A method and device for the simultaneous compensation of several signal errors that occur in an IQ-modulator, using respective inverse correction signals, wherein the optimized signal magnitude of each correction signal is calculated by the determination of the effective signal error and by the subsequent iterative minimization of the effective signal error.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method and a device for simultaneous compensation of signal errors in IQ modulators.
2. Related Technology
IQ modulators are used in modern data transmission systems for the modulation of unmodulated high-frequency carriers. By contrast with traditional modulation methods, which generate a real-value bandpass signal, IQ modulators can, in principle, generate a complex bandpass signal in the intermediate-frequency or high-frequency range. Accordingly, the generation of any required vectors in the intermediate-frequency or high-frequency range allows a better exploitation of the available bandwidth by comparison with a real-value modulation method.
In practice, especially in the case of IQ modulators realized in an analog manner, generating any vector at the complex intermediate-frequency or high-frequency level with an accuracy required for data transmission is problematic. Because of the analog circuit realisation of the IQ modulators, undesirable static signal errors occur, which are superimposed in a static manner over the individual input signals of the IQ modulators and lead to a permanently error-laden complex signal at the output of the IQ modulator, which can be detected in the complex status diagram as a displacement of the vector of the complex output signal.
In essence, the following static signal errors can be listed:                input offset error: with an uncontrolled, in-phase and quadrature-phase channel, the baseband signals of the in-phase and quadrature-phase channel provide a value other than zero and cause a non-optimal attenuation of the respective carrier signal;        high-frequency crosstalk: the carrier signal talks over the bandpass signal at the output of the IQ modulator via the two multiplication units of the IQ modulator;        non-linear modulation: different amplitudes occur in the side bands of the complex baseband signal, because of unavoidable non-linearities—especially non-linearity-differences—between the two multiplication units of the IQ modulator;        residual carrier: one side band of the bandpass signal is incompletely attenuated for a single-sideband transmission because of an incorrectly-dimensioned bandpass filter at the output of the IQ modulator;        amplification error in the baseband: the sensitivity of the amplification elements at the in-phase and quadrature-phase input of the IQ modulator is incorrectly adjusted and/or calibrated and, in particular, is designed asymmetrically;        amplification error in the multiplication units: the sensitivity of the two multiplication units of the IQ modulator is incorrectly adjusted and/or calibrated and, in particular, is designed asymmetrically;        quadrature error: the output signals of the two multiplication units of the IQ modulator are not mutually orthogonal because of phase distortions of the two carrier signals of the in-phase and quadrature-phase signal;        phase error: the in-phase and quadrature-phase signal do not have the same phase error, for example, because of an incorrect carrier recovery or clock-pulse synchronisation.
Since several of these named, static signal errors have an identical effect on the bandpass signal at the output of the IQ modulator and are superimposed in a linear manner and cannot therefore be identified separately by the measurement technology, it is meaningful to combine static signal errors with the same effect on the bandpass signal into signal error types. In principle, there are three types of static signal error:                signal errors with additive effect on the bandpass signal: input-offset errors, high-frequency crosstalk, non-linear modulation, residual carrier;        signal errors with multiplicative effect on the bandpass signal: amplification errors in the baseband, amplification errors in the multiplication units;        signal errors with effect on the phase of the bandpass signal: quadrature errors, phase errors.
All of the listed static signal errors lead to an incorrect interpretation of the transmission signal in the receiver of the data transmission system. If it is not possible to minimise the effect of these signal errors, which reduce the quality of the data transmission, restricting the data-transmission bandwidth is the only expedient solution. Since these static signal errors can hardly be removed at an economically-viable cost by means of circuit technology, and restricting the data-transmission bandwidth is generally not acceptable, the only feasible goal is to compensate such signal errors by means of compensation or correction networks.
For example, DE 199 34 215 C1 presents an arrangement for the compensation of static signal errors, which are generated in IQ modulators. Corresponding to the three types of signal errors, an adding unit and a multiplication unit with additive and multiplicative effect is integrated in each case in the in-phase and quadrature-phase channel in order to compensate the signal errors. To remove the signal errors with effect on the phase of the bandpass signal, an additional control input is provided on the phase modifier in order to realise mutually-orthogonal carrier signals. The two addition and multiplication units and also the control input on the phase modifier are controlled via a controller with corresponding correction values in order to compensate the individual signal errors. A reconstruction of the in-phase and quadrature-phase signal from the bandpass signal at the output of the IQ modulator via an equivalent IQ demodulator and an appropriate implementation of control algorithms within the controller allows the compensation of static signal errors.
An optimum compensation of the individual signal errors requires the absolute measurement of each individual signal error or alternatively the measurement and/or determination of each individual effective signal error as a difference between the individual signal errors and the associated correction signal. This is not possible with the arrangement disclosed in DE 199 34 215 C1, because the error-laden in-phase and quadrature-phase signals recovered in the IQ demodulator are supplied to the controller as actual-value signals. A measurement of the individual signal errors from the in-phase and quadrature-phase signals recovered is not disclosed in that document. Additionally, for an optimum compensation of individual signal errors, the associated correction errors must be generated in a decoupled manner for each individual signal error on the basis of the difference between the signal error and the correction signal. This is also not disclosed in the document DE 199 34 215 C1, because this document does not disclose a compensation of the respective effective signal error in a decoupled manner for each individual signal error as a mutually-decoupled compensation of the difference between the individual signal error and the respectively associated correction signal in the description of the controller.

Method and device for the compensation of signal errors in IQ-modulators


A commutator comprises a commutator base of insulating material, a plurality of commutator terminals, each of which has a terminal portion and a contact portion, and a plurality of carbon segments formed on the base and over the contact portions, respectively, of the terminal. Each carbon segment has an inner portion of molded (unsintered) graphite material adjacent to the base and one or more outer exposed portions, containing or formed of sintered graphite.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a commutator, and more particularly to a carbon segment commutator for an electric motor, and to a method of making such a commutator.
2. Description of background Art
Carbon segment commutators are known but suffer from the drawback that they have a fairly high interface resistance with brushes of a motor. The present invention seeks to reduce this interface resistance in order to enhance the performance of the motor.


Preferred embodiments described herein relate to a pipeline framework that allows for customized analytic processes to be performed on multiple streams of videos. An analytic takes data as input and performs a set of operations and transforms it into information. The methods and systems disclosed herein include a framework (1) that allows users to annotate and create variable datasets, (2) to train computer vision algorithms to create custom models to accomplish specific tasks, (3) to pipeline video data through various computer vision modules for preprocessing, pattern recognition, and statistical analytics to create custom analytics, and (4) to perform analysis using a scalable architecture that allows for running analytic pipelines on multiple streams of videos.

This disclosure pertains to image and video analysis.
Analytics enable efficient decision making by transforming data into information. The video surveillance industry boasts success in deploying large camera networks, which produce tremendous amounts of video data. However, video analytic capabilities to translate data into information and subsequent decision making are premature. Analytics are performed in a series of steps involving pre-processing, discovery and interpretation of patterns, and statistical analysis to generate information.
Computer vision researchers, security officers (end users), and software developers are the agents in the ecosystem of video surveillance analytics. The research community works towards solving the core problems in computer vision. The core problems focus on efficient pre-processing and pattern recognition methods. The software developers gather requirements from the end users and package the vision algorithms to produce analytics.
Today video analytics are available in "blackboxes" that perform these steps as an atomic operation with minimal flexibility, which may not allow for parameter setting and tuning. Despite the staggering research efforts and their success in computer vision, few algorithms have found success in real world scenarios through this "blackboxed" approach. This failure to transition is rooted in core challenges associated with computer vision and its research paradigm that is disconnected from the end users.
Core challenges include data variability, scene variability, and limited models. Vision algorithms are often designed, tested, and optimized on datasets. While the datasets are created with an objective to encapsulate real world scenarios, it is not possible to capture all variations that can occur. The performance of the algorithms is unknown in new scenarios. This often leads to higher false alarms and limits performance. Such occurrences devalue the analytic capability. In addition, often times vision algorithms perform better under certain scene constraints. For example, most density based crowd counting approaches overestimate crowd counts when encountered with scenes that contain few people. Similarly, most detection based crowd counting approaches underestimate in crowded scenarios. A black boxed analytic based on one methods limits applicability in the other scenario. Finally, data driven algorithms are trained on annotated datasets to accomplish specific tasks. Some algorithms can be transferred to accomplish other user defined tasks, however this usually requires a retraining stage with specific data. There is a disconnect between the users and researchers. Hence such datasets, and the retraining mechanisms may not be available to the users

