Apparatus for measuring gravitational attraction of the Earth comprising a loop formed from a superconductor material. The loop being divided into a first portion and a second portion having a predetermined length and configuration. The loop being positioned under predetermined angle with respect to a horizontal plane. There are also means for initiation of a flow of superconducting carriers in each of first and second portions, and at least one phase shift inducing means formed in the loop. The first portion being positioned with respect to the second portion in such a way that the superconducting carriers conducted through the first portion spend a period of time at a different gravitational potential of the Earth than superconducting carriers conducted through the second portion, thus creating a gravitationally induced phase shift. The apparatus being completely isolated from influence of any external magnetic field. There also shown a method of measuring an absolute value of gravity of the Earth including measuring the current flowing through the superconductor loop of the apparatus at initial position, tilting the apparatus by tilting means under predetermined angle, wherein the current flowing through the superconductor loop is being continuously measured during tilting of the apparatus, measuring the current flowing through the superconductor loop at a final position. The tilting means are adapted to facilitate a precise control of an angular displacement of the apparatus from the initial position to the final position.

The present invention relates to a measuring apparatus, and more precisely to a gravity meter. It uses a superconducting quantum interference device also known as SQUID.
There are three relevant types of prior art: gravimeters, SQUIDs and quantum gyroscopes.
1. Gravimeters
Gravimetry is an old art that has reached a level of precision and accuracy that few fields of science enjoy. There are different types of industries that are interested in gravimetry. A physicist might want to measure the variation of gravity with latitude, while a geophysicist will be interested in gravity in order to improve the current models of the interior of the Earth. The oil industry is also interested in gravity because a decrease in local gravity might indicate an oil field deep underground. This justifies the very large effort made into the development of equipment to obtain a more precise and accurate value of {right arrow over (g)} and {right arrow over (|g|)}.
There are basically three types of gravimeters: pendulum, spring and free-fall. The quest for ever more precise measurements has brought very many variations on the basic principle of an oscillating mass (pendulum), an elongated spring and free-falling objects. When measuring gravity, there are two types of measurements one is interested in: the absolute value of gravity at a given point and the variation of gravity with time at a given point. Different equipment will be used for these different measurements. Free-fall equipment clearly leads to an absolute value of gravity, while spring leads to a relative value of gravity. The-use of sprig equipment then requires the measurement of an absolute value of gravity at a given point that is used as a standard.
The modem free-fall equipment uses a laser beam directed on a retro-reflector that is in free-fall. The free-fall path is one arm of an interferometer, and one simply records the passage of interference fringes with time. From this information it is possible to extract the absolute value of g at the point where the free-fall occurred. Clearly, this value of g is the average value of g over the path of the free-fall Such devices have been designed for measurements on land (U.S. Pat. No. 3,727,462), in boreholes (U.S. Pat. No. 5,892,151) and in the water (U.S. Pat. No. 5,637,797).
The measurements of {right arrow over (f)} or {right arrow over (|g|)} have been so precise for the last 15 years, that time variation of {right arrow over (g)} have now been observed. The period of xe2x80x9coscillationxe2x80x9d varies from seconds to hours, and this phenomenon is still not very well understood. One possible explanation is that the continents oscillate due to the atmospheric pressure.
Superconductivity has also been used to measure gravity. An early attempt at using superconductivity in gravimetry is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,424,006 where a superconducting floating element is magnetically suspended in a superconducting ring. The upper face of this element is used as a mirror and constitutes one arm of an interferometer. If g changes with time, the suspended element will rise or fall in the superconducting ring, and this will lead to a shift in the interference fringes. One simply has to record the position of the fringes with the time and then deduce the stability of {right arrow over (g)} with time.
A more recent attempt at the use superconductivity in gravimetry-is-shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,962,781. In this patent, a superconducting string is used as an antenna connected to driving solenoids in resonance. If {right arrow over (g)} changes with time, the position of the string will slightly change and the resonance will be lost. Since the system is in resonance, it is very sensitive to any variation of position or variation of {right arrow over (g.)}
Another recent use of superconductivity in gravimetry is shown in the design of GWR Instruments Inc., San Diego, Calif., USA, where a spinning superconducting sphere is suspended in a magnetic field. This superconducting magnetic field is very stable and acts essentially as a spring to support the bulk of the sphere. A second magnetic field is provided by a coil and the position of the sphere is provided by an electronic circuit where one of the components is the sphere. If {right arrow over (g)} changes with time, the sphere will slightly move in the magnetic fields and feed-back circuit changes the current in the coil in order to bring back the sphere to its original position. The change in current is produced by a change in voltage, and the voltage is simply recorded every few seconds or minutes depending on the user. This is a very good system to measure the stability of {right arrow over (g)} with time, but is not capable of measuring the absolute value of {right arrow over (g)} since the bulk of the weight of the sphere is supported by the superconducting magnetic field. This equipment provides the most sensitive data of the to variations of {right arrow over (g)} with time.
Most of the known devices have limitations and deficiencies. For example, the device that uses a spring system will suffer from loss of stiffness of the spring over time and is very sensitive to temperature changes. Also, most, if not all of them measure either {right arrow over (|g|)} or {right arrow over (g)}(t), but not both. The free-fall apparatus using a laser beam reaches a high precision of {right arrow over (|g|)} at a given point only after several measurements are combined in order to reduce the statistical error. For example, the device known as JILA-2 manufactured by Micro-G Instruments, Boulder, Colo., USA, requires about 2000 falls which will take 2-3 hours to measure. This equipment is not designed to monitor {right arrow over (g)}(t), primarily due to the wear and tear of the equipment. The same comment applies to the spinning superconducting sphere, since it is designed to monitor {right arrow over (g)}(t), but cannot get {right arrow over (|g|)}.
Another problem with the previous equipment is that of vibration: the free-fall device is not particularly sensitive to vibrations since its reference beam is suspended by a spring to cancel the vibrations through a retro-action electronic system. The GWR gravimeter, however, is very sensitive to vibrations in view of a mass suspended in a magnetic field. A third problem is the weight and portability of the equipment. Clearly, it is an asset to have the equipment that is light and can be easily carried to any point on Earth. The free-fall device (such as the JILA-2) is light and portable, but GWR equipment is very heavy (about 1 ton) and cannot be carried easily.
The purpose of the present invention is to solve these problems and to provide a single apparatus capable of measuring both {right arrow over (g)}(t) and {right arrow over (|g|)} very quickly and precisely. The apparatus of the present invention will allow to measure {right arrow over (|g|)} at a given instant, then monitor it for a certain period of time by measuring g(t), and then measure {right arrow over (|g|)} again to check for consistency. Another advantage of the present invention is the fact that it is practically immune to vibrations, thus opening a new venue of studies in geophysics, variations of {right arrow over (|g|)} during an earthquake and many other possibilities. The present invention is also unaffected by temperature, and can be made relatively light through to the use of a superconductors at high critical temperatures, thus greatly reducing the costs and bulkiness of the refrigerating equipment.
2. SQUIDS
Superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) are based on the quantization of the magnetic flux through a superconducting loop and on the Josephson effect; they are used mostly as very sensitive magnetic field detectors. In general, a SQUID is a loop of superconducting wire where one has built one or more Josephson junctions. When used as a magnetic field sensor, they are most often connected to a pick-up coil generally much larger than the SQUID itself. A slight variation of the ambient magnetic field will induce a current in the pick-up coil, which in turn induces a current the SQUID. This last current is quantized, which makes this a very sensitive device. SQUIDs have been used for several decades now as magnetic field sensors, and the technology is well known and is quite advanced For example, one can place 3 SQUIDs in a particular alignment in order to get {right arrow over (B)} in a single measurement, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,786,690.
There is known another design of gravimeter that uses a SQUID comprising of a pair of masses that are part of an inductance circuit. This inductance itself is a part of an electrical circuit, and a SQUID is inductively connected to this circuit. If g varies, the masses will move relative to each other: this will change the inductance, then the current in the circuit, and finally, the current in the SQUID (see Paik, H. J., SQUID Applications to Geophysics, H. Weinstock and W. C. Overton eds., pp 3-12, Soc. of Exploration Geophysicists, Tulsa, Okla., 1981, Mapoles, E. A. ibid, pp 153-157).
3. Superconducting Gyroscopes
One of the first patents to use a phase in a gyroscope is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,657,927 to J. A. Tyson. The basic principle is that a wave moving in a medium will undergo a phase shift whose magnitude will depend on whether the wave in going in the direction of motion of the medium or whether it is going against the motion of the medium. This principle has been known for a long time and some designs were made at the beginning of the twentieth century to observe this phenomena with light. This principle is fundamental to the ring-laser gyroscope. The previously mentioned patent noted that in a superconductor, the Cooper pairs are coherent throughout the material, which is the basic principle of superconductivity. Since Cooper pairs can be thought of as a wave, it then follows that they will acquire a phase whether the supercurrent is going in the detection of motion of the superconductor or against its motion. Since the current in a SQUID depends greatly on the relative phases acquired along the paths that define the loop, one could expect that a SQUID be a very sensitive motion or rotation detector. This is indeed the basic idea of the above patent.
This principle has been used more recently in U.S. Pat. No. 5,058,431 showing that the critical variable for this effect to be observable is the area enclosed by the superconducting loop. The size of the induced phase shift is directly proportional to the area of the superconducting loop.
The apparatus of the present invention is basically a SQUID of a particular design which is shielded as well as possible from any magnetic field; since a magnetic field is highly undesirable, there are no pick-up coils connected to the SQUID of the present invention. The SQUID can be of macroscopic dimensions, but preferably it should be of microscopic dimensions. It can be fixed to a substrate or directly etched in a superconducting matrix. It is covered completely with a superconducting material leaving only the connectors uncovered. The whole system must be immersed in a cold liquid in the container in order to reach superconductivity. This container itself is mounted on a tiltable system that would allow the user to tilt the container at will. In order to get a measurement of the absolute value of {right arrow over (g,)}one simply tilts the container. This tilt will produce a phase shift the Cooper pairs of the SQUID""s loop, and this phase shit, which depends on {right arrow over (g,)}will produce a change in the current flowing in the SQUID. Thus, knowing the angular displacement covered by the movement of the apparatus, it is possible to extract the absolute value of {right arrow over (g.)}
In order to obtain the variation of {right arrow over (g)}(t) with time, one simply lets the current flow in the SQUID. If {right arrow over (g)}(t) changes with time, it will produce a change in the phase shift and a change in the current flowing in the SQUID.
In order to reduce the inductance of the SQUID and thus the effect of any stray magnetic field that might have penetrated the shielding, several designs are proposed to eliminate this problem In contrast to SQUIDs used as magnetometers, the effective area of the loop of the present invention can be as small as one wishes.

