A lightweight extendable and retractable telescopic pole is disclosed comprising a plurality of non-metallic telescoping cylinders with sliding and sealing surfaces between the cylinders, a first plug member on the upper end of the smallest cylinder, and a second plug member on the lower end of the largest cylinder, whereby fluid pressure admitted to the largest cylinder will cause the telescoping cylinders to slide relative to one another causing the pole to extend. An elastomeric member connects the first plug member with one of the intermediate cylinders to urge the cylinders back into a collapsed position when the fluid pressure in the cylinders is vented. Annular elastomer members are provided which seal one cylinder to another when the pole is fully extended and further serve to provide a cushion to prevent damage to the cylinders when the pole is urged back into its retractable position by the elastomeric members and the venting of the pressure. A value mechanism associated with the pole is provided to admit a fluid under pressure to the interior of the telescoping cylinders of the pole while pressurizing a pressure relief port having an opening larger than the inlet port in a closed position whereby removal of the pressure on the relief port will cause the relief port to open to quickly lower the pressure in the interior of the telescoping cylinders to thereby assist in the rapid retraction of the extended pole.

This invention relates to a lightweight non-metallic extendable and retractable telescoping pole.
Retractable poles and masts have been fabricated mostly from aluminum, with a few devices made of fiberglass. Such prior designs typically weigh several hundred pounds and may use complicated networks of cranks or screws, lines or cables, and pulleys to extend or collapse the poles, resulting in a time-consuming operation each time the apparatus is to be extended or retracted.
For example, Goodman U.S. Pat. No. 3,296,757 discloses a telescoping mast apparatus wherein the mast is raised and lowered using a lead screw associated with a cranking mechanism. When the mast is first raised, the lead screw is detachably fastened first to the upper end of the topmost mast member. A crank and a set of bevel gears then raises the lead screw to thus raise and lower the topmost antenna mast member. When this portion has been raised, a pin is placed through an aperture in the bottom of this member and a corresponding aperture in the top of the next mast member. The lead screw is then detached from the topmost mast member and attached to the next mast member which is then raised in like manner by the crank and bevel gears. This process must be repeated to lift each mast member or section; and the process is then repeated in reverse to lower the antenna mast.
Roberts et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,932,176 describes a telescoping mast system using wire ropes and pulleys mounted near or within tube collars so that the ropes and pulleys are totally enclosed within the mast system. The wire ropes are attached to a winch so that when the winch is rotated in one direction the ropes axially move the inner tubes from a nested or stowed position to a fully vertically extended position. When the winch is rotated in the opposite direction, the ropes apply a positive retracting force to the inner tubes to return them to a nested position.
It has also been proposed to use pneumatic pressure to extend an antenna mast formed of telescoping light metal sections. Rupprecht U.S. Pat. No. 4,137,535 discloses such a telescoping antenna mast wherein each section, except the bottom section, is provided with a piston attached to its lower end which fits into the next larger cylindrical section below the piston. Each piston has a passage for a gas to flow under pressure to the next section, commencing at the base or lowest section. The top section is closed at its upper end. The antenna mast is retracted by venting the bottom section whereby gas from the upper sections flow back through the passages in the respective pistons to thereby permit the mast to retract in a damped manner by its own weight.
However, while such a dampening mechanism may protect such a device from damage during retraction of the pole, it necessarily must not only reduce the speed of retraction, but the speed of extension as well. Furthermore, retraction of such a pole by its own weight obviously necessitates the use of a pole with sufficient mass to accomplish such retraction in an efficient manner. Therefore, there remains a need for a lightweight extendable and retractable pole which, while lightweight, may be both quickly extended and retracted.

Lightweight extendable and retractable pole

The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy


According to the method the crossover phase of the friction clutches is performed by defining a linear torque profile for the first friction clutch having a given initial value and a zero final value, a linear torque profile for the second friction clutch having a zero initial value and a given final value, and a linear torque profile for the engine having a given initial value and a given final value. The final value of the torque profile of the second friction clutch is calculated, the initial value of the engine torque being known, by determining a final value of the longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle equal to a given percentage of the initial value of the longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle. The final value of the engine torque profile is calculated, the final value of the torque profile of the second friction clutch being known, on the basis of the final value determined for the longitudinal acceleration of the vehicle. The initial value of the torque profile of the first friction clutch is chosen so as to be greater than a minimum value calculated by determining the condition of synchronism of the driving shaft and of the first primary shaft.

