A hydrostatic rotary power transmission system that provides a stable rotation rate at very slow rotation speeds is provided. The system operates in two speed control modes, one being a normal mode for use in the rotation rate range of 50 rpm to the maximum rated speed and a second or fine speed control mode for use in the rotation range of <1.0 to 250 rpm. In the normal control mode, the rotation speed is a function of the displacement of the hydrostatic pump. In the fine speed control mode, the motor rotation rate is a function of the flow rate through a proportional-flow valve that is downstream of the motor.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method for providing stable rotation rates for a hydrostatic transmission when the transmission operates at very low speeds on the order of a few revolutions per minute or less.
2. Discussion of Related Art
In the art of measuring certain physical characteristics of the earth formations penetrated by a borehole such as an oil well, a logging sonde is lowered into the borehole from a cable to depths of many thousands or perhaps even two or three tens of thousands of feet. Many of the physical measurements are made continuously as the tool is drawn slowly past the formations of interest. The time base of the measurements is a function of the speed of tool displacement and depends critically on the uniformity of tool movement.
Many measurements depend on the flight time of an interrogation signal that is launched into the formation adjacent to the tool. The interrogation signal solicits a response signal from the formation so that the tool must, in effect, dwell in situ awaiting the response. In actual practice, the tool is configured such that the interrogation device, that is, the transmitter, is spaced apart from and above a sensor device by some appropriate finite distance. The tool is moved upwards, for example, at a desired speed the so that sensor will move into a position opposite the original interrogation location by the time that the response signal actually emerges from the formation. That desideratum demands that the tool be moved at an accurately-selected speed that is appropriate to the type and timing of the measurements being made. The logging-tool sonde speed ranges may typically vary from one or two feet per minute to several hundred feet per minute.
The logging tool is suspended in the borehole from a logging cable that serves both as a support means for the tool and as a means for interchanging information, power and data between the surface processing equipment and the sensors in the tool. The cable is payed out and retrieved using a draw works or hoisting drum having a capacity of many thousands of feet of cable. Usually the hoisting drum is powered by a conventional hydrostatic drive. Hydraulic power may be provided by a desired type of prime mover such as a diesel engine. The hydrostatic drive may have a power rating on the order of 150 to 200 hp.
As explained earlier, tool deployment requires a stable speed control having a wide dynamic range. Conventional hydraulic drives, however, become unstable when the variable-displacement pump flow-rate and the rotational speed of the motor must be reduced to accommodate very low cable-drum speeds. One manufacturer (Mannesmann Rexroth), with respect to their axial piston motors, warns that " . . . if uniformity of rotation is required, however, the speed should not be allowed to fall below 50 rpm . . . " yet rotation rates of but a single rpm are often required. Part of the problem stems from the inability of the variable displacement hydrostatic pump itself to precisely control the flow at very low flow rates. Hose length, hose diameter, erratic hose expansion and fluid compression under extreme pressures all tend to worsen the problem. Rigid plumbing helps a little bit but is undesirable because it is inflexible and awkward to implement in the field.
In the well-logging industry, logging cable drums are hydrostatically powered as described. The required speed range is achieved by providing a mechanical two- or three-speed gear transmission. The obvious disadvantage to such transmissions is that the speed-change curve is not smooth; it necessarily has two or three discontinuities. That is, the logging run must be interrupted while the operator changes gears.
The assignee of this invention provides a set of change gears that involve disk-type clutches to provide continuous mechanical gear-ratio changes. That transmission has the disadvantage of being very expensive and somewhat demanding maintenance-wise.
There is a need for a pure hydrostatic transmission that is characterized by a wide dynamic range in speed control and output power and a mechanism that will be economical, easily maintained and highly reliable.

Stabilized speed-control system for a hydrostatic transmission


According to an embodiment, disclosed is an electronic device including a speaker, a microphone, a communication interface, a processor operatively connected to the speaker, the microphone, and the communication interface, and a memory operatively connected to the processor. The memory stores instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to receive a first utterance through the microphone, to determine a speaker model by performing speaker recognition on the first utterance, to receive a second utterance through the microphone after the first utterance is received, to detect an end-point of the second utterance, at least partially using the determined speaker model. Besides, various embodiments as understood from the specification are also possible.

For the purpose of aiming the interaction with a user, recent electronic devices have suggested various input methods. For example, an electronic device may support a voice input scheme that receives voice data according to a user utterance, based on the execution of a specified application program. Furthermore, the electronic device may recognize the received voice data to derive the intent of the user utterance and may perform a functional operation corresponding to the derived intent of the user utterance or support a speech recognition service for providing content.

Method for user voice input processing and electronic device supporting same


Providing a patch case that is easily attached to a microneedle applicator, easily separable from the microneedle patch upon insertion and disposable for use.

Oral and transdermal administration are commonly used to apply drugs into the human body.
Injection is a typical percutaneous route of application, but is a cumbersome, painful and unwelcome technique with possible infection.
In transdermal administration, the stratum corneum acts as a barrier to drug transparent, and simply applying the drug to the skin surface is not necessarily sufficient for permeability.
On the other hand, by piercing the stratum corneum using a minute needle, that is, a microneedle, the drug permeation efficiency can be remarkably improved.
A microneedle array is obtained by integrating a large number of microneedles on a board.
The microneedle patch is a product that is easily used by adding an adhesive sheet of microneedle array supporting the microneedle array when it is applied to the skin,
a protection release sheet for protecting the adhesive sheet for storage.
It is desirable that the microneedle patches be stored safely and hygienically, before delivered to the user. The patches should be packaged for safety and easy use until used.
For this purpose, it is convenient to store, transport, and retain the patch in a convenient patch case.
When the microneedle array is administered to the skin, the applicator is often used as a puncture auxiliary, because the skin is generally soft and it is not easy to puncture the microneedles simply by pressing with the fingers.
If the patch case can be attached to and inserted into the applicator, it is unnecessary for the user to touch the microneedle array by hand, which is not only hygienic but also convenient for the user.
That is, the patch case in this invention is a container for storing, transporting, and holding a microneedle patch, and is a container that can be attached to an applicator while holding a microneedle patch, and can apply the microneedles to a subject.
Several containers for storing micro-needle patches have been reported (Patent Documents 1 and 2).
However, there are not many reports of patch cases in which a microneedle patch is attached to an applicator while being housed.
In a cylindrical patch holder (equivalent to a patch case) that can be attached to the applicator body, the microneedle patch is attached to a shoulder (step) for mounting the central of the patch holder (Patent Documents 3 and 4).
When the patch holder is attached to the applicator and impacted by the applicator, the frangible attachment area of the microneedle patch is ruptured and separated, and the microneedle patch leaves the patch holder and penetrates the skin surface.
The patch holder may also be disposable.
Similar patch retainers are disclosed in other documents (Patent Documents 5, 6, 7).
In a microneedle array cartridge (equivalent to a patch case) comprising a material web (board) and a container (cover), the microneedle array is attached to an applicator as a cartridge (Patent Document 8).
A patch holder (equivalent to a patch case) inserted from the side of the applicator has a mounting shoulder and can hold a microneedle patch on a weakly tacky underside (U.S. Pat. No. 9).

Abstract: The main feature

Abstract: of the patch case according to the present invention is characterized in that it is made of a thermoplastic polymer and is capable of holding a microneedle patch comprising a support film which can be heat-sealed with the thermoplastic polymer.

Abstract: Preferably, the thermoplastic polymer of the body and the fusible material of the support film are both polyolefins or both are the same thermoplastic polymer. In addition, if the patch case is attached to the front of the applicator, sanitary situation can be maintained even with continuous use of the applicator, since the applicator does not contact the skin of the recipient.


