A decoding device used in a predictive coding method includes a replacement circuit for replacing a decoded value corresponding to an encoded code having an uncorrectable error with the decoded value of the immediately preceding sample, and decoding of the succeeding sample is performed according to the decoded value output from the replacement circuit.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a decoding device for decoding encoded codes subjected to predictive coding, and more particularly, to countermeasures when a code error occurs in a transmission channel.
2. Description of the Related Art
As a method for reducing the number of transmitted bits for one sample when image information is digitally transmitted, a difference (or differential) predictive coding method (termed hereinafter a DPCM) has been known which compresses data utilizing the property that adjacent sample values have large correlation with each other.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a most common preceding-value-predictive DPCM encoding device. In FIG. 1, there is shown an input terminal 10 for a sampled value X.sub.i. A subtracter 12 subtracts an encode predictive value P.sub.i from the input sampled value X.sub.i. A quantizer 14 outputs an encoded Y.sub.i. There are also shown an inverse quantizer 16, and an adder 18. A D-flip-flop 20 outputs an encode predictive value. An error correcting coding circuit 22 adds an error correcting code to the encoded code Y.sub.i. An output terminal 24 is for a string of transmitted codes with error correcting codes added thereto.
The subtracter 12 subtracts the encode predictive value P.sub.i (consisting of 8 bits), which is a decoded value of the immediately preceding value output from the D-flip-flop 20, from the sampled value X.sub.i (consisting of 8 bits) from the input terminal 10. The quantizer 14 quantizes a difference value output from the subtracter 12, and outputs a DPCM-encoded code Y.sub.i (consisting of 4 bits). The error correcting coding circuit 22 adds a parity for error correction to the encoded code Y.sub.i output from the quantizer 14, and outputs the resultant signal to the output terminal 24. The inverse quantizer 16 inversely quantizes the DPCM-encoded code Y.sub.i (consisting of 4 bits) output from the quantizer 14, and outputs a representative quantized difference value of a difference (consisting of 8 bits). The adder 18 adds the encode predictive value P.sub.i to the output from the inverse quantizer 16, and outputs a local decoded value X.sub.i '. The D-flip-flop 20 delays the local decoded value X.sub.i ' for an interval of one sample, and supplies it to the subtracter 12 and the adder 18 as the encode predictive value P.sub.i.
In general, the generation probability of the difference value between the encode predictive value P.sub.i and the sampled value X.sub.i concentrates in very small values. Accordingly, by having a configuration in which regions having small difference values are finely quantized, and in which regions having large difference values are coarsely quantized, compression of the amount of information becomes possible.
Table 1 shows a correspondence relation among difference values (outputs from the subtracter 12), DPCM-encoded codes Y.sub.i output from the quantizer 14, and representative difference values output from the inverse quantizer 16.
TABLE 1 ______________________________________ Range of difference DPCM Representative difference value code value ______________________________________ -255--94 0 -140 -93--70 1 -80 -69--50 2 -58 -49--34 3 -40 -33--22 4 -27 -21--13 5 -17 -12--6 6 -8 -5--2 7 -3 -1-1 8 0 2-5 9 3 6-11 10 8 12-20 11 15 21-35 12 27 36-53 13 44 54-93 14 70 94-255 15 150 ______________________________________
As shown in Table 1, the quantizer 14 performs non-linear quantization, and as a result, compresses the amount of information to one half.
FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the configuration of a decoding device corresponding to the encoding device shown in FIG. 1. In FIG. 2, there are shown an input terminal 26 for a transmitted DPCM-encoded code, an error detection/correction circuit 28, an inverse quantizer 30, an adder 32, a D-flip-flop 34, a switch 38, a 1-line delay unit 36, and an output terminal 40 for a decoded value.
In the transmitted code input from the input terminal 26, an error which occurred during data transmission is detected and corrected by the error detection/correction circuit 28. The error detection/correction circuit 28 supplies the inverse quantizer 30 with the DPCM-encoded code Y.sub.i, and outputs an error flag (see FIG. 3) for controlling the switch 38 if the error could not be corrected. The inverse quantizer 30 inversely quantizes the DPCM-encoded code Y.sub.i, and outputs a representative difference value. The adder 32 adds an output from the D-flip-flop, which is the decoded value of the immediately preceding value, to the output from the inverse quantizer 30. The output from the adder 32 becomes the decoded value X.sub.i '. The output from the adder 32 is delayed for an interval of one sample by the D-flip-flop 34, and is returned to the adder 32 as the decoded value (decode predictive value) of the immediately preceding value.
The output from the adder 32 is directly supplied to contact "a" of the switch 38, and is also supplied to contact "b" of the switch 38 via the 1-line delay unit 36. In general, in the DPCM, it is known that, when an error once occurs in a transmission channel, the error is propagated to succeeding decoded values X.sub.i+1 -X.sub.i+j until the decoded value (reset value) of the DPCM-encoded code obtained by quantizing the sampled value itself is subsequently obtained. Accordingly, when an uncorrectable error is detected in the encoded code Y.sub.i by the error detection/correction circuit 28, an error flag is raised after the detection of the uncorrectable error, as shown in FIG. 3. While the error flag is raised, the switch 38 is switched to the side of contact "b", and the decoded value is replaced, that is, concealed by the sampled value on the immediately preceding line. FIG. 3 shows changes in the decoded values by this concealment at respective sampled points.
In the above-described conventional example, however, since the decoded value is replaced by the sampled value on the immediately preceding line, there is a disadvantage in that a 1-line delay unit is needed, causing an increase in hardware. Furthermore, since all the decoded values after the detection of the uncorrectable encoded code are replaced, there is a disadvantage in that much deterioration in an image occurs if there is no correlation between a sampled value on the current line and a sampled value on the immediately preceding line. In such a case, the difference between the sampled value on the immediately preceding line and the sampled value in the case of no transmission-line error becomes large, as shown in FIG. 3, causing remarkable deterioration in picture quality.

Predictive decoding device for correcting code errors


In a recording apparatus using a plurality of kinds of head cartridges each comprising an ink jet recording head and an ink tank formed as a unit, the present invention prevents, when a wrong head cartridge has been mounted during cartridge exchange, data regarding the remain of ink in a thitherto used cartridge of other kind from being lost, and enables the remain of ink in that cartridge to be confirmed. A user is pressed for the exchange of the head cartridge now mounted to thereby effect the exchange actually, and is called on to confirm whether the newly mounted head cartridge is a right one, and the initialization of the data regarding the remain of ink is effected when the user has done the inputting of the confirmation.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a recording apparatus, and particularly to a construction for the control of the remain of a recording agent such as ink or toner used for recording or recording mediums such as recording sheets (these will hereinafter be generically referred to as the recording material).
2. Related Background Art
Recording apparatuses heretofore well known include, for example, recording apparatuses of the so-called serial type having a carrier carrying a recording head thereon and reciprocally movable in directions perpendicular to the direction of conveyance of a recording medium (hereinafter also referred to as the paper) such as paper or a sheet for OHP suitable for the projection by an overhead projector and excellent in transmitting property, and recording apparatuses of the full line type having a recording head of a length corresponding to the width of recording paper. In these recording apparatuses, use is made of recording heads using various recording systems, among which are generally widely known the wire dot system, the thermosensitive system, the heat transfer system, the ink jet system, the electrophotographic system, etc.
The recording agents used differ depending on these recording systems, and for example, ink is used as the recording agent in the ink jet system, toner is used as the recording agent in the electrophotographic system, and ink applied to an ink ribbon is used as the recording agent in the heat transfer system.
The amounts of the respective recording agents provided in the recording apparatuses are governed by members for holding these recording agents. For example, in the ink jet system, ink is held in an ink tank, but in the ink cartridge type comprising a recording head and an ink tank made integral with each other which has recently been spreading (hereinafter referred to as the head cartridge), the initial state thereof, namely, the amount held by the cartridge in its new state, is the amount of ink provided. The amount of ink held by the cartridge in its new state is substantially constant and the amount capable of recording is also substantially predetermined (hereinafter this amount will be represented as HMAX), and when the recording amount substantially reaches such a predetermined amount capable of recording, the replenishment of the recording agent such as ink becomes necessary. In this case, in the above-described head cartridge, the operation of exchanging it for a new head cartridge (hereinafter referred to as the new cartridge) becomes necessary.
As informing means for informing a user of the replenishment period for the recording agent such as ink or the exchange period for the new cartridge and the current remain capable of recording (hereinafter referred to as the remain), many means are known such as means for continuously counting the used amount or the remain and indicating a message or the like on an indicating device on the basis of the counted value, means of providing a window or the like for confirmation to thereby enable the user to visually confirm, and indicator means corresponding to the remain of the ink or the like and variable with an increase or a decrease in the remain.
Also, many constructions for the detection of the remain of recording mediums are known in the art of copying apparatuses, printers, etc.
However, in the above-described example of the prior art wherein the control of the remain is effected with the used amount or the remain counted, when the counted value of the used amount or the remain stored in the recording apparatus body is changed, for example, by the exchange of the head cartridge, the informed substance is also changed simultaneously therewith. Therefore, for example, in a recording apparatus of a construction in which discrete head cartridges are used for monochrome recording and for color recording and recording is effected with the respective head cartridges exchanged and mounted in the recording apparatus, when in case of the exchange of the head cartridge, the head cartridge is erroneously exchanged for a new cartridge for color instead of a new cartridge for monochrome, the counted value of the used amount or the remain in the head cartridge for color recording is changed and simultaneously therewith, the informed substance is also changed. This has led to the problem that even if the user becomes aware of the error after the exchange, the information on the head cartridge for color recording so far used has all been changed and therefore the correct counted value of the used amount or the remain regarding that head cartridge disappears and it becomes impossible to grasp it.

