A plant for treating industrial and/or urban waste includes a stage for drying of the waste, followed by a stage for effecting thermolysis of the dried waste and a stage for effecting recovery of the solids and gases resulting from the thermolysis. Thermolysis of the waste is effected in a reactor by indirect heat exchange with combustion gases and drying gases for drying of the waste are subsequently treated to remove vapor materials and then recycled to a gas generator for generating the drying gases. Additionally the plant includes a stage for effecting dechlorination of the solids resulting from the thermolysis by washing the solids with an aqueous liquid, as well as a stage of separating the wash solids and the resulting wash liquid.

The present invention relates to the field of treatment of industrial and/or urban waste and more specifically to the thermolysis or pyrolysis of such waste.
Pyrolysis is a chemical decomposition of a body obtained by heating under absence of oxygen, whereas thermolysis is a decomposition obtained under the effect of a variation in temperature. These two terms thus define operations closely related to one another; this is the reason why they will be used equally hereafter.
Treating industrial and/or urban waste is notably important for the environment. The thermal treatment which has been most used in the past years is waste incineration, but the methods applied often pose problems, either at the level of the volume of solid product to be stocked, or at the level of the quality of the discharge.
As for the quality of the discharged products, several waste treatment plants have already been proposed in order to dispose of most of the pollutants, and notably heavy metals, chlorine, sulfur . . . in the gaseous effluents discharged as well as in the solid products generated by incineration.
A well-known technique disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,303,477 consists in injecting in several places of a waste treatment circuit a basic powder for removing the heavy metals, sulfur dioxide or halogenated compounds from the combustion gases.
The applicant has proposed, in French patent application FR-2,668,774, a process and a plant for treating combustible waste according to which the waste is subjected to a pyrolysis operation. In order to produce, at the outlet of this plant, fuels as clean and valorizable as possible, the effluents resulting from the pyrolysis operation are subjected to a hot and dry treatment (that is without washing).
Besides, French patent application FR-2,654,112 describes a process and a plant for treating urban waste and implementing a thermolysis operation performed after a particular drying of the waste. Moreover, the tars initially present in the thermolysis gases are extracted from the thermolysis gases so as to allow these gases to be re-used later in the course of the process.
There are also other techniques recommending other types of treatments for the effluents and/or the particles resulting from the pyrolysis (or thermolysis) of the waste, but these post-treatments are generally either complex, and therefore costly, or little effective.

Process and plant for the thermolysis of industrial and/or urban waste


Since disruptive forces can be continuously exerted upon a rotor during a pulsatile flow through a pump with a magnetically mounted rotor (permanent magnets and addition control current coils), it is necessary to adjust position i.e. modify axial rotor position very quickly. The control current should only result in small amounts of losses. According to the invention, the current is pulse-width modulated by the control current coils by means of a set value predetermined by a controller which is arranged downstream from a position sensing system. If the set value is high, it is switched to a higher voltage level and the real value of the position sensing system is stored for a defined period of time, respectively beginning with the switching flank of the control current, and the position sensing system is disconnected during said period of time.

The invention relates to a method for controlling the position of a permanent magnetically supported rotating component, e.g. of the rotor of a synchronous motor without brushes, by means of a position determination of this component by means of a position sensory analysis and additional control current coils, influencing the magnetic field of the permanent magnetic support and which current value is determined by the position of the component. The synchronous motor can for example serve as a drive for an axial fluid delivery pump.
Multiphase fluids, e.g. emulsions and dispersions with a low stability can easily reach into instable areas during the delivery in corresponding delivery systems.
An especially sensitive fluid is blood. Blood is hermetically shielded in the natural recirculation system from the environment, so that no foreign interferences are acting upon it. If, however, the necessity exists, to substitute the heart by an artificial blood pump or to support the recirculation by an additional heart pump, reactions of the blood with the technical system are produced. The blood is subjected, then, easily to the haemolysis or the formation of thrombus with the corresponding disadvantageous effects for the patient. Therefore, recently large efforts were made, to form fluid delivery pumps in such a way, that the blood or other sensitive fluids are subjected to the lowest possible mechanical influences. One possibility for this is the magnetic support of the rotating element of a pump drive. The advantage of the magnetic support is not only, that no components mechanically in a frictional way are present any more, but that also the achievable rotational acceleration of the rotating element is increased and the controllability of the rotational speed and therewith, of the volume flow can be improved.
Such a fluid pump can be integrated in the known way in a synchronous motor without brushes. The fluid pump consists according to WO 00/640 30 essentially of a cylindrical tube, which can be connected at both sides to a fluid system. The tube is surrounded by the stator, consisting of the metal packet, the winding and the iron flux return hood. The rotor comprises permanent magnetic field exciters and has on its outer cover delivery devices for the fluid, so that the fluid can be axially delivered in the annular space between the tube and the rotor.
The rotor is magnetically supported. It carries for the purpose on its both end sides cylindrical or annular permanent magnets attached thereon, which are magnetised in the axial direction. The permanent magnets of the rotor are opposed by counter magnetised permanent magnets, which e.g. can be arranged in the end sides of guiding devices, which themselves are mounted in the cylindrical tube.
Both magnet pairs act stabilisingly in radial direction, when they are orientated to attract each other, i.e., the radial support is passively stable. The rotor is, however, instable in the axial direction.
Without additional stabilisation the rotor would be attracted by one of the two pairs of permanent magnets. Therefore, control coils are arranged on the stator sides in such a way, that a current weakens by the in series connected control coils the magnetic field of one of the pairs of permanent magnets and increases the magnetic field of the other pair of permanent magnets. The control current has to be adjusted in dependency of the actual axial rotor position. For this, the rotor position has to be determined by means of position sensors.
The position sensors consist for example of two sensor coils, which can be arranged on the end sides of the guiding devices. The sensor coils are opposed on the ends of the rotor by aluminium bodies, in which eddy currents are formed, when the sensor coils are loaded by an alternating current. By the axial movement of the rotor a change in the inductance of the sensor coils is produced, which in an arrangement in a bridge connection can be evaluated as a measuring signal for the rotor position.
As especially in a pulsating flow through the pump disturbing forces act continuously on the rotor, the position control has to be able to quickly adjust a changed axial rotor position. On the other hand the control current should cause a low dissipation, which is especially important for blood pumps, as the produced heat energy should be kept as small as possible. Furthermore, the drive energy has to be taken from implanted batteries, which operation time should be as long as possible.

Method for controlling the position of a permanent magnetically supported rotating component


The modular plug is provided with a latch arm that includes a free end that extends downwardly toward a top wall of the connector to terminate in close proximity to the surface of the connector or extends into a depression in the surface of the connector to prevent snagging or tangling of the latch arm with other connectors or surfaces.

Many different modular plugs of generally similar outward configuration, necessitated by the requirement of mating with a standard modular jack, are in wide use or have been proposed. For example note U.S. Pat. No. 4,054,350 to Hardesty.
Modular plugs typically are provided in multi-part bags and are terminated to cables to form cable harnesses that are used in confined spaces, such as patch panels or within trunking, such that it is desirable that the plugs not become entangled or snagged with other plugs, with other cable harnesses or some other surface. Prior art plugs include a latching arm that projects away from the body of each plug. See U.S. Pat. No. 5,100,339 to Sato et al. which proposes the use of a thin key member formed on the plug to mate with a slit in the end of the latch arm. This proposed solution appears to be difficult to manufacture with the thin key member being easily damaged. Also note FIG. 11 of Sato '339, which discloses a prior art connector that utilizes upwardly projecting blocking walls positioned on either side of and closely adjacent to the latch arm to prevent the latch arm from tangling with other surfaces. These blocking walls interfere with the release of the latch to remove the plug from a jack.
Thus there is a need in the art for an improved plug connector that prevents the latching arm of the plug from tangling with other objects without interfering with the manipulation of the latch to release the plug from a jack.


A printer with a sorter unit allows printed recording sheets to be sorted to a single tray selected from a plurality of trays by a recording sheet guide mechanism that pivots around a shaft. Thus, the printer can sort the printed sheets by page, by user, or discharge the printed sheets paginated or with the printed side facing upward. The sorter trays includes a first detection lever that is rotated by the weight of recording sheets and a second detection lever that rotates in association with the first detection lever. A lever detector is provided on the sorter guide to detect the movement of the second detection lever. The sorter or guide is also provided with a sheet detection lever to detect a jam in the sorter guide.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a terminal printer utilizing an electrophotographic process, and more particularly to a printer having a mechanism for handling printed sheets.
Terminal printers utilizing the electrophotographic process can produce printed materials with such a high printing quality that they are in some cases used in publishing materials in small number of copies or shared by a plurality of personal computers.
In printing a small number of copies, functions such as double-side printing and sorting of printed sheets by page are in demand.
To share the printer with a plurality of users, it is required that printed copies be sorted and compiled by user.
For this reason, a sorter of such structure as to be used in copying machines is sometimes mounted at the recording sheet discharge outlet of the printer. More specifically, a sorter guide member connectable to the recording sheet discharge outlet of the printer is provided; a second sorter guide member that rises upright is connected to an end portion of this sorter guide member; and a plurality of horizontal windows are provided at a predetermined interval on the second sorter guide member, and these windows accommodate gate members each being operated by a drive member.
In such a sorter, in which a gate member is arranged per tray and the tray must be selected by the gate member, thereby requiring a drive mechanism per gate member. Thus, the printer structure becomes large.
Also, in order to respond to a demand for facedown discharging in which printed sheets are discharged as paginated and for faceup discharging by which the printed face can be checked, a path for causing a recording sheet to make a U-turn on the upper surface of a housing at the recording sheet discharge outlet is provided thereby to allow the path to be selected according to the discharge mode. However, this requires that printed materials be placed wide apart, one in the upper part and the other in the lower part, thereby causing confusion in handling recording sheets.

