An electrostatic latent image transferring apparatus applies a transferring bias to a transfer member in a transferring portion, wherein a transferring bias value is determined on the basis of a first detection result detected when the surface of the image bearing member which has passed a portion opposed to the developer carrying member when the developing bias is not applied passes the transferring portion, and a second detection result detected when the surface of the image bearing member which has passed the portion opposed to the developer carrying member when the transferring bias is applied passes the transferring portion.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer or a facsimile apparatus for effecting image forming by an electrophotographic process or the like, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus in which a visible image (toner image) developed on an image bearing member by an electrophotographic process or the like is transferred to a transfer medium such as an intermediate transfer member.
2. Related Background Art
Heretofore, for example, in an image forming apparatus for forming an image on an image bearing member by an electrophotographic process, in order to eliminate the influence of an environmental change or a fluctuation with time to thereby keep the quality of image stable, process control such as exposure amount adjustment and potential control has been effected at electrostatic latent image forming and developing steps, etc.
Also, recently, from the advantage that the use of such an intermediate transfer member as shown in FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings leads to the securability of transferability to various recording materials, instead of being directly transferred from an image bearing member to a recording material, there have been supplied in the market many image forming apparatuses using an intermediate transfer member. Such image forming apparatus using the intermediate transfer member have been proposed with the view of obtaining full-color image forming free of color misregister.
Briefly describing such an image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus is provided with a photosensitive drum 1 as an image bearing member driven in the direction of arrow at a predetermined peripheral speed, and around the photosensitive drum 1, there are disposed a corona charger 2 as primary charging means, first developing means 7, i.e., a black developing device BK which is a fixed developing apparatus, second developing means 8 which is a rotary developing apparatus carrying a magenta developing device M, a yellow developing device Y and a cyan developing device C thereon, an intermediate transfer member 9 and cleaning means 11.
The photosensitive drum 1 is first uniformly charged by the corona charger 2, and a light image of a predetermined color is scanned thereon by image exposing means 5 such as a laser beam exposing apparatus, whereby electrostatic latent image forming is effected.
A latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 1 is visualized into a toner image by one of the developing devices of the first developing means 7 and the second developing means 8.
This visualized toner image on the photosensitive drum 1 is transferred to the intermediate transfer member 9. That is, in this example, the intermediate transfer member 9 which is an intermediate transfer belt movably passed over supporting rollers 9a–9d is brought into contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 with a predetermined pressure force by a primary transfer roller 15 as primary transferring means at a nip section whereat it is moved substantially at the same speed and in the same direction as the photosensitive drum 1, and a voltage opposite in polarity to the charging polarity of the toner and primarily set in advance is applied to the primary transfer roller 15. Thereby, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 1 is transferred onto the intermediate transfer member 9.
The above-described process is repeated a plurality of times for each color, whereby a full-color image is formed on the intermediate transfer member 9. The full-color image formed on the intermediate transfer member 9 is collectively transferred to a recording material P by a secondary transfer roller 10 as secondary transferring means, whereby a full-color image is formed on the recording material P.
Heretofore, the intermediate transfer member 9 and the primary transfer roller 15, in order to suitably adjust the resistance values thereof, have been of a construction in which an electrically conductive substance such as carbon or a metal oxide is dispersed in an elastic material such as rubber.
Generally it is known in such material that the resistance value thereof fluctuates during manufacture and that the resistance value thereof greatly fluctuates with a change in the ambient environment.
When in such a situation, a primary transferring bias applied to the primary transfer roller 15 through the intermediate transfer member 9 is a constant voltage primarily set in advance as in the prior art, it is generally practiced to effect such control as makes a transfer voltage great and carry out the correction of the environment, for example, in a case where as under a low-temperature and low-humidity environment, the resistance of the intermediate transfer member 9 and the primary transfer roller 15 becomes high.
In order to achieve the optimization of such a transferring high voltage as described above, in the prior art, there has been proposed an adjusting method whereby a non-image portion potential area is formed on the photosensitive drum 1 in a pre-rotation section immediately before image forming so that a preset necessary current may be obtained for each environment, and at the timing whereat this non-image portion potential area has arrived at a position opposed to the primary transfer roller 15, a predetermined current is applied and a current-voltage characteristic is measured so that a necessary transferring current may be obtained, and on the basis of the measurement, a primary transferring high voltage during image forming is corrected. It is the substance described, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H8-194389.
However, in the process as described above wherein an image is formed on an image bearing member by a regular developing method by the use of a plurality of developing means, when dark portion potential (VD) and light portion potential (VL) on the image bearing member are controlled for each of the plurality of developing means so as to adjust developing contrast potential and non-image portion contrast potential, even if a voltage value is adjusted relative to the non-image portion potential, the dark portion potential (VD) at which the toner image is formed differs from one color to another and therefore, there has become necessary the correction control of the transferring voltage taking not only a constant voltage value in the non-image portion but also the set value of the dark portion potential (VD) into account, and this control has been complicated.
Also, the inventor has empirically confirmed the presence of the inconvenience that when a full-color image is to be formed on an image bearing member by the use of a plurality of developing means, if image forming is effected by the use of developing means of different developing types, for example, developing means of a magnetic non-contact developing type and developing means of a two-component developing type at a time, influences given to the image bearing member during developing (such as fog, adherence of a carrier and friction by contact given a peripheral speed ratio) differ and therefore, even if the same bias value is applied from a primary transferring high voltage source is applied to regions having received the influences of the respective developing means, there occurs the phenomenon that flowing voltage-current characteristics differ from one another.
Also, the inventor has confirmed that the above-described influences of the difference between the developing means upon the image bearing member are also affected by changes in an electrical characteristic by the environmental fluctuations of developers, the intermediate transfer member and the transfer roller.

Image forming apparatus with control of transfer charge


Electromagnetic energy absorbing, shrinkable tubing are formed of a conductive loaded resin-based material. The conductive loaded resin-based material has micron conductive powder(s), conductive fiber(s), or a combination of conductive powder and conductive fibers in a base resin host. The percentage by weight of the conductive powder(s), conductive fiber(s), or a combination thereof is between about 20% and 50% of the weight of the conductive loaded resin-based material. The micron conductive powders are formed from non-metals, such as carbon, graphite, that may also be metallic plated, or from metals such as stainless steel, nickel, copper, silver, that may also be metallic plated, or from a combination of non-metal, plated, or in combination with, metal powders. The micron conductor fibers preferably are of nickel plated carbon fiber, stainless steel fiber, copper fiber, or silver fiber.

(1) Field of the Invention
This invention relates to shrinkable tubing and, more particularly, to electromagnetic energy absorbing, shrinkable tubing molded of conductive loaded resin-based materials comprising micron conductive powders, micron conductive fibers, or a combination thereof, homogenized within a base resin when molded. This manufacturing process yields a conductive part or material usable within the EMF or electronic spectrum(s).
(2) Description of the Prior Art
Shrinkable tubing is used in the art to protect electrical wiring and/or connectors from electrical shorting as well as to protect from external factors such as moisture, contaminates, and corrosives. Heat shrink tubing is typically a polymer-based material, such as polyolefin, formed by a process of molding the material, irradiating the material to create polymer chain cross-linking, and then stretching the material at a moderate heat such that the material is plastic but not melted. In application, the shrinkable tubing is loosely placed over the wiring or connector and is then heated. This heat treatment energizes the cross-linked polymer bonds and causes the tubing to 'recover' to its pre-stretched dimensions. As a result, a tight tube covering is formed over the wiring, connector, or other object.
In addition to environmental protection, another consideration in electronics/electrical systems is electromagnetic interference (EMI). All electronics/electrical systems generate electromagnetic energy due to the movement of electrical charge within the circuit. This electromagnetic energy can be a useful feature, as in the transmission or reception of electromagnetic waves in radio communications. Conversely, electromagnetic energy emanating from a first source can adversely impact the performance of a second source. For example, high energy switching in an automotive ignition system can generate substantial electromagnetic energy emissions that can enter an automotive radio system and result in bad performance. In this case, the ignition emission is considered an electromagnetic interference (EMI) or radio frequency interference (RFI) onto the radio system.
Typically in the art of electrical/electronics systems, attempts are made to shield signal carrying wiring and/or connectors from EMI/RFI through the application of metal shielding structures. For example, a metal mesh sleeve is typically placed around a sensitive signal cable. This sleeve is then connected to ground. Where environmental protection is further desired, shrinkable tubing is additionally placed around the metal mesh sleeve and then heat recovered to complete the shielding and protection application. It is a primary objective of the present invention to provide an improved shrinkable material capable both of environmental protection and of enhanced EMI protection.
Several prior art inventions relate to shrinkable tubing and/or to electromagnetic shielding structures. U.S. Patent Publication US 2002/0037376 A1 to Fenton teaches a heat shrinkable article for shielding against EMI and RFI. U.S. Patent Publication US 2003/0186602 A1 to Millas et al teaches a heat-shrinkable EMI/RF shielding material that utilizes a heat-shrinkable woven fabric coated in a conductive slurry. This invention also teaches constructing the heat-shrinkable woven fabric construction of a mixture of polyolefin and polyester. U.S. Pat. No. 6,005,191 to Tzeng et al teaches a heat-shrinkable jacket for EMI shielding comprising an inner layer of electrically-conductive mesh or fabric covered by an outer layer of a heat-shrinkable polymeric material selected from a group consisting of rubbers, polyolefins, polyamides, polycarbonates, polyesters, and the like.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,064,000 to Kim teaches a heat-shrinkable shielding tube that utilizes an inner layer of metallized fabric that overlaps itself so that the inner longitudinal edge is in direct contact with the outer longitudinal edge and, further, wrapped in an outer layer of a heat shrinkable material. U.S. Pat. No. 5,972,139 to Chu teaches a thermally shrinkable and electromagnetic wave proof tube that utilizes a sleeve of woven soft zinc coated copper wires where the sleeve is placed inside or outside a thermally shrinkable plastic tube. U.S. Pat. No. 4,555,422 to Nakamura et al teaches a heat-shrinkable magnetic shielding article comprising an inner layer of a polymeric material containing a powdery ferrite and an outer layer of a heat shrinkable thermoplastic polymeric material. This invention teaches 10% to 90% ferrite based on the total weight of the inner layer. U.S. Pat. No. 6,410,848 B1 to Shrader et al teaches a side entry heat shrinkable cable jacket that utilizes a conductive fabric inner layer if EMI shielding is desired.