Recording apparatus which allows ink amount detection upon exchange of a printhead


A counterfeit determination is made with respect to currency bills by illuminating the currency bill with multiple wavelengths of light. Genuine currency bills include indicia printed with an ink that responds similarly to infra-red illumination at two different wavelengths. To identify a test currency as a suspect counterfeit, the bill is first illuminated with infra-red light at a first wavelength. A measurement is then made of a first reflected light response from the first illumination. The test currency bill is then second illuminated with infra-red light at a second wavelength. A measurement is then made of a second reflected light response from the second illumination. The first and second reflected light responses are then compared, and the test currency bill is identified as a suspect counterfeit if the first and second reflected light responses are not substantially the same.

A variety of techniques and apparatuses have been used to determine the authenticity of currency bills (or other documents). These techniques generally implicate optically scanning or imaging the documents along with the processing of the resulting scan or image data in comparison to certain metrics. If the metrics are satisfied (or not satisfied, as the case may be), then the document is identified as suspect. The document may then be discarded because it is presumed to not be authentic or it can be sent on for further handling and consideration, perhaps using other tests or analyses, to confirm that it is not authentic. A common concern with prior art document scanning and imaging techniques is accuracy. Another common concern with the prior art techniques is speed. A need exists in the art for a method and system for determining the authenticity of documents which possesses improved accuracy rates and further can be implemented in automated system which operate at high document processing rates. It would further be an advantage if the system and method could be implemented in compact document handling systems, and if the system and method were inexpensive.

Multi-wavelength currency authentication system and method


A feed structure for transmitting or receiving microwave energy to or from a reflector includes a waveguide having an input section, intermediate section, and output section. The waveguide has an inner surface of generally rectangular cross section and an outer surface of generally circular cross section. The outer surface includes unique opposing convex surfaces which enables the waveguide to be bent with minimal resulting deformation of the internal rectangular surface. At least one locating surface is provided on the outer surface of the waveguide for determining the orientation of the waveguide. The input section of the waveguide has a threaded cylindrical surface adapted to be connected to a hub having a threaded interior bore which is connected to the reflector. A feed horn integral with the output section of the waveguide and having a circular output aperture is formed by machining the inner surface of the waveguide into a rectangular to circular transition. The intermediate section of the waveguide is curved so that the output aperture of the horn is directed toward the reflecting surface of the reflector, enabling waves transmitted from the aperture toward the reflecting surface to be reflected into space in the form of plane waves.

A parabolic or other suitably shaped reflector is a well known device for the transmission or reception of electromagnetic energy. When employed as a transmitting antenna, a feed horn located at the focus of the reflector directs microwave energy toward the reflecting surface of the reflector. The surface of the reflector then serves to reflect the waves from the feed horn into space in the form of plane waves. Conversely, when employed as a receiving antenna, a microwave reflector reflects plane waves from space toward a feed horn located at the focus of the reflector. Whether operating in the mode of a transmitter or receiver, the feed horn is typically connected by means of a waveguide to a transmission line originating behind the surface of the reflector. The waveguide is appropriately curved so as to minimize interference with microwave energy passed between the feed horn and the reflector. Typically, the step of bending the waveguide in the prior art requires the use of an internal mandrill to avoid deforming the interior cross section of the waveguide. Nevertheless, bending of the waveguide creates imperfections in the interior cross section of the waveguide which contribute to energy losses in the reflector system. Energy losses may also be caused by imperfections in the waveguide, feed horn or reflector. Prior art feed horn assemblies further contribute to energy losses in that their waveguide and feed horn frequently consist of multiple components which are joined together by a brazing process resulting in an imperfect interface between the components. As a result of the above imperfections and associated energy losses, feed systems known in the art must commonly undergo an extensive tuning process before they may be operated efficiently.
The present invention is directed to overcoming or at least reducing the effects of one or more of the problems set forth above.


A game machine which can improve an interest of selection of an action type of a player character is provided. A line output controlling unit (82) sequentially outputs a plurality of line strings corresponding to line identification information selected by a line selection unit (76) in a given order and at a given timing. A player character action type selection receiving unit (84) receives selection of an action type of a player character in at least a period after the line output controlling unit (82) outputs. A parameter value updating unit (80) changes, according to a combination of a selected action type of the player character and an action type of the enemy character corresponding to the selected line identification information, a parameter value indicating a state of an enemy character by an amount based on a time of selection of the action type of the player character.

A game machine is known which executes a game in which a parameter value (for example, hit point) indicating a state of an enemy character is changed based on a combination of an action type of a player character selected by a player from among a plurality of action types of the player character and an action type of the enemy character selected from among a plurality of action types of the enemy character.    Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2002-166045

Game machine, game machine control method, and information storage medium


A new and distinct selection of Panicle Hydrangea which shall be referred to hereinafter as Hydrangea paniculata cultivar Ruby. Hydrangea paniculata cultivar Ruby differs distinctively from other Hydrangea paniculata plants by its unique combination of daintier, graceful growth habit and smaller more numerous showy sterile flower sepals and dark autumn color of flower sepals.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct selection of Hydrangea paniculata a member of the Saxifragaceae family. Hydrangea paniculata cv. Ruby was the result of three generations of field selection. The first generation was my selection Hydrangea paniculata `Unique`, a seedling that originated from the well known Hydrangea paniculata `Floribunda`. Hydrangea paniculata `Floribunda` main attribute is numerous sterile flowers with showy sepals. The second generation was a seedling derived from Hydrangea paniculata `Unique` named Hydrangea paniculata `Pink Diamond`. Hydrangea paniculata `Ruby` resulted as a seedling from Hydrangea paniculata `Pink Diamond` after three years of field observation in flower. I selected Hydrangea paniculata cv. `Ruby` in 1992. My discovery was made at my residence in Hemelryck, 2910 Essen, Belgium. Selection was based on the attributes of smaller daintier habit, numerous showy sepals and dark autumn colored flower sepals.
My new plant has been asexually reproduced by cuttings since the discovery in 1992 at my residence in Hemelryck, 2910 Essen, Belgium and later at Monrovia Nursery Company, 13455 S.E. Lafayette Highway, Dayton, Oreg. Had the seedling not been discovered and propagated it may have been lost to mankind. It is unlikely these select and favorable attributes of this plant could be conveyed to progeny through sexual reproduction in the next generation. However, throught extensive propagation by rooting of the plant it has been established that the novel exceptional characteristics of this plant are stable and reliably passed on to clonal specimens through asexual reproduction.