Printer using electrostatic process including multiple sheet discharge receivers with a pivotal guide and a full tray detector


An apparatus for diagnosing automobile audio systems having a system integrity analyzer which includes speaker testing. The speaker testing includes a member for supplying an input to each of the positive and negative leads while supplying ground to the other of the positive and negative lead. This, in turn, facilitates diagnosis of the operation of the audio system of the vehicle. In addition, the apparatus comprises a system for analyzing vibrations comprising a frequency transmitter and an oscillator. The frequency transmitter is capable of transmitting a signal generated by the oscillator on a frequency that is receivable by a vehicle audio system. The oscillator includes altering the signal generated by the oscillator between the lower audible range and the upper audible range.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to electric and/or electronic analysis units, and more particularly, to automotive harness and audio system analyzers which are capable of analyzing and diagnosing problems associated with automotive wiring systems as well as automotive audio head units.
2. Background Art
Today""s automobiles are generally equipped with factory installed complex audio systems. Such audio systems generally include one or more speakers, a head unit, amplifiers and a wiring harness. The head unit (which generally includes a radio, a CD and/or a tape player) and the amplifiers are generally expensive units to replace.
As with other automotive components, the audio systems of certain vehicles can have faulty components or a faulty condition which can render the audio system inoperative or, at the very least, unable to perform according to predetermined specifications. For example, the tape player of the head unit can be faulty while the CD and radio players can be fully operational. Similarly, three of the four speakers can be fully operational, while a fourth speaker can be defective. Furthermore, while the components may be operational, the wiring may be improperly grounded or a connection can become desoldered.
Generally, when a faulty condition is recognized in a vehicle, the service center immediately replaces one or more of the main components, namely, the head unit, the amplifier and/or one or more of the speakers. Due to the complex nature of the vehicle audio system, comprehensive diagnosis is rarely performed at the service center; rather components are merely replaced. As a result of this replacement procedure, many of the components that the service center replaces are not faulty, but are instead fully operational. Inasmuch as these repairs are performed, generally under warranty, the automotive manufacturer or the component manufacturer ultimately covers the cost of the replacement of non-faulty parts.
In addition, even where the components are generally operational, the audio system can send sounds through the speakers which produce a discernable unwanted vibration in one of the components. Since the vibration is generally caused by sound produced by the speakers at a particular frequency, the sound cannot be easily replicated by a technician in the service center.
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to develop a system that individually tests the components of an audio system to diagnose problems associated with the system.
It is another object of the invention to provide a system by which to transmit audio signals through the audio system at various frequencies to determine and diagnose any particular frequencies which may cause unwanted vibration within the vehicle.
These and other objectives of the invention will become apparent in light of the present specification, drawings, and claims appended hereto.

Automotive harness and audio system analyzer


The utility of soybeans having a composition of greater than 40% of the protein as beta-conglycinin and less than 10% of the protein as glycinin for making highly functional high beta-conglycinin compositions was discovered. The discovered ingredients are useful for mimicking the texturizing properties of casein while also maintaining or improving physiological benefits of soy protein ingredients (e.g., cholesterol and triglyceride lowering properties). The high stability of the high beta-conglycinin compositions against protein-protein aggregation reactions is valuable for creating good tasting beverages and beverage mixes. Cheese with good spreadability, gloss and smoothness was made using an enzyme-modified version of the new ingredient composition. Cheese with good firmness and meltability was also created using a different enzyme-treatment High beta-conglycinin compositions were found to demonstrate excellent emulsifying and gelling properties in the pH region (5.5-6.2) relevant to meet applications. High beta-conglycinin compositions also have possible use for improving the composition of essential amino acids for infant humans and animals.

