The present application is directed to a linear motor and includes a first mounting plate having an interior face disposing one or more magnetic elements thereon, a second mounting plate having an interior face disposing one or more magnetic elements thereon, a cooling element positioned between the interior faces of the first and second mounting plates and defining one or more cooling passages therein, the cooling passages having one or more heat sink wall members therein, at least one end cap configured to be coupled to cooling element and enclose the cooling passages therein, at least one seal positionable between the end cap and the cooling element and configured to couple the end cap to the cooling element in sealed relation, and a forcer device positioned between the magnetic elements on the first and second mounting plates and configured to movably engage the cooling element.

Presently, linear motors are used significantly in automation systems and devices for a variety of applications. For example, these devices are commonly used in the semiconductor wafer inspection processes and wafer lithography systems. While these devices have proven useful in the past, a number of shortcomings associated with these devices have been identified. For example, the generation of resistive heat within the motor forcer coils has proven problematic. Over time, the generation of heat within these systems has been shown to limit motor performance with respect to speed and motor forcer positioning accuracy.
In light of the foregoing, a number of cooling architectures for linear motor systems have been devised. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,839,545 and 5,783,877, both issued by Chitayat disclose cooling systems for linear motors. Generally, the cooling methods employed in prior art systems are installed in the motor forcer, where the magnetic coils are located. Such cooling is either accomplished using water or other liquids forced through slotted, laminated, or serpentine cooling passages to remove heat. While these systems have proven somewhat successful in the past, a number of shortcomings have been identified. For example, coupling a water source to a movable forcer is complicated and bulky. In addition, the forcer is a movable element, thereby resulting in an increased risk of a leak of fluid.
In response, other manufacturers have devised an alternate cooling method wherein cold air is blown through a nozzle integrated in the magnetic way onto the forcer. While temperature reductions may be obtained using this approach one disadvantage of this system stems from the fact that a temperature gradient is created in the motor environment. The resultant temperature gradient may negatively affect the positioning accuracy of the linear motor.
In light of the foregoing, there is an ongoing need for cooling systems for linear motors.


An adjustment device, e.g., for use by children and small adults, retains the shoulder strap of a vehicle seat belt in a position comfortably away from the user""s neck and face. The adjustment device comprises a body attachment device which is adjustably positioned about the user""s body, especially a user""s shoulder, and a releasable securement device which secures the seat belt shoulder strap to the body attachment device, drawing it away from the neck and face region of the user.

The invention relates to devices for adjusting the position of the shoulder strap of a vehicle seat belt.
Most vehicle seat belts, e.g., for automobiles and trucks, are proportioned for use by a normal size or larger adult, with the shoulder strap positioned accordingly. Automobile safety research indicates that there is a gap in protecting school-age children who are too big for toddler car seats and too small for optimum use of adult lap-shoulder belts. When a child or small adult uses the lap-shoulder belt, the shoulder strap presses uncomfortably into user""s neck, or, for smaller children, extends across the user""s face. Even average size or larger adults sometimes find the shoulder strap uncomfortable. As a result, many children, and even smaller or other adults, neglect to use the seat belt, ride with the shoulder strap clamped between their body and the seat, or otherwise obstruct or entirely defeat the safety objectives of the seat belt.
The invention fills the gap in seat belt protection described above, by providing a seat belt shoulder strap adjustment device for use by children and small adults. This adjustment device retains the shoulder strap of a vehicle seat belt in a position comfortably away from the user""s neck and face, while still meeting the safety objectives of the seat belt.
The adjustment device includes a body attachment device which is adjustably positioned about a user""s body, especially a user""s shoulder, and a releasable securement device which secures the seat belt shoulder strap to the body attachment device, drawing the shoulder strap away from the user""s face and neck region. The body attachment device and the releasable securement device are both adjustable for comfort and fit.
Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of a presently preferred embodiment, and from the claims.

Seat belt shoulder strap adjustment device


A pattern formation method for forming a pattern by ejecting a liquid droplet of a pattern forming material in a pattern formation region of a substrate includes: ejecting the liquid droplet at an outer periphery of the pattern formation region in an ejection direction directing from an inside of the pattern formation region toward an outside thereof when viewed from a normal line direction of the substrate.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a pattern formation method, a liquid droplet ejection apparatus and an electro-optical device.
2. Related Art
A process for manufacturing a display device or a semiconductor device includes many pattern formation processes in which a film pattern is formed by depositing a film on a substrate and then patterning it into a desired shape.
Recently, due to productivity improvement, that kind of pattern formation process has been using an inkjet method in which a film pattern is formed self-aligningly by ejecting and solidifying liquid droplets on a substrate. The inkjet method enables formation of a film pattern corresponding to a liquid droplet shape. Thus, the method does not require the formation of a mask for patterning, thereby reducing the number of pattern formation processes.
However, when a film pattern is formed by the inkjet method, without wet-extension of a liquid droplet landed on a substrate surface, an uneven shape of the liquid droplet reflects in a shape of the pattern. Consequently, the formed film pattern is likely to have degraded flatness and film thickness uniformity.
Thus, regarding such an inkjet method, there is provided a conventional method by spreading the wet-extension of a landed droplet (e.g. a patent document as below). In the patent document, the direction of liquid droplet ejection is tilted with respect to a normal line of a substrate, whereby a component along a counter-scanning direction on the substrate is provided to the ejected liquid droplet. In this manner, the landed liquid droplet can wet-extend along a tangential direction of the substrate by as much as an angle (tilt angle) defined by the normal line direction of the substrate and the ejection direction.
JP-A-2005-131498 is an example of related art.
Meanwhile, in the above inkjet method, typically, a liquid droplet ejection head for ejecting liquid droplets moves (for scanning) relatively with respect to the substrate to form a desired pattern. Thus, in the formation of a large film pattern, a single liquid-droplet ejection head performs line-feeding for scanning multiple times. Alternatively, a plurality of liquid-droplet ejection heads sequentially performs scanning. In other words, a pattern (individual pattern) formed by every scanning by each liquid-droplet ejection head is sequentially connected to the next to form a large film pattern.
However, liquid droplets positioned at an outer periphery (interface) of each individual pattern are evenly pulled (flown) inwardly on a corresponding pattern due to a surface tension or the like. Accordingly, the film pattern formed by sequentially connecting a plurality of individual patterns has a variation in its film thickness (line-feed streak) by as much as the outer periphery (interface) between the connected individual patterns. As a result, there arises a problem that the film pattern will have a degraded uniformity in its film thickness.

Pattern formation method, liquid droplet ejection apparatus and electro-optical device


Methods of establishing communication sessions from multiple mobile devices as well as managing available conferencing bandwidths is disclosed. One of the methods disclosed includes establishing a communication session between mobile devices and a group of conferencing servers. The method also includes checking the load of each server. Further, the method includes determining whether the load of each server is above a predetermined threshold. Further still, the method includes routing subsequent mobile devices to communicate through specified conferencing servers selected from the group of conferencing servers if the load of particular servers is above a predetermined threshold.

The present invention relates to methods and systems associated with mobile computing devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system for and method of videoconferencing via a handheld computer. More specifically still, the present invention relates to a system for and method of managing bandwidth for videoconferencing using a handheld computer.
Mobile communications and computation devices come in many forms, but conventionally the designs of such mobile devices make portability versus utility compromises. For example, a watch is conventionally a very portable device, but of limited functionality. If a watch included a 20-inch monitor, for example, attached to it, the user could display, navigate, and interact with the system to a very high degree. However, in this exaggerated example, the watch would be of very low portability. Handheld computer, personal digital assistant, and mobile phone designers, among others, are especially aware of this tradeoff, especially as these devices are being asked to include more functionality and asked to carry out more sophisticated tasks. However, although the mobile devices are being asked to provide more functionality, a paramount requirement is that the device remain easily portable.
There are challenges to providing a portable device with the ability to video conference. For example, bandwidth demands for videoconferencing can be high, particularly for small, wireless devices with limited computational power.
Conventional systems and methods exist which provide video content to handheld computers. For example, PACKETVIDEO of San Diego, Calif., provides an Internet service called PVAirGuide available at http://www.pvairguide.com or http://www.packetvideo.com. The PVAirGuide service provides for streaming video-on-demand where a user can select a channel, such as news, sports, or entertainment to view video information as would be available on broadcast television or radio. PVAirGuide also provides other mobile multimedia, including a live camera application called AirCam which feeds video from a video feed to a mobile device. For example, an AirCam live stream camera can provide live shots of traffic in central London to mobile devices throughout the world. Nevertheless, PVAirGuide's streaming video-on-demand and live camera displays provide only broadcast-television type of communications. Interactive videoconferencing is not available or possible.
Accordingly, there is a need for providing highly mobile devices (e.g., handheld computers, personal digital assistants, mobile phones, and watches) with functionalities conventionally limited to less portable devices that have more rich and usable computation, communication, or interaction capabilities. There is also a need for a mobile device to provide videoconferencing communications with other portable and/or non-portable devices. Further, there is a need for systems and methods which manage bandwidth during videoconferencing communications using mobile devices and/or handheld computers.
It would be desirable to provide a system and/or method that provides one or more of these or other advantageous features. Other features and advantages will be made apparent from the present specification. The teachings disclosed extend to those embodiments which fall within the scope of the appended claims, regardless of whether they accomplish one or more of the above-mentioned needs