Disclosed herein is a glove shaping device for heating and shaping the wrinkled and sewn portions of a glove. The glove shaping device includes a plurality of heating plates to be inserted into the finger portions of the glove. A body portion is provided in its interior with an electric heater and joint depressions in its top portion. A cover is attached to the heating plates and the body portion. Each of the heating plates is formed to have a rhomboid sectional shape, a predetermined thickness, two parallel side surfaces each inclined at a predetermined angle, and a joint prominence corresponding to a joint depression in a body portion.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a glove shaping device, and more particularly to a glove shaping device, which is capable of shaping a glove (golf gloves, dress gloves or sports gloves etc.) without wrinkles formed during the sewing process and has a temperature control unit to easily make a temperature of the device suitable one for various kinds of gloves.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In general, people wear gloves to protect their hands while carrying out manual work. Gloves are used in the various fields of industry or various types of sports. The gloves have various shapes depending on intended use and the type of material (e.g., natural leather, synthetic leather or textile).
Gloves are fabricated by cutting and sewing processes, but the gloves used for golf or formal occasions require another shaping processes (e.g., ironing) in accordance with their characteristics. Accordingly, in order to meet this requirement, some glove shaping devices have been used. Examples of such glove shaping devices currently used are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.
First of all, the glove shaping device shown in FIG. 1 is developed and mainly used in Japan. This glove shaping device 1 comprises a plurality of elongated heating plates 4, in which their top edges are roundly-shaped and their lower portions are secured to one another by a plurality of screws 2.
The glove shaping device shown in FIG. 2 is developed and mainly used in the United States. This glove shaping device 1′ comprises a plurality of heating plates 6 each having an oval sectional shape, coils 9 for heating the heating plates with certain temperature and a main body 8 having an electric heater (not shown) for generating heat.
Shaping processes utilizing the conventional glove shaping devices 1 and 1′ described above are explained below. For the former device 1, heating plates 4 arranged and fixed by screws 2 are heated up to a certain temperature by using separate heating means (e.g., electric stove, heater, etc.), and then the wrinkled and sewn portions of a glove are shaped while the heating plates 4 are inserted into the finger portions of the glove.
For the latter device 1′, coils 9 (and also heating plates 6) are heated up to a certain temperature by using the electric heater provided in the main body 8 and then the wrinkled and sewn portions of a glove formed during the cutting and sewing processes and shaped while the heating plates 6 are inserted into the finger portions of the glove.
However, the glove shaping device shown in FIG. 1 has the following drawbacks.
First, since a separate heating means is required to heat and shape the wrinkled and sewn portions of the glove, the work is troublesome and the work efficiency is lowered.
Second, since the heating plates that heat and shape the finger portions of the glove while being inserted into the finger portions are made in the form of overlapped sheets, contact between neighboring heating plates occurs.
Accordingly, the finger portions of the glove become overlapped with each other at their side edges, and the overlapped portions are overheated. Because of the overheating of the overlapped portions, the material (e.g., leather or textile) itself tightly adheres to the heating plates, or a deformation occurs. Further, the quality of the product becomes deteriorated.
Third, when the heating plates of the conventional glove shaping device are heated to a certain temperature by means of separate heating means, it is not possible to adjust the temperature of the heating plates to a certain temperature (e.g., leather: about 70-80° C., textile: about 150° C.).
Therefore, upon the overheating of the heating plates, the problems concerned with overheating as described above occur. When the heating plates are insufficiently heated to less than a certain temperature, the heating and shaping processes are not conducted smoothly, and the temperature of the heating plates are not kept constant but is lowered with time. The heating and shaping processes to the glove are not performed sufficiently. In this regard, the productivity of the conventional glove shaping device is lowered, and the power consumption of the conventional shaping device is high.
Fourth, since the heating plates, which are being heated to a relatively high temperature by separate heating means, are inserted into the finger portions of the glove, shaping work is difficult and the safety of the workers is not guaranteed. That is, accidents, such as a burn, may easily occur.
In the case of the glove shaping device shown in FIG. 2, it is possible to heat and keep the heating plates at a certain temperature by means of the electric heater provided in the main body, without separate heating means. For this reason, this shaping device has an advantage in heating and shaping the glove sufficiently.
However, since the heating plates of this conventional glove shaping device, which are inserted into the finger portions of the glove, each have an oval sectional shape, the wrinkled and sewn portions of the glove are shaped poorly, thereby deteriorating the quality of products and not meeting the user's expectations. Particularly, in the case of a golf glove, the glove does not fit closely to the fingers, so the sensitivity of the hand is reduced, thereby negatively affecting a user's game, such as by causing a putting irregularity.


The disclosure discloses a detection coil structure based on interlayer coupling and a metal object detection system. The detection coil structure includes: a top sub-detection coil and a bottom sub-detection coil, wherein the top and bottom sub-detection coils are the same in structure and similar or same in size and are orthogonal to each other, and both the outer boundaries and geometric symmetry centers of the detection coils are completely coincident; the top sub-detection coil includes a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal and a fourth terminal, and the bottom sub-detection coil includes a fifth terminal, a sixth terminal, a seventh terminal and an eighth terminal; and the first terminal is connected to the second terminal, the seventh terminal is connected to the eighth terminal, and the third terminal and the fourth terminal are respectively connected to the fifth terminal and the sixth terminal. When there is no metal object near the coil, the top and bottom sub-detection coils are completely decoupled, and the mutual inductance is zero. When there is a metal object near the coil, the detection coil structure can significantly amplify the impedance variation of the metal object to the entire detection coil to improve the detection effect by means of the mutual inductance coupling effect between the top and bottom sub-detection coils, and at the same time, a staggered arrangement structure can further eliminate non-detection blind zones.

The technical principle of wireless power transmission is: a transmitting coil is excited by an alternating current to generate an alternating magnetic field, and power is coupled to a receiving coil through the alternating magnetic field and provides power for a load, thereby realizing wireless transmission of the power. Compared with the traditional mode of realizing power transmission through a metal wire, the wireless power transmission technology can avoid problems such as electric sparks and contact wear and aging of plugs, and can be applied to non-contact power transmission occasions. In the process of gradual application of this technology, safety problems (such as object detection) also need to be solved.
Due to the non-contact characteristic of this technology, objects may be introduced between a transmitting terminal and a receiving terminal. Conductive objects will be heated due to the eddy current effect, which may cause potential safety hazards of burning objects, scalding the human body, destroying the wireless charging system, etc. Living objects (such as human bodies, pets, and birds) will feel uncomfortable or even diseased due to exposure to a strong alternating magnetic field of the wireless charging system. Other objects (such as plastic) will not be affected by the strong alternating magnetic field or do damage to the wireless charging system. For the conductive objects and living objects entering into the wireless power transmission system, it is necessary to accurately detect and identify the type of the objects and respectively make a response at the same time respectively.
In the field of metal detection, the metal detectors have poor detection effect on small-size metal objects (such as clips and staples) or remote metal objects, or even cannot detect the small-size metal objects or the remote metal objects. In some cases, the metal objects need to align or approach to the metal detectors closely (such as safety inspection metal detectors in airports/stations) to guarantee the detection effect. The problem is essentially that the metal object has less influence on the impedance of the detection coil. Therefore, under the condition that the metal object has less influence on the impedance of the detection coil, the problem of how to accurately detect the metal object and improve the detection sensitivity needs to be solved.
In view of the above problems, the current technology in the field has successively proposed the following technical solutions for design of detection coils:
In 2012, Simon Verghese, et al of Witricity proposed a method for detecting metal objects based on a series-opposing detection coil unit. By reasonably designing the area of each sub-ring, the magnetic flux of the series-opposing detection coil is counteracted, and the approach of metal objects will break the magnetic flux balance between the sub-rings. That is, the presence of metal objects can be detected by detecting the induced voltage of the series-opposing detection coil unit. Furthermore, the method can be designed into different modes, so that transmitting terminal coils of different structures can be densely laid and can be arranged in multiple layers to eliminate detection dead zones.
In 2013, Bombardier designed a honeycomb detection coil array for dynamic wireless power supply guide rails, which can detect the presence or absence of metal objects by detecting whether the resonance frequency of an oscillator where each coil is located has changed, and detect living bodies through a microwave Doppler radar.
In 2014, Hanspeter Widmer, et al of Qualcomm proposed a method for detecting metal objects based on a multi-coil eddy current sensor array. The principle of this method is: a coil is used as an inductor in an LC oscillation circuit, and when a metal object enters a detection zone, the magnetic field generated by the eddy current inside the metal object reacts with the detection coil, which will change the impedance of the energized coil, thereby affecting the inherent resonance frequency of the LC oscillation circuit. The presence and position of the metal object can be detected by just comparing the frequency difference between the changed LC oscillation circuit frequency and the standard frequency.
In 2016, M. R. Sonapreetha, et al of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) proposed a detection coil structure capable of simultaneously detecting position of a metal object and the relative position of the receiver coil of wireless power transmission system. The principle of the detection coil structure is: by virtue of the alternating magnetic field generated by the transmitter coil of wireless power transmission system, the difference in induced voltage of a detection coil group is measured to reflect the difference in magnetic flux between two symmetrical detection coils caused by the approach of the metal object, and then, the induced voltage of the detection coil group and the difference thereof are measured, so that the presence or absence and the position of the metal object can be detected, and the relative position of the receiver coil of wireless power transmission system can also be detected. In experiments, a detection circuit and a display interface are designed, several 100 Korea Won coins are detected, and the positions of the coins can be accurately detected in the interface.
However, there are still some defects in related technologies. For example, there are various technologies used to realize wireless charging object detection, but they are independent of each other. When a detection coil method is used for detecting metal objects, there are non-detection blind zones or positions with poor detection results, which may cause potential safety hazards. Some technologies are too high in cost, which hinders system integration (such as a fiber refraction detection method and a fiber refractive index temperature detection method). Some technologies have slow response speed and retardance (such as a temperature detection method). Some technologies are greatly affected by environments and strong alternating magnetic fields and thus cannot judge the type of objects and may have misjudgments (such as machine vision detection, radar detection and platinum resistance temperature sensors).
Therefore, a new coil structure is urgently needed to solve the technical problem that the existing metal object detection coils are difficult to detect small-size metal objects such as coins and clips.

