There is provided a system and method for the dynamic sharing of user interfaces and portions of user interfaces. A user interface server coupled to applications, a display object store, and a window management system. The user interface server allows an application developer to provide an application with a user interface that is independent of any particular window management system. The user interface server provides applications with the ability to dynamically load user interfaces from the display object store and to attach any sub-hierarchy of a user interface, stored in the display object store, to a previously loaded user interface. The sub-hierarchy can be attached at any point which is consistent with parent-child relationships for components.

This invention relates to the dynamic sharing of user interfaces and user interface components by more than one application. More particularly, it allows an application developer to provide an application with a user interface that is independent of any particular window management system.
An application interacts with a user via a user interface. A graphical user interface (GUI) allows a user to interact with a computer using graphics, images, data and text together with some form of pointing device. The GUI is an improvement over the traditional text display and alphanumeric keyboard input device. One of the more popular pointing devices used by a GUI is the mouse. The mouse input device complements the keyboard which can be used for traditional text input and display. The GUI's graphical images are chosen to be intuitive for ease of use, such as a push-button labeled with the image of a file cabinet to denote the action of saving a file. Individual components of the graphical user interface, such as a particular window or a push-button, are selected by using the mouse or any other supported pointing device. Other pointing devices include tablets, touch screen, touch screen overlays, track balls, joy sticks, light pens, thumb wheels etc.
A window management system provides many of the important features of modern user computer interfaces. A window management system allows multiple applications to interact with the user on a single computer display, and provides low level functions for the application to display data and collect input from the user. The window management system permits application programs to show results in different areas of the display, to resize the screen areas in which those applications are executing, to pop-up and to pull-down menus. The window management system is a resource manager in much the same way that an operating system is a resource manager, only the types of resources differ. The window management system allocates the resources of screen area to various applications that seek to use the screen and then assists in managing these screen areas so that the applications do not interfere with one another. The window management system also allocates the resources of interaction devices to applications that require a user input and then routes the flow of input information from the devices to the event queue of the appropriate application for which the input is destined.
The look and feel of the user computer interface is determined largely by the collection of interaction techniques provided for it. Designing and implementing interaction techniques for each individual application would be a time consuming and expensive task. Furthermore, each application would end up with a different look and feel making it difficult for a user to move from one application to another. Applications sharing a common window management system can utilize a common interactive technique toolkit built for the window management system to assure a common look and feel. An interactive technique toolkit consists of a set of subroutines that provide different types of display objects.
Interactive technique toolkits, which are subroutine libraries of interaction techniques, are mechanisms for making a collection of techniques available for use by application programs. By using interactive technique toolkits, a consistent look and feel among application programs sharing a common window management system can be insured. Using the same toolkit across all applications is a commonly used approach for providing a look and feel that unifies both multiple applications and the window environment itself. Interactive technique toolkits are available for specific windowing management systems. For instance, the menu style used to select window operations should be the same style used within all applications. Basic elements of the toolkit can include menus, dialog boxes, scroll bars, file selection boxes and the like, all which can be conveniently implemented in windows.
As previously stated, applications that use a windowed graphical user interface often want to have an identical look and feel for functions that appear in different application contexts. Often these functions are only needed on demand, as the result of a user selection within the GUI. The use of interaction toolkits can be used to partially meet these goals but, have several drawbacks.
The first drawback is that the display objects are completely incorporated into each application program. Many applications share many of the same user interface features and display objects. Currently, each application contains all display objects for its user interfaces. That is, each application contains the sequence of calls to the window management system for generating each display object. Although many applications share the same display objects, each application must contain the calls for generating each particular display object. This replication requires the use of additional space for each replicated object and creates maintenance problems. When the same display object is modified in some way it must be modified in all applications that contain the display object.
For example, OSF/Motif.RTM. toolkit provides a FileSelectionBox "Widget" that provides for creation of a File Selection Box. The FileSelectionBox "Widget" is made part of the application program when the application program is created by copying the appropriate widget and code to customize it from the appropriate subroutine library. The code, a sequence of underlying window management system commands, for the widget is copied to the application program and becomes a part of the application program. Thus, each application program that utilizes this widget is compiled with the widget as a part of the application code. Since the widget code is incorporated into the application code a subsequent change to the widget definition in the interaction toolkit (i.e., a change in the underlying sequence of window management system commands) requires modification of all applications that use the widget. Although interaction technique toolkits provide for sharing of certain display features such as widgets, they pose substantial maintenance problems. All instances of the copied code must be identified and uniformly modified if the common look and feel is to be preserved. This problem is compounded when the application program's source code is not available as with many application programs.
A second drawback is that all the code for generating display objects of the application must be contained in the application regardless of their likelihood of use. Suppose a GUI for a given application consists of a hierarchically related set of windows and the application allows the user to traverse through or select a given window from a main window. Certain windows in the hierarchy are not going to be seen by the user in the course of a session. For instance, in a word processor application, the set printer parameters window will in most cases be executed only rarely. Using an interaction toolkit, however, all the code for generating display objects including those that are rarely shown to the user are contained in the application. This is because the application program contains its own copy of the code that creates any display objects and their associated data structures. This can cause a great deal of memory to be used by a single application. Memory is at a premium with most window management systems, so that any increased use is costly in terms of system performance.
A third drawback is that applications must be partially rewritten in order to assure that their user interfaces operate on a different window management system. The window management system specific portions of the application need to be adapted to the new windowing system or the new window management system implementation. Limitations of the old or new window management system may result in a change in the look and feel of the application.
Currently many applications have user interfaces that are written for a particular window management system. For example, a word processing application written to run under WINDOWS.TM. window management system will not run under X WINDOWS. The word processing application would need to be at least partially rewritten in order to run under X WINDOWS. These changes can be costly in terms of time and money. It also leads to the need to maintain two different versions of the word processing application, one for WINDOWS and one for X WINDOWS. With several window management system specific implementations of the same word processing application there is also the potential that the "look and feel" of the application will change across these implementations. These problems are compounded when a developer offers a variety of associated applications such as word processing, spread sheet, graphics programs, data base programs, grammar checkers, spell checkers etc.
A fourth drawback is that sharing is only permissible on a very low level. Returning to the X windows OSF/MOTIF example explained above, it is clear that interactive toolkits provide for the use of similar widgets across applications by replicating the widgets into each application. However, these widgets are low level display objects. Applications may have more than just widgets in common. For instance, several different applications may contain a printer setup interface or series of windows for setting up or adjusting the printer. The printer setup interface constitutes a collection of display objects that are shared by multiple applications. However, the interaction toolkits do not provide for sharing at this level unless it is by sharing the common code via replication of the code in each application. The sharing of common code has drawbacks previously mentioned. Also the printer setup interface would have to be rewritten if the application is to be used with other window management systems.
A fifth drawback is that most window management systems do not provide for support of interpretive applications. Some applications run in an interpretive mode. These applications are compiled and run on the fly. Most window management systems do not support interpretive applications. Most window management system only provide for interaction via a compiled subroutine library. Thus, interpretive applications must provide a mechanism for translating the application user interface display commands to a compiled subroutine call.
Several alternatives have been proposed to overcome these drawbacks. One alternative is to replicate the common sub-hierarchy of display objects in each user interface as it is stored in a display object store. Unfortunately, while this is only mildly inefficient during initial application development, it poses substantial maintenance problems. All instances of the copied common sub-hierarchy must be identified and tracked if a common look and feel is to be preserved across all applications. Maintenance also becomes an issue because changes must be propagated to all instances of the common sub-hierarchy.
Another alternative permits sharing of common sub-hierarchy of display objects at the display level. The applications share a single instance of the common sub-hierarchy at runtime. If this is done without sharing at the user interface display object store level, all the maintenance problems of the previous alternative still apply. If sharing is done at both the display level and the user interface display object storage level, the application no longer has separate objects at the display level that can be controlled and modified independently of the duplicate sub-hierarchy that is displayed. The applications could not then individually tailor or modify the common display object shared during runtime.
Still another alternative is to reference the common sub-hierarchy of display objects from a display object store instead of from the application. This is accomplished by storing a reference to the display object store that indicates the common sub-hierarchy that is to be shared. Unfortunately, this results in fixation in the display object store of the overall user interface hierarchy for a given application. Thus, the application losses dynamic control of the user interface.
A further alternative is to extract the common sub-hierarchy of display objects, creating a separate user interface in the display object store. This new user interface can now be included in a loaded interface, given a user interface server that provides such a function. This, however, requires changes to the original interface, to remove the sub-hierarchy, and changes to the applications, which now have to include the separate sub-hierarchy. Additional difficulties occur when user interfaces share sub-hierarchies which are not identical, but have some overlap. This results in either extracted sub-hierarchies with some duplicate components that have to be maintained synchronously, or multiple levels of extracted sub-hierarchies to arrive at least common denominators of display objects. Both of these results are difficult to manage, and the latter means more changes to applications as their user interfaces evolve.
For the forgoing reasons, there is a need to provide for the dynamic sharing of user interface components.

