A vibration data collection and rotating machinery fault diagnostic instrument includes a machine setup engine, a measurement engine, a diagnostic engine, a measurement user interface module, a machine setup user interface module, and a diagnostic user interface module. The machine setup engine requests and receives parameters about the machinery through the machine setup user interface module. The measurement engine requests and receives sensor placement locations through the measurement user interface module and keeps track of locations that have been measured and locations that still need to be measured. The diagnostic engine diagnoses machinery faults and presents the information to the user through the diagnostic user interface module using an intuitive graphical severity scale.

Vibrations can occur in all types of rotating equipment, such as electric motors, fans, turbines, other machinery, or combinations thereof. The vibrations may be characteristic of regular operation of the equipment. However, machine conditions, such as unbalance, misalignment, bearing wear, looseness, and eccentric shafts, can cause vibrations that lead to equipment failure. Vibrations can be measured by using a sensor such as an accelerometer to measure vibration waveforms. In conjunction with the accelerometers, vibration analyzers can be used to obtain frequency and amplitude information about the vibrations that are present. This information can be used to diagnose machinery faults prior to failure.
Conventionally, extensive training and experience in vibration data collection and analysis is required to determine equipment conditions and to diagnose machine faults and an impending equipment failure. Predictive maintenance databases established from prior measurement history of a particular system have also conventionally been used to determine rotating machine conditions and diagnose faults.

User interface system and method for diagnosing a rotating machine condition not based upon prior measurement history


A lever-type connector 10 includes female and male connector housings 41 and 11 which have respective connection terminals 50 and 51, and can be fitted together. A lock lever 17 is pivotally supported on the male connector housing 11, and engagement lock projections 46, formed on the female connector housing 41, are engaged with the lock lever 17, and in this condition the lock lever 17 is pivotally moved so as to fit the female and male connector housings 41 and 11 together. The lock lever 17 has at least one projection 27 serving as a contact point at which the lock lever contacts the male connector housing 11.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a connector in which countermeasures against vibration are taken, and more particularly to a lever-type connector in which a pair of connector housings are fitted together by pivotally moving a lever.
2. Description of the related art
A connector, used, for example, in the wiring of a vehicle such as an automobile, undergoes vibration developing during the travel of the vehicle, and in some cases contact portions of connection terminals of the connector are worn by such vibration, so that the electrical connection becomes defective. Therefore, there is known a conventional connector in which relative motion between a pair of connector housings, fitted together, is suppressed so as to reduce wear of contact portions of connection terminals which would be caused by the rubbing of these terminals against each other (see, for example, JP-A-2002-198127).
As shown in FIG. 7, the connector 100, disclosed in JP-A-2002-198127, comprises the female connector housing 102 holding the male terminals 103, and the male connector housing 104 receiving the female terminals 101 for electrical connection to the respective male terminals 103. The male connector housing 104 includes an inner housing 106 which holds the female terminals 101, and is fitted into a hood portion 105 of the female connector housing 102, and an outer housing 107 of a generally square tubular shape surrounding an outer periphery of the inner housing 106, the male connector housing 104 being formed into an integral construction.
Limitation projections 108 are formed on an inner peripheral surface of the outer housing 107, and these limitation projections 108 contact an outer peripheral surface of the hood portion 105 of the female connector housing 102 inserted between the outer housing 107 and the inner housing 106. As a result, relative motion of the female and male connector housings 102 and 104 in a direction perpendicular to the direction of fitting of these connector housings is prevented.
However, the limitation projections 108 in the connector 100, disclosed in the above JP-A-2002-198127, could prevent the relative motion between the hood portion 105 of the female connector housing 102 and the outer housing 107 of the male connector housing 104, but could not directly prevent the relative motion between the inner housing 106, holding the female terminals 101, and the female connector housing 102. And besides, the limitation projections 108 could prevent the relative motion of the female and male connector housings 102 and 104 in a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction, but could not prevent the relative motion in the fitting direction. Therefore, there has been a fear that wear of the contact portions of the connection terminals due to the rubbing of these connection terminals can not be sufficiently reduced.
Therefore, the inventors of the present invention have contrived the type of connector in which an outer housing and an inner housing of a male connector housing which are separate from each other are formed, and the inner housing is supported by the outer housing so as to move forward and rearward in a fitting direction, and resilient members, urging the inner housing toward a female connector housing in the fitting direction, are interposed between the inner housing and the outer housing, and inclined surfaces, which are inclined to intersect the fitting direction, and can be mated with each other, are formed respectively on an outer peripheral surface of the inner housing and an inner peripheral surface of a hood portion of the female connector housing in which the inner housing can be fitted.
In the above connector, the inner housing, urged by the resilient members, abuts against the female connector housing. Therefore, the relative motion between the inner housing (holding female terminals) and the female connector housing is directly prevented. Also, the inner housing abuts at the inclined surface (formed at the outer peripheral surface thereof) against the inclined surface formed on the inner peripheral surface of the hood portion of the female connector housing. Since the two inclined surfaces intersect the fitting direction, the relative motion of the inner housing (holding the female terminals) and the female connector housing is prevented both in the fitting direction and in a direction perpendicular to the fitting direction. Therefore, wear of the contact portions of the female and male terminals due to the rubbing of these terminals can be reduced, and therefore a vibration-withstanding performance of the connector is enhanced.
In the above connector, a force, required for fitting the female and male connector housings together, is increased because of provision of the interposed resilient members, and therefore it is preferred to provide a lever for supporting the fitting of the female and male connector housings.
A conventional lever for supporting the fitting of female and male connector housings is pivotally supported on one of the two connector housings, and is engaged with engagement projections formed on the other connector housing, and in this condition the lever is pivotally moved so as to draw the other connector housing, thereby supporting the fitting of the two connector housings. Any lever of this kind functions to reduce an operating force during the fitting operation, using the principle of a lever (leverage).
However, in the conventional lever-type connector provided with such a lever, the lever is supported at its pivot support point, but is free at its portion remote from the support point, and its natural frequency is in a low condition, and is close to a vibration frequency band of a vehicle. Therefore, there is a possibility that this natural frequency coincides with the vibration frequency of the vehicle, so that resonance of the lever occurs, and it is feared that the vibration-withstanding performance of the lever is inadequate. When the two connector housings are disposed in the completely-fitted condition, the lever is usually retained by one of the two connector housings, and therefore is prevented from pivotal movement. However, there is a fear that this retained condition is canceled by the resonance of the lever.
Furthermore, when such a lever is used in the above connector, the resilient forces of the resilient members eventually act so as to disengage the two connector housings from each other, and a load, tending to pivotally move the lever in a direction (returning direction) opposite to the direction of pivotal movement of the lever during the fitting operation of the two connector housings, always acts on the lever through an engagement portion engaged with the female connector housing. Therefore, when the retained condition of the lever is canceled, the lever is instantaneously pivotally moved in the returning direction by the above load. Therefore, when the retained condition of the lever is canceled, for example, by vibration, there is a fear that the resilient forces of the resilient members are greatly reduced, so that the vibration-withstanding performance of the connector is lowered. Furthermore, when the operator inadvertently cancels the retained condition of the lever, there is a fear that the operator hurts his hand.
Also, the limitation projections 108 in the connector 100, disclosed in the above JP-A-2002-198127, could prevent the relative motion of the female and male connector housings 102 and 104 in the direction perpendicular to the fitting direction, but could not prevent the relative motion of these connector housings in the fitting direction. And besides, the limitation projections 108 could prevent the relative motion between the hood portion 105 of the female connector housing 102 and the outer housing 107 of the male connector housing 104, but could not directly prevent the relative motion between the inner housing 106, holding the female terminals 101, and the female connector housing 102. Thus, the vibration-withstanding performance of the connector 100, disclosed in the above Patent Literature 1, was not fully satisfactory.


A toner bottle has a concavity on one endface, connector ribs are provided on the interior wall of the concavity. A drive system is provided with a torque limiter and a retraction mechanism for retracting a drive member in an opposite direction from the toner bottle when there is insufficient connection between the toner bottle and the drive member. Accordingly, the drive system is not damaged when a user mistakenly rotates an installed toner bottle. A drive member for connection with ribs of the toner bottle, and a drive shaft for transmitting a rotational force to the drive member and a coupling also provided. At least two connector projections are provided on the toner bottle to engage connectors provided on the coupling. The coupling is rotated to a predetermined fixed position and stopped via a sensor when a toner bottle is not installed, so that when a user inserts a toner bottle into the coupling, connection between the toner bottle and the coupling is possible only at the predetermined position.