Detection coil structure based on interlayer coupling and metal object detection system


A self-processing film unit has an over sheet for covering a surface which is exposed after an image recording sheet with a positive image recorded therein has been peeled off. The over sheet is superimposed on the exposed surface after peeling-off and adheres to the exposed surface to prevent processing liquid remaining on that exposed surface from soiling the hands or clothing of the user.

This invention relates to a self-processing film unit for an instant camera, and more particularly to a peel-off self-processing film unit in which an image recording sheet with a positive image appearing therein is peeled off after completion of self-processing.
There is a film unit in which an image-recording sheet with a positive image formed therein is peeled off a self-processing film unit (hereinafter simply referred to as the "film unit"), so that it can be attached to a photo album, etc. There are two known types of this film unit. One type is a peel-apart type which has heretofore been widely used, and the other type is a peelable monosheet type. The first-mentioned peel-apart type film unit, as described in detail for example in Japanese Unexam. Patent Publ. No. Sho 61-48839, is characterized in that after an image is recorded in a photosensitive sheet, the photosensitive sheet is superimposed on an image-receiving sheet, then processing solution is spread between the photosensitive sheet and the image-receiving sheet, and after a predetermined processing time has passed, the image-receiving sheet with a positive image formed therein is peeled off as an image recording sheet. On the other hand, the second-mentioned peelable monosheet type film unit, as described for example in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/269,016 filed Nov. 9, 1988, comprises a photosensitive sheet formed of a single base sheet, an image-receiving layer coated on the base sheet, a peelable interlayer coated on the image-receiving layer and a photosensitive layer coated on the peelable interlayer, a processing solution container, a mask sheet, and a cover sheet all integrally formed into a single assembly. After processing, an image recording sheet integrally formed of the image-receiving layer and the base sheet is peeled off from the peelable interlayer.
However, in the peel-apart type, when the image-receiving sheet is peeled off, colored processing solution sticks to the photosensitive sheet. This processing solution has a certain viscosity. If it sticks to the user's hands, clothes, etc., it can dirty them. Moreover, as it is alkaline, it can damage clothing, etc. which it contacts. Therefore, the user is required to handle the film unit carefully after the image-receiving sheet is peeled off. Also, some users are disconcerted by the color of the processing solution.
On the other hand, in the peelable monosheet type, the lower surface of the peelable interlayer serves as the peelable surface. This peelable surface has viscosity. Besides, a blue photosensitive layer can be seen through the peelable interlayer. Therefore, this type again has the same problems as the peel-apart type.


An electrical switch has a casing, fixed and moving contacts, and an internal operator turning and moving the moving contact relative to the fixed contact for switching. The casing has an opening through which an engagement part of the operator is accessible from outside for engaging a pull chain to turn the operator. The casing has a tubular part by which the switch may be mounted and through which the pull chain extends. The tubular part, being molded, has an inner surface defining a passage for the pull chain, an outer surface bearing a screw thread for engagement by a threaded nut, and, in a transverse cross-section, four recesses between the inner and outer surfaces to alleviate deformation of the screw thread due to shrinkage in molding.

Electrical switches of the kind concerned are sometimes known as rotary stepping switches, which in a typical construction include a casing, two or more fixed contacts and a moving contact in the casing, and an internal operator rotatable by means of a pull chain to turn the moving contact into or out contact with the fixed contacts for switching. As the pull chain is connected during assembly of the switch, change is usually not possible.
The pull chain extends out through a tubular part of the casing, which is externally screw-threaded for tightening by a screw nut upon an electrical appliance using the switch. The outer and inner diameters of the tubular part are subject to constraints, in that the outer diameter is usually fixed and the inner diameter should not be too large so as to avoid kinking of the pull chain in the tubular part.
The invention seeks to mitigate or at least alleviate at least one of the aforesaid problems or shortcoming by providing an improved or otherwise new electrical switch of the type concerned.


A padded bench assembly with height adjustable easel and ridged surface provides an elongated frame. The frame supports a canvas at a desired height and slope. The frame also supports an artist, and includes a cushioned seat for the artist to sit on while working on the canvas. The artist bench provides an elongated frame at least 29″ long for an artist to sit. The frame has a cushioned seat for artist comfort while sitting and working on canvas. The bench assembly allows for selective positioning of the canvas, at adjustable angles, through height adjustment of a canvas support bar, and selective setting of the edge of the canvas in one of multiple ridges in a ridged canvas support panel. The artist sit at a desired distance from the canvas, and position the canvas at an angle for working on the canvas, while minimizing slippage by the canvas.

The following background information may present examples of specific aspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts, or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon.
Typically, a bench is a long seat upon which manual art work is performed. The artist bench often comprises an easel for supporting a canvas or drawing board. The easel may include an upright support used for displaying and/or fixing the canvas, or other art related item, at an angle of about 20° to the vertical. In particular, easels are traditionally used by painters to support a painting while they work on it, normally standing up, and are also sometimes used to display finished paintings.
It is known in the art that artists often draw or paint remotely from their studios, and accordingly must transport their canvas or boards, and paints or drawing materials to such a remote location. Once the artist arrives, they are in need of a seat upon which to sit and an easel or other support for their canvas, or drawing board. Further, the canvas must be supported at a fixed angle and the artist must be at a comfortable distance from the canvas so that accessing and working on the canvas is performed at an optimal level.
Other proposals have involved supporting artist canvases from a bench. The problem with these support structures is that they do not prevent the canvas from slipping while being held upright. Also, the slope of the canvas is not adjustable. Even though the above cited gripping devices meets some of the needs of the market, a hose gripping apparatus that wraps around a pressurized hose and provides a handle, so as to enhance the grip on a pressurized hose by magnifying a grip pressure on the hose during operation, facilitating manipulation of the hose, and adjusting for various hose sizes and pressures is still desired.

Padded bench assembly with height adjustable easel and ridged surface for improved canvas support


A computer-implemented method for itemizing energy consumption to generate and present a utility consumption profile based on disaggregated historical utility consumption data is presented. The computer-implemented method comprises obtaining data indicating historical utility consumption of a dwelling over a time period. A non-seasonal portion of the historical utility consumption data is then determined by first computing an average utility consumption based on one or more predetermined intervals within the time period, and then computing the non-seasonal portion by applying the average to the time period. The non-seasonal portion is then subtracted from the historical utility consumption data to obtain a seasonal portion of the historical utility consumption data. The seasonal and/or non-seasonal portion may be further disaggregated by end-use methods, and presented to the user in the utility consumption profile.

