The present invention can switch a group printer driver controlling a plurality of member printers into a user desired mode. When a capability notification designation of a group printer driver is received from an application, it is determined which is to be transmitted, a conflict result of a capability of a member printer, or a capability specific to a group printer driver, and a capability notification is transmitted depending on the determination result.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a printing method, a printing apparatus, a printing program executable by an information processing apparatus, and a computer-readable storage medium storing a program for use in a printing utility for performing a printing process in response to a draw command from an application.
2. Related Background Art
Recently, network equipment has been widely used, and a number of personal computers (hereinafter referred to as a PC) and printers are connected in a network. When a printing process is performed in the above-mentioned network environment, a print job is temporarily spooled to distribute and output each page or copy on a plurality of printers for a document of a large number of pages or copies so that a printing time can be shortened, which is referred to as a distributed printing system.
In the above-mentioned network environment, there is a well-known system (color/monochrome distributed printing system) for distributing and outputting color pages to a color printer and monochrome pages to a monochrome printer for a document containing both color pages and monochrome pages so that the printing cost and the printing time can be reduced.
Furthermore, in the above-mentioned network environment, there is a system (broadcast printing system) for simultaneously transmitting and printing a document to a plurality of printers at one print instruction.
Additionally, in the above-mentioned network environment, there is a system (anti-error proxy printing system) for performing a printing process by automatically switching an erroneous printer into another printer for a document transmitted to one printer.
In the printing process performed on the above-mentioned plural printers (printer drivers), a virtual printer driver UI, etc. for defining various print settings for a plurality of printers (printer drivers) is well known.
In the printing systems in the above-mentioned network environments, there is a method in which one virtual printer (group printer) and related member printers are mounted in a client machine, and a group printer inquires about the capability of each member printer to control the UI.
Generally, an application obtains the capability of a printer driver selected as a printing target through the API defined by Windows (R). Especially, a DTP type application inquires of a printer driver selected as a printing target about printable paper size information (supported paper size) about the printer driver so that the paper size and the capabilities defined in the application according to the information can be restricted.
Furthermore, a printer driver normally notifies an application of predetermined capabilities in response to the capability inquiry from the application.
However, in response to an inquiry about a capability from an application, a virtual printer (group printer) has notified predetermined capabilities defined by a group printer driver. Therefore, the capabilities can be different from the actual capabilities depending on the configuration, and the capabilities cannot be informed according to the configuration depending on the configuration of a member printer. Especially, concerning the list of the supported paper size, the list of group printer determined paper sizes is different from the list of member printer paper sizes, and the paper size of the document generated in the application cannot match the paper size used in the output of the actual member printer. Additionally, since the paper size of the document does not match the paper size used in the actual output, an excess image area is output as an incomplete image.
On the other hand, it is not easy for a virtual printing utility such as a group printer driver to perform an arithmetic process on the capability depending on the configuration of a member printer, thereby causing the problem that the response of the display of a user interface for a print setting item of a virtual printer is delayed.

Printing method, printing apparatus, printing program executable by information processing apparatus, and computer-readable storage medium storing program


A method and apparatus for mechanically disrupting a layer of skin having a known thickness without substantially disrupting underlying dermis layers below the layer of skin in question so as to facilitate the delivery of compounds across the disrupted layer. The apparatus includes a cutter having a plurality of microprotrusions having a height chosen with respect to the layer of skin that is to be disrupted and a stop for preventing the apparatus from penetrating the skin beyond a predetermined distance. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the microprotrusions include blades that generate cuts in the layer of skin. The cuts are generated by moving the apparatus parallel to the surface of the skin either at the time of application, during the normal movements of the individual wearing the apparatus, or both. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the appropriate length of blade is determined for each individual and delivery site on that individual.

Transdermal delivery of medication is well known in the prior art. Transdermal patches are available for a number of drugs. Commercially available examples of transdermal patches include scopolamine for the prevention of motion sickness, nicotine for aid in smoking cessation, nitroglycerin for the treatment of coronary angina pain, and estrogen for hormonal replacement. Generally, these systems have drug reservoirs sandwiched between an impervious backing and a membrane face which controls the steady state rate of drug delivery. The systems usually are attached to the skin by an adhesive gel with the membrane face adjacent to the skin.
Transdermal medication has significant advantages over both hypodermic injection and oral administration. A transdermal patch can provide significantly greater effective blood levels of a beneficial drug because the drug is not delivered in spike concentrations as is the case with hypodermic injection and most oral administration. In addition, drugs administered via transdermal patches are not subjected to the harsh environment of the digestive tract. Hence, in principle, transdermal delivery provides a method for administrating drugs that would otherwise need to be administered via hypodermic injection or intravenous infusion because the drug is destroyed in the digestive tract or immediately absorbed by the liver. Conversely, the digestive tract and liver are not subjected to the drug in transdermal administration. Many drugs, such as aspirin, have an adverse effect on the digestive tract.
Prior art transdermal drug delivery systems may be divided into passive diffusion and active transport systems. Transdermal drug delivery by diffusion is by far the most common of the transdermal methods. The nicotine patch is an example of this method of delivery (U.S. Pat. No. 4,597,961 to Frank T. Etscorn). This process is based on presenting the medication in a high dose external to the dermis and allowing the chemical to diffuse into and through the skin. The degree of diffusion depends on the porosity of the skin, the size and polarity of the drug molecules, and the concentration gradient across the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of human skin. These factors generally limit this mode of delivery to a very small number of useful drugs with very small molecules or unique electrical characteristics.
There have been two types of systems proposed to overcome the limited range of compounds that may be administered transdermally. The first class of techniques are based on the disruption of the skin to remove the diffusion barrier. One such method is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,964,482. This technique utilizes an array of needle like protrusions that penetrate the stratum corneum. The drug is delivered either through the needles or on the surface of the skin. In the this case, the drug flows along the outer surface of the "needle" through the hole in the stratum corneum created by the needle. The length of the needles utilized in this invention is just long enough to penetrate the stratum corneum. Since the stratum corneum does not contain blood vessels or nerve endings, the patient does not experience bleeding or discomfort from the penetration of the needles.
The second class of drug delivery system involve the active transport of the compounds across the skin. The active diffusion systems involve iontophoresis, electroporation and ultrasound to increase the migration of the drug across the skin barrier. These methods attempt to electrically assist diffusion of the medication or apply high frequency electrical pulses or sound waves to the skin to improve absorption. Unfortunately, the high cost and inconvenience of providing portable electrical equipment have limited the commercial application of such active systems.
While this device has been known for over 25 years, devices of this type have not been commercially successful. The disruption of the stratum corneum is not sufficient to render the skin sufficiently permeable to allow many compounds of interest to be administered transdermally. In addition, the disruption provided by beds of "needles" and the like does not permit reproducible drug flow across the disrupted area. The needles used to make the holes fill the holes, thus blocking drug delivery. Furthermore, even if the needles are removed, the small holes produced thereby rapidly close on removal of the needle assembly.
Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus and method for disrupting the outer skin layers in a manner that permits the layers to become permeable to drugs and the like.
It is another object of the invention to provide a method for disrupting the skin layers such that the disrupted area remains permeable for a time that is sufficient to administer compounds through the skin.
It is another object of the invention to eliminate or greatly reduce the pain of drug delivery by present skin-penetrating devices, such as needles, fluid jets, etc.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a transdermal delivery system that does not rely on applied electric fields, yet allows drugs that could not previously be administered by passive diffusion to be so administered.
These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the invention and the accompanying drawings.

Method and apparatus for disruption of the epidermis


A clock data recovery circuit includes a first circuit, a second circuit, and a third circuit. The first circuit is configured to receive data and a clock signal and to detect transitions in the data and provide a first signal based on the clock signal and the transitions in the data. The second circuit is configured to receive the first signal and provide a first shift signal based on the first signal. The third circuit is configured to receive the first shift signal, wherein the first circuit, the second circuit, and the third circuit are configured to form a first circuit loop and the third circuit is configured to disable the first circuit loop and shift the clock signal based on the first shift signal.