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a replenishment device and bottle for replenishing powder within said bottle to a device which requires said powder.
The present invention further relates to a toner replenishment device for resupplying toner to a developing device in an image forming apparatus such as a copier, printer and the like, and a toner bottle for use in said device.
2. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
In image forming apparatuses such as copiers, printers and the like, the user must perform the job of resupplying toner to a toner replenishment device because toner is consumed during image formation. Since toner is typically comprised of particles several microns in size, disadvantages arise inasmuch as airborne toner dispersion causes soiling of the surrounding area during the operation of moving toner from a toner container to the toner replenishment device. Conventionally, a toner bottle containing toner is installed in the toner replenishment device, and the toner replenishment device allows replacement of the toner bottle.
The disadvantage of soiling the surrounding area also arises during toner bottle replacement when the toner bottle is turned over so as to have the mouth of the toner bottle on the bottom when inserting an arm into the toner bottle to scrape the toner accommodated therein in order to move the toner accommodated within the toner bottle to the toner replenishment device.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,296,900 discloses art wherein a spiral channel is provided along the interior surface of a toner bottle so as to utilize the transport force of the toner bottle itself to supply toner from an opening at one end of a toner bottle by rotating the toner bottle.
Furthermore, Japanese Patent No. 6-95248 discloses art wherein an opening is provided on the endface of a bottle cylinder and the toner bottle having a spiral guide is engaged to a coupling and said coupling is rotated by a motor to replenish toner.
In the conventional toner replenishment device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,296,900, there is a possibility of damaging the drive system due to a rotational load generated from the toner bottle to the drive unit when a user rotates the toner bottle because the drive unit and toner bottle are connected via a linkage unit. Furthermore, damage may result when the toner bottle is improperly rotated before it is completely seated so as to force it into position.
The addition of a damage prevention mechanism within the drive system to eliminate the aforesaid problems is inconvenient from the perspective of the construction of the image forming apparatus inasmuch as such an addition will enlarge the apparatus in the axial direction of the toner bottle.
An object of the present invention is to eliminate the previously described disadvantages by providing a toner replenishment device which does not cause damage to the drive system even when a user mistakenly rotates a completely installed toner bottle, and without enlarging the toner replenishment device.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a toner replenishment device having excellent bottle rotation response after linkage when a toner bottle is connected to drive system linkage by an installation operation even when the toner bottle is installed such that the connection of the toner bottle and the drive system is incomplete when said toner bottle is installed in said device.
In the conventional toner replenishment device disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 6-95248, a disadvantage arises inasmuch as the rotational drive of the toner bottle is transmitted through a coupling and the toner bottle is not directly driven in rotation. Therefore, when the rotational torque of the toner bottle increases, the toner bottle slips from the coupling and cannot be adequately driven.
An object of the present invention is to provide a toner replenishment device capable of reliably transmitting a drive force to the toner bottle by rotating a coupling to a fixed position even when a toner bottle is not installed.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a toner replenishment device capable of installing a toner bottle on a coupling without error.

Toner replenishment device and toner bottle


The present invention teaches polyetherimide blends which are comprised of at least one polyetherimide resin and at least one polyester resin derived from a cyclohexanedimethanol and a carbocylic acid. These blends can be utilized in applications requiring improved impact strengths compared to unmodified polyetherimide compositions.

The present invention relates to a class of polyetherimide blends comprising a specified polyetherimide and a polyester that have certain improved physical properties.
Certain blends of polyetherimides and other polymers are known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,259,458 discloses a blend containing a polyarylate, a polyester, and at least one thermoplastic polymer selected from the group consisting of an aromatic polycarbonate, a styrene resin, an alkyl acrylate resin, a polyurethane, a vinyl chloride polymer, a poly(aryl ether), a copolyetherester block polymer or a polyhydroxyether. High molecular weight polyesters and particularly linear polyesters derived from 1,4-cyclohexane-dimethanol have been available for a number of years. These are described inter alia in Kilber et al, U.S. Pat. No. 2,901,466. This patent discloses that such polyesters are particularly advantageous as film and fiber-formers.
It has now been unexpectedly discovered that blends of a specified polyetherimide resin and a poly(cyclohexane-dimethylene arylate) exhibit an improvement in impact strength and other improved physical properties over the unmodified polyetherimide resins. The compositions disclosed herein have utility in injection molding, extrusion and other plastic forming operations.

Blends of polyetherimide resins and polyester resins derived from a cyclohexanedimethanol and a carbocylic acid or ester


A vibration-assisted bias charge roll cleaning system includes a bias charge roll cleaning member connected to an actuator for causing the cleaning member to vibrate. The actuator is controlled to vibrate according to a predetermined pattern, and at desired frequencies at particular modes. The cleaning member is configured to be movable to a contact-cleaning position and a cleaning member cleaning position at which the cleaning member is separate from the charge roll.

In a typical electrophotographic printing process, a photoconductive member is charged to a substantially uniform potential so as to sensitize the surface thereof. The charged portion of the photoconductive member is exposed to a light image of an original document being reproduced. Exposure of the charged photoconductive member selectively dissipates the charges thereon in the irradiated areas. An electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoconductive member corresponding to the informational areas contained within the original document. After the electrostatic latent image is recorded on the photoconductive member, the latent image is developed by bringing a developer material into contact therewith. Generally, the developer material comprises toner particles adhering triboelectrically to carrier granules. The toner particles are attracted from the carrier granules to the latent image forming a toner powder image on the photoconductive member. The toner powder image is then transferred from the photoconductive member to a copy sheet. The toner particles are heated to permanently affix the powder image to the copy sheet.
In printing machines such as those described above, a bias charge member roller (BCR) is increasingly used as the major charging apparatus in xerographic systems due to environment friendliness and excellent charging performance. A BCR provides several advantages over traditional scorotron charging: a) uniform and stable charging; b) reduced emissions of ozone or other corona by-products; c) lower AC/DC voltage supply requirements; and d) reduced service maintenance.
The BCR suffers, however, from toner/additive contamination over many printing cycles reducing overall service life of BCR. Significant amounts of effort have been put to suppress the contamination on BCR. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,126,344; 7,711,285; 7,526,243; 7,266,338; 7,079,786; 6,836,638; 6,470,161 are using dedicated cleaning systems to alleviate the adherence of particles trapped on the cleaning surface of a photoreceptor. On the other hand, U.S. Pat. No. 8,116,655, US20090169237, U.S. Pat. No. 6,381,432, US20040019986, U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,899,354, 8,064,791, US20110170896, US20110170897 propose direct cleaning systems to clean BCR surface for extended lifetime.

Systems and methods for cleaning bias charge roll surface in printing systems


A security system purposely damages at least a portion of content material, using a damaging process that is easily reversible, until a verification of authorization is determined. While the authorization to access the content material is in an unverified state, an undamaged version is provided for immediate rendering, but any stored versions of the content material is stored in the damaged state. When the authorization is verified, the damaging process ceases, and the stored damaged version is repaired, thereby allowing unimpeded subsequent access to the authorized content material. If sufficient evidence is obtained to warrant a determination that the content material is unauthorized, the access to the material is terminated, and any stored content material remains in the damaged state, thereby precluding subsequent access to the unauthorized content material.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of data protection, and in particular to protecting data from illicit copying from a remote location.
2. Description of Related Art
The protection of data is becoming an increasingly important area of security. In many situations,the authority to copy or otherwise process information is verified via a time-consuming process. For example, copy-protected material may contain watermarks or other encodings which identify the material as being copy-protected, and also contains other encodings which identify whether this particular copy of the material is an authorized copy, and whether it can be copied again. For example, an authorized copy of content material may contain a robust watermark and a fragile watermark. The robust watermark is intended to be irremovable from the content material without causing damage to the content material. The fragile watermark is intended to be damaged when the content material is illicitly copied. For example, common fragile watermarks are damaged if the content material is compressed or otherwise altered. In this manner, content material that is compressed in order to be efficiently communicated via the Internet will be received with a robust watermark and a damaged fragile watermark. A content-processing device that is configured to enforce copy protection rights in this example will be configured to detect the presence of a robust watermark, and prevent the processing of the content material containing this robust watermark unless the fragile watermark is also present. The time required to verify the presence of a robust and a fragile watermark, however, may be substantial. Other verification schemes may include accessing a remote source to verify a user identification or user authorization, and the transmission time delay may also be substantial. Still other verification schemes, discussed further below, may induce an even longer latency between when the content material is presented for processing and when the content material is verified as being authorized for processing.
In most consumer applications, the consumer expects a relatively immediate response to commands. For example, when a user presses "play" on a CD player, the user expects music to be rendered within a few seconds. If the user has an authorized copy of copy protected material, the user will expect the same relatively immediate response to commands when requesting access to this material. A security system that imposes a noticeable delay before responding to the user's commands for access to authorized content material will not be well received by consumers. In like manner, a security system that allows a substantial portion of unauthorized content material to be processed while the user's authorization is being verified, will not be well received by the providers of protected content material.