The present invention relates to a method for controlling the operation of changing to a higher gear (upshift) in a motor vehicle equipped with a double clutch transmission.
With reference to FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings, a typical double clutch transmission for a motor vehicle is generally indicated 10 and comprises a first primary shaft 12 carrying a plurality of driving gearwheels (only one of which is schematically shown and is indicated 14) associated with a first set of gears (for example the odd gears), a second primary shaft 16 carrying a plurality of driving gearwheels (only one of which is schematically shown and is indicated 18) associated with the remaining gears (for example the even gears), a first friction clutch 20 designed to couple the first primary shaft 12 for rotation with a driving shaft 22 of the vehicle, a second friction clutch 24 designed to couple the second primary shaft 16 for rotation with the driving shaft 22, and one or more secondary shafts (in the example shown a first secondary shaft 26 and a second secondary shaft 28) carrying a plurality of driven gearwheels (of which only a first driven gearwheel 30 is shown schematically, said gearwheel being carried by the first secondary shaft 26 and meshing permanently with the driving gearwheel 14, together with a second driven gearwheel 32, which is carried by the second secondary shaft 28 and meshes permanently with the driving gearwheel 18) each associated with a respective gear and respective final reduction pinions 34 and 36 permanently meshing with a gearwheel 38 of the differential for transmission of the torque to the drive shafts 40 of the motor vehicle, and therefore to the driving wheels 42. The transmission of the torque may therefore take place both via a first section of the transmission consisting of the first friction clutch 20, the first primary shaft 12 and the first secondary shaft 26, and via a second section of the transmission consisting of the second friction clutch 24, the second primary shaft 16 and the second secondary shaft 28.
In a transmission of this type, the gear changing operation is performed in so-called power shift mode, namely with a phase where the starting gears (disengaging gear) and the end gears (engaging gear), which are each associated with a respective section of the transmission, are simultaneously engaged and transmission of the torque takes place via both sections of the transmission. Transfer of the torque from the disengaging section to the engaging section of the transmission therefore is performed by opening the friction clutch associated with the disengaging gear and simultaneously closing the friction clutch associated with the engaging gear. This phase is referred to herein below as the crossover phase of the friction clutches, or simply as the crossover phase. Opening of a clutch and simultaneous closing of the other clutch must be modulated according to suitable control logics which aim to ensure that the gear changing operation is performed as rapidly and comfortably as possible.
A gear changing operation will be described now in detail, assuming changing from a lower gear associated with the first section of the transmission to a higher gear associated with the second section of the transmission, considering a rigid axle model of the transmission of FIG. 1 and representing the involved parameters and variables with the symbols indicated in the following table.
SymbolDescription of parameter/variableCmtorque transmitted by the engineCF,distorque transmitted by the friction clutch associated with thedisengaging gearCF,inntorque transmitted by the friction clutch associated with theengaging gearCRresistive torque acting on the wheels (including gradient)ωmangular velocity of the driving shaftωp,disangular velocity of the primary shaft associated with thedisengaging gearωp,innangular velocity of the primary shaft associated with theengaging gearωRangular velocity of the wheelsMmass of the wheelsRradius of the wheelsJmmoment of inertia of the engineJp,disequivalent moment of inertia of the transmission sectionassociated with the disengaging gearJp,innequivalent moment of inertia of the transmission sectionassociated with the engaging gearJRoverall moment of inertia of the four wheels of the vehicleJeqequivalent moment of inertia at the wheelsτdistransmission ratio (including axle ratio) on the transmissionsection associated with the disengaging gearτinntransmission ratio (including axle ratio) on the transmissionsection associated with the engaging gear
The crossover phase of the friction clutches is preceded by a phase where the transmission of the driving power from the engine to the wheels occurs via a single section of the transmission, namely the section associated with the disengaging gear, the first friction clutch 20 (disengaging gear) being closed and the second friction clutch 24 (engaging gear) being open.
The simplified model represented by the following equation therefore applies:
                                                        (                                                J                  m                                +                                  J                                      p                    ,                    dis                                                              )                        ·                                          ω                .                            m                                =                                    C              m                        -                                          C                R                            τ                                      ,                            (        1        )            where the angular velocity ωm of the driving shaft 22 is synchronized with the angular velocity ωp,dis of the first primary shaft 12 (disengaging gear) and where the resistive torque CR is considered to be constant for the entire gear changing operation.
The equivalent moment of inertia, referred to the primary shaft, of the transmission section associated with the disengaging gear is defined, without taking into account the moments of inertia of the individual shafts of the transmission, by the following equation:
                              J                      p            ,            dis                          =                                            J              eq                                      τ              2                                =                                                                      J                  R                                +                                  M                  ·                                      R                    2                                                                              τ                2                                      .                                              (        2        )
The gear changing operation provides firstly for engagement of the engaging gear, obtained by means of rotational coupling between the idle gearwheel (which may be equally well the driving gearwheel or the driven gearwheel) of the gearing associated with this gear and the respective shaft (primary or secondary shaft, respectively), typically by means of a sliding engaging sleeve, while the friction clutch associated with the engaging gear is kept open, then the crossover phase of the friction clutches, during which the friction clutch associated with the disengaging gear is gradually opened, while the friction clutch associated with the engaging gear is gradually closed, and finally disengagement of the disengaging gear by means of uncoupling of the idle gearwheel (driving or driven gearwheel) of the gearing associated with this gear from the respective shaft (primary or secondary shaft, respectively).
The simplified model which describes the crossover phase, during which both the clutches are in a slipping condition, is represented by the following equations:
                                                        J              m                        ·                                          ω                .                            m                                =                                    C              m                        -                          C                              F                ,                inn                                      -                          C                              F                ,                dis                                                    ;                            (        3        )                                                                    J              eq                        ·                                          ω                .                            R                                =                                                    τ                inn                            ·                              C                                  F                  ,                  inn                                                      +                                          τ                dis                            ·                              C                                  F                  ,                  dis                                                      -                          C              R                                      ;                            (        4        )                                          ω          R                =                                            ω                              p                ,                inn                                                    τ              inn                                =                                                    ω                                  p                  ,                  dis                                                            τ                dis                                      .                                              (        5        )
A first constraint imposed in the known strategies for controlling the gear changing operation is the synchronism between the angular velocities ωm of the driving shaft 22 and ωp,dis of the first primary shaft 12 (disengaging gear). The following relation must therefore apply:ωm=ωp,dis.  (6)
Assuming that the angular velocities ωm and ωp,dis are the same at the start time of the gear changing operation, the synchronism between the angular velocities of the driving shaft 22 and of the first primary shaft 12 (disengaging gear) during the entire crossover phase is ensured if the following relation is satisfied:{dot over (ω)}m(t)={dot over (ω)}p,dis(t)  (7)
Since ωp,dis and ωR are linked, on the basis of the equation (5), by the following relation:ωp,dis=τdis·ωR,  (8)and, if the abovementioned condition of synchronism of the angular accelerations expressed by the relation (7) is set, the equation (3) becomes:Jm·τdis·{dot over (ω)}R=Cm−CF,inn−CF,dis.  (9)Taking {dot over (ω)}R from the equation (4) and substituting it in the equation (9), the following equation which links the torque profiles of the engine and of the two friction clutches 20 and 24 in the condition of synchronism between driving shaft 22 and first primary shaft 12 (disengaging gear) is obtained:Jeq·Cm−(Jeq+Jm·τinn·τdis)·CF,inn−CF,dis·(Jeq+Jm·τdis2)+Jm·τdis·CR=0.  (10)
Taking CF,dis from the equation (10), the minimum torque profile of the first friction clutch 20 which ensures synchronism between the angular velocities ωm and ωp,dis of the driving shaft 22 and of the first primary shaft 12 (disengaging gear), respectively, is obtained:
                                          C            _                                F            ,            dis                          =                                            1                              1                +                                                                            J                      m                                        ·                                          τ                      dis                      2                                                                            J                    eq                                                                        ·                          C              m                                -                                                                      J                  eq                                +                                                      J                    m                                    ·                                      τ                    dis                                    ·                                      τ                    inn                                                                                J                  eq                                +                                                      J                    m                                    ·                                      τ                    dis                    2                                                                        ·                          C                              F                ,                inn                                              +                                    1                                                                    J                    eq                                                                              J                      m                                                                                τ                      dis                                                                      +                                  τ                  dis                                                      ·                                          C                R                            .                                                          (        11        )
If the first friction clutch 20 (disengaging gear) is controlled with a torque profile greater than the minimum torque profile defined by the equation (11), the previous transmission model with both the friction clutches 20 and 24 in a slipping condition, defined by the equations (3) and (4), is replaced by a new transmission model in which only the second friction clutch 24 is in a slipping condition, while the first friction clutch 20 is closed and therefore the first primary shaft 12 (disengaging gear) rotates at the same angular velocity as the driving shaft 22. This new model is defined by the following equations:
                                          ω            m                    =                                    ω                              p                ,                dis                                      =                                                                                τ                    dis                                                        τ                    inn                                                  ·                                  ω                                      p                    ,                    inn                                                              =                                                τ                  dis                                ·                                  ω                  R                                                                    ;                            (        12        )                                                      (                                                            J                  m                                ·                                  τ                  dis                  2                                            +                              J                R                                      )                    ·                                    ω              .                        R                          =                                            (                                                τ                  inn                                -                                  τ                  dis                                            )                        ·                          C                              F                ,                inn                                              +                                    τ              dis                        ·                          C              m                                -                                    C              R                        .                                              (        13        )
If the open condition of the second friction clutch 24 is set at the beginning of the crossover phase (time t=0), i.e.CF,inn(0)=0,  (14)the initial minimum value of CF,dis:
                                                        C              _                                      F              ,              dis                                                      (            0            )                          =                                            1                              1                +                                                                            J                      m                                        ·                                          τ                      dis                      2                                                                            J                    eq                                                                        ·                                          C                m                                                          (                0                )                                              +                                    1                                                                    J                    eq                                                                              J                      m                                                                                τ                      dis                                                                      +                                  τ                  dis                                                      ·                                          C                R                            .                                                          (        15        )            is obtained from the equation (11).
If, moreover, the open condition of the first friction clutch is set at the end of the crossover phase (instant t=tfi), i.e.CF,dis(tfi)=0,  (16)the following equation, which links the final value of the engine torque Cm to the final value of the torque CF,inn of the second friction clutch 24 (engaging gear):
                                          C            m                                          (                          t              fi                        )                          =                                            (                              1                +                                                                            J                      m                                        ·                                          τ                      inn                                        ·                                          τ                      dis                                                                            J                    eq                                                              )                        ·                                          C                                  F                  ,                  inn                                                                          (                                  t                  fi                                )                                              -                                                                      J                  m                                                                  τ                  dis                                                            J                eq                                      ·                                          C                R                            .                                                          (        17        )            is obtained from the equation (10).
From the equation (17) it can be seen that, in the case of negligible resistive torques CR, the final torque Cm(tfi) of the engine is greater than the final torque CF,inn(tfi) of the second friction clutch 24 (engaging gear).
In short, the equation (15) represents a general constraint for selection of the torque profile of the first friction clutch (clutch to be opened) which ensures no slipping of this clutch, while the equation (17) represents the link between the final values of the engine torque and of the torque of the second friction clutch (clutch to be closed) which ensures the synchronism between the angular velocities of the driving shaft and of the first primary shaft (disengaging gear) and the continuity of the angular acceleration at the time of opening of the first friction clutch.

Method for controlling the upshift operation in a motor vehicle equipped with a double clutch transmission


A three-dimensional semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the same, the device including a lower insulating layer on a top surface of a substrate; an electrode structure sequentially stacked on the lower insulating layer, the electrode structure including conductive patterns; a semiconductor pattern penetrating the electrode structure and the lower insulating layer and being connected to the substrate; and a vertical insulating layer interposed between the semiconductor pattern and the electrode structure, the vertical insulating layer crossing the conductive patterns in a vertical direction and being in contact with a top surface of the lower insulating layer.