Low cost electromagnetic energy absorbing, shrinkable tubing manufactured from conductive loaded resin-based materials


Nested hierarchies can be efficiently analyzed by normalizing a portion of the hierarchy as defined by a limiting factor for the hierarchy. In a project hierarchy wherein each project contains a task hierarchy, each task hierarchy can be normalized. Further, the projects can be assigned to levels such that data for each level can be indexed, partitioned, or otherwise differentiated. The data then can be efficiently rolled up by level using the partially normalized hierarchy.

For many business and other applications, there is a need to report, query, or otherwise analyze hierarchical groupings of data. For example, a business need in project performance reporting is to support hierarchical groupings of projects, and to support the rollup of financial information for those hierarchies. As shown in FIG. 1(a), a user at a computer 104 or workstation might request a report indicating revenue for a given project, the request being passed through a network 102 to a business applications or other such server 106 which is able to extract the financial information from at least one appropriate database 108 and generate a report to be transmitted via the network to the user computer. Each of the projects in the hierarchical project grouping itself can contain a task hierarchy, such as a strict tree structure consisting of a set of individual tasks, wherein each task has only one parent task. Further, the top task in a hierarchy only has one parent node, namely the respective project, which can have its own data as well as multiple parents. Each task also can be linked to another project, which in turn can contain another task hierarchy. The projects themselves also can be arranged in a hierarchy, which further can allow for a project to not only have multiple children but also to have multiple parents and siblings in the structure as known in the art. It is then necessary to figure out how to allocate the information for these tasks between the various associated projects and tasks. For example, a task reporting revenue may need to be rolled up into multiple different tasks in its project, and the project containing that task may further need to be rolled up into other projects. It is desirable to be able to report, for example, the revenue amounts against any project into which a project or task rolls up. Thus, the overall structure is a nested hierarchy, as the project hierarchy can contain multiple hierarchies of tasks. These tasks further need to be able to rollup appropriately across the entire hierarchy. As the need for improved performance increases, existing approaches to hierarchy-wide rollups are no longer sufficient.
The overall project data model thus can be construed as a "tree" structure of projects, wherein each project itself includes a tree structure of tasks. As shown in the exemplary hierarchy 150 of FIG. 1(b), a project at the top of the hierarchy, such as project P1 or P2, has no ancestors, but can have multiple descendents, such as projects P3 and P4. For each of the projects that has descendants, one business need is to report the data of all the projects and tasks that are descendents of that project. Each project can have an arbitrary number of tasks and an arbitrary number of descendents.
Typically, information about such hierarchies is stored in a table consisting of links, indicating which tasks are linked to which other tasks. For example, a table for the project hierarchy 150 depicted in FIG. 1(b) would indicate that task T3 in project P2 has a link to parent task T1 and a link to child task T4. The link from one project to another project can be stored as a link from a task in the first project directly to the second project. For example, a table for the links depicted in FIG. 1(b) would indicate that task T6 in project P2 has a link to project P4.
A prior approach to obtaining the necessary rollup information was to "normalize" the link information into another table such that a single scan or query on a task in the normalized table returns all of the descendants or ancestors for that task. For a normalized table of the links for the project hierarchy 150 of FIG. 1(b), a query on task T2 of project P4 (i.e., P4.T2) can return tasks P4.T1, P2.T6, P2.T4, P2.T3 and P2.T1. When doing a rollup, then, the amount of each task is obtained, and the task is joined to this table such that for each task and its descendants the amount that needs to be reported against that task can be determined. However, this normalized table is exponential in size with the total number of tasks, or depth of the hierarchy, as the normalized table will have to list all the ancestors of each task. It is also exponential in the number of "levels" in the project hierarchy, and thus does not scale. To obtain all the data of the descendents of a task thus would only take a single scan, but the single scan would be on a table that grows exponentially and thus does not provide a scalable project hierarchical reporting solution.
In another prior approach which does not utilize a normalized table, data from descendents is retrieved by going directly to the table that stores links between tasks of a tree in a flat list. A recursive query then is performed on the task links, using multiple joins to obtain all descendants of a task. The query thus can run as a loop until all data is obtained. For reporting purposes, the recursive query needs to be run for each task in each project in the hierarchy, which results in exponential run-time. Furthermore, recursive queries on large data volumes consume a lot of memory, thus not providing an efficient project hierarchical reporting solution.

Nested hierarchical rollups by level using a normalized table


According to one embodiment, a spring assembly includes: a substrate; a coil spring having an end turn portion fixed to the substrate; an inner wall provided at an inner peripheral side of the coil spring; and an outer wall provided at an outer peripheral side of the coil spring, wherein one of the inner wall and the outer wall forms a spring fixing wall configured to prevent the end turn portion of the coil spring from coming off in an axial direction of the coil spring, and wherein the other of the inner wall and the outer wall forms a support wall configured to prevent the end turn portion of the coil spring from moving in a radial direction of the coil spring.

1. Field of the Invention
An aspect of the present invention relates to a spring assembly to be used as, for example, a return spring for a multi-plate clutch piston in a clutch mechanism of an automatic transmission of an automobile.
2. Description of the Related Art
JP-2005-024003-A discloses a spring assembly including two annular plates and plural coil springs interposed between the two annular plates. In the spring assembly, an end turn portion (end portion) of the coil spring is inserted into a cylindrical projecting portion extending from each annular plate, and then a distal opening edge of the cylindrical projecting portion is flared to stake (fix) the end turn portion of the coil spring to the cylindrical projecting portion of the annular plate.
In the spring assembly, when a large axial tensile force acts on the coil spring, the end turn portion of the coil spring may be expanded to climb over the distal opening edge of the cylindrical projecting portion, and the coil spring may come off the annular plate.
In a spring assembly disclosed in JP-UM-S61-112139-A, a coil spring has an end turn portion broadened in a radial direction as compared with a second-stage (or higher-stage) turn. For example, the end turn portion of the coil spring is inserted into a cylindrical boss extended from a substrate, and a stepped cover is attached onto the substrate, thereby sandwiching the end turn portion of the coil spring broadened in the radial direction by the stepped cover and the substrate in an axial direction.
In the spring assembly of JP-UM-S61-112139-A, the end turn portion of the coil spring may not come off the substrate. However, since the end turn portion of the coil spring is broadened in the radial direction and the stepped cover is provided in addition to the substrate and coil spring, the manufacturing process is cumbersome and complicated.

Spring assembly and manufacturing method therefor


One or more tangible, non-transitory, machine-readable media including instructions that cause a processor to receive a signal indicative of a residue coverage on a surface of an agricultural field from a sensor, and the sensor is positioned behind a harvester system relative to a direction of travel. The instructions also cause the processor to determine the residue coverage on the surface of the agricultural field based on the signal, and the residue coverage includes a percentage of the agricultural field that is covered by residue. Further, the instructions cause the processor to control a residue control system based on the residue coverage.