As computer processing power continues to increase, memory capacity becomes an issue for future computer and server performance. Memory capacity problems are exacerbated as the speed of memory increases, such as with the development of second generation double data rate dynamic random access memories (DDR2-DRAMs) and third generation double data rate dynamic random access memories (DDR3-DRAMs). With each increase in memory capacity more traces are needed to support increased clock speeds and as memory speeds increase the memory capacity that can be supported decreases due to problems such as noise and cross-talk.
To address these issues, the industry developed a memory interface capable of scaling with the increasing speeds of memory while providing a long term alternative for next generation memory solutions. This architecture has become an industry standard referred to as fully buffered dual in-line memory module (FB-DIMM). An FB-DIMM includes a bi-directional serial interface that simplifies board electrical routing and eliminates the requirement for additional memory controllers. Compared to registered DIMM technology, FB-DIMMs provide larger memory capacities, higher bandwidths, and lower pin counts.
Typically, each FB-DIMM includes an advanced memory buffer (AMB) and a selected number of dynamic random access memories (DRAMs), such as DDR2-DRAMs and DDR3-DRAMs. The AMB is responsible for handling FB-DIMM channel and memory requests to and from the local FB-DIMM and for forwarding the requests to other FB-DIMMs. The AMB receives commands, addresses and write data from a memory controller or via another AMB. The AMB transmits read data to the memory controller directly or via another FB-DIMM. Clock signals and data are recovered from the data by a clock and data recovery circuit (CDR).
The CDR recovers clock signals and data from the data and locks a clock signal to transitions in the data to accurately acquire data for use at the local FB-DIMM or transmission of the data to other FB-DIMMs. Often the phase of the clock signal is locked to the data transitions as quickly as possible. Typically, the incoming data stream is sampled with multiple clock phases to find the nearest clock phase to transitions in the data. Alternatively, the CDR includes an analog dual loop architecture, such as CDRs used in disk drive applications. Each of these methods achieves fast phase convergence at the cost of area and power consumption.
For these and other reasons there is a need for the present invention.

Clock data recovery circuit with circuit loop disablement


Raffinose is produced by allowing a raffinose synthase having the following properties to act on sucrose and galactinol:                (1) action and substrate specificity: produces raffinose from sucrose and galactinol;        (2) optimum pH: about 6 to 8;        (3) optimum temperature: about 35 to 40° C.;        (4) molecular weight:        (i) about 75 kDa to 95 kDa estimated by gel filtration chromatography;        (ii) about 90 kDa to 100 kDa estimated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (Native PAGE); and        (iii) about 90 kDa to 100 kDa estimated by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under a reduced condition (SDS-PAGE); and        (5) inhibition: inhibited by iodoacetamide, N-ethylmaleimide, and myo-inositol.

Raffinose is one of raffinose family oligosaccharides, in which galactose is connected to glucosyl group of sucrose via α-1,6 linkage. The raffinose family oligosaccharides include, for example, stachyose containing two connected galactose residues, and verbascose containing three connected galactose residues, in addition to raffinose. These oligosaccharides are widely distributed in plants, for example, seeds of various plants such as beans, rapeseed, and cottonseed containing these oligosaccharides as reserve carbohydrates; plants belonging to Cucurbitaceae such as cucumber and melon containing these sugars as translocation sugars; and sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) and rosette leaves having acquired cold resistance.
The raffinose family oligosaccharides are biosynthesized as follows.UDP-galactose+myo-inositol→galactinol+UDP  (a)galactinol+sucrose→raffinose+myo-inositol  (b)galactinol+raffinose→stachyose+myo-inositol  (c)
The reactions are catalyzed by (a) galactinol synthase (GS: EC 220.127.116.11), (b) raffinose synthase (RS: EC 22.214.171.124), and (c) stachyose synthase (STS: EC 18.104.22.168), respectively.
At present, raffinose is extracted from sugar beet, and it is separated and purified in the sucrose purification process. However, since crystal formation of sucrose is deteriorated by raffinose, sugar beet has been subjected to breeding and improvement with the aim of decreasing the raffinose content. As a result, the raffinose content in sugar beet now has a low value of 0.03% to 0.16% (Enzyme Microb. Technol., Vol. 4, May, 130-135 (1982)). Therefore, it is not easy to efficiently obtain raffinose from sugar beet having such a low raffinose content.
As described above, raffinose is contained in mature seeds of Leguminosae plants represented by soybean and in sugar beet and Cucurbitaceae plants such as cucumber. Mature seed of soybean contains, as soybean oligosaccharides, sucrose (content: about 5%), stachyose (content: about 4%), and raffinose (content: about 1%). The soybean oligosaccharides are recovered in a fraction obtained by deproteinizing defatted soybean, and they are utilized, for example, for functional food products after concentration. However, raffinose occupies a proportion of 10% of the whole oligosaccharides, and hence raffinose exists in a small amount.
On the other hand, a method for enzymatically synthesizing raffinose has been reported (Trends in Glycoscience and Glycotechnology, 7.34, 149-158 (1995)). This method comprises the steps of synthesizing galactobiose in accordance with a condensation reaction catalyzed by α-galactosidase, and transferring galactosyl group to sucrose by using the galactobiose as a galactosyl group donor in accordance with a galactosyl transfer reaction to synthesize raffinose. However, in this reaction, 350 g of galactobiose is synthesized from 1.9 kg of lactose hydrolysate, and 100 g of raffinose is obtained from 190 g of galactobiose and 760 g of sucrose. Therefore, the yield of produced raffinose is low, and hence this synthesis method is not efficient.
Besides the foregoing methods, a method is also conceivable in which a plant having a high raffinose content may be bred by means of transformation for genes for enzymes involved in the biosynthesis system. For example, Kerr et al. have cloned a gene for galactinol synthase, and transformed rapeseed therewith (WO 93/02196). As a result, the GS activity was increased, however, the content of the raffinose family oligosaccharides was unwillingly decreased. It was impossible to achieve the object to enhance the biosynthesis of the raffinose family oligosaccharides by introducing the galactinol synthase gene. Therefore, there has not been provided a method for increasing the content of the raffinose family oligosaccharides in plant.
On the other hand, it is also demanded to decrease the raffinose family oligosaccharides. As described above, the raffinose family oligosaccharides are widely distributed over plants including, seeds of various plants such as beans, for example, soybean, rapeseed, and cottonseed containing these oligosaccharides as storage carbohydrates; Cucurbitaceae plants such as cucumber and melon containing these oligosaccharides as translocation sugars; and sugar beet and rosette leaves having acquired cold resistance. Meals obtained after extraction of oil, for example, from soybean, rapeseed, and cotton contain the raffinose family oligosaccharides. Almost all of the meals are utilized as feed. However, human and animals, which do not have α-galactosidase, cannot directly digest the raffinose family oligosaccharides. It is known that the raffinose family oligosaccharides lower the metabolic energy efficiency of feed due to, for example, assimilation of the raffinose family oligosaccharides by enteric bacteria to cause gas production. It has been reported that removal of raffinose family oligosaccharides from soybean meal results in a large increase in the metabolizable energy for broiler chickens (Coon, "Proceeding Soybean Utilization Alternatives", University of Minnesota, 203-211 (1989)). In view of the foregoing facts, it is desired to develop the plants such as soybean, rapeseed, and cottonseed in which the raffinose family oligosaccharides are decreased.
Such plants have been subjected to breeding to increase the amount of oil. Photosynthetic products are distributed among oils, proteins, and carbohydrates including the raffinose family oligosaccharides. It has been reported for soybean that a reverse correlation exists between the amount of oils and the amount of carbohydrates. It is expected that the content of oils can be increased in a soybean plant having the same photosynthetic ability as those possessed by others, by decreasing the production of the raffinose family oligosaccharides.
Based on a viewpoint as described above, Kerr et al. have reported development of soybean varieties with a low content of the raffinose family oligosaccharides, by means of breeding based on mating and selection, in which the raffinose family oligosaccharides are lowered by an amount of 80% to 90% (WO 93/00742). However, this technique concerns creation of soybean variety, which cannot be applied to other various soybean varieties developed in response to, for example, aptitude for cultivation and resistance to disease. This technique cannot be universally applied to various plants as well.
It is known that raffinose, which is contained, for example, in sugar beet and sugar cane, lowers crystal formation of sugar or sucrose. Therefore, it is possible to expect that if no raffinose is produced, the production efficiency of sugar may be improved in such a plant. However, no sugar beet has been created, which contains no raffinose.
As described above, the raffinose synthase, which has been hitherto purified, has been confirmed only as an enzyme activity, and no entity of the enzyme has been identified. The confirmed activity is low, and it has been desired to obtain a raffinose synthase having a high activity. The conventional method for producing raffinose provides a low yield, and hence it has been desired to develop an efficient method for producing raffinose. On the other hand, it is also desired to breed a plant in which the raffinose family oligosaccharides are decreased.

Soybean raffinose synthase and a method for producing raffinose


A restore advisor may generate and apply a recovery plan to restore a database to a specified point in time. A restore/recovery scenario may be specified; resources, and backups available may be specified and one or more optimized restore plans may be generated. One or more alternate plans may be requested. The plans may be applied, verified or saved.

