A system and method for controlling and monitoring remote distributed processing systems from one or more control processing systems by downloading agent-application programs from the control processing systems to remote control middleware modules on the distributed processing systems, where the control processing systems have a library of available agent-application(s). The agent-application(s) are compiled by or at the direction of the remote control middleware and executed within operational parameters determined by the control processing systems.

The present invention relates to a system for permitting a central computer, or a designated set of computers, to manage, control or monitor a large network of remote computer systems. Currently, such a control system is designed and developed as an integral part of the network's initial design, with every desired option or action having been anticipated and engineered as part of the overall system development. This results in a very complex system which is costly, difficult and time-consuming to build, and extraordinarily difficult to modify or expand. For example, if, after the network is installed, the customer determines that he requires a new feature, the existing software must be modified, re-compiled, and the recompiled version installed on all computers in the system--all at great expense and over a long period of time. The present invention obviates this complex and costly process, and can be overlaid on any existing distributed computer system, regardless of operating system or platform.
Other prior art systems such as Object Request Brokers (ORBs) have been developed in recent years to facilitate the exchange of data/files and the interoperability of application programs. ORBs do allow heterogeneous applications to operate together, but require significant set-up time and effort. ORBs do not offer the wide-ranging, flexible, and direct control of remote computers that the present invention offers. In addition, ORBs are not "ad hoc" in the sense that new relationships cannot be set up quickly and run remotely and communicated to a large network of computers as in the present invention. In this sense, ORBs are really not, nor were they intended, to perform the functions that are foreseen for the present invention.

System and method for controlling and monitoring remote distributed processing system


The present invention provides a silicon-compatible germanium-based high-hole-mobility transistor with high-hole-mobility germanium channel comprising a semiconductor material having a valence band offset instead of the conventional gate insulating film, a germanium channel region, and a quantum well formed by heterojunctions of the upper and lower portions of the germanium channel on a silicon substrate. Thus, the present invention enables to gain maximum hole mobility of the germanium channel by using the two-dimensional hole gas gathered into the quantum well for high-speed and low-power operations and device reliability improvement.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor transistor, and more particularly to a silicon-compatible germanium-based high-hole-mobility transistor (HHMT) with high-hole-mobility.
2. Description of the Related Art
Throughout the history of semiconductor transistor development, a large number of high-electron-mobility transistors (HEMTs) using high-electron-mobility have been studied actively, but only a few high-hole-mobility transistors (HHMTs) with high-hole-mobility are studied.
This is because a large number of semiconductor materials having high-electron-mobility are present, but the semiconductor materials having high-hole-mobility are extremely rare.
Germanium has recently been studied for implementing germanium-based p-type metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs) due to its intrinsically high-hole-mobility. However, there have been a complexity of the manufacturing processing and a limitation of techniques for getting enough high hole mobility of germanium because of a high channel doping concentration required inevitably in a highly scaled channel.
For example, Korean Patent Nos. 10-0585111 and 10-0644811 disclose techniques for getting carrier mobility of channel higher than that of silicon by forming a germanium channel region. However, there have been such problems that it is difficult to form an oxide film as a gate insulating film on a germanium channel region unlike silicon and to get enough high hole mobility of a germanium channel because of a carrier scattering and the like at the interface between an oxide film and a germanium channel though the gate insulating film being formed of any oxide on the germanium channel region.

Silicon-compatible germanium-based transistor with high-hole-mobility

Gachon University of Industry-Academic cooperation Foundation

Seoul National University R&DB Foundation


A NASTRAN-programmed computer calculates force and moment data for a structure including joints of interest. The NASTRAN data is read by a computer programmed with the invented program. For each joint, the user selects the members which contribute forces to the joint, and also selects the nearest grid point. A computer programmed with the invented program calculates the resultant force and moment at the proximate grid point. The force and moment are originally defined in a global coordinate system, subsequently transformed into a local coordinate system, and then translated to the centroid of the joint's fastener pattern. Axial and shear forces for each fastener are calculated for the nominal case wherein all of the fasteners are operative. Furthermore, each fastener, in turn, is assumed not to transmit axial force and the resulting fail-safe axial forces respectively acting on the remaining operative fasteners are calculated. Fastener forces are screened to determine the critical nominal axial and shear forces, and the critical fasteners which transmit the foregoing critical forces; in addition to the critical fail-safe axial force and consonant critical fail-safe fastener.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a computer program for calculating the shear and axial forces on fasteners used to form structural joints and, more particularly, for predicting the highest force that will be applied to any of the fasteners comprising a joint when the structure is loaded, and for identifying the fastener that will transmit the foregoing highest force.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Structures are commonly constructed by using joints comprised of fasteners to attach load-bearing members such as beams and bars, to each other and to various functional components. The members are subjected to axial forces, shear forces and moments. In a simple structure, the foregoing parameters may be manually calculated by a structural engineer using well known analytical methods. However, such calculations are very time consuming when the structure is complex, or when the applied forces are dynamic and numerous cases must be considered during the design process.
Computer programs for use in conjunction with digital computers have been developed as an analytical aid for use in such situations. The NASTRAN computer program in particular has been found to be a valuable tool in the analysis of complex structures such as those used in flight vehicles. This program is well known and widely available to those practicing in the field of structural analysis.
The NASTRAN program allows the design engineer to subject the structure to a number of different load states, also known as subcases, and obtain the axial and shear forces and moment acting on each location of interest, also known as a grid point. The axial and shear forces and moments acting on the structural members are then derived from the forces and moments at the relevant grid points. For example, the NASTRAN program has been used to calculate the forces acting on a number of grid points on a flight vehicle for subcases consisting of different inertial loads. It also enables the designer to ascertain the respective changes in the forces at grid points when the structure is modified.
Moreover, the NASTRAN program can determine the forces acting on grid points caused by several structural components having differing natural frequencies, and thus reacting dissimilarly to acceleration. The NASTRAN program is quite useful in this regard because it provides for the creation of a file for each component, with each file having the same set of subcases for the desired acceleration states. The resultant force acting on each grid point is then obtained by superimposing the respective forces generated by each component, for each subcase.
Although structural analysis programs such as NASTRAN have proven to be invaluable in the structural design process, substantial calculations in addition to the computer-aided analysis must nonetheless be performed because structures typically are not modeled with the extreme amount of detail required to determine forces in individual fasteners. Furthermore, the computer programs of the prior art are unable to screen the numerous fastener forces for each subcase to determine which of such forces is the highest for each joint; or to deternmine which of the fasteners is transmitting the highest force, and thus is the most likely to fail.
In the absence of a computer program, engineers have calculated joint forces and designed fasteners for such joints using simplistic approaches which rely upon gross approximations. These prior art methods are time consuming, especially when the structure includes a large number of fasteners. Furthermore, the prior art methods typically result in conservative joint designs which most likely are stronger and thus weigh more than would be required by a more accurate analysis. On a structure including a large number of fasteners, the weight added by the inaccuracy of the prior art method is significant. When the structure is part of a propelled vehicle, such unnecessary weight degrades performance, decreases the payload, and increases fuel consumption.
The present invention is a computer program which, when used in conjunction with a compatible digital computer and the output of a structural analysis program such as NASTRAN, provides an accurate analysis of the axial and shear forces acting on the fasteners composing the joints of load-bearing members in a structure. It is substantially faster and more accurate than the simplistic methods of the prior art. It thus reduces the time necessary for analysis, while improving the reliability and reducing the weight of each fastener and its associated structure. Use of the present invention will thus provide a savings in the development cost of a structure, while also reducing its weight and improving its reliability.

Computer program for calculating fastener forces


Methods and apparatuses for cleaning an electrical lighter are provided. A sleeve, e.g., ceramic or metal, surrounds the heater fixture, and a resistive heating element is in thermal proximity with the sleeve. The resistive heating element is either a dedicated element or the cigarette heating elements. The sleeve serves as a aerosol barrier and condensate accumulator to protect other components. Periodically, e.g., substantially contemporaneously with a battery recharge, the heating element is activated to thermally liberate condensates deposited on the sleeve during smoking and also heats, and thereby cleans, other components. Also, a cleaning element is optionally inserted into the cigarette receptacle of the electrical lighter or placed at the exit thereof to absorb, attract and/or catalytically break down the thermally liberated condensates. The sleeve also directs a desired flow path for drawn air within an electrical lighter toward the cigarette.

A. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for using, cleaning, and maintaining electrical heat sources and lighters useful in electrical smoking systems or the like.
B. Discussion of the Related Art
Previously known conventional lit cigarettes deliver flavor and aroma to the user as a result of combustion of tobacco. A mass of combustible material, primarily tobacco, is oxidized as the result of applied heat with typical combustion temperatures in a conventional cigarette being in excess of 800.degree. C. during puffing.
Heat is drawn through an adjacent mass of tobacco by drawing on the mouth end. During this heating, inefficient oxidation of the combustible material takes place and yields various distillation and pyrolysis products. As these products are drawn through the body of the smoking device toward the mouth of the user, they cool and condense to form the aerosol which gives the consumer the flavor and aroma associated with smoking.
Conventional lit cigarettes have various perceived drawbacks associated with them. Among them is the production of sidestream smoke during smoldering between puffs, which may be objectionable to some non-smokers. Also, once lit, they must be fully consumed or be discarded. Relighting a conventional cigarette is possible but is usually an unattractive prospect for subjective reasons (flavor, taste, odor) to a discerning smoker.
Prior alternatives to the more conventional lit cigarettes include those in which the combustible material itself does not directly provide the flavorants to the aerosol inhaled by the smoker. In these lit cigarettes, a combustible heating element, typically carbonaceous in nature, is combusted to heat air as it is drawn over the heating element and through a zone which contains heat-activated elements that release a flavored aerosol. While this type of lit cigarette produces little or no sidestream smoke, it still generates products of combustion, and once lit it is not adapted to be snuffed for future use in the conventional sense.
In both the more conventional lit cigarettes and lit carbon element heated cigarettes described above combustion takes place during their use. This process naturally gives rise to many by-products as the combusted material breaks down and interacts with the surrounding atmosphere.
Several proposals have been advanced which significantly reduce undesired sidestream smoke while permitting the smoker to suspend smoking of the article for a desired period and then to resume smoking. Commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,093,894; 5,225,498; 5,060,671 and 5,095,921 disclose various electrical resistive heating elements and flavor generating systems which significantly reduce sidestream smoke while permitting the smoker to selectively suspend and reinitiate smoking.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,388,594, issued Feb. 14, 1995, entitled "Electrical Smoking System for Delivering Flavors and Method for Making Same"; U.S. Pat. No. 5,499,636, issued Mar. 19, 1996, entitled "Cigarette for Electrical Smoking System"; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/380,718, filed Jan. 30, 1995, entitled "Electrical Smoking System for Delivering Flavors and Method for Making Same" (Attorney Docket No. PM 1697 CON/DIV1); and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/426,165, filed Apr. 20, 1995, entitled "Heater for Use in an Electrical Smoking System" (Atty. Docket No. PM 1768) each describe an electrical smoking system including novel electrically powered lighters and novel cigarettes that are adapted to cooperate with the lighters, and each is incorporated herein by reference.
The preferred embodiment of the lighter of U.S. Pat. No. 5,388,594 includes a plurality of metallic heaters disposed in a configuration that slidingly receives a tobacco rod portion of the cigarette. One of the many advantages of such smoking systems is the reusability of the lighter for numerous cigarettes.
As these novel cigarettes are heated by the firing of heaters, aerosol is generated for smoking by the smoker. Some portion of the generated aerosol is not delivered to the smoker and may tend to condense and form condensates on the relatively cooler individual heaters, the heater fixture, electrical connections, electronic components and other components and structures located within the cigarette-receiving cavity and/or subject to contact with the generated aerosol. In addition, portions of the cigarette, especially portions which have been heated and therefore thermally weakened, may cling to surfaces, especially to individual heaters, after the cigarette is removed due to tight tolerances.
Such condensation and/or cigarette remnants, especially if permitted to accumulate, can alter the subjective taste of subsequent cigarettes; can block required airflow passages, especially the passageways communicating with any puff sensitive pressure drop sensor and/or with outside ambient air; can damage sensitive electronic and electrical components; and can result in protrusions, snags, etc. which could adversely affect insertion, registration and removal of cigarettes relative to the heater fixture.
Though not desiring to be bound by theory, it is believed that the condensation is the result of the flow pattern and pressure gradient of ambient air drawn through the cigarette and the current designs of the heater assemblies. The heating of the cigarette tobacco produces aerosols which are then cooled to result in condensation on the surfaces of relatively cooler components.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,388,594, issued Feb. 14, 1995 entitled "Electrical Smoking System for Delivering Flavors and Method for Making Same", and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/380,718, filed Jan. 30, 1995 entitled "Electrical Smoking System for Delivering Flavors and Method for Making Same", which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties, disclose a heater sleeve which surrounds the cylindrical heater assembly and is exposed to residual aerosols to protect an outer air channel sleeve.
As described, this heater sleeve is discarded after a certain interval, e.g. 30-60 cigarettes, and replaced with a new heater sleeve, necessitating a potentially time consuming and/or inconvenient replacement procedure by the smoker. Also, this removal of a used sleeve and installation of a new sleeve could potentially damage the cigarette heater assembly, which may be delicate.
In addition, it is desirable to couple any cleaning of the electrical lighter with other routine maintenance procedures such as recharging of lighter batteries. For example, it may be desired to perform both cleaning and recharging on a daily basis, preferably substantially contemporaneously. Also, it may be desirable to alert the smoker of the necessity of these functions and/or to establish these functions as prerequisites to operation of the lighter.
Also, it is desirable to degrade any cleaning by-products for aesthetic reasons.

Method and apparatus for using, cleaning, and maintaining electrical heat sources and lighters useful in smoking systems and other apparatuses


The fishing reel comprises a spool for winding in fishing line and a fixed support having an axis of rotation for said spool. The fixed support comprises an upright which is in the immediate vicinity of and parallel to one of the lateral cheekplates of the spool; projecting studs are disposed on the inside face of the upright in a radial distribution around the axis of rotation; the lateral cheekplate of the spool facing the upright includes a recessed annular portion serving to house the studs. One or more radially-extending blades are formed in the cheekplate and project into the recessed annular portion so that on rotation of the spool, each blade emits a characteristic clicking noise when its free end is raised by passing over a stud and falls back against the upright of the fixed support.

A sound mechanism for a fishing reel is known, in particular from document FR A 2 383 604, comprising firstly teeth that are stationary relative to the axis of the spool of the reel and secondly a pawl which engages said teeth to make the desired clicking noise. The problem which that prior document sets out to solve is to release the sound-generating pawl when the fisher mistakenly turns the spool in the direction opposite to normal unwinding of the line when drawn by a fish. This reverse rotation of the spool can damage the pawl and modify the clear sound it generates. To solve that problem, document FR A 2 383 604 proposes a pawl comprising a long strip of curved resilient material having an angled extension, said strip being elastically urged against the cylindrical wall in such a manner as to cause a portion of the strip to expand when the spool rotates in the normal unwinding direction, thereby pressing the sound-generating end against the teeth, whereas during rotation in the opposite direction, the strip is retracted, which has the effect of lifting the sound-generating end away from the stationary teeth.
That sound mechanism is indeed highly effective, however it requires a pawl to be made that is particularly complex in structure, and it also requires a toothed wheel, with those two parts being difficult to assemble relative to the reel assembly.

Fishing reel provided with a sound mechanism


An image forming apparatus and a maintenance method thereof are provided to enable rotation and replacement of a peeling claw at a suitable timing before the peeling claw is deformed or damaged. Several peeling members are disposed in a width direction of a drum-shaped photoreceptor. Each peeling member is disposed with a peeling claw and a collision sensor detecting that the peeling claw collides with a sheet. A collision history value of each peeling claw is stored and managed based on a collision detection signal from the collision sensor; if the peeling claw reaching a preset rotation request value exists in the read collision history values of the peeling claws, a rotation request of the relevant peeling claw is reported; the collision history value of the rotated peeling claw is rewritten; and if the peeling claw reaching the rotation request value does not exist, a print process is performed.