Apparatus for measuring a gravitational attraction of the earth


A gas-powered paintball gun has two pressure regulators which supply two different gas pressures for gun operation: a lower-pressure gas for quickly but gently loading balls into the chamber of the gun, and a high-pressure gas for consistently and efficiently propelling balls out of the barrel. A further aspect of the invention resides in the arrangement of the bolt under a removable cover, which gives easy access to the bolt, the breech and the barrel to enable these parts to be cleaned without major disassembly of other parts of the gun.

This invention relates to gas-powered guns for firing projectiles of the paintball type.
Paintball guns, which typically are used for target practice and in mock war games, use a pressurized gas source, such as CO.sub.2, nitrogen or air, to propel projectiles (paintballs) out of the gun barrel. Paintballs typically comprise an admixture of approximately 92% ethylene glycol, 6% water and 2% titanium dioxide, encased in a fragile gelatin casing. The paintballs are designed to rupture upon impact to mark the target.
One typical problem with existing paintball guns is the tendency of balls to break while still in the gun, with its attendant mess and potential for clogging the gun. Ball breakage apparently is due to excessive bolt impact or gas pressure forces on the ball. Another problem is the difficulty of accessing the chamber, the barrel and the bolt of the gun in order to clean them. Yet another problem is inaccuracy due to inconsistent paintball velocity, apparently due to fluctuations in the pressure of the gas used to propel the balls.


A bed accessory, for use with a bed having a mattress and a base for the mattress, includes a bed cover retainer having a first portion adapted to fit between the mattress and the base for the mattress. The first portion defines a wedge that is configured to produce a separation force between the mattress and base to hold the retainer in position. The first portion may further define a bed-cover-engaging member, such as a high-friction surface, to hold the bed cover in position. A sleeper attendant may be supported at a second portion. The sleeper attendant is adapted to support an object in a manner that the object is accessible to a sleeper on the bed.

The present invention is directed to a bed accessory and, in particular, to a bed accessory that fits between the mattress and base below the mattress. The bed accessory may include a bed cover retainer that retains the bed covers from pulling out from under the mattress. The bed accessory may include a sleeper attendant that provides useful functionality at the location of the occupant of the bed. Both functions may be combined in a particular embodiment of the invention.
Bed covers are usually tucked under the mattress, particularly at the foot of the bed. For tall sleepers, it is difficult to keep the covers tucked. Also, in some locations, such as hotels, even the bottom sheet is a plain sheet and prone to coming untucked, even at the top of the bed, leading to not only inconvenience but also a potentially unhealthy environment.
Bed cover retainers have been proposed in the past. Such bed cover retainers have suffered from being cumbersome to use and ineffective at holding the bed covers tucked under the mattress.


The method of lap-welding of metal plates using a laser beam, wherein at least one of the metal plates is surface-treated, includes putting a metal plate on the other metal plate and forming a gap between the metal plates so that gas generated at the treated surface at the time weld can be dissipated therethrough. A surface-treated first work and a surface-treated second work are placed one on the other and clamped by a clamp with an opening of the clamp centered at the location on the first work to be welded. Then a laser beam is directed to the location to form a weld. The beam is then directed near the inner periphery of the opening to form a heated portion so that the heated portion deflects to form a gap through which the gas generated at the treated surface dissipates thereby reducing gas pressure.

Heretofore, surface-treated metal sheets such as galvanized steel sheets have widely been used as structural members for automotive bodies, etc. In welding such metal sheets with a laser beam, a gas is produced from the metal of the surface-treated layers while the surface-treated layers and the metal sheets are being melted. It is well known in the art that part of the melted metal sheets is blown away to cause sputtering or internal defects under the pressure of the metal gas emitted from the surface-treated layers, thereby tending to cause a welding failure. It is also known in the art to overcome the above shortcoming by forming a gap as a space between the surface-treated metal sheets to allow the metal gas to diffuse into the gap for thereby welding the metal sheets without fail. There have been proposed a variety of processes for forming such a gap between the metal sheets. For example, Japanese Patent No. 3115456 discloses a process of forming a gap by keeping free one end of a metal sheet to which a laser beam is applied, based on the difference between volumetric shrinkages of stacked metal sheets caused when the melted metal sheets are solidified and cooled in a laser forming process.


A container replacement system for replacing a fluid container with a replacement fluid container, wherein the fluid container contains a cryogenic fluid and is coupled to a pressure line, includes a control valve that vents the cryogenic fluid within the pressure line, a pressure sensor that senses a line pressure of the cryogenic fluid and generates sensor output and a controller that receives sensor output and determines whether to replace the fluid container. If the line pressure is below a threshold line pressure, the controller determines replacing the fluid container is permissible. Contrarily, if the line pressure is above the threshold line pressure, the controller determines replacing the fluid container is not permissible. The container replacement system further includes a GUI that instructs whether replacing the fluid container is permissible.

Cardiac arrhythmias involve an abnormality in the electrical conduction of the heart and are a leading cause of stroke, heart disease, and sudden cardiac death. Treatment options for patients with arrhythmias include medications and/or the use of medical devices, which can include implantable devices and/or catheter ablation of cardiac tissue, to name a few. In particular, catheter ablation involves delivering ablative energy to tissue inside the heart to block aberrant electrical activity from depolarizing heart muscle cells out of synchrony with the heart's normal conduction pattern. The procedure is performed by positioning the tip of an energy delivery catheter adjacent to diseased or targeted tissue in the heart. The energy delivery component of the system is typically at or near the most distal (i.e. farthest from the operator or user) portion of the catheter, and often at the tip of the catheter.
Various forms of energy can be used to ablate diseased heart tissue. One form of energy that is used to ablate diseased heart tissue includes cryogenics (also referred to herein as "cryoablation"). During a cryoablation procedure, the tip of the catheter is positioned adjacent to targeted cardiac tissue, at which time energy is delivered in the form of a refrigerant or cryogenic fluid to create tissue necrosis, rendering the ablated tissue incapable of conducting electrical signals.
Cryosurgical, and in particular, catheter-based cryoablation systems consume various cryogenic fluids (e.g., liquid nitrous oxide or liquid nitrogen) that are typically provided in high-pressure fluid containers in either liquid or gas form (collectively referred to herein as "cryogenic fluid"). During cryoablation procedures, one or more alternative fluid containers may be used to contain the cryogenic fluid. In various applications, fluid containers of multiple sizes and designs may be used, leading to potentially broad ranges of capacities and weights. The wide-ranging capacities and weights can make it difficult to accurately assess whether there is a sufficient quantity of cryogenic fluid contained within the fluid container to successfully complete the cryoablation procedure. However, it is appreciated that these fluid containers should have sufficient cryogenic fluid therein in order to successfully complete such procedures. Complete depletion of the cryogenic fluid during the cryoablation procedure would not only interrupt the procedure, but it could also be injurious to the patient. Accordingly, it is desired to be able to accurately assess the amount of cryogenic fluid that is present within the fluid container at any given time.
Additionally, when the level of cryogenic fluid within the fluid container is determined to be below a certain predetermined level, it is understood that such fluid container needs to be replaced, i.e. needs to be removed and replaced with a replacement high-pressure fluid container that has sufficient cryogenic fluid to successfully complete the desired procedures. When replacing the fluid container, in some instances, an operator or user may neglect to completely or properly close the fluid container or may otherwise close the fluid container insufficiently, and thereby release high-pressure cryogenic fluid which can cause injury to the operator or user. Accordingly, it is desired to provide a system that assists the operator or user in inhibiting the potential release of the high-pressure cryogenic fluid during replacement or exchange of fluid containers.

