A kojibiose phosphorylase which hydrolyzes kojibiose in the presence of an inorganic phosphoric acid to form .beta.-glucose and .beta.-D-glucose-1-phosphoric acid, forms kojibiose and an inorganic phosphoric acid from .beta.-D-glucose-1-phosphoric acid, and catalyzes the transfer reaction of glucosyl group to other saccharides using .beta.-D-glucose-1-phosphoric acid as a saccharide donor. The enzyme is obtainable from Thermoanaerobium brockii and obtainable by recombinant technology.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a novel kojibiose phosphorylase, its preparation and uses, more particularly, to a novel kojibiose phosphorylase which catalyzes the phosphorolysis of kojibiose in the presence of an inorganic phosphoric acid and/or its salt (hereinafter abbreviated as "inorganic phosphoric acid" throughout the present specification, if not any inconvenience will arise) to form D-glucose and .beta.-D-glucose-1-phosphoric acid and/or its salt (hereinafter abbreviated as ".beta.-D-glucose-1-phosphoric acid" throughout the present specification, if not any inconvenience will arise), and which, in reverse, forms kojibiose and inorganic phosphoric acid from .beta.-D-glucose-1-phosphoric acid and D-glucose, and to the processes of the kojibiose phosphorylase, saccharide compositions containing glucosyl-transferred saccharides produced by using the kojibiose phosphorylase, and compositions containing the saccharide compositions.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Recently, oligosaccharides such as maltose and trehalose and functions thereof have become to be highlighted, and have been studied on their unique and different processes in view of various aspects. There has been known that phosphorylases such as maltose, trehalose, sucrose, cellobiose, and laminaribiose phosphorylases can be used as methods for producing the above oligosaccharides. Various microorganisms are known as sources of these phosphorylases.
The activities and resources of these phosphorylases are summarized in "Enzyme Handbook", published by Asakura-Shoten Publisher, Tokyo, Japan (1982). However, no phosphorylase capable of forming kojibiose has been known, and the actual supply has been desired.

Kojibiose phosphorylase obtainable from Thermoanaerobium brockii, its preparation and uses

Kabushiki Kaisha Hayashibara Seibutsu Kagaku Kenkyujo


To provide a method for fabricating a light-emitting device using flexible glass which is capable of withstanding a process temperature higher than or equal to 500° C., and the light-emitting device. A second substrate is attached to a support substrate using an adsorption layer. The second substrate is bonded to a backplane substrate provided with a transistor and a light-emitting element. The backplane substrate includes a separation layer and a buffer layer. A first substrate is separated from the backplane substrate by separation between the separation layer and the buffer layer. A flexible third substrate is bonded, using a second adhesive layer, to a surface of the buffer layer exposed by the separation. The support substrate is separated from the second substrate by separation between the second substrate and the adsorption layer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a light-emitting device using an organic electroluminescence (hereinafter also referred to as EL) phenomenon, and a method for fabricating the light-emitting device.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, research and development have been actively conducted on light-emitting elements utilizing organic EL (organic EL elements). In the fundamental structure of the organic EL element, a layer containing a light-emitting organic compound (EL layer) is sandwiched between a pair of electrodes.
Since the organic EL element is a self-luminous type, a light-emitting device including the organic EL element has advantages of high visibility, no necessity of a backlight, low power consumption, and the like. In addition, the light-emitting device including the organic EL element also has advantages that it can be thin and lightweight and it is highly responsive to input signals.
Furthermore, the light-emitting device including an organic EL element can achieve reduction in thickness and weight, and further have flexibility and high impact resistance; therefore, use of such a light-emitting element for a substrate having flexibility (a flexible substrate) has been proposed. The substrate having flexibility is used not only in a light-emitting device but also in a semiconductor device or the like which operates by utilizing semiconductor characteristics.
For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a flexible active matrix light-emitting device in which an organic EL element or a transistor serving as a switching element is provided over a film substrate.

Light-emitting device and method for fabricating the same

Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.


The liquid container comprises: a first chamber that is surrounded by a plurality of walls and is configured to contain a liquid; a liquid inlet port for pouring the liquid into the first chamber; an air opening port that is opened to air; a liquid lead-out port that leads the liquid out of the first chamber; an air lead-in port that is formed in, out of the plurality of walls surrounding the first chamber, a first wall different from the wall constituting a top surface; and an air communication path that allows the air opening port and the air lead-in port to communicate with each other. The air lead-in port is separated from a corner portion where the first wall crosses with another wall.

There has been previously known an inkjet printer as an example of a liquid injection apparatus or a printer. An inkjet printer can perform printing on a print medium such as a print paper sheet by discharging an ink as an example of a liquid from a print head (also called liquid injection head) onto the print medium. It has been previously known that such an inkjet printer is configured to supply the ink from a tank or a tank unit to the print head (for example, refer to Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2).

Liquid container and liquid injection apparatus


A method for a multi-function scanner for scanning a document with a laser/anti-counterfeit mark includes the steps of: pre-scanning the document to obtain a preview image; recording a zone of the laser/anti-counterfeit mark selected by a user on the preview image as a marked zone; using a visible light source to scan the document so as to obtain a first image corresponding to the document excluding the marked zone; using an infrared right source to scan the document so as to obtain a second image corresponding to the marked zone; and combining the first image with the second image.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method for a multi-function scanner, and more particularly to a method applied to a multi-function scanner capable of scanning a normal document without a laser/anti-counterfeit mark and a special document with the laser/anti-counterfeit mark and capable of effectively removing the laser/and-counterfeit mark from the scanned image.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration showing a conventional flatbed scanner. As shown in FIG. 1, a scanner 100 is used to scan a to-be-scanned document 200 placed thereon. The scanner 100 includes a guiding rod 120 and a scan module 110 that may be moved along the guiding rod 120. The scan module 110 includes a light source 111, reflecting mirrors 112, a lens module 113, and an image sensor 114.
The light source 111 emits white light rays (visible light rays) to illuminate the document 200, and the light rays are partially reflected to the reflecting mirrors 112, which reflect the light rays to the lens module 113, which focuses the light rays on the image sensor 114. The image sensor 114 converts optical signals into electrical signals, which are processed and then transferred to a computer or other processing devices for further processing. For example, the image signals of the scanned document may be transferred to the computer, which may recognize the image signals into character data.
Since the conventional to-be-scanned documents belong to black/white or color documents, the conventional scanner may scan these documents and obtain good effects. However, laser/anti-counterfeit marks have been added to some important documents, such as ID cards, passports, savings-account books, or other confidential documents in order to prevent the documents from being counterfeited, and the conventional scanner cannot scan these documents with clear effects. This is because the laser/anti-counterfeit marks may shield the information on the documents.
Thus, it is necessary to discriminate if the documents with the laser/anti-counterfeit marks are true or not by the human or machines in the airport, customhouse, or bank, and then to scan the documents with the laser/anti-counterfeit marks using scanners. The scanned image information is then recognized into character information such as numbers and names by processors or computers.
Since the laser/anti-counterfeit marks are typically superimposed on the character information, the scanned image information is typically interfered by the laser/anti-counterfeit marks and becomes blurred when the conventional scanners are used. Therefore, the recognition precision will be influenced and better recognition effects cannot be obtained even if the scan mode is switched to black/white, gray-scale, or color mode.
Thus, it is a great advantage to the user if a scanner can clearly scan a normal document and a special document with a laser/anti-counterfeit mark.
Edgar discloses a method for removing the effect of surface defects from a scan of an image behind a surface using an infrared light source and a visible light source in U.S. Pat. No. 6,075,590. In this disclosure, two scanning processes are performed using the visible light source and the infrared light source to illuminate the document, and the surface defects of the document are removed according to two scanning results. However, no technology with regard to the laser/anti-counterfeit marks has been disclosed.
Taiwan Patent Publication No. 509801 discloses an apparatus for compensating for the optical properties of an object according to light sources with different wavelengths. In this disclosure, the document is scanned twice using a visible light source and an infrared light source to illuminate the document, and then the image are compensated and repaired according to two scanning results. However, no technology with regard to the laser/anti-counterfeit marks has been disclosed.
Thus, it is an important subject of the invention to provide a method applied to a scanner capable of scanning a normal document without a laser/anti-counterfeit mark, and a special document having the laser/anti-counterfeit mark without being influenced by the mark.