1. Field
Embodiments relate to a three-dimensional semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
Higher integration of semiconductor devices may be helpful to satisfy consumer demands for superior performance and inexpensive prices. In semiconductor devices, integration is an important factor in determining product prices. Thus, increased integration is especially desirable. In the case of two-dimensional or planar semiconductor memory devices, integration may be mainly determined by an area occupied by a unit memory cell and integration may be greatly influenced by a level of a fine pattern forming technology. However, extremely expensive process equipment may be needed to increase pattern fineness and thus may present a practical limitation on increasing integration for two-dimensional or planar semiconductor devices.

Three-dimensional semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same


An improved technique for verifying a license of a software product includes performing license checks with a server and passing to the server, as part of the license checks, a drifting digital code. The drifting code forms a particular drift pattern, which the server detects over the course of multiple license checks. The drift pattern is typically unique, or relatively unique, to the machine on which the software product is run, and changes in a manner that is difficult for malicious users to replicate on other machines. If a second copy of the software is installed, e.g., if the software is pirated, the second copy will produce a drifting code that has its own drift pattern, which differs from that of the initial copy. The server detects the duplicate copy by observing a divergence in the codes it receives during license checks.

Many software products make use of license verification processes to ensure effective license enforcement. According to one conventional license verification process, a medium containing a licensed software product is provided with a product key, such as a 16-character string printed on a sticker affixed to the medium or its packaging. The product key has a structure that matches a predetermined schema. During software installation, a user is prompted to enter the product key, e.g., on a keyboard of the user's computer. The software tests the entered key to determine whether it conforms to the predetermined schema. If the product key meets the schema, full functionality of the software may be unlocked and the user may gain access. If the product key does not meet the schema, the software, or certain features of the software, may remain locked and therefore inaccessible to the user.
According to another conventional license verification process, the software on a user's machine is configured to communicate online with a server, such as an activation server or a registration server. Hardware information about the user's machine is gathered, such as the machine's MAC address. The user enters a product key, and the product key is uploaded to the server along with the gathered hardware information. If an attempt is later made to activate or register the software using the same product key on a different machine, the server can detect a discrepancy in the hardware information and flag a duplicate copy. Additional steps may then be taken to ascertain whether the duplicate copy is allowed under the license and what actions should be taken if the duplicate copy is forbidden.
Some conventional software products perform license verifications rarely, such as only when the software is registered or activated. Other conventional software products perform license verifications more regularly, such as every time the software product is started.

Software license management with drifting component


An aluminum tubular beam is assembled to a steel box frame rail with a steel sleeve. The sleeve is connected by a crimp joint or by a hem flange to the tubular beam. The steel sleeve may be effectively welded to the steel box frame rail to which it is assembled. An adhesive may be provided between the sleeve and the beam.

The use of lightweight materials is an efficient way to reduce weight and improve fuel economy in vehicles. Aluminum is a promising material that can achieve 40% weight reduction while still meeting structural performance targets. For example, aluminum cross members may be used as components for lightweight truck frames. Joining aluminum cross members to steel frame rails however presents a challenge especially when the cross member is a closed section component. Pieced together joints are stiff and do not maximize weight reduction for closed section components and cross members.
Joining technology for assembling steel cross members and steel rails is well established and reliable. Generally, openings are cut through steel rails, steel cross members are placed into the openings, and are then MIG welded together. On the other hand, MIG welding aluminum cross members to steel rails is a challenging task that requires special welding techniques and equipment.
The above challenges and problems are addressed by this disclosure as well as other problems as summarized below.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A cosmetic composition including exosomes derived from Galactomyces as an active ingredient is provided for skin regeneration, skin elasticity improvement or skin wrinkle reduction. The cosmetic composition has excellent effects on skin regeneration, skin elasticity improvement and/or skin wrinkle reduction.

It is known that skin aging leads to a decrease in skin elasticity and an increase in skin wrinkles and that the decrease in skin elasticity and the formation of skin wrinkles occur due to decreased synthesis of collagen and stimulated expression of the collagenase matrix metalloproteinase (MMP).
In addition, it is known that in skin cells, COX-2, an enzyme that produces inflammatory cytokines increases due to aging progression or ultraviolet (UV) rays, resulting in increased synthesis of prostaglandin E2 and increased production of inflammation inducers. Due to inflammatory reactions, the biosynthesis of MMP increases, causing collagen degradation and resulting in the decrease in skin elasticity and the formation of skin wrinkles. In particular, when sunlight and ultraviolet rays are irradiated directly onto skin, a lot of free radicals are generated, and these free radicals could damage the antioxidant defense system of skin, thus increasing wrinkles, making skin loose and accelerating skin aging. Therefore, in order to reduce skin wrinkles and to maintain elasticity, it is necessary to protect skin by inhibiting the production of reactive oxygen species and free radicals, inhibiting inflammatory responses and encouraging skin regeneration from wounds.
Substances known to be effective in reducing skin wrinkles include adenosine and retinoic acid. However, adenosine has little efficacy in clinical practice, and retinoic acid cannot be used for pregnant women and has side effects such as erythema. Accordingly, functional cosmetics for anti-aging skin containing active ingredients derived from plants or natural products have recently attracted attention. However, functional cosmetics containing plant extracts as an active ingredient have problems that they may cause a foreign body sensation during their evaporation after application to the skin, and the duration of the effect thereof is short.
Recently, there have been reports that cell secretomes contain various bioactive molecules that regulate cellular behaviors. In particular, cell secretomes contain 'exosome' that has intercellular signaling functions, and thus studies on the components and functions thereof have been actively conducted.
Cells release various membraneous vesicles to their extracellular environment, and these released vesicles are usually called extracellular vesicles (EVs). The EV is also called cell membrane-derived vesicle, ectosome, shedding vesicle, microparticle, exosome, etc., and is also used discriminately from exosome in some cases.
Exosome is a vesicle of tens to hundreds of nanometers in size, which consists of a phospholipid bilayer membrane having the same structure as that of the cell membrane. This exosome contains proteins, nucleic acids (mRNA, miRNA, etc.) and the like which are called exosome cargo. It is known that exosome cargo includes a wide range of signaling factors, and these signaling factors are specific for cell types and regulated differently depending on secretory cells' environment. It is known that exosome is an intercellular signaling mediator secreted by cells, and various cellular signals transmitted through it regulate cellular behaviors, including the activation, growth, migration, differentiation, dedifferentiation, apoptosis, and necrosis of target cells. Exosome contains specific genetic materials and bioactive factors depending on the nature and state of cells from which the exosome was derived. Exosome derived from proliferating stem cells regulates cell behaviors such as cell migration, proliferation and differentiation, and recapitulates the function of stem cells involved in tissue regeneration (Nature Review Immunology 2002 (2) 569-579).
Exosomes called "avatars" of cells are known to be released not only from stem cells and cancer cells, but also from cells of various organisms such as plants, bacteria, fungi, and algae. For example, exosomes may be isolated from conditioned media or fermentation products of yeast, as well as conditioned media of mesenchymal stem cells and conditioned media of fibroblasts.
Yeast is used in the manufacture of various fermented foods, and it is known that yeast fermentation products obtained in processes of brewing alcoholic beverages have an effect on skin condition improvement. However, studies on the isolation, purification and characterization of exosomes derived from yeast remain insufficient. Therefore, more detailed characterization and functional studies of exosomes derived from yeast are required.
In this regard, fermented cosmetics have recently gained popularity, and the types of yeast used in cosmetics have also increased. There are approximately hundreds of types of yeast used as cosmetic ingredients, and among the fermented cosmetic ingredients, a Galactomyces ferment filtrate is receiving the best consumer response. Galactomyces is a genus of yeast found in the process of researching various yeasts, focusing on the fact that the skin of the hand of the craftsman who brews refined rice wine is elastic and clean for his age. The Galactomyces ferment filtrate is rich in vitamins, minerals, amino acids, organic acids, enzymes, yeast peptides and the like. However, the Galactomyces ferment filtrate may cause side effects such as skin troubles, skin redness, or dermatitis in people whose skin is sensitive to fermented ingredients.
The present inventors have found that exosomes derived from Galactomyces are effective in skin regeneration, skin elasticity improvement and/or skin wrinkle reduction, etc., and have developed a cosmetic composition for skin regeneration, skin elasticity improvement or skin wrinkle reduction, comprising exosomes derived from Galactomyces as an active ingredient.
Meanwhile, it is to be understood that the matters described as the background art are intended merely to aid in the understanding of the background of the present invention and are not admitted as prior art against the present invention.

