The present invention provides an information processing method and an electronic device. The method is applied in a first electronic device and comprises: obtaining a first data; obtaining P frame images based on the first data, where P is an integer larger than or equal to 1; obtaining a second data based on a data channel with a second electronic device; obtaining Q frame images based on the second data, where Q is an integer larger than or equal to 1; generating a video stream of M frame images based on the P frame images and the Q frame images, where M<P+Q. With the present invention, based on the video data of both communication parties, the video or voice data can be clipped based on a processing rule to generate a video stream, such that the resulting video stream can be more compact and continuous and have a better viewing effect. The generated video stream can be used as a communication record for the communication parties which is convenient for the user to view or play as desired.

With the rapid development of the communication technology and the Internet technology, instant network communication systems, such as SKYPE, MSN and QQ, that are completely different from traditional communication systems including mail, telephone and telegram, have arisen. With the instant communication system, even people remote from each other can have a real-time, face-to-face conversation. While the traditional mail and telegram are text-based and the telephone is voice-based, in the current instant communication service, users can not only exchange text information with each other, but also perform various operations such as voice and/or video interaction, file transfer and the like.
During the implementation of the present invention, the inventors found at least the following defects in the prior art.
1) When a user uses an instant communication tool for video communication with his/her friend or contact, typically he/she cannot efficiently save the video data of both communication parties. Unlike text data, the video data cannot be saved as a communication log or record so as to be viewed or played later conveniently as desired.
2) When a user is having a data communication with another user, if one of the communication parties uses a video or voice tool while the other can only have a text-based communication (due to his/her inconvenience in using any video or voice tool), the communication between the communication parties is very inconvenient. Also, it is inconvenient to save and view their communication record.
3) The current instant communication clients cannot provide functions for processing and storing the video data of both communication parties, particularly when they have different formats of communication data. It is not possible to process or store the communication data according to the respective categories of data of the communication parties.
Of course, it can be appreciated by those skilled in the art that it is not necessary for every one of the embodiments of the present application to have all the above features.
The other features and advantages of the present invention will be explained in the following description. They can be partly apparent from the description, or can be understood by implementing the present invention. The object and other advantages of the present invention can be achieved and obtained from the structure specified in the description, claims and figures.

Information processing method and electronic device


A decorative cap and wheel nut or bolt insert, and a method of assembling them. The insert is coated and/or plated and includes a hex-shaped section and a section having a circular cylindrical outer surface. A cap includes a hex cross-section segment and a circular cylindrical cross-section segment. The hex cross-section segment of the cap slips easily over the hex section of the insert while the circular cylindrical cross-section segment has a smaller ID than the OD of the circular cylindrical insert section whereby an interference fit is formed between them when the insert is press fit into the cap.

Decorative capped wheel nuts and bolts are well-known in the automotive art. A decorative capped wheel nut, for example, conventionally comprises a nut insert and a decorative cap which is fastened to the insert by welding, crimping or with an adhesive. Examples of these constructions are illustrated in various prior art patents, including the Toth U.S. Pat. No. 4,955,773, the Bydalek U.S. Pat. No. 5,772,377, the Chaivre U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,018,133, and 4,056,862, the Baltzell U.S. Pat. No. 4,764,070 and the Somers et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,036,420, for example. It is also known to form threads in a cap and in a lug nut and thread the cap onto the nut. See the Nolan et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,180,266 in this regard.
All methods described in the prior art require relatively complex structures, assembly procedures and/or additional components. Assemblies produced by welding require expensive and sophisticated equipment for practical implementation of production. Practical options for plating the inserts are limited where welding is employed, placing welded designs at a disadvantage for achieving high corrosion resistance. Crimped designs require the addition of components, i.e., a sealant or o-ring, which complicates automated assembly. The use of adhesives causes similar problems. Because of the nature of the welding processes, or the introduction of extra components, production rates for these assembly processes are low.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Decorative capped wheel nut and method of assembly

Industrial and Automotive Fasteners, L.L.C.


Organophosphorus acid compounds react by a metathesis reaction in a liquid media with tetravalent metal ions to yield layered crystalline to amorphous inorganic polymers having the empirical formula M(O.sub.3 PR).sub.2 where M is the tetravalent metal and R is an organic group convalently bonded to phosphorous. Typically, R can be bonded to phosphorus through carbon to form a phosphonate, or through oxygen to form a phosphate.

The present invention is directed to the preparation of solid inorganic polymers having organo groups anchored to the surfaces of the polymers. The majority of the polymers formed are layered crystals which display intercalation activity.
The interface surfaces of solids are responsive regions of chemical and physical action. In many practical chemical and physical phenomena such as absorption, corrosion inhibition, heterogeneous catalysis, lubrication, ion exchange activity, adhesion and wetting and electrochemistry activity occurs as a consequence of the presence of a definable solid surface. Solid agents are preferred in most processes over solution or homogeneously dispersed reactive alternatives primarily because they greatly simplify efficient separation of products from reactants. However, solids invariably suffer from deficiencies in activity and selectivity in the conversions they effect, due to inherent heterogeneity in their active sites which arises from the nature of their surface structure. Furthermore, much of the active sites are usually buried within the surface, and as a result of these two factors, elevated temperature and low conversions are typically encountered. Exceptions in which homogeneous catalysts are employed have been the Monsanto process for the production of acetic acid from methanol and carbon monoxide employing rhodium, the production of linear alcohols from olefins and syngas, ethylene oxidation by the Waker process, catalysis of olefins to form polymers, and other polymerization systems.
In an effort to achieve the best features of both homogeneous and heterogeneous processes, efforts have been made to chemically "anchor" known effective solution agents such as phosphines, nitriles, cyclopentadiene and the like, onto certain solids. Porous inorganic surfaces and insoluble organic polymers have been employed. Silica has been the inorganic of choice, the bonded ligand being attached by reaction with the --OH groups projecting from the surface. The organic polymer most used has been polystyrene, with an appropriate metal-coordinating function bonded via the phenyl rings. Results have been generally encouraging. However, there have been pervasive problems deriving from the non-uniform situation of sites which has manifested itself in loss of expected selectivity, activity and even in attrition.
Many inorganic solids crystallize with a layered structure and some could present sites for anchoring active groups. In this form, sheets or slabs with a thickness of from one to more than seven atomic diameters lie upon one another. With reference to FIG. 1, strong ionic or covalent bonds characterize the intrasheet structure, while relatively weak van der Waals or hydrogen bonding occurs between the interlamellar basal surfaces, in the direction perpendicular to their planes. Some of the better known examples are prototypal graphite, most clay minerals, and many metal halides and sulfides. A useful characteristic of such materials is the tendency to incorporate "guest" species in between the lamella.
In this process, designated "intercalation", the incoming guest molecules, as illustrated in FIG. 2, cleave the layers apart and occupy the region between them. The layers are left virtually intact, since the crystals simply swell in one dimension, i.e., perpendicular to the layers. If the tendency to intercalate is great, then the host layered crystal can be thought of as possessing an internal "super surface" in addition to its apparent surface. In fact, this potential surface will be greater than the actual surface by a factor of the number of lamella composing the crystal. This value is typically on the order of 10.sup.2 -10.sup.4. Although edge surface is practically insignificant compared to basal surface, it is critical in the rate of intercalation, since the inclusion process always occurs via the edges. This is because bonding within the sheets is strong, and therefore, basal penetration of the sheets is an unlikely route into the crystal.
Previous studies of the intercalative behavior of layered compounds have mainly been conducted by solidstate chemists interested in the bulk effects on the layered host materials. Graphite has, for example, been extensively studied from an electronic point of view. In general, the function of the host is essentially passive. That is, on intercalation the host serves as the matrix or surface with which the incoming guest molecules interact, but throughout the process and on deintercalation the guests undergo only minor perturbation.
In order for a more active process to occur during intercalation, such as selective complexation or catalytic conversion, specific groups must be present which effect such activity. There might also be some preferable geometric environment about each site, as well as some optimal site-site spacing. These considerations have not been extensively applied to intercalation chemistry simply because such kinds of active groups required are not found on layered surfaces.
An approach in which catalytically active agents have been intercalated into graphite or clays for subsequent conversions has been described in "Advanced Materials in Catalysis", Boersma, Academic Press, N.Y. (1977), Burton et al, editors, and "Catalysis in Organic Chemistry", Pinnavia, Academic Press, N.Y. (1977), G. V. Smith, editor, each incorporated herein by reference. In neither case could it be shown that any activity was occurring within the bulk of the solid. Rather, it is believed that edge sites are responsible for the reactivity observed. In none of the cases was the active site covalently anchored, or fixed upon the lamella of the host. Instead, the normal ionic or van der Waals forces of intercalated guests were operating.
One of the few layered compounds which have potential available sites is zirconium phosphate Zr(O.sub.3 POH).sub.2. It exists in both amorphous and crystalline forms which are known to be layered. In the layered structure, the site-site placement on the internal surfaces is about 5.3 A, which leads to an estimated 25 A.sup.2 area per site. This area can accommodate most of the functional groups desired to be attached to each site. The accepted structure, symbolized projection of a portion of a layer of this inorganic polymer and a representation of an edge view of two layers, are shown respectively in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5.
Besides the advantageous structural features of zirconium phosphate, the material is chemically and thermally stable, and non-toxic.
Quite a bit of work has been conducted on the zirconium phosphate, mainly because it has been found to be a promising inorganic cation exchanger for alkali, ammonium and actinide ions, Alberti, "Accounts of Chemistry Res." 11, 163, 1978, incorporated herein by reference. In addition, some limited work has been described on the reversible intercalation behavior of layered zirconium phosphate toward alcohols, acetone, dimethylformamide and amines, Yamaka and Koizuma, "Clay and Clay Minerals" 23, 477 (1975) and Michel and Weiss, "Z, Natur," 20, 1307 (1965) both incorporated herein by reference. S. Yamaka described the reaction of this solid with ethylene oxide, which does not simply incorporate between the layers as do the other organics, but rather was found to irreversibly react with the acidic hydroxyls to form a covalent bonded product, Yamaka, "Inorg. Chem." 15, 2811, (1976). This product is composed of a bilayer of anchored ethanolic groups aimed into interlayers. The initial layer-layer repeat distance is expanded from about 7.5 A to 15 A, consistent with the double layer of organics present. The overall consequence of this reaction is to convert inorganic acid hydroxyls to bound organic alkanol groups. This conversion, while of interest, has limited if any improvement over the hydroxyls already available on zirconium phosphate.
Attempts have been made to add other moieties to zirconium phosphate. Results have only been successful with respect to exposed surfaces. No practical route was found to add them to the internal surfaces and such a route is necessary if the full super surface of the crystals are to be made utile.