The present invention relates to a high beta-conglycinin composition, meat analog, cheese analog, beverage and animal feed and to methods of producing a high beta-conglycinin composition, cheese analog, beverage, meat analog and animal feed.
The publications and other materials used herein to illuminate the background of the invention or provide additional details respecting the practice, are incorporated by reference.
Glycinin and beta-conglycinin (BC) account for approximately 70% of the proteins in soybeans. It has been postulated that the functional properties of soy protein ingredients in food systems can be improved by modifying the ratio of these proteins. Previous attempts have been to increase the ratio of glycinin to beta-conglycinin to improve the yield and quality of tofu-type soybean gels and to improve the content of sulfur amino acids for nutritional purposes (Kitamura, K., Trends Food Science & Technology 4:64-67, (1993), Murphy, P., et al., Food Technology 51:86-88, 110 (1997)).
Dietary proteins are needed to replace metabolic losses of tissue and organ proteins, to form and deposit protein in new tissues and to replenish tissue loss as a consequence of pathological conditions. These needs are met by indispensable (essential) amino acids and dispensable amino acids that comprise dietary proteins. It is largely in this context that the nutritional value of dietary proteins is defined as the ability to meet daily requirements for essential amino acids (Steinke, F. et al. New Protein Foods in Human Health: Nutrition Prevention and Therapy, CRC Press, 1992). High quality proteins contain all the essential amino acids at levels greater than reference levels and are highly digestible so that the amino acids are available. In this context, egg white and milk proteins are the standards to which other proteins are evaluated and plant proteins are considered to have inferior nutritional value. The essential amino acids whose concentrations in a protein are below the levels of a reference protein are termed limiting amino acids, e.g., the sum of cysteine and methionine are limiting in soybeans.
Glycinin contains 3 to 4 times more cysteine and methionine per unit protein than beta-conglycinin (Fukushima D., Food Rev. Int. 7:323-351, 1991). Thus it is expected that an increase in the content of glycinin and a decrease in the content of beta-conglycinin results in enhanced protein quality (Kitamura, K Trends Food Science & Technology 4:64-67, 1993; Kitamura, K., JARQ 29:1-8, 1995). This is consistent with the finding that the mean value of the sulfur-containing amino acid contents in the seeds of four representative lines which were low in beta-conglycinin was about 20% higher than that of four ordinary varieties (Ogawa, T. Japan. J. Breed. 39:137-147, 1989). A positive correlation was also reported between the glycinin:beta-conglycinin ratio (1.7-4.9) and the methionine or cysteine concentration of total protein, among wild soybeans (Kwanyuen et al., JAOCS 74:983-987, 1997). There are no reports of the amino acid composition of high beta-conglycinin soybeans (glycinin:beta-conglycinin ratio less than 0.25).
In addition to the ability of proteins to meet the body's daily needs for essential amino acids, dietary proteins can also contribute bioactive peptides and amino acid patterns which can reduce the risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, cancer and osteoporosis. These compositional factors should also be considered in assessing protein quality, especially in countries such as the United States where people on the average consume a large excess of dietary protein. Researchers (Sugano, et al. PCT No. WO89/01495; Sugano, M. J. Nutr 120:977-985,1990; Sugano. M. & Kobak, K. Annu. NY Acad. Sci. 676:215-222, 1993; Wang, M. J Nutr. Sci. Vitaminol. 41:187-195, 1995) have identified a pepsin-resistant fraction of soybean protein (5,000-10,000 molecular weight) that represents about 15% of the protein in isolated soy protein. Humans fed a diet with the pepsin-resistant fraction at 24 g or 48 g per day had lower LDL-Cholesterol and more fecal neutral and acidic steroid excretion than those fed diets with isolated soy protein or casein. The soy proteins which contribute to this pepsin-resistant fraction were not identified. Purified beta-conglycinin is more pepsin-resistant than purified glycinin (Astwood, J. & Fuchs, R. In Monographs in Allergy, Sixth International Symposium on Immunological and Clinical Problems of Food Allergy, Ortolani, C. and Wuthrich, B. editors, Basel, Karger, 1996), so it follows logically that beta-conglycinin may be a primary contributor to the bioactive fraction. This possibility has not been demonstrated yet in a feeding study, or with protein made from soybeans having altered protein compositions.
The alpha and alpha-prime subunits of beta-conglycinin specifically interacted with membrane components of human and animal liver cells in tissue culture experiments (Lovati, M. R., et al., J. Nutr. 126:2831-2842). The beta-conglycinin subunits were incorporated by the liver cells, degraded and caused an increase in the maximal binding of LDL to high-affinity receptors. It is proposed that such a mechanism could be responsible for the cholesterol lowering properties of soy protein isolates. However, it is not clear if significant amounts of dietary soy proteins can get to the liver in vivo. Lavarti et al. (J. Nutr. 122:1971-1978, 1992) reported a study in which hypercholesterolemic rats were fed either glycinin or beta-conglycinin for two weeks. Both groups showed a ⅓ reduction in total serum cholesterol. There are no studies which determine the effects of soy protein isolates from soybeans with modified soy protein compositions on the cholesterol lowering properties of soy protein isolate in animal models or humans.
It is reasoned from Rhesus monkey studies using alcohol extracted (which removes isoflavones) and non-alcohol extracted soy protein isolate, that soybean isoflavones are the primary components of soy protein isolates responsible for the cholesterol lowering effects (Anthony, M. S., J. Nutr. 126:43-50, 1996). However, subjecting soy protein to ethanol extraction did not have any effect on its lipid-lowering effects in other studies using hamsters (Balmir et al., J. Nutr. 126:3046-3053, 1996) or rats (Topping et al., Nutr. Res. 22:513-520, 1980). Alcohol extraction processes can extract some proteins and can denature and aggregate the unique structures of soy proteins, likely affecting how they act in the GI tract. For example, Sugano et al., (J. Nutr. 120:977-985, 1990) observed that methanol extraction completely eliminated the ability of high molecular weight soy protein peptides to bind and excrete steroids. Feeding isolated soy isoflavones (genistein and daidzein) had no Favorable effect on serum lipids or lipoproteins in humans (Colquhoun, et al., Atherosclerosis, 109:75, 1994; Nestel, P. J., Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol. 17:3392-3398,1997).
The confusion about the relative roles of various soy protein isolate constituents in the observed cholesterol-lowering effects, are difficult to resolve by using processing technologies to create samples with altered composition. An improved approach is to specifically modify the components of interest in the soybeans.
An emerging key indicator for the risk of heart disease, is high serum homocysteine levels. Dietary methionine is a precursor to homocysteine, so a high consumption of methionine can potentially increase consumers risk of heart disease, especially if they also consume low levels of folic acid and vitamin B6 (McCully, K. S., The Homocysteine Revolution, Keats Publishing, Inc., New Canaan, Conn., 1997). Another route which lowers the endothelial cytotoxicity of homocysteine is the reaction between nitric oxide (NO) and homocysteine in vivo to form the non-toxic S-nitroso-homocysteine. This route can be enhanced by increasing dietary arginine levels because arginine is converted by nitric oxide synthase to NO. Therefore, an ideal dietary protein for maintaining healthy levels of homocysteine, should have high arginine and low methionine (and cysteine), as is found in beta-conglycinin. However, the use of a beta-conglycinin rich soy protein isolate designed for this purpose has not been previously disclosed.
New protein ingredients must contribute positively to the taste, texture and appearance of foods to gain acceptance. These quality attributes are determined by the structure of the proteins and how they change in the presence of other food components (e.g., calcium ions, other proteins) and processing conditions (e.g., temperature, pH). Increasing the glycinin content of soybeans is usually proposed for improving food functionality of soy protein ingredients. Previous attempts to improve the yield and quality of tofu-type soybean gels have been to increase certain glycinins or the ratio of glycinin to beta-conglycinin (Wang, C-C. and Chang, S. J. Agric. Food Chem. 43:3029-3034, 1995; Yagasaki, K. et al. Breeding Sci. 46:11-15,1996; Murphy, P., et al., Food Technology 51:86-88, 110, 1997). There is little information on the properties of glycinin and beta-conglycinin in other model food systems, especially under conditions typical of other food systems (e.g., low pH, high salt, fat, gel formation at temperatures below 72 degrees C.). Foaming properties of glycinin are superior to those of beta-conglycinin at a pH of 7.0 and no salt (Yu, M. A., J. Agric. Food chem. 39:1563-1567,1991). Partially hydrolyzed glycinin forms heat-induced gels which are more similar to cheese curd than partially hydrolyzed beta-conglycinin at neutral pH (Kamata et al., Nippon Shokuhin kogyo Gakkaishi 36:557-562, 1989). Glycinin forms gels at boiling temperature with higher elastic moduli than soy protein isolate (Van Kleef, Biopolymers 25:31-59, 1986). Some comparisons were made between glycinin and beta-conglycinin at pH 7.5-8.0 (Shimada, K. and Matsushita, S., Agric. Biol. Chem. 44:637-641, 1980; Utsumi, S. and Kinsella, J. Food Sci. 50:1278-1282, 1985; Nakamura et al., Agric. Biol. Chem. 50:2429-2435, 1986). Though beta-conglycinin was observed to have superior emulsifying properties compared to glycinin, it did not have better emulsifying properties compared to whole soy protein isolate controls (Aoki et al., J. Food Sci. 45:534-546, 1980; Yao et al. JAOCS 67:974-979, 1990). The freeze-thaw properties of beta-conglycinin and glycinin rich soy protein isolates have not been reported, though the problem of soy protein freeze-thaw instability is known (Abtahi, S. and Aminlari, M., J. Agric. Food Chem. 45:4768-4772, 1997).
Soybean germplasm which lack glycinin, sib-line varieties B2W(2), B2G(2), and B2G(1) were received from Dr. Norihiko Kaizuma, President of Tohoku University, Morioka, Japan (Oct. 7, 1996). The mutation of these soybean lines was induced by using gama-irradiation (Odanaka, H. and N. Kaizuma, Japan J. Breed. 39 (Suppl. ) 430431,1989; Kaizuma et al. Jpn J. breed. 40 (Supple 1) 504-505, 1990). These lines lack all of the group-I subunits consisting of A1aB2, A1bB1b and A2B1a. Synthesis of the missing polypeptides has been shown to be controlled by a single recessive allele. No deleterious effects on physiological aspects such as seed development and germination were observed. The properties of high beta-conglycinin isolates at pH 7 were discussed in Nagano, T. J. Agric. Food Chem. 44:3484-3488. The gel-forming properties at 85 degrees C and foaming properties of enzymatically hydrolyzed beta-conglycinin fractions were discussed in Lehnhardt, W. F. and Orthoefer, F. T., European Patent No. 0072617, 1982. The concept of altering seed storage proteins by transgenic methods was made by Kinney, A., et al., International Publication No. WO 97/47731, however only attempts at eliminating beta-conglycinins were made and demonstrated.
Yields of protein and other soybean constituents also need to be considered in designing a commercially viable variety. Positive correlations were found between total protein content of soybeans and the glycinin:beta-conglycinin ratio, so the soybeans that were richer in glycinin had a higher protein content (Shui-Ho Cheng, 1984 Ph.D. thesis, Univ. of IL).

High beta-conglycinin products and their use


The last link in an initialization hash chain, calculated by a transmitter based on its anchor value, is distributed as an initialization function value to a receiver in an initialization phase. Subsequently, a multicast message is received and stored by a receiver and an authentication key release message, containing a cryptographic authentication key, is received from the transmitter by the receiver. A cryptographic function value h, calculated by the receiver for the cryptographic authentication key using a prescribed cryptographic function, is compared with the initialization function value to check the validity of the cryptographic authentication key in the authentication key release message. The multicast message is authenticated by the receiver using the cryptographic authentication key which has been recognized as valid.

Described below are a method and an apparatus for authentication of multicast messages, especially of multicast messages which are exchanged between field devices of a peer-to-peer system and contain as payload data a GOOSE (Generic Object Oriented Substation Events) message or an SMV (Sampled Measured Values) message.
A field device, after detecting an event, transmits multicast messages to other registered field devices, which receive the multicast messages. These multicast messages are transmitted to the other field devices via a wireless or wired communication link by the field device which has detected the event. Such a field device can for example involve a protective device, for example an intelligent breaker circuit which is located in a transformer substation of a power supply network. The different field devices can exchange messages with one another for electrical protection and for transmission of measurement data. Furthermore the field devices can monitor and control different types of function. After detection of an event messages are not sent by a field device to a specific destination address but are sent as a broadcast or multicast message to different receiving field devices, which receive the multicast message and decide whether for their part they must process the received message. The multicast message is transmitted as a data packet which contains header data and payload data. The payload data contained in the multicast message can be formed by a GOOSE or an SMV message. Standard IEC61850 defines messages for substation controllers within an energy supply network. To protect the transmitted multicast message in this case the use of digital signatures is proposed in accordance with Standard IEC61850. For each message, to protect the message against manipulation or to protect its integrity on the transmitting field device side, a digital signature is computed and is identified by all receiving field devices.
However the significant disadvantage of this method of operation is that a considerable computing effort is required to create the digital signatures and for their verification by all receiving computing devices and the corresponding computing devices must have corresponding resources available to them to perform such calculations. In addition the verification of received multicast messages must occur within a predetermined response time, which can amount to just a few milliseconds.

Method and apparatus for authenticating multicast messages


A receiver receives elements of a signal sequence. A state generator generates a sequence of addresses to translate between a pseudonoise sequence and a Walsh sequence. A storage medium, coupled to the receiver and the state generator, stores each element of the signal sequence at a given address according to the sequence of addresses.

A fast, efficient and reliable means of communicating data in a multi-user system is desirable for many applications. A need for such methods arises when multiple pieces of data (from multiple sources) need to be quickly read by a receiver. One particular application of such technology is in the electronic identification of multiple items.
The electronic identification industry is important for numerous commercial and military applications, including real-time item tracking and inventory. Such uses can greatly increase operational efficiency in a myriad of scenarios, including virtually all of those involving some form of manufacturing, warehousing, distribution and retail. The ability to quickly and efficiently perform accurate real-time inventory tracking can greatly reduce waste in many forms, including, but not limited to, the misplacement of items, over- or under-stocking of items, and item theft.
Currently, the electronic identification industry relies heavily on manual (light-based) scanning to identify a plurality of items, where each item is assigned a product code. The Universal Product Code (UPC) system is currently in widespread use throughout the United States retail industry. Manually scanning items, however, is extremely time-consuming and highly prone to human error.
Thus, there exists a need to provide a method for efficient and reliable transmission of data from multiple sources to a receiver.