Data protection via reversible data damage


Disclosed are a flexible polypropylene resin suitable as thermoplastic elastomer, a propylene based elastomer composition containing the flexible polypropylene resin, and a process for producing the above flexible polypropylene resin and the propylene based elastomer composition. The above flexible polypropylene resin is composed of specific boiling heptane-soluble polypropylene and specific boiling heptane-insoluble polypropylene. The above propylene based elastomer composition comprises the above flexible polypropylene resin and an ethylene/propylene copolymer or an ethylene/propylene/polyene copolymer. The above process for the production of olefin polymers may be carried out by non-solvent polymerization methods such as a gas phase one-step polymerization method, and a gas phase multi-step polymerization method, using a specific catalyst.

The present invention relates to a novel, flexible polypropylene resin suitable as thermoplastic elastomer material, and a propylene based elastomer composition containing the polypropylene resin. The present invention also relates to a process for producing an olefin polymer, which may be suitably used for producing the above flexible polypropylene resin and the propylene based elastomer.
Thermoplastic elastomers have been widely used, as energy saving or resource saving type elastomers, for automotive parts, industrial machine parts, electric or electronic parts, construction materials, especially, as replacement for vulcanized rubbers.
In general, olefin based thermoplastic elastomers (TPO) have been produced by a process comprising blending polypropylene and an ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM) in the presence of peroxide. Such process is described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Gazette (Kokai) N. 61-217747. However, this process is disadvantageous since it requires complicated procedures and is a costly process.
On the other hand, several attempts have been made to lower the production cost, by directly polymerizing a high molecular weight polymer having dynamic properties similar to those of the above TPO. For example, Kokai 49-53983 and Japanese Patent Application Publication Gazette (Kokoku) No. 62-19444 propose a propylene-hexene copolymer, and Kokai 61-179247 proposes an elastomeric polypropylene. However, these polymers are inferior in low temperature properties.
Further, as a method of improving polypropylene in low temperature properties, a two-step propylene/ethylene-propylene polymerization is well known as described in, for example, Kokai 57-50804. However, it is difficult to produce vulcanized rubber like polymer having flexibility and tensile strength sufficient enough for practical use.
On the other hand, polypropylene has been produced using a Ziegler type catalyst. In this case, mainly crystalline isotactic polypropylene is produced with about 10 to 15% of atactic polypropylene as by-product. The atactic polypropylene has a low number average molecular weight (Mn) about 10,000, and thus are not suitable for practical use.
In the meanwhile, the present inventors found that atactic polypropylene having high molecular weight can be readily produced by polymerizing propylene using a catalyst system comprising combination of a solid catalyst component containing, as essential components, magnesium, titanium, a halogen atom and an electron donor; an organoaluminum compound; and an alkoxy group-containing aromatic compound (Kokai 63-243106). The atactic polypropylene is characterized by being soluble to boiling heptane; having a high molecular weight of, generally, 25,000 to 100,000; and having a relatively narrow molecular weight distribution. The atactic polypropylene has good melting properties as rubber like elastomer. However, the atactic polypropylene has poor mechanical strength, resulting in, when used alone, restriction in application for molded materials.
In view of the above situations, it is an object of the present invention to provide a flexible polypropylene resin having excellent dynamic properties as thermoplastic elastomer and having good cost performance, which can be used for, e.g., automotive parts, industrial machine parts, electric or electronic parts and construction materials.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a propylene based elastomer composition having, even without being vulcanized, tensile strength sufficient enough for practical use; having sufficient flexibility and low temperature properties; having low surface tackiness; and having good cost performance.
It is further object of the present invention to provide a process for producing an olefin polymer, which can be used for producing the above flexible polypropylene resin and the propylene based elastomer composition.
The present inventors made intensive studies to achieve the above objects, as a result of the studies, it was found that the above objects can be achieved by a flexible polypropylene containing, at a specific ratio, atactic polypropylene having specific molecular weight and specific molecular weight distribution and crystalline isotactic polypropylene having specific melt-index; and a flexible polypropylene containing, at a specific ratio, atactic polypropylene component having specific intrinsic viscosity and isotactic polypropylene having specific intrinsic viscosity.
Further, the present inventors found that an elastomer composition having physical properties similar to those of the TPO (partially cross-linked) can be obtained by the use of the above-mentioned specific flexible polypropylene homopolymers, even when they are not cross-linked.
Furthermore, the present inventors found that a vulcanized rubber like olefin polymer having physical properties similar to those of the TPO (partially cross-linked) can be obtained by the use of a specific catalyst system to control crystallinity of the resultant polymers, even when they are not cross-linked.
The present invention is based on the above findings.

Flexible polypropylene resins, propylene based elastomer compositions and process for production of olefin polymers


A retainer clip for holding a battery to an electronic device is disclosed. The retainer clip includes at least three arms that join together at an intersecting point. The intersecting point is urged toward the electronic device to which the retainer clip is coupled to hold more securely the battery in position. It is noted that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to ascertain quickly the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

1. Field of the Invention
The present intention relates to a retainer clip and, more particularly, to a retainer clip that secures a battery to an electronic device.
2. Background
Batteries are regularly used as a convenient source of power in electronic devices because of their small size, ease of use, and low maintenance. For example, batteries are often used in computers and servers to support certain functions of the particular devices. Specifically, batteries are regularly connected to multi-function computer cards, such as printed circuit boards (xe2x80x9cPCBsxe2x80x9d), to support clock functions and back-up functions of a device, even when the particular device is not otherwise powered. Such a battery should be firmly secured to the PCB to ensure reliable connection to the electrical circuit. However, because of the limited area available on a PCB to secure a battery, the securing apparatus must occupy as small amount of space as possible.
Several methods have been used to secure batteries to PCBs, including soldering, spot welding, taping, and holders. Each of these securing techniques, however, has drawbacks.
The present invention is directed to a device that secures a battery to an electronic component and method of performing the same. One exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises a retainer clip that includes at least three arms, each having a free end and an intersecting end. For the three arms, the respective intersecting ends join together at an intersecting point and the opposed free ends are adapted to couple to the electronic device. When the retainer clip is coupled to the electronic device, the intersecting point is spaced apart from the component at a distance to receive a battery therebetween. The battery is then movable between a separated position, in which the battery is spaced apart from the intersecting point, and a mounted position, in which the battery is disposed intermediate the intersecting point and the electronic device.
To secure better the battery, the retainer clip preferably urges the intersecting point toward the electronic device. In one exemplary embodiment, the intersecting point is bendable and is normally concave in side view. When the battery is moved or slid to the mounted position, at least a portion of the intersecting point flexes to be substantially straight. Since the intersecting point is biased to be concave, it more securely positions the battery than an embodiment that is not predisposed to be concave.


A microwave antenna assembly is disclosed. The antenna assembly includes an elongated member defining a longitudinal axis and having proximal and distal ends. The antenna assembly also includes an outer conductor and an inner conductor each disposed within the elongated member and extending along the longitudinal axis. A portion of the inner conductor is deployable relative to the outer conductor such that the antenna assembly may transition from a first configuration to a second configuration. The antenna assembly also includes an expandable sheath at least partially disposed about a distal portion of the inner conductor and defining at one or more lumens configured to couple to a supply of dielectric material used to regulate the expansion of the expandable sheath.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates generally to microwave antennas. More particularly, the present disclosure is directed to flexible loop antenna having a variable dielectric loading.
2. Background of Related Art
Treatment of certain diseases requires destruction of malignant tissue growths (e.g., tumors). It is known that tumor cells denature at elevated temperatures that are slightly lower than temperatures injurious to surrounding healthy cells. Therefore, known treatment methods, such as hyperthermia therapy, heat tumor cells to temperatures above 41° C., while maintaining adjacent healthy cells at lower temperatures to avoid irreversible cell damage. Such methods involve applying electromagnetic radiation to heat tissue and include ablation and coagulation of tissue. In particular, microwave energy is used to coagulate and/or ablate tissue to denature or kill the cancerous cells.
Microwave energy is applied via microwave ablation antennas that penetrate tissue to reach tumors. There are several types of microwave antennas, such as monopole and dipole, in which microwave energy radiates perpendicularly from the axis of the conductor. A monopole antenna includes a single, elongated microwave conductor whereas a dipole antenna includes two conductors. In a dipole antenna, the conductors may be in a coaxial configuration including an inner conductor and an outer conductor separated by a dielectric portion. More specifically, dipole microwave antennas may have a long, thin inner conductor that extends along a longitudinal axis of the antenna and is surrounded by an outer conductor. In certain variations, a portion or portions of the outer conductor may be selectively removed to provide more effective outward radiation of energy. This type of microwave antenna construction is typically referred to as a "leaky waveguide" or "leaky coaxial" antenna.

