An attachment and detachment structure attaches and detaches a toner container to and from an attachment unit. The toner container includes a container main body, a rotational member and a power transmission body. The rotational member rotates around an axis to agitate the toner contained in the container main body. The power transmission body is provided outside the container main body and rotates around an axis to transmit a rotational force to the rotational member. The attachment unit includes a contact body which comes into contact with the power transmission body on attachment process and detachment process of the toner container to and from the attachment unit and rotates the power transmission body. The power transmission body comes into contact with the contact body on the attachment process of the toner container to the attachment unit, and is rotated around the axis to rotate the rotational member around the axis.

A toner bottle may be provided with a powder loosening means which applies external force to a toner to loosen the toner when it is attached to a tonner replenishment device. The toner loosening means is formed by a flexible member provided near a discharge port of a toner discharge path. With the attachment operation of the toner bottle, the flexible member is deformed to loosen the toner near the discharge port.
The above toner bottle has a problem in which its strength is decreased because a part of the toner discharge path is formed by the flexible member.

Attachment and detachment structure of toner container and image forming apparatus


A spray coating process and apparatus suitable for depositing coatings on surfaces of components, and particularly surfaces that are difficult to access with conventional cold spraying equipment. The process and apparatus employ a spray gun having a tubular body with a longitudinal axis and an exit at one end thereof. The body has a first portion defining a converging passage, a second portion defining a diverging passage that defines the exit of the body, and a throat portion therebetween that defines a throat between and connecting the converging and diverging passages. The gun is further equipped with at least one gas inlet for introducing a gas upstream of the converging passage, and at least one feedstock inlet for introducing a feedstock at or immediately upstream of the throat.

The present invention generally relates to equipment and processes for depositing coatings. More particularly, this invention relates to coating equipment capable of depositing protective coatings within confined internal spaces of components exposed to high temperatures, such as the hostile thermal environment of a gas turbine, and to such components and their protective coatings.
Certain components of aircraft and industrial gas turbines, including gas turbine engines, steam turbines and wind turbines employed in power generation, require protective coatings for applications subjected to wear, corrosion, solid particle erosion, high temperatures, etc. Nonlimiting examples of protective coatings include metallic and ceramic-based coatings that provide wear, erosion, oxidation, corrosion, and/or thermal protection. Metallic coatings include diffusion coatings and overlay coatings, an example of the latter being MCrAlX coatings (where M is iron, cobalt and/or nickel, and X is yttrium or another rare earth element). Overlay coatings are commonly deposited directly on the surface of a substrate by thermal spraying and/or electron beam physical vapor deposition (EBPVD). During subsequent exposures to high temperatures, such as during turbine operation, environmental coatings form a tightly adherent oxide layer, for example, alumina (Al2O3), that provides a barrier to oxidizing agents and other sources of environmental attack. A variety of ceramic materials are used to provide wear, corrosion, oxidation, erosion, and/or thermal protection. For wear, corrosion and erosion resistance, coating materials commonly used include WC—Co (typically about 5 to 50% Co by weight), TiN, TaC, Al2O3, TiO2, yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), etc. To promote adhesion and extend the service life of a ceramic coating, an oxidation-resistant bond coat is often employed. Bond coats are typically in the form of a diffusion coating or overlay coating of the type noted above whose tightly adherent oxide (e.g., alumina) layer helps to adhere the ceramic coating to the bond coat.
Thermal spray deposition processes generally encompass such techniques as plasma spraying (air, vacuum and low pressure) and high velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF). Thermal spray processes involve propelling melted or at least heat-softened particles of a heat fusible material (e.g., metal, ceramic) against a surface, where the particles are quenched and bond to the surface to produce a coating. Coatings deposited by thermal spray processes are typically characterized by a degree of inhomogeneity and porosity that occurs as a result of the deposition process, in which "splats" of molten material are deposited and subsequently solidify. Due to the very high temperatures within the thermal spray, oxidation and/or phase changes of the deposited particles are common.
Cold spraying is a relatively new particulate deposition technique. As described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,302,414, cold spraying deposits a coating by propelling particles (powders) at high velocities, but at significantly lower temperatures compared to conventional thermal spray processes. A process gas (for example, helium, air, nitrogen, etc.) is used to accelerate the powder particles through a converging-diverging nozzle, yielding a supersonic gas flow and particle velocities of 300 m/s and higher. The process gas may be heated to a temperature of 800° C., but is more typically heated to less then 600° C. to minimize or eliminate in-flight oxidation and phase changes in the deposited material. As a result of the relatively low deposition temperatures and very high velocities, cold spray processes offer the potential for depositing well-adhering, dense, hard and wear-resistant coatings whose purity depends primarily on the purity of the powder used.
The gas flow in a converging-diverging nozzle operating in the choked condition is described by equation (1) below. Further details of gas flows in converging-diverging nozzles typically used in most cold spraying equipment can be understood from the theory of one-dimensional compressible fluid flow, published in various references including P. H. Oosthuizen and E. Carscallen, Compressible Fluid Flow (1997). Exit gas velocity will depend on the gun design, for example, the ratio of the area of the nozzle exit to the nozzle throat according to equation (1).A/A*=(1/M)[2/(γ+1)][1+((γ−1)/2)M2](γ+1)/2(γ−1)  (1)where A is the area at the nozzle exit, A* is the area of the nozzle throat, M is the Mach number of the exiting gas, and gamma (γ) is the adiabatic index or heat capacity ratio of the heat capacity at constant pressure (Cp) to the heat capacity at constant volume (Cv) for the process gas used. From equation (1), it is apparent that the gas flow parameters, including exit velocity, depend on the ratio A/A*. A certain minimum gas mass flow is necessary to operate the nozzle in the choked condition of equation (1) in order for the exit gas velocity to be the Mach number predicted by equation (1). Gases having higher gamma values are beneficial since they result in relatively higher Mach numbers. Increasing the gas mass flow rate beyond what is necessary to achieve the choked condition does not increase the gas exit velocity, but is advantageous for increasing the density of the gas in the nozzle. A denser gas is able to exert more drag force on the feedstock particles, and thus is more effective to accelerate the particles. In this manner, the effect of increasing the gas mass flow rate serves to increase the particle exit velocity. Higher particle velocities are generally preferred in cold spraying processes, since the particles must travel above a certain minimum critical velocity to form a well-adherent and dense coating in cold spraying. Higher gas mass flow rates for achieving higher particle exit velocities are often obtained by increasing the gas pressure at the gas inlet to the nozzle.
In contrast to gas mass flow rate and the geometry of the converging-diverging nozzle, the role of temperature in increasing the gas velocity in a cold spraying gun is somewhat indirect. As can be seen from the above equation (1), the gas temperature is not related to the exit Mach number. However, because the speed of sound increases with temperature, increasing gas temperature influences the exit gas velocity since a hotter gas will travel at an higher velocity.
Though offering the above advantages, the convergent-divergent design requirements of cold spray guns have resulted in relatively large guns, which has prevented the use of cold spraying processes for depositing coatings on surfaces within confined spaces and/or where access is limited or otherwise difficult. Particular examples include the interior surfaces of transition pieces of combustors for industrial gas turbines, where a dense metallic coating would be very beneficial for providing wear, corrosion and oxidation protection. As a result, interior surfaces of transition pieces are typically coated using air plasma spraying (APS), whose torches can be accommodated within the relatively small and confined interior of a transition piece. However, because APS processes are carried out at very high temperatures in an oxidizing atmosphere, traditional APS metallic coatings are porous and highly oxidized, which compromises the coating performance. According, it would be desirable to coat the interior surfaces of transition pieces and other hardware with a dense metallic coating that is substantially free of oxides and phase change effects, similar to the types of coatings that can be deposited by cold spraying.

Apparatus and process for depositing coatings


A combination backpack and audio cassette system wherein the audio cassette system, separately contained, is mounted to the back panel of the backpack. The contained audio cassette system is provided with a simulated face, where the components thereof are accessible through various features of the simulated face, such as the mouth, nose, and ear.