Restoring a database after a system failure or a data loss requires a plan to restore the database to the pre-failure state. For large databases or databases with high volumes of transactions, building the restore plan is a complex and tedious task. It typically requires identification of the backups of the database and determination of the correct order of application of the backups to bring the database to the specific point in time prior to the failure.
Depending on the specific conditions associated with the system failure, system resources available and backup media available, there may be several possible restore plans. Some plans may be less efficient than others. Some plans may be impossible to implement because of the unavailability of backup media or system resources. Frequently there is a sense of urgency associated with restoring the system to operation, so a restore plan must be developed quickly.
It would be helpful if there were a way to generate an optimized restore plan quickly and easily to aid in disaster recovery.
In addition to dealing with system crashes, it may be desirable to verify that a restore plan is available, should a crash occur. For example, a business may want to verify that, should a database crash, it could be recovered, and recovered in the shortest period of time possible.
It would be helpful if there were a way to generate an optimized restore plan quickly and easily so that the availability of backup media and the presence of an optimized restore plan could be verified.
It may be desirable to verify a duplicate database against a production database. For example, suppose someone has deleted data but the time at which the data was deleted is unknown. It may be helpful to be able to create and apply a restore plan to an intermediate point in time so that the two databases can be compared to determine when the data was deleted. It may be helpful to be able to create a copy of a database at a particular point in time, perhaps to determine the time at which a data loss occurred, or for other reasons such as, for example, for the purpose of an audit. An optimized restore plan would be helpful to create the duplicate database in the most efficient manner to a specified point in time.


A particle size distribution measuring apparatus having: a light intensity distribution obtaining unit for obtaining the light intensity distribution that occurs when the sample cell is irradiated with light for measurement from a light source through detection by a detector; and a particle size distribution calculating unit for calculating the particle size distribution of the particles to be measured included in the sample by using the light intensity distribution obtained by the light intensity distribution obtaining unit, the temperature adjusting member for adjusting the temperature of the sample cell is movable between a first location along the light path around the sample cell and a second location that is outside the light path, and the temperature adjusting member is moved to the second location when the sample is irradiated with the light for measurement from the light source.

In a laser diffraction-type particle size distribution measuring apparatus, particles in a state of dispersion in a medium are irradiated with a laser beam (measuring light) so that the spatial intensity distribution of the laser beam that has been diffracted and scattered by the particles is detected by photodetector elements. From the results of measurement, a mathematical operation is carried out on the basis of the Fraunhofer diffraction theory or the Mie scattering theory so that the particle size distribution of the particles is calculated. This mathematical operation method on the basis of the Fraunhofer diffraction theory or the Mie scattering theory was obtained assuming that the laser beam is scattered only once by a particle. Therefore, the particle size distribution of particles can be calculated with high precision when the concentration of the particles in the medium is within an appropriate concentration range.
In the case where the concentration of particles in a medium is too high, however, the laser beam for irradiation is scattered by a certain particle so as to be a scattered beam, which is further scattered by another particle. Thus, multiple scatterings take place, which causes a large error between the calculated particle size distribution of the particles and the actual particle size distribution of the particles.
Accordingly, it is necessary to prepare a sample that is thin in the direction of the optical axis of the laser beam in order to reduce the occurrence of multiple scatterings of a beam in the case where the particle size distribution of particles is measured in a sample that contains a high concentration of particles, such as a paste or a slurry.
Here, an example of a laser diffraction-type particle size distribution measuring apparatus is described. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a conventional particle size distribution measuring apparatus. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of an example of a sample cell. In FIG. 5, direction X is a direction that is parallel to the ground, direction Y is the direction that is parallel to the ground and perpendicular to direction X, and direction Z is an upward direction that is perpendicular to direction X and direction Y.
A particle size distribution measuring apparatus 109 is provided with a sample cell 5 in which a sample S is contained, a table (sample cell placing portion) 130 having a laser beam passing hole 130a, an optical system for irradiation 110 having a laser beam source 1, a collimator 2 and a transparent cover 3, an optical system for measurement 120 having a condenser lens 6 and a ring detector (forward diffraction and scattering optical sensor) 7, and a control unit 140 for controlling the entirety of the particle size distribution measuring apparatus 109 (see Patent Document 1).
In the lower portion of the particle size distribution measuring apparatus 109, the laser beam source 1, the collimator 2 and the transparent cover 3 are provided in this order from the bottom as part of the optical system for irradiation 110.
In the middle portion in the upward and downward directions of the particle size distribution measuring apparatus 109, the table 130 is provided and the sample cell 5 is placed on top of the table 130.
In this structure of the optical system for irradiation 110, the laser beam generated by the laser beam source 1 passes through the collimator 2 so as to be a parallel beam with which the sample cell 5 is irradiated when directed in the upward direction (direction Z). Here, the parallel beam has a cross-section in a circular shape that is perpendicular to the optical axis and has an area of approximately 1 cm2. Thus, the laser beam is diffracted and scattered by the particles within the sample cell 5, thereby causing a spatial intensity distribution pattern of the diffracted and scattered beam.
In the upper portion of the particle size distribution measuring apparatus 109, the condenser lens 6 and the ring detector 7 are provided in this order from the bottom as part of the optical system for measurement 120. The ring detector 7 has a number (64, for example) of photodetector elements having a light receiving surface in ring form or semi-ring form having a radius that is different from each other arranged in a concentric form with the optical axis of the condenser lens 6 at the center, where each photodetector element allows a beam having a diffraction or scattering angle in accordance with its respective location to enter. Accordingly, the output signal of each photodetector element represents the intensity of the beam for each diffraction or scattering angle.
In this structure of the optical system for measurement 120, diffracted and scattered beams within 60° relative to the upward direction are condensed onto the light receiving surface of the ring detector 7 via the condenser lens 6 so as to focus into a diffraction and scattering image in ring form.
The sample cell 5 is provided with a transparent glass plate (first substrate) 11 in plate form (thickness: t, width: Y, length: X) and a transparent glass plate (second substrate) 13 in plate form (thickness: t, width: Y, length: X). A recess (recess for measurement) 12 in which a sample S is contained is created in the center portion on the upper surface of the glass plate 11. The recess 12 is in circular form having a cross-sectional area of approximately 1 cm2 as viewed from the top, and the depth of the recess 12 is set at a certain distance Δt (0.1 mm or greater and 0.5 mm or smaller, for example).
When the glass plate 13 is provided so that the lower surface of the glass plate 13 makes contact with the upper surface of the glass plate 11, the distance between the lower surface of the glass plate 13 and the bottom of the recess 12 equals the set distance Δt. Accordingly, this sample cell 5 can make the thickness of the sample S a predetermined thickness Δt, which is thin relative to the optical axis of the laser beam when the sample S is contained in the recess 12, and as a result, the beam can be prevented from scattering a multiple number of times.

Particle size distribution measuring apparatus


A pill container includes a plurality of compartments arranged radially from one another, each of the plurality of compartments adapted for receiving and retaining at least one pill and reversibly secured by a corresponding closure; and a movable tab located in each of the plurality of compartments, each movable tab is configured to reversibly move from a first position to a second position within the corresponding compartment to partition the compartment into two discrete compartment portions.

Pill containers, also known as pill boxes, are cases for housing medications such as pills, tablets, or capsules. Such cases can be used to store and dispense pills such as in a pharmacy or may be made compact to function as personal pill containers used by consumers not only to store and dispense pills but also to carry pills such as in a purse, pocket, or the like.
Personal pill containers allow users to pack limited individualized dosages of one or more medications, and thus enable convenient short-term carry. Since the number or amount of dosages held in such personal pill containers is normally limited, the user must periodically refill the container typically from standard pill containers supplied by the pharmacist. Such small, pocket-sized pill containers, which have been used for years, allow the user to pre-fill the container with medication to be dispensed for that day, and to conveniently carry it with them. These personal pill containers have been found to enhance the ease and regularity of administration by reminding the user of the proper time for dispensing of pills in a more consistent manner. In addition, their small size and compact profile make them especially convenient for individuals needing to take medications at scheduled intervals.
Personal pill containers are typically fabricated to include multiple compartments, which are generally individually accessible by the user through a corresponding closure. Each compartment is adapted to receive and retain a single grouping or dose of one or more medications to be taken at a particular time, which may be individually identified by indicia printed on the closure. In this manner, the personal pill containers can be implemented to enable users to take their medication at the appointed times. While traditional personal pill containers facilitate the prompting of use and transportation of medications, such containers have been found to be inadequate when the user is required to take more than one kind of medication at different time intervals during the day. In such an instance, the user often may not be able to distinguish the different medications, and thus, may erroneously take the medications at improper times.
Accordingly, there is a need for pill containers, which are capable of accommodating one or more dosable ingestible products typically in the form of pill medications which may be administered at same or different time intervals and/or groupings during the day, while maintaining ease of use and storage and carry convenience.
The pill containers may be made compact so that they can function as personal pill containers and therefore be convenient to carry by the user.


The use of blocks in a workspace window that depict various video elements on the user interface of a video editor for use on a digital computer having a CPU, memory and a video display. The blocks have the attributes that they attract or repel other blocks as a function of proximity to each other in order to reduce user errors and to improve user efficiency. The method of manipulating the blocks on the video display consists of the following steps: First, specify coordinates of interaction regions around a block to be dragged. Next, test the coordinates of the interaction regions against the coordinates of all other blocks on the video display. Next, repel the block to be dragged from specified surfaces of the other blocks in accordance with predetermined rules that specify which surfaces of the block to be dragged and which surfaces of the other blocks repel each other. Finally, attach the block to be dragged to the surface of blocks whose coordinates are within the interaction region in accordance with predetermined rules that specify which surfaces of the block to be dragged and which surfaces of the other blocks attract each other.

