The winding (3) of an ignition coil device (1) is to be better sealed in order to afford it more protection from fouling, moisture, and reagents of all kinds. Provision is accordingly made such that there is introduced between a winding element (2) and an outer metal jacket (5) a rubber insulating element (7) having a sealing profile (8). As a result, improved sealing from the winding element (2) and the outer metal jacket (5) is provided. As an alternative, provision may be made such that the insulating element (7) including a sealing compound (10) is introduced between the outer metal jacket (5) and the winding element (2).

This invention relates to an ignition coil device for igniting a fuel mixture in an internal combustion engine having a winding element mounted on a coil winding cylindrical in shape which may be connected to a spark plug, a sheet metal jacket circumferentially enclosing the winding element with coil winding, and an elastic insulating element in the form of a hollow cylinder which is mounted on a section of the winding element facing the spark plug for insulation against high voltage.
Rod ignition coils are used to generate high voltage for igniting a fuel mixture in an internal combustion engine. A rod ignition coil represents a high-voltage transformer whose magnetic circuit consists of a main core enclosed in a secondary or primary coil, in which core there may be an air gap, and of ground legs or yoke elements. In the case of rod ignition coils the magnetic ground is completed by the housing made up of bent electric sheeting. The primary winding of the rod ignition coil is supplied with suitable current by way of control electronics. The control electronics interrupt the primary current, as a result of which a high-voltage is generated on the secondary side to impinge on an ignition coil mounted on the rod ignition coil.
The rod ignition coil is normally cast in the interior of the housing by injection of an electrically insulating sealing compound. This casting serves the purpose of immobilizing in their desired position the components mounted inside the housing, such as the soft magnetic core and the coil element with primary and secondary coil, without the need for additional retaining means. In order to prevent interior stresses caused by the casting compound, the inner wall of the housing may be coated with an elastic medium and the gap between the elastic medium and the components mounted inside the housing may be coated with an electrically insulating resin. Consequently, thermal expansion which may result in formation of cracks in the interior of the housing may be prevented.
In order to avoid this additional production engineering expense of elastic coating, German patent DE 199 27 820 C1 discloses hollowing out of the casting compound inside the rod ignition coil body in the area between the outer winding and the housing. As a result, the winding should be able to undergo thermal expansion during heating so that internal stresses do not occur. Provision is made such that a connecting section of flexible material impervious to high voltage is used which covers the rod ignition coil and the spark plug; this connecting section has on the ignition coil side a coupling section in the area of which the housing and at least one of the two coil elements are elastically interconnected. The elastomer material of the connecting section is sprayed around and mounted around one of the two coil elements in the area between housing and coil element exterior. A section absorbing expansion or stresses is consequently formed at the point at which the outer annular space is formed. It is also specified in this document that an elastomer connection empties directly into the area between the housing and the outer coil element, so that the two components are interconnected by way of the elastic medium. The elastic medium is thus inserted below the housing. As a result, the housing is both centered and sealed.
Sealing of cavities in the rod ignition coil is disclosed, for example, in German patent DE 197 02 438 C2.
Sealing of the primary coil from environmental effects is needed in particular to prevent corrosion of the primary winding. Consequently, the effect of sealing from moisture, fouling, and reagents of all kinds is to be achieved.


A method for providing a demand-responsive transportation system includes receiving mobility trace data of collaborative individuals. Clusters of individuals are generated and mobility-activity models for the clusters are defined. Non-collaborative individuals are assigned to the clusters using a combinatorial optimization problem. An Origin-Destination (OD) demand is determined from the clusters. Non-collaborative individuals are re-allocated to different ones of the clusters using an approximation function that learns from an observed OD and the mobility trace data. The mobility-activity models are trained based on the re-allocation of the non-collaborative individuals to different ones of the clusters. An OD database (OD-DB) is maintained to be queried with a geographic location and time so as to receive information from the OD-DB about the current OD demand for the geographic location and time. Control actions are issued to vehicles in a fleet of the transportation system based thereon.

Mobility trace content of individuals (e.g., citizens of an urban area) provides information about the individuals and their movements over time. While such information could be useful for a number of applications, heretofore it has not been possible scale this information to provide reliable information for larger areas and a greater number of included individuals, for example, as in transit passengers within a city network. Further, such information is typically limited to collaborative users who choose to share their information.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,484,148 and 9,042,908 attempt to describe the mobility of people with higher granularity using proposed classification models based on historical data for identifying the activities of individuals and the sequence of their movements between different activities. However, these models are always limited to small fractions of the population that share their personal data logs (i.e., cellular data traces) and cannot scale up to cover the entire city population or be used to facilitate efficient on-demand transportation applications. U.S. Pat. No. 6,148,199 discusses communication in a mobility database.

Method and system for providing demand-responsive dispatching of a fleet of transportation vehicles, and a mobility-activity processing module for providing a mobility trace database


A method and system are described for assigning reliability metrics to error correction coded bits or symbols that are decoded. Survivor and non-survivor paths through a portion of a trellis representation within a sliding window are determined and recorded. Primary and non-primary traceback paths through a portion of the trellis representation are determined from the recorded data. If the primary and non-primary traceback paths diverge at a release point, a reliability metric is assigned to the bit or symbol estimate corresponding to the release point. This metric is derived from the difference between the path metrics of the primary and non-primary traceback paths. Alternately, if the two paths diverge through all or a portion of a release zone, a reliability metric is assigned to the block of bit or symbol estimates corresponding to the portion or more of the release zone where the two paths diverge from one another. Again, this metric is derived from the difference between the path metrics of the primary and non-primary traceback paths.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to the field of trellis codes, and, more specifically, to locating burst errors and assigning reliability metrics to bits or symbols during the decoding of trellis codes.
2. Related Art
Trellis codes are codes that can be represented through a diagram of states and state transitions known as a trellis. Examples of trellis codes include convolutional codes, concatenations of convolutional codes, and some block codes. A characteristic of trellis codes is that, during the decoding process, a decoding error can manifest itself in the form of a burst of errors in the bit or symbol estimates output by the decoder. The length of a burst event, and its probability of occurrence, is governed by the free distance and weight distribution of the code. Decoded information that is the product of burst errors may be unreliable, although difficult to detect.
Several techniques are available for producing reliability indicators for decoded information produced by decoders of trellis codes. Examples include a maximum a posteriori (MAP) decoder proposed by Bahl that maximizes the probability that a particular bit in the decoded stream was reliably transmitted given knowledge of the entire received data record. See L. R. Bahl et al., "Optimal Decoding of Linear Codes For Minimizing Symbol Error Rate," IEEE Transactions on Information Theory, vol. IT-20, pp. 284–87 (1974), which is incorporated herein by reference. An adjunct of this method, called the a posteriori probability (APP) algorithm, can be used to provide soft outputs concerning the reliability decision.
Another example is the technique proposed by Krieger and Kent, which uses a different set of recursions to achieve similar performance. See A. Krieger & M. Kent, "Apparatus and Methods for Signal Recovery in a Digital Communication System," U.S. Pat. No. 5,841,817, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Viterbi applied a simplified dual-maxima sliding approximation coupled with an improved memory management system to the APP algorithm, and was thereby able to reduce the complexity of MAP-type algorithms to about four-times that of the original Viterbi algorithm. See A. J. Viterbi, "An Intuitive Justification and a Simplified Implementation of the MAP Decoder for Convolutional Codes," IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications, vol. 16, no. 2, pp. 260–64 (February 1998), which is incorporated herein by reference.
Hagenauer and Hoeher proposed a soft output Viterbi algorithm (SOVA), which, in comparison to the APP algorithm, does not strive to optimize probability estimates, but instead strives for a compromise between complexity and performance. See J. Hagenauer & P. Hoeher, "A Viterbi Algorithm With Soft-Decision Outputs and its applications," Proceedings of IEEE GLOBECOM, Dallas, Tex. sec. 47.1.1–47.1.7 (1989); U.S. Pat. No. 5,181,209, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Finally, Nill and Sundberg proposed a soft list Viterbi algorithm (Soft-LVA). See C. Nill & C. E. Sundberg, "List and Soft Symbol Output Viterbi Algorithms: Extensions and Comparisons," IEEE Transactions on Communications, vol. 43, nos. 2/3/4, pp. 277–87 (Feb. Mar. April 1995); U.S. Pat. No. 5,537,444, both of which are incorporated herein by reference. This technique uses a serial list Viterbi algorithm to trace back in the trellis diagram the L most likely paths over the data. For every bit location, it assigns the path metric difference between best path and the first alternative path having a bit output different from the best path, this path metric difference being used as the reliability metric.
However, these approaches are either computationally intensive and require data termination, which makes them unsuitable for applications requiring constant assessment of streaming data, or provide bit-specific reliability indicators which are inadequate indicators of burst errors.
In the Soft-LVA algorithm, for example, data termination is required: a continuous data stream overwhelms the algorithm. Moreover, a bit location is assigned full confidence if all of the Soft-LVA algorithm's alternative paths decode that bit the same way as the best path. This process yields overly optimistic estimates of reliability when differentials between the best and alternative path metrics are small A phenomenon related to this is that the "granularity" of the Soft-LVA algorithm is not very fine. Alternative paths span only a small number of bit locations in the data record; therefore, when the decoding outcome is the same over all alternative paths, there is no way to differentiate between them, and a large number of bits may thus anomalously be assigned a maximum reliability indicator. Furthermore, the bit metrics assigned by the Soft-LVA algorithm are not good indicators of symbol reliability, as one decoded bit within a symbol may erroneously align itself with the best-path decoded bit. Likewise, the Soft-LVA algorithm does not provide a good burst error indicator because individual bits within a burst may erroneously be assigned a high reliability.

