Disclosed is an electrophotographic photoreceptor. The electrophotographic photoreceptor includes an organic photoreception layer that is formed on a conductive base and includes at least polycarbonate. An outermost surface of the organic photoreception layer has been subjected to surface treatment using plasma of gas including hydrogen, or hydrogen and nitrogen.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to an electrophotographic photoreceptor used in an image forming apparatus, such as a photocopier that forms an image using an electrophotography method, to a process cartridge, and to an image forming apparatus.
2. Related Art
Recently, an electrophotography method has been extensively applied to an image forming apparatus, such as a photocopier or a printer. Since an electrophotographic photoreceptor (hereinafter, occasionally referred to as 'photoreceptor') that is used in the image forming apparatus using the electrophotography method is exposed to various types of contacts or stresses in the device, deterioration may occur. Meanwhile, high reliability is required in accordance with digitalization or colorization of the image forming apparatus.
Of the photoreceptors, currently, an organic photoreceptor is extensively used. The organic photoreceptor is inexpensive in comparison with the photoreceptor including amorphous silicon, and is better in view of safety in comparison with the photoreceptor including selenium or cadmium sulfide. However, since the organic photoreceptor has low hardness as compared to the photoreceptor including selenium or cadmium sulfide, if the organic photoreceptor is repeatedly used in the image forming apparatus, undesirably, abrasion may occur due to friction to a cleaning member or a developer. If the photoreceptor is abraded, there are problems in that a life is reduced and replacement is needed in a short cycle. Additionally, since surface roughness is increased due to the friction, slidability may deteriorate.
To avoid the above-mentioned problems, a hard film that is formed of diamond-like carbon (DLC), amorphous carbon nitride (CN), or amorphous silicon nitride may be formed on the organic photoreceptor as a surface protective layer.
However, if the surface protective layer having hardness significantly different from that of the organic photoreceptor is directly formed on the organic photoreceptor, problems, such as crevices, cracks, or stripping, may occur due to a difference in hardness.
Furthermore, in the photoreceptor having excellent surface wear resistance, such as the photoreceptor using amorphous silicon or the organic photoreceptor having the surface protective layer, such as DLC, in the case of when the photoreceptor is repeatedly used in a high humidity atmosphere, the surface of the photoreceptor has low resistance due to the substance stuck to the surface of the photoreceptor. Thus, blurring occurs or reduction in concentration occurs on an image.
The reason for this is believed that the discharge product stuck to the surface of the photoreceptor is reacted with water in air to reduce electric resistance of the surface. The typical organic photoreceptor does not suffer from the above-mentioned problem because the photoreceptor itself is worn to remove the stuck substance, such as the discharge product. However, when the hard surface layer is formed on the organic photoreceptor, the above-mentioned problem may occur.
In connection with this, it is known that if the surface of the polymer material is exposed to plasma, a crosslinking structure is formed on the surface of the polymer material, thus reforming the surface of the polymer material which is exposed to the plasma. In detail, treatment using plasma of various types of gases, such as inert gas including He or Ne, nitrogen, oxygen, or hydrogen has been performed. The effect obtained through the treatment depends on the plasma treatment condition, such as the type of gas. Examples of the effect include improvement in surface property, such as adhesion strength and hydrophilicity. Additionally, it is known that the crosslinking structure is formed by the plasma treatment to improve the surface hardness of the polymer material.
For example, it is known that if the surface of the polymer material is treated using plasma of organic silicon gas, Vickers hardness is improved with 10 to 30 times, surface resistance is reduced, and an erasing effect is assured.
As examples of the plasma treatment of the organic electrophotographic photoreceptor, there are surface treatment using plasma of fluorine compound gas to obtain water repellency and film formation surface treatment that is performed when a surface coating layer is formed to improve adhesion strength of the film. However, improvement in wear resistance of the electrophotographic photoreceptor using the plasma treatment has not been obtained. With respect to this, if the organic photoreceptor is directly exposed to plasma, properties of the photoreceptor may be reduced due to deterioration of a charge generation substance or a charge transport substance. Accordingly, there is the case where direct exposure of the organic photoreceptor to plasma is avoided.

Electrophotographic photoreceptor, and process cartridge and image forming apparatus using the same


An improved cutting insert for threading applications has chip control features and includes an insert body having end wall regions, sides and top and bottom walls adapted for mounting in a pocket in a holder. The insert body has cutting edges and a notch in the top and bottom sides. The end wall regions each comprise two end walls converging toward one another as they extend from the insert's sides, forming at the juncture with the respective top and bottom walls, a cutting edge. The chip control geometry including a recess defining, when viewed in plan, a generally "V" shaped depression having the bottom of the "V" proximate the tip of the cutting edge. The extending arms of the "V" are distal the cutting edge tip and are crowned by a pair of backramps.

Cutting inserts are well known and a large percentage of them are of the throw away design. Such inserts are detachably clamped on a holder and then are discarded when they become dull or chipped. Throw away inserts are usually indexible and often reversible so that an insert can be provided with at least two cutting edges for selective presentation to the cutting position.
The provision of two or more cutting edges on the insert makes it economical to use and is particularly important with respect to throw away inserts because of the high cost of the materials from which the inserts are produced, especially when the material is, for example, a cemented metal carbide.
The inserts must be securely and accurately held in place within an insert holder during the cutting operation. This is especially true when the inserts are employed with numerically controlled machines which depend for accuracy upon an accurately located and firmly supported insert. When the inserts are of a substantial area, it is possible to fix the insert both accurately and firmly within the pocket of a toolholder by providing the insert with a central hole and the toolholder with a pin-type clamping device. In other cases, such inserts may be held in place by a top clamp. Examples of such holders are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,754,309; 3,399,442, 3,762,005 and 4,834,592 and British Patent Specification No. 1,363,542.
The main object of metal machining is the shaping of the new work surface. Much attention is paid to the formation of the chip during the machining process, even though the chip is a waste product. This is because the consumption of energy occurs mainly in the formation and movement of the chip. Thus an essential feature of any metalcutting operation is effective chip control. A principal class of chips is the discontinuous chip which has the practical advantage of being easily cleared from the cutting area. While some metals and alloys generate discontinuous chips during cutting operations, many do not. It is therefore very desirable to produce discontinuous chips during a cutting operation, regardless of the metal or alloy of the work piece.
It has been a common practice to place a mechanical chip breaking member between the insert and the clamp securing the insert to the tool in order to provide at least a degree of chip control during the cutting operation. This arrangement presents the obvious drawback of increasing the effective area necessary for metal cutting operations with a given tool.
Because chip control is an important consideration in metal cutting operations, it has been a long standing objective in the art of metal cutting to develop improved chip breaking members for use with tools as well as improved designs for the cutting inserts. One example of a cutting insert with chip breaking capabilities is the cut-grip inserts "GIP" available from ISCAR. The ISCAR insert has a land with a pair of generally parallel, elongated and elevated members which deform the metal chips as they are removed from the work piece. Another example of a cutting insert with features designed to provide chip control is the Econ-o-grove insert manufactured by Valenite Corporation. This insert has parallel side walls extending along a continuous descending wall, floor and back wall of constant radius. Another example of a cutting insert with a chipbreaker style is commercially available from Sandvik and is characterized by a non-continuous front face which may not provide a flat finish to the cut groove in a work piece.
On example of a metal cutting insert which is provided for threading applications and which is configured to facilitate chipbreaking is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,360,297, which is assigned to the assignee of the subject invention and which is incorporated herein by reference. U.S. Pat. No. 4,360,297 provides a recess formed along the horizontal surface adjacent the cutting edge. U.S. Pat. No. 4,834,592, which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention, teaches an improved metal cutting insert which is particularly well suited for use in grooving applications. This patented, grooving insert with integral chip control geometry is an improvement to the insert originally taught in U.S. Pat. No. 3,754,309. Likewise, the insert of this invention, a threading insert with integral chip control geometry represents a further improvement to the insert originally taught in U.S. Pat. No. 3,754,309.
It is an object of the invention to provide an insert with improved chip control geometry which results in improved chip breaking capabilities.
It is another object of this invention to provide such an insert with improved chip control characteristics for thread forming operations.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide an improved chip control insert configured to cooperate with a clamping element of an insert toolholder.