The present invention relates to a talking backpack that includes a system to record and playback of school assignments. For early grade school students, where enthusiasm for school is quite strong, the invention hereof can serve as fun, motivational, and as a mechanical instrument that can intensify the student's desire to embark upon his or her assignments. Further, it provides an opportunity for a parent to share in the school experience, and to encourage the student.
The prior art offers some related devices, but not all of the versatility available with the present invention. The prior art is reflected by the following:
a.) U.S. Pat. No. 5,409,152, to Trevino, discloses a backpack assembly for holding audio components comprising a backpack having lower, upper, front, rear and two side faces. One of the side faces includes a plurality of pockets formed interiorly of the bag. One of the plurality of the pockets is sized to hold a speaker therein and a second of the plurality of pockets is sized to hold a radio therein wherein the radio and the speaker are operatively connected by a speaker wire extending from the speaker to the radio.
b.) U.S. Pat. No. 5,353,975, to Libertucci, discloses a battery and equipment vest, to be rechargeably used to provide power to video, recording, and like equipment The battery and equipment vest which also provides numerous storage pockets, may utilize a battery belt or integrally disposed batteries and recharging equipment to provide a mobile, conveniently disposed power source, which may be recharged without removal from the vest. In order to ensure a comfortable fit for multiple users, the battery and equipment has adjustable shoulder straps and an adjustable waist design which is structured and disposed to orderly maintain electrical interconnection between front portions and rear portions of the vest when worn by any size user. Additionally, fastener hooks and accessory rings are employed for attaching a wide variety of peripheral equipment, supplies, tools, and extra batteries.
c.) U.S. Pat. No. 5,211,321, to Rodriquez, discloses a multi-compartmented belt-type carrier for a portable stereo unit having separate speakers. Each compartment is designed to receive a speaker and has a front face that includes at least one foraminous area that functions to allow a virtually non-obstructed transmission of sound from a housed speaker to the environment. The carrier includes a movable cover member that is adapted to overlie the compartments. In addition, a flexible base is used to support the compartments, thereby allowing relative movement between the compartments and enhancing the fit of the device to the wearer.
d.) U.S. Pat. No. 4,878,871, to Noto, discloses, by the use of a toy, a system for preparing and conveying a personalized message from a sender to a recipient utilizing a toy having a cavity containing a cassette player, a battery holder, a switch and circuit elements interconnecting the player, the holder and the switch. The system includes the following steps which are performed by the sender; personally taping the personalized message on a cassette, inserting the cassette in the player, and giving the toy to the recipient with the cassette therein. The toy is cuddly and may be in the form of a teddy bear, and includes a flap that is movable between a closed position in which the flap covers the cavity, and an open position in which the cavity is exposed. The switch is of the push button type and the push buttons produce bulges in the flap when the latter is closed, so that the switch can be operated without moving the flap to the open position.
The present invention offers a unique motivational tool, especially for younger students, the talking backpack hereof can provide advantages to all students in organizing school assignments. The manner by which this unique tool is realized will become apparent from the following description, particularily when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

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A drive unit for an actuator having an electric motor, wherein the drive unit comprises a gear train having at least a first gear stage and a last gear stage, wherein the gear train realizes a transmission ratio of greater than one from the electric motor to an output wheel, wherein each gear stage is formed by a gear drive and wherein in the last gear stage, one gear wheel or alternatively two gear wheels connected in parallel are provided that each mesh with an upstream gear wheel of the gear train and with the output wheel, so as to transmit the torque acting on the last gear stage to this stage via the one gear wheel or alternatively distributed over the two gear wheels connected in parallel, wherein the drive unit is accommodated in a housing of the actuator that has at least a first and a second bearing support for the gear wheels of the last gear stage, and to form this last gear stage, the two bearing supports are fitted with the one gear wheel or alternatively with the two gear wheels connected in parallel.

One field of application of the invention is in actuators having small motors that have a compact construction and a light weight, particularly having small-scale brushless DC motors which are used in the automotive industry, for example, as a small motor actuator, a fan motor, a drive for flap actuators used, for example, in air conditioning units and for cooling the motor etc., the invention not being limited to these applications.
The drive unit according to the invention is particularly suitable for those kinds of actuators that, compared to the rotational speed of the electric motor, generate a slow movement of the actuator, such as in a ventilation flap. Brushless DC motors may be used as the drive motor that can generate a rotational speed of the drive shaft of up to some 4000 rpm, for example, in the range of 500 to 2500 rpm, whereas the required rotational speed at the output side for the flap actuator is, for example, in the range of 3 to 10 rpm. The required torque is in the range, for example, of 1 to 2 Nm. In these kinds of actuators, the drive unit has to thus generate a transmission ratio of greater than 1 (gear reduction) between the drive and output side, where the transmission ratio lies, for example, in the range of 2 to 8 or of 4 to 5 per gear stage, i.e. 4≦i≦5 for i=zoutput/zdrive, where z indicates the number of teeth in the gear wheels of a gear stage. The transmitted torque acts conversely to the rotational speed. The lower the rotational speed on the output side in relation to the rotational speed on the drive side, the higher the increase in torque from the drive to the output side.
In practice, for these kinds of drive units that use multi-stage gearing, there arises the problem that the overall torque transmissible by the actuator—alongside the electric motor—is determined by the gear stage that is subject to the greatest load, i.e. the gear stage directly before the output side. In theory, the gear stages have to be designed in terms of strength in relation to the transmission ratio from one gear stage to the next, which means that the gear wheels of higher gear stages have to be made of a resilient material having thicker shafts and/or have measures for stabilizing the teeth. The transmission of an increasing torque from one gear stage to the next results in a greater load on the individual gear wheels, particularly the teeth, as well as in greater deflection of the shaft of the respective higher gear stages and of the output side. The gear unit has thus to be designed such that it can withstand the increasing load in the higher gear stages. One method, for example, is to make the shafts thicker although this requires more installation space. Another method is to make the gear wheels of the last gear stage and those on the output side not only more stable in themselves, but also in their connection to the shaft. For this purpose, they can be made bigger and/or out of more high-quality, stable plastics or possibly provided with metal bushings that are molded, for example, into the gear wheels as an insert in a metal injection-molding process. However, these solutions are complex and expensive, they increase space requirements and possibly lead to new problems caused by the combination of materials when using different plastics and/or metals.
From the prior art, transmissions having power splitting are basically known that have two counter shafts whose gear wheels mesh with a common first gear wheel as in DE 10 2008 038 069 A1. From DE 195 14 361 C2 a torque splitting device for the even distribution of torque to a first drive shaft and a second drive shaft is known, where two identical toothed gear wheels mesh with a gear wheel. The former document finds application in wind power plants where the slow rotational speed of the main rotor has to be transformed into a fast generator speed. The field of application for the second document is in the area of helicopters, so as to transmit the rotational movement that is generated by a motor to the main rotor of the helicopter. These documents certainly show that, for the transmission of power in a gear unit, it is basically known to distribute the torque to two gear wheels, however, these documents do not provide a suitable solution for an actuator based on small motors.
From DE 195 47 513 C2, an adjuster for vehicle seats is known having a pivoting operating lever that is fixedly connected to a toothed area that in its center position engages simultaneously with two axially parallel gear wheels. These gear wheels are connected through oppositely aligned freewheels to aligned gear wheels that mesh with a common output wheel. On moving the operating lever out of its center position, this toothed area only engages with one of the two parallel gear wheels, so as to increase the pivotal range of the lever. Again the solution described in this document is not suitable for an actuator based on an electric motor; it is limited to a manual lever adjustment.
It is an object of the invention to provide a drive unit for an actuator based on an electric motor that realizes a transmission ratio greater than one from the drive wheel of the electric motor to the output side over a plurality of gear stages, wherein the drive unit is to be optimized for the torque it has to transmit.

Drive unit for actuator drive including an electric motor and actuator drive


Plant supporting apparatuses designed to hang a planter and plant at a variety of desired locations without lines for external electrical or water supply. Power is provided by solar cells. This construction allows the placement of plants almost anywhere and provides desired routine maintenance automatically. The apparatuses rotate the plant to grow uniformly even though incident light is non-uniform. There are two main assemblies which rotate relative to each other. A pump transfers liquids from a reservoir to a dispensing outlet onto a planter. The pump may be configured to move within the reservoir to stir the water, fertilizer or other liquids being fed to the planter. A planter is also shown which has solar cells and other parts mounted thereon. A control system is used to control operation and ambient light and reservoir liquid level are sensed.