Process for preparing layered organophosphorus inorganic polymers


The speed of a vehicle and the distance of the vehicle from at least one other vehicle are autonomously controlled. When the driver is inattentive and at least one other criteria is fulfilled, at least one measure increasing driving safety is introduced.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention relate to a method for operating a distance and speed regulating function of a vehicle and a driver assistance system for carrying out such a method and a vehicle having such a driver assistance system.
A generic method for operating a distance and speed regulating function of a vehicle is known from German patent document DE 10 2011 117 431 A1 in which the level of attentiveness of a driver of the vehicle is detected and in which, depending on the level of attentiveness detected, measures for increasing the driving safety are introduced, wherein these measures comprise a change of a nominal distance or a nominal speed of the distance and speed regulating function.
A method for operating a vehicle is known from German patent document DE 102010049081 A1 in which it is ascertained whether the driver of the vehicle is distracted because of an actuation of operating elements of the vehicle's system, for example an information and entertainment system, an air conditioning system, a mirror adjustment device, a seat adjustment device, a navigation system, a driver assistance system or a telephone system. If this is the case, a nominal distance of a distance regulating function of the vehicle is increased which leads to an increase in driving safety.
Exemplary embodiments of the invention are directed to a method of the type mentioned above and a driver assistance system and a vehicle, in which the operating mode of the distance and speed regulating function is improved.
In the method according to the invention for operating a distance and speed regulating function of a vehicle, hereinafter called the ego-vehicle, at least one measure increasing driving safety is introduced when the predetermined trigger criteria for introducing these measures are fulfilled. The predetermined trigger criteria here comprise the determination of low driver attentiveness of the driver of the ego-vehicle, and the fulfilment of at least one of the following additional conditions:                a) the ego-vehicle is approaching a location that is critical in terms of the route, for example a curve, an inclined section, a lane constriction, an entry slip road or an exit slip road, or the ego-vehicle is already at such a location,        b) the ego-vehicle is approaching a location with traffic disruptions, for example a building site or a traffic jam, or the ego-vehicle is already at such a location,        c) the ego-vehicle is approaching a location with visibility impairments, for example a tunnel entry or tunnel exit, or the ego-vehicle is already at such a location,        d) the ego-vehicle is accelerated by the distance and speed regulating function, for example because of a road becoming clearer after a slow vehicle ahead has turned off,        e) the ego-vehicle is at a location at which there is an anomaly of the traffic flow, which is the case, for example, when there is a higher vehicle density in adjacent lanes than in the lane of the ego-vehicle, and/or when a speed decrease relative to the speed of the ego-vehicle is registered in adjacent overtaking lanes and/or when a speed increase relative to the speed of the ego-vehicle is registered in adjacent non-overtaking lanes. Here, overtaking lanes are lanes that are to be used for overtaking procedures, and non-overtaking lanes are lanes that are not to be used for overtaking procedures.
This means that the condition for the introduction and preferably also for the implementation of the at least one measure increasing driving safety is that the driver of the ego-vehicle is inattentive and that one or more of the conditions a) to e) is fulfilled. Advantageously, the at least one measure increasing driving safety is terminated or ended after its introduction when it is determined that the driver is attentive again, or when the trigger criteria for the introduction of the at least one measure increasing driving safety are no longer fulfilled.
In an advantageous embodiment of the method, the at least one measure increasing driving safety comprises at least one of the following actions:                the emission of a warning to the driver of the ego-vehicle in order to request the driver to turn his/her attention to the traffic,        the increase of a nominal distance of the distance regulating function, in particular up to a maximum distance that can be predetermined,        the limitation of a nominal speed of the speed regulating function, in particular to a value below a maximum speed that can be predetermined, which is preferably predetermined depending on a traffic flow in the vehicle surrounding area of the ego-vehicle. Here, traffic flow is to be understood as the average number of vehicles that pass a route section per time unit.
With the ego-vehicle, the method according to the invention is advantageously used during an automatic or highly automated driving operation.
The driver assistance system for a vehicle is set up according to the invention for carrying out the method according to the invention, and it is a component of a vehicle driving automatically or in a highly automated manner.

Method for operating a distance and speed regulating function of a vehicle and driver assistance system for carrying out the method


According to a computer-implemented approach for renting items to customers, customers specify what items to rent using item selection criteria separate from deciding when to receive the specified items. According to the approach, customers provide item selection criteria to a provider provides the items indicated by the item selection criteria to customer over a delivery channel. The provider may be either centralized or distributed depending upon the requirements of a particular application. A xe2x80x9cMax Outxe2x80x9d approach allows up to a specified number of items to be rented simultaneously to customers. A xe2x80x9cMax Turnsxe2x80x9d approach allows up to a specified number of item exchanges to occur during a specified period of time. The xe2x80x9cMax Outxe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9cMax Turnsxe2x80x9d approaches may be used together or separately with a variety of subscription methodologies.

