A multi-party call method provides connecting a multi-party call with a plurality of non-control terminals by a control terminal. Dual Tone Multi-Frequency (DTMF) signals are received from a part of the plurality of non-control terminals to which call termination commands are input by the control terminal, respectively. The received DTMF signals are recognized to check the part of the plurality of non-control terminals that have transmitted the DTMF signals; and the call states are displayed with the recognized part of the non-control terminals as a terminal state on a display screen.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a mobile terminal for a multi-party call and a multi-party call method. More particularly, the present invention relates to a mobile terminal and a multi-party call method for controlling a multi-party call using a Dual Tone Multi Frequency (DTMF) signal.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, with the rapidly increase in the use of portable terminals, such devices have become a necessity of modern life. Such portable terminals may provide all kinds of data transmission services and various additional services in addition to voice call service and providing a functional multimedia communication device.
With regard to a current synchronous portable terminal, for example, such as the majority of newer Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) portable terminals, normally have a multi-party call function. A multi-party call is a call that is simultaneously conducted with a plurality of subscribers. A multi-party simultaneous call is advantageous that increases efficiency of a call and sometimes saves great of calling time.
In a CDMA network, a plurality of portable terminals conduct a multi-party call using a base station (BS), a base station controller (BSC), and a mobile switching center (MSC). A terminal controlling the multi-party call as the subject thereof is referred as to a 'control terminal', and each of the remaining terminals except for the control terminal are referred to as a 'non-control terminal'.
The control terminal sequentially performs call connection with a plurality of non-control terminals. When the call connection is completed, the control terminal conducts a multi-party call with a plurality of connected non-control terminals. However, in a current CDMA network, when a part of the plurality of non-control terminals terminates a call, the control terminal cannot display which of the non-control terminals have terminated the call. In this case, only when a control terminal's user checks the other party's voice to see whether they are still on the line, can the user determine which non-control terminals have terminated the call and which non-control terminals continue to maintain the call.
Moreover, in the current CDMA network, the control terminal cannot selectively terminate a call with only a part of all the non-control terminals conducting the multi-party call. In order to terminate the call with the only a part of all the non-control terminals, the control terminal's user should terminate of the entire multi-party call and connect again with non-control terminals wanting to continue the call.

Mobile terminal for multi-party call and multi-party call method


A metered dose inhaler pump for delivering a metered dose of an active compound from an active compound inlet through a spray outlet without the need of a pressurized active compound container. Reciprocating action of an inlet valve, an outlet valve and a plunger alternately draw a metered dose of the active compound from an active compound container into an active compound chamber and pressurize the drawn metered dose of the active compound to eject the metered dose through the spray outlet. The plunger substantially fills and evacuates the metered dose chamber, leaving no void head space therein.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to metered dose inhalers, and, more particularly, to a pump for a metered dose inhaler which does not require the use of a pressurized container of medicine.
2. Brief Description of Related Art
Metered dose inhalers have been commercially available for use in the treatment of a variety of respiratory ailments, such as asthma. Such metered dose inhalers typically require a pressurized cylinder or canister of medicine to deliver a metered dose of such medicine to a person's respiratory tract. These pressurized cylinders or canisters have employed a halogenated hydrocarbon as a propellant, with the active compound dissolved in the propellant or suspended in the propellant in solid, micronized form.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,955,371 describes a disposable inhalation device wherein an aerosol measured dose canister provides a short spray for releasing a fixed dose of medicine. However, environmental concerns have disfavored the use of halogenated hydrocarbons in aerosol containers. U.S. Pat. No. 4,534,345 describes a dosage inhaler employing a dosing unit for dosing a pharmacologically active compound separate from a pressurized propellant container. The pressurized container contains liquified, pressurized carbon dioxide. In either case, the propellant is delivered into a person's respiratory tract with the medicine dose.
Thus, there is a need for a metered dose inhaler capable of delivering a metered dose of an active compound without the use of a pressurized propellant. Therefore, in order to alleviate these and other problems, an objective of the present invention is to provide a metered dose inhaler pump for pressurizing and delivering a metered dose of an active compound to a person's respiratory tract.


A closure for an electrical connector for sealing the inside of the connector from its surroundings, when a female or male contact part will not be used. A dummy contact having a cylindrical extent, a collar and a gripping element is placed into the unused cavity. The orientation at which the dummy contact is inserted into the cavity depends on whether the cavity is adapted for a male or female contact part.

In modern technology, frequent use is made of assemblable connectors in order to transmit electrical and/or optical energy or signals. Usually, one connector part which is fixed or movable is fitted with a certain number of female contact parts and is connected to one or more sources of energy or of signals, and another part of the connector is fitted with male contact parts and is connected to an energy and/or signals user device.
It is frequent for the user device not to use all of the energies (electrical voltages for example) or all of the signals which are available from the female sockets, of the connector (hereinafter referred to as the "female" part the other part being referred to as the "male" part. For reasons of standardization, use is then made of a male part, some of whose contact parts are not connected, or else, for economy, are replaced by dummy contact parts of the same shape, but of a less costly material, for example a plastic material.
The decision not to connect a female contact part is a rarer occurrence. In this case, this contact part is left in place, so as to ensure the isolation of the cavity which contains it from the atmosphere. Its replacement by a less costly part of plastic material could have been considered, but the construction of such a part would be relatively costly owing to the fact that this would be a female part, and this solution has not been proposed.
The aim of the present invention is to provide a process for using a connector which achieves a reduced cost compared with current practice, while ensuring that the unused female cavities are well isolated from the outside.

Device for closing a contact cavity of an electrical or optical connector


The present invention is directed to partially fluorinated copolymers and the production thereof. More specifically, the copolymers, which are preferably produced by a solution polymerization process, preferably have at least three units, the first unit selected from 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene and 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, the second unit having a polymerized monomer selected from the vinyl esters and vinyl ethers, and the third unit having a polymerized monomer derived from a hydroxyl group-containing vinyl ether. The resulting copolymer is environmentally friendly, has favorable molecular weight characteristics, and may be shipped economically in high concentration.

Fluoropolymers such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) are well known for having excellent thermal, chemical, and weather resistance, along with favorable properties like water and oil resistance. Unfortunately, the use of such fluoropolymers in coatings is difficult owing to their poor solubility in industrial solvents—such as xylene and butyl acetate—which are typically used in the coating industry. Instead, more exotic solvents must often be used, which not only affect the economics of a coating, but can also present environmental issues owing to, e.g., potential toxicity of the exotic solvents.
Accordingly, there is a need to formulate alternative coatings which have superior performance properties, yet can use economical industrial solvents and be environmentally friendly.
Furthermore, polymerization of fluorinated polymers presents a number of challenges, e.g., as detailed in prior application Ser. No. 13/645,437 (now U.S. Patent Publication No. 2013/0090439 A1), incorporated herein by reference. Although several types of polymerization methods to make tetrafluoropropene copolymers have been described in prior application Ser. No. 13/645,437, Applicants have come to further appreciate that these polymerization methods have undesirable aspects or limitations, and/or that the polymers produced thereby can be formed with different and/or improved properties.
Accordingly, Applicants have come to appreciate a need to develop improved processes for making tetrafluoropropene copolymers having different and/or improved properties for uses in various applications.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Curable fluorocopolymer formed from tetrafluoropropene


In a pixel including a selection transistor, a driver transistor, and a light-emitting element, as the driver transistor, a transistor is used in which a channel is formed in an oxide semiconductor film and its channel length is 0.5 μm or greater and 4.5 μm or less. The driver transistor includes a first gate electrode over an oxide semiconductor film and a second gate electrode below the oxide semiconductor film. The first gate electrode and the second gate electrode are electrically connected to each other and overlap with the oxide semiconductor film. Furthermore, in the selection transistor of a pixel, which does not need to have field-effect mobility as high as that of the driver transistor, a channel length is made longer than at least the channel length of the driver transistor.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention disclosed in this specification and the like relates to a display device and a method for manufacturing the display device. One embodiment of the present invention particularly relates to a display device having a transistor including an oxide semiconductor film and a method for manufacturing the display device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Since display devices using light-emitting elements such as organic electroluminescence (hereinafter, also referred to as EL) have high visibility, are suitable for reduction in thickness, and do not have limitations on viewing angles, they have attracted attention as display devices which can take the place of cathode ray tubes (CRTs) or liquid crystal display devices. In an active matrix display device using a light-emitting element, in general, at least a light-emitting element, a transistor (a switching (selection) transistor) which controls input of a video signal to a pixel, and a transistor (a driving transistor) which controls a value of current supplied to the light-emitting element are provided in each pixel.
Transistors used for display devices are formed using silicon semiconductors such as amorphous silicon, single crystal silicon, and polycrystalline silicon provided over glass substrates.
In recent years, instead of the silicon semiconductor, a technique in which a metal oxide having semiconductor characteristics (an oxide semiconductor) is used for transistors has attracted attention. For example, a technique is disclosed in which a transistor is manufactured using zinc oxide or an In—Ga—Zn oxide as an oxide semiconductor and the transistor is used as a switching transistor or the like of a pixel of a display device (see Patent Document 1).

Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.


An inverter controller for controlling a three-phase inverter used for generation and subsequent injection of pulse code signals on power lines in a utility load management system is disclosed. The controller includes read-only-memory devices (208, 210) for generating address bus information, read-only-memory devices (212, 214, 216) for generating gate control signals for inverter main valve SCRs, and read-only-memory devices (236, 238) for generating timing sequence control signals. The controller is responsive to microprocessor initiated control signals and features a state machine design.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an inverter controller for controlling a McMurray inverter which is used for injection of pulse code signals on power lines for load distribution control.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,215,394 entitled "Control Logic For Inverter Ripple Controlled Power System", which is assigned to Oxy-Metal Industries Corporation of Warren, Michigan, and in which an inventor is Alby M. Berman, there is described an inverter controller which is used to control an McMurray inverter for power line ripple tone injection in an electric load utility management system. In the patent, the invention controller is essentially an analog device. Analog techniques are used for conducting the back feed current through a portion of the inverter, for sequentially connecting and disconnecting the SCR gates, and for timing of the inverter. This analog type of inverter controller is subject to variations in tolerance and in design factors which lead to uncertainties in operation and in performance reliability. The known inverter controller of the Berman patent is not compatible with load management systems which utilize digital microprocessor control techniques for injection of the ripple tone.


The invention encompasses reagents comprising particles with at least one Raman dye and a specific binding members bound thereto and methods of using such reagents. The invention also encompasses reagents of a specific binding member and two or more different Raman dyes and methods for using such reagents. New types of particle probes having a specific binding member bound thereto are described. These reagents are used in a novel detection strategy that utilizes the catalytic properties of the Au nanoparticles to generate a silver coating that can behave as a surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) promoter for the dye-labeled particles that have been captured by target and an underlying chip in microarray format. The strategy provides the high sensitivity and high selectivity attributes of grey-scale scanometric detection but provides a route to multiplexing and ratioing capabilities since a very large number of probes can be designed based upon the concept of using a Raman tag as a spectroscopic fingerprint in detection. These spectra are used as fingerprints to differentiate oligonucleotide or other targets in one solution. This method has been used to distinguish six dissimilar DNA targets with six Raman labeled nanoparticle probes, and also two RNA targets with single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).

The development of high-sensitivity, high-selectivity detection formats for chemical and biological molecules is of paramount importance for realizing the full potential of genomics and proteomics advances made over the past decade.1-4 High density gene chips have made it possible to monitor the levels of expression of thousands of genes simultaneously. Lower density chips have shown promise for both laboratory and clinical identification of many potential biohazards in one sample. Although the core accepted and utilized labeling technology is currently based upon molecular fluorophore markers, recent advances in nanoparticle technology have pointed toward systems with significantly higher sensitivities and selectivities and potentially more straightforward and versatile readout hardware than conventional fluorescence-based approaches.5-17 A strong argument is being made for nanoparticles as the next generation labeling technology for biodiagnostic research.
One of the most sensitive and selective detection formats for DNA relies on oligonucleotide-functionalized nanoparticles as probes, a particle-initiated silver developing technique for signal enhancement, and a flatbed scanner for optical readout.8 The current demonstrated detection limit for this "scanometric DNA detection" format is 100 aM, and the utility of the system has been demonstrated with short synthetic strands, PCR products, and genomic DNA targets.17,18 A limitation of this approach is that it is inherently a one color system based upon grey scale. The flexibility and applicability of all DNA detection systems benefit from access to multiple types of labels with addressable and individually discernable labeling information. In the case of fluorescence, others have demonstrated that one can use multiple fluorophores, including quantum dots, to prepare encoded structures with optical signatures that depend upon the types of fluorophores used and their signal ratio within the probes.11,19 These approaches typically use micron size probes so that they can obtain encoded structures with the appropriate signal intensities and uniformities. Moreover, in the case of molecular fluorophores, due to overlapping spectral features and non-uniform fluorophore photobleaching rates,1,11 this approach has several potential complications.
The art describes the use of Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) to detect various analytes. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,306,403 describes a method and apparatus for DNA sequencing using SERS. U.S. Pat. No. 5,266,498 describes the use of SERS to detect analytes in general. U.S. Pat. No. 5,445,972 describes the use of a Raman label bound to a specific binding molecule. U.S. Pat. No. 5,376,556 describes the use of SERS in immunoassays. U.S. Pat. No. 6,127,120 describes the use of SERS, the detection of nucleic acid and nucleic acid subunits. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,242,264 and 6,025,202 describe the use of silver to form a SERS active substrate to enhance Raman scattering of adsorbed molecules. None of the previous SERS-based detection methodologies were demonstrated using single or multiplexed sandwich hybridization assay formats. This absence may be due, in part, to the difficulty in reproducibly generating and functionalizating stable SERS-active substrates23 as well as the lack of an appropriate probe design strategy to enable multiplexed detection. Accordingly, there is a need for probes and methods for use in SERS-based detection assays, particularly in single or multiplexed sandwich hybridization assay formats.
The present invention provides a novel agent detection reagent comprising a particle comprising a Raman label and specific binding members bound to the particle for use in SERS-based assays of analytes. In the presence of a target analyte, a substrate containing a capture probe for the analyte, and the detection reagent, the reagent advantageously complexes or binds to the binding partner analyte to form a complex which directly or indirectly binds to the support. The Raman label in the labeled complex on the support can then be SERS activated by staining, for example, silver, gold or copper enhancement to achieve a SERS effect when irradiated with a laser. Generally this complex is captured on a solid support and treated with silver to provide a SERS effect. Alternatively, the complex can be directly or indirectly complexed with an analyte which has already been bound directly or indirectly to a solid support substrate. In the present invention, the SERS effect is produced near the time it is measured. This reagent can advantageously include multiple different Raman dyes bound to the particle carriers as a way of distinguishing particular carriers with particular specific binding members, and as a way of indexing a vast number of reagent for multiplex application.
The invention also provides a detection reagent comprising a conjugate of several different Raman dyes bound to a specific binding substance such as DNA, RNA, polypeptide, antibody, antigen, small molecules, etc. This also serves as a reagent indexing tool.
The invention is particularly distinguished from the prior art method in that the SERS technology is used in conjunction with nanoparticle assay techniques to provide extraordinary sensitivity and specificity of detection of analytes which is particularly amenable to multiplexed determination of analytes.

Nanoparticle probes with raman spectroscopic fingerprints for analyte detection


A traffic sign recognition system includes a display for displaying caution information of a traffic light, and a processor configured to execute a traffic light detecting module for detecting a traffic light, a bypass lane detecting module for detecting a bypass lane, a line of sight detecting module for detecting a line of sight of a driver, and a vehicle behavior determining module for detecting a traveling direction of a vehicle. The processor controls the display to display caution information when the line of sight is different from a direction of the traffic light, and controlling the display to refrain from displaying the caution information when the detected line of sight matches the direction of the traffic light. The display is refrained from displaying the caution information when the bypass lane is detected and the traveling direction is toward the bypass lane, regardless of the line of sight.

The present invention relates to a traffic sign recognition system.
In view of preventing danger etc., it is extremely undesirable to be unaware of a traffic sign, such as a traffic light or a road sign installed on a road. JP2014-120111A discloses an art in which a detector for detecting a line of sight of a driver driving a vehicle is provided and if a traffic light and/or a traffic sign ahead of the vehicle is not viewed by the driver, caution information is displayed.
Incidentally, there is a case where a bypass lane for bypassing an intersection at which a traffic light is installed is provided on a road. For example, when a traffic light is installed at a four-way junction at which a certain road intersects with another road, the certain road may have a bypass lane branching slightly before the intersection and for bypassing the intersection with the traffic light so that vehicles can travel to the other road (e.g., left turn bypass lane).
When such a bypass lane is provided, displaying the caution information simply due to the unawareness of the driver of the traffic light etc. as described in JP2014-120111A becomes unnecessary and becomes a cause of annoyance to the driver.


One or more processors receive data records from a file system, and convert the data records to a tape image having a format defined by the file system. The tape image is written to a first storage device, and a sequence of data types of the first storage device and a second storage device are monitored to determine whether the first storage device sequence of data types differs from the sequence of data types of the second storage device. Determining that the sequence of data types of the first storage device and second storage device do differ, one or more processors copying, to the second storage device, the data records from the first storage device, from the position on the first storage device that corresponds to the end-of-data position of the second storage device, to the end-of-data position of the first storage device.

