A squeeze film damper bearing comprises a bearing metal 2 for supporting a rotation shaft 1, a bearing casing 3 for covering the bearing metal 2 and a concentricity spring 4 between the bearing metal 2 and the bearing casing 3. The bearing casing 3 is provided at its inner periphery with a circumferential groove 3a for accommodating the spring. The spring 4 is made of an elongate steel sheet 4a and has a plurality of recesses 4b formed on a surface of the steel sheet 4a to provide a plurality of longitudinally aligned projections 4c on the other surface of the steel sheet. The steel sheet is bent into cylindrical shape. Each of the projections 4c has a curved surface with a generating line in parallel with the rotation shaft 1.

The present invention relates to a bearing for supporting a high-speed rotation shaft of, for example, a centrifugal compressor, and in particular relates to a squeeze film damper bearing.
In general, a squeeze film damper bearing is a bearing of a type such that fluid film is formed between a fixed surface and the bearing for support of a rotation shaft, thereby supporting the bearing by fluid film pressure. The bearing is particularly characterized by its effect of decreasing any vibration of the shaft being rotated at high speed, and is much useful as a bearing for a turbocompresser, a turbocharger or the like.
A typical example of such squeeze film damper bearing is disclosed in JP-A-58-109718 wherein an oil film is formed by supplying oil into a gap between a fixed support surface and an outer ring presser of a roller bearing. The presser is supported by a number of bolts which extend in parallel with the shaft and enclose the shaft from the fixed side, these bolts serving as spring means. In this way, the bearing is supported by the spring means and by the oil film provided in parallel with the spring means to thereby provide the squeeze film damper bearing.
However, the bearing with the above-mentioned structure is difficult to assemble with higher accuracy and therefore is much expensive. It also requires axially much space and therefore is hardly applicable in a small-sized rotating machine which is limited in space. Japanese Patent Application No. 7-60683 (JP-A-8-261231) was filed by the owner of the present application to overcome this problem.
The bearing disclosed in JP-A-8-261231 comprises a bearing metal for supporting a rotation shaft, a bearing casing for covering the bearing metal, and highly rigid concentricity spring means in the form of arcuate members between the bearing metal and the bearing casing. The bearing metal is stepped to have reduced diameter at its laterally opposite ends. The bearing casing is formed at its inner surface with an annular groove faced to the above-mentioned stepped portions of the bearing casing. The spring means is placed between the groove and the stepped portions and comprises arcuate members, i.e., circumferentially equiangularly divided portions of cylinder. The arcuate member has outer projections in parallel with an axis and equiangularly spaced apart from each other to be at circumferentially opposite ends and at a midway portion. The arcuate member further has inner projections in parallel with the axis and each midway between the adjacent outer projections. The inner and outer projections of the members are contacted with the stepped portions of the bearing metal and support surfaces of the grooved inner bottom of the bearing casing, respectively, so that the bearing metal is supported by the bearing casing via the concentricity spring means to provide a gap between the outer periphery of the bearing metal and the inner surface of the bearing casing. Further, an oiling passage is communicated to the gap so as to generate oil film pressure as required.
Meritorious effects of the above bearing will be explained.
The bearing metal is supported by the support surface of the bearing casing via the projections on the concentricity spring means. As a result, a gap with a predetermined dimension is formed between the outer periphery of the bearing metal and the inner surface of the bearing casing. Oil is supplied into the gap to generate oil film pressure as required. The high rigidity of the spring means will assure the oil film since it prevent the surface of the bearing metal from being directly contacted with the inner surface of the bearing casing even when high vibrating or whirling force is applied on the shaft.
The spring means comprises circumferentially divided arcuate members which are slightly deformable by pressure of the bearing casing to be adapted well to the shape of the gap between the outer periphery of the stepped portion of the bearing metal and the support surface of the bearing casing which covers the bearing metal. As a result, close contact of the bearing metal and bearing casing with the inner and outer projections of the spring means can be maintained even when manufacturing accuracy may be somewhat low, and the bearing can be supported with high accuracy. Further, support of the bearing metal via the spring means can be achieved independently from and in parallel with support of the bearing metal via the oil film, so that an attenuating effect of the oil film can be estimated by calculation.
In the squeeze film damper bearing as described above, the spring means usually used comprises semi-circular members, and two of such spring members, i.e. upper and lower spring members, are used in combination. Each of the spring members has outer projections in parallel with the axis and provided at an apex and circumferentially opposite ends. The spring member further has inner projections in parallel with the axis and provided at 45.degree. to the horizontal. Such spring members are produced by masking portions of a cylindrical body which correspond to the inner and outer projections as required and caving the other portions by etching. Then, the etched portions are formed in concave shape while the masked portions are formed in projected shape. The cylindrical body is, then, cut off along a plane passing through centers of the diametrically opposite outer projections and including the axis to thereby provide the spring members. The height of each of the projections may be in the order of several hundred .mu.m.
As described above, the concentricity spring means used in the squeeze film damper bearing is produced by machining and etching from a thick cylindrical body, which results in higher material and fabricating cost. Moreover, dimensional restriction may make it difficult to vary the spring constant in wide range in accordance with operating conditions.
To solve the above problems in the prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide a squeeze film damper bearing with concentricity spring means, which can be produced at low cost and in which spring constant can be varied in wide range.

