The present application discloses an automated cooking apparatus that includes a holder configured to hold a container of food or food ingredients, one or more first kinematic pairs, each comprising a first mating part and a second mating part, wherein the first mating part is connected to the holder; a motion mechanisms that can move the second mating parts of the one or more kinematic pairs; and a driver or controller configured to drive or control the motion mechanism to produce a movement of properly fast speed so that a center point on the internal surface of the container is displaced by properly small distance. The first kinematic pairs and the motion mechanisms in combination can move the holder and the cooking pan to produce fast enough acceleration in the container.

The present application relates to automated kitchen equipment, and specifically to automated method and equipment for stirring, mixing, and distributing food ingredients during cooking.
Considerable amount of research and experiments have been conducted on the automation of stirring and mixing of food ingredients during cooking. The existing solutions include the following three main approaches: the first approach utilizes spatula or pedals of different shapes to stir, mix and turn food ingredients; the second approach simulates human's stirring actions during cooking; and the third approach uses cooking pans in the shapes of rolling cylinders to turn and mix food ingredients.
The first approach involves complex operations and complicated mechanisms, and thus has low reliability. Specifically, the stirring wok mechanism disclosed in Chinese Application No. 200710032699.9 teaches throwing food ingredients in the air for mixing, using a spatula. Such an approach is easily affected by air movement and sometimes throws food ingredients outside of the wok. In addition to the structural complexity, the stirring operations involve large movements, which use too much energy.
The second approach includes simpler operations and practical mechanisms but is ineffective in mixing and stirring food ingredients. This approach cannot achieve uniform stirring and mixing obtained by a human. One major reason for such poor result is that the movements of the spatula can only perform simple rotational movements. In an attempt to overcome this drawback, Chinese Application No. 200610081415.1 discloses an automatically stirring wok including rotation of the stirring spatula. The disclosed mechanism is rather complex and often breaks food ingredients.
The third approach utilizes a rolling cylinder as a cooking pan (similar to a front load cloth dryer). When the cylinder is rotated, the food ingredients are brought up, and then fall freely pulled down by gravity, which stirs, mixes and turns the food ingredients contained in the rolling cylinder. This approach is simple and mechanism reliable, but it requires a large amount of cooking oil to coat the whole surface of the cylinder to prevent food sticking to and burning at the internal surfaces. Moreover, such mechanism is also not effective in heating the food ingredients. Lots of energy is dissipated in the rotational cylinder wall. Specifically, Chinese Application No. 200720019984.3 teaches a rotating-cylinder based cook device. The axis of the cylinder is positioned horizontally. The device is energy inefficient.
Another drawback of existing mixing and stirring systems is that they tend to move food ingredients to a particular side of the cooking pan, which produces scattered and unbalanced distribution in the food ingredients. In some cases, food ingredients may be pushed out of the cooking pan. The spatula in some conventional cooking systems rotates around an axis vertical a round cooking pan. The spatula can push food ingredients into an unbalanced distribution, with some areas having thicker food ingredients accumulation than other areas.
There is therefore a need for effective and efficient automated apparatus that provide stirring and mixing food ingredients during cooking and can provide making and maintaining a balanced distribution of food ingredients in the cooking pan.

Automated stirring and mixing apparatus for cooking


An incline angle adjustable stair climbing machine includes a base frame, a tilting seat pivotally mounted at the base frame, a tilting seat adjuster for adjusting an incline angle of the tilting seat relative to the base frame, a staircase mounted at the tilting seat and including a plurality of tread boards biasable relative to the tilting seat, and a tread board adjuster mounted at the tilting seat for adjusting a biasing angle of the tilting seat to maintain the plurality of tread boards constantly horizontal for enabling a user to conduct stair-climbing exercises at different climb gradients while maintaining good posture.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to fitness machine technology, and more particularly to an incline angle adjustable stair climbing machine.
2. Description of the Related Art
Because modern people are busy with work and do not have much time to engage in outdoor sports and outdoor sport activities are susceptible to weather, in order not to be constrained by time and weather, office workers who love to exercise usually will prepare a fitness machine at home for use any time when desired to achieve the effect of fitness. In order to meet the needs of different users, various fitness machines with different functions are commercially available for selection, such as treadmills, steppers, elliptical machines, or stair climbing machines. In a stair climbing machine, the circulation of tread boards enables the user to simulate a stair climbing exercise, strengthening the muscle strength and improving the functions of the heart and the lungs. However, the climb gradient of regular stair climbing machines it normally fixed, not adjustable according to user training needs. Therefore, the fitness effect the user can get from a conventional stair climbing machine is very limited.

Incline angle adjustable stair climbing machine


Providing a compact zoom lens system with high optical performance suitable for an SLR digital camera with a solid-state imaging device of the APS-C size. The zoom lens system includes, in order from an object, a first group having negative power, a second group having positive power, a third group having negative power, and a fourth group having positive power. Upon zooming from a wide-angle end state to a telephoto end state, the second, third and fourth groups are moved to the object such that a distance between the first and second groups decreases, a distance between the second and third groups increases, and a distance between the third and fourth groups decreases. Each of the first, second and fourth groups is composed of at least one positive lens and at least one negative lens. The third group consists of a single lens. Given conditional expressions are satisfied.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a zoom lens system suitable for a single-lens reflex camera.
2. Related Background Art
A zoom lens system has been proposed that is composed of, in order from an object, a first lens group having negative refractive power, a second lens group having positive refractive power, a third lens group having negative refractive power, and a fourth lens group having positive refractive power, wherein the third lens group is composed of a single lens (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 2001-183585 and 2004-271937).
However, a zoom lens system disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-183585 is a four-lens-group zoom lens having negative-positive-negative-positive power distribution, having a third lens group composed of a single lens element, and having an image circle suitable for a single-lens reflex 35 mm-camera using a 135 film format. Accordingly, when the zoom lens system is made a proportional reduction to obtain a zoom lens system for a single-lens reflex digital camera with a solid-state imaging device of an APS-C size (23.7 mm by 15.6 mm), it causes a problem that the back focal length becomes insufficient.
Moreover, a zoom lens system disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-271937 is a five-lens-group zoom lens having negative-positive-negative-positive-positive power distribution, having a third lens group composed of a single lens element, and having an image circle suitable for a digital camera using a so-called 1/1.8″ type CCD imaging device. Accordingly, when the zoom lens system is made a proportional expansion to obtain an image circle for a single-lens reflex digital camera with a solid-state imaging device of an APS-C size, it causes a problem that the zoom lens system becomes too large.
Furthermore, since the zoom lens system disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-271937 is not for a single-lens reflex camera, even if the zoom lens system is proportionally expanded, a sufficient back focal length for a single-lens reflex digital camera with a solid-state imaging device of an APS-C size cannot be obtained.


An integrated circuit including ESD device is disclosed. One embodiment includes a semiconductor region being electrically isolated from adjacent semiconductor regions by an isolating region. Both an ESD device and a device configured to emit radiation are formed within the semiconductor region.

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) devices are widespread in semiconductor technologies to protect circuit blocks from electrostatic discharge during assembly or operation, for example. These ESD devices require a fast and reliable current consumption to take over any discharge current before damage of circuit blocks.
A need exists for an integrated circuit including an ESD device having an improved fast and reliable onset of avalanche breakdown.


The invention relates to carbodiimide-based block copolymers, a method of preparing them and also their use as hydrolysis stabilizers in ester-group-containing polymers. The advantages of the block copolymers according to the invention are, in particular, their high efficiency at low dosage as hydrolysis protection in ester-group-containing polymers, and also their nontoxic behavior, their high thermal stability and their good compatibility during incorporation in the polymeric matrix of the polymers to be protected.