Fluid container replacement system and method


A plasma source includes a dielectric cylinder, a coil sounding a circumference of the dielectric cylinder, and coil case encasing the coil. The coil case has a first gas inlet disposed at a bottom area of a sidewall of the coil case for introducing a cooling gas to the coil case. The coil case has a first gas outlet disposed at a top wall of the coil case for venting the cooling gas from the coil case.

To achieve a high etching selectivity and etching rate, current semiconductor processing apparatus often uses a remote high-density plasma (HDP) source. Under the action of a radio frequency coil (a stereo coil) with applied power, the HDP source can be used to generate a plasma inside a plasma generation chamber. The plasma generation chamber is often made of insulating materials, such as ceramics, and has a cylindrical shape. The plasma generation chamber is therefore referred to as a "dielectric cylinder" hereinafter.

Plasma source and semiconductor processing apparatus

BEIJING NAURA MICROELECTRONICS EQUIPMENT CO., LTD.


A method and apparatus are provided for identifying a caller of a call from the caller to a recipient. A voice input is received from the caller, and characteristics of the voice input are applied to a plurality of acoustic models, which include a generic acoustic model and acoustic models of any previously identified callers, to obtain a plurality of respective acoustic scores. The caller is identified as one of the previously identified callers or as a new caller based on the plurality of acoustic scores. If the caller is identified as a new caller, a new acoustic model is generated for the new caller, which is specific to the new caller.

In telephone communication systems, call centers are often used for routing or pre-screening calls based on the caller's responses to automated prompts. Such prompt-response mechanisms are often time consuming since the caller must navigate through a large number of prompts before being routed to the desired call recipient or information database. Also, such mechanisms rely on the caller to properly follow the prompt commands. If the caller does not cooperate with the prompt commands, the call cannot be routed accurately. Similarly, call-screening mechanisms rely on cooperation by the caller in truthfully responding to the screening prompts. This makes it difficult for the caller and the recipient to accurately and efficiently route and screen calls.
Speech recognition systems have therefore been proposed to assist in the call routing process. However, such speech recognition systems have also relied on a prompt-response mechanism in which the caller must respond to predetermined prompts. For example, the system may request that the caller state the caller's name and/or state a predetermined word or sequence of words representing the subject matter of the call or the identity of the desired recipient. Again, these systems are effective only if the caller is truthful when responding to the predetermined prompts. Also, the speech recognition models that are used to determined the content of the speech must be able to accurately segment the content given a wide range in voice input characteristics for different callers. Such systems can therefore remain time consuming or inaccurate and can be easily circumvented by uncooperative callers.
Improved methods and apparatus are therefore desired for automatically pre-screening and routing incoming telephone calls based on voice characteristics.

Automatic identification of telephone callers based on voice characteristics


A control mechanism of a cleaning apparatus is preset to control the apparatus for a cleaning process or a rinsing process to include delivering a process liquid, which is corresponding one of a cleaning liquid and a rinsing liquid, from a back surface liquid supply nozzle through a liquid delivery port, thereby forming a liquid film on the back surface of a substrate, and then once stopping and then re-starting delivery of the process liquid from the back surface liquid supply nozzle, thereby forming a liquid film also on a portion around the liquid delivery port, so as to process the portion around the liquid delivery port as well as the substrate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a cleaning apparatus and method and a computer readable medium, for performing a cleaning process on a substrate, such as a semiconductor wafer.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the process of manufacturing semiconductor devices or flat panel display devices (FPD), liquid processes are frequently used, in which a process liquid is supplied onto a target substrate, such as a semiconductor wafer or glass substrate. For example, processes of this kind encompass a cleaning process for removing particles and/or contaminants deposited on a substrate.
As a liquid processing apparatus used for this purpose, the following apparatus of the single-substrate processing type is known. Specifically, a substrate, such as a semiconductor wafer, is held in a rotatable state, and a process liquid is supplied onto the front surface, back surface, or front and back surfaces of the wafer, while the wafer is rotated. Consequently, a liquid film is formed on the front surface, back surface, or front and back surfaces of the wafer, thereby performing a process.
As a apparatus for performing a cleaning process while forming a liquid film on the back surface or front and back surfaces of a substrate, the following apparatus is known (for example, Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 9-298181). Specifically, a rotatable rotary plate is disposed below the back surface of the substrate. The rotary plate has an opening at the center, which is provided with a non-rotatable liquid delivery plate having a substrate support function and a liquid delivery port. The liquid delivery plate is movable up and down such that the liquid delivery plate receives the substrate in a state projected upward and then is moved down to place the substrate in a horizontal state on holding accessories provided on the rotary plate. A cleaning liquid or rinsing liquid is supplied from a liquid delivery nozzle, which extends downward from the liquid delivery port, into a gap between the substrate and rotary plate to form a liquid film. In this state, cleaning is performed on the back surface of the substrate.
The liquid delivery plate surrounding the liquid delivery port may be contaminated with a chemical solution scattered thereon during a process. Further, the liquid delivery plate may be contaminated when an unprocessed substrate carrying contaminants comes into contact therewith. If a portion around the liquid delivery port is contaminated, this contaminated portion may touch and contaminate the back surface of the substrate after cleaning, when the substrate is supported by the liquid delivery plate for unloading. Accordingly, it is preferable to clean the liquid delivery plate when the substrate is processed. However, the liquid delivery port is non-rotatable in general, and the liquid delivery plate around the liquid delivery port is also non-rotatable. Hence, a liquid film cannot be sufficiently formed on the liquid delivery plate during a cleaning process or rinsing process, resulting in insufficient cleaning.