Adjustable tuning of a dielectrically loaded loop antenna


A method for installing tiles includes the steps of positioning a base in overlying relation to cementitious material. First and second spacer arms are formed on the base in normal relation to one another. Preselected corners of four tiles are positioned in overlying relation to the base and are spaced apart from one another by the spacer arms. A post having ratchet teeth is formed integrally with the base at the center of the base. A disc receives the post and a pawl formed in the disc prevents displacement of the disc away from the base. The disc is positioned in overlying relation to the four corners of the tiles so that it overlies and holds the tiles level between the base and the disc. After curing of the cementitious material, an installer twists the disc in a plane parallel to the tiles until the post breaks off.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to methods for installing tile. More particularly, it relates to a tool that ensures that all tiles used in an installation will be properly spaced apart from one another and level with one another.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Positioning a large plurality of tiles on a floor in such a way that all of the tiles are properly aligned and spaced apart from one another and level relative to one another when the job is complete is a difficult task. Many tile installers fail, with the result that people trip over the upraised edges of non-level tile. The difficulty arises primarily from the fact that the cementitious mixture upon which the tiles are laid requires a curing time of about twenty four (24) hours. An installer might install the tiles in a level manner, and hold them for a while in an effort to ensure that they remain level as the cementitious material cures, but no one can manually hold the tiles overnight for the entire duration of the curing process. Accordingly, as the cementitious material expands, or contracts, and settles during the curing process, the final position of the tiles may be uneven.
Spacing the tiles apart from one another is also problematic. Most installers just align and space the tiles as best they can by relying upon the well-known "eyeballing" technique.
A device known commercially as the Marble Plane is capable of holding tiles level during the curing process. It may be seen at www.tile-eze.com.
There is a need, however, for a tile spacer and leveler that has a simple construction and that is easy to use. Such a tool would lower the skill level required to install tile. It would also reduce the time required to complete each job. Moreover, it would produce a more satisfactory tile surface in that the spacing of the tiles would be aesthetically pleasing and there would be no tripping hazards arising from tiles that are not level with their contiguous tiles.
However, in view of the art considered as a whole at the time the present invention was made, it was not obvious to those of ordinary skill in this art how the identified needs could be met.


A cosmetics container for storing and applying a cosmetic product is provided. In one embodiment, a cosmetics container includes a container body having an opening and a double walled cavity and a cap wherein the cap accommodates an applicator by way of a biasing means wherein said applicator includes a rod and an applicator element connected to a first end of the rod, and wherein said double walled cavity is closed by the rod when the applicator is mounted on the container.

1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a container for powder cosmetic products. More particularly, it relates to a cosmetics container that provides for a leakproof storage and ease of application of a powder cosmetic product. The container comprises a freely rotatable telescopic applicator that is integral with the cap and said container with a double walled cavity is having a non-circular aperture inside, which is plugged by the rod of the applicator element. Further, the cap of the container is capable of securely fitting onto the neck of the container by way of threads in the cap, thereby providing a leaktight storage and convenient use thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
Cosmetic containers for powder cosmetics are known which generally include a container for holding the product having a wiper element in which sits the applicator in the form of a brush formed by a handle carrying a tuft of bristles. The container is provided with an additional cap to be screwed on to the container. Also, the applicator is of the size of the container which is generally small and is therefore inconvenient in application. Such a container has inconvenience in using as it consumes a lot of time by the time the product is ready to be applied. The shortcomings include time consumption in shaking the container, separating the cap from the case and then withdrawing the brush, possibility of misplacing the cap or the applicator if the package is left in disassembled state after completion of its use. Moreover, when the device is shaken, it is possible for powder to escape from the inside of the container to be deposited around the brush handle, inside the cap. The user's fingers are then soiled with product when he/she grasps the handle.
There have been proposed improvements over the aforementioned containers to overcome the shortcomings of the conventional case for powder cosmetics. For example United States Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0092343 discloses a cosmetics case for storing color cosmetics in powder state. The disclosed cosmetics case includes a cosmetic aid covered with powdery cosmetics and capable of being fixed to or released from a case body to be freely used by turning a cover of the cosmetics case to the right and left directions within a range of 90 degree angles. Although the case can eliminate the inconvenience caused due to loss of the cover in conventional products, the problem of the user's fingers getting soiled with the product still remains. Moreover, if the user forgets to rotate the cover to lock the container, the problem of leakage still exists.
United States Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0239753 discloses a device for packaging and applying a product that includes a container holding the product to be applied in loose powder form, the container having an opening. The device also includes an applicator including a rod, an applicator element at a first end of the rod, and a grasping portion connected to a second end of the rod. The applicator is configured to be attached by snapping onto the container so as to accommodate the applicator element in the container. However, as the cap is not screwed onto the container, the chances of leakage and the user's hands getting soiled during use still exist.
Also known are various containers wherein telescopic applicators are fixed to the caps of the containers in a spring-biased manner, however, the length of the rod of such telescopic applicators extends to bottom of the container such that the applicator element touches the bottom of the container in order to securely close the container. The drawback associated with such an arrangement is that there is a possibility of the applicator getting damaged with usage as the applicator is always under strain when in a closed position. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,883,990 discloses a cosmetics container comprising a hollow container and a cover unit. The cover unit covered on the upper end of the hollow container is composed of a connecting cover, a brush, a revolving base and a revolving cover, with the brush positioned in the connecting cover. While using, the revolving cover is to be turned around to move forward together with the revolving base and actuate the brush to move forward together and extend out of the cover unit for use.
Although many of these prior art containers are relevant with respect to the present invention, most of these containers disclose that the applicator tip sits into the wiper element and thus there is a possibility of the applicator being damaged in further uses as the applicator is always under strain. Moreover, the aforementioned products have been unable to provide the user with a container that allows an easy and convenient storing and applying of a powder cosmetic product. Also, when the applicator is integrally attached to the cap and the applicator plugs into the wiper element, it is necessary that the applicator and the wiper be circular in cross section so as to allow the cap to be screwed onto the container. Otherwise, the cap has to snap fitted on the container which again has the shortcoming of not being a leak proof closing for a container storing powder cosmetics.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for a container for powder cosmetics container that overcomes the shortcomings of the known containers. It is also desirable that the container provides ease of storage and application of the product.


A lithographic method using double exposures, physical mask shifting, and light phase shifting is used to form masking features on a substrate masking layer. A first phase shifting mask (11) is placed in a first position adjacent a substrate (10). The substrate (10) is covered by the masking layer. The masking layer is exposed to light, or an equivalent energy source, through the first mask (11) to form a first plurality of unexposed regions of the masking layer. Either a second mask or the first mask (11) is placed adjacent the substrate (10) in a second position which is displaced from the first position in an X direction, a Y direction, and/or a rotational direction. A second exposure is used to form a second plurality of unexposed regions of the masking layer. The first and second pluralities of unexposed regions have common unexposed regions which are used to form the masking features.