The invention relates to novel polycarbodiimide-based block copolymers, a method of preparing them and also their use as hydrolysis stabilizers in ester-group-containing polymers.
Organic carbodiimides are known. Their chemistry and their preparation are described, for example, in Chemical Reviews, vol. 81 (1981), pages 589 to 639 and Angewandte Chemie 74 (1962), pages 801 to 806.
Monocarbodiimides and oligomeric polycarbodiimides can be prepared, for example, by the action of basic catalysts on mono- or polyisocyanates. Suitable as basic catalysts are, for example, heterocyclic, phosphorous-containing compounds in accordance with GB-A-1 083 410 and phospholenes and phospholidines as specified in DE-B-11 30 594 and also their oxides and sulfides.
Furthermore, polycarbodiimides having terminal urethane groups are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,941,983 and DE-B-22 48 751. The products can be prepared, for example, by carbodiimidization of diisocyanates with sterically hindered isocyanate groups and subsequent partial or complete urethanation of the terminal NCO groups with alcohols. As described in DE-A-2 248 751, if aromatic diisocyanates having isocyanate groups with different reactivity are used, the isocyanate groups having higher reactivity with alcohol may be partially or completely converted into the corresponding urethane groups and the remaining isocyanate groups may be reacted to form carbodiimide groups with the elimination of carbon dioxide.
The carbodiimides and polycarbodiimides are preferably used as stabilizers to prevent the hydrolytic cleavage of polyester-based plastics. According to the specifications of DE-A-14 94 009, aromatic and/or cycloaliphatic monocarbo-diimides, in particular, are suitable for this purpose that are substituted in position 2 and 2xe2x80x2, such as 2,2xe2x80x2,6,6xe2x80x2-tetraisopropyidiphenylcarbodiimide. Polycarbodiimides having a molecular weight of over 500 and a content of more than 3 carbodiimide groups are described in DE-B-12 85 747 as stabilizers to counteract the effects of heat and moisture in ester-group-containing plastics.
Although a substantial stability of ester-group-containing plastics with respect to moist heat, water and water vapor can be achieved by adding said (poly)carbodiimides as stabilizers, the products also have disadvantages. A disadvantage of the tetraalkyl-substituted monocarbodiimides, such as, for example, 2,2xe2x80x2,6,6xe2x80x2-tetraisopropyldiphenylcarbodiimide, preferably used industrially, is their relatively high vapor pressure and their tendency as a result of the low molecular weight to migrate out of the polyaddition products, for example thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU) or polycondensation products, for example polyterephthalates. To eliminate this deficiency, according to the specifications of EP-A-0 460 481, substituted monocarbodiimides or oligomeric substituted polycarbodiimides having terminal isocyanate groups are used which are prepared from substituted diisocyanates and that virtually do not release toxic volatile substances originating from the carbodiimides used either when hot, for example under the conventional processing conditions, or at room temperature. Polycarbodiimides of this type have higher melting points or cannot be melted and can be introduced into the polyurethanes and/or their parent substances only with an appreciable expenditure in terms of apparatus and time. The distribution of the polycarbodiimides in the ester-group-containing plastics is, therefore, often insufficiently homogeneous so that the stabilizer action does not meet the expectations.
More readily melting polycarbodiimide derivatives can be obtained by converting some of the terminal isocyanate groups into urethane groups, for example in accordance with DE-A-22 48 751 or U.S. Pat. No. 2,941,983.
Because of the statistical occurrence of monocarbodiimides and short-chain homologues, there is also in these compounds the tendency to form cleavage products that have low vapor pressure and a high tendency to migrate in the plastic and that tend to outgas at the higher processing temperatures.
In polymers that are incapable of forming hydrogen bridge bonds, such as polyesters and polycarbonates, the terminally masked urethane groups bring about incompatibility effects that limit their effectiveness.
The object of the present invention was to eliminate the above-mentioned disadvantages entirely or at least partly and to provide hydrolysis protection agents that have a high efficiency at low dosage in ester-group-containing polymers, that are nontoxic, that have a high thermal stability, that do not release toxic cleavage products when exposed to heat and that have good compatibility with the polymer matrix and do not therefore, effloresce out of the ester-group-containing polymers.
Surprisingly, this object was achieved by using polycarbodiimide-based block copolymers of formula (I)
Xxe2x80x94[xe2x80x94(A)mxe2x80x94(B)nxe2x80x94]oxe2x80x94Xxe2x80x83xe2x80x83(I),
in which
X is identical or different and is selected from xe2x80x94NHCOxe2x80x94R, xe2x80x94NHCONHxe2x80x94R, xe2x80x94NHCOOxe2x80x94R, xe2x80x94NHCOSxe2x80x94R, xe2x80x94COOxe2x80x94R, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94R, xe2x80x94NR2, xe2x80x94Sxe2x80x94R, xe2x80x94OH, xe2x80x94NH2, xe2x80x94NHR, Sxe2x80x94H, and xe2x80x94NCO, but preferably stands for xe2x80x94NHCONHxe2x80x94R, xe2x80x94NHCOOxe2x80x94R, xe2x80x94OH, and wherein the group R denote an alkyl, cycloalkyl, aralkyl or aryl radical containing 1 to 30, preferably 2 to 18, carbon atoms,
m, n are, independently of one another an integer from 1 to 1000, preferably from 5 to 200,
o is an integer from 1 to 500, preferably from 3 to 100,
A is selected from the carbodiimides or polycarbodiimides of formula (II)
xe2x80x94(xe2x80x94Nxe2x95x90Cxe2x95x90Nxe2x80x94Yxe2x80x94)xe2x80x94xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(II),
xe2x80x83in which
Y is selected from ortho- or bisortho-substituted aromatics, aralkylenes in which the carbon atom linked to the carbodiimide group is substituted by C1- to C14-alkyl groups, and cycloalkylenes in which the carbon atom linked to the carbodiimide group is substituted by C1- to C14-alkyl groups, and
B is selected from the group comprising (poly)dioles, (poly)diamines, (poly)dimercaptans, (poly)aminoalcohols, (poly)aminomercaptans and (poly)mercaptoalcohols.
The invention furthermore provides a method of preparing the block copolymers according to the invention and the use of the block copolymers according to the invention as stabilizers to prevent the hydrolytic degradation of ester-group-containing polymers.
To prepare the polycarbodiimides (component A, formula II) incorporated in the block copolymers according to the invention of formula (I), diisocyanates can be condensed as starting compounds at elevated temperatures, for example at 40 to 200xc2x0 C., in the presence of catalysts with the release of carbon dioxide. Suitable methods are described in DE-A-11 30 594. Strong bases or phosphorous compounds, for example, have proved satisfactory as catalysts. Phospholene oxides, phospholidines and phospholine oxides are preferably used. Suitable for preparing the component A according to the invention are all diisocyanates, wherein aromatic diisocyanates substituted by C1- to C4-alkyl, such as 2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl 1,3-diisocyanate, 2,4,6-triethylphenyl 1,3-diisocyanate or 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl 1,3-diisocyanate, substituted diisocyanatodiphenyl-methanes, such as 2,4xe2x80x2-diisocyanato-diphenylmethane, 3,3xe2x80x2,5,5xe2x80x2-tetraisopropyl-4,4xe2x80x2-diisocyanatodiphenylmethane or 3,3xe2x80x2,5,5xe2x80x2-tetraethyl-4,4xe2x80x2-diisocyanatodiphenylmethane and substituted aralkyls, such as 1,3-bis(1-methyl-1-isocyanatoethyl) benzene, are preferably used. These diisocyanates can be used individually or as mixtures to prepare component A of formula (I).
The degree of polymerization or degree of condensation, respectively, m in the formula (I) can be adjusted by the choice of reaction conditions, such as reaction temperature, reaction time and amount of catalyst. This can easily be tracked by determining the NCO content or by the carbon dioxide evolved. Preferably, the degree of condensation is adjusted so that residual isocyanates in the range from 1 to 8 wt. % are still present in the polycarbodiimide (component A).
Dioles, diamines, dimercaptans, aminoalcohols, aminomercaptans, mercaptoalcohols or their polymerization products and mixtures thereof can be used as component B of the block copolymer (I) according to the present invention. Preferred dioles are 1,2-ethanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane, poly(ether dioles) based on ethylene glycol, propylene glycol and tetramethylene glycol and mixtures thereof, poly(ester dioles) based on adipic acid, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butanediol and/or tetramethylene glycol, poly(ester dioles) based on ethylene glycol and phosphoric acid, dioles derived from polyolefins, for example from ethylene/butylene polymers. In particular, mention is made of, poly(ester dioles) based on adipic acid and ethane diole and poly(ether dioles) based on ethylene glycol or propylene glycol having a mean molecular weight in the range from 300 to 10,000 g/mol.
Preferred diamines are hexamethylenediamines, ethylenediamine and poly(ether amines) prepared by terminating polyethers with amines. Mention is made of poly(ether amines) based on propylene glycol and/or ethylene glycol having a mean molecular weight of 300 to 10,000 g/mol.
Preferred dimercaptans are 1,6-hexanedithiol, 1,12-dodecyldithiol, 1,18-octadecyidithiol and polyether/polydisulfides, so-called thiocols, having a mean molecular weight of 500 to 10,000 g/mol.
The preparation of the cited compounds of component B is generally known. Thus, for example, the synthesis of poly(ether dioles) is described in Kunststoff-Handbuch, vol. 7, 3rd edition (1993), Hanser-Verlag, pages 58-65, and the synthesis of poly(ester dioles) is described in Kunststoff-Handbuch, vol. 7, 3rd edition (1993), Hanser-Verlag, pages 67-71. The dioles mentioned therein are therefore the subject matter of the present invention.
The block copolymers according to the present invention are prepared by copolymerization of the two starting components A and B. In principle, the known polymerization methods, such as free-radical polymerization, cationic polymerization, anionic polymerization, polycondensation or polyaddition, can be used for this purpose. The block copolymers according to the present invention are preferably prepared by means of polyaddition of diisocyanates with dioles to form polyurethanes or with diamines to form polyureas, as described in Kunststoff-Handbuch, vol. 7, 3rd edition (1993), Hanser-Verlag, pages 11-15. For this purpose, residual-isocyanates-containing polycarbodiimides of component A are reacted with terminal functional groups, i.e. amines or alcohols, at elevated temperature using a catalyst. The reaction temperature is in this case 30xc2x0 to 200xc2x0 C. The common polyurethane catalysts, for example tin(II) compounds, tin(IV) compounds or tertiary amines, such as those described in Kunststoff-Handbuch, vol. 7, 3rd edition (1993), Hanser-Verlag, pages 104-110 can be used as catalyst. Dibutyltin dilaurate and/or triethylenediamine in concentrations of approximately 0.05 to 1 wt. % have proven to be particularly suitable.
The molar mass and, consequently, the degree of polymerization o and the terminal groups of the block copolymers according to the present invention can be adjusted by means of the stoichiometric composition. Preferred is a molar ratio of component A to component B in the range (0.7 to 1.3):1, in particular from (0.90 to 1.10):1.
The reaction of the two components can be performed in reactors typical of chemistry. Particularly suitable as reactors are stirred tanks, compounders, 2-component mixers, such as those described in Kunststoff-Handbuch vol. 7, 3rd edition (1993), Hanser-Verlag, pages 143-147, and extruders.
The block copolymers produced in the reaction according to the present invention of components A and B still contain reactive terminal groups, such as isocyanate, amino, hydroxyl and mercapto groups, which can be reacted by common chemical methods with suitable functionalized alkyl, cycloalkyl, aralkyl or aral compounds containing 1 to 30 carbon atoms, preferably 2 to 18 carbon atoms, to form the desired end group X in formula (I).
The block copolymers according to the present invention of formula (I) have a mean molecular weight of approximately 1000 to 100,000 g/mol.
The block copolymers according to the present invention are eminently suitable as acid scavengers, in particular of organic acids, and are consequently preferably used as stabilizers to prevent the hydrolytic degradation of ester-group-containing polymers. In this connection, the group of polymers comprises both polycondensation products, for example polyesters, polyamides, polycaprolactones, polyester amides, polyether imides and polyether esters, and also polyaddition products, for example polyurethanes, polyureas and polyurea/polyurethane elastomers and free-radical prepared polymers, for example polyvinyl acetate and native polymers, for example, derivatives of cellulose and starch, in particular cellulose lactate.
The concentration of the block copolymers according to the present invention in the ester-group-containing polymers to be stabilized is, in general, 0.01 to 15 wt. %, preferably 0.1 to 5 wt. %, relative to the total mixture. In individual cases where the polymer is particularly stressed, the concentration may also be higher.
The block copolymers according to the present invention can be introduced into the ester-group-containing polymers to be stabilized by various methods. For example, the block copolymers according to the present invention can be blended with one of the educts that are used to prepare the polymers, for example the isocyanates or the polyols, or the block copolymers can be added directly to the reaction mixture during the preparation of the polyurethanes. Furthermore, the block copolymers according to the present invention can be added to the melt of the polymers in the final stage of reaction. According to a further procedure, the block copolymers according to the present invention can also be predispersed in a carrier material, such as, for example, thermoplastic molding compositions, in order subsequently to add these master batches present, as a rule, in solid granules to the final application.