Burst reliability and error locator for trellis codes


A polysialic acid compound is reacted with a hetero-bifunctional reagent to introduce a pendant functional group for site-specific conjugation to sulfhydryl groups, for instance side chains of cysteine units in drugs, drug delivery systems, proteins or peptides. The functional group is, for instance, an N-maleimide group.

The present invention relates to polysialic acid derivatives which are useful for conjugation to drugs, proteins and peptides, or to drug delivery systems such as liposomes, having sulfhydryl groups, as well as to conjugated products process for synthesising the derivatives and the conjugates and novel synthetic intermediates.
The extended presence of drugs either within the vascular system or in extravascular use is often a pre-requisite for their optimal use. Many antibiotics and cytostatics for instance, as well as a variety of therapeutic peptides and proteins, and liposomes are removed from the circulation prematurely and before effective concentrations in target tissues can be achieved. The half lives of a number of short-lived proteins (for instance enzymes, cytokines, etc.) have been augmented by conjugating these to low poly(ethylene glycol). It appears that PEG molecules prolong the circulation time of proteins and particles by forming a cloud around their surface, thus sterically hindering interaction with factors responsible for their clearance. However PEG is non-biodegradable and accumulation of PEGylated proteins intracellularly may be undesirable especially on chronic use (Bendele, A., Seely, J., Richey, C., Sennello, G., Shopp, G., Renal tubular vacuolation in animals treated with polyethylene-glycol conjugated proteins, Toxicological sciences, 42 (1998) 152-157; Conyers, C. D., Lejeune, L., Shum, K., Gilbert, C., Shorr, R. G. L, Physiological effect of polyethylene glycol conjugation on stroma-free bovine hemoglobin in the conscious dog after partial exchange transfusion, Artificial organ, 21 (1997) 369-378).
We have described the conjugation of a polysaccharide comprising 2→8 and or 2→9 (e.g., alternating 2→8 and 2→9) linked sialic acid units conjugated to proteins to increase their half life, reduce their immunogenicity/antigenicity or increase the stability of a variety of proteins. In WO92/22331, polysialic acids are reacted with a model drug and shown to extend the half life in the circulation of mice. In Cell. Mot. Life Sci. 57 (2000) 1964-1969 and in Biotechnol. Genet. Eng. Rev. 16 (1999) 203-215, Gregoriadis, et al., describe the conjugation of polysialic acids to asparaginase and catalase, and show that the clearance rates from circulation reduced whilst enzyme activity was retained. We have also polysialylated insulin (Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1622 (2003) 42-49 and shown it to be active. We have also polysialylated interferon (AAPS Annual meeting 2002, Toronto, Canada, M1056). We have also polysialylated antibody fragment Fab (Epenetos, A., et al., Proceedings of ASCO (Clinical Pharmacy) 21 (2002) 2186).
In all of these publications, polysialic acid is rendered reactive, by generating an aldehyde group at the non-reducing end by oxidation of the 7,8-vicinaldiol moiety with sodium periodate. The aldehyde group was then reacted with primary amine groups on proteins, generally assumed to be epsilon-amino groups of lysine moieties of the protein or N-terminal amine groups. The reaction forms a Schiff base which is reduced by cyanoborohydride to a secondary amine.
In WO-A-01/87922 we also suggest that derivatisation with other molecules could be carried out in the presence of denaturant to achieve increased levels of derivatisation. Examples of other derivatising agents are polyethylene glycol compounds. Activated PEG compounds such as tresyl-PEG and succinimidyl succinate ester of PEG were mentioned. The examples used succinimidyl succinate activated PEG, which is believed to react with amine groups.
PEG derivatives having functional groups for coupling to thiol groups are commercially available. The functional groups may be maleimide, vinyl sulfone, iodoacetamide or orthopyridyl disulphide groups. Since these reagents react specifically with cysteines, and since proteins have fewer cysteines on their surfaces than lysine groups, the derivatisation is more controllable. Furthermore, in the absence of a free cysteine in a native protein, one or more free cysteines may be added by genetic engineering. The advantage of this approach is that it makes possible site-specific derivatisation at areas on the protein which will minimise a loss in biological activity.
PEGylated proteins have been found to generate anti PEG antibodies that could also influence the residence time of the conjugate in the blood circulation (Cheng T, Wu, M., Wu, P., Chem, J, Roffer, S R., Accelerated clearance of polyethylene glycol modified proteins by anti-polyethylene glycol IgM, Bioconjugate chemistry, 10 (1999) 520-528. Despite, the established history of PEG as a parenterally administered polymer conjugated to therapeutics, a better understanding of its immunotoxicology, pharmacology and metabolism will be required (Hunter, A. C, Moghimi, S. M., Therapeutic synthetic polymers: a game of Russian Roulette. Drug Discovery Today, 7 (2002) 998-1001; Brocchini, S., Polymers in medicine: a game of chess. Drug Discovery Today, 8, (2003) 111-112).
It would be useful for modification by polysialic acid to be targeted towards thiol (sulfhydryl) groups. It would also be desirable for the efficiency of derivatisation by sialic acid to be increased, the processes described in our prior art mentioned above requiring high excesses of active polysialic acid. It would also be desirable to avoid the use of cyano borohydride.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A device for the drawing of a knitted article in a circular stocking knitting machine. The device includes a tubular element (14), which extends coaxially and rotates with the cylinder of the machine, but is capable of axial movements between a raised position and a lowered position, and a locking element (15), which is arranged and can be moved independently towards and away from one end of the tubular element and can be moved together with the said tubular element. The locking element (15) engages with the end of the tubular element (14) in order to lock the manufactured article, to draw the latter while it is manufactured and to release it for the purpose of discharging it.

Circular stocking knitting machines may be equipped with a drawing device, which is able to take hold of the manufactured article during the manufacturing phase, tensioning it to help its downward movement inside the cylinder. Various devices, either pneumatic, or mechanical, or mixed, are already known for such a use and optionally for the turning inside out of the manufactured articles, once they are finished and discharged from the machine.
One of such devices was the object of a previous patent application of the same applicant. This device essentially comprises two tubular elements having different diameters that are inserted coaxially inside one another, are arranged on the inside of the cylinder of a circular stocking knitting machine, delimit an annular hollow space between them for the passage of the manufactured article being manufactured and form with their upper ends a gripping means for pressing the manufactured article at the entrance of said hollow space. The two tubular elements are adjustable in relation to one another for the phases of pressing and releasing the manufactured article and both together in the cylinder, when they have pressed the manufactured article, and this article must be drawn downwards during its knitting.
The prior-art devices are basically efficient but they do all display some limitation and difficulty when they are used to draw thick or bulky manufactured articles.

Device for tensioning of manufactured articles in single-cylinder or two-cylinder circular stocking knitting machines


A pump, comprising a rotor axially located between a fluid inlet section and a fluid outlet section, wherein the rotor is configured to rotate about a center axis, a stator surrounding the rotor, wherein the stator includes an inner diameter surface and an outer diameter surface, wherein the inner diameter surface includes a groove surrounding the stator and concentric about the center axis, and a ring surrounding the stator, wherein the ring is adjacent to the groove and defines a gap between an outer diameter of the surface and an inner surface of the ring, wherein the ring includes a ring mass and the stator includes a stator mass, and the ring mass is substantially equal to the stator mass.

Automobiles may be required to meet fuel economy targets. To help meet those targets, vehicles may be equipped with automatic transmissions that utilize start-stop systems. Such start-stop systems shut the engine off when, for example, the vehicle is motionless for a certain duration. When the engine is shut off, a hydraulic pump in the automatic transmission may stop turning and the transmission may come out of gear. Electrically driven auxiliary pumps may be used to prevent the transmissions from coming out of gear.
Eccentric motion of a rotor may cause imbalances when the motor is in use in such pumps. Such imbalances may create noise and vibrations. The noise and vibrations may create disturbances during use for a customer.

Apparatus for a counterbalance for an eccentric motor


There is provided a hetero polyacid-based catalyst for methacrylic acid production, which is more excellent in performance, life and moisture absorption during storage, the catalyst being a catalyst for methacrylic acid production, wherein a proton is replaced so as to satisfy conditions of α=A+(B×C) and 0.5≦α≦1.4 when the atomic ratio of the alkali metal atom relative to 10 atoms of Mo is taken as A and the atomic ratio of the copper atom relative to 10 atoms of Mo is taken as B in MoaPbVcCudYeZfOg where Y represents cesium or the like; Z represents iron or the like; and a to g represent each an atomic ratio of each element relative to 10 atoms of Mo.

