Systems, methods and devices for making and using EMF signature enabled portable consumer devices are disclosed. EMF signature enabled portable consumer devices, such as credit cards, can include a conductive or semiconductive brittle material layer with an intentionally created random crack or fissure pattern. The intentionally created unique random crack patterns can be created by cost effective and highly scalable standardized processes. When an input signal is applied to the portable consumer device, an EMF signature based on the unique random crack pattern can be induced. The resulting EMF signature can be detected, processed and used as the basis for various encryption, security or authentication protocols.

As the variety of methods and devices for engaging in electronic transactions and authorizations increase, problems such as fraud and counterfeiting also increase. One way to reduce such problems is to authenticate the identification devices, or other portable consumer devices, used to initiate electronic transactions or authorizations.
Some contemporary authentication systems, such as anti-fraud and anti-counterfeiting systems, authenticate a portable consumer device using various difficult to reproduce authentication features (i.e. holograms or micro printing). Other systems use various forms of risk analysis, while others rely on information, sometimes included on the portable consumer device itself, to provide or generate protected identifiers or passwords. Such systems often include use of encrypted or dynamic information, such as conventional dynamic card verification values (dCVVs) in credit card systems.
In one exemplary system, at the front-end of the transaction (e.g. where a merchant and a consumer reside), a credit card provides information associated with the portable consumer device or the consumer. The information in such systems include various styles and techniques for producing encrypted information or authentication features. Regardless of the type of encryption or authentication feature used, such anti-fraud or anti-counterfeiting systems have various financial and computational resource costs associated with production and utilization. Various embodiments of the present invention are directed toward reducing such costs while also increasing the reliability and security of encryption and authentication feature based transactions and authentications.
An example of a conventional credit card that can include various encrypted information or authentication features is depicted in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C. As shown in FIG. 1A, a conventional credit card 100 typically displays information such account number 110, account holder's name 130 and some type of anti-counterfeiting measure 120. Most current credit and debit cards are made of up of at least two layers. FIG. 1B shows a cross-section of typical credit card stock comprising a substrate layer 150 and a top layer 140.
Substrate layer 150 is usually a semi-rigid plastic that can be stamped or embossed. Top layer 140 is usually a print or decal identifying the issuer of the credit card and possibly other information. In most conventional credit cards, important information such as account number 110 and account holder name 130 are embossed by an embosser 160 and then painted at the apex of the embossed regions 170 to increase legibility as shown in FIG. 1C. Embossing such information serves multiple purposes: 1) embossed information is more durable than simple printing, 2) provided a means for quickly copying such information by taking an imprint of the card and 3) embossed information is more difficult to reproduce or alter and, as such, was one of the first attempts to curb counterfeiting. In addition, credit card 100 may also have a card verification value (CVV) printed on the back of that card that is not included in any computer readable media that might be included on the card. However, improvements to existing anti-counterfeiting technologies are still desirable.
For example, authentication feature or anti-counterfeiting measure 120 can be a sophisticated holographic image, a watermark, micro printed designs or text, or fluorescent details that show up under ultraviolet light. The main idea in conventional physical anti-counterfeiting technology is to include a physical characteristic on the card that is too difficult or costly for counterfeiters to reproduce. However, counterfeiters gradually catch up to each technology in time. When the counterfeiters catch up to a particular anti-counterfeiting measure, that measure becomes obsolete. Because conventional anti-counterfeiting technologies are ultimately rendered obsolete, their continued inclusion in portable consumer devices is usually based on their use as an additional anti-counterfeiting deterrent. To increase overall security, physical security measures are often used in conjunction with various front-end and back-end encryption and computer security techniques.
Using various algorithms and encryption keys, the information provided to an authentication system is protected in an encrypted form as it is transmitted from the front-end of the transaction to a back-end system. The information sent can only be unencrypted by the back-end system when the proper encryption key is used. Due to the critical role the encryption key plays, maintaining the secrecy of the encryption keys is of utmost importance in such systems and often requires sophisticated mathematical schemes to produce unique encryption keys or seed values. Using such schemes to produce large numbers of secure and unique encryption keys can often be costly and difficult to scale.
In addition, some conventional authentication systems require a user to enter a PIN presumably known only to the user to authenticate the user or the portable consumer device. This provides a level of security that helps ensure that the user presenting the portable consumer device is an authorized user of that particular device. The assumption here is that the PIN will only be known by an authorized user and will not be revealed to or discovered by someone wishing to commit fraud. In some such systems, the PIN can be included in or used to complete the encryption key or seed value to further increase the security of the particular encryption scheme used.
Despite the best efforts of users and issuers of portable consumer devices, account numbers, personal identifiers, PINs and encryptions keys can be stolen or discovered and then used by unauthorized parties to replicate portable consumer devices so as to defraud authentication systems. Since data can be hacked and stolen and the sophistication of unauthorized users and counterfeiters continues to increase, it is currently possible to make fraudulent cards that can be used for transactions once key information is known. The fraudulent portable consumer device will appear to be an authentic device since it will have all the correct information and characteristics. An unauthorized user may have even discovered the PIN or other access code to provide when presenting the device for authentication.
It is clear that what is needed is a system, method, and device to prevent unauthorized users from creating and using fraudulent versions of portable consumer devices while also decreasing the cost of production and use. Embodiments of the disclosed invention address these and other problems, individually and collectively.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A process for piecing a broken yarn on an open-end spinning device in which the fiber feed to the fiber collection surface, and which has been interrupted during stoppage of the open-end spinning device. The fiber feed is switched back on and is immediately brought to full production speed. In this process the combed-out state of the fiber tuft at the point in time of when fiber feed is switched back on is ascertained. The point in time when yarn draw off is switched back on and the speed of it are adapted to when the feeding of fibers to the fiber collection surface becoming effective. The yarn is subjected to a multi-phase acceleration. The first phase of the draw-off acceleration is adapted to the incorporation of fibers into the back-fed yarn end. At least one additional phase of the draw-off acceleration serves to reach and/or to maintain the desired fiber mass. The control device to carry out the piecing process is connected to a device for the ascertainment of the combed-out state of the fiber tuft at the moment of piecing and the control device controls the yarn draw-off as a function of this ascertained combed-out state of the fiber tuft. At least two yarn accelerating devices are provided which can be selected by the control device.

The instant invention relates to a process to piece in an open-end spinning device in which the feeding of fibers to a collection surface which has been interrupted during the stoppage of the open-end spinning device when the open-end spinning device is switched on again. A yarn end is fed back to the fiber collection surface in synchronization therewith and the fiber feeding to the fiber collection surface, as well as the speed of resumed draw-off of the previously back-fed yarn, is increased to its applicable production value while the fed fibers are incorporated. The instant invention also relates to a device to carry out this process.
It is a known fact that the fiber sliver continues to be combed out by the opener roller after stoppage of fiber feeding (CH-PS 526.646, column 1). Depending on how long the fiber sliver has been stopped before resumption of feeding, different piecing joints result in the yarn.
In order to avoid these disadvantages it has already become known to pivot the fiber tuft out of action range of the opener roller when fiber feeding is interrupted (CH-PS 526.646). This requires, however, a costly design of the feeding device which may lead to malfunctions during the spinning process, while uniform fiber tufts can still not be obtained with certainty, and while damage to the fibers cannot be excluded.
As a remedy it has also been proposed to switch the fiber feeding on and off again before the actual piecing process and to wait for a predetermined period of time before the resumption of fiber feeding (See German Patent No. DE-PS 2,458,042). In addition, the fiber feeding is to be controlled in adaptation to the run-up curve of the spinning rotor. In this manner an always uniform fiber tuft is to be produced in a manner that is always adjustable in the same way in order to improve the quality of the yarn piecing joint and to render it uniform. For this it is, however, necessary to synchronize run-up of the spinning rotor and control of the fiber feeding precisely, as, otherwise, different quantities of fibers remain in the spinning rotor in spite of uniform fiber tufts because of different centrifugal forces in the spinning rotor. The control of fiber feeding in adaptation to the run-up curve of the spinning rotor, furthermore, requires complicated drive and control mechanisms for the fiber feeding. Much time is, furthermore, required for piecing by switching feeding on twice and due to the fact that a predetermined stoppage time must be observed between the switching off and on again.

Method and device for joining yarn in an open-end spinning means

Rieter Ingolstadt Spinnereimaschinenbau AG


An image forming system having an image information generation apparatus for generating image information, and an image forming apparatus capable of forming images on both sides of a printing medium on the basis of the image information generated by the image information generation apparatus, the image information generation apparatus comprises image information generation unit for generating image information, storage unit for storing the generated image information to allow identifying whether the image information is image information to be printed on a first surface or a second surface of the sheet.