An adapter device for connecting a memory card to a host. The adapter having a primary connector to be connected with the host taking up the adapter device and a secondary connector to take up the memory card. An interrupter of the adapter is connected to the primary connector and to the secondary connector. A device interface circuit connected to the primary connector controls the opening and closing of the interrupter depending on the commands received by the first connector, wherein the device interface circuit is configured so that if the primary connector receives a command from the host that is not related to the memory card, the device interface circuit opens the interrupter after the command has passed.

The invention refers to an adapter for memory cards. More precisely, it refers to an adapter allowing to connect a second device to a memory card port in addition to a memory card.
The market for memory cards has grown significantly based on the possibility of storing large amounts of data on Flash cards. There are different standards for such memory cards, for instance the SD standard (Secure Digital). Like all standards for memory cards, the SD standard defines a card format, a connector type and a protocol of communication between the host device designed to take up the SD card, as well as the card itself. The SD standard as used in this document refers to publications of the SD Card Association, including specifications of "SD memory card, Physical layer specification", "SDHC memory card", "miniSD card", "microSD card", "SDIO card" and "SD host controller specification". Furthermore, certain memory card standards use an extended communication protocol which allows to use additional instructions for using different devices than memory cards. In particular, the SD standard includes an extended command set called SDIO (Secure Digital Input Output device). With this SDIO extension, one can connect different input/output devices to the host.
Within the realm of SD, it is common to use SDIO type cards to allow other services than just data storage. This is also known as SD-MCE (Secure Digital-Mobile Commerce Extension). With this card, one can implement other services than just memory storage, for instance pay TV, on mobile devices such as mobile phones or portable computers.
However, mobile devices usually only have one such memory card port, and a second port for such devices is not expected in the future. This means that a user who wants to use pay TV on their phone cannot use a memory card at the same time. Changing the cards as needed is not a good solution because the memory card is not available while the TV function is being used. Users might want to store data while using the TV function. The SD standard is not designed to allow the parallel connection of two devices at one single port at the same time.
The invention consists of an adapter allowing to connect two electronic devices at the same port, at the same time. Thus the host device communicates with one single device, allowing to implement an electronic function on one side while using the storage device on the other side. More generally, the invention constitutes a solution to actuate two devices at one single port which originally allows the connection of only one device.
This means that the invention is an adapter including a primary connector, a secondary connector, an interrupter and a device interface circuit. The primary connector is connected with the host taking up said adapter device. The second connector is taking up a memory card. The interrupter links the primary connector and the secondary connector. The device interface circuit is connected to the primary connector and controls the opening or closing of the interrupter depending on the commands received by the first connector.
The invention preferably includes an application circuit connected to the device interface circuit. The adapter includes a host interface circuit connected to the secondary connector for communication with the memory card. The device interface circuit and the host interface circuit are interconnected to exchange data and determine common features while taking the features of the card and the own features of the device into account.
In accordance with a special way of carrying out the invention, the device interface circuit closes the interrupter when a command is received by the primary connector and keeps it closed to let the response from the card pass if the command is directed toward the card. If no card is connected, the device interface circuit reacts to all commands. The device interface circuit closes the interrupter when a command is received by the first connector and opens the interrupter to block the response from the card if the command is directed toward the application circuit.


A data processing system performs any-to-any transmission of data blocks. The system receives the data blocks on incoming data streams, and load balances the data blocks across a number of processing paths. The processing paths process the data blocks causing one or more of the data blocks to become out of order relative to an order in which the data blocks were received. The system hashes the data blocks to determine a manner in which to transmit the data blocks, reorders the data blocks to restore the order in which the data blocks were received, and transmits the reordered data blocks on outgoing data streams.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to data transfer and, more particularly, to systems and methods for preserving the order of blocks of data processed by one or more processing paths in a data processing system.
2. Description of Related Art
In a data processing or communications system that must deliver high throughput in processing or communicating a stream of data, an existing point-to-point approach is to provide n independent processing paths and distribute sub-streams of the data down each of the n paths. After processing by each of the processing paths, the sub-streams are recombined to create an output stream. A problem that arises using this approach is that the different processing paths may have different delays. As a result, if a first block of data (e.g., a packet or cell) is sent down a first path at time t1 and a second block of data is sent down a second path at time t2>t1, the second block of data may nonetheless finish being processed before the first. Therefore, if nothing is done to correct for this differential delay, the recombined stream of data will be out-of-order relative to the input stream. Out-of-order blocks of data can be problematic in a number of data processing applications.
Out-of-order blocks of data are particularly difficult to prevent in an "any-to-any" situation, when there are R input streams connected to S output streams via n processing paths. In the any-to-any situation, blocks of data are distributed across the n processing paths prior to determining the output destination. The processing paths determine the appropriate output destination.
According to the any-to-any situation, different blocks of data from an input stream can be destined for different output streams. The blocks of data of each input stream are distributed across the processing paths and then concentrated back to the desired output stream, possibly resulting in out-of-order streams. Algorithms exist for restoring order to out-of-order streams at recombination time, based on attaching sequence numbers to consecutive blocks at the input, and sorting blocks to restore consecutive sequence numbers at the output. In the any-to-any situation, however, a given output will not receive all sequence numbers from a given input, making existing sorting algorithms impractical.
Therefore, there exists a need for systems and methods that preserve the order of blocks of data in data streams that have been distributed across one or more paths in a data processing system.

Systems and methods for processing any-to-any transmissions


A light fixture having a base for housing a light producing source and a flat plate disposed within the base. The plate has a well formed in it, the well having light reflecting walls. A lamp socket is located in a light reflecting bottom wall of the well. A plurality of light reflecting elements is attached to the plate and a pair of light reflecting assemblies, one on either side of the well, is fixed to the plate. Each light reflecting assembly includes a plurality of light reflecting fins affixed to the plate and projecting at an angle away from the plate. A frame having a convex lens affixed thereto is hingedly attached to the base. A light shield is fixed to the frame for reducing dispersion of unwanted light.