A backup operation is apt to be complicated, but if there is a mechanism whereby data written on a first storage device, such as a hard disk drive (HDD), can be easily and conveniently duplicated in another file system, it is possible to prevent data loss due to failure of the first storage device.
In some backup approaches RAID1 (mirroring) technology is used, which duplexes the data written to a HDD. RAID1 writes identical data onto plural disks by random block access based on a block by block basis, and is generally limited to use of HDDs, due to the use of random access capability.
File systems, such as LTFS (linear tape file system) enable sequential access of data on a tape drive (TD) as a file in a file system. By using a file system such as LTFS, the use and versatility of tape storage is enhanced.
On the tape drive, a read/write command does not specify a block number which differs from a read/write command of a block device, such as an HDD. The read/write command of the tape drive specifies that a read/write be carried out at the current tape position, and when the command is successful, the current position is updated. The current position can be acquired using a "read position" command, and the current position may be set at any location using a locate/space command.

International Business Machines Corporation


In industrial applications, the invention relates to various algorithms for determining optimal resources or assets allocations under various equality and inequality constraints. In particular, constrained quadratic or conic optimization problems of unique importance for portfolio asset allocation are seamlessly solved in analytic and efficient ways. In addition, by providing exact or analytic optimum expressions, robustness can be readily ascertained.

In industrial applications, a substantial number of problems of efficient allocations of resources can be translated into the mathematical resolution of one or more constrained optimization problems, that is problems in which one seeks to minimize or maximize a real function by systematically choosing the values of real or integer variables from within a constrained allowed set.
As a subset of optimization problems, quadratic or conic optimization problems comprise one of the most important areas of nonlinear programming. They are currently solved in practical applications preferentially using variations of so-called "interior point methods"i that are generally relevant for convex optimization problems. Numerous practical problems, including problems in financial portfolio optimization, portfolio hedging, planning and scheduling, economies of scale, and engineering design, and control are naturally expressed as quadratic optimization problems.
We describe a new and more effective method for solving optimization problems in general by actually explicitly solving the apparently intractable Karush-Kuhn Tucker (KKT) equations and inequalities associated with the mathematical formulation of the problems. The general method outlined in our drawings and below is illustrated in detail through the resolution of classical quadratic and conic optimization problems.

Method for optimizing inequality and equality constrained resources allocation problems in industrial applications


Backside growth on substrates in a vapor deposition system has been a problem resulting in cracking of the material deposited on the substrate, making replication in a vapor deposition system difficult to achieve, and requiring post deposition machining to separate the substrate-deposit from the deposition fixture. A solution to the problem is the following: the substrate is mounted on a plurality of graphite pillars, with the pillars being bonded to the substrate as near the periphery thereof as possible. A hollow body open on one side but closed on the other, and fabricated from GRAFOIL with graphite cement used as a bonding agent, is mounted on the pillars with the open end facing the substrate. The open end of the body is pressed against the substrate and sealed with a bonding agent. This completely covers the backside of the substrate and thus prevents any vapor deposition thereon.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method of preventing backside growth on substrates in an impinging chemical vapor deposition system.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Backside growth on substrates in an impinging chemical vapor deposition system, if not prevented, often results in cracking of the deposit. Such growth also makes it difficult to achieve, in a vapor deposition system, replication of the figure and finish of preshaped structures. The presence of such growth is further disadvantageous in that post deposition machining is required to separate the substrate deposit from the deposition fixture. Backside growth on substrates thus is particularly detrimental in lightweight rapid optics fabrication.
A process is disclosed in application Ser. No. 389,248 filed Aug. 3, 1989 by J. T. Goela, M. A. Pickering and R. L. Taylor and assigned to the assignee of the present invention for fabricating, by vapor deposition, lightweight structures out of refractory materials. The methods and lightweight structures disclosed in that application, which application by reference is incorporated herein, involve a core to define the shape and size of each structure. The core is coated with an appropriate deposit, such as silicon carbide (SiC) or silicon (Si), to give the structure strength and stiffness and for bonding thereof to another surface, for example, the surface of a substrate comprising the faceplate of a mirror being fabricated.
In the fabrication of mirrors, graphite may be used to form a mandrel for replicating on a SiC faceplate. One side of the mandrel is optically fabricated, either as flat or as a convex spherical shape. The other side of the mandrel is lapped flat. The lapped side of the mandrel is bonded by means of pillars and graphite cement to a baffle plate in a vapor deposition reactor. The mandrel is then coated with multiple coats of a suspension of carbon in solvent, following which the surface of the mandrel is buffed or polished to make it as shiny as possible without significantly altering its figure. Deposition of SiC on the mandrel is then effected. Without separating the faceplate from the mandrel, the exposed SiC surface may be etched with hot potassium hydroxide (KOH) to improve bonding of graphite to SiC. A lightweight structure core is then fabricated from flat or curved graphite ribs, as disclosed in the aforementioned application for patent. After being bonded together with graphite cement, the lightweight structure core is bonded with graphite cement to the etched SiC surface of the mandrel. SiC is then deposited to enclose the lightweight structure core following which the baffle plate is separated from the baffle pillars. Controlled edging may be performed to remove excess SiC deposit. Using a blade, the interface between the graphite mandrel and the SiC faceplate may then be opened to recover the SiC coated mirror faceplate. The latter is then ready for Si coating.
Selective deposit to confine Si growth to only the front face of the SiC coated faceplate in the fabrication of the mirror surface is very important. This is for the reason, mentioned hereinbefore, that Si growth on the backside of the SiC faceplate is disadvantageous in that, if not prevented, cracking of the deposit on the front side often results, making replication in a vapor deposition system difficult to achieve, and additionally requiring post deposition machining to separate the substrate-deposit from the deposition fixture.

Method to prevent backside growth on substrates in a vapor deposition system


A kit comprised of an elongated threaded bolt having two end portions and an intermediate threaded portion therebetween. The two end portions have Allen wrench drives formed therein. The device includes a pair of removable cap heads each having an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface has an internally threaded aperture formed therein. The internally threaded aperture is adapted for removable coupling with the two end portions of the elongated threaded bolt. The inner surface of the removable cap head has a circular groove formed therein surrounding the internally threaded aperture thereof for placement of an O-ring therein. The outer surface of the removable cap head has an Allen wrench drive formed therein.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a bolt with removable head and more particularly pertains to providing a versatile bolt for use on projects around the home, automobiles, and motorcycles with a bolt with removable head.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of bolts is known in the prior art. More specifically, bolts heretofore devised and utilized for the purpose of acting as a securing means are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
By way of example, Hozapfel et al. U.S. Pat. No. Des. 336,844 discloses the ornamental design for a bolt.
Hill U.S. Pat. No. Des. 286,372 discloses the ornamental design for a bolt.
Ono U.S. Pat. No. Des. 245,147 discloses the ornamental design for a hexagonal headed bolt.
Yamamoto U.S. Pat. No. Des. 317,862 discloses the ornamental design for a bolt.
Hainke et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,275,519 discloses an anchor bolt.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objective and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not describe a bolt with removable head for providing a versatile bolt for use on projects around the home, automobiles, and motorcycles.
In this respect, the bolt with removable head according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of providing a versatile bolt for use on projects around the home, automobiles, and motorcycles.
Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for new and improved bolt with removable head which can be used for providing a versatile bolt for use on projects around the home, automobiles, and motorcycles. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.


A data transmission and reception apparatus is used for a high efficiency satellite transmission. The apparatus includes an initial phase calculation unit to calculate initial phase information using a preamble and a postamble of a data packet applied thereto, a symbol transition calculation unit to perform forward and backward metric operations using the initial phase information calculated by the initial phase calculation unit and a pilot symbol in the data packet to calculate a symbol transition of the data packet, and a phase error estimation unit to calculating a phase error using the pilot symbol in a spot where the pilot symbol is positioned, the calculated phase error being provided to the symbol transition calculation unit.

In general, a TDM/TDMA scheme is mainly used as a transport protocol in a conventional broadband satellite broadcast/communication system. In case of a broadcast system, data is transmitted in the form of a continuous stream based on a TDM scheme, and a start point of a frame is detected on a basis of known data (unique data) at a reception end and data due to a satellite channel error is restored based on the detected start point of the frame.
FIG. 1 illustrates a satellite broadcast communication network of the related art. As illustrated in FIG. 1, a forward link from a gate way 100 to users 104, 106, and 108 uses a satellite broadcast channel, and a reverse link from the users 104, 106, and 108 to the gateway uses a short burst packet of TDMA type.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, a packet is composed of elongated preamble data, which is used for detecting a burst start point and estimating a channel error, and user data, which is data information. Such a packet is excellent for detecting a start point of data. However, as shown in FIG. 3, in the occurrence of a channel error having an irregular random variable such as time variable carrier phase noise, when the channel error is estimated in the preamble and subsequently compensated for in a data section, an estimate error occurs, which causes a problem that data is not properly restored.
In addition, in order to address this problem, carrier phase noise is obtained at a reception end with respect to all possible data streams and then data is restored using the same, which entails an increase of computational complexity at the reception end.