1. Field of the Disclosure
The present disclosure relates generally to analyzing a historical utility consumption data to generate an itemized utility consumption profile by attributing utility consumption to seasonal utility consumption or non-seasonal utility consumption.
2. Description of the Related Art
With the growing awareness of global warming, climate change, and rising energy costs, consumers and industry increasingly demand greater efficiency in utility consumption. Recently, efforts have been made to activate the residential sector in improving utility consumption efficiency, as the residential sector accounts for 37% of annual electric sales and 21% of natural gas sales. Thus, improving residential utility consumption efficiency may affect energy consumption in a geographic region and lead to monetary savings for the consumers.
However, the residential sector has long been considered the hardest to reach for catalyzing consumption efficiency savings. Some of the barriers to consumer adoption as identified in "Market Failures and Barriers for Clean Energy Policies" by Marilyn Brown, appearing in Energy Policy (29) published in 2001, include lack of information, lack of connection to specific opportunities in the dwelling, and lack of clarity about benefits.
To overcome the barriers, it would be desirable to provide a novel method to decompose utility consumption of a dwelling with sufficient resolution in order to obtain an understanding of the utility consumption of the dwelling.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A method includes the operations of buffering group-addressed frames; generating a first signal field comprising a first rate code selected from a plurality of invalid rate codes; receiving a trigger frame from a wireless station; and transmitting the first signal field in combination with the buffered group-addressed frames in response to the trigger frame.

Within a wireless network, one or more stations (STAs) may communicate with an access point (AP). Some STAs may include high performing STAs such as laptops, etc, which are less constrained by battery life, and smaller battery powered STAs such as for example sensors, which may need to last many years on limited battery capacity. STAs typically enter a power save (PS) mode when not needing to transmit or receive frames. The PS mode is especially important for the STAs with smaller batteries.
Legacy STAs, however, must wake up from PS mode at scheduled time intervals known as Delivery Traffic Indication Message (DTIM) intervals, to listen for beacons from an AP to determine if any group-addressed frames, which have been buffered by the AP, are available to be received. Waking up at DTIM intervals, which can be as short as 200-400 milliseconds (ms), can adversely impact the STA's battery life. More advanced, power saving, STAs have the capability to wake up from PS mode on their own schedule, which may be significantly longer than a DTIM interval, to send a trigger to the AP. The trigger signals to the AP that the STA is ready to receive any available group-addressed frames, which have been buffered by the AP. This power saving may greatly extend battery life of the STA.
A problem arises, however, in that duplicate group-addressed frames may be received by the STAs since these group-addressed frames may be transmitted multiple times, for example, in response to triggers from power saving STAs and at DTIM intervals for legacy STAs. If a legacy STA happens to be awake while a group-addressed frame is being transmitted in response to a trigger from a power saving STA, the legacy STA will receive duplicate frames. Similarly, if a power saving STA happens to be awake during a DTIM interval it will receive duplicate frames.
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.

Filtering group-addressed frames in Wi-Fi devices


A user equipment can send a notification to a network node indicating that the user equipment is entering a battery saving mode of operation. Reduced physical layer procedures can be implemented based on reduced capabilities indicated by the user equipment. Reduced physical layer procedures can also be implemented based on the network node's reconfiguration of parameters to facilitate the activation of the reduced physical layer procedures. The user equipment can also send to the network node recommendations of reduced physical layer procedures.

Radio technologies in cellular communications have grown rapidly and evolved since the launch of analog cellular systems in the 1980s, starting from the First Generation (1G) in 1980s, Second Generation (2G) in 1990s, Third Generation (3G) in 2000s, and Fourth Generation (4G) in 2010s (including Long Term Evolution (LTE) and variants of LTE). Fifth generation (5G) access networks, which can also be referred to as New Radio (NR) access networks, are currently being developed and expected to fulfill the demand for exponentially increasing data traffic, and to handle a very wide range of use cases and requirements, including among others mobile broadband (MBB) and machine type communications (e.g., involving Internet of Things (IOT) devices).
In the face of advancements in networking, the long-standing issue of battery consumption by user equipment (UEs) can have a direct impact on the user experience. At the device level, "power saving mode" or "battery saving mode" is an optimization scheme widely adopted in different smart phone operation systems. The operation system (OS) of the UE identifies the remaining charge left in the battery, and when the battery level is below a certain threshold, the OS triggers a power saving mode causing the UE to perform certain actions on the device to prolong the battery life (or slow down the battery's drain). Currently, UEs in power saving mode can prolong battery life by reducing the animation effect, lowering the screen brightness, closing device applications, preventing device applications from running (e.g., not allowing the camera to be used when the battery charge is too low), or reducing the network inquiries for all applications (e.g., notifications, etc.).
The above-described background relating to wireless networks is merely intended to provide a contextual overview of some current issues, and is not intended to be exhaustive. Other contextual information may become further apparent upon review of the following detailed description.

Physical layer procedures for user equipment in power saving mode


System and method for igniting one or more high-intensity-discharge lamps. A system includes an ignition controller configured to generate one or more signal pulses for a pulse signal during a first predetermined time period and to cause one or more voltage pulses to be applied to the one or more high-intensity-discharge lamps, the pulse signal changing between a first logic level and a second logic level during the first predetermined time period, each of the one or more signal pulses corresponding to a pulse period, the pulse period being no larger than the first predetermined time period. The ignition controller is further configured to, if the one or more high-intensity-discharge lamps are not successfully ignited after the first predetermined time period, stop generating any signal pulse for the pulse signal for a second predetermined time period, the second predetermined time period being equal to or larger than the pulse period.

The present invention is directed to integrated circuits. More particularly, the invention provides systems and methods for providing power to high-intensity-discharge lamps. Merely by way of example, the invention has been applied for igniting and driving high-intensity-discharge lamps. But it would be recognized that the invention has a much broader range of applicability.
High-Intensity-Discharge (HID) lamps often have high brightness, and provide excellent color rendering. In addition, HID lamps usually enhance visual comfort, and reduce eye fatigue. Because HID lamps do not use incandescent filaments, HID lamps often have a longer lifetime than incandescent lamps.
FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram showing a conventional system 100 for driving an HID lamp 102. The system 100 includes a boost power-factor-corrected (PFC) stage 104, a Buck stage 106, and a full-bridge stage 108. The boost PFC stage 104 includes an inductor 110, a transistor 112, a diode 114, and a capacitor 116. The Buck stage 106 includes a switch 118, a diode 120, an inductor 122, and a resistor 124. The full-bridge stage 108 includes four transistors 126, 128, 130 and 132, a capacitor 134 and two inductors 136 and 138. For example, a chip ground voltage 154 is different from an external ground voltage 158, and a voltage drop 156 on the resistor 124 represents the difference between the chip ground voltage 154 and the external ground voltage 158.
The boost PFC stage 104 outputs a signal 150 to the Buck stage 106. The full-bridge stage 108 receives a signal 152 from the Buck stage 106 for driving the HID lamp 102. The system 100 often has many disadvantages, such as complex circuits, high cost, large short-circuit power consumption, and inadequate protection.
Hence, it is highly desirable to improve techniques for driving (e.g., igniting and/or regulating) an HID lamp.

Systems and methods for providing power to high-intensity-discharge lamps

On-Bright Electronics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.