An electrophotographic image forming apparatus forms a toner image corresponding to image information on a photoreceptor that is an electrostatic latent image carrier to transfer the toner image to a conveyed sheet by the action of a transfer electric field from the backside of the conveyed sheet, and is generally disposed with a sheet peeling means for peeling off from the photoreceptor the conveyed sheet stuck to the photoreceptor after transferring the toner image.
The peeling of the conveyed sheet in the image forming apparatus will specifically be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 1 depicts a configuration around a photoreceptor in the image forming apparatus, and the configuration around a drum-shaped photoreceptor 1 rotating in a direction of an arrow A of FIG. 1 includes a development device 2; a transfer charger 3 that applies the transfer electric field from the backside of the sheet; a sheet peeling charger 4 that applies an electric field with a reverse polarity of the electric field of the transfer charger 3 to enhance peeling property; a sheet peeling member 5 including a peeling claw 5a; a cleaning unit 6 including a cleaner blade 6a; a resist roller 7 for matching a leading edge of the sheet with the image information on the photoreceptor 1; paper guides 8, 9, etc., which are arranged along the rotation direction of the photoreceptor 1 from a position B where exposure laser light is emitted.
In the image forming apparatus with the above configuration, the toner image developed on the surface of the photoreceptor 1 is transferred at a point P1 of FIG. 1 to a sheet P conveyed, and the sheet P is stuck to the photoreceptor 1 due to the transfer electric field applied in this transfer process from the transfer charger 3 and is conveyed in the stuck state by the rotation of the photoreceptor 1. When the stuck sheet P is peeled off from the photoreceptor 1 by applying the electric field with the reverse polarity from the sheet peeling charger 4, the peeled sheet P drops onto the paper guide 9 from the leading edge due to the own weight and smoothly conveyed to the next process.
However, even if the electric field with the reverse polarity is applied by the sheet peeling charger 4, the sheet P is not peeled off from the photoreceptor 1 depending on the material of the sheet P and the image information, and the sheet P not peeled is conveyed while sticking to the photoreceptor 1 and the leading edge collides with the peeling claw 5a and is forcibly peeled off.
The sheet peeling member 5 is included for forcibly peeling off the sheet P that is not peeled off and is conveyed in the stuck state even if the electric field with the reverse polarity is applied by the sheet peeling charger 4; for example, as shown in FIG. 2A, an inclined surface X is disposed at a leading end of the peeling claw 5a; and an end of a star roller 5b is located on an extended line C of the inclined surface X such that the sheet peeled off by the leading end is smoothly separated from the photoreceptor (FIG. 2B).
Describing the mechanism of the sheet peeling with reference to FIG. 3, when the sheet P is stuck to and conveyed by the photoreceptor 1 and the leading edge of the sheet P reaches the leading end of the peeling claw 5a (step 1), the leading edge of the sheet P collides with the leading end of the peeling claw 5a and the leading edge portion of the sheet P is brought into a stripped-off state (step 2) and runs on the inclined surface X of the peeling claw 5a (step 3). When the sheet P is further conveyed by the rotation of the photoreceptor 1, the leading edge of the sheet P reaches the end of the star roller 5b (step 4) and, when the sheet P is further conveyed, the sheet P drops and is separated from the photoreceptor 1 due to the own weight (step 5).
By the way, if the developed toner image is transferred to the conveyed sheet with the use of the transfer electric field, a white portion (portion without image information) of the conveyed sheet receives the strong electric field from the transfer charger and is strongly stuck to the photoreceptor. Generally, in the case of a print sheet, the leading edge of the sheet often becomes the white portion and this portion is referred to as a "void area". The void area has a function useful for preventing the entanglement jam of the sheet, which occurs if toner reaches the leading edge of the sheet when melting/fixing is performed for the sheet by a thermal fixing device after the transfer process is completed.
However, the void area often sticks to the photoreceptor as above and this is partially the reason why an electrophotographic image forming apparatus generally employs a configuration with the sheet peeling member including the peeling claw for returning the sticking sheet to a sheet conveying route.
If the sheet peeling member including the peeling claw is not disposed, the strongly sticking sheet P is not peeled off from the photoreceptor 1, is conveyed around the photoreceptor 1 while sticking to the photoreceptor 1, reaches the cleaning unit 6, a main charger (not shown), and the development device 2, which are arranged around the photoreceptor 1, to destroy the apparatus or to damage the photoreceptor surface, and causes deterioration of the print quality as well as reduction of the life property of each unit.
In technologies proposed for preventing the peeling jam from frequently occurring due to shape deformation or damage of the peeling claw leading end in the image forming apparatus disposed with the sheet peeling member, the peeling claw can be contacted with and separated from the photoreceptor depending on the presence of the conveyed sheet and the timing when the sheet leading edge reaches the peeling claw, as in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication Nos. H6-27753 and 2002-108110.
However, it is inevitable in any case that the peeling claw repeatedly collides with the sheet leading edge and that the leading end of the claw is deformed or damaged, and if the leading end is deformed or damaged, the sheet sticking to the photoreceptor cannot certainly be peeled off, which frequently causes the peeling jam.

Image forming apparatus and maintenance method thereof


A dart having a shaft with a flight, a tip member, and a metal barrel connected between the shaft and the tip member, wherein the tip member has a rigid, cylindrical, solid core, and a hollow cylindrical shell receiving the rigid core, the hollow cylindrical shell having an outer thread at the rear end thereof threaded into a screw hole on one end of the metal barrel, a plurality of recessed portions equiangularly spaced around the periphery of the front end thereof, and a plurality of toothed annular portions raised around the periphery and arranged in parallel between the recessed portions and the outer thread for positioning in studs on a dart board, the recessed portions having a water drop-like shape and a depth gradually reduced from the front end of the cylindrical shell toward the toothed annular portions for guiding the tip member into engagement with the studs on the dart board.

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a dart for the game of darts, and more particularly to such a dart which has toothed annular portions raised around the periphery of the tip member thereof for positioning in between studs on a dart board by friction.
(b) Description of the Prior Art
FIG. 1 shows a dart according to the prior art. This structure of dart is comprised of a shaft integral with a flight, and a barrel integral with a point. Because the point 10 of the barrel 20 has a smooth outside surface, the dart tends to drop from the dart board due to vibration. Further, if the point of the barrel directly hits the ends of the studs on the dart board, the studs tend to be damaged.

3f, No. 50, Lane 2, Sec. 2, Yan Jiow Yuann Rd.

4f, No. 11, Lane 474, Kang-Ning St., Hsi Chih


The subject matter discloses a sweet aerated edible product comprising a fiber composition comprising at least 40 percent by weight of fibers made of a Polysaccharide molecule, said aerated sweet edible product is manufactured using a process comprising heating the fiber composition to a melting state, rotating the melted fiber composition at high speed, generating strands from the melted fiber composition and outputting the strands. The subject matter also discloses a sweet aerated edible product comprising a fiber composition comprising non-sweet fibers with a sweetening agent.

Aerated sweet edible products are commonly manufactured from sugar, called cotton candy. Sugar, in the form of powder or grains and granular, is inserted to a machine which heats the sugar to a melting temperature, then rotates the melted sugar and pushes the sugar from narrow outlets to form strands or other elongated sticky strings of sugar. The strands are mixed with each other to form a bulk of aerated product made of sugar under the name of cotton candy.
The machine for manufacturing the cotton candy may be portable, enabling to place the machine close to the consumers. The machine may be larger, for mass production, packaging and transport. The raw material used to prepare cotton candy, sugar, renders known cotton candy quote unappealing for parents to buy this product regularly. However, cotton randy is very popular among Children who love playing with the aerated texture while eating a sweet candy.

Aerated sweet edible product and a method of manufacturing the same


A method for calibrating a sensor unit disposed on a load-bearing device of an industrial truck includes the steps of: determining a first position of the sensor unit relative to an object located remotely from the industrial truck, displacing the sensor relative to the object in a first direction by a first distance, determining a second position of the sensor unit relative to the object, determining the spatial position or arrangement of the sensor unit relative to the load-bearing device based on the first and second positions, the direction of movement, and the distance between the first and second positions.

The disclosure relates to a method for calibrating a sensor unit arranged on a load-bearing device of an industrial truck. In this case, the method includes a calibration means for determining the spatial arrangement, or position, of the sensor unit relative to the load-bearing device.
Sensor units are typically arranged on the load-bearing device of an industrial truck in order to recognize load carriers to be picked up by the load-bearing device. This makes it possible, for example, for the load-bearing device or the entire industrial truck to be automatically oriented relative to the load carrier, and in particular, for the load carrier to be picked up by the industrial truck. The sensor unit can, for example, comprise a 3D camera for imaging the object. For such automation, the most precise awareness of the spatial arrangement of the sensor unit relative to the load-bearing device, relative to the load forks, is necessary. Only in this manner can it be ensured that a load carrier recognized by the sensor unit is precisely picked up by the load carrier. The sensor unit is calibrated for this purpose. The spatial arrangement of the sensor unit determined in the context of the calibration process comprises information on the mounting position, i.e., on the three spatial coordinates in a Cartesian coordinate system, and on the mounting angles, i.e., the angular positions of the sensor unit relative to the three spatial axes.
Existing calibration methods provide manually arranging the sensor unit as precisely as possible on the load-bearing device, which is time-consuming and error-prone. To a certain extent, the sensor signal of the sensor unit is evaluated during the calibration method, wherein the industrial truck is moved to a specific position, and optical markers, arranged in the surroundings of the industrial truck, are detected. However this method is also involved. Moreover, calibration is only possible within specific surroundings provided for calibration. In particular, the industrial truck must be moved back into corresponding surroundings for subsequent recalibration.
A method is described in EP 3 219 663 A1 in which both the sensor as well as a reference object used for positioning are arranged on a load fork of the load-bearing device. At regular intervals, the sensor ascertains the position of the reference object, wherein a computer compares the determined position data with saved reference data. The reference object arranged on the load fork restricts the field of vision of the sensor and runs the danger of interfering with or becoming damaged during operation of the industrial truck.
The method of the present disclosure provides a simple calibration method having a high degree of automation for calibrating a sensor unit on an industrial truck.

Method for calibrating a sensor unit of an industrial truck


A fault-tolerating memory system has a data memory with a large number (M+N) of data storage words each having a length greater than the length of user data to be stored in that word; the extra word length is used for at least an error-detecting-and-correcting (EDAC) code. The user data is stored in a smaller number (N) of the words, with the remaining number (M) of words being used to store a map of which portions, if any, of each word are not usable. The N words of user data storage can include S normal storage words and (N-S) spare words, each for use if one of the normal storage words has too many unusable portions. A portion of each word length can contain at least one spare word portion, to which a block of data can be moved if any bit of a like-sized portion of the normal storage word is unusable. The reliability of storage is greatly improved by extension of each word to add EDAC encoding and spare-bit portions, as well as by extension of depth to allow spare words to be present, along with high-reliability storage of word maps.