A gas-fired apparatus for high-volume commercial cooking comprises double-sided griddles, each having a lower platen with a horizontal top cooking surface and an upper platen with a bottom cooking surface. The upper platen of each griddle is moved into a horizontal position in contact with the food, presses downward on the food until it reaches a predetermined level above the lower platen, and stops there. It is lifted away when the food is cooked. Heated oil (maintained at substantially constant pressure by a weight controlled valve) is circulated through a first heat exchanger, which contacts, and transfers heat to, the lower platen, and through a second heat exchanger, which contacts, and transfers heat to, the upper platen. Each heat exchanger comprises three contiguous flat metal layers. The inner layer has a spiral-like passage for the oil to flow through, to heat an outer layer and maintain a substantially uniform temperature over its outer surface. Shape and dimensions for the passage may be determined in part by a finite element thermal conduction computer program. To minimize stresses in the inner plate and differences in thermal expansion among the layers, the passage may be cut out by a laser.

The patent applications, patents, and paper cited above disclose in more detail a typical gas-fired cooking apparatus and components thereof in which heat exchangers according to the present invention are employed to advantage.
Such a gas-fired double-sided griddle for commercial cooking typically includes a lower platen with a horizontal top cooking surface and an upper platen with a bottom cooking surface. A positioning mechanism moves the upper platen of each griddle into a horizontal position in contact with the food, permits the upper platen to press downward on the food until it reaches a predetermined level above the lower platen, stops the downward movement at that level, and lifts the upper platen away when the food is cooked. In order to achieve uniform doneness, all food on the griddle should be subject to a constant temperature cooking surface. The heat exchangers described here achieve temperature control by the intermittent flow of a heated fluid, typically a heat transfer oil.
A supply of oil is heated to desired temperatures. The heated oil (maintained at substantially constant pressure by a weight controlled valve) is circulated through a first heat exchanger, which contacts, and transfers heat to, the lower platen, and through a second heat exchanger, which contacts, and transfers heat to, the upper platen.
Each heat exchanger according to this invention typically comprises three contiguous flat metal layers. The exterior layers are flat sheets that provide covers for the inner layer. The inner layer has a passage for the oil to flow through, to heat an outer layer and maintain a substantially uniform temperature over its outer surface. The present invention comprises a particularly advantageous configuration for the oil flow passage. The shape and dimensions for the passage may be determined in part by finite element or finite difference thermal conduction computer programs. The passage may be cut out by a laser so as to minimize stresses in the inner plate and differences in thermal expansion among the layers.
Some prior art has addressed the issue of uniform heat exchanger temperature, for example, Friedman et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,478,227, issued Oct. 23, 1984, for Heat Exchanger Having Uniform Surface Temperature and Improved Structural Strength. The present device is less expensive and appears to be superior to those in the prior art because of better local uniformity and better control of the edge heat losses.


A differential gear is capable of differentially setting magnitudes of differential limiting forces depending on directions of rotational force transmission. A rotational force of the input-side rotary element is transmitted by way of rolling elements and grooves to the rotary elements. The rolling elements roll along grooves of the rotary elements while reciprocating within elongated holes of the retainer element, thereby permitting the difference in speeds of rotation between the rotary elements. The differential motions of the rotary elements are limited by axial reaction forces generated between the rotary elements and the grooves. At that time, if the directions of the rotational force transmission between the input-side rotary element and the rotary elements differ from each other, then the magnitudes of the axial reaction forces generated between the rotary elements and the grooves will also be different from each other. Hence, differential limiting forces are generated which differ in magnitude from one another depending on the directions of transmission of rotational forces. According to the present invention, therefore, a small and low-cost configuration is achieved and there can be generated differential limiting forces having any magnitudes which differ between upon the acceleration and deceleration of automobiles. A secure coping will thus be ensured with running performances of automobiles, objects of use and combinations with attached mechanisms, thereby remarkably enhancing utility value as the differential gear having a differential limiting function.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a differential gear permitting differences in speed of rotations for example between the right and left or the front and rear drive wheels of automobiles, and to a method of manufacturing disc-like members for use in the differential gear.
2. Description of the Related Art
Typical automobile differential gears have a pinion gear interposed between a pair of bevel gears coupled to the output shaft so that when the pinion gear shaft is subjected to an external rotational force, the pinion gear is rotated upon the differential motions to permit the difference in speed of rotation between the output shafts. Known as a differential gear having a differential limiting function for restricting the idling of one of the drive wheels during turning or at the travel on the surface of road having a lower frictional force is one having an additional differential limiting mechanism such as for example a viscos coupling making use of resistance of the viscos fluid. However, the structure having such an additional specialized mechanism as the differential motion limiting mechanism often suffers from drawbacks of increases in size and cost of the gear body. Thus, the applicant has already proposed a differential gear smaller in size than the conventional structure and capable of achieving the differential limiting effect without needing any additional specialized mechanism (Japanese Patent Laid-open Pub. No. Hei8-170705).
This differential gear comprises a gear case which is rotated by an external force; a pair of disc plates confronting each other and coaxial with the gear case; a plurality of balls arranged between the confronting faces of the pair of disc plates; and a center plate for retaining the balls and rotating together with the gear case. The center plate includes a plurality of elongated holes extending in the radial direction of the disc plates and movably accommodating the balls. The confronting faces of the disc plates are provided with grooves with which the balls are rollingly engaged. The rotational force is transmitted by way of the balls and the grooves to the disc plates. The balls are caused to roll along the grooves of the disc plates while reciprocating within the elongated holes of the center plates, to thereby permit the difference between speeds of rotation of the two disc plates. The differential motion between the disc plates is limited by the axial reaction force generated between the balls and the grooves. Accordingly, this differential gear is advantageous in reduction in number of constituent parts and compactness as well as easy assembling since it effects the differential motion between the disc plates by the engagement of the balls with the grooves and use is made of the mechanical characteristics in that configuration to obtain the differential limiting effect.
In the automobile drive wheels, for example, the differential limiting forces in the differential gear occur both during the acceleration and deceleration. When the directions of transmission of rotational forces to the drive wheels differ between during the acceleration and deceleration due to the automobile travel performances, objects of use, or combinations with the attached mechanisms, it would be desirable that the magnitudes of the differential limiting forces also be set so as to differ from each other. In the automobiles equipped with an ABS (anti-lock braking system) for preventing any slip during braking operation, it would be necessary to prevent the drive wheels from being locked by reducing the differential limiting force which may occur during the deceleration in view of controlling the braking force relative to the surface of road on a wheel-to-wheel basis.

Differential gear setting differential limiting forces in response to rotational force transmission direction

29-1105, Wakabadai 4-chome, Asahi-ku, Yokohama


The invention envisages a light-generating apparatus that provides effective cooling of the reflector, the apparatus comprising a reflector and a device for improving the dissipation of heat from the reflector.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates in general to illuminating means, in particular the invention relates to a light-generating apparatus having a reflector and a cooling structure.
2. Description of Related Art
Attempts are being made, for example in the field of projection technology, to reduce the size of light-generating systems in conjunction with identical or increased power. This is desirable, inter alia, in order to achieve an increased brilliancy. Even today, use is still being made for projectors of predominantly conventional luminous means which operate, for example, with incandescent wires, or particularly with electric arcs. As high-brilliancy sources, these light sources are distinguished from lasers, in particular, by the high light power and the realistic color temperature and a high spectral blue component.
However, a large thermal component is lost with such light sources. Because of the thermal power that occurs, the light-generating systems or apparatuses cannot be of arbitrarily small configuration in order not to permit the thermal input per unit of area of the reflector to become too high. This problem is also compounded, in particular, in the case of cold-light reflectors, for which longer wave radiation components are not reflected but pass through the reflector. Further problems arise owing to the large change in temperature occurring during switching on and off.

Light-generating apparatus having a reflector


A video playback device for playing back a video signal recorded to a recording medium such as a magnetic tape by folding a high frequency signal component onto a low frequency signal component. A luminance signal decoding circuit is made such that since a transition between regions of the luminance signal is controlled by utilizing a motional signal contained within the folded luminance signal. The luminance signal of the folded full band width can be restored so as to be distributed in an original frequency band without any deterioration of picture quality.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a video playback device for playing back, from a recording medium, a fullband video signal in which a high frequency signal component is folded onto a low frequency signal component and recorded on the recording medium such as a magnetic tape, and more particularly, to a luminance signal decoding circuit for to correctly decoding a luminance signal of full band without any deterioration of picture quality.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A television signal of NTSC or PAL system which is generally used has a frequency band of about 5 MHz, comprises a luminance signal and chrominance signal.
Namely, a typical television signal comprises a luminance signal having a frequency band of about 5 MHz and a chrominance signal having a frequency band of approximately 1 MHz around 3.58 MHz.
However, a normal cassette tape serving as a recording medium has a frequency bandwidth of approximately 3.5 MHz.
Accordingly, existing video recording and playing back devices can only record and playing back luminance signals of 2.5 MHz and chrominance signals of 1 MHz frequency bands.
Thus, in order to solve a disadvantage of the existing video recording and playing back devices which is not capable of recording a luminance signal of full band to a normal cassette tape, a method capable of recording and playing back a television signal of full band to a normal cassette tape was disclosed in the U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/569029 filed by Sam Sung Electronic Co. Ltd now U.S. Pat. No. 5,223,262.
In accordance with the aforementioned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/569029, the high frequency luminance signal component is folded onto the low frequency luminance signal component during recording, and the high frequency luminance signal folded onto the low frequency luminance signal is then unfolded so as to be distributed to an original frequency band during play back.
The video recording and play back device disclosed in the above-described U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/569029 provided for the recordation of a motional signal representing image motion together with the chrominance signal in order to control transitions between image regions of the luminance signal upon playing back.
However, the video recording and playing back device described in the above-described U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/569029 will not correctly reproduce the motional signal when a video playback head could not correctly scan a video track of the tape during playing back, and could not correctly control the transition between regions of the luminance signal because to the motional signal contains errors.
Therefore, the video recording and playing back device described in the U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/569029 has the a problem that the luminance signal in which the high frequency luminance signal is folded onto the low frequency luminance signal can not be correctly restored causing the image deterioration during playing back.