Cleaning apparatus and method and computer readable medium


A bicycle hub is provided for use with tangential bicycle spokes. The bicycle hub includes a hub axle and a hub body. The hub axle has a set of spoke openings. The spoke openings are circumferentially arranged around the hub body and extend between the external and internal surfaces. Each of the spoke openings has an enlarged insertion portion and a retaining portion. An internal head receiving seat is preferably located adjacent each of the retaining portions. An internal abutment is preferably arranged between each of the insertion portions and each of the head receiving seats. The external surface, the head receiving seats and the abutments are configured to retain the bent ends of the spokes. The external surface preferably has a flute portion extending from each of the retaining portions. The retaining portions and the flute portions are configured to retain the bent ends of the spokes.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to a bicycle hub. More specifically, the present invention relates to a bicycle hub that uses conventional tangential spokes.
2. Background Information
Bicycling is becoming an increasingly popular form of recreation as well as a means of transportation. Moreover, bicycling has become a very popular competitive sport. Whether the bicycle is used for recreation, transportation or competition, the bicycle industry is constantly improving their components. Recently, the braking systems for bicycles have included the use of disc brakes. The use of disc brakes has resulted in modifications to the bicycle hub of the bicycle wheel so that a brake rotor can be mounted thereon.
The most basic bicycle wheels have a hub, a plurality of spokes and an annular rim. The hub is attached to a part of the frame of the bicycle for relative rotation. The inner ends of the spokes are coupled to the hub and extend outwardly from the hub. The annular rim is coupled to the outer ends of the spokes and has an outer portion for supporting a pneumatic tire thereon. Typically, the spokes of the bicycle wheel are thin metal wire spokes. The ends of the hub are provided with flanges that are used to couple the spokes to the hub. In particular, holes are provided in the hub flanges. The wire spokes are usually bent on their inner end and provided with an enlarged head or flange that is formed in the shape of a nail head. The inner end is supported in one of the holes in one of the hub flanges. The outer ends of the spokes typically are provided with threads for engaging spoke nipples, which secure the outer ends of the wire spokes to the rim. In particular, the spoke nipples have flanges, which engage the interior surface of the rim.
With a spoke constructed in this manner, the nipples are installed in nipple holes formed in the rim. The spokes are inserted sideways through the holes in the hub flange until the enlarged heads of the spokes engage the areas surrounding the holes in the hub flange. The male threads on the ends of the spokes are threaded into the female threads of the spoke nipples installed in the openings of the rim.
When the hub is a brake disc hub or is a rear hub, installation and/or replacement of the spokes can be difficult. In the case of a disk brake hub, one end of the hub usually has a rotor mounting portion. Often, the rotor mounting portion is a plurality of blind bores that receive bolts to directly mount the brake disc rotor to the end of the hub. Thus, the brake disc rotor makes it difficult to insert the spokes in a sideways direction. Likewise, if the hub is a rear hub, the sprockets can be obstacles to install or replace spokes.
In view of the above, there exists a need for a bicycle hub which overcomes the above mentioned problems in the prior art. This invention addresses this need in the prior art as well as other needs, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.
One object of the present invention is to provide a bicycle hub in which the spokes are easily installed.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a bicycle hub that can use conventional tangential spokes.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a bicycle hub that is relatively lightweight in that no spoke flanges are needed.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a bicycle hub that can be used to mount a brake disc rotor thereto.
The foregoing objects can basically be attained by providing a bicycle hub for use with tangential bicycle spokes having a straight section and a bent end with an enlarged head such that straight section extends at an angle of about 95xc2x0 relative to the bent end. The bicycle hub includes a hub axle and a hub body. The hub axle has a center axis extending between a first end and a second end. The hub body has an interior passageway with the hub axle rotatably supported therein, an external surface, an internal surface and a set of first spoke openings. The first spoke openings are circumferentially arranged around the hub body and extend between the external and internal surfaces. Each of the first spoke openings has an insertion portion and a retaining portion. Each insertion portion has a large width that is so dimensioned to permit the enlarged head of a tangential spoke to pass therethrough. Each retaining portion has a width that is so dimensioned smaller than the width of the insertion portion to retain the enlarged head of the tangential spoke therein. The internal surface has an internal head receiving seat located adjacent each of the retaining portions of the first spoke openings and an internal abutment arranged between each of the insertion portions and each of the head receiving seats.
The foregoing objects can also basically be attained by providing a bicycle hub for use with tangential bicycle spokes having a straight section and a bent end with an enlarged head such that straight section extends at an angle of about 95xc2x0 relative to the bent end. The bicycle hub includes a hub axle and a hub body. The hub axle has a center axis extending between a first end and a second end. The hub body has an interior passageway with the hub axle being rotatably supported therein, an external surface, an internal surface and a set of first spoke openings. The first spoke openings are circumferentially arranged around the hub body and extend between the external and internal surfaces. Each of the first spoke openings has an insertion portion and a retaining portion. Each insertion portion has a large width that is so dimensioned to permit the enlarged head of a tangential spoke to pass therethrough. Each retaining portion has a width that is so dimensioned smaller than the width of the insertion portion to retain the enlarged head of the tangential spoke therein. The internal surface has an internal head receiving seat located adjacent each of the retaining portions of the first spoke openings and an internal abutment arranged between each of the insertion portions and each of the head receiving seats. The external surface, the head receiving seats and the abutments are dimensioned and configured to retain the bent ends of the spokes in the retaining portions of the first spoke openings.
The foregoing objects can also basically be attained by providing a bicycle hub for use with tangential bicycle spokes having a straight section and a bent end with an enlarged head such that straight section extends at an angle of about 95xc2x0 relative to the bent end. The bicycle hub includes a hub axle and a hub body. The hub axle has a center axis extending between a first end and a second end. The hub body has an interior passageway with the hub axle being rotatably supported therein, an external surface, an internal surface and a set of first spoke openings. The first spoke openings are circumferentially arranged around the hub body and extend between the external and internal surfaces. Each of the first spoke openings has an insertion portion and a retaining portion. Each insertion portion has a large width that is so dimensioned to permit the enlarged head of a tangential spoke to pass therethrough. Each retaining portion has a width that is so dimensioned smaller than the width of the insertion portion to retain the enlarged head of the tangential spoke therein. The external surface has a flute portion extending from each of the retaining portions to form a recess in the external surface adjacent each of the retaining portions. The retaining portions and the flute portions are dimensioned and configured to retain the bent ends of the spokes in the retaining portions of the first spoke openings.
These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment of the present invention.


A transport apparatus which transports a sheet-like medium along a transport direction while one surface of the sheet-like medium is sucked to a holding surface, includes side members having opposed faces which are opposed to a portion of the holding surface at a position near the edge of the holding surface in a width direction intersecting with the transport direction. The side members form spaces between the other surface of the sheet-like medium and the opposed faces when the sheet-like medium is transported in a state where edges of the sheet-like medium in the width direction are interposed between the opposed faces and the holding surface.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a transport apparatus and a recording apparatus including the transport apparatus.
2. Related Art
In general, an ink jet printer (hereinafter, referred to as a "printer") is well known as a recording apparatus which performs recording by ejecting liquid onto a sheet-like medium (for example, JP-A-2000-153604).
The printer described in JP-A-2000-153604 includes a platen on which suction holes are provided, a suction fan, and a side pressing unit. In the printer described in JP-A-2000-153604, the sheet-like medium is transported while the suction fan is driven to suck the sheet-like medium (recording sheet) to the platen and edges of the sheet-like medium are suppressed from being lifted off with the side pressing unit.
At this time, an inclined portion for guiding the sheet-like medium is provided at an upstream side portion in the transport direction on the side pressing unit included in the printer described in JP-A-2000-153604. In the printer described in JP-A-2000-153604, when the edges of the sheet-like medium are lifted off, the sheet-like medium is guided to a downstream side in the transport direction while the edges thereof are made to be in slide contact with the inclined portion, and the edges of the sheet-like medium are pressed with the side pressing unit on the platen. With this configuration, the sheet-like medium is suppressed from being lifted off.
However, when the sheet-like medium is transported while the edges thereof are made to be in slide contact with the side pressing unit in such a manner, there has been a problem that a load is added on the sheet-like medium due to friction.

Transport apparatus having side members and recording apparatus having side members


Non-planar semiconductor devices having doped sub-fin regions and methods of fabricating non-planar semiconductor devices having doped sub-fin regions are described. For example, a method of fabricating a semiconductor structure involves forming a plurality of semiconductor fins above a semiconductor substrate. A solid state dopant source layer is formed above the semiconductor substrate, conformal with the plurality of semiconductor fins. A dielectric layer is formed above the solid state dopant source layer. The dielectric layer and the solid state dopant source layer are recessed to approximately a same level below a top surface of the plurality of semiconductor fins, exposing protruding portions of each of the plurality of semiconductor fins above sub-fin regions of each of the plurality of semiconductor fins. The method also involves driving dopants from the solid state dopant source layer into the sub-fin regions of each of the plurality of semiconductor fins.

For the past several decades, the scaling of features in integrated circuits has been a driving force behind an ever-growing semiconductor industry. Scaling to smaller and smaller features enables increased densities of functional units on the limited real estate of semiconductor chips. For example, shrinking transistor size allows for the incorporation of an increased number of memory or logic devices on a chip, lending to the fabrication of products with increased capacity. The drive for ever-more capacity, however, is not without issue. The necessity to optimize the performance of each device becomes increasingly significant.
In the manufacture of integrated circuit devices, multi-gate transistors, such as tri-gate transistors, have become more prevalent as device dimensions continue to scale down. In conventional processes, tri-gate transistors are generally fabricated on either bulk silicon substrates or silicon-on-insulator substrates. In some instances, bulk silicon substrates are preferred due to their lower cost and compatibility with the existing high-yielding bulk silicon substrate infrastructure.
Scaling multi-gate transistors has not been without consequence, however. As the dimensions of these fundamental building blocks of microelectronic circuitry are reduced and as the sheer number of fundamental building blocks fabricated in a given region is increased, the constraints on the semiconductor processes used to fabricate these building blocks have become overwhelming.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Non-planar semiconductor device having doped sub-fin region and method to fabricate same