Plants that can be grown indoors are commonly sought after for their decorative appeal, aroma, herbs, spices produced thereby, and for other reasons. Many people enjoy keeping plants within their home or office for ambiance. However these plants typically require regular attention and if not properly cared for they become ill or even die. Similarly, there are a number of people who keep plants about a patio or doorway for decorative appeal and other reasons. These too may best be served by automatic plant maintenance.
Plants require regular watering and most need added fertilizer or other nutrients. Busy schedules, work, traveling, vacation absences, and simple neglect can cause all of these and prevent a plant from being properly maintained. Thus, many people return to a sick or dead plant.
Since plants can be expensive and involve time and trouble to buy, transport, and transplant into planters; people are often hesitant to simply replace or keep replacing sick or dead plants if the same outcome will most likely befall the new plant or plants. Therefore, many people conclude they are unable or unwilling to enjoy and maintain plants. This is especially true for many locations within a building where conditions are not optimal. Thus, the plant enthusiasts are limited in where they place planters in most situations and are prevented from using a much greater variety of planters, plants, and plant locations.
Below are some common indoor plant needs along with how they generally effect the plant if not properly maintained.
Light is vitally important to plant life. Light exposure is necessary for the plant to go through photosynthesis, a process through which the plant uses the energy from incident light to produce sugars. The plant uses these sugars to sustain itself and grow.
Water is also necessary for plants, particularly the photosynthesis process, as well as many other functions the plant undergoes. Other constituents, such as a number of elements or other nutrients containing them are important for good plant living situations. Examples include elements such as nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur and potassium are in many instances important to plant functions. Depending upon the plant, it may also need to a lesser degree calcium, magnesium and other trace or supplemental nutrients, including vitamins and hormones.
These chemicals are often present in the soil and the plant draws them as needed or to the extent they are available in the soil. As the life of the plant goes on these chemicals deplete from the soil and depending on the plant it may need supplementary feeding. Lack of or an over-abundance of these or other chemicals may cause visual and physiological changes to the plant. Discoloration, wilting leaves and other deterioration of the leaves or plant more generally are common to nutrient deficient plants and thus are worthy of being considered if you want a visually appealing plant.
It is also sometimes necessary that plants be provided with pesticides such as insecticides, fungicides, mildewcides and other plant disease inhibiting or eradicating chemicals. These may be applied directly or in an aqueous liquid solution or mixture which may also be used to water plants.
A common practice for providing plants with light is by placing them near a window so that sunlight will shine in on the plant. Some of the light will reflect off of other items in the room depending on their finishes and colors, but there will typically be a stronger exposure on the side closest to the window through which light beams or otherwise becomes incident upon the plant in question. This situation often causes the plant to stretch and lean, positioning itself to best receive this light. Such makes the plant look ill-proportioned and unsightly, hanging to one side of the pot or other planter. This leaning or lopsidedness of the plant to one side of a planter or pot is generally considered an unappealing condition or characteristic of plants. This is especially true for plants that drape over the edge of a planter, but is a problem encountered with almost all plants grown inside where there is non-uniform incident light to the plant.
All of the aforementioned problems along with others require regular maintenance of indoor plants to help prevent or fix the particular problem or problems associated with each site. Thus, it is difficult to know when placing a planter and plant, what the plant health is going to be and many plants are lost by attempts to place them in unsuitable locations.
Some people employ others to take care of their plants, especially during an extended absence. Such may be an expense and also can put the owner or their property at risk for allowing someone into their living or office space. This is particularly true when maintenance is performed during vacations, off-hours or when otherwise done unsupervised.
Some or all of the problems explained above and other problems may be helped or solved by the inventions shown and described herein. Such inventions may also be utilized to other currently unknown benefits which may be in the future appreciated from the novel inventions shown and described herein.

Self-contained apparatuses for hanging, holding, rotating, or watering plants using solar power for plant maintenance


An inverter assembly includes an inverter and a load sensor. The inverter is configured to provide electrical power to a load. The load sensor has a first amplifier for sensing current of the load when the load is a low power load connected to the inverter and a second amplifier for sensing the load current when the load is a high power load connected to the inverter. Vehicle functionality such as start/stop functionality may be disabled while the load sensor senses that the load is connected to the inverter whereas the start/stop functionality may be disabled while the load sensor senses that the load is not connected to the inverter.

A vehicle may include a DC (direct current) battery configured to supply a DC voltage and a DC to AC (alternating current) inverter configured to invert the DC voltage from the battery into an AC output voltage. The AC output voltage may be used to power electrical appliances (i.e., loads) within the vehicle such as laptops and cell phones, DVD players and game station consoles, televisions, etc., which require an AC supply voltage for their operation. For example, the battery supplies a 12V DC voltage which the inverter inverts into an AC output voltage appropriate for the load (e.g., 120V RMS at 60 Hz).
The vehicle may have start/stop functionality. A problem is that when the vehicle is auto-started, which is allowed to occur while the start/stop functionality is enabled, the DC voltage supplied by the battery can dip down. For instance, the battery supplied DC voltage can dip from 12V down to 6V-8V. In turn, the inverter rating decreases such as down to 11V. Thus, when the vehicle is auto-started, the inverter output can drop out as a result of the inverter rating decreasing in response to the battery supplied DC voltage dipping. Understandably, this can cause user annoyance as the laptop and cell phone screens may flicker and their speakers may beep, the DVD player and game station console may restart, and the television may drop out and require manual operation to restart.
Accordingly, it is desirable that the vehicle is not auto-started while a load is being supplied with electrical power from the inverter (i.e., while a load is electrically connected (or "connected") to the inverter). That is, it is desirable that the start/stop functionality be disabled while a load is being supplied with electrical power from the inverter. This is because the vehicle is not allowed to auto-start while the start/stop functionality is disabled.
In some implementations, the inverter is part of an assembly having a load sensor configured to sense the electrical current of the load (i.e., the load current). Such current sensing is used for protection (i.e., overcurrent). On the other hand, a load consuming power such as below 10% of the power ratio of the inverter is not detected by the load sensor as the corresponding current is relatively very low. Thus, the condition may occur in which a light power load connected to the inverter is not detected and it is therefore presumed that no load is connected to the inverter. Consequently, as it is presumed that no load is connected to the inverter, the start/stop functionality is not disabled and the vehicle is therefore allowed to be auto-started. As described, the operation of the load, which is in fact connected to the inverter, is compromised when the vehicle is auto-started.
In sum, the inability of detecting a light power load connected to the inverter prevents the assembly from requesting the start/stop functionality from being disabled. On the other hand, when a heavier power load is connected to the inverter the corresponding heavier current is detectable by the load sensor of the assembly. In this case, the assembly is aware of the presence of the heavier power load connected to the inverter and based on this awareness can request the start/stop functionality to be disabled.
In one configuration in which the inverter is part of an assembly having a load sensor configured to sense load current, the load sensor includes an amplifier and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The amplifier amplifies a voltage corresponding to the load current (for instance, the voltage tapped across a resistor in series with the load) and the ADC converts the corresponding amplified voltage to a digital output corresponding to the load current. For example, the amplifier has a gain of ten and the resistor is a 50 mOhm resistor; the full ADC sensing range is 0 A to 10 A; the overcurrent sensing range is up to 20 A (utilizing comparator and resistor divider for scaling signal down); and the 20 A range is required for over-current protection. In this exemplary configuration, with this range standard a cell phone load consuming about 4 W of power would produce only 17 mV or 3 counts on the ADC input. As such, this cell phone load would not be detected. As a result, the start/stop functionality would not be disabled even though a load (i.e., the cell phone load) is being supplied with electrical power by the inverter. Consequently, the vehicle is allowed to auto-start which would cause the operation of the cell phone load to be disrupted.
One solution to the problem caused by the battery supplied DC voltage dipping down when the vehicle is auto-started is to operate the inverter down to 6V. However, this presents significant concerns as explained as follows. First, inverter operation at 11V providing 350 W of power and operating at 90% efficiency consumes about 35 A of current, which is seen as a limit for typical vehicle wiring applications. Inverter operation at 6V providing 350 W of power and operating at 90% efficiency consumes 65 A of current and inverter operation at 6V providing a peak requirement of 800 W of power and operating at 85% efficiency consumes 156 A of current, which are both far over the limit. As such, inverter operation down to 6V in response to the battery supplied DC voltage dipping down is not feasible.


A method of controlling an ambient light feature of a cup holder assembly having one or more cup holders includes providing a light source having a light output of varying luminous intensity, sensing an amount of light reflected from an object received in one of the cup holders using a light sensor, and controlling the luminous intensity of the light output based on the amount of light reflected and the distance between the object and a sidewall of the cup holder assembly. In this method, a change in the amount of light reflected from an object received in one of the cup holders correlates to a change in the luminous intensity provided by the light source, and a change in the distance between the object received the cup holder and the sidewall of the cup holders correlates to a change in the luminous intensity provided by the light source.

Vehicle cup holders with integrated ambient lighting systems often provide a fixed amount of ambient light as provided by a light source generally disposed at the bottom of the cup holder or on a sidewall of the cup holder. These lighting features have particular drawbacks when an object is placed in the cup holder. For instance, a solid non-transparent object will generally block a light source disposed at the bottom of the cup holder, and can also block a light source disposed in a sidewall of the cup holder. Further, a transparent object can affect the amount of ambient light produced by a light source when a transparent object is placed in a cup holder. Objects having a reflective surface can also affect the amount of ambient light produced by a cup holder when housed therein. Thus, a cup holder that provides a consistent amount of light is desired regardless of the object housed in the cup holder.
Further, cup holders having a temperature control system have been used in the automotive market, however, the heating or cooling of a beverage container placed in a cup holder is generally provided by a user input on a switch used for controlling the temperature control system. A cup holder that provides an automatic heating or cooling of a beverage container placed in a cup holder well is desired, such that the contents of the beverage container can be maintained at a proper state without user interaction. Further, the automatic temperature control system can be used in conjunction with the ambient lighting system, such that the user can readily ascertain the present mode of the cup holder by various color schemes and light intensities of the ambient lighting system.