Luminance signal unfolding and reemphasizing circuit


A system and method for cutting shingles according to which a plurality of cutting blades are mounted on the outer circumference of a cutting cylinder, and the cylinder is rotated with the blades engaging the sheet while effecting relative translational movement between the cylinder and the sheet so that shingles are cut from the sheet upon one rotation of the cylinder.

This disclosure relates to a system and method for cutting individual objects, such as shingles, from a continuous sheet of material.
In the mass production of composition, or asphalt, roofing shingles, a cutting cylinder is often positioned to engage a continuous sheet of a composition material that forms the shingles. Cutting blades are provided on the outer circumference of the cutting cylinder and the continuous sheet of material is passed under the cylinder as it is rotated to cut the shingles. In order to produce an attractive pattern, shingles have been cut in a "dragon tooth" pattern. However, when dragon tooth patterns are cut, a lack of variance in shingle patterns result in a non-random appearance when the shingles are applied to a roof, resulting in a relatively unsightly patterned appearance when compared to individual wood shingles, and the like.
Therefore a system and method is needed to produce roofing shingles of the above type which are cut in a dragon tooth pattern yet increase product appearance when compared to the techniques discussed above.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


Disclosed herein are flexible prosthetic components that are designed to be snap-fit to bone of a patient. The prosthetic components each have an outer articular surface and an inner bone contacting surface opposing the outer articular surface. The bone contacting surface has an anterior surface and an opposing posterior surface configured to contact corresponding anterior and posterior surfaces of the patient's bone. At least one of the anterior and posterior surfaces includes one or more protrusions extending outwardly therefrom. The anterior and posterior surfaces of the prosthetic components may flex toward and away from one another such that the one or more protrusions may snap-fit into corresponding recesses in the bone. The bone of the patient may be resected to include planar surfaces or resurfaced to include a curved surface corresponding to the respective bone contacting surface of the prosthetic components.

Joint replacement surgery to remove and replace arthritic or dysfunctional joint surfaces with orthopedic prosthesis is widespread today. Hip and knee replacement operations are among the most commonly performed operations in the U.S. Knee replacement surgery can involve one or more damaged knee surfaces. Total knee arthroplasty ("TKA") is used to treat various forms of knee arthropathies, and is performed by removing and replacing all damaged articulating surfaces of the knee with a prosthetic component. Generally, TKA includes one or more of the following steps: a) removal of damaged cartilage along with a small amount of bone from the tibia and femur, b) replacement of damaged bone surfaces with metal components, and replacement of cartilage with medical grade plastic, c) resurfacing of the underside of the patella with a plastic disk, and d) inserting a piece of smooth, medical grade plastic between the metal parts to facilitate ease of movement.
Many different types of articulating material combinations are used to make prosthetic components. One of the more commonly used combinations includes a metal femoral surface articulating against a polymer tibia and patella surface. After implantation, the friction these components are subjected to may lead to metal erosion. Metal ions and debris released at the area of the implant can lead to complications such as osteolysis. Build-up of metal debris in soft body tissue can cause metallosis. Although poisoning from metallosis is rare, metal-on-metal implants containing cobalt-chromium alloys are known to cause arthroprosthetic cobaltism, which is an established health condition.
Stress shielding by stiff metal prosthetic implants can lead to bone resorption. Stress shielding is a mechanical phenomenon that occurs in prosthetic composites of stiff and flexible materials. In its natural state, a femur carries load by itself. However, when provided with a stiff metal implant, the femur is subject to reduced stress, hence stress shielded. Clinical patient series and animal experiments have shown that reduce stress loading can lead to bone loss. Changes in bone morphology have been linked to the effect of stress shielding and a subsequent adaptive remodeling process.
Stiff metal prosthesis are generally implanted to bone by long anchor pins and secured by using bone cement such as polymethylmethacrylate compositions, for example. Aseptic loosening of the bone cement surface, i.e., failure of the bond between an implant and bone in the absence of infection, has been observed in many cases.


There are provided, inner alia, compounds and methods for lowering total AB peptide production by inhibiting the catalytic activity of gamma-secretase. Since all of the major AB peptide variants, including the pathogenic AB42 as known in the art, are ultimately generated by gamma-secretase-mediated proteolysis of APP-C99 (i.e., the beta-secretase-mediated cleavage product of the amyloid protein precursor IAPPI), one approach to therapeutic intervention (e.g., intervention in Alzheimer's Disease, AD) relates to lowering total AB peptide production by inhibiting the catalytic activity of gamma-secretase.

Since all of the major Aβ peptide variants, including the pathogenic Aβ42 as known in the art, are ultimately generated by gamma-secretase-mediated proteolysis of APP-C99 (i.e., the beta-secretase-mediated cleavage product of the amyloid protein precursor |APP|), one approach to therapeutic intervention (e.g., intervention in Alzheimer's Disease, AD) relates to lowering total Aβ peptide production by inhibiting the catalytic activity of gamma-secretase. However, gamma-secretase catalyzes the proteolysis of a large number of membrane proteins including the Notch receptor which yields the Notch intracellular domain (NICD), a peptide necessary for proper cellular differentiation and development. Nonetheless, many inhibitors of gamma-secretase activity, generally referred to as gamma-secretase inhibitors (GSIs), have been discovered, and some are being developed clinically. See e.g., Coric, V. et al., 2012, Arch Neurol. 69:1430-1440.
Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that GSIs have the liability of adverse events resulting from (at least in part) the inhibition of Notch proteolysis. See e.g., Wakabayashi T. & De Strooper, B., 2008, Physiology 23:194-204; Fleisher A. S., et al., 2008, Arch Neurol. 65:1031-1038. In addition, gamma-secretase is now known to hydrolyze a rather large number of type I membrane proteins (Wakabayashi & De Strooper, 2008, Id.), implying participation in critical membrane protein degradation and signaling pathway(s). Therefore, inhibiting this enzymatic complex, which has been described as the "proteosome of the membrane" (Kopan, R. & Ilagan, M. X., 2004, Nat. Rev. Mal Cell. Biol. 5:486-488), may in fact be detrimental to an aged AD population with an already compromised neuronal catabolism. Thus, as is the case for other age-related degenerative disorders (e.g., cardiovascular disease), successful disease modifying therapeutic approaches will require long term administration, beginning early in the disease process and with either very tolerable or without side effects.
Recently, an approach utilized NSAID-like substrate-targeted GSMs (i.e., tarenflurbil) which have been shown to selectively inhibit Aβ42 (at least in vitro); however, their poor potency combined with their inability to cross the blood brain barrier resulted in a lack of efficacy in the clinic. See e.g., Kukar, T. L., et al., 2008, Nature 453:925-929; Green, R. C., et al. 2009, J. Amer. Med. Asso. 302:2557-2564; see also Cheng, S., et al., 2007, U.S. Pat. No. 7,244,939; Kounnas, M. Z. et al., 2010, Neuron 67:769-780. Assays useful in characterizing the GSMs and GSIs have been described previously. See e.g., Cheng, S., et al., 2007, Id.; Kounnas, M. Z. et al., 2010, Id.) Certain GSMs have been shown to be potent and efficacious in vivo for lowering the levels of Aβ42 and Aβ40 in both the plasma and brain of APP transgenic mice and chronic efficacy studies revealed dramatically attenuated AD-like pathology in the Tg2576 APP transgenic mouse model.
The poor aqueous solubilities of the earlier GSMs have hindered the necessary preclinical development required for an investigational new drug (IND) application. Thus, there remains a need in the art for safe and effective GSM's. The present application provides solutions to these problems.