A button device comprising a voltage source and a plurality of buttons is provided. The button device further comprises: a charging module, a loading capacitor, a control module, and an MCU. The charging module provides a plurality of charging paths. At least one charging path is connected when at least one button is pressed. The loading capacitor coupled to the charging module obtains the electric power from the connected charging path to generate a charged signal. The control module sends a control signal through a connected control capacitor when the button is pressed to generate the control signal. The MCU receives the control signal to calculate a charging time and determines which button is pressed according to the charging time. The MCU stops calculating the charging time when the charged signal reaches a first predetermined voltage. Each charging path corresponds to different charging time.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electronic device, and in particular relates to a button device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Please refer to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a first related button device 100. The button device 100 comprises a MCU 110, a plurality of pins 121, 122, 123 and 124, and a plurality of buttons 131, 132, 133 and 134. As shown in figure, the buttons 131,132,133 and 134 are coupled to the MCU 110 respectively through the pins 121, 122, 123 and 124. When a user presses the button 131, the electric signal on pin 121 changes. The MCU 110 can detect that the button 131 is pressed according to the electric signal from pin 121 and performs corresponding action. From the above description we know that the button device 100 needs to reserve a pin number at least equal to the button number. In other words, if there are N buttons on the button device, the MCU needs to reserve N pins for the buttons. Ideally, the pin number of the MCU is not limited. However, the more pins, the larger the required chip area.
Please refer to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a second related button device 200. The button device 200 comprises a MCU 210, a plurality of pins 221, 222, 223, 224, 225 and 226, and a plurality of buttons 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238 and 239. The connection of each pin is provided as follows:
pin 221 is connected to a terminal of the buttons 231,232,233;
pin 222 is connected to a terminal of the button 234,235,236;
pin 223 is connected to a terminal of the button 237,238,239;
pin 224 is connected to another terminal of the buttons 231,234,237;
pin 225 is connected to another terminal of the buttons 232,235,238;
pin 226 is connected to another terminal of the buttons 233,236,239.
The pins 221,222,223 are utilized to send the enabling signals to the coupled buttons. For example, when a user presses the button 231, the pin 221 sends the enabling signal to the button 231 and the MCU 210 can detect that the button 231 is pressed through the pin 224 connected to the button 231. From the above description it can be seen that the button device 200 only needs to reserve six pins even though it has nine buttons. The relationship between the pin number N and the button number M changes with various designs. Generally, the pin number N is designed to be less than the button number M. Compared with the first related button device 100, in a predetermined button number, the button device 200 utilizes less pins. This kind of architecture is commonly seen in remote controllers.
Please refer to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of a third related button device 300. The button device 300 comprises a MCU 310, a plurality of pins 321 and 322, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 340, and a plurality of buttons 331,332,333, and 334. The input terminal of ADC 340 is coupled to the plurality of buttons 331,332,333, and 334 and the output terminal of the ADC 340 is coupled to the plurality of pins 321 and 322. Since the resistances of the resistors connected to buttons are different (e.g. R, 2R, 4R, 6R), the corresponding voltage levels sent to the input terminal are different when different buttons are pressed. As shown in the figure, four different buttons map to four different voltage levels and the required pin number of the ADC 330 is equal to the value log24=2. From the description we know that the button device 300 needs to reserve a pin number at least equal to the value log2N if there are N buttons. Compared with the first and second related button devices 100 and 200, the greater the desired button numbers, the more the number of pin can be reduced. The ADC, however, is expensive and occupies a large area.
Please refer to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of a fourth related button device 400. The button device 400 comprises a control unit 410. The operation of the control unit 410 similar to the button device 300 is to detect buttons according to different voltage levels, however, it suffers from the same disadvantage of chip area and cost. A detailed description is provided in the Taiwan patent number I226731. Further discussion is omitted for the sake of brevity.


An electrically-conducting contact element includes a section of the contact element defining an aperture. The section is configured to receive a wire cable within the aperture for attachment thereto. The section includes an internal surface with at least one groove having sharp edges formed therein. A wire assembly that includes the electrically-conducting contact and a method to construct the electrically-conducting contact are also presented. The method includes a step of providing the contact element and forming at least one cutout groove on the internal surface of the contact element. A further step in the method includes altering material on the internal surface of the contact element by a forming means. The forming means may be one of milling, rifling, machining, cutting, indenting, or stamping. A wire assembly and a vehicular electrical wiring harness that respectively include the contact element are also further presented.

Electrical contacts, or terminals are commonly attached to wire cables by employing a crimp to form a crimp connection. In one such electrical application, a barrel-type terminal is utilized that attaches with an aluminum wire cable. The barrel-type terminal includes a portion defining a hole that receives the wire cable. While typically manufactured in a screw machine, the inner portion of the barrel-type terminal has a smooth internal surface. When the portion of the barrel-type terminal is crimped to an aluminum wire cable, the inner smooth surface of the barrel-type terminal may not engage the aluminum wire cable in a manner that allows breakage of oxides disposed on a lead of the wire cable so that a robust, reliable electrical connection of the aluminum wire cable to the barrel-type terminal is attained. Undesired high resistance crimp connections using these smooth surfaces may result that negatively affect the electrical performance of these crimp connections while a mechanical pull force of the wire cable from the terminal may be undesirably decreased.
What is needed is an electrical contact element that overcomes the foregoing shortcomings while allowing robust attachment of the aluminum wire cable to the terminal.

Electrically-conducting contact element with an aperture with an internal surface having a groove with sharp edges


The invention is relative to a device for dehydrating sludge such as occurs in sewage treatment plants in the form of dilute sludge. The receptacle for the sludge contains a sieve surface comprising openings for the passage of liquid. The sieve surface, for its part, is substantially circular can be rotated about an axis (21) running vertically to the sieve surface. The axis (21) of the sieve surface (2) is inclined relative to a horizontal line and is caused to rotate by a drive device (3). The disk-shaped sieve surface (2) is arranged in a container (11) comprising a bottom (13) and a side wall (12) through which side wall a supply line (4) for the sludge and an outlet (41) for the separated water run.