Method and system for dynamically sharing user interface displays among a plurality of application program

International Business Machines Corporation


A transmitting and receiving system having two or more radios, each capable of transmitting and receiving a transmission signal on two or more radio frequencies where a first radio transmits on a selected frequency at a predetermined time interval and a second radio recovers the transmitted signal. The second radio has a first intermediate frequency generator which generates an intermediate frequency signal which is substantially equal to an integer multiple of the channel spacing whereby an image response corresponding to the selected frequency is separated by twice the intermediate frequency signal from the selected frequency. Thus, locations for the two or more transmission frequencies can be selected so as not to be located on the image responses corresponding to any and all of the two or more transmission frequencies.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to radios and, in particular, to a transmitting and receiving system and radio transmitter/receiver apparatus to be utilized within the system, wherein the radio apparatus is capable of transmitting and receiving a transmission signal on two or more radio frequencies, such as found in a system implementing a continuous frequency hopping protocol.
2. Background Art
Radio transmitters and receivers, taking the form of cordless telephones, cellular phones, citizen band radios and the like, are well known in the art. In general, these radios particularly those that receive on multiple channels, utilize a superheterodyne receiver. Superheterodyne (also known as superhet) receivers receive a signal and mix the received signal with a local oscillator signal to, in turn, convert the received signal to a lower intermediate frequency (usually on the order of 10 MHz). Changing the local oscillator frequency tunes the receiver to permit reception of signals on various channels.
The use of a mixer to obtain the intermediate frequency introduces certain problems. The mixer accepts two signals, A and B, the received signal and the local oscillator frequency respectively, and outputs the following signals: A+B, A-B and B-A. The intermediate frequency signal results from the A-B or B-A output. The signal located at A+B will be hopelessly out of range for nominally used frequencies and is typically ignored. Even so, it can be seen that there exist two frequencies for signal A, which result in the same intermediate frequency. One value for signal A, of course, is the desired RF signal. The other is referred to as an image response. It can be seen, from the above equations that the image response's frequency is located twice the intermediate frequency from the desired RF signal's frequency.
There have been a number of approaches to removing or rejecting the image response which accompanies the desired RF signal. One such approach involved the use of tuned RF amplifiers. However, these tuned amplifiers are expensive and difficult to tune. Another approach involves the use of image-reject filters (or mixers). Image-reject filters are also expensive and frequently difficult to design.
Another approach to image rejection involves a method called "direct conversion", wherein the intermediate frequency is set to zero, i.e. the local oscillator frequency is equal to the received transmission frequency. While this approach eliminates the image problem, the processing of the resulting intermediate frequency signal is complex--requiring expensive active filters, which may have inferior noise characteristics. Furthermore, there may be local oscillator frequency reradiation in the channel.
It is, thus, an object of the present invention to provide an inexpensive approach to eliminating image signal concerns in a superhet receiver.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a compact band-plan for a multiple channel transmitting and receiving system wherein image responses associated with the desired RF signal are positioned such that the desired RF signal is transmitted and received without interference from signals on the image response frequencies.
These and other objects will become apparent in light of the specification, drawings and claims.

Intermediate frequency receiver apparatus


The electrochemical working method according to the invention comprises the use of two electrodes whereof one oscillates with respect to the other. Voltage pulses are applied to the electrodes in synchronization with the oscillation and are continued to be applied thereto when the electrodes are found at a minimum distance from one the other. As the electrodes are brought apart, cavitation is produced in the interelectrode gap, which phenomenon is accompanied by a change in the relative resistance of the gap. A cavitation transducer is used to measure a parameter which unambiguously determines the cavitation intensity corresponding to a preset minimum gap. In order to control the electrochemical treatment process, a comparator produces a signal equal to the difference between a signal corresponding to the actual relative value of the parameter function and formed by a computing unit, and a signal corresponding to a predetermined value of the parameter. The output signal of the comparator is used to control the width of the interelectrode gap and the pressure at its inlet, whereby one can effectively maintain the cavitation parameter and the relative resistance of the gap at a desired level.

There are known methods for electrochemical working of metals, involving forced oscillation of one of the two electrodes used for the purpose. As the electrodes are brought closer together, synchronized voltage pulses are applied thereto; however, the application of pulses is discontinued when the distance between the electrodes is brought to a minimum. The cutoff of voltage at this point significantly affects the rate and accuracy of copying operations.
There is further known an electrochemical working method involving forced oscillation of one electrode which is synchronized with the application of voltage pulses. The on-off time ratio is varied in the course of the process, being low at the start and increasing towards the end of the working. The pulses are shifted in time so as to reduce instantaneous widths of the interelectrode gap at which the gap conducts current. Voltage pulses can be applied to the electrodes both when they are drawn close to each other and when they are brought apart. However, no voltage pulse is applied with the electrodes being at a minimum distance from one the other. The control of the process conditions by shifting pulses in time and varying the on-off time ratio is disadvatageous in that it reduces the accuracy of the working, especially in cases of broaching vertical walls.
Generally, the conventional electrochemical working methods are disadvantageous in a broad range of variations in the width of the interelectrode gap. The application of voltage pulses under such conditions is tantamount to applying them with a large mean gap width and substantially affects the accuracy of copying the tool electrode on the surface being worked.
There is further known a method for controlling the width of the interelectrode gap in the course of electrochemical working which involves forced oscillation of one of the electrodes, synchronized with the application of voltage pulses to said electrodes (cf. USSR Inventor's Certificate No 187,125, Cl. 2G 05 d 3/00). According to this method, additional low-voltage current is applied to the electrodes, and the interelectrode gap width is controlled with reference to surges of this current, caused by short-circuiting of the electrodes.
The foregoing technique of controlling the width of the interelectrode gap with reference to surges of current supplied from a low-voltage source, which surges are brought about by a direct contact between the tool electrode and article being worked, rules out the application of working voltage pulses to the electrodes found at a minimum distance from one the other. The idea is to prevent damaging the tool electrode and surface being worked by short-circuiting. In fact, voltage pulses are applied as the tool electrode is on its way to or from the surface being worked, i.e. at a variable width of the interelectrode gap. In most cases, the oscillation amplitude is about 0.2 mm, and the working voltage on-off time ratio is 2 to 3. These figures clearly suggest that the electrochemical dissolution occurs at a large mean gap width, which reduces the accuracy of the working of articles and, especially, of their side planes. Attampts to improve the accuracy by increasing the on-off time ratio to a value as high as 5 to 10, i.e. by reducing the duration of working voltage pulses, lead to significant drops in the feedrate. It should also be kept in mind that voltage is continuously fed to the electrodes by the auxiliary power source so that the contact between them inevitably causes erosion of both the tool electrode and the workpiece. The contact of the electrodes may also lead to mechanical deformation of the tool electrode and the workpiece, especially when working small cavities or blanks of relatively soft materials.
Thus the conventional electrochemical working and interelectrode gap control methods, based on oscillation of one of the electrodes, which is synchronized with voltage pulses, are inadequate in what concerns the accuracy, effectiveness and quality of working articles of comple configurations.
There are known means for electrochemical working, based on the principle of analyzing high-frequency current components which are brought about by all kinds of process disturbances and may cause short-circuiting in the interelectrode gap.
None of such means can be used for pulse-current electrochemical working, because the high-frequency spectrum of the pulse train suppresses useful signals as a result of microbreakdowns of the interelectrode gap.
There are further known means for electrochemical working, involving the use of an oscillating electrode and pulse current, which operate as controllers in the sense that the automatic advance of one electrode towards the other is discontinued as soon as the electrodes come into contact. Working pulse voltage can only be applied to the electrodes in the process of bringing them closer together or apart, i.e. under the conditions when the interelectrode width is variable within a broad range. Clearly, this serously affects the rate and accuracy of copying operations.