Cosmetic composition comprising exosomes derived from galactomyces as active ingredient


Techniques are provided for image-based estimation of the orientation of an airborne platform. A methodology implementing the techniques according to an embodiment includes rotating an image, provided by a camera on the platform, by a selected rotation angle. The method also includes computing an intensity gradient image based on the rotated image. The method further includes extracting a left quarter segment and a right quarter segment of the intensity gradient image. The method further includes flipping one of the extracted segments about a vertical axis through that segment and comparing the non-flipped segment to the flipped segment to generate a matching score. The comparison may be based on a correlation between the flipped segment and the non-flipped segment. The process may be repeated for additional rotation angles and the rotation angle associated with the highest matching score is selected as the estimated orientation angle of the platform.

Navigational drift can pose a problem for vehicles/platforms, particularly over open water, when such platforms do not have reliable access to the Global Positioning System (GPS). This drift can result in the platform being well off course when it eventually makes landfall, thus compromising or negating the mission of the platform, especially for missions that require lengthy travel over open water during which the errors accumulate to an unacceptable degree.
Although the following Detailed Description will proceed with reference being made to illustrative embodiments, many alternatives, modifications, and variations thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Image based estimation of aerial platform orientation in roll and pitch

BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.


Disclosed is a method, system, and article of manufacture for a one-pass approach for implementing metal-fill for an integrated circuit. Also disclosed is a method, system, and article of manufacture for implementing metal-fill that is coupled to a tie-off connection. An approach that is disclosed comprises a method, system, and article of manufacture for implementing metal-fill having an elongated shape that corresponds to the length of whitespace. Also disclosed is the aspect of implementing metal-fill that matches the routing direction. Yet another disclosure is an implementation of a place & route tool incorporating an integrated metal-fill mechanism.

The invention relates to the design and manufacture of integrated circuits, and more particularly, to techniques, systems, and methods for implementing metal-fill patterns on an integrated circuit.
In recent years, in IC manufacturing, chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) has emerged as an important technique for planarizing dielectrics because of its effectiveness in reducing local step height and achieving a measure of global planarization not normally possible with spin-on and resist etch back techniques. However, CMP processes have been hampered by layout pattern dependent variation in the inter-level dielectric (ILD) thickness which can reduce yield and impact circuit performance. A common approach for reducing layout pattern dependent dielectric thickness variation is to change the layout pattern itself via the use of metal-fill patterning.
Metal-fill patterning is the process of filling large open areas on each metal layer with a metal pattern to compensate for pattern-driven variations. The manufacturer of the chip normally specifies a minimum and maximum range of metal that should be present at each portion of the die. If there is an insufficient amount of metal at a particular portion or "window" on the chip, then metal-fill is required to increase the proportion of metal in that portion or window. Otherwise, an insufficient amount of metal may cause bumps to exist in the finished chip. However, too much metal may cause dishing to occur. Therefore, the metal-fill process should not cause the die to exceed any specified maximum range of metal for the chip.
FIG. 1 shows a "fixed template" approach for performing metal-fill patterning, in which a template pattern is overlaid with the chip design, the results are tested with a separate analysis step, and then new fixed shapes are added or the starting point (offset) of the fixed shapes is shifted until the minimum density is met in every area.
To explain further, in this approach, a chip layout is divided into a set of delineated portions or windows. For each window, the metal features or "blockages" 103 are identified, as shown in window 102. If the proportion of metal in that window is below a specified minimum percentage, then metal-fill patterning is performed to increase the amount of metal. In many cases, the designer or manufacturer will specify a minimum distance around each blockage that should not contain the additional metal-fill. As shown in window 104, a fence 105 is established around each blockage 103 in the window to maintain this minimum distance around each blockage.
A fill template is selected to provide the metal-fill pattern. The fill template is a fixed pattern of uniform metal shapes, e.g., an array of 2 um×2 um shapes spaced apart by 2 um, as shown in the example fill template of window 106. Once a fill template has been selected, the fenced blockage window 104 is overlaid upon the fill template, resulting in the new chip layout as shown in window 108.
At this point, a determination is made whether the layout meets minimum and maximum metal requirements. In some cases, the selected metal-fill pattern may contain too much metal, causing the new layout to exceed maximum metal percentages as specified by the manufacturer. In other cases, the metal-fill pattern may contain too little metal, causing the new layout to fall beneath specified minimum metal percentages. In either case, a new metal-fill pattern must be selected and the overlaying process repeated.
In certain instances, the metal-fill pattern may be sufficient, but must be "shifted" to properly fit against the fenced blockage window. For example, it can be seen in portion 110 of window 108 that because of the uneven distances between blockages, the metal-fill pattern does not exactly fit within the spaces between the blockages. Thus, the fixed, regular pattern of the metal in the metal-fill causes portions 112 and 114 of the new layout in window 108 to contain less metal than other portions. This can be corrected by shifting the metal-fill pattern 106 against the fenced blockage window 104 until a more optimal metal percentage is achieved.
The process of re-selecting a new metal-fill pattern or shifting the metal-fill pattern and then re-performing the overlaying is iteratively repeated until the final layout satisfies the minimum and maximum metal percentage requirements for the chip. In effect, this fixed template approach may be seen as a trial and error approach in which multiple passes through the metal-fill selection/overlaying process is needed to achieve an acceptable metal percentage. This trial and error approach can be costly and inefficient, particularly if the iterative steps of the process must be manually performed. Moreover, as new chip designs become smaller, the required metal percentage requirements become even stricter, which may require even more passes through this process to achieve an acceptable metal percentage.
To overcome the disadvantages of these and other approaches, the present invention provides an improved method, system, and article of manufacture for implementing metal-fill for an integrated circuit. A disclosed embodiment calculates the best offset in each area to be filled and dynamically adjust shape widths and different shape lengths that best fill that area, in which only a single pass is needed to appropriately determine the metal-fill pattern. An embodiment also simultaneously optimizes across multiple metal-fill windows such that that the process will not add shapes in a window that would exceed the maximum density, while attempting to make all windows match the preferred density, and meeting the minimum density.
Also disclosed is a method, system, and article of manufacture for implementing metal-fill that is coupled to a tie-off connection. An embodiment that is disclosed comprises a method, system, and article of manufacture for implementing metal-fill having an elongated shape that corresponds to the length of whitespace. Also disclosed is the aspect of implementing metal-fill that matches the routing direction. Yet another disclosure is an implementation of a place & route tool incorporating an integrated metal-fill mechanism. Other and additional objects, features, and advantages of the invention are described in the detailed description, figures, and claims.

Method, system, and article of manufacture for implementing metal-fill on an integrated circuit


An image processing system for performing rotation of an image reduces the size of the memory buffer needed for rotation while ensuring that rotation is compatible with a variety of compression techniques. A processing module determines whether a memory buffer sized to accommodate the entire image should be used, or whether a smaller memory buffer can be used to rotate smaller sized image sections. When the image data fills the selected memory buffer, rotation processing of the image data can then commence, regardless of whether the entire input image has been received by the processing module. A rotation module operates on incoming image data stored in the memory buffer, causing rotation of the image data and transfer to an encoder/decoder module where the image data is compressed in accordance with one or more compression techniques. After compression, the image data is stored in random memory locations. When the rotated image is requested by the output device, the sections are retrieved, decompressed and reconstructed in accordance with appropriate compression techniques.