In a data processing system with built in audio capability, audio setup instructions are provided. Delivery of the instructions begins after the system is plugged in. Once a video connection has been established, the audio instructions may be supplemented with directly relevant visual information. The object of each instruction may be tested for successful completion. Additional instructions and information may be provided, or optional instructions and information skipped, depending on the requirements of the individual setup.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates in general to data processing systems and in particular to an improved method of delivering setup instructions for data processing systems. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to providing setup instructions which are simple to understand and tailored to an individual setup.
2. Description of the Related Art
The Internet has become a cultural fixture as a source of both information and entertainment. Many businesses are creating Internet sites as an integral part of their marketing efforts, informing consumers of the products or services offered by the business or providing other information seeking to engender brand loyalty. Many federal, state, and local government agencies are also employing Internet sites for informational purposes, particularly agencies which must interact with virtually all segments of society such as the Internal Revenue Service and secretaries of state. Operating costs may be reduced by providing informational guides and/or searchable databases of public records online.
The largest segment of the consuming public does not currently have access to these resources. Such consumers are typically either unable or unmotivated to acquire both the requisite hardware and software and the necessary computer skills for taking advantage of these resources. There is a need for low cost data processing systems which are simple to operate, allowing users without computer skills the opportunity to access the Internet. This need is being addressed, to some extent, by "WebTV" systems.
In designing a low cost, simple data processing system, however, it is necessary to presume that the target user is unsophisticated and/or inexperienced. Therefore the operation of the data processing system must be both simple and intuitive, requiring little or no technical sophistication on the part of the user. In this regard, it would be advantageous to provide setup instructions for newly purchased data processing systems which are simple to understand, easy to follow, and tailored to each individual setup.
Conventional data processing systems are sold with little or no setup instructions. Typically a purchaser receives a small bundle of technical documentation, but little or no guidance on how to connect monitors, keyboards, etc. In cases where such setup instructions are provided, they are usually cryptic written instructions with diagrams and terminology confusing to a novice. Moreover, written instructions invariably contain descriptions of alternatives or peculiarities which may be irrelevant to a specific setup.
Even in the simplest data processing systems, some tangible, electrical connections and some software settings are required to in setting up the system. A system may not become fully operational, or the system may not perform to its capacity level, until such connections and settings are established. Without clear, concise, and easy to follow instructions which walk a user through the setup process, a novice user may not be able to set up a newly purchased data processing system. Technical service or assistance may be required, increasing the cost of the data processing system to the user and the manufacturer.
Graphical user interfaces may also be somewhat cryptic. The information conveyed by the graphical nature of an icon and any associated description is typically fairly limited. Therefore it would be beneficial to provide a user of a data processing system with additional information regarding the function of an icon.
It would be desirable, therefore, to provide setup instructions in a manner which any user can easily follow, without any advance technical knowledge. It would also be desirable to provide these instructions through medium which does not rely on a user's reading skills. It would further be advantageous if the setup instructions communicated to the user were automatically tailored for each individual setup. Such a method of delivering setup instructions could save a user time and frustration, and also facilitate proper setup of the data processing system.

International Business Machines Corporation


A method performed by a vision control system for supporting in low light conditions in surroundings of a moving vehicle, object detection by at least a first on-board rearward- and/or sideward-facing image capturing device. The vision control system captures a surrounding located rearward and/or sideward of the moving vehicle with support from the at least first image capturing device. The vision control system further determines light conditions in the surrounding. Moreover, the vision control system provides with support from at least a first light source, when the light conditions fulfill insufficient light criteria, a light output illuminating a ground region of the surrounding to facilitate object detection by the at least first image capturing device. The disclosure also relates to a vision control system, a vehicle comprising such a vision control system, and a respective corresponding computer readable storage medium.

An increasing number of modern vehicles have advanced driver-assistance systems, ADAS, to increase vehicle safety and more generally road safety. ADAS—which for instance may be represented by lane departure avoidance, adaptive cruise control, ACC, collision avoidance system, forward collision warning, etc.—are electronic systems that may aid a vehicle driver while driving. To function as intended, ADAS may rely on inputs from multiple data sources, such as e.g. LIDARs, radars, ultrasonics, cameras, automotive imaging, image processing, computer vision, and/or in-car networking.
Moreover, in a not too distant future, autonomous or automated driving systems, AD systems, will to greater extent find their way into modern vehicles. An AD system is a complex combination of various components that can be defined as systems where perception, decision making, and operation of the vehicle are performed by electronics and machinery instead of a human driver, and as introduction of automation into road traffic. This includes handling of the vehicle, destination, as well as awareness of surroundings. While the automated system has control over the vehicle, it allows the human operator to leave all responsibilities to the system. An AD system commonly combines a variety of sensors to perceive the vehicle's surroundings, such as e.g. radar, LIDAR, sonar, camera, navigation and/or positioning system e.g. GNSS such as GPS, odometer and/or inertial measurement units, upon which advanced control systems may interpret sensory information to identify appropriate navigation paths, as well as obstacles and/or relevant signage.
In order to localize an ADAS or AD supporting vehicle with high precision in a digital map, such as a high definition, HD, map, information about lane markings and other objects detected by forward, rearward and/or side facing cameras onboard the vehicle, may be matched with information in the digital map.
In low light conditions, however, although forward facing cameras may be assumed to work well as the road in front may be lit by the vehicle's headlights, object detection by rearward and/or side facing cameras may suffer. The lack of light may cause a reduced or lost performance with respect to object detection, e.g. lane marking detection, with the consequence of reduced availability of—and/or negative impact on—functionality of the ADAS or AD system.

Vehicle surroundings object detection in low light conditions


A method is disclosed for cleaning roll surfaces on a paper-making machine or the like, particularly the grooves and drilled perforations of the rolls, and/or supported fabrics and/or for improving water drainage therein. According to the method, the properties of a moving roll surface (1) and/or fabric (6), as well as their behavior during a run, are affected by means of a gas mixture (5) in a manner, wherein the flow of the gas mixture is caused to be directed substantially toward the roll surface (1), grooves (2) made on the roll shell, perforations (2) of the roll shell and/or the fabric (6) or, alternatively, at least to a close proximity of at least one of the foregoing objects. The invention also relates to an apparatus suited for implementing the method.