Surface illuminating devices are well known. For example, light fixtures are used in museums to illustrate paintings and on highways to light up directional signs. In another common use, conventional light fixtures are utilized to illuminate outdoor advertising, found along highways and thoroughfares.
The well-known term "billboard" is often used for poster panels and bulletins. A typical bulletin is utilized to advertise printed or hand painted messages and is usually found in high density traffic locations. The bulletin typically has an area of 672 square feet, having a height of about 14 feet and a width of about 48 feet. Poster panels are smaller, with an area of about 300 square feet, a height of about 12 feet and a width of about 25 feet. A poster panel is typically about 6 feet high and approximately 12 feet wide, having an area of about 72 square feet. While this specification sets forth the present invention as it relates to bulletins, it will be recognized that the present invention has application to a variety of cases wherein it is desirable to illuminate a large flat surface. For convenience, the "billboard" will be used herein in reference to such surfaces.
In a many cases, billboards display graphic advertisements or public service messages and the boards are oriented so as to be seen by motorists and pedestrians passing them during travel. Typically, a billboard having a length of 48 feet is illuminated from below by four light fixtures equidistantly spaced along a bottom surface of the board and separated from the board by about 4 to six feet. An important desirable characteristic of billboard light fixtures is that, when spaced along the lower edge of a billboard, they provide uniform lighting to the board so that no dark spots or shadows occur across the surface thereof. This characteristic is generally not found in conventional billboard light fixtures.
It is not uncommon in a billboard lighting system, utilizing four light fixtures, for the billboard to have four islands of bright illumination with shadowed areas at the periphery of the islands and between the islands of light. The result is an illuminated billboard that is not esthetically attractive and which, in some respects, fails to convey the advertiser's message because of uneven illumination or shadows on the board.
Thus, there is a need for a light fixture, adapted for use in illuminating flat surfaces such as billboards, that can illuminate the surface in a generally uniform manner while substantially reducing shadowed areas.
In view of the environment in which the device is utilized, such a light fixture should have some weather resistant capabilities since it will be exposed to a variety of changing and, sometimes severe, weather conditions. It should be resistant to invasion by insects and other pests and it should be easily maintained and capable of being opened quickly and easily for bulb replacement and maintenance. In addition, the light fixture should have good aerodynamic characteristics so as to withstand high winds without damage.
Further, the fixture should not contribute to "light pollution" by scattering light away from the object being illuminated. Still further, the light fixture should have a low profile so that it would not draw the eye of the observer to itself but, instead, would induce the observer to look at the surface being illuminated.
In some cases, conventional light fixtures fail to satisfy the aforesaid criteria.
In view of the foregoing, there is a need for a light fixture having a low profile, readily accessible for repair and bulb replacement and aerodynamically shaped to help reduce wind damage. Desirably, such a light fixture could provide a broad spectrum of illumination over a flat surface so that, when used in combination with similar fixtures, a large billboard surface could be illuminated in a relatively uniform manner while substantially reducing light pollution.
Ideally, such a light fixture would be low in cost to manufacture, being constructed of readily available materials.

Light fixture having a plurality of light reflecting fins


Wideband balun having good performance characteristics for use in feeding differential antenna elements in array antennas, balanced amplifier circuits and other applications is described. Also described is a common mode isolation circuit suitable for integration with the balun.

As is known in the art, a balun is a circuit element often used to convert unbalanced transmission line inputs into one or more balanced transmission line outputs or vice-versa. Baluns operating at relatively low-frequencies (e.g., below 1 GHz) are generally provided using ferrite and air coil transformer technology to achieve high performance and relatively broad bandwidth.
There has, however, been a trend to employ baluns in a wide variety of different types of applications often requiring high-frequency and/or wideband operation. For example, baluns have been included in output stages of delta-sigma modulator direct digital synthesizers, Digital-to-Analog Converters (DACs), Analog-to-Digital Converters (ADCs), differential digital signaling, RF mixers, SAW filters, balanced amplifier circuit configurations, feeding differential antenna elements in array antennas and other antenna feeds, for example, antenna feeds for cognitive radio systems. All of these applications require a balun which operate over a relatively wide bandwidth and which are compatible with integrated circuits and capable of rejecting common mode energy from differential inputs or providing differential outputs lacking common mode energy.
For baluns operating at or above microwave frequencies, it has become increasingly more difficult to fabricate broadband baluns utilizing ferrite and air coil transformers. This has necessitated that other techniques be used. Baluns operating at such high-frequency bands generally are provided using distributed components rather than from ferrite and air coil technology. Such baluns often comprise quarter-wavelength matching elements or transformers having a size determined according to desired operating wavelengths (i.e. operating frequencies) of the balun. One disadvantage of this approach is that the operational frequency bands of such baluns are fundamentally narrow. Moreover, high frequency signals (e.g., microwave and millimeter wave signals) typically rely on single-ended and unbalanced anti-phase signals (i.e. a signal driven with reference to a ground), rather than balanced differential signals. Such single-ended signals may be beneficial in controlling electromagnetic interference. The corresponding structures, however, are not well suited to accommodate balanced differential signals, which are necessarily isolated from ground.
As is also known, three port balun structures and other differential lines typically do not provide good common mode isolation between the differential ports. For many circuit and array antenna applications, this limits system performance. In particular, differential fed, wide band antenna elements frequently excite a common mode excitation at large scan angles (e.g. at scan angles of about 45 degrees or greater) in an E-plane scan plane.
Prior art systems have used resistive common mode isolators implemented at the differential ports of the balun to terminate this excitation and improve overall array performance.
Other wideband antenna array structures which have encountered this common mode problem have developed solutions for mitigating the effect of this common mode excitation. Such solutions involve E-plane walls or shorting vias to place the common mode in cutoff. These solutions accomplish the goal of limiting the common mode, but at the expense of antenna bandwidth and performance. Other approaches for limiting the common mode include material shaping and/or the use of materials having a relatively low relative dielectric constant. Such materials, however, have undesirable properties from a processing and mechanical point of view and thus increase the cost of manufacturing the circuit. Furthermore, in many cases, the use of low relative dielectric constant materials is still not sufficient to eliminate the problems, particularly in those applications requiring relatively large operating bandwidths.
Thus, a significant design challenge is posed when seeking to provide baluns having both high performance characteristics and/or which operate at relatively high frequencies and/or over relatively wide operating frequency bandwidths while at the same time maintaining phase and amplitude balance. As noted above, balun performance may be a limiting factor in the performance of array antennas and in other RF/microwave systems. Additionally, it is desired to make the baluns small, such that one or more baluns can fit within a unit cell of an array antenna to enable the array antenna to achieve desired performance and functionality.
Conventional balun designs used in circuit and array antenna applications at microwave frequencies include so-called Marchand baluns. Marchand baluns, for example, have been realized in planar form utilizing microstrip technology to provide balun configurations which function over fractional bandwidths of between 6:1 and 9:1. Due to dispersions inherent in implementing microstrip circuits, the performance of such microstrip baluns degrades at higher operating frequencies, reducing the upper frequency band limit and the overall bandwidth of these circuits. This leads to amplitude and phase imbalance at the higher frequencies.
Double Y baluns and similar configurations are also known and have been used to realize baluns having fractional bandwidths of 9:1 and greater (18:1 in some cases). However, such baluns typically suffer from one of two shortcomings depending upon the design. One shortcoming is they often require more space than is available within a unit cell once a transition to an appropriate transmission line mode is included. While compact designs are available in coplanar form, many systems (e.g. array antennas) require microstrip or stripline interfaces. Thus, another shortcoming is that baluns implemented in coplanar form require transitions from coplanar to microstrip and other transmission line implementations and such transitions are prohibitive in a small space due to the presence of a strong coplanar moding. Strong coplanar moding possesses multiple fundamentally different modes that require complex transitions to match with microstrip and stripline modes without the creation of resonances that degrade performance.
It would, therefore, be desirable to provide a balun having good performance characteristics at RF and microwave frequencies and/or over wide operating bandwidths and which are appropriate for use in feeding differential antenna elements in array antennas, balanced amplifier circuits and other applications.

Symmetric baluns and isolation techniques


Methods, apparatus, and processor-readable storage media for automated detection of unauthorized access to device screens using machine learning facial recognition techniques are provided herein. An example computer-implemented method includes automatically detecting, using one or more machine learning facial recognition techniques, at least a portion of at least one face within a given proximity of a user device; automatically performing a comparison, using one or more machine learning facial recognition techniques, of the detected portion of the at least one face with facial images attributed to a set of trusted individuals; and automatically performing security-related actions with respect to the user device upon determining, based at least in part on the comparison, that the detected portion of the at least one face exhibits at least a threshold level of distinctiveness relative to each of the facial images attributed to the set of trusted individuals.

Security risks associated with user devices can include a practice commonly referred to as shoulder surfing, wherein unauthorized individuals view a given user device without the knowledge and/or permission of the user of the user device. Certain situations can present increased vulnerability to shoulder surfing risks, such as situations involving individuals using user devices in crowded public spaces, individuals viewing confidential data on user devices, individuals working on sensitive projects on user devices, etc. Conventional device security approaches, however, face challenges in efficiently identifying unauthorized shoulder surfers and preventing unauthorized shoulder surfers from viewing sensitive and/or confidential data from user devices.