Ishikawajima-Harima Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha


A technique is disclosed that can efficiently control congestion, while supporting heterogeneity for streaming data among multiple computers in a network. A plurality of nodes is divided into a plurality of distribution trees within a computer network, wherein the data is divided into a plurality of prioritized layers. When a node experiences packet loss, the location of the congestion is inferred. If the congestion is at or near the outgoing link, outgoing traffic is shed to alleviate the congestion by shedding child node(s) receiving descriptions in the least important layer of data that the child node(s) are receiving. Similarly, if the congestion is at or near the incoming link, incoming traffic is shed by shedding parent nodes that are sending descriptions in the least important layer of data that the node is receiving. Nodes with available bandwidth are further instructed to subscribe to additional descriptions.

There has been a growing interest in peer-to-peer, or end host-based, multicast for streaming data. Streaming refers to network communications that allow users to utilize the data in real time as it is being downloaded as opposed to storing the data in a local memory first before the user can utilize the data. Streaming is especially prevalent with the use of audio and video files, which generally tend to be large in number of bytes. With streaming, the file is broken down into multiple frames or substreams, and the file is played in real time as the substreams are downloaded onto the user's computer. As a result, streaming avoids the delay entailed in downloading an entire file before the user can use the file.
A peer-to-peer network is a popular environment for streaming data. A peer-to-peer network is one in which peer machines are networked together and maintain the state of the network via records on the participant machines. In peer-to-peer networks, any end host can initiate communications. Peer-to-peer networks are also sometimes referred to as "endhost" networks. Typical peer-to-peer networks lack a central server for administration, although hybrid networks do exist. Thus, generally speaking, the term peer-to-peer refers to a set of technologies that allows a group of computers to directly exchange data and/or services. The distinction between peer-to-peer networks and other network technologies is more about how the member computers communicate with one another than about the network structure itself. For example, end hosts in a peer-to-peer network act as both clients and servers in that the both consumer data and serve data to their peers.
A key challenge in a peer-to-peer network is robustness. Unlike routers in Internet Protocol ("IP") multicast or dedicated servers, peers or end hosts are inherently unreliable due to crashes, disconnections, or shifts in user focus. A common way to achieve robustness is through redundancy, both in network paths and in data.
A second key challenge in a peer-to-peer network is accommodating bandwidth heterogeneity. Heterogeneity in bandwidth can be both static (e.g., due to differences in link speed) and dynamic (e.g., due to congestion). A popular approach to supporting bandwidth heterogeneity is to offer multiple streams, each optimized for a specific bandwidth level. Clients then tune in to the stream that best matches their bandwidth. The problem with this approach is that it tends to waste bandwidth on links shared by streams of different rates. Moreover, it is disruptive when clients must switch between streams of different bandwidth when responding to congestion.
Another approach to address bandwidth heterogeneity is Receiver-driven Layered Multicast ("RLM"). RLM approaches the heterogeneity and congestion control problems by combining a layered source coding algorithm with a layered transmission system that uses a separate IP multicast group for transmitting each layer of the stream. The receivers of RLM would drop layers upon congestion and add layers to probe for additional bandwidth. However, a significant drawback of RLM is that there is a fundamental mismatch between the ordering of layers based on the importance of, and the lack of widespread support for differentiated treatment of, packets in the Internet. Moreover, RLM cannot be readily applied to a peer-to-peer multicast because of several differences as compared to IP multicast (e.g., interior nodes being a dynamic set of end hosts rather than a set of dedicated routers). Thus, there is a need for an improved method and system for streaming data between multiple computers over a network.


A method of determining the feed efficiency and methane production of a ruminating animal comprising analyzing the number and/or diversity of a bacterial taxon of a microbiome of the animal or of a gene content of said microbiome, wherein a number and/or diversity of said taxon below a predetermined level is indicative of an animal having a high feed efficiency and low methane production, or a number of genes below a predetermined level is indicative of an animal having a high feed efficiency and low methane production.

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to rumen microflora and uses thereof. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to rumen microflora in order to regulate feed efficiency and methane production in ruminating animals.
Ruminants hold enormous significance for man, as they convert the energy stored in plant-biomass polymers, which are indigestible for humans, to digestible food products. Humans domesticated these animals for this purpose in the Neolithic era and have been farming them ever since for the production and consumption of animal protein in the form of meat and milk. In today's extensive production regimes, ruminants consume 30% of the crops grown on earth and occupy another 30% of the earth's land mass. These animals also emit methane—a highly potent greenhouse gas—to the atmosphere and are considered to be responsible for a considerable portion of its emission due to anthropogenic activities. One way to tackle these problems is to increase the animals' energetic efficiency, i.e., the efficiency with which they convert energy from feed, thereby increasing food availability while lowering the environmental burden, as these animals would produce more and eat less.
Different methods are used to evaluate an animal's energetic efficiency; of these, the residual feed intake (RFI) method (Koch et al., 1963) is highly accepted and widely used as it is independent of growth and body size and is thus suitable for comparisons between animals. This parameter is an estimation of the difference between an animal's actual feed intake and its predicted feed intake based on its production level and body weight. The energetic efficiency varies considerably between different individuals from the same breed. Specific genomic regions, such as one that is suggested to be associated with a role in controlling energy metabolism, have been found to correlate to feed efficiency using genome wide association studies. Nevertheless, only a moderate genetic component (heritability ranging from 0.26 to 0.58) affects energy utilization, as has also been demonstrated by elevation of feed-efficiency via selection of animals according to their RFI.
One important factor that could greatly contribute to variations in these animals' feed-efficiency is the rumen microbiome. The ability of these animals to digest plant-biomass polymers is attributed to this complex microbiome that resides in their upper digestive tract in a compartment termed the rumen (Mizrahi, 2013). The anaerobic environment in the rumen and the highly complex food webs sustained by the rumen microbiome enable the fermentation of plant material into metabolic end products such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and methane. While SCFAs are absorbed through the rumen wall and serve to fulfill the animal's energy needs, methane is not absorbed; it is emitted to the atmosphere together with its retained energy, thereby contributing to energy loss from the feed as well as global warming (Mizrahi, 2011). Differences between high and low RFI animals have been reported in terms of methane production as well as of some differences in microbial composition (Nkrumah et al., 2006, Mizrahi, 2011, Hernandez-Sanabria et al., 2012, Jami et al., 2014, Kittelmann et al., 2014, Shi et al., 2014, Wallace et al., 2015). Nevertheless, a comprehensive and thorough understanding of microbiome structure patterns and how to translate them to functionality at the animal level is still lacking.