Lithography processing is a required and essential technology when manufacturing conventional integrated circuits. Many lithography techniques exist, and all lithography techniques are used for the purpose of defining geometries, features, lines, or shapes onto an integrated circuit die or wafer. In general, a radiation-sensitive material, such as photoresist, is coated over a top surface of a die or wafer to selectively allow for formation of the geometries, features, lines, or shapes.
A known method of lithography is generally referred to as photolithography. During a photolithographic step, photoresist is first formed over a top surface of a semiconductor wafer. A spin-on technique is usually used followed by a brief photoresist baking process. A mask having opaque regions, which are usually formed of chrome, and clear regions, which are usually formed of quartz, is positioned over the photoresist-coated wafer. Light is shone on the mask via a visible light source or an ultra-violet (UV) light source, such as a mercury-arc lamp or a mercury-vapor lamp. The light passes through all clear regions of the mask and is blocked by the opaque regions of the mask. The light exposure forms exposed portions of the photoresist on the semiconductor wafer and unexposed portions of the photoresist on the semiconductor wafer, respectively due to the clear and opaque regions of the mask.
In almost all cases, the light is reduced and focused via an optical system which contains one or several lenses, filters, and or mirrors before being exposed to the wafer. The optical system reduces feature sizes, sharpens imaging and in general improves the quality of the photolithographic process. Many techniques of photolithography such as contact printing, proximity printing, and projection printing are widely used in the integrated circuit industry. During contact printing the mask contacts the wafer during light exposure. During proximity printing the mask is positioned a short distance over the wafer. Projection printing usually involves multiple lenses wherein at least one lens is between the mask and the wafer. Photolithography, as conventionally practiced, is widely used but considered to be unfeasible for patterning features having a dimension less than 0.4 to 0.3 micron.
Another form of lithography is known as electron beam lithography or E-beam lithography (EBL). EBL technology allows for formation of small features without using a mask by focusing a thin electron beam onto a photoresist covered wafer. EBL is not used often in the integrated circuit industry due to the fact that EBL is extremely slow compared to other forms of lithography, and requires equipment which is usually three to five times more expensive than other widely used lithographic systems.
X-ray lithography is another technique that is used to form features onto a photoresist-covered wafer. X-ray lithography uses X-rays which are on the order of 0.4 to 5 nanometers in wavelength to form high-resolution features (i.e. very small features). Depth of focus problems, which are common to photolithography processing, are also reduced. X-ray lithography requires new photoresists or resist materials and can be cumbersome and expensive. In addition, X-ray masks are difficult to properly and consistently manufacture. Some known phenomena, such as laterial magnification error and blurring, are difficult problems that must be addressed when using X-ray lithography.
Another method of lithography which may be used for integrated circuit production is phase shifting. Phase shifting lithography is very similar to photolithography with the exception of the formation of the mask. A mask used for phase shifting lithographic systems has selectively-positioned phase shifting material and selectively positioned opaque material formed over a quartz plate. The quartz plate passes light which is referenced to be of a phase angle of 0.degree., and the phase shifting material passes light which is 180.degree. out of phase with the 0.degree. light. The 0.degree. light has a positive light intensity that alters the molecular weight of the photoresist. Additionally, the 180.degree. light also has a positive light intensity and alters the molecular weight of the photoresist in a manner identical to the 0.degree. light. The regions between the 0.degree. light and the 180.degree. light destructively interferes to form "dark" regions of low light intensity. These dark regions, which lie along vertical planes of the boundaries between the phase shifting material and the quartz material, form unexposed regions of the photoresist. Therefore, depending upon the use of negative or positive photoresist, sub-micron or sub-photolithographic lines and spaces can be formed using phase shifting techniques.
Due to the fact that phase shifting features are formed around the edges of various phase shifting regions via destructive interference, the destructive interference generates cylindrical or annular unexposed regions only. Although annular masking features are useful, other geometries such as lines, contacts, and snaked features are required for integrated circuit formation. Conventional single exposure phase shifting techniques therefore have limited application and use.

Lithographic method using double exposure techniques, mask position shifting and light phase shifting


There is provided a method of high-sensitively detecting both of a phase defect existing in a mask blank and a phase defect remaining after manufacturing an EUVL mask. When the mask blank is inspected, EUV light having illumination NA to be within an inner NA but a larger value is irradiated. When the EUVL mask is inspected, by using a dark-field imaging optical system including a center shielding portion for shielding EUV light and a linear shielding portion for shielding the EUV light whose width is smaller than a diameter of the center shielding portion, the center shielding portion and the linear shielding portion being included in a pupil plane, the EUV light having illumination NA as large as or smaller than the width of the linear shielding portion is irradiated.

A semiconductor device (semiconductor integrated circuit device) is produced by repeatedly using photolithography in which exposure light is irradiated onto a mask of an original plate, on which a circuit pattern is drawn, so as to transfer the circuit pattern on a main plane of a semiconductor substrate (hereinafter, referred to as wafer) through a reduced projection optical system.
However, in recent years, in response to demand for microfabrication of the semiconductor device, development of EUV lithography (hereinafter, referred to as EUVL) using EUV light whose wavelength is shorter than that of the light used for the exposure of the photolithography has been advanced. By using this EUVL, resolution can be improved, and a further-microfabricated circuit pattern can be transferred.
In a wavelength range of the EUV light (whose center wavelength is, for example, 13.5 nm), a transparency mask cannot be used because of light absorption of its material. Therefore, a multi-layered reflection substrate which utilizes reflection by a multi-layered film made of molybdenum (Mo), silicon (Si), and others, is used as an EUVL mask blank (hereinafter, referred to as mask blank). An EUVL mask is configured by forming an absorber pattern on a plane of this mask blank (see in, for example, "Introduction to Photomask Technology", Kogyo Chousakai Publishing Co., Ltd., written by Isao TANABE, Yohichi TAKEHANA, and Morihisa HOUGA, published on December 2006, pp. 266 to 268 (Non-Patent Document 1)).
Also, since a transparent lens cannot be used, reflection-type exposure optical system (reflection-type imaging optical system, EUV optical system) made of only a reflection plane of a multi-layered film obtained by alternately stacking Molybdenum (Mo) and silicon (Si) is used for the reduced projection optical system as described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2007-158828 (Patent Document 1). The light from a light source is homogenized through a reflection-type illumination optical system, and is irradiated to the EUVL mask. The light irradiated to the EUVL mask reflects on the EUVL mask, and reaches the wafer through a reflection-type projection optical system, so that the absorber pattern of the EUVL mask is projected on the main plane of the wafer.
In the EUVL, even when slight height abnormality of about several nm occurs in the plane of the mask blank, the height abnormality results in large change in phase of the EUV reflection light, and results in defects such as dimensional change or failure of resolution in the transfer of the absorber pattern onto the main plane of the wafer. Such a defect which results in the phase change is called phase defect. Accordingly, it is required to detect the phase defect at a stage of a mask blank obtained prior to coating of the absorber pattern.
As a general method of inspecting the mask blank, there are a method of detecting a foreign material and a method of detecting a bright-field image (microscope image) from diffused reflection light caused by irradiating laser light to the mask blank. However, the influence of the phase defect also depends on an internal structure of the multi-layered film, and therefore, it is considered that an inspection method at wavelength (the same wavelength) of detecting the defect with using detection light whose wavelength is the same as that of the EUV light used for the exposure is suitable. As one example of this method, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2003-114200 (Patent Document 2) discloses a method with using a dark-field image inspection image. Also, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2007-219130 (Patent Document 3) discloses an inspection method of differentiating concavity and convexity of a plane of the phase defect. Further, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication (Translation of PCT Application) No. 2002-532738 (Patent Document 4) discloses a technique of improving a projection image in pattern transfer by an exposure device by adjusting a contour of the absorber pattern if the absorber pattern is formed in a state that the phase defect already exists.

Method of inspecting mask, mask inspection device, and method of manufacturing mask


A cassette configuration, operative parts of which may be disposable or resterilizable, is configured with an adapter that may be mounted within the cassette receiving portal of a console that uses a peristaltic pump spaced apart from actuator and vent controls to engage the lower end wall of a cassette. The adapter is asymmetrically mounted in the available space, and allows a tubing loop from one side of a cassette inserted under it to be threaded through the peristaltic pump and to be seated in a bore in the adapter on the opposite side. A lower edge of the cassette fits into an interface slot in the console, and the interior tubing configuration enables clamping of irrigation and vent lines, while providing aspiration and irrigation flows to and from a handpiece. Within the cassette or in the console, flow control elements are provided to enable alternative venting of either air or fluid into the aspiration system to prevent excessive suction at the operative site. At the same time, the flow system and the pressure sensing and venting arrangement are configured to allow resterilization of the cassette if desired.