Electrochemical working method and system for effecting same


A sprocket drum assembly is constituted by two complementary, radially-separable sprocket drum assembly parts. The assembly comprises a hollow, cylindrical drum and a sprocket wheel having an odd number of sprocket teeth. The two assembly parts meet along two surfaces. The inner edges of at least those portions of said surfaces associated with the drum lie in a diametrical plane of the assembly. Each of the outer edges of those portions of said surfaces associated with the sprocket wheel lie between a respective pair of sprocket teeth.

This invention relates to a sprocket drum assembly for a scraper-chain conveyor of a mineral mining installation.
The scraper bars of a scraper-chain conveyor are driven along the line of conveyor pans by means of an endless chain which passes around a pair of sprocket drum assemblies positioned in a drive frame at each end of the line. At least one of the sprocket drum assemblies is keyed to a drive shaft of a drive station, though one of them may be keyed to an idler shaft. Where the scraper bars are driven by a single centre chain, the sprocket drum assembly is constituted by a generally cylindrical, hollow drum and a sprocket wheel fixed centrally to the outer cylindrical surface thereof. Where a double centre chain is used to drive the scraper bars, there are two sprocket wheels centrally positioned on the drum. Similarly, where the scraper bars are driven by a pair of outboard chains, the drum is provided with a pair of sprocket wheels positioned one adjacent each end thereof. In all cases, the sprocket wheel or wheels may be integrally formed with their drums. Although, from now on, the specification relates to a sprocket drum assembly having a single, central sprocket wheel, it will be appreciated that the invention is equally applicable to the other two types of assembly. In order to facilitate the assembly and removal of such a sprocket drum assembly, it is known to have a two-part assembly. Such an assembly has complementary parts which can be fitted to, and removed from, the associated drive (or idler) shaft without removing the shaft from the drive frame. The two parts of such an assembly are usually bolted together, and can be removed by unfastening the bolts and then withdrawing the two assembly parts radially.
In order to maintain the strength of the teeth of the sprocket wheel, the plane of separation between the two parts of the assembly is arranged to pass between two pairs of adjacent teeth. Where the sprocket wheel has an even number of teeth, there are no problems, as the plane of separation can be a diametrical plane which passes between adjacent pairs of teeth at each end. This results in an assembly in which the two parts are identical halves. Where there are an odd number of teeth, however, there are problems, since such a diametrical plane of separation will pass through a tooth at one end thereof. In order to prevent this, a known sprocket drum assembly having an odd number of teeth (see DE-OS 2340318) has a double plane of separation. Each plane of separation passes between a respective adjacent pair of teeth and the two planes meet at the axis of rotation of the assembly. This means that one part of the assembly subtends an obtuse angle at the axis and the other part subtends a reflex angle, the sum of the two angles being 360.degree.. Unfortunately, the larger part has a part-cylindrical inner surfaces which is larger than that of half a cylinder. Thus, in order to allow this part to be fitted to, and removed from, its shaft in a radial direction, it is necessary to cut away the inner longitudinal edges of this part along the entire length thereof. Not only does this involve considerable effort, but it also greatly reduces the area of contact between the inner cylindrical surface of that part and the shaft. Consequently, the surface pressure between that drum assembly part and the shaft is increased. This is particularly disadvantageous, as the areas of reduced contact occur at just the places where contact is most needed to counter the forces which tend to tilt the sprocket wheel (and hence the entire assembly) relative to the shaft. These disadvantages adversely affect such an assembly as regard its ability to transmit large torques or to take up radially or obliquely directed forces. Moreover, as these cut-away zones extend the entire length of the larger assembly part they interfere with the function of the seals provided at the two ends of the assembly for sealing the rotatable assembly with respect to the stationary drive frame parts in which the assembly is mounted.
The aim of the invention is to provide a two-part chain drum assembly having an odd number of sprocket teeth which does not require the inner longitudinal edges of the larger part to be cut away, at least in the regions not carrying sprocket teeth.


A folding suitcase includes a back case component, a front lid component, a peripheral side wall component, and a fold-resisting component. An accommodating space formed by the peripheral side wall component, the back case component and the front lid component is for being covered selectively. The peripheral side wall component has multiple first sidewall parts, multiple second sidewall parts and multiple bending parts connected to the multiple sidewall parts and the multiple second sidewall parts. The multiple bending parts are bendable to allow the multiple first sidewall parts and the multiple second sidewall parts to be folded oppositely or erected on the back case component. The fold-resisting component is elastic and includes a combined part and an extension part. The combined part is disposed at the multiple first sidewall parts. The extension part is detachably disposed at the multiple bending parts for selectively supporting the peripheral side wall component.

Technical Field
The disclosure relates to a suitcase. More particularly, the disclosure relates to a folding suitcase.
Background
When traveling, users need suitcases for accommodating necessities and souvenirs. Types of the suitcases can be divided into carry-on suitcases (about 16 to 20 linear inches), medium suitcases (about 22 to 26 linear inches), or large suitcases (about 27 to 30 linear inches) according to their sizes. The users usually choose certain suitcases with different sizes according to the span of their travel. For example, the users may bring carry-on suitcases when they have 3-to-5-day travel. Moreover, the users may bring medium suitcases when they have 5-to-7-day travel. Furthermore, the users may bring large suitcases when they travel for many days.


Transformers and methods of constructing transformers are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of constructing a transformer includes wrapping a first primary winding around a core, wrapping a secondary winding around the core, and wrapping a second primary winding around the core. The first primary winding traverses substantially an entire circumference of the core in a first circumferential direction. The secondary winding includes a first half and a second half. The first half traverses substantially the entire circumference of the core in the first circumferential direction, and the second half traverses substantially the entire circumference of the core in a second circumferential direction opposite the first circumferential direction. The second primary winding traverses substantially the entire circumference of the core in the second circumferential direction.

Solar panels, also referred to herein as photovoltaic (PV) modules, generally output direct current (DC) electrical power. To properly couple such solar panels to an electrical grid, or otherwise provide alternating current (AC) power, the electrical power received from the solar panels is converted from DC to AC power. At least some known solar power systems use a single stage or a two-stage power converter to convert DC power to AC power. Some systems are controlled by a control system to maximize the power received from the solar panels and to convert the received DC power into AC power that complies with utility grid requirements.
However, at least some known solar power converters are relatively inefficient and/or unreliable. It is desirable for a solar power converter to operate at relatively high efficiency to capture as much energy from a PV module as possible. At least some solar power converters utilize an isolated DC/DC converter including a transformer. One of the loss factors in such converters is the energy loss associated with the leakage inductance of the converter's transformer. In some converters, the losses are proportional to the leakage inductance of the transformer. A greater leakage inductance leads to greater losses and, accordingly, to a lower total conversion efficiency. Some known designs attempt to recover the energy stored in the leakage inductance. These recovery mechanisms, however, are generally not satisfactory.
This Background section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.

Transformers and methods for constructing transformers


A box for use in packaging comprises a tubular sleeve (10) defining a through passage, a planar divider (12) extending across the passage, a drive belt (50) which passes around the divider, a tray (40) and a pull-out tab member (41) each extending into the passage and attached to the drive belt. In the closed position the tray (40) and tab member (41) are fully inside the tubular sleeve. When the tab member (41) is pulled out of the sleeve (10) in a first direction, the drive belt (50) is forced to slide around the divider and the tray (40) moves out of the sleeve (10) in the opposite direction. The tray (40) can be used to house any consumer product, for example CDs, confectionery, pharmaceuticals. The tab member (41) can be used to convey information to the consumer.