Regulation of feed efficiency and methane production in ruminating animals

The State of Israel Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development, Agricultural Research Organization (ARO) (Volcani Center)


A metered device includes a printing system for generating billable and non-billable electrostatographic images. The device includes a billing meter configured to store usage data related to the generation of the electrostatographic images. A CPU or processing unit is configured to increment the billing meter for each billable and non-billable electrostatographic image generated by the printing system. A user interface configured for controlling the image capture device, enables interrogation of the CPU. The device further includes a service counter for storing usage data related to the generation of non-billable electrostatographic images. The service counter is configured for editing by the CPU through the user interface to credit the usage data stored on the billing meter. The device further includes a network interface for transmitting the usage data stored on the billing meter to a billing service and a memory for storing the usage data that is transmitted to the billing service.

The present disclosure relates generally to printing machines, and more particularly, to multifunction printing machines.
Current electrostatographic devices such as copying machines or electronic printing machines are typically capable of counting pages. For customer records or for billing purposes, these devices include accounting mechanisms for computing the number of pages that are printed. In addition to the copy count, these devices may further acquire other information for billing purposes such as measurements of the actual use of a wide range of system services, including binding, scanning, stapling, stitching, shrink wrapping, etc. Further, the paper and toner consumption can be monitored. This information can then be used when generating a bill for the use of the device.
A conventional billing process of such an electrostatographic device begins by the customer reading the meter count for the service or services being billed. The customer then sends a hard copy document to the billing service that shows the current meter reading for the services to be billed. Alternatively, the customer may transmit the data such as by using a telephone or email. The billing service generates a hardcopy bill based upon the reported meter count. The generated hardcopy bill is then sent back to the customer and the customer can then authorize payment of the hardcopy. Once the customer authorizes payment of the bill, payment is effected, for instance by sending a check or an authorization to debit from his account, to the billing service.
In the above processes, however, the customer typically performs a reconciliation of the bill from the billing service with the meter reading from the electrostatographic device. This is accomplished by first determining what meter reading was sent to the billing service. To this end, when the customer transmits the meter reading to, or causes the meter readings to be transmitted to, the billing service, the customer typically writes the meter readings into a notebook and then transfers the meter readings to a spreadsheet. Accordingly, when the ensuing bill arrives, the customer accesses the notebook or spreadsheet and obtains the meter reading that was sent to the billing service. The meter reading that was sent may then be compared with the meter reading shown on the bill (the billed meter reading). The customer then determines what service credits are shown on the bill and applies these credits to the meter reading to determine if the bill correctly reflects the amount due to the billing service.
Obviously, such manual bill reconciliation may not be overly burdensome when a single electrostatic device of limited functionality is the sole device to be reconciled. The process quickly becomes complex and burdensome, however, when multiple services are possible on hundreds or even thousands of metered devices. The complexity of the problem is further exacerbated in situations where multiple parties are to be billed for each of the devices.

Machine integrated semi-automated service credit for a metered device


A nanoscale switching device has an active region containing a switching material capable of carrying a species of dopants and transporting the dopants under an electrical field. The switching device has first, second and third electrodes with nanoscale widths. The active region is disposed between the first and second electrodes. A resistance modifier layer, which has a non-linear voltage-dependent resistance, is disposed between the second and third electrodes.

Significant research and development efforts are currently directed towards designing and manufacturing nanoscale electronic devices, such as nanoscale memories. Nanoscale electronics promises significant advances, including significantly reduced features sizes and the potential for self-assembly and for other relatively inexpensive, non-photolithography-based fabrication methods. However, the design and manufacture of nanoscale electronic devices present many new challenges.
For instance, nanoscale devices using switching materials such as titanium oxide that show resistive switching behavior have recently been reported. The switching behavior of such devices has been linked to the memristor circuit element theory originally predicted in 1971 by L. O. Chua. The discovery of the memristive behavior in the nanoscale switches has generated significant interests, and there are substantial on-going research efforts to further develop such nanoscale switches and to implement them in various applications. One of the many important potential applications is to use such switching devices as memory units to store digital data. A memory device may be constructed as an array of such switching devices in a crossbar configuration to provide a very high device density. There are, however, technical challenges that have to be addressed, which include the needs to reduce the power required to write and read the switching devices and to control crosstalk among neighboring switching devices, while avoiding causing damages to the switching devices or any solutions incorporated for providing the current reduction and crosstalk control functionalities.

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


Apparatus and method for retrieving a remotely located device equipped with a magnetic coupler is provided. The apparatus includes a magnetic coupling carried at an end of an elongate member for attracting the magnetic coupler of the remotely located device, and aligning the magnetic coupler with the magnetic coupling. A frictional engagement device, substantially housing the magnetic coupling therein, is adapted for trapping the magnetic coupler therein such that a retrieval force applied to the apparatus is transferred to the remotely located device via the frictional engagement device to thereby facilitate sure retrieval of the device as by magnetic mechanical entrapment.