The Regents of the University of California


A computer-readable map format and methods of constructing the map format are disclosed. The map format includes location information for a plurality of background objects. At least one of the background objects is a seasonal background object and the location information associated with the seasonal background object is identified during a season in which an obscuration level associated with the seasonal background object is at a minimum. The obscuration level can be based on the amount that the seasonal background object is obscured or based on the amount of obscuration caused by the seasonal background object.

Fully or highly automated driving systems are designed to operate a vehicle on the road without driver interaction or other external control, for example, self-driving vehicles or autonomous vehicles. Operating autonomously requires certainty in both the location of stationary objects, such as road signs and natural features of the environment, and detection and tracking of moving objects proximate to these stationary objects, such as other vehicles and pedestrians proximate to the autonomous vehicle. In order to improve reaction time of the autonomous vehicle, both stationary and moving objects should be recognized as accurately and as quickly as possible. Once recognized, location information associated with some stationary objects can be added to a background map format designed to be ignored during object tracking to allow the autonomous vehicle to reduce processing time.
One prior art automated driving system includes a background map format that automatically adds new background objects to the background map format once the objects are recognized as motionless by the autonomous vehicle while the autonomous vehicle traverses a route. Another prior art automated driving system includes means for transforming three-dimensional data captured for background objects into two-dimensional data in order to use less storage space in a background map format. However, there is a need for a background map format configured to include a minimum amount of location information for background objects in order improve the accuracy of moving object tracking and significantly reduce computing time for the autonomous vehicle to more rapidly make driving decisions.

Background map format for autonomous driving

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.


An apparatus and method for controlling acoustic echo cancellation in a mobile communication terminal are capable of improving phenomena occurring during a call, such as an echo phenomenon, muting phenomenon and fluctuation of transmitting signals, by performing real-time monitoring of the signal of a speaker output stage and effectively controlling an AEC function according to the characteristics of the terminal. The level of a receiving signal which is outputted to a speaker is detected. A transmitting signal, which is outputted from a microphone, is converted into a digital voice signal. A certain attenuation value is adaptively determined depending on the detected level of the receiving signal, and attenuation on transmitting signal is controlled according to the determined attenuation value.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a mobile communication terminal, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for controlling acoustic echo cancellation which is capable of improving an acoustic echo cancellation function which is used in the mobile communication terminal.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, as mobile communication terminals are being made smaller in size for being more easily carried, the distance between a speaker unit for outputting voice signals and a microphone unit for inputting voice signals becomes shorter. When voice signals are received from a far-end user and outputted to the speaker unit, the outputted sound voice may be picked up by the microphone unit and then transmitted back to the far-end user. This may cause what is called an "acoustic echo phenomenon."
In the acoustic echo phenomenon, when a voice signal is applied from a downlink path to an uplink path and then amplified again, the level of transmitting (electric) power is greatly fluctuated, and accordingly causes a problem that a near-end user cannot recognize well voice signals received from the far-end user.
Accordingly, there has been recently increased the need for developing technologies that can help eliminate problems of the echo phenomenon occurring in mobile communication terminals, in particular, in small-sized mobile communication terminals.

Apparatus and method for controlling acoustic echo cancellation in mobile communication terminal


A micro electrostatic cooling fan arrangement is provided which includes a heat source having a planar surface, a stator attached to the heat source, an axle attached to the heat source and spaced from the stator, a rotary element including a hub having an aperture therein and a fan blade, the axle passing through the aperture of the hub and the fan blade having a major surface thereof disposed at an angle with respect to the surface of the heat source and attached to the hub at one end, with the other end of the fan blade being adjacent to but spaced from the stator and a voltage source applied to the stator having sufficient voltage to charge the fan blade.. Also, a process is provided for making a microfan which includes forming a strip of sacrificial material on a planar surface of a heat source, applying a spin on insulating layer over the heat source and the strip for producing a sloping surface extending from about the top of the strip toward the planar surface of the heat source, applying a layer of conductive material on the sloping surface and strip and defining from the layer of conductive material a fan blade on the sloping surface of the spin on insulating layer and a stator at one end of the fan blade.

Increasing packaging densities in the integrated circuit technology used in computer systems, wherein 200 million or more operations are completed in a second, has increased the demands on integrated circuit chip or wafer cooling methods due to the generation of heat which can be sufficiently high enough to damage the chip, generally made of silicon, unless it is appropriately cooled. A number of methods have been proposed to cool these chips including passive type cooling systems which remove the heat from critical package areas through various heat conduction techniques such as the use of a copper fin cooling system placed directly on the package. Active type cooling systems have also been proposed to cool these chips or wafers such as by pumping fluids through micro channels formed in the package. An active type cooling system described in, e.g., "High-Performance Heat Sinking for VLSI", by D. B. Tuckerman et al, IEEE Electron Device Letters, VOL. EDL-2, No. 5, May 1981, pp. 126-129, discloses the formation of microscopic channels formed in an integrated circuit silicon chip for carrying a coolant. Microchannels are also used to cool chips in the system disclosed in an article entitled "Chip coolers", in Popular Science, June 1990, pp. 40 and 41.
In the field of microdynamics, micromechanical systems, such as micromotors, are being developed which have no parts with dimensions much larger than 100 micrometers. An article entitled "IC-Processed Electrostatic Micro-motors", by L-S. Fan et al, in IEDM 88, 1988, pp. 666-669, describes micro-motors wherein both rotors and stators, driven by electrostatic forces, are formed from 1.0-1.5 micrometer thick polycrystalline silicon with the diameters of the rotors in the motors tested being between 60 and 120 micrometers. Also an article entitled Micromachine in Popular Science, March 1989, pp. 88-92 and 143, discloses electrostatic microscopic motors mass-produced with other mechanisms on silicon wafers . Another article entitled "Silicon micromechanics: sensors and actuators on a chip" by R. T. Howe et al, IEEE Spectrum, July 1990, pp. 29-31, 34 and 35, describes fabricating minute motors using the integrated circuit manufacturing processes.
An article entitled "Micro Gears and Turbines Etched from Silicon" by K. J. Gabriel et al, in Transducers '87, June 1987, pp. 853-856, discloses the fabrication of micro air-turbines etched from silicon. U.S. Pat. No. 4,740,410, by R. S. Muller et al, issued Apr. 26, 1988, and entitled "Micromechanical Elements and Methods for Their Fabrication" discusses the use of polycrystalline silicon as the material for making micromechanical members while using phosphosilicate glass for sacrificial layers during the fabrication of the micromechanical elements. "Design Considerations for a Practical Electrostatic Micro-motor", by W.S.N. Trimmer et al, in sensors and Actuators, 11(March 1987), pp. 189-206, discusses the design of electrostatic motors utilizing the advances in silicon technology.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,943,750, by R. T. Howe et al, issued Jul. 24, 1990, discloses an electrostatic micromotor used as an air pump by micromachining an aperture underlying the rotor and apertures at a corresponding radius in the rotor. A Union of Soviet Socialist Republic patent SU 0644-020, dated Jan. 28, 1979, discloses an electrostatic motor formed in a dielectric cylinder with rotation transmitted to fan vanes.

Cooling microfan arrangements and process

International Business Machines Corporation


Generally described, an articulated wheel fairing system for a vehicle having a steering system with a neutral steering input and a non-neutral steering input is provided. The articulated wheel fairing system provides clearance to the steer tire and wheel of the vehicle during non-neutral steering input, such as when the vehicle is turning at slower road speeds. The wheel fairing system generally includes an articulating fairing panel configured to cover at least a portion of the steer wheel, where the fairing panel movable from a first position adjacent to the steer wheel, such as when the vehicle is traveling at higher road speeds, to a second position outwardly from the first position. The wheel fairing system includes a mechanical linkage or actuator coupled to the fairing panel and the vehicle and configured to move the frame between the first position and the second position relative to the vehicle.

Numerous means have been sought to improve the fuel-efficiency of moving bodies and, especially, moving bluff bodies by reducing their aerodynamic drag. In the field of surface transportation, and particularly in the long-haul trucking industry, even small improvements in fuel efficiency can reduce annual operating costs significantly. It is therefore advantageous in the design of a vehicle to reduce drag forces, thereby increasing the aerodynamic properties and efficiency of the vehicle.
The over-the-highway cargo-hauling tractor-trailer combination is one vehicle that experiences excessive aerodynamic drag. Generally described, tractor-trailer combinations typically include a tractor having a so-called fifth wheel by which a box-like semi-trailer may be attached to the tractor by an articulated connection for transportation of the cargo trailer.
It is well known that features of bluff bodies, such as tractor-trailer combinations, and particularly features of the front-facing tractor of the combination, contribute significantly to aerodynamic drag, as evidenced by the formation of turbulence around the features of the tractor or truck. In one aspect, the wheels and wheel wells create turbulence, forming eddies, and can be contributed to the shape and motion of the wheels and wheel wells. The result is the creation of considerable aerodynamic drag.