1. Field of the Invention
The subject invention relates to user interfaces for video editors. More particularly, the invention relates to the use of blocks in a workspace window that depict various video elements and which attract or repel other blocks as a function of proximity to each other in order to reduce user errors and to improve user efficiency.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A video consists of electronically stored images called frames that are played back on a video display terminal such as a CRT. Videos may be in either an analog or digital format. However, the digital computer has proven to be very useful in editing video. Thus, many analog videos are converted to digital for editing. The present invention relates to the editing of digital videos. A digital video is a sequence of image frames that are stored in the memory of a digital computer and replayed in frame sequence at a high frame rate, called video rate, to provide full motion images. Because computers have limited memory and because videos consume large amounts of memory, most videos are stored in a compressed format. The compression format standard currently in wide use is called Motion Picture Experts Group ("MPEG") which is described in detail in the following documents which are hereby incorporated by reference: (1) a document entitled Generic Coding of Moving Pictures and Associated Audio Information; Video, ISO/IEC 13818-2; (2) a document entitled Coding of Moving Pictures and Associated Audio for Digital Storage Media at up to about 1.5 MBit/sec (Part 3 Audio) 3-11171 rev 1 (1995); and (3) a document entitled Generic Coding of Moving Pictures and Associated Audio Information ISO/IEC 13818-3. All above-referenced MPEG standard documents may be obtained from ISO/IEC Case Postale 56, CH 1211, Geneva 20, Switzerland.
Video elements consist of digital files containing sound, video clips, still pictures, overlays and transitions. Video editors are in general used to arrange and modify these elements. In the context of the present invention, video clips and sound are illustrated as-blocks on the user interface. The user may rearrange the blocks, add overlays and transitions. In this way, the user forms a long track of frames which constitute the edited video. Because the user is constantly manipulating blocks on a workspace window, it is desirable to have the blocks behave in a most convenient and intuitive manner.

Attracting and repelling edit blocks in a user interface of a video editor


A method and apparatus for discharging material at spaced intervals each provide a conveying tube and a conveying mechanism for moving material from a first end of the tube toward a second opposite end. Discharge openings are provided spaced along the tube at different heights thereon. Openings near the first end are at a higher elevation on the tube than those near the second end, corresponding to downward slope of material upon initial entry and conveyance within the tube. The decreasing elevation of discharge openings and corresponding slope of material act to delay discharge near the first end, by requiring a build up of material height to reach the opening, and hasten discharge near the second end, by eliminating the need to fill drop tubes or metering devices before conveying material further along the tube. This reduces lag time between progressive discharge openings thereby providing more even material distribution therefrom.

Systems in which material is conveyed through an elongate tubular passage for discharge therefrom at distances therealong are known, for example, for distributing food to a number of animal feeding stations along the tube.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,914,023 to St. Pierre, 3,504,654 to Geerlings et al., 3,990,402 to Eriksson, 4,337,728 to Van Gilst et al., 4,513,687 to De Jong, 4,495,895 to Reeder and 4,722,301 to Strong all disclose feeding systems in which vertical drop tubes are disposed at spaced intervals along a conveying path to discharge food material therefrom to respective feeding stations. In such an arrangement, it should be appreciated that material being conveyed along the path falls into the first drop tube until it becomes filled. Only once this first drop tube nearest the food source is filled does the next drop tube inline being to receive food from the conveying path. While the volume of a drop tube can be used to meter the amount of material to be distributed at each feeding station, the sequential filling of the drop tubes can result in a significant wait between delivery of material to the first and last drop tubes of the system. Facilitating simultaneous delivery of food material to the feeding stations therefore requires closing off the drop tubes until they are all substantially filled, at which point their contents can be released.
As a result, there is a desire for a way to provide relatively quick and even discharge of material from a conveying passage at spaced intervals therealong.

Method and apparatus for discharging material at spaced intervals


A sealing assembly for a rotatable shaft, comprising means to generate pressure differentials and temperature through pumping action and means to seal fluid, for example of the non-contact helical groove type. Sealing means are positioned outboard of pumping means. Fluid in liquid form is heated and depressurized on passage through pumping means of vortex or viscous shear type, thereby changed from liquid to gas. Gasified fluid is then sealed by sealing means for low leakage operation.

The invention relates to sealing devices for rotating shafts where sealed fluid is employed to generate hydrostatic and hydrodynamic lift-off forces between stationary and rotating sealing elements, thereby effecting their separation and providing non-contact operation.
A sealing assembly of a non-contact type for rotating shafts is used in high speed and high pressure applications, where contacting type seals would experience overheating problems and failures caused by generation of excessive frictional heat. Contacting seals have pressure and speed limits depending primarily on whether the sealed fluid is liquid or gas. These limits are substantially lower with gas than with liquid, because as opposed to gas, liquid lubricates the opposed, rubbing surfaces of the sealing interface and can therefore expel a considerable amount of contact heat from said interface, hence permitting higher speeds and pressures.
Non-contact seals which are the subject to this invention, will also have speed and pressure limits. However, in the absence of contact, these limits are usually not because of frictional heat at the sealing interface, but moreover due to other factors such as material strength, viscous shear heat or permissible leakage value. The limits for non-contact seals are much higher than with contacting seals. Consequently, non-contact seals offer a preferred sealing solution for high speed, high pressure applications employed in centrifugal gas compressors, light-hydrocarbon pumps, boiler feed pumps, steam turbines and the like.
Non-contact seals are commonly more able to operate at elevated speeds and pressures regardless of whether the sealed fluid is a liquid, a gas or even a mixture of liquid and gas. Particularly, when sealed fluid change phase from gas to liquid and back, said seals offer an appreciable advantage. One of such non-contacting seals is of the face type, where one of the sealing surfaces is furnished with partial helical grooves as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,212,475, 3,704,019 or 3,499,653. This kind of seal has been applied to several sealing situations where not only high speeds and pressures were concerned but also in applications in which gas, liquid, or gas-liquid mixtures have been handled.
A disadvantage associated with sealing with non-contact seals is the effluvium which may be higher than the leakage expected when using a contacting seal in the same situation. This disadvantage becomes even more significant when the sealed fluid is either in liquid state of in a state of a liquid-gas mixture. This issue is associated with the fact that for the same volume of leakage, the density of liquid is several times higher than that of gas. Therefore the mass of amount leaked per unit of time will be much higher when leaking fluid is in liquid form rather than when it is in gaseous form. When sealing fluids at prominent pressure and speeds, the task is comparatively easier, if the sealed fluid is already in a gaseous state. If it is not and the sealed fluid is in liquid state, then there is always an inherent probability of high leakage.
From the above discussion, it could be concluded that vaporization at the seal faces of a contacting seal might offer a benefit since there would still be an abundance of liquid around the seal to entirely dissipate any frictional heat. However, in the prior art sealing arrangements it is not common to have the fluid change its phase from liquid to gas within the seal itself. As a matter of fact, gasification or vaporization at the sealing interface is though to be destructive to seal faces of liquid seals and it is therefore perpetually suppressed by the employment of flushing or cooling arrangements.
One such prior patent is U.S. Pat. No. 3,746,350 where a vortex type axial flow pumping device is employed to maintain an all liquid condition at the seal to extract frictional heat from the seal through liquid circulation. This heat removal lowers the temperature at the seal which then depresses the vapor pressure of the sealed liquid. Therewith, vapor pressure is kept safely below the pressure at the seal thus preventing liquid to vaporize. The pumping device operates by propelling liquid in an axial direction by vortex-forming threads shaped on the external surface of the rotatable part and on the internal surface of the surrounding non-rotatable part. The binary threads have opposite hands pending on direction of rotation, liquid will thereupon be urged in one of the two axial directions. Thread profile is optimized to achieve maximum flow rate of the liquid with given speeds of rotation.
A further prior patent is U.S. Pat. No. 4,243,230. Once more a pumping device is used to generate fluid pressure, which opposes loss of fluid from the housing during shaft rotation and which disengages the face seal to avoid loss of friction energy and to reduce wear. In this case, thread profile will not be optimized for maximum flow as in previously discussed patent, but instead will be optimized for maximum pressure differential toward the condition of zero or near zero flow, and this will normally result in a different thread profile.
In accordance with the invention, a seal arrangement is formed via combination of a non-contact seal and an axial flow pumping device. Said arrangement provides low-leakage performance of that of a gas seal even if sealed fluid is not a gas but rather a liquid or a gas-liquid mixture. This is accomplished by an axial flow pumping ring segment which is arranged to pump fluid away from the non-contact seal and back towards the source of said fluid. Thus without further replenishment of fluid flow through the axial flow pumping device will stall and a pressure drop is initiated. Subsequently, when fluid is stalled cooling is curbed and temperature of the fluid will rise. Both effects pressure drop and temperature rise cause vaporization of the fluid providing a non-contact gas seal with fluid in the preferred gaseous form for low leakage operation.
The prior patents discussed above present examples where pumping means inboard the sealing means are either employed to cool and circulate fluid or to seal, fluid and disengage a contacting seal. The invention exploits pumping means inboard sealing means to resolve the problem of high leakage on elevated pressure and speed seals for liquids where vaporization occurs within pumping means rather than having vaporization at the sealing faces which is oftentimes destructive. In that way, sealing means will encounter only gaseous vapor for low leakage operation.
The basic differences between this invention and the prior patents are:
As opposed to U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,212,475, 3,704,019 or 3,499,653 the present invention will result in low leakage regardless of whether seal fluid is liquid, gas or a mixture of both., whereas the above prior art will result in low leakage only if sealed fluid is a gas with liquid or liquid-gas mixture leakage will be higher.
This invention enhances vaporization by restricting circulation of pumped liquid to heat it and depressurize it. On the other hand, working with liquid only the seal of U.S. Pat. No. 3,746,350 suppresses vaporization by minimizing restriction to pumped liquid flow and channeling this flow through a cooling system and back to the seal.
The present invention uses a pressure drop optimized pumping device to vaporize the liquid while prior art uses pressure drop optimized pumping device to move a sealing subassembly in axial direction.
These and many other features and attendant advantages of the invention will become apparent as the invention becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.