Automated detection of unauthorized access to device screens using machine learning facial recognition techniques


A roll bending die for bending metal into an arc with reinforcing ribs and tapered ends. The roll bending machine includes a body member being designed for being rotatably coupled to the roll bending machine whereby the body member selectively engages a pliable roller of the roll bending machine. The body member is designed for being rotated by the pliable roller when the pliable roller is rotated by the roll bending machine whereby the body member rolls the material into an arc when the material is placed between the body member and the pliable roller. The body member comprises a plurality of ridge portions outwardly extending from a perimeter face of the body member. The ridge portions are designed for pressing ribs into the material when the material is rolled between the body member and the pliable roller of the roll bending machine.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to metal forming machines and more particularly pertains to a new roll bending die for bending metal into an arc with reinforcing ribs and tapered ends.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of metal forming machines is known in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 2,719,562 describes a device for forming metal channels and tubes. Another type of metal forming machine is U.S. Pat. No. 3,304,757 having a pair of smooth rollers for rolling a sheet metal into an arcuate shape. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,777,816, 2,769,477, 4,063,442, 5,139,134, 3,608,347, 3,357,222, and 2,327,706 each use a smooth roller for rolling the material into an arcuate shape.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the need remains for a device that has certain improved features to allow reinforcing ridges to be rolled into a material.
The present invention meets the needs presented above by providing the body member with at least one ridge portion for forming a ridge in the material when it is being rolled to provide reinforcement against being of the material.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new roll bending die that eliminates the non-arcuate leading edge formed when the material to starting to be rolled allowing for the final product to have a continuous arc.
Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new roll bending die that increases manufacture time and efficiency of making rib reinforced arcuate shapes over the traditional method of stamping the material into shape.
Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new roll bending die that increases production output by allow multiple layers of material to be rolled at the same time allowing for multiple copies of the end product to be made simultaneously. The ridge portions of the body member press into the multiple layers of material and prevent the layers from slipping apart while being rolled thereby allowing multiple copies of the end product to be rolled simultaneously using the same body member.
To this end, the present invention generally comprises a body member being designed for being rotatably coupled to the roll bending machine whereby the body member selectively engages a pliable roller of the roll bending machine. The body member is designed for being rotated by the pliable roller when the pliable roller is rotated by the roll bending machine whereby the body member rolls the material into an arc when the material is placed between the body member and the pliable roller. The body member comprises a plurality of ridge portions outwardly extending from a perimeter face of the body member. The ridge portions are designed for pressing ribs into the material when the material is rolled between the body member and the pliable roller of the roll bending machine.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
The objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.


A loudspeaker system according to the present invention includes a cabinet, a loudspeaker unit attached to an opening formed in the cabinet, a gas adsorber provided in the cabinet and operable to physically adsorb gas in the cabinet to equivalently increase a volume of an inside of the cabinet, and a dehumidifier attached to an opening formed in the cabinet and operable to discharge damp air in the cabinet to the outside when a DC voltage is applied thereto.

Conventionally, a loudspeaker system in which a gas adsorber is provided in a cabinet has been proposed (e.g., a loudspeaker system disclosed in Patent Document 1). FIG. 19 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a main portion of a loudspeaker system 91 disclosed in Patent Document 1. The loudspeaker system 91 includes a cabinet 910, a loudspeaker unit 911, a gas adsorber 912, and a bag 913. The cabinet 910 includes a plate-shaped front wall 9101 and a curved side wall 9102. The loudspeaker unit 911 is an electrodynamic loudspeaker. The loudspeaker unit 911 is attached to the front wall 9101. The gas adsorber 912 includes a porous material having a large number of pores, such as activated carbon. The pore has a size of, for example, the order of nanometers, and therefore, can physically adsorb air. The gas adsorber 912 is enclosed in the bag 913 which is shaped in a tube. The bag 913 is provided in a curved portion of the side wall 9102 in the cabinet 910.
An operation of the loudspeaker system 91 thus configured will be described. When an electrical signal is applied to the loudspeaker unit 911, the vibration of the loudspeaker unit 911 changes air pressure in the cabinet 910. Due to the change in the air pressure, air passes through the mesh of the bag 913 and is then physically adsorbed by the gas adsorber 912 enclosed in the bag 913. As a result, the change in the air pressure in the cabinet 910 is suppressed, so that the volume of the inside of the cabinet 910 is equivalently increased. As a result, a small cabinet can reproduce low frequency sound as if the same loudspeaker unit were attached to a large cabinet.
Here, the loudspeaker system employing the gas adsorber has a problem that as humidity increases, water vapor is adsorbed by the gas adsorber, resulting in a reduction in the volume increasing effect.
Therefore, in the conventional the loudspeaker system 91, the reduction in the volume increasing effect is prevented by applying a hydrophobic treatment to the gas adsorber 912 and the bag 913.
Also, a microphone device employing a dehumidifier has been proposed as disclosed in Patent Document 2. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view showing a structure of a microphone device 92 disclosed in Patent Document 2. In FIG. 20, the microphone device 92 includes a container 920, a diaphragm 921, a back electrode 922, an insulating support 923, an amplifier 924, a dehumidifier 925, an insulating support 926, and a connector 927. The container 920 has openings 921h to 923h. The dehumidifier 925 includes an active device in which a porous electrode is formed on each surface of a solid electrolyte film having hydrogen ion conductivity. A DC power supply is connected to the dehumidifier 925, though it is not shown in FIG. 20.
An operation of the microphone device 92 thus configured will be described. The diaphragm 921 vibrates in accordance with an audio or music signal transferred via the opening 921h from the outside. The capacitance between the diaphragm 921 and the back electrode 922 varies due to the vibration of the diaphragm 921, and an electrical signal indicating the variation is output to the amplifier 924. The electrical signal is amplified by the amplifier 924 before being output through the connector 927. Note that the container 920 has the opening 923h so as to adjust a change in air pressure in the container 920 which is caused by a change in outside air pressure.
Here, in the conventional microphone device 92, outside damp air enters through the opening 923h for adjusting the air pressure. If the damp air reaches a space between the diaphragm 921 and the back electrode 922, noise occurs, which is a problem.
Therefore, in the conventional microphone device 92, a DC voltage is applied between the electrodes of the dehumidifier 925, which in turn performs ion decomposition, thereby discharging damp air through the opening 922h to the outside. Thus, in the conventional microphone device 92, the occurrence of noise is prevented by discharging damp air to the outside using the dehumidifier 925.    Patent Document 1: Japanese National Phase PCT Laid-Open Publication No. 2004-537938    Patent Document 2: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2004-343318


Provided are a method and apparatus for generating an image of an organ. A medical image is input in real time. The medical image is compared with an image previously obtained using a 3D model, and an image obtained by combining the medical image with the 3D model is output.

1. Field
The following description relates to methods and apparatuses for generating an image of a patient using information from medical images.
2. Description of the Related Art
In order to diagnose and treat certain diseases, a patient may undergo a laparotomy so that a state of the patient may be confirmed with the naked eye of a surgeon and an incision and surgery may be performed on a lesion using large surgical instruments.
Recently, high resolution medical images and finely control medical instruments have been developed which enable a surgeon to form a small hole in the skin of a patient and directly insert a catheter or a medical needle into a blood vessel or the body part while directly observing the inside of the body is used. This method is much less invasive. Such a method is often referred to as a "surgical operation using an image" or an "interventional image-based surgical operation." Using this method, a surgeon may determine a location of an organ or a lesion by watching an image observed inside of the patient's body.
In the finely controlled high resolution technology, to successfully perform the surgery a surgeon has to be aware of any change in shape of an organ due to the patient's respiration or motion during surgery. Typically, the surgeon needs to accurately and rapidly determine the patient's respiration or motion based on an image that is input in real time. However, it may be difficult for the human eye to determine a shape of the organ or the lesion in the image as it changes in real time.