Methods and systems for customized image and video analysis


The invention proposes a device and method for the preparation of brochettes with picked-and-placed food consisting of a brochette (17) and one or more pieces of foodstuff (4). The brochette (17) is held by a brochette holder. The pieces of foodstuff (4) are picked up from a transport device (2) by ingredient grippers (5, 11, 12) and slipped onto the brochette (17) or placed in a mold, into which the brochette is subsequently introduced.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and a device to prepare brochettes with picked-and-placed food batches according to the characterizing clause of claims 1 and 7.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The state of the art in DE 101 24 119 A1 discloses a device for preparing shashlik-type brochette meals that comprises multiple placing discs or placing bands. These are equipped with a number of placing cells. As soon as a number of placing cells filled with ingredients are arranged in a row, a brochette is pushed through the placing cells. Thus the individual ingredients placed in the cells are speared on the brochette. The disadvantage of this state of the art is that the placing cells need to be filled manually. In addition, only a few types of ingredients, such as meat or green pepper, can be processed. Moreover, the finished brochette meal has a characteristic appearance with contours of a cuboid. Thus, the consumer immediately recognizes that the brochette meal has been prepared, at least partially, by a machine. However, those who prepare and sell this type of meals consider this aspect undesirable.
The state of the art in DE 69507 155 T2 discloses a machine for automatic preparation of meat and/or vegetable brochette meals. Recesses of a rectangular form are provided to receive the individual ingredients. The dimensions of the recesses correspond with the desired dimensions of the finished brochette meal. The recesses are completely filled with ingredients. Subsequently, through a pipe, a brochette is introduced into the ingredients placed in the recesses. The disadvantage of this state of the art is that pieces of ingredients that fill the recesses in cross-section only partially are speared by the brochette only at their edge or are not speared at all. The recesses must be filled with ingredients manually. In addition, the ingredients are placed on the brochette so close to each other that they touch each other. Since the raw meals ready for skewering are not immediately prepared and eaten but rather stored, the fact that the individual ingredients touch each other is undesirable.

Device and method for preparing brochettes with picked-and-placed food

MAJA-Maschinenfabrik Hermann Schill GmbH & Co. KG


A controlled zone gasification reactor with an agitator drive assembly for a plasma assisted gasification reaction system is disclosed for converting fuel, such as, but not limited to, biomass, to syngas to replace petroleum based fuels used in power generation. The agitator drive assembly that prevents formation of burn channels with in the fuel. The agitator drive assembly may include a syngas separation chamber configured to produce clean syngas, thereby requiring less filtering. The syngas separation chamber may feed syngas downstream to a syngas heater in a pyrolysis reaction zone in the reactor vessel.

Gasification systems have been used for power generation by converting biomass fuel sources into combustible gases that contain nearly all of the energy of the biomass. The gasification systems convert carbonaceous materials, such as coal, biomass, biofuel, carbon dioxide, hydrogen and petroluem, into charcoal, wood-oils, and tars using both combustion and pyrolysis with a controlled amount of oxygen or steam. The gasification systems produce syngas, which is used as a fuel within engines, such as internal combustion engines and turbine engines. Syngas may be combusted at higher temperatures than other fuels courses, thereby making internal combustion of syngas potentially more efficient than other fuel sources.
A challenging aspect of using gasification systems for power generation from waste fuel sources is efficiently producing power while handling the waste products developed within the systems. The highly efficient method of converting syngas to electric power is offset by power consumption in waste fuel preprocessing and gas cleaning. The gasification byproducts including tars must be filtered from the syngas before the syngas can be burned in an engine, otherwise, the life of the engine will be greatly shortened.
Gasification systems used for power generation systems typically have a large footprint, such as an acre or more, and are typically constructed on-site. As such, skilled tradesman are required to construct and often to operate such a gasification system, which limits the locale in which the conventional gasification systems may be constructed efficiently. The costs associated with constructing and operating conventional gasification systems in remote locales often outweighs the benefit of the power generated. Thus, a gasification system is needed that produces syngas efficiently with few contaminants and overcomes the challenges of remote site construction and operation.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Plasma assisted gasification system with agitator drive assembly in reactor vessel


A method and apparatus for enhancing data retransmission to improve call performance are described. At least one protocol data unit (PDU) may be transmitted from a transmitting entity to a receiving entity. The at least one PDU may be part of a service data unit (SDU). It may be determined to perform a communication re-establishment. As such, the SDU may be retransmitted, beginning with a first PDU transmitted as part of the SDU. In an aspect, the transmitting entity may be a radio link control (RLC) transmitting device and the receiving entity may be an RLC receiving device in communication with one another across a network. In another aspect, the transmitting entity may be a radio link control (RLC) transmitting protocol layer and the receiving entity may be a radio link control (RLC) receiving protocol layer both within a protocol stack of a device.

1. Field
Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to wireless communication systems, and more particularly, to enhancing data retransmission to improve call performance.
2. Background
Wireless communication networks are widely deployed to provide various communication services such as telephony, video, data, messaging, broadcasts, and so on. Such networks, which are usually multiple access networks, support communications for multiple users by sharing the available network resources. One example of such a network is the UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN). The UTRAN is the radio access network (RAN) defined as a part of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), a third generation (3G) mobile phone technology supported by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). The UMTS, which is the successor to Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) technologies, currently supports various air interface standards, such as Wideband-Code Division Multiple Access (W-CDMA), Time Division-Code Division Multiple Access (TD-CDMA), and Time Division-Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access (TD-SCDMA). The UMTS also supports enhanced 3G data communications protocols, such as High Speed Packet Access (HSPA), which provides higher data transfer speeds and capacity to associated UMTS networks.
As the demand for mobile broadband access continues to increase, research and development continue to advance the UMTS technologies not only to meet the growing demand for mobile broadband access, but to advance and enhance the user experience with mobile communications.
For example, as per the radio link control (RLC) layer protocol, whenever a user equipment (UE) (or other message-transmitting device, such as a Node B) receives a RESET command from a peer RLC entity, which may be a message-receiving device (such as a UE or network entity, e.g., a Node B or radio network controller), the UE will discard all previously transmitted protocol data units (PDUs). The UE may store these previously transmitted PDUs, which may be part of a larger service data unit (SDU), in a buffer when they have not yet been acknowledged as having been received by a receiving entity. Additionally, the UE discards any portions of partially-transmitted SDUs pending in a transmission queue at the UE (e.g., some PDUs of the SDU have been transmitted and some PDUs of the SDU are pending transmission in the transmission queue). After completion of this discarding procedure, the UE resumes transmission, starting with an SDU that came after the discarded SDU in the transmission queue. As such, an SDU, or PDUS of the SDU, may be lost.
Furthermore, when a message is transmitted in the uplink (UL) and a radio link control (RLC) re-establishment indication is concurrently received in the downlink (DL), the transmitted message and associated PDUs are discarded. Though the RLC protocol layer indicates the failure of the signaling message to a radio resource controller (RRC), the RRC does not include instructions for recovery of the transmitted message. As a result, the lost signaling message is not retransmitted by the RLC or upper layers. This can lead to a deadlock in the signaling procedure such that subsequent SDUs are not processed by a receiver. In some instances, this will lead to call release.
Thus improvements in message and data transmission in communications networks to avoid lost messages, data, and call release are desired.

Method and apparatus for enhancing data retransmission to improve call performance


An in-tie machine for moving the movable elements of a switching device, such as the switch points of a switch point assembly or the moving V-point of a movable point frog, with a sliding device which selectively engages a control rod with either a fixed seat or a moving seat, to shift the movable elements and lock them in place.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention refers to railway switching machines, and, in particular, to those devices which are used to move the rail end points of switch point assemblies. More specifically, this invention refers to a device for use either with switch point assemblies having connected rail end points, or with movable point frog assemblies.
2. Background Art
As is commonly known, railway switch point assemblies include two rail end points which are tapered rail profiles capable of deflecting to move between two different positions, in order to facilitate the correct alignment of the track components for the desired path of rolling stock transiting through the switch point assembly. The switch point assembly has two deflectable or movable rail end points which move in concert with one another between first and second alternative positions. In a first alternative position, a first one of these movable rail end points can be aligned with a first fixed stock rail to facilitate passage of the rolling stock straight through the switch point onto a first set of fixed rails. In a second alternative position, the second movable rail end point can be aligned with a second fixed stock rail to facilitate passage of the rolling stock onto a second set of fixed rails, such as to divert the rolling stock onto a siding. The remote ends of the two deflectable rails almost intersect, near the location where the second set of fixed rails diverges from the first set of fixed rails.
At the ends of the deflectable rails where they almost intersect, it is necessary to provide a means for the rims of the wheels of the rolling stock to cross the fixed rail which is not being followed, and to pass from one of the deflectable rails onto the desired set of fixed rails. Frog assemblies are used for this purpose, wherein the left rail of one set of rails beyond the frog assembly, and the right rail of the other set of rails beyond the frog assembly form a "V-point" adjacent to the point where the deflectable rails cross. At this point, the remote ends of the deflectable switch point rails can form "wing rails" on either side of the V-point.
Some of these frog assemblies can have a fixed V-point, a fixed wing rail, and a deflectable wing rail which can deflect as the wheel rims pass through, allowing the rolling stock to follow the desired set of fixed rails. These are "fixed point" frog assemblies. Still other frog assemblies can have fixed wing rails and a moving or deflectable V-point which can be aligned with either of the wing rails, according to the desired path of the rolling stock. These are commonly called "movable point" frog assemblies.
In the typical switch point assembly, the two deflectable rail end points are moved by rods protruding from the opposite extremities of a unit often called the switch point machine. Inside the switch point machine, the rods are usually connected to a device with a reciprocating straight line motion, which is powered by a motor unit which is generally placed to the side of the rails. The state of the art includes numerous switch point machines for railway split point movements. For example, EP 1,245,469 to Biagiotti describes such a switch point machine. Such mechanisms are normally installed at the switch point, and they are typically applied only to move the split rail end points of the switch point assembly.
Therefore, it is desirable to provide a simple type of mechanism which can be used either to move the deflectable rail end points of the switch point assembly or to move the deflectable V-point of a movable point frog assembly.