An apparatus is provided for producing periodic lateral displacement of a cruise control cable associated with the engine of an automotive vehicle. The periodic displacement is produced by an activation arm which attaches to the cable and is caused to undergo reciprocal linear movement produced by a rotating disc that is driven at a controlled speed by a motor that operates off the electrical system of the vehicle.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention concerns apparatus for improving the fuel economy of an automotive vehicle, and more particularly relates to apparatus which interacts with a conventional cruise control system to provide greater mileage per unit of fuel consumed.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Electronic throttle controllers are well known for operating an engine throttle valve to control the rate of fuel flow to the combustion chamber of an engine. Typically, the throttle controller receives an acceleration input signal from the operator of the vehicle via an accelerator pedal. The farther the pedal is depressed, the more the throttle valve is opened, which permits more fuel to be consumed by the engine and the vehicle to travel faster.
Some throttle controllers can operate automatically as a "cruise control" to maintain the speed of the vehicle at a cruising speed set by the driver. The cruise control provides a convenient means for a driver to maintain vehicle speed without using foot pedals, which can be especially advantageous on long trips. Typically, such conventional cruise controls use an input from a speedometer or engine speed sensor to monitor the cruising speed of the vehicle. Due to varying terrain, friction and wind resistance the speed controller is nearly continuously correcting for deviations from the desired speed. Consequently, the throttle is constantly fluctuating to allow more or less fuel to be consumed by the engine to maintain the set speed.
A problem with such cruise controls is that the continuous throttle adjustments lower the fuel economy of the engine. This is primarily due to the inefficiencies involved with non-constant burning, which include counteracting momentum losses of the moving components of the engine as well as that of the overall vehicle.
Most cruise controls include stored error correction algorithms that define the response time and duration of the throttle adjustments. These algorithms are commonly designed with smoothness, accuracy and responsiveness being the highest priorities. Fuel economy is typically not a factor in the design of the algorithms.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,944,766 discloses a cruise control having control algorithms designed to improve the fuel economy of the vehicle. When it is sensed that the vehicle is gaining momentum, the algorithms instruct the speed controller to override the normal control of the throttle and set back the throttle position to a prescribed percentage (such as 50% or 80%) of its normal position. Thus, fuel consumption is minimized during and after the vehicle travels down hill. As such, the disclosed cruise control has only limited fuel saving benefits.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,213,089 discloses a system for achieving fuel economy by way of delivery of controlled pulses of fuel to a fuel injection mechanism. Although apparently feasible, this system does not easily adapt to interaction with a conventional cruise control system.
Accordingly, there exists a need for a cruise control with improved fuel economizing benefits.
It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide control apparatus for improving the fuel efficiency of a conventional cruise control system of an automotive vehicle.
It is a further object of this invention to provide control apparatus as in the foregoing object and operating method amenable to interaction with an existing conventional cruise control system.
It is another object of the present invention to provide control apparatus of the aforesaid nature of rugged, durable construction predisposed to low cost manufacture.
These objects and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description.


Methods and apparatus for identifying potentially seizure-inducing virtual reality content are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a neurological data collector to access first neurological response data collected from a user during exposure of the user to first media. The example apparatus includes a predictor to generate a prediction on a likelihood that a portion of second media will trigger an adverse neurological medical event in the user based the portion of the second media and the first neurological response data. The example apparatus includes a content modifier to modify the portion of the second media to create modified media in response to the prediction and output the modified media for presentation to the user.

Photosensitive epilepsy is a type of epilepsy in which seizures are triggered in an individual by visual stimuli that form patterns in time and space, such as flashing lights or contrasting color patterns. A stimulus such as a virtual reality environment may include features that can induce a seizure in an individual with photosensitive epilepsy who is interacting with the virtual reality environment.
The figures are not to scale. Instead, to clarify multiple layers and regions, the thickness of the layers may be enlarged in the drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawing(s) and accompanying written description to refer to the same or like parts.


A monolithic backside-sensor-illumination (BSI) image sensor has a sensor array is tiled with a multiple-pixel cells having a first pixel sensor primarily sensitive to red light, a second pixel sensor primarily sensitive to red and green light, and a third pixel sensor having panchromatic sensitivity, the pixel sensors laterally adjacent each other. The image sensor determines a red, a green, and a blue signal comprising by reading the red-sensitive pixel sensor of each multiple-pixel cell to determine the red signal, reading the sensor primarily sensitive to red and green light to determine a yellow signal and subtracting the red signal to determine a green signal. The image sensor reads the panchromatic-sensitive pixel sensor to determine a white signal and subtracts the yellow signal to provide the blue signal.

Photosensor arrays are commonly used in electronic cameras, including both still and video cameras. These photosensor arrays are often incorporated as components of image sensor integrated circuits along with circuitry for reading images from the photosensor array. Typically, these devices are integrated circuit die having a rectangular array of pixel sensors, where each pixel sensor includes at least one photodiode or phototransistor adapted for detecting light, together with circuitry for sensing the sensors to generate an electronic signal representing light detected by the sensors, and for exporting that signal to off-chip circuitry. Most such photosensors are of the topside-illumination type, designed to receive light into the pixel sensors through the same die surface into which controlling transistors, including transistors of the sensing and signal exporting circuitry, are built.
While photosensor arrays may be of the "black and white" type, often used for security cameras, in 2012 most video and still camera applications demand color.
A common type of color photosensor array has color filters deposited over topside-illuminated pixel sensors. These filters are often in a four-pixel, three-color, pattern that is repeated, or tiled, throughout the array; the filters in such arrays are typically colored such that-one filter admits red light to a first sensor, another admits green light to a second sensor, another admits blue light to a third pixel sensor, and the fourth filter of each pattern admits one of red, green, or blue light to a fourth pixel sensor.
In many camera systems, outputs of the pixel sensors from the patterns are processed to provide traditional red, green, and blue (RGB) color signals, such as may be used in an additive color display system to provide a full-color image. Red-Green-Blue has become the standard for color electronic cameras and color computer monitor video.
In recent times, backside-illuminated (BSI) photosensor arrays have been developed. These photosensor arrays typically are built on thinned die, with controlling transistors on a first surface of the die, but designed to receive light through a second, or backside, surface of the die opposite the first surface.
While some BSI photosensors use a pattern of filters printed onto the backside surface to selectively admit red, green, or blue light to sensors of each tiled pattern, it has been found that pixel sensors can be designed to have color response determined by junction profiles and depths in the sensors. In FIG. 1 of US published patent application PCT/US01/29488, a color photosensor array is described having a pixel sensor with three photodiode junctions stacked vertically, one on top of each other, with one deep junction, of depth about 2 microns, sensing red light, another intermediate-depth junction, of depth about 0.6 microns, sensing green light, and another shallow junction, of depth about 0.2 microns, sensing blue light.

Backside-illuminated photosensor array with white, yellow and red-sensitive elements


In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a first integrated processor, a second integrated processor, and a security processor. The first integrated processor has one or more network interfaces for receiving packets and also has a second interface. The second integrated processor is coupled to the second interface. A security processor is coupled to the second integrated processor. Also, a storage switch is contemplated employing one or more line cards which include the apparatus. The storage switch further includes at least one switch fabric card coupled to the at least one line card, wherein the switch fabric card is configured to route packets from the at least one line card and from one or more storage devices on a switch fabric. In another embodiment, the integrated processors may be systems on a chip (SOCs).

1. Field of the Invention
This invention is related to the field of packet processing systems and handling encrypted and non-encrypted packet traffic such systems, and also to the field of networked devices such as network storage devices.
2. Description of the Related Art
Various computing systems and related devices are becoming increasingly networked. While computer systems (e.g. personal computers, or PCs, servers, etc.) have been networked for some time, other devices have recently been networked as well. For example, storage systems are being networked in various ways such as storage area networks (SANs) implemented using various protocols (e.g. Fiber Channel over Internet Protocol (FCIP) or Small Computer Systems Interface over TCP/IP (iSCSI)) or network attached storage (NAS). Such storage solutions include storage devices and circuitry to communicate using various network protocols such as Transport Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP).
While networking is becoming more ubiquitous, it is also a rapidly changing field with new standards being developed and older standards being modified. Additionally, as publicly available networks such as the Internet are increasingly being used as part of the network, encryption of networked traffic is becoming more prevalent. Accordingly, networked computer systems and storage devices may be required to handle both encrypted and non-encrypted network traffic.

System on a chip for network storage devices


This invention, called Serve Assist, is an electro-mechanical ball machine for practicing the tennis serve. It helps a tennis student to practice serves by consistently dropping the ball in the desired location. It operates in one of two modes, an Auto-feed mode in which it drops the balls in the magazine via an overhead ball release canister at regular intervals or in an Auto-sense mode where the ball is released by the detection of the student's rising tossing arm. The invention also marks the desired height of contact on the dropping ball with a laser and provides visual feedback if the ball is being struck lower than optimum. It aids the student by developing a kinetic and visual memory of the correct ball toss position and point of contact.

The tennis serve is a challenging part of the game, and probably one of the most frustrating and the weakest link in a good tennis player's game. Though ball machines exist that allow practicing ground strokes like forehand, backhand, volley and overhead, there is practically no device that assists the student of tennis with their serve on the tennis court today.
Patents that aid with the ball tossing to provide target practice exist, but none seem to put the ball in the right place and allow the player to actually hit it. The challenge of a tennis coach, as she watches the student struggle with the toss as a beginner or intermediate player, is to first get the player to toss the ball at the desired location, before getting her to hit the correct ball at the desired height. Coaching time is partly wasted because the student is actually tossing the ball in the incorrect position and thus hitting faulty serves.
This invention will drop the ball for the student at the desired location at the desired instant, so the student can actually hit the ball and realize for herself the fruits of tossing the ball at the desired location. The kinetic and visual memory built by repeatedly hitting the ball at the correct location and instant will be invaluable in finally realizing where to toss the ball, so as to hit the correct serve.
For the intermediate player, a tennis coach has to struggle with finer points like refining the point of contact. No device exists that provides visual feedback on ideal point of contact between the racket and ball elevation when hitting the serve. Also, on the same lines it is very common for intermediate players to make contact with the ball lower than optimum, hitting incorrect serves. No visual feedback is currently available to a tennis coach to literally highlight this point.