Hitherto, as catalysts used in the production of methacrylic acid by vapor-phase catalytic oxidation of methacrolein or the like, it is known that those composed of a hetero polyacid and/or a salt thereof are effective, and there are a large number of reports regarding compositions, structures, physical properties, and production processes thereof (for example, Patent Document 1 describes pores of catalysts, Patent Document 2 describes a shaping method in catalyst production, and Patent Document 3 describes a calcination method in catalyst production).
A hetero polyacid-based catalyst used in the production of methacrylic acid by vapor-phase catalytic oxidation of at least one selected from the group consisting of methacrolein, isobutyraldehyde and isobutyric acid with a molecular oxygen-containing gas in the presence of an oxidation catalyst composition has a high moisture absorbability and, once it absorbs moisture, it is known that it is difficult to enhance activity again although the difficultness depends on the degree of moisture absorption. Thus, there is a problem that catalytic performance decreases owing to the moisture absorption during the storage from the production of the catalyst until the use thereof and satisfactory conversion and selectivity of methacrylic acid are not obtained in methacrylic acid production.
Patent Document 4 describes an invention that a catalyst for methacrylic acid production is stored in a container having a moisture permeability of 1.0 g/m2·24 h or less at 25° C. Patent Document 5 describes an invention that air is introduced so that relative humidity in a catalyst layer is controlled to 40% or less to prevent moisture absorption of a catalyst. However, these known technologies are useful as methods for preventing moisture absorption of the catalyst for metharylic acid production but there is a problem that any of steps from the production of the catalyst until the use thereof becomes tedious and complex.
On the other hand, the hetero polyacid-based catalyst used in the production of metharylic acid from at least one selected from the group consisting, of methacrolein, isobutyraldehyde and isobutyric acid is indeed interior in life to the oxidation catalyst for producing acrylic acid from acrolein.
Patent Document 6 discloses a process for producing a catalyst for methacrylic acid production by mixing a homogeneous solution containing a fourth ingredient X such as molybdenum, vanadium, phosphorus and antimony with a homogeneous solution containing the other catalyst ingredients such as ammonia water and cesium and drying the mixed solution. Thereby, it is said that solubility of the fourth ingredient X (especially antimony) is enhanced and a catalyst exhibiting excellent reproducibility and stability of catalytic performance and having a long life is obtained. Moreover, Patent Document 7 discloses a production process of an oxidation catalyst wherein, with regard to a solution obtained by dissolving or suspending all catalyst raw materials in water, the content of an ammonium radical is controlled to the range of 17 to 100 mol relative to 12 atoms of molybdenum and pH thereof is controlled to the range of 6.5 to 13. The control of the pH is performed through addition of nitric acid, ammonia waters or the like.
However, catalysts produced using such conventional method for mixing catalyst raw materials or method for controlling pH are not always sufficient as industrial catalysts particularly in view of life and it is desired to further improve catalytic performance.

Catalyst for methacrylic acid production and process for producing methacrylic acid


A Christmas tree support assembly includes a base that includes a pair of legs and a central member that is attached to and extends between the legs. The legs are orientated parallel to each other. A post is attached to and extends upwardly from the central member. A sleeve is attached to an upper end of the post. The sleeve has an opening extending therethrough. The opening has an axis that is orientated parallel to a longitudinal axis of a first of the legs. A rod is positioned in the sleeve and has a proximal end and a distal end with respect to the sleeve. A hook is attached to the rod and extends downwardly from the rod. The hook may be secured to a coupler attached to an upper end of a pine tree.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to tree support devices and more particularly pertains to a new tree support device for supporting a pine tree, used for a Christmas decoration, in a vertical orientation and in a stable manner.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of tree support devices is known in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 5,486,386 describes a Christmas decoration comprising a hanging ornament having the shape of a pine tree that may be hung from a hook attached to a ceiling. Another type of tree support device is U.S. Pat. No. 5,906,869 which again shows a hook assembly that is capable of hanging an artificial Christmas tree from a ceiling. Still another tree support capable of hanging a tree from a ceiling is found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,967,482.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the need remains for a device that is capable of supporting either a real or artificial tree in a suspended manner so that the tree is vertically orientated and is stable. Preferably the device will also allow rotation of the tree while on the device to assist a person in the positioning of ornaments on the tree.


Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a deicing system configured to prevent ice from forming in a water containment vessel. The system includes a heating element configured to heat the water within the containment vessel, a first temperature sensor and a second temperature sensor. The first temperature sensor is electrically connected to the heating element through an electrical path and may be configured to monitor water temperature. The second temperature sensor is electrically connected to the heating element through the electrical path and may be configured to monitor heating element temperature. At least one of the temperature sensors may include a reset button.

Conventional electric water deicers are used to keep areas of livestock water tanks and ponds free from ice during winter months. Similarly, birdbath deicers and heated birdbaths or pet bowls are used for smaller animals. One type of deicer is a floating deicer in which a buoyant member such as a buoyant ring is attached to a heating element so that the deicer may float on the surface of the water. Another type of deicer is a sinking deicer that is configured to lay at the bottom of a tank or pond, or on a metal guard submerged in the tank. A drain plug deicer is yet another type of deicer that is mounted through a drain hole of a tank and operates similar to a sinking deicer.
Deicers typically include a temperature sensor (e.g., a thermostat) that detects when the water temperature rises above a freezing point. A typical deicer then deactivates a heating element when water is not susceptible to freezing in order to conserve energy. When the temperature sensor detects that the water temperature is at or close to the freezing point, the deicer re-activates the heating element in order to heat the water.
Typically, a deicer includes a single thermostat that is operable to deactivate the heater when water reaches a predetermined temperature. In some configurations, an additional path from the heater to the thermostat is employed to route heat to the thermostat if the deicer is removed from the water or if the containment vessel runs dry. In this case, cooler ambient air causes the deicer to activate and begin heating. Because there is no water to absorb the heat, however, the deicer and/or the containment vessel (such as a livestock water tank or birdbath) begin to heat. The heat reaches the thermostat quicker than normal because water mass is not present to absorb the energy. When the thermostat detects the predetermined deactivation temperature, it trips and the heater is deactivated. The ambient air then cools the deicer until the thermostat detects the predetermined activation temperature and the cycle repeats. The deicer continually cycles on and off even though the containment vessel is substantially or completely devoid of water. Consequently, energy is wasted and the heating element of the deicer typically reaches a much higher temperature in the absence of water, and may pose a fire hazard.
Typically, deicers are designed to trip and reset continually during normal operation in order to regulate the water temperature within a containment vessel between predetermined low and high temperatures. The thermostat closes to energize the heater when the water temperature drops to a point where freezing is possible and remains closed as the water is heated until it reaches the predetermined high temperature point when it opens (trips) and the heater deactivates. The thermostat typically remains open as the water cools until it once again closes and the cycle repeats.