The present invention relates to inventory rental, and more specifically, to an approach for renting items to customers.
Conventional inventory rental models are typically based upon renting items for fixed rental periods and charging late fees for keeping rented items beyond a specified return date. These types of inventory models suffer from several significant limitations. First, conventional rental models require customers to make the decision of what items to rent at substantially the same time as the decision of when to rent the items. An example that illustrates this limitation is a video rental business. Customers go to a video rental store and select particular movies to rent at that time. The customers take the movies home and must return them by a particular due date or be charged a late fee. In this situation, the customers cannot decide what movies to rent before actually renting them. The customers may have a particular movie in mind, but there is no guarantee that the video rental store has the particular movie in stock. Moreover, due dates are inconvenient for customers, particularly for xe2x80x9cnew releasexe2x80x9d movies that are generally due back the next day.
Given the current demand for inventory rental and the limitations in the prior approaches, an approach for renting items to customers that does not suffer from limitations associated with conventional inventory rental models is highly desirable. In particular, an approach for renting inventory items to customers that allows separation of customers"" decisions of what items to rent from when to rent the items is highly desirable.
There is a further need for an approach for renting items to customers on a continuous basis that avoids the use of fixed due dates or rental xe2x80x9cwindowsxe2x80x9d appurtenant to conventional rental models.
There is yet a further need for an approach for renting movies, games and music to customers that is more convenient and flexible to customers than conventional approaches.
According to one aspect of the invention, a method is provided for renting items to customers on a subscription basis. Up to a specified number of items are provided to the customer. In response to one or more item delivery criteria being satisfied (such a return of one or more previously rented items), one or more other items are provided to the customer, wherein a total current number of items provided to the customer does not exceed the specified number.
According to another of the invention, a method is provided for renting items to customers. According to the method, one or more item selection criteria are received that indicate one or more items that a customer desires to rent. Up to a specified number of the one or more items indicated by the one or more item selection criteria are provided to the customer. In response to one or more item delivery criteria being satisfied, one or more other items indicated by the one or more item selection criteria are provided to the customer, wherein a total current number of items provided to the customer does not exceed the specified number.
According to another of the invention, a computer-implemented method is provided for renting items to customers. According to the method, one or more item selection criteria are received that indicate one or more items that a customer desires to rent. Up to a specified number of the one or more items indicated by the one or more item selection criteria are provided to the customer. In response to one or more item delivery criteria being satisfied, one or more other items indicated by the one or more item selection criteria are provided to the customer, wherein a total current number of items provided to the customer does not exceed the specified number.
According to another aspect of the invention, a computer-implemented method is provided for renting items to customers. According to the method, one or more item selection criteria are received that indicate one or more items that a customer desires to rent. Up to a specified number of the one or more items indicated by the one or more item selection criteria are provided to the customer. In response to one or more item delivery criteria being satisfied, one or more other items indicated by the one or more item selection criteria are provided to the customer, wherein a total number of items provided to the customer within a specified period of time does not exceed a specified limit.
According to another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for renting movies to customers. Up to a specified number of movies are provided to the customer. In response to a return of any of the movies provided to the customer, one or more other movies are provided to the customer, wherein a total current number of movies provided to the customer does not exceed the specified number.
According to another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for renting movies to customers. Up to a specified number of movies are provided to the customer. In response to a return of any of the movies provided to the customer, one or more other movies are provided to the customer, wherein a total current number of movies provided to the customer does not exceed the specified number and wherein a total number of movies provided to the customer within a specified period of time does not exceed a specified limit.
According to another aspect of the invention, a computer-implemented method is provided for renting movies to customers. According to the method, one or more movie selection criteria are received from a customer that indicates one or more movies that the customer desires to rent. Up to a specified number of the one or more movies indicated by the one or more movie selection criteria are provided to the customer. In response to a return of any of the movies provided to the customer, one or more other movies indicated by the one or more movie selection criteria are provided to the customer, wherein a total current number of movies provided to the customer does not exceed the specified number and wherein a total number of movies provided to the customer within a specified period of time does not exceed a specified limit.
According to another aspect of the invention, an apparatus for renting items to customers is provided. The apparatus comprises one or more processors and a memory communicatively coupled to the one or more processors. The memory includes one or more sequences of one or more instructions which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform several steps. First, one or more item selection criteria are received that indicate one or more items that a customer desires to rent. Up to a specified number of the one or more items indicated by the one or more item selection criteria are provided to the customer. Finally, in response to one or more item delivery criteria being satisfied, one or more other items indicated by the one or more item selection criteria are provided to the customer, wherein a total current number of items provided to the customer does not exceed the specified number.
According to another aspect of the invention, an apparatus is provided for renting items to customers. The apparatus comprises an item rental mechanism configured to receive one or more item selection criteria that indicate one or more items that a customer desires to rent. The item rental mechanism is also configured to provide to the customer up to a specified number of the one or more items indicated by the one or more item selection criteria. Finally, the item rental mechanism is configured to in response to one or more item delivery criteria being satisfied, provide to the customer one or more other items indicated by the one or more item selection criteria, wherein a total current number of items provided to the customer does not exceed the specified number.


A treadmill may include a deck, a first pulley disposed in a first portion of the deck, a second pulley disposed in a second portion of the deck, a tread belt surrounding the first pulley and the second pulley, and a locking mechanism that selectively prevents the tread belt from moving.

Aerobic exercise is a popular form of exercise that improves one's cardiovascular health by reducing blood pressure and providing other benefits to the human body. Aerobic exercise generally involves low intensity physical exertion over a long duration of time. Typically, the human body can adequately supply enough oxygen to meet the body's demands at the intensity levels involved with aerobic exercise. Popular forms of aerobic exercise include running, jogging, swimming, and cycling, among others activities. In contrast, anaerobic exercise typically involves high intensity exercises over a short duration of time. Popular forms of anaerobic exercise include strength training and short distance running.
Many choose to perform aerobic exercises indoors, such as in a gym or their home. Often, a user will use an aerobic exercise machine to perform an aerobic workout indoors. One type of aerobic exercise machine is a treadmill, which is a machine that has a running deck attached to a support frame. The running deck can support the weight of a person using the machine. The running deck incorporates a conveyor belt that is driven by a motor. A user can run or walk in place on the conveyor belt by running or walking at the conveyor belt's speed. The speed and other operations of the treadmill are generally controlled through a control module that is also attached to the support frame and within a convenient reach of the user. The control module can include a display, buttons for increasing or decreasing a speed of the conveyor belt, controls for adjusting a tilt angle of the running deck, or other controls. Other popular exercise machines that allow a user to perform aerobic exercises indoors include elliptical trainers, rowing machines, stepper machines, and stationary bikes to name a few.
One type of treadmill is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,151,988 issued to Herman G. Nabinger. In this reference, an apparatus for retarding the momentum of a treadmill includes a flywheel operatively associated with the belt of the treadmill, a brake arranged to move into and out of engagement with the flywheel and a manually operated lever for operating the brake whereby a person on the treadmill can, at his or her option, retard or stop the motion of the treadmill. Other exercise machines are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,876,668 issued to Rick W. Hendrickson; European Patent Application No. EP1188460 issued to Gary E. Oglesby; WIPO Publication No. WO/1989/002217 issued to William Lindsey; and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2002/0103057 issued to Scott Watterson.


A process for preparing a composite product from an intake material incorporating commercial, municipal or industrial waste containing organic, plastic and fibrous material includes first granulating and sizing the material. The material is then heated in three consecutive phases, first at a temperature sufficient to achieve an internal temperature within the material of about 215.degree. to 250.degree. F., then at a temperature sufficient to achieve an internal temperature within the material of about 250.degree. to 320.degree. F. and then at a temperature sufficient to achieve an internal temperature within the material of about 320.degree. to 400.degree. F., wherein said material is continuously mixed during said heat phases. The material may then be co-extruded with a reinforcement structure and forced into vacuum profile dies to form a product or compression molded to form a product and cooled.

Processes for treating waste or scrap materials containing thermoplastics have long been desired and numerous such processes are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,968,463 discloses a process for treating waste which may contain plastic materials. The patented process comprises a preliminary physical treatment consisting of shredding or granulating the material, drying the material to a water content of not more than 8% by weight, preheating the material to a temperature of 80.degree. to 160.degree. C., kneading at a temperature of 120.degree. to 250.degree. C. and injection molding or extrusion of the material to form a final product.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,187,352 discloses a process for working up thermoplastic synthetic material into an article having the properties of wood. This process comprises fluidizing, molding and cooling the material. The waste material treated by the patented process may contain 20-25% non-plastic material. Other methods for processing waste or scrap containing thermoplastic materials are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,279,790 and 4,970,043.
Examples of waste processing methods which may be utilized for the treatment of organic or organic-containing materials are also known. U.S. Pat. No. 4,098,649 discloses a method of destructive distillation of organic waste material separated from trash or garbage which comprises compressing and heating the material in the absence of air in several stages. U.S. Pat. No. 4,225,640 discloses a method of recycling thermoplastic material from municipal waste which comprises the use of leaf material present in the waste.
However, conventional processes such as those discussed above, for treating waste or industrial scrap material require the sorting of the intake material prior to treatment. That is, such conventional processes generally require that "contaminate" materials be sorted or removed from the intake material to be treated prior to processing. For example, processes for treating polymerics may require sorting of the intake material to remove organic materials, fibrous materials, etc., while methods for treating organics generally require sorting to remove or separate thermoplastics. Such sorting steps necessitate the utilization of resources and labor which has proven to be expensive, thereby raising the cost of treating the intake materials. Accordingly, it can be seen that a method for processing unsorted waste or industrial scrap material is needed.