A test and measurement device including a source configured to output a source signal, a source output configured to output the source signal to a connected cable, a guard drive circuit electrically coupled to the source and configured to receive the source signal and generated a guard drive signal, the guard drive circuit having a gain less than one, and a guard drive circuit output configured to output the guard drive signal to a connected guard.

Guarding is an important aspect of virtually any low-current measurement. Electrical instrument manufacturers typically employ any of a number of conventional techniques to isolate the impedance of a desired measurement from all currents and impedances that are not part of the required measurement. Guarding is essentially a special case of shielding to prevent noise or unwanted currents from becoming part of the measurement by preventing coupling to the measurement leads. Guarding additionally prevents direct current (DC) and, ideally, alternating current (AC) normal mode currents from electrically coupling to the measurement terminal.
In conventional electrical test and measurement systems, the guard is typically driven to exactly the same voltage as the measurement terminal by the test and measurement device. This guard should be present at all locations around the measurement terminal except immediately at the intended measurements. However, several problems arise in the process of driving the guard to the same voltage as the measurement terminal. For example, a feedback path is present from a guard amplifier to the measurement terminal, which is the input of the guard amplifier. Because this amplifier has a feedback path, maintaining frequency stability is required but conventional attempts to do so undesirably change the circuit phase characteristics.
Conventional systems generally involve the addition of resistance in series with the guard amplifier of the guard drive circuit to provide frequency stability, but this decimates the guard's usefulness as a shield. Further, such systems allow the guard voltage to deviate from the measurement node voltage under transient conditions, e.g., due to the series guard resistance, and are thus not sufficient for typical fast low-current measurement systems. Low current measurements require some sort of technique to manage or control which currents or impedances are measured, and which currents are excluded.
Even though the guard amplifier of the guard drive circuit may return to stable operation, provided the resistor is large enough, it is at the expense of guard bandwidth, and a higher impedance guard output and the guard will lag behind the measurement terminal, allowing guarded dielectrics to charge and discharge during transients. Also, longer cables, which generally have more dielectric to charge up, will see undesirably slow guard response and settling time, which is unacceptable performance.
Thus, there remains a need for improved techniques for guard drive circuit integrating with electrical test and measurement equipment.

Source measure unit with guard drive circuit


The present invention is related to a loader of a construction apparatus such as front-end wheel loader or an agricultural tractor. Specifically, the present invention is related to a control system for a loader.

Typically, conventional front-end loaders for construction machinery such as wheel loaders and agricultural tractor loaders may be articulated by a hydraulic system. Loaders may be added to existing tractors or may be the principal implement of a track driven or wheel loader. Typically, loaders include a large bucket to scoop material such as coal, dirt, and stone and load the material into a trailer or dump truck. Some loaders may also be used to dig holes.
Most loader hydraulic systems include a hydraulic pump and at least one hydraulic cylinder adapted to articulate a loader boom and/or a bucket. An operator may use any of a plurality of controls located in a cab of the machinery or elsewhere to control the hydraulic system to articulate loader boom and bucket assembly. Some common features of the control system for the boom and bucket assembly include raising and lowering the boom and rotating the bucket fore and aft to load or dump the bucket. Another common feature of the control system is a float feature. The float feature allows the bucket to "float" on the ground for backgrading or leveling operations, for example leveling a gravel-based parking lot. When the bucket is floated, only the weight of the boom and bucket assembly is applied to the ground. This allows the bucket to float over the material being leveled and create a smooth, even leveled area free of large depressions or bumps.

Control system for an electronic float feature for a loader


A method for encoding data includes a super cooling process wherein an input stream is manipulated, encoded and summarized to form entities that represent the input stream in a different form in super cooled sets. The super cooled sets can be used for example for the transmission and/or storage of the information contained within the input stream.

In general, data encoding involves the process of representing information using fewer data units or bits than a more direct representation would require. While various algorithms and techniques have been developed for encoding data, there is a continuing need for an effective and readily implemented encoding method. It is to such methods, and systems implementing the same, that the present invention is directed.


A drive shaft for an elevator system, includes a support shaft and a traction sheave with at least one traction face for driving a traction mechanism, for example a drive belt, of the elevator system. A connection is provided for the transmission of a drive torque from the support shaft to the traction sheave, the traction sheave being of separate configuration from the support shaft. The traction sheave is held with an inner guide face on an outer guide face of the support shaft. The connection includes at least one axially projecting traction sheave-side circumferential stop which is in positively locking engagement with a support shaft-side circumferential stop.

EP 2 574 584 A1 discloses an elevator system, in the case of which a car is driven by supporting means in the form of drive belts. A drive having a motor and a drive shaft drives the car.
The drive shaft comprises a support shaft and a traction sheave, and can be of single-piece or multiple-piece configuration with the traction sheave. If the support shaft is of separate configuration from the traction sheave, a non-rotational (for example, positively locking) connection is to be provided between them. In the case of a classic tongue/groove connection, the strength of one of the connecting partners is weakened here by way of the groove, in order to provide a drive face. In the case of belt drives, however, components which are as small as possible are required; further weakening by way of a groove can then no longer be accepted.
Thus a need exists for an improved drive arrangement.

TK Elevator Innovation and Operations GmbH


A network system and network system setting method including a control apparatus connected to a network and an image processing apparatus connected to the control apparatus so as to access the network, where when setup information for the image processing apparatus is transmitted to another image processing apparatus, setup information for the control apparatus is also transmitted.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a setup method for a network system that includes a control apparatus, connected to a network, and an image processing apparatus that is connected to the control apparatus and can access the network via the control apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
A so-called multifunctional apparatus (image processing apparatus) has been put to practical use. This apparatus is an image forming apparatus that includes a printer, which prints image data received by a scanner, and a communication interface that can receive a print job via communication with an external apparatus, such as a host computer.
Some image forming apparatuses of this type include data storage units, such as hard disk drives, as external storage devices. Further, an image forming apparatus, when put to practical use, can perform a secure printing process, i.e., a print job, received from a host computer, is stored and a pre-designated ID information is authenticated and printing of the stored print job is begun.
In Japanese Patent Laid-Open Application No. 2000-76234 (patent document 1), a system is disclosed whereby data is unified that is held by a plurality of data processing apparatuses.
Further, a data transmission function that uses a network has also been developed, and a function for the storage, directly on the hard disk of a computer on a network, of data obtained by scanning has been practically employed.
As described above, since various functions for the image forming apparatus have been put to practical use, multiple setup items are present for the image forming apparatus, and a user (e.g., a manager of an image forming apparatus) must enter all the setups for the functions that are to be employed.
Conventionally as a function for transmitting setup information, the image forming apparatus can transmit its own setup information to another image forming apparatus. By using this function, in a case wherein initial setups of multiple image forming apparatuses are to be initially set, or in a case wherein facilities are being moved, or when there is a change in servers or a change in management methods, a manager need not manually repeat the entry of the setups for the individual image forming apparatuses.
That is, after setup information has been entered in one image forming apparatus, the same information can be delivered to the rest of the image forming apparatuses, and the need for additional labor by a manager is eliminated. At present, no additional effort is required for the delivery of information, for user setups, for ID management setups, and for address book setups that are entered when an initial image forming apparatus is being set up.
However, for an image forming apparatus that is attached to a printing control apparatus (a control apparatus) and that communicates with a network via the printing control apparatus, the network environment wherein the image forming apparatus is operated constitutes a special case. That is, since the setup information related to the network is stored in the printing control apparatus, the image forming apparatus can not transmit this setup information to another image forming apparatus.
Further, since address book information to be held in the image forming apparatus can be set up for and apply only to the image forming apparatus, a user must manually enter the same address book information when setting up the printing control apparatus.
That is, since the setup information transmitted by the image forming apparatus can be set up only for the image forming apparatus, a user must manually supply the same setup information for the printing control apparatus. Thus, an additional operating requirement is required.

Network system, network setup method, and program and storage medium therefor


Described are connectors comprising: a body; at least four arms extending from the body; a first pair of opposing, substantially closed slots along a first axis of the body, wherein each slot is defined by one or more of the at least four arms and an edge of the body; and a second pair of opposing, substantially closed slots along a second axis of the body, wherein each slot is defined by one or more of the at least four arms and an edge of the body; wherein, each slot comprises an opening defined by at least two of the at least four arms; and wherein, the openings of the first pair of opposing, substantially closed slots are offset and the openings of the second pair of opposing, substantially closed slots are offset. Methods of coupling straps together via such connectors, and the resulting net-like structure, are also described.