A method of manufacturing an element having a microstructure of an excellent grating groove pattern or the like is obtained. This method of manufacturing an element having a microstructure comprises steps of forming a metal layer on a substrate, forming a dot column of concave portions on the surface of the metal layer and anodically oxidizing the surface of the metal layer formed with the dot column of concave portions while opposing this surface to a cathode surface thereby forming a metal oxide film having a grating groove pattern. When the interval between the concave portions of the dot column is reduced, therefore, a linear grating groove pattern having a large depth with a uniform groove width along the depth direction is easily formed in a self-organized manner.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an element having a microstructure and a method of manufacturing the same, and more particularly, it relates to an element having a microstructure formed by anodic oxidation and a method of manufacturing the same.
2. Description of the Background Art
In general, a method employing photolithography and etching or a method employing anodic oxidation is known as a method of manufacturing a microstructure of a micro lattice pattern or the like. In recent years, an element having a micro grating groove pattern such as an optical element has been implemented through photolithography and etching.
FIG. 45 is a perspective view showing the concept of a conventional wave plate (polarization element) 100 serving as an element having a microstructure. In the conventional wave plate 100, groove patterns constituting a grating are formed on a glass substrate 101, as shown in FIG. 45. The grating groove patterns are formed by air layers 102 and substrate material layers 103, having a width a, consisting of the same material as the glass substrate 101. The grating groove patterns have a period P not more than the wavelength of light. It is assumed that the refractive indices of the air layers 102 and the substrate material layers 103 (the glass substrate 101) are 1 and n respectively. When light is incident upon the grating groove patterns of the wave plate 100, the wave plate 100 exhibits an effective refractive index corresponding to the mixture of the refractive indices 1 and n of the air layers 102 and the substrate material layers 103.
FIG. 46 is a correlation diagram showing the relation between the effective refractive index and the duty ratio of the conventional wave plate (polarization element) 100 shown in FIG. 45. Referring to FIG. 46, the vertical axis shows the effective refractive index, and the horizontal axis shows the duty ratio (a/P), i.e., the ratio of the width a of the substrate material layers 103 to the period P of the grating. Further, symbol TE denotes light having a direction of polarization parallel to the extensional direction of the grating groove patterns, as shown in FIG. 45. Symbol TM denotes light having a direction of polarization perpendicular to the extensional direction of the grating groove patterns, as shown in FIG. 45.
Referring to FIG. 46, the effective refractive index varies with the duty ratio of the grating groove patterns. In this case, the effective refractive index of the light TE having the direction of polarization parallel to the grating groove patterns differs from that of the light TM having the direction of polarization perpendicular to the grating groove patterns. The characteristic of the effective refractive index varying with the direction of polarization of light is referred to as a birefringence property. Generally known is a polarization-dependent diffraction grating (polarization-dependent diffraction element) capable of presenting no refractive index modulation with respect to light having a prescribed direction of polarization while presenting refractive index modulation only with respect to light having a direction of polarization perpendicular to the prescribed direction of polarization of the said light. The conventional polarization-dependent diffraction grating is now described.
FIG. 47 is a plan view showing grating groove patterns of a conventional polarization-dependent diffraction grating (polarization-dependent diffraction element) having a microstructure. Referring to FIGS. 46 and 47, rectilinear grating groove patterns 100a and rectilinear grating groove patterns 100b extending substantially perpendicularly to the grating groove patterns 100a are alternately formed on a glass substrate 101 in the conventional polarization-dependent diffraction grating. The grating groove patterns 10a and 100b have different duty ratios D1 (=(P−W1)/P) and D2 (=(P−W2)/P) respectively. The grating groove patterns 100a and 100b have the same period P. In other words, the duty ratios D1 and D2 of the grating groove patterns 10a and 100b are adjusted by adjusting the widths W1 and W2 of grooves of the grating groove patterns 100a and 100b respectively.
When light having a direction TE of polarization parallel to the grating groove patterns 100a having the duty ratio D1 is incident, the direction of this light is a direction TM of polarization perpendicular to the grating groove patterns 100b in the grating groove patterns 100b having the duty ratio D2. Therefore, both the effective refractive indices of the grating groove patterns 100a and 100b having the duty ratios D1 and D2 correspond to N5, as shown in FIG. 46. When light having the direction TM of polarization perpendicular to the grating groove patterns 100a having the duty ratio D1 is incident, on the other hand, the direction of this light is the direction TE of polarization parallel to the grating groove patterns 100b in the grating groove patterns 100b having the duty ratio D2. Therefore, the effective refractive indices of the grating groove patterns 100a and 100b having the duty ratios D1 and D2 correspond to N4 and N6 respectively, as shown in FIG. 46. Thus, the effective refractive indices of the grating groove patterns 100a and 100b having the duty ratios D1 and D2 can be equally set to the level N5 with respect to the light having the direction TE of polarization parallel to the grating groove patterns 100a, whereby the grating groove patterns 100a and 100b can be brought into a state (transparent) exhibiting no refractive index modulation only with respect to the light having the direction TE of polarization parallel to the grating groove patterns 100a.
As a manufacturing process for the rectilinear grating groove patterns of the conventional wave plate 100 shown in FIG. 45 or the rectilinear grating groove patterns 100a and 100b of the conventional polarization-dependent diffraction grating shown in FIG. 47, a method of forming rectilinear grating groove patterns by etching the surface of a glass substrate by photolithography and etching is conceivable, for example.
In the case of forming the rectilinear grating groove patterns of the conventional wave plate 100 shown in FIG. 45 or the rectilinear grating groove patterns 100a and 100b of the conventional polarization-dependent diffraction grating shown in FIG. 47 by photolithography and etching, however, it is difficult to form grating groove patterns having a large depth with a uniform groove width along the depth direction. More specifically, rectilinear grating groove patterns deeply formed by photolithography and etching have trapezoidal sections non-uniform in the depth direction as shown in FIG. 48, and hence duty ratios in upper and lower portions of the grating groove patterns disadvantageously differ from each other. Consequently, it is difficult to form an element having a microstructure of excellent grating groove patterns or the like, and hence it is disadvantageously difficult to obtain an optical element having an excellent birefringence property.
H. Masuda et al., "Appl. Phys. Lett.", Vol. 71 (19), 10 Nov. 1997, pp. 2770–2772 discloses a process of manufacturing a triangular lattice pattern employing anodic oxidation. The process of manufacturing a triangular lattice pattern disclosed in this literature, capable of forming a triangular lattice pattern having deep and uniform micropores, is proposed as a process of preparing a two-dimensional photonic crystal. More specifically, a valve metal such as aluminum, titanium or tantalum or a semiconductor such as Si or GaAs has such a characteristic that an oxide film having micropores arranged-perpendicular to the film surface is formed when an anode is electrified in an acidic electrolyte. In particular, an oxide film of aluminum has such a material characteristic that micropores are easily arranged in the form of a triangular lattice. A triangular lattice pattern having deep and uniform micropores can be formed through this characteristic.
FIGS. 49 to 52 are sectional views for illustrating a conventional process of manufacturing a triangular lattice pattern by anodic oxidation. FIG. 53 is a plan view showing a two-dimensional photonic crystal. The conventional process of manufacturing a triangular lattice pattern by anodic oxidation is now described with reference to FIGS. 49 to 53.
In the conventional process of manufacturing a triangular lattice pattern by anodic oxidation, projecting portions 116a arranged in the form of a triangular lattice are formed on the surface of a press member 116 consisting of a hard material such as SiC, as shown in FIG. 49. Texturing is performed by pressing the press member 116 against the surface of an aluminum material 115. Thus, concave portions 115a arranged in the form of a triangular lattice are formed on the surface of the aluminum material 115, as shown in FIG. 50. Then, the aluminum material 115 formed with the concave portions 115a is oxidized in an electrolyte 119, as shown in FIG. 51. In this case, a cathode 118 is prepared from platinum or the like, and the electrolyte 119 is prepared from an aqueous solution of sulfuric acid, oxalic acid or phosphoric acid. Thus, an aluminum oxide (alumina) film 113 having deep and uniform micropores 113, starting from the concave portions 115a, arranged in the form of a triangular lattice is formed in a self-organized manner, as shown in FIGS. 52 and 53. The micropores 113a can be formed to have a depth of at least 10 μm with respect to submicron diameters.
However, the aforementioned conventional method of manufacturing a triangular lattice pattern by anodic oxidation has been known as a method of forming two-dimensional photonic crystal micropores. In general, therefore, there has been no attempt of forming linear grating groove patterns shown in FIG. 45 or 47 by anodic oxidation.
As hereinabove described, it has been difficult to form a linear grating groove pattern having a large depth with a uniform groove width along the depth direction in general, and hence it has been difficult to form an element having a microstructure of an excellent grating groove pattern or the like.