Correlation method in a communication system and apparatus


A moldable lip guard for musicians with orthodontic appliances, such as, without limitation, braces, wherein a posterior surface of the moldable lip guard is mold to and imprinted with the anatomic profile of the upper or lower front teeth with overlaid orthodontic appliance. The molded and imprinted posterior surface when coupled to the upper or lower front teeth prevents displacement of the moldable lip guard when playing a musical instrument. The curved and smooth anterior surface of the moldable lip guard serves to eliminate the pain and discomfort associated with embouchure and playing of various types of musical instruments and, especially, brass instruments. The thin thickness of the moldable lip guard does not hinder the musician's ability to project a forceful stream of air through the lips to the instruments mouthpiece when playing such instrument.

Musicians wearing braces experience pain and discomfort and injury to the superior and/or inferior labia mucosa while playing a brass instrument. Brass instruments have mouthpieces (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "instrument's mouthpiece") which provide an opening for receiving a projected stream of forced air from the musicians mouth. The instrument's mouthpiece abuts the exterior side of the lip and/or mouth/lip area. However, if the musician is wearing braces along the upper and/or lower teeth, the wiring and bracing elements become embedded in the superior and/or inferior labia mucosa causing injury thereto which results in pain and discomfort. While there are protective mouthpieces which are received in the mouth between the teeth and the lips to protect against trauma, such protective mouthpieces are not anatomically designed for musicians to allow the musician's lips to be puckered in a manner suitable for forcing air through the lips to play an instrument.
Several devices have been patented which are aimed at mouthpieces.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,533,523, to Bass, Jr. et al., entitled "MEDICAL MOUTHPIECE" discloses a mouthpiece having two spaced flanges to fit over the outside of the lips on the proximal end of the mouthpiece and behind the front teeth on the distal end of the mouthpiece with the intermediate space to be clamped between the bitting front teeth. A central hollow passageway permits the instrument to be inserted. A lower curved tongue plate extends inwardly and downwardly to depress the patients tongue and to guide the forward end of the instrument.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,447,168, to Bancroft, entitled "MOUTHGUARD" discloses a mouthguard for protecting lips against impact trauma on orthodontic appliances (braces), protecting teeth from sports trauma, protecting teeth from clashing together or grinding; and protecting the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) from traumas due to a blow to the mandible. The mouthpiece comprises a curved flexible element, having two or more substantially central apertures extending therethrough and a notched portion on the upper and lower surface thereof. On the inner posterior surface of the element, an inwardly projecting portion extends at right angles thereto on each side of the aperture and designed to be grasped by the teeth. The mouthguard lays against the outer surface of the teeth with the curved flexible element and extends into the buccal folds superiorly and interiorly of the cheek where the muscles hold it in place.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,152,300, to Horst, entitled "GUARD FOR PROTECTING THE CORNER OF A PATIENT'S MOUTH" discloses a guard made of soft flexible material and includes a pair of hinged wings adapted to be placed in straddling relation with the cheek of a dental patient. A forwardly facing and generally V-shaped throat is formed in the forward margins of the wings and cradles and cushions a dental instrument to prevent the instrument from causing sores in the corner of the patient's mouth.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,949,731, to Harding, entitled "ORAL PROPHYLACTICS" discloses an elastic and flexible oral prophylactic that conforms to the mouth, including the lips and tongue. The oral prophylactic is made of impermeable or permeable material and is primarily designed to prevent the spread of disease during oral intercourse. The oral prophylactic has a tubular portion which is received in the mouth and a labial portion that fits over the exterior surface of the lips.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,711,237, to Kaiser, entitled "PROTECTIVE SANITARY BARRIER FOR CPR DOLL" discloses a protective barrier which is a sheet of material with an adhesive on one side and having a central opening. The barrier is placed on the CPR doll with the central opening positioned over the mouth area.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,103,052, to Rector, entitled "NATURAL EXPRESSION FORMER" discloses a device intended for use by morticians to restore the expression of the mouth of a corpse. The device includes two cups and a medial connection between them. The curvature of the cup allows the cups to fit closely to the curvature of the teeth and gums without undue bulging outwardly of the cheeks. The anterior surface of the cups has a plurality of spurs some of which are designed to pierce and so engage the orbicularis oris muscle and thereby to retain the lips closed. Other spurs engage primarily the radial musculature and prevent these muscles from sagging, thereby restoring the natural tension and expression to them and to the face as a whole.
While each of the above mouthpieces function as desired, none of them have a moldable lip guard for musicians with orthodontic appliances, such as, without limitation, braces, wherein a posterior surface of the moldable lip guard is mold to and imprinted with the anatomic profile of the upper or lower front teeth with overlaid orthodontic appliance. The molded and imprinted posterior surface when coupled to the upper or lower front teeth prevents displacement of the moldable lip guard when playing a musical instrument. The curved and smooth anterior surface of the moldable lip guard serves to eliminate the pain and discomfort associated with embouchure and playing of various types of musical instruments and, especially, brass instruments. The thin thickness of the moldable lip guard does not hinder the musician's ability to project a forceful stream of air through the lips to the instruments mouthpiece when playing such instrument.
As will be seen more fully below, the present invention is substantially different in structure, methodology and approach from that of the prior mouthpieces.

Moldable lip guard and method of molding such lip guard


An exposure adjustment apparatus determines, based on the level of a signal of an object converted by a solid state image sensing device, whether the exposure time or the gain is to be decreased, increased or maintained, and controls the gain of an amplifier and the drive pulse to be generated by a drive pulse generator. Thereby, the output signal level is adjusted by controlling only the exposure time of the solid state image sensing device and the gain of the video signal resulting in a compact and vibration-resistant exposure control system which is inexpensive.

The present invention relates to an exposure control system which controls the video signal of an object image by controlling the exposure time of a solid state image sensing device and the gain to be given to the output of the solid state image sensing device.
A conventional exposure control system controls the exposure time and the gain by providing an output from a solid state image sensing device with a gain, and, based on the value of this output, driving an iris diaphragm, a liquid crystal filter or such other means.
An example of a conventional exposure control system is described in Japanese Laid Open Utility Model No. Hei 1-159470.
A conventional exposure control system as disclosed by the above is described as follows:
FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a prior art exposure control system. In FIG. 14, numeral 1401 denotes a lens for receiving and focusing an object image, 1402 is a transparency variable liquid crystal filter, 1403 is a solid state image sensing device, 1404 is a control circuit for controlling the transparency variable liquid crystal filter, 1405 is a video amplifier, 1406 is an electronic shutter control circuit, and 1407 is a video amplifier with AGC.
The operation of an exposure control system constituted as above is described as follows:
An object image formed by lens 1401 through transparency variable liquid crystal filter 1402 is converted into an electric signal by solid state image sensing device 1403, which signal is taken out as a video signal via video amplifier 1405. Based on the level of the video signal, control circuit for controlling transparency variable liquid crystal filter 1404 adjusts the transparency of the transparency variable liquid crystal filter, electronic shutter control circuit 1406 adjusts the exposure time of solid state image sensing device 1403, and video amplifier with AGC 1407 adjusts the value of the gain resulting in the control of the exposure time and gain of the camera.
When the object brightness increases, the level of the video output signal of solid state image sensing device 1403 rises, and as a result, the level of the video output signal of video amplifier 1405 increases. In response, the light transmission of transparency variable liquid crystal filter 1402 is controlled to reduce the light transmission. When the object brightness increases further to exceed the control range of transparency variable liquid crystal filter, electronic shutter control circuit 1406 is put into operation to decrease the time for accumulating an electric charge in solid state image sensing device 1403, in order to lower the level of the video output signal.
In the above described conventional constitution, however, the transparency variable liquid crystal filter 1402 requires a certain size, making it difficult to make the whole system smaller. Moreover, because the electronic shutter works within a certain time after the final pulse of the discharge pulse is input within a horizontal blanking period for discharging the electric charge accumulated in the light sensing elements(photo diode) of the solid state image sensing device until a transfer pulse for transferring the electric charge accumulated in the light sensing elements to transfer channel as the exposure time of solid state image sensing device, the exposure time is a discrete value depending on each respective horizontal scanning period.
The discharging pulse is not input during the picture scanning period because during that period the signal is taken out through the transfer channel; if a discharge pulse is applied to the light sensing elements on the same substrate the signal is affected by the pulse and noise is caused on the picture. Therefore, the discharging pulse is limited to the horizontal blanking period to avoid the noise. As the exposure time of the solid state image sensing device decreases, the ratio of the discharging pulse period versus exposure time becomes larger. As a result the quantity of exposure shifts greatly with the input of a discharging pulse. Therefore, the output of the solid state image sensing device shows a step change when the exposure time is varied Consequently, the brightness of a picture flickers and presents a very unpleasant scene.