Methods for preparation of composite materials


The cooling system includes a heat exchanger, the circulating pump, a first refrigerant channel in which an electric device and the circulating pump are provided, a second refrigerant channel connected to the first refrigerant channel so as to form a circulation channel of the refrigerant, in which the heat exchanger is provided, a bypass channel connected to the first refrigerant channel in parallel to the second refrigerant channel, in which a charger is provided, and a valve provided at a position where the first refrigerant channel and the bypass channel are connected to each other, for forming a circulation channel of the refrigerant, the circulation channel including the first refrigerant channel and the second refrigerant channel, to restrict a flow of the refrigerant through the bypass channel when the electric device is in operation.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a cooling system for cooling an electric device to be driven by electric power from a battery.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram illustrating a conventional cooling system for an electric vehicle. In FIG. 8, the conventional cooling system includes a radiator (heat exchanger) 101, a circulating pump 102, a first cooling fluid channel 103A, a second cooling fluid channel 103B, a bypass channel 104, and a valve 105.
The radiator 101 is provided in the second cooling fluid channel 103B. The radiator 101 dissipates heat of a cooling fluid to outside to cool the cooling fluid. The circulating pump 102 is provided in the first cooling fluid channel 103A. The circulating pump 102 applies a pressure for causing the cooling fluid to flow, to the cooling fluid.
The first cooling fluid channel 103A and the second cooling fluid channel 103B are connected to each other to form a circulation channel of the cooling fluid through the radiator 101 and the circulating pump 102. The bypass channel 104 is connected to the first cooling fluid channel 103A in parallel to the second cooling fluid channel 103B so as to bypass the radiator 101.
The valve 105 is provided at a position where the first cooling fluid channel 103A and the bypass channel 104 are connected to each other. The valve 105 switches a direction of the flow of the cooling fluid, which is discharged from the circulating pump 102 to pass through the first cooling fluid channel 103A, between a direction to the radiator 101 and a direction to the bypass channel 104. The switching operation of the valve 105 is controlled by a system control section 150.
A charger 106, an inverter 107, and a motor (electric device) 108 for vehicle running are provided in the first cooling fluid channel 103A. The charger 106 converts AC power received from outside into DC power and charges a battery (not shown) with the DC power. The inverter 107 converts the DC power received from the battery into AC power and supplies the AC power to the motor 108.
The system control section 150 controls the switching operation of the valve 105 according to a temperature of the cooling fluid to switch the direction of the flow of the cooling fluid between the direction to the radiator 101 and the direction to the bypass channel 104. Specifically, when the temperature of the cooling fluid is high, the cooling fluid is guided toward the radiator 101 by the valve 105. In this manner, the heat of the cooling fluid is dissipated by the radiator 101. On the other hand, when the temperature of the cooling fluid is low, the channel is switched by the valve 105 so that the cooling fluid does not pass through the radiator 101. As a result, the cooling fluid is guided toward the bypass channel 104 so that a pressure loss due to the radiator 101 is not generated in the cooling fluid.
The battery of the electric vehicle is charged while the electric vehicle is in a stopped state. At the time of charging, the charger 106 operates, whereas the motor 108 and the inverter 107 do not operate. Moreover, at the time of charging, the circulating pump 102 feeds the cooling fluid to the second cooling fluid channel 103B to cool the charger 106.
Next, FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram illustrating another conventional cooling system for an electric vehicle. The cooling system illustrated in FIG. 9 has a configuration obtained by additionally providing a heater 109 and a heater core 110 in the first cooling fluid channel 103A of the conventional cooling system illustrated in FIG. 8. The heater 109 heats a cooling fluid. The heater core 110 blows warm air into a cabin by using the heated cooling fluid as a heat source.
As the prior art relating to the present invention, there is the one described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2008-120244, for example.
In the conventional cooling systems for the electric vehicle as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, the cooling fluid flows into the charger 106 even when the electric vehicle runs. In this manner, the cooling fluid flows even to a device which does not need to be cooled. Therefore, an operation load on the circulating pump 102 becomes large to disadvantageously increase the pressure loss of the cooling fluid. Moreover, with the large operation load on the circulating pump 102, there is a problem in a reduced lifetime of the circulating pump 102.
The problems described above occur not only in the cooling systems for an electric vehicle (EV) and for a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) but also in a cooling system for an electric system other than a vehicle, which includes a battery, a charger for charging the battery with electric power received from outside, and an electric device to be driven by the electric power of the battery.


A shielded magnetic head includes a magnetically shielded gap and first to fourth conductive magnetic films disposed in the gap. The first to fourth conductive magnetic films, each extending parallel to a tip face of a magnetic head to be opposed to a magnetic recording medium, are aligned at a distance from one another in a direction perpendicular to the tip face so as to be away from the tip face in ascending order and connected to one another so as to form a bridge circuit. The distance between the first conductive magnetic film and the tip face is set so that a signal magnetic field from the magnetic recording medium is applied to the first conductive magnetic film. By canceling impedance components that do not vary depending on a magnetic field, the shielded magnetic head detects only impedance components that vary depending on a signal magnetic field.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a shielded magnetic head of an active system with high sensitivity and a high-density magnetic reproducing apparatus utilizing variations in high-frequency impedance.
2. Related Background Art
FIG. 6 shows the operating principle of an MI (magneto-impedance) head described in The Technical Report MR95-80 published by The Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers. The MI head employs a magnetic impedance element utilizing variations in magnetic impedance. In FIG. 6, a detecting conductor 20 formed of a conductive metallic thin film is interposed across a track width T between soft-magnetic cores 21a and 21b. The soft-magnetic cores 21a and 21b are formed of a laminated film of a permalloy film P and a SiO2 film S. A high-frequency signal is applied from a high-frequency oscillator 22 for the UHF band via a resistor 23 so that the detecting conductor 20 is fed with a current 24. Terminals 25 and 26 are disposed at opposite ends of the detecting conductor 20, respectively. Therefore, variations in magnetic impedance between the terminals 25 and 26 are detected as variations in voltage between the terminals 25 and 26.
When there is no signal magnetic field generated from magnetization 28 on a magnetic recording medium 27, only a voltage according to a UHF carrier signal is generated between the terminals 25 and 26. The voltage corresponds to the product of impedance between the terminals 25 and 26 of the detecting conductor 20 and the current 24. When a signal magnetic field from the magnetic recording medium is applied, since an easy axis direction of the soft-magnetic cores 21a and 21b is oriented in a track width direction, the magnetization is tilted from the original orientation direction by the signal magnetic field to reduce magnetic impedance. Hence, a UHF carrier signal is detected in its amplitude-modulated state by the signal magnetic field of the magnetic recording medium. By amplitude-demodulating this signal, the signal magnetization 28 on the magnetic recording medium 27 can be read.
Realization of this head holds the potential of obtaining an output about ten times that of a giant MR (magnetoresistive) head. FIG. 7 is a graph showing an operating curve of the element shown in FIG. 6. This operating curve was obtained by setting a carrier signal frequency to 1.0 GHz, placing the above-described element in a central portion of a Helmholtz coil, and applying a dc magnetic field to the element. As seen from FIG. 7, in order to reproduce signals with good sensitivity and obtain waveforms with reduced distortion, a direct-current magnetic bias 29 needs to be set. In the above-described model, a direct current field is generated by the Helmholtz coil and used as a bias.
This method, however, has been disadvantageous with respect to the following points: reduction in dimension of the detecting conductor 20, particularly, in cross-sectional area, considerably increases a value of resistance; and reduction in thickness of the soft-magnetic cores 21a and 21b around the detecting conductor 20 reduces inductance, namely, impedance. Moreover, in order to improve track recording density, it has been requested that a detecting part be positioned closely to the magnetic recording medium 27, and that a shielded magnetic head configuration can be applied where a strong signal magnetic field from a medium is detected.
Thus, a magnetic head with high sensitivity that allows high-density recording has been requested. The achievement of this requires the development of a new detecting method utilizing variations in impedance at a high frequency and the clarification of the operating characteristics of the method.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a shielded magnetic head with excellent resolution and high sensitivity that can detect, by utilizing variations in impedance at a high frequency, only an impedance component that varies depending on a signal magnetic field.
In order to solve the afore-mentioned problems, a shielded magnetic bead of the present invention includes a magnetically shielded gap and first to fourth conductive magnetic films disposed in the gap. The first to fourth conductive magnetic films, each extending parallel to a tip face of the magnetic head to be opposed to a magnetic recording medium, are aligned at a distance from one another in a direction perpendicular to the tip face so as to be away from the tip face in ascending order and connected to one another so as to form a bridge circuit. The distance between the first conductive magnetic film and the tip face is set so that a signal magnetic field from the magnetic recording medium is applied to the first conductive magnetic film.
In this magnetic head, preferably, the distance between the respective conductive magnetic films is set so that a signal magnetic field from the magnetic recording medium is applied substantially only to the first conductive magnetic film.
The above-described magnetic head preferably includes: a pair of shielding soft-magnetic materials on opposite sides of the gap; means for applying a direct current field to the first to fourth conductive magnetic films; first and second electrode terminals for feeding a high-frequency carrier signal to the bridge circuit; third and fourth electrode terminals for detecting the bridge output of the bridge circuit; a high-frequency oscillator connected to the first and second electrode terminals, which outputs the high-frequency carrier signal; and a high-frequency amplifier connected to the third and fourth electrode terminals. Variations in impedance of the first conductive magnetic film depending on a signal magnetic field from the magnetic recording medium are detected as variations in the high-frequency carrier signal.
It is preferable that effective permeability of the shielding soft-magnetic materials at a frequency of the high-frequency carrier signal be smaller than that of the conductive magnetic films. Further preferably, the conductive magnetic films have a thickness equal to or less than skin depth at a frequency of the high-frequency carrier signal.
Furthermore, it is preferable that the respective shielding soft-magnetic materials include a first magnetic material disposed on a face opposed to the conductive magnetic films and having excellent high-frequency characteristics and a second magnetic material disposed on an outer side of the first magnetic material, which responds to a signal applied from a magnetic recording medium.
Moreover, preferably, a high-frequency carrier signal current with a direct current for a direct-current magnetic bias being superimposed is applied to the conductive magnetic film. As an alternative, a permanent magnet may be provided for applying a direct-current bias magnetic field in a direction perpendicular to the tip face to the first to fourth conductive magnetic films.
A magnetic reproducing apparatus of the present invention includes: a shielded magnetic head configured according to any one of the above-described configurations; a retention member for retaining a recording medium on which signals are recorded magnetically; and a positioning member for positioning the shielded magnetic head at a predetermined position with respect to the recording medium.