Data transmission and reception method and apparatus robust against phase noise for high efficiency satellite transmission

Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute


An electrophoretic display utilizing a phenomenon of electrophoresis is provided. The electrophoretic display includes an lower electrode located on an under layer, an lower electrode protection layer formed on the lower electrode, a plurality of microcapsules located on the lower electrode protection layer, coated or encapsulated in a micro size and not operating in an electric field, a particle and/or a fluid included within the microcapsule and having a single visual color, a charged particle existed among the plurality of microcapsules, having different visual colors, operating according to an electric field and suspended in a dielectric fluid, and an upper electrode protection layer and an upper electrode located on the plurality of microcapsule in sequential order. Accordingly, a reliable electrophoretic display with one color or natural colors is achieved.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to displays, particularly electrophoretic displays (electronic papers), and to new structures useful in such displays.
2. Description of the Related Art
An electrophoretic display (electronic paper) which utilizes the phenomenon of electrophoresis to achieve contrast is an electronic-indicated display using movement of a charged particle in an applied electric field. It is possible to apply the electrophoretic display to displays such as electronic books, electronic dailies, electronic magazines, electronic publications, and information displaying media of mobile communication devices.
Electrophoresis refers to movement of charged particles in an applied electric field. When an electrophoresis occurs in a fluid, the charged particles move with a velocity determined primarily by the viscous drag of the particles, their charge, the dielectric properties of the fluid, and the magnitude of the applied electric field.
An electrophoretic display utilizes charged particles of one color suspended in a dielectric fluid medium of a different color to achieve contrast. In other words, when the electrodes are operated to apply an electric field across the medium, charged particles having opposite sign to each other migrate toward the electrode of opposite sign, respectively. The result is a visually observable color change.
Useful electrophoretic displays are bistable, their state persists even after the activating electric field is removed. Unfortunately, the stability of current electrophoretic displays is limited. Although flocculation or settling of particles can be avoided by matching the density of the particles with that of the fluid medium, long-term particle agglomeration remains a problem. Moreover, the problem becomes even worse when two particles of having different color and opposite sign to each other migrate by the electrophoresis phenomenon, which deteriorates the displays.
To solve the problems described above, E-Ink Corporation in the U.S.A has suggested electrophoretic displays are based on microcapsules each having therein an electrophoretic elements of a dielectric fluid and a suspension of particles that visually contrast with the dielectric fluid and also exhibit surface charges. The successful construction of an electrophoretic display requires the proper interaction of several different types of materials and processes. Materials such as a polymeric binder, a capsule membrane, and the electrophoretic particles and fluid must all be chemically compatible.
FIGS. 1A and 1B are sections of a conventional electrophoretic display.
FIG. 1A illustrates an encapsulated electrophoretic display when an electric field is not applied. In the electrophoretic display, a lower electrode 13 and a lower electrode protection layer 15 are formed on an under layer 11 that may be transparent or opaque. A microcapsule 17 is formed on the lower electrode protection layer 15. The microcapsule 17 comprises a transparent fluid 19, a white particle of positive charge 21, and a black particle of negative charge 23. The lower electrode protection layer 15 has functions of protecting the lower electrode 13 and separating the lower electrode 13 from the microcapsule 17. An upper electrode 25 is located on the microcapsule 17. A transparent upper layer 27 is formed on the upper electrode 25.
FIG. 1B illustrates an encapsulated electrophoretic display when an electric field is applied. When an electric field is applied between a lower electrode 13 and an upper electrode 25, the particles of positive charge 21 and negative charge 23 within the microcapsule 17 migrate toward an electrode of opposite sign. The migration of the charged particles causes a visually observable color change.
However, in the prior art, when two charged particles of different colors exist within the microcapsule 17, the electrophretic display has to keep the same specific gravities between two charged particles of different colors and a dielectric fluid, and also needs a chemical treatment to prevent between two charged particles from agglomerating. Such a chemical treatment is very difficult to handle since the difference in the specific gravities of the charged particles and the dielectric fluid causes floating or sediment of the charged particles in a specific time or the agglomeration or clustering of the charged particles, and eventually leads to a deterioration of a display.
Another problem of conventional electrophoretic display having two charged particles is the difference in a size and a charge quantity of two charged particles causes the difference in the response (switching) time between two charged particles.


The present invention relates to a production method of a block copolymer (PFPEG) formed by PEG fluorenes and thiophene blocks. The block copolymer (PFPEG) increases the conductivity of the electrolyte active material. The binding of both the active material to itself and to the base material increase the flexibility of the copolymer when used in the electrodes of lithium batteries. The present invention also relates to a usage of the block copolymer (PFPEG) in lithium batteries.

Lithium ion batteries, a member of the rechargeable secondary battery group, are able to provide high energy in comparison to their volume and weight. Lithium, a metal having a light and high oxidation potential, contributes to these batteries, thereby ensuring the batteries with a high gravimetric and volumetric energy density. Lithium ions are switched between the anode (negative electrode) and the cathode (positive electrode) and they move from anode to cathode during discharging and from cathode to anode during charging.
Lithium ion batteries have been initially widely preferred as a power source for consumer electronics (mobile phones, laptop computers, digital cameras, cameras, etc.) and other wireless, portable electronic devices. Moreover, lithium ion batteries are used in military applications and in the aviation field for operating of aircraft emergency systems. On the other hand, recent developments in lithium-ion battery technology have made it possible to use these batteries in electric vehicles in fixed energy storage systems and smart networks for the storage of renewable energy types such as solar energy and wind energy.
The polymer binders used in rechargeable batteries enable the active materials used in the electrodes to be connected to each other and allows the active material to be connected to the accumulator used. These binders are generally composed of one or more polymers. Commonly used binders in commercial lithium ion batteries are polyvinyldifluoride (PVDF) and ethylene-propylene diene. These polymers are soluble in organic solvents such as N-methyl pyrrolidone (NMP) because they are mostly water-insoluble. These organic solvents also allow the electrode active materials and other admixture materials if available, to be dispersed homogeneously in the solvent together. However, the organic solvents used are expensive and they can be harmful to the environment. Besides, as PVDF is not stable at high temperatures, its structure deteriorates.
Examples of water-soluble binders include carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). In addition to CMC, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and styrene butadiene rubber are also water-soluble binders. However these binders reduce the cycle life of the electrodes when used because they provide low adhesion. During mass production, it is desirable to dissolve the binders in water, which is much cheaper than using organic solvent, and it is very important for the water-soluble binders to provide the desired performance to the electrode structure.
Nowadays the commercially available negative electrode is graphite as it presents structural stability during charging and discharging and low volumetric expansion during the reaction with lithium. Graphite forms the LiC6 compound with 1 lithium atom with 6 C atoms retained. This situation causes the theoretical capacity of the graphite material to be low (372 mAh/g). One of the approaches that have been tried in order to increase the capacity is to change the active materials used in electrodes. Due to their high theoretical capacities aluminium (Al), silicium (Si), tin (Sn), and antimone (Sb) are metals tried most as electrode active materials nowadays. However, it appears that the incorporation of lithium into the structure of these metals during conversion has led to a change in the lattice structures and a volume increase of more than 200% per unit cell. This situation leads to deterioration of the crystal structure and decrease of the capacity due to the increase of the lithium ratio in the lithium-active metal compound with progressive conversions. At the same time, this high amounts of volumetric change created leads to the increase of the internal tension of the electrode structure, resulting in fracture formation in the electrode structure.
Polymers used as binding agents in electrodes can maintain the structure, and suppress the internal tensions and volumetric expansions caused by the reaction of commercially available graphite with lithium. However, in metals that show more than 200% volumetric change following reaction with lithium that have been tried instead of graphite, the binding polymers (CMC, PVDF, EPDM) used for graphite do not have the binding capacity or flexibility that can tolerate volumetric changes presented due to the fact that metals arrest more lithium (Al, Si, Sn, Sb). For this reason, the use of polymers in such metals that exhibit these types of high volumetric changes as active materials in the electrodes of lithium ion batteries, is of great importance.
Another problem of the electrode active materials used in lithium ion batteries is that they are not sufficiently conductive and depending on this fact their electrode structure deteriorates in high charge and discharge rates. For this reason, additives that increase the conductivity are added to electrode active materials. These additives can be carbon-based materials (such as carbon black, graphene, super-P conductor) as well as conductive polymers (PT, PANI). However, in order to increase conductivity in addition to the polymers used as binders, the addition of carbon-based materials increases both cost and battery weight. Therefore, nowadays it important to provide conductivity to polymers used as binders.
It is important therefore for the polymer or polymers that are used, to be conductive and moreover water soluble in terms of production costs.
In order for the binding polymers to maintain the structure in spite of the defined volume changes, their fluorescence characteristics have to be developed. In order for a high conductive characteristics, groups such as pyrrole and thiophene need to be present inside the polymer.
Patent documents such as U.S. Pat. No. 8,852,461 B2, WO2014026112 A1, U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,311,997 B2 and 6,300,015 can be given as examples to the known state of the art. However, these documents are different to the invention in many aspects. Moreover, the methods applied in the present technique are not satisfactory in terms of being cost-effective.