Tennis serve ball machine cum training device


Hydrogenation of a polyene to a monoene using a ruthenium catalyst that is promoted with water.

The hydrogenation of polyenes to produce monoenes using ruthenium complex catalysts is disclosed in Fahey's U.S. Pat. No. 3,925,494. Fahey's U.S. Pat. No. 3,804,914, in Example II shows hydrogenation of polyenes using a ruthenium complex catalyst and excess triphenylphosphine. Fahey discloses in Journal of Organic Chemistry, Vol. 38, No. 1, 1973, pages 80-87 that Lewis Bases, including diethylamine were tested in the hydrogenation of cyclododecatriene. No bases were found to be more effective at enhancing selectivity than triphenylphosphine. No other effects were noted.
The rate of hydrogenation of a particular polyene using a ruthenium catalyst is taught to be increased by adding certain specific amines in an article titled "Selective Homogeneous Hydrogenation of 3-Oxo-1,4-diene Steroids. II. Effects of Basic Additives and para Substituents on the Hydrogenation with Dichlorotris(triphenylphosphine) ruthenium", by Nishimura et al, appearing in Bulletin of the Chemical Society of Japan, Vol. 46, 279-283 (1973).
The process disclosed by the Fahey patents suffers from the difficulty that there is an induction period of considerable length between the time the ingredients of the reaction mixture are combined under reaction conditions, and the time that the mixture actually begins to react at a significant rate.
An object of the present invention is to shorten this induction period.


A semiconductor integrated circuit in which, when leading out multiple-phase clock signal wirings from the ring oscillator circuit capable of oscillating at a high frequency, increase in the area of the substrate and deterioration in the clock phase accuracy caused by the non-uniform stray capacitances among the multiple-phase clock signal wirings are prevented. The semiconductor integrated circuit includes: N-stage amplifying circuits connected in a form of a ring to perform oscillating operation, which amplifying circuits are arranged in a semiconductor substrate to be divided into a plurality of rows, wherein in each row an amplifying circuit of “m−1”th stage and an amplifying circuit of “m”th stage are not adjacent to each other, where m is an arbitrary integer number within a range from 2 to N; and a plurality of wirings for respectively leading out a plurality of output signals from the amplifying circuits disposed in one of the plurality of rows.

Recently, in the signal transmission between equipments, a system using a high-speed serial signal with small amplitude has been adopted. This system makes it possible, as compared with the technique wherein the digital signal is transmitted in parallel, to reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI) caused in the course of digital signal transmission, in addition to a requirement for only a small number of cables.
In order to achieve a high-speed serial communication, there is provided at the transmitting side a parallel-serial conversion circuit, which synchronizes with a base clock signal to convert parallel data into serial data by using sub clock signals with multi-phases (in this application, referred to as multi-phase clock signals) having a phase difference of equal intervals. Therefore there arises a need to provide a multi-phase clock generating circuit that generates the multi-phase clock signals and supply the multi-phase clock signals to the parallel-serial conversion circuit.
As the multi-phase clock generating circuit, there is used, for example, a voltage or current controlled differential ring oscillator circuit, which is constructed of multi-stage delay differential inverting amplification circuits connected to each other in the form of a ring. By using the differential ring oscillator circuit as described above, multi-phase clock signals having phase difference with equal intervals can be easily extracted from the multi-stage delay differential inverting amplification circuits. In order to generate the multi-phase clock signals having phase difference of precisely equal intervals from high-speed differential ring oscillator circuit, it is necessary to equalize the loads of the multi-stage delay differential inverting amplification circuits and also to equalize the stray capacitances of the multiple-phase clock signal wirings.
Conventionally, in order to equalize the load of each stage of delay differential inverting amplification circuits, N-stage delay differential inverting amplification circuits, which constitutes the differential ring oscillator circuit, are disposed in two rows on a semiconductor substrate, and in each row, there is made such an arrangement that the successive delay differential inverting amplification circuits are disposed adjacent to each other. By virtue of this arrangement, it is made possible to minimize the delay in the wirings between the output of one circuit and the input of the next circuit of the N-stage delay differential inverting amplification circuits, and to achieve a differential ring oscillator circuit capable of oscillating at a high frequency.
However, in the differential ring oscillator circuit that outputs multi-phase clock signals having phase difference of equal intervals and is required for achieving the high speed serial communication, multi-phase clock signals are generally extracted from the outputs of the alternate delay differential inverting amplification circuits. Accordingly, signals are extracted from each row of the delay differential inverting amplification circuits disposed in two rows. Consequently, according to the conventional arrangement and wirings, the length of the wirings for the multi-phase clock signals of one row becomes longer than that of another row, and therefore, there arises a difficulty to make uniform all stray capacitances of the multiple-phase clock signal wirings. Also, the layout of the multiple-phase clock signal wirings has to be made in a relatively wide area in the periphery of the differential ring oscillator circuit. For this reason, there arises such problem that the area of the semiconductor substrate becomes larger.

Semiconductor integrated circuit with wiring arrangement for N-stage amplifying


There is disclosed a novel epoxy-modified branched epoxy copolymerizate which can be copolymerized with other thermoplastics, such as polycarbonates, to modify melt flow.

Epoxy resins have many desirable properties which make them attractive as coatings, adhesives, paper release agents, additives for printing inks and for other applications. Included among these desirable properties are low viscosity, excellent clarity, high gloss and high reactivity.
Epoxy-modified silicone resins based on linear siloxy groups have also been prepared having improved heat-resistance, anti-corrosion resistance and water-resistance over the epoxy resins.
Mikami, U.S. Pat. No. 4,283,513, discloses siloxane-modified epoxy resin compositions comprising siloxane-modified epoxy resins, alkoxy functional organopolysiloxanes, and curing agents which have improved resistance to degradation of electrical properties by boiling water and moisture.
Mikami, U.S. Pat. No. 4,287,326, describes siloxane-modified epoxy resin compositions consisting essentially of siloxane modified epoxy resins, organofunctional alkoxysilicone compounds and curing agents which have improved degradation resistance to both electrical and adhesion properties when exposed to moisture or boiling water.
Liles et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,082,719, disclose silicone epoxy curable compositions which teach the admixing of a small amount of an organosilicone compound containing at least one silicon-bonded hydrogen atom with curable compositions comprising a hydroxy-containing organosilicone compound, an epoxy compound and an aluminum compound to improve the curing performance of the compositions.
Crivello et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,037,861, disclose cyclic epoxy functional siloxanes of the formula ((R'R")SiO).sub.n which has low initial viscosity yet are highly reactive in cationic photo-initiated polymerization reactions.
Hoffman et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,707,529, disclose a dispersion of a siloxane polymer and optional dispersion stabilizer in an epoxy compound as a continuous phase, wherein the siloxane polymer is grafted to the epoxide compound. The patentees teach that the siloxane polymers which have functional groups capable of forming a graft with the epoxy compound continuous phase can include T-structure polydimethylsiloxanes having vinyl functionality(ies) at the branchpoint(s).
Special mention is made of Eckberg, U.S. Pat. No. 4,977,198, which teaches that UV curable epoxy functional organopolysiloxanes can be prepared by reacting organopolysiloxane hydrides with unsaturated epoxy groups in the presence of a platinum catalyst. Eckberg discloses that the epoxy functional silicones have an increased capacity to solubilized onium salt photoinitiators.
None of the references however teach or suggest the preparation of a branched epoxy-modified siloxane copolymerizate wherein the siloxane comprises a T or Q siloxy group. It has now been found that novel epoxy-modified branched silicones can be produced by reacting an epoxy with a T-structure or Q-structure silicon hydride compound, which have many excellent physical properties; and which are useful in forming improved copolymers with a variety of thermoplastic resins.

Epoxy-capped branched silicones and copolymers thereof


A computing device includes a touch screen display with a plurality of force sensors, each of which provides a signal in response to contact with the touch screen display. Using force signals from the plurality of force sensors, a characteristic of the contact is determined, such as the magnitude of the force, the centroid of force and the shear force. The characteristic of the contact is used to select a command which is processed to control the computing device. For example, the command may be related to manipulating data displayed on the touch screen display, e.g., by adjusting the scroll speed or the quantity of data selected in response to the magnitude of force, or related to an operation of an application on the computing device, such as selecting different focal ranges, producing an alarm, or adjusting the volume of a speaker in response to the magnitude of force.