The present invention is relative to a device for dehydrating sludge, especially dilute sludges, in accordance with the generic part of claim 1.
Various sludges such as recycled sludge, digesting sludge or fresh sludge, etc. accumulate in the preparation of waste water, especially in sewage treatment plants. These sludges have at times a very high water content that should be reduced. The reducing of the water content simplifies in particular the managing of the sludge as well as, for example, significantly reduces the disposal costs. In particular, mechanical systems are also used for the concentrating of sludges. Usually a conditioning of the sludge with polyelectrolytes (auxiliary flocculation agents) are employed for a mechanical concentrating of sludges. These polyelectrolytes bring about a flocculation of the sludges treated in this manner so that the separation and filtration of the free supernatant water is better possible. As a rule, a volumetric decrease of approximately 80%-90% is possible with mechanical systems in combination with the conditioning of the sludge. In particular, this also makes it possible to render subsequent method steps in the purification of waste water more economical and more effective.
DE 39 42 561 C1 teaches a device that operates continuously and automatically to dehydrate a sludge laced with an auxiliary flocculation agent (e.g., polyelectrolyte). In this system, that operates with a transport worm, conditioned sludge is conducted into a cylindrical wedge-wire screen and transported there by the transport worm continuously from the inlet of the screen cylinder to the discharge of the screen cylinder. The device is set up at an angle of approximately 30xc2x0 between the inlet and the discharge, as a result of which the flocculated sludge is continuously raised with the transport worm. In addition to the transport, a rotation of the flocculated sludge also takes place, which amplifies the exit of the filtrate water through the wedge-wire screen. The entrained solids remain in the cylinder and are separated at its end via a chute. The filtration time is regulated via the transport speed of the worm.
Usually, a conditioning of the sludge is also carried out in centrifugal systems for separating water from sludges. The work is performed at high rotation speeds in these systems, as a result of which solids settle on the sieve jacket of the centrifuge. The separated water collects in the center of the sieve jacket and flows via an outlet tube out of the jacket. The solid is transported by the centrifuge rotor via a control dam out of the jacket. In addition, devices with rotating sieve drums are also known. The flocculated sludge is centrally introduced into a sieve drum, during which a rotation of the flocculated sludge takes place by means of the rotation of the sieve drum in combination with so-called transport baffles. The supernatant water passes through the sieve surface of the drum to the outside, during which the solid is concentrated in the drum. The solid is ejected by the rotation of the drum through the mounted baffles, that generate a thrust, at the other end of the drum. These sieve drums are mounted at various inclinations between 0xc2x0 and 10xc2x0 of their axis.
Furthermore, band filter systems are known that are also designated as band thickeners or straining bands. They also work with sludge conditioned with polyelectrolytes. The flocculated sludge is placed and distributed on a polyester band cloth. The supernatant water flows through the sieve band by gravitation, during which the solid is deposited on its surface. A concentration of the sludge takes place by the advance of the filter cloth over rollers and, e.g., by means of other mounted components such as, e.g., baffles. The sludge moves along the thickening stretch by virtue of the advance of the band-shaped filter cloth and is dumped into a funnel after it has been concentrated.
The known devices have the disadvantage that they are expensive to construct and have a large space requirement.
DE-A 27 47 506 teaches a method of drying pasty, aqueous sludges in which the sludge is spread out on a horizontally aligned sieve surface and brought in contact with warm waste gases. The sludge is treated during the rotation of the sieve surface with various tools that engage into the sludge surface.
BE-A 564 675 teaches a device for dehydrating sludge in which the sludge is placed on rectangular sieve surfaces arranged in a box that are put in motion by vibrations. The box can be put in an inclined position by supports of varying heights.
The present invention has the problem of designing a device for dehydrating sludge, especially, dilute sludges, in such a manner that a device is created that saves space and is simply designed and assures a good separation between liquids and solids, in particular in the case of conditioned sludges. The invention solves this problem with the features of the device in accordance with claim 1.
The design of the device for dehydrating sludge in accordance with the invention brings it about in an advantageous manner that it can be compactly and economically constructed. The circular design of the sieve surface makes possible an advantageous utilization of the surface and therewith a low space requirement and at the same time a low expenditure for material. The rotatable design makes it possible to transport the sludge to be dehydrated in the device with only one moved part and at the same time to remove the dehydrated sludge out of the device. In addition, this embodiment simultaneously permits other components that cooperate with the device to be designed in an especially short and space-saving manner.
The design of the sieve surface with its axis inclined relative to a horizontal line brings it about that even water or liquids in general that settled on the surface of the sludge can be separated from the sludge. They flow off as a function of the slope. In an advantageous further development of the invention the device comprises a drive device, as a result of which the rotating of the sieve surface and therewith a transport of the dehydrated sludge is possible in an especially simple manner. It is advantageous if the sieve surface is supported by a shaft arranged vertically to the sieve surface. It is especially favorable if this shaft is arranged in the center of the circular sieve surface. Moreover, this shaft has the advantage that the sieve surface can also be caused to rotate, that is, is driven by the shaft. In another advantageous embodiment of the invention the sieve surface is supported in a rotatable fashion by its edge, e.g., on guides of the housing and can advantageously also be driven by its edge, that is, put in rotation.
The device advantageously comprises a supply line for sludge and also an outlet for separated water. It is likewise especially advantageous to provide a discharge for the dehydrated sludge. This makes it possible for the device to be able to operate continuously. In addition, this also makes it possible that the device can be used in an automatic system. The supply line for the sludge is advantageously arranged above the sieve surface thereby and the outlet for the separated water is arranged below the sieve surface, as a consequence of which natural gravity is utilized for dehydrating the sludge. The arrangement of supply and outlet distributed over the circumference brings it about that a reliable separation between water and solids can take place. To this end the container, in which the sieve surface is advantageously arranged, comprises a perforation. In an advantageous further development of the invention the container comprises a cover, as a result of which the sludge can be treated separated from its environment. This is especially advantageous when the device is used in closed spaces since sludges can also entrain components that are dangerous to health.
In an especially advantageous further development of the invention the drive device is mounted above the cover, which makes a simple and economical design of the device possible. The pivotable design of the container relative to a horizontal line can achieve an inclination of the sieve surface with the advantages associated therewith and at the same time the container can be emptied of water over only one side in which the separated water then collects. In an advantageous further development of the invention the container comprises supports for this purpose that carry the entire device. A changing of these supports makes it possible to adjust the inclination of the axis. In an advantageous embodiment the adjustability is designed in such a manner that inclinations of the sieve surface axis between 0xc2x0 and 30xc2x0 are made possible. In an advantageous further development of the invention the sieve surface consists of a carrier surface covered for its part with the actual sieve. This makes it possible to design the sieve surface economically since the function of mechanical stability and that of a sieve, namely, separating out particles of dirt, are separated from one another. In an especially advantageous further development of the invention the sieve consists of a microsieve covering [fabric] drawn over the carrier surface of the sieve surface. In another advantageous embodiment of the invention the sieve consists of a polyester cloth covering. A sintered, pre-tensioned microsieve without carrier surface can also be used.
In an economical embodiment the carrier surface consists of a perforated sheet, which simultaneously assures sufficient mechanical stability, an economical design and operational reliability. This sheet is formed in an especially advantageous manner from a corrosion-resisting material, e.g., stainless steel (high-grade steel). In an especially advantageous further development of the invention the sieve surface is associated with a wiper that can be, e.g., simply arranged stationarily. The dehydrated sludge is then separated in a simple manner from the sieve surface by the rotation of the sieve surface. The wiper can be advantageously provided with brushes or comprise a wiper lip designed, e.g., in an advantageous manner from rubber or some other suitable material, e.g., plastic.
In an especially advantageous further development of the invention the sieve surface comprises a cleaning device which brings it about in an advantageous manner that the sieve surface can not be clogged by the solid components of the sludge and that these solid components can be removed, thus increasing the operational reliability of the device. In an especially advantageous further development of the invention the cleaning device is designed as a spray-jet system, as a result of which a reliable operation is assured and as an advantage no additional measures or means have to be used. For the sake of simplicity the separated water can be used with advantage for the operation of the spray jets. The especially advantageous arrangement of the cleaning device, viewed in the direction of movement of the sieve surface after the wiper and thus in front of the sludge feed, brings it about that the sieve surface is cleaned before new sludge is applied onto it in order that the passage of the water and therewith a dehydration of the sludge is reliably assured. To this end the cleaning device is advantageously arranged below the sieve surface since this assures an especially good cleaning of the openings of the sieve surface.
In a further advantageous further development of the invention the sieve surface is provided with a pressing device advantageously designed as a roller. This device rests on the sludge in order to place it under pressure in this manner so that more water can be separated off. Due to the advantageous design as a roller it can be moved along with the moving sludge so that no delay or backup of the sludge takes place. The load that the roller exerts on the sludge can be designed in an advantageous manner to be adjustable in that, e.g., the roller is advantageously designed to be hollow in order that it can be filled, e.g., with water to increase its intrinsic weight. In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention grippers are provided that are stationarily arranged in such a manner that they engage into the sludge as a result of the rotation of the sieve surface and thoroughly mix it or loosen it up, as a result of which, e.g., trapped water that has already been separated is freed and can be separated. This rearrangement of the sludge therefore increases the amount of water separated off.


In trapping process of a multicolor image, an adjacent vector between an objective figure and a relative figure at an upper side is specified first. Then, with the use of the contour of the objective figure except for this adjacent vector, an adjacent vector between the objective figure and a lower relative figure is extracted. This enables to extract, as an adjacent vector, only the portion at which the color of the objective figure and the color of the lower related figure are adjacent each other in appearance. Therefore, the trapping process is executable without generating any unwanted color component on the image.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a trapping technique of allocating in an image, which is configured by allocating a plurality of figures having a relative upper and lower position order to their respective predetermined positions, a predetermined figure to a boundary portion at which two different colors contained respectively in the plurality of figures are adjacent each other.
2. Description of the Background Art
There has heretofore been known the technique of forming an image on a printing paper by multicolor printing with the use of a plurality of press plates, which correspond to a plurality of colors such as C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black), respectively.
In the image formed by such a multicolor printing, there is a boundary portion at which two different colors are adjacent each other. For example, in such an image that an M color figure and a K color figure are allocated as shown in FIG. 10A, there are boundary portions 201 and 202 (which are indicated by the thick lines in FIG. 10A). In cases where when this image is transferred from press plates to a printing paper, a drift occurs at the position of the press plates corresponding to respective colors, or expansion and contraction occur in the printing paper. Hence there may arise disadvantages that a gap is left at these boundary portions and the paper color of the printing paper peeps out and the like.
In order to avoid such a gap, "trapping process" has heretofore been performed in a prepress step. Trapping process includes allocating, along a boundary portion at which two colors are adjacent each other on an image, a narrow figure (hereinafter referred to as a "trap figure") composed of a color containing either or both color components of the two colors.
Recently, the editing process of images in the prepress step is often performed on a computer. A series of steps relating to trapping process are also implemented by executing a predetermined program on a computer.
In the editing process of images on a computer, in some cases, an image (page) printed by multicolor printing is handled as data that is configured by allocating a plurality of figures to predetermined positions. Between the plurality of figures, the order of relative upper and lower positions (the front and the rear on the page space) are designated. In cases where figures are allocated so as to overlap with each other, the figure to be displayed on the forefront is determined according to the order.
For example, the image as shown in FIG. 10A can be handled as data in which a K color annular shape 102 is allocated so as to overlap the upper side of an M color rectangle 101, as shown in perspective in FIG. 10B.
Trapping process of the image so configured is executed in units of figures constituting the image. A trap figure was allocated to all boundary portions existing between an objective figure of trapping process (hereinafter referred to as an "objective figure") and lower figures.
For example, in the image as shown in FIG. 10A, when the annular shape 102 is an objective figure, a trap figure containing either or both color components of the M color and the K color is allocated to both of the boundary portions 201 and 202 existing between the objective figure and the lower rectangle 101.
However, such a trapping process might generate a trap figure containing any unwanted color component when a figure is allocated to a further upper side from the objective figure.
This problem occurs, for example, as shown in perspective in FIG. 11B, in cases where a K color annular shape 102 is overlapped on the upper side of an M color rectangle 101, and on a further upper side thereof, a C color rectangle 103 is overlapped so as to contact with the inside edge of the annular shape 102, thereby configuring an image 100 as shown in FIG. 11A. If in the data of this image, the above-mentioned trapping process is executed with the annular shape 102 as an objective figure, a trap figure containing either or both color components of the M color and the K color is allocated to both of boundary portions 201 and 202 existing between the objective figure and the lower rectangle 101, as described above. Unfortunately, in the after-configuration image shown in FIG. 11A, the boundary portion 202 is the portion that must in appearance become a boundary between the K color and the C color. Therefore, the allocation of a trap figure containing the M color component results in an unnatural color allocation.
Especially, in such an image 300 as shown in FIG. 12, expressing a gradation of color density in such a manner that a plurality of figures 302 to 304, which are of the same color but different only in degree of color density, are adjacent each other on the upper side of a figure 301 of a color different from their respective colors, the allocation of a trap figure containing the color component of the figure 301 to boundary portions between the figures 302 to 304 results in a fatal defect in appearance.