Early in the development of fluid control systems for surgical procedures, the practice was to use sets of flexible tubing lengths that were threaded through different positions in a console to control the flow of irrigation fluid to a surgical site, as well as the flow of aspirated matter from the site. The console included displaceable or fixed clamps and variable pumps to control flow paths and flow rates. In ophthalmic surgery, for example, the irrigation and aspiration lines were coupled to a handpiece, often having an ultrasonically vibrated tip, used by the surgeon for incision and for extraction of matter. Irrigation fluid passed through one or more orifices in the handpiece tip and aspirated fluid was withdrawn through other orifices in the tip.
Originally, the tubing lines would be manually threaded past actuator clamp positions, and the aspiration line would feed to a peristaltic pump or suction source. The next logical design improvement was to arrange the control console so as to incorporate clamps and suction sources in geometries such that they could be accessed by flexible tubing within an enclosure or cassette. In one type of cassette, as shown by Cook U.S. Pat. No. 4,627,833, the cassette housing included back-up surfaces against which flexible tubing could be pinched down to closure through an opening in the side of the cassette by an external actuator, while suction was drawn by an external source through a collection vessel, so as to cause the aspirated fluid to flow into the collection vessel. In another example, evidenced by Steppe et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,713,051, this approach was modified to provide a cassette with a sidewall which was configured with a series of clamp openings and a separate concave back-up surface for tubing to be engaged by a peristaltic pump. Both of these systems incorporated accessible apertures for fluid vents, although Cook vented air and Steppe vented liquid. The vent apertures were used to cooperate with pressure sensing or pressure relief units in the console, enabling the system or surgeon to relieve pressure and prevent damage to sensitive eye tissues.
These cassettes were primarily intended to be disposable, because blood or blood-containing matter in tubing creates an unacceptable possibility of cross-contamination, unless effective sterilization procedures are used. Adequately safe sterilization procedures often are not regarded as sufficiently cost effective in this country. Nonetheless, under some circumstances and in some countries, sterilization of cassettes and repeated reuse are preferred.
It has also been recognized that the functions of the tubing in a cassette are separable and that only certain parts of the tubing need be disposable or resterilizable. Thus, the relative convenience of single-step insertion of a unitary cassette may provide no real advantage over a unit requiring more than one step, if the additional steps are inherently easy to perform. This benefit is exemplified by Wortrich U.S. Pat. No. 5,163,900, in which the configuration of the receptacle for the cassette is modified by a non-disposable adapter. The adapter is configured so as to allow simplification and substantial cost reduction of the disposable cassette that fits in it. The benefits are also illustrated by Wortrich U.S. Pat. No. 5,282,785, in which the disposable cassette is also substantially reduced in cost and size while the adapter section forms a convenient handling and loading tray. Placement of the aspiration tubing relative to a peristaltic pump is facilitated by a surface guide groove in the adapter.
These approaches demonstrate that by awareness of practical conditions at the operative site and by internal separation of functions, significant cost advantages can be realized for different systems with no meaningful penalty in convenience.
There is yet another type of console using fluid flow control for ophthalmic surgery applications. The system and the related cassette are shown in Beuchat et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,267,956, the commercial version being that depicted in FIG. 27 in that patent. In this Beuchat et al. system, the cassette is configured with a flat distal face having an outline that fits within a portal in the console. The front face of the mounting portal terminates at a bottom interface slot through which upwardly directed actuator clamps extend, when desired, to close off passageways in a cassette mounted in the portal. A system-coupled sensing aperture is disposed between the two clamps to enable communication between the cassette interior and a vacuum sensor in the console. To allow the pressure level to be communicated from the cassette interior to the console without the danger of fluid return into the cassette, a largely hydrophobic filter is included in the conduit in the cassette. To prevent locking up the control system while limiting reverse flow, the filter includes a small hydrophobic area and is thus known as a "spotted hydrophobic filter". The top of the cassette includes a loop of flexible tubing that seats around the periphery of a peristaltic pump in the upper portion of the portal.
The Beuchat et al. cassette has integrally molded internal passageways and uses an elastomeric insert along its bottom surface that stretches under clamp action to close off passageways. The cassette can be conveniently mounted in place, but has a number of limitations. The intricate internal and integrally molded passageways are difficult to sterilize thoroughly, so that reuse is usually not feasible. The integrally molded passageways are also not capable of accommodating pressure differences by expansion or contraction, so that an interior "capacitance chamber" must be provided to allow for pressure differences. The interior spotted hydrophobic filter, once used, cannot be cleaned of contaminants, so that the cassette itself cannot be reused.
The rigid internal passageways and the complex internal configuration mean that this type of cassette is not suitable for reuse in those countries which widely practice resterilization because of preference or economic necessity. In addition to the complex internal flow passageways, resterilization is precluded by the presence of the hydrophobic filter that is used in the pressure sensing line to the console. It is obviously desirable to utilize the same basic cassette for disposable and resterilizable modes, if these limitations can be overcome.
Another option which is often desired by users of these cassettes is the ability to chose either air venting or fluid venting for suction release of the aspiration line. In ophthalmic systems, means have been provided for many years to counteract the danger of excessive suction being applied through the aspiration line into the eye. A technique developed at an early stage in the use of ophthalmic surgery kits was to provide a coupling line, normally closed by a clamp, between the aspiration line and the source of irrigation fluid. When it was required to relieve the suction pressure quickly, relief of the clamp released irrigation fluid into the aspiration line, breaking the suction and avoiding the danger.
Some users, however, prefer to break the suction by venting to air, which is less instantaneous, because of the compressibility of air and the flexibility of the lines. Surgeons vary in their preferences as to the type of venting to be used, and the preferred mode can vary with the stage of the surgical procedure. Whereas liquid venting forces cortical material away with an abrupt flow, the action of air venting is gentler and at lower acceleration. It is evident that a cassette or system which can provide a capability for use of either one of these venting modes, including the option of switching between them, would provide not only substantial cost savings, but also useful operative advantages. Some might prefer to incorporate a vent selection option in the console rather than a cassette. If this can be done, normal operation and use of the cassette should not be affected.


Device simulators and methods for using the same are disclosed. In some embodiments, the device simulators are capable of permitting accurate pixel to pixel and inch to inch mapping between a simulated display and a display of a target device. Web application development tools utilizing such simulators are also disclosed. In some embodiment, such web application development tools provide a convenient method to convert electronic document source files to interactive document web applications for multiple operating systems and form factors.

A web application is a computer software application that is hosted in a browser controlled environment (e.g., a Java applet), or which is coded in a browser supported language such as, for example, JAVASCRIPT®, hypertext markup language (HTML) or the like. Such applications are popular due to the widespread and cross platform use of web browsers. Indeed, web browsers are frequently used in many popular operating systems ("OS" or "OSes") such as, for example, the WINDOWS® OS sold by MICROSOFT®, the MAC OS® sold by APPLE®, and the ANDROID® OS sold by GOOGLE®. They are also used in devices falling within a wide range of form factors, such as, for example, desktop computers, laptop computers, tablet personal computers ("PC" or "PCs"), and handheld devices (e.g., mobile phones, smart phones, etc.)
Web applications are increasingly being developed using authoring tools that are web applications themselves, i.e., which are hosted in a web browser. Often, such authoring tools take the form of a device simulator that is displayed in a web browser running on a development system. The device simulator includes an image or images of the bezel of a target device (e.g., a mobile phone, a table PC, etc). The web application under development is displayed within the image of the bezel of the target device. In this way, the simulator allows a developer to preview the web application under development in the context of the bezel of the target device.
For a device simulator to accurately represent how the web application will appear on a target device, it needs to be capable of two types of mapping. First, the device simulator must be capable of pixel-to-pixel mapping, wherein one pixel of a simulated display in the device simulator (hereafter, "simulated display") correlates to one pixel on the display of the target device (hereafter, "target display"). Second, inch-to-inch (i.e., physical) mapping is needed, wherein one inch of a simulated display correlates to one inch of a target display.
While existing authoring tools are useful, they are not capable of accurate inch-to-inch mapping. This is due to the fact that accurate inch-to-inch mapping requires information regarding the number of pixels per inch (PPI) of the simulated display, or in other words, the display of a development system that is running the device simulator. In many instances, the PPI of the simulated display is unknown. Regardless, mapping the PPI of a development display to the PPI of a target display can be difficult, even if the PPI of the development display is known.
In addition, existing web application development tools do not provide a straightforward mechanism for converting electronic documents such as, for example, e-books to interactive document applications for multiple OSes and/or form factors at the same time. Rather, existing web application development tools generally require an application developer to use different tools to generate applications for individual OSes. Such a process can be cumbersome and inconvenient, and can produce interactive document applications that have inconsistent user interfaces between OSes and/or form factors. Moreover, many existing utilities for converting documents to interactive document applications do not adjust the page layout to account for variations in the resolution and screen orientation amongst different platforms. As a result, users of interactive document applications developed using existing tools may have to scroll back and forth to read a single page of the document, which is undesirable.

Simulation of web applications and secondary devices in a web browser, web application development tools, and methods using the same


A computer system includes a memory module. Power management in the computer system is performed with at least one temperature rise parameter (ΔTx) of the memory module.

Power management in a computer system involves efficiently directing power to different components of the computer system, and reducing power to components that aren't being used. Monitors can be turned off, CPU power consumption can be reduced, and hard disks can be spun down after a set period of inactivity. The computer system can automatically enter a Hibernate or Suspend state after a set period of inactivity. Such power management can prevent electricity from being wasted. Such power management can also increase battery life of portable devices that rely on battery power.
Power management is becoming more important for reducing heat dissipation. Systems are becoming smaller, current densities are becoming higher, and components such as memory modules are being operated at higher frequencies. Higher current densities and higher operating frequencies result in higher power dissipation and higher system temperatures. The higher system temperatures can cause thermal problems, such as adversely affecting system reliability, and overstressing components. Overstressed components can fail prematurely.
There a variety of ways in which power management may be performed. For example, a power management unit could perform power supply scaling, voltage and frequency Threshold (VFT) control, and cooling control. It could also issue warnings, shut down applications, and go to idle mode.
Substantial benefits can result from proper power management of system memory. Proper power management can reduce power consumption and heat dissipation.
Conventional power management of system memory involves measuring system temperatures during normal operation of a computer, and issuing power management commands if an absolute temperature limit is exceeded.
Such power management is not proactive. That is, such power management does not anticipate potential thermal problems with system memory and prevent those problems from occurring.
Proactive power management of system memory is desirable.