Articulated wheel fairing for the steer axle


An image forming apparatus includes an interface and a control circuit. The interface is configured to connect a contactless card reader. The control circuit is configured to acquire identification information read from an information recording medium by the contactless card reader and to decrease a field intensity level of the contactless card reader in response to a success of authentication of the identification information.

An image forming apparatus including a human detection sensor for detecting whether or not a user is present near the image forming apparatus is known.
An image forming apparatus that authenticates identification information read from a card for personal authentication by a contactless card reader is known. The authentication is a technique for restricting setting of the image forming apparatus for each user and restricting access to an electronic file stored in the image forming apparatus for each user.
With the progress of power saving of electronic devices, power saving is required for at least one of the human detection sensor and the contactless card reader.

Image forming apparatus with power saving features


Featured is a device controller in a system having a multiplicity of such controllers and a conveying system and method for controlling a multiplicity of devices using such controllers. Each controller includes a plurality of bi-directional communications ports, a processor that processes information and provides outputs, where at least one output controls the device, and an applications program for execution within the processor that includes instructions and criteria for processing the information and providing the processor outputs. Specifically, the applications program includes instructions and criteria for communicating information between and among controllers; instructions and criteria for processing information received by a controller; and instructions and criteria for modifying the operation of a device responsive to the communicated information. For a conveying system having a multiplicity of conveying sections, a controller is provided for each section. Preferably, the applications program for a conveying system controller also includes the instructions and criteria needed to operate any one of a number of different conveying section types. Further, the conveying system controller includes a memory for storing parameters that are used so the corresponding conveying system section operates in the desired fashion.

Existing control systems and control methodologies, particularly those for conveying systems, employ some form of centralized control over multiple device controllers. For example, two device controllers are hard wired interconnected to a programmable logic controller (PLC) or a plurality of PLCs, each being hardwired to device controllers, are hard wired connected to another central PLC. To effect a change in the operation of one device in response to changing conditions for another device, the PLC identifies the changing conditions and sends a signal to the other controller.
Such systems are difficult to modify in the field by the user (i.e, not user friendly). System modifications typically involves re-configuring or replacing each control component (i..e, controller and PLC) in the system. As such, these types of systems are expensive and time consuming and have little flexibility for field modification.
Conveying systems traditionally have been custom designed with centralized controls and complex customized software for tracking articles or goods in movement in the system. Modifications to such systems entail adjustments to the centralized controls, revision to the customized software and the de-bugging required following such changes to assure proper system operation. Further, because the software and controls for each system is customized for each system, it is difficult to combine the control logic with the mechanicals of the conveying system.
There is, therefore, a need for controllers that communicate with each other on a local area basis to control the operation of systems or devices connected to the controllers and need for controllers that de-centralize these control function. Additionally, there is a need for a controllers which do not require hard wired interconnections but use communication protocols and equipment as a means for communicating between controllers. There also is a need for a conveying system that has increased flexibility and controls the flow of goods or articles through the system without centralized control and customized software. Moreover, there is a need for a conveying system that is modularized in design and operation so customized engineering is not required.

Device controller with intracontroller communication capability, conveying system using such controllers for controlling conveying sections and methods related thereto


The present invention relates to a gas discharge flat panel display created out of a substrate and a glass sheet. Light generating phosphors are disposed upon a plane surface of the glass sheet. The substrate contains pits matching the locations of the disposed phosphors, each pit containing upstanding firing points connected to conductive traces. The conductive traces are used to generate a high electric field at the firing points. The glass sheet is located over the substrate and a gas at or near atmospheric pressure is trapped in the pits between the glass and the substrate. The gas ionizes when the firing points are electrified and the energy given off by the gas excites the phosphors giving off light.

Cathode ray tube (CRT) displays are commonly used in display devices such as televisions and desk-top computer screens. CRT displays operate as a result of a scanning electron beam from an electron gun striking phosphors resident on a distant screen. The electrons increase the energy level of the phosphors. When the phosphors return to their original energy level, they release photons which are transmitted through the display screen (normally glass) forming a visual image to a person looking at the screen. A colored CRT display utilizes an array of display pixels wherein each individual display pixel is comprised of a trio of color generating phosphors (that is, each pixel is split into three colored parts, which alone or in combination create colors when activated). Color images are created by exciting the appropriate colored phosphors.
Flat panel displays are becoming more popular in today's society. These displays are being used more frequently, particularly to display the information of computer systems and other devices. Typically, flat panel displays are lighter and utilize less power than conventional CRT display devices.
There are different types of flat panel displays. One type of flat panel display is known as a cold cathode field emission display (FED). Cold cathode FED's are similar to CRT displays in that they use electrons to illuminate a cathodoluminescent screen. The electron gun is replaced with numerous (at least one per display pixel) emitter sites. When activated by a high voltage, the emitter sites release electrons which strike the display screen's phosphor coating. As in CRT displays, the phosphor releases photons which are transmitted through the display screen (normally glass) forming a visual image to a person looking at the screen. A colored FED display utilizes an array of display pixels wherein each individual display pixel is comprised of a trio of color generating phosphors (that is, each pixel is split into three colored parts which alone, or in combination create colors when activated). Color images are created by exciting the appropriate colored phosphors.
In order to obtain proper operation of the flat panel display, it is extremely important for a FED of the cold cathode type to maintain an evacuated cavity between the emitter sites (acting as a cathode) and the display screen (acting as a corresponding anode). The typical cold cathode FED is evacuated to a pressure of 10.sup.-6 Torr or less. This reduced atmospheric pressure is required to allow electron emission. In addition, since there is a high voltage differential between the screen and the emitter sites, the reduced pressure is also required to prevent an electrical breakdown.
The reduced atmospheric pressure presents several problems. Firstly, the spacing between the emitter sites and the screen must be uniform and narrow to retain high resolution images and requisite thinness of the FED. Uneven spacing is likely due to the high pressure differential existing between the external atmosphere and the pressure within the evacuated cavity of the FED. This spacing problem worsens as the display screen gets larger. In addition, the reduced pressure places a tremendous atmospheric load on the FED's screen. This load may cause the screen to warp. Therefore, cold cathode FEDs require additional structure (such as spacers or thicker components) to prevent these problems.
Another popular flat panel display is a plasma based or gas discharged display. Plasma based flat panel displays generally utilize an enclosed gas or gas mixture in a partially evacuated cavity. Crossed conductors (acting as opposed electrodes) are placed within the cavity to break down the gas into a plasma of electrons and ions causing a visible glow. In a monochrome monitor, a light emitting gas, such as neon, or light generating phosphors are used to generate visual images. Generally, each display pixel has at least one corresponding crossing point.
A colored plasma display utilizes an array of display pixels wherein each individual display pixel is comprised of a trio of color generating phosphors (that is, each pixel is split into three colored parts, which alone or in combination create colors when activated). Accordingly, the colored display pixel would have three crossing points corresponding to each color generating phosphor. Color images are created by exciting the appropriate color generating phosphors.
In order to obtain proper operation of the gas discharged flat panel display, it is extremely important that a partial vacuum be maintained within the cavity containing the crossed conductors and the gas. The partial vacuum is required to maintain the minimum firing voltage of the gas disposed within the cavity (according to Paschen's Law, the minimum firing voltage of a gas is a product of the gas pressure and the distance between the electrical conductors).
As with cold cathode FEDs, the reduced pressure inside the gas discharge display presents several problems. For example, reduced pressure places a large atmospheric load (approximately 15 pounds per square inch) on the screen. Special manufacturing techniques are required to alleviate the implosive forces exerted on the display. Secondly, rare gases must be used in order to achieve the requisite breakdown into plasma presenting additional manufacturing difficulties. These troubles have made it difficult to use high resolution plasma based displays in computer workstations.
Attempts have been made to correct the shortcomings of the flat panel display. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,654,727 (Lepselter) discloses a gas discharge flat panel display operable at substantially atmospheric pressure. The disclosed apparatus utilizes a first set of conductors spaced apart at a precise distance from a second set of conductors in a crossed pattern. The cross points of the conductors are used to energize a gas held at a precise pressure in order to give off a light emissive discharge. The disclosed apparatus utilizes an additional layer of substrate, which is then sacrificially discarded, to maintain the required spacing between the crossed conductors.
Although advances have been made, prior art flat panel displays often require additional, or intermediate, layers of substrate or additional structures to maintain precise spacing or pressure. In addition, flat panel displays often require special gases, high vacuums or high power. Accordingly, a low powered flat panel display containing a confined gas which is nearer to atmospheric pressure and has a simplified manufacturing process is still needed.