Trapping technique for an image which is configured by allocating a plurality of figures having a relative upper and lower position order


A flexible circuit board whose entire surface has flexibility includes a first substrate portion and a second substrate portion that are adjacent to each other and electrically connected to each other in a planar direction of the flexible circuit board. The first substrate portion includes a plurality of resin layers, which are bonded together with an adhesive, and the second substrate portion includes a plurality of resin layers, which are integrated with one another by intermolecular bonding of a thermoplastic resin.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a flexible circuit board whose entire surface has flexibility.
2. Description of the Related Art
A flexible circuit board made of a polyimide is known as a representative example of a flexible circuit board whose entire surface has flexibility. A flexible circuit board made of a polyimide is formed by stacking polyimide films, to each of which a metal film is attached, on top of one another and has an advantage in that it can be manufactured at extremely low cost. However, in a flexible circuit board made of a polyimide, accuracy of electrode shape and accuracy of the flexible circuit board shape are low, and a flexible circuit board made of a polyimide has a disadvantage in that consistently good electrical characteristics are difficult to realize.
Accordingly, a rigid-flexible circuit board only a portion of which has flexibility has sometimes been used (see, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2008-258357). A rigid-flexible circuit board has a configuration in which a rigid portion and a polyimide portion are connected to each other. In a rigid-flexible circuit board, a polyimide portion ensures flexibility, and a rigid portion ensures a highly accurate shape of an electrode and a highly accurate shape of the rigid-flexible circuit board, so that consistently good electrical characteristics can be realized in the rigid-flexible circuit board. However, such a rigid-flexible circuit board cannot be used in an application that requires a circuit board whose entire surface has flexibility, and it is difficult to reduce the thickness of the entire rigid-flexible circuit board.
Therefore, as a circuit board in which a highly accurate shape of an electrode and a highly accurate shape of a circuit board can be realized, a flexible circuit board made of a thermoplastic resin, such as a liquid crystal polymer resin, has recently attracted more attention than flexible circuit boards made of a polyimide. In a flexible circuit board made of a thermoplastic resin, accuracy of electrode shape and accuracy of the shape of the flexible circuit board made of a thermoplastic resin can easily be improved compared with a flexible circuit board made of a polyimide, and thus, consistently good electrical characteristics can be realized in a flexible circuit board made of a thermoplastic resin. In addition, such a flexible circuit board made of a thermoplastic resin has an advantage in that it does not have the above-mentioned disadvantage.
However, a flexible circuit board made of a thermoplastic resin has lower durability than that of a flexible circuit board made of a polyimide, and thus, in the case where deformation repeatedly occurs in a flexible circuit board made of a thermoplastic resin and in the case where deformation due to a large stress occurs in a flexible circuit board made of a thermoplastic resin, a failure such as fracture of the flexible circuit board made of a thermoplastic resin or breaking of wiring lines has sometimes occurred.


Various implementations include wearable devices and methods for managing respiration and user health. In some particular implementations, a wearable device includes: a mount sized to couple with a body part of a user; and a housing coupled with the mount. The housing at least partially contains: a contact element for applying pressure to the body part; and an actuator coupled with the contact element, the actuator configured to actuate the contact element in applying pressure to the body part according to a prescribed pattern. The prescribed pattern includes at least two repetitions, each repetition having: a first segment at a progressively increasing pressure; a second segment at a substantially constant pressure, following the first segment; a third segment at a progressively decreasing pressure, following the second segment; and a fourth segment at a substantially constant pressure that is less than the substantially constant pressure of the second segment.

Respiration management can be used to manage various wellness parameters. For example, some respiration management approaches aim to reduce stress, increase awareness and/or control blood pressure. Some respiration management approaches rely upon audible cues to trigger breathing, in terms of frequency, depth of breath, length of breath, etc. However, audible cues can be impractical for effective respiration management in many circumstances, such as in a professional setting or while sleeping.
Other respiration management approaches rely upon haptic cues to trigger breathing. One particular approach relies upon a wearable device that vibrates to provide a respiration management cue. However, with the proliferation of electronic devices that use vibration-based notifications, a vibrational respiration management cue can prove confusing to users. Additionally, vibrational respiration management cues can trigger a stress response in users who associate such haptic cues with reminders or notifications (e.g., e-mail reminders, text notifications and/or incoming call notifications).


A nozzle mechanism in a sanitary device has a first cylinder and a second cylinder each of which accommodates a pipe for injecting an amount of water. A single common driving device is positioned between the cylinders so as to selectively move the first cylinder or the second cylinder towards an interior of a toilet bowl.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a nozzle mechanism in a sanitary device and in particular to a nozzle mechanism for operating two nozzle pipes.
Description of the Related Art
In a conventional nozzle mechanism of the type which is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 60-25364 published without examination on Dec. 14, 1985, a pair of pipes are mounted on a common cylinder body and the cylinder body is moved by a stroke towards the interior of a toilet bowl before one of the pipes is extended to a position under the anus or the bidet portion (i.e., the vagina) to be washed and an amount of water is injected from the projected pipe.
However, this construction requires a motor with high-torque for moving the cylinder body, thereby requiring a construction which is large in mass or scale.


A feedthrough assembly for use with implantable medical devices having a shield structure, the feedthrough assembly engaging with the remainder of the associated implantable medical device to form a seal with the medical device to inhibit unwanted gas, liquid, or solid exchange into or from the device. One or more feedthrough wires extend through the feedthrough assembly to facilitate transceiving of the electrical signals with one or more implantable patient leads. The feedthrough assembly is connected to a mechanical support which houses one or more filtering capacitors that are configured to filter and remove undesired frequencies from the electrical signals received via the feedthrough wires before the signals reach the electrical circuitry inside the implantable medical device.