The present disclosure relates generally to a system and method for monitoring residue output from a harvester.
Generally, a harvester system processes agricultural crops, collects agricultural products from the crops, and deposits residue from the crops on an agricultural field as the harvester system passes through the agricultural field. Harvester systems typically include a chopper to break the residue down into smaller pieces before depositing the residue onto the field. The crop residue may decay in the agricultural field, thereby returning nutrients to the agricultural field. The properties of the crop residue in the agricultural field (e.g., size of the pieces of residue, percentage of the agricultural field that is covered by the residue, thickness of the residue coverage, and an evenness of the spread of the crop residue, etc.) may affect the amount of nutrients returned to the agricultural field. However, if the properties are not good and/or the properties are not known, the crop yield for a subsequent harvest may be reduced.

System and method for monitoring residue output from a harvester


New, effective and non-toxic compounded henna based hair dyes that are non-toxic, natural and hypoallergenic that provide an alternative to conventional hair color. The products are made using 100% Green Chemistry and do not utilize encapsulation.

For centuries the use of hair coloring was restricted to the fashion needs of a privileged few and was dictated by necessity to hide gray hair. Today a lot of people, both women and man, use hair coloring to change their appearance. There are several reasons for this: to hide white hair, to lighten hair color and add additional highlights, to remove the yellow look from grey hair, enhance natural color, etc.
From a technical standpoint, extensive laboratory and research work is essential because of the diverse problems to be solved. The indiscriminate use of certain colorants may have dermatological and toxicological side effects. It is well known that hair dyes are subject for large studies in the field of allergology. Specific classes of dyes like direct and oxidative dyes, also known as Paraphenilene Diamine dyes, are known allergens and suspected carcinogens and genotoxins. (Charles Zviak, The Science of Hair Care, Marcel Dekker, 1986, p.235-240).
Although hair coloring using natural dyes is mentioned in most ancient documents, the development of new natural plant based hypoallergenic hair coloring systems remains a scientific and technological challenge. Most common are hair dye compositions based on henna. According to Zviak, henna is a natural product and generally does not have any side effects. The henna leaves are dried and crushed into powder and applied as a paste with hot water. Henna is typically produces auburn and brown-orange colors. However, henna does have a number of major drawbacks, such as complicated preparation and application, unleveled shades, incompatibility with other hair dyes and treatments, etc. Therefore, henna was almost completely replaced with synthetic hair dyes.
Recently henna has been regarded as a "back to nature" alternative for home use and by many hairdressers.
As early as 1907 improvements in henna dyes were attempted and were based on hair lacquers using phenol compounds such as pyrogallol and nickel, iron, copper, cobalt, or lead salts in the presence of reducing salt and a medium containing henna. These compounds produced full range of colors.
However, the disadvantages of hair dyes containing metallic salts are numerous. Most of them are toxic to some extent, and their use is strictly regulated. They nearly always create a dull, leaden color with a flat metallic appearance. Moreover, the metal fixed on the hair shaft acts as a catalyst, causing an abrupt breakdown of the hydrogen peroxide in bleaching products or permanent wave fixers resulting in significant hair damage
(C. Zviak, p. 241). Compounded henna remains the only natural alternative to conventional hair color.
Therefore, development of new non-toxic natural hypoallergenic alternatives to conventional hair color remains a scientific and technological challenge. Discovery of mild, non-toxic ingredients for compounded henna compositions can theoretically solve problems of color appearance, toxicity, application, and compatibility with other treatments.
The patent literature describes the enhancement of conventional oxidative dye composition with henna (or enhancement of so-called black henna). In U.S. Pat. No. 6,139,853, the solid hair colorant composition described comprises a 10-35% p-phenilenediamine based oxidative formula also containing non-oxidative dyes like HC Blue 2 and HC Yellow 12 and 25-70% neutral henna. While the disclosed colorant contains henna and is more convenient to use in comparison to regular henna, it still contains p-phenilenediamine that is not suitable for people with allergic reactions to p-phenilenediamine.
A similar composition, described in US 20060010618, discloses Myristine Africana plant parts used in an oxidative (p-phenilenediamine) based formula.
DE4402203 describes hair dyeing compositions containing ginseng and plant based dye as a temporary color.
JP4013611 A2 describes a hair coloring composition based on freeze-dried plants such as Acacia Shikouka and mordanting metals like Fe, Cr, Mn, or Sn.
JP2872385 B2 describes combination of oxidative dyeing agent, vegetable dyeing agent and quaternary ammonium salt.
A similar composition is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,183,366 where 75-95% henna powder is mixed with non-ionic surfactant and 0.5-5.0 of a quaternary salt. Both patents describe a more convenient application procedure. However, there is no mention of durability and/or coloring palette improvement.
DE4201749 A1 describes compositions utilizing Alkanna root but only for graphite gray color.
DE19600225 A1 describes hair dyeing compositions based on utilization of oils and liquid waxes in a mixture of natural and synthetic dyes.
WO2007130777 A3 describes a composition of Acid Blue 74 and Mordant Red11 and combination of encapsulated mordant and natural dye extract. This composition does not seem to be practical due to low core payload possible because of the encapsulation technique.
US20030145395 describes hairdressing compositions of henna, tannin, catechin, gardenia, lac, annatto, brazilin and turmeric based pigments providing wide range of colors. However, the mordants described in this patent, like white lead and antimony white, can possess toxicological risks. Also, the scalp staining is the probable cause of using titanium and zinc oxides to inhibit the coloring process.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,186,279 describes a black dye comprising of Juglas Regia, Indigofera Tinktoria, Acacia Accocina, Lawsonia Interims, and hair coloring mordant based on natural tannins. While the composition is described as nontoxic and safe, it results in only one color—black, which is not practical for the modern hair coloring industry.
The use of mordants is well known in the leather and textile industry and has been employed for centuries as a vegetable dye coloring method. However, the use of mordants has been limited in recent years because of their generally high toxicity. The most common mordants are salts of chromium and are still used in the leather industry, although rarely. Other mordants include salts of aluminum and copper which also possess both toxicological and environmental concern (Joseph Rivlin, The Dyeing of Textile Fibers, PCT&S, Philadelphia, 1992, p. 30-52, H.S. Freeman & A.T. Peters, Colorants for Non-Textile Applications, Elsevier, 2000, pp. 382-449) but are still in use in some textile and leather applications.
The mordant's function is to form a complex between a polyvalent metal salt and a dye. The application of a mordant traditionally requires at least two steps and often includes a pre- or post treatment as well. The reaction between mordants and dyes is virtually instantaneous, making it necessary to apply them separately. This is a significant disadvantage of the mordanting technique because scalp staining can occur due to the fast reaction between mordant and dye.
A desirable quality to incorporate into a mordant-dye system for coloring human hair would be to provide time delay in this reaction for several reasons. First, to decrease scalp staining which occurs during the instantaneous reaction between dye and mordant on both scalp and hair. Second, to make the system more convenient and give stylist or home user an opportunity to adjust the color and its depth. Third, to save time and make this application as convenient as a regular hair coloring process.
Copper sulfate has been known as a mordant for centuries. Its limitations of application in industries like textiles are limited due to harmful ecological effects (Rivlin p. 108-109) and toxicity. For the same reasons, copper sulfate did not find applicable use in hair coloring applications. However, copper based or mordanted dye compositions applied on textiles exhibit valuable qualities like broad range of colors, light and weather fastness and durability of color (Rivlin p. 108-109).
However, some copper salts such as lactic, acetic, tartaric, succinic and gluconic acids, in particular ones made from renewable plant based sources, are not only considered to be non-toxic but are also used as a dietary and food supplements. Copper is involved in numerous biochemical reactions in human cells and is a component of multiple enzymes, is involved with the regulation of gene expression, mitochondrial function/cellular metabolism, connective tissue formation, as well as the absorption, storage, and metabolism of iron.
Copper levels are tightly regulated in the body. Copper deficiency can occur in infants fed only cow-milk formulas (which are relatively low in copper content), premature/low-birth weight infants and in adults causing cystic fibrosis. Medicinal use of copper compounds dates to Hippocrates in 400 B.C. Bacterial growth is inhibited on copper's surface, and hospitals historically installed copper-alloy doorknobs and push-panels as a measure to prevent transmission of infectious disease. (Paul Coates et al., Encyclopedia of Dietary Supplements, 2005, Marcel Decker, pp.133-141).
The direct application of copper salts of lactic, acetic, tartaric, maleic, glycinic, succinic and gluconic acids in natural henna based compounding is not found in the art.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,087,255 discloses copper salts application in chewing gums as a dietary supplement, in particular copper gluconates and lactates. Copper Gluconate is disclosed as a suntan accelerator and skin protectant during sun tanning (U.S. Pat. No. 5,075,102). Similar application is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,698,184. Copper Gluconate was proposed to increase melagenesis (darkening of skin and hair) as a part of sun tanning composition as an alternative to DHA (U.S. Pat. No. 6,696,417). U.S. Pat. No. 6,428,580 describes use of Copper Gluconate as a part of oxidizing system for perms.
Hair dyes known as dry henna (compounded henna) contain metallic salts in order to provide a right color. Most salts are heavy metals. Most of them are toxic to some extent, and their use is strictly regulated. Compounded henna nearly always creates a dull, leaden color with a flat metallic appearance. Despite all the detriments, compounded henna remains to be the only natural alternative to conventional hair color.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,550,014 entitles "Composition for dyeing keratin fibers and a method of dyeing hair using same" is limited to encapsulation and one part system only.
Copper Gluconate is mentioned but it is known that encapsulation of water soluble salts is very difficult and in many cases impractical. The maximum theoretical payload of encapsulated material can be no more than 10%.
Active copper content in Copper Gluconate can not be more than 12.4% based on molecular weight. In order to achieve concentrations mentioned in this patent (0.01-5%) the disclosed formula has to contain 620% of Copper Gluconate encapsulated to obtain 5% of active copper. It is impossible since maximum concentration of ingredients in formula can be only 100%. At 50% of encapsulate in formula there is 0.4% of active copper and there is not enough room for other ingredients, i.e. water as it is known that aqueous dyes can not produce color without sufficient water.
At 5% of encapsulate in the formula of this patents composition, the composition can deliver only 0.04% of active copper. At this concentration, color can not be developed due to very low concentration of mordant, i.e. Copper Gluconate. Practical concentrations around 0.5-5% of active copper cannot be achieved by encapsulation techniques.
Therefore, development of a non-toxic natural hypoallergenic alternative to conventional hair color which does not exhibit these detrimental effects remains a scientific and technological challenge and it is an object of this invention to provide a hypoallergenic alternative to conventional hair color which does not exhibit these detrimental effects.
Therefore, it is an object of this disclosure to provide final products that can be made using 100% Green Chemistry.
It is an object of this disclosure to provide final products that do not utilize encapsulation.
It is an object of this disclosure to provide new, effective and non-toxic compounded henna based hair dyes.