An integrated phone-based home gateway system. The integrated phone-based home gateway system is a multi-function wireless and wired networking, wireless and wired telephony, broadband, gateway device. It provides automatic wireless and wired broadband initialization, configuration and service provisioning, gateway, routing and bridging functionality, wireless and wired data and telephony functionality and allows resource sharing among multiple wireless and wired devices.

With the advent of the communication technologies and breakthroughs in Digital Signal Processing ("DSP"), Digital Subscriber Lines ("DSL"), fiber optic and coaxial cable and wireless connections, more bandwidth is now available for home communications than was once provided by traditional voice-grade analog modems. There is widespread interest among home users in faster access to content provided by service providers via high-speed facilities such as DSL, cable, or wireless connections.
This interest appears to be driving the evolution of the home communications from narrow-band communications to broadband communications. As is known in the art, broadband communications include communications signals that are typically transmitted over separate inbound and outbound channels. Network devices on a broadband network are connected by copper, coaxial or fiber-optic cable or wireless connections that can carry data, voice, and video simultaneously. Broadband communications are capable of high-speed operation (e.g., megabits-per-second, ("Mbps")).
There are a number of problems associated with providing broadband communications to the home environment. One problem is that before DSL, broadband access via shared Local Area Network ("LAN"), Frame Relay, Asynchronous Transmission Mode ("ATM") or other broadband communications services had only been used in commercial or business environment. Most to-home communications are narrow-band and use either Integrated Service Digital Network ("ISDN") line or analog modems.
Another problem is that broadband communications are operationally complex. Broadband communications typically include a large number of broadband communications parameters that must be configured before a broadband communications application can be used. Service provisioning is also required to use broadband communications. As is known in the art, service provisioning includes allocating, configuring and maintaining multiple transmission channels and virtual communications paths used for broadband communications.
Normally, in the commercial or business environment, trained professionals are required to manage such complexity. It is undesirable however, to have trained networking personnel managing a home network. It may also be unreasonable to expect any home user to have enough networking experience to configure and provision broadband communications in the home environment.
Another problem is that it is becoming common for home users to have small office or home office ("SOHO") home networks. Such home networks typically include one or more personal computers, printers, facsimile machines, mobile phones, personal data assistants ("PDA") that are all connected in the home and to another networks such as the Internet. The home networks typically require gateway, router or bridge functionality to allow devices connected to the home network to communicate over data connections (e.g., Internet Protocol ("IP")) with other devices connected to the Internet.
As is known in the art, a gateway connects computer networks using different network protocols and/or operating at different transmission capacities. A router receives transmitted messages and forwards them to their correct destinations over the most efficient available route. A bridge is a device that connects networks using the same communications protocols so that information can be passed from one network device to another.
Such gateway, router or bridge functionality typically requires configuration, initialization and management of various gateway, routing or bridging tables. It may also be unreasonable to expect any home user to have enough networking experience to configure, initialize or manage such tables in the home environment.
Another problem is that for many home users do not have the physical space to include additional modules or equipment that is used as a home gateway. The home users also may not have the additional wired or wireless connections available to connect a home gateway (e.g., an additional telephone line).
Another problem is that many home users desire to use home gateway functionality, but already have existing phone systems. Many existing phone systems are incompatible with, and cannot be used with products that may offer any type of home gateway functionality.
Another problem is that many devices used on a home network are wireless. It is often necessary to connect such wireless devices to a broadband communications path.
Another problem is that most broadband communication devices allow to-home networking, but do not allow in-home networking with other devices connected to a home network. It is often necessary to provide broadband communications for to-home and in-home networking.
Thus, it is desirable to provide broadband communications to the home environment in a device that overcomes the problems described herein and other problems associated with providing broadband communications to the home.


A vehicle is disclosed that includes various portions for carrying a rider and operation of the vehicle. The vehicle may be configured for operation of more than one surface or surface type. The vehicle has a selected suspension assembly for operation of various surface types.

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.
Vehicles, according to various embodiments, generally include an engine that may be powered with a selected power system to drive a drive system, such as through a transmission. Various vehicles may include those that have wheels to be rotated by the engine or a track. Generally, the vehicle is provided in a manner to allow for operation of the vehicle on a selected surface. Generally, vehicles may be designed to operate on limited surfaces. However, various mechanisms may be provided to alter or be attached to a portion of a vehicle to allow it to be operated on more than one or limited surfaces. Such systems include the Timbersled® suspension and conversion system sold by Polaris Industries, Inc., having a place of business in Minnesota.


Following soldering of electrical components on a circuit card in a soldering process that includes use of an aqueous-based flux, the circuit card, containing the soldered electrical components, is exposed to a dilute aqueous basic solution prior to a final hot water rinse. The dilute basic solution prevents the formation of a white residue commonly associated with the use of aqueous-based fluxes. For example, using a flux consisting essentially of an aqueous solution of citric acid, and rinsing in either an aqueous ammonia solution consisting essentially of about 20 to 250 ppm ammonium hydroxide or an aqueous solution of about 0.1 to 3 wt% sodium bicarbonate, prevents formation of the white residue.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to soldering electrical components on circuit cards, and, more particularly, to a process for preventing a white residue, commonly associated with soldering using an aqueous-based flux, from forming.
2. Description of Related Art
In the soldering of electrical components on circuit cards using an aqueous-based flux, a "white residue" has been observed when rinsing the soldered circuit card to remove flux residues. While the white residue was believed in the past to be the result of using the aqueous fluxing agent, more recent indications are that the white residue is a result of residual products from the plating process used to form the conductive traces on the circuit card.
The white residue is objectionable, due not only to the appearance, but also because the composition is unknown, and this raises a concern that the residue may somehow be a corrosion product or be corrosive to the soldered joints. Attempts have been made over the years to get rid of the residue, all to no avail. For example, detergents and surfactants have variously been employed, typically in hot water solutions.
Thus, there is a need for a process that can be incorporated in a soldering/cleaning process employing an aqueous-based flux that would prevent the formation of such a white residue.

Precleaning of soldered circuit cards to prevent white residue


A display device that displays an error between an instructed command position of a specific portion of a control target and a response position of the specific portion in a manner easily understandable to a user is described. The display device acquires a response position of the specific portion and calculates a difference in position of the command position and the response position. The display device displays a spatial trajectory based on the command position or a spatial trajectory based on the response position. The display device also displays each spatial trajectory in a mode where a portion of the spatial trajectory of the command position corresponding to the selected mark and a portion of the spatial trajectory of the response position corresponding to the relevant portion of the spatial trajectory of the command position are enlarged at a same magnification.

A motion program for driving a control target is conventionally known.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2007-242054 (patent document 1) discloses a robot language processing device as a device for processing an operation program, which is the motion program. The robot language processing device stores the operation program in which target position data of an industrial robot is described by a movement order. The robot language processing device three-dimensionally displays graphically a trajectory of a distal end of a robot arm that moves according to the operation program.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 6-138934 (patent document 2) discloses a tool path displaying method of a numerical value control device. The numerical value control device displays a path of a tool driven by a servo motor of an X axis and a servo motor of a Y axis on an XY plane. The path of the tool displayed by the numerical value control device includes two types. One is an ideal path that complies with the program. The other is the actual path of the tool, which has an error from the ideal path. The numerical value control device displays a programmed motion component in one time for the actual path of the tool, and displays in an enlarged manner an error component at a large magnification of, for example, twenty thousand times. The numerical value control device displays the actual path of the tool overlapping the display of the ideal path, or replacing the display of the ideal path for an erroneous portion.    Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2007-242054    Patent Document 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 6-138934

Device and method for displaying a change in the position of an object


Provided is a permanent magnet for a permanent magnet machine, a permanent magnet machine, and a method of manufacturing a permanent magnet for a permanent magnet machine. The permanent magnet includes a base body having a first side and a second side which is an opposite side with respect to the first side, wherein at least one first slit is formed in the base body such that the at least one first slit extends from the first side in the direction of the second side.