Method and apparatus for generating an image of an organ


System and method for carrier transportation management in a wafer fabrication facility (“fab”) are described. In one embodiment, the fab comprises a process tool having an internal buffer for storing a plurality of carriers each containing a wafer lot and a load port for loading wafer lots into and out of the internal buffer and the method comprises determining a relative priority between a first wafer lot, which has been processed by the process tool and is stored in the internal buffer, and a second wafer lot, which is to be transported to the process tool for processing thereby; and, responsive to a notification from the process tool that the load port is available, unloading the first wafer lot from the internal buffer via the load port if the first wafer lot has been determined to have a higher priority than the second wafer lot, and transporting the second wafer lot to the process tool and loading the second wafer lot into the internal buffer via the load port if the second wafer lot has been determined to have a higher priority than the first wafer lot.

The manufacture of semiconductor devices involves the performance of a series of process steps using a variety of high tech production and metrology tools in a certain order and often within a certain period of time. The primary function of a wafer logistics system in a wafer fabrication facility, or "fab," is to deliver the wafers to each of the tools at the right time, as well as to track the location and status of the wafers throughout the process.
Automated material handling systems ("AMHS") are applied to wafer fabs to carry out the automated functions more efficiently, consistently, and safely than can be done via manual means. While growth in wafer size from 200 mm to 300 mm has rendered the fabrication process more economical in some respects, it has also placed additional demands on the process. Such demands include the necessity for cross-floor and cross-phase transportation and increased transportation volume, the combination of which often results in traffic jams. Additionally, the investment in the AMHS hardware is large.
300 mm process tools can be divided into two main categories, including fixed buffer process tools and internal buffer process tools. A fixed buffer process tool has only fixed load ports for receiving wafer carriers, such as front opening unified pods ("FOUPs") and no internal buffer for carrier storage; consequently, wafers are loaded and unloaded directly from a carrier transported via an overhead transport ("OHT") system at the load ports for processing by a fixed buffer process tool. In contrast, an internal buffer process tool includes locations within the tool in which to store carriers, each of which contains a portion of a batch, or a "lot", prior or subsequent to processing the wafers, not including the load ports. Internal buffer tools are thus capable of implementing continuous batch processing. For example, assuming a first batch comprising one or more lots is being processed by a process unit of the tool, a second batch comprising one or more lots can be stored in the buffer thereof. Subsequently, the AMHS determines whether one of the load ports of the tool is available and, if so, sends a carrier containing a lot comprising a portion of a third batch to the tool. This may result in a conflict, however, if by the time the carrier containing the third batch lot arrives at the previously available load port, a carrier containing a lot of the second batch is unloading from the buffer via the load port, causing a conflict at the load ports. Upon the occurrence of such a conflict, the carrier containing the third batch lot will be returned to the location from which it originated, as unloading a carrier from a tool generally has a higher priority than loading a carrier to a tool. Currently, it is not possible to determine whether such a conflict will occur until the carrier containing the third batch lot arrives at the tool via the OHT system.

Carrier transportation management system and method for internal buffer process tools

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.


In some examples, error recovery in volatile memory regions may include determining, during a save operation that includes saving of data to a primary location, that an error occurred with respect to the save operation. Based on a determination that the error occurred with respect to the save operation, an error location may be determined, and a determination may be made as to whether the error location maps to a volatile memory region. Based on a determination that the error location maps to the volatile memory region, a reserved location may be identified for saving the data. The data may be saved from the primary location to the reserved location. Further, metadata may be updated to indicate usage of the reserved location as the primary location for the saved data.

In a computer system, volatile memory is computer storage that maintains its data while the computer system is powered on. An example of a volatile memory includes random access memory (RAM) that is used for primary storage in a computer system. Compared to volatile memory, non-volatile memory may be used for secondary storage, or persistent storage. Examples of non-volatile memory include read-only memory, flash memory, magnetic computer storage devices, etc. Another example of non-volatile memory includes a non-volatile dual in-line memory module (NVDIMM), which is a type of random-access memory that retains its data even in the event of an unanticipated loss of power, a normal computer system shutdown, or an unanticipated computer system crash.
A type of an NVDIMM includes a non-volatile dual in-line memory module-software (NVDIMM-SW). NVDIMM-SW may represent a storage class memory device in a cloud hardware. NVDIMM-SW may provide for efficient write access to storage devices by pairing double data rate fourth-generation (DDR4) DIMMs (hereinafter referred to as NVDIMM-SW DIMMs) with a non-volatile memory express (NVMe) storage partition (or a plurality of NVMe storage partitions) using firmware assistance. The NVDIMM-SW may utilize the NVDIMM-SW DIMMs as volatile memory to save data during runtime. In this regard, the NVDIMM-SW DIMMs may encounter errors or failures. In the event of such errors and failures, it is technically challenging to save the data without adversely impacting the integrity of the data during runtime. That is, in the event of such errors and failures, it is technically challenging to save the data so that the saved data matches the data that is intended to be saved, where the data that is intended to be saved may be needed during runtime.

Error recovery in volatile memory regions


A spinning reel has a rotor; a bail pivotally connected to the rotor through a pair of oscillatable arms to be switchable between a line takeup position and a line release position; an anti-reverse mechanism including an engaging member and an engageable member, and operable by a lever mounted on a reel body to be switchable between a position to allow free rotation of the rotor, and a position to prevent backward rotation thereof and allow rotation only in a line winding direction; and a switching mechanism including a control member mounted on one end of the rotor for switching the bail, and a cam formed integral with the reel body for contacting the control member, the switching mechanism being operable, through interaction between the control member and the cam occurring with rotation in the line winding direction of the rotor, to switch the bail from the line takeup position to the line release position. The anti-reverse mechanism has a range of play for allowing the rotor to rotate in a line unwinding direction while the control member moves into contact with the cam. This enables the bail to be switched to the line release position smoothly even when the rotor is prevented from rotating backward.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a spinning reel having a bail extending between a pair of arms formed on a rotor to be retainable in either a takeup position or a release position by a biasing force of a toggle mechanism, a switching mechanism for switching the bail to the takeup position by means of a control member operable through contact with a cam formed on a reel body when the rotor is rotated in a line winding direction with the bail set to the release position, and an anti-reverse mechanism for preventing the rotor from rotating in a line unwinding direction.
2. Description of the Related Art
A known switching mechanism as noted above is disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication Kokai No. 62-80570, for example. In this prior construction, a toggle mechanism imparts a biasing force to an arm cam supporting one end of a bail. An arm houses a pivotable control member for contacting an end of the toggle mechanism. A reel body includes a cam for switching the bail to a takeup position by transmitting torque of a rotor in rotation to the toggle mechanism. According to this prior construction, the angler may switch the bail from the release position to the takeup position only by turning a handle to take up a fishing line without directly operating the bail. Thus, the prior construction provides the advantage of facilitating a reeling operation.
A known anti-reverse mechanism, such as one included in the above prior construction, usually includes a ratchet wheel mounted on a shaft for transmitting torque of the rotor, and a pawl for engaging the ratchet wheel. According to this construction, when an attempt is made to switch the bail to the release position, with the pawl engaging the ratchet wheel, and with the rotor lying in a phase for allowing contact between the control member and cam, the bail cannot be switched to the release position since the control member and cam contact each other while the rotor is held against rotation. This situation may even damage the switching mechanism, anti-reverse mechanism and the like. Thus, there is room for improvement.
Such an inconvenience will occur for the following reason. As shown in the prior art, the cam formed on the reel body defines cam surfaces inclined from a position of maximum projection thereof. When an attempt is made to switch the bail to the release position as noted above, the control member may contact a cam surface that imparts a reversing force to the rotor. In this case, a strong force acts on a control line extending from the bail to the cam while rotation of the rotor is prevented by the anti-reverse mechanism. At the same time, the pawl and adjacent regions of the anti-reverse mechanism are subjected to a strong force. These regions may be damaged as a result.