The following disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for retrieving a device which is positioned within a remote location. This location is preferably located within the human body, and more preferably within the human urethra.
The subject invention provides for apparatus and methods for retrieving devices remotely when access otherwise would require more expensive and/or complex procedures such as optical viewing, ultrasonic detection, x-ray, fluoroscopy and grasping with a forceps. Remote (i.e. indwelling) devices may be of many configurations, with medical or other industrial applications. With human medical applications, the remote device could consist of, though not be limited to, intraurethral devices such as stents, shunts or valved devices. Urethral (or uteral) devices may be sized from a total profile in diameter from 2 to as large as 40 French, with device length likely to vary according to the application.
Features and methods of the embodiments of this application may be compatible with the following applications, incorporated herein by reference: URETHRAL DEVICE WITH ANCHORING SYSTEM, Ser. No. 09/411,491, filed Oct. 4, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,221,060 issued on Apr. 24, 2001; URETHRAL APPARATUS WITH POSITION INDICATOR AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF, Ser. No. 09/340,491, filed Jun. 30, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,258,060 issued on Jul. 10, 2001; MAGNETICALLY LATCHED DEFORMABLE DOME URINARY FLOW CONTROL APPARATUS AND METHOD OF USE THEREOF, Ser. No. 60/179,038 filed Feb. 1, 2000, filed as a regular application on Jan. 26, 2001 and assigned Ser. No. 09/772,088, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,527,702 issued on Mar. 4, 2003.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Magnetic retrieval device and method of use


The general field of the invention is that of display systems comprising means for generating graphic symbols and an associated semitransparent display device. The display device according to the invention has two overlaid semitransparent flat display screens, one passive and the other active, each symbol displayed on the semitransparent display device comprising a first representation and a second representation. The first representation is displayed on the first display screen with a low transmission rate for the light and with a predetermined first size. The second representation is displayed on the second display screen in the same place as the first representation, with a luminance and a predetermined second size that is smaller than the first size so that the second representation is overlaid on the first representation and the displayed symbol appears bright with a dark border.

1. Field of the Invention
The field of the invention is that of display devices arranged in the cockpits of civil and military aircraft.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Currently, the control panels of modern aircraft cockpits have display screens and instruments on the greater part of their surface, thereby reducing direct sight of the outside landscape in the low area of the cockpit. In a certain number of applications, including flight by sight at low altitude, this absence of direct sight can be a nuisance.
A simple first solution consists in the pilot contorting himself to see above the display screens, when that is possible.
A second solution consists in using collimated display systems that are also called "see through". These systems essentially fall into two main categories, helmet visors worn on the head of the pilot and so-called "head-up display" devices permanently mounted in the cockpit. These devices overlay information in the form of imagery or symbol sets on the outside landscape.
The latter equipment has the distinctive feature of being collimated, i.e. the information that is output by a display is projected "into infinity" by means of suitable optics. Thus, the pilot does not need to focus on the information or on the landscape, the two being seen sharply at the same time. This equipment has a certain technical complexity and therefore a high cost. Moreover, the information is presented in a specific manner in order not to mask the landscape in the background, which involves a different representation from that of so-called "head-down" screens. The pilot must then put a certain amount of effort into his to-and-fro movements between the "ahead-up" and "head-down" screens to find his bearings.
A third solution consists in using semitransparent display screens which are placed in the field of vision of the user and which make it possible to project an image so as to be overlaid on the outside landscape. One of the difficulties of overlaying is that the luminance of the outside landscape can be highly contrasted and/or very bright. It is, of course, essential that, whatever the variations in luminance, the overlaid image remain perfectly legible without excessively dimming the sight of the outside landscape. It is possible to produce emissive screens with high luminance but these display screens remain expensive and consume a large amount of electricity.

Display system having a semitransparent display device displaying symbols with a contrasted outline


Provided are an inhibitor of activation of an immune response mediated by an HMGB protein, the inhibitor containing at least one compound selected from the group consisting of a phosphorothioate oligonucleotide and a derivative thereof, and a method of screening for an inhibitor or enhancer of activation of an immune response mediated by an HMGB protein.