The present invention relates to a box which may be used in the packaging of any item which has a flat structure or which may be placed in a flat tray, in particular the packaging of compact discs, mini-discs, chocolates, pharmaceutical products, digital video discs, cigarettes, swatch samples, information cards and electronic components and similar products.
Compact discs are generally packaged in plastic jewel cases, in which a hinged lid must be lifted to gain access to a tray in which the compact disc lies. The case must be grasped in the correct fashion to enable the lid to be opened. People with small hands or limited use of their hands can have great difficulty in opening a standard jewel case. Information concerning the data or recording on the compact disc is usually provided on an insert or booklet attached to the underside of the hinged lid. It can be awkward to remove or replace this booklet, which must be passed under a series of projections on the side walls of the lid in order to retain it in place when the lid is closed.
Other methods of packaging compact discs and the like include simple cardboard sleeves or flexible plastic wallets. However such sleeves and wallets are not particularly rigid or robust and do not hold the packaged item securely.
It is an object of the invention to provide a packaging box which overcomes one or more of the above disadvantages, which is easy to open and which provides an opportunity to display information about the contents of the box.
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a box comprising a generally tubular sleeve defining a through passage, a planar divider extending across said passage, a belt member extending around said divider, a tray member and a tab member each extending into said passage and attached to said belt member, such that when said tab member is moved out of said passage in a first direction said tray member moves out of said passage in a second direction opposite to said first direction.
Preferably the tubular sleeve is rectangular in section and comprises an upper panel, a lower panel and two side walls each connecting the upper and lower panels. Preferably the divider comprises an intermediate panel extending between the side walls. Preferably the intermediate panel is parallel to and spaced apart from the upper and lower panels.
In a first preferred embodiment the tubular sleeve and divider are formed from a single sheet of material, preferably card or plastic, which is folded and glued.
In a second preferred embodiment the tubular sleeve and divider are each formed from separate sheets of material, preferably card or plastic, which are folded and glued. The divider may comprise an inner tubular sleeve. The lower panel of the inner tubular sleeve may be bonded to the lower panel of the outer tubular sleeve.
In a third preferred embodiment the tubular sleeve is formed of moulded or extruded plastic. The side walls of the tubular sleeve may each be provided with a rail member adapted to engage with the tray member. The tray member may be provided with a corresponding slot at each side adapted to engage with the rail member. The rail member or slot may be provided with a stop member adapted to prevent the tray extending beyond a predetermined point. The side walls of the tubular sleeve may each be provided with a projecting flange member to which is attached the planar divider.
Preferably the tray member is adapted to be free to slide between a closed position, in which the tray member is completely enclosed by the tubular sleeve, and an open position in which the tray member protrudes from the tubular sleeve allowing access to the tray member.
Preferably the belt member comprises a strip of sheet material joined to form a continuous loop. Preferably said sheet material is a low-friction material selected so that the belt member slides easily about the divider. Preferably the sheet material is plastic such as Cellophane (TM) or PTFE. Preferably the belt member is narrower than the divider, and the divider is formed with a waisted or cut-out portion forming a belt path around which the belt member passes, so that the belt member is restrained against lateral movement with respect to the divider and stays on the belt path.
Preferably the upper and lower panels of the tubular sleeve are provided with cut-out portions or recesses on a first side thereof to permit access to the upper and lower surfaces of a portion of the tab member. Preferably the tab member and the upper and lower panels of the tubular sleeve project beyond the tray member at the first side when the tray member is in the closed position. The tray member may be narrower than the tubular sleeve, or the tray member may be provided with a cut-out portion or recess on its first side. This allows a user to grasp the portion of the tab member which is visible through the cut-outs in the sleeve, so that the user can pull the tab member in the first direction in order to open the tray member which slides out of the sleeve on the opposite side in the second direction.
Using the convention that the first edge of a component is that edge which is positioned towards the first direction and the second edge of a component is that edge which is positioned towards the second direction, then preferably the second edge of the tab member is attached to the belt member at a first location on the belt and the first edge of the tray member is attached to the belt member at a second location on the belt, whereby the first and second locations are diametrically opposed. Preferably, when the tray is in the closed position, the first location on the belt is at the second edge of the belt path and the second location on the belt is at the first edge of the belt path. Preferably, when the tray is in a fully open position, the first location on the belt is at the first edge of the belt path and the second location on the belt is at the second edge of the belt path.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a box according to the first aspect of the invention, in which the tray member is replaced by a second tab member. Preferably one or both tab members are embossed or printed.
According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a box according to the first aspect of the invention, in which the tab member is replaced by a second tray member.
According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a box which comprises two or more boxes according to any of the first, second or third aspects of the invention connected on top of each other. Preferably the lower panel of an upper box forms the upper panel of a lower box.
According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided a blank which upon folding and gluing forms the tubular member and divider or dividers of a box according to any of the first, second, third or fourth aspects of the invention.
Preferably the blank comprises a substantially rectangular sheet of foldable sheet material having six transverse fold lines extending across the sheet, the fold lines separating the sheet into seven substantially rectangular areas, the second area forming in use the upper panel, the fourth area forming in use the lower panel, the sixth area forming in use the divider, the first and fifth areas being adapted to be bonded to each other to form in use the first side wall, and the third and seventh areas being adapted to be bonded to each other to form in use the second side wall. Preferably the second and fourth areas are each provided with a cut-out portion at one longitudinal edge. Preferably the sixth area is provided with a cut-out portion at each longitudinal edge, adapted to form a belt path around which in use the belt member passes.


The invention relates to a system and method for integrating domain information into state transitions of a Finite State Transducer (“FST”) for natural language processing. A system may integrate semantic parsing and information retrieval from an information domain to generate an FST parser that represents the information domain. The FST parser may include a plurality of FST paths, at least one of which may be used to generate a meaning representation from a natural language input. As such, the system may perform domain-based semantic parsing of a natural language input, generating more robust meaning representations using domain information. The system may be applied to a wide range of natural language applications that use natural language input from a user such as, for example, natural language interfaces to computing systems, communication with robots in natural language, personalized digital assistants, question-answer query systems, and/or other natural language processing applications.

Semantic parsing is a process that transforms natural language (NL) input (e.g., sentences, phrases, words, etc.) into computer executable complete meaning representations (MRs) for domain-specific applications, where Meaning Representation Language (MRL) for an application is assumed to be present. Part of the job of semantic parsing is to extract the domain information from a natural language input. For example, if a user queries "find Dixie's Grill," a semantic parser should be able to determine that the user is looking for a restaurant named "Dixie's BBQ."
Semantic parsing is a difficult computational problem. One reason for this is that NL inputs and their meanings may have many-to-many relationships. For example, multiple NL inputs may correspond to a single meaning, a single input could have different meanings (usually users intend to convey a single meaning, so system would need to interact with/learn from the user to disambiguate them), and other many-to-many relationships can occur. Conventional semantic parsers typically are inefficient at disambiguating a potential meaning of an NL input, particularly when the criteria size is large. Furthermore, conventional semantic parsers typically have sub-optimal matching capabilities. As a result, conventional semantic parsers do not scale well for complicated information domains and often produce inaccurate MRs.
Other types of information retrieval systems may scale better than some semantic parsers. For example, conventional Inverted-Index-Search ("IIS") information retrieval systems, which are premised on keyword search, typically employ indexed information domains to facilitate efficient search. However, these systems typically ignore structural information (e.g., semantic structural information) that may be included in an NL input and therefore may not account for a user's intent. For example, for an NL input "find bus stop near VOICEBOX," the results from a conventional IIS information retrieval system may relate to documents (e.g., webpages) that contain the keywords in the search input, without semantic information to help determine the intent of the user. Thus, the results may be irrelevant to the user's intended request.
Thus, what is needed is to improve semantic parsing for enhanced user intent recognition, improve the relevancy of information retrieval results, and improve recognition of NL, whether uttered, typed, or otherwise provided by a user. These and other problems exist.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Integration of domain information into state transitions of a finite state transducer for natural language processing


The present application relates to steam iron (1). The steam iron (1) comprises a sole plate (3). The sole plate (3) has a steam channel (6) for the passage of steam, an ironing surface (10), vents (4) for the passage of steam between the steam channel (6) and the ironing surface (10), an aperture (9) extending between the steam channel (6) and the ironing surface (10), and a fragrance cartridge (7) being received in the aperture (9) such that it extends into the steam channel (6) to diffuse fragrance in the steam channel (6). The aperture (9) secures the fragrance cartridge (10) in the sole plate (3) such that fragrance cartridge (7) is flush with the ironing surface (10). The present invention also relates to a fragrance cartridge (7) and to a method of imparting a fragrance to steam produced by a steam iron (1).