Known methods and apparatuses for securing loads or cargo to platforms or pallets commonly utilize either cargo nets or tensioned straps. Cargo nets generally confine the majority of the surface area of a load (thanks to the net-like structure of the mechanism), but typically cannot be tensioned, and if necessary, re-tensioned, so as to fully secure and immobilize the load, which may vary in shape and size. As a result, the load may shift prior to or during transport. Moreover, cargo nets are typically not capable of substantial internal adjustment (i.e., the cross-points of the net are sewn or tied together). As a result, different sized cargo nets may be required for various shaped or sized loads.
On the other hand, individual straps may be tensioned to fully secure and generally immobilize a load as the whole, but typically cannot generally confine a majority of the surface area of a load, which may vary in shape and size. As a result, free or hanging portions of the load not in direct contact with a tensioned strap may shift prior to or during transport. Thus, to eliminate any potential shifting of a load (or portions thereof), which may vary in shape and size, it may be desirable to provide a strap connector for use with straps to enable an adjustable net-like system of tensioned straps, akin to a cargo net.

Southern Bracing Systems Enterprises, LLC


A heatable hair roller includes a roller shell and a removable heatable rod. The unheated roller shell is secured in the hair without risk of heating or burning the skin. The heatable rod is then inserted into the roller shell, and the heatable rod heats the hair by heating the roller shell. An optional roller strap secures the roller shell to the hair. An optional expansion sleeve increases the effective diameter of the heatable rod. An optional heating unit heats the heatable rod.

Heated hair rollers create long-lasting curls, but the hot rollers are painful to the touch and therefore difficult, uncomfortable, and sometimes dangerous to use. Curling irons are more comfortable to hold, but users often accidentally burn themselves or others with hot irons, and the curls that irons create usually do not last as long as curls produced from heated hair rollers.
The information included in this Background section of the specification, including any references cited herein and any description or discussion thereof, is included for technical reference purposes only and is not to be regarded as subject matter by which the scope of the invention as defined in the claims is to be bound.


Methods and apparatus for measuring objects comprise a plurality of light sources to generate a plurality of light beams directed toward a spot generator array comprising a plurality of spot generating lenses. The plurality of light sources is separated from the spot generator array with a separation distance sufficient to overlap the plurality of light beams at each of the spot generating lenses. The overlap of each of the beams at each of the spot generating lenses provides smoothing of the energy profile of the light energy incident on the spot generating lenses. The spot generator array generates focused spots comprising overlapping focused beams. The overlapping beams may comprise overlapping beams of a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) array, and the overlapping focused beams can decrease optical artifacts.

The present invention is related to the measurement of objects. Although specific reference is made to intraoral scanning of teeth, embodiments as disclosed herein will find application in many fields such as topography and wavefront measurements.
Many dental and orthodontic procedures can benefit from accurate three-dimensional (3D) topographical measurements of a patient's intraoral cavity. For example, in the design and fabrication of dental prostheses (e.g., crowns or bridges), 3D models of the prosthesis site and surrounding dentition are typically used to ensure proper fit of the prosthesis. In many orthodontic procedures, 3D models of the patient's dental arches are utilized to design orthodontic appliances and develop treatment plans (e.g., to correct malocclusions). Various approaches can be used to produce such 3D models. For example, a physical model can be constructed from an impression of the patient's dentition. Alternatively, the intraoral cavity can be scanned to provide a virtual model suitable for use within computer-assisted design and computer-assisted manufacture (CAD/CAM) methods as well as digital treatment planning.
Scanning of the intraoral cavity may be performed by a dental or orthodontic practitioner. Previous methods and systems for scanning the intraoral cavity, however, can be less than ideal with regards to the accuracy and size of the scanning probe that is used to measure the teeth of the patient. Work in relation to embodiments suggests that the formation of light spots with such prior scanning systems can be less than ideal and may be related to measurement noise and less than ideal measurements in at least some instances. The focused spots may comprise artifacts related to the light source such as speckle, and these artifacts can affect measurement accuracy. Also, the size of the hand held probe that is positioned to measure the teeth can be somewhat larger and more difficult to position than would be ideal in at least some instances.
In light of the above, there is a need for improved methods and systems for scanning an intraoral cavity of a patient. Ideally, such systems would be more accurate and easier to manipulate than the prior scanning devices.

VCSEL based low coherence emitter for confocal 3D scanner


Devices and methods for performing a transseptal puncture procedure using a device which includes either an untapered or tapered blunt end cannula disposed in an introducer carrying a sharp guidewire disposed longitudinally through the lumen of the blunt cannula, and a blunt end dilator wherein the guidewire is flexible and has an atraumatic shape at its tip. The cannula gives the more flexible introducer a defined shape and steerabilty allowing an ordinarily skilled physician to easily access a selected location on the septal wall of the heart for transseptal puncture and introducer placement thereacross without employing an exposed sharp end needle during the procedure.

Septal puncture through an intact atrial septum from the right atrium to the left atrium is often necessary. This is traditionally performed using rigid, long needles, such as Brockenbrough or Ross needles. In all types of septal puncture, the needle that is used to puncture the atrial septum poses a high risk of inadvertent puncture through tissue other than the septum primum, for example, the atrial free wall, posing a significant risk to the patient. For patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure, this risk is potentially even higher, due to the fact that the septal tissue is defective and often thinning, and may stretch an even greater amount during the puncture procedure, bringing the tip of the needle dangerously close to the atrial free wall or the left atrial appendage.
The currently offered SafeSept® Transseptal Guidewire by Pressure Products Medical Supplies Inc. provides a sharp but atraumatic curved guidewire that is fed through a sharp transseptal needle disposed within an introducer. The introducer includes an outer sheath and a tapered dilator which telescopes out of the sheath. The transseptal needle in turn is disposed into the dilator. The tapered dilator is used to tent the septum without the needle extending beyond the distal tip of the tapered dilator, the sharp guidewire is advanced out of the dilator to penetrate the septum as its column is supported by the needle. Because of the columnar support, the guidewire is able to penetrate the septum without bending or buckling the otherwise flexible guidewire. Without such columnar support, the guidewire would not have the columnar strength to be pushed through the septum. Once the guidewire has penetrated the septum, the sharp needle is advanced out of the dilator over the guidewire through the septum into the left atrium. The dilator is advanced over the needle, then the sheath is advanced over the dilator into the left atrium. With the sheath safely in place, the tapered dilator, needle, and guidewire are removed so that a catheter or other cardiac instrument may be introduced into the left atrium through the sheath.
In the SafeSept® Transseptal Guidewire Needle Free produced by Pressure Products the method of septal penetration is the same as with the SafeSept® Transseptal Guidewire, but no transseptal needle is provided. Only the atraumatic sharp guidewire is used to penetrate the septum and the tapered dilator is advanced over the guidewire into the left atrium. Because no needle is employed, it is possible that both the tapered dilator and sheath may be able to be advanced through the septum by the use of an oscillating rotation of the tapered dilator and/or sheath as it is being advanced.

Transseptal puncture apparatus and method for using the same


A method including passing a substrate by at least one slot die in at least a first direction and applying at least one coating to the substrate with the slot die, where the slot die is moved in a direction transverse to the at least first direction.

1. Field
The present embodiments relate to coating webs of material and, more particularly, to slot die coating.
2. Brief Description of Related Developments
Currently the coating a web of material or substrate, such as a release liner, cloth, edible films, metals, or any other open or closed films or materials with a slot die is limited to a straight line on the substrate. The substrate is passed under or next to a stationary slot die so as the substrate passes the slot die straight lines of coating material are applied on the substrate producing a linear pattern in the direction of travel of the substrate.
It would be advantageous to coat a substrate with a slot die so nonlinear patterns can be created on the substrate where the pattern traverses the direction of travel of the substrate.

Method and apparatus for coating a thin film substrate


A radio-controlled vehicle having a frame, a left undercarriage and a right undercarriage; wherein the frame has a front guide and a rear guide, each configured to house a respective cylinder; each undercarriage having a front slide and a rear slide, which are connected in a sliding manner to the front guide and to the rear guide, respectively; wherein each cylinder is configured to selectively vary the distance between the longitudinal axis of the frame and the longitudinal axis of each undercarriage; wherein each undercarriage comprises an anti-derailment plate.