Touch screen displays have become ubiquitous in current mobile platform applications, such as smart phones. Touch screen displays eliminate the need for key pads. In one adaptation, touch screen displays are used, not only as a replacement of key pads, but as a user interface that detects user gestures on the touch screen and translates the gestures into desired commands to be performed.
Touch screen displays are, conventionally, an LCD (liquid crystal display) technology, or an LPD (light emitting polymer display) technology. The screens are overlaid with a touch sensor, which use touch sensing technology such as capacitive, resistive, infrared, and surface acoustic wave technologies, to determine one or more points of contact with the touch screen. The touch sensing technologies, however, receive information in two-dimensions in the plane of the display. FIG. 1, by way of example, illustrates a conventional mobile platform 10 with a touch screen display 12 that detects two-dimensional touch information, i.e., along the X-axis and along the Y-axis. In other words, the touch sensor on the touch screen display 12 detects the position of contact on the touch screen display 12. Some touch sensing technologies, such as capacitive sensors, may detect how close an object is to the touch screen display 12, but ultimately determines the object to be in contact when the detected parameter, e.g., capacitance, is within a specified threshold. Thus, such touch sensing technology is really detecting only two-dimensional information, i.e., whether the object is close enough to be considered contact and if so, the two-dimensional position of that contact.
Thus, conventional touch screen displays function as a two-dimensional user interface, thereby limiting the user's interfacing opportunities and the devices response thereto.


A near-field detection system includes include an electric field generator configured to apply an electric field to an analysis sample, a probe configured to detect a near field that has passed through the analysis sample, a current detector connected to the probe, and a laser system irradiating a laser to each of the electric field generator and the probe. The probe includes a cantilever substrate, an antenna electrode on the cantilever substrate, an electromagnetic wave blocking layer exposing a sensing region of the cantilever substrate, the electromagnetic wave blocking layer including a conductive material, and an insulating layer interposed between the cantilever substrate and the electromagnetic wave blocking layer such that the insulating layer is between the antenna electrode and the electromagnetic wave blocking layer.

Example embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a near field detection probe and/or a near field detecting system including the same.
With the trend for the advancement, integration, and miniaturization of technology, demands for high sensitivity and high spatial resolution in various measuring devices are increasing. In a far-field system such as far-field optical microscopy, the shorter the wavelength of light, the better the resolution, but there is a limitation in that the resolution thereof cannot be improved below a wavelength length, due to the diffraction of light. The limitation of the far-field system due to the wavelength can be overcome in a near-field system, so that a high-resolution measuring device and an ultra-high-density recording device can be manufactured.

Probe for detecting near field and near-field detection system including the same


A flexible coupling for joining two shafts having teeth of a first hub overlapping with teeth of a second hub, the teeth being engaged by projections of a split flexible belt wrapped around the coupling and held in place by a retainer ring.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention set forth in this specification pertains to new and improved flexible couplings and, more particularly, to such couplings employing an elastomeric belt and operating in a horizontal shear mode.
2. Description of Related Art
Flexible couplings have long been used for transmitting rotation from one shaft to another. Such couplings are normally used in order to accommodate comparatively minor shaft alignment problems such as are occasionally encountered because of manufacturing or assembly errors. Because of the fact that these devices are widely used and have been known and used for many years, many different types of flexible couplings have been proposed, built, and used.
One prior art coupling device includes two hubs or hub elements, each adapted to be connected to a respective one of a pair of generally axially aligned shafts. Each hub is provided with a like number of extending lugs, teeth, fingers, or ribs equally spaced around its periphery. Teeth are of a length such that the hubs can be mounted on their respective shafts with each tooth of the first hub aligned with and slightly spaced apart horizontally from a corresponding tooth of the second hub. The spaces between pairs of opposed teeth are then occupied by corresponding projections on a belt-like motion transmitting means in order to cause the hubs to rotate in synchronism as one of the shafts is rotated. The belts used in these prior art couplings have been flexible, somewhat resilient or elastomeric belts or bands capable of being wrapped around the hubs so that the projections on them engage the teeth on the hubs.
Such couplings operate in what is termed a "vertical shear" mode. This means that the force tending to shear the flexible band or belt has a vertical component, i.e., a component perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the shafts, i.e., the horizontal axis. If overtorqued, the mean and/or vibratory torque will cause a twist angle between the driving and driven hubs, causing an undesirable axial thrust load on the bearings and/or any other rotating parts. Consequently, the longevity of the rotational equipment is impaired.
While the prior art couplings have the drawback of occasioning unwanted wear on machinery, they exhibit several advantages. The elastomeric motion transmitting means or belt provides misalignment capacity and transmits power uniformly. It will fail in severe overloading, protecting the rotational equipment from damage. The elastomeric insert also provides damping, which protects equipment from vibratory strain causing loss of longevity. The coupling design also permits ease of assembly and replacement of inserts.


A pen-base laser pointer includes a metal barrel, a laser firing cap and a metal bottom cap fastened to front and rear ends of the metal barrel, a laser module and battery cells mounted inside the metal barrel, and an on/off button controlled to close/open the circuit of the laser module, wherein the laser module has a metal contact spring plate disposed in contact with the inside wall of the metal barrel, the metal contact spring plate having a plurality of radial projecting portions equiangularly spaced around the border thereof, which are deformed and pressed against the inside wall of the metal barrel to hold down the laser module in place when the laser module is inserted into the metal barrel.

The present invention relates to a pen-base laser pointer, and more particularly to such a pen-base laser pointer in which a metal contact spring plate of the laser module of the laser pointer is deformed and pressed against the inside wall of the metal barrel of the laser pointer to hold down the laser module in place when the laser module is inserted into the metal barrel.
A variety of pen-base laser pointers have been disclosed, and have appeared on the market. These pen-base pointers are commonly comprised of a barrel, a battery set, a laser module, a lens holder, and an on/off button. The lens holder and the laser module may be made in integrity. According to conventional designs, when the laser module is inserted into the barrel, it is difficult to accurately secure the laser module in positive. If the laser module is not accurately set into position, the on/off button and the switch on the laser module will not be aligned. Further, when the laser module is installed, it may be easily forced to displace. In order to secure the laser module firmly in place, particular retaining means is required.

29-1, Alley 19, Lane 263, Lo Li Third Street


A method is described whereby new cDNA or RNA sequences can be introduced into or substituted for cDNA in any chosen position without specific sequence requirements using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The method entails the use of primers which are complementary to the 3' and 5' ends of the desired sequence to be inserted as well as to the 3' and 5' ends of the chosen site of insertion in the acceptor molecule. The desired sequence is amplified by PCR such that single stranded fragments are produced. The single stranded fragment of the desired sequence is then annealed to a single stranded acceptor molecule at the site of insertion and extended to produce a double stranded molecule. The double stranded molecule is then separated into two strands which are identical except that one of the strands contains the desired sequence inserted at the chosen site. A second double stranded molecule is then generated.

Infectious cDNA clones of picornaviruses have been produced in several laboratories following the poliovirus (PV) work of Racaniello (Science 214, 916-919). Chimeric PV's have been made in which short portions of one type of complementary cDNA from one type of picornavirus DNA has been inserted into the infectious cDNA of another type of PV (Martin, et al., EMBO Journal, 7, (1988) 2839-2847). Long segments have also been exchanged between PV types (Korhara, et al., J. Virol, 62 (1988), 2828-2835). Chimeras of PV and hepatitis A virus (HAV) have also been produced in several laboratories in which small segments of HAV cDNA representing putative antigen coding regions have been inserted into infectious cDNA of PV. However, none of these constructs have produced viruses that express HAV antigens. It is possible that the correct coding regions have not been inserted, but it is also likely that the epitopes of HAV are conformational. For instance, we have produced an "epitope library" in lambda gtll consisting of random fragments of the HAV capsid coding region. When this library was screened with neutralizing monoclonal antibodies to HAV, no clones were detected. However, when the library was screened with antibodies to synthetic oligopeptides representing regions VP1, VP2, VP3, and VP4, many positive clones were identified. These results suggest that the neutralization epitopes of HAV are non-linear. It is possible that a complete copy of one of the capsid proteins expressed as part of the PV capsid would assume the necessary three dimensional structure to represent a neutralizing epitope of HAV. In the past chimeric cDNA's with large inserts have been difficult to make requiring either the presence of convenient restriction enzyme sites or sophisticated and complicated genetic engineering. In fact, common restriction sites rarely exist in different viral species such as HAV and PV.

Techniques for producing site-directed mutagenesis of cloned DNA


A storage unit stores rule information that includes information indicating a plurality of operations based on event data. A computing unit searches the rule information to find information indicating a first operation, information indicating an operation of a condition determination that is executable regardless of the result of the first operation, and information indicating a second operation that is associated with the condition determination and uses the result of the first operation. The computing unit generates control information for controlling the execution order of the operations such that the first operation is executed in accordance with the result of the condition determination and such that the second operation is executed after the first operation. When the event data is input, the computing unit executes an operation corresponding to the input event data, based on the control information.