Henna and vegetable dye based compositions for coloring of human hair


The present invention provides an apparatus for connecting two pairs of conductors and one pair of ground wires and for allowing separation of the same upon the application of a tensional force upon at least one of the conductors or ground wires. The apparatus comprises two plates that each defines three holes configured to receive two conductors and a ground wire, wherein the plates are positioned adjacent to each other such that the respective holes in each plate are aligned such that the conductors and ground wires coming from each plate would be in physical contact. Three connectors hold the plates together. The first two connectors are configured to release the plates upon the application of a tensional force on the conductors or ground wires before the third connector releases the plates, thereby separating the conductors before separating the ground wires. Another embodiment addresses the same in multi-service connections.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to electric power lines. More specifically, the invention relates to an apparatus and method for mechanically and electrically disconnecting a service drop power line.
2. Description of Related Art
Power outages not only inconvenience utility customers but may severely damage the utility company's service hardware and any structure attached to the utility lines, as well as creating a hazard with the possibility of dropping a live electrical wire. When such damage occurs, it is often costly for the utility company to repair and replace parts but also costly when such damage causes long delays in restoring power service.
For power outages stemming from the utility companies' efforts to increase energy transmission over existing transmission and distribution lines, some companies have replaced existing conductors with larger ones. This may cause the towers holding such conductors to structurally fail because larger mechanical loads have been imposed upon these towers than intended by their original design. When the towers do fail, the failure may damage or destroy a number of towers, which may cause long delays in restoring power service. To avoid replacing towers to handle the larger loads imposed, various load limiters have been implemented to limit the horizontal component of force to which the tower is subjected. These load limiters allow the power line to drop to the ground when the a particular amount of force is exceeded, thereby avoiding damage to the tower. However, some of these load limiters release the power line prematurely or fail to release the power line after the set amount of force is exceeded. In addition, once the load limiter releases the power line, the entire device must be replaced since the load limiter is not reusable, which is a costly and time consuming ordeal.
A significant number of power outages, however, occur at the service end of the residential power delivery system, i.e., at the service drop power line from the utility transmission or distribution line to a customer's building. For example, such outages may be caused by trees or branches falling on the service drop power line connected to the customer's building. When the tree limb falls on the service drop power line, there is a sudden increase in the tension that may result in damage to the structure and service hardware attached to the building or to the structure and service hardware attached to the utility pole. For example, tension on a service drop power line may pull the standpipe off of the building roof or side and may structurally damage the roof or side as well. Further, tension on the service drop power line may cause damage to a transformer located on the service pole. Moreover, should the service drop power line disconnect from the building, the resulting power line, which could be laying on the ground, may still be energized, thereby causing a potentially dangerous situation. Therefore, there is a need for an improved device to disconnect power lines upon the application of a force sufficient to cause damage to structurally components attached to or holding the power line. Further, there is a need for an improved device with the ability to disconnect one or more multiple power lines in a system having multiple service drop power lines, without disconnecting other non-stressed power lines.

Method for electrically and mechanically connecting and disconnecting a power line


The present invention describes a method including: providing a substrate, the substrate including a first region and a second region; forming a multilayer mirror over the substrate; forming a phase-shifter layer over the multilayer mirror; forming a capping layer over the phase-shifter layer; removing the capping layer and the phase-shifter layer in the second region; illuminating the first region and the second region with EUV light; and reflecting the EUV light off the first region and the second region. The present invention also describes a structure including: a substrate, the substrate including a first region and a second region; a multilayer mirror located over the first region and the second region; a phase-shifter layer located over the multilayer mirror in the region; an intensity balancer layer located over the multilayer mirror in the second region; and a capping layer located over the phase-shifter layer in the first region and over the intensity balancer layer in the second region.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) manufacturing, and more specifically, to a phase-shifting mask for extreme ultraviolet (EUV) photolithography and a method of forming a phase-shifting mask for EUV photolithography.
2. Discussion of Related Art
In 1965, Gordon Moore first observed that the number of devices per area on an integrated circuit (IC) chip doubled approximately every 18 months. For over 3 decades, the semiconductor industry has managed to achieve the rate of increase in device density projected by Moore's Law by developing many new designs and new processes. Significant improvements in doping, deposition, and etch have enhanced the precision that concentration, depth, and thickness can be controlled across the IC chip.
In the past, scaling of the chip has been accomplished by shrinking the dimensions of the devices in the substrate as well as the dimensions of the interconnections between the devices. Thus, a continual enhancement in photolithography has contributed to repeated reductions in a critical dimension (CD) that can be successfully patterned in a feature on a device.
According to the Rayleigh criterion, the minimum CD which can be resolved by an imaging system is directly proportional to a wavelength of the radiation, or light, from the illumination source and inversely proportional to a numerical aperture (NA) of the projection optics. The NA is the product of a refractive index (n) and the sine of the convergence angle (theta).
The wavelength of light used for exposure of photoresist depends on the available illumination source and has been decreased over time from 436 nanometers (nm) to 365 nm (both being ultraviolet or UV light), and, subsequently, to 248 nm and then to 193 nm (both being deep ultraviolet or DUV light). The NA of the projection optics has been steadily increased up to about 0.85.
However, as device dimensions continue to shrink, the fundamental limitations of optics will play increasingly larger roles. In particular, diffraction will degrade an aerial image produced by the imaging system when the CD becomes smaller than the exposure, or actinic, wavelength. Consequently, wavefront engineering using resolution enhancement techniques (RETs) may be needed to achieve a sufficiently wide process latitude in the sub-actinic regime.
A phase-shifting mask (PSM) is a type of RET. Unlike a conventional binary mask that only modulates amplitude of light, a PSM also modulates phase of light to use interference to mitigate the detrimental effects of diffraction and enhance resolution of the optics.
In the future, the exposure wavelength will be decreased to even shorter wavelengths, including extreme ultraviolet or EUV light. However, the EUV optics have lower NA than the DUV optics that are currently in use so RETs may have to be employed.
Thus, what is needed is a phase-shifting mask for EUV photolithography and a method of forming such a phase-shifting mask for EUV photolithography.