Videoconferencing bandwidth management for a handheld computer system and method


An extended flashback annulus (520) is formed between an exterior surface (506) of a shroud or casing (508) associated with a main swirler assembly inner body (500) or other fuel/air mixing device and the inner surface (514) of an annulus casting (510) which are in operational relationship with one another in a gas turbine combustor assembly. The extended flashback annulus (520) is capable of forming an extended protective cylindrical air barrier (550) that extends farther into the combustion zone, this barrier being more robust and providing for the reduction or prevention of flashback to the baseplate and other heat-susceptible upstream components.

Combustion engines are machines that convert chemical energy stored in fuel into mechanical energy useful for generating electricity, producing thrust, or otherwise doing work. These engines typically include several cooperative sections that contribute in some way to this energy conversion process. In gas turbine engines, air discharged from a compressor section and fuel introduced from a fuel supply are mixed together and burned in a combustion section. The products of combustion are harnessed and directed through a turbine section, where they expand and turn a central rotor.
A variety of combustor designs exist, with different designs being selected for suitability with a given engine and to achieve desired performance characteristics. One popular combustor design includes a centralized pilot burner (hereinafter referred to as a pilot burner or simply pilot) and several main fuel/air mixing apparatuses, generally referred to in the art as injector nozzles, arranged circumferentially around the pilot burner. With this design, a central pilot flame zone and a mixing region are formed. During operation, the pilot burner selectively produces a stable flame that is anchored in the pilot flame zone, while the fuel/air mixing apparatuses produce a mixed stream of fuel and air in the above-referenced mixing region. The stream of mixed fuel and air flows out of the mixing region, past the pilot flame zone, and into a main combustion zone, where additional combustion occurs. Energy released during combustion is captured by the downstream components to produce electricity or otherwise do work.
In order to ensure optimum performance of a common combustor, it is generally preferable that the internal fuel-and-air streams are well-mixed to avoid localized, fuel-rich regions. As a result, efforts have been made to produce combustors with essentially uniform distributions of fuel and air. Swirler elements, for example, are often used to produce a stream of fuel and air in which air and injected fuel are evenly mixed.
Gas turbine technology has evolved toward greater efficiency and also to accommodate environmental standards in various nations. One aspect in the evolution of designs and operating criteria is the use of leaner gas air mixtures to provide for increased efficiency and decreased emissions of NOx and carbon monoxide. Combustion of over-rich pockets of fuel and air leads to high-temperature combustion that produces high levels of unwanted NOx emissions.
Also, a key objective in design and operation of gas turbine combustors is the stability of the flame and, related to that, the prevention of flashbacks. A flashback occurs when flame travels upstream from the combustion zone in the combustion chamber and approaches, contacts, and/or attaches to, an upstream component. Although a stable but lean mixture is desired for fuel efficiency and for environmentally acceptable emissions, a flashback may occur at times more frequently with a lean mixture, and particularly during unstable operation. For instance, the flame in the combustion chamber may progress backwards and rest upon for a period a baseplate which defines the upstream part of the combustion chamber. Less frequently, the flame may flash back into a fuel/air mixing apparatus, damaging components that mix the fuel with the air.
A multitude of factors and operating conditions provide for efficient and clean operation of the gas turbine combustor area during ongoing operation. Not only is the fuel/air mixture important, also relevant to gas turbine operation are the shape of the combustion area, the arrangement of assemblies that provide fuel, and the length of the combustor that provides varying degrees of mixing. Given the efficiency and emissions criteria, the operation of gas turbines requires a balancing of design and operational approaches to maintain efficiency, meet emission standards, and avoid damage due to undesired flashback occurrences.
The type of fuel/air mixing apparatus, and how it operates in relationship to other components, is one of the key factors in proper operation of current gas turbines. A common type of fuel/air mixing apparatus is known as a main swirler assembly (which also is referred to in the art as a nozzle, which is a more inclusive term). A main swirler assembly is comprised in part of a substantially hollow inner body that comprises stationary flow conditioning members (such as vanes) that create a turbulent flow. Fuel is added before or into this turbulent air stream and mixes to a desired degree within a period of time and space so that it is properly mixed upon combustion in the downstream combustion chamber. Also, in typical arrangements, a main swirler assembly also is comprised of an outer downstream element known as an annulus casting. An annulus casting surrounds a downstream section of the inner body, forming a channel for air flow known as the flashback annulus. In a typical arrangement, a quantity, such as eight, swirler assemblies are arranged circumferentially around the central pilot burner. The pilot burner burns a relatively richer mixture than is provided by the radially arranged swirler assemblies.
Various approaches to reduce or eliminate flashback in modern gas turbine combustion systems have been attempted. Since the prevention or elimination of flashbacks is a multi-factorial issue and also relates to various aspects of the design and operation of the gas turbine combustion area, a range of approaches has been attempted. These approaches often inter-relate with one another.
The present invention provides a solution toward obtaining an operationally stable, flashback-resistant main a fuel/air mixing apparatus, such as a swirler assembly, that provides an extended columnar air barrier that impedes the back progression of flame and, therefore, reduces or eliminates undesired flashback. More specifically, the present invention provides around the fuel/air mixture output of each main swirler assembly a more robust circumferential columnar body of air that 1) provides a fresh air barrier for a distance around the fuel/air mixture output of each respective main swirler assembly (or other source of fuel/air mixture); and 2) leans out the regions where there is a potential for flashback.

Extended flashback annulus in a gas turbine combustor


A microwave motion sensor for detecting multiple levels of motion of a target is disclosed. The motion sensor includes a transceiver for broadcasting a signal into a predetermined area and receiving a reflected signal with a receiver for producing first and second directional signals. A signal conditioning circuit is provided for amplifying the first and second directional signals and digitizing the directional signals. The signal conditioning circuit includes a micro motion amplifier for separately amplifying one of the directional signals and producing a micro motion signal. A processor is provided for receiving the first and second directional signals transmitted by the signal conditioning circuit, and for receiving the micro motion signal. The processor includes a circuit for analyzing the directional signals, and a circuit for comparing the micro motion signal to a threshold. The processor is capable of adaptively switching between a first mode for detecting a threshold level of motion, a second mode for detecting a level of motion which is less than the threshold level of motion, and a third mode for detecting a level of motion which is greater than the threshold level of motion.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a motion sensing apparatus, and more particularly to a microwave based motion sensing apparatus wherein a single microwave sensor is employed for detecting multiple levels of motion.
2. Discussion
Motion sensors are presently employed in a wide variety of applications. Many of these motion sensors are based upon a microwave transceiver which emits and analyzes microwave signals in the 24 GHz range. An exemplary application is the use of a motion sensor for automatically opening a doorway as the motion of a pedestrian or vehicle approaching the doorway is detected. Once the pedestrian or vehicle is detected within the operating range of the motion sensor, the doorway is automatically opened and maintained in the open state for a predetermined amount of time, or until no more motion is detected.
The motion sensors known within the prior art generally work well for detecting the initial level of motion for triggering an event such as opening the doorway. Typically, these motion sensors operate at a single threshold level and are unable to adapt to different operating conditions, or switch between various operating modes for detecting multiple levels of motion. The current ANSI standard for detecting motion sets the minimum motion threshold at a rate of two inches of motion per second in a direction normal to the motion sensor. Motion detectors adopting this standard must be able to detect motion at this minimum level for triggering an event such as opening the door.
Additionally, various problems and challenges arise once the motion sensor has initially opened the doorway. For example, the doorway must be maintained in the open position until the pedestrian or vehicle passes completely through the doorway. A pedestrian will typically approach the doorway more slowly than a motorized vehicle. Additionally, the physical condition of the pedestrian may dictate the amount of time it takes to pass completely through the doorway. The motion sensor must also account for both large adults and small children moving at various speeds as they approach the doorway.
One method for detecting very small levels of motion is to provide a second separate sensing device for detecting whether the pedestrian or vehicle is present or moving within the doorway or range of the door. The second sensor operates at a more sensitive motion threshold. As such, the door can be maintained in the open state until the secondary sensor detects that the door threshold or doorway is clear. For example, a pressure sensitive walkway can be installed for operating in conjunction with the motion sensor so that the presence of a pedestrian would prevent the door from closing. Alternatively, an infrared beam of light can be transmitted across the doorway to a receiving sensor for detecting the presence of a person or vehicle within the doorway.
Another solution found within the prior art is the use of a second microwave or infrared based sensor for detecting presence or smaller levels of motion within the door threshold or the range of the door after the primary motion sensor has opened the door. However, the second sensor must operate so that motion of the closing door will not again trigger the reopening of the door. Several techniques have been developed for successfully implementing such a device. However, these techniques still require two individual sensors for detecting multiple levels of motion, or at least the combination of one microwave sensor and a secondary sensing device as discussed above. Additionally, the employment of two separate sensors for detecting multiple levels of motion increases the cost of providing automatic doors, increases the complexity of the overall system operation and maintenance, and requires more complex control algorithms for safely and efficiently operating the automated doorway.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a motion sensing system utilizing a single microwave based motion sensing unit which is capable of both detecting the initial motion of an approaching target, and continue monitoring for significantly smaller levels of motion as the target continues approaching the doorway. Such a device would provide a motion sensor which automatically changes between multiple operating modes. It is further desirable to provide a system having a single motion sensor which can adaptively adjust the level or threshold of motion detected for sensing varying levels of motion of a pedestrian approaching the doorway. Finally, it is desirable to provide a motion sensing apparatus which is unaffected by the false motion of a closing door inadvertently triggering the reopening of the doorway.