Polycarbodiimide-based block copolymers, a method of preparing them and their use as hydrolysis stabilizers


A micro puree machine includes a mixing shaft coupled to a blade and rotatable by means of a gear. A magnet is coupled to the gear and a rotation sensor is mounted on the machine housing. As the mixing shaft descends into the pre-frozen ingredients, the rotation sensor detects a magnetic field of the magnet as the gear rotates and generates a rotation signal in response. A controller receives the rotation signal and determines a rotation count associated with the gear, causing the mixing shaft to ascend back toward the housing once a pre-selected rotation count has been reached. The pre-selected rotation count correlates with the partial processing of the ingredients.

Home use machines intended to make ice creams, gelatos, frozen yogurts, sorbets and the like are known in the art. Typically, a user adds a series of non-frozen ingredients to a bowl. The ingredients are then churned by a paddle while a refrigeration mechanism simultaneously freezes the ingredients. These devices have known shortcomings including, but not limited to, the amount of time and effort required by the user to complete the ice cream making process. Machines of this nature are also impractical for preparing most non-dessert food products.
An alternative type of machine known to make a frozen food product is a micro-puree machine. Typically, machines of this nature spin and plunge a blade into an ingredient or a combination of ingredients pre-frozen within a container. While able to make frozen desserts like ice creams, gelatos, frozen yogurts, sorbets and the like, micro puree style machines can also prepare non-dessert types of foods such as non-dessert purees and mousses. In addition, a user can prepare either the entire batch of ingredients or a pre-desired number of servings.
With some current micro puree machines, consumers can only process an entire container of pre-frozen ingredients at once. If the consumer processes, but does not consume, the full container of ingredients in a single sitting, the consumer can re-freeze the container and reprocess the remaining ingredients later. However, refreezing and reprocessing the ingredients may compromises the culinary quality of finished dessert.

Micro puree machine with partial depth processing


An electromagnetic frictionally engaged clutch provided with a rotor part including a friction lining. An electrical coil and a first permanent magnet are arranged on the rotor part. The clutch also includes an armature disk which is connected to a second shaft and can be displaced in a rotationally fixed manner, but axially from a coupled end position to an uncoupled end position. The coil of the clutch is enabled to be current-free both in the coupled state and in the uncoupled state. To this end, a second permanent magnet is provided for exerting an axial force opposing the magnetic force of the first permanent magnet on the armature disk.

Such known clutches have both a rotor part which is provided with a friction lining and a rotor part which is connected in a rotationally fixed fashion to a first shaft and on which an electric coil is arranged on the side facing away from the friction lining, and an armature plate which is connected in a rotationally fixed but axially moveable fashion to a second shaft. In this context, in the engaged state a torque which is dependent on the coil current is transmitted from the first shaft to the second shaft. Therefore, if it is desired to maintain the force flux between the shafts, current has to flow constantly through the coil of the clutch.
DE 102 25 580 A1 discloses an electromagnetic clutch for use within a drive train for automatically activating the tailgate of a motor vehicle on whose rotor part a permanent magnet is arranged. This ensures that the tailgate of the motor vehicle is held securely in each intermediate position when the coil is currentless. However, in this clutch a current must flow through the coil continuously in order to disconnect the clutch. Essentially force-free emergency activation of the corresponding tailgate is therefore not possible.

Electromagnetic friction engaged clutch, method for the operation thereof, and use thereof in a drive train for automatically actuating a vehicle door or a vehicle flap


To mount a base station to be suspended in a hanger, the base station is provided with a first device for detachable, pivotable attachment to a corresponding device on the hanger to enable the base station to be pivoted from the hanger, and a second device for detachable, fixed attachment to a corresponding device on the hanger.

Base stations known so far, are set up in switching centers, in leased spaces, in containers in the countryside or in outdoor cabinets.
The base stations of today are quite bulky and thereby difficult to site. To lease spaces for base stations will most often be very expensive, particularly in the cities where it, on the whole, can be very difficult to find suitable spaces. In view of the expected expansion of mobile telephone networks, it will be even more difficult to find such spaces in the future. Moreover, to install and service base stations in narrow spaces is very difficult.


A self-healing data synchronization process includes an initial stage in which a collection of data change events is received, a set of data record(s) corresponding to the data change event(s) is identified, and a syncing of the set of data record(s) is initiated. Data that indicates which data record(s) successfully synced and which failed is stored. During a subsequent stage of the self-healing process, data change events that occurred during a preceding time horizon are identified, a corresponding first set of data record(s) are identified, a difference between the first set and a second set of data record(s) that successfully synced during the time horizon is determined as a third set of data record(s), and any data record that was attempted to be synced during the time horizon but failed is excluded from the third set. A sync of any data record remaining in the third set is then initiated.

In computing systems, the contents of a datastore may need to be copied to another datastore periodically or in response to modification of the contents. For example, data may need to be synced from a first one or more datastores forming part of a first computing system to a second one or more datastores forming part of a second computing system in scenarios in which each system relies on the data. In some scenarios, some data that requires syncing may not be accurately identified, and thus, may not be synced to the second computing system, leading to discrepancies between the synced data stored at the second computing system and the data stored at the first computing system. Discussed herein are technical solutions that address this and other technical problems associated with data syncing scenarios.


This invention relates to personal computers, and more particularly to a personal computer system having a signal passing component operatively connected for exchange of data signals with system components operatively connected with a local processor bus and having a segment providing a state machine for receiving external command signals passed on one of the system busses and for passing internal command signals identifying valid data intervals, said state machine requiring a predetermined minimum length of external command signal for issuance of an internal command signal and terminating an internal command signal with termination of an external command signal so as to avoid the adverse effects of crosstalk and transmission line noise on external commands signals and loss of data integrity thereby possibly occurring.