As complex image processing systems, such as printers, facsimile machines, and electronic devices become more advanced, it is often necessary for original images having a scan format in one direction, to be transferred to an output device having a scan format in a different direction. As such, it has become increasingly necessary to perform rotation processing on an image prior to transferring the image to the output device. Given that the amount of system memory needed for rotation processing can often be great due to the size and content of the image being processed, conservation of memory during rotation has become an important consideration in image processing design.
An image processing system that has attempted to solve the problem of conservation of memory is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,271,476 to Lotspiech ("the '476 patent"). In this system, a digital image can be rotated into a vertical scan format for printing. In an effort to conserve memory, a processor determines when a nominal amount of the image is present in a file, and then rotates and compresses the image. Adjacent portions of the image are thus rotated, compressed and stored in adjacent memory locations, where an electronic knitting of adjacent image boundaries takes place. The knitting process is the digital integration of a portion of compressed image data with adjacent portions. As described in this patent, when each portion of the image is integrated with other compressed portions, reconstruction of the entire rotated image can take place using a run length decoding technique.
Although memory is saved in the system of the '476 patent, there are problems associated with such a system. In particular, the knitting process can only be carried out on adjacent blocks, thus limiting the areas of memory in which compressed portions of the image can be stored. Moreover, the knitting technique cannot be used with other standard compression techniques such as Joint Bitonal Imaging Experts Group (JBIG), in which a current value of a compressed image block depends on data existing in memory in blocks that are not adjacent to the image block.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a system for performing rotation of an image, that is capable of reducing the memory needed for rotation while providing flexibility in the compression techniques that can be used to reconstruct the image.

Memory conserving and compression technique-compatible image rotation system


Techniques are disclosed for creating digital flash cards that include links to content from one or more digital content sources, referred to herein as a flash card mode. The mode allows a user to create a digital flash card by selecting a portion of a digital content source and performing a create command. The created flash card includes at least two virtual sides and a first side of the flash card identifies the location of the selected portion of digital content. The location may be identified, for example, by a canonical fragment identifier (CFI). Text can then be entered for a second side of the flash card. Flash cards can be shared with other users, and because the flash cards only identify locations of content within digital content sources, the mode is well-suited to handle sources including digital rights management (DRM) protection, for example.

Electronic computing devices such as tablets, eReaders, mobile phones, smart phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and other such devices are commonly used for displaying digital content. The content may be, for example, an eBook, a web page, an online article or blog, images, a movie or video, a map, just to name a few types. Such devices may also be useful for displaying a user interface that allows a user to interact with one or more applications running on the device. The applications may allow a user to read or browse through digital content, such as electronic books (eBooks), magazines, catalogs, or comics, for example. The computing devices may also include a touch-sensitive surface/interface for receiving user input such as a touch screen or a track pad (e.g., in combination with a non-touch-sensitive display). The user may interact with such touch-sensitive electronic computing devices using fingers and/or a stylus, for example.

Digital flash cards including links to digital content


An embodiment provides a method, including detecting, using a touch sensor, a touch input; and operating, using a control unit, a variable friction hinge to achieve a low friction mode in response to the touch input. Other aspects are described and claimed.

As electronic devices having a lid that opens, closes or repositions about a hinge or hinges (e.g., a clamshell laptop computer) become lighter, it becomes more difficult to open the lid of the device, e.g., using one finger. That is because the bottom half of the devices, which were once quite heavy, are now light enough that when a user tries to open the lid with one finger, they end up lifting not only the upper part (e.g., screen half of a laptop) but also the bottom part (e.g., keyboard containing part of the laptop).
This difficulty is in part due to the friction in device hinges remaining constant, even as devices become lighter. Most thin computers now require at least one finger to hold the bottom half of the computer down and another finger, usually on the user's opposite hand, to lift the lid.
In order to make it easier to lift the lid with one finger, leaving the other hand free, some computers have hinges with relatively low friction. This does make it possible to lift the lid with one finger, but it also means that when the laptop is open, the upper part (e.g., screen) is not very stable and not suitable for use (particularly if the screen is a touch screen) or while carrying the computer. It has been proposed that a computer could have a hinge whose friction can be varied electronically. When power is applied to the hinge, the friction either increases or decreases.

Variable friction hinge for electronic devices


A method for authenticating a user based on a plurality of authentication factors includes a step of receiving a first authentication factor from a first communication device of the user. The first authentication factor includes a password. The method includes a step of receiving a second authentication factor. The second authentication factor comprises at least one of at least one device identifier of the first communication device of the user and data transmitted to or received from a second communication device of the user. The method also includes a step of authenticating the user based on at least the received plurality of authentication factors.

Strong user authentication is achieved through the simultaneous presentation of multiple authentication factors, classically defined as: (1) something you know, (2) something you have, and (3) something you are. Most e-commerce today is based upon weak authentication utilizing only one factor—a password (something you know). Because of the increase of password-stealing exploits on the Internet, wider adoption of two-factor authentication is desirable.
However, two-factor authentication has been difficult to deploy, because it traditionally requires either (a) the distribution of new hardware to the user, such as a key fob or a smart card and reader, and/or (b) the installation of new software on the user's computer, such as a digital certificate. Therefore, the use of two-factor authentication has been limited to a relatively small number of very high-value relationships and transactions.
Individuals must present credentials to demonstrate that they are who they claim to be. These credentials are varied, and fall into three types, often referred to as authentication factors:
1. Information ("Something You Know")
Password, passphrase, PIN, zip code, phone number, Social Security number, account number, mother's maiden name, recent transactions, credit history, etc.
2. Object ("Something You Have")
Credit card, driver's license, ID card, passport, ticket, paper certificate, smart card, contactless card or key fob, dynamic password generator, phone, PDA, computer, peripheral, etc.
3. Person ("Something You Are")
There is only one instance of a person, but there are numerous ways to measure a person: photograph, signature, fingerprint, retinal scan, hand geometry, facial geometry, voiceprint, DNA analysis, etc.
Because individual credentials can be stolen or counterfeited, security can be increased by using multiple credentials. Multiple credentials of the same type offer less increased security than credentials of different types, because they can often be misappropriated at the same time in the same way. (For instance, if an attacker steals your wallet, he will get your driver's license and your credit cards.) But because credentials of different types must generally be stolen using different types of attack, the simultaneous use of different types of credentials—"multi-factor" authentication—increases the strength of an authentication. (For instance, an attacker might steal your wallet and get your ATM card, but would not have your PIN. Or an attacker might surreptitiously observe you entering your PIN, but would not have physical possession of your ATM card.)
In face-to-face interactions, credentials of all three types can be directly inspected. However, in remote interactions such as those done over the Internet, credentials which are objects or persons cannot be directly inspected—so their presence and authenticity should be verified in some other way. Typically, this is done by accessing some unique data stored on the object (such as the data encoded on a magnetic card) or by taking some measurement of the object or person (such as the fingerprint of a person). To prevent the fraudulent replay of such data, some systems employ dynamic data or a cryptographic challenge-response.
Systems which utilize objects or persons as authentication factors in remote electronic authentication generally require one or more of the following: (1) new software installed on the user's computer, (2) new hardware—such as a reader—attached to the computer, and/or (3) a hardware token, such as a smart card or a key fob, distributed to the user.
What is needed is a system and method that can perform two-or-more-factor authentication that can be deployed without requiring any software or hardware that the typical Internet user doesn't already possess.