In today's permanent magnet machines in order to reduce eddy current losses in permanent magnets of a permanent magnet machines, normally a magnet element is cut axially and circumferentially into small magnetic pieces which then are polished on all side surfaces. Afterwards, the small magnetic pieces are glued back together in one permanent magnet unit, this is normally called magnet segmentation.
A current full permanent magnet element 1401 according to the known art in a sectional view in the axial direction is shown in FIG. 14 together with a cover 1404, a baseplate 1403 and a glue layer 1402. The current full permanent magnet element 1401 is glued to the baseplate 1403. Additionally, the cover 1404 is welded to the baseplate 1403. The current full permanent magnet element 1401 is a full block magnet and therefore nothing is reducing the eddy currents generated in the permanent magnet.
For reducing the eddy currents, as shown in FIG. 15 in a sectional view in the circumferential direction, the current permanent magnet 1500 (shown without the baseplate and the cover) is cut into four small magnetic pieces 1501 which are subsequently polished on all surfaces. Thereafter the four small magnetic pieces 1501 are glued back together by three glue layers 1505. Each glue layer 1505 is arranged between two adjacent small magnetic pieces 1501.
While gluing the small magnetic pieces 1501 together, the small magnetic pieces 1501 have to be kept in a fixture (not shown in FIG. 14 or FIG. 15) to get the desired shape of the finished current permanent magnet 1500. The steps of cutting, gluing and handling add extra costs to the final current permanent magnet.
Furthermore, coating the finished current permanent magnet may be difficult as the adhesive property of the surface of the small magnetic pieces and the glue layers are different. This may cause quality problems of the coating.
The manufacturing costs of a permanent magnet are crucial from the economic perspective of the permanent magnet machine. Further, the reliability of the permanent magnet is a key factor for the operational costs of the permanent magnet machine.

Permanent magnet for a permanent magnet machine


A sheet feeding apparatus that can be used in an image reading apparatus or an image recording apparatus to pick-up sheets of paper for one-by-one transfer to an image generating mechanism (e.g., an image reader or a print. head). The sheet feeding apparatus includes sheet pick-up member and a power transmission device that moves the pick-up member from a home position toward a sheet supply portion, from an arbitrary position to an initializing position, and from the initializing position to the home position.

1. Field of the Invention
The present application relates to sheet feeding apparatus used to supply sheets of paper in image reading or recording apparatus. More particularly, the present application provides a sheet feeding apparatus having an improved sheet pick-up mechanism.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventional sheet feeding apparatus typically use a sheet pick-up device for picking up sheets of paper from a paper delivery tray and a sheet transfer device for transferring the sheets to an image reader. Some pick-up devices use a cam that rotates to engage a sheet of paper from the bottom of the delivery tray and position an edge of the sheet onto rollers which transfer the sheet to the image reader. In order to ensure that the next sheet of paper is properly picked-up and transferred to the image reader, the sheet feeding apparatus has to know the position of the cam prior to picking-up the sheet. This is achieved by moving the cam to a predefined home position prior to picking-up the sheet. However, the rotational speed of the cam is typically slower than the rotational speed of the rollers so that when the rollers grab the sheet the cam must release the sheet so that: 1) the cam does not retard the speed at which the sheet is fed to the image reader; and 2) the cam is not damaged by the acceleration force created by the rollers. One attempt to avoid these problems is to connect the cam to a clutch so that when the rollers grab the sheet the clutch actuates causing the cam to release the sheet.
Once the clutch actuates to cause the cam to release the sheet, the actual position of the cam is unknown. Thus, to determine the location of the cam, conventional sheet feeding apparatus add sensors and additional structure to the pick-up device to determine the location of the cam.
For example, Japanese Laid-open Publication No. 05-162888, appears to discuss a pick-up device that returns and stops at a home position using a combined cam and spring board mechanism. As a result, the cost of manufacturing such a pick-up device increases the cost of manufacturing the sheet feeding apparatus.


A cutting tool assembly using a machined tool operating in a plunge mode of electrical discharge machining to make microreplicated features in a work piece having a complex surface. The microreplicated features can be non-adjacent and can have any geometric configuration and micron-scaled dimensions, as determined by the microstructured features in the tool. The machined work piece can be used as a master tool in order to make microreplicated articles such as optical films, friction control films, plasma display panel molds, or micro-fasteners.

Machining techniques, such as diamond turning and plunge electrical discharge machining, can be used to create a wide variety of work pieces such as microreplication tools. Microreplication tools are commonly used for extrusion processes, injection molding processes, embossing processes, casting processes, or the like, to create microreplicated structures. The microreplicated structures may comprise optical films, abrasive films, adhesive films, mechanical fasteners having self-mating profiles, or any molded or extruded parts having microreplicated features of relatively small dimensions, such as dimensions less than approximately 1000 microns.
The microstructured features can also be made by various other methods. For example, the structure of the master tool can be transferred on other media, such as to a belt or web of polymeric material, by a cast and cure process from the master tool to form a production tool; this production tool is then used to make the microreplicated structure. Other methods such as electroforming can be used to copy the master tool. Other techniques include chemical etching, bead blasting, or other stochastic surface modification techniques.


A color signal transforming apparatus which is operable at high speed for four input signals including three color signals and a control signal for K, without increasing the memory capacity not so much. In the apparatus, each of four input signals is divided into the higher bits and the lower bits, so that the higher bits are combined to form basic data and the combined higher bits and lower bits are combined to form interpolation data. The combination of the higher bits and the interpolation data are calculated together to produce output signals. A 16-vertex body of each object to be interpolated is divided into twenty-four 5-vertex bodies each passing through one of sixteen lattice points constituting the 16-vertex body, and the different combinations of interpolation data is assigned to the 5-vertex bodies in one-to-one correspondence manner.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for inputting and outputting signals representative of full color containing half-tone, which are used for a color printer, color copying machine, or the like, and an apparatus for executing the method. More particularly, the invention relates to a method for transforming color signals in order to reproduce a color faithfully, and an apparatus for executing the method.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the fields of color printing, color television, color copying machine, and the like, there are many proposals to transform color signals. In a typical example of those proposals, an input color space, e.g., a BGR coordinate, is directly transformed into an output color space, e.g., a YMC (K) coordinate by using a table memory. When three color signals in a BGR coordinate, for example, are transformed into digital signals at resolutions of the necessary gray levels, a great amount of table data is needed. To store the data, a table memory with a large memory capacity must be provided. Such a memory is very expensive.
For example, in a case where each of the input colors B, G, and R are expressed by 8 bits, and the output colors Y, M, C, and K are also expressed by 8 bits, the required memory capacity of the table memory is 2.sup.24 .times.4 bytes. It is impractical to use such a big table memory.
Many interpolation basis methods have been studied for reducing the necessary memory capacity in transforming color signals by using the table memory. In these methods, a color correction memory addressed with the higher bits of the input signals is used for reducing the necessary memory capacity. The coarsened data is corrected by using an interpolation circuit using the lower bits. The interpolation basis method is disclosed, for example, in Published Unexamined Patent Application No. Hei 2187374 and Examined Japanese Patent Application No. Sho. 58-16180. But, this interpolation is discontinuous at the boundary between the adjacent interpolation regions.
To solve the above problems, the inventor of the present Patent Application proposes in a co-pending U.S. Patent Application Serial No. (unknown) filed on the same day as the present Patent Application was filed.
The interpolation method of the co-pending application will be described with reference to FIG. 9 and an equation (1). ##EQU1##
where X'(x, y, z): a value of one output for an input (x, y, z)
x.sub.h, y.sub.h, z.sub.h : higher bits of the input signals
x.sub.1, y.sub.1, z.sub.1 : lower bits of the input signals
X'(x.sub.h, y.sub.h, z.sub.h): basic data obtained from the combination of the higher bits
a.sub.x (x.sub.h, y.sub.h, z.sub.h, d.sub.x (x.sub.1, y.sub.1, z.sub.1)), a.sub.y (x.sub.h, y.sub.h, z.sub.h,
d.sub.y (x.sub.1, y.sub.1, z.sub.1)), a.sub.z (x.sub.h, z.sub.h, d.sub.jz (x.sub.1, z.sub.1)): interpolation sensitivity signals
d.sub.x (x.sub.1, y.sub.1, z.sub.1), d.sub.y (x.sub.1, y.sub.1, z.sub.1), d.sub.z (x.sub.1, y.sub.1, z.sub.1):
interpolation region select signals obtained from the combination of the lower bits
The operation of the color signal transforming apparatus shown in FIG. 9 will be described briefly.
Three input signals for instance, L*, a*, and b* representing colors are each divided into the higher bits and the lower bits. The combination of the higher bits is input as an address signal to a color correction memory 1 for basic data, which then outputs basic data corresponding to X'(x.sub.h, y.sub.h, z.sub.h).
The combination of the lower bits is input as an address signal to the interpolation region select memory 7, which outputs the interpolation region select signals corresponding to d.sub.x (x.sub.1, y.sub.1, z.sub.1), d.sub.y (x.sub.1, y.sub.1, z.sub.1, ), d.sub.z (x.sub.1, y.sub.1, z.sub.1).
The combination of the higher bits of the input signals corresponding to d.sub.x (x.sub.1, y.sub.1, z.sub.1), d.sub.y (x.sub.1, y.sub.1, z.sub.1), d.sub.z (x.sub.1, y.sub.1, z.sub.1).
The combination of the higher bits of the input signals and some of the interpolation region select signals are input to interpolation sensitivity signal output memories 5.sub.1, 5.sub.2, and 5.sub.3, which then output interpolation sensitivity signals corresponding to a.sub.x (x.sub.h, y.sub.h, z.sub.h, d.sub.x (x.sub.1, y.sub.1, z.sub.1)), a.sub.y (x.sub.h, y.sub.h, z.sub.h, d.sub.y (x.sub.1, y.sub.1, z.sub.1)), and a.sub.z (x.sub.h, y.sub.h, z.sub.h, d.sub.z (x.sub.1, y.sub.1, z.sub.1)).
The interpolation sensitivity signals are respectively input to interpolation multipliers 6.sub.1 to 6.sub.3 where these are multiplied by the lower bits of the input signals, respectively. The multipliers produce the resultant products in the form of plural interpolation data.
Finally, interpolation adders 3.sub.1 to 3.sub.3 respectively add the basic data and the plural interpolation data. The resultant sums are output as interpolated values corresponding to X'(x, y, z) in the equation (1).
The interpolation method has the following advantageous features:
(1) Complicated address calculation is not required when the memory is accessed. High speed processing is possible with a simple circuit arrangement.
(2) The regular arrangement in the color correction memory is not essential. The technique of the invention is compatible with the technique, which removes the memory portion out of the color reproduction regions by arranging irregularly the data that are regularly arranged in the memory (Published Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Nos. Hei. 2-73779 and 2-187374).
(3) Interpolation continuity at the boundary region is secured.
The interpolation method as mentioned above is incapable of handling such a case where a quantity of black K is intended to be variable according to the input characteristics, not fixedly set for the whole color space, when the output signals are color signals of Y, M, C, and K.
The problem will be described specifically.
When four color signals of Y, M, C, and K are output to an output device, such as a xerography machine, in view of the graininess on an image, a picture area contains black K preferably at the smallest possible quantity. In view of the miss registration, character portion contains black K preferably at the largest possible quantity.
In an extreme case, the picture area is output with three colors Y, M and C, while the character portion is output with any of the combinations of two colors and black K, such as the combination of Y, M and K, the combination of M, C, and K, and the combination of C, Y, and K. Practically, it has been desired to realize the output color combinations moderate but closer to those of the extreme case.
To secure a continuity of image at the boundary regions when the percentage of black K contained is changed, it is preferable to increase the number of the moderate color combinations as large as possible.
The attempt to realize this by modifying the interpolation method proposed in the co-pending application as stated above may be categorized into the following two:
(1) The basic data color correction memory and the interpolation sensitivity signal output memory are constructed with reprogrammable memories. When another percentage of the contained black K is required, the content of the memory is replaced with the percentage.
(2) As shown in FIG. 10, a K-control input is additionally used for the addresses of the color correction memory and the interpolation sensitivity signal output memories, as shown in FIG. 10.
The above two attempts have the following problems, however. In the case of (1), the memory content replacement takes much time. When it is necessary to change the percentage of the contained black K in one image, the replacing operation time will be too long time for printing. In the case of (2), when the number of bits of the K control input signal is increased, that is, the number of percentages of the contained K, is increased, the memory capacities of the color correction memory and the interpolation sensitivity signal output memories must be increased by the amount corresponding to the increased number. This leads to increase of the cost to manufacture.