A non-volatile memory, which comprises an insulating substrate (11) that has a first electrode (18) that extends through the substrate from the front surface to the rear surface thereof; a second electrode (13) that is formed on one side of the insulating substrate (11); and a recording layer (12) that is clamped between the first electrode (18) and the second electrode (13) and whose resistance value varies when an electric pulse is applied across the first electrode (18) and the second electrode (13); wherein the insulating substrate (11) has a layered structure composed of an organic dielectric thin film (112) and an inorganic dielectric layer (111) that is thinner than the organic dielectric thin film (112); with the recording layer (12) being formed on the side on which the inorganic dielectric layer is formed. Use of this non-volatile memory increases the possible number of data writing cycles while saving power.

Flash memory, FeRAM, MRAM, phase-change memory, and the like are conventionally known types of non-volatile memory. Recent years have brought about a demand for high-density memories for use in personal digital assistants and the like, and therefore non-volatile memories that employ a phase-change technique are attracting widespread attention and various modifications to them have been proposed (WO, A1 No. 98/19350 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-502848), etc.).
For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 1997-282723 discloses an information-recording device in which the writing or deleting of data is performed by bringing an electrically conductive probe into contact with the surface of a recording medium that contains an amorphous semiconductor thin film.
WO, A1 No. 98/336446 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-504279) discloses a phase-change non-volatile memory in which, as shown in FIG. 10, a phase-change material layer 83 is formed between a lower electrode 81 and an upper electrode 82, whereby the phase-change material layer 83 can be charged through the lower electrode 81 and the upper electrode 82. The phase-change material layer 83 comprises a chalcogenide material whose phase is reversibly changeable between an amorphous (non-crystalline) state of high resistance and a crystalline state of low resistance. The material is changed to an amorphous or crystalline state by the application of current, thereby controlling its resistance value. For example, when storing (writing) data, the phase-change material layer 83 is changed from the amorphous state to the crystalline state, lowering the resistance value. When deleting data, the phase-change material layer 83 is changed from the crystalline state to the amorphous state, raising the resistance value. The difference in resistance value is thus read to allow the phase-change material layer 83 to serve as a memory.
In the structure shown in FIG. 10, a joint portion 81a disposed between the lower electrode 81 and the phase-change material layer 83 is isolated by an insulating layer 84. Here, silicon oxide is preferable as the material for the insulating layer 84. However, when the joint portion 81a is insulated using silicon oxide, which is an inorganic dielectric having a relatively high thermal conductivity, a large amount of electric power is needed to write or delete data. This makes it difficult to save power.
On the other hand, when the insulating layer 84 is made of an organic dielectric, this structure not only writes and deletes data with little power consumption but also makes the insulating layer 84 cheaper, lighter in weight, and capable of coping with bending deformation.
However, when using only an organic dielectric as the material for the insulating layer 84, the number of data rewriting cycles is insufficient because the heat withstand temperature of the organic dielectric is lower than the melting point of the phase-change material. In other words, while deleting data, the joint portion 81a that is disposed between the lower electrode 81 and the phase-change material layer 83 momentarily generates heat, which varies the temperature of the phase-change material layer 83 above its melting point (for example, 600° C. or higher). On the contrary, when polyimide, which exhibits excellent heat resistance properties compared to other organic dielectrics, is used as the material for the insulating layer 84, the insulating layer 84 can only withstand temperatures of approximately 500° C., even if the heating is momentary. As a result, the insulating layer 84 near the joint portion 81a decomposes while repeatedly rewriting data. This deteriorates the electrical properties and mechanical stability of the lower electrode 81 and the phase-change material layer 83.

Method of fabrication of non-volatile memory

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


The optical device includes a waveguide and a light sensor on a base. The light sensor includes a light-absorbing medium configured to receive a light signal from the waveguide. The light sensor also includes field sources for generating an electrical field in the light-absorbing medium. The field sources are configured so the electrical field is substantially parallel to the base.

The use of optical and/or optoelectronic devices is increasing in communications applications. These devices can include light sensors that receive light signals from a waveguide. These light sensors often employ a light-absorbing material that absorbs the received light signals. During operation of the light sensor, an electrical field is applied across the light-absorbing material. When the light-absorbing material absorbs a light signal, an electrical current flows through the light-absorbing material. As a result, the level of electrical current through the light-absorbing material indicates the intensity of light signals being received by the light-absorbing material.
The waveguides on optical and/or optoelectronic devices are often made of silicon. Because silicon does not absorb the light signals having the wavelengths that are used in communications applications, silicon is often not effective for use as the light-absorbing medium in the light sensors for communications application. In contrast, germanium is a material that can absorb these light signals and is accordingly often used as the light-absorbing medium in the light sensors for communications application.
These light sensors have been able to achieve adequate speeds when the waveguides have a cross-section with sub-micron dimensions. However, these light sensors are associated with undesirably high optical loss when used with waveguides having these dimensions. Further, the waveguides used in many communications applications employ larger waveguides. When these light sensors are used with larger waveguides, they generally lose speed and become associated with undesirable levels of dark current.
For the above reasons, there is a need for light sensors that are suitable for use with larger waveguides.

Optical device having light sensor employing horizontal electrical field


A conveyor roll for conveying heated glass sheets along a conveyor assembly is provided that comprises a fused silica roller having opposing cylindrical ends, a pair of end caps formed from a machinable steel which may be heat resistant for rotatably mounting the ceramic roller within a conveyor assembly, wherein each end cap has a tubular wall for receiving and surrounding one of the cylindrical ends of the roller, and a spring retainer for non-rotatably mounting each of the end caps to the roller. Each spring retainer includes a coil spring formed from flat sided coils helically wound around a cylindrical end of the roller, each of which coils includes bent portions and straight portions for resiliently and frictionally inter-engaging the tubular wall of the cap and the cylindrical end of the roller, respectively, despite the thermal differential expansion that occurs between the tubular wall of the cap and the cylindrical end of the roller as the roll is exposed to elevated temperatures. Each end cap includes a screw thread around its open end that threadedly engages the coils of the retainer spring and axially secures the end cap to its respective cylindrical roller end.