It is well known to provide certain data-intensive systems with large amounts of data memory. In certain situations, this data memory must be highly reliable and tolerate almost any form of fault which could threaten its proper performance. For example, the memory system utilized with a self-contained data-gathering vehicle, such as a submersible for obtaining data from the ocean floor or a spacecraft for obtaining data from an extraterrestrial source, should properly store data in such a manner as to allow retrieval of the data at the end of the mission, even if unexpected occurrences render a portion of the memory unusable. Therefore, it is highly desirable to provide a data memory system which is capable of tolerating faults both in the memory hardware and softward, as well as a memory system in which the performance gracefully degrades even if a high level of faults are present.

Fault-tolerant memory system with graceful degradation


A vehicle cargo box tonneau cover device includes two or more hard panels formed of thin-walled, friction welded polypropylene material hermetically enclosing extruded support beams. Each panel forms an upper surface falling on a common plane when in a deployed position. Adjacent panels are joined along their common edges by a multi-pin hinge disposed entirely below the upper surface to provide a flat overall appearance. The hinge has a first flange carried by a first panel, a second flange carried by an adjacent second panel, and an elongated free-moving link mounted to the first flange for relative rotation about a first axis and mounted to the second flange for relative rotation about a second axis. The two axes are spaced from and parallel to one another, whereby the hinge enables 180° freedom of rotation between the adjacent panels when transitioning between a planer deployed position and a folded retracted position.

A motor vehicle such as a pick-up truck typically employs an open-topped cargo bed suitable to carry various cargos. Generally, the cargo bed is covered by a tonneau cover which is releasably clamped to and extended above the cargo bed, so as to protect the carried cargos from adverse weather and improve the overall aesthetic appearance of the pick-up truck. Tonneau covers can be classified into hard-top types and soft-top types, wherein the hard-top type tonneau cover has a rigid cover portion typically constructed of metal, fiberglass or the like, while the soft-top type tonneau cover has a soft cover portion typically constructed of canvas, vinyl or a weather-resistant fabric.
In general, although the hard-top tonneau cover provides greater security for cargo and can be more easily clamped on the cargo bed of the pick-up truck, it tends to be heavier than the soft-top tonneau cover, and needs more storage space for storing the hard-top tonneau cover after being removed from the pick-up truck. Furthermore, the soft-top tonneau cover is lighter in weight, and the volume thereof is more compact for storage. Meanwhile, both the hard-top tonnneau cover and the soft-top tonneau cover need to provide clamps for securely clamping the tonneau cover to the pick-up truck.
Tonneau cover systems have been used for a number of years to cover the cargo boxes of pick-up trucks against dirt, debris, and other environmental contaminants and to improve the aesthetic quality thereof. Current tonneau cover systems often employ a soft, often rollable, cover or a hard, often foldable, cover material as the main covering means. In some applications, a hook-and-loop fastening system can couple between the soft tarp of the tonneau cover and the side walls of the cargo box of the pick-up truck. This arrangement permits the tarp to be coupled to the cargo box to conceal the contents thereof or, alternatively, to be rolled up or otherwise removed to reveal the contents of the cargo box of the pick-up truck.
In many applications, a rail system is used that couples to the side walls of the cargo box of the pick-up truck. This rail system may serve as a convenient attachment system for coupling the cover to the cover box. However, in many conventional applications, the connection system that permits connection of the cover to the side rails and thus, to the side walls of the cargo box can be cumbersome or require complex attachment and/or detachment processes. Moreover, in some conventional applications, the connection system may prevent or inhibit access to the front or header portion of the cargo box. That is, in some applications, the cover must be removed from the rear first before unlatching in a forward direction (relative to the vehicle). Although there have been attempts to provide access to the front or header portion of the cargo box direction in some tonneau cover systems, these attempts have not always provided convenient access while simultaneously providing sufficient retention when closed. In fact, in some applications, retention may not provide longitudinal, transverse and vertical restraint (relative to the vehicle). Still further, in some applications, attachment of the header can involve a cumbersome process of engaging clamps or other retention systems that are difficult and subject to failure.
Accordingly, there exists a need in the relevant art to provide a tonneau cover system capable of overcoming the disadvantages of the prior art. Additionally, there exists a need in the relevant art to provide a tonneau cover system, and in particular a latch mechanism and associated rail and striker assembly capable of quickly, simply, and reliably coupling the header portion of the tonneau cover system to the vehicle. In some embodiments, this latch mechanism can further aid in retaining the header portion in all three degrees of direction (longitudinal, transverse and vertical) and can permit varied adjustment and/or space accommodation in the vertical direction.
Slam-action latches are known in the art and are employed in a number of applications. Generally latches coming within this category operate by forcing a pawl into engagement with a keeper. For example, when a first panel member has a pawl and a second panel member, such as, for example, a cabinet, has a keeper thereon slamming shut the first panel member against the second panel member secures the panels.
In many cases, doors of vehicles, particularly those associated with the back open end of a pick-up truck need to be secured so that when the vehicle is operating, the door will not become detached. A loose or detached door can cause the contents of the pick-up truck bed to escape and further can damage the truck bed lining if repeated slamming of the door occurs. A latch is needed which will secure the pick-up truck back-end cover securely, and which can be readily actuated to release the door to thereby provide access to the pick-up truck bed.

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.


An article drying support apparatus includes a perimeter wall defining a housing and enclosing an interior space. The perimeter wall includes a backside having an elongated slit therein defining an opening extending into the interior space. The perimeter wall comprises an air permeable material. A coupler is attached to the perimeter wall and is configured to attach the perimeter wall to an inside surface of a dryer door. A wet item may be positioned within the interior space and held against the dryer door when a clothes dryer is being operated.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to drying support devices and more particularly pertains to a new drying support device for securing an article to be dried within a clothes dryer to prevent damage to the article.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of drying support devices is known in the prior art. While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the need remains for a device that positions an article to be dried in a secured position against a clothes dryer door. This will allow the clothes dryer to be used in a conventional manner while preventing damage to the article in question that is secured to the dryer door.


An apparatus includes a controller. The controller monitors a magnitude of first current supplied by an output voltage of a first power converter to power a dynamic load. The controller controls a second power converter to supply second current through the dynamic load based on the monitored magnitude of first current.

One type of conventional power converter is a buck converter. In general, to maintain an output voltage within a desired range, a controller in the buck converter compares the magnitude of a generated output voltage to a setpoint reference voltage. Based on a respective error voltage, the controller modifies a respective switching frequency and/or pulse width modulation associated with activating high side switch circuitry and low side switch circuitry in the buck converter to maintain a magnitude of the output voltage.
In certain instances, the controller controls operation of the buck converter and generation of the output voltage based on an amount of output current supplied by a generated output voltage to a load. For example, conventional techniques include receiving a so-called VID (Voltage Identification) from a load such as a processor being powered by the output voltage. The VID indicates a setpoint voltage in which to produce the output voltage to power the load. The magnitude of the VID setting (reference voltage) may vary depending on a magnitude of the output current. In a manner as previously discussed, the controller of the power supply regulates a magnitude of the output voltage supplied to the load based on a target setpoint voltage derived from the received VID value.

Power supply system and control in a dynamic load configuration


The invention relates to a method of setting the ball travel of a valve-closing body, designed as valve ball, of a control valve of a hydraulic valve-lash-adjusting element which has a plunger with a plunger head and a central bore, a valve seat being provided at the outer end of this central bore, this valve seat being controlled by a valve ball, the ball travel of which is limited by a valve cap which has a cap flange and a cap base, the cap flange resting with its bearing surface on a base of a recess of the plunger head, and a stop of the cap base serving as a travel limit for the valve ball.

Known valve-lash-adjusting elements, which may be designed as a standard, free-ball or reverse-spring version, have, inter alia, a plunger, with a plunger head which has a central bore, on the outer end of which the valve seat of a control valve is provided, this valve seat being controlled by a valve ball, the ball travel of which is limited by a valve cap which has a cap flange and a cap base, the cap flange resting with its bearing surface on a recess of the plunger head, and the inside of the valve ball serving as a stop surface.
Such valve-lash-adjusting elements have the disadvantage that, due to process-related production tolerances which cannot be narrowed further, considerable spread of the ball travel occurs and, as a consequence thereof, corresponding pre-travel losses of the valve-lash-adjusting elements occur. These have a varying effect depending on the tolerance zone position of the ball travel during cold starting or in the high-temperature phase of the internal combustion engine. During the cold starting, average to large ball travel is desired, and small to average ball travel is desired in the high-temperature phase. Accordingly, closely toleranced, average ball travel is the ideal compromise.