Personal computer systems in general and IBM personal computers in particular have attained widespread use for providing computer power to many segments of today's modern society. Personal computer systems can usually be defined as a desk top, floor standing, or portable microcomputer that consists of a system unit having a single system processor and associated volatile and non-volatile memory, a display monitor, a keyboard, one or more diskette drives, a fixed disk storage, and an optional printer. One of the distinguishing characteristics of these systems is the use of a motherboard or system planar to electrically connect these components together. These systems are designed primarily to give independent computing power to a single user and are inexpensively priced for purchase by individuals or small businesses. Examples of such personal computer systems are IBM's PERSONAL COMPUTER AT and IBM's PERSONAL SYSTEM/2 Models 25, 30, L40SX, 50, 55, 56, 57, 65, 70, 80, 90 and 95.
These systems can be classified into two general families. The first family, usually referred to as Family I Models, predominantly use an I/O bus architecture exemplified by the IBM PERSONAL COMPUTER AT and other "IBM compatible" machines. This bus architecture is ref erred to in this description as the "AT bus" and is also known as the "Industry Standard Architecture" or "ISA". This bus architecture is generally known, having been described both in technical manuals available from IBM and in more popularized texts such as The Winn Rosch Hardware Bible (Brady, N.Y., 1989). The interested reader is referred to those texts for further detailed information about this bus architecture. Many Family I models have used the popular Intel 8088 or 8086 microprocessor as the system processor. These processors have the ability to address one megabyte of memory. More recently, some Family I models have used high speed microprocessors of the 80286, 80386 or 80486 types.
As personal computer technology has developed and moved from eight to sixteen and eventually thirty two bit wide bus interaction and higher speed microprocessors, performance capability has been sought by separating the architecture of the personal computer into varying bus areas. More specifically, in the original IBM PC, what came to be known as the expansion bus was essentially a direct extension of the microprocessor connections, buffered and demultiplexed as required. Later, as the AT bus specification was developed and came into wide use, it became possible to sever the nearly direct connection between the microprocessor and the bus, giving rise to the presence of what became known as the local processor bus and the renaming of the expansion bus as the input/output (or I/O) bus. Typically, in order to enhance performance, the local processor bus runs at a higher clock speed (typically expressed in Hertz) than does the input/output bus. The IBM AT architecture also opened the possibility of running more than one microprocessor on the input/output bus, through use of direct memory access (DMA) interrupts.
The second family, referred to as Family II Models, use IBM's MICRO CHANNEL bus architecture exemplified by IBM's PERSONAL SYSTEM/2 Models 50 through 95. The Family II models typically use the high speed INTEL 80286, 80386, and 80486 microprocessors which can operate in a real mode to emulate the slower speed INTEL 8086 microprocessor or a protected mode which extends the addressing range from 1 megabyte to 4 Gigabytes for some models. In essence, the real mode feature of the 80286, 80386, and 80486 processors provide hardware compatibility with software written for the 8086 and 8088 microprocessors. The Family II personal computers are of little significance with regard to the present invention, except as an illustration of the use of higher capability microprocessors. Such microprocessors have also found their way into use in AT bus architecture personal computers (as mentioned above), notwithstanding what may be some technical limitations on the effectiveness of those processors due to a more limiting bus architecture.
The AT bus is designed with three different busses in the system. These are the local processor bus, where the system processor or CPU, any numeric co-processor provided, and a processor support chip reside; the I/O or option bus (also known as the AT bus) where adapter cards reside; and a bus here known as the XD bus (also known as the planar I/O bus) which is between the local processor and AT busses and on which certain standard I/O device controllers reside.
The characteristics of the three busses differ one from another. Partly as a consequence and partly due to increasing speeds of operation as enhanced performance is sought, crosstalk and transmission line noise on the AT bus becomes problematical. When such noise appears with a command signal such as an Input/output Read (-IOR) command, flags may be inadvertently reset or data completely lost. When such noise appears with a command signal such as an Input/Output Write (-IOW) command, incorrect data may be written.
Generally, commands on the AT bus are decoded by simple combinational logic. Thus, crosstalk and transmission line noise on I/O inputs are seen as short, false transitions and result in short, false commands being decoded. These commands can result in data integrity problems.

Personal computer system with bus noise rejection


A method of inspecting a crack in a ceramic substrate that is not exposed on the surface. The method can detect all cracks and make objective judgement possible by expressing the inspection result as numerical data. Conductors are disposed on both faces of a ceramic substrate, wherein one of the conductors is a conductive liquid; the insulation resistance value or an electric property dependent on the insulation resistance is measured with the conductive liquid or other conductors electrically connected to the conductive liquid which are used as electrodes.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of inspecting any crack in a ceramic substrate, and in particular, a ceramic substrate used in manufacturing a sensor, a resistor element, an actuator for an ink-jet print head, or the like.
2. Description of Related Art
Conventionally, a ceramic substrate coated with a conductive film has been used as an electrode, a resistor, a lead, an output terminal, or the like in a sensor, a resistor element, an actuator for an ink-jet print head, or the like.
As a method of manufacturing a ceramic substrate coated with a conductive film, a method of applying by printing conductive paste on a ceramic substrate is appropriate. This is because a uniform film having a complicated pattern can be efficiently formed and the conductive film can be adjusted to have a wide range of thickness by adjusting the viscosity of the conductive paste.
In order to meet the recent demands for a miniaturized and lightened actuator for an ink-jet print head, or the like., thinning of a ceramic substrate has been carried forward, and recently, a ceramic substrate which is 10.mu.m or less in thickness is now available. This is accompanied by a fear that handling of a ceramic substrate in manufacturing may cause a crack in the ceramic substrate. If a ceramic substrate is cracked, not only the mechanical strength of the ceramic substrate is so lowered that it can not be put to practical use, but also leakage of ink may be caused.
As a method of inspecting any crack in a ceramic substrate, conventionally, there are known a red check test, a method of inspection by visual observation or with microscope using liquid penetrant (liquid penetrant test) such as a fluorescent penetrant test, a method of inspection by detecting leakage of gas such as gaseous helium and air, a method using an image processor, etc.
However, the liquid penetrant test suffers from a problem that it depends to a great extent on the skillfulness of the inspector, cracks are likely to be left undetected, and the result of the inspection is difficult to express as numerical data. Further, in case a ceramic substrate applied to, for example, an actuator for an ink-jet print head has a multilayer functional film formed thereon, there is a problem that, according to the method using liquid penetrant, it takes the liquid penetrant much time to ooze.
The method of inspection by detecting leakage of gas has a problem that, since a closed space is necessary, there is technical difficulty and the scale of the apparatus has to be large.
Further, the method using an image processor has a problem that, depending on the resolution of the apparatus, a microscopic crack may be difficult to detect.
Still further, as a defect common to the conventional methods on the whole, there is a problem that a crack which is, for example, shut by a functional film such as a conductive film and thus, which is not exposed on the surface of a ceramic substrate can not be detected.

Method of inspecting crack in ceramic substrate


A display unit which is electronically connected to a body to display data, and has an antenna electronically connected thereto for transferring data. The body has a first element, a second element, an index unit and an intermediate element. The second element is coupled to the first element along a first axis, and the index unit is coupled to the second element along a second axis through the intermediate element and electronically connected to the display unit. The index unit is electronically connected to the display unit and provides a first index port and a second index port, allowing different function modes, respectively.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electronic device, and in particular to an electronic device provided with an index unit having two different index ports to switch between two different modes with degree of freedom larger than two.
2. Description of the Related Art
Electronic apparatus or devices, such as mobile phone, Person Digital Assistant (PDA), etc., are provided with an internal keyboard for data input. In, for example, a mobile phone, the internal keyboard is permanently fixed TO the main part of the mobile phone, and the keyboard must be reduced in size commensurately with the demands on these electronic products for smaller volume. Only a few basic keys are thus provided on the internal keyboard of the mobile phone.
However, when some characters and fonts, not initially provided on the internal keyboard or preset in the mobile phone, are to be input, an external keyboard, touch displayer (LCD), or the like is needed.


An electronically controlled lock with a single throw acting as a passage lock and also as a deadbolt lock is provided by the invention. The lock is equipped with an electronic activation device on its exterior housing and a door lever on its internal housing. A user unlocks the door from outside by touching an electronic key against the electronic activation device. After the door is unlocked, the throw acts as a passage lock. The door can be locked internally by moving the door lever from a horizontal position upwardly to a vertical position.

Locks are well known and used by every household. Generally speaking, there are two types of locks commonly used as door locks, passage lock and deadbolt lock. The passage lock typically includes a bolt mounted on a door frame along with a door knob and other connecting mechanism. The bolt usually has a surface slanted in relation to a longitudinal direction to which the bolt moves. The bolt that can slide, along the longitudinal direction, in and out of a receiving hole on a door frame with turn of the door knob. The bolt can be fixed on its extended position when a button on the door knob is pressed, thus locking the door. The deadbolt lock, on the other hand, typically includes a bolt that has a longer body and a surface that is perpendicular in relation to the longitudinal direction. The bolt can slide in and out of a receiving hole on the door frame with movement of a key inserted into the deadbolt lock. When a user wants an added security to his house, he usually installs a deadbolt lock in addition to the passage lock.
Electronic door locks are also well known and commonly used in the hotel industry. An electronic door lock generally includes an electronic control mechanism and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism generally includes a deadbolt lock and a passage lock, each separated from the other. The electronic control mechanism typically unlocks the deadbolt and engages the passage lock. From inside, the deadbolt lock is usually activated by a turn knob placed above the door handle, putting the lock in passage mode. These electronic door locks are widely used by hotels, but they are not easily retrofitted into older doors where there is only one opening on the door frame for the passage lock. For hotel operators and residential home owners who like to have security of a deadbolt lock, they have to go through the job of modifying both the door and the door frame before a deadbolt lock can be installed.