Spinning reel having anti-reverse mechanism that facilitates bail switching


A lighting fixture includes a first support having at least a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, a first plurality of ornaments such as crystals attached to the first surface of the first support, and an opaque frame disposed around the first support. The opaque frame has a first opening through which the plurality of ornaments are observable. At least one light source is disposed in the frame for directing light onto at least some of the first plurality of ornaments which light is at least one of refracted and reflected from the first plurality of ornaments.

Recently, solid state lighting fixtures or LED light fixtures are becoming more popular. One such LED fixture generally includes a LED module having a plurality of LEDs attached thereto for directing light inwardly toward an edge of an optical panel or light guide. A frame surrounds the optical panel and LED module, and includes on opening from which light emitted into the end of the panel is emitted from a first surface of the panel and through the opening in the frame.
Frost by Vincent Van Duysen is a light beam encrusted with crystals. The light beam can be supported on a table or suspended from above. The entire surface of the light beam includes a "crust" of randomly assorted, different sized crystals set into resin. Sandwiched between the crystal exteriors is a thin glass panel which gives the beams their structure and rigidity while also acting as a vehicle for the LED lighting within.
There is a need for further lighting fixtures and methods for providing illumination.

Lighting fixtures having illuminated crystal panels and methods for providing illumination


The invention relates to a commutator for an electrical machine, having a commutator body on the outer circumference of which a plurality of electrically conductive, elongated laminations are disposed parallel to the longitudinal axis of the commutator. The laminations disposed adjacent to one another are electrically insulated from one another. The ends of the laminations, oriented toward the wire windings of an armature, are each electrically conductively connected to at least one wire end. According to the invention, it is provided that the ends of the laminations end, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the commutator, in planes offset from one another.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a commutator for an electrical machine.
2. Description of the Prior Art
One such commutator is already general prior art in a direct current motor, and has laminations disposed on a commutator body that are electrically contacted or connected, on the side toward one winding side of an armature, to the winding ends of the wire windings. As a result of the centrifugal forces engendered by the rotation of the armature, the connections between the wire ends or winding ends and the laminations must be embodied so as to be stable, even at relatively high rotary speeds of the armature.
It is therefore known for the ends, toward the wire windings, of the laminations to be bent over radially outward and back, so that the ends of the laminations point away from the wire windings. This hooklike embodiment of the lamination ends ensures a secure physical contact or in other words fastening of the winding ends on the lamination ends.
It is furthermore known for slots, in which the ends of the wire or winding can be placed, to be embodied on the laminations. By way of the winding ends, fixed in the slots in particular by soldered or welded connections, a secure connection can likewise be achieved. In commutators with slots on the lamination end, the maximum diameter of the winding wires is restricted by the width at the lamination end, or by the diameter of the lamination face. So that the winding wires can be connected securely to the laminations, additional provisions are therefore necessary. In commutators with hooklike lamination ends, and especially with a high number of laminations, the diameter of the commutator body and the disposition of the laminations are critical, in the sense that the ends of adjacent windings must be prevented from touching in the vicinity of the laminations, because that could lead to a short circuit between the affected windings.
One provision for reducing or preventing the problems discussed is to reduce the number of laminations, or to reduce the wire diameter of the windings. Another provision is to increase the diameter of the lamination face or to use a plurality of thinner, parallel-connected wires. However, all of these provisions can lead to unwanted properties of the electrical machine. For instance, the geometric replaceability of rotors or machines from the same series for different operating voltages can prove difficult. It is also conceivable that the service life of the carbon brushes and/or of the commutator will be shortened. Furthermore, heating of the windings, reduced efficiency, or running noise can occur. Because of the relatively high power density, these effects are more highly pronounced in relatively small electrical machines than in larger ones.

Commutator for an electrical machine, and electrical machine


Eyeglasses are provided that allow the wearer a substantial upper vertical corrected field of vision and a substantial lower vertical uncorrected field of vision. The eyeglasses are particularly suitable for myopic persons having presbyopia enabling them to see objects at a distance through the lenses and objects that are relatively near through the lower vertical uncorrected field of vision, such as reading relatively fine print. A method is disclosed for providing a person a substantial upper vertical corrected field of vision and a substantial lower vertical uncorrected field of vision utilizing the inventive eyeglasses.

Myopia, also termed "nearsightedness," afflicts more than 70 million people in North America. The condition is characterized by the ability to see nearby objects clearly while distant objects appear blurry. Myopia starts to occur in people between the ages of eight and twelve and almost always before the age of twenty. It typically stabilizes in adulthood.
Presbyopia, a condition that occurs naturally in the aging process, is characterized by the lenses of the human eye losing their elasticity and consequently their ability to focus or accommodate for focused vision of objects located relatively close to the eye, such as reading a newspaper or a computer screen, for example. However, typically, myopic persons are able to view close objects in focus without the need for corrective lenses. Presbyopia usually occurs between ages forty and fifty.
Usually worn after the onset of presbyopia as people approach their mid-forties, bifocal lenses are one means for correcting the vision of people having myopia and presbyopia. In the bifocal lens eyeglasses, the top portion corrects the vision to allow for clear viewing at a distance and the bottom portion corrects vision to provide viewing of objects that are nearby. However, bifocal lenses are relatively expensive and require a user to view close objects through the lens.
Consequently, there exists a need for specialized eyeglasses for individuals who suffer from myopia and presbyopia that readily permit viewing of distant and close objects without the necessity of bifocal eyeglasses and the inherent limitations of such eyeglasses.


Systems, methods and software are provided that simulate or facilitate imaging of medical procedures for purposes of optimized performance, simulation, training and/or accreditation. More particularly, aspects of the invention relate to a system, apparatus and/or subsystems for generating 3D and/or 4D imaging from 2 or more 2D images and/or projections for use in performing, simulating, training, and/or facilitating medical-access procedures. Such procedures use semi-automated and/or fully automated, network and/or web-based, 3D and/or 4D imaging of anatomy and corresponding medical devices or treatment for performing, training, rehearsing and/or conducting medical procedures, using multiple (e.g., >2 and/or >3) standard 2D x-ray and/or other radiation or sound imaging projections without a need for special hardware and/or systems (e.g., rotational runs) and/or pre-processing/analysis of a captured image data.

Medical practitioners, such as military medics, civilian emergency-medical personnel, nurses, and/or physicians, routinely perform medical and/or medical and/or vascular-access procedures (e.g., intravenous insertion, central venous line placement and/or peripherally-inserted central catheter, etc). It is desirable for a practitioner to be proficient at performing these procedures since a proficient practitioner is less likely to injure a patient and/or is almost certain to reduce a patient's level of discomfort.
Becoming proficient in medical and/or medical and/or vascular-access procedures requires practice. In fact, a certification and/or re-certification requirements of some states mandate a minimal number of needle sticks, etc., per year per provider. Historically, medical practitioners practiced needle-based procedures on live volunteers. More recently, simulation techniques and/or devices have been developed to provide training in medical and/or vascular-access procedures optionally without a use of live volunteers.
Some medical and/or vascular-access simulation systems that are in background publications include an interface device and/or a data processing system. To practice a medical and/or vascular-access procedure, a user manipulates an "instrument," which extends from a device and/or serves as a catheter-needle. Potentiometers and/or encoders within an interface device track a motion and/or position of an instrument and/or relay this information to a data processing system. A data processing system performs a simulation of a structure and/or substructure of human anatomy, and/or determines a effect of an instrument's motion on a the anatomy. Simulated results are displayed by a data processing system. Using a motion information from an interface device, a data processing system also generates a control signal that controls a force-feedback system that is coupled to an instrument. A force-feedback system generates various resistive and/or reactive forces that are intended to simulate a forces that are experienced by a medical practitioner during an actual medical and/or vascular-access procedure. A user senses these forces during manipulation of an instrument.
Although some systems in background publications have a ability to simulate medical procedures like percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI), they are of limited value in assisting the medical professionals to prepare for their upcoming procedures since those systems don't have the capability to rapidly build a simulation based on the incoming patient's unique anatomy. Without the ability to build patient-specific simulations rapidly, those systems cannot provide decision support during mission-critical procedures like cardiac catheterization. As a result, physicians relies mostly on subjective pattern recognition and subjective quantification of key features to diagnose and treat patients.
The inability of prior medical and/or vascular-access simulation systems to realistically simulate a medical and/or vascular-access procedure for incoming patients limits their usefulness as training and/or accreditation tools.