Method of forming grating microstrutures by anodic oxidation


The present invention relates to a tailgate cargo container (10) having a left panel (12L) which has at least one left panel hinge (12LA) which is positioned at a bottom end thereof and connected to a left side of a vehicle tailgate (14A). The left panel (12L) further has at least one left panel hinge cut out (12LC) positioned at a rear edge thereof. A right panel (12R) which has at least one right panel hinge (12RA) positioned at a bottom end thereof is connected to a right side of the vehicle tailgate (14A). The right panel (12R) further has at least one right panel hinge cut out (12RC) positioned at a rear edge thereof. A middle panel (12C) which has at least one middle panel left hinge (12CAL) positioned at a left side of a bottom end thereof and connected to a left rear side of the vehicle tailgate (14A). The at least one left panel hinge cut out (12LC) is complimentarily positioned over the at least one middle panel left hinge (12CAL) when the left panel (12L) is folded inward. The middle panel (12C) further has at least one middle panel right hinge (12CAR) positioned at a right side of a bottom end thereof and connected to a right rear side of the vehicle tailgate (14A). The at least one right panel hinge cut out (12RC) is complimentarly positioned over the at least one middle panel right hinge (12CAR) when the right panel (12R) is folded inward. The middle panel (12C) further has at least one middle panel center hinge (12CAC) positioned along a middle bottom end thereof and connected to a middle rear side of the vehicle tailgate (14A). The middle panel (12C) further has an inwardly facing middle panel skirt (12CB) positioned along a left side and a right side and a top side. The middle panel skirt (12CB) has a width slightly larger than a width of the left panel (12L) or right panel (12R) functioning to prevent debris from accumulating between the panels (12L, 12R, 12C). Finally, a latching arrangement secures the left panel (12L) and right panel (12R) to the middle panel (12C).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to vehicle attachment equipment. More particularly, the present invention relates to truck tailgate extension devices.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Pickup trucks have a bed of limited length for carrying cargo. While most of the time the bed length is sufficient, often items are carried that extend beyond the limits of the pickup truck bed. The tail gate on a pickup truck is designed to fold down permitting long items to be placed on the floor of the bed, but, extending beyond the rearward limits of the bed. These loads must be secured to prevent them from falling out the back of the truck. Often with the long loads various smaller items must be carried. When the tailgate is folded down, there is nothing to keep the smaller items from falling out, short of individually securing each one. What is desired is a pickup truck bed extender that permits long items to be carried flat on the bed and constrains smaller items within the pickup truck bed. Further, the extension needs to retract for storage.
Numerous innovations for Tailgate Cargo Containers have been provided in the prior art that are described as follows. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, they differ from the present invention as hereinafter contrasted.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,533,771, invented by Taylor, et. al., titled a Multiple Purpose Truck Tailgate Apparatus, a multiple purpose truck tailgate apparatus for a pickup truck of the type having a bed and a tailgate pivotally mounted to the bed is described. The apparatus comprises a first panel member and a structure for mounting the first panel member in a sliding manner to the bed of the truck. When the tailgate is opened, the first panel member can be extended therefrom. A second panel member is provided. A facility is for coupling the second panel member against a free end of the first panel member. A third panel member is provided. A facility is for coupling the third panel member against a free end of the second panel member. An assembly is for pivoting the first panel member on the sliding mounting structure. The first panel member with the second panel member and the third panel member can be positioned at various angles at the opened tailgate, to be used for different tasks.
The present invention differs from the patented invention because the patented invention is slidably attached to the truck bed. Multiple elements infold to form a platform Support posts are provided at the end of the platform. The platform can be angled to form a down ramp or an up ramp. The end section is pivotable so that when the platform is vertical the end may be rotated to form a elevated horizontal platform.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,340,184, invented by Conrado, titled Aerodynamically Improved Tailgate Construction for Pickup Truck, a pickup truck tailgate construction is described which enables the tailgate to be used either (1) in a customary manner, with the bottom of the tailgate in hinged relation with the after end of the bed so that the tailgate can be pivoted between vertical closed position and horizontal open position or (2) in a modified fashion, in which the top of the tailgate is pivotally arranged so that the bottom of the tailgate can be positioned several inches rearwardly from the after end of the bed. The rectangular gap between the bottom of the tailgate and the adjacent after end of the bed and the triangular gaps between the opposite ends of the tailgate and the adjacent after ends of the side walls are spanned by correspondingly shaped mesh panels which allow free flow of air therethrough. Improved fuel efficiency and handling of the vehicle results from the aerodynamically enhanced construction.
The patented invention differs from the present invention because the patented invention is a aerodynamic device to improve air flow and reduce drag of the tailgate assembly. The present invention functions to restrain cargo which is longer than the bed of the truck. The present invention folds flat on the tailage when not in use.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,889,378, invented by Sims, titled a Pickup Truck Tailgate Accessory an accessory for attachment to the tailgate of a pickup truck comprising a panel member of about the same width as the tailgate, and of a height at least about half that of the tailgate, a pair of hinge brackets secured to the tailgate near the sides thereof bracket secured to the panel member and including a hinge pin secured to the bracket and extending into an aperture in the hinge bracket, a pair of latch apertures in the hinge bracket, a latch bracket secured to the bracket, and a latch pin laterally movable in the latch bracket between a latching position wherein the latch pin extends into one of the latch apertures and a release position wherein the latch pin is retracted from the latch aperture, whereby in the release position, the panel member may pivot about the hinge pins between a first position parallel to the tailgate and a second position substantially perpendicular to the tailgate, so that the accessory serves as an extended stop for long lengths of cargo or as a protector for the top of the tailgate according to the desired arrangement of the accessory.
The patented invention differs from the present invention because the patented invention is an extended stop for long lengths of cargo. The patented invention is attached with hinges that have a stop. The patented invention can be positioned in one of several position by hinging the device then inserting a pin. The present invention is attached to a standard truck tailgate connected to a truck body by a hinge on one edge. An additional hinge along an opposite edge of the tailgate connects the tailgate to a first tailgate extension. The tailgate extension has hinged flaps attached to opposite sides. In operation the tailgate opened and folded flat. The first tailgate extension is unfolded to a vertical position and the flaps unfolded in a forward direction. The flaps are removably attached to the tailgate along a common edge. The removable fastenings may be trunnions, hooks & eyes, hook & loop, or straps.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,778,213, invented by Palmer, titled an Extendable Vehicle Tailgate Assembly, an extension for a truck or other vehicle having a tailgate, with the extension including two side panels to be attached to the main tailgate of the vehicle in positions parallel to one another and for swinging movement with the main tailgate between its open and closed positions, an auxiliary tailgate which projects upwardly from a rear edge of the main tailgate in the open position of the main tailgate, and hinge structure mounting the auxiliary tailgate for swinging movement relative to the main tailgate and relative to the side panels, while the side panels remain generally parallel to one another, and from an active position of the auxiliary tailgate essentially perpendicular to the main tailgate to a retracted position essentially parallel to and essentially adjacent the main tailgate.
The patented invention differs from the present invention because the patented invention is pickup truck bed extender Which is hingably attached to the upper edge of a tailgate. A pair of side supports are attached to the surface of the tailgate so that when in use they extend the side of the truck body. A pair of extended tailgate supports are fastened to the side supports and to the extended tailgate portion. The present invention is attached to a standard truck tailgate connected to a truck body by a hinge on one edge. An additional hinge along an opposite edge of the tailgate connects the tailgate to a first tailgate extension. The tailgate extension has hinged flaps attached to opposite sides. In operation the tailgate opened and folded flat. The first tailgate extension is unfolded to a vertical position and the flaps unfolded in a forward direction. The flaps are removably attached to the tailgate along a common edge. The removable fastenings may be trunnions, hooks & eyes, hook & loop, or straps. The patented invention lacks the folding side supports. Further when the tailgate is in the vertical position the side supports obstruct the cargo area.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,580,828, invented by Jones, titled Tailgate for a Pickup Truck, an improved tailgate apparatus is provided for use on the rear of the cargo compartment of pickup trucks. The apparatus is comprised of a tailgate panel which attaches to the cargo compartment with the aid of paired flat arms, and storage compartment located beneath the floor of the cargo compartment. In use, the tailgate panel can be positioned in either a closed position, a first open position where it extends rearwardly from the cargo compartment or a second open position where it is housed within said storage compartment.
The patented invention differs from the present invention because the patented invention is a tailgate that retracts into a compartment when it is horizontal. The patented invention does not have features similar to the present invention.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,531,773, invented by Smith, titled a Vehicle Tailgate Extension Assembly, the assembly of the present invention comprises a foldable container slidably connected to a pair of slide guides adapted to be secured to opposite sides of a vehicle tailgate. The container in one operative position has an open top and front and closed bottom, rear and sides. The container comprises a bottom bed panel, a rear panel hinged thereto and moveable between a stacked position over the bed panel, a vertical operative position and a hangtail operative position hanging below and behind the bed panel. A pair of side panels are hinged to opposite sides of the rear panel and are moveable between a stored position overlying the rear panel and an operative position perpendicular thereto and forwardly thereof. Catches releasably latch the side panels to the rear panel and, in the operative position, to a vehicle frame, and similar catches releasably latch the bed panel and thus the container to the slide guides. The container may slide between a forward stored position and a rear operative position. Telescoping slide guides and/or bed and side panels may be provided to facilitate rearward extension of the container. The assembly is simple, inexpensive, easy to install, store and remove, and effectively increases the carrying capacity of an open bed truck, station wagon, etc.
The patented invention differs from the present invention because the patented invention is attached to the tailgate by a pair of guides which retain the edges of the patented invention. When unfolded the patented invention is similar to the present invention. The present invention however, is attached to the upper portion of the tail gate by a hinge.
Numerous innovations for Tailgate Cargo Container have been provided in the prior art that are adapted to be used. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described.


Systems and methods to detect errors and record actions on a bus are disclosed. In one embodiment, the bus is a serial low-power interchip media bus (SLIMbus) within a computing device. The SLIMbus is coupled to peripherals and a sniffer is positioned within the computing device and coupled to the SLIMbus. The sniffer mimics another SLIMbus peripheral. However, the sniffer uses a pair of multiplexers to know when to record data on the SLIMbus. The data, including the control header and payload of the data signal is captured and logged. The logged data is then exported to memory where it can be further processed so as to help debug communication on the SLIMbus.