Usage of conductive and flexible polymers in lithium batteries


Systems and methods are provided for indicating capabilities of a printer. One embodiment is a system that includes a memory storing instructions for operating a Graphical User Interface (GUI), and a controller that presents the GUI based on the instructions. A control of the GUI includes a list of entries that each correspond with a potential printer capability. Responsive to detecting new text entered into a text field, the GUI displays an add button. In response to detecting a cursor over an entry in the list: the GUI displays a select button for selecting the entry to indicate actual capabilities of a specific printer. In response to detecting that a user has clicked on one of the select buttons to indicate an actual capability of the printer, the GUI selects a corresponding entry for the select button in combination with other entries to indicate the actual capabilities of the printer.

Printers include a varying and wide range of capabilities. For example, supported Page Description Languages (PDLs) and loadouts of print media may substantially vary on a printer by printer basis. These capabilities may further vary depending on how the printer is configured by a print shop operator. For example, a print shop may use two printers of the same model, yet load those printers with different combinations of media.
Because printer configurations may vary substantially, it remains important for software managing a print shop to be kept up to date with information describing the configurations of various printers. It is not uncommon for this data to be entered manually by a print shop operator. However, current methods of entering data to update information about printer configurations are archaic, occupy a great deal of screen space, and are awkward to use. Hence, print shop operators continue to seek out enhanced systems that enable them to enter data describing printer configurations in a manner that is both efficient and convenient.

Enhanced GUI tools for entry of printing system data


The center-pivot vehicle has forward and rearward sections with traversing means for traversing terrain. A rotary actuator connects the forward and rearward sections. Rotation of the rotary actuator articulates the forward and rearward sections relative to each other for steering the vehicle. The present invention also includes a method for controlling articulation of a center-pivot vehicle which includes connecting first and second sections of the center-pivot vehicle together with a rotary actuator, powering the rotary actuator with an engine and providing a steering input by an operator for operating the rotary actuator for rotating the rotary actuator and articulating the first and second sections of the vehicle relative to each other for turning the vehicle.

It is well-known that center-pivot vehicles have the advantage of being extremely maneuverable. Other advantages of center-pivot vehicles include exact steering geometries, rear wheels tract with front wheels, tighter turning radius over common axle pivot steering, and the ability to move the forward and rearward sections even if the vehicle is not moving.
Typically, center-pivot vehicles have forward and rearward sections hinged together. Articulation of the sections is often provided by one or more hydraulic cylinders. For example, one cylinder on one side of the hinge expands while another cylinder on the opposite side of the hinge contracts for articulating the forward section relative to the rearward section for turning the vehicle.
Current systems for providing center-pivoting of a vehicle are bulky, have limited operating parameters, require an excessive amount of power to operate, and are expensive to build and to operate. Because of the interlinking between the forward and rearward sections, this type of center-pivot system limits the operating independency of the forward and rearward sections, which in turn limits the stability of these sections and the amount each is able to pitch and roll relative to the other. Invariably, the ability of the forward and rearward sections of a center-pivot vehicle to pitch and roll freely is retarded by the structure or functionality providing center-pivoting.
Therefore, it is a primary object, feature or advantage of the present invention to improve over the state of the art.
It is a further object, feature or advantage of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for a center-pivot steering articulated vehicle wherein the system providing articulation is non-bulky, inexpensive to build, operate and maintain.
Yet another object, feature or advantage of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for a center-pivot steering articulated vehicle wherein the system providing articulation has limited moving parts interlinking forward and rearward sections of the vehicle.
A further object, feature or advantage of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for a center-pivot steering articulated vehicle wherein the system providing articulation has a minimal power requirement.
Another object, feature or advantage of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for a center-pivot steering articulated vehicle wherein the system providing articulation provides operating independency of forward and rearward sections for increased stability, tracking, and handling.
Yet another object, feature or advantage of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for a center-pivot steering articulated vehicle wherein the system providing articulation allows for forward and rearward section dependency whereby both sections remain solidly grounded and true to the terrain regardless of the terrain.
A further object, feature or advantage of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for a center-pivot steering articulated vehicle wherein the pitch and roll of the forward and rearward sections are independent of articulation of the forward and rearward sections.
Another object, feature or advantage of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for a center-pivot steering articulated vehicle wherein the system providing articulation is a single self-contained unit for simplicity, cost savings and ease of operation and troubleshooting.
One or more of these and/or other objects, features, or advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the specification and claims that follow.

Center-pivot steering articulated vehicle


N-[1-(4-amino-2-quinazolinyl)-3- or 4-piperidinyl]-lactams, e.g., those of the formula ##STR1## and salts thereof are antihypertensive agents.

1-(4-amino-2-quinazolinyl)-piperidines and derivatives thereof containing in the piperidine-4-position "alkyl. . . alkoxy. . . hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl. . . phenyl, benzyl (and) 4-phenyl-4-carboxylic acid alkyl ester" are "hypotensive agents" according to Pat. No. 3,511,836 and 3,635,474. Surprisingly, the compounds according to this invention, containing the lactam-nitrogen atom in the piperidine-3 or 4-position, exhibit superior hypotensive and antihypertensive activity by way of the .alpha.-blocking mechanism, and a lesser tendency towards the development of tolerance.


A computer system includes multiple memory arrays, each potentially as large as the maximum number of locations for which the associated processor can generate unique addresses. During the processing of such instructions a memory array selection mechanism permits data to be read from or written into any of the memory arrays. Program control may be transferred from an instruction in one memory array to an instruction in another memory array. In addition, memory references may be made to more than one memory array.

1. Field of Use
The present invention relates to memories for the storage of program instructions and data in a computer system, and, more particularly, to a memory array selection mechanism which provides a processor access to multiple memory arrays. The total number of addressable locations in the memory arrays can exceed the number of unique memory addresses which can be generated by the processor. In addition, the processor may fetch program instructions from one memory array and associated data from another memory array.
2. Prior Art
In general, computer processors generate memory addresses of a fixed length. These addresses are used to access individual storage locations in the computer memory either for program instructions or for data. Most computer systems have a single memory array limited in size to a number of individual storage locations corresponding to the number of unique addresses which can be generated by the processor.
In order to expand the amount of memory locations available for use by the processor, some systems have employed separate memories for instructions and data. This is accomplished, for example, by appending to the memory address an instruction fetch signal generated in the processor. This technique expands the total memory space, but it requires the explicit generation of the processor instruction fetch signal at the processor/memory interface. Moreover, the distinction between memory for instructions and memory for data causes a loss of generality in the use of memory, which precludes applications in which either of the two memory spaces is insufficient, even if the total memory required is less than the total available.
Other systems have employed additional memory array selection registers in the processor. This expands the total memory by permitting memory selection among several memory arrays. However, this arrangement may not allow instructions in one array to access data in another array. In addition, this technique cannot be used with an existing processor without significant processor redesign, including the addition of one or more registers and the associated instructions to control them.


A system and method for receiving character input from a user includes a programmed processor that receives inputs from the user and disambiguates the inputs to present character sequence choices corresponding to the input characters. In one embodiment, a first character input is received and a corresponding first recognized character is stored in a temporary storage buffer and displayed to the user for editing. After a predetermined number of subsequent input characters and/or predetermined amount of time without being edited, the system determines that the first recognized character is the intended character input by the user and removes the first recognized character from the buffer, thereby inhibiting future editing.

Users enter text into computers and other data processing systems using a variety of input devices, including many types of keyboards. Most standard keyboards are large so as to accommodate both hands of a typist, but this leads to a less portable device. Laptop computers have attempted to shrink the size of a keyboard, sometimes at the expense of typing efficiency for some users.
Certain mobile devices such as cell phones, smart phones and the like, require an even smaller keyboard to maintain the form factor common with such devices. Some phones include a small key pad with physical buttons to distinguish each key on the keyboard, with which a user may use her thumbs to actuate the buttons. Other devices use a touch screen that displays a similar sized keyboard. Both of these smaller keyboards are cramped and can provide for slower and/or error prone text entry.
Although touch screen devices have become increasingly popular, consumers continue to demand simpler ways to input text, such as for e-mail, text messaging, instant messaging, and other activities. These touch screen keyboards, however, may suffer from more problems than their small key pad counterparts. The soft keys on the touch screen of such keyboards provide less tactile feedback to a user, which can lead to input errors, as well as other problems. Further, some devices have text input areas for inputting characters or letters drawn by the user, but the system must determine when one character/letter ends and the next one begins. Often, this is done with a button to commit a drawn character/letter, entry of a space character, or by a time-out or pause between inputted characters/letter. This, of course, decreases the speed of character/letter input by users.
The need exists for a system that overcomes the above problems, as well as one that provides additional benefits. Overall, the examples herein of some prior or related systems and their associated limitations are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations of existing or prior systems will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading the following Detailed Description.