An optoelectronic transceiver for a bidirectional optical signal transmission including a housing having a width of at most 13.5 mm, a first bidirectional optical subassembly arranged in the housing and serving for the simultaneous emission and reception of optical signals, a second bidirectional optical subassembly arranged in the housing and serving for the simultaneous emission and reception of optical signals, and an optical interface for the coupling of two optical waveguides, it being possible for a respective optical waveguide to be optically coupled to a subassembly. The invention enables a simultaneous bidirectional data transmission on both ports of the transceiver and thus an increase in the transmission capacity of the transceiver.

What are known as industry standard are so-called small form factor (SFF) transceivers and small form factor pluggable (SFP) transceivers of small design which are arranged in a housing. In this case, the transceivers may be of pluggable design (SFP transceivers) or be fixedly connected to a housing (SFF transceivers). The known transceivers have, in addition to an optoelectronic transmission module and an optoelectronic reception module, an internal printed circuit board which runs parallel to the optical axis of the transceiver and contains electronic circuits for the converter modules, such as a driver module and/or a preamplifier module. The transceiver is arranged on a main circuit board, which is electrically connected to an electrical interface of the internal printed circuit board via a plug, for example. An SFP transceiver is described in DE 101 14 143 A1 for example.
EP-A-0 463 214 describes a transmission and reception module for a bidirectional optical signal transmission, which is known as BIDI module. In the case of this module the two active components, namely light transmitter and light receiver, are incorporated as independent components in a manner hermetically tightly encapsulated in a common module housing, in the interior of which a beam splitter and a lens coupling optical system are arranged. The module housing has a fiber connection for a common optical fiber. One optical signal is coupled into the coupled optical fiber by the transmitter, while at the same time another optical signal can be received from the same fiber. The two signals are separated by a beam splitter, which may also contain a wavelength-selective filter which reflects a specific wavelength and allows another wavelength to pass.
WO 02/095470 A1 discloses an electro-optical module for the transmission and/or reception of optical signals of at least two optical data channels, in which at least two optical waveguide sections having in each case at least one beveled end face are provided. The optical waveguide sections are positioned axially one behind the other at the beveled end faces. For a specific optical channel, light is coupled in and light is coupled out at the beveled end face of an optical waveguide section at an angle to the optical axis of the optical waveguide. In this case, the end face is coated with a wavelength-selective filter for wavelength separation purposes.
WO 02/084 358 discloses a transmission module for an optical signal transmission, in which a transmission device is arranged on a transmission device substrate and a detection device is arranged on a detection device substrate and the transmission device substrate and the detection device substrate are arranged one above the other with respect to the direction of the emitted or received light. In this case, the transmission device substrate and/or the detection device substrate are transparent to the wavelength emitted by the transmission device. The known transmission module provides an advantageous construction although with only one detection device.
It is endeavored to provide transceivers of small design for a bidirectional optical data transmission which can realize a high data rate and at the same time can be produced cost-effectively.

Optoelectronic transceiver for a bidirectional optical signal transmission


A vehicle for conveying trolleys have driving wheels activated by a control assembly to engage and advance one or a series of trolleys. A reel assembly is detachably engageable with the leading trolley and supports a first anchoring line which secures the trolleys to the vehicle and a second control line which is connected to the control assembly and which made be pulled or tensioned to control operation of the vehicle.

The collection of trolleys in the vicinity of supermarkets creates a number of problems. It is important of course for such trolleys to be collected as quickly as possible and delivered back to the store for use by other customers. Trolley collection in many instances is undertaken by hand however, there is a limit to the number of trolleys that can be collected using this method. Whilst there has been proposed in the past a vehicle for collecting and conveying trolleys such a vehicle requires a considerable amount of space for working and conveyance of the trolleys is achieved by loading the trolleys onto the apparatus.


A hand grip assembly for climbing a tree includes a handle grip portion. A handle bracket is attached to the handle grip portion. At least one mounting bracket is attached to the handle bracket. The mounting bracket includes an angled shape for engaging a surface of the tree. A harness is attached to the handle bracket. The harness cinches about the tree and secures the hand grip assembly relative to the tree.

Typically tree stands and hunting blinds may be positioned in a tree above a surface of the ground to allow a hunter a broader view of a hunting area. Often a hunter must climb up a ladder or other device to enter the tree stand. As a hunter climbs up the ladder and is positioned to enter the tree stand, the hunter may often have to hold onto the tree and swing himself into the tree stand.
It would be desirable for a hunter to have a grip or other assisting mechanism attached to the tree to allow the hunter a secure handhold on the tree while entering the tree stand. There is therefore a need in the art for a hand grip assembly that may be attached to a tree at a desired position to allow a secure grip on the tree when entering and leaving a tree stand. There is also a need in the art for a hand grip assembly that may be removably attached to various objects such as a tree or pole to allow a secure hand grip when climbing the object.


A method includes: immersing a semiconductive substrate in an electrodeposition composition, wherein at least 20 percent by weight of resin solids in the composition is a highly cross-linked microgel component, and applying a voltage between the substrate and the composition to form a dielectric coating on the substrate. A composition for use in electrodeposition includes a resin blend, a coalescing solvent, a catalyst, water, and a highly cross-linked migrogel, wherein at least 20 percent by weight of resin solids in the composition is the highly cross-linked microgel. Another composition for use in electrodeposition includes a surfactant blend, a low ion polyol, phenoxypropanol, a catalyst, water, a flexibilizer, and a highly cross-linked migrogel, wherein at least 20 percent by weight of resin solids in the composition is the highly cross-linked microgel.