I. Field of the Disclosure
The technology of the disclosure relates generally to sniffing and logging data on a bus for error detection.
II. Background
Computing devices use one or more buses to convey data between components within the computing device. In mobile computing devices such as smart phones, one such bus is the serial low power inter-chip media bus (SLIMbus). The SLIMbus was developed with the MIPI® Alliance and supports communication between baseband or application processors and peripheral components. The SLIMbus is particularly well suited for digital audio data streams, although other data may be conveyed over the bus.
The SLIMbus is implemented as a synchronous two-wire, configurable time division multiplexed (TDM) frame structure. The two wires carry the data line and the clock line so as to interconnect multiple components in a multi-drop bus topology. The data line has control and data information. One common use of the SLIMbus is to connect an applications processor to a codec that performs analog to digital or digital to analog conversion. During a design phase of a computing device that incorporates a SLIMbus, the designers may need to debug the communications between the applications processor and the peripheral. Even after the design phase, if a new peripheral is coupled to a SLIMbus within a computing device, there may be issues ensuring that such new devices are able to couple to the SLIMbus correctly which require additional debugging. The primary way to debug in this context is to "sniff" the data on the data line and capture or log the data so that it can be examined for possible sources of error.
Currently, the sniffing and logging is done using an external device that is supplied by an entity that does not make components that use the SLIMbus. One exemplary external SLIMbus sniffer is the SLIMbus Protocol Analyzer, sold by LnK sprl of Belgium (www.lnk-tools.com). Use of such an external device is cumbersome in that leads must be attached to the SLIMbus. Attaching such leads may be difficult in the confined space of the housing of the mobile terminal and/or may require that the bus be removed from the housing of the mobile terminal during testing. Furthermore, currently commercially available sniffing devices are expensive. The expense may mean that a design entity may only have a few such devices which must be shared between multiple design teams trying to perform testing. As yet another inconvenience to the parties doing the testing, the wires used to couple the external device to the SLIMbus have resistive-capacitive loads which may interfere with signal acquisition. As yet another issue with the external testing devices, as bus speeds increase, it is becoming increasingly difficult for the external testing device to capture and record all of the data on the SLIMbus. Thus, there needs to be a more effective system or technique with which to detect errors and record actions on a bus.

Systems and methods for detecting errors and recording actions on a bus


The present disclosure provides a three-dimensional (3D) object detection method, a 3D object detection apparatus, an electronic device, and a readable storage medium, belonging to a field of computer vision technologies. Two-dimensional (2D) image parameters and initial 3D image parameters are determined for a target object. Candidate 3D image parameters are determined for the target object based on a disturbance range of 3D parameters and the initial 3D image parameters determined for the target object. Target 3D image parameters are selected for the target object from the candidate 3D image parameters determined for the target object based on the 2D image parameters. A 3D detection result of the target object is determined based on the target 3D image parameters.

With rapid development of computer vision technologies, three-dimensional (3D) object detection is widely used in all areas of work and life. For example, with the development of city size, the demand for vehicles is increasing. 3D vehicle detection technology is the basis of vehicle monitoring, which is of great significance in areas such as intelligent transportation and smart city.

Three-dimensional object detection method, electronic device and readable storage medium

BEIJING BAIDU NETCOM SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.


A handle mechanism for a portable computer having a base and a cover movably mounted to the base, includes a handle, two fixing assemblies, and a coded lock. The handle includes a crossbar, and two arms respectively protruding from opposite ends of the crossbar. A mortise hole is defined in one of the arms. The fixing assemblies are respectively configured for attaching the arms of the handle to the base. The coded lock is fixed to the base near one of the arms of the handle. The coded lock includes a tenon portion. The tenon portion is capable of extending into the mortise hole of the handle to lock the handle. The handle mechanism acts as both a handle and a lock for carrying and locking the portable computer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to portable computers, and more particularly to a portable computer having a handle mechanism.
2. Description of Related Art
Portable computers, such as laptop computers and foldable computers, have become increasingly popular for general use. To facilitate carrying a portable computer, a handle is attached to the portable computer. However, the handle only has the function of being used to carry the computer, which departs from a spirit that parts of the portable computer should be made ever smaller while at the same time being multi-functional.
What is desired, therefore, is a portable computer having a handle mechanism that not only aids in carrying the portable computer but also has a function of locking the portable computer.


The effective display area of a window, in a window display apparatus, is corrected to prevent it from protruding beyond the visible area of the display. A coordinate data input device selects an icon and moves the icon to the display area to display a window image. Depending upon the location to which the icon is moved, correction of the resulting image may be necessary to ensure that the effective display area is shown. Once a window has been displayed, no correction is performed if the window is subsequently moved.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to display apparatus for displaying a window image and, more particularly, is directed to a display apparatus for displaying a window image in which a display position of the window image on a display screen is pointed to by a coordinate data input device.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In a window display apparatus employed in a conventional portable computer, a variety of icons 84 are displayed on an icon area (i.e., standby area) 82 of a display screen 8 as shown in FIG. 1. If the user pushes (pen-down) a predetermined icon 84 (e.g., "printing type" icon 84 on the display screen 8 with a pen (not shown) which is a coordinate data input device, drags the pen up to an input display area (data writing area) 86 under the pen-down state and releases the pen from the display screen 8 (pen-up), then such icon 84 is displayed on the display screen 8 as a window (e.g., printing type plate) 84L in an enlarged scale as shown in FIG. 1.
According to the above-mentioned conventional technique, if the pen-up position is displaced in the lateral direction (in the left and right direction) of the display screen 8, the enlarged icon, i.e., the window 84L is displayed on the display screen 8 under the condition such that a part thereof is omitted as shown by a phantom block in FIG. 2. The reason for this is that the window display apparatus is programmed so as to move the window 84L at its upper center 84c by the penpoint of the pen as shown in FIG. 3. Further, also when the the pen-up position is displaced in the longitudinal direction (upper and lower direction) of the display screen 8, then the window 84L is displayed on the display screen 8 under the condition such that a part thereof is omitted as shown by a phantom block in FIG. 4.

Position control apparatus for displaying a window's effective image area


A plug connection device that connects two function elements for signal and power transmission between the function elements, in particular for medical applications, has connection components fashioned for capacitive connection of the function elements.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention concerns a plug connection device designed to connect two function elements for signal and power transmission between the function elements, in particular for medical applications, as well as: a plug element, a medical device with a function element arrangement, and an associated method.
2. Description of the Prior Art
When two function elements should be connected with one another in order to transfer signals and power between them (for example function elements in medical devices, for example large medical apparatuses such as magnetic resonance tomography apparatuses and the like), galvanic plug contacts in the form of a combination composed of a plug and a socket have previously been used. These plug contacts are executed as pin contacts or coaxial contacts.
A problem associated with such galvanic plug contacts is that they are relatively expensive and are prone to a certain failure susceptibility. For example, pins can bend and coaxial contacts that are contaminated negatively affect the functional reliability. The lifespan of the galvanic plug contacts is limited. Due to wear, only a limited number of plug cycles can be expected. Additionally, a certain force must be applied for plugging and unplugging.

Plug connection device designed to connect two function elements for signal and power transmission


An electro-optical reader reads indicia having parts of different light reflectivity within a limited working range of distances relative to the reader. The reader includes a laser for emitting a laser beam, a photosensor for detecting light over a field of view and generating an analog signal indicative of the indicium being read, and a scanning motor for scanning the laser beam and/or the field of view. A digitizer for digitizing the analog signal, a laser drive for energizing the laser, and a motor drive for activating the motor are all mounted on a single chip integrated circuit mounted within the reader.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a single chip integrated circuit having an on-board motor drive, a laser drive and a digitizer, all for use with an electro-optical system for reading indicia, especially bar code symbols.
2. Description of Related Art
Hand-held laser scanners are well known. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,387,297; 4,409,470 and 4,806,742 as being representative of the art. A stand-alone laser scanning workstation, for example, see U.S. Pat. No. 4,369,361, having built-in laser, scanning and sensor components is also known.
It is also known in this art to construct a digital signal from an analog signal generated from a photoelectric transformation of light reflected off a symbol during scanning by using signal processing digitizing circuits which either use fixed threshold levels derived directly from the analog signal, or which compare a first derivative of the analog signal to a peak signal that follows the peaks of the analog signal. However, such known digitizing circuits are susceptible to errors due to such factors as high ambient light levels and noise, especially in cases where the reading beam spot is poorly focused, i.e., in long-range reading applications, or in reading very high density symbols.

Single integrated circuit chip with on-board motor drive, laser drive and digitizer


A DRAM cell includes a transistor, a first diode and a second diode. The transistor has a gate electrically coupled to a word line of an address decoder and a drain electrically coupled to a bit line of the address decoder. The bit line is coupled to a power supply voltage. An anode and a cathode of the first diode are coupled to a cathode and an anode of the second diode, respectively. Each of the first diode and the second diode is coupled at a first end to a source of the transistor at a first node, and at a second end to a node voltage at the second node. A DRAM device includes an address decoder and DRAM cells. A storage method for a DRAM device includes writing data into the DRAM cells and reading data from the DRAM cells.

Dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) devices are constructed based on memory cells each including a transistor and a capacitor. The capacitor can be charged when a voltage is applied on the transistor, and one bit of data can be stored in the capacitor. However, when the transistor is turned off, the electrical charge in the capacitor may leak over time and the capacitor may discharge. Therefore, the datum stored in the capacitor needs to be refreshed or restored at a predetermined time interval. Each refresh, however, leads to energy consumption of the system.
Moreover, despite the rapidly increased demand of storage bandwidths in electronics devices, time delays from clock delayers and clock processors to data transmission components in the DRAMs remain unchanged, making the storage speed of current DRAM devices increasingly lag behind demand.

Dynamic random access memory (DRAM) cell, DRAM device and storage method


The present invention relates to peptide conjugates of microtubule-targeting agents such as maytansinoid derivatives which are useful for the treatment of diseases such as cancer.