An image forming apparatus which comprises an image read unit for reading an image and converting it into an image signal, a memory for holding the image signal, and an image output section for outputting the held image signal, and operates as a color copying machine has been proposed.
In addition, an image forming system has been proposed, which operates a color printer or operates both of a color copying machine and a color printer based on an instruction from the operator, in which the image forming apparatus and host computer are connected through a controller and which rasterizes, by the controller, color image information (PDL data) created by the host computer, holds the data in the internal memory of the controller, and then outputs the data from the image forming apparatus.
In such an image forming system, the controller has a large-capacity memory and compresses image information to store raster data corresponding an enormous number of pages in the memory.
In addition, while bitmapping PDL data, already bitmapped pages can be parallelly printed. The image forming apparatus is capable of double-side printing. The first surface pages are printed first and stored in an intermediate tray, and then, the second surface pages are printed from the intermediate tray. To print a document having pages in number larger than the stack count of the intermediate tray, paper sheets are repeatedly stacked/extracted in/from the intermediate tray in units of stack counts.
Communication control between the controller and the image forming apparatus in the prior art will be described.
The controller and image forming apparatus are connected by serial communication, and control commands are defined. As for the communication relationship, the controller serves as a master, and the image forming apparatus serves as a slave. Main control commands used for communication will be described below.
Status: A command for inquiring about the state of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus returns "no paper", "error", "status ("operation in progress", "door open", and "prepare")", or "print report".
Ready Page: The image forming apparatus is notified of information related to printable pages. The apparatus is notified of "the number of pages in the ready", "paper feed/discharge positions", and "color mode".
Start: This command instructs the start of printing.
"Status" is transmitted every predetermined time. "Ready Page" is transmitted at least once before the start of printing. It may be transmitted during printing.
FIG. 6 shows the communication procedure between the controller and the image forming apparatus in executing double-side printing in the image forming system of the prior art.
In step S601, the controller sends "Status" to the image forming apparatus to inquire about its state.
In step S602, the image forming apparatus returns to the controller the paper state, the presence/absence of error, and the state of the image forming apparatus.
In step S603, pieces of information related to the page to be printed on the first surface are sent to the image forming apparatus. The controller sends to the image forming apparatus pieces of information including the number of pages, paper feed position, discharge position (intermediate tray), and color mode.
In step S604, the image forming apparatus stores the received information and notifies the controller of reception of data. If the image forming apparatus fails in storage, it transmits a resend request.
In step S605, pieces of information (the paper feed position is "intermediate tray", the discharge position is "outside the machine", and the like) related to the page to be printed on the second surface are sent to the image forming apparatus.
In step S606, the image forming apparatus notifies the controller that the pieces of received information are stored.
In step S607, the controller side instructs the start of printing. In step S608, the image forming apparatus side notifies the controller whether printing can be started. During printing, the controller periodically checks the state of the image forming apparatus by the "Status" command (S609) and knows whether the image forming apparatus has stopped upon receiving the number of printed pages in a print report "Report" (S610).
However, the conventional double-side printing has the following two problems. As the first problem, since the double-side printing uses the intermediate tray, paper feed to the intermediate tray and discharge from the machine are repeated. Hence, the productivity is low relative to through-path double-side printing using no intermediate tray.
As the second problem, since printing results of the first surface pages are temporarily stored in the intermediate tray, page processing is complicated, resulting in complexity in page control.

Image forming system, image forming method, and storage medium


Compounds and compositions comprising them are provided. The compounds and compositions are useful for inhibiting transport of heme across membranes in parasitic heme auxotrophic organisms, thereby limiting their growth or killing the parasites.

Over 1.4 billion people across the globe are affected by Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD)—a group of thirteen parasitic and bacterial infections. NTD include the soil-transmitted helminthiasis, schistosomiasis, lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, and trachoma, as well as trypanosomiasis and leishmaniasis. Often, individuals are infected with multiple NTD agents simultaneously. Currently, the effectiveness of all agents used to treat parasites is diminished by four factors: (a) resistance develops and spreads rapidly, (b) parasites do not actively transport drugs into their bodies, (c) many drugs (eg: anthelminthics) are effective only during certain developmental stages of the parasite, and (d) drugs tend to act on a specific type of parasite and are ineffective in controlling other parasite populations.
Although these are devastating diseases of global concern, their neglected status relative to other health concerns has resulted in a limited arsenal of therapeutic compounds for their treatment [Chatelain E, et al. Drug Des Devel Ther 2011, 5: 175-181]. The trypanosomatid parasites L. major and L. amazonensis are causative agents of human cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Old World and New World, respectively. Combined, these two species are responsible for an estimated 2 million new infections annually with ˜350 million people living in areas of active parasite transmission. In many regions of the world, treatment of leishmaniasis still relies on toxic drugs such as pentavalent antimony, which requires high doses and lengthy courses of treatment, and alternative drugs are still costly and not widely available in endemic areas. This situation, combined with the recent increase in Leishmania infections in urban areas, highlights the urgent need for identification of essential pathways in these organisms that can be targeted by new drugs with lower toxicity.
It was previously demonstrated that the free-living roundworm C. elegans and parasitic nematodes cannot synthesize heme, an iron-containing heterocyclic organic ring structure, but instead acquires heme from either their environment or their host to survive and reproduce PMID: 15767563. It is generally accepted that parasites exhibit distinct adaptations that allow them to acquire nutrients unidirectionally from the host to sustain their growth and reproduction. An example of such an adaptation would be the uptake of heme which the parasite cannot produce but is synthesized by all vertebrates (hosts) via a highly conserved multi-step pathway [Hamza I, et al. Biochim Biophys Acta 2012, 1823(9): 1617-1632]. This unusual requirement for external heme is also found in single-celled parasites such as Trypanosomes and Leishmania [Hamza I, et al. Biochim Biophys Acta 2012, 1823(9):1617-1632; Chang C S, et al. Mol Biochem Parasitol 1985, 16(3): 267-276]. Thus, drugs that target heme transport pathways unique to the parasite and not shared by its mammalian host offers great therapeutic potential. A drug that blocks heme transport or that enters the parasite via a high affinity and essential heme uptake pathway can be a highly effective broad-spectrum therapeutic agent, since such transport mechanisms are likely to have similarities across multiple parasite species. Parasites that limit transport or become resistant to the drug will indirectly also limit heme uptake, suffering impaired growth and development, and this approach could be applied to the treatment of infections caused by a diverse group of parasites, including intestinal nematodes, lymphatic and cutaneous filarial nematodes, and the kinetoplastids Leishmania and Trypanosoma. Thus, there is an ongoing and unmet need for compounds that selectively inhibit targets that are exclusively expressed by the parasites, as opposed to their hosts, and for methods of using such compounds to limit growth or kill such parasites. The present disclosure meets this need.

Compounds for treating parasitic infections


A thermistor airflow sensor assembly adapted to be mounted adjacent the mouth and nose of a patient for monitoring the breathing of the patient, with the assembly comprising thin, flexible, resilient layers of film adhesively secured to each other to form a laminate. Copper conductor strips are formed by etching away a copper layer attached to the lower film prior to lamination, with chip thermistors being soldered to the copper conducting strips. The thermistors are mounted in leg portions extending laterally from a main body strip of the assembly, with two legs being adapted to be aligned with the nostrils of the patient, and the opposed leg extending downwardly to a position where the outer end thereof is generally aligned with the mouth of the patient. The copper conducting strips extend through an enlarged end portion of the assembly for electrical connection to a cable, a bend relief cable, and a plug which can be connected to a monitor for providing visual and/or audio alarm signals when breathing has been interrupted. A separate carrier strip can be mounted on the film layer adapted to be positioned against the face of the patient, whereby the thin flexible assembly can be easily adapted to the facial configuration of the patient. The entire assembly, including adhesive and the copper conductor strips, is in the range of 0.006"-0.008" in thickness, except for the thermistor locations and the strain relief area.