Method of setting the ball travel of a valve-lash-adjusting element


A SAR apparatus including: a radar transceiver to emit electromagnetic pulses and to provide a radar signal in response to echoes of the electromagnetic pulses; and a processing unit, configured to produce SAR images of moving objects from the radar signal. The processing unit includes: a first processing module to apply translational motion compensation to a central reference point of a moving object in a subaperture of the radar signal; a second processing module, to execute phase compensation with the single central reference point as reference; and a third processing module to apply phase compensation to the radar signal as a function of an estimated phase component the auxiliary point and of a normalization parameter to a distance in range between the central reference point and the auxiliary point.

As is known, the processing of images acquired via SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) systems enables detecting the presence of moving objects in the observed scene. In the case of aerial or naval targets, the SAR images can also be effectively used for classifying the identified targets.
The movement of mobile objects on the ground (also known as ground movers), such as motor vehicles for example, has characteristics such that the currently available SAR systems do not provide satisfactory results.
One of the main causes of the scarce effectiveness of known SAR systems in acquiring images of objects moving on the ground derives from the fact that land transport vehicles are subject to vibration and rapid changes in direction. Critical vibrations may depend, for example, on uneven ground, while changes in direction may be due to simple corrections in trajectory by the driver while the vehicle is travelling along a stretch of road, even if substantially straight. Irregularities of this type generally entail vehicle displacements in the order of a few centimeters, i.e. quantities comparable with the central wavelength of the electromagnetic pulses emitted by the most common SAR systems. As SAR images are basically constructed from information on the phase of the reflected pulses received, it is evident that changes comparable with the wavelength of the signal, and totally unpredictable, generate errors that cannot be reduced within acceptable limits with conventional focusing methods, which assume either rectilinear motion or knowing the motion of the target beforehand. In fact, these methods use tracking algorithms to obtain the overall speed of the detected object to compensate for the effects of motion in the SAR images. However, at present, tracking algorithms that are so sophisticated as to follow the motion of objects on the ground with sufficient precision to obtain satisfactorily focused images are unavailable (the highest accuracy levels are in the order of meters per second, when instead a precision of millimeters per second would be needed).
Another aspect that makes it difficult to produce SAR images of objects moving on the ground is the choice of the moment when to start processing. In fact, it is not enough to detect the presence of a moving object, but it is also necessary that the object has an adequate angular velocity with respect to the SAR observer. A known solution, albeit unsatisfactory, makes use of roadmaps related to the observed scene, in practice assuming that the moving object is a means of transport travelling along a road. Once the presence of an object moving on the ground has been detected, a tracking algorithm calculates the motion. On the basis of the position in the SAR images and the trajectory characteristics, the moving object is placed on a road on the map and processing commences when it is possible to determine that the moving object is approaching a curved stretch that offers the necessary and assured angular rotation usable for generating the SAR image. The effectiveness is therefore modest and, in addition, it is necessary to have maps and carry out operations to correlate the position of the moving object in the SAR images to points on the maps.

Synthetic-aperture-radar apparatus and method for production of synthetic-aperture-radar images of moving objects


A urinal screen includes a main body portion, an first front portion, and a second front portion, which each include a plurality of protrusions configured to break up a stream of fluid incident on the urinal screen and prevent splash. The first front portion is separated from the main body portion by a first fold line, and the second front portion is separated from the main body portion by a second fold line. The fold lines lack protrusions, and meet at the front of the urinal screen. The main body portion and first and second body portions form a circular configuration when unfolded to fit circular urinal basins. The first and second front body portions can be folded upwards to produce a pointed configuration so that the urinal screen can then fit in urinals having a pointed basin.

A urinal, often installed for efficiency when compared to a general purpose toilet, is a sanitary plumbing fixture commonly located in male restrooms. The use of a urinal, in comparison to a general purpose toilet, is often more convenient for a user due to the absence of additional doors and locks. As an added convenience, urinals do not require a user to turn up a seat prior to use, which is both convenient and generally more sanitary than the toilet. Moreover, urinals occupy less space and consume less water per flush, or possibly no water at all, than a toilet which requires flushing.
Devices designed to be placed within urinals are well-known. For example, urinals found in public restrooms often have a plastic mesh guard to prevent large debris from entering the drain. Unfortunately, such plastic mesh guards fail to reduce or prevent the splashing of urine onto the user. In fact, such plastic mesh guards may actually increase the risk of the user being splashed by the urine as the urine ricochets from the plastic mesh guard. Moreover, these plastic mesh guards do not prevent the splashing of urine that is directed towards the back wall of the urinal.
Other known devices designed to be placed within urinals, often referred to as urinal screens or occasionally as urinal screens, are sized and shaped to cover either the urinal's back wall or the drain. Such urinal screens do not allow the user the option of covering both the back wall and the drain to prevent the urine from splashing onto the user from a maximum surface area of the urinal. Moreover, some urinal screens are made of a rigid material that may fail to conform to the various sizes and shapes of urinals.
Additional known devices designed for placement within a urinal often include protrusions that are densely compacted together, preventing a urine stream from flowing in a vertical direction toward the urinal screen. In this vein, such devices rely on the protrusions to break up the urine stream, leaving urine deposited on the protrusions, resulting in an unpleasant odor and the need for increased cleaning frequency of the device. Moreover, many urinal screens include urinal cakes or deodorizers which require costly and frequent replacement.
A particular problem with urinal design with respect to the design of mats or screens to prevent splashing in urinals is the variety of shapes in which urinals configured. For example, some urinals have rounded basins, while others have a narrower, more pointed basin. Accordingly, to optimize the anti-splash aspect of a urinal screen, it must fit properly in the basin. As a result, there are a similar variety of urinal screens provided for variously shaped urinal basins. However, this necessitates different molding tools to manufacture the different urinal screen shapes, it requires stocking the different urinal screen devices, and so on.
Therefore, a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art as discussed above.


An object of the present invention is to provide the compression device and the expansion device of a complex digital signal, which further raise the compression ratio of the compression digital signal. The compression device of the present invention comprises: first section that acquires a first phase and a second phase, wherein with a complex digital signal being inputted into the complex digital signal compression device, the first phase is a phase, in polar coordinates, which the complex digital signal has, and it is assumed that the complex digital signal inputted into the complex digital signal compression device is expressed as a sum of two complex digital signals with an equal amplitude, phases of which are centered at the first phase and are shifted by a phase that equals to the second phase in the positive and negative direction respectively; and second section that compresses the first phase and the second phase respectively by performing quantization. The expansion device of the present invention comprises third section and fourth section which perform the inverse processing of the second section and the first section, respectively, mentioned above.

1. Technical Field Relating to the Invention
The present invention relates to a complex digital signal compression device, a method, and a computer-readable storage medium, a complex digital signal expansion device, a method, and a computer-readable storage medium, and a communication device.
For example, the present invention can be applied to a cloud wireless access network where a base station configuration is divided into a Remote Radio Head (RRH) accommodating a user equipment (UE) and a Base Band Unit (BBU).
2. Background of Related Art
In the cloud wireless access network, connection is made via the link of a general-purpose interface such as a CPRI (Common Public Radio Interface) between a first communication device, which the above-mentioned RRH corresponds to, and a second communication device, which the BBU corresponds to. In the CPRI, between the first communication device and the second communication device, a complex digital signal (a complex baseband signal) is exchanged, which is an upstream signal or a downstream signal. In the CPRI, it is not specified that a compressed complex digital signal is exchanged, but it has been proposed that one transmits a compressed complex digital signal to a CPRI link and the other expands the compressed signal to restore an original complex digital signal.
Conventionally, when a complex digital signal is compressed, compression has been performed individually on the real number component and the imaginary number component of the complex digital signal. In a technology described in Non-Patent Document 1 (Karl F. Nieman and Brian L. Evans, "Time-Domain Compression of Complex-Baseband LTE Signals for Cloud Radio Access Networks", 2013 Proc. IEEE Global Conference on Signal and Information Processing, December, 2013), the numbers of bits of a real number component and an imaginary number component after analog/digital conversion are respectively compressed to one-third, i.e. from 15 bits to 5 bits, by using re-quantization with a noise-shape filter and rate conversion. Moreover, in a technology described in Non-Patent Document 2(Akira Agata, Shinobu Nanba, "A Study on the Baseband Signal Compression Scheme for Base Stations in Cellular Networks", 2013 The Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers, General Conference, B-8-9, March, 2013), the numbers of bits of a real number component and an imaginary number component after analog/digital conversion are respectively compressed to one-half by using means, which reduces the number of bits from 16 bits to 14 bits, and Free Lossless Audio Codec, which is an audio compression technology.