Cancer is a group of diseases characterized by aberrant control of cell growth. The annual incidence of cancer is estimated to be in excess of 1.6 million in the United States alone. While surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and hormones are used to treat cancer, it remains the second leading cause of death in the U.S. It is estimated that about 600,000 Americans will die from cancer each year.
Treatment of cancer in humans by systemic administration of pharmaceutical agents often functions by slowing or terminating the uncontrolled replication that is a characteristic of cancer cells. One class of such agents is microtubule-targeting agents. Cell division requires formation of an intact mitotic spindle apparatus, composed of microtubules undergoing random length changes. The random length changes of microtubules is referred to as dynamic instability. Disruption of the dynamic instability of microtubules can lead to the suppression of further cell division. Drugs that target microtubules to suppress dynamic instability are currently used in the clinic as effective anticancer agents for a wide variety of cancers. See Lopus, M, Cancer Lett., 2011, 307(2): 113-118.
The maytansinoids, (e.g., mertansine, DM1, or DM4) are a class of microtubule-targeting agents that have emerged as potential clinical chemotherapeutics. See Lopus, M, Cancer Lett., 2011, 307(2): 113-118; and Widdison, W., J. Med. Chem. 2006, 49:4392-4408 Although DM1 has been shown to be effective in the treatment of several types of cancer, including lymphoma and breast cancer, toxic side effects such as peripheral neuropathy have hindered the clinical development of tubulin-targeting agents such as the maytansinoids. Preferential delivery of maytansinoid compounds, such as DM1, to diseased tissues could avoid these serious side effects. Thus, there is a need for more selective delivery of maytansinoid compounds to diseased tissue.

Peptide conjugates of microtubule-targeting agents as therapeutics


A wheel disc includes a wheel mounting portion defining a wheel axis, a plurality of spokes radially extending from the wheel mounting portion, and a rim junction on at least one spoke of the plurality of spokes. The rim junction is at an end of the at least one spoke opposite the wheel mounting portion. A first portion of the rim junction extends in an axial direction. Second and third portions of the rim junction extend in a circumferential direction. The axial direction is parallel to the wheel axis and the circumferential direction is in a plane perpendicular to the wheel axis.

The present invention relates generally to a vehicle wheel disc and vehicle wheel and in particular to an improved wheel disc, vehicle wheel including such a wheel disc and method for producing such a wheel disc and vehicle wheel.
Wheels for automotive vehicles may be produced from light weight metals to reduce a weight of the wheels. For example, the vehicle wheels may be produced from aluminum or alloys thereof. The weight of such wheels may be further reduced by removing mass—e.g., material—from the wheels. However, removing mass from the wheel also reduces stiffness and rigidity of the wheel. When the stiffness and rigidity of the wheel are reduced, performance for the wheel may be compromised. Thus, it would be desirable to remove mass from the wheel without a reduction in stiffness and rigidity.

Vehicle wheel disc, vehicle wheel including such a wheel disc and method for producing such a wheel disc and vehicle wheel


A Doherty amplifier is described which comprises: a power splitter (120) having a first output and a second output, wherein the first output is connected to a main power splitter (392) having first and second outputs which differ in phase by 90°; and the second output is connected to an auxiliary power splitter (342) having first and second outputs which differ in phase by 90°; a main final stage amplifier (234) comprising first (324) and second (325) main paired amplifiers, the inputs of which are connected to the first and second outputs of the main power splitter (352); an auxiliary final stage amplifier (244) comprising first (344) and second auxiliary (345) paired amplifiers, the inputs of which are connected to the first and second outputs of the auxiliary power splitter (342); wherein the output from the first main paired amplifier (334) is connected to the output from the first auxiliary paired amplifier (344) by an impedance inverter (250); and the output from the second main paired amplifier (345) is connected to the output from the second auxiliary paired amplifier by an impedance inverter (251); the amplifier being arranged such that a relative phase shift is introduced to the signals input to the main and auxiliary power splitters to offset the phase shift of the impedance inverters.