The present invention relates, as indicated, to a thermistor airflow sensor assembly and relates more particularly to a sensor assembly for monitoring the breathing of patients.
Sleep apnea is a term used to refer to a temporary break or suspension in respiration, and frequently occurs in persons of all ages. It is a particularly difficult problem with infants. There are various methods of monitoring sleep apnea, with one of these comprising the monitoring of the breathing cycle. The use of thermistors is widely known for this purpose, with the thermistor sensing quickly and accurately the differences between ambient temperature and the temperature of the expired air, and changing its resistance in response thereto. This change in resistance can be visually displayed.
In thermistor sensor systems, a thermistor is typically placed adjacent each nostril or naris of the nose and also adjacent the mouth so that nasal and oral airflow, respectively, can be monitored. When the patient or user is breathing normally, the monitoring device to which the thermistors are connected will provide a read out indicative of normal breathing. The absence of temperature change is indicative of at least a temporary cessation of expiration of air, and this condition can be quickly read out visually on the monitor as well as actuating an audible alarm. As described, merely the presence or absence of breathing is detected by the monitoring system, although more sophisticated systems can be utilized which additionally monitor the temperature and quantity of air expired, moisture content, etc.
The use of thermistors for the purpose indicated has in the past presented certain problems with respect to the mounting of the thermistors on the user. Typical arrangements still in use at this time comprise the use of thermistor beads attached to wires which must be taped to the face of the user and arranged under the nose and in front of the mouth of the user. This arrangement has obvious disadvantages. The taping is inconvenient, unsightly, and frequently ineffective since the tape can be pulled from the face and the monitoring function thus disrupted. Moreover, a taped mounting of this type is very uncomfortable and lacks durability since the thermistor beads and connecting wires are freely exposed for possible damage.
A proposed solution to the above problem is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,777,963, in which thermistors adapted to be placed adjacent the naris and mouth are carried by a support member which includes a removable release paper which when stripped away uncovers an adhesive surface for securing the support member to the skin of the patient. The support member includes an upper portion which can be bent to contact the user over the bridge of the nose and the areas on each side thereof. A second, lower portion, carries the thermistors and can be folded upwardly so that such portion is adhesively attached to the face of the wearer below and to either side of the nose, and between the nose and the lips. The oral thermistor extends downwardly from the lower portion so that it can be positioned outwardly of the mouth for receiving orally expired air.
Although the respiration monitor disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,777,963 does solve certain of the earlier problems noted, it too has clear disadvantages. The construction is such that manual assembly of the thermistors and lead wires therefor on the support member is necessary. All thermistors are exposed which, because of their relatively small size and brittle nature, can lead to premature damage. The possibility of thermistor damage is recognized by patentee who provides both a mesh covering and an outer elastic sleeve around the thermistors to guard against potential inhalation of fragments of the thermistors in the event the thermistors are broken. This precautionary measure is time consuming and adds to the cost of the assembly. Further, the ability of the device to firmly seat on the patient varies tremendously with the facial configuration of the patient. This increases the potential for misalignment of the thermistors with the nostrils.


A hot-stamped part includes a chemical composition represented by, in mass %: C: 0.120% to 0.400%; Si: 0.005% to 2.000%; Mn or Cr, or both thereof: 1.00% to 3.00% in total; Al: 0.005% to 0.100%; B: 0.0003% to 0.0020%; P: not more than 0.030%; S: not more than 0.0100%; O: not more than 0.0070%; N: not more than 0.0070%; Ti: 0% to 0.100%; Nb: 0% to 0.100%; V: 0% to 0.100%; Ni: 0% to 2.00%; Cu: 0% to 2.00%; Mo: 0% to 0.50%; Ca or REM, or both thereof: 0% to 0.0300% in total; and the balance: Fe and impurities, and a structure represented by: an area fraction of martensite or bainite, or both thereof: not less than 95% in total; a coverage factor of prior austenite grain boundary by iron-based carbides: not more than 80%; and a number density of iron-based carbides in prior austenite grains: not less than 45/μm2.

In recent years, weight reduction of an automotive body has been a crucial issue in the viewpoint of protecting global environments, and studies on the application of a high-strength steel sheet to a vehicle body part have been actively conducted. As the strength of a steel sheet used has been increasing still more, consideration on workability and shape fixability thereof have become important. Further, since the forming load in press forming increases as the strength of steel sheet increases, raising the pressing capability has also become a major issue.
Hot stamp forming (hereafter, also referred to simply as "hot stamping") is a technique in which a steel sheet is heated to a high temperature in an austenite range and subjected to press forming while it is at the high temperature. Since a softened steel sheet is formed in the hot stamp forming, it is possible to perform more complicated working. Moreover, in the hot stamp forming, since rapid cooling (quenching) is performed at the same timing as the press forming to cause the structure of the steel sheet to undergo martensite transformation, it is possible to achieve strength and shape fixability according to the carbon content of the steel sheet at the same time. Further, since a softened steel sheet is subjected to forming in the hot stamp forming, it is possible to significantly reduce the forming load compared with ordinary press forming which is performed at room temperature.
A hot-stamped part, which is manufactured through hot stamp forming, especially a hot-stamped part used for an automotive body requires excellent low-temperature toughness. A hot-stamped part is sometimes called a steel sheet member. Techniques relating to enhancements of toughness and ductility are described in Patent References 1 to 5. However, the techniques described in Patent Reference 1 to 5 cannot provide sufficient low-temperature toughness. Although Patent References 6 to 10 also disclose techniques relating to hot press forming or the like, they cannot provide sufficient low-temperature toughness as well.

Hot-stamped part and method of manufacturing the same

NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION


There is provided a method device for facilitating remote access capability. An exemplary device comprises a connection module for connecting the device to a remote location. The exemplary device also comprises a smartcard comprising a secure identification and/or authentication component. The exemplary device additionally comprises a control module, at least part of which is comprised in the smartcard, interfacing with the connection module and with a component of the device, the control module being adapted to access the component in conjunction with a communication between the control module and the remote location via the connection module.

The term machine-to-machine technology or the alternative terms man-to-machine, machine-to-man, machine-to-mobile and mobile-to-machine technology, which are all abbreviated as M2M technology, generally refer to data communications between machines. In particular, the M2M technology allows for accessing devices or functionalities of devices from a remote location. Typically, the M2M technology is used for collecting information, sending indications of unusual situations, and setting parameters or otherwise controlling devices from remote locations.
One possibility to connect an M2M device and a remote location is to set up a connection via a communication network, particularly via a mobile communication network, such as, for example, a GSM (global system for mobile communications) or UMTS (universal mobile telecommunications system) network. As schematically depicted in FIG. 1, components of the M2M device 102, which may be actuators 104 and/or sensors 106 connected to a radio module 108, which connects the device 102 with the mobile communication network 112. The application logic of the M2M application is usually included in an application processor 110, which connects the actuators 104, sensors 106 and the radio module 108. Since access to mobile communication networks 112 is usually limited to registered subscribers, the device 102 comprises a smartcard 114 that may also be connected to the application processor 110 and that provides information for identifying and authenticating the device or its user to the mobile communication network 112. If the mobile communication network is a GSM or UMTS network, the smartcard 114 comprises a SIM (subscriber identity module) or USIM (universal subscriber identity module) application.
M2M applications often require a relatively high degree of security in order to prevent fraudulent access to the M2M device. This is especially but not exclusively relevant for M2M solutions that allow for over-the-air management or update of the application logic after the device has been issued. However, the security requirements render the application processor relatively complex thereby reducing the economic efficiency of the device.

Machine-to-machine device and smartcard for use in the device


A color facsimile transmission apparatus wherein a beam of white light is dispersed into component colors by a prism. The color dispersed bands of illumination are focused to irradiate a portion of a moving document. The reflected, colored light from the document is focused on the surface of three charge coupled devices (CCDs) so that the red illuminating band irradiates a first CCD and the green and blue bands respectively irradiate the second and third CCDs. The movement of the document causes each line of the document to scroll through the illuminating band over each of the CCDs. The CCDs are operated in the time delay and integration mode to generate charge packets corresponding to the picture elements of the red, green and blue component line images of each line of the document.