Forming an EUV mask with a phase-shifter layer and an intensity balancer layer


An image display apparatus includes a filter which obtains low-frequency image data from input image data, a multiplier which multiplies the low-frequency image data obtained by the filter by a predetermined ratio, and a subtracter which subtracts, from the input image data, the low-frequency image data multiplied by the predetermined ratio to obtain high-frequency image data. In addition, a display control unit displays, in alternate order, the low-frequency image data and the high-frequency image data, and an adjustment unit adjusts the predetermined ratio so as to set a flicker of an image displayed by the display control unit to a predetermined level.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image processing technique of appropriately controlling a flicker in a moving image.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many movie contents are produced at a frame frequency of 24 Hz. However, if such a movie content is displayed directly at a period of 24 Hz, the viewers perceive blink with the same period as 24 Hz, that is, a 24-Hz flicker very strongly, and accordingly suffer video quality degradation and fatigue.
To prevent this, conventionally, light is projected to a single frame on a film twice at equal intervals so that a single image is displayed twice at an equal interval. Since the two times of display are done at an equal interval, video display at a period of 48 Hz is obtained.
This operation is implemented by a so-called Geneva mechanism. The Geneva mechanism includes film feed that temporarily stops in each frame, and a disk shutter for +2 times lighting in synchronism with the film feed (for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,183,087 and 6,513,932). The 24-Hz flicker is not observed in this mechanism.
Instead, a 48-Hz flicker is newly perceived. The 48-Hz flicker that replaces the 24-Hz flicker largely improves the viewers' fatigue and suffering. However, it is a fact that the 48-Hz flicker still remains, and most people recognize it.
Electronic displays that mainly aim to display TV broadcasting have gone through evolution on condition that the frame frequency of display matches that of TV broadcasting. More specifically, the frame frequency is 60 Hz in regions where NTSC is adopted, and 50 Hz in regions of PAL/SECAM.
Since the frame frequency of many movie contents is 24 Hz, TV broadcasting of movie contents does not succeed because of the difference in frame frequency. To solve this problem, for example, in the NTSC regions, a video having a period of 24 Hz is replaced with a video of 60-Hz period by a 3-2 pull-down method. The video of 60-Hz period is broadcast and directly displayed on an electronic display of 60-Hz period.
A DVD or Video CD also supplies a video that has undergone the 3-2 pull-down processing, and an electronic display displays it as an image of 60-Hz period.
Some recent DVDs or blu-ray disks are made assuming the 24-Hz period to directly express the atmosphere of 24-Hz movies. According to this method, instead of providing data having undergone the 3-2 pull-down processing as video information, the original video of 24-Hz period is provided and subjected to the 3-2 pull-down processing at the time of playback, thereby attaining a higher saving efficiency as recording media. This method is suitable for playing back a 24-Hz content without converting it (in fact, the content is played back at a period of 48 Hz as in a theater).
The present invention proposes a technique of displaying a 24-Hz content on an electronic display at a period of 48 Hz in an atmosphere as close as possible to a theater where a movie projector is used.
For example, there are conventionally the following methods of this type.    (1) A hold-type liquid crystal display or the like directly displays a 24-Hz movie content at a frame rate of 24 Hz.    (2) For example, an impulse-type display device simply doubles the frame rate of 24 Hz to display a content at 48 Hz.    (3) The frame rate is simply multiplied by four to display a content at 96 Hz.
These will be referred to as conventional display methods (1), (2), and (3) hereinafter.
However, a flicker or a double image that is usually supposed to be a detrimental effect has already become one of expression techniques of so-called film movies for a long time, and the detrimental effect itself has been accepted by viewers as atmosphere of movies. Some videos are created even in consideration of such expression.
Against this backdrop, there is a demand for a method of appropriately reproducing a flicker or a double image.
However, the above-described conventional display methods (1), (2), and (3) are not necessarily capable of display in the same atmosphere as in screening film movies in theaters. "Same atmosphere" means whether the above-described 48-Hz flicker can appropriately be reproduced, or whether a double image in visual tracking can be reproduced as in a movie.
To reproduce appropriate flickers as in a movie in a general viewing environment (for example, in a living room) where, for example, the screen size, angle of view, and ambient brightness are different from a theater, it is necessary to adjust and change at least the flicker level by image processing.
In the conventional display method (1), neither the 24-Hz flicker nor the 48-Hz flicker occurs fundamentally, or the flickers occur in a very small amount. Hence, the atmosphere of a theater cannot appropriately be reproduced.
The conventional display method (2) is the same as the projector in a theater in simply doubling the frame rate to display a content at 48 Hz. However, although the display duty is about 50% in screening in a theater, as described above, it is often, for example, 10% or less in an impulse-type display device. In this case, for example, when the amplitude is adjusted to equalize the average luminance, the amplitude of the 48-Hz fundamental component increases to 1.5 times or more than at a display duty of 50%. The 48-Hz flicker also increases to 1.5 times or more. That is, the conventional display method (2) cannot reproduce the atmosphere of a theater because the 48-Hz flicker is too large.
The conventional display method (3) raises the frame rate to 96 Hz so that the frequency component of the flicker falls outside the range detectable by human eye. This is generally welcomed but inappropriate from the viewpoint of reproducing the flicker expression in a theater. In addition, since the frame rate is simply multiplied by four, visual tracking yields not a double image as in a theater but a quadruple image. It is also inappropriate in a sense of reproducing the atmosphere of screening in a theater.

Image display apparatus having flicker control and method of controlling the same


A tripod constant velocity universal joint includes among others an inner joint member having a boss 22 and journals 24 radially protruding from the boss, a radius of curvature R1 as viewed in a cross section of a journal bottom part 23 connecting the boss 22 to the journal 24 and as measured at opposing locations in a circumferential direction of the joint is larger than a radius of curvature R2 of the journal bottom part as viewed in its cross section and as measured at opposing locations in an axial direction of the joint and R1 gradually decreases down to R2.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a tripod constant velocity universal joint for use in a drivetrain of an automobile, for example, for transmission of torque with constant angular velocity between two rotary axes at any angle and allowing axial displacement.
2. Description of the Background Art
Generally, a tripod constant velocity universal joint comprises an outer joint member adapted to be connected to a first rotary shaft for transmission of torque and having three, circumferentially equispaced, axially extending track grooves formed in an inner circumference thereof, an inner joint member having a boss adapted to be connected to a second rotary shaft for transmission of torque and three circumferentially equispaced journals radially protruding from the boss, and rollers interposed between the outer joint member and the inner joint member to transmit torque.
In the tripod constant velocity universal joint, there is a high possibility that a journal bottom part is a weakest part of the inner joint member in strength. Japanese unexamined patent publication 2004-257418 discloses a tripod constant velocity universal joint of so-called double roller type in which an outer roller rolls in parallel to a track groove to realize reduction in weight and size while maintaining the strength of the inner joint member.
The tripod constant velocity universal joint described in Japanese unexamined patent publication 2004-257418 is characterized in that the journal bottom part of the inner joint member is of a non-circular cross section with a diameter measured circumferentially of the joint being larger than a diameter measured axially of the joint. Thus, reduction in size, weight and costs of the joint can be realized while maintaining the strength of the journal bottom part as a possible weakest part of a trunnion in strength.

Tripod constant velocity universal joint


A storage medium which stores catalog information and a catalog information playback apparatus and method therefor. Using the method, catalog information including a still picture and additional information together with audio data are recorded on a storage medium such as a digital versatile disk (DVD), which is an optical record storage medium, and the catalog information is played back during playback of the audio data, to thereby provide various information on the audio data. Also, the apparatus includes a buffer memory for catalog playback which maintains a predetermined standard and compatibility, and is capable of real-time reading during playback of the audio data, and automatically plays back the catalog content, corresponding to the playback state of the audio data, when there is no additional selection of a user.