Exposure control system controlling a solid state image sensing device

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A hub-bearing assembly for rotatably mounting a tilling disc about an axis of rotation. The hub-bearing assembly includes an annular hub providing an axially extending tubular portion, comprising a housing and a radially outer flange for mounting a disc. A bearing unit is mounted within the housing. An elastic damping body axially is fitted between the radially outer flange and the disc.

From document WO 2002/019791 A is known a hub-bearing assembly for rotatably mounting a tilling disc for agricultural use, around an axis of rotation. The assembly comprises an annular hub, having a tubular portion axially extending, which defines a substantially cylindrical housing and a radially outer flange for fixing the disc. In the housing a bearing unit is located, the bearing unit comprising an outer ring, one or two inner rings and one or two set of rolling bodies, interposed between inner and outer rings. In other solutions, the outer ring is in one piece with the flanged hub.
During the working life, impacts of the disc against stones and similar bodies damage the bearing raceways, reducing the bearing lifetime.


A device that includes a housing configured to couple to an interior of a vehicle. The device further includes a card reader and a user interface. The card reader is configured to receive payment card information for a payment card. The user interface is configured to receive a user input identifying a product, to determine a current location of the device, to determine a vending location where the product is available based on the current location of the device, and to modify a route to a final destination to include the vending location. The user interface is further configured to send an authorization request requests a purchase of the product, to receive an approval message, to generate an authorization token that authorizes a purchase to retrieve the products from the vending location, and output the authorization token.

Ridesharing services allow passengers to hire a driver for transportation to some destination. For these services, the driver may use their personal vehicles or a company vehicle to transport their passengers. The vehicles that are used are only equipped for transportation and are ill-equipped for providing other products and/or services while on the road. For example, a passenger may want to purchase food or drinks while being transported to their final destination. Typically, these types of items are unavailable in the vehicle which means that the passenger will have to wait until they reach the final destination to find a location to purchase these items. These vehicles are not network-enabled (e.g. connected to the Internet) and lack the capability to request and receive information that enables other services and products to be offered to their passengers. This inability to access information limits the overall functionality of the vehicles that are used by ridesharing services. Thus, it is desirable to provide the ability to access information from remote data sources to increase the functionality of the vehicles used in rideshare services.

Remote vending using an integrated vehicle vending machine


In one example, a synchronization server includes logic operable to engage in a first synchronization session with a client device, wherein client modifications and server modifications may be exchanged based, at least in part, on synchronization data stored locally. The synchronization server further includes logic operable to initiate a query of a remote database (e.g., having data associated with the synchronization data) to determine differences between the synchronization data stored locally and associated data stored remotely. The synchronization server is further operable to initiate an exchange of further server modifications based on the differences between the synchronization data stored locally and the associated data stored remotely. In one example, the server may engage in a second synchronization session with the client device to update the client device with differences to the synchronization data stored locally and the remote database.

1. Field
The present invention relates generally to data synchronization between two or more devices, and in one aspect, to a synchronization method and system to reduce the potential for synchronization failures.
2. Description of Related Art
A variety of mobile computing devices exist, such as personal digital assistants (PDAs), mobile phones, smart phones, camera phones, pocket personal computers, and the like which perform an ever growing variety of functions. The trend is for mobile computing devices to have increased functionality such that a single mobile device may, for example, provide Internet access, maintain a personal calendar, provide mobile telephony, take digital photographs, play music files, and the like.
Data on such mobile computing device can be synchronized with network applications, desktop computer applications, or other databases within a telecommunications system. For example, calendar entries, contact information, and email applications, in particular, may be synchronized between multiple devices via a communication system. The SyncML (Synchronization Markup Language), which is based on the XML (extensible Markup Language) is well known for the synchronization of data between two or more devices, e.g., a client device and a server device. The SyncML synchronization protocol using messages in the SyncML format (SyncML messages) generally allows for synchronization of data in any application between any networked terminals. For example, a calendar entry in a user device is synchronized with a network calendar.
FIG. 1 illustrates an example of system where a client device, e.g., a cell phone or other mobile device, functions as a SyncML client terminal and a data source, e.g., a computer or network server computer, functions as the SyncML server. SyncML client terminal synchronization application layer functions are provided by a synchronization client agent, which implements the SyncML protocol by sending a SyncML package (e.g., Client Modifications), which includes, in one or more SyncML messages, modifications made after the last synchronization session to the data that is the object of synchronization in the mobile device. SyncML/data source server synchronization application layer functions are provided by a sync server agent, which controls synchronization. The server usually waits for an initiative for synchronization from the SyncML client. The server synchronizes the data by analyzing the changes made to the database and client terminal data, and synchronizes the data (i.e., makes necessary modifications, replacements, and deletions). After this, the SyncML server sends the server modifications back to the SyncML client.
As described, for example, in "SyncML Sync Protocol, version 1.1.1" dated Oct. 2, 2002, (which is put forth by the Open Mobile Alliance ("OMA") and provided at "http://www.openmobilealliance.org", and for which the entire content is incorporated by reference herein), the SyncML synchronization protocol operates in both wireless and wired networks and supports several transfer protocols. The SyncML synchronization protocol can be implemented, for example, on top of HTTP protocol (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol), WSP protocol (Wireless Session Protocol) of the WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) standard, OBEX (Object EXchange Protocol) protocol used for cable links, such as the USB (Universal Serial Bus) or RS-232, or for short-range radio frequency (Bluetooth) links or infrared (IrDA) links, on top of a TCP/IP (Transport Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) stack, and also on top of an e-mail protocol (SMTP, Simple Mail Transfer Protocol). There are typically several different transmission media between the devices (client and server) of a SyncML session, for instance a GSM network providing a wireless connection, and a local area network LAN. Also many transport layer protocols may be used to transfer SyncML messages. Different transmission media and the devices involved in the SyncML session may have different properties, e.g., varying data rates and packet sizes. The SyncML includes end-to-end transmission of SyncML messages and functions even though a plurality of transport layer protocols are used.
Often a SyncML session needs a relatively long (e.g., several seconds to minutes or more) and continuous connection to complete a synchronization process, which generally includes synchronizing the client and server databases. If the connection is lost during the SyncML session, the client may need to perform a synchronization of all data (not just modifications) to ensure the datasets are synchronized. The synchronization of all data (sometimes referred to as a "slow sync"), may take an extended period of time leading to expensive data transfers and user dissatisfaction with the process. Accordingly, it is desired to provide improved systems and methods for synchronizing devices to avoid or reduce slow synchronization processes and further to perform slow synchronizations more quickly.

Data synchronization and device handling


This invention relates to a conveyor system and a method for producing a sequence of discrete food items from a plurality of incoming food objects including at least one food item conveyed by an in-feed conveyor including an in-feed conveyor belt such that the distance between adjacent food objects of said sequence of discrete food objects fulfills a pre-determined distance criterion. A first conveyor belt provided adapted to be placed adjacent to the in-feed conveyor belt and a second conveyor belt is provided adapted to be placed adjacent to the first conveyor belt. The adjacent ends of the first and second conveyors belts are operable connected together via a junction such that their internal position is fixed at all times. An imaging mechanism images the incoming objects so as to obtain image data including image data indicating the length of the incoming objects and distances between adjacent incoming objects. A control unit is provided to operate a back and forth advancement of the junction and thus adjust the active length of the first conveyor. The first conveyor belt acts thus as a buffer for collecting at least one of the incoming food objects from the in-feed conveyor. The control unit operates the delivering of the at least one collected food objects to the second conveyor belt via controllable advancing of the junction from an extended position towards a contracted position of the first conveyor based on the image data.