As shown in the U.S. patent to W. G. H. Finch, U.S. Pat. No. 2,422,788, it is known in the art of facsimile transmission ot employ a prism to generte a color-dispersed band of light from a polychromatic point illuminating source and to use focused portions of the band of light to sequentially scan successive lines of a source document; first by illuminating a document with a spot of one color and subsequently by illuminating with spots of two additional colors. For such an imaging system, a photo-electric cell, responsive to light impulses over the entire spectrum, is employed to generate an electrical signal that is proportional to the intensity of the scanning light. Thus, separate electrical signals corresponding to the separate color components of the lines of the source document are generated.
However, such a prior art facsimile transmission apparatus necessarily requires a plurality of scans of each line of a source document and, therefore, is rather slow in operation. Also, the moving prism further reduces the speed, efficiency and reliability of the apparatus.
It is also known in the color facsimile transmission art to employ red, green and blue filters to produce color component images of a corresponding incident polychromatic primary image. In such systems, the component images are applied to irradiate corresponding photodetectors that generate electrical signals that are proportional to the intensity of the light of each of the images. It has also been suggested to vary the size of such color filters in order to compensate for the sensitivity of the photodetectors to particular wavelengths of light. However, such prior art filter imaging systems necessarily require a relatively intense polychromatic primary image. Also, such systems waste a relatively large amount of the radiation intensity of the polychromatic image by filtering out unwanted color components.
It is known to use charge coupled devices (CCDs) to generate packets of charge that correspond to picture elements (pixels) of an incident light image.
For color imaging, it is also known to employ three CCD arrays to provide electrical signals corresponding to the intensities of the red, green and blue color components of a polychromatic image. For example, such CCD imaging apparatus is disclosed in the patent to Morishita et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,007,488.
In the patent to Morishita it is suggested that the charge accumulation time of a frame transfer imaging CCD may be adjusted in inverse relation to the sensitivity of the CCD to the wavelength of incident light. Thus, the electrical output of each adjusted CCD is a function of the intensity of the incident light and not the wavelength of the light. However, the apparatus of Morishita requires relatively expensive beam splitters and other optical components to apply a separate filtered image to each of the CCDs. In addition, the optical apparatus of Morishita requires rather precise alignment.
It is known in the CCD imaging art to operate a CCD array of imaging elements in a time delay and integration (TDI) mode. For example, the publication, David F. Barbe, "Imaging Devices Using the Charge Coupled Concept", Proc. IEEE, Vol. 63, pp. 38-67 (January, 1975) describes a TDI system. In the TDI mode, an incident light image is scanned across rows of cells of the parallel registers of a particular CCD array and the parallel registers of the array are synchronously gated so that a plurality of charge packets corresponding to the pixels of the image accumulate under the image as the image moves over the parallel registers. After the image has moved the length of the parallel registers of the CCD array, the accumulated charges are passed to a serial register and are thereafter gated from the serial register.
Although the TDI operation of CCDs is known to the art, CCDs have not heretofore been operated in the TDI mode to provide electrical signals corresponding to the color components of a polychromatic image.
Accordingly, it is a primary object of the invention to provide a relatively simple and inexpensive imaging apparatus that uses a plurality of CCD arrays operated in a time delay and integration mode to generate signals corresponding to the pixels of optical components of a primary image.
Another object of the invention is to provide such an apparatus wherein the number of cells in the parallel registers of the imaging CCD arrays are varied to compensate for the sensitivity of each CCD to a particular wavelength of incident light.
A further object of the invention is to provide a simple, reliable and less expensive color facsimile transmission apparatus that employs a prism or grating to irradiate a source document with a band of color-dispersed illumination which is then imaged onto a plurality of photosensitive CCDs.
Another object of the invention is to provide an easily aligned imaging apparatus by using a plurality of pre-aligned arrays that are formed on a single chip or mounted on a substrate.

Apparatus for color or panchromatic imaging

International Business Machines Corporation


A rack primarily adapted for connection to the inside curved wall of a van for carrying skis and the like. The rack includes a pair of brackets permanently connectable to the wall of the van and being sufficiently flexible to be curved to follow the contour thereof. A plurality of cradle members are connectable to the brackets, each cradle member being designed to lock to the adjacent vertically-spaced cradle members for added strength and support and to dampen vibrations. The cradle members are made from a flexible material to allow for slight adjustments in spacing therebetween as the brackets curve. The cradle members support the skis with an angular orientation to allow the bindings to overlap and also to hold the skis away from the wall of the van to keep the bindings and tips from striking the van wall.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a rack for skis and the like and, more particularly, to a rack connectable to a curved surface for supporting skis in a manner such that the bindings of vertically-spaced skis overlap.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A wide variety of different types of racks have been designed for storing and transporting a variety of objects. Where the rack has been attachable to a vehicle for transporting sports equipment, the rack is virtually always connectable to the outside of the vehicle. U.S. Pat. No. 3,286,892, for example, discloses a bracket attachment for motor vehicles connectable to a vehicle roof for supporting fishing poles and the like. A vehicle externally-mounted fishing rod support is also disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,797,851. Devices for supporting and transporting skis which are connectable to the outside of a vehicle are specifically disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,854,641, 4,077,554, 4,078,708, and 4,084,735.
It is known to be far more desirable to support and transport sports equipment inside of a vehicle. This desirability comes from a variety of factors such as increased security resulting from the ability to lock the sports equipment within the vehicle and the fact that the sports equipment is isolated from external conditions as the vehicle is traveling. In spite of this desirability, very few devices have been developed for supporting sports equipment within a vehicle. The most common brackets which are designed for mounting within a vehicle are rifle brackets and typical examples are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,294,247 and 4,108,313. An example of a fishing pole carrier mountable on a vehicle top interiorly of the vehicle is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,524,572.
The primary reason for not mounting racks inside a vehicle is that there is usually insufficient space for the sports equipment in the vehicle. However, vans are now very common and a van typically has sufficient space to carry fishing poles, skis, and the like. However, it is still not known to provide a bracket for attachment to the inside of a van, primarily because the inside wall of a van is curved and anything which is attached to such wall must be adapted for such curvature. Since brackets designed heretofore have not been adapted for mounting on a curved surface, it is still the practice to mount carrying brackets on the outside surfaces of vans and other recreational vehicles, as described in the patents previously discussed.


The present disclosure relates to a display device and a timing controller. The display device includes a panel on which a number of subpixels are disposed and a characteristic sensing circuit sensing characteristic values of the number of subpixels. When a difference between the characteristic value of a specific subpixel among the number of subpixels and a reference value exceeds a predetermined range, the characteristic sensing circuit generates coordinate data of the specific subpixel. The display device includes a host controller recognizing a user manipulation based on the coordinate data.

Field of the Disclosure
The present disclosure relates to a display device, and more particularly, to a display device and a timing controller. Although the present disclosure is suitable for a wide scope of applications, it is particularly suitable for detecting a user touch interaction without using a touch panel in the display device.
Description of the Background
In response to the development of the information society, a demand for a variety of display devices for displaying images is increasing. In this regard, a range of display devices, such as liquid crystal display (LCD) devices, plasma display panels (PDPs), and organic light-emitting display devices, have recently come into widespread use.
A display device commonly includes a display panel and a support structure supporting the display panel.
In general, the support structure supports the display panel while surrounding the rear surface and the side surfaces of the display panel. Recently, the thickness of the area of the support structure located at the edges of the display panel has been gradually decreased. The area of the support structure located at the edges of the display panel is also referred to as a border area, a bezel area, a non-display area, or the like. This area has been gradually decreasing.
In conventional display devices, user control buttons are disposed in such areas located at the edges of display panels. For example, a power button, a channel button (or home button), a volume button, and so on are disposed in such areas.
Recently, it has become more difficult to dispose such user control buttons in such areas, since the size of this area has been gradually decreasing.
When such a display device includes a touch panel, the display device can sense a user manipulation (e.g. a user touch interaction) using the touch panel. However, due to decreases in the side area as described above, it is more difficult to dispose user control buttons on display devices that are not provided with touch panels in consideration of cost.


A mechanism for adjusting form rollers at a plate cylinder of a rotary printing machine. The form rollers are mounted via bearing levers so as to pivot about distributor rollers and so as to be engageable with and disengageable from the plate cylinder, respectively. As a means for supporting and adjusting the form rollers, a respective sliding member on which an intermediate lever rests is assigned to a reference ring, an adjusting screw screwed into bearing lever being supported on the intermediate lever, the bearing levers being actuatable via cylinders subjected to a pressure medium.

1. Field of the Invention:
The present invention relates to a device for adjusting the forme rollers at the plate cylinder of a rotary printing machine, a device in which the forme rollers are mounted so that they can be pivoted, via bearing levers, about distributor rollers and can be engaged with and disengaged from the plate cylinder. Means are provided for adjusting the distance between forme rollers and plate cylinder, and are configured for following a change in position of the plate cylinder, without influencing the distance between the plate cylinder and the forme rollers, by utilizing a reference ring which is provided centrically, or generally concentrically, with respect to the plate cylinder. The reference ring follows the changes in position of the plate cylinder and on which the forme rollers are supported thereupon by means for adjusting the forme rollers.
2. Background Information:
In a known embodiment of the type described, as disclosed in Federal Republic of Germany Patent No. 16 11 251, which corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 3,366,047a plate supported on the reference ring is assigned to each forme roller. Adjusting screws which are provided for adjusting the plate and thus the forme roller permit an adjustment of the forme roller with respect to the plate cylinder after having released the plate. Such a bearing is not stable in itself and features a play so that it does not ensure a highly precise adjustment of the forme rollers.

Mechanism for adjusting forme rollers at the plate cylinder of a rotary printing machine


Methods of separating discrete articles from continuous webs are disclosed. The methods use a separation assembly. The present disclosure further includes a cutting assembly and a pair of cutting rolls for use in the separation assembly.