In the 1930s a high efficiency, linear, valve based power amplifier was devised by W. H. Doherty. This 'Doherty' amplifier configuration consisted of two valve amplifiers, namely the main amplifier and the auxiliary amplifiers, which delivered power into a common load in a very efficient manner. More recently, the Doherty amplifier has been realised with semiconductor transistor amplifiers replacing the valve amplifiers.
Amplifier efficiency η is the proportion of the DC power PDC supplied to the amplifier network relative to the available RF power PRF at the output of the amplifier network that is then delivered to the load. I.e. η=PRF/PDC.
One problem associated with the Doherty design is the sensitivity to operating frequency. The individual amplifiers within the Doherty amplifier have input and output matches which alter with varying power level. This variation generates mismatches. These mismatches cause ripple within the transmission path of the amplifier and reduce the frequency flatness of the design.
The standard Doherty amplifier is more efficient than a conventional amplifier but can be difficult to optimise.
The present invention comprises a Doherty amplifier comprising:                a power splitter having a first output and a second output, wherein        the first output is connected to a main power splitter having first and second outputs which differ in phase by 90°; and        the second output is connected to an auxiliary power splitter having first and second outputs which differ in phase by 90°;
a main final stage amplifier comprising first and second main paired amplifiers, the inputs of which are connected to the first and second outputs of the main power splitter;
an auxiliary final stage amplifier comprising first and second auxiliary paired amplifiers, the inputs of which are connected to the first and second outputs of the auxiliary power splitter; wherein                the output from the first main paired amplifier is connected to the output from the first auxiliary paired amplifier by an impedance inverter; and        the output from the second main paired amplifier is connected to the output from the second auxiliary paired amplifier by an impedance inverter;        the amplifier being arranged such that a relative phase shift is introduced to the signals input to the main and auxiliary power splitters to offset the phase shift of the impedance inverters.
The Doherty amplifier of the invention has the advantage of improved frequency flatness and stability.
Preferably, the amplifier further comprises:                a main driver amplifier connected between the first output of the power splitter and the input of the main power splitter; and        an auxiliary driver amplifier connected between the second output of the power splitter and the input of the auxiliary power splitter.
Preferably, the phase of the second outputs of the main and auxiliary power splitters lead the phases of the corresponding first outputs of these splitters.
Preferably, the phases of the second outputs of the main and auxiliary power splitters lag behind the phases of the corresponding first outputs of these splitters.
Preferably, the power splitter introduces a phase shift between the first and second outputs to offset the phase shift of the impedance inverters.
Preferably, at least one of the main driver amplifier and auxiliary driver amplifier introduce a relative phase shift to the input of the corresponding main or auxiliary power splitter to offset the shift of the impedance inverters.
Preferably, the Doherty amplifier further comprises a combiner having a first input port connected to the output of the first auxiliary amplifier and a second input port connected to the output of the second auxiliary amplifier,                the combiner being adapted to introduce a phase change between the signals received at the first and second input ports opposite to the phase change introduced by the auxiliary power splitter and to combine these two signals at an output port.
More preferably, the phase change is 90°.
The Doherty amplifier can comprise a load connected to the output of the combiner via a further impedance transformer. The load can then terminate differential signals.
Alternatively, the Doherty amplifier can further comprise:                a load connected to the output of the combiner;        a first combiner impedance transformer connected between the first auxiliary amplifier and the first input port of the combiner; and        a second combiner impedance transformer connected between the second auxiliary amplifier and the second input port of the combiner.
At least one of the main driver amplifier and auxiliary driver amplifier can be single ended.
At least one of the main driver amplifier and auxiliary driver amplifier can comprise a pair of balanced amplifiers.
The Doherty amplifier can comprise a plurality of main driver amplifiers connected in cascade before the main power splitter.
The Doherty amplifier can comprise a plurality of auxiliary driver amplifiers connected in cascade before the auxiliary power splitter.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of amplifying a signal, the method comprising:                splitting the input signal into a main signal and an auxiliary signal;        splitting the main signal into a first main signal and second main signal which differ in phase by 90°;        splitting the auxiliary signal into a first auxiliary signal and a second auxiliary signal which differ in phase by 90°;        amplifying the first main signal and the second main signal;        amplifying the first auxiliary signal and the second auxiliary signal;        inverting the impedance of the amplified first main signal;        adding the impedance inverted amplified first main signal to the amplified first auxiliary signal thereby creating a first added signal;        inverting the impedance of the amplified second main signal        adding the impedance inverted amplified second main signal to the amplified second auxiliary signal thereby creating a second added signal;        wherein a relative phase shift is introduced to the signals during said steps of splitting to offset the effect of said steps of inverting.
Preferably, the method can further comprise:                amplifying the main signal prior to said step of splitting the main signal;        amplifying the auxiliary signal prior to said step of splitting the auxiliary signal;
Preferably, the method can further comprise:                combining the first and second added signals by introducing a phase change between the first and second added signals opposite to the phase change introduced during said step of splitting the auxiliary signal.
Similar items or blocks in different figures share common reference numerals unless indicated otherwise.
FIG. 1 shows a schematic of the block diagram of a 'Doherty' amplifier. The amplifier consists of a main amplifier (130), an auxiliary amplifier (140), an impedance inverter (150), an input power divider (120), a common input junction (110), a common output junction (160) and a load (170).
The input power divider (120) splits the signal so that part of the signal is passed along the main amplifier (130) path and so that the other part of the signal is passed along the auxiliary amplifier (140) path. The input power divider (120) may have any differential phase between its two outputs but additional phase shifters are required to ensure that the signal at the input of the auxiliary amplifier (140) is delayed relative to the signal at the input of the main amplifier (130) by 90°.
The two amplifiers (130 and 140) are designed to have the same phase performance as each other. Subsequently, the phase delay from the splitter (120) is maintained through the amplifiers (130 and 140) and the signal at the output of the auxiliary amplifier (140) is still delayed relative to the signal at the output of the main amplifier (130). The RF out of the main amplifier (130) then passes through the impedance inverter (150). The circuit is configured so that the delay added to the auxiliary path from the splitter (120) is the same as the delay in the impedance inverter (150). The two signals are therefore coherent again when they recombine at the common junction (160).
The main amplifier (130) is configured as class B or class AB. As the input RF drive power increases the main amplifier (130) turns on and the output power steadily increases as shown in FIG. 2 (region α). The auxiliary amplifier (140) is biased class C so it initially stays turned off and is effectively an open circuit. At breakpoint β the main amplifier (130) is operating at its maximum efficiency, and the output RF voltage has reached its maximum; twice the DC supply voltage. However, the maximum output power from the main amplifier (130) at breakpoint β is a fraction of its actual saturated output power capability; typically around 50%.
The Doherty amplifier is configured so that as the input drive level is increased beyond breakpoint β, into region χ, the auxiliary amplifier (140) starts to turn on. This injects more current through the load (170) and increases the impedance seen at the common junction (160). Because of the impedance inverter (150) the impedance at the common junction (160) is inverted and the main amplifier (130) actually starts to see a reduction its load impedance. This dynamically decreasing load impedance lets the main amplifier (130) output more current without degrading or decreasing the voltage output characteristic. The output power out of the main amplifier (130) therefore increases while the efficiency of the main amplifier (130) is maintained at its maximum. The main amplifier (130) operates at its maximum efficiency in all of region χ.
Initially, the auxiliary amplifier (140) will not have the maximum RF voltage swing at its output for it to be fully efficient itself. Therefore, the composite efficiency, of both the main amplifier (130) and the auxiliary amplifier (140) dips slightly before it reaches the maximum as shown in FIG. 3. At point δ, the input drive has increased sufficiently so that the auxiliary amplifier (140) also operates at maximum efficiency and the output RF voltage amplitude has also reached its maximum; twice the DC supply voltage.
The advantage of this Doherty amplifier network is that it operates linearly, at high efficiency, over a wider range of output power levels than that of a standard power amplifier. i.e. it is linear and efficient between point ε and δ, rather than just between point ε and breakpoint β. The maximum efficiency range is dependant on the value of the impedance inverter (150) and the power capability ratio of the main amplifier (130) to the auxiliary amplifier (140).
FIG. 4 illustrates the Doherty amplifier of FIG. 1 in further detail. The main amplifier (130) comprises two cascaded amplifiers (232 and 234) and the auxiliary amplifier (140) comprises two cascaded amplifiers (242 and 244). Amplifier 232 is the 'main driver amplifier' and is configured as class B or similar. Amplifier 234 is the 'main final stage amplifier; and is configured as class B or similar. Amplifier 242 is the 'auxiliary driver amplifier' and is configured as class C or similar. Amplifier 244 is the 'auxiliary final stage amplifier' and is is configured as class C or similar.
The two-stage amplifier allows the network to be biased as per the standard Doherty network, i.e. with a class B main driver amplifier (232) and a class C auxiliary driver amplifier (242) but also allows the addition of two final stage amplifiers (234 and 244) that have better RF performance.
In this embodiment, the two final amplifiers (234 and 244) are class F. Class F amplifiers are more efficient than either of the class B or class C configurations as less power is lost within the transistor. In addition integral harmonic filtering at the output of the class F amplifier results in optimising the Doherty load-pulling effect. However, in alternative embodiments the two final amplifiers may be other than class F.
An impedance transformer (280) is added between the load (170) and the common port (160) so that the output impedance of the system can be reduced allowing the transmission lines to be realised as wider Microstrip lines that can then operate under higher power conditions. In an alternative embodiment, the impedance inverter (280) is omitted.
The main amplifier (130) and the auxiliary amplifier (140) in the Doherty amplifier have input matches that change with power level. The amplifiers are biased close to cut-off and have a non-linear input impedance over approximately half of the RF signal incident at their input. The impedance of the input of each amplifier varies with the voltage applied. This changing input impedance can introduce variable reflections within the transmission path resulting in frequency ripples and stability problems.
The performance of a Doherty amplifier can be improved by configuring the two driver circuits (232 and 242) as balanced amplifiers (not shown). This improves the input and output match of both of the amplifiers (232 and 242) reducing the reflections and the ripple within the transmission path. The driver amplifiers (232 and 242) are still not isolated from the poor input match of the final stage amplifiers (234 and 244) that they precede so reflection and ripple are not eliminated.
Configuring the final stage amplifiers (234 and 244) as standard balanced amplifiers does not solve this problem. The final combiner on the output of the main final stage amplifier (234) would effectively isolate it from the dynamic inverted output impedance of the auxiliary final stage amplifier (244). The advantage that the Doherty design provides in scaling the load impedance seen by the main amplifier (130) would be lost.
Shown in FIG. 5 is a Doherty amplifier according to the invention. The driver amplifiers (232 and 242) are balanced or single ended as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The main final stage amplifier (234) comprises first and second main paired amplifiers (334 and 335) that are fed from a main power splitter (332). The auxiliary final stage amplifier (244) comprises first and second auxiliary paired amplifiers (344 and 345) that are fed from an auxiliary power splitter (342). The power splitters (332 and 342) comprise two outputs substantially 90° different in phase and equal in amplitude.
Reflections from both pairs of amplifiers (334 with 335 and 344 with 345) travel back through their associated power splitter (332 or 342 respectively). At the common input of the splitters the two reflected signal are out of phase by 180° and cancel each other out. At the terminated port of each splitter the pair of reflected signals are in phase and add together. They are then dissipated in the associated load resistor (333 or 343, respectively).
The outputs from the four amplifiers (334, 344, 335 and 345) are then paired so that they can be configured in the same way as in a known Doherty amplifier. That is each main amplifier (334 or 335) output is then connected on a corresponding auxiliary amplifier (344 or 345) output via a respective impedance inverter (250, 251). The circuitry before the amplifiers must maintain the phase offset required that ensures that the phase of each auxiliary amplifier (344 or 345) output must be delayed relative to the main amplifier (334 or 335) output that it is paired with, in order to compensate for the phase offset of the impedance inverters (250 and 251) that they later recombine through. Both main amplifiers (334 and 335) now continue to see an effective reduction in load impedance as the auxiliary amplifiers (344 and 345) turn on. The output powers, of both main amplifiers (334 and 335), increase with increased input power, while their efficiency is maintained.
The balancing configuration of the final stage amplifiers (234 and 244) is then completed using a combiner (252) after the common points (260 and 261), just prior to the last impedance transformer (280) and the load (170).
The combiner comprises first and second input ports and a output port. The combiner introduces a phase difference between the signals received at the input ports before combining them at the output port. The phase difference is opposite to that of the phase difference introduced by the auxiliary power splitter, ie −90° in this embodiment.
Shown in FIG. 6 is a further embodiment of a Doherty amplifier according to the invention. The principle of operation is similar to that of FIG. 5 except the driver amplifiers (232 and 242) comprise balanced pairs of amplifiers. The outputs of the amplifiers are connected to 90° power splitters as shown to reduce reflections between these amplifiers.
The output from the main and auxiliary driven amplifiers are connected to the main and auxiliary power splitters as previously described.
Two further embodiments are depicted in FIGS. 7 and 8, respectively. In these embodiments an impedance transformer 281 is connected in the main signal path immediately before the combiner 252, between the common node 260 connecting the main amplifier 334 and auxiliary amplifier 344 and the combiner 252. A corresponding impedance transformer 282 is connected in the auxiliary signal path immediately before the combiner 252, between the common node 261 connecting the main amplifier 335 and auxiliary amplifier 345 and the combiner 252.
The power splitter of these embodiments is a 3 dB coupler.
The transistors of these embodiments are GaAs transistors. In other embodiments the transistors can be silicon LDMOS, GaN and SiC. Any transistor technology is suitable provided the auxiliary amplifier (140) can appear as an approximate open circuit when it switches off.
In these embodiments the impedance inverters (150 and 280) are implemented as microstrip transmission lines. Inverter (150) is 38Ω and inverter (280) is 30.86Ω. Other formats and values are possible as the above values are specific to the embodiment described.
Surface mount stripline couplers are used as splitter/combiner elements. Again, other formats are possible.