In immune response and its control, discrimination between self and nonself is the basis. The innate immune system and the adaptive immune system carry out this discrimination by the respective specific mechanisms and establish and maintain each mechanism not to response to self, so-called immune tolerance. Since activation of the innate immune response is known to be also involved in induction of the adaptive immune response, inhibition of the innate immune response is known to be also effective for inhibition of the adaptive immune response.
It has been revealed that in the adaptive immune system, after construction of a lymphocyte repertoire expressing random antigen receptors, the majority of autoreactive lymphocytes are eliminated by a central tolerance mechanism and the autoreactive lymphocytes still remaining at periphery are inhibited by a peripheral tolerance mechanism.
Though the recognition of an antigen by the adaptive immune system is characterized by the recognition of a specific molecular structure by a lymphocyte antigen receptor, the innate immune system is regarded to recognize the molecular pattern possessed by, for example, a pathogen, and many innate immune activating receptors including a Toll-like receptor (TLR) are known. In particular, the innate immune activation by nucleic acid is important for elimination of pathogens such as viruses and is simultaneously regarded to be involved in onset and exacerbation of various immune pathological conditions and is therefore drawing much interest. However, there are many unknown aspects in the discrimination mechanism by nucleic acid in the innate immune system, though receptor molecular groups, such as Toll-like receptor (TLR) 3, TLR7, TLR9, RIG-1-like receptor, DAI, and AIM2, have been identified as molecular groups carrying out immune responses activated by nucleic acid, the whole picture is still unclear (see, e.g., Non Patent Literatures 1 to 3).
In HMGB (high-mobility group box) proteins, it is known that HMGB1, HMGB2 and HMGB3 are present. These HMGB proteins are abundantly present in nuclei and are believed to be involved in chromatin structure and in control of transcription. In addition, they are known to be also present in cytoplasms and outside cells.
Patent Literature 1 describes a synthetic double-stranded nucleic acid or a nucleic acid analog molecule that inhibits binding between an extracellularly secreted HMGB1 protein and an advanced glycation end product receptor (RAGE) on a cell surface.
Patent Literature 2 describes a HMGB1 antagonist that inhibits interaction between the extracellularly secreted HMGB1 protein and the RAGE.
Non Patent Literature 4 describes that a base-free phosphorothioate deoxyribose homopolymer has a high affinity to TLR9 and TLR7 and acts as an antagonist of these TLRs.
Non Patent Literature 5 describes that though administration of a phosphorothioate oligonucleotide including a nucleotide sequence of 5′-TCCATGACGTTCCTGATGCT-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 37) to a mouse induces an IFN (interferon)-γ response, a phosphorothioate oligonucleotide including a nucleotide sequence of 5′-TCCATGAGCTTCCTGATGCT-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 38) does not cause such a response.

Inhibitor of HMGB protein-mediated immune response activation, and screening method


Concrete inserts are disclosed which are preferably embedded in the rear surface of a concrete wall panel and used to mount and support the wall panel from a building frame. The insert preferably comprises a U-shaped metal housing defining a longitudinally extending channel, the housing comprising two side members in spaced, facing relation to one another and a bight portion between the side members, the bight portion having a longitudinally extending slot therethrough. The insert is adapted to be embedded in the rear surface of the wall panel with the bight portion flush with the rear surface and the side members embedded in the concrete of the panel. The side members are preferably of a trapezoidal shape which provides the insert with high resistance to withdrawal from the concrete. The concrete insert preferably has a nut received in a concrete-free chamber beneath the opening in the bight portion, a single piece of foam plastic preferably being used to retain the nut in position and prevent liquid concrete from entering the concrete-free chamber during casting of the wall panel.

In modern building construction techniques, it is typical to provide a strength providing building frame, on the outside of which is mounted a curtain wall comprising panels typically made of glass, stone, synthetic stone or precast concrete. These curtain walls and the panels comprising them typically are not load bearing members and are "hung" from the building frame such that their weight is substantially supported by the building frame.
The panels are large and heavy and are generally fabricated with mounting attachments incorporated or embedded in them so that the panels can be attached to the building frame by means of bolts or other fasteners.
In particular, wall panels cast from concrete or other cementitious materials typically have concrete inserts made of steel embedded in their rear surfaces during the casting process, the concrete inserts being spaced from one another and sufficient in number to substantially resist lateral forces acting on the panel when the panel incorporating the inserts is connected to the building frame.
Typical concrete inserts comprise an elongate metal housing having a top surface to be mounted flush with the rear surface of a wall panel and a plurality of side members to extend downwardly into the concrete wall panel. The top surface of the metal housing is usually provided with an elongate, longitudinal opening, below which is received a nut in a concrete free space. The panel may for example be bolted to a structural member of a building frame by inserting the shaft of a bolt through the longitudinal opening to engage the nut in the concrete free space.
Typically, the concrete free space extends most of the length of the longitudinal opening so that the nut is slidable along the opening. Slidability of the nut along the opening helps to prevent damaging stresses from developing in the panel due to thermal expansion and contraction of the concrete panel relative to the building frame, and changes in the shape of the building structure caused by seismic activity or wind.
As may be appreciated, a concrete insert must be securely embedded in the concrete of the wall panel so that the insert cannot be withdrawn from the rear surface of the panel by lateral forces applied to the wall panel or the building structure on which the panel is installed. The ability to resist such forces is to a large extent determined by the shape of the metal housing, and in particular the shape and relative orientation of the side members of the metal housing.
It is known that when a wedge-shaped object having its larger base embedded in concrete is forcibly withdrawn therefrom, the concrete in the vicinity of the object fractures in a conical pattern emanating outwardly from the base of the wedge-shaped object to the surface of the concrete from which the object is withdrawn. The wider the base of the wedge, the larger will be the cone of fracture, and the greater will be the force required to withdraw the wedge-shaped object from the concrete.
This being the case, many concrete inserts are known having wedge-shaped metal housings. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,136,460 to Wright and U.S. Pat. No. 1,922,479 to Joslin describe concrete inserts having a cup-shaped metal housing wherein side members extend downwardly from all four sides of a rectangular top surface. In the insert described in Wright, all four side members extend outwardly to provide the insert with a wedge shape when viewed both longitudinally and transversely to the longitudinal slot. The insert described in Joslin is wedge-shaped only when viewed longitudinally along the longitudinal slot.
Although the wedge-shaped inserts described in Wright and Joslin may be sufficient to support a concrete panel on a building structure, the disadvantage exists that cup-like metal housings of such inserts are relatively expensive to manufacture. For example, numerous operations may be required to manufacture the cup-like housing from sheet metal, including cutting or stamping, bending, and welding.
Many presently used concrete inserts have a simple U-shaped metal housing with only two downwardly extending generally rectangular side members. Compared to cup-like metal housings, U-shaped metal housings may be more simply and economically formed by stamping or cutting the top surface and side members from a single sheet of metal, followed by bending the side members downwardly. U.S. Pat. No. 1,933,536 to Awbrey shows one variant of such an insert which has a U-shaped metal housing defining a longitudinally extending channel having open ends and an open bottom.
In the Awbrey insert, the side members are rectangular and diverge away from each other downwardly and outwardly from the top surface so that the metal housing defines a wedge shape in end view only. The present inventor has appreciated that inserts having such housings typically have lower than expected resistance to the types of forces which cause withdrawal of inserts from concrete.
The present inventor has appreciated that the primary reason for this low resistance is that, as forces are applied to pull the insert from the concrete, the diverging side members are forced to bend inwardly towards each other with the side members thus bending to slide out of the slots in the concrete containing the side members without fracture of the concrete as a cone from the innermost ends of the insert. In effect, the wedge shape formed by the side members diverging away from each other progressively collapses as the insert is drawn out of the concrete by deformation of the side members towards each other and the deformation is not resisted by any structure extending between the side members other than the bight. Use of relatively thick sheet metal for the metal housing may reduce deformation somewhat, however the use of thicker sheet metal increases the cost of the insert and is therefore undesirable. Another attempted solution, shown in Awbrey, is to provide outwardly extending rectangular flanges at the bottom of the rectangular side members to improve resistance to withdrawal forces. However, it has been found that such flanges will, like the side members, bend to slide out the slots in the concrete and are not effective at resisting withdrawal. Furthermore, formation of these flanges requires at least one additional step in the manufacturing process.
Therefore, the disadvantage exists that presently known concrete inserts having U-shaped metal housings provide insufficient resistance to forces acting on wall panels and building structures, and the steps taken to improve resistance to such forces substantially increase the cost of such inserts.
Many presently known concrete inserts have the additional disadvantage that an overly complicated mechanism is used to form a concrete-free chamber beneath the top of the metal housing and retain the nut therein. This sealing and retaining mechanism typically comprises at least three parts. A first part of this mechanism comprises a sealing member having a bottom surface and two vertical end walls, the sealing member being received in the channel to enclose the nut. A second part comprises a plastic top cap which seals the longitudinal slot. Together, the sealing member and top cap prevent concrete from entering the chamber in which the nut is retained. A third part of the mechanism comprises a spring between the nut and the bottom wall of the sealing member, which biases the nut against the top of the metal housing.
This type of mechanism has the disadvantage that a number of components must be separately manufactured and subsequently assembled, thus increasing manufacturing and material costs of the insert.