The present invention relates to a method according to the preamble of claim 1 for cleaning roll surfaces on a papermaking machine or the like, particularly the grooves, drilled perforations thereof and/or supported fabrics, and/or improving water drainage therein. The invention also relates to an apparatus according to the preamble of claim 8 suited for implementing the method.
In the art are known generally a plurality of different arrangements for cleaning roll surfaces and/or fabrics on a papermaking machine or equipment of a similar kind. For instance, an arrangement is known wherein the rolls of a papermaking machine, particularly its grooved-shell rolls, suction rolls, dryer rolls or other similar rolls, are cleaned by doctoring the rolls with the help of a doctor blade made from a polymer material, glass fiber, carbon fiber, steel or a combination thereof. This action serves by means of doctoring to clean the surface of a roll, particularly the grooves and/or perforations thereof and to remove water and dirt from the grooves and/or perforations and/or from the surface of the roll. The prior-art approaches are especially problematic in regard to the grooves and/or perforations of a roll when water and dirt must be removed therefrom. Particularly on the wire and press sections, water and/or dirt will adhere to the grooves and/or perforations of the rolls thus staying persistingly therein, which leads to inferior water drainage performance of the rolls/fabrics of a papermaking machine, reduced efficiency in the papermaking process, deteriorated quality of the web and a possible need to run the papermaking machine at a lower speed, whereby production loss is inevitable.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an entirely novel kind of arrangement for eliminating the reduction of operating efficiency in rolls and/or fabrics and for eliminating runnability problems on a paper/boardmaking machine or the like due to dirt plugging different kinds of roll surfaces and/or fabrics and by the effect of water and dirt adhering to the roll grooves and/or holes and/or fabrics. The goal of the invention is achieved by means of doctoring the surface of a roll with a novel type of doctoring apparatus, wherein pressurized gas, particularly compressed air, is used for generating to the incoming or outgoing side of a doctoring member such an overpressure or vacuum that enhances the water and dirt removal capabilities of the novel doctoring arrangement. The feed of the cleaning gas such as compressed air, is implemented using a purpose-designed gas ejection device suited for application of cleaning gas according to the invention to the surface of a roll and/or grooves and/or perforations of the roll surface. Additionally, the method and apparatus according to the invention can be used for cleaning, drying and removing water and dirt from the fabrics of a papermaking machine or the like machinery.
During its manufacture, the apparatus according to the invention can be provided with different kinds of integral sensors such as thermocouple wires and the like sensors suited for measuring the temperature and/or temperature profile of roll surfaces, for instance. Furthermore, it is possible to incorporate pressure, deflection, vibration or the like sensors that serve to monitor, e.g., the loading profile and/or possible leak-throughs under the doctoring elements, as well as moisture content, speed, acceleration and other sensors serving to monitor, e.g., the operational state of the doctoring element and/or roll and/or fabric.
More specifically, the invention is characterized by what is stated in the appended claims.
The arrangement according to the invention offers a number of significant benefits. The injection assembly of the cleaning gas such as compressed air can be used in a plurality of different applications. The apparatus is suited, e.g., for cleaning roll surfaces on a papermaking machine and removal of water and plugging materials from the grooves and/or perforations of roll surfaces. Additionally, the method and apparatus according to the invention is usable for cleaning, drying, water drainage and dirt removal on fabrics on a papermaking machine or the like.
Conventional cleaning or doctoring methods and apparatuses leave an excessively large amount of water and/or dirt on the surface and/or the grooves and/or perforations of a roll. This results in a reduced water drainage capacity and/or efficiency on the wire and press sections of a papermaking machine, problems in web runnability, web breaks and/or defects on the web. For instance, the grooves of grooved-shell rolls remain filled with a layer of water and/or dirt inasmuch a conventional doctor due to its linear shape and function cannot touch or clean but the outermost surface of roll. Conventional doctoring apparatuses and methods are also incapable of cleaning drilled holes of a perforated suction roll free from water and/or dirt due to the superficial contact of the scraping element with the roll surface alone. Today, separately mounted high-pressure water jets in cooperation with suction systems are being used for cleaning fabrics on a papermaking machine and the like systems. In these systems, the low efficiency of the cleaning equipment in regard to the high investment cost is a great disadvantage. Moreover, a fabric passed through such cleaning equipment still contains water and dirt, such as fiber and various surface sizes or fillers and adhesives.
The method and apparatus according to the invention intended for cleaning and/or doctoring of roll surfaces, particularly those of grooved-shell and/or suction rolls, on a papermaking machine achieve improved efficiency by virtue of an arrangement specifically developed for the implementation of the invention, in which arrangement pressurized gas, such as compressed air, is used for generating on the ingoing and/or outgoing side and/or interior space of a doctoring assembly according to the invention and/or between the doctor blades acting as the delineating walls of the doctoring assembly such a high pressure or a vacuum that serves to improve the water and dirt removal capabilities of the novel type of doctoring assembly. For instance, a first embodiment of the doctoring assembly intended for use on a grooved-shell roll is characterized in that the doctoring assembly is comprised of two doctor blades mounted in the same doctoring assembly complemented with a purpose-designed gas chamber such as a compressed-air chamber. The interblade space forms a closed and tightly delineated pocket whereto gas, particularly compressed air, can be passed from the compressed-air chamber of the doctoring assembly in a purpose-designed and controlled manner via openings, nozzles and/or slits made according to the invention to the wall of the chamber in a purpose-designed and controlled manner. Consequently, into the pocket between doctor blades of the doctoring assembly can be formed by the introduced gas, particularly compressed air, a high pressure that tends to escape outward via the grooves of the grooved-shell roll from under the first doctor blade of the doctoring assembly to the front side, that is, the incoming side of the doctoring assembly. The pressurized gas or compressed air thus escaping from under the doctor blade via the grooves of the grooved-shell rolls forms in front of and under the doctor blade and into the grooves a high-pressure barrier zone that prevents water and/or dirt adhering to the roll grooves from passing with rotation of roll via and from under the doctor blade. A portion of the pressurized gas pumped into the interblade pocket, such as compressed air,tends to escape via the cleaned grooves of the grooved-shell roll from under the second doctor blade to the rear side, later called the outgoing side, of the doctoring assembly. The pressurized gas such as compressed air escaping from under the doctor blade, via the grooves of a grooved-shell roll, generates on the outgoing side of the doctoring assembly and particularly, under the doctor blade thereof, a high vacuum that works by way of an ejector effect so as to remove the possible remains of water and dirt still adhering to the grooves.
A second embodiment of the doctoring assembly intended for use on a suction roll is characterized in that the doctoring assembly is comprised of two doctor blades mounted in the same doctoring assembly complemented with a purpose-designed gas chamber such as a compressed-air chamber. The interblade space forms a closed and tightly delineated pocket into which gas, particularly compressed air, can be passed from the compressed-air chamber of the doctoring assembly in a purpose-designed and controlled manner via openings, nozzles and/or slits made to the wall of the chamber in a purpose-designed and controlled manner according to the invention. Consequently, into the pocket between doctor blades of the doctoring assembly can be formed by the introduced gas, particularly compressed air, a high pressure that tends to escape outward to the outgoing side of the doctoring assembly via openings, nozzles and/or slits that are made to the second doctor blade on the rear side the chamber in a purpose-designed and controlled manner. The pressurized gas such as compressed air thus escaping through said second, latter doctor blade forms behind and under the doctor blade a high-pressure barrier zone that works by way of an ejector effect so as to remove the possible remains of water and dirt still adhering to the perforations of the roll shell. In perforated suction rolls also having grooved shell, the above-described features of the doctoring assemblies may obviously be used in a combined manner.
Suction rolls, grooved-shell rolls and the like are today cleaned using a so-called foil formed by a thick strip of an elastomeric material. Now, a foil can be replaced by a doctoring assembly according to the invention, the doctoring assembly including an integral chamber for pressurized gas such as compressed air, whereby the cleaning gas such as compressed air is passed from the chamber via openings, nozzles and/or slits, which are made according to the invention in a purpose-designed manner to the wall of the compressed-air chamber of the doctoring assembly, in a controlled manner to the incoming or front side and/or to the outgoing side of the doctor element of the assembly or also therebehind and thereunder.
Respectively, the fabrics of a papermaking machine or the like are today cleaned by separately mounted high-pressure shower systems in combination with suction systems. Such conventional arrangements may be replaced by a doctoring assembly according to the invention, the doctoring assembly including an integral chamber for pressurized gas such as compressed air, whereby the gas such as compressed air is passed via openings, nozzles and/or slits, which are made in a purpose-designed manner to the wall of the compressed-air chamber of the doctoring assembly, in a controlled manner to the incoming or front side and/or to the outgoing side of the doctoring assembly or also therebehind and thereunder. The doctoring assembly is located to operate in a close proximity to the fabric of a papermaking machine or the like machinery.
The doctoring assembly according to the invention that is above described by way of exemplifying embodiments is capable of reducing the amount of water and/or dirt carried over in the grooves and/or perforations made on the rolls of the wire and press sections, thus offering improvement in the water removal properties of rolls and fabrics on a papermaking machine, a higher solids content of the produced web, enhanced efficiency in papermaking, higher quality of paper web and a possibility of increasing the speed of the papermaking machine, whereby all these factors in combination provide higher overall efficiency of production.
The doctoring assembly according to the invention described above by way of exemplifying embodiments can also be utilized to control the air pressure differences, air flows and similar factors at a close proximity to the surfaces of rolls, particularly those of the dryer cylinders, that affect web behavior.
Improved water drainage efficiency on a papermaking machine elevates the solids content of the web after the wire and press sections. The solids content of the web particularly after the press section has a tremendous economic impact inasmuch the amount of steam required for drying the web forms one of the major singular cost factors in papermnaking.
The doctoring assembly according to the invention can be further utilized to affect the properties of rolls, fabrics and/or the paper web, such as the uniformity of moisture and temperature profiles of the roll surfaces, fabrics and/or the paper web, and to reduce spot adhesion of the paper web to the fabrics at the outgoing side of the press.
Furthermore, the doctoring assembly according to the invention can be provided during its manufacture with different kinds of integral sensors such as thermo-couple wires and the like sensors suited for measuring the temperature and/or temperature profile of roll surfaces. It is also possible to incorporate pressure, deflection, vibration or the like sensors that serve to monitor, e.g., the loading profile and/or possible leak-throughs under the doctoring elements, as well as moisture content, speed, acceleration and other sensors serving to monitor, e.g., the operational state of the doctoring element. Such sensors integrated into the doctoring assembly according to the invention can be used for monitoring the properties of the doctoring elements, rolls, fabrics andlor the paper web, such as the moisture content, temperature, moisture and/or temperature profiles, the contact of the doctoring element with the roll and/or fabric surfaces, and the like parameters.
In addition to the functions described above, the doctoring assembly according to the invention can be used for cleaning, drying and unplugging the fabrics of a papermaking machine or the like machinery from water and dirt by way of using the assembly in the same fashion as a water foil.