Electronic deadbolt lock with a leverage handle


An expert manufacturing system generates a manufacturing plan for producing a part in an automated manufacturing system. The expert manufacturing system generates a multipurpose manufacturing geometry definitions file. The expert manufacturing system includes a rule-based expert system which uses the manufacturing geometry definitions file to generate the manufacturing plan in the form of a neutral source code file. The neutral source code is converted to machine-specific program code directly executable by a device controller, such as a logic controller or motion controller. The expert manufacturing system also includes a parametric drawing generation program for generating drawing of the part, and a computer simulation program for simulating the manufacturing plan for producing the part.

Today's highly competitive economy has led to short product design cycles for bringing innovative and improved products to market, the widespread implementation of just-in-time inventory, and a demand for high quality/low cost products. To remain competitive in this environment, manufacturers need tools which can make the manufacturing process more efficient and less costly.
At present, considerable time and effort is required to take basic part defining data and develop a "process plan" for manufacturing the part, including generating high quality engineering drawings of the part, generating program code executable by device controllers for manufacturing the part, and generating a computer simulation of the manufacturing processes for producing the part that will assist in verifying and debugging the processes.
"Process planning" refers to the activities necessary to translate basic part defining data into manufacturing operation details. The activities of a process plan include analysis of the basic part defining data, selection of a raw workpiece, determining manufacturing processes (e.g., machining operations) and their sequences, selection of machine tools and their associated operating tools (e.g., drills, cutters, etc.) for carrying out the processes on the workpiece, selection of work holding devices, selection of inspection equipment, and determining machining conditions (e.g., cutting speeds and feeds and depth of cut) and manufacturing times (e.g., set-up time, processing time, and lead time). It should be appreciated that the basic part defining data is defined to include geometric part features, dimensional data and tolerance specifications.
When developing a manufacturing plan for producing a part, the basic part defining data is analyzed by first performing an analysis of the geometric part features. Typical part features are planes, cylinders, cones, steps, edges and fillets. These common part features may be modified by the addition of detail elements such as grooves, key ways, threads, slots, pockets and holes, among others. Following part feature analysis, dimensional and tolerance analysis are performed to provide additional information for manufacturing purposes.
The manufacturing plan further requires selection of the raw workpiece, which involves defining such characteristics as shape, size (i.e., dimensions and weight) and material type. For instance, a raw workpiece may be in the shape of a rod, a slab or merely a rough forging. The dimensions, weight and the material type of the raw workpiece will be dictated by the physical and functional characteristics of the part to be manufactured.
Defining the manufacturing plan also involves determining the manufacturing processes (e.g., machining operations) and their sequences to transform the raw workpiece to a finished part having the desired part features, dimensions and tolerances. In many cases, there will be several ways to produce a part with a given design, and many factors, including the basic part defining data, influence the selection and sequence of the various manufacturing processes. For instance, a part requiring a hole with low tolerance and surface roughness specifications will require a simple drilling operation. In contrast, the same part with much finer surface finish and closer tolerance requirements will require first a drilling operation and then a boring operation to obtain the desired surface roughness and the tolerance on the hole feature of the part. Moreover, in some cases, manufacturing processes are dependent upon one another. In this respect, the holes may be required to be drilled before milling the inclined surface because the holes cannot be drilled accurately on an inclined surface. However, if the inclined surface has to be finished before drilling, an end mill will be needed to obtain a flat surface perpendicular to the axis of the drill before drilling the hole.
Machine tools also must be selected as part of defining a manufacturing plan. In selecting a machine tool, workpiece-related attributes, machine tool-related attributes and production volume must be considered. Workpiece-related attributes relate to the kinds of part features desired, the dimensions of the workpiece, its dimensional tolerance and the raw material form. Machine tool-related attributes relate to the process capability, mode of operation (e.g., manual, semi-automatic, automatic, numerically controlled), tooling capabilities (e.g., size and type of tool magazine) and automatic tool changing capabilities. Production volume-related information is directed to items such as the production quantity and purchase order frequency. Further the type and size of operating tool required to perform the various machining operations to generate each of the part features on the workpiece also must be determined.
Machining conditions associated with each machining operation and manufacturing times are determined to reduce costs and increase the production rate and also must be included in the manufacturing plan. A number of mathematical models for ascertaining the optimal machining conditions are known, including those directed to minimum cost per piece, maximum production rate models and manufacturing lead times.
A manufacturing plan must also specify work holding devices, such as clamps, jigs and fixtures, to locate and hold the workpiece. Finally, inspection equipment necessary to ensure the dimensional accuracy, tolerances and surface finish on the features also must be selected.
In addition to the complexities involved with process planning, complexities are also encountered in taking geometric part features, dimension data and tolerance specifications and generating high quality engineering drawings for a part and computer simulations of the manufacturing plan carried out to produce the part so that the manufacturing plan can be verified and debugged.
In view of the foregoing, there is a need to organize and process the data required to define a manufacturing plan for producing a part, to generate engineering drawings of the part, and to generate a computer simulation of the manufacturing plan. There is also a need to combine the foregoing functions into an integrated system so that data can be easily and efficiently transferred therebetween.


Disclosed is a method for configuring a pilot frequency in a wireless communication system, comprising: on the basis of at least one item among a current wireless channel characteristic parameter, device capability information of a correspondent node, and system requirement information, configuring in real-time a pilot frequency for different transmissions during a transmission process; and transmitting the configuration result to the correspondent node. Also disclosed is a corresponding device for configuring the pilot frequency. The present invention allows for configuration in real-time of the pilot frequency. This facilitates improved transmission reliability and guaranteed communication quality, and reduces pilot frequency overhead, and at the same time, is applicable in additional number of channel environments and application scenarios.

The Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) technology can overcome frequency selective fading in a broadband mobile channel with low complexity, and thus is widely used in various broadband mobile communication systems. In order to correlatively detect each OFDM data subcarrier symbol, a pilot plays an important role in the system. Through the pilot symbols, the receiver estimates a wireless channel H, and then assists the equalizer or demodulator to equalize the channel or related detected data symbols. In addition to the correlation detection or demodulation function, the pilot is used in the system for measuring the quality or state of the wireless channel, and aiding the scheduler to implement functions such as frequency selective scheduling and link adaptation.
The Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) multiple antenna technology can improve the reliability and capacity of a wireless communication system by utilizing space scattering characteristics of the wireless propagation channel, and thus is also applied widely in various types of wireless systems. The MIMO-OFDM technology has become the default configuration in a broadband mobile communication system. In recent years, the function of the pilot is more refined in the MIMO-OFDM system. For example, the LTE-Advanced system specifically sets a pilot and a measurement pilot, which are respectively used for the system correlation detection and channel measurement functions. The reason for this design is that a multi-antenna pre-coding technology is used in MIMO systems, and particularly when the pre-coding matrix is unknown by the receiver, the pilot has to be pre-coded along with data symbols, but the pre-coding per se can somewhat change frequency domain characteristics of the mobile channel. Therefore, the pilot and the measurement pilot have to be separated.
In various existing mobile communication systems or wireless LAN systems, the pilot is usually fixedly configured in the system according to a certain pattern. Take an LTE-Advanced system as an example, in each time-frequency Resource Block (RB), the pilot configuration is shown in FIG. 1, wherein a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) in the LTE system is used to allocate various resources for uplink and downlink transmission in the entire system, and plays an crucial schedule role in the system. The physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) is used for transmission of signaling at the service or control plane, where CRS is a common pilot and DMRS is a dedicated pilot. Depending on spatial data streams transmitted in parallel, the number of ports for the pilot may vary, but the time domain pilot density and the frequency domain pilot density are constant which has been determined in the system specifications.
In 802.11 wireless LAN systems, the pilot is also fixed in each physical frame header, i.e. a long training sequence. Regardless of the length of the transmission cycle, the propagation environment and the used transmission format, the configuration of the pilot does not change.
As well known, the mobile channel is complex and changeable, and in different propagation environments, the mobile channel's frequency selective fading, time selective fading and space selective fading will be significantly different. Using pilot in fixed pattern is not conducive to its adaption to a complex, and changing mobile communication environment, and further causes certain loss in the system capacity. Take LTE-Advanced as an example: when the terminal operates in indoor environment, due to its lower moving speed, the mobile channel has a longer correlation time (>10 ms). However, whatever the correlation time is, there will be a constant repetition for the pilot in each sub-frame (1 ms) in LTE-A system. Take 802.11 system as an example again: when the system works in outdoor hotspot, due to the rapid change of surrounding environment, for example: the movement of the car, even if the terminal is stationary, the channel between the AP and the terminal will still have a Doppler spread, and thereby forming time selective fading. But no matter how the environment changes, the 802.11 system's pilot function will be borne by the long training sequence which has a fixed location in the physical frame. Thus, the fixed pilot can't adapt to environmental change.

Method and device for configuring pilot in wireless communication system

BEIJING NUFRONT MOBILE MULTIMEDIA TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.


Sounds, alarms or other indications of conditions of potential interest that are produced by appliances and other household devices are detected by one or more sensors to trigger a notification signal that is sent to a remotely located user. The signals produced by the sensors are advantageously compared with a database of signals representing conditions of potential interest produced by known appliances and devices, producing the appropriate notification signal when a match is found. Notifications may be relayed to one or more selected users only when predetermined conditions are satisfied.