Articles, such as absorbent articles, are sometimes produced on a continuous manufacturing line. Initially, a continuous base web may be conveyed down the manufacturing line and various components may be added to it. At the point in the manufacturing line where the articles are in final form, or a semi-finished form, it may be desirable to separate discrete articles from the continuous webs so that they can be processed for packaging or further manufacturing, for example. Typically, an anvil roll is paired with a cutting roll having a knife to cut the continuous webs. When articles, such as pants, especially larger pants (e.g., adult incontinence pants), are run through a nip between the anvil roll and the cutting roll, the articles may have a tendency to fold over themselves in various portions. This may be caused by contraction of elastics or snap-back (post-cutting) of elastics in elasticized belts of these pant articles. In other instances, this may be caused by merely the large size of the articles (e.g., bigger crotch regions outside of the cutting area). Elasticized belts and/or larger sized articles may be difficult to control with vacuum alone. Furthermore, in the conventional anvil roll/cutting roll set-up, the cutting roll and/or anvil roll is usually changed out each time a different size (or pitch) of article is desired to be cut. For example, when running a first article with a pitch (i.e., machine direction length) of 200 mm, the cutting roll and/or the anvil are usually changed out to run a second article with a pitch of 300 mm. This can lead to costly downtime. Furthermore, conventional anvil roll/cutting rolls assemblies have a problem with roll parallelism and center-to-center distances which may cause issues with cuts or separation of the continuous webs.
In view of the foregoing, methods and apparatuses for separating discrete articles from a web of the articles should be improved.

Methods and apparatuses for separating discrete articles from continuous webs


A tossing game which may be utilized indoors or outdoors and which is similar to horseshoes includes the use of two boards which are positionable in spaced apart vertical alignment. Players stand behind a particular board and throw washers into holes located in the opposed board. In the preferred embodiment, three holes are positioned in each board and are given different score ratings. The two identical wood boards may be covered with a soft material, such as carpeting, to prevent the washers from bouncing when thrown. In a second embodiment, grooves are provided between the holes. The grooves permit washers to be tossed and rolled on their edges into a particular aperture.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of games, and in particular to a new and improved tossing game which may be utilized either indoors or outdoors.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Tossing games are well known in the prior art. They reflect the fact that these fundamentally simple games have a wide base of appeal and understanding among those individuals who play the games. The basic concept of such tossing games is well reflected in the patent art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,126,245, which issued to W. A. Darby on Aug. 9, 1938, discloses the use of a disk-like projectile which is designed to be tossed through the air into a bag or collapsible basket that functions as a goal. More recently, U.S. Pat. No. 4,204,682, which issued to F. Brown on May 27, 1980, illustrates a method of playing a game that employs the use of washer-shaped projectiles designed to be tossed into cylindrically-shaped receptacles positioned in the ground. These patents are but illustrative of numerous others which rely upon the tossing game concept, and they also illustrate the fact that minor improvements to the basic tossing game concept reflects patentable improvement as evidenced by user interest and enjoyment.
While both the Darby and Brown games can be utilized either indoors or outdoors, it can be appreciated that there is a continuing need for portable tossing game constructions which offer some variation in the manner of playing. In this respect, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.


A bundle of helical segments of permselective hollow fibers for use in a separatory module, all segments being limited in length to not over 1.1 times a selected value and all helical paths being arranged to avoid the creation of undesirable ridges and method for producing.

The use of membranes to effect separation of gas/gas, liquid/liquid, and liquid/solid mixtures and solutions has achieved general industrial applicability by various methods, among them being ultrafiltration, hyperfiltration, reverse osmosis, dialysis. In general, membrane elements associated with these processes are contained in vessels called modules, comprising a container having various inlet and outlet ports and an assembly of membranes within said container. The internal configurations are so arranged as to permit the introduction of a feed stream with or without pressure on the upstream face of the membranes, means for collecting permeate which passes through the membranes and emerges on their downstream faces, and means for keeping feed and permeate materials from commingling.
Membranes have been fabricated in various shapes, such as (1) flat sheets which may be supported in a typical plate and rame structure similar to a filter press; (2) flat sheets rolled into spirals with spacing materials interleaved with the membrane and the assembly sealed to provide spiroidal channels permitting the passage of a feed on one side of the coiled membrane through spaces to the opposite side of the membrane; (3) as tubes lining the inner surface of a reinforced braid, the braid itself at times being a component in a larger tube; and (4) in the form of open-ended hollow fibers so organized and sealed into header plates as to provide a separation of the flows over the external surfaces of the hollow fibers from any flow within the bores of the hollow fibers ensuing by virtue of passage of permeant across the membrane.
The subject invention is concerned with the use of hollow fibers assembled in modular form to provide the desired separation.
It has been commonly assumed that hollow fine fiber reverse osmosis modules are advantageously fabricated having an extremely high fiber packing density, combined with relatively small diameter fibers. Thus it has been considered desirable to provide a pressure vessel containing extremely high surface areas of membrane per unit volume of vessel. This feature is often presented as one of the principal areas of superiority for the hollow fiber system.
This arrangement inevitablly contributes to a number of significant problems. First, it is relatively difficult to maintain uniform, extremely close packing among cylinders such as fibers unless they are quite parallel and uniform in diameter. In conventional hollow fine fiber modules, this condition is approached but not generally fully met. As a result, there is a distribution of packing densities of the fibers within the module so that some inter-fiber capillary channels may be essentially stagnated, and in other regions fiber spacing is wide enough to permit fairly ready passage of the pressurized feed solution. As a result, during operation different regions within the module are likely to present different flow conditions to the feed solution, resulting in variable conditions of transmembrane effective pressure, concentration polarization, and susceptibility to accumulation of deposits of adventitious particles or precipitated salts from the feed stream.
The problem of membrane fouling due to retention of suspended particles is also very prominent in conventional modules. Feed streams inevitably contain varying amounts of suspended particulate matter. Although extreme precautions are generally taken to prefilter the feed stream or otherwise remove the suspended particles prior to admitting the feed to the modules, the conventional hollow fine fiber modules ultimately become effective collectors for much of this material.
Tightly packed hollow fine fiber bundles develop occluded regions and lose effective membrane areas.
Apart from adverse shellside flow considerations such as described above, it can be shown that the parasitic pressure loss due to bore flow resistance is an exponential function of both fiber length and bore diameter. With relatively low intrinsic membrane transport capabilities, fairly fine fibers can be tolerated, but only up to a limit in length. However, where intrinsic membrane permeability is high (i.e., high flux at a particular applied pressure), the fiber length and bore diameter strongly influence pressure losses which may become a major limiting factor in module productivity.
These deficiencies, among others, of conventional tightly packed fine hollow fiber modules have heretofore prevented maximum utilization of the advantages to be gained by the use of hollow fibers in separatory applications.


A thin-film magnetic head comprises a magnetic gap disposed to be positioned on an air bearing surface of the magnetic head, a pair of magnetic poles disposed to hold the magnetic gap therebetween, and a coil positioned between the pair of the magnetic poles to intersect the magnetic poles, wherein at least one of the magnetic poles being composed of a T-shaped magnetic pole, the T-shaped magnetic pole comprising a front part of a magnetic pole contacting with the magnetic gap, an intermediate part of a magnetic pole lying on the front part, and a rear part of a magnetic pole lying on the intermediate part, wherein a width of the front part roughly defines a track width, the rear part has a wider width in a direction of track width than a width of the front part, and the intermediate part contacts with the rear part at an entire width of the rear part at the air bearing surface and has a narrower width at a contacting face with the front part than the width of the rear part.