Various electronic devices are constructed of semiconductive materials. In the fabrication of such devices, insulating materials, such as dielectric materials, may be formed on surfaces of the semiconductive materials.
Dielectric coatings can be applied using electrodeposition (ED). During aqueous electrodeposition, electricity flows through the material being coated (electrode) and attracts charged particles which are dispersed in the electrodeposition bath. At the surface of the material being coated, electrolysis of water occurs. If the material being coated is serving as the anode, protons are formed at the surface which will then react with negatively charged coating particles (anodic ED). If the material being coated is serving as the cathode, hydroxide ions are formed at the surface which will then react with positively charged coating particles (cathodic ED). If electricity flows easily through the electrode (conductive material), the process is more efficient (i.e., there is more deposited film for a given set of coating conditions) than for a semiconductive or weakly conductive material.
For cathodic ED, the positively charged paint particles are neutralized by the hydroxide ions at the surface, causing the particles to become insoluble in water and collect on the surface of the cathode. The neutralized particles then coalesce into a continuous film on the surface forming an insulating layer. As the insulation increases, electrodeposition gradually decreases and then (eventually) stops.
Electrocoating has the ability to completely coat all kinds of components (inside and out) that conventional spray/brush processes cannot. It also has the potential to coat many different geometries including parts with acute angles, small holes, and sharp edges. Sharp edges have a naturally higher potential to attract charged coating particles than flat surfaces. Thus sharp edges tend to have a higher "wet film" build than the neighboring flat surfaces. However, surface tension effects tend to pull the coating away from the sharp edge(s) during flow/cure. In addition, surface tension varies from substrate to substrate. Higher coating thickness will tend to help ensure that the edges will maintain some coverage. Higher film thicknesses on the sharp edges of conductive substrates can easily be obtained with commercial ED coatings due to the efficient flow of electricity with these substrates. The result is sufficient edge coverage. However, since semiconductive and weakly conductive substrates have greater difficulty building thicker films, these substrates may not obtain sufficient edge coverage with standard E-coats.
There is a need for a conformal dielectric coating that can form an insulating layer that adequately insulates semiconductive materials.

Electrodeposition of dielectric coatings on semiconductive substrates


A toe cap for a protective shoe is injection molded utilizing a fiber-filled plastic resin having a high loading of relatively long fibers. A preferred material is glass-filled polyurethane having fibers predominantly of a length in the range of 0.25 inch (6 mm) and 1 inch (25 mm). The resin injection gate is positioned to provide injection of the fiber-filled plastic material directly adjacent the rear edge of the toe cap, preferably between the roof of the cap and the lower edge of one wall. The gate has a minimum dimension of 0.100 inch (2.5 mm). The gate location and size results in a lateral orientation of the fibers in the injected plastic material across the roof of the toe cap to substantially enhance the strength thereof.

The present invention relates to a toe cap for a protective shoe and, more particularly, to a reinforced, injection molded plastic toe cap.
For many years, toe caps for protective shoes have been made of thin steel sheets formed into shoe toe-shaped bodies which are sewn or otherwise attached on the inside of the leather toe cap of a shoe or boot. Steel toe caps are known to deform under vertically applied compressive or impact loads and to undertake a permanent set which, if excessive, may result in a crushing and/or cutting injury to the toes of the wearer. Attempts have been made more recently to substitute various plastic materials for steel in safety toe caps and number of prior art patents show such constructions.
One of the more relevant prior art patents is Dykeman U.S. Pat. No. 4,735,003 which describes a molded plastic toe cap made of a variety of thermoplastic and thermosetting resins, both with and without fiber reinforcement. The body of the toe cap is provided with a flexible roof region, the deflection of which under load is intended to shift stresses to the lateral and forward wall regions which are generally heavier and more capable of supporting the loads. U.S. Pat. No. 4,735,003 describes the use of a number of possible molding techniques including injection molding. Also disclosed is the use of a polyurethane plastic with glass fiber reinforcement wherein the fibers have a length in the range of 1/4 inch to 1 inch as received from the plasticizing equipment and placed in a compression mold.
British Patent Application No. 2,138,272A also discloses a protective toe cap made from an injection molded glass-filled plastic material. The specification suggests that the flow rate of the plastic material and the gate size and location be chosen to ensure that there is no molding discontinuity or weakness in the upper portion of the toe cap. However, no injection flow rate nor gate size or location is specified.
European Patent Application No. 83304046.2 describes a protective toe cap for a shoe which is molded from a plastic material that is reinforced with uniaxially aligned continuous fibers extending laterally across the roof of the cap. However, the toe cap is molded using compression molding techniques and recognizes the need to carefully orient and hold the continuous fibers so that they are not dislodged from their position during molding. Injection molding techniques would not be suitable for the manufacture of this toe cap.
In the United States, suitability of toe caps for new protective footwear is determined in accordance with American National Standard for Personal--Protection Protective Footwear (ANSI Z41-1991). This Standard provides, inter alia, for separate compression and impact tests, both of which apply vertical loads to the roof of the toe cap actually installed in a shoe or boot. Similar but somewhat more rigorous standards are applicable in Canada under Canadian Standards Association toe impact test Z-195 March 1984. In Europe, the test regimen is dictated by DIN standards.
The rigorous test regimens to which protective toe caps are subject has it made extremely difficult to design and build a toe cap of either steel or plastic which will consistently meet any one of the standards, much less all of them. The problem is exacerbated by variations in toe cap styles in the United States and between the United States, Canada and Europe. These styles are, in turn, dictated to some extent by variations in the styles and in the construction of shoes, both work shoes and dress shoes which are modified to include protective toe caps. There is also a desire in the industry to eliminate steel toe caps for reasons in addition to those mentioned above, such as the heat and electrically conductive properties of steel. Also, the response of steel to magnetic or electrical signals makes it undesirable for certain military and the like applications.
Thus, there is a continuing real need in the industry for a plastic toe cap to replace steel toe caps which will meet the applicable test standards and still meet the aesthetic requirements of style, shape and relatively light weight. In addition, molded plastic toe caps should desirably be capable of being made at high production rates, such as by injection molding. It is known, however, that prior injection molding techniques and materials using fiber-reinforced plastics are subject to fiber degradation and difficulty in fiber orientation necessary to optimize the strength of the final product.


An apparatus (1) for extracting milk from a breast, comprising means (2,3) for receiving at least a portion of a breast and its nipple; a container (5) for collecting the milk operatively connected to said means (2,3) for receiving at least partially a breast and its nipple; a pump unit (100) operatively connected to said means (2,3) for receiving at least partially a breast and its nipple, said pump unit (100) being operated manually to generate at least an aspiration able to cause a suction on the breast by imposing a predetermined degree of vacuum within said means for receiving the breast and the nipple. The manually operated pump unit (100) comprises means for regulating the degree of vacuum that is generated. Pump unit (100) operated manually and connectable to a kit for collecting milk from a breast.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for extracting milk from a breast, of the type described in the preamble to claim 1.
The present invention also relates to a pump unit for an apparatus for extracting milk from a breast, of the type described in the preamble to claim 13.
As is well known, apparatuses for extracting human breast, so-called breast pumps, generally comprise a kit for collecting the milk connected to an aspirating pump.
Typically, the collection kit comprises a rigid cup provided with a flexible inner coating and able to receive a breast, a container for collecting the milk connected to the cup and a second end connected to the aspirating pump.
The vacuum generated by the pump is of the pulsated type and it determines a suction on the breast within the cup, extracting the milk which thus flows within the coating and then slides into the collecting container.
In accordance with a first prior art, there are breast pumps provided with an electromechanical aspirating pump.
An important drawback of the first prior art is that the presence of an electromechanical pump does not allow to use the breast pump in the absence of a source of electrical energy, be it the electrical mains or a battery.
To overcome this drawback, breast pumps provided with a manually operated pump have been developed.
In accordance with a second prior art, there are breast pumps that comprise s kit for collecting the milk connected to a manually operated pump unit.
Generally, the kit for collecting the milk comprises a rigid cup, in whose interior is inserted a flexible coating, shaped in substantially complementary fashion to the inner surface of the cup.
The cup and the coating are able to receive at least one portion of a breast and its nipple and they are connected to a container for collecting milk.
Generally, the pump unit comprises a piston slidably inserted in a cylinder communicating with an aspiration conduit connected to the flexible coating. The head of the piston, moving with alternating motion within the cylinder between two operating positions that define different volumes of the cylinder, produce a cyclic aspirating and thus generates a predetermined degree of pulsating vacuum degree within the flexible coating.
Some breast pumps, instead of a normal piston, use a membrane piston that comprises an elastic membrane connected to the lateral walls of the cylinder and fixed on the head of the piston.
Note that, both in the case of a membrane piston, and in the case of a traditional piston, the alternating motion of the piston is activated by mechanical means connected to a stem of the piston itself and included in the pump unit.
In particular, said mechanical means generally comprise a lever with its fulcrum on a support structure, said lever having a first end connected to the stem of the piston and a second end that can be gripped by a user, in such a way that to an alternating rotation of the lever around an axis passing through the fulcrum corresponds and alternating motion of the piston within the cylinder.
Depending on the dimensions of the lever and on the position of the fulcrum, the ratio between the stroke of the piston and the travel of the lever is pre-set and constant.
An important drawback of the breast pumps provided with a manually operated pump assembly and constructed in accordance with the second prior art is the impossibility of varying the degree of vacuum generated by the piston. Since the ratio between the stroke of the piston and the travel of the lever is precept, the degree of vacuum generated by the pump unit is also pre-set.