Shielded magnetic head and magnetic reproducing apparatus

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


An RF controlled lighting unit is provided, suitable for connection to at least one of a dimmer for adjusting a phase cut angle of input mains voltage in accordance with an adjustable dimming level or an electronic switch for selecting between on- and off-states. The lighting unit includes a solid state light source; a radio circuit for receiving a wireless control signal; a rectifier circuit for rectifying the input mains voltage received from the electronic switch or the dimmer; a first power converter for driving the solid state light source in response to the rectified input mains voltage and delivering power to the radio circuit; and a second power convertor for delivering power to the radio circuit when the rectified input mains voltage becomes inadequate for the first power converter due to the phase-cut angle of the rectified input mains voltage or the off-state of the electronic switch.

Digital or solid state lighting technologies, i.e., illumination based on semiconductor light sources, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs), offer a viable alternative to traditional fluorescent, high-intensity discharge (HID), and incandescent lamps. Functional advantages and benefits of LEDs include high energy conversion and optical efficiency, durability, lower operating costs, and many others. Recent advances in LED technology have provided efficient and robust full-spectrum lighting sources that enable a variety of lighting effects in many applications.
Some of the fixtures embodying these sources feature a lighting unit, including one or more LEDs capable of producing white light and/or different colors of light, e.g., red, green and blue, as well as a controller or processor for independently controlling the output of the LEDs in order to generate a variety of colors and color-changing lighting effects, for example, as discussed in detail in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,016,038 and 6,211,626, incorporated herein by reference. LED technology includes line voltage powered white lighting fixtures, such as the EssentialWhite™, available from Philips Color Kinetics. EssentialWhite™ may be dimmable using trailing edge dimmer technology, such as electric low voltage (ELV) type dimmers for 220 VAC line voltages (or input mains voltages).
Many lighting applications make use of dimmers. Conventional dimmers work well with incandescent (bulb and halogen) lamps. However, problems occur with other types of electronic lamps, including compact fluorescent lamp (CFL), low voltage halogen lamps using electronic transformers and solid state lighting (SSL) lamps, such as LEDs and OLEDs. Low voltage halogen lamps using electronic transformers, in particular, may be dimmed using special dimmers, such as ELV type dimmers or resistive-capacitive (RC) dimmers, which work adequately with loads that have a power factor correction (PFC) circuit at the input.
Conventional dimmers typically chop a portion of each waveform of the input mains voltage signal and pass the remainder of the waveform to the lighting fixture. A leading edge or forward-phase dimmer chops the leading edge of the voltage signal waveform. A trailing edge or reverse-phase dimmer chops the trailing edges of the voltage signal waveforms. Electronic loads, such as LED drivers, typically operate better with trailing edge dimmers. Unlike incandescent and other resistive lighting devices which respond naturally without error to a chopped sine wave produced by a phase chopping dimmer, LEDs and other solid state lighting loads may incur a number of problems when placed on such phase chopping dimmers, such as low end drop out, triac misfiring, minimum load issues, high end flicker, and large steps in light output.
Radio or radio frequency (RF) controlled lighting units generally include onboard radio transceivers or modems, and are often referred to as "connected lamps," such as the Philips Hue. However connected lamps do not always work well in combination with wall dimmers or electronic switches. Such electronic switches are used, for example, in various sensors that enable automatic operation of the lighting units, including daylight sensors, presence/occupancy detectors, or remotely controlled switches, such as in the ClickOnClickOff (COCO) portfolio, for example. In the future, when multiple control systems need to work together (e.g., radio controlled lamps plus building management systems that switch groups of light sockets), electronic switches may become more common.
Most consumer lighting controllers are two-wire devices. A problem therefore arises when a dimmer or electronic switch interrupts just one of the two wires, as discussed below. In fact, most consumer lighting controllers are two-wire devices that only interrupt the live wire. In this configuration there is no neutral connection to the lighting controller that would enable the off-state current to run through the lighting unit(s). An off-state bleeder may be included to ensure that the lighting unit does not flicker or glow when the dimmer is switched off. In case, however, the RF radio (transceiver or modem) in a conventional radio control lighting device is no longer functional, as a practical matter, when the dimmer or switch is in off-state.
A lighting unit controlled by a two-wire device, for example, works well when the lamp appears as a low impedance load, as in the case of an incandescent lamp. The lamp must provide a current path to keep the dimmer or switch in operation. When the lamp comprises an LED lamp, though, the load may be so high-impedance that even with the very small remaining leakage current through the switch, the lamp can start to emit (some) light and boot software running on its internal microcontroller. This behavior leaks to visible glowing or flickering, and is undesired when the dimmer or electronic switch is set in an off-state.
To prevent this undesirable operation, a conventional LED lamp may include an "off-state bleeder," which is a small electronic circuit connected in parallel with the LED lamp. The off-state bleeder ensures that there is always enough current floating such that the dimmer or switch may continue to function, and that the LED lamp remains off when the dimmer or electronic switch is in the off-state. This configuration resolves the problem by provide flow of a small current when the electronic switch or lamp is in the off-state.
However, the connected lamp may draw too little power to let this current flow. If the dimmer or electronic switch no longer functions as a result, it may fail to switch on again. Also, the connected lamp sees some power on its mains power line connector, and may try to boot up. The connected lamp may flicker during this attempt, which may be annoying to the user.
Thus, there is a need in the art to detect improper operation of lighting system components, such as the dimmer and/or the solid state lighting load driver, and to identify and implement corrective action to correct the improper operation and/or remove power to the solid state lighting load, to eliminate undesirable effects, such as light flicker.

Radio frequency (RF) controlled lamp with dimmer compatibility


A filter element includes a frame construction and a region of media held by the frame construction. The region of media is oriented within the frame construction to remove at least some particulates from a gas stream passing therethrough. The region of media includes a skirted portion, wherein the skirted portion occupies a volume between the frame construction and a sealing surface of a duct, when the filter element is mounted within a duct. In preferred systems, the filter element may be used as a secondary element in the duct of an engine air intake or in a duct of an air cleaner housing. Methods of using and servicing filter elements are described herein.

In general, air cleaner arrangements are utilized to filter combustion air intake streams for various engine applications, including for example, for vehicles and stationary engines. One typical approach has been to utilize a primary element to remove the bulk of particulates, and a secondary element, downstream of the primary element. The secondary element is used to catch larger particulate matter that may have, for one reason or another, made it past the primary filter element. For example, if the primary filter element fails, or becomes unsealed, the secondary element is oriented to protect the engine from any large particles and debris.
Further, in many types of systems, the primary filter element becomes loaded with particulates, and needs to be replaced. During the replacement process, particulate material and debris can fall off of the primary element and into the air intake duct of the engine. It is desirable to have a secondary element positioned to catch any of the particulates and debris that fall off of the primary element when it is being serviced and replaced.
A variety of air filter or gas filter arrangements have been developed for particulate removal. In general, however, continued improvements are sought.


An indoor device for an air conditioner is provided. Display of an operation state of the indoor device and reception of an operation signal of a remoter controller may be performed through a single window, reducing production costs and realizing a more elegant exterior.

1. Field
An indoor device for an air conditioner is disclosed herein.
2. Background
In general, air conditioners are cooling/heating systems in which indoor air is suctioned in and heat-exchanged with a low or high-temperature refrigerant, and then the heat-exchanged air is discharged into an indoor space to cool or heat the indoor space. The above-described processes are repeatedly performed. Air conditioners may generate a series of cycles using a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator.
In particular, such an air conditioner may include an outdoor unit or device (which is called an "outdoor side" or "heat dissipation side"), which is generally installed in an outdoor space, and an indoor unit or device (which is called an "indoor side" or "heat absorption side"), which is generally installed in a building. The outdoor device may include a condenser, that is, an outdoor heat exchanger, and a compressor, and the indoor device, that is, an indoor heat exchanger, may include an evaporator.
As is well known, air conditioners may be divided into split type air conditioners with outdoor and indoor devices, that are installed separately from, each other, and integrated type air conditioners with outdoor and indoor devices, that are integrally installed with each other. When considering a space in which the air conditioner is to be installed or noise, the split type air conditioner may be preferable.
In a multi type air conditioner of such a split type air conditioner, a plurality of indoor devices ma be connected to one outdoor device. Thus, as the plurality of indoor devices may be respectively installed in indoor spaces for air-conditioning, an effect as if a plurality of air conditioners are installed may be achieved.
Hereinafter, an indoor device for an air conditioner in a general multi type air conditioner will be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an exterior of an indoor device for an air conditioner according to the related art. As illustrated in FIG. 1, an indoor unit or device 1 may be maintained in a state in which an upper portion of the indoor device 1 is fixed to as inside of a ceiling and hung on the ceiling, and a bottom surface of the indoor device 1 is exposed to a lower side of the ceiling to suction in indoor air and then discharge the suctioned air into the indoor space. In the indoor device 1, as most of the main body is disposed in the ceiling, only a front panel 10 and suction grill 20 may be viewable when a user look up to see the ceiling.
The front panel 10 may define an exterior edge of the bottom surface of the indoor device 1. A suction hole 11, which may be provided in a square shape, may be defined in a central portion of the front panel 10 to guide introduction of the indoor air into the indoor device 1. A plurality of discharge holes 12, which may be provided to guide the air so that the air conditioned in the indoor device 1 may be discharged again into the indoor space, may be defined outside of the suction hole 11. A vane 13 to adjust a flow direction of the discharged air may be rotatably disposed inside each discharge hole 12.
The suction grill 20, which may have an approximately square plate shape and in which a plurality of holes, through which air may pass may be defined, may be mounted on the central portion of the front panel 10, that is, inside the suction hole 11. Thus, when the indoor device 1 operates, indoor air may be suctioned into the indoor device 1 through the suction grill 20, and then, may be heat-exchanged within the indoor device 1 and discharged into an indoor space through the discharge hole 12.
To operate the indoor device 1, a user's manipulation may be needed. As the indoor device 1 is installed in the ceiling in the indoor space, a user has to manipulate the indoor device 1 using a portable remote controller or a remote controller buried in a wall to operate the air conditioner.
Thus, a display 30 to receive a manipulation signal of the remote controller and display the manipulated state may be disposed on a front panel 10 of the indoor device 1. The display 30 may include a plurality of display portions 31 to display an operation state through an LED, and a receiver 32 to receive the manipulation signal of the remote controller.
However, in the indoor device 1 according to the related art, the plurality of display portions 31 and the receiver 32 may be exposed to the outside, deteriorating an exterior appearance of the indoor device 1, and also, service work may be difficult.