Semi-automated or fully automated, network and/or web-based, 3D and/or 4D imaging of anatomy for training, rehearsing and/or conducting medical procedures, using multiple standard X-ray and/or other imaging projections, without a need for special hardware and/or systems and/or pre-processing/analysis of a captured image data


Radio paging receiver comprising a central unit associated with a memory containing a tree-structured database comprising a plurality of menu pages and text pages, each menu page including at least an entry capable of being selected to display on the screen another menu page or a text page. Each entry of each menu page comprises a data field capable of being displayed and a call code corresponding to another menu page or text page. Moreover, the central unit is designed for updating the stored menu pages on the basis of radio messages comprising a menu page identification code and at least one entry designed to appear in the menu page presenting said identification code.

The present invention relates to one-way radio paging receivers.
Generally speaking, known receivers of this type store radio messages in the chronological order in which they were received and re-constitute them in the same order or reverse order when the user of the receiver checks to see what messages have been received.
This approach to processing received radio messages is fine when receiving a relatively small number of messages requiring an immediate response by the user of the receiver but is not suitable for processing general information messages representing a large volume of data (for example sports information, weather forecasts, financial reports, etc.).
In order to process this general type of information, a known approach is to store the data received by the receiver in the form of a structured data base, which can be accessed by menus displayed on the screen of the receiver: this is the type of radio paging receiver to which the invention relates.
More specifically, the invention relates to a one-way radio paging receiver comprising:
receiving means for receiving radio messages,
an electronic central unit connected to at least one memory for processing and storing the radio messages received,
a control interface to enable a user to issue commands to the central unit,
and a screen for displaying the information resulting from the received messages, in accordance with instructions received from the user via the control interface, the memory having a tree-structured data base comprising a plurality of menu pages and text pages, the menu pages comprising at least one main menu page which is initially displayed on the screen by the central unit every time the user looks up data; each menu page comprising at least one heading which may be selected by the user via the control interface in order to display a different menu page or text page on the screen and the central unit being programmed to update the tree-structured data base in accordance with radio update messages.
Document U.S. Pat. No. 845,491 describes an example of a radio paging receiver of this type.
The specific objective of this invention is to lighten the process of updating the tree-structured data base in order to limit the volume of data transmitted with each update.
To this end, the invention proposes a radio paging receiver of the type in question, essentially characterised in that each menu page and each text page has an identification code, in that each heading of each menu page comprises on the one hand a data field which can be displayed and on the other a call code corresponding to the identification code of another menu page or text page, and in that the central unit is programmed to:
recognize at least certain radio messages, referred to as menu update messages, comprising a menu page identification code and at least one heading to be displayed on the menu page (already existing or new) containing this identification code, this heading including said displayable data field and said call code, if the menu page identification code contained in said menu update message corresponds to a menu page previously stored in the memory of the receiver, to store the menu data contained in the menu update message in place of the menu data corresponding to said menu page previously stored,
and if not, to store said menu data contained in the menu update message as a new menu page.
As a result of these features, the menu pages stored by the receiver can be easily modified by means of the menu update messages, which allows the structure of the tree-structured data base to be amended as required, on the basis of new general information transmitted to the receiver.
In preferred embodiments of the invention, one and/or the other of the following features may optionally be incorporated:
each menu update message comprises a full menu page and the central unit is programmed so that:
if the menu page identification code contained in said menu update message corresponds to a menu page previously stored in the memory of the receiver, the menu page transmitted in said menu update message is stored in place of said menu page previously stored,
and if not, the menu page transmitted in said menu update message is stored as a new menu page;
each menu page is sub-divided into fields and the menu data of each menu update message comprises at least one amended field as well as data for locating this amended field, the central unit being programmed so that:
if the menu page identification code contained in said menu update message corresponds to a menu page previously stored in the memory 14 of the receiver, only said amended field is stored, the other fields in the menu page being retained in the memory 14,
and if not, the menu data transmitted in said menu update message is stored as a new menu page;
the central unit is programmed to run a process to clean up the data base, consisting in:
determining if the memory contains a text page or a menu page other than the main menu page whose identification code does not appear in the headings of any menu page as a call code,
if such a menu or text page does exist, deleting it;
the central unit is programmed to reiterate the data base clean-up process until the memory no longer contains a redundant menu or text page,
the central unit is programmed to:
recognize at least certain radio messages, referred to as text update messages, comprising at least a text page identification code and a displayable text,
and if the text page identification code contained in said text update message corresponds to a text page previously stored in the memory of the receiver, to store the text page transmitted in said text update message in place of said previously stored text page,
and if not, to store the text page transmitted in said text update message as a new text page;
the text pages are sub-divided into fields and the central unit 11 is programmed to:
recognize at least certain radio messages, referred to as text update messages, comprising at least one text page identification code, at least one amended field belonging to this text page as well as data for locating this field in said text page,
if the text page identification code contained in said text update message corresponds to a text page previously stored in the memory 14 of the receiver, to store said amended field transmitted in said text update message and retain the other fields of the text page in said memory 14 of the receiver,
and if not, to store the text page transmitted in said text update message as a new text page,
the central unit is programmed so that when a menu page is displayed on the screen, the displayable data fields of menu page headings are displayed but not the call codes belonging to said headings.