Apparatus for extracting milk from a breast and related pump unit


Systems, methods and computer program products are presented for the automated deployment of a code update to a device. One or more clusters of devices may be connected to a development environment for deployment of one or more code updates through respective development pipelines to the respective clusters of devices. A first cluster of devices receives a module for implementation of an agent for the first cluster of devices and a central queue local to a centralized controller of the development environment. The agent reports at least one status of a respective device to the centralized controller of the development environment, whereby that status may correspond to a code update image pulled onto the respective device. The agent retrieves one or more instruction messages from the centralized controller in response to the reported status of the respective device.

In current approaches, the deployment strategy of code updates to Internet of Things (IoT) and edge devices is often determined ad hoc based on business rules. IoT refers to physical objects with Internet connectivity, such as connected vehicles, home automation, wearable technology, connected health, devices with remote monitoring capabilities, lighting, heating and air conditioning, media, security systems, and many others. Edge devices refer to devices that are physically located closer to the location where the computation is needed, such as computer systems that are on-premises rather than in a centralized data center. Edge devices may improve response times and reduce bandwidth need. Business rules typically determine when a firmware update is rolled out to IoT and edge devices, such as when a new feature is ready or when a bug is fixed. Some updates are distributed for safety or security related reasons.
When dealing with millions of IoT or edge devices, scaling the deployment is a major consideration. Current software development teams creating code updates for IoT, edge, and other devices that are only periodically connected to a communication network face unique problems. It can be difficult to provide appropriate code to a wide variety of hardware and software configurations to devices with sporadic or limited access to synchronous connections, especially when the devices number in the millions or more. It can also be difficult to collect metadata and other logging data from these not-always-available devices. Statistics regarding the deployment and performance of the software are not readily available to the devops team. The performance of the newly updated version cannot easily be compared with the performance of the prior version to determine if the new version meets performance guidelines or not.
There is a need for asynchronous code deployment systems to provide code updates to IoT and edge devices. It would be advantageous for code to be deployed automatically after it is developed through use of automatic algorithms, rules, and intelligent systems for determining when code should be deployed or rolled back. Moreover, integrations with analytics and software development may be used to provide additional metrics and statistics to human operators about the performance and value added by each deployment.

Methods and systems for continuous asynchronous code deployment


The present disclosure relates to, inter alia, a method for treating a tumor by intratumorally delivering an effective amount of a composition comprising an expression vector that comprises a first nucleotide sequence encoding a secretable vaccine protein, and a second nucleotide sequence encoding a T cell costimulatory fusion protein.

Most cancer immunotherapies (IT) have a higher likelihood of succeeding if the targeted tumor has a preexisting state of inflammation elicited by the combined presentation of shared- and neo-antigens from tumor cells. Thus, novel combination treatment modalities are needed to convert non-immunogenic, 'cold' tumors into inflamed 'hot' tumors.
Gp96-Ig/Fc-OX40L is a re-engineered molecular chaperone, designed to export and deliver MHC I-associated antigens to APCs in context of the immune costimulator, OX40L. Allogeneic cancer vaccine cell lines designed to co-secrete Gp96-Ig and Fc-OX40L, generate antigen-specific CD4+/CD8+ anti-tumor responses in both highly immunogenic (CT26) and less immunogenic (B16) mouse tumors (Fromm et al., Cancer Immunol Res, 2016). Such a strategy allows for Gp96-Ig-mediated chaperoning of antigens from the allogeneic vaccine cell line (shared antigens), which could benefit further from increased presentation of tumor-derived peptides (neo-antigens) that are only accessible if Gp96-Ig/Fc-OX40L is expressed from within the tumor.


A building system toy preferably includes a double female connector, a male-female connector, a male connector, a right angle connector, a split male-female connector, a split opposing male-female connector, an angle connector and a double angle connector. The double female connector includes a base female connector and four female connection rings. The male-female connector includes the base female connector and four cylinders. The male connector includes a star base and four small cylinders. The right angle connector includes a base, a small cylinder, a first cylinder and a second cylinder. The split male-female connector and the split opposing male-female connector both include the base female connector, two female connection rings and two cylinders. An angle connector includes a first connection portion and a second connector portion. The double angle connector includes a first connector portion, a second connector portion and a third connector.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to toys and more specifically to a building system toy, which includes a variety of interlocking pieces for constructing an object.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
U.S. Pat. No. 2,406,759 to Glukes discloses a construction toy. U.S. Pat. No. 5,137,485 to Penner discloses a toy construction set with improved radial and axial connectability and expandability. U.S. Pat. No. 5,653,621 to Yao discloses a toy building block puzzle.
Accordingly, there is a clearly felt need in the art for a building system toy, which includes a variety of interlocking pieces for constructing an object.


An automotive vehicle having improved fuel economy is equipped with a drive system having a primary internal combustion engine and an auxiliary internal combustion engine of smaller size and better fuel economy than the primary engine. The primary engine is adapted to take the vehicle to its cruising speed, at which point the auxiliary engine is activated and interacts by way of an automatic clutch system to power the vehicle while the primary engine is disconnected from the drive system and throttled down.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention concerns fuel-efficient vehicles, and more particularly relates to automobiles having multiple power sources which are continuously interactive in a manner to serve the operational needs of the automobile in acceleration, cruising and hill-climbing.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Considerable attention has been directed in recent years toward the development of "hybrid" vehicles having improved fuel efficiency. Such hybrid vehicles generally have an internal combustion engine, and an electric motor adapted to augment the output of the internal combustion when additional power is needed. Re-chargeable storage batteries on the vehicle energize the electric motor.
The hybrid vehicles generally require severe down-sizing of the internal combustion engine to achieve the sought fuel efficiency for cruising operation, namely travel of the vehicle at substantially constant speed on a reasonably non-hilly road. The batteries must be of high amperage capacity with associated control components in order to adequately power the motor. Such requirements result in high initial cost and high maintenance costs as well as problems related to availability of repair and other services. These added costs are often not fully offset by the savings attributable to fuel efficiency. For instance, the additional cost of the batteries alone is often not yet fully offset by the savings in fuel costs before these expensive batteries reach the end of their useful life and would need to be replaced. Non-hybrid fuel-efficient vehicles also have problematic balances between operating costs and purchase price.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,179,078 to Belloso discloses a fuel-efficient and inexpensive automobile having two engines, each coupled to a drive wheel by way of a continuously variable ratio torque converter. Both engines are used for acceleration or hill-climbing, then either engine is used for economical cruising. One disadvantage of this system is the limited power capacity and speed range of current continuously variable ratio torque converters, especially when used for acceleration and hill-climbing.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,637,283 to Belloso discloses a Control Apparatus for a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) which increases its operational speed range, adds reverse functionality and provides means for it to accommodate two separate power sources. It does not improve its power handling capacity.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,439,989 to Yamakawa discloses a system wherein two or more engine units are each coupled to a transmission through an electromagnetic power clutch. The system includes means for operating the engines at a proper phase difference of, preferably, 180 degrees to prevent unwanted vibrations. This system is complex and is not readily adaptable for use in automotive vehicles, particularly for the particular purpose of improving fuel efficiency.
Other disclosures of wheeled vehicles employing multiple engines or motors are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,481,841; 4,306,630; 4,475,611; 5,253,724; and 5,429,543.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,462,902 to Rockwell, et. al., discloses a vehicle with a main engine that drives the rear axle and a booster engine that drives the front axle. The main engine is associated with a power train having a clutch, speed change transmission, propeller shaft, two-speed rear axle drive gear, and differential. The booster engine has a power train consisting of a clutch, speed change transmission, propeller shaft, disengageable rear drive, and differential. Although the dual engines of Rockwell, et. al., provide some versatility of operation, particularly when the main engine is overloaded and requires the added power of the booster engine, the several required power train components increase the cost and weight of the vehicle, and do not necessarily improve fuel efficiency.
None of the aforesaid disclosures provide a simpler and more cost-effective way to improve the fuel efficiency of automotive vehicles, particularly for long distance travel on the highways.
It is accordingly a primary object of this invention to provide a simple mechanical alternative to the complex and expensive hybrid system as means for improving the fuel efficiency of automotive vehicles.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a fuel-efficient vehicle through maximal use of the existing power train of current motor vehicles and making only those changes that are minimally necessary to permit the vehicle to travel economically at cruising speeds over long distances.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide a fuel-efficient vehicle of the aforesaid nature employing a minimum of modifications of the power train and integral structure of current motor vehicles, so that the invention can be employed not only in the manufacture of new vehicles, but can also be offered as after-market "add-on" modification of existing motor vehicles.
These objects and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description.