Text/character input system, such as for use with touch screens on mobile phones


A method of built-in self-testing field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) including the programmable logic blocks, the programmable routing networks and the programmable input/output cells or boundary ports at the device, board or system level includes testing the programmable logic blocks, reconfiguring a first group of he programmable logic blocks to include a test pattern generator and an output response analyzer, and configuring the programmable routing network into groups of wires under test. This step is followed by generating test patterns propagated along the wires under test and comparing the outputs utilizing the output response analyzer. Based on the result of the comparison a pass/fail test result indication is routed to the associated boundary port. The results from a plurality of output response analyzers can be compared utilizing an iterative comparator in order to reduce the number of boundary ports required during testing.

A field programmable gate array (FPGA) is a type of integrated circuit consisting of an array of programmable logic blocks (PLBS) interconnected by a programmable routing network and programmable input/output cells. Programming of the logic blocks, the routing network and the input/output cells or boundary ports is selectively completed to make the necessary interconnections that establish one configuration thereof to provide the desired system operation/function for a particular application
The present inventors have recently developed methods of built-in self-testing the array of PLBs in FPGAs at the device, board and system levels. These methods are set out in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,998,907 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,003,150. The fill disclosures in these patent applications are incorporated herein by reference.
In each of these prior methods, the reprogrammability of an FPGA is exploited so that the FPGA is configured exclusively with built-in self-test (BIST) logic during testing and subsequently reconfigured to its normal operating configuration. In this way, testability at every level is achieved without overhead. In other words, the BIST logic simply "disappears" when the FPGA is reconfigured for its normal system function. The only cost or additional hardware required for these testing methods is memory for storing the BIST configuration data required for testing and the normal operating configuration required for subsequently reconfiguring the FPGA. This additional memory, however, may be made a part of the test machine environment, e.g., automatic testing equipment, a central processing unit or a maintenance processor, thereby not involving FPGA resources.
In addition to testing the array of PLBs, complete FPGA testing further requires the testing of the programmable routing network. Heretofore, testing of the programmable routing network was accomplished utilizing externally applied test vectors. While the use of test vectors is effective in testing of the programmable routing network, these tests are applicable only for specific device-level manufacturing tests. Accordingly, a need is identified for testing the entire programmable routing network at the device, circuit board and system levels.

Method and apparatus for testing field programmable gate arrays


An apparatus comprises register means for storing a return context upon initiation of a supervisor call instruction and restoring means to restore a privilege level and status register upon execution of a supervisor return instruction. The supervisor call instruction can be called from all contexts.

Modern microprocessors use operating systems in order to control and distribute system resources to application programs and processes. Application programs typically run in an unprivileged mode in which they only have restricted access to system resources. The operating system (OS) runs in a privileged mode, where all resources are available.
When application programs require intervention by the operating system, they pass control to the operating system by means of an operating system call, also referred to as a system call or a supervisor call (SCALL). As an example, an application may require access to a resource controlled by the operating system, such as a peripheral. In order to use the peripheral, the application must request that the operating system perform the access task on its behalf. This request is performed by the system call.
In some situations, the operating system may require use of the peripheral on its own behalf. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that it would be beneficial if the same mechanisms for calling the peripheral control routine could be used from the operating system itself. Use of these same mechanisms would enable both an application program and the operating system to use the same library functions to access peripherals and other privileged resources. Otherwise, different library functions would be required; for example, one for performing the access from the application program and one for performing the access from the operating system.
Many microprocessors provide mechanisms for calling system routines from an unprivileged mode and returning from the system routine back to the unprivileged mode. What is needed is a method allowing a system routine to be called from any context, both an unprivileged mode and a privileged mode, with execution resuming in the mode from which the system routine was called upon completion of the called system routine.

Microprocessor instruction that allows system routine calls and returns from all contexts


Provided is a bi-specific fusion polypeptide comprising a fynomer sequence that binds to interleukin-17a (IL-17a) and is conjugated to an antibody or subsequence thereof that binds to interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R). The fusion polypeptide can bind to both IL-17a and IL-6R thereby suppresses, reduces, decreases, inhibits or blocks both IL-17a and IL-6R activities.

Th17 cells are central mediators in chronic inflammatory processes and principal pathogenic effectors in several types of autoimmunity conditions previously thought to be Th1-mediated (Weaver T. et al. (2008) Annu. Rev. Immunol., 25, p. 821-852). The pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-17 is mainly expressed by Th17 cells and is present at elevated levels in synovial fluid of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and has been shown to be involved in early RA development. In addition, IL-17 is a potent inducer of TNF-alpha and IL-1, the latter being mainly responsible for bone erosion and the very painful consequences for affected patients (Lubberts E. (2008) Cytokine, 41, p. 84-91). Furthermore, inappropriate or excessive production of IL-17 is associated with the pathology of various other diseases and disorders, such as osteoarthritis, loosening of bone implants, acute transplant rejection (Antonysamy et al., (1999) J. Immunol, 162, p. 577-584; van Kooten et al. (1998) J. Am. Soc. Nephrol., 9, p. 1526-1534), septicemia, septic or endotoxic shock, allergies, asthma (Molet et al. (2001) J. Allergy Clin. Immunol., 108, p. 430-438), bone loss, psoriasis (Teunissen et al. (1998) J. Invest. Dermatol, 111, p. 645-649), ischemia, systemic sclerosis (Kurasawa et al. (2000) Arthritis Rheum., 43, p. 2455-2463), stroke, and other inflammatory disorders. Consequently, a need exists for therapies that modulate the biological activities of IL-17.
Early neutralization of endogenous IL-17 by an IL-17 receptor-IgG1-Fc fusion protein starting after the immunization protocol during the initial phase of arthritis suppresses the onset of experimental arthritis (Lubberts et al. (2001) J. Immunol., 167, p. 1004-1013). Moreover, treatment with a neutralizing anti-IL-17 antibody in an animal model after the onset of collagen-induced arthritis reduced joint inflammation, cartilage destruction and bone erosion (Lubberts et al. (2004) Arthritis and Rheumatism, 50; 650-659). Histological analysis confirmed the suppression of joint inflammation, and systemic IL-6 levels were significantly decreased after treatment with an anti-IL-17 antibody. In contrast, systemic as well as local IL-17 overexpression using an adenoviral vector expressing murine IL-17 accelerated the onset of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) and aggravated synovial inflammation at the site (Lubberts et al. (2001) J. Immunol., 167, p. 1004-1013 and Lubberts et al. (2002), Inflamm. Res. 51, p 102-104). More recently it could be demonstrated that the use of anti-IL-17 antibodies improved the clinical symptoms of psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis and non-infectious uveitis (Leonardi C. et al. (2012) N. Engl. J. Med. 366, p. 1190-1199; Hueber W. et al. (2010) Sci Transl Med. 2(52):52ra72).
Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is a potent cytokine that regulates cell growth and differentiation, and is also an important mediator of acute inflammatory responses. IL-6 acts via a receptor complex consisting of a specific IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) and a signal transducing subunit (gp130). Dysregulated IL-6 signaling has been implicated in the pathogenesis of many diseases, such as multiple myeloma, autoimmune diseases and prostate cancer. Accordingly, there exists a need for therapies that modulate the biological activities of IL-6 and/or IL-6R.


An optical switch (10) includes a housing (3), an input port (4), an output port (5), a switching element (6), a holder (7), and a driver (63). The holder holds the input and output ports in alignment with one another and is assembled with the switching element. The switching element includes an optical component assembly (61) and a rotating mechanism (60). The optical component assembly is fixed on the rotating mechanism and is brought to move between a top stopper (85) (an upward position), wherein the optical component assembly is out of optical paths running between the input port and the output port, and a bottom stopper (86) (a downward position), wherein the optical component assembly is in the optical paths. The optical component assembly includes a prism (612), which redirects optical paths passing through it, thereby effecting switching between the input and output ports.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical switch for use in optical fiber communication and optical network technology, and particularly to an optical switch that can precisely locate a movable optical component to preselected positions for realizing optical paths switching.
2. Description of Related Art
Optical signals are commonly transmitted in optical fibers, which provide efficient light channels through which optical signals can pass. Recently, optical fibers have been used in various fields, including telecommunications, where light passing through an optical fiber is used to convey either digital or analog information. Efficient switching of optical signals between individual fibers is necessary in most optical processing systems or networks to achieve the desired routing of the signals.
In optical fiber systems, various mechanisms have been previously developed for switching optical signals between fiber cables. Among these previously developed mechanisms, one important category is mechanical optical switches.
Mechanically operated optical switches come in two different designs: in one design, the optical components move, and in the other design, the fibers move. Factors for assessing the capability of an optical switch include low insertion loss (<1 dB), good isolation performance (>50 dB) and bandwidth capacity compatible with the fiber network the switch is supporting.
In moving optical component switches, a driving mechanism drives one or more optical components to move between different positions to effect the switching operation. The driving mechanism may be a motor or a solenoid with no self-latching mechanism, which needs an attached latching mechanism to locate the optical component in the different positions. In general, the attached mechanism is large in size. As shown in FIG. 10, U.S. Pat. No. 5,742,712 describes a mechanical optical switch 910 having a relay 912. The relay 912 includes an arm 940, which supports a mirror 920. In response to electrical signals supplied to the relay 912, the arm 940 of the relay 912 moves the mirror 920 between a first position 944 and a second position 946. The travel of the arm 940 is limited by stops 948, which determine the first and second positions of the mirror 920.
In this mechanical optical switch 910, the stops 948 are opposite a middle part of the arm 940. The weight of the mirror 920 bends the arm 940 over time, which results in misalignment of the mirror 920 and connected fibers 990.
For the above reasons, an improved optical switch is desired. In particular, an optical switch is desired which has high optical efficiency and which can precisely position the switching element in the different switching states.