A focus detecting apparatus for detecting the focus of a photo-taking lens comprises a condenser lens disposed near the predetermined image plane of an object formed by the photo-taking lens, and a plurality of focus detection systems. Each of the focus detection systems comprises pupil dividing means disposed rearwardly of the condenser lens in the direction of the optical axis thereof and having at least one pair of openings for dividing the pupil of the photo-taking lens, at least one pair of re-imaging lenses disposed rearwardly of the pupil dividing means correspondingly to the at least one pair of openings for forming at least one pair of secondary images, and a photoelectric conversion element array having picture elements for detecting the amount of deviation of the relative position of the secondary images. The area of a picture element of the photoelectric conversion element array in each of the focus detection systems is determined in conformity with the area of the openings in the pupil dividing means in that focus detection system.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a focus detecting apparatus by a TTL phase difference detection system suitable for use in a camera or the like, and particularly to a focus detecting apparatus suitable for detecting the in-focus state in a plurality of areas in the predetermined image plane of a photo-taking lens.
2. Related Background Art
FIG. 11 of the accompanying drawings shows the basic construction of a focus detecting apparatus of a TTL phase difference detection system. The focus detecting optical system of this focus detecting apparatus is such that a photo-taking lens 10, a field mask 20, a condenser lens 30, a stop mask 40, a re-imaging lens 50, a photoelectric conversion element array 60, etc. are successively disposed on the optical axis O of the photo-taking lens 10.
A light beam transmitted through the exit pupils 11, 12 of the photo-taking lens 10 forms a primary image of an object near the field mask 20 by the photo-taking lens 10. The extraction of the light beam is effected by the field mask 20 to thereby limit the light beam from the object to the condenser lens 30. The light beam transmitted through this condenser lens 30 is re-imaged as a secondary image on the photoelectric conversion element array 60 by the re-imaging lens 50 via the stop mask 40 which likewise limits any unnecessary light beam.
That is, rearwardly of the primary image formed by the photo-taking lens 10, two secondary images substantially similar to the primary image are re-imaged by the condenser lens 30 and the re-imaging lens 50, and the amount of deviation of the relative position of the two secondary images is detected by the photoelectric conversion element array 60.
Although the various members are disposed so that the re-imaged secondary images may be arranged only in one particular direction, the image of the object by the photo-taking lens 10 may have a luminance distribution in any direction and focus detection becomes impossible for an object which does not have a luminance distribution in a direction fit for the focus detecting optical system. Therefore, a plurality of focus detecting optical systems are disposed in different directions.
Heretofore, in such a focus detecting apparatus, the shapes of a pair of openings corresponding to a pair of re-imaging lenses have been made different for each focus detecting optical system and by the use of a light beam from a larger portion (area) in the plane of the exit pupil, the light beam has been utilized efficiently and it has been intended to realize the compactness of each re-imaging lens.
Referring to FIG. 11, the areas of the openings 41 and 42 in each pair of stop masks 40 for dividing the pupil of the photo-taking lens 10 into two areas are made to differ for each focus detecting optical system. Therefore, the levels of signals output from respective photoelectric conversion element arrays 60 disposed in the respective focus detecting optical systems differ from each other in proportion to the areas of the pair of openings for dividing the pupil of the photo-taking lens 10 in each focus detecting optical system into two areas.
This leads to the problem that when focus detection is effected by the plurality of focus detecting optical systems, a difference in intensity of illumination is created between secondary images re-formed on the pair of photoelectric conversion element arrays provided for each focus detecting optical systems and a difference is created between the levels of the output signals from each pair of photoelectric conversion element arrays.
In order to solve such a problem, it would occur to mind to amplify the output signals from the pair of photoelectric conversion element arrays for each focus detecting optical system at different ratios, but this would cause another problem that signal processing will become complicated.


Shuttering eyewear (or shutter glasses) may be used to enable stereoscopic 3D and to provide different images to two viewers using a single display, known as Dual View. The shuttering eyewear may utilize charge recovery circuits. The charge recovery circuits may achieve high charge recovery efficiencies on the order of 80 to 90 percent resulting in a dramatic reduction in power supply battery operating current and a resulting increase in operating time. The charge recovery circuits may utilize switch mode boost conversion to recover most of the charge from a shutter that is being closed to one that is to be opened. Further, a charge recovery method for utilizing energy stored on a capacitive storage device may include closing a first active shutter, moving charge to a converter in buck mode to a capacitor, and pulling charge from the capacitor to open a second shutter.

Shuttering eyewear (or shutter glasses) can be used to enable stereoscopic 3D and to provide different images to two viewers using a single display, known as Dual View. These devices utilize an infrared (IR) signal generated by an IR emitter which is compliant with VESA Standard Connector and Signal Standards for Stereoscopic Display Hardware, Version 1 (Nov. 5, 1997), which is herein incorporated by reference. As described in the standard, an emitter outputs a very simple pulse width modulated signal to indicate which eye to activate. The eyewear responds by performing a hard-coded sequence of switching events which open and close the eyewear shutters in order to achieve the desired visual effect. The hard-coded switching sequence is generally either a compromise which provides acceptable performance for a small set of displays or is optimized for a single display.


A processor of an MFP generates a first additional image based on an image in a designated region of a document. Furthermore, the processor of the MFP generates a second additional image showing a difference between the document and a document before revision of the document. Then, the processor of the MFP registers the first additional image and the second additional image on a server in association with a marker image showing the revised edition number of the document.

Field of the Invention
The present disclosure relates to an image processing apparatus, a terminal device, and a non-transitory recording medium recording a control program, and particularly to an image processing apparatus, a terminal device, and a non-transitory data recording medium recording a control program, which utilize an augmented reality technique.
Description of the Related Art
In the case where confidential information is included in a document, the confidential information may not be printed on the document in terms of security. In this case, the document may include a specific mark in place of the above-described confidential information. A user uses a display device such as a wearable display for viewing the document. Specifically, the user uses a photographing device mounted in the display device to take a photograph of the document and display the photographed image. In this case, the display device further adds, at the position of the above-described mark in this photographed image, a virtual image associated with the mark, referred also to as an air tag or the like and showing the above-described confidential information. In other words, by applying the above-described display device to this document, the user can view the document including confidential information.

Image processing apparatus, terminal device, and non-transitory data recording medium recording control program


An assembly includes a gas turbine and a heat exchanger for heating up a gas turbine process fluid by thermal energy. The gas turbine has a compressor, a combustor and a turbine downstream of the combustor, wherein the thermal energy is from the solar receiver. To improve efficiency and reduce power generation fluctuations, the assembly includes a first line to conduct the gas turbine process fluid downstream a compression by the compressor to the heat exchanger, and a second line to conduct the gas turbine process fluid from the heat exchanger to the combustor to generate hot combustion gas from the warmed up gas turbine process fluid burning fuel in the combustor.

With increasing popularity of renewable energy exploitation hybrid devices—combing fossil and renewable power generation—like the incipiently mentioned assembly enter the focus of interest in the field of power generation. Renewable energy including solar energy naturally leads to unwanted power generation fluctuation to be compensated. These hybrid devices aim to reduce fossil fuel consumption and power generation fluctuations coming with renewable power generation.
A combination of a gas turbine with a solar receiver as defined incipiently is assumed to be prior art.
Solar receivers for gas turbines as defined above have a limited maximum temperature at around 800° C. to 1000° C. Since the gas turbine inlet temperature for modern gas turbines is around 1200° C. to 1500° C. and since the efficiency of a gas turbine (upper limit is Carnot efficiency ηc=1−Tmin/Tmax) depends on the maximum temperature operating a gas turbine—a reduced maximum inlet temperature of 1000° C. results in a significant efficiency reduction of the gas turbine. It is therefore reasonable to provide a supplementary combustion downstream the solar receiver to achieve an adequate turbine inlet temperature. This supplementary combustion also covers for situations with less solar energy to operate the gas turbine with a reasonable efficiency by said supplementary combustion.
When a conventional combustor is placed downstream said solar receiver it receives gas of much more elevated temperature than it would receive from a normal gas turbine compressor in a conventional layout. These circumstances exclude existing combustion systems which might experience an elevated risk of combustion instability such as auto ignition and flashback. Existing combustion systems also give a comparatively high pressure drop and experience higher metal temperature than designed for if being part of such an assembly. A further issue is that the fuel to air ratio is much lower than in existing combustions systems resulting in a higher likelihood of instability.

