/or bushings.
As discussed above, it is known to utilize bushings within the pivotable connection between the beams and hanger brackets, wherein the bushings include apertures extending through the bushings and oriented so as to alter the spring rate in a particular direction of compression while not effecting the spring-rate in others. However, the construction of these specialized bushings is more expensive than bushings that do not include such apertures. Moreover, the specialized bushings require proper orientation of the bushings with respect to the beams at all time, as discussed above.
Heretofore, maintenance of bushings associated with the pivotable connection between the beams and hanger brackets, i.e., the removal of the bushings from within the beams, has required the use of a specialized tool that abuts or engages the area of the beam near the bushing receiving aperture during extraction or installation of the bushing. As discussed above, these areas are typically quite thin in an effort to reduce the overall weight of each beam, thus providing only small areas for abutment of the tool.
During operation of the associated suspension system, bending stress are exerted on the axles, with localized points of stress being exerted at the locations of the connection between the trailing arms and the axles, thereby contributing to excessive stress on the axles and decreasing the useful life of the axles. Normal operation of the suspension system also leads to wear of the boot of the air spring each time the boot is allowed to contact the associated beam. This wear of the boot is especially prevalent during times of loading/unloading when air is not being supplied to the air springs.
Another cause of significant stress within previously known beam configurations, is the concentration of the upwardly directed load bear force exerted by the axle on the beam, and the downwardly directed forces exerted on the ends of the beam by the hanger bracket and air spring. This bending of the each beam results in a compressive force being exerted on the axle and the connection between the beams and the axle.
A configuration for a trailing arm or beam is desired that increases the lifespan of the beam within normal operating conditions, results in a beam having reduced weight while simultaneously providing increased structural integrity and a reduction to production and operating costs.

Trailing arm suspension with optimized I-beam


Provided are an automated analyzer for analyzing a substance contained in an unknown sample and a liquid reservoir, the analyzer and the reservoir being capable of saving users' operation without remarkably increasing the number of components. A flow path outlet of an overflow portion of the liquid reservoirs projects closer to the inner circumferential side of a drain flow path than to an inner circumferential surface side of an outer wall of the drain flow path serving as a destination to which liquid overflows. In addition, the flow path outlet projects so as to come into contact with an outer wall of the inner pipe. The flow path outlet of the overflow portion projects into the drain flow path so as to be located below an upper end of the outer wall of the drain flow path.

As an example of an automated analyzer such that the speed of replacement of liquids in liquid reservoirs can be enhanced and preparation time for analysis can be shortened to enhance the speed of a process, there is the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1.
Specifically, Patent Document 1 describes an automated analyzer including an aspiration nozzle, a liquid transfer syringe, an aspiration flow path interconnecting the aspiration nozzle and the liquid transfer syringe, a flow cell provided in the course of the aspiration flow path, a detector for sample analysis which is provided in the flow cell, a reaction assistance liquid reservoir and a cleaning liquid reservoir for storing liquids to be aspirated by the aspiration nozzle, means for supplying a diluting fluid to these reservoirs, a cleaning tank for discarding residual liquids remaining in the reservoirs, and a control unit by which at the time of discharging the residual liquid from the reservoir, a diluting fluid is supplied into the reservoir, thereafter the diluted residual liquid is aspirated into the flow cell through the aspiration nozzle, and the aspirated residual liquid is discharged into the cleaning tank.


In an approach to interact with a chatbot through an augmented reality device. Embodiments consist of receiving a query from a user including a video feed, collecting visual information from the video feed, and determining additional visual information is required to respond to the query. Further, embodiments consist of dynamically identifying the additional visual information that is required, providing activity instructions to the user on how to collect the additional visual information in the form of a new video feed, and directing user actions via an augmented reality device while the user collects the additional visual information according to the activity instructions. Additionally, embodiments consist of identifying, in a knowledge corpus, a recommended response to the query based on the visual information from the video feed and the additional visual information from the new video feed, and presenting, via the augmented reality device, the recommended response to the user.