The present invention recognizes sounds from real world objects and notifies the user. For example, the user may put a chicken in the oven for an hour and go outside to play ball not having to worry about when to come in. Although the user could set an alarm on their phone, the present invention removes this time consuming step. The user can avoid having to set two alarms or having to hang around the kitchen for alarms to go off by employing a sensing device for detecting the conventional alarm signal produced by the oven and notifying the user who is no longer nearby.
The present invention not only relays notification messages in response to sounds from real world objects such as microwaves, ovens, and stoves but can also be programmed the to recognize any unique sound or vibration whose occurrence should be called the user's attention. The device employs pattern and template recognition of sounds to notify the user of events within the acoustic range of the device. Different notification messages can be produced to indicate different conditions, different devices and different events being monitored.
To determine the operating status of an appliance or device in a household, the user generally must be near the appliance or device in question. A dishwasher may buzz upon completion of a drying cycle, but the only way a user may know the drying cycle is complete is to either hear when the dishwasher buzzes or return to the dishwasher to check its status. Similarly, other kitchen appliances, hardware, and devices that make noise, vibrate, or otherwise signal that an operation has completed or begun must be located nearby to be monitored.
Devices and methods for monitoring the washer and dryer exist. However, once a user starts on operation with the washer and dryer they may not wait in close enough proximity to know when the operation has stopped. Washers and dryers stop at different times depending on the size of the load and the settings chosen for the washer and dryer. Many washers and dryers have alarms or buzzers that signal when a load is done but some do not. These alarms only work if the user is close enough to hear the alarm. The time it takes for a washer and dryer to complete a cycle may be unknown or easily forgotten by the user. If the user, or attendant, does not attend to the laundry promptly when a washing or drying cycle is completed clothes may become moldy in the case of wet clothes or wrinkled in the case of dried clothes. In addition, the person's work schedule may be affected by virtue of the fact that it was not known that the pertinent laundry process had ended.
The operating state of an appliance may be monitored by measuring the magnitude of household current the appliance draws. Unfortunately, the current level may drop if the appliance pauses or performs other functions during normal operation. Timing devices have been used to indicate the completion of an operation, but will be inaccurate when the appliance alters its operating cycle to adjust for special conditions; for example, some dryers have moisture sensors which automatically adjust the operation time based on the level of moisture inside the dryer.
A program (app) called DryerBro is available through Apple's iTunes App Store that converts an iPhone or iPod Touch into a dryer monitor that is placed on an operating dryer and can send an SMS or email notification to one or designated destinations when the drying cycle is completed. The app uses the iPhone's accelerometer to sense vibrations from the dryer to determine when the cycle is completed. the appliance monitoring methods send a wireless signal to another location or a user device. The signal relays to the user that wash or dry cycle has completed. The signal only alerts users of the completion of a wash or dry cycle, no robust alerts or notifications are given. Unfortunately, users may not like the idea of leaving a phone on a dryer where it could be stolen, and the user may want to use the phone for other reasons but can't do so when the phone must be left atop the dryer.
Many other different systems and methods have been described in the patent literature which provide notification functions for washers and dryers. In Esters, U.S. Pat. No. 4,916,439, a wireless remote device for indicating the status of a washing machine or dryer through the use of a current sensor, vibration sensor, or a sensor integral with the washing machines control is disclosed. In Kuroda, U.S. Pat. No. 5,757,643, a remote management system for a number of washing machines and dryers is disclosed. In Carmichael, Jr., U.S. Pat. No. 5,089,809, means for monitoring the status of a number of appliances is disclosed. In Kim, U.S. Pat. No. 5,285,375, a remote control unit for a washing machine is disclosed. In Adler, U.S. Pat. No. 6,424,252, a paging system for washers and dryers is disclosed.
Other systems and methods for monitoring washing and drying operations involve many electrical components to condition the incoming signals before wirelessly transmitting any type of output. This output is typically capable of only alerting the user that an operation has completed. Additionally, having many electrical components in an apparatus to monitor the washer and dryer may not be aesthetically pleasing. Furthermore, it is a waste of other resources which are readily available in most households. For example, the capabilities and computing power of a smartphone, tablet, or computer which already exist in the household may be used to provide notifications from the raw data extracted from the washer and dryer.
By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,594,969 to Lill discloses a remote appliance monitoring method and system that uses signal conditioning circuitry to concentrate on sinusoidal vibration velocity. A three-axis accelerometer is described. By taking the first derivative of accelerometer output with respect to time Lill describes the accelerometer output as:Accelerometer output: S1=Acc1=d(Vib1)/dt=−2*pi*f1*B1*sin(2*pi*f1*t); whereB1=maximum amplitude of Vib1 at frequency f1
The three-axis accelerometer outputs a signal for the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis. Each output is sent through a rectifier to remove AC ripple for each axis resulting in signals Vibx, Viby, and Vibz. Signals Vibx, Viby, and Vibz move through a low pass filter. A signal combining circuit sums the low pass filter output as:
            Vibsig      =                        K          1                ⋆                  [                                    (              Vibx              )                        +                          (              Viby              )                        +                          (              Vibz              )                                ]                      ;    or              Vibsig      =                        K          2                ⋆                              [                                                            (                  Vibx                  )                                2                            +                                                (                  Viby                  )                                2                            +                                                (                  Vibz                  )                                2                                                          ;    where                      K        1            =      constant        ;                  and                                                            K          2                    =      constant
The method and system employs signal conditioning circuitry that uses a comparator to find when the signal exceeds a predetermined amplitude trip point for a predetermined time period. Once the average amplitude falls below the predetermined amplitude trip point, a wireless transmitter sends a signal to a receiver indicative of completion of an operation cycle. The average amplitude may fall below the trip point on washers and dryers that have pauses in the cycle and send false operation cycle signals. This method and system can only be used to detect the end of cycle on a either the washer or the dryer, not both.
Accordingly, there is a need for a system and method for robustly monitoring the operations of both the washer and the dryer, without the cost of unduly burdensome and unnecessary circuitry, which send raw data wirelessly to an application for processing and user notification.

Methods and apparatus notifying a remotely located user of the operating condition of a household appliance


An electromagnetic relay is provided having a base; a motor assembly mounted on the base, the motor assembly including a coil, a core and a frame; an armature pivotably mounted on the frame; a first electrical contact mounted to the base; a movable elongated member biased against the armature at least at two points such that movement of the armature is restricted and the armature is disposed toward an initial position spaced from the core; and a second electrical contact mounted to the movable elongated member and operatively associated with the first electrical contact.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to electromagnetic relays, and more particularly to electromagnetic relays having a housing open towards the terminal end of the relay, a magnet system with a coil and a free-floating armature arranged in the upper, closed portion of the housing, and a contact system which is arranged in the lower open portion of the housing and has at least one moveable contact element that is operationally connected to the armature.
2. Background of Related Art
Electromagnetic relays are known, for example, in automotive applications requiring the switching of intermediate level currents, e.g., from 10 to 30 Amps. Such relays sometimes utilize a free-floating armature in a dual-in-line socket mounting arrangement. The relay is normally enclosed in a protective housing to provide shielding from dust and other undesirable particulates.
One problem associated with such free-floating armature or "telephone-style" relays, is that in a particular operating environment, free motion of the relay may produce audible sounds as the assembly experiences shocks and vibrations. Such vibratory operating conditions are common, for example, in automotive applications where these sounds often prove to be unacceptable.
Another problem associated with free-floating armature type relays is that less consistent operation of the relay may result, e.g., if the armature is displaced to one side or the other. In particular, increased friction may arise in the armature hinge structure. Such a condition impedes optimal operation of the relay resulting in a variation of the actuation voltage.
A further problem with free-floating armature relays is that the armature is subject to binding and variable sensitivities resulting from inconsistent air gaps in the armature's hinge structure.
Previous attempts to overcome these problems involved retention of the armature through the use of additional parts. For example, additional springs, mounting brackets as well as associated hardware have been utilized to dampen movement of the free floating armature. However, such remedies increase the time and cost required to manufacture and assemble each unit.
Another problem encountered during the assembly of some conventional relays is that contact forces, gaps and overtravel normally have to be set after the relay is completely assembled. Unfortunately, this is when it is the most difficult to access the parts involved.
Despite these earlier efforts to overcome the problems associated with free-floating armatures, a need still exists for an improved armature retaining arrangement which does not add significantly to the per unit manufacturing and assembly costs of the relays. A need also exists for a modular electromagnetic relay which overcomes the problems associated with making final adjustments and settings to the relay.

Integral armature retention spring for electromagnetic relays

Siemens Electromechanical Components, Inc.


The invention comprises an inertial sensor comprising a frame, a proof mass, a first resonant element, the first resonant element being fixed to the frame and electrostatically coupled to the proof mass, and a second resonant element, the second resonant element being fixed to the frame, adjacent to the first resonant element such that there is substantially no electrostatic coupling between the second resonant element and the proof mass. A coupling is provided between the first resonant element and the second resonant element. A drive means is coupled to the first and second resonant elements for vibrating the first and second resonant elements and a sensor assembly is provided for detecting the amplitude of vibration of at least one of the resonant elements.