The present application claims priority of Japanese Patent Application No. Hei-9-252481 filed on Sep. 17, 1997.
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a thin-film magnetic head.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, the densification of magnetic recording has advanced to a point where systems of such high recording density as 500 Mb/inch.sup.2 in VTR and 200 Mb/inch.sup.2 in HDD have already found acceptance for practical use. Demands for further densification of magnetic recording know no bound. In consequence of the advancing densification of recording, the decrease of track width has become an essential task. The HDD of a recording density of 200 Mb/inch.sup.2, for example, has sufficiently fulfilled its purpose when the width of a track is 7 .mu.m, the interval between tracks is about 2 .mu.m, and the tolerance of track width is roughly equal to the interval between tracks (2 .mu.m). In order that the HDD may allow further densification of recording, it becomes necessary to decrease the track width to below 5 or 6 .mu.m and the tolerance to below 0.5 .mu.m. Further, it is suspected that the densification of recording to the order of 10 Gb/inch.sup.2 will require the track width to be not more than 1 .mu.m and the tolerance to be in the neighborhood of 0.1 .mu.m. To satisfy these requirements, the magnetic head calls for a distinct improvement.
FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 illustrate the construction of a conventional thin-film magnetic head. In these diagrams, 1 denotes a substrate which is formed of such as Al.sub.2 O.sub.3.multidot.TiC. On this substrate 1, a first magnetic layer which is made as of Permalloy and destined to serve as a lower magnetic core 3 is superposed through the medium of an insulating layer 2 made as of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3. On the lower magnetic core 3 are superposed a magnetic gap 4 made as of SiO.sub.2 and an insulating layer 6 made as of polyimide and having embedded therein a coil 5 made as of Cu. On the insulating layer 6, a second magnetic layer destined to serve as an upper magnetic core 7 is formed. A protective layer 8 made as of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 is formed on the substrate 1 including the upper side of the upper magnetic core 7.
With respect to the conventional thin-film magnetic head which is provided with such lower magnetic core 3 and such upper magnetic core 7 as are shaped as described above, it has been pointed out that if the width of a track thereof is decreased to the neighborhood of 4 .mu.m, for example, the magnetic head will be at a disadvantage in tending to orient the axis of easy magnetization thereof in the direction perpendicular to the direction of track width, entailing a decline in the permability thereof, and inducing degradation of the head characteristics, particulartly high-frequency response characteristics ["Magnetic Properties of a Narrow-Stripe Cr--Ta--Zr Amorphous Film", written by Hiroshi Mitsuya et al. and published in the Journal of Japan Applied Magnetics Society, 12, 255-258 (1998)].
The impartation of a track width to the conventional thin-film magnetic head which is constructed as illustrated in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 is accomplished by selective plating as with Permalloy. In this case, it is the accuracy with which a resist is patterned in the PEP process (photoengravement process) prior to the selective plating that determines the accuracy of the track width. In the case of the thin-film magnetic head, the difference of level h embracing the underlying layers prior to the formation thereon of the upper magnetic core 7 is about 10 .mu.m. In order for this difference of level to be thoroughly covered, the resist requires a thickness equaling this difference of level. For all the possible devices available for coating, the resist requires a thickness of at least about 5 .mu.m.
When the exposure is carried out by the contact method, the distance between the surface of a photomask and the bottom surface of the resist is about 15 .mu.m (10 .mu.m difference of level +5 .mu.m thickness of resist) at least. The size of an unfocussed spot (the range in which the intensity of light changes from 100% to 50%) due to the Fresnel diffraction which is attendant on the contact exposure of this nature is found by calculation to be 3.5 .mu.m, an unfitting magnitude even for the density of 200 Mb/inch.sup.2 [interval between tracks (guard band) about 2 .mu.m], let alone the accuracy of track width to be achieved in the distant future.
As a solution to this problem, the method of effecting the impartation of a track from the side (ABS layer side) facing the medium has been proposed (IEEE Transaction on Magnetics, Vol. 24, No. 6, November 1988, pp. 2841-2843). Similarly, the method of effecting the impartation of a track from the surface facing the medium by the FIB (focussed ion beam) etching technique has been proposed (refer to JP-A-03-296,907). Though these methods are capable of securing the accuracy of track width as aimed at, they entail a serious problem in terms of the adaptability for mass production because the individual heads on a production line must be processed one by one and because the throughput of FIB's themselves is unusually poor.
Further, the method which aims to narrow the tolerance of processing by forming the upper magnetic core 7 in the form of the combination of a front body 7a vested with the general appearance of a fan with a rear body 7b extended as far as the rear gap part and shaping the leading half part by the ion beam milling technique in the early stage of manufacture in which the difference of level across the underlying layers is relatively small has been proposed (IEEE Transaction on Magnetics, Vol. 27, No. 6, November 1991, pp.4936-4938). So long as the front body 7a of the upper magnetic core 7 is fabricated by the ion beam milling technique, however, the difference between the size of the resist mask and that of the finished magnetic core is inevitably large and is hardly fit for the density of 10 Gb/inch.sup.2. So long as this method relies for the shaping in question on the ion beam milling technique, it cannot contribute to enhance the productivity because the rate of the milling work is as low as some tens of nm/min. Further, when the ion beam milling-technique involves the introduction of a fluorine type gas, the method suffers from a marked decline of productivity because various deposits occur inside the ion beam gun and prevent the gun from being stably used for a long time.
The method which resides in utilizing a selective plating technique for the formation of the front body 7a in the general shape of a fan has been also known. So long as the selective plating technique is used, however, the thickness of the resist mask and the difference of level h' do not deserve to be disregarded. Since the resist must be patterned at least in a depth closely approximating the total thickness (about 6 .mu.m) of the lower and the upper magnetic core, the tolerance of the accuracy of patterning of the resist itself is inevitably enlarged. Besides, very minute portions of the front body 7a are given the desired selective plating only with difficulty.
In any of the methods described above, the width of the upper and the lower magnetic core opposed to each other across the gap (the upper and lower pole width) cannot be completely equalized because the alignment error occurring between the upper and the lower magnetic core demands due respect and, therefore, the upper magnetic core must be decreased from the lower magnetic core by a margin roughly twice as large as the alignment error. Even in the absence of misalignment, the problem of possibly aggravating the burden of side righting will ensue.
As described above, the construction of the thin-film magnetic head and the technique for the impartation of a track to the magnetic head which have been known to the art to date are hardly fit for such accuracy of track width as 10 Gb/inch.sup.2 because they have limits of their own in narrowing the interval between tracks. Thus, the art has not yet realized a thin-film magnetic head of a narrow track interval which satisfies both the requirements regarding dimensional tolerance and adaptability for mass production. The desirability of improving the existing thin-film magnetic head, therefore, has been finding enthusiastic recognition.

Thin-film magnetic head having improved magnetic pole structure


The space between and surrounding aligned window openings of a vehicle cab and a camper carried thereby is sealed by an endless flexible member of sheet material of a length to surround the aligned window openings and of a width greater than the space therebetween. An endless resilient member is carried by the edge of each flexible member with each resilient member being of a length greater than the peripheral distance around the window opening adjacent thereto and adapted to snap therethrough and then retain a position outwardly thereof.

This invention relates to a seal device for sealing the space between and surrounding aligned, spaced apart window openings at the rear of a vehicle cab and a camper carried thereby and more particularly to such a seal device which may be inserted through the aligned window openings and then held in place by resilient means.
As is well known in the art to which my invention relates, it is desirable to communicate the interior of a vehicle cab and the interior of a camper carried thereby by providing a sealed passageway therebetween for circulating air from the air conditioning unit or heater unit carried by the vehicle. Also, such a passageway between the cab and the camper permits the occupants of the camper and the cab to communicate with each other.
Heretofore, difficulties have been encountered in sealing the space between and surrounding the aligned openings between the camper and the cab due to the fact that such space has usually been sealed by an inflatable boot which is positioned outwardly of the aligned openings and in position to surround the aligned openings. Such devices are expensive and very difficult to maintain in satisfactory working order. This is especially true in view of the fact that such inflatable members are easily punctured. Also, such inflatable members are usually blown up by manual means or by mouth since they are not of a sufficient strength to withstand higher pressures from hoses connected to compressors. Such inflatable devices also surround the entire window units at the forward end of the camper and at the rear of the vehicle cab rather than surrounding only the opening which communicates the cab with the camper. Furthermore, such inflatable boots remove paint from the adjacent surfaces of the camper and vehicle cab due to the fact that the cab and camper move relative to each to thus impart a rubbing action between the inflatable boot and the adjacent surfaces of the cab and camper.

Seal for space between window openings of a vehicle cab and a camper carried thereby


In the present invention, there is provided a tree processor attachment for optionally mounting transversely on a forward section of the log carrying portion of a log porter, so that a log porter may advantageously be used to process felled trees, and to carry logs therefrom to a forest road. The tree processor attachment comprises a tree trunk holding and severing portion and a tree trunk advancing and delimbing portion having a pair of tree trunk delimbing jaws. The tree trunk advancing and delimbing portion is telescopically mounted in the tree trunk holding and severing portion, and is movable back and forth a pair of tree trunk holding jaws. The tree trunk advancing and delimbing portion is timely operable in association with the tree trunk holding jaws for moving a tree trunk in successive unidirectional movements toward a tree trunk severing saw. The tree holding and severing portion of the tree processor attachment is rotatable within a sway angle about a swivel member on a mounting base thereof. The tree processor attachment also comprises control means for selectively severing logs at a first sway position or at a second sway position, depending upon a setting of this control means.