The present invention relates generally to the field of augmented reality, and more particularly to integrating artificial intelligence (AI) based chatbot with augmented reality.
Augmented reality (AR) is an interactive and augmented experience of a real-world environment where the objects that reside in the real world are enhanced by computer-generated perceptual information, sometimes across multiple sensory modalities, including visual, auditory, haptic, somatosensory, and olfactory. AR can be defined as a system having three basic features: a combination of real and virtual worlds, real-time interaction, and accurate 3D registration of virtual and real objects. The overlaid sensory information can add to the natural environment, or mask of the natural environment. The AR experience can be seamlessly interwoven with the physical world such that it is perceived as an immersive aspect of the real environment. In this way, augmented reality alters an ongoing perception of a real-world environment, whereas virtual reality completely replaces the real-world environment with a simulated or virtual one. Augmented reality is related to two largely synonymous terms: mixed reality and computer-mediated reality.
A chatbot is a piece of software that conducts a conversation via auditory or textual methods. Such programs are often designed to convincingly simulate how a human would behave as a conversational partner. Chatbots are typically used in dialog systems for various practical purposes including customer service or information acquisition. Some chatbots use sophisticated natural language processing systems, but many simpler ones scan for keywords within the input, then retrieve a reply with the most matching keywords, or the most similar wording pattern, from a database.

Chatbot enhanced augmented reality device guidance

International Business Machines Corporation


A method for dynamically reducing latency over a communications network independent of the Real Time Protocol. The method including determining the completion of processing of a next data block and the determination of the number of samples remaining in a queue of a consuming device of the next data block. Without knowing the latency of the system a determination is made on the variability based on the number of samples remaining in the queue of the consuming device. A determination is then made as to whether the remaining number of samples in the queue of the consuming device can be reduced based upon the variability and if so reducing the queue of the consuming device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to voice over the internet (VoIP) telephony latency, and more particularly to a management technique method for reducing latency in VoIP telephony.
2. Description of the Related Art
The science of translating sound into electrical signals, transmitting them, and then converting them back to sound is called Telephony (i.e. the science of phones).
The term is used frequently to refer to computer hardware and software that performs functions traditionally performed by telephone equipment.
Internet telephony generally refers to communications services voice, facsimile, and/or voice-messaging applications that are transported via the Internet, rather than the public switched telephone network (PSTN). The basic steps involved in originating an Internet telephone call are conversion of the analog voice signal to digital format and compression/translation of the signal into Internet protocol (IP) packets for transmission over the Internet; the process is reversed at the receiving end as shown in prior art FIG. 1.
Real Time Transport Protocol (RTP) has gained widespread acceptance as the transport protocol for voice and video on the Internet. It provides services such as timestamping, sequence numbering, and payload identification. It also contains a control component, the Real Time Control Protocol (RTCP), which is used for loose session control, QoS reporting and media synchronization, among other functions.
RTP itself does not guarantee real-time delivery of data, but it does provide mechanisms for the sending and receiving applications to support streaming data. Typically, RTP runs on top of a User Datagram Protocol (UDP), although the specification is general enough to support other transport protocols. The RTP labels all information transferred by a sender with a timestamp. By examining the timestamps the receiver is able to sort the packets in the original order and synchronize real time streams and/or compensate jitter in audio or video data.
The RTCP was devised to give applications a status on the quality of a network. With this information parameters affecting the transmission of data, e.g. a jitter buffer size, can be optimized. The RTP header adds 16 bytes to the total overhead, and is prefixed by the UDP's additional 8 bytes of header information. The IP header, which is 20 bytes in size, is prefixed to form a datagram, thus, to transmit 20 bytes of audio or video as a 64-byte datagram is required. A datagram is defined to be a data block, segment, chunk, data packet or packet of audio, video or audio/video.