It is known that ironing a fragrance into a garment will result in the fragrance being released from the garment for an extended period of time. For example, the garment can be pre-sprayed with a liquid fragrance prior to ironing. However, pre-spraying the garment is time consuming and may result in the liquid fragrance staining the garment.
Fragrance may also be imparted to the garment by pouring drops of a fragranced essential oil into the water tank of the steam iron. Therefore, when the steam iron is operated, the liquid water in the water tank is evaporated and is imparted with the fragrance of the essential oil. However, it is difficult for the user to judge how much essential oil should be added to the water tank. Furthermore, the essential oil in the water tank does not evaporate with the water and so most of the essential oil remains in the water tank and thus the steam does not have a strong fragrance. Additionally, the water tank needs to be completely emptied of liquid water and essential oil before a different fragrance is used.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,351,901 discloses a steam iron with a steam generating device for generating steam and an application device for releasing additives to the steam. The application device consists of a capillary device for the release of additive to the steam.

Steam iron for receiving a fragrance cartridge


A clamp for a boiling water reactor feedwater sparger is disclosed and claimed. The clamp assembly includes abuse and cooperating bolt, a reaction arm, and a cross pin. With the exception of the cross pin, the parts are pre-assembled and then installed over the sparger pin head. The cross pin is then installed through the clamp base and through the sparger pin. The clamp bolt is then tightened, locking the clamp and sparger pin. The clamp provides an increased surface area that extends 360° around the sparger pin. This increased surface area reduces the likelihood of wear of the clamp or bracket during plant operation, and the clamp restores the position of the sparger pin head relative to the contact surface of the end bracket if the original pin head or bracket is worn.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to feedwater spargers in boiling water reactors and, more particularly, to clamps for the end bracket assemblies of feedwater spargers.
2. Description of the Related Art
While the present invention may be used in a variety of industries, the environment of a boiling water reactor (BWR) nuclear power plant will be discussed herein for illustrative purposes. In a BWR, a steam-water mixture is produced when reactor coolant (water) moves upward through the core, absorbing heat produced by the fuel. The steam-water mixture leaves the top of the core and enters a moisture separator, where water droplets are removed before the steam is allowed to enter the steam line. The steam line directs the steam to the main turbine, causing it to turn the turbine and the attached electrical generator. The steam is then exhausted to a condenser where it is condensed into water. The resulting water is pumped out of the condenser back to the reactor vessel as feedwater. Recirculation pumps and jet pumps allow the operator to vary coolant flow through the core and change reactor power.
Within the BWR vessel, core shrouds surround the core to provide a barrier to separate the downward coolant flow through the annulus/downcomer (the space between the core shroud and the reactor vessel wall) from the upward flow through the core and fuel bundles. The feedwater is injected through nozzles in the reactor vessel and distributed by feedwater spargers. The feedwater spargers are located inside the reactor vessel and include a central T-connection with two pipe branches that are curved concentric with the inside radius of the reactor vessel. Each curved pipe has a set of nozzles through which the feedwater is injected.
Each curved pipe has an end bracket that is welded to the pipe. The end brackets are C-shaped and surround an attachment lug that is welded to the reactor vessel wall. Pins having relatively large diameter heads are inserted through the end brackets and the attachment lug. Each pin has a securing nut on the bottom that is installed tightly against a shoulder of the pin but allows a gap between the nut and the bottom of the end bracket white the head of the pin rests against the top of the bracket. The sparger end brackets are secured axially to the attachment lug, but the end brackets are slotted to allow for relative thermal expansion and contraction of the feedwater sparger assembly. FIG. 7 shows a partially cut-away isometric view of a typical sparger end bracket assembly, including the pin 2 and bracket 3.
Visual inspection of the spargers has revealed wearing of the end brackets and pin heads. The wear is caused by vibration of the pin relative to the bracket, which is believed to be caused by flow induced vibration.

BWR feedwater sparger end bracket pin clamp


A stable formulation of Sennosides with increased shelf-life and good solubility comprising a granulate containing Senna extract concentrate and, for each part by weight of Senna extract concentrate, 1 to 3 parts of weight of sucrose.

Vegetables extracts based on compounds with phenolic or poliphenolic functional groups such as Sennosides are not stable in aqueous solutions in the presence of oxygen. The polymers which are formed cause turbidities and precipitations. This results in a loss of pharmaceutically active material.
In order to avoid these chemical instabilities, some pharmaceutical companies have put on the market pharmaceutical products containing Sennosides as the active substance in the solid form [Example: Pursennid (sugar coated tablets) from Sandoz or Agiolax (granulate) from Madaus (in Germany)] or in semisolid form [Example: Tamarine (jam) from Serono]. In the semisolid form (jam), the Sennosides are present in acid form and not as calcium salts. In the acid form Sennosides are not soluble in water and therefore are protected from the degradation process.
The degradation process of Sennosides in aqueous solution is slow and time-progressive; it increases with the increase of storage temperature. The degradation route of Sennosides involves a preliminary breakdown of glucosidic bonds and, soon thereafter, oxidation and polymerization of dianthrones or from hydrolysis.
On the basis of pharmacological research on senna extract, it has been confirmed that the specific influence on colon motility (laxative effect) of Sennosides must be ascribed to the anthrones or dianthrones and not to their degradation products (oxidized or polymerized products) ##STR1##
A reduction of pharmacological activity has to be expected when the degradation process increases.
The main disadvantage of the available formulations (actually on the market) is poor stability and therefore the short shelf-life period (18 months).
Stability data of the marketed solution (old form), in the form of a representative batch of X-Prep is given in Table 1. (Lot 220)
TABLE 1 __________________________________________________________________________ Lot 220 Time Controls 0 6 months 12 months 18 months 24 months __________________________________________________________________________ Characters Brown syrup, unmodified unmodified unmodified unmodified sweet taste, chocolate smell pH 5.28 5.14 5.16 4.93 4.84 Sennosides 2.149 mg/ml 1.922 mg/ml 1.858 mg/ml 1.826 mg/ml 1.773 mg/ml (Th: 2 mg/ml) (107.45%) (96.10%) (92.90%) (91.30%) (88.65%) __________________________________________________________________________
TABLE 2 __________________________________________________________________________ Stability data on extemporary freshly prepared before analysis solution Time Controls 0 6 months 12 months 18 months 24 months 30 months 36 __________________________________________________________________________ months Characters Brown syrup, comply comply comply comply comply comply sweet taste, chocolate smell pH 5.06 5.18 5.10 5.15 5.38 5.27 5.31 Sennosides 2.0092 mg/ml 2.069 mg/ml 2.048 mg/ml 2.0508 mg/ml 2.058 mg/ml 2.035 mg/ml 2.036 mg/ml (Th: 2 mg/ml) (100.46%) (103.45%) (102.40%) (102.54%) (102.90%) (101.75%) ((101.18%) __________________________________________________________________________


An arrangement of devices which may be worn on the body of a person comprising a first device for transmitting signals to at least one second device via electromagnetic fields or waves, with the first device comprising a transmitter for transmitting such signals and an antenna connected to this transmitter, having a linear or chain-like, but not necessarily straight, arrangement of materials starting from the antenna, which affect the path of the electromagnetic waves or fields transmitted or produced by the antenna, such that at the location of at least one second device a higher receiving field strength of the signals transmitted by the transmitter prevails than without this arrangement of materials.

As a result of increasing miniaturization of electronic devices, in particular in the field of information and communication technology and the similarly increasing development in the field of wireless communication between such devices, arrangements of such devices which communicate with one another and as a result cooperate functionally in the implementation of different applications are increasingly encountered in widely varying fields of technology and the application thereof.
For example, modern hearing aids or hearing aid systems nowadays frequently consist of a plurality of devices which are arranged on the body of the wearer of the hearing aid and only allow the desired function of the hearing aid system by their functional cooperation. A few digital hearing aid systems are provided with radio technology, by means of which with a two-ear (binaural) provision, both hearing aids communicate with one another and are synchronously adapted to one another. Thus it is ensured that both devices are always set to be the same if, for example, on one side the hearing program is changed or the volume is altered. Even the control of so-called adaptive parameters, namely algorithms for detecting interference noise or the adaptation of the characteristic of directional microphones, is synchronized in both hearing systems and thus increases the localization capacity.
In typical examples of such wireless hearing aid systems of modular construction, the user wears one respective hearing aid in or behind the ears, which is connected wirelessly to the respective other hearing aid and, if required, further accessories. These accessories are frequently also worn on the body of the hearing aid wearer, typically on a cord around the neck or on the belt. Examples of such accessories are programming devices or interface devices by means of which, for example, the connection of external microphones, MP3 players or radio devices to the hearing system is possible.
The hearing aid thus converts the electromagnetic signals received by the transmitter of the accessory (for example music signals) into acoustic signals, which in the case of so-called behind-the-ear devices are coupled via a sound tube in the ear of the wearer by means of an otoplastic.
In other fields of the technology and its applications (for example patient monitoring, mobile telephones, electronic games) similar situations exist which do not have to be explained in more detail here.
The performance of such arrangements and other arrangements of devices communicating with one another wirelessly which may be worn on the body of a person depends to a great extent on the quality of the radio link or a respective further method used for wireless communication (inductive coupling, etc). The transmitter power and field strengths used in this case are more likely to be low for various reasons (power supply, interference from adjacent systems). Thus a technically optimal solution for wireless communication between the devices is important, which is intended to ensure operational reliability and a data rate which are as high as possible.