A positive fit feed adapter for use between a paintball loader and a paintball gun. The feed adapter includes a threaded connector formed on either the paintball gun or the paintball loader. The threaded connector includes a plurality of expansion slots that allow the outer diameter of the connector to expand or compress. The feed adapter further includes a collet having an internally threaded surface that is tapered from a first end to a second end. When the feed tube from the other of the paintball gun and the paintball loader is inserted into the threaded connector, the collet is tightened along the external threads to reduce the diameter of the connector to provide a positive fit between the paintball gun and the paintball loader.

The present invention relates to an adapter for use in holding two separate devices in a manner such that they will not become separated. More specifically, the present application is directed to a positive fit feed adapter for use in attaching a paintball gun and paintball loader such that the two devices will not separate when subjected to normal stresses yet can be separated by the user on demand in a simple manner.
Currently, several different types of methods and devices are used to attach a paintball loader to a paintball gun. Paintball guns are typically provided with a feed port, which is an opening into the breach of the gun that allows paintballs to feed from the loader into the breach. In most cases, a tubular element, referred to as a feed tube, is used in combination with the feed port to allow the supply of paintballs to enter into the paintball gun. The feed tube can be formed contiguous with the feed port or can be manufactured as a separate element and attached to the feed port in one of several different manners.
Paintball loaders are typically provided as a separate unit from the paintball gun and include a loader neck. The loader neck of the paintball loader typically requires an additional element to be attached to either the feed port of the paintball gun or the feed tube positioned within the feed port of the gun. These additional elements, commonly referred to as xe2x80x9celbowsxe2x80x9d, utilize pressure fit or clamping means to retain the paintball loader in place.
Currently, loaders are provided by various different manufacturers and in various different models and sizes, as are the elbows used to couple the loader to the feed tube of the paintball gun. Typically, the fit between the paintball loader and the elbow is rarely sufficient to retain the loader in place when the loader is subjected to the stresses of normal use during a paintball game. Further, the fit between the two devices varies depending on the manufacturing tolerances of the devices and the normal wear that occurs during the life of the products.
It is currently anticipated that new paintball loaders and feed devices will not be passive in operation (using gravity, for example), but will use mechanical, pneumatic, electronic or combinations of these means to move the paintballs between the loader and the breach of the gun. These types of active feed systems increase the weight and size of the loader, which creates even greater stress on the junction between the loader and the feed port, thereby requiring an even firmer fit and attachment between the paintball loader and the feed port of the paintball gun.
The present invention is a positive fit feed adapter used to connect a paintball loader to a paintball gun. The positive fit feed adapter of the present invention uses a resilient or collapsible member to create a positive fit between the paintball loader and the paintball gun. The feed adapter of the present invention can be formed as an integrated part of a feed elbow, an integrated part of a paintball loader, or as an integrated part of the feed port of the paintball gun.
The present invention relates to a feed adapter used in providing a positive fit between a paintball loader and a paintball gun. The positive fit feed adapter allows the paintball gun and the paintball loader to be securely connected and prevents separation during normal usage.
In the first embodiment of the invention, the feed tube of the paintball gun includes a connector portion having external threads and a plurality of expansion slots extending from the outer end of the feed tube. The external threads formed on the connector portion of the feed tube of the paintball gun are received by a corresponding set of internal threads formed on a collet. The internal diameter of the collet is tapered from a first end to a second end such that as the collet is tightened along the connector portion of the feed tube, the diameter of the feed tube is constricted. The constriction of the externally threaded feed tube is facilitated by the expansion slots formed therein.
In a second embodiment of the invention, a connector portion having external threads is formed on the loader neck of the paintball loader. Like the first embodiment, a collet having internal threads and an internally tapered surface decreasing in diameter from a first end to a second end is provided. During use, the smooth feed tube from the paintball gun is inserted into the threaded loader neck of the paintball loader and the collet is tightened along the external threads of the connector portion. The expansion slots formed on the threaded loader neck allow the loader neck to contract to provide a positive fit between the paintball gun and the paintball loader.
In a third embodiment of the invention, an elbow adapter is provided having a threaded connector formed on each of its ends. Each threaded connector includes a series of expansion slots. Each end of the elbow adapter receives either the loader neck of the paintball loader or the feed tube of the paintball gun. A pair of threaded collets, each of which have an internally tapered surface, can be tightened along the threaded connectors to provide a positive fit between the elbow adapter and the respective device.
In a fourth embodiment of the invention, the feed adapter includes an adapter cylinder sized to be received within the feed tube of the paintball gun. The adapter cylinder includes an externally threaded top portion that is received by a corresponding threaded portion of a collet. The collet further includes at least one elastic O-ring positioned along its internal surface. As the collet is tightened along the threaded portion of the adapter cylinder, the internally positioned O-ring tightens around the feed tube of the paintball loader to provide a positive fit between the paintball loader and the paintball gun.
In a fifth embodiment of the invention, the feed tube of the paintball gun includes an external notch that receives an O-ring. The feed tube of the paintball gun preferably includes a series of slots that allow the O-ring to extend into the interior of the feed tube. When the loader neck of the paintball loader is inserted into the paintball gun, the extending portions of the O-ring allow the O-ring to provide a positive fit and compensate for differences in diameter between the feed tube of the paintball gun and the paintball loader.
Various other features, objects and advantages of the invention will be made apparent from the following description taken together with the drawings.

Positive fit feed adapter for paintball gun


An apparatus and method of compensating for differences in circuit routing path lengths is described. In one embodiment, a latch is inserted between reset signal generating logic and a pair of flip-flops. When a reset signal is generated, the reset signal is held inside the latch until both flip-flops are reset. A latch reset signal may be generated by the flip-flops to clear the latch. The circuit may be configured to ensure that both flip-flops are reset before the reset signal is disabled.

This invention relates to the field of monolithic circuits and, in particular, to phase locked loop systems.
The phase-locked loop (PLL) concept has been used in communications systems for years. Until recently, however, phase-locked systems have been too complex and costly for use in most consumer and industrial systems, where performance requirements are less stringent and cost requirements more stringent. However, PLLs are increasingly being used in many applications such as stereo demodulators, tone detectors, frequency synthesizers, networking systems, and others.
A PLL is used to lock the frequency of an output signal to that of an input signal (e.g., a reference signal), where the frequency of the input signal varies over time. A PLL contains a phase detector, a loop filter, an amplifier, and a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO). The VCO is an oscillator that generates a signal (e.g., a clock signal) whose frequency is proportional to an externally applied voltage. When the loop is locked on the reference signal, the VCO frequency is configured to be exactly equal to that of the input signal.
The phase detector is an asynchronous circuit that may be used to lock, or synchronize, the clock signal generated by the VCO to the reference clock signal. The phase detector compares the rising clock edges of the VCO clock signal and the reference clock signal and sends out a digital pulse to an analog loop filter. The loop filter converts the pulse into a voltage that may be used to control the voltage on the VCO in such a way as to bring the VCO frequency back to the same value as the input reference signal. Once the VCO is locked to the reference clock signal, the pulse from the phase detector is set at a fixed width.
FIG. 1A illustrates one prior art phase detector. Inside the phase detector are two flip-flops that are driven by either the VCO clock signal or the reference clock signal. A reset signal may be generated by the two flip-flops when the rising edge of both clock signals is detected. The reset signal is used to reset the two flip-flops.
One problem with such a phase detector circuit when implemented on a programmable logic device (PLD), such as field programmable gate array (FPGA), is that manufacturing process variations in the components of the circuit may cause differences in the propagation delay of the reset signal when routed to various blocks of the circuit. As a result, only one of the two flip-flops may be reset with the other flip-flop not being reset, thereby causing the reset signal to be disabled. When the next clock rising edge goes into the non-reset flip-flop, the clock rising edge cannot be detected.
For example, when the phase detector circuit receives a rising clock edge from the reference clock, the UP output signal goes to xe2x80x9c0.xe2x80x9d Then, the circuit is waiting for the rising edge from the VCO clock. Once the rising edge of the VCO clock signal arrives, the DOWN output signal goes to xe2x80x9c0xe2x80x9d and causes the RESET signal to go to xe2x80x9c1.xe2x80x9d The RESET signal resets both flip-flops back to xe2x80x9c1,xe2x80x9d after which the circuit waits for the rising edges from the next clock cycle. When such a circuit is implemented in a large circuit design, there may be no way to control the routing of each segment of the RESET signal.
FIG. 1B is a timing diagram illustrating the timing relationships of signals in the phase detector of FIG. 1A having different RESET signal length segments. If segment xe2x80x9caxe2x80x9d of the RESET signal is routed much more shorter than segment xe2x80x9cb,xe2x80x9d once RESET is enabled, the flip-flop for the reference clock is reset back to xe2x80x9c1.xe2x80x9d This may cause the RESET to disable before the flip-flop for the VCO clock receives the RESET enable. As a possible result, the DOWN output signal may always be at xe2x80x9c0xe2x80x9d and, thus, the circuit cannot perform its intended function. Such routing problems may be especially prevalent when die-shrinking existing circuit designs.
The present invention pertains to an apparatus for and method of compensating for differences in routing path lengths in a phase detector. In one embodiment, the apparatus may include a first flip-flop having an output and a control input and a second flip-flop having an output and a control input. The apparatus also includes a first logic gate having an output, a first input coupled to the output of the first flip-flop, and a second input coupled to the output of the second flip-flop. The apparatus also includes a latch having a control input coupled to the output of the logic gate and an output coupled to the control inputs of the first and second flip-flops.
In one embodiment, the method may include receiving a first output from a first flip-flop and receiving a second output from a second flip-flop, and generating a first value for a reset signal based on the first and second outputs. The method also includes detecting a state change on the first and second outputs and holding the first value of the reset signal until the state change is detected on both the first and second outputs.
Additional features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the detailed description that follows.