Concrete insert for attaching wall panels to building structures


Disclosed is a baseball bat grip which encourages a user to maintain an appropriate grip throughout a swing. The grip has two protrusions which each fit between the V-shaped opening between the user's index finger and thumb on each hand. The grip also has ridges and valleys which receive the user's fingers to further maintain an appropriate grip.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates primarily to the field of sporting equipment. More specifically, the invention relates to the technological area of the development of baseball bat grips—especially baseball bat grips which are used as training devices.
2. Description of the Related Art
It has been known in the art to comprise baseball grips of a material which enhances the user's hold on the bat, e.g., rubber or neoprene materials. Grips have even been formed such that they better conform to the hands of the user. Some grips even have indentions for receiving the user's fingers in such a way that the bat is more easily gripped. However, none of the grips existing in the prior art adequately address problems overcome by the present invention.
Looking to the unrelated field of invention for golf club grips, reveals that, they have been configured so as to force a finger placement of the user for training purposes, or to enhance actual play. See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,480,146 issued to Comer.
None of the grips of the prior art, however adequately train the user to maintain what is called a "knocked knuckles" grip throughout a proper baseball swing. During the proper swing of a baseball bat, the user's knuckles are to be maintained in alignment. The concept seems easy enough to execute. Almost all players, even youth, are able to visually line up the knuckles, and raise the bat in anticipation of a pitched ball. The problem arises once the pitch is delivered, and the batter begins the mechanics of executing a swing. Under these circumstances, the user typically becomes excited, and tightens his or her grip on the bat in order to hit the ball harder. This instinctual response of "trying to kill it," however will result in an improper swing. One reason for this is that when the grip is made more tightly, the knuckles will shift out of their original, aligned position. The tight grip and skewed knuckles will result in an erratic swing that is not level, as is desired.
There is a need in the art for a training device that will force the user to maintain a knocked knuckles alignment, and at the same time grip the bat more lightly throughout the swing.


A module of a terminal block (100) comprises a body (104) having an input configured to be coupled to an input wire and an output configured to be coupled to a plurality of output wires, a conductive element disposed within the input, and a plurality of terminals, each terminal having a first portion and a second portion configured to be coupled to an output wire, wherein the first portions of the plurality of terminals are nested together to achieve a single conductive structure, and wherein the conductive element is configured to engage and compress the input wire against the single conductive structure.

1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a high density terminal block with a low profile and compact assembly.
2. Discussion of Related Art
Electronic systems, such as uninterruptible power supplies, generally include terminal blocks to facilitate connection between two groups of wires. It is common to use DIN terminal blocks with terminals that are fixed to the electronic system and whereby electrical connections to the electronic system are made.


In response to a measured value of temperature of a stator by a thermometer exceeding a first temperature threshold, an overheat signal may be output to a rotor of a rotary connector via a communication device. In response to the measured value of the temperature exceeding a second temperature threshold higher than the first temperature threshold, power supply to a transmission coil that transmits power to a receiving coil of the rotor in a non-contact manner is stopped. In response to the overheat signal being received or a measured value of temperature of the rotor by a thermometer exceeding a third temperature threshold, a limit signal for limiting current flowing through a load circuit is output. In response to the measured value of the temperature by the thermometer exceeding a fourth temperature threshold higher than the third temperature threshold, output of power received from the stator is stopped.