It is known to use radio-controlled vehicles for maintenance activities to be carried out in green areas in rough places, such as for example road and motorway edges. Known radio-controlled vehicles usually have a weight exceeding 1000 kg and risk rolling over in case of extreme slopes, which are further inaccessible to normal means.
Generally, radio-controlled vehicles comprise: a frame to support the motor and the other operating units, and two undercarriages, which are arranged on the sides of the frame and are provided with tracks, which transmit the motion to the ground so as to move the radio-controlled vehicle. Furthermore, known radio-controlled vehicles are operated by motors which, according to anti-pollution rules that are becoming stricter and stricter, in the next years will have to be replaced by other types of less polluting motors, such as for example common rail, turbo intercooler motors. However, common rail, turbo intercooler motors are larger and have greater weights than currently used motors and cannot be installed in existing vehicles, as their use would cause the rollover of the radio-controlled vehicle when it is being used, especially in case of extreme slopes.
In other words, existing frames and undercarriages are not suitable for the installation of larger and heavier motors and, therefore, cannot ensure the safety of the radio-controlled vehicle during the operation on extreme slopes (for example exceeding 60°).
In particular, known radio-controlled vehicles have the drawback that, during the execution of normal activities on extreme slopes, the tracks can come out of their seat, thus causing a series of troubles, such as the standstill of the machine and the interruption of the activities. Therefore, the operator is forced to reach the vehicle and fix the tracks putting them back into place. In these conditions the safety of the operator is subjected to a great risk, as the conditions of the ground on which the operator has to intervene are often very difficult and full of obstacles. This phenomenon obviously is stronger in case of installation of a larger and heavier motor, such as for example a common rail, turbo intercooler motor.

Frame, undercarriage and radio-controlled vehicle


Methods for forming a “coating gradient” on medical devices, such as a balloon catheter or guidewire are disclosed. The balloon portion of the catheter has a protective covering initially placed over it to prevent the balloon from receiving a first hydrophilic coating. After a first hydrophilic coating is applied, the protective covering is removed. A second hydrophilic coating could be applied to the catheter. A guidewire having less lubricity at the distal end portion also can be created. A first hydrophilic coating is applied to the elongated shaft and distal shaft section of the guidewire. After the first hydrophilic coating cures, the first hydrophilic coating is removed from a portion of the distal shaft section of the guidewire. A second hydrophillic coating can then be applied to the elongated shaft and distal shaft section of the guidewire. The second hydrophilic coating can be allowed to cure.

This invention relates to the field of lubricious hydrophilic coatings for intracorporeal medical devices such as, for example, a catheter or guidewire.
The use of a medical devices within a patient may be facilitated by the presence of a lubricious surface on the device. For example, intravascular devices, such as catheters and guidewires, are more easily maneuvered within a patient's vasculature when the friction between the walls of the vessel and the intravascular device is reduced. The friction may be reduced by coating the device with a hydrophilic compound which becomes slippery after adsorbing an appreciable amount of water. Consequently, the hydrophilic coating provides lubricity when the coated device is exposed to aqueous solution, as when the coated device is exposed to water prior to insertion in the patient or to the patient's blood during use. Alternatively, coatings, such as fluoropolymers, and silicone, provide lubricity to the surface of an intracorporeal device without the need for exposure to aqueous solution. However, the degree of lubricity may vary greatly depending on the nature of the lubricious coating. Hydrophilic coatings provide superior lubricity compared to hydrophobic coatings, such as silicone, when tested against a biological tissue countersurface.
In addition to lowering the coefficient of friction of the coated device, an effective lubricious coating must strongly adhere to the device surface. The lubricious coating should remain adhered to the device surface during potentially extended periods of storage, as well as in response to abrasive forces encountered during use. Poor adhesive strength is undesirable because the lost coating may be left behind inside the patient during use, with a corresponding decrease in the lubricity of the device. Typically, a trade off exists between a coating's lubricity and the coating's adhesive and cohesive strength, so that attempts to increase the durability of lubricious coatings may inadvertently decrease the lubricity of the coating. Durability is particularly an issue on the surfaces of catheters and guidewires which are subjected to significant rubbing and abrasive forces as the devices are slidably advanced through the patient's tortuous vasculature. Consequently, one difficulty has been providing a highly lubricious coating with long lasting lubricity on a surface of a catheter or guidewire.
"Watermelon seeding" is a term known in the art to describe a phenonemon which can occur when the medical device is lubriciuosly coated. This term refers to slippage of the balloon wherein the balloon which is too lubricious and shoots forward upon inflation causing accidental slippage from the target or repair site which can ultimately may lead to stent slippage from the target site as well. This phenomenon has been addressed in the art by selectively coating the folded balloon so that when the balloon is being inflated, uncoated balloon sections decrease the slipperiness of the balloon surface.
In the case of a guidewire, it is advantageous to have an lubricious coating applied to the outer surface of the device as well since the coating helps to cross the often tight lesion. However, if the distal tip or distal section of the guidewire is too lubricious, there could be a loss of tactile feel to the interventional cardiologist. Still, it is desirable to have some lubricity at the distal end of the guidewire to maintain lesion crossability and control.
Therefore, it would be a significant advance to provide a highly durable hydrophilic coating on the outer surface of a medical device to render the device highly lubricious but which avoids "watermelon seeding" of the balloon catheter and the loss of tactile feel in the case of a guidewire. The present invention satisfies these and other needs.

Manufacturing processes for making medical devices having a coating gradient


A system, method and program product for generating a cancelable biometric reference template on demand. The method includes creating, using a biometric application, a base reference template having a unique biometric template identifier that uniquely identifies biometric data corresponding to a biometric sample collected for an individual and generating, utilizing a transformation engine, a cancelable reference template derived from the base reference template, where the cancelable reference template generated is used by the individual to participate in a new biometric application without having to provide a new biometric sample or without having to rely on a biometric service provider to issue a new reference template for the new biometric application. The method further includes injecting the base reference template created into a secure portable device issued to the individual and loading the transformation engine onto the device for generating on demand the cancelable reference template.

Biometric reference templates can be uniquely identified and associated with the identity of an individual. The biometric data component of a template is a constant that identifies an individual. Exposure of a reference template over time, when aggregated with other information, provides a footprint of activities that the individual participated in (such as, making a purchase in a store, clocking in and out of work, paying a highway toll) and the locations of that individual at various points in time (such as, when they were at a particular banking machine, toll booth, or store's check-out register). As such, there is a need to protect the privacy of individuals who wish to benefit from the use of biometrics, but who have concerns about (or the need for) personal privacy, or who do not wish to be easily monitored and tracked.

System, method and program product for generating a cancelable biometric reference template on demand

International Business Machines Corporation


The invention concerns a new material for molding elements as well as the molds produced in this manner. This material contains more than 30% vitreous fused silica and various adjuvants and binders and presents the advantage of the possibility of modulating the thermal conductivity of the molds. Application to all types of industries utilizing shaping by molding of liquid or paste-like materials, or by the hot deformation of flat products.

The present invention relates generally to foundry molds for use in casting metal shapes.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a new composition that is particularly well adapted to the fabrication of molding elements. A more particular object of the invention is to provide a material for molds comprising selected amounts of vitreous fused silica.
At the present time, foundry casting commonly utilizes metal molds, generally of an all metal, unitary construction. The use of most metals presents numerous disadvantages.
The very high thermal conductivity of these prior metal molds is probably the biggest disadvantage. In addition, the chemical elements in the metal molds present the risk of migrating in the cast piece during molding; this is notably due to the difference in chemical potential that can exist between the mold and the material to be shaped.
Some of these problems are solved by the use of a lubricant or release agent, in which a coating is applied inside the metal molds. However, due to the stresses exerted on the walls of the mold, this release agent does not solve the above problems in a permanent manner and is only a temporary measure. In addition, applying a lubricant or release agent is a time consuming operation that immobilizes the molds. This necessitates having at least two sets of molds, one having the lubricant applied while the other is in service. Furthermore, the whole set of equipment is immobilized when one set of molds is replaced with another. In this latter case, a loss of productivity on the order of 10%-20% is relatively common.
Among the various problems that remain unresolved, those induced by the excessively high thermal conductivity of the molds are the most important. In particular, the fact that there are zones of variable thickness in the piece to be molded leads to difficulties in filling the mold, with the narrowest parts cooling much more rapidly. In order to remedy these difficulties, one is generally forced to (1) provide a substantial volume in the feeder heads, which serve as a reserve for the piece to be molded and (2) to heat the molds before and frequently during production and (3) to increase the temperature of the molten metal material feeding the mold.
All these remedying measures are very costly in both money and energy.
Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a material that can be used for the molds, but does not chemically react with the materials to be shaped.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a mold material whose thermal conductivity can be selectively controlled.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a material of the above type that does not require a release agent.
Another object, finally, is to provide molds or parts of molds produced of this material.


A CPU pickup device for mounting a CPU (50) to a socket (61) includes a main body (10), a suction piece (20) and a positioning mechanism (30). The suction piece is attached to the main body. The suction piece includes a suction cup (21) for picking up the CPU by means of compelling air out from the suction cup via the main body. The positioning mechanism is attached to the main body for engaging the socket to align the CPU with the socket.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a CPU pickup device.
2. General Background
In computer industry, central processing units (CPUs) are typically picked up by hand and mounted to CPU sockets of printed circuit boards. However, CPUs are liable to be contaminated and damaged due to individual inadvertence in assembly.
What is desired, therefore, is a CPU pickup device which improves CPU mounting quality.

Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.


The invention relates to a plain bearing composite material with a supporting layer made of steel, a bearing metal layer made of a copper alloy, and with a lining applied to the bearing metal layer. The copper alloy can contain 0.5 5% by weight of nickel, 0.2 to 2.5% by weight of silicon and =0.1% by weight of lead. The lining can be an electrodeposited layer, a sputtered layer or a plastic layer. The invention also relates to methods for producing this composite material.

1. Technical Field
The invention relates to a plain bearing composite material. The invention further relates to a use thereof and production methods therefor.
2. Related Art
Known from DE 44 15 629 C1 is the use of a copper-nickel-silicon alloy for producing wear-resistant objects with emergency running properties such as, for example, cast pistons for pressure casting machines. The alloy described in DE 44 15 629 C1 consists of 1-4% nickel, 0.1-1.5% silicon and with the remainder being copper, and is used as a solid material.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,137,282 describes an alloy comprising 0.1-30% nickel, 0.05-3% silicon and the remainder copper. Following appropriate heat treatment, this alloy is distinguished by high hardnesses and good electrical conductivities.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,658,186 describes a copper-nickel-silicon alloy, where silicides acting as hard particles are discussed in detail. Various heat treatment methods are also specified for adjusting the hardness.
Another copper-nickel-silicon alloy is found in U.S. Pat. No. 2,241,815 where the nickel fraction is 0.5-5% and the silicon fraction is 0.1-2%.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,185,958 describes alloys comprising 1% nickel, 3.5% silicon and the remainder copper, as well as 1.5% silicon and 1% nickel and the remainder copper.
DE 36 42 825 C1 discloses a plain bearing material comprising 4 to 10% nickel, 1-2% aluminium, 1-3% tin and the remainder copper as well as the usual impurities, which should have a high strength and long lifetime. Solid material bushings are produced from this plain bearing material.
GB 2384007 describes a plain bearing composite material with a steel back on which a sintered layer of a copper alloy is applied, having a maximum hardness of 130 HV. The copper alloy comprises 1-11 wt. % tin, up to 0.2 wt. % phosphorus, maximum 10 wt. % nickel or silver, maximum 25 wt. % lead and bismuth.
Plain bearing elements made of solid material have the disadvantage that in order to ensure a press fit in the housing, they must have a very high strength and therefore hardness. In applications where adaptability of the bearing metal is required during local wear of the lining, for example, such materials tend to exhibit increased corrosion or result in damage to the shaft.
A further disadvantage is that as a result of the different coefficients of thermal expansion, the plain bearing element expands more strongly in a steel housing and thus the play is disadvantageously reduced.

Plain bearing composite material, use thereof and production methods therefor


An imide skeleton resin represented by the following general formula (1) has a coefficient of linear expansion as low as that of polyimide resin and excellent processability like epoxy resin, and is useful as a resin composition for electrical laminates. Five percent by mole or more of the entirety of the A component is a linking group having an imide skeleton represented by the following general formula (4-1). B denotes a hydrogen atom or a group represented by the following structural formula (5). n denotes an integer in the range of 0 to 200. If both of the B's are hydrogen atoms, then n denotes an integer of 1 or more.

Epoxy resin has high heat resistance, excellent adhesive properties, high water resistance, high mechanical strength, and excellent electrical characteristics and is therefore used in various fields, such as adhesives, paints, civil engineering and construction materials, and insulating materials for electrical and electronic components. In particular, in electrical and electronic fields, epoxy resin is widely used in insulating casting, laminated materials, sealing materials, and the like.
In printed wiring boards for use in electrical and electronic devices, particularly multilayer printed wiring boards, with recent reductions in the size and weight and increases in the functionality of devices, there are demands for further increases in the number of layers and packaging density, reductions in thickness and weight, and improvements in reliability and molding processability.
Thus, as wiring becomes finer, among the characteristics of resins serving as substrate materials, there are particular demands for further improvement in heat resistance and reduction in the coefficient of linear expansion.
At present, one of low linear expansion thermosetting resins is polyimide resin. Polyimide resin is the mainstream in the field of flexible printed wiring boards. However, polyimide resin is difficult to process because of its high heat resistance. Furthermore, polyimide resin is very difficult to handle during processing because polyimide resin dissolves only in particular polar solvents. Thus, polyimide resin has various limitations. For example, hitherto known imide skeleton compounds have insufficient solubility in common organic solvents, such as ketone solvents, and dissolve only in polar solvents, such as dimethylformamide and N-methylpyrrolidone (Patent Literature 1).
In contrast, epoxy resin has better processability and higher solubility in solvents than polyimide resin. However, epoxy resin is unsatisfactory with respect to the coefficient of linear expansion.
Although an anthracene skeleton epoxy resin, a bisphenol S skeleton epoxy resin, and a naphthalene skeleton epoxy resin are conventionally known as epoxy resins having a low coefficient of linear expansion, these resins have still higher coefficients of linear expansion than polyimide resin.
Patent Literatures 2 and 3 describe imide skeleton epoxy resins that are structurally different from a soluble imide skeleton resin according to the present invention.
Patent Literature 1 relates to a thermoplastic polymer produced by the reaction between imidophenol and an epoxy resin. This thermoplastic polymer dissolves in polar solvents, such as dimethylformamide and N-methylpyrrolidone, but does not dissolve in ketone solvents. Patent Literature 4 also describes a composition produced by the reaction between imidophenol and an epoxy resin. This resin has low solubility in a polar solvent N-methylpyrrolidone, and it goes without saying that the resin does not dissolve in ketone solvents.

Soluble imide skeleton resin, soluble imide skeleton resin solution composition, curable resin composition, and cured product thereof


There is provided a water purifying filter assembly module that a water purifying filter can be easily released from or assembled with. The water purifying filter assembly module may include: a filter assembly head having a water purifying filter assembled on one side thereof, the filter assembly head configured such that water to be filtered flows into the water purifying filter and the water, filtered through the water purifying filter, is discharged to an outside thereof; and a module body having the filter assembly head rotatably provided therein, the water purifying filter being released from or assembled on the filter assembly head as the water purifying filter is aligned and rotates with the filter assembly head.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a water purifying filter assembly module having a water purifying filter that can be easily released therefrom or assembled therewith.
2. Description of the Related Art
A water purifying filter assembly module is configured such that the water purifying filter assembly module is assembled with a water purifying filter. Also, the water purifying filter assembly module is configured so that water to be filtered flows into the water purifying filter assembled therewith and the water, filtered through the water purifying filter, is discharged.
As for a water purifying filter assembly module according to the related art, in the case a water purifying filter is located under the water purifying filter assembly module, the water purifying filter is moved upwards and assembled within the water purifying assembly module. For example, the water purifying filter may be assembled on the water purifying filter assembly module with a screw connection or may be caught by a protrusion formed on the water purifying assembly module so that the water purifying filter is assembled on the water purifying filter assembly module.
Therefore, when the water purifying filter assembly module is located at a lower position, while a user cannot see a filter assembly head, which is provided in the water purifying filter assembly module and has a water purifying filter assembled thereon, the water purifying filter is assembled on the water purifying filter assembly module. As a result, it becomes difficult to perform the assembly of the water purifying filter.
Furthermore, when there is not enough room under the water purifying filter assembly module to place the water purifying filter, it is also difficult to assemble the water purifying filter.
In the case that the water purifying filter is assembled on the water purifying filter assembly module by a screw connection, a larger force is required to assemble the water purifying filter.
When the water purifying filter is assembled on the water purifying filter assembly module in such a manner that the water purifying filter is caught by the protrusion provided on the water purifying filter assembly module, if high-pressure water is introduced into the water purifying filter, the water purifying filter may fall down during the assembly of the water purifying filter.
Furthermore, water leakage may occur through a portion of the water purifying filter assembly module, on which the water purifying filter is assembled, due to the weight of the water purifying filter.


The present invention provides a dually labeled oligonucleotide probe, methods of preparing and using the same. The subject probes are particularly useful for high-sensitive nucleic acid detection via hybridization assays including but not limited to template-directed polymerization reactions.