In the food industry today it can sometimes be of outmost importance to ensure that food items that are being conveyed form a sequence where the distance between adjacent food items is suitable for subsequent processing step. As an example, robots that are being implement today for generating batches of pre-fixed target weight of two or more food items require that a minimum distance is present between adjacent food items in order to work in the most optimal way and maximize the throughput. If this distance is below or above this limit the throughput of the robots and thus the processing is reduced. Another example is grading of food items into multiple of bins, where certain minimum distance must be present between the food items so that the mechanical arms that are associated with the conveyor systems can redirect the items passing by on the conveyer belt to the appropriate receiving bins.
A common solution to solve the above mentioned problem is to implement two conveyor belts with fixed ends that are running with different speeds so that the conveyed food items become accelerated along the conveyor belt. FIG. 1 shows a scenario where a first conveyor 101 and a second conveyor 102 are running with different speeds where v2>v1 and the incoming food items 103-105 have different lengths. At the interface between the first conveyor 101 and the second conveyor the acceleration causes that the distances between the items is increased as shown in FIG. 1b.
The drawback with this method is that in case the length of the items is different as shown here it will not be possible to ensure even distances between the food items on the second conveyor 102. The distance d1 may be the most preferred distance i.e. that maximizes the throughput in the subsequent processing steps, whereas distance d2 is too long and causes a time delay in the subsequent processing step and thus reduces the throughput in the process.
Also, in case of two or more batches as depicted in FIG. 2, the space d1 between two batches shown in FIG. 2a will be increased to a distance d2>d1, which again results in an increased waiting time for the subsequent processing steps.
US 2003/0196871 discloses a device to correct uneven spacing of successive articles, where the device is capable of taking a single row of unevenly spaced articles on a first conveyor and ensure that the articles are more evenly spaced or more evenly stacked on a second conveyor. This is done by moving a noser of a first conveyor upstream or downstream so that the point of arrival for an article on a second conveyor may be moved upstream or downstream, thereby correcting the spacing of the articles on the second conveyor belt. As an example, the device can be implemented for any process where there is a shingling or stacking operation of e.g. cookies or crackers, causing the articles to overlap or shingle on the second conveyor belt. The first and the second conveyor belts may also be on the same level if the aim is change items that are unevenly on the first conveyor to become uniformly spaces them on the second conveyor without stacking.
There are however situations where the disclosure of US 2003/0196871 fails. This is as an example where food items such as fish fillets undergo a cutting process where a fish fillet is cut into several pieces that are lying next to each other, and where there is some distance, e.g. on average 30 cm, between adjacent fish fillets and where the requirement is to make an even distribution of the pieces with e.g. 5 cm distance there between. This may be of outmost importance where a subsequent packaging is performed by e.g. robots where such a spacing is the minimum spacing needed so that the robot arm has sufficient space to take only one piece at a time and to place is it a container. If the spacing is more than 5 cm the throughput/speed of the robot(s) will not be fully used and thus the throughput of the packing process will be reduced.
FR 2748461 A discloses a method and a device for transferring items such as biscuits from an infeed carrier to an outfeed carrier. The carriers are positioned one after the other and adapted to form a junction therebetween, which is borne by an upper mobile carriage in order to provide a variable transition front for the items. Both of these carriers are continuous carriers, guided by a set of deflection and/or tensioning rollers, and furthermore a lower mobile carriage is utilized for guiding the carriers. The two mobile carriages are connected by a continuous chain device, comprising two continuous chains and corresponding deflection pulleys or wheels placed lateral on either side of the carriages, whereby the upper and the lower mobile carriages are moved simultaneously by equal distances, but in opposite directions, when the variable transition front between the infeed carrier and the outfeed carrier is moved.
Due to the laterally disposed continuous chain device for moving the two mobile carriages, this prior art method and device implies a spacious and relatively complex arrangement. Furthermore, due to this space demand, such a prior art device will not be suitable for arranging two or more devices next to each other, e.g. in processing plants, etc.
Moreover, this device is designed for light items such as biscuits, where the carrying capacity is limited to the conveyor belt tension meaning that the more carrying capacity that is needed the more thick must the conveyor belt need to be. This would obviously be reflected in that the width of the transition front of the transfer system, between the two wheels, will be larger if the belt is larger. However, if the incoming food products are relative thin and/or bendable, e.g. fish fillet pieces, they can easily get stuck at the transition or simply fall down there between.
The inventor of the present invention has appreciated that there is thus a need for a conveyor system that is capable of converting uneven distances of incoming food items or batches to controlled distances such as even distances so as to optimize subsequent processing steps and thus maximize the throughput of the process and has in consequence devised the present invention.

Conveyor system and a method for producing a sequence of discrete food items from a plurality of incoming food objects


A seed coating apparatus for applying a coating fluid to seeds, consists of a seed input, a housing connected to the seed input, the housing having a seed output, a rotating seed dispersing member within the housing receiving seed from the seed input, a device adapted to produce a moving air curtain between the seed dispersing member and the seed output, whereby coating fluid applied to the seeds is kept within the seed coating apparatus by the moving air curtain, a rotating fluid dispensing member between the air curtain producing device and the seed output, and a source of coating fluid entering the housing. The rotating fluid dispensing member may preferably be a rotating bowl with apertures arranged vertically along the periphery, so that the fluid is dispensed along a vertical axis.

This invention relates to an apparatus for treating seeds by applying a liquid such as a herbicide or fungicide to the seed.
Seed coating apparatuses typically utilize a cylindrical or frustoconical housing in which seed is fed into the top of the housing which is dispersed in the open interior and falls downwardly though a seed coating region in which dispersed air born droplets of coating fluid contact and coat the falling seeds.
The prior art devices utilize various means for dispersing the seed and dispensing seed coating fluid in the seed coating region.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,288,052 to Hough discloses a rotating vaned structure with an open bottom for dispersing seed. A rotating concave plate receives the fluid which is discharged over the upper lip of the plate. The plate has no features to capture the fluid and accelerate it to the speed of the plate before discharge.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,862,511 to Forsberg discloses a rotating brush for dispensing the fluid. The brush receives fluid which is hurled outwardly from the brush fibers by the centrifugal force provided by the rotation. The seed dispersing portion comprises a non-rotating cone to disperse the seed.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,912,231 to Weber and assigned to the assignor of the invention of this application, discloses a rotating plate for dispensing the fluid. The fluid is poured on the plate and is hurled outwardly by centrifugal force. Weber discloses flutes in the plate to increase the vertical distance in which droplets are hurled outwardly.
The above prior art means for dispensing the fluid leave room for improvement in the coating efficiency of the mist produced. Non-uniform droplets, droplets discharged at less than optimal velocity, uneven density of the mist in the seed treating region, difficulty in cleaning the devices, seed coating regions which extend only a minimal distance vertically, and the inadvertent spread of fluid beyond the seed coating region are all problems associated with the above apparatuses.
It is highly significant that the fungicides utilized for coating seeds are extremely expensive and can be quite toxic. In order to be optimally effective, the fungicide must efficiently coat the entire outer surface of each seed with a minimal amount of fluid. Thus, the efficiency in coating seeds, containment of the seed coating fluid in limited areas of the apparatus, and having an apparatus which is easily cleanable are highly desirable features in this type of equipment.


A self-locking slide rail device with buffer mechanism includes a slide rail, a fixing seat, a sliding seat, a hook member, two springs, a connecting member, and a buffer. The slide rail includes an outer rail and an inner rail. The fixing seat is disposed on a rear end of the outer rail, and has a body portion and a guiding extension portion. The sliding seat is disposed on the guiding extension portion. The hook member is disposed on the sliding seat. The two springs are disposed in parallel with each other on the fixing seat. The connecting member is disposed on the inner rail to interlink with the hook member. The buffer is disposed on the center of the body portion.

A conventional self-locking slide rail device with buffer mechanism usually includes many moving parts, which results in complicated and easy-to-malfunction structure of the self-locking mechanism with buffer mechanism.
Moreover, due to the vibration of the inner or the outer rail being shaken, the meshing positions of the components in the self-locking slide rail device with buffer mechanism may suffer from displacement, so that the mechanism cannot perform its intended function.

Self-locking slide rail device with buffer mechanism


This device includes anchoring mechanism being actuated by a rope and fitted to respective attachments being provided on the pram. The device has two portions namely being a first one (1) being provided at the lower end of the handle and having a cavity (5) in an angularly tiltable arrangement housing an action element (6) being fit to act on the anchoring mechanism (7), and a second portion (2) being solid with the carrycot seat (4) or carrycot and including the anchoring mechanism (7). The action element (6) is made up by an arcuate part one (6′) of whose ends is arranged in a pivoting arrangement at the angular end (5′) of the cavity (5), the arcuate part being at its other end (6″) linked to the pulling rope (8). The action element (6) is fit to act on the bent upper end (9) of a rod (10) pertaining to the anchoring mechanism (7).

It is already known to removably fit to a pushchair for babies a baby seat or a carrycot incorporating in an articulated arrangement a rigid handle having the shape of an inverted U, the baby being accommodated in said baby seat or carrycot until after some months it can be already accommodated in the conventional seat being fitted to the pushchair. Said fitting is carried out by means of devices comprising on each side of the pram a holder being fit to removably hold the baby seat or carrycot by means of anchoring mechanisms.
These devices generally comprise a control being fit to simultaneously unlock the two anchoring mechanisms, said control being located on the actual handle as disclosed in the Spanish Utility Model ES-1062629(200300028).

Device for removably fitting to prams carrycot seats and carrycots being provided with an articulated handle


A solenoid coil attachment mechanism includes a coil assembly with a wire end that projects from the coil assembly and an extending elongated leg that includes a latching mechanism. A carrier has a wall with an opening receiving the leg of the coil assembly and has a wire guide that is funnel shaped, has an open end and receives the end of the wire. A circuit board is attached to the carrier and the wire end is soldered directly to the circuit board.

Present state-of-the-art hydraulic modulator and electronic control unit (ECU) assemblies typically used in on-board vehicle control of braking and intelligent chassis control systems are known to include integrated solenoid valves. These valves are a key component in providing the necessary level of hydraulic control that serves the function of directing fluid flow to the brake and/or suspension systems. The hydraulic controls enable outputs from the ECU to change vehicle operating parameters. Exemplary systems include anti-lock braking systems (ABS), traction control systems (TCS) and intelligent ride control systems (ICS) that operate through the vehicles chassis systems. One of the latest designs on the market utilizes solenoid valves with sealed hydraulic valve bodies and separately removable solenoid coil assemblies. This system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,845,672, which is commonly assigned.
Numerous other design variations of these types of valve and coil assemblies have been created in attempts to minimize cost, minimize package size, and maximize design for manufacture. Previous designs have included coil terminals that are individually welded to lead frames with built in compliance to provide the coil with sufficient "float" to take up manufacturing tolerances. Other designs use rigid terminals that are wave-soldered directly to a standard circuit board and the coil case is allowed to float. Still other designs have coil wires that are directly wave soldered to a circuit board and are supported by a plastic housing to limit travel and float. The goal in all cases is to minimize stresses on the connection between the solenoid coils and the circuit board. Since the operating environment is onboard a vehicle, vibratory inputs are commonly encountered. A complicating factor in designing the solenoid/control board interface is that the assembly of the unit tends to become more difficult as features are added to address the goal of limiting stresses on the connection. Accordingly, a need continues to exist for a solenoid coil attachment mechanism that is easily assembled while protecting the assembly from vibratory inputs while in service.