Complex digital signal compression device, method and computer-readable storage medium, complex digital signal expansion device, method and computer-readable storage medium, and communication device


In a portable electronic apparatus, a second keyboard to be manipulated with a right hand is joined to a first keyboard unit including a first keyboard to be manipulated with a left hand so that the second keyboard can be turned down. A display unit having a built-in liquid crystal display is joined to the first keyboard unit so that the display unit can be tuned down. When the display unit is turned down, the display unit engages with the second keyboard unit that is turned down. When all the parts of the electronic apparatus are closed, the electronic apparatus serves as a CD player of a CD jacket size. When the display unit is opened, the electronic apparatus has not only the capability of a DVD player but also the capability of a simple personal computer. When all the parts are left open, the electronic apparatus serves as a personal computer having a full keyboard.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a portable electronic apparatus or, more particularly, to a portable electronic apparatus having a cover. The apparatus which includes a display and a first keyboard joined via a hinge so that the cover can be turned down, and having the first keyboard and a second keyboard joined via a hinge so that the second keyboard can be turned down.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, personal computers, that are typical examples of electronic apparatuses, have been highly sophisticated. Once the personal computer is connected on the Internet, the personal computer can communicate data to or from computers located around the world and get various pieces of information. Moreover, when it comes to portable personal computers, a user can connect his/her personal computer on the Internet at any place away from home. The computer is now usable irrespective of the place and has become indispensable for work. As for displays, a liquid crystal display substitutes for a cathode-ray tube and contributes to downsizing of the display.
In addition to a desktop computer to be used while being immobilized on a desktop in a room, a portable personal computer including a portable liquid crystal display and driven by a battery and, for example, a notebook personal computer (hereinafter, a notebook computer) is rapidly prevailing in the marketplace. The notebook computer generally includes a main unit that is a major portion of the computer, a keyboard unit having a keyboard, and a liquid crystal display that can be turned down on a hinge to engage with the keyboard unit.
The notebook computer is required to be compact because the portability thereof counts. However, the keyboard should be large enough to allow the user to smoothly enter characters. Downsizing of the notebook computer is restricted by the keyboard. A proposal has been made of a portable computer whose keyboard can be folded in the center thereof (refer to Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. JP-A-4-281509). In a portable computer, after a cover including a liquid crystal screen is opened to disengage from a keyboard unit, when a right keyboard unit is opened to disengage from a left keyboard unit, the portable computer can be used as a computer.
However, the portable computer disclosed in the publication No. JP-A-4-281509 has only the capability of a computer. When the right keyboard unit is turned down to engage with the left keyboard unit, the portable computer cannot be used as a computer.


A fall protection system having one or more modules is provided. Each module is made of a structural sheet having a ridge and at least one attachment panel, and a user attachment mechanism. The attachment panel can be secured to a working structure. The module can further have a restraining mechanism for resisting at least lateral and rotational movement of the ridge up to a threshold force, and be configured to fail or deform and permit lateral and rotational movement of the ridge if the threshold force is exceeded. The restraining mechanism can be tabs extending from the attachment panel, fasteners, welds, or another mechanism for resisting lateral and rotational movement of the ridge.

Operative access to elevated working structures, such as roof areas, is a major source of danger during building construction, inspection, and maintenance procedures, especially on sloping roofs. Falls from elevated working structures are a common contributor to injuries and fatalities. Fall protection systems are therefore used to mitigate the risks of such accidents. Known fall protection systems fall into two main categories: (i) discrete points and/or (ii) continuous coverage. Individual anchors fall in the first category and cable safety systems and safety rail systems are in the second category.
Individual anchor points are mounted to the underlying structure and provide a single point that can restrain a worker from encountering a fall, arrest a worker's fall, and may also be used for suspending a worker or equipment. Individual anchor points are typically lower cost relative to continuous anchor systems. However, they do not allow for continuous protection as a worker moves about the roof, as the worker must engage and disengage with the individual anchor points as she moves about the structure. Further, due to the worker's safety line forming a fixed radius from the anchor point, not all areas of the structure are accessible in a fall restraint application. Further, the potential for a swing fall hazard exists if the worker is utilizing the anchor point in a fall arrest situation with too great of an offset from the anchor.
Cable safety systems are installed on working structures via end posts and intermediate posts supporting the cable at regular intervals. A cable safety system is able to permit a user access to large areas of a working structure such as a roof, and enables a user to change direction to access a particular region of the working structure without the need to detach from the safety system. However, when a load is applied to the cable by a person attached to a safety line, such as in the event of a fall, the load is primarily transferred through the cable into the posts and so into the working structure, such as a roof. The loads are typically very high and can potentially damage the working structure. The use of cable safety systems is also limited by the cable deflection that occurs when a person falls. This restricts the use of cable systems on relatively low-level structures as a user may impact the ground before their fall is arrested by the system, or system deflection may permit the user to fall when in a travel restraint situation.
Known safety rail systems comprise a safety rail or track to which a safety rail traveler and associated safety line may be attached. Safety rail systems use a solid beam or track and typically have a low profile when mounted. EP 0 593 150 describes a roof safety system in which a rail is provided at the ridge of a pitched roof. A traveler, such as that disclosed in GB 2 328 664, is slidably mounted on the rail, so that a person working on either side of the pitched roof can secure a safety line to the traveler for protection from falling off the roof. Although rail and traveler systems provide the advantage of an attachment point which is easily moved to any position along the length of a roof ridge, the prior art roof safety systems require special fixings and are not readily retrofitted to an existing roof or other working structure.
Further, most cable and rail systems are not approved for use or are not permitted in many jurisdictions for the in-air suspension of workers. A boatswain's chair is an example of such a system.
Moreover, many existing fall protection systems do not have waterproofing integrated into their designs.
WO2002/044496 discloses a safety rail system which can be installed on a sloping roof and provides a continuous rail to which a safety rail traveler and associated safety line may be attached. The system comprises one or more longitudinal base units, of substantially uniform cross section adapted to be fixed to the surface of a roof, and one or more longitudinal rail units of substantially uniform cross section adapted to allow the attachment of a safety rail traveler.
WO2006/021794 discloses a safety rail system that includes at least two rail members arranged end-to-end and a spigot securing together adjacent rail members.
WO2013/159888 discloses an integrated safety system for roofers of buildings comprising an elongate ridge cap having a profile along the top adapted to provide a track for a shuttle.
There is a need for a fall protection system which provides the system design with flexibility and enables a user to access large areas of a working structure without detachment from the system; which can safely suspend a worker in the air; which selectively allows suspension or fall protection at a discrete location or provides continuous coverage, either provided as standalone options or within the same system design; which can be easily and permanently installed on a new roof or retrofitted to an existing roof; which can be easily replaced in parts when necessary; which includes integrated means for waterproofing; which may include integrated means for ventilation if desired; and which may mitigate damage to the working structure in the event of a fall.


A delivery system is provided. The delivery system includes a carrier or an active compound and a glutathione or a glutathione derivative grafted thereon. The invention also provides a compound including a moiety comprising a vitamin E derivative or a phospholipid derivative, a polyethylene glycol (PEG) or a polyethylene glycol derivative bonded thereto, and a glutathione (GSH) or a glutathione derivative bonded to the polyethylene glycol or the polyethylene glycol derivative.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a biological delivery system, and more particularly to a glutathione-based delivery system.
2. Description of the Related Art
The blood brain barrier (BBB) is composed of brain endothelial cells capable of blocking foreign substances, such as toxin, due to the tight junction therebetween. Hydrophobic or low-molecular-weight molecules, however, can pass through the BBB via passive diffusion.
Nevertheless, active compounds, such as hydrophilic protein drugs for treating cerebral or nervous diseases and analgesic peptide drugs acting on the central nervous system, cannot enter brain tissue thereby due to their large molecular weight or hydrophilicity, resulting in decomposition by enzymes.
Current researches forward various methods of allowing active compounds to pass through the BBB, including structural modification to increase hydrophobicity of drugs, absorption-mediated transport (AMT) allowing positive-charged carriers to pass via charge absorption, carrier-mediated transcytosis (CMT) allowing hydrophilic metal ions such as Na+ and K+, di-peptides, tri-peptides or glucose to pass via transporters, and receptor-mediated transcytosis (RMT) allowing macro molecules such as insulin, transferrin, or low-density lipoprotein (LDL) to pass via transcytosis.
Glutathione (GSH) is an endogenous antioxidant. If its concentration in serum is insufficient, some nervous diseases, such as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), may occur.
In 1988, Kiwada Hiroshi provided a liposome capable of accumulation in liver comprising an N-acylglutathione such as N-palmitoylglutathione and a phospholipid such as phosphotidylcholine to target and treat liver diseases recited in JP63002922.
In 1994, Berislav V. Zlokovic asserted that glutathione (GSH) reaches and passes through the BBB of a guinea pig via a special route, such as GSH-transporter, without decomposition.
In 1995, Berislav V. Zlokovic asserted that glutathione (GSH) exists in brain astrocyte and endothelial cells with millimolar concentration.
In 1995, Ram Kannan asserted that GSH uptake depends on Na+ concentration. If Na+ concentration is low, GSH uptake from brain endothelial cells may be inhibited. He also pointed Na-dependent GSH transporter located on the luminal side of the BBB manages GSH uptake and Na-independent GSH transporter located on the luminal side of the BBB manages efflux of GSH. Additionally, Kannan built a rat hepatic canalicular GSH transporter (RcGSHT) system using the brains of mice and guinea pigs to analyze cDNA fragments 5, 7, and 11. The results indicate that fragment 7 represents Na-dependent GSH transporter and fragments 5 and 11 represent Na-dependent GSH transporter.
In 1999, Ram Kannan built a mouse brain endothelial cell line (MBEC-4) model simulating BBB situations. The model proved that Na-dependent GSH transporter is located on the luminal side of the MBEC-4 cell.
In 2000, Ram Kannan asserted that GSH passes through the BBB via Na-dependent GSH transporter in human cerebrovascular endothelial cells (HCEC) and Na-dependent GSH transporter exists in the luminal plasma membrane of HCEC.
In 2003, Zhao Zhiyang provided an anti-cancer pro-drug bonded with glutatione s-transferase (GST)/glutathione (GSH) by sulfonamide covalent bonds to target and treat specific cancer cells after broken of the sulfonamide bonds recited in US2003109555. This modification can protect amino groups of drugs, increase solubility thereof, and alter absorption and distribution thereof in body.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Industrial Technology Research Institute