Assembly having a gas turbine engine and a preheating arrangement


A photo eyepiece for endoscopes comprising at least two cemented lens components, i.e., a first cemented lens component and a second cemented lens component, having a large numerical aperture and, in spite of this merit, corrected very favorably in characteristics of spherical aberration, lateral chromatic aberration and curvature of field.

(a) Field of the Invention:
The present invention relates to a photo eyepiece for endoscopes which is usable for both observation by naked eyes and photographing with a camera attached on the side of said eyepiece.
(b) Description of the Prior Art:
In observation through an endoscope, diopter is generally adjusted for matching with observer's visual acuity by displacing the eyepiece along the optical axis. For photographing an image transmitted through an image transmitting optical system with a photographic camera attached to the eyepiece, it must always be set at a pre-determined position since it serves as a photographing lens. For this purpose, the eyepiece is displaced toward the rear side until it is set at the pre-determined position for photographing. When a photo eyepiece is used as an eyepiece, an observer is likely to keep his eye rather apart from the eyepiece, and an image formed with a bundle of optical fibers is dark on its circumferential portions since said bundle has such a characteristic as to make light intensity distribution high at the central portion where rays are almost parallel. Therefore, a photo eyepiece must be so designed as to have a large numerical aperture and, at the same time, be free from aggravation of flare due to coma caused by such a large numerical aperture.
Though optical fibers conventionally had large diameters, they have recently been gradually thinned for asuring high image resolution on end surfaces of optical fiber bundles. It is therefore required to assure minimum aberrations over the entire range of an image formed with a photo eyepiece, especially by favorably correcting spherical aberration, lateral chromatic aberration, and further curvature of field so favorably as to obtain a highly flat image. Further, since rays are diversed while transmitting through an image transmitting optical system of an endoscope, an eyepiece therefor must have a numerical aperture several times as large as that of an objective lens. The eyepiece will have a narrow depth of focus accordingly.
Through the defect due to such a narrow depth of focus can be compensated by the adjusting function of observer's eye in observation, said defect poses a problem in photographing and, therefore, curvature of field must be corrected more favorably.


A quantum interference transistor may include a source; a drain; N channels (N≧2), between the source and the drain, and having N−1 path differences between the source and the drain; and at least one gate disposed at one or more of the N channels. One or more of the N channels may be formed in a graphene sheet. A method of manufacturing the quantum interference transistor may include forming one or more of the N channels using a graphene sheet. A method of operating the quantum interference transistor may include applying a voltage to the at least one gate. The voltage may shift a phase of a wave of electrons passing through a channel at which the at least one gate is disposed.

1. Field
Example embodiments relate to transistors and/or methods of manufacturing and/or operating the same. Also, example embodiments relate to quantum interference transistors using graphene and/or methods of manufacturing and/or operating the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
One method of increasing the integration degree of a semiconductor device may be to reduce the size of elements of the semiconductor device. Thus, attempts may be made to reduce the size of elements that have been not considered before. For example, the length of channels of a transistor generally used in semiconductor devices may be much greater than a coherence wavelength λcoherence of electrons. Accordingly, the wave nature of electrons is not considered in general semiconductor transistors.
However, the integration degree of semiconductor devices may increase and/or design rules of semiconductor devices may now be on the scale of nanometers. Thus, the length of channels of the transistor may be smaller than the coherence wavelength λcoherence of electrons. In this case, in understanding the transportation and/or transfer of electrons in the channels of the transistor, electrons are regarded not as particles, but as waves. That is, the behavior of electrons may be interpreted quantum-dynamically.
Thus, a transistor in which the behavior of electrons in channels of the transistor may be interpreted as waves, and/or whose operation may be determined by interference of waves, is hereinafter referred to as a quantum interference transistor.
An example of a quantum interference transistor may be a transistor that uses the wave nature of electrons in 2D electron gas, a super-conductor, or molecules. A quantum interference transistor of this kind may be operated at a high frequency of about 10 THz and may have low power consumption, but may be difficult to manufacture. In particular, in the case of a quantum interference transistor using 2D electron gas or a super conductor, the quantum interference transistor may operate at a temperature much lower than 50 K, and thus may be hardly utilized.

Quantum interference transistors and methods of manufacturing and operating the same


There are provided novel glycolurils, and methods for producing the same. A nitrogen-containing cyclic compound of following formula (1):

Glycolurils are heterocyclic compounds each having four urea nitrogen atoms in its ring structure. Glycolurils having various substituents on the urea nitrogen atoms have been produced and used as functional compounds.
For example, 1,3,4,6-tetrakis(methoxymethyl)glycoluril having four methoxymethyl groups in one molecule is well-known as a crosslinking agent for epoxy resins (see Patent Document 1).
Patent Document 2, for example, discloses a method for introducing four methoxymethyl groups into one molecule of a glycoluril having no substituent. Furthermore, Patent Document 3 discloses a glycidylglycoluril in which at least one of the hydrogen atoms attached to the four nitrogen atoms of a glycoluril is substituted with a glycidyl group. However, Patent Documents 1, 2, and 3 neither describe nor suggest a compound in which the hydrogen atoms attached to two of the four nitrogen atoms of a glycoluril are substituted with glycidyl groups, and the hydrogen atoms attached to the remaining two nitrogen atoms are substituted with methoxymethyl groups.

Nitrogen-containing cyclic compounds and methods for producing the same

Abstract: (wherein any two of R1, R2, R3, and R4 are glycidyl groups, and the remaining two are methoxymethyl groups), and the nitrogen-containing cyclic compound of formula (1) is represented by, for example, following formula (1A) or (1B):


Disclosed herein is a Tee nut which can form a hole in a work piece with no problem by driving of the Tee nut itself, without previously forming a hole in the work piece. A closure member is engaged in a hollow shaft portion, to divide a portion to be caulked from a female threading carrier portion. A punched-out portion resulting from a hole which is formed by driving of a Tee nut itself is prevented by the closure member from reaching the female threading carrier portion, so that the punched-out portion can be discharged at the same time by extruding the closure member.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a Tee nut, and more particularly, it relates to a Tee nut which is provided with a portion to be caulked on its shaft portion.
2. Description of the Background Art
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,238,344 describes a conventional Tee nut, which is of interest to the present invention. This Tee nut comprises a shaft portion and a flange portion outwardly extending from a first end of this shaft portion, which are prepared from an integral metal material. The shaft portion is in the form of a hollow cylinder and provided with a portion to be caulked on a second end which is opposite to the first end, while a female threading is formed on its inner peripheral surface excluding the portion to be caulked. Further, a plurality of pawls are provided on the outer peripheral edge of the flange portion, to project toward the second end of the shaft portion. In the shaft portion, the portion to be caulked is reduced in thickness as compared with that provided with the female threading, to facilitate caulking.
The shaft portion is inserted in a hole which is provided in an work piece such as a wood member, for example, and the pawls are driven into the work piece while the portion to be caulked is caulked to be spread on the side of a surface of the object which is opposite to that receiving the flange portion, so that the Tee nut is fixed to the work piece.
The hole provided in the aforementioned work piece is generally formed with a drill, or by punching.
In order to fix the Tee nut to a work piece, a hole for receiving the shaft portion of the Tee nut is generally previously provided in the work piece. When the Tee nut is to be fixed to the work piece by an automatic machine, however, it is necessary to properly align the Tee nut with the hole which is previously provided in the work piece, and relatively high accuracy is required for such alignment. While a relatively large hole may be provided in the work piece to enable rough alignment with the Tee nut, the as-fixed Tee nut is problematically rattled in this case with respect to the work piece.
In order to fix the Tee nut to the work piece, further, a step of providing a hole in the object is required in advance, and hence the number of steps is increased.