This invention generally relates to conveyor rolls, and is specifically concerned with the use of a flat sided coil spring retainer for non-rotatably mounting end caps to a ceramic roller member.
In glass sheet tempering systems, a conveyor mechanism having a plurality of elongated, ceramic rolls is used to convey glass sheets in and out of the heating chamber of a furnace. Such rolls are generally formed from fused silica whose ends are rotatably driven and supported by the conveyor mechanism. In order to transmit the driving torque from the conveyor mechanism to the ceramic roll, a pair of metallic end caps are non-rotatably mounted on either end of the roller member. In one type of conveyor system, each metallic end cap includes a short stub axle which is concentrically aligned with the axis of rotation of its respective end cap. The stub axles of the end caps are rotatably received within U-shaped members present on the upper ends of a pair of opposing support arms of the conveyor mechanism. A drive belt under one or both of the opposing end caps imparts a drive torque on the roller member which allows it to rollingly convey a sheet of heated glass. In other types of conveyor systems, stub axles may not be present on the end caps, and the end caps may be driven by gear trains or chains.
However, regardless of the type of conveyor system the conveyor roll works in combination with, each of the metallic end caps must be non-rotatably mounted to its respective end of the roller member so that the torque generated by the drive member of the conveyor mechanism is effectively transmitted to the ceramic roller. Any slippage between the end caps and the ends of the ceramic roller member would substantially impair the operation of the conveyor roll in transporting the glass sheets. Hence, there has been a long felt need for a simple, economical and effective means for non-rotatably attaching the torque-transmitting metallic end caps to the ends of the ceramic roller members used in such rolls.
Unfortunately, the thermal environment that such conveyor rolls must operate in, in combination with the thermal and mechanical properties of the materials used in such rolls, has frustrated the development of a truly satisfactory retention means between the end caps and the roller members. When such rolls are subjected to the operating temperatures associated with glass sheet tempering systems (i.e., between 500.degree. and 1000.degree. C.), the end caps may reach temperatures approaching 500.degree. C. or more. The thermal expansion induced in the metallic end caps under such temperatures is much greater than the amount of expansion induced in the cylindrical ends of the roller member which are disposed within such caps. Consequently, a substantial mechanical loosening will occur between the caps and the ends of the roller member if the end caps are merely frictionfitted onto the cylindrical ends of the roller member. If such loosening becomes severe enough, the affected roller may become a "dead roll" which scrapes and damages the surface of the taffy-like, heated glass as it is pushed along the conveyor mechanism by the driving force imparted by the other driven rolls. While it would seem, at first blush, that the retention problem would be solved simply by mechanically interconnecting the end caps to the roller by means of screws, clamps, pins, or other conventional fasteners, the difficulty of machining bores, threads, or other recesses in the brittle silica roller members, in combination with the localized stresses that such mechanical fasteners impose on the silica rollers, disadvantageously results in localized cracking.
Accordingly, a number of alternative approaches have been attempted in the prior art to effectively interconnect the end caps with the rollers in ways which will avoid the creation of crack-inducing stresses on the roller ends. In one such approach, a heat-resistant silicon-based adhesive is applied between the cylindrical outer surface of the roller ends, and the inner surfaces of the tubular walls of such end caps. Unfortunately, the silicon-based adhesive must be periodically replaced in such conveyor rolls, as it breaks down over time. A more promising approach has been the utilization of spring-like members between the end caps and the ends of the roller member that continuously apply a frictional retaining force between these two elements. Such an approach is exemplified in McMaster U.S. Pat. No. 4,404,011 which utilizes a plurality of adjacent leaf spring members, as well as in the Page U.S. Pat. No. 4,399,598, which utilizes circumferentially expandable and radially compressible split metal rings.
While both of these approaches appears to be an advance over the use of presently known silicon-based adhesives, neither of these approaches is without its shortcomings. For example, neither of the retaining approaches disclosed in either the McMaster '011 or Page '598 patents provides any means for positively preventing the end caps from axially sliding off the ends of their respective roller member. This is important, as the axial slippage of such an end cap from a roller during the operation thereof could result in the creation of either a "dead roll", which scrapes the surface of the softened glass, or a roll which rotates eccentrically and causes unwanted, optically distortive variations in the thickness of the glass. Additionally, the split metal rings utilized as the retaining element in the Page '598 patent would not appear to be capable of applying a strong retaining force between the roller member and the inner surface of the tubular wall of the end caps when the end caps had thermally expanded, unless the corrugations in the split rings were dimensioned in the radial direction such that they applied a very high wedging force when the end cap was slid over its respective roller end during the assembly thereof under ambient temperature conditions. While the radially compressive forces would probably relax when the roll became heated during use, the application of such large, radially compressive forces during assembly could apply localized stresses on the ends of the roller which could result in micro cracking or other damage. Additionally, in order to install the roller member in end caps having such split rings in their interiors, it may be necessary to axially force the end caps into the roller, which in turn applies even more potentially stressful forces in the brittle material forming the roller. Finally, the relatively large gap between the free edge of the end caps and the cylindrical body of the ceramic roller member present in the Page '598 design invites the accumulation of dust and debris between the end caps, the split rings and the ceramic roller member when the roller member is in use. Such accumulation could ultimately impose unwanted stresses on the roller ends when the end caps and the metal split rings cooled and contracted over the roller ends when the glass heating furnace was turned off. While the use of eight flat leaf springs as shown in the McMaster '011 patent could well provide a retaining means which avoids some of the aforementioned shortcomings associated with the design of the Page '598 end cap retainer, the fact that the side edges of the leaf springs are not mechanically interconnected could allow these springs to circumferentially shift during the operation of the roll, which in turn could result in a non-concentric retention of the roller end within the tubular wall of the end cap. Such a non-concentric retention could cause the roll to rotate eccentrically. Additionally, the assembly of this particular device is relatively difficult and awkward, as temporary circumferential clamps must be used to squeeze the leaf springs together around the end of the roller member before the end cap can be slid over the springs.
Clearly, there is a need for a retaining means that positively secures the end caps of a conveyor roll to the ends of its respective roller member not only in the circumferential direction, but in the axial direction as well. Ideally, such a retaining means should positively retain the roller to the end caps despite the highest levels of thermal differential expansion, and should further be relatively easy to assembly without the imposition of large mechanical stresses onto the roller ends. Finally, it would be desirable if such a retaining means were relatively inexpensive to manufacture, highly reliable in performance, and durable in operation.

Ceramic conveyor roll having flat-sided spring retainer for non-rotatably mounting end caps to roller


A robotic system including a rotatable turntable that has an arm pivotally mounted on the turntable for rotation about an axis displaced from the turntable's rotational axis. The arm's axis of rotation may be positioned nearer the turntable's axis of rotation than a bearing that supports the turntable on a base. The arm may have a portion that extends in a direction transverse to the arm's axis of rotation located below the turntable. The turntable may be supported on the base by a single bearing having portions located in a common plane.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to robotic systems.
2. Related Art
Robotic systems are widely used for manipulating objects and performing other tasks. One common type of robotic system includes a SCARA (Selective Compliance Assembly Robot Arm) system, such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,491,491. For example, as shown in FIGS. 7-10 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,491,491, the robot includes a turntable 22 on which a transferring portion 3 having first and second arms 31 and 32 is pivotally mounted. The transferring portion 3 supports a hand portion 4 that, in this embodiment, is used to manipulate semiconductor wafers. The first arm 31 is rotatable about a first rotational axis 2a that is offset from a rotational axis 1a of the turntable 22.


An apparatus for cleaning the air discharged from an agricultural harvester. A separation housing has inlet and outlet ends. The inlet end includes an upper chute, a lower chute, and a separation wall therebetween. The lower chute extends from the inlet end to a clean air discharge intermediate the inlet and outlet ends. Air entering the lower chute is relatively clean, and is discharged to the atmosphere through the clean air discharge. Air entering the upper chute is relatively dirty, and is routed through the upper chute to a separation chamber having an upper input end, a lower output end, and a downwardly inclined passageway extending therebetween. Small particles and dust precipitate from the air and collect on the floor of the passageway. Harvester movement urges the particles and dust to exit from the output end dropping onto the ground, and clean air exits directly therefrom into the atmosphere.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to devices for segregating and removing airborne dust and debris created during the crop harvesting process. More particularly, the invention pertains to a two-stage air/dust separator which processes and cleans the dirty air outputted by the suction fan used to separate crop from debris in an agricultural harvester.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Prior art harvesting machines typically employ a combination of gravitational and pneumatic forces to separate crop from commingled debris, mechanically collected from the ground during the harvesting process. This separation process generates a considerable amount of dust, debris, and airborne pollutants. U.S. Pat. No. 4,364,222, granted to Ramacher, shows a Nut Harvesting Machine employing the combination of a foraminous conveyor belt and a centrifugal suction fan. As shown in FIG. 1 of the '222 Patent, the discharge from the centrifugal fan, containing dust and debris which has been separated from the nut crop, is simply laterally discharged from the harvester into the air. The airborne pollutants may drift or be carried by wind currents to locations miles away from the orchard being harvested, causing health and environmental problems for the general public.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,421,147, issued to Holden et al., teaches a Nut Harvester including a scoop section within the lower portion of the centrifugal fan housing. The scoop section collects dirt and heavier debris passing through the fan housing and deposits them directly on the ground. The '147 Patent claims that through this partitioning action, dust emissions and airborne pollutants created during the harvesting process are minimized.
In another example of prior art efforts to control harvester air pollution, U.S. Pat. No. 6,036,600, granted to Kruckman, shows a Combine Dust Eliminator. An elongated dust eliminator housing has a pair of dust discharge chutes at either end. Fans are included to draw the contaminated air into the housing and drive it out a respective one of the discharge chutes. A "dust curtain" is provided at each discharge chute, to impede airborne dust outflow.
From the foregoing, it is apparent that the prior art recognizes the need to reduce harvester-caused air pollution. However, the devices known to Applicant either do not process the discharge sufficiently, or they require a relatively complex system of fans and large duct work to operate.
Thus, the need exists for an apparatus for cleaning air discharged from an agricultural harvester which effectively processes the discharge, but does not rely upon actively driven fans or other moving structures.
The need also exists for an air cleaning apparatus which is readily coupled to the existing air discharge from an agricultural harvester, and which can be mounted onto the existing frame of the harvester without extensive modifications.
The need also exists for an air cleaning apparatus having a two stage dust and debris separator, the first stage relying upon the centrifugal forces created by a centrifugal fan to separate dirty air from clean air, and the second stage relying upon a combination of residence time in a downwardly-directed labyrinth and gravitational forces to segregate debris, dirt and fine dust particles from clean air outputted to the atmosphere.
These and other objects of the present invention will be described in the drawings and in the detailed description of the preferred embodiment set forth below.