Fuel-efficient vehicle with auxiliary cruiser engine


A graphics device delivers a graphics address to a graphics memory switch that includes a graphics random access memory translator and a graphics memory page table. The graphics memory address is delivered to the graphics memory switch via a point-to-point, packet based interconnect. The graphics memory switch generates a physical system memory address and delivers the physical address to a root complex. The physical system memory address is delivered to the root complex via a point-to-point, packet based interconnect.

The rapid and efficient transfer of information between a graphics device and system memory has been and will continue to be one of the most challenging tasks faced by computer system component designers. Through the years, different interface protocols have been used to accomplish these transfers. Several years ago, the Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus was a commonly used implementation to couple graphics devices to memory controllers. As graphics memory bandwidth requirements increased, the Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) specification was created and adopted by a large segment of the computer industry.
One of the main advantages of the AGP implementations is the ability of the graphics device to view a large, contiguous graphics memory space where multi-megabyte textures, bitmaps, and graphics commands are stored. A graphics address remapping table is used to generate addresses to system memory from graphics memory addresses. There is no actual memory behind the graphics memory space, but the graphics address remapping table and associated translation circuitry provides access to actual system memory pages that may be scattered throughout the system memory.
Graphics memory bandwidth requirements continue to increase, and faster interconnect technologies are being developed to keep ahead of the growing requirements. One such interconnect technology is based on the PCI Express specification (PCI Express Base Specification, revision 1.0a). It would be desirable to provide a large, contiguous, graphics memory space for use with these emerging interconnect technologies.


An image processing system includes a fixed-type game machine and a hand-held type game machine. To the hand-held type game machine, an imaging cartridge is attached, and therefore, when an operator photographs a face image of a desired object, for example, face image data corresponding thereto is produced. In addition, by operating an operating switch of the hand-held type game machine, the operator can input feature data representing a feature of the object. The hand-held type game machine transmits the face image data and the feature data to the fixed-type game machine. The fixed-type game machine deforms provisional three-dimensional character data selected by the operator based on the feature data, and attaches the face image data to the deformed provisional three-dimensional feature data so as to compose an image. A composed image is displayed on an image display device by an animation based on the feature data.