Apparatus and method for treating roll surfaces and/or fabrics


Some embodiments of the invention provide a system for defining, distributing and enforcing policies for authorizing API (Application Programming Interface) calls to applications executing on one or more sets of associated machines (e.g., virtual machines, containers, computers, etc.) in one or more datacenters. This system has servers that act as a logically centralized resource for defining and storing policies and parameters for evaluating these policies. The servers enforce these policies and distribute the policies and parameters to policy-enforcing local agents that execute near the applications that process the API calls. From an associated application, a local agent receives API-authorization requests to determine whether API calls received by the application are authorized. In response to such a request, the local agent uses one or more parameters associated with the API call to identify a policy stored in its local policy storage to evaluate whether the API call should be authorized. To evaluate this policy, the agent also retrieves one or more parameters from the local policy storage.

Most applications today use access control rules to allow different users with different privileges, different access to the applications and their resources. Typically, the access controls are coded within an application's code base, which makes it very difficult to modify these controls statically, and impossible to modify them dynamically while the application is running. This problem is especially acute for micro-service applications, which are often small, well-defined applications that perform a small set of operations. Incorporating complex access controls in these applications is not practical as such controls would burden these applications with unnecessary functional complexity that not only runs counter to the focus of these micro-service applications, but would also be difficult to maintain and update. Accordingly, most micro-service applications employ no access controls or the most rudimentary access controls.

Method and apparatus for authorizing API calls


A gear-forming cutter for forming a gear tooth on a non-metallic blank includes a spindle and a blade portion. The blade portion extends from the spindle along an axis of the spindle, and includes a blade surface and a surrounding surface. The blade surface has front and rear sides, and opposite first and second lateral sides. The surrounding surface is disposed around the axis, and extends from the first lateral side to the second lateral side. Any point of the first lateral side is spaced apart from the axis by a first radial distance. Any point of the second lateral side is spaced apart from the axis by a second radial distance smaller than the corresponding first radial distance. The first radial distance corresponding to the rear side is larger than that corresponding to the front side.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a cutting instrument, and more particularly to a gear-forming cutter that machines a non-metallic workpiece to form gear teeth on the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
Common gear-forming methods include a rolling process (see FIG. 1) and a milling process (see FIG. 2). Referring to FIG. 1, in the rolling process, a tooth-rolling cutter 2 is rotated to machine a metallic blank 1. The tooth-rolling cutter 2 rotates about a rotating axis perpendicular to that of the metallic blank 1. When the metallic blank 1 and the tooth-rolling cutter 2 rotate at an appropriate speed ratio, the tooth-rolling cutter 2 is brought into press contact with the metallic blank 1 to form a plurality of gear teeth on the same. Referring to FIG. 2, in the milling process, a milling cutter 3 is disposed parallel to a metallic blank 1 to machine the same. When the metallic blank 1 and the milling cutter 3 rotate in opposite directions, a plurality of gear teeth are formed on the metallic blank 1.
Although the tooth-rolling cutter 2 and the milling cutter 3 can form the gear teeth on the metallic blank 1, these machining devices are bulky. Therefore, the tooth-rolling cutter 2 and the milling cutter 3 are not suitable for machining non-metallic precision instruments, e.g., a barrel 4 (see FIG. 3) of a zoom lens of a camera. Referring to FIG. 3, in order to enable the barrel 4 to be driven, the barrel 4 includes a toothed driving ring 400 that has an annular outer surface, which is formed with axial teeth 401 and helical teeth 402. Because of the small size of the barrel 4 and the inclusion of both the axial teeth 401 and the helical teeth 402 on the driving ring 400, the driving ring 400 cannot be formed by means of the tooth-rolling cutter 2 and the milling cutter 3.


A moving light test system allows connecting moving lights to an interface board and conveying the lights and orienting and testing the lights while they are attached to the board. The lights can be mechanically and electrically connected to the board, and once connected, can be tested in multiple ways without reconfiguring or removing the lights. The board has a connector that can be plugged in at various locations, and the board can also be handled by mechanical devices. In this way, once the light is connected to the board, it does not need to be re-handled. In addition, lights can be tested in different orientations.

Lights for stage and production operations are often heavy and awkward. These lights are intended to be remotely controlled, and also to project a high intensity light. The lights often include special bulbs and ballasts. The lights are mountable on trusses, but often very difficult to handle. Many devices, for example, require two men to carry them.
The lights are often rented, and after the rental is completed, they must be tested to be readied for the next rental. This means testing the lights.


The invention provides a method by which a crystal glass composition which employs TiO.sub.2 as a raw material substituted for PbO can be produced while effectively preventing development of a yellowish color of the glass composition which is caused by TiO.sub.2. In the production method, to a batch composition which is composed of 50 to 60 percent by weight of SiO.sub.2, 4 to 14 percent by weight of K.sub.2 O, 10 to 20 percent by weight of BaO and 3 to 10 percent by weight of TiO.sub.2, NaNO.sub.3 (sodium nitrate) is added by 1.0 to 5.0 percent by weight or BaO.sub.2 (barium peroxide) is added by 0.3 to 2.0 percent by weight for elimination of development of a color which arises from the 3 to 10 percent by weight of TiO.sub.2, and also one of Sb.sub.2 O.sub.3 (antimony oxide) and As.sub.2 O.sub.3 (arsenious acid) is added by 0.2 to 1.0 percent by weight for defoaming. Instead, NaSb(OH).sub.6 (sodium antimonate) having color development elimination and defoaming actions may be added by 0.5 to 2.0 percent by weight.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a production method for a crystal glass composition which looks like or can be regarded as crystal glass although it does not contain lead (Pb).
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, lead-containing crystal glass is used popularly as crystal glass for use to produce tableware or like articles. The characteristics of it, in short, such characteristics that "it is massive", that "it has a high light refractive index and exhibits a high dispersion value of light" and that "it melts readily", are provided principally by PbO. While the content of PbO varies widely, it generally ranges from 24 to 26 percent by weight.
Since lead-containing crystal glass contains much lead having a high toxicity in this manner, where it is used for tableware, injuries to the human bodies are apprehended. Thus, the regulations to the content of PbO tend to become further severe.
Therefore, the assignee of the present invention has proposed, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Application No. Heisei 6-183774, a glass composition which does not contain lead at all but has characteristics equivalent to those of lead-containing crystal glass. The glass composition consists of SiO.sub.2, TiO.sub.2 for assuring a high light refractive index and a high dispersion, BaO for assuring a high density and a high refractive index, K.sub.2 O for suppressing development of a color by Fe ions and Na.sub.2 O for decreasing the melting temperature as principal components.
However, since the glass composition employs TiO.sub.2 (titanium oxide) as a raw material substituted for PbO, the glass has a tendency to be colored yellowish due to coexistence of TiO.sub.2 with an impurity originating from the raw material.

Production method for lead-free crystal glass composition


Disclosed is a transmitter used for a wireless charging system. The transmitter includes a plurality of phase locked loops (PLLs) that outputs single-phase power signals, a plurality of antennas that transmits power signals transmitted from the plurality of PLLs to a receiver, and a controller that determines a specific frequency for the receiver based on a signal strength indication (RSSI) received from the receiver and allows output frequencies of the plurality of PLLs to be different from each other in a specific frequency band preset based on the specific frequency.