Arrangement of devices comprising at least one transmitter and method for improving the receiving field strength


A computing device may comprise a volatile memory and a non-volatile storage device. Upon system shutdown, contents of the volatile memory may be preserved by memory transfer operations from the volatile memory to the non-volatile storage device. During memory preservation, the computing device may enter a low-power state. The low-power state may comprise suspension of power to a core of a processor while maintaining power to the processor's uncore, and disablement of interrupt signals not related to memory transfer operations. Power delivery to the core of the processor may be periodically resumed to initiate additional memory transfer operations.

The main memory of a computing device is typically based on dynamic random-access ("DRAM") memory modules. DRAM has various properties suitable for use as main memory, such as low cost and high storage density. However, DRAM memory modules typically contain capacitors or other circuits that require a continuous, or nearly continuous, supply of power to prevent data loss. DRAM memory is therefore referred to as volatile, because data stored in DRAM memory is lost in the event that its power supply is interrupted.
Other types of memory, such as Negative-AND gate ("NAND") memory, may be referred to as non-volatile memory because a NAND memory module's contents are not lost if the module's power supply is interrupted. However, the main memory of a computer is not typically constructed from NAND memory modules, for various reasons such as higher cost and lower storage density compared to DRAM memory modules.

Power control for use of volatile memory as non-volatile memory


A device may include an upstream port and several downstream ports configured to transfer data at a different data transfer rate than the upstream port. The device may also include several downstream data handlers, each coupled to a respective one of the downstream ports, and an upstream data handler coupled to the upstream port. The data handlers are configured to implement a USB protocol. The upstream data handler is configured to provide data received via the upstream port to each of the downstream data handlers. Accordingly, the upstream data handler is shared between the various downstream data handlers.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to computer systems, and more particularly, to universal serial bus hubs used in computer systems.
2. Description of the Related Art
Components in computer systems communicate over various buses. One popular type of bus is the Universal Serial Bus (USB). The USB is a cable bus that allows a host computer to exchange data with a range of peripheral devices. USB peripherals share USB bandwidth through a host-scheduled, token-based protocol. A USB allows peripherals to be attached, configured, used, and detached while the host and other peripherals are in operation.
USB hubs allow multiple peripherals to be attached at a single host attachment point. Thus, a hub converts a single host attachment point into multiple peripheral attachment points. Each attachment point is referred to as a port. A hub typically includes an upstream port, which couples the hub to the host, and several downstream ports, which each couple the hub to another hub or peripheral. Each downstream port may be individually enabled and attached to a high-, full-, or low-speed device.
A USB hub typically includes a hub controller, a hub repeater, and a transaction translator. The hub repeater provides a USB protocol-controlled switch between the upstream port and downstream ports as well as support for reset and suspend/resume signaling. The host controller facilitates communication to and from the host. The transaction translator allows full- and/or low-speed downstream devices to communicate with a high-speed host. Typically, the number of transaction translators included in a USB hub limits the number of simultaneous transfers that can take place to full- and/or low-speed downstream devices used in a system with a high-speed host.

Universal serial bus hub with shared high speed handler


An image restoration apparatus comprises an image display device for displaying an image estimated as a nondegraded original image, a lens system for focusing the estimated image displayed on the image display device, an image input means for photographing an image focused by the lens system and for receiving the photographed image as image information, a comparing means for comparing the input image information received by the image input means with degraded image information prepared beforehand to obtain a difference therebetween, and a restoring means for performing restoration of an original image by changing the estimated image by using a random number on the basis of the difference calculated by the comparing means.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image restoration apparatus for restoring an original image from a degraded image.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a conventional image restoration apparatus of this type, in order to perform image restoration, a general-purpose digital computer is used to sequentially process each pixel of image data stored in an image memory. Sequential processing in units of pixels i performed by changing a state of each pixel by a random number, thereby restoring the image. At the time of image restoration, a photographic lens system which may cause image degradation is modeled, and restoration processing is executed using this lens system model.
Since the conventional image restoration apparatus restores an image while the pixel is sequentially changed using a random number, multiplications having a number which is a square of the number of all pixels are required every time one pixel is changed. Even if restoration processing is to be performed to an image having a normal size of 512.times.512 pixels, it is very difficult to finish restoration processing within a short period of time.
The conventional image restoration apparatus executes restoration processing using the photographic lens system model. In this case, if the photographic lens system which causes image degradation is a lens system having a large aberration and distortion, it is impossible to accurately model the photographic lens system required for the restoration processing. For this reason, high-precision image restoration cannot be performed.

Apparatus for restoring original image from degraded image


An efficient transdermal delivery system for delivering an active ingredient to the blood supply of a living body, comprising a vasodilator and/or topical counter irritant, an active ingredient, a permeation enhancer for the active ingredient, and a water soluble gum for binding the foregoing. A non-breathable layer also can be used for controlling the microenvironment at the transport site. Compression can be used to further enhance the blood supply at the transport site.

Transdermal drug delivery offers many advantages over other types of drug delivery. With transdermal delivery, a localized delivery of drug molecules can be achieved, which makes transdermal drug delivery target specific. Further, transdermal drug delivery avoids the gastro intestinal complications caused by oral delivery. While transdermal drug delivery offers these and other advantages, a system than can quickly and reliably deliver predictable quantities of drug molecules through the skin has heretofore not been developed.
The evolution of transdermal drug delivery has centered around patch technology. Patch technology is based on the ability to hold an active ingredient in constant contact with the epidermis. Over substantial periods of time, drug molecules, held in such a state, will eventually find their way into the bloodstream. Thus, patch technology relies on the ability of the human body to pick up drug molecules through the skin. Transdermal drug delivery using patch technology has recently been applied for delivery of nicotine, in an effort to assist smokers in quitting, the delivery of nitroglycerine to angina sufferers, the delivery of replacement hormones in post menopausal women, etc. These conventional drug delivery systems comprise a patch with an active ingredient such as a drug incorporated therein, the patch also including an adhesive for attachment to the skin so as to place the active ingredient in close proximity to the skin.
Problems with patch technology abound. First, active drug molecules have a difficult time passing through the skin, as the skin poses a significant barrier. In fact, in order for a drug molecule to reach the bloodstream, it must pass through the epidermis, stratum corneum (an especially dense layer of cells), dermis and capillary cell structure. Second, real world conditions such as the patient's obesity, metabolism and circulatory efficiency can effectively prevent transdermal drug delivery from occurring. Third, patch technology can be used only for treatments involving extensively long treatment periods, since the flow rate of drug molecules is so small. Finally, patch adhesion to the skin causes extensive skin trauma as well as cosmetic problems. Specifically, most adhesives currently used tend to aggressively adhere to the skin so that their removal may cause irritation and trauma. Indeed, subsequent patches used by a given individual are often applied to a different area of the skin in order to minimize such irritation and trauma.
In an effort to enhance the efficiency of transdermal drug delivery, the prior art teaches that by mixing certain individual ingredients (penetration enhancers) with a drug molecule, the ability of the drug molecule to pass through the skin is increased somewhat. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,933,184 discloses the use of menthol as a penetration enhancer; U.S. Pat. No. 5,229,130 discloses the use of vegetable oil (soybean and/or coconut oil) as a penetration enhancer; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,440,777 discloses the use of eucalyptol as a penetration enhancer.
Although mixing a penetration enhancer with a drug molecule helped to somewhat increase the speed of drug delivery, problems were still present. First, the aforementioned penetration enhancers constitute a passive, not an active, system. Thus, since they were not linked to the drug molecule, the penetration of the enhancer does not necessarily mean that the drug molecule has penetrated. In fact, the prior art drug molecule penetration is only a by-product of the enhancer penetration. Second, even when drug molecule penetration has occurred, the prior art does not establish a condition whereby the blood supply to the transport area is enhanced so as to maximize absorption speed. Third, prior art does not create a molecular structure that releases the drug molecule readily upon contact of acidic or alkaline bodily fluids so as to maximize bioavailability of the drug. Finally, although the prior art has increased the speed of transport of the drug molecule transdermally, it is still not sufficiently fast so as to eliminate (if desired) the need for a patch.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a transdermal transport system that efficiently and easily allows for effective delivery of an active ingredient through the skin and into the blood supply of an animal or human.