Within those unneeded bits of the RTP header is 32 bits of timestamp. This timestamp is in particular not needed because a sound packet is sequenced, and since it also translates to a specific number of sound samples it is possible to calculate precisely what the interarrival time should have been (and would have been without jitter). The timestamp is allowed to correlate directly with sample counts, in some implementations, and if it is used that way this value may be entirely redundant as it is directly calculable from the sequence number of the packet if the packets carry a fixed payload.
Latency, the delay in shipping a datagram from sender to receiver, affects the pace of the conversation. Humans can tolerate about 250 milliseconds (ms) of latency before it has a noticeable effect.
To support voice in its native analog form over a digital network, the analog signal has to be coded (i.e., converted) into a digital format at some point after being generated to enter the WAN, LAN, Internet or communication network. On the receiving end, the digital signal has to be decoded (i.e., reconverted) back into an analog format in order to be intelligible to the human ear, thus timing is critical. The network must be in a position to accept, switch, transport, and deliver every voice byte precisely every 125 ms. That means that latency (i.e., delay) must be minimal and jitter (i.e., variability in delay) must be virtually zero.
Real-time voice conversations are delay sensitive. Once the one-way delay exceeds a quarter of a second—250 milliseconds (ms)—it becomes relatively difficult for the parties in a conversation to tell when one person is finished speaking. This increases the probability that the parties will talk at the same time.
A voice call is routed from the PBX at its origination—via the gateway, LAN, and router at that location—through the IP network to a telephone connected to the PBX at its destination. There are several areas where datagrams transporting voice could be delayed. As an analog voice conversation is routed through the PBX to the voice gateway, the voice-coding algorithm used by the gateway adds a degree of latency. The actual amount of delay is based on the type of voice coder used. Once a small sample of voice is coded, it must be encapsulated within a datagram for transmission to a distant gateway. The encapsulation process includes adding applicable UDP and headers to form the datagram as well as the flow of the datagram from the gateway to the router via the LAN.
The total delay from those activities represents an interprocess time at the origin and an interprocess delay at the destination.
Once the datagram reaches the IP network, it will be routed through one or more routers to a network egress point. This routing also adds variable delay. The causes for the variable delay include the number of routers in the path from the point of entry to the point of exit, the processing power of each router, and the traffic load offered to each router. These delays occur as the voice-transporting datagram flows through the local network and contributes to the delay encountered by the datagram as it flows through the wide-area IP network.
However, the RTCP (Real Time Control Protocol) which sends few packets comparatively in a stream (most are RTP packets), provides for periodic correlation between the timestamps of the RTP and a real-time time clock stamp. This allows calculation of actual latencies and the like, provided that the real-time clocks on the sender and receiver are synchronized. This synchronization of real-time clocks is contemplated in the RTP specification via a separate protocol called Network Time Protocol (NTP). Alternately, one-way latency is determined as half the round-trip time of some information. Nevertheless, neither of these establish the one-way latency effectively since latency can be extremely asymmetrical between two network nodes.
Since none of the RTP information is needed to effectively reduce latency in the system, in order to most efficiently optimize the latency it is unnecessary to actually know what the latency is. The length of the path to an endpoint either in milliseconds or in hops or miles is irrelevant for the purpose of minimizing the latency. What is necessary is to minimize the length of the jitter buffer on the receiving end based upon statistics obtained entirely by observing the length of the jitter buffer. The length of the jitter buffer is observed at the time that each data block of sound is ready and prepared for insertion into the jitter buffer, which takes into account all contributors to the latency including the decompression and formatting of the sound on the receiving end.
What is needed is a method for reducing latency that is not dependent on the Real Time Protocol.
What is also needed is a method for reducing overhead cost of transmitting data packets.
What is further needed is a method to correct for bias in consuming devices of the data blocks.
What is additionally needed is a method to eliminate effects of time clock inaccuracies and differences in minimizing the actual latency of the system.