Accelerometers and gyroscopes are in wide use today for a variety of motion sensing applications ranging from inertial navigation to vibration monitoring. Accelerometers measure changes in acceleration (linear or rotational) while gyroscopes provide information about angular motion (rotation). These devices use the inertial properties of light or matter for their operation and have hence been broadly classified as 'inertial sensors'.
Inertial sensors have traditionally served navigation markets. Macroscale gyroscopes and accelerometers are used to provide information about the position, orientation and velocity for aircraft and naval vessels. They have also been incorporated into control systems that are used for robotic applications, such as missile guidance, unmanned aircraft, and industrial machine control. Commercial inertial navigation grade sensors are available from Honeywell Corporation, Northrop Gumman and Naysys Corporation, amongst others.
While these macroscopic accelerometers and gyroscopes still remain the premier instruments for inertial grade navigation systems, microscopic mechanical inertial sensors fabricated using MEMS technology have been perceived as a breakthrough in inertial navigation and motion sensing, due to the substantial reduction in cost, size and power that may be achieved in such micromechanical sensors relative to their macroscopic counterparts. These attributes have enabled the use of such inertial sensors in a variety of applications that have traditionally not been possible due to either their prohibitive cost or size restrictions, for example, in mobile phones, MP3 players, PDAs, notebooks, surgical instruments etc. Commercial MEMS inertial sensors are now available from Analog Devices Inc., Motorola, ST Microelectronics and Silicon sensing systems amongst several others.
Micro-machined MEMS resonant accelerometers and gyroscopes are well known in prior art. See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,640,803, CN101303365 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,969,249. Most of the disclosed MEMS resonant inertial sensors respond to acceleration or angular rotation by producing a frequency shifted output signal arising from an oscillating unit incorporated as a part of the sensor.
Thiruruvenkatanathan et al, in a paper entitled "Ultrasensitive mode-localized micromechanical electrometer", Frequency control symposium (FCS), 2010 IEEEInternational, IEEE, Piscataway, N.J., USA, 1 Jun. 2010, describes a MEMS resonant sensor based on mode localization. The system described relies on weakly coupled resonant elements in which one resonant element is fixed to a suspended mass. Movement of the suspended mass introduces a differential axial strain on the resonant element to which it is mechanically fixed, leading to a change in the modal response of the weakly coupled resonant elements. This mode shape variation was proposed as a new sensing mechanism for the realization of inertial sensors that were based on measuring induced strain as a function of an input inertial force.
However, a measure of strain in such inertial sensor implementations necessitates the use of compliant resonator topologies that require operation in a low pressure (vacuum) environment in order to provide for sufficiently high quality factors and hence sufficiently high resolution for most commercial applications. This consequently imposes stringent limitations on the packaging of these sensors and consequently, increases the cost of manufacture. It is an object of this invention to overcome these disadvantages by allowing for the realization of a mode-localized MEMS resonant sensor with sufficient resolution that is operable at atmospheric pressures.

MEMS inertial sensor and method of inertial sensing


A method for stabilizing triphenylboron-pyridine (TPBP) in a solvent-based anti-fouling coating, such as a marine anti-fouling coating, by adding to the coating about 0.04 to about 0.40% wt., based on the total amount of the triphenylboron-pyridine, of 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyl-1-oxy-radical (“TEMPO”). Also disclosed is a solvent-based anti-fouling coating, such as a marine anti-fouling coating, composition containing TPBP and TEMPO.

Triphenylboron-pyridine is known to be an effective biocide for a variety of applications, particularly in commercially valuable marine anti-fouling coatings. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,211,679, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2007/0299259, U.S. Pat. No. 7,045,560 and JP 08-052908 (all four being incorporated herein by reference).
Such solvent-based anti-fouling coatings generally contain xylene or similar aromatic solvents, utilize a variety of acrylate resin systems to form the basis of the coating, and contain one or more biocides, such as TPBP, which preferably should remain active and stable for extended periods of storage, particularly at elevated temperatures. There is some indication in published literature that under certain conditions TPBP may generate low levels of benzene. For example, in The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry, Hutzinger, Editor-in-Chief, Vol. 5, loannis K. Konstantinou, Volume Editor, Antifouling Paint Biocides, pp. 194-195, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, 2005, states that the photodegradation of TPBP was studied by Amey and Waldron in aerated artificial seawater, using UV irradiation. The photodegradation of TPBP and primary intermediate photoproducts of mono- and di-phenylboron acids was rapid. The secondary by-products, pyridine, phenol, and benzene were also observed.
Nasvadba et al., U.S. Patent Publication No. 2007/0225397, proposes the use of stable, highly sterically hindered nitroxyl radicals, defined by the specific formulae, as in-can stabilizers for UV-curable resins. The term "highly sterically hindered" is defined to mean that ring nitroxyl radicals of the formulas are more hindered than ring nitroxyl radicals having 4 methyl groups in the alpha position to the N-atom, for example more hindered than TEMPO (2,2,6,6-tetra-methylpiperidinyl-1-oxy-radical). Nasvadba et al. also state that WO01/42313 proposes the use of sterically hindered nitroxyl radicals, such as TEMPO, for stabilization of UV-curable resins.
Warnez, U.S. Pat. No. 4,303,444, proposed a method for inhibiting benzene formation in resin-based anti-fouling paints, by adding trialkyl tin oxide or hydroxide to the paints.


A method for detecting open circuits in a semiconductor device, more specifically in a static CMOS device. A device to be tested is powered-up and the clock on the device is stopped so that the device enters a quiescent state. Once the device has reached a quiescent state a first current is measured and after a specified period of time a second current is also measured. The first current and the second current are then compared to determine if there is a defect, i.e. an open circuit, in the device. The determination as to whether or not a device is defective is based upon the difference between the first and second current measurements.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of semiconductor devices, and more specifically, to a process for detecting open defects in a semiconductor device.
2. Background Information
In the manufacture of semiconductor devices it is important to have methods for testing a device and determining if it is a good device or if it contains defects before selling such a product to a customer. Some methods of testing a device for defects use a "modeling" system. In a modeling system there is at least one device which is presumably not defective. This non-defective model (model) is tested and the results are stored in a memory. Other devices which are like the model are then tested and the results of the tested devices are compared to the results of the model. If the results are the same or are within a manufacturer's tolerance levels (i.e. a manufacturer's acceptable ranges for deviation from the model) then the device is presumably a good or non-defective device and may be sold to a customer. If the results are not the same and are not within the manufacturer's tolerance levels then the device is a defective device and cannot be sold to a customer.
A Stored Response Pattern Tester (SRPT) is one system used to test CMOS devices. The SRPT (tester) works by storing several tester patterns in the RAM memory of the tester and applies those patterns to a device under test (DUT) at an operating frequency and compares the device response to the model. In other words, an operating voltage is applied to the input of the DUT, the tester then measures the voltage at the output pins of the DUT (measured voltage) and compares that value, i.e. the measured voltage, to the expected stored response (expected voltage) which is stored in the memory of the tester. Defective, or bad devices, are detected by voltage differences between the measured voltage and the expected voltage at that output pin of the DUT.
FIG. 1 illustrates a device under test (DUT) 100. Circuit 110, from point A to point B, represents a properly connected circuit. Circuit 120, from point C to point D, represents an open circuit. When testing DUT 100 with the SRPT (tester), described above, a voltage is applied to point A and the voltage at point B is then measured. The measured voltage is then compared to the expected voltage stored within the memory of the tester. Since circuit 110 is a properly connected circuit the measured voltage is the same (or within tolerance level) as the expected voltage, thus the circuit tests "good".
One problem with the SRPT is that it may not be able to detect open circuits. For example, a disconnected gate in a device in some cases may not appear as an open circuit when testing with an SRPT. When a voltage is applied at an input on a circuit, a disconnected gate may appear to be "connected" since the voltage applied to a circuit (V.sub.DD) appears across the gate due to capacitive coupling and/or tunneling effects.
FIG. 1 illustrates circuits 110 and 120. Both circuits 110 and 120 are made of two transistors, transistors 140 and 150 and transistors 160 and 170, respectively.
Circuit 110 is properly connected and has an intact gate input 130. Thus when testing circuit 110 with the SRPT, a voltage is applied at point A and the voltage at point B is measured. Because the gate input of circuit 110 is properly connected the measured voltage at point B is within the tolerance levels of the expected voltage and the device will test as "good."
Circuit 120, however, is improperly connected and has a gate input open 125. When testing circuit 120 with an SRPT, a voltage is applied at point C and the voltage at point D is measured. Because circuit 120 has a gate input open 125 the measured voltage may be significantly less than the expected voltage and the device would test as "defective". However, due to capacitive coupling and/or tunneling effects the voltage applied to the circuit, V.sub.DD, may "tunnel" across transistors 160 and 170 showing a voltage potential between V.sub.DD and Ground at point D. Therefore, the measured voltage at point D may be within tolerance levels of the expected voltage and the device would test as "good". It should be noted that capacitive coupling and tunneling effects are well known in the art and are not described herein in detail. Thus, there is no way to determine if an SRPT actually detects an open circuit in a device. Because of this some defective devices (i.e. devices with open circuits) may be passed on to a customer.
Thus, what is needed is an accurate method for detecting open circuits in a semiconductor device.