A gas/liquid separator system has an outer enclosing tank filled with a dsting packing material. The tank has a gas outlet port and a liquid outlet port located at its top and bottom, respectively. At least one cylindrical, centrifugal force gas/liquid separator is vertically aligned and centrally located within the tank and is surrounded by the packing material. The cylindrical separator receives a gas/liquid mixture, separates the mixture into respective substantially gas and substantially liquid components, and allows the substantially gas components to exit its gas escape port and the substantially liquid components to exit its liquid escape port. The packing material in the tank further separates the substantially gas and liquid components as they rise and fall, respectively, through the packing material. An inflow line introduces the mixture into the cylindrical separator. The inflow line is upwardly inclined in a direction of flow of the mixture at a point where the inflow line communicates with the cylindrical separator.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to gas/liquid separators, and more particularly to a gas/liquid separator system that uses a combination of centrifugal force and gravity to achieve a more efficient separation process.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
A gas/liquid separator (also called a hydrocyclone) facilitates the separation of gases from gas/liquid mixtures. One type of gas/liquid separator is known as a centrifugal separator. Typically, the gas/liquid mixture is introduced into a conical housing where the mixture is forced to spin therein. As the mixture is spun, the heavier liquid moves, due to centrifugal force, to the walls of the housing while the gas migrates inward. In the case of conical housings, efficiency of separation is usually only about 50% because some liquid remains entrained within the gas while separated liquid exits the apex of the cone via gravity. The residual gas/liquid mixture flows out through the center of the cone through a hollow outlet tube called the vortex finder. See, for example, Suh, et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,617,031. Attempts at improving separation efficiency while increasing flow volume include increasing the size of the separating vessel or using a multiplicity of small volume separators in tandem. However, either of these options results in greater equipment costs and space requirements.
A novel cylindrical gas/liquid separator is disclosed in my aforementioned copending application. This separator has been proven to operate with an approximate 100% efficiency of separation. However, certain industrial applications (e.g. the oil industry) need to achieve fully 100% gas/liquid separation efficiency for all flow rates over a long period of time. However, as mentioned above, prior art systems have relied on cascading a number of separators to achieve a high efficiency. This results in large and expensive separation systems.
Furthermore, prior art systems typically use a system of valves and sensors to maintain such a cascading system under a constant pressure head - a necessity for efficient operation. Unfortunately, over a long period of time, these valves and sensors clog and/or fail. The resulting maintenance and down time add to the cost of such a system.

Combined centrifugal force/gravity gas/liquid separator system

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy


Disclosed herein is a technology of effectively interrupting light reflected from a wavelength selective filter so as not to be fed back to a laser diode chip in a semiconductor laser package having a function of adjusting a relative intensity ratio of a signal of “1” and a signal of “0” using an optical filter. Since an optical interruption device according to the present invention may effectively interrupt a light feedback to the laser diode chip by adjusting characteristics of a 45 degree partial reflection mirror in an existing TO-can type laser device having the 45 degree partial reflection mirror and additionally disposing one λ/4 waveplate, unlike an optical isolator according to the related art using an existing Faraday rotator, the signals of “1” and “0” may be effectively adjusted in a TO-can type laser device having a small volume, thereby improving a function of communication.