Dynamic latency management for IP telephony


An electronic component is configured to include a laminate disposed between first and second magnetic substrates. The laminate is formed by laminating resin insulating layers, a coil pattern, and a lead pattern. The coil pattern is connected to external electrodes disposed on end surfaces of the laminate by using internal electrodes. The electronic component further includes expansion relaxation portions disposed in the inside of the resin insulating layers and located in the vicinity of connection regions of the internal electrodes and the external electrodes. The expansion relaxation portions are formed by using a magnetic powder resin in which a ferrite powder and a resin material are mixed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electronic component including a laminate formed from a plurality of resin insulating layers, wherein internal electrodes are connected to external electrodes on end surfaces of the laminate.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, an electronic component in which a laminate is formed by laminating, for example, resin insulating layers and a coil pattern and, in addition, the laminate is held between two magnetic substrates has been disclosed in the related art, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 8-203737. In this case, internal electrodes connected to the coil pattern are exposed at end surfaces of the laminate. Furthermore, external electrodes are disposed on the end surfaces of the laminate by a sputtering method or the like and the external electrodes are connected to the exposed internal electrodes.
On the other hand, a configuration in which a conductor pad is disposed on an end surface of a laminate in such a way as to locate between an internal electrode and an external electrode is disclosed in the related art, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2006-287063. In this case, the conductor pad is formed by using the same material as that for the internal electrode and, in addition, has a predetermined area larger than the end surface area of the internal electrode and smaller than the end surface area of the external electrode. Consequently, the conductor pad is configured to enhance the electrical connectivity between the internal electrode and the external electrode.
Incidentally, the linear expansion coefficient of a resin insulating layer is larger than the linear expansion coefficients of magnetic substrates (ceramic substrates), which are formed from ceramic materials, e.g., ferrite, internal electrodes, and the like. Consequently, in the case where a temperature change of an electronic component occurs, for example, in the case where heating is conducted for mounting the electronic component, the resin insulating layer expands and shrinks significantly as compared with the magnetic substrate and the internal electrode. As a result, there is a problem in that the internal electrode and the external electrode are peeled off thereby easily causing a poor connection.
In particular, regarding the external electrode, in order to enhance the adhesion to a magnetic substrate, nickel (Ni), a nickel-chromium alloy (NiCr), chromium (Cr), and the like are used as the materials for a substrate layer. However, the linear expansion coefficients of these materials for the substrate are small as compared with that of the resin and, therefore, poor connection between the internal electrode and the external electrode tends to occur easily along with temperature changes.
Furthermore, in the case where a coil component is formed as the electronic component, as described in the above-mentioned Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 8-203737, it is necessary that the distance between the two magnetic substrates is minimized in order to obtain good electric characteristics, e.g., an improvement of inductance. Consequently, each of the thickness dimensions of the resin insulating layer, the coil pattern (e.g., electrode pattern), and the internal electrode is made small. As a result, the thickness dimension of the exposed end surface of the internal electrode is on the order of several micrometers and, therefore, is very small such that the internal electrode and the external electrode tend to peel off easily.
On the other hand, the above-mentioned Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2006-287063 discloses a configuration in which the connectivity between the internal electrode and the external electrode is enhanced by disposing a conductor pad on the end surface of the laminate. However, along with progression of miniaturization and a reduction in profile of the electronic component, the end surface area of the internal electrode and the end surface area of the external electrode have become very small. Consequently, it is difficult to form a conductor pad having a predetermined area accurately. Furthermore, it is necessary to add a new step in order to form the pad and, therefore, there is a problem in that the productivity is reduced.


Cartridge packaging comprising a container having a plurality of loose rimfire cartridges contained in an unordered state therein. The bullets of the rimfire cartridges each having a polymer coating, and the bullets are of two or more colors. The container comprises a non-rectangular opening in a front panel of the container defining a window with a transparent material spanning the opening, such that the different colored bullets of the rimfire cartridges are viewable through the window when the container is on a retail store shelf.

Ammunition comes in a vast array of calibers and brands. Retail display of ammunition will often include dozens of different products. The consumer will enter the ammunition area of a store and typically know the size ammunition that he wants to purchase and may or may not be loyal to a particular brand. The most common caliber of ammunition sold on a retail level is, by far, 22 caliber long rifle ammunition. The cartridges in almost all cases having a brass case and gray or copper colored bullet, reflecting the exposed material of the bullet, either lead or copper (or copper alloys). Packaging for 22 caliber ammunition is primarily cardboard boxes with the cartridges packaged in orderly rows and columns. Typically the box has the bullets in a plastic tray having a matrix of receiving holes for the cartridges. The cartridges are protected from damage from one another by the securement of the bullets in the holes and their separation from contact with one another. Typically, viewing the actual product is not possible without opening the package. Some brands of 22 caliber long rifle ammunition may be sold in transparent or translucent polymer cases where some of the rows of the cartridges are partially visible. Such ammunition may also be sold in bulk, in loose packed boxes and polymer tubs. 22 caliber long rifle cartridges are seen as a commodity, they are very inexpensive compared to other cartridges, often less than ten cents per cartridge. The performance of different brands of 22 caliber long rifle cartridges are for many buyers, practicably indistinguishable. Price, innovative packaging, and any product innovation that is apparent by way of the innovative packaging, may turn the purchasing decision toward that particular packaged ammunition at retail establishments.
For such retail settings, particularly stores, the packaging must be easily manageable by the store employees and by the customers, that is, easily graspable and not too heavy. Additionally the package needs to be adequately marked and/or the product displayed to assure the customer they are purchasing what they want.
Considering the numerous brands of such ammunition, and the conventional box packaging, any new packaging particularly associated with the display of a new product that is cost effective, and generates greater sales for that new product would be welcome by the particular brand or manufacturer of said new product. Moreover, to the extent that such packaging is environmentally friendly that would also be an advantage.