Flat panel display and method of its manufacture


A method for fractionating dextrin, belonging to the technical field of food processing. In principle, the method for fractionating dextrin of the present invention is based on the fact that the dextrin is incompatible with polyethylene glycol in aqueous solution and a larger molecular weight of the dextrin results in more significant incompatibility with polyethylene glycol. Accordingly, the stepwise precipitation of dextrin components having a molecular weight from large to small may be realized by gradually increasing the concentration of polyethylene glycol by gradually adding polyethylene glycol to dextrin in aqueous solution.

At present, as a method for fractionating dextrin, there are mainly a fractionating method by exclusion chromatography and a fractionating method by precipitation with alcohol. The former is costly due to expensive fillers and expensive chromatographic power systems (i.e., pumps). Additionally, by the fractionating method by exclusion chromatography, it is difficult to realize industrial production due to small capacity. The fractionating method by precipitation with alcohol has the following disadvantages: it is likely to have local co-precipitation during the addition of alcohol thus to cause poor fractionation effect; the decrease in concentration of the dextrin due to the increase in total volume of the dextrin solution during the addition of alcohol results in low yield of dextrin; and the fractionating process highly depends upon the ambient temperature and the repeatability is thus low.
In view of this, the present invention is to provide a novel method for fractionating dextrin and thus to provide a novel method for preparing low-dispersity dextrin. It has been found in the present invention that dextrin is incompatible with polyethylene glycol in aqueous solution and a larger molecular weight of the dextrin results in more significant incompatibility with polyethylene glycol. Accordingly, the stepwise precipitation of dextrin components having a molecular weight from large to small may be realized by gradually increasing the concentration of polyethylene glycol by gradually adding polyethylene glycol to dextrin in aqueous solution. On this basis, the present invention establishes a novel method for fractionating dextrin, which is named "stepwise precipitation method for fractionating dextrin by polyethylene glycol".


An engine includes an injector, an ignition plug, a supercharger, an electronic throttle device, and an EGR apparatus. An EGR passage has an inlet connected to an exhaust passage downstream of a turbine and an outlet connected to the intake passage upstream from a compressor. A fresh-air introduction passage is arranged to introduce fresh air to a surge tank downstream from the electronic throttle device and a fresh-air control valve is provided to regulate a fresh air amount. When an ECU determines that the engine is under deceleration and under fuel supply, the ECU closes the electronic throttle device to a predetermined opening degree to scavenge EGR gas flowing from the EGR passage and remaining in the intake passage, opens a fresh-air control valve to a predetermined opening degree, and causes the ignition plug to retard an ignition timing.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a control apparatus for an engine, including a supercharger to increase the pressure of intake air of the engine, an intake-air amount regulating valve to regulate an intake air amount in the engine, and an exhaust gas recirculation apparatus to circulate part of exhaust gas of the engine back to the engine, the control apparatus being arranged to control them according to an operating condition of the engine.
2. Related Art
Conventionally, a technique of the above type is employed in a vehicle engine, for example. An exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) apparatus is arranged to introduce part of exhaust gas after combustion, which is discharged from a combustion chamber of an engine to an exhaust passage, into an intake passage through an EGR passage so that the exhaust gas is mixed with intake air flowing in the intake passage and flows back to the combustion chamber. An amount of EGR gas flowing in the EGR passage is regulated by an EGR valve provided in the EGR passage. This EGR can reduce mainly nitrogen oxide (NOx) in the exhaust gas and improve fuel consumption during a partial load operation of the engine.
Exhaust gas from the engine contains no oxygen or is in an oxygen lean state. Thus, when part of the exhaust gas is mixed with the intake air by EGR, the oxygen concentration of the intake air decreases. In a combustion chamber, therefore, fuel burns in a low oxygen concentration. Thus, a peak temperature during combustion decreases, thereby restraining the occurrence of NOx. In a gasoline engine, even when the content of oxygen in intake air is not increased by EGR and a throttle valve is closed to some degree, it is possible to reduce pumping loss of the engine.
Herein, recently, it is conceivable to perform EGR in the entire operating region of the engine in order to further improve fuel consumption. Realization of high EGR is thus demanded. To realize the high EGR, it is necessary for conventional arts to increase the internal diameter of an EGR passage or increase the opening area of a flow passage provided by a valve element and a valve seat of an EGR valve. That is, an EGR valve has to be increased in size.
Meanwhile, it is well known that an engine including a supercharger is also provided with an EGR apparatus. JP-A-2012-7547 discloses this type of an engine. This engine includes a supercharger consisting of a turbine provided in an exhaust passage and a compressor provided in an intake passage and driven by the turbine. Further, an EGR passage is placed between a downstream side of the turbine in the exhaust passage and an upstream side of the compressor in the intake passage and an EGR valve is provided in the EGR passage (a low-pressure loop type EGR apparatus).
The above type of the engine has a relatively long path of the intake passage from an outlet of the EGR passage to a throttle valve. During deceleration of the engine, therefore, as shown in FIG. 25A, even a throttle opening degree (position) is closed to a fully closed position (time t1) and the EGR valve is immediately closed in sync with rapid reduction of a request EGR rate, a large amount of EGR gas is apt to stay in the intake passage between the outlet of the EGR passage and the throttle valve. Thus, such residual EGR gas is mixed in intake air, causing a delay in decreasing an EGR rate from the start of engine deceleration (EGR attenuation delay) as shown in FIG. 25B. As a result, the EGR rate in the intake air taken in the combustion chamber becomes excessive and misfire of the engine during deceleration may be caused. This shows a tendency that as the engine is decelerated from a higher supercharged pressure or as an engine rotation speed becomes lower, the time of EGR attenuation delay is longer. FIGS. 25A and 25B are time charts respectively showing behaviors of a throttle opening degree and EGR rate before and after engine deceleration.
Therefore, the engine disclosed in JP-A-2012-7547 is provided with a fresh-air bypass passage for introducing fresh air into an intake passage downstream of the throttle valve and a bypass valve placed in the fresh-air bypass passage. This engine is configured to control the bypass valve to an opening side and the throttle valve to a closing side when the request EGR rate of the engine rapidly decreases. Accordingly, in the case where the request EGR rate rapidly decreases at the time of engine deceleration, fresh air is introduced from the fresh-air bypass passage to the intake passage, thereby scavenging EGR gas remaining in the intake passage and mixing the EGR gas flowing in the intake passage downstream of the throttle valve with fresh air to early attenuate the EGR rate.


Separator for removing impurities, especially smaller particles, from rain water. It comprises a first reservoir (2) and a second reservoir (6). The first reservoir (2) performs the function of removing the heaviest portions of the impurities, but is also provided with a lamellar device (4), wherein small drops and impurities of the rain water may be combined to larger impurity aggregates. The second reservoir (6) is divided into a first chamber (6a) and a second chamber (6b), said chambers communicating with each other. A tube (5) provided with perforations (5′) is arranged above the lamellar device (4), through which rain water containing impurities is able to flow from the first reservoir (2) and into the first chamber (6a). The first chamber (6a) is provided with a filter (9). In this way, a more efficient purification of rain water than using the known separator is provided.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,545,619 relates to a water treatment plant comprising a separator. This separator has a first reservoir with an inlet and a second reservoir with an outlet. The first reservoir is a settling reservoir for separation of major impurities and comprises a settling device consisting of inclined tubes. The second reservoir is divided into a first portion containing a filter and a second portion containing a dewatering device. The two portions of the reservoir communicate with each other. The filter is placed at the transfer from the first portion to the second portion. A perforated pipe leads rain water from the first reservoir to the second reservoir. This plant is not very compact.
French patent publication No 2729168 relates to an assembly for rain water recovery and recycling. It discloses a separator for removing impurities, especially smaller particles, from rain water. The separator comprises a first reservoir having an inflow and a second reservoir having an outflow; the first reservoir performs the function of removing the heaviest portions of the impurities. These particles fall onto the bottom of the first reservoir due to gravity. At least part of them stay in the second reservoir because of a filter located over the bottom of the first reservoir; the second reservoir is divided into a first chamber and a second chamber, said chambers communicating with each other and the first chamber being provided with a filter. This assembly is rather complicated and the filtering qualities not quite satisfactory.
The object of the invention is to provide a separator structure which is more compact than the known separators and which has better filtering qualities.