A connector capable of transmitting power from one member to another member that rotates relative to the one member in a non-contact manner (hereinafter referred to as a rotary connector) has been proposed (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-216795).
A non-contact power transmission device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-216795 includes a light-transmitting first holder in which a first through hole is formed and a light-transmitting second holder in which a second through hole is formed. A first coil and a second coil circulate around the first through hole and the second through hole. A first optical element held in the first holder and a second optical element held in the second holder perform optical communication using the first holder and the second holder as light guide paths.
In a technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-216795, it is possible to transmit power in a non-contact manner between the coil provided in the one member (first holder) and the coil provided in the other member (second holder). In a case where the power is transmitted in the non-contact manner, for example, in response to a foreign substance having conductivity being mixed between the two coils, or in response to some trouble occurring in a device on a power receiving side, a dangerous state such as abnormal heat generation, smoke or ignition in some cases, or deformation may occur to the rotary connector.


Dosing structure (30) supplies diesel fuel to an exhaust passage of a diesel system. The dosing structure includes an electrically operated control valve (31). An inlet tube (45) is coupled with an inlet of the control valve. A first welded joint (6) is between the inlet tube and the control valve. The inlet tube is constructed and arranged to be coupled to a supply of diesel fuel for feeding fuel to the control valve. A dosing valve (32) is constructed and arranged to receive fuel from the control valve and deliver the fuel to the exhaust passage. An extension tube (33) is fluidly coupled between the control valve and the dosing valve to space the control valve from the dosing valve. A second welded joint (62) is between the extension tube and the control valve and a third welded joint (64) is between the extension tube and the dosing valve.

Federal and state governments have imposed increasingly strict regulations over the years governing the levels of hydrocarbon (HC), carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) pollutants that a motor vehicle may emit to the atmosphere.
In diesel engine systems, a diesel particulate filter (DPF) is provided to trap the particulate matter in the exhaust passage of the diesel engine. Conventionally, a dosing valve is mounted into the exhaust manifold of a diesel system to inject diesel fuel into the exhaust to reduce the particulate matter and thus reduce NOx emissions. Since the temperature of the exhaust manifold can reach 600 C, water cooling is required to ensure that the valve survives.
Thus, there is a need to eliminate water cooling of an exhaust dosing valve and to reduce the number of components of a dosing valve system.

Laser welded automotive diesel exhaust HC dosing valve


A fluid valve is provided including a housing having an entrance to permit flow of fluid into the housing and an exit to permit said fluid to flow out of the housing. A first member is disposed in the housing and defines at least one first passageway. A second member is disposed in the housing and defines at least one second passageway. The first member and the second member are disposed in the housing operatively between the entrance and the exit so that the at least one first passageway and the at least one second passageway are selectively positionable with respect to each other to allow passage of the fluid through the at least one first passageway and the at least one second passageway from the entrance to the exit. A check valve is disposed in the housing operatively between the entrance and the first and second members. The check valve is configured to permit fluid flow from the entrance to the first and second members and to prevent fluid flow from the first and second members out of the housing by the entrance.

The present invention relates generally to fluid valves, for example valves which may be used to deliver hot and cold water to a common spout.
Compression valves are often used to control fluid flow, for example water flow, from a fluid source to a fluid outlet. In such valves used in water fixtures, a stem is moved axially to open and shut the valve to allow passage of water from a water source to a water outlet. A flange is often provided at the end of the stem to prevent passage of water back through the valve when the valve is open.
Such compression valves may be advantageous when the water outlet includes a squeeze nozzle commonly fed by a pair of valves. Typically, the separate valves respectively control the flow of water from a hot water source and a cold water source to the common squeeze nozzle. In this arrangement, the valves are normally left open to some degree so that water under pressure is always delivered to the nozzle, and water flow is activated by the squeeze nozzle. Since the valves share a common water outlet, if water pressure in one of the water lines is greater than the pressure in the other, water from the higher pressure line may force its way through the other valve into the lower pressure line.
The flange on a compression valve stem, which permits passage of water out through the valve but not back through, generally prevents the back flow problem. Specifically, if water from the higher pressure line is forced back through the other open valve, the reverse water flow moves the flange to block the valve entrance and prevents water flow back into the lower pressure line.
Shear valves may also be used in such water flow systems. In a typical shear valve, abutting flat circular plates are disposed in a cylindrical housing and rotate with respect to each other. The plates have openings which, depending on the rotational position of the plates, may align to allow water passage from the valve's entrance to its exit. Rotation of the plates in a closing direction, however, blocks water passage. A stem is attached to one of the plates so that rotation of the stem rotates the plate with respect to the other plate, which is rotationally fixed with respect to the housing.
Unlike the compression valves described above, shear valves generally do not have a mechanism to prevent reverse water flow through the valve when the valve is open. Accordingly, a check valve may be installed in the water line upstream from the shear valve. Alternatively, if a shear valve is to be retrofit into a fixture originally equipped with a compression valve, the water line may be cut to permit check valve installation.