Power management using a pre-determined thermal characteristic of a memory module

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A ramp with an integral ball deflector is positioned upon the playfield of a pinball game with its entrance approximately level with the playfield. A ball deflector having the shape of a triangle is mounted upon the bottom of the ramp with its widest portion near to the ramp entrance. The hypotenuse of the ball deflector defines a ball deflection surface. When a game ball rolls down the ramp, such as during roll back it is directed away from one of the side walls of the ramp by the ball deflection surface so that it later avoids an undesirable location on the playfield. A bifurcated entrance plate is connected between the ramp entrance and the playfield so that the ball deflector has a minimal effect upon a game ball entering the ramp.

The invention relates generally to amusement devices in the form of rolling ball or pinball games and, more particularly, to a ramp with an integral ball deflector for such games.
A typical pinball game includes a playfield that is inclined so that a game ball rolling thereon is directed by gravity towards the player. This movement is counteracted when the game ball comes into contact with pivoting flippers that are controlled by the player. At least one pair of these flippers are typically positioned upon the portion of the playfield nearest to the player and allow the player to propel and direct the game ball at various play features mounted upon the playfield. By engaging the play features with the game ball the player is able to score points and control play of the game. Centered between the flippers at the very bottom of the inclined playfield, or in the bottom side wall bordering the playfield, is typically a ball return passage or "outhole" into which the game ball drops when the player is unsuccessful at contacting it with the flippers. When the player's allotted number of game balls have entered the outhole, the game is over.
Many pinball games include ramps to define paths of travel for the game ball that lead to game features such as elevated targets and the like. These ramps feature one end that is level with the playfield and directed towards a flipper or pair of flippers. This orientation is necessary if the player is to have a reasonable chance of directing the game ball into and up the ramp via the flippers.
Such ramp orientation, however, may present a problem when a game ball rolls down the ramp. More specifically, when a game ball enters the ramp with a velocity sufficient to propel it only partway up the ramp, the game ball will roll back down the ramp. Because of the orientation of the ramp, the game ball may consistently be directed at the outhole, or possibly some other undesirable location, thus denying the player a reasonable chance of contacting the game ball with the flippers. As a result, game play is prematurely terminated as the player's game ball supply is rapidly exhausted. This results in player frustration so that player enjoyment, and thus game appeal, is decreased.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a ramp with an integral ball deflector so that the ramp may be accessed by a player without game ball roll backs being directed into the outhole or some other undesirable location.

Ramp with integral ball deflector for pinball games


The present invention provides a system that facilitates performing concurrent garbage collection. During operation, the system executes a first mutator thread. While executing the first mutator thread, the system performs a garbage-collection operation using a garbage-collector thread. Performing the garbage-collection operation involves: discovering a live object in a from-space, which is being collected; creating a copy of the live object to a to-space, where live objects are copied to during garbage collection; and replacing the live object in the from-space with a forwarding pointer which points to a location of the copy of the live object in the to-space.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to garbage collectors. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for facilitating concurrent garbage collection.
2. Related Art
As object-oriented programming languages become more widely used, computer systems are being designed to manipulate objects more efficiently. One of the toughest challenges in efficiently manipulating objects is garbage collection. Non-concurrent, or "stop the world," garbage collectors, which are in common use today, suffer from the problem that the entire application stops responding while a garbage-collection operation is in progress.
In contrast, concurrent garbage collectors can reclaim heap memory while the main application program ("mutator") threads continue to execute. However, concurrent garbage collectors suffer from difficult synchronization problems. For example, the garbage collector must not be confused by the concurrent heap mutations and accidentally reclaim live data. These concurrency problems can be solved by using "garbage-collection (GC) barriers," snippets of code that are executed by the mutators to ensure correctness of the garbage-collection operation. Typically, these GC barriers have a substantial cost in terms of performance and code size.
Hence, what is needed is a method and an apparatus for performing concurrent garbage collection without the problems listed above.

Method and apparatus for performing concurrent garbage collection


A circuit interrupter electrically connects a line terminal to a load terminal in a closed condition and electrically disconnects the line terminal from the load terminal in the open condition. A controller includes a fault detector configured to detect a fault in an electrical signal in a load circuit, such that when a fault is detected on the load circuit, the fault detector causes actuation of the interrupter to the open condition. The controller is adapted to receive an off command, and in response to the off command, generate a simulated fault in the load circuit, such that the fault detector causes actuation of the interrupter to the open condition, such that one and the same interrupter is employed for both fault tripping and commanded tripping.

A GFCI is a device that is capable of switching between a tripped (open) and an operative (closed) condition based on the detection of selected criteria. Specifically, a GFCI device is designed to interrupt the supply of electric power when the device detects that current is traveling along an unintended ground path (e.g., through a person, or through water, etc.). GFCI devices may be included in any of numerous types of components that are capable of interrupting the supply of electric power, such as circuit breakers, electrical outlets, etc.
GFCI outlets have become widely used throughout the United States and are credited with saving many lives. Although the widespread use of GFCI devices for the past thirty-plus years has led to a large number of installations, these devices are susceptible to deterioration and eventual failure. Failure of the GFCI device can lead to the device providing electrical power like any normal outlet, even though the protective features that differentiate the GFCI device from conventional devices is no longer functional. This creates a dangerous situation where the GFCI device is still viewed as functional and providing life safety protection when, in fact, it is not.
Typical GFCI devices are provided with a testing feature on the face of the device. For example, on a typical GFCI outlet, there is a "test" button and a "reset" button. When a user pushes the test button, this simulates a problem such that the outlet should toggle to a tripped or open state to interrupt the supply of electrical power to the "load" terminals and to any device plugged into the outlet.
More and more building codes have been requiring that GFCI functionality (as well as arc fault protection) be implemented on the circuit breaker level rather than on the electrical outlet level. This ensures that the whole circuit is protected against ground faults, rather than only that portion of the circuit including and downstream from the GFCI outlet being protected. Thus, GFCI circuit breakers are known and are becoming more and more popular.
Similar to the GFCI outlets, CFCI circuit breakers are provided with a testing feature that simulates a problem such that the breaker should toggle to a tripped or open state to interrupt the supply of electrical power to the circuit. In the case of GFCI circuit breakers, rather than a reset button being provided, the breaker may be reset using a handle or the like. Or if desired, a remote resetting capability may be provided.
Additionally, in some applications, it is desirable to operate a circuit breaker remotely. For example, an operator may typically trip a circuit breaker manually to de-energize a protected circuit so that it can be inspected or serviced. However, in some circuits, operating the breaker can produce a dangerous arc, creating a safety hazard for the operator. In still other circuits, the circuit breaker may be located in a confined or hazardous environment, such as on a ship. In these situations, it is beneficial to manually operate the circuit breaker remotely. In other applications, such as in large office buildings, it may be desirable, for example, to automatically trip circuits powering large banks of overhead lights, such that entire floors or sections of floors can be automatically shut down in response to timed signals at night without requiring that each individual light switch have a timer. In still other applications, again, such as on a ship, it may be desirable to trip circuit breakers remotely to turn on/off various devices, such as bilge pumps, without having to provide a separate switch in addition to the circuit breaker.
Known approaches to remotely controlling circuit breakers include incorporating a mechanism into the circuit breaker which can intentionally trip the circuit breaker mechanism and/or reset it. Examples of such mechanisms are solenoids or motors used to activate the trip mechanism, and solenoids or motors which are used to reset the circuit breaker by rearming the trip mechanism, such as by physically moving the switch handle using a solenoid or other motor or mechanism that can be remotely operated.
A problem exists in the context of GFCI circuit breakers, however, in that the size and or shape of the circuit breaker may make it difficult to include a remotely actuated manual or automatic trip mechanism in addition to the mechanism employed to automatically trip the breaker in the case of a ground fault. Moreover, even where size and/or shape are not constraining factors, it may be disadvantageous from a cost standpoint to provide separate and distinct mechanisms for remotely tripping the breaker manually or automatically and for automatically tripping the breaker in the case of a ground fault.
As such, there remains an unmet need in the industry for a GFCI circuit breaker design that allows for a manual and/or automatic tripping of the breaker remotely on command from an operator or in response to an event unrelated to a ground fault (e.g., based on sensed time, temperature, liquid level, etc.), as well as automatic tripping of the breaker in the case that a ground fault is sensed.