Separator for removing impurities, especially smaller particles from rain water


I an LSI package, an interface module includes with an interposer having a signal processing LSI mounted thereon and has electric connection terminals for connection to a mounting board and a transmission line for transmitting a high-speed signal to an external wiring. An electric connection terminal is formed in each of the interposer and the interface module for electrically connecting the interposer and the interface module to each other by the mechanical contact, and a fixing holder is mounted for allowing the electric connection terminals to hold the electric connection between the interposer and the interface module. Thus, it is possible to suppress the increase in the manufacturing cost that is caused by the complex construction of the assembly.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an LSI package equipped with an interface module, an interface module and a connection holder, particularly, to an LSI package equipped with an interface module for signal transmission to external wiring of a high-speed signal, an interface module used in the particular LSI package, and a connection holder for holding the connected state between the interface module and an interposer.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, the clock frequency of an LSI has became higher and higher. In the CPU for a personal computer, a clock frequency which is not lower than GHz order is being put into the practical use. However, the pace of improvement in the throughput of the interface between LSIs is moderate, compared with the elevation of the clock frequency, so as to generate a bottleneck in the performance of the personal computer. Such being the situation, research is being conducted in an attempt to improve the throughput of the interface.
In order to improve the throughput of the interface, it is necessary to improve the signal frequency per terminal and to increase the number of terminals. However, if the number of terminals is increased, the areas of the LSI and the package are increased, giving rise to the limitation that the length of the internal wiring is increased so as to make it impossible to operate at high frequencies. Under the circumstances, it is of high importance to increase the signal frequency per terminal. On the other hand, if the signal frequency per terminal is increased, the attenuation of the electric signal is made large so as to increase the influence given by impedance mismatch to the reflection, with the result that a limitation is generated in the line length. Such being the situation, it is necessary to use as a high-speed signal transmission line having the impedance mismatch and the attenuation of the electric signal suppressed as much as possible.
If a transmission line is to be formed accurately on a mounting board, the manufacturing cost is increased. In addition, the conductor loss caused by the dielectric loss and the skin effect is increased in accordance with increase in the transmission speed so as to make it difficult to transmit a signal over a sufficiently long distance. Under the circumstances, a system for performing signal transmission by using an optical signal is proposed in, for example, Japanese Patent Disclosure (Kokai) No. 2004-31455 and "Electronics Society Meeting by Electronic Information Communication Institute, C-3-123, 2003". It is proposed in these prior art documents that high-speed wiring, which is not mounted on a mounting board, is mounted on an interposer alone, and that the electric signal is converted by an optical element mounted on the interposer into an optical signal by the utilizing photoelectric conversion so as to carry out the signal transmission by using the optical signal.
To be more specific, Japanese Patent Disclosure No. 2004-31455 quoted above teaches an assembly in which an optical element is mounted as a bare chip directly on an interposer substrate, and the optical element on the interposer substrate is optically coupled with the optical waveguide when the interposer is mounted on a mounting board. In this assembly, however, it is said to be difficult to maintain the optical accuracy because of the difference in the thermal expansion coefficients of the mounting board and the interposer. Also, if the optical element is mounted as a bare chip, it is difficult to secure the reliability of the apparatus. It follows that it is necessary to take an appropriate countermeasure. For example, it is necessary to bury the optical element section in a resin which is transparent to the wavelength used for the signal transmission. It is also necessary to employ an extra work of allowing the optical element to be optically coupled with the optical waveguide on the mounting board. It follows that the manufacturing process must be carried out under many limitations so as to increase the manufacturing cost. Further, since it is necessary to separately attach the optical waveguide to the mounting board, the mounting process is made complex, leading to a further increase in the manufacturing cost. It should also be noted that, in the event of the disorder of the optical element, it is necessary to renew the optical element together with the costly LSI used for the signal processing.
An assembly in which an optical part is mounted directly on an LSI package is disclosed in "Electronics Society Meeting by Electronic Information Communication Institute, C-3-123, 2003" quoted above. In this assembly, it is necessary to apply reflow mounting of the LSI package on a mounting board under the state that the optical part is mounted on the LSI package, or it is necessary to apply a reflow mounting of the LSI package on the mounting board, followed by mounting the optical part on the LSI package. It follows that, in the prior art assembly disclosed in this publication, the optical part or the assembly material such as adhesive, which is thermally weak, interferes with the reflow mounting in the stage of mounting the LSI package on the mounting board. Also, since the soldered portions of the parts interfere with each other in the soldering stage, it is necessary to use different kinds of solders differing from each other in melting point, with the result that the mounting procedure is limited so as to give rise to problems in the mounting stage. Further, for holding the position of the optical connector, it is necessary to separately prepare a push holder. In other words, the holder tends to be made bulky by performing the optical connection in the form of a connector.
It should also be noted that, with increase in the frequency of the signal, the power consumption per terminal tends to be increased in general. For example, the CPU used in a personal computer, has increased the power consumption of the LSI to 70 to 80 W in recent years. Such being the situation, an assembly in which a heat spreader and a gigantic heat sink are mounted so as to increase the heat dissipating area and a formed cooling is performed by using, for example, a fan, is included in the signal processing LSI. On the other hand, since it is necessary to shorten the wiring length between the signal processing LSI and the interface module as much as possible as pointed out previously, a spatial allowance for mounting another heat sink for the interface module is eliminated in the case of installing a heat sink for the signal processing LSI.
Under the circumstances, it is considered effective for the heat sink to be shared by the signal processing LSI and the interface module so as to dissipate the heat simultaneously. In such an assembly, however, the upper surfaces of the signal processing LSI and the interface module are required to be exactly flush with each other when the signal processing LSI and the interface module are simultaneously mounted on the interposer. Alternatively, the difference in height between the signal processing LSI and the interface module is required to fall within a prescribed range that is defined strictly. However, it is difficult to practically satisfy these requirements. In addition, since the interface module is soldered in this assembly, too, it is necessary to renew the interface module together with the costly signal processing LSI if the interface module is out of order.

LSI package equipped with interface module, interface module and connection holding mechanism


The invention relates to a table (1) which can be converted into a billiard table, of the type comprising a rectangular fixed frame which is provided with vertical support feet (11) and which surrounds a rectangular central plate (13) which is covered with a cloth and which is carried by the fixed frame, and a rectangular movable frame (20) which is arranged above the fixed frame and which carries internally an assembly of rebound bands. The movable frame (20) can be displaced vertically between a lower position, forming a table, and two upper positions, in which the inner edge of the assembly of bands is, relative to the central plate, at a height for American billiards, then at a height for French billiards, respectively.

Billiard tables of the French type comprise a rectangular central plate which is covered with a cloth and which forms a planar rolling surface which is bordered by a frame, inside which an assembly of rebound bands which are produced from a resilient material, such as, for example, rubber, is arranged in order to cause the billiard balls to rebound.
In the case of billiard tables of the American type, the assembly of bands comprises circular-arc-shaped recesses which are arranged at the corners of the frame and also at the centre of the long sides of this frame. In that case, a longitudinal gutter for recovering the balls is arranged below each long side of the frame.
It is known to convert American billiard tables into French billiard tables by providing a closure member in each recess in order to form a continuous band over the entire periphery of the central plate.
However, this arrangement has a disadvantage in that the height of the band is identical for the two types of billiard table, whereas in reality the height of the band must be greater for French billiards than it is for American billiards.
It is also known to convert American billiard tables into French billiard tables by a system of removable bands which allow the bands provided with recesses to be replaced with bands which are continuous over the entire periphery of the plate.
In that case, the conversion requires a given number of manipulations.
It is also known to convert a French or American billiard table into a table. In that case, the central plate as well as the bands are covered with a panel of wood or any other material which forms a table top. However, this arrangement has a disadvantage principally in that the covering panel has a height which corresponds to the height of the bands, that is to say, a height in the order of 80 cm (31.5 inches), that is, a height greater than the height of a conventional table.
The covering panel has large dimensions and weight, which does not facilitate its manipulation. Furthermore, the panel takes up a large amount of space during the use of the billiard table.
Therefore, the object of the invention is to provide a table which can be converted into a billiard table of the French type or American type which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages.

Table which can be converted into a billiard table


An information processing system for input prediction that displays written character string candidates of words or phrases corresponding to an input character string in a terminal device. The terminal device acquires internal candidates by performing a search based on the input character string and transmits a candidate transmission request signal including identification information of a terminal dictionary stored in the terminal device and the input character string to a server. The server performs a search through the terminal dictionary corresponding to the identification information in the received signal and through a server dictionary dedicated to the server. From dictionary data extracted from the server dictionary, the server returns dictionary data of external candidates different from dictionary data extracted from the terminal dictionary as external candidates to the terminal device. The terminal device generates a final candidate list by arranging the internal and external candidates according to a predetermined priority.