This application claims the benefit of Korean Application No. 98-7525, filed Mar. 6, 1998, in the Korean Patent Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a field of optical recording and/or playback, and more particularly, to a storage medium storing audio data and catalog information related to the audio data and an apparatus and method for playing back catalog information.
2. Description of the Related Art
In an optical recording and/or playback apparatus in which a digital versatile disk (DVD) is used as a storage medium, a catalog function, and an apparatus or method for performing the catalog function has not been proposed.
Here, the contents of the audio include the record contents, the composer, the artist and/or performer, etc. Particularly, the catalog is additional data for illustrating the contents of the audio which is main data recorded on the storage medium, including such additional information as still pictures and captions as video information.
The catalog information which is played back in a playback apparatus having a video decoder, preferably, has an inspecting function for reading the desired contents of the catalog, without interfering with the playback of the audio.
It is also preferable that the catalog information can be easily manufactured using an established editing system for DVD-Video.
In order to satisfy the above-described conditions, two types of information, i.e., audio and catalog data, which perform different functions in a storage medium must be simultaneously played back. Thus, even when the audio data is played back at the maximum transmission speed of the playback apparatus, a predetermined amount of the catalog information must have already been played back and stored in a temporary storage, so that both the audio and the catalog contents can be simultaneously played back.
That is, when the storage medium, in which information for forming the catalog is stored, is inserted into a driver, a player or an editor, the catalog information stored in the storage medium is read and stored in a temporary storage, i.e., a memory, to be output in the form of an image if necessary. Here, in order to store the catalog information read from the storage medium, in the memory, the image size must be defined, and further a method for effectively using the memory must be provided.
It is also preferable that navigation information, which has been proposed in the DVD-Video, i.e., search information added to the catalog information such that a user can search an arbitrary catalog page, and a specification for processing the search information be provided. Further, an editing system manufacturing a catalog corresponding to the specification shares with an editing system according to the DVD-Video specification.
Here, the DVD-Read Only Memory (ROM) is a record medium defined by the physical specification of Part 1 of a DVD specification for a read-only disk produced by Toshiba Corporation and other companies (the DVD forum) in August, 1996 and the file system specification of Part 2 thereof. Also, the DVD-video means video edited by an image information recording method defined by the video specification of Part 3 thereof or a DVD-ROM disk in which the video is recorded.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a storage medium for storing catalog information to satisfy the above-described conditions.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a playback apparatus and method for reading desired catalog contents from catalog information related to audio data, while the audio data stored in a DVD disk is played back.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for automatically accessing the location of the catalog using real-time playback information extracted from audio data to be played back without a command to read the catalog in a predetermined location, while audio data stored in a DVD disk is played back.
Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.
Accordingly, to achieve the above and other objects of the present invention, there is provided a storage medium randomly accessible and storing audio data and catalog information which is related to the audio data and stored in a predetermined region of the storage medium.
The catalog information playback apparatus includes storing means storing audio data and catalog information from the storage medium in which audio data, catalog information formed of information related to the audio data, and catalog playback information connecting the audio data and the catalog information to each other during playback are stored, a video decoder providing an image restored by decoding the catalog information and additional information, an audio decoder providing audio signals restored by decoding the audio data, and a controller controlling playback of catalog information corresponding to a selection of a user and the catalog playback information.
The method for playing back data recorded on the storage medium storing audio data, catalog information related to the audio data, and catalog playback information connecting the audio data and the catalog information to each other during playback includes playing back the catalog information corresponding to the catalog playback information; and playing back the audio data corresponding to the played back catalog information.

Storage medium storing catalog information and apparatus and method for playing back catalog information


A control circuit determines a reception parameter for an RFID tag that is attached to an object (such as an ice pack) and then determines a frozen state of the object as a function of that reception parameter. By one approach the RFID tag provides a transmission to support the aforementioned determinations, which transmission provides no data that explicitly represents temperature. The reception parameter can comprise, for example, an indication of received signal strength. So configured, a relatively higher indication of received signal strength can serve to determine that the object is and/or remains at least substantially frozen while a relatively lower indication of received signal strength can serve to determine that the object is not at least substantially frozen.

Delivery receptacles are known in the art. Delivery receptacles can serve to receive unattended delivery of one or more items. The use of delivery receptacles, however, gives rise to a variety of corresponding problems. When the items being delivered are frozen or refrigerated, for example, there is a risk that the item will warm or thaw to a point of being unsuitable for its intended purpose before the recipient can recover the item from the delivery receptacle.
Refrigerated delivery receptacles can help to ameliorate such a risk. Unfortunately, refrigeration components can be a relatively expensive option that also gives rise to a variety of usage and maintenance challenges.
Radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags that include an integral, on-board temperature sensor are known in the art. Such an RFID tag could be placed inside a delivery receptacle to provide temperature readings of the interior of the delivery receptacle when read by an RFID tag reader. Though possibly a useful solution for some application settings, such RFID tags can be relatively costly and hence may not be suitable for all desired uses.
Elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions and/or relative positioning of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present teachings. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present teachings. Certain actions and/or steps may be described or depicted in a particular order of occurrence while those skilled in the art will understand that such specificity with respect to sequence is not actually required. The terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary technical meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions by persons skilled in the technical field as set forth above except where different specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein.

Apparatus and method to determine a frozen state of an object as a function of an RFID tag receptionparameter


A method for dynamically balancing a serial data link is disclosed. The serial data link includes a first transmission line and a second transmission line. The method includes the steps of creating a DC offset voltage between the first and second transmission lines when the serial data link is in an idle state. When the serial data link is in use to carry data, the DC offset voltage between the first and second transmission lines is removed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to bidirectional, differential, high speed serial data links, and more particularly, to a line balancing scheme for such data links.
2. Background Information
The Universal Serial Bus (USB) is a cable bus that supports data exchange between a host computer (USB host) and a wide range of simultaneously accessible peripherals (USB devices). The USB physical interconnect is a tiered star topology. A hub is at the center of each star. Each wire segment is a point-to-point connection between the USB host and a hub or a USB device, or a hub connected to another hub or USB device. The USB host contains host controllers that provide access to the USB devices in the system. FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of the USB architecture. For more detailed information on USB, the reader is invited to review the xe2x80x9cUniversal Serial Bus Specificationxe2x80x94Version 1.1xe2x80x9d published Sep. 23, 1998.
A new, high speed mode being defined for USB can be classified as a bi-directional, differential, high speed, serial data link. One characteristic of bi-directional, differential, high speed, serial data links is that data packets are separated by intervals of xe2x80x9csilencexe2x80x9d where signals are not being transmitted on the data link. In such links, there is an inherent conflict between two opposing goals. On the one hand it is desirable to maintain a DC voltage balance between the two conductors which form the link in order to achieve the highest possible signal noise margin during transmission. However, on the other hand, having the lines at the same voltage during transmission of packets can potentially lead to unwanted noise pick up or oscillation in the receivers during silent intervals.
In the prior art, attempts to solve this problem were to permanently apply a DC voltage offset onto the two signaling lines. While the DC voltage offset reduces unwanted noise pick up and oscillation, the voltage offset causes reduced noise margin in the data link.
Another solution is the inclusion of a hysteresis loop in the receivers with the hysteresis window greater than the peak noise. Once again, although this reduces noise pick up and oscillation in the receivers, the noise margin is reduced.
In yet another prior art approach, the receivers are disabled during inter-packet transmission times. This approach is effective, but presents the problem of having to enable the receiver when the transmitter is about to transmit. In tightly timed systems this is possible, but in systems with loose or indeterminate timing, this is difficult.
Thus, what is needed is a method and apparatus for increasing the noise margin in a serial data link while reducing unwanted noise pick up and oscillation in the receivers.
A method for dynamically balancing a serial data link is disclosed. The serial data link includes a first transmission line and a second transmission line. The method includes the steps of creating a DC offset voltage between the first and second transmission lines when the serial data link is in an idle state. When the serial data link is in use to carry data, the DC offset voltage between the first and second transmission lines is removed.

Dynamic line balancing scheme for providing inter-packet squelch


Endoscopic camera head devices and methods are provided using light captured by an endoscope system. Substantially afocal light from the endoscope is manipulated and split. After passing through focusing optics, another beamsplitter is used to split the light again, this time in image space, producing four portions of light that may be further manipulated. The four portions of light are focused onto separate areas of two image sensors. The manipulation of the beams can take several forms, each offering distinct advantages over existing systems when individually displayed, analyzed and/or combined by an image processor.

Dual image acquisition is a useful feature for endoscopic procedures wherein two video streams of the same scene are provided, but each video stream has different characteristics such as differing collected light spectra, different image focal planes or focal depths, or differing light intensities. In prior dual image systems, images have generally been collected, split in image space, and then focused onto two independent detectors. Such a configuration allows for some versatility, but is fairly expensive and complex, requiring an individual sensor and the associated electronics and mounting assemblies for each image acquired.
Some prior art systems do capture multiple images from a single imaging sensor chip, however these systems employ a beamsplitter placed in the image space of the camera. Such a design has significant limitations due to lack of flexibility in positioning any desired optical filters, lenses, or other elements in the optical paths downstream from the beamsplitter. Further, the cost associated with a dual imaging system may be higher than a conventional system due to duplication of certain optical components used in focusing and detecting the image light in each of the dual channels.
What is needed are devices and methods to enable an endoscopic camera to acquire dual images in a cost-effective manner. What is further needed are devices allowing the use of varied existing endoscopes for dual imaging applications, and the enablement of the detection of varied characteristics in the dual images.

Medical imaging device with split image on common image sensor


An automatic ventilation system and method for vehicle are disclosed. The system includes: a ventilator to control a ventilation operation of an indoor space of a second vehicle; an input unit to receive information of automatic ventilation for a first vehicle, the automatic ventilation automatically performed based on a change in CO2 concentration inside the first vehicle; and a controller to determine an initiation time point of an automatic ventilation operation of the second vehicle based on the received automatic ventilation information and to control the ventilator to ventilate the indoor space of the second vehicle at the determined initiation time point, thereby pleasantly ventilating an indoor space of the second vehicle with reference to data related to an automatic ventilation operation of first vehicle including a CO2 sensor.