Modern tree harvesting operations generally comprise equipment such as a land vehicle with large-diameter wheels or a pair of crawler tracks. The vehicle is generally equipped with a multi-function tree processing apparatus mounted at the end of an articulated boom. The tree processing apparatus can fell a tree, delimb it and severe the tree trunk into sawmill logs and pulpwood in a single sequence of operation. The logs are thereafter picked up and forwarded near a forest road by log porters.
These modern operations are efficient in the sense that logs are transported from stump sites to roadside in only two machine manipulations. This is a commendable improvement over the multiple sequences of a conventional practice comprising felling, skidding, piling, delimbing, piling again, severing and stacking in cords along a trucking road.
Examples of these multi-function tree processing apparatus are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,766,939 issued on Aug. 30, 1988 to Torsten Forslund, and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,219,010 issued on Jun. 15, 1993 to Peter Eriksson.
The introduction of these multi-function tree processing apparatus in the forest industry has made conventional delimbing machines less wanted. Examples of conventional delimbing machines are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,276,918 issued on Jul. 7, 1981 to Roger Sigouin, and in U.S. Pat. No. 4,382,457 issued on May 10, 1983 to Raymond M. Hahn. In the first example, a sliding boom is mounted atop a track type excavator. The sliding boom is used to delimb, to cut the top portion of full length trees, and to pile those trees awaiting further processing by a severing machine. In the second example, the machine is movable on wheels to drive it near piles of felled trees. The machine has an articulated boom, a pair of sliding delimbing blades, a tree trunk severing saw, and a log sorting mechanism with two cradles to separate sawmill logs from pulpwood. The sorted logs are periodically handled out of the cradles by the articulated boom and piled in a location where a porter may thereafter carry these logs to a roadside site.
In both examples, the delimbing machines are limited to work near piles of trees accumulated by forwarders or by a feller-buncher machine. Thus the additional cost of operating the delimbing machines renders a forestry operation less profitable than the use of a multi-function tree processing apparatus as firstly described.
In other typical forestry operations, a variety of delimbing attachments have been developed to operate in combination with an articulated boom of a log loader. For examples U.S. Pat. No. 4,899,794 issued Feb. 13, 1990 to Thomas E. Hamby, Jr. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,406,997 issued Apr. 18, 1995 to Tim Davison, disclose a first type of tree delimbing device where the tree is drawn through a pair of limb stripping blades by the grapple of a log loader.
A second type of tree delimbing attachment for use in cooperation with an articulated loader boom is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,167,960 issued Sep. 18, 1979 to Allan J. Wildey, and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,293,914 issued on Mar. 15, 1994 to Thomas H. Hudson. In both devices, there is provided a pair of delimbing blades and a tree topping mechanism.
A common inconvenience with both types of delimbing attachments of the prior art is that the operation of the log loader is dedicated to a single function of operating the delimbing attachment. The loader-delimber combination works from a pile of trees which has been previously accumulated by forwarders, by skidders or by a feller-buncher machine. Furthermore, a severing machine is subsequently required to cut the trees into logs of appropriate lengths. Therefore, this type of operation is also relatively expensive as compared to multi-function apparatus of the present-day trend.
Although the multi-function tree processing apparatus are very efficient, the investment in a mobile machine with an articulated boom and a tree processing apparatus mounted thereon requires the obtainment of large wood harvesting contracts where a machine can work around the clock for several months per year.
This type of operation is generally not feasible for small and medium size forestry contractors where the tree processing machines are only periodically utilized. Hence the small and medium size forestry contractors must contrive to remain competitive using conventional machinery.
In another aspect of a present-day forestry operation, the small and medium size forestry contractors generally have one or more log porters. The small and medium size contractors referred to herein are those contractors having few employees, and even the self-employed woodcutters.
Log porters are generally of the articulated type with a front drive portion having an engine and a cab for an operator, and a rear log carrying portion having a loader boom. The front and rear portions are normally connected by a steering joint. A porter is generally equipped with large-diameter wheels such that it can carry heavy loads on rough terrains. The machines are particularly agile in moving about through harvested forest land to gather logs from one pile of logs to the next.
Log porters have traditionally been working exclusively on carrying logs out of the forest, and a return on investment therefor has been limited to this activity alone.

Tree processor attachment for log porters


A variable valve timing apparatus includes: a variable valve timing mechanism that changes a valve timing and locks the valve timing at a most retarded timing; an oil control valve that controls a mode in which hydraulic fluid is supplied to the variable valve timing mechanism; and a controller that varies a duty ratio of the oil control valve within a set range that includes an advance active band, a retard active band, a holding range, an advance release range and a retard release range. In the advance release range, a varying speed of the valve timing is higher than the holding range and a housing rotor is disengaged from a vane rotor. When an engine operating state is a release request state, the controller sets the duty ratio of the oil control valve within the advance release range.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a variable valve timing apparatus for an internal combustion engine, which includes a hydraulic variable valve timing mechanism that varies the relative rotational phase of an output rotor with respect to an input rotor to change the valve timing.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventional variable valve-timing apparatuses generally include, for example, a hydraulic variable valve timing mechanism, a hydraulic control mechanism and a controller, as described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-203830 (JP-A-2009-203830). Hydraulic variable valve-timing mechanisms adjust the valve timing by varying the rotational phase of an output rotor with respect to an input rotor and lock the valve timing to the most retarded timing by engaging the input rotor with the output rotor.
The controller sets the duty ratio of the hydraulic control mechanism at 100% when there is a request to unlock the valve timing. Accordingly, the operation mode of the hydraulic control mechanism is changed to a state where the valve timing is advanced and is unlocked.
Thus, oil is supplied to advance chambers of the hydraulic variable valve timing mechanism, and drained from retard chambers. In addition, oil is supplied to a release chamber to withdraw a lock pin from an engaging hole. Accordingly, the engagement of the input rotor and the output rotor by the lock pin is released.
However, if the duty ratio is set at 100% when the valve timing is unlocked, the lock pin may become pressed against the engaging hole before the lock pin withdraws from the engaging hole to interfere with a withdrawal of the lock pin from the engaging hole.
Document EP 1 531 248 A1 discloses a variable valve timing apparatus for an engine, which has a hydraulic variable valve timing mechanism to change a valve timing by varying a rotational phase of an output rotor with respect to an input rotor and locks the valve timing to a specified timing by engaging input rotor with output rotor; a hydraulic control mechanism to control supply of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic variable valve timing mechanism; and a controller to vary a duty ratio of the hydraulic control mechanism.
Document DE 100 55 770 A1 discloses a method for operating a valve for a hydraulic device. In the method, during unlocking, pressure is increased slowly with a lower oil pressure, and after the unlocking operation, an oil pressure control switches to a normal oil pressure control.
Document US 2003/0200944 A1 discloses a variable valve timing apparatus for an engine, which has a cam phase actuator, an oil pump, arithmetic means and a hydraulic pressure regulator. The arithmetic means determines a locked and unlocked state of a lock mechanism. An unlocking operation is performed at low rate.
Document US 2002/0166522 A1 discloses a variable valve timing apparatus for an engine, which has sensor means, cam shafts for intake or exhaust valves, an actuator driving the valves, a hydraulic pressure supply unit for the actuator, and a control means. The control means executes an unlocking operation of a locking mechanism.

Variable valve timing apparatus for internal combustion engine


A cushion grip and spare battery holder is provided comprising a first piece with two receptacles. The first receptacle retains a flashlight, the second receptacle is designed to retain a spare battery within it. The invention also provides a hood which covers the end of a flashlight which houses the bulb and reflector.

Flashlights commonly available on the market often consist of a round tube containing batteries and a light bulb. Often, flashlights lack features and characteristics necessary to make then function well in ways commonly used. For instance, since flashlights are often round in cross section they tend to roll when placed on a surface, making it difficult to maintain constant illumination on a subject. Therefore, people have created devices to meet the needs of flashlight users.
Attachment devices for flashlights are known and available on the market which allow the user to carry items, such as a Thermos bottle, in addition to the flashlight and/or to hold a flashlight fixed to a stationary object to free the hands of the user. Additionally, flashlights exist which have a cushion grip to make handling the flashlight easier and safer. Also, flashlights exist which contain within the body of the flashlight compartments providing a means for the carrying of spare batteries. However, no known device provides a flashlight holder which incorporates all of the above functions and can be used interchangeably with different flashlights.

Cushion grip and spare battery holder for flashlight


This invention relates to a blend comprising:. (a) one or more substantially amorphous copolyester resins having a degree of crystallinity of less than 20 percent; PA1 (b) from about 5 to about 25 weight percent carbon black; and PA1 (c) from about 7 to about 30 weight percent of an impact modifier, PA1 wherein the total of the weight percentages of (a), (b), and (c) equal 100 percent.. This invention is advantageous in that it provides the advantages of good electroconductivity, lack of brittleness, ability to thermoform into desired shapes, good impact strength, good sealing characteristics and acceptable environmental image.