Information processing systems including various apparatuses connected to an information processing apparatus via a network are now used. In some of these information processing systems, an information processing apparatus executes an operation corresponding to an event record received from any of the other apparatuses. The apparatuses that issue event records include a wide variety of apparatuses such as, for example, other information processing apparatuses, sensor devices, home appliances, and the like.
A rule defining the content of a condition used by the information processing apparatus for determining whether to execute an operation for an event record and defining the content of the operation is created in advance by the user, for example. When the information processing apparatus determines that the condition described in the rule is satisfied upon receipt of event data, the information processing apparatus executes the corresponding operation. The information processing apparatus sometimes executes one or more operations based on multiple event records sequentially received from the various apparatuses. This method of executing operations is often called Complex Event Processing (CEP).
Information processing apparatuses that perform CEP may receive a large number of event records. If the number of event records received per unit time increases, a backlog develops, which results in a delay in processing the events. In view of this, there has been proposed a technique for accelerating processing of event streams by using a coprocessor. According to this proposal, for example, filtering of the received event stream and matching with a rule condition are performed in parallel on a coprocessor, thereby accelerating the processing.
There has also been proposed a processing description language that allows the use of a clause represented by a character string "RETAIN" in the description of rules and enables execution of processing of multiple event records that are arrived before reaching the number of events or the time specified in the "RETAIN" clause. Further, there has also been proposed a technique that extends an event processing language so as to enable event processing based on the detection result of a pattern from filtered streaming events and the detection result of a historical pattern from past events.
International Publication Pamphlet No. WO2009/140363
International Publication Pamphlet No. WO2008/150675
Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2011-86288
When an information processing apparatus processes received event records according to the procedure described in a rule, the information processing apparatus might execute a useless operation.
For example, the result of a first operation based on a certain event record is often used in a second operation. Further, for example, a determination of whether to execute the second operation is often made in accordance with the result of a condition determination which is not dependent on the result of the first operation. In this case, there may be a rule describing that the first operation is executed before the condition determination is made. Then, however, if a determination not to execute the second operation is made by the condition determination after execution of the first operation, it indicates that the result of the first operation was obtained although not needed. That is, the first operation was executed uselessly, resulting in inefficiency. As long as processing is performed according to the procedure described in the rule, it is difficult to prevent execution of such a useless operation.

Program, information processing apparatus, and event processing method


A receiver circuit is configured as a frequency compensated differential amplifier having one input coupled to the output of a transmission line to receive a transmitted signal and the second input coupled to a reference voltage. The differential amplifier has a high frequency gain equivalent to the gain of an uncompensated differential stage for the transmitted signal. The compensated differential amplifier has an attenuated low frequency gain for signal frequencies substantially lower than the high frequency and a transitional gain for frequencies between the low and high frequencies. A compensated stage provides the portion of the signal with a compensated response and an uncompensated stage provides the portion of the amplified signal that is uncompensated. Bias control signals determine how much of the output signal is from the compensated and uncompensated stages as a means for customizing response from transmission lines with varying losses.

Digital computer systems have a history of continually increasing the speed of the processors used in the system. As computer systems have migrated towards multiprocessor systems, sharing information between processors and memory systems has also generated a requirement for increased speed for the off-chip communication networks. Designers usually have more control over on-chip communication paths than for off-chip communication paths. Off-chip communication paths are longer, have higher noise, impedance mismatches, and have more discontinuities than on-chip communication paths. Since off-chip communication paths are of lower impedance, they require more current and thus more power to drive.
When using inter-chip high-speed signaling, noise and coupling between signal lines (cross talk) affects signal quality. One way to alleviate the detrimental effects of noise and coupling is through the use of differential signaling. Differential signaling comprises sending a signal and its compliment to a differential receiver. In this manner, noise and coupling affect both the signal and the compliment equally. The differential receiver only senses the difference between the signal and its compliment as the noise and coupling represent common mode signals. Therefore, differential signaling is resistant to the effects that noise and cross talk have on signal quality. On the negative side, differential signaling increases pin count by a factor of two for each data line. The next best thing to differential signaling is pseudo-differential signaling. Pseudo-differential signaling comprises comparing a data signal to a reference voltage using a differential receiver or comparator.
When high speed data is transmitted between chips, the signal lines are characterized by their transmission line parameters. High speed signals are subject to reflections if the transmission lines are not terminated in an impedance that matches the transmission line characteristic impedance. Reflections may propagate back and forth between driver and receiver and reduce the margins when detecting signals at the receiver. Some form of termination is therefore usually required for all high-speed signals to control overshoot, undershoot, and increase signal quality. Typically, a Thevenin's resistance (equivalent resistance of the Thevenin's network equals characteristic impedance of transmission line) is used to terminate data lines allowing the use of higher valued resistors. Additionally, the Thevenin's network is used to establish a bias voltage between the power supply rails. In this configuration, the data signals will then swing around this Thevenin's equivalent bias voltage. When this method is used to terminate data signal lines, a reference voltage is necessary to bias a differential receiver that operates as a pseudo-differential receiver to detect data signals in the presence of noise and cross talk.
The logic levels of driver side signals are determined by the positive and ground voltage potentials of the driver power supply. If the driver power supply has voltage variations that are unregulated, then the logic one and logic zero levels of the driver side signals will undergo similar variations. If the receiver is substantially remote from the driver such that its power supply voltage may undergo different variations from the driver side power supply, then additional variations will be added to any signal received in a receiver side terminator (e.g., Thevenin's network). These power supply variations will reduce noise margins if the reference has variations different from those on the received signals caused by the driver and receiver side power supply variations.
As the frequency of transmitted signals increases, the signal losses resulting from the signal propagating over a lossy transmission line also increase. These losses cause the high frequency content of the signal to attenuates and phase shifts relative to its lower frequency content. This results in receiver side signal distortion. This is especially true for signal transitions which may be slowed and distorted. Signal detection using pseudo differential signal generates an output by comparing a signal that arrives at a receiver to a reference voltage. As the high frequency content of a signal degrades, the signal transitions through the reference level more slowly and therefore the resulting detected signal has more uncertainty regarding timing of the signal transitions.
Signal quality may be increased by compensating for high frequency losses. It is well known that any repetitive signal or pattern may be decomposed in to its various Fourier frequency components. Such a decomposition of a generated signal and a signal received over a transmission line would show that high frequency content is attenuated more that lower frequency content. To compensate for these effects, one may decrease the low frequency content, boost the high frequency content or do both. Frequency compensation may be incorporated at the source or driver side, within the transmission network, or at the receiver side. Simply boosting the high frequency content may also increase the high frequency noise.
When using pseudo differential signaling to reduce pin count, it may be also desirable to generate a reference voltage for each data pin for improved receiver side power supply tracking. In this case, it would also be beneficial to apply controllable frequency compensation at the receiver side where each of the data nets may have different propagation losses. Data nets where the losses are not significant may suffer signal degradation if frequency compensation is added.
There is, therefore, a need for circuitry implementing receiver side high controllable frequency compensation for pseudo differential receivers.

Peaking transmission line receiver for logic signals

International Business Machines Corporation


A socket (10) for receiving and retaining a lamp (12) and providing electrical connection to electrical lead-ins (14a) and (14b) of the lamp (12), the electrical lead-ins (14a) and (14b) projecting from the lamp in a direction orthogonal to a longitudinal axis (18). The socket (10) comprises a first socket body half (16) arrayed about the longitudinal axis (18) and including a receptacle (20) aligned with the longitudinal axis (18) for receiving a portion (22) of the lamp (12). Lead-in receptacles (24) are formed in the socket body (16), the receptacles being laterally disposed relative to the longitudinal axis. Electrical lead-in contact receivers (26) are formed adjacent the lead-in receptacles. Radially spaced contact retainers (28, 29) are associated with the contact receivers (26). An electrical contact (30) is positioned in each contact receiver (26), each of the electrical contacts (30) comprising first and second spaced-apart lead-in engagers (32, 34) joined by a bight (36). A tab (38) extends from a distal end (40) of the first lead-in engager (32) and is confined in the contact retainer (29) and a tab (42) extends from a proximal end (44) of the second lead-in engager (34). A wire receptor (46) is affixed to the contact (30). A second socket body half (48) is affixed to the first socket body half (16) and a contact retention spring (50) is positioned between an inside surface (52) of the second socket body half and first lead-in engager (32).

The mounting and connection of high-power lamps in ceramic sockets has presented many problems over the years. The use of ceramic materials, which have greater tolerances than counterpart plastic materials, has necessitated great complexity in the contacts employed in order to ensure both adequate electrical contact as well as mechanical holding ability. Often, in high-power lamps, the electrical lead-ins extend in a direction normal to the lamp axis and, this, too, has presented problems.