Remote operated ground fault circuit breaker


[Technical problem]

One of the typical absorption performances required for disposable diapers will be the absorbable capacity. Normally, the absorbable capacity is determined according to the purpose of the product. For example, products intended for nighttime use, especially nighttime products for adults, are generally products with high absorbable capacity. In such products, in order to secure the absorbable capacity, the absorbent bodies have an upper and lower two-layer structure.
Another typical absorption performance is the absorption rate. In particular, products with high absorbable capacity need to absorb urine that is quickly excreted in large quantities; however, if the absorption rate is low, leakage tends to occur. One technique for improving the absorption rate in a product having absorbent bodies in an upper and lower two-layer structure, is to provide a slit, which penetrates the absorbent bodies in the thickness direction, extending in the front-back direction so as to include the crotch portion. In this case, the diffusibility of urine in the slit becomes high, and urine can be absorbed directly to the lower absorbent body, so that the absorption rate becomes high.
However, in this case, the slit penetrates the upper layer absorbent body and the lower layer absorbent body, and therefore the absorbable capacity is inevitably decreased. When the absorbable capacity decreases, reversion tends to occur, and therefore it is necessary to prevent reversion as much as possible. Reversion is a phenomenon in which urine, which is once absorbed from the surface of the diaper to the absorbent body inside, is returned to the surface of the diaper again, and if the urine easily returns to the surface, the skin unnecessarily becomes dirty with excrement, and problems such as skin trouble tend to occur.
As one means for reducing the decrease in absorbable capacity, it is conceivable to provide a slit only in the upper layer absorbent body (a slit is not provided in the lower layer absorbent body); however, in this case, the lower layer absorbent body will be present on the lower side of the slit, such that the diffusibility of urine in the slit is low and the absorption tends to be saturated (when absorption saturation occurs on the lower side of the slit, there is almost no absorption path to the lower layer absorbent body), so that the absorption rate decreases compared to the case of providing a slit that penetrates the upper layer absorbent body and the lower layer absorbent body.
That is, in a product in which the absorbent bodies have an upper and lower two-layer structure, when an attempt is made to increase the absorption rate by providing a slit in the absorbent body, it has been difficult to improve both the absorbable capacity and the absorption rate.

Abstract: [Technical problem]

Abstract: A disposable diaper having excellent performances in both the absorbable capacity and the absorption rate, is provided.

Abstract: [Solution to problem]

Abstract: The above problem is solved by a pad type disposable diaper 200, in which a top sheet 22 is formed of a thermoplastic nonwoven fabric, and absorbent bodies 23A and 23B are formed of a lower layer absorbent body 23B and an upper layer absorbent body 23A provided on a front surface of the lower layer absorbent body 23B, wherein a slit 40 having a predetermined width is provided in the upper layer absorbent body 23A at least at a crotch portion C2 so as to extend in a front-back direction, and the slit 40 having the predetermined width is not provided in the lower layer absorbent body 23B, the top sheet 22 includes a depressed portion 30 that is depressed into the slit 40, and multiple low permeation portions 80 are provided with intervals at least in the depressed portion 30, the low permeation portions 80 being portions in which fibers are welded to each other in a state of being compressed in a thickness direction.


A structure 26 of brittle material and metal has brittle materials 24, 25 and a plate-shaped metal piece 21. The plate-shaped metal piece 21 has a clamped portion 22 pressed and clamped with the brittle material and a non-clamped portion 23 not clamped with the brittle material. The deformation of the plate-shaped metal piece relaxes stress generated along an interface where the clamped portion 23 and brittle materials 24, 25 contact each other.

Ceramic, cermet and glass materials are superior in high temperature resistance, wear resistance and corrosion resistance, and can be sufficiently used under severe circumstances in which metal and organic materials cannot be used. Ceramic, cermet and glass materials are basically hard and brittle, so that the mechanical processing is difficult and requires a high cost. The technical fields of use for these materials have been thus limited.
It has been studied to use a ceramic, cermet or glass material in a limited part and combine this with another material such as metal to improve the usability and to reduce the overall cost. It has been, however, observed that the materials are hard and brittle such that a stress, which is induced at the bonded position of the brittle material and another material due the difference of thermal expansion coefficients, often results in fracture, The application fields of the brittle materials have been thus very limited.
It has been tried to produce composites of various brittle materials and metals to solve the above problems. For example, according to Japanese patent No. 1809176B, for joining a ceramic material and an A1 member, it is proposed that an iron series alloy member and an intermediate metal member each having a thermal expansion coefficient between those of the ceramic material and alloy member are provided therebetween to provide a composite body of ceramic and metal whose thermal stress is reduced.
Further, according to patent No. 2050428B, it is proposed that ceramic and metal materials are joined with each other through an intermediate layer of a composite material having a specific composition to provide a bonded article of metal and ceramic having improved thermal resistance, reliability and a longer life.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Structures of brittle materials and metals


The present invention relates to a transparent solid cleaning agent that is convenient to carry because it has solid pen shape, and has no concern of contents flowing because it is a solid. According to one aspect of the invention, a transparent solid cleaning agent comprising 10 to 70 wt % of gel forming material including alkali metal salt or ammonium salt of C8-36 aliphatic carboxylic acid, 2 to 30 wt % of a transparency agent, 2 to 30 wt % of a subsidiary transparency agent, 0.1 to 10 wt % of orange oil, and 0.5 to 20 wt % of anionic surfactant is provided. The transparent solid cleaning agent according to the present invention is convenient to carry because it has a solid pen shape, has no concern of contents flowing because it is a solid, prevents collapse or bending, and has an excellent sense of beauty because the contents are transparent.

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a transparent solid cleaning agent, more particularly to a transparent solid cleaning agent that is convenient to carry because it has a solid pen shape, and has no concern of contents flowing because it is a solid.
(b) Description of the Related Art
In everyday life, if foreign substance splashes on clothes, and the like to generate stain, removal of stain using wet towel or tissue would cause stain to be deeply penetrated into the clothes and remain as it is. In this case, the appearance is not good, and important activities may be hindered. And, if stain is not immediately removed and left, removal of stain may become more difficult.
To solve these problems, a cleaning agent that is sprayed or coated on the polluted parts of clothes, and the like is commercially available. However, these cleaning agents are inconvenient to carry because they are liquid types, or when they are sprayed or coated on the polluted parts, carelessness may cause liquid flowing outside of the container.


The present invention provides compounds of Formula (I); or a pharmaceutically acceptable form thereof; wherein R1,R2,R3,R6,R7,R12,Ra, and Rb are as defined herein, and G is a group of Formula (a), (b), or (c): Formula (II), wherein X1; X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, Y, RC, Rd, Rz, a, d, e, x, n, and m are as defined herein. The present invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of Formula (I), kits comprising such compositions, methods of use and treatment, and preparative methods.

Bacteria have the ability to generate resistance to antibiotics through lateral gene transfer, mutation of enzymes, or the expression of enzymes which actively pump the antibiotic out of the cell or break it down. Over the past 10 years, resistance to existing antibiotics has become a significant problem in many countries. Vancomycin is currently the drug of last resort to combat multi-drug-resistant Gram-positive bacteria. In many places vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococci (VRE) have been discovered. There is thus a desperate need for a new antibiotic drug to replace this drug of last resort.
There are a host of cytoplasmic targets for the development of new antibacterials, such as gyrase inhibitors, protein synthesis inhibitors, muramyl cascade inhibitors, and many more. The major hurdle in designing such drugs is that in addition to enzyme based activity these drugs need to cross the bacterial cell wall to exert their antibacterial effect. On the other hand, enzymes involved in synthesis of the bacterial cell wall exist on the cell wall exterior, and therefore drugs inhibiting these enzymes can exert their bactericidal or bacteriostatic effect without having to cross the cell wall. For example, penicillins, cephalosporins, and moenomycin are antibiotics that interact with bacterial transpeptidase enzymes. Vancomycin does not interact with bacterial transpeptidase enzymes but rather sequesters the substrate of the enzyme.
Moenomycin is the only known natural product that directly inhibits the synthesis of bacterial peptidoglycan (PG). The biological activity of moenomycin is remarkable compared with that of most other natural antibiotics: it is 10-1000 times more potent than vancomycin against Gram-positive organisms. See, e.g., Ostash and Walker, Curr. Opin. Chem. Biol. (2005) 9:459-466; Goldman et al., Curr. Med. Chem. (2000) 7:801-820. Structure-activity relationship studies of Moneomycin analogs conducted on the saccharide portion of the molecule have revealed that moenomycins with at least three carbohydrate units (C, E, and F) are active in vivo against Gram-positive bacteria. See, e.g., Garneau et al., Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry (2004) 12:6473-6494. Furthermore, while the phosporyl group and the carboxylate group of the phosphoglycerate linker are now considered important for bioactivity, the moenocinol chain is also considered to be an important structural component of the molecule and probably contributes to target binding both by direct interactions with the hydrophobic funnel that leads to the membrane and by membrane anchoring. See, e.g., Fuse et al., Chemical Biology (2010) 5:701-711. However, at the same time, the moenocinol chain is also credited with poor pharmacokinetic properties and high serum binding of meonomycin, e.g., its absorption upon oral administration is relatively poor. See, e.g., van Heijenoort, Glycobiology (2001) 11:25R-36R.

Moenomycin analogs, methods of synthesis, and uses thereof

President and Fellows of Harvard College