System and method for authenticating users using two or more factors


A display system includes a host apparatus having a video interface circuit and a display apparatus operated by feed of a video image and power from the host apparatus, and also has a communication function for receiving and transmitting data between the host apparatus and the display apparatus. In the display system, the display apparatus transmits power consumption data thereof stored in an EEPROM to the host apparatus and processes the power consumption data thereof which is received by the host apparatus, thus controlling power of the display system including the host apparatus and the display apparatus.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a display system and a microdisplay apparatus, and more particularly, to a display system and a microdisplay apparatus suitable for data communication via a display interface capable of plug and play.
2. Description of the Related Art
There is an interface conformed with DDC1/DDC2B/DDC2AB standard which is prescribed by VESA (Video Electronics Standards Association) as means for communication between a personal computer and a display apparatus. Further, there is EDID (Extended Display Identification Data Standard) as a data format on which specific information of the display apparatus is recognized by the personal computer by using the communication via the above interface.
In an example of the above-mentioned communication, as disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 10-74072, there is provided a display apparatus, connected to a computer main body, for displaying data of a computer main body on a monitor, having a monitor control unit for display control with a CPU and a RAM and a nonvolatile memory connected to the monitor control unit, wherein the nonvolatile memory has an area for storing monitor specification data necessary for set-up of display and the RAM has an area for downloading the monitor specification data when the computer main body is turned on or is reset, and the monitor specification data downloaded is transferred to the computer main body in accordance with a reading request from the computer main body.
Recently, portable-type personal computers are increasingly developed and many companies unveil small personal computers which operate with a battery and integrate no display apparatus. The small personal computers are well known as, a so-called wearable computers. As one of the display apparatuses in the wearable computers, there is a portable-type microdisplay apparatus or wearable display apparatus developed having a small display (display having a diagonal length of a screen of, for example, 50 mm or less). An unveiled concrete case is a monocular-type head mounted video display apparatus using a digital video interface. In the wearable computer system, the microdisplay apparatus is mounted on the head or face, a wearable computer is equipped, and the microdisplay apparatus and wearable computer are connected, thereby using the system.
The display interface of some of these microdisplay apparatus adopts a signal format of GVIF, TMDS, or LVDS. The microdisplay apparatus using the signal formats is specified to greatly reduce power consumption, as compared with general display apparatuses. Specifically speaking, the power consumption is, for example, approximately 5V and 0.5 A. Therefore, even when a host apparatus is portable-type information equipment driven with the battery as mentioned above (e.g., a notebook-type personal computer and a wearable personal computer), power can be supplied from the host apparatus.
Currently, companies sell portable-type DVD players. In addition, as unveiled ones, there is a portable-type DVD player in which a dedicated output terminal for supplying a video signal and power via a dedicated connection cable is provided for a commercial head mounted video display apparatus.
By using the video interface of the DVD player, a plurality of kinds of display apparatuses can be exchanged and employed.
In recent years, because of difficult setting in that peripheral equipment is connected to a computer as the host apparatus, a plug and play mechanism is integrated in the computer system or the like to facilitate the setting. In the plug and play mechanism, only by plugging the peripheral equipment in, for instance, a personal computer, the computer can readily play.
The plug and play is structured by a BIOS corresponding to the plug and play and an OS (operating system) corresponding to it. For example, the plug and play mechanism enables the automation of troublesome setting of the system such as setting of interrupt of expansion board (IRQ), DMA channel, I/O address, etc. and also enables a device driver of a peripheral equipment to be automatically loaded/unloaded when the peripheral equipment are attached to or detached from the personal computer during operation thereof.
The display apparatus having the above-described plug and play mechanism (function) is produced. Data of the display apparatus such as a resolution and a synchronous frequency is received/transmitted between the computer and the plug and play mechanism of the display apparatus, thereby effecting the plug and play mechanism.
In the above-described plug and play mechanism of the display, control for communication is performed through a DDC (Display Data Channel) interface which is standardized by the VESA. Also, by transmitting EDID (Extended Display Identification Data) information on the resolution and the synchronous frequency of the display apparatus, etc. from the display apparatus to the computer, the setting can be automatized to recognize an available range of the display apparatus. On the other hand, the plug and play needs complicated operations of start, selection, and execution of application.
The improvement in the operability is, for instance, a display apparatus disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 11-15425. The display apparatus has a function for switching a display mode of a computer under the control of an operation for switching a resolution and a synchronous frequency by the display apparatus itself so as to improve the operability. The disclosure exemplifies a case in which the computer is connected to the display apparatus with one-to-one corresponding relationship, that is, the single display apparatus is connected to the computer.
As general display apparatuses, there are a CRT display used for a desk-top computer and a liquid crystal display used for the liquid crystal desk-top computer. However, power consumption is large in these displays. Therefore, general types are a display integrating an AC power supply and a display to which DC power is supplied via an AC adapter. In the plug and play of the above-mentioned display apparatus, the improvement is limited to the automatization of setting of the resolution and synchronous frequency of the display apparatus. A digital interface of the display apparatus is disclosed in Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 9-311670 as one example. In the interface disclosed therein, however, there is neither suggestion nor consideration of power control.
Since the above application is typical, it is necessary to supply a power supply of the display apparatus from the AC power or from the AC adapter near the installed place of the display apparatus when using the display apparatus at a position far from the host apparatus.
Also, since the above-mentioned wearable computer system is developed in terms of connection of a dedicated display apparatus, it is not assumed that microdisplay apparatuses having various specifications are exchanged and connected. Thus, the plug and play is not considered.
In recent years, in association with the active technical development in the field of the microdisplay apparatus, a technique for connecting pieces of equipment for general purpose must be taken into account.
However, it is difficult to implement the plug and play connection via a shared interface between the host apparatus and the display apparatus to which a video signal and power are supplied from the host apparatus because of the following reasons.
Firstly, in the standard specification of the above EDID, there is no item on power consumption of the display apparatus to be connected and data on the power consumption is not supported. Consequently, in the case of supplying power to the display apparatus from the host apparatus, even if no power consumption of the display apparatus connected to the host apparatus corresponds to the power capacity of the host apparatus, there is a possibility that the host apparatus feeds power.
Next, according to the aforementioned technique, power can be controlled by storing a power consumption data file of the existing display apparatus in the host apparatus, then, by recognizing the display apparatus connected to the host apparatus in accordance with the EDID, and by referring to the corresponding data file. However, even in this case, it is not possible to control the power for the display apparatus in which, beforehand, the data file is not provided in the host apparatus.
Further, in a display system in which a HOST APPARATUS is driven with a battery and a video signal and power are supplied to a display apparatus from the HOST APPARATUS, the HOST APPARATUS has no power consumption data of the display apparatus connected thereto. Therefore, it is impossible to correctly recognize available time of the host apparatus and the display apparatus corresponding to a residual amount of battery power in the host apparatus and, then, the available time cannot also be correctly indicated to a user.
In some face mounted display (FMD) system as a product, a controller for manual operation lies between a host apparatus as a supply source of a video image and a goggle as a display apparatus mounted on the head upon using. However, for the purpose of conveniently carrying the FMD system, the high portability is desired for applications such as the wearable personal computer PC (Personal Computer) and, thus, the configuration needs to be simplified as much as possible.
It is considered that, in place of independent installation of the controller, the host apparatus or goggle has a function of the controller and only the goggle is directly connected to the host apparatus.
However, the controller has an on-screen display (OSD) function for displaying information on a product (such as the residual amount of battery power and a screen of a password) on a screen for the user who mounts the goggle on the head. In one example of the OSD function, if the goggle entirely has this function, the goggle increases in size and the user cannot comfortably mount it on the head.
As another example of the OSD function, there is a password function for setting the goggle to be connected to a personal computer. Originally, the goggle has a password as unique information. In the case in which the password function is provided for the host apparatus, a specific goggle is connected to a specific host apparatus with one-to-one corresponding relationship and the availability is limited, thus prohibiting the general-purpose use. In conclusion, it is not preferable to provide the password function for the host apparatus.
As described above, further, the existing display systems such as the FMD system need improvement of the portability and have a problem in that the goggle is increased in size and cannot be wearablly used if the controller is not provided to accomplish the above necessary improvement without any devices.
As one of the display systems, a power-down converter and power-up converter are provided for the microdisplay apparatus and a power supply of the power-up/down converters is controlled by the microdisplay apparatus itself and the operation thereof is made stable. In this case, most often, power consumption of the power-up/down converter is large and the weight thereof is heavy.
Preferably, the display apparatus is formed by enclosing the power supply in one cable so that the portability is high and it is easily used for an operator. Although the digitization of a video signal enables long-distance communication, it must be taken into account that a voltage of a power supply drops in accordance with a length of a cable when a line for transmitting the video signal and a line for supplying power is shared. Consequently, if the host apparatus is detached/attached from/to the operator in consideration of the above points, it is desired that the microdisplay apparatus can be operated wearablly and stably.
No apparatus for displaying data on a screen by connecting a plurality of equipment is disclosed in the Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 11-15425. More specifically, if the computer is connected to the display apparatus via a conversion adapter, etc. arranged between them, the plug and play may become ineffective. Such problem is not taken into account therein. In the plug and play, only a point is considered that the microdisplay apparatus is directly communicated with the computer, thereby receiving and transmitting data. Therefore, the above plug and play is not effective to a system for converting a format of the video signal by the conversion adapter and displaying the signal on the microdisplay apparatus.