Asynchronous phase detector for a PLD independent of timing requirements


The present disclosure provides a system for generating a mask pattern, a method for generating a mask pattern, and an exposure system. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the system for generating a mask pattern comprises: a mask pattern provision device configured to provide a mask pattern signal via a wired or wireless network; a mask pattern transmission device configured to process the mask pattern signal provided by the mask pattern provision device to generate mask pattern information, and to transmit the generated mask pattern information over a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) signal; and a mask pattern generation device configured to generate a mask pattern corresponding to the mask pattern information based on the mask pattern information and display the generated mask pattern. The embodiments of the present disclosure allow interaction between the mask pattern provision device and the mask pattern generation device by utilizing IoT technique, such that the mask pattern generation device can display various different mask patterns on an e-ink screen, thereby providing a fast, convenient and low cost exposure scheme.

Currently, in a production line of glass substrates, glass substrates having different patterns are mainly produced by using different masks for exposure. That is, when a gate layer is exposed, a mask corresponding to the gate layer needs to be used. When several layers are exposed, masks corresponding to the respective layers need to be used. The same layer of different products may have different masks due to different designs. Hence, the exposure system is required to store a large number of masks and it takes a long time for engineers to confirm the masks each time they are used for production. Meanwhile, during production, the exposure system needs to retrieve different masks frequently, which causes a great waste in labor, power and time.
With development of communication technologies, Internet of Things (IoT) has become an important component of the new generation information technology, which is also a critical development phase in the "information" era. The IoT connects anything with Internet for information exchange and communication in accordance with a defined protocol via information sensing devices such as Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), infrared sensor, Global Positioning System (GPS), so as to achieve intelligent identification, positioning, tracking, monitoring and management.
Therefore, it becomes a technical problem to be solved regarding how to provide exchange between a local PC or a mobile device and a mask pattern generation device in a field device (i.e., exposure system) via a network or a cloud (i.e., IoT technique), thereby allowing reading/writing of mask information from/to the field device.

System and method for generating mask pattern and exposure system


A volume-filling mechanical structure comprising a honeycomb celled material expandable from a compact state to an expanded state and methods for operating the same.

The present disclosure generally relates to volume filling mechanical structures utilized for controlled impact energy management. The volume filling mechanical structures are volumetrically reconfigurable such as to occupy a small volume when in a dormant state and rapidly expand to a larger volume in a deployed state upon activation by an activation mechanism.
Many strategies have been developed in the art of vehicle design for absorbing energy and attenuating impacts experienced by both vehicle occupants and pedestrians in motor vehicle impact events. As such, a vehicle, in addition to the inherent crush characteristics of its structure, may have various dedicated energy absorbing structures. Their function is to dissipate energy and limit forces and decelerations occupants/pedestrians experience in the event of an impact. In the vehicular arts, there are generally two types of such dedicated energy management structures: those that are passive, and those that are active.
An example of an energy absorbing structure that has been used in vehicles is an expanded honeycomb celled material, which is disposed in the expanded form within the vehicle environment. FIG. 1 illustrates a honeycomb celled material and its process flow for fabricating the honeycomb-celled material. A roll 10 of sheet material having a selected width W is cut to provide a number of substrate sheets 12, each sheet having a number of closely spaced adhesive strips 14. The sheets 12 are stacked and the adhesive is cured to thereby form a block 16 having a thickness T. The block 16 is then cut into appropriate lengths L to thereby provide so-called bricks 18. The bricks 18 are then expanded by physical separation of the upper and lower faces 20, 22, where adhesive strips serve as nodes to form the honeycomb cells. A fully expanded brick is composed of a honeycomb celled material 24 having clearly apparent hexagonally shaped cells 26. The ratio of the original thickness T to the expanded thickness T′ is between about 1:10 to about 1:60. The honeycomb celled material is then used in fully expanded form within the vehicle environment to provide impact energy management and/or occupant protection (through force and deceleration limiting) substantially parallel or at an acute angle with respect to the cellular axis. As noted, because the honeycomb material is used in the fully expanded form, significant vehicular space is permanently used to accommodate the expanded honeycomb material.
The expanded honeycomb celled material provides impact energy management parallel or at an acute angle with respect to the cellular axis at the expense of vehicular space that is permanently occupied by this dedicated energy management structure.
Energy absorbing structures often have a static configuration in which their starting volume is their fixed, operative volume, i.e. they dissipate energy and modify the magnitude and timing characteristics of the deceleration pulse by being compressed (i.e., crushing or stroking of a piston in a cylinder) from a larger to a smaller volume. Since these passive crash energy management structures occupy a maximum volume in the uncrushed/unstroked, initial state, they inherently occupy vehicular space that must be dedicated for impact energy management—the contraction space being otherwise unusable. Expressed another way, passive impact energy management structures use valuable vehicular space equal to their initial volume, which is dedicated exclusively to impact energy management throughout the life of the vehicle even though an impact may never occur, or may occur but once during that time span.
One major category of active energy absorbing structures includes those that have a predetermined size that expands at the time of an impact so as to increase their contribution to impact energy management. One type of such a dedicated volume/size changing active energy absorbing structure is a stroking device, basically in the form of a piston and cylinder arrangement. Stroking devices can be designed so as to have low forces in extension and significantly higher forces in compression (such as an extendable/retractable bumper system) which is, for example, installed at either the fore or aft end of the vehicle and oriented in the anticipated direction of impact induced crush. The rods of such devices would be extended to span the previously empty spaces upon the detection of an imminent impact or an occurring impact (if located ahead of the crush front). This extension could be triggered alternatively by signals from a pre-impact warning system or from impact sensors or be a mechanical response to the impact itself. An example would be a forward extension of the rod due to its inertia under a high G impact pulse. Downsides of such an approach include high mass and limited expansion ratio (1:2 rather than the 1:10 to 1:60 possible with a compressed honeycomb celled material).
Another example of a volume/size changing active energy absorbing structure is an impact protection curtain. For example, a roll down shade functions principally to contain the occupant within the vehicle. Containment is provided because the roll down curtain, while being flexible in bending when out of plane, is quite stiff in-plane.
Accordingly, there remains a need in the art for activation mechanisms for selectively deploying expandable energy absorbing devices used for impact attenuation, for structural reinforcement, and the like.

Volume-filling mechanical assemblies and methods of operating the same


A pressure gauge is provided, which comprises a pedestal, a spring tube, a needle pivot, a needle and a indicating panel. The spring tube is connected to the needle pivot and able to drive the needle pivot to rotate. A fixing portion is provided on one end of the spring tube. The pedestal is provided with a mounting portion, and the mounting portion is provided with an open slot. The fixing portion is installed in the open slot. The pressure gauge has a simple structure and low cost.

The pressure in the pressure vessels generally will be measure by a pressure gauge in the prior art. The operational principle of the common pressure gauge is as follows: a displacement of the free end of the spring tube will be caused when the air in the pressure tube enters the C-shaped spring tube (the spring tube will expand outward when the measured pressure is larger than the atmospheric pressure, and the spring tube will contract inward when the measured pressure is smaller than the atmospheric pressure), then the air will pass mechanisms comprising the driving and zooming mechanism, the fan-shaped gear and the mini gear, etc. to drive the needle to deflect, and thus indicating the amount of the pressure. Such a pressure gauge has a complex structure and a high cost.