One or more embodiment of the present invention relate to an information processing system comprising: a terminal device having functions of displaying, in response to a character input operation, a candidate list for a written character string of a word or a phrase that a user intends to input by the operation (hereinafter this processing is referred to as "input prediction processing") and determining, in response to an operation of selecting one of candidates in the displayed list, the selected candidate as an input character string; and a server that transmits, to the terminal device, candidates of words or phrases that can be included in the candidate list in response to a candidate transmission request from the terminal device. One or more embodiments of the present invention also relate to an information processing method performed for character input processing in the terminal device of this system.
As an example of such an information processing method, Patent Literature 1 describes that in a system connecting a server that performs kana-kanji conversion processing and a client terminal device via a network, the client having received data input issues a conversion request to the server, the server performs conversion processing such as kanji conversion with automatic clause-parsing and returns data representing the conversion results thereof to the client, and the client displays the conversion results based on the transmitted data from the server in order to accept a selecting operation by a user.
In recent years, also in character input processing in a mobile terminal device such as a mobile phone, a conversion request similar to that described in Patent Literature 1 may be issued to a web server by means of communication and candidates extracted by a server-side search (hereinafter referred to as "external candidates") may be displayed in the terminal device.
Patent Literature 2 is another example of a method for improving a conversion function of a terminal device by acquiring an additional dictionary from a web server and registering this dictionary in the terminal device has been proposed.
Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. Hei. 10-222496
Patent Literature 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2009-135716

Information processing system and information processing method for character input prediction


An identification system for an object includes a radio frequency identification tag formed as a label. The tag is encoded so as to contain information regarding the object. The label has indicia printed thereon corresponding to the encoded information. The information encoded on the radio frequency identification tag corresponds to the indicia printed on the label so as to provide multiple forms of identification for the object. A method for providing identification to an object is also disclosed.

The present invention relates to a radio frequency identification (RFID) label printer applicator system and method. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a label printer applicator system that is capable of encoding, applying and printing RFID labels to objects.
Automated RFID encoding label printer applicators are known in the art. Such a machine encodes an RFID tag or label, prints a bar code on that label and applies that label to an object such as a package. The RFID encoding and bar code printing is carried out in a serial, side-by-side manner so as ensure that the bar codes and the RFID information are consistent (that is, to ensure that the information printed on a tag or label is the same as that which is reflected in the RFID information). In such known applicators the bar code printing is provided by thermal print engines.
These known automated systems can process about 80 package per minute (ppm). While such a system functions well, it does not meet the processing requirements of today's industries. Accordingly, there is a need for a system that encodes, prints and applies tags (or labels) to packages. Desirably, such a system can operate at speeds greater than known package processing operations.


A memory system is deigned for impedance matching using a network of resistors that are tuned to reduce reflections on a shared bus. Any deviation from the matched state causes a mismatch and results in reflections on the bus. Overall signal reflections are reduced by balancing the back reflections occurring at a connector junction coupled to a pair of resistors and the back reflections occurring at the input of the DIMMs. This balance or tradeoff is achieved by changing the resistance value of the resistor pair to reduce the overall back reflections in the memory system.

The present invention relates to impedance matching in DDR memory, and more specifically, to adjusting resistances between a driver and memory modules.
The design of a computing system is limited by the number of dual in-line memory modules (DIMM) that can be addressed on a single bus. Reflections increase as additional DIMMs are placed on a bus which shrinks the size of the useful data eye required for the receiving DIMM to process the signals. Current double data rate (DDR) registered DIMMs are limited in speed due to this configuration.

Impedance matching system for DDR memory

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION


A digital oversampling digital-to-analog converter system includes an interpolator, a sigma-delta modulator, a digital-to-analog converter and a low pass filter. The interpolator receives a digital input signal and upsamples the input signal by certain upsampling factor. The upsampled signal is processed by the sigma-delta modulator, converted to an analog signal by the digital-to-analog converter and then filtered by the low pass filter. The interpolator includes control circuitry, preferably a central processor, which controls the upsampling factor and increases the upsampling factor upon a decrease in the frequency of the input signal.

In the fields of digital audio and telecommunications, among others, it has become increasingly desirable, in converting from digital to analog signals, to produce analog signals of low distortion and noise. This desire has led to the common use of DACs which perform "digital oversampling". "Digital oversampling" is a technique by which there is provided from a digital input signal of a certain resolution, provided at a first rate, a second digital signal of like resolution but at a second rate which is significantly greater than the first rate. Typically, a digital oversampling element receives a digital input having an input sampling rate and outputs digital samples at a greater rate than the input sampling rate. "Analog oversampling", by contrast, is a technique in which an analog signal is sampled at greater than the Nyquist rate. Analog oversampling is commonly performed in analog-to-digital converters.
Digital oversampling DACs typically utilize sigma-delta architecture. DACs utilizing sigma-delta architecture commonly include an interpolator which receives a digital input signal and increases the sampling rate (typically 64 times the input frequency) of the digital input signal, producing a higher frequency output signal. A sigma-delta modulator receives this higher frequency output signal from the interpolator and converts the received signal to a lower accuracy (typically one bit), high frequency signal. Additionally, the sigma-delta modulator performs "noise shaping" on the signal input thereto. "Noise shaping" is a technique by which the noise spectrum of a signal is manipulated and most of the noise power is moved to a frequency band substantially outside of the signal bandwidth. The sigma-delta modulator essentially acts as a high pass filter to quantization noise and a low pass filter to the input signal. This process, referred to as "sigma-delta modulation", is purely a digital process for a DAC.
The one-bit data stream output by the modulator is converted to an analog signal and fed to a low pass filter which acts to filter out some of the high frequency quantization noise. The resulting output signal is a low distortion signal with a very low in-band (i.e., signal bandwidth) noise component, desirable for most applications.
With prior art sigma-delta DAC systems, if a user intends to reduce the input sampling frequency by a certain factor to suit a particular application (i.e., from a digital audio application to a telecommunications application), the user must change the system clock frequency by the same factor. In other words, the operating frequency of the sigma-delta modulator has to be reduced to handle the reduction in the input signal frequency. The result of the reduction in the operating frequency of the modulator is that the shaped quantization noise resides in a lower frequency band.
In a typical digital audio application, such as a compact disc player, the input signal has a relatively high input sampling frequency (for example, 44 kHz) and, thus, the quantization noise is shaped within a frequency band substantially outside of the audible frequency range (assuming an interpolation ratio of 64). When the input sampling frequency is reduced (to a rate such as 5.5 kHz), to suit a telecommunications application, a corresponding reduction in the operating frequency of the modulator results in the quantization being shaped substantially within the audible frequency range. This result presents a clear problem as it is undesirable to have a high level of noise within the audible range for a telecommunications application.
One potential solution to this problem, as used in prior art approaches, is to use a complex filter (i.e., high order filter) to reduce the quantization noise to either an inaudible level or a level suitable for a particular application. A drawback to this solution, however, is that such a filter is much more costly to implement than a more simple filter.
Another potential solution to this problem, as used in prior art approaches, is to increase the oversampling ratio of the system for all input sampling rates. A drawback to this solution, however, is the extremely high clock rates of certain components necessitated by high input sampling rates.
Accordingly, a general purpose of the present invention is to provide an improved oversampled sigma-delta DAC system having a modulator which maintains operation at a relatively high clock frequency despite a substantial reduction in the input sampling frequency.
Another purpose of the present invention is to provide such a system in which the modulator shapes quantization noise in a substantially inaudible frequency range despite a reduction in the input sampling frequency.

Method for varying the interpolation ratio of a digital oversampling digital-to-analog converter system and apparatus therefor


A trunk able to fix articles in position includes a trunk body and a cover connected together and respectively provided with an air bag in an interior. The trunk body has one outer side formed with an accommodating groove installed therein with an inflation apparatus provided with an inflating pipe communicating with the air bags. In using, the air inflation apparatus is taken out of the accommodating grove and then pressed or trodden for pumping air into the air bags through the inflation pipe to let the soft air bags expand and fill up the space in the trunk body. Thus, the inflated air bags can function to press and restrictedly position the articles stably in the trunk and also protect the articles in the trunk from being moved, bumped with each other and damaged.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a trunk able to position articles in the interior, particularly to one having a trunk body and a cover respectively provided with a soft air bag in the interior and an inflating apparatus for pumping air into the air bags to let them expand and fill up the space in the trunk. Thus, the inflated air bags can function to press and restrictedly position the articles in the trunk and also protect the articles in the trunk from being bumped and damaged.
2. Description of the Prior Art
As commonly known, a trunk is used for loading various kinds of articles therein, such as clothes, implements and materials, souvenir and the like, so that the articles can be transported or carried conveniently. However, the articles placed in the trunk may have different height, width and thickness; therefore, the articles in the trunk can hardly be kept orderly and fixed in position and as a result, the clothes in the trunk cannot be pressed and kept flat, likely to be wrinkled. In addition, the lining of a conventional trunk is provided with no protective members for preventing articles from being moved and bumped with each other, and hence the articles in the trunk are liable to be damaged if the trunk is held improperly, bumped up and down or forcefully pressed during a journey.