An example of such a kind of a prior art is disclosed in a patent document 1. In a hand-held type game machine disclosed in the patent document 1, a camera portion is formed on an upper portion of a main body. The camera portion is in a rotational-free manner supported relative to the main body thus possible to photograph both images; one is a front image viewed from an operator, and the other is a rear image viewed from the operator. The photographed images can be displayed on an image display provided on one main surface of the main body. Regarding the image, which is photographed by such the hand-held type game machine or an imaging means such as a digital camera, it is well known that the image is transferred to a personal computer for processing to be applied thereto. The operator can edit the image transferred to the personal computer using an image processing software (such as a photo-retouching software, etc.).
Furthermore, in a provisional three-dimensional image producing software, as disclosed in a non-patent document 1, it is also well known that arbitrary image data is attached to a polygon figure produced by the three-dimensional image producing software using a method such as a texture mapping so as to create an image.
(Patent Document 1)
Japanese Patent Application Laying-open No. H11-144040
(Non-patent document 1)
3D TEXTURE LIBRARY (Ohm-sha, Nov. 20, 2000)
However, in the prior art, both the imaging apparatus and the personal computer are respectively independently manufactured, and therefore, a product was not designed to take into account a conjunction of the both. In addition, both the digital camera and the personal computer had a function too complicated for a beginner and children to operate, and some even required expertise. Furthermore, the digital camera and the personal computer did not interface with each other and, needless to say, a product in which an entertaining purpose was not considered, thus resulting in a disadvantage that the operator easily became bored.
Therefore, it is a feature of certain exemplary embodiments to provide a novel image processing system.
It is another feature of certain exemplary embodiments to provide an image processing system capable of creating an image with an entertainment using both a hand-held type game machine and a fixed-type television game apparatus.
It is still another feature of certain exemplary embodiments to provide an image processing system that photographs an image using a cartridge adding a photographing function to an accustomed hand-held type game machine, and using an environment in which an accustomed fixed-type television game apparatus can be connected to the hand-held type game machine, with a purpose of creating an image by previously taking into consideration a conjunction of the both.
It is yet still another feature of certain exemplary embodiments to provide an image processing system enjoyable as a result of a various kinds of models of three-dimensional computer images such as a man-looking figure, for example, being previously prepared in a fixed-type television game apparatus, and a face image photographed by a camera of a hand-held type game machine, for example, being transferred to the television game apparatus, which is attached to the model of the three-dimensional computer image.
It is another feature of certain exemplary embodiments to provide an image processing system capable of easily adjusting a color in such a manner that a difference in color between the face image and the model do not become unnatural when the face image is attached to the model of the three-dimensional computer image.
An image processing system according to certain exemplary embodiments includes a face image data producing apparatus, and an image composing apparatus provided separately from the face image data providing apparatus, and having no face image providing function. The face image data providing apparatus comprises a face image data fetching means, a feature data fetching means, and a data transmitting means. The face image data fetching means fetches face image data. The feature data fetching means fetches, in correspondence to the face image data, feature data associated with a face image. The data transmitting means transmits the face image data and the feature data to the image composing apparatus. The image composing apparatus includes a data receiving/storing means, a character polygon data storing means, an image composition processing means, and a first display means. The data receiving/storing means receives and stores the data transmitted by the data transmitting means. The character polygon data storing means stores polygon data for producing at least one provisional three-dimensional character image. The image composition processing means produces character polygon data based on the feature data and the polygon data stored in the character polygon data storing means so as to compose a character polygon image using the face image data as a face texture of the character polygon. The first display means displays an image composed by the image composition processing means.
More specifically, the image processing system (10: reference numeral in embodiments, and so forth) includes the face image data providing apparatus (20), and the image composing apparatus (11) not having a face image providing function. In the face image data providing apparatus (20), the face image data fetching means (21c, 22, 23) fetches face image data. In addition, the feature data fetching means (21c, 22, 23) fetches, in correspondence to the face image data, feature data associated with a face image. The data transmitting means (21c, 21h, 16) transmits the face image data fetched by the face image data fetching means (21c, 22, 23) and the feature data fetched by the feature data fetching means (21c, 22, 23) to the image composing apparatus (11). On the other hand, the image composing apparatus (11) is provided separately from the face image data providing apparatus, and in the image composing apparatus (11), the data receiving/storing means (11a, 11b, 11e) receives and stores data, that is, the face image data and the feature data, transmitted by the data transmitting means (21c, 21h, 16). The character polygon data storing means (11b) stores polygon data for producing at least one provisional three-dimensional character image. The image composition processing means (11a) produces character polygon data based on the feature data and the polygon data so as to compose a character polygon image using the face image data as a face texture of the character polygon. The first display means (11a, 11c, 11d, 14) displays an image composed (generated) by the image composition processing means.
According to certain exemplary embodiments, the face image data provided by the face image data providing apparatus and the feature data are used to produce a character, thus making it possible to freely facilitate creating an image. Furthermore, since it is possible to produce the character image according to the feature data, it is possible to increase a level of amusement (entertainment).
In a certain embodiment, the face image data fetching means includes an imaging apparatus that photographs a face image of an object so as to produce the face image data, and the feature data fetching means includes a feature data inputting means for inputting feature data associated with the face image corresponding to the imaging data. More specifically, the face image data fetching means (21c, 22) includes the imaging apparatus (21c, 22a, 21d) for imaging or photographing the face image of the object, and the imaging apparatus (21c, 22a, 21d) images or photographs the face image of the object in accordance with a photograph instruction of an operator. This allows the face image data fetching means (21c, 22) to fetch the face image data. That is, the face image data regarding the face image of the photographed object is fetched. In addition, the feature data fetching means (21c, 22, 23) includes the feature data inputting means (21a) for inputting feature data associated with the face image photographed by the imaging apparatus (21c, 22a, 21d), and fetches the feature data input by the feature data inputting means (21a).
In this embodiment, the face image data providing apparatus further comprises a second display means for displaying at least the face image, which is being photographed, and an imaging indexing data display means for displaying an imaging index for adjusting the face image of the object to a desired location on the second display means when photographing the face image. More specifically, the face image data providing apparatus (20) further comprises the second display means (21b) for displaying at least the face image, which is being photographed. The imaging index data display means (21c, 21d) displays imaging indexes (62a-62d) on the second display means (21b, 21e, 21f, 21g) when photographing the face image. Therefore, it is possible to image or photograph the face image in a manner that the face image is positioned at the desired location.
In a certain aspect, the face image data providing apparatus further comprises a data reading-out means capable of reading-out data stored in an external storage medium, and a data generating means for generating the face image data and the feature data based on the data read-out by the data reading-out means, the face image data fetching means fetches the face image data generated by the generating means, and the feature data storing means fetches the feature data generated by the generating means. More specifically, the face image data providing apparatus (20) comprises the data reading-out means (23e). The data reading-out means (23e) is capable of reading-out the data stored in the external storage medium (23a) such as a card, etc. The data generating means (21c) generates the face image data and the feature data based on the data read-out by the data reading-out means (23e). Therefore, the face image data fetching means (21c, 23) fetches the generated face image data, and the feature data storing means (21c, 23) fetches the generated feature data. Accordingly, it is possible to fetch the face image data and the feature data from the external recording medium (23a).
In an embodiment, the image composing apparatus further comprises an animation automatically selecting means that automatically selects certain animation data out of at least one kind according to the feature data after the provisional three-dimensional character image is composed, and an animation display means that uses the selected animation data and the composed provisional three-dimensional character image so as to display an animation. More specifically, in the image composing apparatus (11), when the provisional three-dimensional character image is composed, the animation automatically selecting means (11a, 11b) automatically selects arbitrary animation data out of at least one kind animation data in response to the feature data. The animation display means (11a, 11c, 11d, 14) displays the animation using the selected animation data and the composed provisional three-dimensional character image. The composed provisional three-dimensional character image is animation-displayed so that it is not only possible to simply enjoy the composed image, but also enjoy the animation display of the composed image.
Another image processing system according to certain exemplary embodiments includes a hand-held type image processing apparatus having an imaging function, and an image composing apparatus provided separately from the hand-held type image processing apparatus and having no the imaging function. The hand-held type image processing apparatus comprises an imaging means, an object feature data inputting means, and a data transmitting means. The imaging means photographs an object and produces imaging data. The object feature data inputting means inputs object feature data representing a feature of the object corresponding to the imaging data. The data transmitting means transmits to the image composing apparatus the imaging data produced by the imaging means, and the object feature data input by the object feature data inputting means. The image composing apparatus includes a data receiving/storing means, a character polygon data storing means, a character selecting means, an image composition processing means, and a first display means. The data receiving/storing means receives and stores the data transmitted from the data transmitting means. The character polygon data storing means stores polygon data for generating at least one provisional three-dimensional character image. The character selecting means allows an operator to select the polygon data for composing at least one provisional three-dimensional character image. The image composition processing means processes the polygon data selected by the character selecting means using the object feature data, and composes the provisional three-dimensional character image by using the processed polygon data and the imaging data. The first display means displays an image composed by the image composition processing means.
More specifically, the image processing system (10) is constructed by a hand-held type image processing apparatus (20) such as a hand-held type game machine having an imaging function, the image composing apparatus (11) such as a fixed-type game machine not having the imaging function. In the hand-held type image processing apparatus (20), the imaging means (21c, 22a, 21d) photographs an object so as to generate the imaging data. The object feature data representing a feature of the object in correspondence to the generated imaging data is input by the object feature data inputting means (21a). The data transmitting means (21c, 21h, 16) transmits to the image composing apparatus (11) the imaging data generated by the imaging means (21c, 22a, 21d), and the object feature data input by the object feature data inputting means (21a). On the other hand, the image composing apparatus (11) is provided separately from the hand-held type image processing apparatus (20), and in the hand-held type image processing apparatus (20), the data receiving/storing means (11a, 11b, 11e) receives and stores the data transmitted from the data transmitting means (21c, 21h, 16), that is, the imaging data and object feature data. Furthermore, the character polygon data storing means (11b) stores the polygon data for generating at least one provisional three-dimensional character image. The character selecting means (12) allows an operator to select the polygon data for composing at least one provisional three-dimensional character image. Therefore, the image composing means (11a) processes the polygon data selected by the character selecting means (12) using the object feature data, and uses the processed polygon data and the imaging data so as to generate the provisional three-dimensional character image. The composed (generated) provisional three-dimensional character image is displayed on the first display means (11a, 11c, 11d, 14).
According to certain exemplary embodiments, the imaging data photographed by the hand-held type image processing apparatus and the feature data input by the hand-held type image processing apparatus are used so as to generate a character, thus making it possible to freely facilitate creating an image. Furthermore, since it is possible to generate the character image according to the feature data, it is possible to increase a level of amusingness (entertainment).
Furthermore, the image composition processing means carries out a process of attaching the face image data to a portion of the provisional three-dimensional character image generated from the polygon data so as to compose the image. The image composing apparatus further includes a region polygon data selecting means, a region polygon positioning means, and a character color retrieving means. The region polygon data selecting means, when the provisional three-dimensional character image is to be composed, in a range to which an attaching process of the face image data is applied, allows an operator to select, out of at least one data, polygon data representing a shape of at least one region which constitutes the provisional three-dimensional character. The region polygon positioning means allows the operator to instruct in what position of the provisional three-dimensional character image the region polygon data selected by the region polygon data selecting means is positioned so as to compose the image, with the range to which the attaching process of the face image data is applied. The character color retrieving means retrieves from the imaging data in a range in which the region polygon data is positioned so as to determine at least one color data of the provisional three-dimensional character image in a portion in which the imaging data is not attached. More specifically, the image composition processing means (11a) carries out the process attaching the face image data to the portion of the provisional three-dimensional character image produced from the polygon data so as to perform the image composition. In the image composing apparatus (11), the region polygon data selecting means (12) allows the operator to select, out of at least one data, the polygon data representing the shape of at least one region, which constitutes the provisional three-dimensional character, in the range to which an attaching process of the face image data is applied when the provisional three-dimensional character image is composed. The region polygon positioning means (12) allows the operator to instruct in what position of the provisional three-dimensional character image the region polygon data selected by the region polygon data selecting means (12) is positioned in order to compose the image, in the range to which the attaching process of the face image data is applied. Furthermore, the character color retrieving means (11a) retrieves from the imaging data in the range in which the region polygon data to be positioned in order to determine at least one color data of the provisional three-dimensional character image in the portion in which the imaging data cannot be attached. That is, it is possible to change attaching a region of a portion of the produced face, and adjust a difference in color caused by changing attaching the region.
An image processing method according to certain exemplary embodiments is executed in an image composing apparatus capable of being connected to a face image data providing apparatus provided with a face image data fetching means for fetching face image data, a feature data fetching means for fetching feature data associated with the face image in correspondence to the face image data, a data transmitting means for transmitting to the image composing apparatus the face image data and the feature data. The image composing apparatus comprises at least a data receiving/storing means, a character polygon data storing means, and a composed image displaying means. The data receiving/storing means receives and stores the data transmitted from the face image data providing apparatus. The character polygon data storing means stores the polygon data for generating at least one provisional three-dimensional character image. The composed image displaying means displays a composed image. Then, the image composing apparatus executes a character selecting step, a polygon data processing step, and a provisional three-dimensional character image composing step. The character selecting step allows an operator to select the polygon data for generating at least one provisional three-dimensional character image. The polygon data processing step processes the polygon data selected by the character selecting step using the polygon data processing step. The provisional three-dimensional character image composing step composes the provisional three-dimensional character image using the polygon data processed by the polygon data processing step and the face image data.
In a certain embodiment, the image composing apparatus further executes an animation automatically selecting step for automatically selecting arbitrary animation data out of at least one kind in accordance with the feature data after composing the provisional three-dimensional character image, and an animation displaying step for displaying an animation using the selected animation data and the composed provisional three-dimensional character image.
Another image processing method according to certain exemplary embodiments is executed in an image composing apparatus capable of being connected to an image processing apparatus provided with an imaging means for photographing an object so as to generate imaging data, an object feature data inputting means for inputting object feature data representing a feature of the object corresponding to the imaging data, and a transmitting means for transmitting the imaging data and the object feature data. The image composing apparatus comprises at least data receiving/storing means, a character polygon data storing means, and a composed image displaying means. The data receiving/storing means receives and stores the data transmitted from the image processing apparatus. The character polygon data storing means stores polygon data for generating at least one provisional three-dimensional character image. The composed image displaying means displays the composed image. Then, the image composing apparatus executes following steps: a character selecting step, a polygon data processing step, and a provisional three-dimensional character image composing step are executed. The character selecting step allows an operator to select the polygon data for generating at least one provisional three-dimensional character image. The polygon data processing step processes the polygon data selected by the character selecting step using the object feature data. The character image composing step composes the provisional three-dimensional character image using the polygon data processed in the polygon data processing step and the imaging data.
In a certain embodiment, the image composing apparatus further executes an animation automatically selecting step for automatically selecting certain animation data out of at least one kind in accordance with the object feature data after composing the provisional three-dimensional character image, and an animation displaying step for displaying an animation using the selected animation data and the composed provisional three-dimensional character image.
In an embodiment, the image composing step includes an imaging data attaching step, a region polygon data selecting step, a region polygon positioning step, and a character color retrieving step. The imaging data attaching step carries out a process of attaching the imaging data to a portion of the provisional three-dimensional character image generated from the polygon data. The region polygon data selecting step allows an operator to select the polygon data representing a shape of at least one region constituting the provisional three-dimensional character out of one data in a range in which the imaging data is subjected to the attaching process. The region polygon positioning step allows the operator to instruct to position the region polygon data selected by the polygon data selecting step in what position of the provisional three-dimensional character image so as to produce an image in a range in which the imaging data is subjected to the attaching process. The character color retrieving step retrieves from the imaging data in a range in which the region polygon data is positioned at least one color data of the provisional three-dimensional character image in a portion in which the imaging data is not to be attached.
An external storing device according to certain exemplary embodiments is an external recording device detachably attached to a hand-held type game machine at least provided with a data transmitting means for transmitting data to an image composing apparatus. The external recording device comprises a face image fetching means, a feature data fetching means, and a data storing means. The face image fetching means fetches face image data. The feature data fetching means fetches feature data associated with the face image in correspondence to the face image data. The data storing means for storing the face image data and the feature data in a manner that the both data are associated with each other.
More specifically, the external recording device (22, 23) detachably attached to a hand-held type game machine (20) provided with at least the data transmitting means (21c, 21h, 16) for transmitting the data to an image composing apparatus (11) such as fixed-type game machine. In the external recording device (22, 23), the face image fetching means (21c, 22a, 23e) fetches the face image data, and the feature data fetching means (21a, 21c, 22a, 23e) fetches the feature data associated with the face image in correspondence to the face image data. The data storing means (22c, 23c) stores the face image data and the feature data by associating with each other.
According to certain exemplary embodiments, the fetched face image data and the feature data are associated with each other to be stored in the external recording device so that it is possible to enjoy the image production utilizing the face image data and the feature data by attaching the external recording device to another hand-held type game machine.
An external storage device according to certain exemplary embodiments is an external storage device detachably attached to a hand-held type game machine at least provided with a photographing processing means for executing a photographing process in accordance with a photographing instruction by an operator, an image displaying means for displaying at least an image of an object during when the photographing process is being executed by the photographing processing means, and an object feature data inputting means for inputting object feature data representing a feature of the object corresponding to the imaging data fetched as a result of the photographing process by the photographing processing means. The external storage device comprises an imaging means, and a data storing means. The imaging means images or photographs the object so as to generate the imaging data. The data storing means associates, and stores the imaging data generated by the imaging means, and the object feature data input by the object feature data inputting means.
More specifically, the external storage device (22) is provided in such a manner as to be detachably attached to the hand-held type game machine (20). The hand-held type game machine (20) is at least provided with the photographing processing means (21c, 22a, 21d) for executing the photographing process in accordance with the photographing instruction by the operator, the image displaying means (21b, 21e, 21f, 21g) for displaying at least the image of the object when the photographing process is being executed by the photographing processing means (21c, 21a, 21d), and the object feature data inputting means for inputting object feature data representing the feature of the object corresponding to the imaging data fetched as a result of the photographing process by the photographing processing means (21c, 21a, 21d). In the external storage device (22), the imaging means (22a) photographs the object in accordance with the photographing instruction so as to produce the imaging data. The data storing means (22c) stores the imaging data produced by the imaging means (22a) and the object feature data input by the object feature data inputting means (21a) in a manner that the both data are associated with each other.
According to certain exemplary embodiments, since the fetched imaging data and the object feature data are associated with each other to be stored in the external storage device so that by attaching the external storage device to another hand-held type game machine, it is possible to enjoy the image production utilizing the imaging data and the object feature data.
The above-described external storage device may further comprise a photographing process executing a program for executing the photographing process, and a program storing means for storing an imaging index displaying program for displaying on the image displaying means an imaging index for setting an image of the object to a desired location when the photograph process is being executed. In this case, the external storage device (22) further comprises a program storing means (22b). In the program storing means (22b), the photographing process executing program for executing the photographing process, and the imaging index displaying program for displaying on the image displaying means the imaging index for setting the image of the object to the desired location during when the photograph process is being executed. That is, by attaching the external storage device, it becomes possible to allow the hand-held type game machine to have a photographing function, and when photographing, since the imaging index is displayed, it is possible to photograph the image of the object to be located to the desired location.
According to certain exemplary embodiments, it is possible to provide an image processing system capable of creating an image having an entertainment value utilizing the hand-held type game machine, and the fixed-type television apparatus.
In addition, according to certain exemplary embodiments, it is possible to provide an image processing system that even a beginner and children can easily operate with a purpose of creating an image, using an accustomed environment such as the hand-held type game machine, the fixed-type television game apparatus, etc.
Furthermore, according to certain exemplary embodiments, it is possible to provide an image processing system having too high an entertainment not to be easily tired of.
In addition, according to certain exemplary embodiments, it is possible to provide an image processing system capable of easily adjusting a difference in color between an image and a model.
The above described and other features, aspects and advantages of certain exemplary embodiments will become more apparent from the following detailed description of certain exemplary embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.