A discontinuously operated centrifuge, in particular sugar or starch centrifuge, includes a rotating, cylindrical centrifuge basket having a casing provided with openings and having an upper open end. An inner screen element formed as a composite unit of a screen mat and a support mat is insertable as a prefabricated, single-piece screen element into the centrifuge basket via the upper open end thereof. The screen element has ends abutting in a circumferential direction within the centrifuge basket, with axially extending end strips attached to the abutting ends of the screen element. A closure element in the form of an axially extending clamping strip cooperates with the end strips so as to lock and radially brace the screen element against the centrifuge basket casing. Attached on the centrifuge basket is an upper limiting flange, with an annular cover being screwed onto an upper limiting flange for securing the screen element.

The invention is concerned with a discontinuously operated centrifuge, intended in particular for the sugar or starch industry. The discontinuously operated centrifuge includes a rotating, cylindrical centrifuge basket having a casing formed with openings. The number of openings, which are used for dewatering the sugar molasses and the sugar crystals, is relatively small in the known designs for reasons of stability of the centrifuge basket. As inner screen element, a punched and drilled perforated plate is used. Since the small number of openings thus results in a small open area, each individual opening has the additional disadvantage that during sugar processing, the crystals slide during dewatering from opening to opening and even become crushed hereby, so that the efficiency and the yields are reduced. The sliding from opening to opening during dewatering causes moreover increased wear of the screen element, so that its service life decreases.
WO 2016/025862 A1 discloses a discontinuously operated centrifuge, in particular for the sugar or starch industry, according to the preamble of claim 1. This discontinuously operated centrifuge has a rotating, cylindrical centrifuge basket and an inner screen element. Furthermore, the centrifuge basket has a casing provided with openings and the inner screen element is formed as a slotted screen mat. The screen element is hereby subdivided into circumferential sections or circumferential segments so as to be able to introduce and insert these sections into the small upper centrifuge basket openings between drive shaft and upper cylinder flange. This prior art is mainly concerned with the optimization of the connecting elements (closure elements) of the circumferential sections of the screen element in the centrifuge basket. There is thus shown a screen element which is subdivided into a plurality of circumferential sections. Thus a number of joints are established between the circumferential sections. However, the joints are disadvantageous because they represent a potential weak point from a manufacturing point of view. Furthermore, each joint reduces the free open area of the screen element and therefore reduces effectiveness and performance of the centrifuge. Furthermore, each joint has gaps and cavities where sugar crystals can settle and eventually also cause cross-contamination by molasses. Each joint can also adversely affect the balance quality of the centrifuge basket as a result of manufacturing tolerances or contaminations during the centrifuging process. Finally, each joint increases manufacturing costs and the manufacturing depth during production of such screen elements, which include a screen mat and a support mat.
EP 2 782 679 B1 discloses a rotating, cylindrical centrifuge basket with openings for discharge of liquid produced during centrifugation. These openings have a cross section with an elliptical shape.
DE 1 916 280 B1 proposes, for mechanical reasons, to provide the openings with an elliptical cross section. As a result, stress in the centrifuge casing in the region of the openings can be reduced, and durability and stability of the entire centrifuge basket can be improved. In the case of continuously operating centrifuges, elliptical openings, i.e. openings with an elliptical cross section, are known from EP 1 693 1 12 B1 For further optimization of the centrifuge casing according to EP 2 782 679 B1, it is proposed that the openings have a cross section with an elliptical shape such that the openings on the inside of the basket are smaller than the openings on the outer circumference of the basket. The elliptical opening is thus configured such that the cross sections increase from the inside to the outside. In addition, it is proposed that the width of the openings on the inside is approximately equal to the diameter on the outside.
EP 536 953 A2 discloses a centrifuge basket for a discontinuously operated centrifuge, which has a casing provided with openings and is externally reinforced by a plurality of reinforcing rings which surround the casing. The reinforcing rings are arranged in axial direction at regular intervals and are correspondingly configured and dimensioned.
The invention is directed to provide a discontinuously operated centrifuge, in particular sugar or starch centrifuge with a rotating, cylindrical centrifuge basket and an inner screen element which enables an increase in yield under more efficient operating, conditions with less wear, in particular of the screen element. Furthermore, the difficulties and shortcomings shah be overcome, resulting from the large number of joints in the prior art (see in particular WO 2016/025 862 A1), since installation of the screen element in the interior space of the centrifuge basket requires for assembly a subdivision into several circumferential sections, which in turn have to be coupled with the connecting elements in an elaborate appropriate manner.


A variable speed eddy current drive has a driven member and an output member. The driven member is structured and arranged to be coupled to a motor shaft. The output member is structured and arranged to be coupled to a load. The drive also has an armature and an electromagnet. The armature is coupled to either the driven member or the output member, while the electromagnet is coupled to the other of the driven member or the output member. The drive is provided with a coupler that is in addition to the armature and the electromagnet. The coupler is selectively operable between a coupled position and an uncoupled position. Actuating the coupler to the coupled position causes the output member to rotate at the same speed as the driven member, with no slip between the two members. The coupler can be actuated between the coupled and uncoupled positions while the drive is rotating. The coupler can be actuated to move either axially or radially.

There are many applications where it is desirable to have a fixed speed motor provide a variable speed output. For example, in ventilation systems, an ac synchronous motor is used to rotate an air mover, such as a fan. The energy efficiency of this system increases if the speed of the motor remains fixed while the speed delivered to the fan can be varied.
An eddy current drive located between the motor and the load provides such a variable speed capability. The eddy current drive has a driven member that is coupled to the output shaft of the motor. The eddy current drive also has an output member that is coupled to the fan (or other load such as a pump). The output member is typically coupled to the fan by one or more belts. The eddy current drive has an armature coupled to one of the driven or output member and an electromagnet coupled to the other of the driven or output members.
The driven member is rotated at the same speed as the motor shaft. To rotate the output member (and thus the fan), electrical current is applied to the electromagnet. The electromagnet moves relative to the armature and thus varies the magnetic flux in the armature. This induces eddy currents in the armature, wherein the armature is electromagnetically coupled to the electromagnet and the output member rotates. The higher the current provided to the electromagnet, the faster the output member rotates.
The drive permits a variable amount of slip between the driven member and the output member. With no current applied to the electromagnet, the drive operates at full slip, wherein the output member does not rotate, even though the driven member rotates at motor shaft speed. As the amount of current applied to the electromagnet increases, the amount of slip decreases. This is because the speed of the output member approaches the speed of the driven member. However, even with full current applied to the electromagnet, there is still some slip between the driven member and the output member. This is because with electromagnetic coupling, the output member is unable rotate at the same speed as the driven member and the motor shaft. Instead, the output member rotates at some lesser speed with respect to the driven member.
The load produced by the fan (or pump) varies with respect to speed. For example, the faster the fan spins, the more air that is being pushed by the fan. Therefore, more power is needed to rotate the fan at faster speeds.
There are some applications where the load is rotated at full speed for relatively long periods of time. Because there is some slip in the eddy current drive at full speed, there is a loss of efficiency at full speed. As a result, in prior art systems, one or more components (motor, fan, pump) must be oversized to compensate for this loss of efficiency. Such oversizing increases the cost of the system.
In other prior art systems, the output member can be mechanically coupled to the driven member by an operator. This mechanical coupling rotates the output member at the same speed as the driven member. To mechanically couple (or lockup) the output member to the driven member, the motor must be stopped. After stopping the motor, an operator performs the mechanical coupling by tightening set screws between the drum and the electromagnet. The motor is then restarted. To return to variable speed operation, the motor is again stopped and the operator mechanically uncouples the output and driven members. Unfortunately, flexibility is lost with this manual coupling technique. Many systems (such as HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning), pumps) that utilize eddy current drives are designed to be automatic in operation. However, this manual intervention defeats the goal of automatic operation because the motor must be stopped to mechanically couple or uncouple the driven and output members. In addition, such manual intervention is often impractical because an operator is not available to lockup or unlock the drive.


The invention relates to a sleeping bag consisting of adjacent chambers that are formed by partition walls. The chambers contain a filling material. The sleeping bag also consist of a zip and inner and outer linings which cover the chambers. The outer lining consist of a waterproof material. The outer lining and the partition walls or the outer lining and fixing stripes being connected to the partition walls consist of a material that can be sealed. The partition walls are sealed onto the outer lining from the inside at the end of said walls or by means of the fixing strips.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention concerns a sleeping bag constructed of side by side chambers formed by dividing walls and filled with stuffing material, inner and outer shells that cover the chambers and a zipper.
2. Description of the Related Art
Sleeping bags designed for various purposes have been available in many different styles for a long time. When sleeping outdoors (without a tent), it is desirable to have protection from dampness and wetness caused by rain, dew, or snow. For this reason, sleeping bags are available with waterproof outer shells.
One example in current use is Super Dryloft from Gore, a membrane made of stretched Gore-Tex that is laminated onto nylon. Stretching the membrane increases the membrane's water vapor-permeability. However, it is moisture resistant and completely windproof. Micro-fiber fabrics, such as Pertex nylon, are used for less demanding requirements. Although these sleeping bags are essentially waterproof, they exhibit weak spots, especially in places where there are external seams.
In order to address this issue, it has been proposed to equip sleeping bags with separate outer coverings (like that available under the trade name C-tex) under which is located a cover made of vapor-permeable laminate. However, this necessitates carrying and packing an additional item.