Nucleic acid polymers such as DNA and RNA are essential to the transmission of genetic information from one generation to the next and in the routine functioning of all living organisms. Accordingly these molecules are the objects of intense study and a number of techniques have been developed to study of these molecules. These methods include but are not limited to methods for identifying the presence of a specific polynucleotide sequence in a given sample and methods designed to measure the number of specific nucleic acid molecules originally present in a given sample.
Practical uses for these techniques include identifying specific species and relationships between various species based upon similarities in oligonucleotide sequences. Other uses include diagnosing disease by identifying specific sequences in a given sample as indicative of a given pathology. Still other uses, too numerous to mention, include identifying individuals with a predisposition for developing a specific pathology as well as assessing the efficacy of proposed treatment regimes based on the presence of specific polynucleotides in a given patient's genome.
One of the most widely used and powerful techniques for the study and manipulation of oligonucleotides is the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PCR is a primer extension reaction that provides a method for amplifying specific nucleic acids in vitro. This technique was first described in 1987. PCR can produce million fold copies of a DNA template in a single enzymatic reaction mixture within a matter of hours, enabling researchers to determine the size and sequence of target DNA. This DNA amplification technique has been widely used for cloning and other molecular biological manipulations. Further discussion of PCR is provided in Mullis et al., Methods Enzymol. (1987); and Saiki et al., Science (1985).
One PCR based technique that is particularly useful is Quantitative PCR (qPCR). Briefly, the mechanism of qPCR is based on the fact that PCR amplifies a target DNA in an exponential manner. By running a PCR reaction and measuring the total number of DNA copies at given points during the course of the amplification reaction, one can retroactively calculate the amount of starting DNA material.
Various methods have been developed for determining the amount of PCR product made without having to stop the PCR run or even to sample the reaction during a given PCR run. One such method follows the course of the PCR run in real time by measuring the amount of product at each cycle of DNA synthesis. This process is referred to as real-time PCR. Because of its great sensitivity and because measurements can be made with the sample still in the PCR thermocylcer, various fluorescence-based assays that monitor the formation of PCR products have been developed.
In real-time PCR, a fluorogenic molecule is used to monitor the progress of target DNA amplification. Depending on the mode of signal generation, the fluorogenic molecule may either be a fluorogenically labeled oligonucleotide or a simple fluorogenic DNA-binding dye. Real-time qPCR using a DNA-binding dye is primarily used for research applications while that using an oligonucleotide-based probe is used in diagnostics or applications where highly specific nucleic acid detection is essential. The most widely used fluorogenic probes are commercially called TaqMan® probes, which are oligonucleotides containing a covalently labeled fluorescent reporter dye and a fluorescence quencher molecule. By having its sequence complementary to a target sequence, a TaqMan® robe is capable of binding to a region of the target sequence via hybridization. Before hybridization, a TaqMan® probe assumes a random conformation, in which the fluorescence of the reporter dye is quenched by the fluorescence quencher via fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) due to the proximity of the reporter and quencher molecules. FRET is dependent on the inverse sixth power of the distance between the reporter and quencher. Consequently, the level of fluorescence exhibited by a TaqMan® probe is highly sensitive to the distance between the quencher and the reporter. On hybridization to a target sequence, the reporter dye and the quencher are separated by a longer distance, resulting man increase of fluorescence due to less efficient FRET. The degree of fluorescence increase is proportional to the amount of target DNA present, thereby making it possible to monitor the amount of DNA in real-time as the PCR proceeds. When a PCR is carried out using a DNA polymerase possessing a 5′-exonuclease domain, the hybridized TaqMan® probe will be cleaved by the exonuclease, resulting in the permanent separation of the reporter dye and quencher. Because the reporter dye and quencher are completely separated, the fluorescence of the reporter dye is fully released. For this reason, real-time qPCR relying on the hydrolytic cleavage of a TaqMan® probe is generally more sensitive than that relying on the hybridization of the probe. Since a TaqMan® probe can both monitor the progress of the PCR and verify the identity of the amplified target at the same time, TaqMan®-based real-time qPCR makes a post PCR verification step unnecessary, providing the high specificity required for demanding applications such as medical diagnosis and prognosis. However, TaqMan® probes are usually expensive and time-consuming to synthesize. Furthermore, due to their complex design and the uniqueness of each probe, the quality of TaqMan®-like probes could vary considerably from lab to lab and from batch to batch, potentially leading to inconsistent PCR results from time to time.
Given the importance of oligonucleotide-based probes, there remains a considerable need for further improved methods for the designs and manufacturing of these probes. One object of the present invention is to provide alternative oligonucleotide-based probes and efficient methods for making and using the same.


A latch for detecting a state transition of an input signal and generating a self-clearing reset signal on an output. The latch comprises: 1) a transfer gate for passing the input signal to a first node when the input transfer gate is enabled; 2) a transition detector for detecting a transition of the first node from a first to a second state, wherein the transition detector, in response to the transition, disables the transfer gate and enables the reset signal; and 3) a feedback loop circuit for detecting enabling of the reset signal. The feedback loop circuit, in response to the enabling, changes the first node from the second state back to the first state. The transition detector, in response to the changing of the first node back to the first state, disables the reset signal.

The present invention is generally directed to integrated circuits and, in particular, to a self-clocking, self-clearing latch that can be used with a short circuit detection circuit if a clock signal is not available.
In recent years, there have been great advancements in the speed, power, and complexity of integrated circuits, such as application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chips, random access memory (RAM) chips, microprocessor (uP) chips, and the like. These advancements have made possible the development of system-on-a-chip (SOC) devices. A SOC device integrates into a single chip all (or nearly all) of the components of a complex electronic system, such as a wireless receiver (i.e., cell phone, a television receiver, and the like). SOC devices greatly reduce the size, cost, and power consumption of the overall system.
Many SOC devices contain peripheral device interfaces that communicate with external devices. For example, a SOC device may contain a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus interface or a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface communicating with one or more external devices. As part of a fault tolerant design, it is preferable to include short-circuit protection at an interface in order to protect the SOC device. If a short-circuit persists for more than a very brief period of time, the large current draw in the output line driver of the PCI bus interface or the USB interface may destroy the SOC device.
However, conventional short-circuit protection devices typically disable an interface or even an entire system if a short-circuit is detected. User intervention is then required to reset the device after the short-circuit has been removed.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for integrated circuits having improved short circuit protection. In particular, there is a need for a short-circuit protection apparatus for use in an electronic system that does not require user intervention to reset or re-enable the electronic system after a short-circuit has occurred.
The present invention provides a unique and novel circuit that can be used in an area of an integrated circuit, such as an SOC device, where a clock is not available. The present invention comprises an input stage that detects a rising signal edge (i.e., low to high transition), latches in the high signal, delays for a delay period determined by delay cells or an RC time constant, or both, and then clears the high signal from the latch. The present invention may also be modified to detect a high to low transition.
To address the above-discussed deficiencies of the prior art, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a latch for detecting a state transition of an input signal and generating a self-clearing reset signal on an output. According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the latch comprises: 1) a transfer gate capable of passing the input signal to a first node in the latch when the input transfer gate is enabled; 2) a transition detector capable of detecting a transition of the first node from a first state to a second state, wherein the transition detector, in response to the transition, disables the transfer gate and enables the reset signal; and 3) a feedback loop circuit capable of detecting enabling of the reset signal, wherein the feedback loop circuit, in response to the enabling, changes the first node from the second state back to the first state, and wherein the transition detector, in response to the changing of the first node back to the first state, disables the reset signal.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, the transition detector, in response to the changing of the first node back to the first state, enables the transfer gate.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, the transfer gate comprises an N-channel transistor in parallel with a P-channel transistor.
According to still another embodiment of the present invention, the transition detector generates a first control signal applied to a gate of the N-channel transistor of the transfer gate.
According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the transition detector generates a second control signal applied to a gate of the P-channel transistor of the transfer gate.
According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the transition detector comprises a chain of inverters wherein an input of a first inverter of the chain of inverters is coupled to the first node and an output of a last inverter in the chain of inverters generates the reset signal.
According to a still further embodiment of the present invention, the feedback loop circuit comprises a drive transistor capable of changing the first node from the second state back to the first state.
According to a yet further embodiment of the present invention, the drive transistor discharges a capacitor coupled to the first node.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the feedback loop circuit further comprises a delay buffer having an input coupled to the reset signal and an output coupled to the drive transistor.
The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description of the invention that follows. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use the conception and the specific embodiment disclosed as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form.
Before undertaking the DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION below, it may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used throughout this patent document: the terms xe2x80x9cincludexe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9ccomprise,xe2x80x9d as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation; the term xe2x80x9cor,xe2x80x9d is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases xe2x80x9cassociated withxe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9cassociated therewith,xe2x80x9d as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like; and the term xe2x80x9ccontrollerxe2x80x9d means any device, system or part thereof that controls at least one operation, such a device may be implemented in hardware, firmware or software, or some combination of at least two of the same. It should be noted that the functionality associated with any particular controller may be centralized or distributed, whether locally or remotely. Definitions for certain words and phrases are provided throughout this patent document, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that in many, if not most instances, such definitions apply to prior, as well as future uses of such defined words and phrases.

Short circuit protection apparatus with self-clocking self-clearing latch


A terminal apparatus for communicating with a base station apparatus, the terminal apparatus including: a transmission unit configured to transmit a Phase-tracking reference signal (PTRS); and a higher layer processing unit configured to configure information of mapping of the PTRS. An antenna port for the PTRS is associated with an antenna port for a Demodulation reference signal (DMRS).