Field
The present invention relates to a TO-can type laser device, and more particularly, to a TO-can type laser device having an optical isolator function that prevents light emitted from a laser diode chip from being again returned to the laser diode chip therein.
Description of the Related Art
Communication services having very large communication capacity including a video service of a smartphone, or the like have recently been released. Accordingly, a need to significantly increase conventional communication capacity is emerged, and as a method of increasing communication capacity using an optical fiber which is conventionally installed, a communication scheme of dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) has been adopted. The DWDM refers to a method of simultaneously transmitting lights at various wavelengths through one optical fiber using a phenomenon that does not cause interference between optical signals even if the optical signals of several wavelengths are simultaneously transmitted through one optical fiber due to a fact that laser lights having different wavelengths do not interfere with each other.
Recently, a standard called Next Generation—Passive Optical Network version 2 (NG-PON2) has globally been negotiated, and in the NG-PON2 standard, as a standard of optical communication module to be installed in a subscriber, laser of a frequency interval of 100 GHz has been adopted. An optical module for a subscriber of the NG-ON2 has a transceiver module called small form factor pluggable (SFP) as a basic standard. Since a volume of an SFP module package is small, a size of a laser module should be miniaturized.
In addition, in digital optical communication in which a signal of "1" and a signal of "0" are distinguished depending on intensity of light emitted from the laser diode chip, the signal of "1" and the signal of "0" are adjusted by the intensity of light emitted from a semiconductor laser diode chip. The intensity of light emitted from the semiconductor laser diode chip is varied depending on intensity of a current injected into the semiconductor laser diode chip, and a chirp phenomenon occurs in which a wavelength of chip laser light is varied depending on the intensity of current the current injected into the semiconductor laser diode chip. In a high speed operation of 10 Gbps, the chirp phenomenon occurs in which spectrum of the laser light emitted from the laser diode chip is widened, and the above-mentioned chirp phenomenon has a disadvantage that it is combined with dispersion characteristics of the optical fiber thereby shorten a transmission distance of an optical signal.
The above-mentioned chirp phenomenon is combined with dispersion characteristics of the optical fiber to thereby make a long distance transmission of a high speed optical signal difficult. In order to decrease the chirp phenomenon, a method of decreasing a modulation width of the current injected into the semiconductor laser diode chip generating the signal of "1" and the signal of "0" may be used. However, in the case of using this method, since a difference between intensities of the signal of "1" and the signal of "0" is decreased, a problem that it is difficult to distinguish the signals occurs,
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a method has been used in which light corresponding to a wavelength of the signal of "0" of the laser diode chip is optically decreased to electrically drive the laser diode chip so that the modulation width of the current is not large and to then optically emphasize the difference between the intensities of the signal of "1" and the signal of "0".
FIG. 1 shows a structure of a chirp managed laser described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,199,785. The chirp managed laser uses a method of selectively decreasing light corresponding to the signal of "0" using an optical filter to increase a modulation width of a final output signal. Here, since the laser light oscillated from the semiconductor laser diode chip has a change of a wavelength of about 0.1 nm/°C. depending on a temperature, and the optical filter should selectively decrease only the signal of "0", there is a problem that wavelengths of light emitted from the optical filter and the semiconductor laser diode chip need to be precisely matched to each other. For this reason, a wavelength stabilizer is essential in the chirp managed laser, and reference numerals 308, 310, and 312 of FIG. 1 denote structures for wavelength stabilization described above. FIGS. 2 show a view (FIG. 2A) showing a ratio of intensities of signal wavelengths of the signal of "1" and the signal of "0" in a case in which the optical filter is not used, and a view (FIG. 2B) showing a ratio of intensities of signal wavelengths in a case in which a difference between the intensities of the signal of "1" and the signal of "0" is expanded using the optical filter that relatively well passes the intensity of the signal of "1" and relatively interrupts the intensity of the signal of "0".
In order to use the wavelength stabilizer of FIG. 1, a portion of the light emitted DFB-LD 302 (FIG. 1) needs to be reflected from OSR 304 (FIG. 1) and to be again moved in a direction of the DFB-LD 302 (FIG. 1). In particular, in a case in which the optical filter has characteristics of etalon, since characteristics of the etalon optical filter become good when the etalon optical filter is disposed so that incident light is incident to be almost vertical to an incident surface of the etalon optical filter, most of the etalon optical filters are designed so as to correspond to light entering the incident surface of the etalon optical filter at a narrow angle of about +/−3 degrees of a vertical angle. Light reflected vertically from the etalon filter may be fed back to the laser diode chip to thereby disturb an operation of the laser diode chip. However, since the DFB-LD 302 (FIG. 1) has characteristics which very sensitively change for light entered from the outside, a method is required that allows light moved from the OSR 304 (FIG. 1) to the DFB-LD 302 (FIG 1.) to be moved in PD 312 (FIG. 1), and not to be moved in DFB-LD 302 (FIG. 2). According to the relate art of FIG. 1, an optical isolator 306 (FIG. 1) that passes light only in one direction and does not pass the light in an opposite direction is disposed.
In FIG. 1, two optical isolators are shown, in which the optical isolator 306 (FIG. 1) has a function of blocking the light emitted from the laser diode chip and reflected from a wavelength selective filter 304 (FIG. 4) so as not to be fed back to the laser diode chip, and another optical isolator 324 (FIG. 1) is an optical isolator for blocking light injected into an optical element of FIG. 1 through an optical fiber from another optical element.
Since the optical isolator includes two polarizers, a Faraday rotator disposed between the two polarizers, and a permanent magnet applying a magnetic field to the Faraday rotator, the optical isolator has a problem that it is complex and expensive.
In FIG. 1, the laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser diode chip 302 (FIG. 1) goes straight to be incident on an optical fiber 318 (FIG. 1), and this type of configuration is most preferably implemented by FIG. 3 of U.S. Pat No. 8,199,785 according to the related art, which is called a mini-flat type. However, since an optical element package housing of the mini-flat type is expensive, a method of implementing the wavelength stabilizer using a TO-can type package which is inexpensive is shown in US20150200730 of FIG. 4. As the TO-can type, a small product typically having a diameter within 6 mm is mainly applied to optical communication. The reason that a size of 6 mm is important in the TO-can type package having the diameter of 6 mm or less is because a height of a package of an SFP type transceiver, which is the most important standard of a current optical transceiver for communication is about 8 mm, and only the TO-can type package having the maximum diameter of 6 mm is allowable to be mounted within the above-mentioned package.
In US20150200730 of FIG. 4, when a filter 400 is mounted within the above-mentioned. package, used as the optical filter, the chirp managed laser having the wavelength stabilizer embedded therein may be implemented in the TO-can type. However, since the case of FIG. 4 does not have a device that prevents the feedback of the light such as the optical isolator 306 (FIG. 1) shown in U.S. Pat. No. 8,199,735 of FIG. 1, a portion of light emitted from the laser diode chip 100 (FIG. 4), entering an optical filter 400 (FIG. 4), reflected from the optical filter 400 (FIG. 4) and then again moved to a 45 degree partial reflection mirror 300 (FIG. 4) is reflected from the partial reflection mirror 300 (FIG. 4) to enter the semiconductor laser diode chip 100 (FIG. 4), thereby making it possible to disturb an operation of the semiconductor laser diode chip 100 (FIG. 4). In the case of FIG. 4, in order to obtain strong light intensity, the 45 degree partial reflection mirror 300 (FIG. 4) may reflect most of the incident light. Therefore, since most of the light reflected From the optical filter 400 (FIG. 4) to arrive at the 45 degree partial reflection mirror 300 (FIG. 4) is reflected to the laser diode chip 100 (FIG. 4), the operation of the laser diode chip 100 (FIG. 4) is more easily disturbed.
In the case of FIG. 4, as a type in which the optical isolator may be disposed, a method of disposing the optical isolator at a position of an optical isolator (A) of FIG. 5 is possible. However, it is very difficult to apply this method to a limited size of the diameter of substantially 6 mm.
FIG. 6 shows a TO-can internal structure of a structure of FIG. 4 manufactured in the TO-can type having a diameter of substantially 6 mm. In a case in which an outer cap portion of a package in a TO-can type package having the diameter of 6 mm is considered, a space in which a past may be disposed in the TO-can type package is limited to 4 mm or less. In FIG. 6, a size of a collimating lens is 0.7 mm, and in a case in which the size of the lens is decreased to 0.7 mm or less, since a size of a collimated beam becomes too small, characteristics of transmission/interruption by interference in the etalon filter do not exhibit well. In the TO-can type, since the collimated light is preferably emitted in a concentric axis of the TO-can type package, the 45 degree partial reflection mirror is preferably disposed on the concentric axis of the TO-can type package. As shown in FIG. 6, since the TO-can type package having the diameter of 6 mm has a very small size, a problem occurs that a space in which an optical isolator typically having a size of 1 mm or more is to be mounted is insufficient. Therefore, it is substantially impossible to dispose the optical isolator at the position (A) of FIG. 5. In the TO-can type package, the optical isolator such as the optical isolator (B) of FIG. 5 may be disposed without limiting the size of the package in a vertical upward direction of the 45 degree partial reflection mirror to thereby prevent the light reflected from the optical filter 400 (FIG. 5) from being fed back to the laser diode chip 100 (FIG. 5). However, in this case, since light to be incident to a photo diode 500 (FIG. 5) is also interrupted by the optical isolator (B), by which the wavelength stabilizer is not used, the function of the chirp managed laser may not be implemented.


A method is described for converting an existing die, originally designed for a non-chip-scale package, to a chip-scale package die, where the die's bonding pads are located in positions within a defined grid of candidate positions. In the first step, the die's layout, comprising its outer boundaries and areas needed to be electrically connected to bonding pads, are shifted relative to a grid of candidate positions for the bonding pads until an optimal alignment is identified. Bonding pads positions on the die are then selected corresponding to optimum grid positions within the outer boundaries of the die. The die is then fabricated using the original masks to form at least the semiconductor regions and using a new set of masks for defining the new locations of the bonding pads for the chip-scale package. The chip-scale package is then bonded to a PCB using chip-scale package technology.

One type of conventional integrated circuit (IC) package contains an IC, where bonding pads on the IC are generally along its periphery. The bonding pads are connected to a leadframe using wire bonding, and the IC and leadframe are sealed within a plastic or ceramic body. Leads from the leadframe extend from edges of the body and are either soldered to pads of a printed circuit board (PCB) or the leads are pushed into a socket.
A relatively recent trend in IC packaging is called chip-scale packaging. In chip-scale packaging, the IC's bonding pads align with ball sites in a standard ball grid array. The ball site pitch is typically 0.3 mm or 0.5 mm. The IC pads are directly bonded to pads on a PCB, with the substrate of the IC facing upward, so no leadframe is needed. The IC pads are bonded to PCB pads either through ultrasonic welding or solder (using solder balls). In chip-scale packaging, since there is no leadframe, the footprint of the IC on the PCB is a minimum. In this way, the PCB may be very densely packed with ICs, which is desirable in compact applications such as cell phones.
Such chip-scale packaging also simplifies the customer's assembly requirements since all ICs have pads that align with locations on a single type of grid. The PCB contains interconnections between the PCB pads and connects certain pads to PCB connectors.
There are many ICs specifically designed for connection to a leadframes. It would be desirable to convert such existing IC designs to a chip-scale package without a major redesign of the chip and without adversely affecting the performance of the IC.

Chip-scale package conversion technique for dies


A matrix switch comprises a number of switching elements configured in a matrix and a controller that operates to dynamically select one or more signal routes via the switching elements. The matrix switch can operate to dynamically route multiple signal routes between antenna ports to one or more transceiver ports, transmitter ports, receiver ports or termination ports. The controller can select the signal routes based on a set of criteria, which can include one or more use conditions, radio resource conditions or propagations conditions.

Mobile wireless devices such as smart-phones, tablet PCs and laptop computers, often comprise a number of radio transceivers, which enable devices to connect to cellular radio networks, local area networks and combinations of different networks as well as devices not part of a network. In order to provide enhanced data rates over such radio networks, convenience encourages combining individual radio frequency carriers using carrier aggregation techniques. These techniques combine two or more component carriers from the same band (intra-band contiguous and intra-band non-contiguous) or from different bands (inter-band non-contiguous). Carrier aggregation can be used to enhance the data rate of both downlink and uplink alike. The combination of carriers facilitates wireless devices to operate multiple transceivers. In addition to carrier aggregation, diversity techniques and spatial multiplexing increase the throughput of a communications channel, but also involve operating multiple transceivers simultaneously.