A variety of implantable medical devices have been developed and employed for long-term implanted monitoring of one or more patient physiological conditions and/or delivery of indicated therapy. Implantable cardiac stimulation devices are one particular category of implantable devices which are adapted to monitor the patients' physiological conditions, including their cardiac activity, and to generate and deliver indicated therapy to treat one or more arrhythmic conditions. Implantable cardiac stimulation devices typically include either a high voltage circuit for generating high voltage waveforms, a low voltage circuit for generating relatively low voltage pacing stimuli, or both low voltage and high voltage circuits that generate waveforms for delivery to patient tissue. These devices also typically include a microprocessor-based controller which regulates the delivery of the high voltage or pacing pulse waveforms. The high and/or low voltage circuits and the controller circuitry are generally encased within a biocompatible can or housing along with a battery to power the device.
Implantable cardiac stimulation devices typically also include one or more implantable patient leads with associated electrodes. The implantable patient leads are typically connected at one end to a corresponding electrode that delivers therapy to the patient's heart and at the other end to the high and/or low voltage circuitry and controller in the can or housing. Because of the highly corrosive liquid implanted environment and because the materials and operations of the electrical circuitry are not compatible unless properly isolated from each other, the connection between the leads and the circuitry inside the housing must be such that a hermetic seal is maintained. Thus, typically, connections between the electrical circuits disposed inside the housing of the implantable device and the patient leads outside of the housing are achieved through one or more feedthrough assemblies.
The feedthrough assemblies provide for connection between the leads outside of the housing and the circuitry inside the housing while maintaining a hermetic seal. Additionally, the feedthrough assembly of an implantable medical device generally includes circuitry for filtering the electrical signals received through the patient leads so as to attenuate the spectrum of unwanted frequencies before they reach the circuitry inside the housing of the implantable device. Prior art implantable cardiac stimulation devices generally achieve this filtering through multilayer ceramic type capacitors, such as discoidal capacitors. These discoidal type capacitors are typically disposed inside the feedthrough assembly. The capacitors are very specialized, difficult to manufacture, and are therefore expensive. Because of the specialized type capacitors, prior art feedthrough assemblies occupy premium space.
As implantable medical devices are configured to be implanted inside a patient's body, their overall dimension cannot exceed certain predetermined sizes. An increase in the size of the implantable device may result in added discomfort to the patient while a decrease in size can reduce potential irritation for the patient. Further, due to the limited possible size of these devices, the amount of space inside the device is also limited. Thus, the size of various components used in an implantable medical device is an important design consideration. Smaller components may create space for additional features, while a larger component may limit the size for other features and components. The large size of the feedthrough device due to the inclusion of the filtering capacitors thus reduces the amount of space within the housing that can be used for circuitry or therapy delivering components. Hence, there is a need for a feedthrough structure that provides filtering capability but has a reduced footprint within the housing to thereby allow for more space for other components.

Capacitor-integrated feedthrough assembly with improved grounding for an implantable medical device


An enclosure for animals and plants includes a bottom, first and second end walls, and first and second side walls. The walls and bottom are interconnected to form a unitary structure. A top for the structure extends between the walls. Structure is provided for selectively locking the top to the structure.

Enclosures, such as vivariums and terrariums for raising and observing animals and plants, present problems in creating a safe environment for animals and plants. Temperature and humidity needs of animals and plants must be addressed. Additionally, security measures must be built into such enclosures to prevent the escape of animals housed within such enclosures. Therefore, a need has arisen for an enclosure system for creating a safe environment and habitat for animals and plants.


The present invention teaches a power amplifier having two output power devices and a mechanism for switching the output path between these two power devices. The first output power device is designed for power efficient signal amplification at the power amplifier's highest output power level. The second output power device is designed for power efficient signal amplification at the output power level that the power amplifier is most likely to operate. By switching between the two power devices according to the output power level, a high level of power efficiency can be achieved across a broad range of operating states of the power amplifier.

The power efficiency of an amplification device such as a transistor varies with operating conditions. For example, a power amplifier designed for power efficiency at one supply voltage may well be inefficient at another supply voltage. However, applications abound that require the power amplifier to operate under varying conditions (e.g., different supply voltages) yet would benefit greatly from power efficient operation. In fact, while there are a variety of design constraints that may be imposed upon any power amplifier application, power efficiency is almost invariably a fundamental design objective.
By way of example, in most communication systems it is preferred that the power amplifier operate efficiently yet maintain an acceptable linearity over the desired supply voltage range. To that end, the typical power amplifier is adjusted to achieve a peak efficiency at a single output power level and supply voltage. In general, to operate at peak efficiency requires that the voltage swing at the output of the power amplifier be as large as possible. But, improving efficiency by increasing the voltage swing tends to reduce the linearity of the power amplifier. There is therefore a tradeoff between power efficiency and linearity, improvements in one coming at the expense of the other.
Many cellular communication systems, such as the CDMA cellular system, require that the power amplifier deliver a wide range of output powers. For more details regarding CDMA cellular systems, please see the Electronic Industry Association's publication EIA/TIA IS-95, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. As will be appreciated, the power amplifier must safely operate at its highest power level. Being designed for the highest power level, the power amplifier tends to operate less efficiently at lower, more commonly used, power levels. Hence the life of a battery operated device is shortened because efficient power amplification is unavailable at the more commonly used power levels since the power amplifier must be designed for the highest power level.
Communication systems such as CDMA cellular systems merely illustrate one example of the multiplicity of power amplifier applications that require operation at numerous operating states. In order to address the shortcomings of the prior art, what is needed is a power amplifier that can achieve high power efficiency at several operating states.

Switchable path power amplifier with schotky diode combining network


A head mounted display (HMD) includes first display pixels, second display pixels, and third display pixels. The second display pixels are disposed between the first display pixels and the third display pixels. The first display pixels and the second display pixels are within a first field of view (FOV) of a first eye of a user of the HMD and the second display pixels and the third display pixels are within a second FOV of a second eye of the user. A selectable optical element is driven to a first state and a second state to make the second display light from the second display pixels visible to the first eye during a first time period and visible to the second eye during a second time period to expand the FOV for the user.

In certain contexts, it is advantageous for a display system to have a wide field of view (FOV). As a display system gets more compact, it may become more difficult to provide a wide FOV. In the particular context of a head mounted display (HMD), one or more displays is typically included in the HMD and optics assist in presenting virtual images to the eye of a user. However, given the space constraints for the display and optics, the FOV provided to a user of the HMD may be relatively narrow.

Display having expanded field of view with selectable optical element


An OADM includes optical input and output; first and second bandpass filters with a first pass band, optically coupled to the optical input and output, respectively; third and fourth bandpass filters with a second pass band, optically coupled to reflection ports of the first and second bandpass filters, respectively; first and second cascaded series of channel filter assemblies optically coupled to the transmission ports of the first and second bandpass filters, respectively, and third and fourth cascaded series of channel filter assemblies optically coupled to the transmission ports of the third and fourth bandpass filters, respectively. The OADM may be extended or upgraded so as to accommodate the throughput of additional channels or wavelengths by extending the number of filters within each cascaded series of bandpass filters, where the transmission ports of the additional bandpass filters are optically coupled to respective additional cascaded series of channel filter assemblies.

The use of optical fiber for long-distance transmission of voice and/or data is now common. As the demand for data carrying capacity continues to increase, there is a continuing need to utilize the bandwidth of existing fiber-optic cable more efficiently. An established method for increasing the carrying capacity of existing fiber cable is Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) in which multiple information channels are independently transmitted over the same fiber using multiple wavelengths of light. In this practice, each light-wave-propagated information channel corresponds to light within a specific wavelength range.
In this specification, these individual information-carrying lights of a WDM optical fiber, optical line or optical system are referred to as either "signals" or "channels." The totality of multiple combined signals, wherein each signal is of a different wavelength range, is herein referred to as a "composite optical signal." Although each information-carrying channel actually comprises light of a certain range of physical wavelengths, for simplicity, a single channel is referred to as a single wavelength, λ, and a plurality of n such channels are referred to as "n wavelengths" denoted λ1-λn. The symbols λi, λ′i distinguish between channels having the same particular physical wavelength or wavelength range, but possibly carrying different information content.
Conventional OADM systems can separate a composite optical signal into its component channels, remove or "drop" certain selected channels, replace or "add" new channels comprising the same wavelengths as the dropped channels, and re-combine the added channels together with the non-dropped channels into a new composite optical signal. Unfortunately, in conventional OADM systems, which utilize optical filters, a high insertion loss can occur in the separation or "de-multiplexing" stage and the combination or "multiplexing" stage. Each filter has a certain associated insertion loss. The overall insertion loss (in logarithmic units) is the summation of the individual insertion losses associated with each component. Therefore, insertion losses increase for channels encountering more optical components. The losses are greatest for the last channel separated and the first channel added. The losses can become prohibitively large if the optical system employing such an OADM is upgraded so as to include additional channels.
Accordingly, what is needed is an improved upgradeable OADM system. The system should be easily modified or upgraded to accommodate additional channels and should not cause prohibitively large signal losses as a result of such upgrading. The present invention addresses such a need.

Upgradeable optical add/drop multiplexer