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.
As various convenient equipment is installed in a vehicle, a smart ventilation system has been developed to pleasantly ventilate the interior of the vehicle by measuring CO2 concentration in the vehicle and automatically switch an indoor air mode of the vehicle to an outdoor air mode when the measured CO2 concentration is equal to or greater than a reference value.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a conventional automatic ventilation system for vehicles. FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an automatic ventilation method of a conventional automatic ventilation system for vehicles.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a conventional automatic ventilation system 10 for vehicles includes a CO2 sensor 11 and a ventilation control device 12.
Here, the automatic ventilation system 10 measures CO2 concentration inside a vehicle (e.g., a passenger compartment) in which a driver and a passenger ride through the CO2 sensor 11 and, when the measured CO2 concentration inside the vehicle is equal to or greater than a first threshold value [S11], this indicates that the interior of the vehicle is not currently pleasant due to the CO2 concentration and, thus, the automatic ventilation system 10 controls the ventilation control device 12 to change a vehicle ventilation mode (i.e., an indoor air mode preventing outdoor air from being introduced into the vehicle) to an outdoor air mode for introducing outdoor air into the inside [S12].
In addition, the automatic ventilation system 10 measures CO2 concentration inside the vehicle through the CO2 sensor 11 and, as a measurement result, when the measured CO2 concentration inside the vehicle is equal to or less than a second threshold value [S13], this indicates that the CO2 concentration of the vehicle is reduced to a pleasant level and, accordingly, the automatic ventilation system 10 controls the ventilation control device 12 to change a vehicle ventilation mode (i.e., switch from the outdoor air mode to the indoor air mode) [S14].
However, the conventional automatic ventilation system 10 for vehicles has a problem in that a vehicle is automatically ventilated only when the CO2 sensor 11 for measuring CO2 concentration is installed in the vehicle.

Automatic ventilation system and method for vehicles


An inflatable tracking antenna assembly may include an inflatable antenna. The inflatable antenna may be configurable in a packed configuration and a deployed configuration. In the deployed configuration the inflatable antenna may be generally spherical in shape. The assembly may include an antenna support structure. The support structure may include a plurality of support arms that couple with lateral sides of the inflatable antenna. The support structure may include a base that is coupled with each of the plurality of support arms. The base may include an azimuth actuator that adjusts an azimuth position of the inflatable antenna and an elevation actuator that adjusts an elevation angle of the inflatable antenna. The support structure may include a plurality of support legs that extend outward from the base.

Transport of radio wave systems that use some form of electromagnetic reflecting antenna, i.e., radar or communications, is cumbersome, partially because of the antenna. To address these issues, inflatable antennas have often been used. However, due to limitations in the weight and packability of support structure components, these inflatable antennas are typically only used in conjunction with geostationary and/or geosynchronous satellite systems. Therefore, improvements are desired for providing packable support structures for inflatable antennas that may track satellites in a greater array of orbital patterns.

Tactical support structure for tracking spherical satellite antenna


A zoom lens includes a first lens unit which does not move for zooming and has positive optical power, a second lens unit having negative optical power, a third lens unit having positive optical power, and a fourth lens unit having positive optical power, these lens unit being arranged in order from the object side to the image side. Due to this simple construction, it is possible to obtain high optical performance over the entire object distance from an object at infinity to a nearby object.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a zoom lens, and more particularly, to a zoom lens used in an optical apparatus, such as a video camera, digital camera, or film camera.
2. Related Background Art
There has been available a so-called four-unit zoom lens consisting of lens units of positive-negative-positive-positive refractive powers as a lens system for use in an optical apparatus, such as a video camera or a digital still camera; it includes, in succession order from the object side, a first lens unit for zooming and focusing which is stationary and of positive refractive power, a second lens unit having negative refractive power and adapted to move on the optical axis to effect zooming, a third lens unit for zooming and focusing which is stationary and of positive refractive power, and a fourth lens unit of positive refractive power adapted to move on the optical axis for the purpose of correcting image plane fluctuation as a result of zooming and effecting focusing.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-121940, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-121941, etc. propose a small-sized four-unit zoom lens of this type in which the first lens unit is composed of a junction lens consisting of negative and positive lenses and a positive lens.
Apart from this, four-unit zoom lenses of this type are proposed, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-43311 (corresponding to U.S. Pat No. 5,189,558), Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-72472 (corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 5,572,364), Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-130297 (corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 5,396,367), and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-304700.
Recently, there has been an increasing demand for a small and inexpensive zoom lens of high performance.
Generally speaking, in a zoom lens, by increasing the refractive powers of the lens units, the movement amount of each lens unit for achieving a predetermined zooming ratio is reduced, thereby making it possible to reduce the entire length of the lens.
However, simply increasing the refractive power of each lens unit involves an increase in fluctuation in aberration, with the result that it is difficult to obtain a satisfactory optical performance over the entire zooming range.
When adopting in a zoom lens a rear focusing system in which focusing is effected in the lens units other than the first unit, a reduction in the size of the entire lens system is achieved. On the other hand, this leads to an increase in fluctuation in aberration at the time of focusing, making it very difficult to obtain high optical performance over the entire object distance from an object at infinity to a close-range object.


A nonaqueous electrolyte battery, including a case, a positive electrode housed in the case, a negative electrode housed in the case, and a nonaqueous electrolyte containing an ionic liquid and lithium ions of which molar amount is no smaller than 1.8×10−5 mol per mAh of the battery capacity.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a nonaqueous electrolyte battery.
2. Description of the Related Art
Nowadays, a lithium ion secondary battery is expected to be used in applications requiring large current characteristics, i.e., to be mounted on, for example, vehicles such as an electric vehicle (EV) and a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) or to be used as a large power storage.
Where the lithium ion secondary battery is used in the field exemplified above, higher safety is required in the secondary battery. What should be noted in this connection is that a combustible organic solvent is used for preparing the nonaqueous electrolyte that is used nowadays in the lithium ion secondary battery. So that, it is difficult to improve the safety of such lithium ion secondary battery. Such being the situation, an ionic liquid, which is an ionic fused material that is in the form of a liquid at room temperature, has attracted attention as a noncombustible nonaqueous electrolyte, as disclosed in, for example, Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2004-165131.
However, the ionic liquid has in general an electrical conductivity lower than that of the organic solvent and, thus, is poor in the large current characteristics.

Nonaqueous ionic liquid and lithium ion electrolyte battery


Methods, devices, and systems for temperature management and ventricular defibrillation are disclosed. Methods, devices, and systems for positioning an electrode in the esophagus of a subject and managing the core body temperature of the subject are disclosed. The use of esophageal heat transfer devices to deliver an electrode for use in delivering an electrical shock to the myocardium is disclosed.

Cardiac arrhythmias are disturbances in the normal rhythm of the heartbeat. Cardiac arrhythmias may be corrected by delivering an electric shock to the heart.
Ventricular fibrillation is an arrhythmia characterized by a rapid, irregular heart rhythm that may result in ineffective pumping of blood. Ventricular fibrillation is a frequent cause of cardiac arrest. Defibrillation is a reliable treatment for ventricular fibrillation. It is believed that the success of external defibrillation depends on the passage of an adequate current through the chest rather than on the administration of a preset energy.
Although the mechanism of defibrillation is not completely understood, it is believed that a defibrillating shock creates a voltage gradient though the myocardium and the extracellular space of the heart. This gradient drives current into cardiac cells facilitating defibrillation through alteration of the cellular transmembrane potential. If the voltage gradient created falls below the appropriate threshold, all of the fibrillating eddy currents may not terminate or new currents may be initiated, leading to redevelopment of fibrillation. Thus, it is desirable to deliver a large enough current in the appropriate waveform through a large enough amount of myocardial tissue to disrupt these eddy currents and restore unified depolarization. For example, it is desirable to provide a shock vector containing enough ventricular myocardium to disrupt the numerous eddy currents consuming the heart.
Hypothermia depresses cardiac ion channel conduction, which may contribute to sustained ventricular arrhythmias, including ventricular fibrillation. Although it has been observed that profound hypothermia does not hinder ventricular defibrillation in experimental animals where defibrillation is performed within seconds of ventricular fibrillation, the electrical disturbances provoked or exacerbated by hypothermia may adversely affect the ability to successfully defibrillate a patient.
Atrial fibrillation is an arrhythmia characterized by a rapid, irregular heart rhythm and occurs when the electrical impulses in the atria degenerate from their usual organized rhythm into a rapid chaotic pattern. Delivery of an electrical shock may be used as an emergency procedure when symptoms of very low blood pressure, chest pain, or heart failure caused by rapid, irregular atrial fibrillation are present.
Ventricular tachycardia is an arrhythmia characterized by a rapid heart rhythm that arises in the ventricle. During ventricular tachycardia, the output of the heart is decreased due to the rapid ventricular rate and the lack of properly timed or coordinated atrial contraction. In certain an emergency setting, for example, delivery of an electrical shock is also an effective treatment for ventricular tachycardia.
Cardioversion refers to a synchronized discharge of electrical current that is used to convert abnormal heart rhythms back to a normal rhythm. The electrical current is synchronized with the R or S wave of the QRS complex. It is believed that transient delivery of electrical current causes a depolarization of cardiac cells allowing the sinus node to resume normal pacemaker activity. For example, cardioversion may interrupt a self-perpetuating circuit underlying ventricular tachycardia and, thereby, restore a sinus rhythm.