A fire suppressant system having a pipe system, spray nozzles connected to the pipe system and a control system for selectively charging the pipe system with foam. The control system includes a pilot line for generating a signal based upon sensing an environmental parameter and a first control valve for activating the system based upon the signal. Preferably, the first control valve forms i) an interior cavity for mixing the compressed air and compressed air liquid, ii) an outlet in fluid communication with the interior; iii) a first inlet, oriented substantially perpendicular to a flow through the outlet, in fluid communication with the interior and the compressed air; and iv) a second inlet, oriented substantially perpendicular to the flow, in fluid communication with the interior and the compressed air liquid.

1. Field of the Invention
The subject disclosure relates to systems for automatic fire suppression, and more particularly to an improved system for automatically delivering compressed air foam (CAF) to a hazard area that is typically difficult to safely and properly access. The systems are also effective for delivering foam and like substances to cover and control biohazards.
2. Background of the Related Art
For centuries, man has battled unwanted fires. As technology has developed, the fire fighting techniques have matured from the bucket brigade to highly specialized vehicles, systems and chemicals. However, in many instances such as off-shore drilling platforms, boats, bulldozers and the like, access to water distribution networks or access by firefighting vehicles is not available along with other technical challenges. When a fire is relatively small, use of portable fire extinguishers is common. Further, depending upon the source of the fire, water may not be an appropriate agent for suppression. As such, emergency vehicles and portable extinguishers often deliver foam, non-water solutions, water with chemical additives for additional suppression capability and the like.
Use of portable extinguishers from hand-held versions and larger cart-like versions have been widely used and well understood in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,881,817 and 6,089,324 to Mahrt, each of which is incorporated herein by reference, disclose a portable fire suppression system using cold compressed air foam. The portable system includes a manifold with a mixing chamber for expanding and accelerating the foam through the manifold by injecting cold compressed air adjacent the manifold inlet and at a 68 degree angle relative to the flow direction.
Technology continues to evolve in the area of fire suppression. An exemplary technique is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 6,328,225 to Crampton (the Crampton patent), which is incorporated herein by reference. The Crampton patent discloses a rotary nozzle for a CAF fire extinguishing system. In a preferred embodiment, two orifices of unequal size are provided on opposite sides of the lower part of a tubular barrel with closed ends. As a result of the asymmetrical disposition of the two orifices with respect to the axis of rotation of the barrel, jets are directed downwards, tangentially to the axis of rotation of the barrel, causing the barrel to rotate about its axis.
Another exemplary device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,082,463 to Ponte (the Ponte patent), which is incorporated herein by reference. The Ponte patent discloses a concealed or covered sprinkler for a conventional (e.g., water-supplied) fire prevention system. When the ambient temperature exceeds the melting point of a solder joint, leaf springs force the sprinkler cover open and, moreover, when the ambient temperature exceeds the release temperature of a thermally responsive structure, a lever structure forces a cap from an orifice through which pressurized water is forced.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,441,113 to Pierce, incorporated herein by reference, discloses an automatic foam fire extinguishing system comprising a source of pressurized foam, a distribution system for distributing air and the foam, and a plurality of sprinkler heads that dispense the air and foam.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,441,086 to Barnes, incorporated herein by reference, discloses a water-powered fire-fighting foam generator and a dispensing nozzle. In a preferred embodiment, pressurized foam solution travels through a passageway into a pair of reaction nozzles that spray the foam solution onto the inner surface of a perforated, cylindrical wall. The force of the solution causes the reaction nozzles and, consequently, the axial flow fan to rotate. As the axial flow fan rotates, it forces air down and then radially outward through the perforations in the cylindrical wall.
Further, advances in technology are often gained by study and use of hazardous or infectious materials such as carcinogens and active virus cultures. As a result of handling such highly toxic and/or dangerous substances, suppression systems are needed to cover and/or control such substances. Although effective suppressants have been developed, an improved system for delivering these suppressants is needed.


A heating device includes a base; a supporter disposed on the base, the supporter has a chamber therein and the chamber being configured for receiving the tobacco cigarette; an electromagnetic induction coil, wound around the supporter and configured for generating an alternative magnetic field in the chamber; at least one first heating element disposed in the chamber; when the tobacco cigarette is disposed in the chamber, the at least one first heating element contacts an outer surface of the tobacco cigarette and is configured for generating a vortex in the alternative magnetic field to heat the tobacco cigarette; and a second heating element disposed on the base; when the tobacco cigarette is disposed in the chamber, the second heating element is inserted into the tobacco cigarette and configured to generate a vortex in the alternative magnetic field to heat the tobacco cigarette.

The tobacco cigarette as an additive is adored by lots of people. However, tars and carbon monoxide etc. are harmful to people's health. Especially, tens of substances in the tar are carcinogens, which immensely affect people's health. Currently, many countries are gradually prohibiting smoking tobacco cigarettes in the public. However, for the heavy smokers, it is difficult for them not to smoke, which is a painful thing. Therefore, many alternatives appeared in the market such as, repatons and electronic cigarettes etc.
The electronic cigarette heats the tobacco cigarette or cartridge for atomization, so as to generate an aerosol. Since the electronic cigarette has similar flavor and appearance with the real tobacco cigarette, ridding the harmful substances such as tars and particulate matters in the tobacco cigarette, the electronic cigarette become more and more popular among the users.
In prior art, two ways are adopted to heat the tobacco cigarette: 1, inserting a heating element into the tobacco cigarette, the heating element generates heat by means of electromagnetic induction to heat the tobacco cigarette; 2, by integrating central heating and around heating, by means of the electromagnetic induction, the heating element generates heat for heating the tobacco cigarette.
During invention process, a method known to the inventors: the central heating as described supra would cause heating unevenly, that is, inside the tobacco cigarette has high temperature whereas outside the tobacco cigarette has low temperature, which tremendously affect taste of the electronic cigarette; however, the around heating as described supra generally generates a closed annulus, but the annulus-shaped metallic heating element would concentrate the electromagnetic inductive lines on the closed annulus itself, which may cause magnetic shielding to the tobacco cigarette disposed at a central of the closed annulus, so that the tobacco cigarette absorbing and transforming the magnetic flux would be affected, with consequently low heating efficiency and uneven heating to the tobacco cigarette to damage taste of the electronic cigarette.

Heating device and smoking set having same

Shenzhen First Union Technology Co., Ltd.


What is disclosed is a system and method for preventing texting while driving and offering usage-based rewards. The system comprises a phone holder mounted within a vehicle and an application running on the driver's smartphone. A control circuit of the phone holder is configured to detect the smartphone in the holder, detect vehicle motion. An NFC tag on the holder also launches the smartphone application. Depending on measured parameters and determinations made by the “smart” holder and smartphone application, usage data is recorded by the control circuit and/or smartphone. The in-vehicle system is also configured to connect to a cloud-based server for storing vehicle and phone usage data and calculating usage-based rewards, such as insurance benefits for plan members. The system can also include an electronic notification device affixed to the rear windshield of the vehicle and that is selectively switched on to indicate active use of the system.

In the U.S.A. 390,000 accidents a year, a ¼ of all car accidents, involve texting while driving. Youths or inexperienced drivers are highly correlated with this behavior leaving them as riskier drivers with higher auto insurance policies. A system that more effectively prevents texting while driving and reduces the emotional and financial concerns amongst parents is needed.
Providing an auto owner (e.g. a parent) with the empowerment to monitor in real time and restrict a driver's (e.g., a child) poor and distracted driving behavior will mitigate these concerns. From an emotional perspective, a child's safety is a top prioritization for parents. Therefore, what is needed is a system to assist parents in recognizing any poor or distracted driving behaviors. Simultaneously, a secondary financial concern amongst parents is expressed as they seek a reduction in their high auto insurance policy costs. Accordingly, what is needed is a system to assist with ensuring drivers do not engage in any poor or distracted driving behaviors and give the auto owner an opportunity to minimize the cost of a shared insurance policy through reliably calculating usage-based insurance benefits in a variety of real-world scenarios. Overall, what is needed is a system to provide an owner oversight and accountability upon the vehicle driver activity (e.g., their child's use of the car) to ensure that other authorized drivers are accruing usage-based insurance benefits by not engaging in texting and driving.
From an insurance company's perspective, what is needed is a system that can collect actuary sound data in a variety of scenarios in order to accurately attribute insurance ratings on an individual level with driver to vehicle identification. Further, what is needed is a system that provides the ability to differentiate a driver from a passenger in a vehicle which enables the system to accurately capture vehicle driver activity and provide usage-based rewards. Additionally, what is needed is a system that can collect vehicle and driver phone usage data and that can integrate with the data already collected by the insurance company (e.g., number of tickets, accidents and the like) to further inform carriers what an optimal insured premium is.
It is with respect to these and other considerations that the disclosure made herein is presented.