Apparatus for cleaning air discharge from agricultural harvester


According to an illustrative example of the invention, a flywheel is screwed to a crankshaft by a central bolt. The flywheel and the crankshaft are further provided with radially extending teeth in opposite annular contact faces. These teeth are engaged such as to center the flywheel with respect to the crankshaft and to permit torque transmission between the crankshaft and the flywheel. An angular positioning pin of the flywheel engages into a pin receiving bore of the crankshaft.

This invention relates to a combination of a crankshaft and a flywheel. Such combinations are used for internal combustion engines of motor-vehicles. The crankshaft and the flywheel are manufactured separately and must be fastened to each other during the assembly of the combustion engine with a clutch and a gear box. It is highly desirable to provide a crankshaft unit and a flywheel unit which can be easily fastened to each other. This is particularly true in cases in which the flywheel is preassembled with a clutch unit, i.e. a unit comprising a clutch housing fastened to the flywheel, a clutch disc to be connected with a gear box input shaft, a pressure plate connected to the clutch housing for common rotation and axial movement with respect to each other and intended to press the clutch disc against the flywheel, a spring unit acting onto a pressure plate and possibly clutch release means acting onto the pressure plate or the spring unit.

Combination of a crankshaft and a flywheel


The present invention is to make a switch out of two diodes to read out a third photosensitive transducer which integrates and stores the photon-generated carriers. The switching diodes are arranged so that during their on time, the switching resistance remains linear and constant throughout the photosensitive transducer readout time independent of the number of photon-generated carriers that are stored in the photosensitive transducer. To maintain a low constant on resistance, the two switching diodes in series are pulsed simultaneously with complementary pulses applied to the two terminals of the series diodes to forward bias them during the readout period. The third is a photosensitive transducer, which is connected to the series node of the switching diodes such that the photosensitive diode is always in a reversed bias condition, whether it is in a readout or integration mode. The remaining terminal of the diode is connected to an output circuit which detects the photon-generated carriers when the switching diodes are pulsed in a forward biased condition during the readout period. Then, during the integration mode, the pulse is removed, the switching diodes are reverse biased, and the photosensitive transducer accumulates the photon-generated carriers.

Solid state imagers have been constructed for enabling image acquisition. A solid state imager typically consists of an array of photosensitive pixels. Each pixel site must have a mechanism that converts the photon flux incident on that site into an electrical signal, i.e., a current source proportional to the incident photon flux, a storage site on which to store the collected signal between readouts, and a switch which provides a low impedance readout path when the pixel is interrogated, and provide isolation when the pixel is not interrogated. Each of the photosensitive pixels typically comprises one or more solid state elements, such as diodes or transistors. During operation, the array of pixels of the solid state imager is exposed to an incident light and each of the pixels generates an output signal proportional to the incident photon flux it receives. The solid state imager can thus enable image acquisition by addressing each of the pixels in the array and determining the magnitude of the signal from each of the pixels. FIG. 1 illustrates the structure of a typical prior art solid state imager 10.
Referring to FIG. 1, solid state imager 10 includes a photosensitive pixel array 11 coupled to a horizontal scanning circuit 13 via a plurality of column lines 17a through 17n, and to a vertical scanning circuit 14 via a plurality of row lines 16a through 16n. Vertical scanning circuit 14 and horizontal scanning circuit 13 are coupled to output circuit 15. Photosensitive pixel array 11 includes a plurality of pixels, each comprises a photodiode and a switching diode connected in opposite directions to one of row lines 16a-16n and one of column lines 17a-17n, respectively. Horizontal and vertical scanning circuits 13 and 14 are composed of shift registers and transistor switches. To read out the light signal from each of the pixels in array 11, row and column lines 16a-16n and 17a-17n are connected successively to output circuit 15 by scanning circuits 13 and 14, and the pulse required in reading out the light signal from each pixel is applied to it by vertical scanning circuit 14.
As is known, a pixel which operates in a photon flux integration mode is typically required to possess three fundamental properties. First, the pixel must generate a current that is proportional to the incident photon flux. Secondly, the pixel must be able to integrate the photo generated current and temporarily store the accumulated charge. Finally, a switch is required which in its OFF condition isolates the PN junction of the pixel from other pixels and in its ON condition has a very low impedance to allow rapid and complete read out of the accumulated charge.
FIG. 2 illustrates in electrical schematic circuit form the structure of a prior art pixel 12 of array 11 of FIG. 1, which possesses the above described properties. Referring to FIG. 2, pixel 12 includes a photodiode 23 and a switching diode 22 connected together in opposite direction. Capacitors 24 and 25 are parasitic capacitors of diodes 22-23, respectively. During the readout time (i.e., a pulse time), pulse generator 21 applies a pulse having a voltage V.sub.O to the anode of diode 22 to forward bias diode 22 and to reverse bias diode 23 such that node 26 is charged to approximately the V.sub.O voltage. The charging current through diode 23, proportional to the integrated photon flux, is measured at the output circuit 20. When the pulse stops at the end of the pulse time, diodes 22 and 23 are both reverse biased, thus restoring the V.sub.O voltage at node 26. During the scan time the charges of the photo currents derived from the photo-generated carriers are stored in the reverse-biased junction capacitance of diode 23 and capacitors 22-23. As the photon-generated carriers are accumulated, the voltage at node 26 decays from the initially charged V.sub.O voltage. The voltage drop at node 26 is substantially directly proportional to the integral of the incident light during the scan time. Subsequently, on the following read out period, another pulse of V.sub.O voltage is applied to the anode of diode 22 to forward bias diode 22 which recharges node 26 to approximately the V.sub.O voltage. When the pulse ends, both diodes 22 and 23 are reverse biased and the above described photo detection process repeats.
Disadvantages are, however, associated with the above described prior art pixel structure. One disadvantage associated is that the switching diode typically experiences a non-linear forward bias characteristic during its forward bias operation. This is due to the fact that when the voltage at node 26 approaches the V.sub.O voltage of the pulse during the pulse time, the voltage across the switching diode approaches zero. This results in a very small forward bias voltage on the switching diode. The very small forward bias voltage on the switching diode typically causes the switching diode to operate in its non-linear forward bias region with very high impedance. As a result, the time constant formed by the non-linear forward bias impedance of the switching diode and the accumulated parasitic capacitance at node 26 typically exceeds the width of the pulse applied at the switching diode, thus causing node 26 not to be fully charged during the pulse time. This typically results in the incident light not being accurately measured. If the width of the pulse is extended to accommodate the time constant, the pixel read out rate will reduce to a point where array cannot be used in many applications.
Another form of prior art uses a thin film transistor ("TFT") as the switch to read out and isolate the pixel. The process required to fabricate a TFT is much more complicated, hence affecting the yield.

Diode addressing structure for addressing an array of transducers


The need for a container and detergent composition which exhibit good cleaning, including on greasy soils, and good surface shine, while also maintaining spray visibility on the treated hard surface, is met by formulating an aqueous detergent composition using a low level of surfactant system, an aminoalcohol solvent, and a glycol ether solvent, at the specified ratios.