Polyester materials are widely used as extrusion and injection molding resins for applications such as fibers, films, automotive parts, food and beverage containers and the like. Commonly used polyesters include poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), poly(1,4-butylene terephthalate) (PBT), and poly(1,4-cyclohexylenedimethylene terephthalate) (PCT). These crystallizable polymers generally have good heat resistance and high glass transition temperatures. However, they sometimes show crystallization-induced brittleness during extrusion and thermoforming operations, especially when loaded with high concentrations of fillers such as carbon black, talc and the like.
Conductive polymers are known to be useful for packaging materials for packaging of electrostatic sensitive electronic components.
Conductive polymers are particularly useful in the tape and reel market for packaging of electrostatic sensitive electronic components. For example, heavily filled polymer compositions based on poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), polycarbonate, and high impact polystyrene have been evaluated for this application. The optimum fitness-for-use criteria for this market include electrostatic dissipation properties, dimensional stability, acceptable slitting characteristics, peelable seal characteristics to cover tapes, and low migration levels of condensable materials from the package to the packaged components. Conductive high impact polystyrene and PVC compositions are deficient in impact strength and sealing characteristics. The poor environmental image of PVC is also detrimental to its use in this application. Polycarbonate compositions are expensive and have impact problems as well as sheet drying requirements prior to thermoforming operations. Therefore, there is a need for a conductive polymer which overcomes the above described deficiencies.
WO 91/10237 discloses an anti-static composition containing conductive polymers with increased conductivity from at least one non-conductive matrix polymer and at least two additives. In one of the examples, copolyester of poly(ethylene terephthalate) containing cyclohexanedimethanol and ethylene glycol combined with polyaniline is shown. This disclosure does not show the use of carbon black or impact modifiers, either singly or in combination with the conductive copolyester.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,876,033 (1989) assigned to Bayer A. G. discloses molding resins based on blends of polycarbonate, a poly(alkylene terephthalate) such as PET, PBT, or PCT, carbon black, and graphite.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,699,942 (1987) assigned to Eastman Kodak Company discloses molding compositions based on PET, a low molecular weight polyethylene mold release agent, talc, carbon black, a hindered phenolic antioxidant and optionally reinforcing glass fibers.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,559,164 (1985) assigned to General Electric Company discloses a plastic composition characterized by electroconductivity and comprising up to 90 weight per cent PBT, carbon black, and from 1 to 50 weight per cent of a Bisphenol A polycarbonate, glass fibers and/or rubbery polymers. Although these crystalline PBT-based blends have desirable elctroconductivity properties, extruded sheets are brittle in the machine direction and they are difficult to thermoform into desired shapes.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,369,282 (1983) assigned to General Electric Company--This patent describes modified thermoplastic polyester compositions which comprise a PBT resin, optionally a PET resin, a modifier comprising a combination of a polyacrylate resin or a vinyl aromatic-diene block copolymer resin and a poly(1,3-butylene terephthalate) resin and optionally a filler and/or reinforcing agent and/or a flame retardant. Such compositions do not contain carbon black and would not be suitable for applications requiring electroconductivity.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,267,286 (1981) assigned to General Electric Company--This patent describes thermoplastic polyester compositions based on PBT which are similar in composition to those described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,369,282. Again, the compositions contain no carbon black and are not suitable for applications requiring electroconductivity.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,554,314 (1985) assigned to Mobay Chemical Corp. discloses thermoplastic molding compositions which are blends of poly(alkylene terephthalate) and polycarbonate resins containing shell/core graft modified polybutadiene rubber modifiers. The compositions contain no carbon black and are not suitable for applications requiring electroconductivity.
None of the above described references solve all of the numerous problems in the art of lack of appropriate electroconductivity, brittleness, difficulty in thermoforming into desired shapes, deficiencies in impact strength and sealing characteristics, poor environmental image, and impact strength problems. Therefore, there is a need in the art for a conductive polymer which overcomes the above described deficiencies.

Copolyester compositions containing carbon black


Alkylenebisphenols are converted or cleaved to phenols and alkyl- and/or alkenyl-substituted phenols in good yields by contacting with hydrogen in the presence of a nickel oxide/manganese oxide/metal oxide supported catalyst. In a specific embodiment, bisphenol A is converted to isopropylphenol at high selectivity and high conversion by contacting with hydrogen in the presence of a nickel oxide/manganese oxide/magnesium oxide catalyst.

This invention relates to the splitting of alkylenebisphenols. In another aspect, this invention relates to a catalytic process for the conversion of alkylenebisphenols to phenol and alkyl- and/or alkenyl-substituted phenols. In accordance with another aspect, alkylenebisphenols are cleaved in the presence of hydrogen and a catalyst comprising nickel oxide and manganese oxide and a metal oxide support. In accordance with another aspect, the effectiveness of the catalyst is improved with respect to conversion and selectivity by calcination under selected conditions.
The hydrogen atoms attached to the carbon atoms ortho or para to the carbon atom containing a hydroxyl group in phenol are highly reactive and can readily lead to substitution in these positions. Because of this high degree of reactivity, direct substitution generally yields a mixture of ortho- and para-substituted phenols which are often difficult to separate. An alternate method of preparing a phenol where substitution is in only one position is to decompose or degrade an alkylenebisphenol. This usually will give a phenol and an alkylphenol. Alkylenebisphenols such as 2,2-di(p-hydroxyphenyl) propane, referred herein as bisphenol A, have been reported as being cleaved with acids or bases to give phenol and p-isopropyl or p-isopropenylphenol. These methods are reported in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,466,337; 3,075,015; and 2,497,503. All of these methods suffer from the disadvantage that added neutralization and/or separation steps are necessary to remove the active cleavage ingredient. U.S. Pat. No. 1,788,847 discloses the use of a carbonate or hydroxide of a metal which catalyses hydrogenations as a useful catalyst in the cleavage of bisphenol A. This process, however, requires the use of steam or an inert gas along with hydrogen to conduct the cleavage and the metal to be used is not specifically defined. Likewise, the art in J.C.S., 1948, 164-167 describes the catalytic cleavage of bisphenol A in the presence of hydrogen and a copper chromite catalyst. The yield of p-isopropylphenol is about 88 mole percent. The reaction is a batch reaction conducted over a 5 hour period at 180 atms. (2520 psig). Therefore, it is desirous to produce p-isopropylphenol or other mono-substituted phenols in high yields in a continuous process at modest or low temperatures and pressures.
An object of this invention is to provide an improved process for the cleavage of alkylenebisphenols.
Another object of this invention is to provide an effective catalyst for the cleavage of bisphenols.
Another object of this invention is to provide a process exhibiting increased conversion and increased selectivity to desired products in the conversion of alkylenebisphenols.
Other aspects, objects, and the several advantages of this invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art upon reading the specification and appended claims.


A semiconductor device includes a substrate formed of a group III element and a group V element, a buffer layer having a thickness of at least 0.5 xcexcm covering an the entire main surface of the substrate, and a selective-area growth layer grown selectively on the buffer layer. The buffer layer includes both the group III element and the group V element. The buffer layer is formed by metalorganic vapor-phase epitaxy.

This application claims the priority benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 11-056166, filed Mar. 3, 1999, the entire subject matter of which is incorporated herein of reference.
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an optical semiconductor device such as an integrated semiconductor laser, or a light emitting diode, more particularly, to a structure and a method for manufacturing an emitting layer structure.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the related art in this field, an emitting layer in a light emitting diode (LED) is formed by using the technology called selective-area metalorganic vapor phase epitaxial growth. A method for forming the emitting layers is described in xe2x80x9cInGaAsp Multiple Quantum Well Edge-Emitting Light-Emitting Diode Showing Low Coherence Characteristics Using Selective-Area Metalorganic Vapor Phase Epitaxyxe2x80x9d by Y. Kashima, T. Munakata and A. Matoba, which was published in Optical Review, Vol. 4, No. 1A, PP69-71, 1997.
In the publication mentioned above, the emission layer in the LED is formed by successively.
(1) Patterning a SiO2 layer on an n-InP substrate,
(2) Forming a selective-area growth layer on the substrate by metalorganic vapor-phase epitaxy (MOVPE),
(3) Removing the SiO2 layer to expose the substrate,
(4) Forming a mesa structure from the selective-area growth layer,
(5) Forming a current blocking layer on the exposed surface,
(6) Forming a contact layer, and
(7) Forming an electrode.
In the step (2) listed above, first, an n-InP buffer layer is selectively grown on portions of the n-InP substrate remaining exposed after the SiO2 patterning, and then an InGaAsP multiple quantum well layer and a p-InP cladding layer are grown on the n-InP buffer layer. However, if the InGaAsP multiple quantum well layer is grown above the InP substrate which has a physical distortion, a crystal dislocation at an interface will be occurred in the InGaAsP multiple quantum well layer. In a test conducted for 2000 hours at 125xc2x0 C. on an LED having such a crystal dislocation, the output was cut in half. It is found that the crystal dislocation causes the power down of the emission.
To avoid this effect of the physical distortion of the substrate, consideration has been given to increasing the thickness of the buffer layer. However, for two major reasons, it can not be formed in the conventional structure described above.
First, in order to provide a buffer layer having enough thickness, the buffer layer will ordinarily cover the SiO2 mask layer. As a result, it would not be possible to remove the SiO2 mask layer later. Second, the buffer layer having enough thickness can be simply formed by using a thicker SiO2 mask layer. However, the relative location between the light emitting layer and an optical absorption layer behind the light emitting layer will be tilted each other because of the thickness of the buffer layer under the multiple quantum well layer. In this case, the light is not coupled to the optical absorption layer.
The crystal dislocation occurs at the interface between the substrate and the current blocking layer which is formed directly on the substrate if there is some the physical distortion under the current blocking layer. This crystal dislocation might influence the multiple quantum well layer.
An objective of the invention to provide a semiconductor device having no crystal dislocation in a multiple quantum well layer.
To achieve this objective, the semiconductor device of the invention has a buffer layer which is formed directly on the entire main surface of a substrate.

Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same