A method and device for spraying dairy animals and in particular for spraying an udder region of dairy animals, including cows, during an at least partly or fully automatic milking process, includes providing a spray device mounted on a robot arm, the spray device including a spray nozzle with a spray opening, and a fluid channel feeding spray solution from an input port to the spray opening; pumping spray solution through the fluid channel towards the spray opening; heating the spray solution in a heating region of the fluid channel; and spraying the heated spray solution through the spray opening towards the udder region of the dairy animal.

In recent years, automatic milking systems and other equipment have been developed in order to increase the efficiency of milk farms, e.g. by reducing the manual labour required and/or by increasing the average milk yield per cow.
A milking operation typically comprise a cleaning operation where teats are cleaned in a cleaning step, e.g. by rinsing and/spraying the teats with a cleaning fluid in order to remove any dirt or other material that may contaminate the milk. The cleaning step may reduce or eliminate undesired bacteria that may contaminate the milk. The spraying of cleaning fluid may be referred to as pre-spraying. The cleaning is followed by a milking step. After milking, the teats are typically sprayed with a spray solution, such as liquid, foam or other fluid, in order close the milk channels of the teats, e.g. for reducing the risk of mastitis. Spraying of teats after milking may be referred to as post-spraying.
WO 2010/068688 discloses a system and method for the delivery of sanitizing foam, where a teat dip solution is mixed with gas in a vessel. The temperature of the spray solution is kept substantially constant with a heat pump and a sensor positioned in the vessel in order to optimize the properties of the spray solution. The spray solution is circulated in a closed loop at a temperature of about 12° C. which may result in undesired bacteria growth in the spray solution.
There is a desire to reduce undesired stress on dairy animals during milking in order to improve the milk yield and the efficiency of automatic milking systems.
Despite the developments in automatic milking systems, there is still a need for methods and devices for improving different parts of a milking procedure in order to reduce costs, increase yield and/or improve cow health.

Method and device for spraying dairy animals


This information processing device (100) is provided with an excerpter (101) and a corrector (103). The excerpter (101), on a screen upon which an original document is displayed, acquires an excerpted document by excerpting characters to be displayed relatively larger from the original document. The corrector (103), if an excerpted document amount to be displayed upon the screen does not fit within a predetermined amount, corrects a criterion for relative size by which the excerpter (101) excerpts characters. In addition, the excerpter (101), on the basis of the corrected criterion, obtains the excerpted document.

Technology is known for generating excerpts based on font size for each page of contents having plural page format (electronic book) (for example, refer to Patent Literature 1). In this case, the number of characters that are included on one page is limited, so that a character string to be excerpted is also limited.

Information processing device, processing method, program, and recording medium