Embodiments of the inventive concept described herein relate to a wireless charging system for using a frequency control, and more particularly, relate to a technology of controlling and transmitting a power signal to have a frequency suitable for a receiver.
In recent years, as various portable terminals using wireless communication have been widely spread, wireless charging technology for wirelessly charging a portable terminal has also been actively developed.
The wireless charging technology is a technique for charging a portable terminal with a power signal transmitted from a wireless charging transmitter in one of an induction scheme, a resonance scheme, and an RF wireless charging scheme, where a wireless charging receiver is embedded in the portable terminal such that the power signal used for charging the portable terminal is received from the wireless charging transmitter.
In such a conventional wireless charging technology, in consideration of reflection by various structures located in an indoor space under a wireless environment, which is mainly an indoor space, a plurality of wireless charging transmitters transmit power signals in a plurality of phases such that a wireless charging receiver receives the power signals transmitted from the wireless charging transmitters.
However, conventional wireless charging technology only considers whether the wireless charging receiver can receive the power signal transmitted from the wireless charging transmitter, and does not consider the charging efficiency (gain) of the wireless charging receiver at the frequency of the power signal.
Therefore, the following embodiments propose a technique for controlling and transmitting a power signal at a frequency suitable for a wireless charging receiver in consideration of the charging efficiency of the wireless charging receiver.

Wireless charging system for using frequency control

CENTER FOR INTEGRATED SMART SENSORS FOUNDATION


A self-indicating tensioning device for a scraper blade includes a flat spring coupled at one end to a rotatable shaft which supports the blade and coupled at it's other end to an adjusting mechanism. The adjusting mechanism is operable to exert a force on the flat spring which in turn applies a torque to the rotatable shaft for displacing the scraper blade. An indicator rod has one end fixed to the rotatable shaft and the other end is free and located adjacent to a graduated indicator plate.

A conveyor belt typically includes one or more scraper assemblies that are constructed and disposed along the belt for removing remnants of materials carried by the conveyor belt that adhere to the belt surface. A scraper assembly often includes one or more scraper blades arranged across the width of the conveyor belt. The blades are mounted on a support arm or arms that are affixed to and extend from a transversely mounted, rotatable support shaft. Rotation of the transverse support shaft moves the scraper blade or blades into and out of contact with the belt surface.
The cleaning efficiency of the scraper assembly depends on the magnitude of the force exerted by the scraper blade against the belt surface. If the contacting force is too great, the scraper blade will wear prematurely. On the other hand, if the contacting force is too low, the blade will not clean the belt efficiently. Torsional coil springs, torsion rod springs, air cylinders, hydraulic cylinders, and similar devices are used to adjust the force with which a scraper blade contacts a conveyor belt surface. In pneumatic and hydraulic systems a pressure gage provides an indication that can be correlated with the amount of force being applied. It would be highly desirable to have a tensioning device for a belt scraper assembly that provides an instantaneous indication that can be easily used to reproducibly set the amount of force with which the scraper blade contacts the belt surface.

Self-indicating tensioner for a belt scraper


A method and system for manipulating packet header compression parameters, by substituting at least one instruction set associated with a PPP negotiation packet at the PPP layer of a protocol stack, the at least one instruction set for use in establishing a communication protocol and channel between a pair of correspondents. The method includes the steps of a software module coupled to a first correspondent examining all PPP negotiation packets from a second correspondent; the software module determining whether a first instruction set is present in the PPP negotiation packet; the software module discarding said first instruction set and replacing the first instruction set with a second instruction set; and at the second correspondent receiving the second instruction set associated with a communication protocol information.

Compressing protocol headers has traditionally been attractive for conserving bandwidth over low-speed links, including those in wireless systems, by minimizing header overheads. Typically, the header overhead associated with the protocol stacks used is prohibitive on low-bit rate links, where compression down to a few dozen bytes per real-time information packet is often desirable. Generally, data link header compression reduces the size of a header at the data link layer of the protocol stack, while network layer header compression reduces the size of the header at the network layer of the protocol stack. One of the known schemes is the Van Jacobson TCP/IP header compression algorithm, which reduces the size of the TCP/IP headers to as few as three bytes. This can be a significant improvement on slow serial lines, particularly for interactive traffic, especially between devices with substantially limited computing power or having reduced bandwidth. This form of TCP/IP header compression is described in RFC 1144 ("Compressing TCP/IP Headers for Low-Speed Serial Links"). The protocol describes a maximal compression algorithm that relies on knowledge of the fields in the TCP/IP headers and how they are likely to change from packet to packet
The Van Jacobson compression of TCP/IP headers is usually negotiated during the establishment and configuration of the network layer protocol. However, on some operating systems, such as PALM® OS, it may not be feasible to intercept Internet protocol (IP) packets at the network layer, due to the system architecture.
However, this functionality can optionally be implemented in the Point-To-Point Protocol (PPP). This may be the case where a software module, such as a driver, is placed below the PPP layer to analyze or perform a certain operation on IP packets. One such operation may be implementation of IP Security Architecture (IPSec), which provides data confidentiality and authentication services to IP data packets. Therefore, the driver below the PPP layer needs to either examine or modify IP packets as they are passed to and from the PPP layer. However, since the driver cannot access the compression parameters inside the PPP layer, it is therefore is unable to translate compressed TCP/IP headers.
It is therefore an object of this invention to mitigate at least one of these disadvantages.

Disabling header compression over point-to-point protocol (PPP)


A tool for use in a wellbore has an activation assembly, which has a support structure and a reactive layer on the support structure. The reactive layer is formed of a pyrotechnic material. The activation assembly also includes an electrically conductive protective layer covering the reactive layer to protect the reactive layer from electrical discharge. The tool further includes a component to be activated by the activation assembly.

Various operations are performed in a wellbore to enable the production of fluids from, or injection of fluids into, a reservoir in a formation surrounding a section of the wellbore. Examples of operations performed in a wellbore include perforating operations (to extend perforations through any surrounding casing or liner and into a formation), fracturing operations (to create fractures in a formation), and other operations.
Certain operations involve the use of explosives. For example, perforating guns include shaped charges and detonating cords, and firing heads for perforating guns include primary and/or secondary explosives. Explosives can also be used in other types of downhole tools, such as propellants (which are considered low explosives) used in fracturing tools for performing fracturing jobs.
When components containing explosives are being handled by humans, they present a safety hazard if adequate precautions are not taken. Typically, for well applications, components containing explosives are transported from a storage facility or manufacturing facility (or other type of facility) to the well site. At the well site, the components are assembled by well operators into a tool for deployment into a wellbore. During handling by humans, electrostatic discharge (ESD) may occur, which can cause inadvertent initiation of the explosive being handled. Such inadvertent initiation of explosives can cause serious injury or even death. Typically, components such as detonators that contain explosives include circuitry for ESD protection. However, conventional ESD protection, such as those implemented with spark gaps, are not always effective due to the possibility of manufacturing defect.

Protective electrically conductive layer covering a reactive layer to protect the reactive layer from electrical discharge


A mark-shaped pad. A bonding pad structure with at least one mark-shaped bonding pad comprises: a bottom metal layer disposed over the surface of a rectangular semiconductor substrate to connect the circuit electrically, an inter-metal dielectric layer disposed over the bottom metal layer, metal plugs formed in the inter-metal dielectric layer to connect with the bottom metal layer, a top metal layer disposed over the inter-metal dielectric layer connecting with the metal plugs, and a passivation layer disposed over the top metal layer with openings to expose the top metal layer portions as bonding pads, wherein at least one bonding pad is mark-shaped, e.g. “”, “”, “” or “”, to indicate the orientation of the bonding pads on the rectangular semiconductor substrate.