One embodiment of the invention provides a chalk line device having a helical gear and an improved locking assembly. The locking assembly comprises a first lock member having a lock button. The locking assembly also comprises a second lock member including an opening to lockingly engage the first lock member and having a plurality of teeth at one end disposed adjacent one of the helical gears used in this embodiment. The second lock member engages with the helical gear in response to a movement of the lock button member.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a chalk line device. More particularly, the present invention relates to a chalk line device employing a helical gear and having an improved locking assembly.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Chalk line devices are well known and widely used in various construction applications. Typically, chalk line devices use a retractable line covered with chalk powder to mark a straight line on a surface. To extend or retract the line, a gear or similar device may be used with the chalk line device. For example, the gear is connected to a spool where the chalk line is wound. When the chalk line is extended or retracted, the gear rotates in cooperation with the spool. When the extended chalk line needs to be locked, the gear and/or the spool are kept stationary.
Typically, spur gears have been used with conventional chalk line devices. However, spur gears produce rotation that is noisy and not smooth. In addition, conventional locking assemblies for locking the extended chalk line tend to damage the spool. Furthermore, conventional locking assemblies usually require additional parts, which make the assemblies more expensive. Accordingly, a chalk line device that overcomes these drawbacks is needed.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


An erase voltage generation circuit providing a uniform erase execution time and a non-volatile semiconductor memory device having the same, in which the erase voltage generation circuit includes a high voltage generation unit, a voltage level detection unit, an execution time checking unit and a discharging unit. The high voltage generation unit generates an erase voltage. The voltage level detection unit detects the erase voltage and generates a level detection signal. The level detection signal is activated when the erase voltage reaches a target voltage. The execution time checking unit generates an execution end signal that is activated in response to the lapse of an erase execution time from the activation of the level detection signal. The discharging unit discharges the erase voltage as a discharge voltage. The high voltage generation unit is disabled in response to the activation of the execution end signal, and the discharging unit is enabled in response to the activation of the execution end signal.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates, in general, to a semiconductor memory device and, more particularly, to an erase voltage generation circuit generating an erase voltage being applied to the bulk of a memory cell and to a non-volatile semiconductor memory device having the same.
2. Discussion of Related Art
Generally, the erase operation of a non-volatile semiconductor memory device is executed by emitting the charges trapped in the floating gate to a bulk of a memory cell. In this case, an erase voltage is applied to the bulk of a selected memory cell. It is generally the case that the erase voltage generation circuit to generate the erase voltage is embedded in the non-volatile semiconductor memory device.
FIG. 1 shows a conventional erase voltage generation circuit. With a pumping operation, a high voltage generation unit 10 generates an erase voltage VERS that is applied to the bulk of the memory cells of a selected memory array MCARR, not shown in FIG. 1. A voltage level detection unit 20 detects the level of the erase voltage VERS to be provided to the memory array MCARR. Also, the voltage level detection unit 20 feeds back a level detect signal /XDET to the high voltage generation unit 10. The level detect signal /XDET is in the appropriate logic state according to the level of the erase voltage VERS.
To maintain the erase voltage VERS at the level equal to or more than a predetermined level, the pumping operation of the high voltage generation unit 10 is controlled by the fed back level detect signal /XDET. A control unit 40 generates an erase control signal XERSEN according to an external operation command CMERS and controls the high voltage generation unit 10 to be enabled. A discharge unit 50 discharges the erase voltage VERS at the level of power voltage VDD in response to the inactivation to logic "L" of the erase control signal XERSEN.
A level rising time is varied according to the number of memory cells being erased, that is, the number of memory blocks being erased, as illustrated in FIG. 2. In the following, the phrase 'level rising time' means the time required for the level of the erase voltage VERS being generated from a high voltage generation unit 10 to rise to a target voltage Vtag. In other words, the level rising time tA for small memory blocks in the voltage generation circuit results in an erase execution time being relatively short. While, the level rising time tB for large memory blocks is relatively long.
Therefore, an erase executing time is changed according to the number of the erased memory blocks in the conventional erase voltage generation circuit. In the following, the phrase 'erase executing time' means the time for executing erasing of a memory cell at which the erase voltage VERS is more than the target voltage Vtag.
However, in the conventional erase voltage generation circuit, there is the problem that it is difficult to set up an appropriate erase period. That is, if the erase period is set short, since the "erase executing time" is short, non-erased memory cells may exist in case that the number of memory block is large. If the erase period is set long, since the 'erase executing time' is long, over erased memory cells may exist in case that the number of memory blocks is small.

Erase voltage generator circuit for providing uniform erase execution time and nonvolatile memory device having the same


A cover glass including a center region and an outer region abutting the center region at an interface. The interface inhibits crack propagation from the outer region to the center region and vice versa. In another embodiment the cover glass may include mitigation voids introduced into the cover glass to inhibit crack propagation. The interface may be formed from the mitigation voids.

Portable electronic device use has become ubiquitous in modern society. Users have come to depend upon these devices to provide information, entertainment and to communicate with other individuals or entities. Thus, devices such as smartphones, laptop computers, tablets, watches and other devices are carried about by users as they proceed through their daily activities.
This ubiquitous use exposes such devices to the possibility of damage near-constantly. Certain portions of a device, such as a cover glass, may be especially susceptible to damage in the form of cracks or other types of breakage. For example, breakage may occur from drops or other impacts on (or to) the cover glass or another part of the portable electronic device. These impact events, as well as other stress and/or strain forces exerted on the cover glass, may result in the generation and propagation of cracks that may deleteriously affect the user's experience and appreciation of the visual display provided by the portable electronic device.

Crack mitigation in an optically transparent exterior of a portable electronic device


In a resin-embedded switching element provided with a casting containment, which encloses an area of the switching element to be covered by a resin, the casting containment has a fill hole consisting of a blind bore having at its inner end a diaphragm which is sufficiently thin that it can be ruptured by casting resin supplied to the fill hole under pressure and a measuring opening is formed in the top of the casting containment through which air can escape during filling of the casting containment with liquid casting resin and the level of the casting resin in the casting containment can be controlled.

The invention resides in a switching element, which is at least partially embedded in a casting compound and a method of applying the casting compound to the switching element for waterproofing the switching element, preferably the area of connection for electrical conductors.
The sealing of electrical switching elements by casting them into watertight casting compounds is generally known and in wide use. In such processes, not only the complete switching components are cast into a housing, but often only the electrical connections in the area of the connector pins are embedded in a casting compound. For this purpose, a casting containment is provided in the area of the connecting pins which is either integral or which can be attached and which is filled from the top in a well-known manner by a dispensing unit. During the filling procedure, a dispensing needle is so guided, that the filling process starting at the containment bottom proceeds as uniformly as possible toward the containment top edge. Single component or two-component materials may be used for that purpose preferably in the form of liquid resins which are hardened for example by being heated after they have been filled into the containment.
Such well known casting in a containment, which is open on top or at least partially open, has important disadvantages. In manual operations, the work result depends to a great degree on the skill of the person who guides the dispensing needle as it is important to fill the containment uniformly to prevent the formation of air bubbles. However, this disadvantage occurs not only during manual operation, but also with mechanically controlled dispensing units since a uniform filling procedure from the bottom to the top is impeded by wire connections or wires. During the filling of the upwardly open casting containments turbulence occurs even during carefully handled filling procedures whereby cavities and air bubbles may be generated so that the hardened cast may include cavities or bubbles, which may lead to leaks. Also, difficulties are encountered with the accurate dosing of the fill volume so that, with non-uniform filling, there may be in the containment and at the connecting cables excess material which must be removed, that is, scraped off by expensive additional procedures. As a result, the cast elements may not have an attractive appearance and may be unnecessarily expensive. Also, the timing for the casting procedure cannot be controlled in an optimal manner.
FIG. 1 shows a simple arrangement for the casting of microswitches as it is known in the art, wherein several switches 10 are arranged side-by-side in a support structure 12 with a casting containment 11 disposed on the switches 10. The wires of a wire harness 15 are already soldered to the connector pins 16. The dispensing or dosing unit 17 with the dispensing needle 18 is moved from casting containment 11 to casting containment in order to fill the containments with casting material through the top opening.
With the methods used so far a partially or fully automatic filling process could not be utilized because of the disadvantages mentioned earlier.
It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a arrangement, whereby switching elements can be either partially or fully embodied in a casting resin in a housing or a casting containment wherein the housing or containment parts are so formed that the process can be performed fully automatically, while essentially no air enclosure or air bubbles can develop during the casting procedure.

Switching element cast into an insulating compound and method of making the same