Method for transforming color signal and apparatus for executing the method


A floor covering is composed of a plurality of hard floor panels wherein the floor panels show a common general decor and may differ from each other in respect to their appearance and/or on their own have zones of a differing appearance. The floor panels, at least at two opposite sides or edges thereof, are provided with coupling parts allowing that two of such floor panels can cooperate with each other at these sides. At least some of the floor panels possess at least one chamfer, such as a beveled edge or the like, wherein the surfaces of these chamfers are provided, at least partially, with a separately applied decorative covering including at least a decorative layer. The appearance of the decorative covering is realized in a manner varying in function of differences occurring in the decor of the floor covering.

This invention relates to a floor covering, to floor panels for realizing such floor covering, as well as to a method for manufacturing floor panels.
According to a first aspect, the invention relates to the type of floor covering that is composed of a plurality of hard floor panels, wherein, on the one hand, the floor panels show a common general decor, however, on the other hand, among the floor panels showing the common general decor, also floor panels are present that differ from each other in respect to their appearance and/or as such have zones of a differing appearance, wherein these floor panels, at least at two opposite sides or edges thereof, are provided with coupling parts allowing that two of such floor panels can cooperate with each other at these sides, and wherein at least some of the floor panels possess at least one chamfer, such as a beveled edge or the like, wherein the surfaces of these chamfers are provided, at least partially, with a separately applied decorative covering consisting at least of a decorative layer.
Such type of floor covering is known as such. Herein, the general decor mostly is a wood decor or a stone decor. Mostly, this general decor is formed of several floor panels having a different appearance. So, for example, a floor covering representing an oak plank floor as a general decor, mostly will possess different floor panels representing planks of a different tint or degree of darkness. Also, the color, tint or the like often will vary considerably within the surface of one and the same floor panel.
Also, the application of a chamfer, which is provided with a separately applied decorative covering consisting at least of a decorative layer, is known. According to known embodiments, the decorative layer may consist of a print, for example, by means of transfer printing, or a coloration by means of a color, such as a lacquer or the like. Examples thereof are known, amongst others, from the patent documents WO 01/96688, WO 2004/108436 and US 2005/0076598. From these documents, it is also known to adapt the appearance of the decorative layer on the chamfer to the appearance of the upper side of the floor panels. The technique, known up to now, for realizing such "adaptation" consists in that a so-called global matching is performed and thereby one well-defined fixed appearance for the covering of the chamfer is determined, thus, of a well-defined color and/or with a well-defined fixed pattern, which globally fits best to all floor panels of one and the same global decor. When imitating a wooden plank floor with darker and lighter planks, the chamfers then are provided, for example, with a covering of one and the same color, which, for example, is situated in respect to its tint between the tints of the darker and light planks, by means of which thus a "global adaptation" is performed.

Floor covering, floor panels and method for manufacturing floor panels


A data transcoding device includes a memory device for storing clear data containing private information and a processor configured as a data transcoder. The processor is configured to create packets of the clear data, prepare the packets for transcoding the clear data into an indecipherable multimedia data file appearing as noise, by determining properties of the indecipherable multimedia file based on parameters of the clear data. The processor is configured to generate the indecipherable multimedia file by transcoding the clear data based on the determined properties.

Electronic messaging (e.g., e-mail, text) and transfer of data (e.g. images, video, documents) (collectively referred to hereafter as "data") has become a primary means of communication for a large number of organizations, businesses and individuals. Data exists in a plethora of file formats (e.g., portable document format (pdf), joint photographic experts' group (jpeg), PowerPoint (ppt), executable file (exe), etc.) which are defined as standard methods that information is encoded for storage in a computer file. The enormous variety and application of these file formats allow for specific functionality and purpose built into each piece of data.
Currently, popular social media transmission methods, such as Facebook®, Twitter®, or Instagram support limited file formats for the transmission of data. Specifically, social media applications support only text, image, and video file formats, thus limiting the type of data that may be transmitted through social media applications. Similar to the social media methods, some business applications are also built to only store and send certain multimedia file formats (photos, videos, audio files, etc.), making it complex to add encryption to the workflow.
Furthermore, current data transmission applications are an inherently insecure means of communication given that all messages, images, documents, or other media sent between senders and recipients are transmitted over networks and rely upon the security strength of the applications and networks facilitating the transmission. This problem is exacerbated by the fact that privacy controls are in the hands of 3rd party application and services providers. Hence, when an email or file is sent, or a picture posted/stored online, the user has little-to-no control over that content above what the online service is offering. In some cases, the online services "own" your content and do not offer any way to permanently delete the images or content once they are transmitted to the online services. In addition to owning user content, this user content is not encrypted when stored on servers of these online services (e.g. Facebook, medical applications, etc.). Thus, if the server is hacked, then user content (e.g. images) can easily be downloaded and viewed since the content is not encrypted. As an analogy, the modern equivalent of sending data is sending a postcard, which allows anyone who comes in contact with the postcard to read/copy/retransmit the context without any recourse.
For the longest time, this fact has not deterred a large portion of data users to continue using conventional means for transmitting data as a conduit for sensitive, confidential material. While some users, and/or the organizations they belong to, have begun using encryption as a means to secure the transfer of data, the vast majority of users must continue to transfer sensitive information using regular, unencrypted methods. However, the online and social market has matured to a point where many people are beginning to understand the ramifications of the lack of privacy controls online. Many public figures, including many celebrities, have had very sensitive pictures and documents exposed to the public via online hacking and other illegal methods. In other situations, previously sent text messages and emails are used in legal court proceedings to implicate individuals.
In business use cases, many professional services firms (such as accounting, medical, legal, and financial firms) communicate with their clients, and internally with others in their company, via unsecured email. The unsecured documents and materials (e.g. images, text documents, etc.) communicated are generally sensitive in nature and can lead to fraud and identity theft, causing significant financial loss and personal angst. In one example, medical patients now send photos and videos to their doctors through online services. Although the transmission of these files (e.g., photos and videos) may be encrypted, these files are at times stored unencrypted on the computers/servers at the hospital. In another example, businesses may communicate private documents (e.g. financial information, intellectual property, etc.) to and from clients, while also storing these private documents on their servers. These private documents are protected by email encryption during transmission, and by firewalls when stored on the servers. However, these private documents are not themselves encrypted. Thus, if the email account or file server is hacked, these private documents can easily be downloaded and viewed by the hacker.
The drawings are merely schematic representations, not intended to portray specific parameters of the invention. The drawings are intended to depict typical embodiments, and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope of the claims.