After integrated circuits are formed on a semiconductor wafer, the top metal layer is defined as a plurality of bonding pads to form a multi-layered wiring with the metal lines below. The wafer is then cut into dies for further IC chip electronic packaging.
In the electronic packaging of an IC chip, the dies cut from the wafer are bonded to a lead frame with a bonder, and the bonding pads on the IC chip are electrically connected with corresponding electrical leads on the lead frame by wire bonding. In other words, the bonding pads on IC chips are the interface between the integrated circuits on the semiconductor substrate and the packaging leads on the lead frame to connect electrical signals. The electrical signals can be power signals, ground signals, and/or input/output signals.
Conventionally, the active devices, e.g., MOS transistors or resistances, are laid on the central area (active area) of an IC chip and bonding pads are disposed around the active area to protect the active devices on the active area from damage during wire bonding. In some cases, bonding pads are laid on the central area of IC chip and active devices are disposed around the bonding pads for the same reason.
The conventional shape of a bonding pad is a square or a rectangle. FIG. 1 shows a conventional die array on a wafer. There are scribe lines 16 on a wafer 10 to define several die areas, e.g. 12A and 12B, and the wafer 10 is cut into dies along the scribe lines 16. There are alignment markers (e.g. 14A˜14C) disposed at corners of the die areas 12A and 12B on the scribe lines 16 for cutting alignment. For the intact die area 12A, the dicing machine cuts the die area 12A from the wafer 10 by aligning with the markers 14A and 14B which are disposed along the diagonal line of area 12A. However, for the fragmental die area 12B, there is no corresponding diagonal markers on scribe lines for alignment, and therefore, there is difficulty cutting die area 12B.
FIGS. 2A and 2B show a conventional design of bonding pads. In FIG. 2A, the rectangular bonding pads 22A with equal size are disposed along the two longer sides of the rectangular chip 20A which is cut from a wafer. Another bonding pad design is shown in FIG. 2B. The rectangular bonding pads 22B with equal size are disposed on the central area of the rectangular chip 20B which is also cut from a wafer. The electrical layout in the chip 20A or 20B is predetermined and the bonding pads 22A or 22B on the IC chip 20A or 20B respectively are wire bonded with corresponding electrical leads on a lead frame according to the interior layout. However, it is hard to identify the bonding orientation of a chip and the leads on a lead frame because the IC chips 20A and 20B are rectangular and the bonding pads 22A and 22B are disposed on the IC chips 20A and 20B symmetrically.
The same orientation problem occurs on probe pads. The probe pads are disposed in certain positions on a circuit for in-line monitoring or checking the electrical performance of the circuit design. FIG. 3 shows the conventional design for probe pads. There are several tiny probe pads 36 disposed in a certain circuit 34 on IC chip 30. The inspector measures the probe pads 36 on the circuit 34 by using a micro-probe under a microscope to obtain the electrical data.
Since the square-shaped probe pads on the circuit are very tiny (e.g., 5×5 μm), it is hard and time consuming for an inspector to identify the layout orientation between the probe pads 36 on the circuit 34 under a microscope.

Pad structure for bonding pad and probe pad and manufacturing method thereof


A system enables surrounding inkjets to be used to compensate for missing, intermittent, or weak inkjets without requiring additional passes of the image substrate or slowing the printing process. The system includes a printhead firing signal generator configured to generate a plurality of inkjet firing signals with reference to a set of predetermined firing signal parameters, and a firing signal adjustment circuit configured to modify at least one predetermined firing signal parameter to increase a first mass of liquid ink ejected by an inkjet proximate a defective inkjet in response to a signal identifying the defective inkjet.

Drop on demand inkjet technology for producing printed media has been employed in commercial products such as printers, plotters, and facsimile machines. Generally, an inkjet image is formed by selectively ejecting ink drops from a plurality of drop generators or inkjets, which are arranged in a printhead or a printhead assembly, onto an image substrate. For example, the printhead assembly and the image substrate are moved relative to one other and the inkjets are controlled to emit ink drops at appropriate times. The timing of the inkjet activation is performed by a printhead controller, which generates firing signals that activate the inkjets to eject ink. The image substrate may be an intermediate image member, such as a print drum or belt, from which the ink image is later transferred to a print medium, such as paper. The image substrate may also be a moving web of print medium or sheets of a print medium onto which the ink drops are directly ejected. The ink ejected from the inkjets may be liquid ink, such as aqueous, solvent, oil based, UV curable ink or the like, which is stored in containers installed in the printer. Alternatively, the ink may be loaded in a solid form that is delivered to a melting device, which heats the solid ink to its melting temperature to generate liquid ink that is supplied to a print head.
Variations in inkjets may be introduced during print head manufacture and assembly. The variations include differences in physical characteristics, such as inkjet nozzle diameters, channel widths, or lengths, or differences in electrical characteristics, such as thermal or mechanical activation power for the inkjets. These variations may result in different volumes of ink being ejected from the inkjets in response to the same magnitude or same frequency firing signal. To compensate for these differences some previously known printers perform a process to normalize the firing signal for each inkjet within a printhead. Thus, normalizing the electrical firing signals that are used to activate individual inkjets enable all of the inkjets in a printhead to generate ink drops having substantially the same drop mass.
Another issue that arises during operation of an inkjet printer is intermittent, weak, or missing inkjets. Specifically, some inkjets fail either completely or partially so they no longer perform as expected to eject ink onto an image substrate. A method for compensating for such inkjets is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,021,739 to Burke et al. and which is assigned to the assignee of the present application. The method disclosed in that patent disables the inoperative inkjet and uses surrounding inkjets to compensate for the missing, intermittent, or weak inkjet. The printing to be done by the disabled inkjet is performed by one or more of the surrounding inkjets on one or more additional image substrate passes. Thus, this approach slows the printing process because additional substrate passes are required.

System and method for compensating for weak, intermittent, or missing inkjets in a printhead assembly


The magazine lock includes a housing (1) with a magazine opening (2) and a trigger guard (3). In the housing (1), a two-armed, spring-loaded locking lever (7) is mounted so that it can pivot. The first arm (10) projects inside the trigger guard (3) for actuation. The second arm (12) is engaged in a recess (6) of the magazine (4). Hinged to the first arm (10) is a slide (24) which surrounds the magazine opening (2). The slide (24), on the second side facing the magazine (4), has a pin (28) which is engaged in a second recess (5) on the facing side of the magazine (4). The result is a secure locking of the magazine with a locking device which occupies very little vertical space.

Magazine locks are generally attached on one side in a housing with a magazine opening.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,632,272 describes a magazine lock of the prior art on a weapon. On the front side, the magazine has a cam which is inserted into a corresponding recess in the magazine shaft. The magazine is then pivoted toward the back. The rear edge of the magazine has a projection which, when the magazine is pivoted, presses a notch lever and following the insertion, snaps in place behind the magazine. In the magazine shaft, on the cam side, there is an additional retaining device, the purpose of which is to prevent the magazine from being inserted when the weapon is not ready for operation.


A process and an apparatus are described for adding additives during the conditioning of animal feed. The feed is transferred from a container (1) into a conditioner (3) via a feed screw (2) at an inlet point (M). In the conditioner (3), the feed is transported by a mixing screw (12) from an inlet point (M) along a path (A) to an exit point (N), and is exposed to vapor in the course of this. One or more additives (5) which are introduced into the conditioner (3) through one or more ports (10) are added to the feed which, has passed through x% of the path (A) in the conditioner (3). The feed and the additives (5) added through one or more ports (10) are mixed on the remaining (100-x)% of the path (A) to form a mixture (6). The mixture (6) leaving the conditioner (3) at the exit point (N) is transferred to a pelleting press (7), where the mixture (6) is formed into pellets (8). The pellets (8) are finally transferred to a cooling device (9).