A non-volatile random access memory device comprising a plurality of memory cells, each of the memory cells comprising, a volatile memory cell and a pair of non-volatile memory cells connected to the volatile memory cell for storing data from the volatile memory cell and for recalling the stored data to the volatile memory cell, each of the pair of non-volatile memory cells comprising a first transistor having a floating gate, a tunnel capacitor having one electrode connected to the floating gate, a write circuit operatively connected to both electrodes of the tunnel capacitor, the polarities of potentials applied to both electrodes of the tunnal capacitor being changed in accordance with the data from the volatile memory cell so that electrons are injected to the floating gate or emitted from the floating gate through the tunnel capacitor and the potential at the floating gate is controlled in accordance with the data from the volatile memory cell, and a recall circuit for recalling the data from the corresponding non-volatile memory cell to the volatile memory cell in accordance with the potential at the floating gate.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a nonvolatile random access memory device, more particularly, it relates to an improvement of a non-volatile random access memory device having a plurality of memory cells, each of the memory cells comprising a volatile static type random access memory cell and a non-volatile memory cell including a memory transistor having a floating gate.
Such a non-volatile random access memory device not only carries out data read/write operations at a high speed, due to the static type random access memory cell, but also holds the written data while the power source supplied to the memory cells is cut OFF, memory devices are generally used in the field of, for example, electronic musical instruments, IC cards, facsimiles, telephones, wherein stored date must be held while the power source for the memory cells is cut OFF and the stored data can be rewritten as new data when the above power source is made ON.
(2) Description of the Related Art
Generally, the conventional non-volatile random access memory device of this type has a plurality of memory cells, each of which comprises a volatile static type random access memory cell including a flip-flop circuit and a non-volatile memory cell including a tunnel capacitor and a memory transistor having a floating gate.
Predetermined data is written from bit lines to the flip-flop circuit in the volatile memory cell, and the data is read out from the flip-flop circuit to the bit lines, when a corresponding word line is selected.
The non-volatile memory cell stores the data from the corresponding volatile memory cell before the power source applied to the volatile memory cell is cut OFF and recalls the stored data to the volatile memory cell when the power source is again applied to the volatile memory cell.
When storing the data from the volatile memory cell to the non-volatile memory cell, electrons are tunneled from an electrode of the tunnel capacitor connected to the floating gate to an opposing electrode of the tunnel capacitor, or vice versa, through an insulator film of the tunnel capacitor to which an electric field having a predetermined high intensity is applied, in accordance with the data from the corresponding volatile memory cell. Accordingly, the potential at the floating gate in the non-volatile memory cell becomes positive (i.e., positively charged state) or negative (i.e., negatively charged state), in accordance with the data from the corresponding volatile memory cell. Namely, the data from the volatile memory cell is stored to the corresponding non-volatile memory cell as a predetermined potential (i.e., in a predetermined charged state) at the floating gate.
Next when recalling the data stored in the non-volatile memory cell to the volatile memory cell, the flip-flop circuit in the volatile memory cell is initially preset at a predetermined state. At this time, a recall signal is supplied to the non-volatile memory cell (i.e., to a gate of a recall transistor connected to the memory transistor having the floating gate in series), and if the potential at the floating gate is negative, the memory transistor is cut-OFF, and thus the flip-flop circuit in the volatile memory cell is maintained in the above preset state, even if the recall signal is supplied to the recall transistor. On the other hand, if the potential at the floating gate is positive, the memory transistor is made ON, and thus the data preset in the flip-flop circuit is inverted in accordance with the data recalled from the corresponding non-volatile memory cell through the memory transistor which is ON and the recall transistor to which the recall signal is supplied. As a result, the data corresponding to the potential at the floating gate (i.e., the data corresponding to the ON or OFF state of the memory transistor) is recalled from the non-volatile memory cell to the flip-flop circuit in the volatile memory cell.
Therefore, in the memory device of this type, the above-mentioned data storing operation and data recalling operation between the volatile memory cell and the non-volatile memory cell are necessarily repeated many times, in accordance with users' commands. In this connection, the number of times that the repetition of the above data storing operation and data recalling operation can be carried out is guaranteed by the maker, but the above non-volatile memory cell may deteriorate due to a repetition of operations, although within the above guaranteed number, because of a defect therein, particularly in the insulator film of the tunnel capacitor. Namely, when storing the data from the volatile memory cell to the non-volatile memory cell, a predetermined high potential is applied between both electrodes of the tunnel capacitor, and thus a problem arises in that the insulator film of the tunnel capacitor is deteriorated or destroyed in accordance with the increase of the above number of operations, and further, the above charges having a predetermined polarity at the floating gate tend to leak through the insulator film of the tunnel capacitor, with the result that the value of the above potential at the floating gate changes to an erroneous value which does not correspond to the data to be stored in the non-volatile memory cell.
In view of the above-mentioned problem, attempts have been made to provide an error check and correct circuit (so-called ECC circuit) together with the above memory device on the same chip. But, in such a memory device, the chip area needed for the ECC circuit occupies a remarkably large part of the entire chip area, particularly when the bit number constituting one word data is relatively small, and further, the entire circuit construction of the memory device becomes complicated even when only one erroneous bit included in the one word output data is detected and corrected, as described below in detail.

Random access memory device having parallel non-volatile memory cells


A blow molded structure comprising a body made out of a first polymeric material and an integrally molded, coextruded living hinge made out of a second, more flexible polymeric material. A method of making a blow molded article having a coextruded living hinge.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a blow-molded structure having an integrally molded, coextruded living hinge and method of making the same.
2. Background Art
Vehicle panels, such as flipper panels, are commonly manufactured using a blow-molded machine. Blow-molding panels provide significant advantages over other manufacturing processes such as injection molding. For example, blow-molded parts are stronger, less expensive to manufacture, easier to design, and usually offer weight savings.
Some panels, such as seat flipper panels, carry significant loads and therefore must be manufactured out of a plastic material that has sufficient structural rigidity and strength. Typically, the panels are made out of a glass- or mineral-filled polymer. In particular, the panels are made out of a glass-filled polypropylene material.
However, some panels, such as vehicle flipper panels, are also subject to repeated cyclic loading. Although the flipper panels are generally manufactured out of a glass-filled, polypropylene material that is rigid and provides sufficient structural qualities, the repeated cyclic loading of the panel causes the glass-filled polypropylene material to fracture resulting in a part that can no perform to the original specification.
Accordingly, manufacturers of flipper panels have resorted to using a subsequent manufacturing step wherein a portion of the flipper panel is modified and a metal hinge is attached thereto. This extra step adds time and money, and creates manufacturing difficulties.
Accordingly, there exists a need for a cost effective and easily manufactured blow-molded structure having a structurally rigid, load bearing portion and a flexible portion to perform product specified cyclic functions.

Blow molded article having an integrally molded living hinge and method of making the same

International Automotive Components Group North America, Inc.


A method for facilitating parallax mitigation includes capturing a first image of a scene using a first imaging device, where the first imaging device is associated with a first optical axis. The method further includes tilting a second optical axis associated with a second imaging device to obtain a tilted optical axis. The method further includes capturing a second image of the scene using the second imaging device and the tilted optical axis.

Multiple imaging devices (e.g., also referred to as imagers) may each be used to capture an image of an object in a scene. An apparent position of the object in the scene may differ from image to image due to parallax resulting from displacement between optical axes of the imaging devices. For example, in a case with two imaging devices, parallax may increase as a distance between the optical axes of the two imaging devices increases.

Parallax mitigation for multi-imager systems and methods


A database architecture for an air traffic information display system includes a data manager including a first interface, a first database server connected to the data manager via the first interface, a firewall connected to the first database server; and a second database server connected to the first database server via the firewall and including a stored procedure for copying data from the first database. The second database server is used for computations based upon the data transactions pulled from the first database server. Thereby off-loading the first database server so that it can be more responsive to the data manager with respect to current changes. The firewall between the two servers prevents the data in the first server from being corrupted by users of the system.

Modem air traffic control systems are built in conformance to rigid software development standards where safety and reliability are the key design drivers. At the same time the demand for accessible operational data through access to the system is an another requirement. Meeting these two divergent requirements require unique and novel solutions.
One design feature that system providers have endeavored to build into modem air traffic control systems is the ability to record every system or user action and store this data into a database. This feature leads to greater reliability in that system or user errors can be captured and analyzed and the system modified to prevent such errors from occurring. As well, there is usually commercial value in such data in that it provides a direct record of traffic movements and can be used for extracting statistics, billing data, or be used for training purposes. Timely access to this data is therefore necessary for both business and safety purposes.
In order both enhance both the perception and actual security, air traffic control systems usually are isolated from connectivity with outside systems. Physical access is usually very strictly controlled through secure login procedures in locked or carded facilities where actions are both monitored and audited.
The problem that the system is attempting to solve is that the system security requirements are in direct conflict with the access requirements; both of which appear to be quite valid.
Historically the operational data transfer has been completed by manual means requiring lengthy and error prone procedures. The manual method has limitations in that it is usually not performed in a frequent or timely manner nor can it handle large amounts of data. A design that would permit secure, safe data transfer without human intervention on a timed basis that was robust and secure is a crucial requirement in the unique area of the design of air traffic control systems.

Database architecture for an air traffic information system