Method for detecting opens through time variant current measurement


A vehicle comprises a bumper reinforcement extending in a vehicle width direction and a shock absorbing member fixed to a front face of the bumper reinforcement and extending in the vehicle width direction along the bumper reinforcement. The shock absorbing member comprises a base portion extending vertically along the front face of the bumper reinforcement and a projection portion extending forward from a lower end portion of the base portion and being resiliently-downward deformable relative to the base portion. Thus, the vehicle comprising the shock absorbing member provided in front of the bumper reinforcement with the leg-flicking function for the pedestrian protection can be provided.

The present invention relates to a front structure of a vehicle which comprises a shock absorbing member for protecting an object, such as a pedestrian, which is provided between a bumper reinforcement and an exterior member, such as a bumper facia.
A shock absorbing member is generally provided between a bumper reinforcement and a bumper facia for the purpose of protecting an object, particularly a pedestrian. Conventionally, this kind of shock absorbing member is provided over a whole area of a front face of the bumper reinforcement, and the bumper facia is provided to cover the shock absorbing member from the front. However, it has been found that it is preferable to configure such that an attachment position of the shock absorbing member is apart from a knee portion of the pedestrian, specifically, this attachment position is located at a lower level in order to properly reduce a collision impact against a leg portion of the pedestrian. Thus, a structure, in which the shock absorbing member is arranged mainly in a lower area of the front face of the bumper reinforcement so that a lower leg portion of the pedestrian below the knee portion can be supported at the shock absorbing member, whereby the collision impact can be reduced properly in a light collision against the pedestrian, has been recently used (Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2007-145159, for example). Further, in this case, the shock absorbing member is configured to project forward relatively greatly so as to provide the sufficient shock-absorbing performance by preventing complete crushing of the shock absorbing member in the light collision. Further, another front structure of a vehicle provided with a shock absorbing member is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,983,964, for example.
It has been recently considered as measures of protecting the pedestrian in the light collision that the leg portion of the pedestrian is flicked so that the pedestrian can be received on an engine hood (bonnet) in order to reduce the collision impact against the pedestrian properly. Therefore, it is preferable that the vehicle equipped with the above-described shock absorbing member have this leg-flicking function for the pedestrian protection.


Point source responses of pinhole apertures in a non-uniform grid mask used to spatially calibrate a gamma camera can be modeled as a two-dimensional Gaussian function with a set of seven parameters. The Gaussian parameters can be measured using a surface-fitting algorithm that seeks minimum error in the least squares sense. The process is repeated for data from each pinhole location and the data are added together to generate a complete model of the flood image from the mask, which then can be used in a peak detection process for clinical images.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to nuclear medical imaging devices and more particularly relates to calibration of scintillation cameras to enable correction of acquired image data for unavoidable distortions caused by the inherent physical characteristics of the detector head of the scintillation camera, such as crystal thickness and photomultiplier tube parameters.
2. Introduction
In various environments, such as in medical environments, imaging devices can include detectors that detect electromagnetic radiation emitted from radioactive isotopes or the like within a patient. The detectors typically include a sheet of scintillation crystal material that interacts with gamma rays emitted by the isotope to produce photons in the visible light spectrum known as "events." The scintillation camera includes one or more photodetectors such as an array of photomultiplier tubes, which detect the intensity and location of the events and accumulate this data to acquire clinically significant images that are rendered on a computer display for analysis.
Existing scintillation cameras experience spatial distortion that requires linearity correction (LC). The spatial distortion arises from the fact that the spatial coordinates of light events occurring either at the edges of or between adjacent photomultiplier tubes in a photodetector array will be computed differently than the coordinates of events occurring directly over the center of a photomultiplier tube, due to the physical limitations of the photomultiplier tube. A significant amount of effort has been made to developing correction schemes for spatial or linearity distortion (along with, e.g., the companion energy and flood corrections). Existing LC methods can be generally divided into two categories.
A first category is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 3,745,345 (the ′345 patent) entitled Radiation Imaging Device, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Here, a camera head is covered by a lead mask having a uniform grid of pinhole apertures. A sheet source of uniform radiation placed adjacent to the mask causes each aperture to illuminate a scintillation crystal located on the opposite side of the mask. The camera then records the detected location of events in the crystal. There is a difference between the (known) location of the pinholes and the detected location of the events as computed by the camera, which is representative of the degree of spatial distortion at the respective locations on the camera face. Accordingly, a correction factor is computed for each location point so as to move the apparent location of an event as detected to its actual location, as determined by the difference computed in the flood source calibration procedure. The correction factors are then stored in an array for later use during acquisition of clinical images.
A second category is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,212,061 entitled Radiation Signal Processing and U.S. Pat. No. 4,316,257 entitled Dynamic Modification Of Spatial Distortion Correction Capabilities Of Scintillation Camera, which pertain to spatial correction (both the ′061 and ′257 patents also are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference). For calibration, a lead mask having elongated slit apertures is used. The camera is exposed to a radiation source, first with the mask oriented in x lines and then with the mask oriented in y lines. For each such exposure orientation, a series of transverse peak measurements at select intervals is developed. An analytical expression is generated to represent event coordinates between calibration intervals. Each orientation exposure, thus, produces one of a pair of calibration coordinates, which in turn permit direct correspondence to associated spatial coordinates. Among other deficiencies in this method, this method can take more than one hour of time by itself. It also requires additional preparation such as 'centering and gain'. Moreover, this method requires use of multiple masks wastes time and money and increases equipment downtime.
Although there has been a significant amount of effort applied in the development of procedures for LC, the lead masks used in the processes have received little attention. The flood masks utilized in prior art devices have involved pinhole apertures arranged in a uniform and rectangular distribution (such as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the ′345 patent). This design has a number of deficiencies, such as: a) generating a relatively low number of data points; and b) being less reliable where spatial distortion is more severe, such as near edges of photomultiplier tubes and/or when thicker scintillation crystals are employed. In addition, existing lead masks do not enhance functionality in the overall calibration process, such as to enable shorter calibration times and/or higher accuracies.
While a variety of methods and apparatus are known, there remains a need for improved methods and apparatus overcoming the above and/or other problems.

Peak detection calibration for gamma camera using non-uniform pinhole aperture grid mask


Provided is an electrophotographic photosensitive member including a surface layer containing particles which include: silica particles; and a compound-A adsorbed to each of the silica particles, in which the silica particles have a volume average particle diameter of 0.1 μm or more and 4 μm or less, and a specific surface area of 400 m2/g or more and 1000 m2/g or less, the compound-A is a tertiary amine compound and/or a urea compound, and the compound-A has a molecular weight of 150 or more and 550 or less.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electrophotographic photosensitive member and a production method for an electrophotographic photosensitive member. The present invention also relates to a process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus. The present invention also relates to a particle having a compound adsorbed thereto.
2. Description of the Related Art
As an electrophotographic photosensitive member to be mounted on an electrophotographic apparatus, there is known an electrophotographic photosensitive member containing an organic photoconductive substance (charge generating substance), which has heretofore been studied extensively. In particular, in order to extend the lifetime of the electrophotographic photosensitive member and enhance image quality, an attempt has been made to improve the durability of the electrophotographic photosensitive member.
As a method of extending the lifetime of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, there has been proposed, for example, a method involving reinforcing a resin to be used in a charge transporting layer and introducing a curable protective layer. However, there is a problem in that image deletion occurs as the wear resistance of the layer is enhanced. The image deletion is a phenomenon in which an output image gets blurred owing to blurring of an electrostatic latent image. This phenomenon is considered to be caused by the following: a discharge product generated by charging remains on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member to change properties of the constituent material for the surface of the photoelectric photosensitive member.
As a process for suppressing the image deletion, there is given a method involving incorporating an antioxidant or a basic compound into the electrophotographic photosensitive member. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-279678 proposes a method involving suppressing the image deletion by incorporating a particular amine compound into a surface layer of the electrophotographic photosensitive member containing a curable resin. In addition, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-118046 proposes a production method involving allowing hollow particles to support a substance effective for suppressing the image deletion. Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-139618 proposes a protective layer containing metal oxide particles and an acid scavenger to improve the mechanical durability and the suppression of the image deletion.
However, as a result of a study by the inventors of the present invention, it was found that when a tertiary amine compound or an antioxidant is added as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 2007-279678 and 2010-139618, the potential stability and the effect of suppressing image deletion are not sufficient, and curing does not proceed sufficiently in some cases, with the result that the mechanical durability is liable to decrease. It was also found that the electrophotographic photosensitive member described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-118046 does not contain a substance effective for suppressing image deletion on the surfaces of hollow particles, and hence the effect of suppressing image deletion is not sufficient in some cases although the potential stability and curing are less affected.

Electrophotographic photosensitive member, production method for electrophotographic photosensitive member, process cartridge and electrophotographic apparatus, and particle having compound adsorbed thereto