The invention relates to a process and an apparatus for adding additives during the conditioning of animal feed.
Animals receive their feed predominantly either in pulverulent form (meal) or as pressed pellets. In addition to the main feed components, animal feed generally also comprises additives, such as enzymes, vitamins or antibiotics. Such additives can be added to the feed in different ways.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,056,822 describes a general process for any desired types of animal feed, in which feed additives, for example enzymes, are applied in dissolved form to cooled feed pellets in what is termed the xe2x80x9cPPA (Post Pelleting Application) processxe2x80x9d, that is to say after the pelletizing process. The advantage of this method is that the substances applied do not suffer any loss in activity due to the action of heat owing to the conditioning step which precedes the feed pelletizing. A disadvantage is that the additives cannot be applied to the pellets in powder form and, in addition, technically complex equipment is required in order to enable the metering, dissolution and spraying of enzyme solutions. In addition to the extensive equipment requirements and the associated costs, there is a further disadvantage of the PPA process, namely the fact that the additives to be applied are not always distributed homogeneously on the feed.
DE-A 43 06 514 describes a process and an apparatus in which, within the pelletizing machine, lignin sulfone-based pressing aids are added to the feed to be pressed. However, using this method only those liquids can be sprayed or atomized onto the material to be pressed that do not prevent processing of the material to be pressed in the press owing to excessive moisture content. A further disadvantage of this method is that homogeneous mixing of the added liquid with the material to be pressed is not ensured in this manner.
WO 99/51107 indicates a process for producing fish food in which dissolved enzymes are added to the main food constituents as early as before the conditioning step. The enzyme used in this case, transglutaminase, acts to catalyze a reaction of proteins present in the food and also stabilizes the shape of the pellets produced. The advantage of this method is that the enzymes are mixed better with the food, which results in a homogeneous distribution of all additives. However, the food mixture, including the added enzymes, undergoes very great stress during the conditioning step, and during the subsequent pelletizing step. This stress is all the greater, the higher the temperatures employed and the residence time of the food in the conditioning unit and the pelletizing unit. This means that the enzyme activity of the end product is very greatly, or at least considerably, limited. For this reason, the food mixture can be exposed to a maximum of 60xc2x0 C., and the additives are admixed in a very great excess, compared with the PPA process.
WO 98/54980 describes a process in which dissolved enzymes are formed with a stabilizer to give granules which then pass, together with the main feed components, through a conditioning and pelletizing process. Because of the action of the granule carrier material, which consists of carbohydrates, the admixed enzymes exhibit increased stability, nevertheless they must be used in a great excess, in order to be able to make up for the loss of activity during the conditioning and pelletizing process. A further disadvantage of this process is also that the production of the enzyme-containing granules is associated from the beginning with additional costs and is time-consuming.
It is an object of the present invention to develop a process in which, firstly, additives are added to the feed in a smaller amount and inexpensively, that is to say using less equipment, and secondly these additives are uniformly distributed in the pelletized feed end product.
We have found that this object is achieved by a process and an apparatus underlying the process which comprise the following features:
a) the feed is transferred from a container via a feed screw at an inlet point into a conditioner,
b) the feed is transported in the conditioner by a mixing screw from the inlet point along a path to an exit point, and is exposed to vapor in the course of this,
c) one or more additives which are introduced into the conditioner through one or more ports are added to the feed which has passed through x% of the path in the conditioner,
d) the feed and the additives added through one or more ports are mixed on the remaining (100-x)% of the path to form a mixture,
e) the mixture leaving the conditioner at the exit point is transferred to a pelleting press,
f) the mixture is formed into pellets in the pelleting press
g) and the pellets are finally transferred to a cooling device.
The great advantage of this process is that the additives, in particular enzymes, vitamins, carotenoids and antibiotics are not added to the main feed components until toward the end of the conditioning step. In this manner, these relatively heat-labile substances are only exposed to elevated temperatures for a relatively short time and experience much less stress than would be the case with complete passage through the conditioning unit. This considerably reduces the loss in activity of the substances added. As a result, significantly smaller amounts of these in part very expensive substances are required, considerably reducing the production costs of pelleted animal feed that comprises additives.
In addition, as a result of the significantly reduced residence time of the additives in the conditioning unit, the temperatures of in each case approximately 80xc2x0 C. (and above) which are customary in the conditioning and pelletizing steps can be employed, as a result of which more stable pellets are produced. A further advantage of the inventive process is the fact that the additives are still sufficiently well mixed with the main feed components to achieve homogeneous distribution in the feed pellets.
A further advantage is that the inventive process is suitable in particular for adding solids, as a result of which the dissolution and exact metering of the solution of these additives, which are not only time-consuming but also require complex equipment, are avoided as are problems of adhesion to the pellets.

Apparatus for adding additives during the conditioning of animal feed

Abstract: The additives, in particular enzymes, vitamins, carotenoids and antibiotics, are not added to the main feed components until toward the end of the conditioning step. In this manner, these relatively heat-labile substances are exposed to elevated temperatures only for a relatively short time and experience much less stress than would be the case for complete passage through the conditioning unit.


A lifting framework for an industrial truck has an extendible mast guided on a guide mast by rollers. Means are provided for bracing the extendible mast with the guide mast so as to prevent the extendible mast from inclining in the lateral direction of the lifting framework relative to the guide mast. The bracing means are configured such that, when the extendible mast is located in the top end position, a vertical movement of the extendible mast relative to the guide mast is prevented in the region of each of the two columns. A hydraulic lifting cylinder and a stop for the top end position of the extendible mast are arranged here in the region of each column.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a lifting framework for an industrial truck. The lifting framework has a guide mast and at least one extendible mast. The extendible mast is guided on the guide mast by means of rollers such that it can be moved in the vertical direction between a bottom end position and a top end position.
2. Technical Considerations
Lifting frameworks of the type mentioned above are used in industrial trucks, for example, counterbalance fork trucks or fork-lift reach trucks. A load-bearing means is guided on the lifting framework such that it can be moved in the vertical direction for bearing and raising loads. In most types of industrial trucks, the load-bearing means is located at the front with respect to the main direction of travel. The lateral direction of the lifting framework thus corresponds, by definition, to the lateral direction of the industrial truck. The lifting framework is usually extended telescopically, with at least one extendible mast being guided in a vertically movable manner on a non-raisable vertical mast. The extendible mast is guided on the vertical mast by means of rollers, in each case one pair of coaxial rollers usually being arranged at the top end of the vertical mast and at the bottom end of the extendible mast. The rollers here have a horizontal axis of rotation which is oriented in the lateral direction of the lifting framework and thus of the industrial truck.
The extendible mast is guided laterally on the vertical mast by the lateral surfaces of the above-mentioned rollers. Moments which act on the extendible mast about a longitudinal axis of the industrial truck, and would cause the extendible mast to tilt laterally, are thus supported by the lateral surfaces of the vertically spaced-apart rollers on the mast profiles. It is nevertheless possible, during operation of the industrial truck, for example in the case of asymmetric load action, for the lateral play of the rollers in the mast profiles to give rise to the extendible mast inclining laterally to a slight extent relative to the vertical mast. The greatest amount of inclination on the part of the extendible mast is possible when the extendible mast is located in the region of its top end position, since the vertical spacing between the pair of rollers fastened on the vertical mast and the pair of rollers fastened on the extendible mast is then minimal. The lateral inclination of the extendible mast relative to the vertical mast, this inclination being possible on account of the lateral play of the rollers, is further increased in the case of wide lifting frameworks in which the columns are spaced far apart in the transverse direction of the industrial truck.
An object of the present invention is thus to provide a lifting framework in which the capacity of the extendible mast to incline laterally relative to the vertical mast is at least partially reduced.

Lifting framework for an industrial truck


Disclosed is a cantilever-type probe and methods of fabricating the same. The probe is comprised of a cantilever being longer lengthwise relative to the directions of width and height, and a tip extending from the bottom of the cantilever and formed at an end of the cantilever. A section of the tip parallel to the bottom of the cantilever is rectangular, having four sides slant to the lengthwise direction of the cantilever.

Probes are mechanical tools for measuring electrical characteristics of microscopic electronic devices (e.g., semiconductor devices). As well known, a semiconductor device has pluralities of pads for communicate signals with an external electronic system. The semiconductor device may process electrical signals that are inputted through the pads, and then, the processed result is transferred to the external electronic system through the pads. The probes are arranged on a printed circuit board of a probe card, physically contacting with the pads, so that they form electrical paths for signal transmission with the external electronic system.
Probe cards, as well known, can be classified into needle, vertical, and cantilever types in accordance with kinds of probes. The probe cards are disclosed in Korean Patent Application No. 2001-0064603 or 2004-7021434. The needle-type probe card has a disadvantage such that probe needles may be distorted in horizontality and alignment due to repetitive use because the probe needles have insufficient restoring force. Additionally, since the probe needles of the needle-type probe card are large in size themselves, it is improper to be employed in testing a highly integrated semi-conductor device. The vertical probe card is otherwise appropriate for testing a highly integrated semiconductor device since it is smaller and probes are arranged in narrower intervals. But, the vertical probe card, as a force contacting a probe to a pad is directed toward a lengthwise direction of the probe, also has a problem of distortion due to an insufficient restoring force.
According to a typical cantilever-type probe card shown in FIG. 1, tips 2 contact with a pad 3 are bonded to an end of a cantilever 1, and the cantilever 1 is fixed to a printed circuit board (not shown) in parallel with a top surface of the pad 3. Accordingly, in this cantilever-type probe card, the force contacting probes (in detail, the tips 2) with the pad 3 acts in a direction perpendicular to a lengthwise direction of the cantilever 1. Such a structure of the cantilever-type probe card provides the sufficient restoring force thereto.

Cantilever-type probe and method of fabricating the same