A bicycle electrical connector cord includes a first connector, a primary cable, a second connector, a secondary cable and an electrical device. The first connector has a plurality of first electrical contacts. The primary cable includes a first conducting member electrically coupled to one of the first contacts and a second conducting member electrically coupled to one of the first contacts. The second connector has at least one second electrical contact electrically coupled to the first conducting member. The secondary cable extends from the second connector and includes a third conducting member electrically coupled to the second conducting member. The electrical device is electrically coupled to the third conducting member. A method is also provided for attaching a bicycle electrical connector cord to a display unit and a pair of electrical devices on a non-forward facing portion of a bicycle.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to an electrical connector cord. More specifically, the present invention relates to a simplified bicycle electrical connector cord, which connects three electrical bicycle devices in an unobtrusive manner.
2. Background Information
Bicycling is becoming an increasingly more popular form of recreation as well as a means of transportation. Moreover, bicycling has also become a very popular competitive sport for both amateurs and professionals. Whether the bicycle is used for recreation, transportation or competition, the bicycle industry is constantly improving the various components of the bicycle. Specifically, manufacturers of bicycle components have been continually improving performance, reliability and appearance of the various components.
Recently, bicycles have been provided with electronically controlled components. These electronic components include a rear multi-stage sprocket assembly with a motorized rear derailleur and a front multi-stage sprocket assembly with a motorized front derailleur. Additionally, many bicycles include suspension assemblies for off-road type riding. These suspension assemblies can also be electronically controlled. Many bicycles utilize a cycle computer with one or more sensors to monitor various operations of the bicycle, such as speed, cadence, riding time and gear position.
The cycle computer is also often coupled to other components that are electrically controlled or operated, such as the front derailleur, rear derailleur or suspension assemblies. In this type of an arrangement, electrical wires or cords are utilized to transmit the electrical current to and from the various components and sensors. These electrical wires or cords are often connected to the components and/or sensors by electrical connectors. These electrical wires and connectors are often attached to the bicycle frame without regard to the appearance of the bicycle.
Since the bicycle is typically utilized outdoors, the electrical connections of the electrical connectors are exposed to a variety of weather conditions. The electrical connections can often be contaminated so as to degrade performance of the operation of the electrically control component. If the electrical connections get too dirty, the bicycle components and/or sensors may not operate properly. Since the electrical connections are exposed to adverse weather conditions, it is important that the electrical connectors provide a good solid connection so that they can operate even though they may become slightly contaminated.
Additionally, in certain riding conditions such as off-road type riding, the cyclist often encounters obstructions such as bushes or tree limbs. Sometimes, these obstructions can catch the electrical wires or cords and affect performance of the electrical components and/or sensors. Additionally, in some situations, other obstructions such as clothing, bicycle lock cables or tools can catch on the electrical wires or cords. Furthermore, since these wires or cords and connectors are often attached to the bicycle without regard to their appearance, the bicycle can have an unattractive look.
In view of the above, there exists a need for an electrical connector cord which overcomes the above mentioned problems in the prior art. This invention addresses this need in the prior art as well as other needs, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.
One object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector cord with a simplified structure.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector cord that provides improved durability and waterproofing.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector cord, which is relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture and assemble.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector cord, which contributes to a clean, attractive appearance for the bicycle.
The foregoing objects can basically be attained by providing bicycle electrical connector cord comprising a first electrical connector, a primary cable, a second electrical connector, a secondary cable and an electrical device. The first electrical connector has a first connector body with a plurality of first electrical contacts. The primary cable includes a first electrical conducting member electrically coupled to one of the first electrical contacts and a second electrical conducting member electrically coupled to one of the first electrical contacts. The second electrical connector has a second connector body with at least one second electrical contact electrically coupled to the first electrical conducting member. The secondary cable extends from the second electrical connector and includes a third electrical conducting member electrically coupled to the second electrical conducting member. The electrical device is electrically coupled to the third electrical conducting member.
The foregoing objects can also basically be attained by providing a method of attaching a bicycle electrical connector cord to a bicycle. The method includes attaching a first electrical connector to a bicycle display unit on the bicycle with a first end of primary cable extending from the first electrical connector. The method also includes attaching a second electrical connector to a first electrical device on a non-forwardly facing portion of the bicycle with a second end of the primary cable extending from the second electrical connector. The method further includes attaching a secondary cable to a non-forwardly facing portion of the bicycle with a first end of the secondary cable being coupled to the second electrical connector. The method still further includes attaching a second electrical device to a non-forwardly facing portion of the bicycle with a second end of the secondary cable being electrically coupled to the electrical device.
These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment of the present invention.


The present relates to a method for verifying privileged and subject-executed code within a program, the method further comprising the steps of constructing a static model of a program, identifying checkPermission nodes that are comprised within the invocation graph, and performing a fixed-point iteration, wherein each determined permission set is propagated backwards across the nodes of the static model until a privilege-asserting code node is reached. The method further comprises the steps of associating each node of the invocation graph with a set of Permission allocation sites, analyzing each identified privilege-asserting code node and subject-executing code node to determine the Permission allocation site set that is associated with each privilege-asserting code node and subject-executing code node, and determining the cardinality of a Permission allocation-site set that is associated with each privilege-asserting code node and subject-executing code node.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the verifying of code access control protocols, and particularly to the automatic verification of privilege-asserting and subject-executed code
2. Description of Background
Before our invention, conventionally within security systems where access control was based on stack inspection, when access to a protected resource was attempted all the callers on the stack must have exhibited the right to perform the security-sensitive operation of accessing the protected resource. Within security systems the implementation of privilege-asserting code allows for the stopping a stack inspection so that the callers of a trusted component are not required to exhibit a right to access a protected resource. The implementation of subject-executed code allows for the execution of code under the authority of a subject (a user or service). Additionally, permissions within a security system are typically defined as access rights.
Several problems can occur in relation to the implementation of privilege-asserting and subject-executed code. For example, in stack-inspection-based authorization systems (e.g., Microsoft™ .NET Common Language Runtime (CLR)), a developer can specify which permission can be implicitly granted to client code when privilege-asserting code is used. This aspect allows a developer to explicitly control what permissions the client code will receive as a result of invoking trusted code. However, other systems (e.g., Java™ 2) are not so fine grained when it comes to privilege-asserting code, and thus do not allow specifying the particular permission requirement from which the client is shielded. In such systems, a call to privilege-asserting code can shield client code from multiple permission requirements, which means that the client code is implicitly granted all the permissions that are regulated by the permission requirements. This behavior may not be intended and can easily lead to security flaws.
A similar principle dictates that a call to subject-executed code should only perform one security-sensitive operation. Thus, in the event that multiple security sensitive operations are to be performed the security operations should be performed under different subject-executed calls. However, enforcing this principle requires the writing of additional code in addition to possessing knowledge of what security-sensitive operations are going to be performed as a result of each function call. For this reason, developers tend to write subject-executed code that performs multiple security-sensitive operations. Detecting whether this principle has been violated or verifying that it has been respected is very difficult too, unless an automated tool is used to detect violations.
Often, after code is re-factored, it is possible that existing privilege-asserting or subject-executed code may become unnecessary; this occurs when existing calls to privilege-asserting code do not lead to authorization checks. From a performance perspective, this occurrence can be very expensive. From a security perspective, this occurrence can expose a system to security holes. When calls to privilege-asserting code are nested, only the call closer to the authorization check is necessary. The other calls are redundant and could lead to security holes and performance problems.
Typically, when calls to subject-executed code are nested, the most recently made call overwrites all the previous calls. The idea is that there can only be one subject associated with any thread of execution at any given time. In large and complex programs, it is often difficult, if not Impossible, to understand the interactions between nested calls to subject executed code unless an automated tool is available. Inappropriate usage of subject-executed code can lead to unintended results and security holes.
In some Implementations (such as Java™ 2), privilege-asserting code eliminates from a thread of execution any subject that had been previously associated with that thread. Many developers are not even aware of this behavior, which may lead to unintended consequences. A secure coding best practice suggests that privilege-asserting or subject executed code in a component should be placed as close as possible to the boundary between that component and other components. This helps in avoiding the execution of unintended privilege-asserting or subject executed code and assists in enforcing the principle that every call to privileged or subject-executed code should lead to only one security-sensitive resource at a time. However, many times, developers do not realize that the calls to privileged or subject-executed code that they make are not as close to the component's boundary as possible, especially because that boundary may still be unclear during development, or because code was subsequently re-factored.
No value generated in privilege-asserting code should flow to unauthorized code; a violation of this rule represents a confidentiality problem. Similarly, no value generated in unauthorized code should flow to privilege asserting code; a violation of this rule represents an integrity problem. The resolution of these problems by performing manual code inspection or testing is very difficult, time consuming and error prone. Therefore, there exists a need for an automatic technique for verifying that privileged and subject-executed code has been implemented as intended.

System and method for the automatic verification of privilege-asserting and subject-executed code

International Business Machines Corporation


A method for refreshing a Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) includes performing a refresh on at least a portion of the DRAM at a first refresh rate, and performing a refresh on a second portion of the DRAM at a second refresh rate. The second portion includes one or more rows of the DRAM which do not meet a data retention criteria at the first refresh rate, and the second refresh rate is greater than the first refresh rate.

1. Field
This disclosure relates to memories, and more particularly, to dynamic random access memory (DRAM) refresh.
2. Related Art
Dynamic random access memories (DRAMs) are particularly useful as memories because of their density and speed. One of the disadvantages of DRAMs is that they require refreshing in order to maintain the contents of the memory. Refreshing requires power which makes them somewhat less desirable for applications that are battery powered, especially hand held devices such as cell phones.
Thus there is a need for a reduction in the power consumption of DRAMs.

Dynamic random access memory (DRAM) refresh