System for preventing texting while driving and offering usage-based insurance benefits


A mobile device (160) and method (300) for generating wind instrument sounds is provided. The mobile device can include a microphone (102) for capturing an air turbulence in response to a blowing action, a keypad (104) for selecting a virtual valve to associate with the air turbulence, a synthesis engine (106) for synthesizing a musical note in response to the blowing and the virtual valve, and an audio speaker (108) for playing the musical note. One or more keys of the keypad can be depressed during the blowing action on the microphone for synthesizing a musical note of a wind instrument. A display (110) can present a musical notation (800) and a fingering chart (810) for musical notes.

The use of portable electronic devices and mobile communication devices has increased dramatically in recent years. Mobile devices are capable of establishing communication with other communication devices over landline networks, cellular networks, and, recently, wide local area networks (WLANs). Mobile devices are capable of providing access to Internet services which are bringing people closer together in a world of information. Mobile devices operating over a telecommunications infrastructure are capable of providing various forms of multimedia and entertainment. People are able to collaborate on projects, discuss ideas, interact with one another on-line, all while communicating via text, audio, and video.
A mobile device such as a portable music player can be used to download songs, edit music files, compose music, and share music files. However, the music files or sound files are generally pre-recorded. For example, a downloaded song is generally recorded and produced in a studio or mixed at a production facility. The music is generally provided as a completed recording and allows only for limited types of editing. Moreover, the music is composed by musicians who have access to music equipment including musical instruments. Users are generally unable to create musical instrument sounds without access to a musical instrument.


A camera device includes a lens cover defining a lens opening. Two positioning posts extend from the lens cover. The two positioning posts are arranged at two opposite sides of the lens opening, for selectively mounting a first circuit board having a first lens or a second circuit board having a second lens different from the first lens. The first and second circuit boards are operable to be installed on the lens cover at different positions through being mounted on different positions of the two positioning posts.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to camera devices and, particularly, to a camera device which is capable of adapting to two different lens having different lens sensors.
2. Description of Related Art
Camera devices, such as digital cameras, generally include lens sensors installed on circuit boards of the camera devices. Types of the lens sensors may be different, such as a charge coupled device lens sensors and complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor transistor lens sensors. Currently, different lens sensors must be installed in different lens covers to match different back focal lengths, therefore, when a lens sensor needs to be replaced, the lens cover must be replaced, too, which is costly.

Camera device adapting to different lens sensors


A horizontally oriented mortar mixing drum 11 fabricated of polyethylene material having an elemental cylindrical segment opening through which mortar materials to be mixed may be deposited into or poured from. A perimeter frame having base elemental frame member 15, diametric wall frame members 16 and polyethylene grate 20 is provided for enhancing resistance to torsional stress on drum 11. Wear resistant liner 12 and side panels 13 and 14 cover the interior surface of drum 11. Paddle shaft 18 is rotatably and axially supported within drum 11 and has paddle stubs 28 attached to and extending radially therefrom. Polyethylene mixing paddles 19 are sleeved onto paddle stubs 28 to complete improved mortar mixing drum assembly 10.

1. Technical Field
This invention generally relates to an improved mortar mixing drum, and in particular to a mortar mixing drum fabricated from polyethylene crosslink with a removable wear resistant plastic liner and paddles, and an elemental perimeter drum frame for rigidity.
2. Background Art
Present day mortar mixers are constructed of all steel. Typically, they have a cylindrically shaped drum open along the top side and a plurality of metal mixing paddles and wipers axially and rotatably secured within the drum. A rotation means, such as a gasoline engine, is provided to rotate a paddle axle to facilitate mixing the mortar. The ends of the paddles are provided with rubber wipers which contact the metal interior surface of the drum. This is necessary because the mortar sticks to the inside of the drum, as it also sticks to the paddles. It should be obvious that the life span of the rubber wipers is limited and they require frequent replacement.
Often, due to improper maintenance and cleaning, residual mortar is allowed to dry within the mixing drum and other surfaces, including the paddles. Because dried mortar is very difficult to remove from a metal surface, workers often resort to breaking the mortar loose with a hammer or other heavy object. Consequently, mortar mixers typically spend a great deal of time in the shop for repairs.
A similar problem exists in the analogous art of cement mixers. Attempts have been made to solve this problem, such as Bishop's U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,435,082, 4,491,415, and 4,756,623, which all teach rotatable cement mixing drums manufactured of a plastic such as polyethylene. Adsit, U.S. Pat. No. 4,521,116, teaches a mixing apparatus having a removable and disposable synthetic resin drum liner. Kennedy, U.S. Pat. No. 4,711,582 teaches a rotary mixing device which uses a bag as a disposable drum liner. Riederer, U.S. Pat. No. 4,569,648 teaches a self-cleaning rotating drum being lined with elastic webs.
None of the above described devices are capable of mixing mortar, as they are designed for mixing cement. There is a significant difference between compositions of mortar and those of cement. Typically cement contains larger gravel particles as compared to mortar whose largest component is relatively small grained lime cement and sand. There may be a substantial difference in weight, with standard cement gravel mixtures weighing approximately 150 pounds per cubic foot, whereas mortar will typically weigh approximately 200 pounds per cubic foot. As a result the polyethylene drums taught by Bishop's U.S. Patents and the rest of the cement mixers taught by the above-described prior art are not suitable for mixing mortar.
To date the most effective apparatus for mixing mortar uses a cylindrical drum having a cylindrical segment opening along the longitudinal, or elemental, length of the drum and a plurality of paddles rotatably secured within the drum. The ends of the paddles are provided with rubber wipers which wipe the inner surface of the cylindrical drum, keeping it free of adhering mortar. Contrary to their cement mixing counterparts, mortar mixers are not easily operated by hand, primarily because of the added density of the material being mixed, and must use either gasoline or electric motor to operate the mixing paddles.
The drum itself is rotatable from an orientation where the elemental segment opening is at the top to a dumping position where the opening is rotated downward until mortar is free to spill from the drum. Since the drum contains rotating paddles it presents a safety hazard, and the typical mortar mixer design includes protective grates covering the opening. Typically there are two sections to the protective grate, the first being fixed and the second hinged to open when mortar is being dumped from the drum. The grates are normally made of steel and have sufficient opening size to allow water and dry mortar to be easily dumped into the drum, yet small enough to keep operators' hands and clothing from being caught by the rotating mixing paddles.
Two problems plague both the manufacturers and users of such mortar mixers, the first is the abrasion caused by mortar being wiped against the inside walls of the mixing drum which will eventually cause the drum to wear through. The second is that mixed mortar will adhere to grates even during proper operation and must be chiseled off, and on occasion, mortar will be allowed to dry on the inside of the drum and the paddles to which it readily adheres. The only effective means of removing dried mortar from the inside of the drum and off the grates and paddles is to break it loose with a hammer or other heavy object. This is a time consuming chore and can easily result in damaged paddles and dents in the drum which interfere with the contoured surface of the drum and, if severe enough, will interfere with the rotation of the mixing paddles causing the paddle assembly to jam inside the drum. In practice it has been found that when a mortar mixer is being used on a full-time basis, the all steel drum should be replaced every three to six months. This of course is time consuming and expensive.
The use of plastic drums would be preferable since plastic such as polyethylene crosslink present a surface to which dried mortar will not adhere. The problems with the use of polyethylene crosslink are twofold, the first is wear on the inside of the drum caused by the abrasion of mortar being mixed, and the second is the considerable weight and high viscosity of mortar. The typical mortar mixer is designed to mix between six and eight cubic feet of mortar at a time. This can .[.weight.]. .Iadd.weigh .Iaddend.between 800 to 1,600 pounds.
The abrasiveness and high viscosity of mortar results in torque moments being imparted to the drum when the paddles are being rotated to mix mortar. These forces imparted can be considerable and can result in net torsional forces being imparted to the drum as a result of the means by which the drum is held in its upright or mixing position. These forces are the primary reason why steel has been the material of choice for fabricating mortar mixing drums.
As a result plastic mortar mixing drums had to be fabricated of thick, and relatively heavy, plastic materials.
What is needed is a plastic mortar mixing drum which has the combination of the non-adhering surfaces for the drum, the paddles and the grates, the structural strength and integrity of a steel drum, and an improved wear surface. The fabrication of such a drum would substantially increase its useful life and decrease the maintenance expenses incurred in removing dried mortar from the mixer parts and for periodically replacing mixing drums and paddles.