System, method and application for transcoding data into media files


An indicia-reading module suitable for integration within a host mobile computing device that has an integrated flexible circuit is disclosed. The indicia-reading module includes a plurality of subassemblies, each supported and electrically connected by a discrete, rigid, multilayer printed-circuit-board (PCB). A unitary flexible circuit electrically connects the subassemblies and is physically integrated between two inner layers of each subassembly's discrete, rigid, multilayer printed-circuit-board. The use of the integrated flexible circuit aids in reducing module size, signal loss, and interference with the host mobile computing device.

Generally speaking, indicia readers (e.g., barcode scanners) are electronic devices for recognizing and decoding printed indicia (e.g., barcodes). Imaging indicia readers include a group of lenses (i.e., lens group) for focusing a real image of a target (e.g., barcode) onto an image sensor (e.g., CCD), that converts the real image into a digital signal. In a typical scanning scenario, the image sensor captures a digital image of a barcode, and a processor running algorithms detects and decodes the barcode from the image. The decoded information form this barcode is conveyed to a host device (e.g., mobile computing device).
Most mobile computing devices (e.g., smart-phones) have general-purpose cameras that can be used for indicia reading. As a result, numerous applications towards this purpose have been developed. While these applications perform reasonably well for the casual user, they lack the features, functions, and performance associated with dedicated imaging indicia readers. Illumination, alignment, and image quality may all suffer when using a mobile computing device's general purpose camera for barcode scanning.
Because most users want to carry only one mobile computing device (i.e., MCD), they will be reluctant to trade their mobile device for a dedicated indicia reader. A need, therefore, exists for a dedicated imaging indicia-reading module integrated within a hand-held MCD.
Integration of the indicia-reading module within a host MCD places severe limitations on the module's design. Unique design approaches and construction methods must be combined to allow for such novel integration. For example, reducing size often necessitates splitting a circuit board into a plurality of circuit boards positioned to best fit within a small module housing. Interconnection between these boards is necessary but often bulky due to the connectors required. A need therefore, exists for a board interconnection scheme to allow for the size reduction of an indicia-reading module without sacrificing performance.

Indicia-reading module with an integrated flexible circuit


An apparatus performs mechanical phase synchronization of multiple AC generators in an electrical power distribution system. The apparatus according to one embodiment comprises a gearbox mechanically coupled to a prime mover, multiple AC generators, each having a rotor driven by mechanical energy from the prime mover supplied via the gearbox to generate AC electrical power, and a mechanical linkage keying orientation of each rotor to the gearbox, thereby mechanically synchronizing phase of the multiple AC generators.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to electrical systems for vehicles, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for achieving mechanical phase synchronization of multiple AC generators in an electrical power distribution system.
2. Description of the Related Art
Large vehicles such as aircrafts and ships require large amounts of energy to drive all onboard equipment. Increasing size and weight of energy producing systems, such as generators and motors, puts a limit on feasible size and complexity of large vehicles. "More electric" vehicles, which use electrical energy generators while eliminating bulky and vulnerable hydraulic systems, are being designed and produced. To satisfy the demand of electrical energy for "more electric" vehicles, large electrical generators are required. AC Variable Frequency generators provide an attractive solution, as they keep weight and cost down while increasing reliability. However, single AC Variable Frequency generators can not typically meet the power requirements of a vehicle with high electrical power demand, because an AC Variable Frequency generator capable of providing the required large electrical output would easily exceed technological, spatial, design, construction and installation limitations for both the generator and its prime mover.
In order to stay within spatial and technological limitations of generators while providing the large required electrical energy output, multiple smaller AC Variable Frequency generators can be combined to meet the required electrical energy output. However, the outputs of AC Variable Frequency generators that are not synchronized in phase and voltage cannot be combined, as current and voltage would be transferred between AC Variable Frequency generators without reaching the electrical distribution system of a vehicle. If the mismatch in frequency and voltage between AC Variable Frequency generators is large, their combined output can become unstable, leading to a shutdown or damage to the vehicle's electric system.
As a result, the use of multiple AC generators that are not synchronized requires one isolated bus for each AC generator to perform the necessary distribution of electrical generated power. As the number of prime movers and AC generators per prime mover increases for a vehicle application, the complexity of the electrical distribution system and of the electrical control system becomes extensive.
A few publications have studied systems that combine AC generators. One such technique is described in "Voltage Regulator Load Division Using Real and Reactive Generator Output Power Components to Control the Exciter", Abdul Rashid, U.S. Pat. No. 5,077,485. With the method described in this work, a constant speed drive control and feedback system is used to combine generators to produce 400 Hz AC output. The constant speed drive control and feedback system adds significant complexity to the system. Moreover, this technique is not applicable to AC variable frequency generators installations.
Another technique is described in "Methods and Apparatus for Synchronizing Multiple Motor Driven Generators", Robert Lee and Suresh Gupta, U.S. Pat. No. 4,575,671. In this publication, however, electric motors located between a prime mover and generators are de-energized for manual synchronization of generators using a slipping pole technique.
A disclosed embodiment of the application synchronizes multiple AC generators by utilizing a method and an apparatus for mechanical phase synchronization of multiple AC generators.

Method and apparatus for mechanical phase synchronization of multiple AC generators


An epitaxial material grown laterally in a trench allows for the fabrication of a trench-based semiconductor material that is substantially low in dislocation density. Initiating the growth from a sidewall of a trench minimizes the density of dislocations present in the lattice growth template, which minimizes the dislocation density in the regrown material. Also, by allowing the regrowth to fill and overflow the trench, the low dislocation density material can cover the entire surface of the substrate upon which the low dislocation density material is grown. Furthermore, with successive iterations of the trench growth procedure, higher quality material can be obtained. Devices that require a stable, high quality epitaxial material can then be fabricated from the low dislocation density material.