Devices, systems, and methods for managing patient temperature and correcting cardiac arrhythmia


A compact heat exchanger pedestal array for augmenting heat transfer in a machine is disclosed. The compact heat exchanger pedestal array includes a wall having first and second surfaces. The first surface faces a heated flow path and the second surface partially forms a flow path for cooling fluid. A plurality of pedestals extend from the second surface of the wall. At least one turbulator strip extends between adjacent pedestals. The turbulator strips and pedestals are operable for mixing the cooling fluid to increase heat transfer from the wall to the cooling fluid.

Internal components in gas turbine engines can be exposed to exhaust gas flow temperatures that exceed the melting temperature of the metal alloys used to form the components. These components include the combustor, turbine, and nozzle. Internal cooling circuits for augmenting heat transfer in such components are known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,402,470 issued to Kvasnak et al. on Jun. 11, 2002, discloses a cooling circuit disposed between a first wall portion and a second wall portion of a wall for use in a gas turbine engine, and includes one or more inlet apertures and one or more exit apertures. The inlet apertures provide a cooling airflow path into the cooling circuit and the exit apertures provide a cooling airflow path out of the cooling circuit. The cooling circuit includes a plurality of first pedestals extending between the first wall portion and the second wall portion.
It would be desirable to augment heat transfer from hot components while minimizing the amount of cooling fluid required, and thus, maximize engine performance. An improved compact heat exchanger is contemplated by the present disclosure.

Heat transfer augmentation in a compact heat exchanger pedestal array


A medical device with closed-loop responsive stimulation may include techniques to mitigate the impact on the therapy output of noise coupled into the medical device. A medical device according to this disclosure may determine the presence of noise and alter the closed loop policy to provide the necessary therapy to the patient and avoid prolonged under stimulation caused by the noise. The medical device may continue therapy while testing for noise. When the device determines the noise level no longer affects the output therapy, the device may return the closed loop policy to a no-noise mode of operation. The medical device may also include techniques to mitigate the impact of manual adjustment while the medical device is subject to noise or is responding to changes in the patient's physiological signals.

Medical devices may be external or implanted and may be used to deliver electrical stimulation therapy to patients via various tissue sites to treat a variety of symptoms or conditions such as chronic pain, tremor, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, urinary or fecal incontinence, sexual dysfunction, obesity, or gastroparesis. A medical device may deliver electrical stimulation therapy via one or more leads that include electrodes located proximate to target locations associated with the brain, the spinal cord, pelvic nerves, peripheral nerves, or the gastrointestinal tract of a patient. Stimulation proximate the spinal cord, proximate the sacral nerve, within the brain, and proximate peripheral nerves are often referred to as spinal cord stimulation (SCS), sacral neuromodulation (SNM), deep brain stimulation (DBS), and peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS), respectively.

Noise detection and modulation of closed-loop therapy action


A trussed cross-flow blower comprising truss elements on the inside of a cylindrically-shaped cross-flow blower element form at least three trusses which provide rigidity to the blower element. Preferably three trusses are provided, and they are located at radial 120.degree. spacings.

Cross-flow blowers, sometimes called tangential blowers, or squirrel cage blowers, have been known for more than 100 years. FIG. 2 is an 1892 sketch of such a blower by Mortier. These blowers have a generally hollow cylindrical shape with a large number of blades located at the circumference. They were used extensively for mine ventilation in the early 1900s, but were soon replaced in the mines by blowers of other design. Interest in cross-flow blowers increased in the mid-1900s, and the blowers have been used in many applications in recent years. Cross-flow blowers are most often chosen when high flow, low head circulation is needed.
A prior art application of cross-flow blowers is to circulate the gas gain medium between two elongated electrodes in excimer lasers. An example of this use is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,023,884 assigned to the Applicant's employer. This laser is useful as the light source in laser lithography equipment used in integrated circuit fabrication. As indicated in FIG. 1 (also FIG. 1 in the '884 patent), the laser gas is circulated through a discharge region 22 between two elongated spaced apart electrodes 18 and 20. The discharge region is about 5/8 inch and 28 inches long. The gas circulation is provided by a cross-flow blower 46 which is about 4 inches in diameter and about 28 inches long.
These excimer lasers have, in the past, operated in a pulse mode at rates of up to 1,000 Hz. A pulse rate of 1,000 Hz requires a flow rate of gas between the electrodes of at least about 2,000 cm/second in order to assure that "old gas" from one pulse is cleared from the discharge region before the beginning of the next pulse. Gas speeds of about 2,000 cm/second requires a fan speed of about 3,300 rpm. At speeds greater than 3,300 rpm, the long skinny fan develops vibrational modes that lead to rapid bearing failure and sometimes sufficient distortion to damage the structural elements of the fan itself.
Efforts have been made to make the fan more rigid. These efforts include improved manufacturing processes and the use of materials having increased strength. To the best of Applicant's knowledge, all prior art efforts to strengthen these blowers have left the inside of the blower hollow. This may have been the result of a prior art assumption that hollow insides are required for proper functioning of cross-flow blowers.


A hold down apparatus is disclosed that has a saw-toothed device with a double end and a single end, the double end adapted to encompass a perpendicularly mounted card. The hold down apparatus has an anchoring hole in a supporting structure and a barbed hook coupled to the saw-toothed device and adapted to couple the saw-toothed device to the supporting structure through the anchoring hole, wherein the barbed hook deploys from the single end of the saw-toothed device. The hold down apparatus also has a crossbar adapted to couple to the double end of the device, wherein the crossbar binds the perpendicularly mounted card securely in place.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of retainers. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to a retention device for perpendicularly mounted cards.
Computer video graphics cards, input/output cards and other cards are sometimes mounted perpendicular to a host controller or motherboard that serves to establish electrical connections for circuitry resident on the cards. These connections are established via connectors such as accelerated graphics port (AGP) connectors that contain a slot into which the cards may be inserted.
Cards can fit into a second slot that is perpendicular to the connector and bolted to a chassis. This second slot secures one end of the card, but, if jostled or vibrated, the card may still be rotated out of the connector slot at the opposite end. Because the computer or other electronic device containing the perpendicularly mounted cards may be jostled during transport and use, the cards become susceptible to vibrating and rotating out of the connectors so that their connections may be broken. This can lead to the receipt of computers with malfunctioning video graphics or other functions due to disconnected cards.
Various devices have been designed in an effort to retain the cards in the connectors during jostling and vibrating movement. One such device is shown in Prior Art FIGS. 1a and 1b. This device is a double-arm retention device 100 that connects to AGP connector 105 at point 110 and is secured by a cross bar that may slide down on the top of the card. Device 100 is sometimes prone to becoming disconnected from the connector at point 110 and has thus been somewhat unreliable.
Another conventional device for retaining a card in an AGP connector is illustrated in FIGS. 2a and 2b. Card 200 slides into a slot in connector 220 and latching device 210 is attached to the connector 220 and rotates onto the bottom section of card 200 to capture it. Latching device 210 is sometimes prone to rotating open during transportation, allowing card 200 to rotate out of the slot and become disconnected. Thus latching device 210 is likewise somewhat unreliable.
A hold down apparatus is disclosed. The hold down apparatus has a saw-toothed device with a divided end and a united end, the divided end adapted to encompass a perpendicularly mounted card. The hold down apparatus has an anchoring hole in a supporting structure to anchor the saw-toothed device and a barbed hook coupled to the saw-toothed device and adapted to anchor the saw-toothed device to the supporting structure through the anchoring hole, wherein the barbed hook deploys from the united end of the saw-toothed device. The hold down apparatus also has a crossbar adapted to couple to the divided end of the device, wherein the crossbar binds the perpendicularly mounted card securely in place.

Hold down apparatus for perpendicularly mounted cards

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.