Currently, the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) is conducting a technical study and standardization of Long Term Evolution (LTE)-Advanced Pro and New Radio technology (NR) as a radio access method and a radio network technology for the 5th generation cellular system (NPL 1).
In the 5th generation cellular system, three technologies are required for the expected service scenario, that is, enhanced Mobile BroadBand (eMBB) to realize a high-speed and high-capacity transmission. Ultra-Reliable and Low Latency Communication (URLLC) to realize a low delay and highly reliable communication, and massive Machine Type Communication (mMTC), such as Internet of Things (IoT), that allows a large number of machine type devices to be connected.
In NR, reference signals for tracking phase noise generated by an oscillator have been studied for communication at high frequencies. (NPL 2).

Base station apparatus, terminal apparatus, communication method, and integrated circuit


An organic electroluminescence device includes: a cathode; an anode; and an organic thin-film layer disposed between the cathode and the anode, the organic thin-film layer having one or more layers including an emitting layer, in which the emitting layer includes a first material represented by the following formula (1) and a second material in a form of a fluorescent dopant material.

When voltage is applied on an organic electroluminescence device (hereinafter, referred to as an organic EL device), holes and electrons are respectively injected into an emitting layer from an anode and a cathode. The injected holes and electrons are recombined in the emitting layer to form excitons. Here, according to the electron spin statistics theory, singlet excitons and triplet excitons are generated at a ratio of 25%:75%. In the classification according to the emission principle, in a fluorescent EL device which uses emission caused by singlet excitons, an internal quantum efficiency of the organic EL device is believed to be limited to 25%. On the other hand, it has been known that the internal quantum efficiency can be improved up to 100% under efficient intersystem crossing from the singlet excitons in a phosphorescent EL device which uses emission caused by triplet excitons.
A technology for extending a lifetime of a fluorescent organic EL device has recently been improved and applied to a full-color display of a mobile phone, TV and the like. However, an efficiency of a fluorescent EL device is required to be improved.
Based on such a background, a highly efficient fluorescent organic EL device using delayed fluorescence has been proposed and developed. For instance, Literature 1 (International Publication No. WO2010/134350) and Literature 2 (International Publication No. WO2011/070963) disclose an organic EL device using TTF (Triplet-Triplet Fusion) mechanism that is one of mechanisms for delayed fluorescence. The TTF mechanism utilizes a phenomenon in which singlet excitons are generated by collision between two triplet excitons.
By using delayed fluorescence by the TTF mechanism, it is considered that an internal quantum efficiency can be theoretically raised up to 40% even in fluorescent emission. However, as compared with phosphorescent emission, the fluorescent emission is still problematic on improving efficiency. Accordingly, in order to enhance the internal quantum efficiency, an organic EL device using another delayed fluorescence mechanism has been studied.
For instance, TADF (Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence) mechanism is used. The TADF mechanism utilizes a phenomenon in which inverse intersystem crossing from triplet excitons to singlet excitons is generated by using a material having a small energy gap (ΔST) between the singlet level and the triplet level. An organic EL device using the TADF mechanism is disclosed in, for instance, Literature 3: "Expression of Thermally-Activated Delayed Fluorescence of High Efficiency and Application thereof to OLED" Organic EL Symposium, proceeding for the tenth meeting edited by Chihaya Adachi et al., pp. 11-12, Jun. 17-18, 2010. In the organic EL device of Literature 3, a compound having a small ΔST is used as a dopant material to cause inverse intersystem crossing from the triplet level to the singlet level by heat energy. It is considered that the internal quantum efficiency can be theoretically raised up to 100% even in fluorescent emission by using delayed fluorescence by the TADF mechanism.
An organic EL device having a doped layer using a specific host material and a specific compound having a spiro skeleton as a dopant material is disclosed in Literature 4: "Development of Highly-Efficient Fluorescent Electroluminescence device Utilizing Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence of Spiro-Structured Molecules" Chemical Society of Japan, proceeding for the 92nd Spring meeting on Mar. 25-28, 2012 edited by Chihaya Adachi et al., 3M3-37). The organic EL device exhibits a high external quantum efficiency with the use of the TADF mechanism.
However, although the organic EL devices disclosed in Literatures 3 and 4 exhibit the maximum luminous efficiency at 0.01 mA/cm2 of a low current density area, so-called roll-off is generated to decrease a luminous efficiency in a practically high current density area from approximately 1 mA/cm2 to 10 mA/cm2.
Accordingly, it is considered that many practical problems in using delayed fluorescence by the TADF mechanism are left unsolved, among which improvement in the luminous efficiency in the practically high current density area has been particularly demanded.


Provided is a positive electrode material for a safe, high capacity, long lifetime lithium ion secondary battery capable of large current charging and discharging. The positive electrode material contains between 5% by mass or more and 30% by mass or less of a carbon black composite formed by joining together fibrous carbon and carbon black wherein ash is 1.0% or less by mass in accordance with JIS K 1469 and the remainder includes olivine-type lithium iron phosphate, and volatile oxygen-containing functional groups which constitutes 1.0% or less by mass of the positive electrode material. The fibrous carbon is preferably a nanotube having a fiber diameter of 5 nm or more and 50 nm or less and a specific surface area between 50 m2/g or more and 400 m2/g or less.

A lithium ion secondary battery which forms a negative electrode using a material capable of lithium ion storage and discharge can control the deposition of dendrite compared to a lithium battery which forms a negative electrode using metal lithium. As a result, it is possible to provide a battery which has a high capacity and high density of energy which can prevent battery short and improve safety.
In recent years, while further high capacity is being demanded for lithium ion secondary batteries, improvements in large current charging and discharging capabilities due to a reduction in battery resistance are being demanded for a battery for use in power systems. Conventionally, efforts have been made to achieve this by increasing high capacity of a lithium metal oxide positive electrode material or carbon group negative electrode material itself which are battery reactive materials, a reduction in the particle diameter of these reactive material particles, an increase in electrode area using particle specific surface area or battery design and further, a reduction in liquid diffusion resistance using thinner separators. However, this leads to an increase in a binder due to small particle diameter or an increase in specific surface area which adversely affects high capacity, and because positive/negative electrode materials peel from or fall off metal foil, which is an electric collector, causing battery internal shorts, and safety of lithium ion secondary batteries is lost due to a drop in battery voltage resistance or dramatic thermal runaway. Thus, changes in the type of binder used in order to increase binding abilities with a foil were examined in Japanese Laid Open Patent H5-226004.
However, by changing the type of binder, capacity can be increased, but improvement of large current charging and discharging capabilities due to a reduction in resistance of a binder is insufficient, and development for use in electrical power tools or hybrid cars which require large current charging and discharging which is a large function impairment in lithium ion secondary batteries compared to secondary batteries such as a nickel-cadmium battery or nickel-hydride battery was difficult.
In addition, efforts have been made using carbon conductive materials with the goal of reducing electrode resistance with respect to large current charging and discharging of lithium ion secondary batteries in Japanese Laid Open Patent 2005-19399, Japanese Laid Open Patent 2001-126733 and Japanese Laid Open Patent 2003-168429. However, when a charging and discharging cycle using a large current is repeated, a conductivity pass of particles between positive/negative electrodes is lost due to expansion and contraction of a positive/negative electrode material and as a result, a large current rapidly no longer flows which is a problem.
On the other hand, in recent years, olivine-type lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) has been attracting attention as a positive electrode material for a lithium ion battery considering the importance of safety and costs. However, this material has a large resistance and reducing this resistance has become a large problem in Japanese Translation of PCT International Publication 2000-509193 and Japanese Laid Open Patent H9-134724.
In order to solve the problem of olivine-type lithium iron phosphate described above, various examinations have been performed to make a positive electrode material by a composite of olivine-type lithium iron phosphate and black carbon which is a conductive material in Japanese Laid Open Patent 2002-75364, Japanese Laid Open Patent 2002-110162, Japanese Laid Open Patent 2004-63386, Japanese Laid Open Patent 2005-123107, Japanese Laid Open Patent 2005-302671 and Japanese Laid Open Patent 2007-80652. The capabilities of a positive electrode material have been improved using an olivine-type lithium iron phosphate as a result of these examinations, however, high capabilities equal to or higher than already existing positive electrode materials for a lithium ion secondary battery have yet to be achieved. Japanese Translation of PCT International Publication 2009-503182 is also referred as a prior art document.

Positive-electrode material for a lithium ion secondary battery and manufacturing method of the same


A debug program is decoded in a command decoder to generate a debug start signal. Then, a signal processing operation is halted and a state of an internal circuit is latched and read to be supplied to an external circuit. When the reading of the state starts, a signal-processing continuation signal is generated, so that the signal processing operation is restored to be continued. Therefore, the debug program can be inserted to a program memory at plural addresses without braking the signal processing operation.

In a conventional debug circuit of a signal processor, a command such as BRAKE is inserted to a program memory at a predetermined address where an inner circuit state is to be traced, so that the processor stops the program operation at an address just before the command of BRAKE, and then the processor supplies an external circuit with information of an internal circuit such as an arithmetic unit to bebug the program.
According to the conventional debug circuit of a signal processor, however, there is a disadvantage in that it is necessary to restart the program operation from the first address after finishing of the debug operation, as a result of conducting the command of BRAKE. Consequently, it is hard to carry out the debug operation at plural addresses of the program memory.