The present invention relates generally to the fabrication of semiconductor materials, and, more particularly, to a new fabrication configuration having an epitaxial material grown laterally in a trench and a method for producing same.
A building block of many electronic devices such as diodes, transistors, and lasers is the p-n junction. The p-n junction, or active region, is typically formed from epitaxial growth material, which is in turn grown on a substrate. The growth material can be referred to as semiconductor material. The semiconductor material is typically fabricated by growing an epitaxial layer of a chosen material upon a substrate material. The substrate material may be, and frequently is, of a different composition than the material used to grow the epitaxial layer.
The epitaxial layer is typically a thin single crystalline film that is deposited upon a crystalline substrate. The epitaxial layer is typically deposited so that the crystal lattice structure of the epitaxial layer closely matches the crystal lattice structure of the substrate. When there is a significant mismatch between the lattice structure of the substrate and the epitaxial layer, a large number of defects, or dislocations, can result. Dislocations manifest in the form of imperfections in the crystal structure and can result in high optical loss, low optical efficiency, non uniform quantum wells in the active region, or the reduction of the electrical quality of the material, thus preventing the material from being used to fabricate certain devices, such as lasers and transistor structures. A largely dislocation-free material is desired for these highly critical devices.
Dislocations are typical when trying to grow an epitaxial layer over a substrate having a different lattice structure. Dislocation densities on the order of 107 to 109 dislocations per square centimeter (cm2) can be common and result in poor semiconductor material that is unusable for certain critical applications.
Dislocation density can be reduced by adding a mask layer over the substrate material prior to growing the epitaxial layer. When the epitaxial layer is then grown over the mask, the epitaxial layer grows laterally, resulting in a reduced dislocation density being present in the portion of the epitaxial layer that resides over the mask. Because the dislocations tend to propagate vertically, the vertically grown material present in the unmasked region of a wafer will be of higher dislocation density as the defects will continue to propagate throughout the layer.
Furthermore, multiple layers of masking material having multiple layers of epitaxial growth may further reduce the dislocation density. While the growing of multiple epitaxial layers over mask layers has some benefit, a drawback is that the mask layer adds cost, complexity, and can add contamination to the epitaxial growth material. Successive iterations may yield low dislocation density material over the entire wafer. It would be desirable to grow the material in a manner in which the low dislocation density material is present over the entire wafer in a single growth sequence.
Thus, an unaddressed need exists in the industry for a simplified method for developing a quantity of high quality, low dislocation density material, which covers the entire surface of a wafer, in an epitaxial layer grown over a lattice mismatched substrate.
The invention provides an epitaxial material grown laterally in a trench and a method for producing same. Although not limited to these particular applications, the material and method for producing it are particularly suited for fabrication of high quality GaN material system epitaxial layers over a sapphire substrate. The GaN material system can include members of the Group III-V family including, but not limited to, gallium nitride (GaN), indium gallium nitride (InGaN), indium nitride (InN), aluminum gallium nitride (AlGaN), aluminum nitride (AlN), aluminum indium gallium nitride (AlInGaN), gallium arsenide nitride (GaAsN), indium gallium arsenide nitride (InGaAsN), aluminum gallium arsenide nitride (AlGaAsN), gallium phosphide nitride (GaPN), indium gallium phosphide nitride (InGaPN), aluminum gallium phosphide nitride (AlGaPN), etc.
The present invention can be conceptualized as providing a method for growing a low dislocation density material comprising the following steps. First, a trench is formed in a substrate. Alternatively, an epitaxial layer is grown over a substrate and a trench is formed therein. The trench is formed preferably by etching the substrate or the first epitaxial layer. An epitaxial lateral growth layer is then grown in the trench, the growth layer originating from the side walls of the trench. Illustratively the epitaxial lateral growth layer can partially fill, completely fill, or overflow the trench. It is also possible to apply a mask layer, which can be either an insulating layer or a conducting layer, at the bottom of the trench, over the top of the first epitaxial layer, or any combination thereof.
In an alternate embodiment the epitaxial lateral growth layer can be grown from a single wall of the trench laterally across the trench, and eventually filling and overflowing the trench. In addition a device having a p-n junction, or active region, can be grown in the epitaxial lateral growth layer.
In architecture, when employed in connection with the fabrication of a low dislocation density material, the aforementioned method for multiple lateral growth of an epitaxial layer including the forming of a trench in the epitaxial material results in a low dislocation density material as follows.
A low dislocation density material system comprises a substrate, or alternatively, a first epitaxial layer over a substrate. A trench is formed, preferably by etching, in the substrate or the first epitaxial layer. An epitaxial lateral growth layer is then grown in the trench, the growth layer extending from the side walls of the trench. The material can further comprise a mask layer, the mask layer being either insulating material or conducting material and applied to the bottom of the trench, over the first epitaxial layer, or any combination thereof. The mask material is designed to further control and define the growth pattern of the epitaxial lateral growth layer. Furthermore, one side wall of the trench can be coated with the mask layer, and the epitaxial lateral growth layer can then be grown from the opposing side wall of the trench. When grown from a side wall of the trench the epitaxial lateral growth layer can have a p-n junction, or active region, formed therein.
The invention has numerous advantages, a few which are delineated, hereafter, as merely examples.
An advantage of the invention is that it increases the yield of high quality, low dislocation density material in an epitaxial layer grown over a substrate.
Another advantage of the invention is that it reduces the amount of optical loss in the epitaxial layer of a semiconductor material.
Another advantage of the invention is that it increases the optical efficiency in the epitaxial layer of a semiconductor material.
Another advantage of the invention is that it improves the electrical performance of the material forming the epitaxial layer of a semiconductor.
Another advantage of the invention is that contamination arising from the use of a mask can be reduced or eliminated.
Another advantage of the invention is that it is simple in design and easily implemented on a mass scale for commercial production.
Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. These additional features and advantages are intended to be included herein within the scope of the present invention.

Epitaxial material grown laterally within a trench and method for producing same


A headlamp is provided with a lamp unit provided in a lamp housing formed by a lamp body and a transparent cover for covering a front side of the lamp body. The lamp unit is supported in the lamp housing in a suspending state in such a condition that the lamp unit can be swung in vertical and horizontal directions. An output shaft coupled to a lower end of the lamp unit can be rotated around its axis and slide in a direction perpendicular to the axis. A rotation of the output shaft around its axis is transmitted to the lamp unit. By a movement of the output shaft in the direction perpendicular to the axis, a rotation between the output shaft and the lamp unit causes.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a vehicle lamp. More specifically, the invention relates to a vehicle lamp which can change an irradiating direction into vertically and horizontally optional directions.
2. Related Art
Some vehicle lamps, for example, some headlamps for an automobile can change an irradiating direction into vertically and horizontally optional directions.
In a vehicle lamp described in JP-A-2004-227933, a lamp unit can be supported on a bracket to be horizontally movable and the bracket is supported on a lamp body to be vertically movable, and the horizontal movement of the lamp unit and the vertical movement of the bracket are carried out by using separate driving devices, respectively.
In the vehicle lamp described in JP-A-2004-227933, it is necessary to independently provide a driving device for horizontally changing an irradiating direction and a driving device for vertically changing the irradiating direction. Moreover, the lamp unit is not directly supported on the lamp body but is supported on the lamp body through the bracket. For this reason, the number of components is increased and a cost is necessarily increased with an increase in a component cost and an increase in an assembly man-hour.
In a vehicle lamp described in JP-A-2003-054310, furthermore, the irradiating direction is changed into the horizontal and vertical directions by a driving device using a single driving source. Consequently, it is possible to avoid an increase in the number of components and the assemblyman-hour, thereby reducing a cost.
In the vehicle lamp of JP-A-2003-054310, in a state in which a lamp unit is mounted on an output shaft of a driving device, the output shaft is rotated so that the lamp unit is horizontally swung, and furthermore, the output shaft is moved horizontally in a longitudinal direction so that the lamp unit is swung vertically with an upper end set to be a fulcrum.
In the vehicle lamp of JP-A-2003-054310, accordingly, a weight of the lamp unit is applied to the output shaft and becomes a load to a rotation and a horizontal movement of the output shaft. Therefore, an accurate position control is inhibited. Moreover, an interval between a rotatable support point of the upper end of the lamp unit and a connecting point to the output shaft is varied depending on a horizontal movement in the longitudinal direction of the output shaft. In the movement of the output shaft in a direction in which the interval is increased, therefore, a deviation between a moving locus of the output shaft and that of the connecting point to the output shaft of the lamp unit is an excess load to the movement of the output shaft so that an accurate position control is inhibited.


A CPU of controlled equipment generates an operating key information signal indicating operating key(s) to be depressed of a plurality of operating keys in the mode the controlled equipment is currently set, and sends it to a transmitting element. The transmitting element converts the signal into an infrared operating key information signal, and sends it to a remote control transmitter. A receiver of the remote control transmitter receives the infrared operating key information signal from the controlled equipment, converts it into an electric operating key information signal, and sends it to a CPU. The CPU generates a drive control signal which lights LED(s) (Light Emitting Diode(s)) provided on the operating keys specified by the operating key information signal and sends it to a LED driver. The LED driver lights LED(s) of the operating key(s) to be pressed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a bidirectional remote control apparatus which can exchange a control signal between a remote control transmitter and controlled equipment in two directions.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, in the field of home electric apparatus, such as a television receivers, it has become popular to control a main apparatus (e.g.,the television), that is, the controlled equipment, by a remote control transmitter.
In such a conventional remote control apparatus, the controlled equipment increasing because all operations of the controlled equipment are controlled is remotely controlled by a control signal, such as an infrared ray signal transmitted by the remote control transmitter. Therefore, it is necessary for an operator to know which remote control keys should be operated corresponding to a current operating condition of the controlled equipment when the operator controls the controlled equipment.
The number of keys used by the remote control transmitter tends has been increasing because all operations of the controlled equipment are controlled remote control transmitter. Therefore, it is difficult to find the operating key corresponding to the current operation condition of the controlled equipment from among the many operating keys on the remote control transmitter. In addition, in the conventional remote control transmitter, in most cases, all the operating keys are operable regardless of the operating condition of the controlled equipment, resulting in low operability.