Display system and microdisplay apparatus


Apparatuses, components, methods, and techniques for altering equipment operation are provided. An example tool control and breathable air delivery system includes equipment including a tool and a controller configured to control the tool. The example system also includes a wearable respirator and an air delivery device connected to the wearable respirator. The example system further includes an air evaluation monitor configured to generate a signal based upon a condition of air being delivered to the wearable respirator. An example electronic circuit is configured to adjust the tool based at least in part on the signal generated by the air evaluation monitor. An example method includes enabling the tool, providing air to a respirator, determining a condition of the air, and adjusting the tool based on the condition of the air.

Equipment is often used at worksites for various purposes. The equipment often includes a tool that is connected with a communication line (e.g., an air line, a hydraulic line, a vacuum line, a power line, or another type of feed line). The tool is often portable and is carried by personnel at the worksite to be used in various locations. In many instances, personnel operating the mobile portion of the equipment at the construction site are required to wear respirator equipment (e.g., respiratory or breathing protection equipment).
For example, distribution or application of materials at worksites is a common practice. The application may involve, for example, spray application of insulation foam at a construction site or application of various protective coatings to materials or structures. The equipment for such applications is often positioned on a movable platform or rig, which can be moved to the construction site of interest. Tools (applicators such as spray guns or other distributors or other tool types) are often carried by work personnel through various locations of the worksite, to conduct the material application. The tools are connected by communication lines, such as flexible feed hoses back to the mobile platform or rig, which can be quite remote, relative to the tool. The distance of separation between the personnel and the mobile rig, while making material applications, can be as much as fifty feet to several hundred feet, or more.
In many instances, personnel operating the tool at the construction site are required to wear respirator equipment (e.g., respiratory or breathing protection equipment). The respirator equipment is often a protective mask or hood to which breathable air is provided from a pump arrangement, which is also often positioned remote to the worker, for example on the mobile platform or rig.
In some instances, air reaching the personnel through the respirator system can become substandard. The present application relates to methods, techniques and equipment for desirable operation of the equipment system when a substandard air quality condition is detected for the respirator equipment or system.

Apparatus, components, methods and techniques for controlling equipment operation


A conductivity sensor is disclosed. The conductivity sensor includes an oscillator for providing an input signal and a reactive circuit having an induction coil, a capacitive element, and a resistive element connected in parallel. The induction coil is adapted to be placed adjacent to a specimen. The conductivity sensor further includes a control circuit for driving the reactive circuit to resonance when the induction coil is placed adjacent to the specimen. The reactive coil is configured to provide an output signal having a parameter representative of the conductivity of the specimen when the reactive circuit is at resonance. The induction coil may include a first conductive element that spirals outward to an external perimeter and a second conductive element operably connected to the first conductive element. The second conductive element spirals inward from the external perimeter staggered relative to the first conductive element.

The use of conductivity measurements to analyze various characteristics of specimens such as human tissue specimens and geological specimens has been shown to yield many practical advantages. For example, conductivity measurements have been used to distinguish diseased tissue from healthy tissue. Both conventional electrode and induction coil methods have been used to perform conductivity measurements of various specimens.
Conventional electrodes for measuring conductivity apply an AC voltage to a specimen of interest. The current traveling through the specimen is measured and the conductivity is computed. In some cases, many electrodes are attached so that imaging of the specimen is made possible in circumstances where conductivity varies spatially through the specimen.
A disadvantage of conventional electrodes is that it requires direct electrical contact with the specimen of interest. This is particularly true for specimens having a surface that impedes the flow of current through the specimen. For example, the stratum corneum layer of the epidermis may impede the flow of current through a human tissue specimen, leading to variable conductivity measurements. Conventional electrodes may also exhibit electrode polarization, resulting in inaccurate conductivity measurements.
Induction coil methods and devices for measuring conductivity have used a wide variety of induction coil designs including solenoids or simple loop type coils consisting of a few turns of wire. These coils may probe the specimen at depths allowing interferences from portions of the specimen that distort the conductivity measurement. Many of these devices also involve the use of expensive instrumentation to measure coil related parameters such as complex impedance and use circuitry that permits the induction coil to deviate from resonance as the coil is placed adjacent to a specimen, making measurement of conductivity more difficult.
Therefore, a need currently exists for an induction coil conductivity sensor that overcomes these deficiencies. An induction coil conductivity sensor that probes a specimen at sufficient depths while avoiding unnecessary interferences from the specimen would be particularly beneficial. Additionally, an induction coil conductivity sensor that drives the sensor circuitry to resonance when the induction coil is placed adjacent to the specimen would also be particularly beneficial.


A vibrating two mass conveyor apparatus for conveying material includes a driven mass, which defines the vibratory material conveying path, and a driver mass for imparting a vibrating conveying force to the driven mass. A vibratory driven is operatively associated with the driver mass for imparting a vibratory force to the driver mass. The driven mass is located adjacent the driver mass, and is connected to the driver mass by resilient devices, such as coil springs. Link arms also interconnect the driven mass and driver mass, with the one end of each arm pivotally connected to the driven mass the other end pivotally connected to the driver mass. Supports connected to the link arms proximate the nodes of the link arms connect the apparatus to a support structure, such as the floor or roof of a building in which the conveyor apparatus is installed.

1. Field of the invention
The present invention relates to vibrating conveyor apparatus, and more particularly to a two mass vibrating conveyor apparatus.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
Two mass vibrating conveyor apparatus are known.
Typically, these prior-art two mass vibrating apparatus include a driver mass, or exciter, with a vibratory drive attached thereto to impart a vibratory force to the exciter, a driven mass or conveyor deck is located above or below exciter mass along which the material is conveyed. The conveyor deck is connected to the exciter mass by resilient devices such as springs which transmit the vibratory force from the exciter mass to the conveyor deck. These heretofore known apparatus are connected to a stationary support, such as the roof or floor of a facility in which it is installed, by isolation springs. In one known apparatus, the isolation springs interconnect the exciter mass to the floor of the facility. In another known apparatus, the isolation springs interconnect the exciter mass to the roof structure of the facility. In yet another known apparatus, the isolation springs interconnect the conveyor deck to the floor of the facility. And in still another apparatus, the isolation springs interconnect the conveyor deck to the roof structure of the facility.
A problem inherent in all of these prior-art apparatus is that the dynamic reaction of the vibrating masses is transmitted to the support structure, which reaction is in direct proportion to the spring-rate of the isolation springs and to the motion or displacement of the vibrating masses. This dynamic reaction can have a deleterious effect on the support structure.


Headgear is provided having one or more electrical devices, such as light sources mounted thereto. The headgear includes a power source for providing power to the electrical devices and a motion sensing device, such that any operating electrical devices are shut off if the hat does not move within a predetermined time period to conserve the life of the power source. In one form, the motion sensing device is operable to reset a shut-off timer when movement of the headgear is detected by the motion sensor so that the light sources, for example, are not turned off when the headgear is worn with the light sources turned on. In this manner, the shut-off timer is constantly being reset when the headgear is worn to keep the shut-off timer from timing out and turning the light sources off.

Often an individual desires a light focused to illuminate an area while performing a task or a light directed in a general outward direction for visibility. Holding a flashlight is an option, but such lighting devices are often cumbersome and may detract from the task being completed because the flashlight needs to be hand-held to be able to direct the light at a work site where the user needs illumination. As a result, hands-free lighting such as lighted headgear is often used because the individual desiring illumination does not need to hold the light source.
The lighted headgear can be a lighted hat that is displayed on a store shelf in a manner so that a potential purchaser can operate an activation switch to turn on the light source. To this end, the hat may be provided to the store with a power source already included so that the light source can be activated by the consumer. However, because the lighted hat may be shipped in bulk to the store with the power source included, the power source can be unintentionally activated through contact of the activation switch with an adjacent one of the packed hats. In particular, where the activation switch is positioned on the hat brim, the light source can be inadvertently turned on during shipping by the hat brim of one hat engaging or depressing the activation switch of another hat nested therewith. Such inadvertent activation can drain the power source prior to the hat's display on the store shelf.
Prior packaging arrangements have been configured to allow actuation of a switch to momentarily activate a power source while an item is encased with the packaging, but such prior packaging is generally a blister-type pack that completely encases the product so that it tends to be bulky and distracts from the appearance of the item within the package. Moreover, such prior blister-pack arrangements generally do not include sufficient structure on the packaging to block inadvertent actuation of the switch that might cause power to drain from the battery.
Moreover, while such packaging might protect against inadvertent actuation, a user can still leave the light source activated after the user is finished using it. For example, a user testing the light source at a store can leave the hat on the shelf with the light source still activated. This undesirably drains the power source so that a subsequent user might not be able to test the light source or a subsequent purchaser has limited power source life.