Detergent compositions for use on hard surfaces are formulated to provide multiple benefits, such as good cleaning and good shine. Where ease of use is desired, the detergent composition can be formulated for use with a spray applicator. Such hard surface cleaning spray compositions should deliver effective cleaning across multiple soils, including greasy soils, while leaving the surface shiny. Where the surface remains dull, the user is often led to believe that the surface has not been effectively cleaned. As such, dull surfaces can lead the user to be dissatisfied with the product, and even to clean or rinse the surface again. One cause of dullness is not dirt but residues from the composition itself, which can leave a dull film on the hard surface. A component of such films is the cleaning surfactant itself. However, reducing the surfactant level reduces the cleaning efficacy, and also the visibility of the spray on the surface after spraying. This can typically lead to the user assuming that insufficient composition has been applied to the surface, resulting in additional spraying and reduced user satisfaction. The cleaning efficacy can be at least partially compensated for using solvents. However, such solvents typically further suppress spray visibility on the treated surface. Perfumes are typically added to provide an improved sense of cleanliness. However, while low surfactant levels improve surface shine, reduced surfactant levels also result in perfume incorporation into the detergent composition being more challenging.
Hence, a need remains for a hard surface cleaning composition, for use with a spray applicator, which delivers good cleaning, including on greasy soils, and shine while also maintaining spray visibility and having good perfume incorporation.
WO93/17087A relates to hard surface detergent compositions comprising nonionic detergent surfactant; tripropylene glycol or short chain alkyl ether of tripropylene glycol as a hydrophobic cleaning solvent; and optional suds control system comprising fatty acid and anionic sulfonated and/or sulfated detergent surfactant. EP3118298A relates to hard surface cleaning compositions comprising a glycol ether solvent and from 3% to 15% by weight of surfactant, and having a pH of greater than 7, and their use for removing stains, especially hydrophobic stains. WO2014/113053A relates to a solution for mold and mildew stain removal from hard surfaces, which is less corrosive and less malodorous and is environmentally friendly. WO02/061028A relates to a composition for cleaning and enhancing the gloss of floors, comprising a plasticizer. EP3116983A relates to a composition comprising an amine oxide, a nonionic surfactant, an aminoalcohol solvent, and an alkali metal salt. US2004/0157763A relates to a hard surface cleaning composition for removing cooked-, baked- or burnt-on soils from cookware and tableware, the composition comprising an organoamine solvent and wherein the composition has a liquid surface tension of less than about 24.5 mN/m and a pH, as measured in a 10% solution in distilled water, of at least 10.5. EP 2 189 517 A1 relates to a liquid composition, comprising at least one alkylene glycol ether, at least one surfactant, and water.
WO2017074195 relates to a system for dispensing liquid foam, in particular a direct foam cleaning product, comprising a container for the liquid and a dispensing apparatus connected to the container, the dispensing apparatus comprises a pump comprising a pump chamber in fluid communication with the container and a piston arranged in the pump chamber, the piston and pump chamber being movable with respect to one another; an outlet channel connecting the pump chamber to a nozzle; a pre-compression valve arranged between the outlet channel and the nozzle; and a buffer comprising a buffer chamber connected to the outlet channel, the buffer chamber including a compressible variator arranged therein for varying the usable volume of the buffer chamber; wherein the nozzle, the buffer and the pump are configured and dimensioned such that the foam is dispensed in a predetermined spray pattern.
JP2015145249 A, WO2012/083310, U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,608,320, 4,842,165 and WO2008129016 disclose bag-in-bottle containers, preforms for making them, and processes for converting such preforms into containers.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Spray container comprising a detergent composition


A transformer includes a bobbin, an I-bar, the first U-core, and the second U-core. The bobbin in a tube shape is wrapped around by a number of windings of copper coil. An I-bar made of high permeable alloy has a first end and a second end. The I-bar is inserted into the bobbin and the first end and the second end of the I-bar protrude outside the tube of the bobbin respectively. A first U-core made of high permeable alloy is placed on one side of the bobbin and a second U-core made of high permeable alloy is placed on the other side of the bobbin. The two ends of the first U-core and the second U-core connect the I-bar through the films and the sunken parts of the first U-core and the second U-core are in opposition to each other.

This application incorporates by reference Taiwanese application Serial No. 89108056, Filed Apr. 27, 2000.
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates in general to a transformer, and more particularly to a transformer for Liquid Crystal Display (LCD).
2. Description of the Related Art
The transformer plays an important role among various hi-tech electronic products. For example, it requires a small size transformer to energize the Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lighting (CCFL) for operating properly.
Referring to FIGS. 1A-1C, a top view, lateral view, and decomposed diagram of a conventional transformer for LCD is shown. The transformer 100 includes a U-core 102, an I-bar 106, and a bobbin 104. The U-core 102 includes inverted U-shaped bridges 108A and 108B and oblong-shaped sides 110A and 111B. The top view of the U-core 102 is a hollow rectangle and the U-core 102 is made of a high permeable material. The bobbin 104 is made of a high-voltage endurable plastic material and capable of winding the copper coil 112. The bobbin 104 further includes a number of pins 114A and 114B fixed in the Printed Circuit Board (not shown in FIGS). The I-bar 106 is a flat rectangular solid and made of high permeable material.
The stepwise sequence for assembling the transformer involves first winding the bobbin 104 with the copper coil 112 and twining the terminals of the copper coil 112 round the pins 114A and 114B for fastening. The I-bar 106 is then put into the hollow sleeve 116 of the bobbin 104 and the U-core 102 is mounted on the bobbin 104. After fixing the U-core 102, I-bar 106, and bobbin 104 together by the epoxy 118, the transformer 100 as shown in FIG. 1A is finished.
The process of producing a U-core 102 includes the following steps: a mold is first opened for the U-core 102 wherein the shapes of the mold and the U-core 102 are the same. The iron powder is filled into the mold for sintering under the pressure of injection and then shaped into the U-core 102 as shown in FIG. 1C. Since the inverted U-shaped bridges 108A and 108B of the U-core 102 are pretty thin, it fails to support the ends of the sides 110A and 110B. Therefore, the U-core 102 might be out of shape in the sintering process of manufacture. For example, the oblong-shaped sides 110A and 110B of the U-core 102 might be bent outward or bent inward.
Referring to FIG. 2, a structural diagram of a conventional mold for producing the core is shown. The traditional way to solve the aforementioned problem is making a mold shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the slash part 202 is the filled portion under the bridge 108A and 108B. Utilizing the mold of FIG. 2 to shape up under the pressure of injection, it can produce an iron with the same shape of the mold. Thereafter, it won""t result in the iron out of shape during the sintering process due to its firm structure. The sintered iron then proceeds to be polished to become a U-core 102 of FIG. 1C by grinding the slash part 202. However, it is time-consuming for precision grinding and the iron is easily broken. Thus, it cost much to produce the conventional transformer.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a transformer with a simple structure, which is easy to be made. In no need of the step of precision grinding to shape a core, it can raise the yield of the transformer and reduce the production cost.
The invention achieves the above-identified objects by providing a transformer capable of transforming the voltage between a first port and a second port. The transformer includes a bobbin, an I-bar, the first U-core, and the second U-core. The bobbin in a tube shape has the first port and the second port wherein the first port wrapped around by at least one winding of copper coil and the second port wrapped around by at least one winding of copper coil. An I-bar made of high permeable alloy has a first end and a second end. The I-bar is inserted into the bobbin and the first end and the second end of the I-bar protrude outside the tube of the bobbin respectively. A first U-core made of high permeable alloy is placed on one side of the bobbin and has a third end and a fourth end. The third end and the fourth end of the first U-core are placed corresponding to one side of the first end and the second end of the I-bar respectively. A second U-core made of high permeable alloy is placed on the other side of the bobbin and has a fifth end and a sixth end. The fifth end and the sixth end of the second U-core placed corresponding to the other side of the first end and the second end of the I-bar respectively. Moreover, the sunken parts of the first U-core and the second U-core are in opposition to each other.


A curtain wall has a plurality of hollow, extruded vertical and horizontal members. The members have a pair of spaced retainer walls which engage a shear block with a pair of tabs that twist locks onto the retainer walls before fastening the block to the member. A second member slips over the block and is fastened by screws. The abutment of the tabs limits rotation of the block and attached member, providing support for a glazing panel attached to the members. The members have longitudinal recesses accommodating wiring that may be covered with a cover. A bracket interacting with the retainer walls like a shear block may also be used.

Curtain walls typically include a plurality of glazing panels (windows made of glass or plastic) supported in a framework of vertical and horizontal structural elements. Some known curtain walls utilize shear blocks to attach a horizontal structural element (mullion) to a vertical structural element (mullion), e.g., a curtain wall manufactured by Kawneer/Alcoa of Norcross, Ga. known as 1600 has such features. Shear blocks can roll/twist if the weight of the glazing unit or other load supported by the horizontal mullion exceeds the capacity of the shear blocks, causing the integrity of the curtain wall/glazing unit to be compromised. This may happen, e.g., if a curtain wall designed for single glazed glazing panels or double glazing is fitted with triple glazed glazing panels or if an overload is placed on the mullion through accident or misuse.
Another attribute of curtain walls is that they are increasingly being used as a support for installed devices and structures, such as sunshades, light shelves, canopies, etc. These devices may be attached with brackets and fasteners, such as screws, to a surface of the horizontal or vertical members of a curtain wall, e.g., the front face of a mullion. The weight of such installed devices must be controlled so as not to exceed the pullout values of the fasteners extending into the curtain wall. In addition, if a given device is removed or repositioned, the mounting holes used by the fasteners remain in the curtain wall surface compromising the appearance and integrity of the curtain wall.
The devices installed on curtain walls include those that use or generate electricity and therefore have attendant wiring to and from associated circuits inside and/or outside the building on which the curtain wall is present. For example, signage, power generating devices, such as solar panels, power generating windmills, sunshades and light shelves may be attached to a curtain wall façade. In addition, buildings increasingly utilize sensors, lighting devices, surveillance and communication devices, such as antennas, that require associated wiring. Wiring on, in or through a curtain wall presents challenges, in that drilling through mullions weakens them and degrades weather intrusion resistance. The wiring or electrical conduit is unsightly and it is difficult to route wiring through the interior hollows of curtain walls, as this typically requires pushing or pulling wire through elongated hidden channels, which may have constrictions and hidden obstacles. The wiring of devices mounted on or near a curtain wall is typically done after installation of the device to be wired. Once installed on, in or through a curtain wall, it is difficult to trace a specific wire to remove or replace it. Alternative curtain wall systems therefore remain desirable.

Curtain wall system with anti-rolling shear block