Hat with automated shut-off feature for electrical devices


A preformed web and a method of producing dunnage units from the preformed web. The web is an elongate flattened thermoplastic tube having an inflation edge and an opposite edge. The tube includes spaced transverse seals that define sides of pouches. The tube includes lines of perforations that allow adjacent dunnage units to be separated. A starting point of the lines of perforations is spaced apart from the inflation edge. The positions of the starting point of the lines of perforations with respect to the inflation edge is selected such that a cutter that cuts the inflation edge clears the line of perforations. Binding or wrinkling is therefore not caused by engagement of the cutter with the lines of perforations.

Machines for forming and filling dunnage units from sheets of plastic are known. Machines which produce dunnage units by inflating preformed pouches in a preformed web are also known. For many applications, machines which utilize preformed webs are preferred.
Typically, the entire length of sides of adjacent dunnage units formed from a preformed web are connected by perforations. In prior art webs, these perforations extend all the way to an inflation edge of the web.

Web and method for making fluid filled units


A device for measuring the average distance between the ball retainer seating rings of a ball valve comprises a flat locator plate adapted to fit into the bonnet recess of the valve body, and a downwardly depending support arm attached to the flat plate. The support arm has a first surface perpendicular to the bottom surface of the plate and a second, opposing surface which is at an angle greater than 90 degrees relative to the bottom surface of the plate. The support arm is attached to the locator plate in a position such that when the locator plate is positioned in the bonnet recess the first surface coincides with the axis of the valve body. In one embodiment, probes are threaded and extend from threaded holes in the depending arm in a direction normal to the second surface of the arm. Thumbwheels attached to the probes are utilized to adjust the probes. In a second embodiment each probe is attached to a spring loaded probe drive element within the depending arm. Locking rods carrying cams are operated from control knobs located above the flat plate to lock the probes in position.

The present invention relates to measuring devices and more particularly to measuring devices for determining the average distance between the ball retainer seating rings of a ball valve.
Heretofore inside calipers have been utilized to measure the distance between the ball retainer seating rings of a ball valve. The measurement is accomplished by removing the valve bonnet, ball, ball retainers and other operating mechanisms within the valve body. The calipers are then inserted into the valve body and adjusted until the probes or tips of the calipers touch the opposing faces of the two ball retainer seating rings. Because the opposing faces of the seating rings are not in parallel planes, the measurement is inaccurate if the probes do not contact the surfaces at points such that an imaginary line extending through the points of contact is parallel to the axis of the inlet and outlet bores of the valve. This means that the points of contact must be precisely the same in both the X and Y directions relative to the axis thus making the measurement difficult.

Ball valve seat distance measuring device and method of using same


Embodiments feature a circuit that includes a first set of differential switches to generate a first mixer output. The first set includes source terminals, a differential input terminal, gate terminals, and first mixer output terminals. For the first set, the source terminals are coupled to the differential input terminal and the gate terminals are coupled to a first differential oscillator input. The circuit includes a second set of differential switches to generate a second mixer output. The second set of differential switches has source terminals, gate terminals, and second mixer output terminals. For the second set of differential switches, the source terminals of the second set of differential switches are coupled to the first mixer output terminals to receive the first mixer output and the gate terminals of the second set of differential switches are coupled to a second differential oscillator input. The second mixer output terminals couple a filter.

At the present time, the vast majority of RF communication receivers are of the superheterodyne type. This type of receiver uses one or more IF (intermediate frequency) stages for filtering and amplifying signals at a fixed frequency within an IF chain. This radio architecture has the advantage that fixed filters may be used in the local oscillator (LO) chain. In order for the receiver to be useable over multiple bands, its typical architecture is implemented as the single-band receiver shown in FIG. 1. An RF signal arriving at an antenna 11 passes through a band-select RF filter 13, a low noise amplifier (LNA) 15, and into an image filter 17, which produces a band-limited RF signal. This band-limited RF signal then enters the first mixer 19, which translates the RF signal down to an intermediate frequency by mixing it with the signal produced by the first LO 21. The undesired mixer products in the IF signal are rejected by an IF filter 23. The filtered IF signal then enters an IF amplifier stage 25, after which the outputs feeds into the second mixer 27 that translates it down to yet another intermediate frequency by mixing it with the signal produced by a second LO 28. The signal is then sent to the baseband for processing. Tuning into a particular channel within the band-limited RF signal is accomplished by varying the frequency of each LO 21 and 28.
In order to reduce size, power consumption, and cost, it may be advantageous to integrate the electronic components of radio receiver and transmitter to reduce the number of filters and mixers. The superheterodyne design, however, requires high quality, narrowband IF bandpass filters that are typically implemented off-chip. These filtering components impose a lower limit to the size, materials cost, assembly cost, and power consumption of receivers and transmitters that are built using the superheterodyne design. Moreover, the necessity for mixer and local oscillator circuits operating at high frequencies contributes greatly to the power consumption and general complexity of the superheterodyne receiver. In particular, the high-frequency analog mixers require a large amount of power to maintain linear operation. Although many variations of the superheterodyne design exist, they all share the limitations of the particular design just described.
There may be attempts to design radio receivers that permit the integration of more components onto a single chip because of the growing demand for portable communications. Recent advances in semiconductor processing of inductors can allow more and more of these filters to be implemented on-chip.
A second receiver design is the direct-conversion, or zero-IF, receiver shown in FIG. 2. An antenna 57 couples a RF signal through a first bandpass RF filter 59 into an LNA 61. The signal then proceeds through a second RF filter 63, yielding a band-limited RF signal, which then enters a mixer 65 and mixes with an LO frequency produced by an LO 67. Up to this point, the direct-conversion receiver design is essentially the same as the previous receiver design. Unlike the previous designs, however, the LO frequency is set to the carrier frequency of the RF channel of interest. The resulting mixer product is a zero-frequency IF signal—a modulated signal at baseband frequency. The mixer output 67 is coupled into a lowpass analog filter 69 before proceeding into baseband information signal for use by the remainder of the communications system. In either case, tuning can be accomplished by varying the frequency of LO 67, thereby converting different RF channels to zero-frequency IF signals.
Because the direct-conversion receiver design can produce a zero-frequency IF signal, its filter requirements are greatly simplified—no external IF filter components are needed since the zero-IF signal is an audio frequency signal that can be filtered by a low-quality lowpass filter. This allows the receiver to be integrated in a standard silicon process from the mixer 65 stage onwards, making the direct-conversion receiver design potentially attractive for portable applications.
The direct-conversion design, however, has several problems, some of which are quite serious. As with the other designs described above, the RF and image filters required in the direct-conversion design must be high-quality narrowband filters that must remain off-chip. Moreover, this design requires the use of high-frequency mixer and LO circuits that require large amounts of power. Additionally, radiated power from LO 67 can couple into antenna 57, producing a DC offset at the output of mixer 65. This DC offset can be much greater than the desired zero-IF signal, making signal reception difficult. Radiated power from LO 67 can also affect other nearby direct-conversion receivers tuned to the same radio frequency.
The active subharmonic mixer can be a circuit to reduce the local oscillator self-mixing and radiation problems in a direct conversion (or low IF) receiver by using multiple phases of a subharmonic frequency in multi-stack double-balanced active mixer topology. FIG. 3 is block diagram of a conventional subharmonic mixer. In this mixer, RF inputs 71 and 72 are converted to currents by transistors 79 and 80. The in-phase local oscillator signals 73 and 74 drive the first stage of current commutators of transistors 81-84, and the quadrature local oscillator signals 75 and 76 drive the second stage of current commutators 85-88. The resulting currents are converted to output voltages 77 and 78 by resistors 89 and 90. These techniques rely on active mixers that do not scale well with lower supply voltages, have significant non-linearity, have high power dissipation, and can not be effectively implemented in MOS technologies.