A first tunable wavelength pulse light source is driven by a reference signal to emit a first optical pulse. An optical demultiplexer demultiplexes a first optical pulse emitted from the first pulse light source into a reference optical pulse and an incident optical pulse to be sent into an object to be measured. An optical multiplexer multiplexes the reference optical pulse and an outgoing optical pulse passing through the object to output multiplexed light. A second pulse light source generates a second optical pulse which is synchronous with the first optical pulse and delays a predetermined time for each period of the first optical pulse. A sampling unit receives the multiplexed light and the second optical pulse to obtain an optical pulse train signal proportional to the intensity of the multiplexed light obtained in synchronism with the second optical pulse. From the optical pulse train signal from the sampling unit, a signal processor obtains an envelope formed by peaks of individual optical pulses forming the optical pulse train. The wavelength dispersion of the object is obtained by measuring the delay time of the outgoing optical pulse passing through the object on the basis of intervals between the peaks of the envelope.

The present invention relates to a wavelength dispersion measuring apparatus and polarization dispersion measuring apparatus and, more particularly, to a wavelength dispersion measuring apparatus for measuring wavelength dispersion occurring when light passes through an object to be measured such as an optical fiber and a polarization dispersion measuring apparatus for measuring polarization dispersion occurring when light passes through an object to be measured.
For example, the speed at which an optical signal propagates in an optical fiber changes in accordance with the wavelength of the optical signal.
Accordingly, the pulse width (time width) of the pulse waveform in an output optical pulse signal from a light source having a wavelength spread extends in an optical fiber.
Since the transmission band of an optical fiber is inversely proportional to pulse width, this transmission band has influence on limitations on the transmission speed of an optical signal.
Hence, measuring the transmission speed (wavelength dispersion) in an optical fiber for each wavelength is a crucial performance testing item for the optical fiber.
In particular, a very high-speed optical signal faster than 100 Gbit/s, which is to be used in a next-generation large-capacity optical network, has a narrow optical signal pulse width of a few ps, i.e., has a large wavelength spread. Therefore, the wavelength dispersion of an optical fiber has large influence on optical transmission.
Also, in the pulse generation technologies the wavelength dispersion of an optical fiber has large influence on the generation ratio of high-quality pulses, i.e., transform-limited optical pulses. So, the wavelength dispersion measurement is becoming a more important item.
As methods of measuring the wavelength dispersion, (a) time resolved spectroscopy, (b) pulse method, (c) interference method, (d) differential method, (e) phase difference method, and the like have been proposed.
Of these methods (a) to (e), a pulse method proposed in Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 6-174592 and comparatively frequently practiced will be described below with reference to FIG. 13.
The wavelength of an output white pulse with a broad wavelength range coming from a white pulse light source 1 is limited to a specific wavelength by a variable wavelength optical band-pass filter 2. After that, an optical demultiplexer 3 demultiplexes this white pulse into an incoming optical pulse 4 and a reference optical pulse 5.
The incident optical pulse 4 enters a fiber 6 to be measured and then enters one input of an optical multiplexer 7 through the fiber 6.
The reference optical pulse 5 directly enters the other input of the optical multiplexer 7.
The optical multiplexer 7 multiplexes the incident optical pulse and the reference optical pulse 5 and inputs a multiplexed optical signal 8 to a delay time detecting means 9.
From this multiplexed optical signal 8, the delay time detecting means 9 calculates a delay time t.sub.D of the incident optical pulse with respect to the reference optical pulse 5.
That is, the incident optical pulse 4 produces a time delay by passing through the fiber 6. Therefore, multiplexing this incident optical pulse 4 and the reference optical pulse 5 having no time delay produces two peaks in the signal waveform of the multiplexed optical signal 8.
The time difference between these two peaks is the delay time t.sub.D.
While, therefore, a wavelength .lambda. of light passing through the tunable wavelength optical band-pass filter 2 is changed, a delay time t.sub.D (.lambda.) at each wavelength .lambda. is measured.
The wavelength dependence of this delay time t.sub.D (.lambda.) is the wavelength dispersion characteristic.
Next, a pulse method proposed in Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 4-177141 will be described below with reference to FIG. 14.
An output optical pulse from an ultrashort pulse generator 11 passes through an optical fiber 12 to be measured and is demultiplexed into two optical pulses A and B by an optical demultiplexer 13.
A tunable wavelength band-pass filter 14 passes only a specific wavelength of the optical pulse A to form a first optical pulse.
The optical pulse B passes through a delay line 15 to form a second optical pulse.
An optical multiplexer 16 multiplexes the first and second optical pulses, and a photodetector 17 converts the multiplexed pulse into an electrical signal. A pulse waveform measuring device 18 measures the relative delay time difference between the first and second optical pulses as a function of wavelength. Consequently, the wavelength dependence of delay time described above is obtained.
Another important characteristic of an optical communication medium such as an optical fiber is the polarization dispersion characteristic.
That is, in an optical fiber having an ideal truly circular sectional shape, the transmission speed of an optical pulse signal propagating in this optical fiber does not change regardless of the direction of this optical pulse signal in a fiber section.
If, however, the sectional shape of optical fiber is an ellipse rather than a true circle or the optical fiber is bent to partially flatten the sectional shape, the transmission speed of an optical pulse signal propagating in this optical fiber changes in accordance with the polarization direction.
Hence, measuring any difference in transmission speed between optical signals propagating in different polarization directions in an optical fiber, i.e., measuring the transmission speed (polarization dispersion) in an optical fiber for each polarization direction is also a crucial performance testing item for the optical fiber.
This polarization dispersion can also be obtained by measuring a group delay amount for each pair of polarization components perpendicular to each other by this pulse method.
Unfortunately, the above measuring methods still have the following problems to be solved.
That is, in the wavelength dispersion measuring method shown in FIG. 14, an optical pulse passing through the optical fiber 12 is demultiplexed into two optical pulses, and a delay time is measured at each wavelength by using one optical pulse as reference light on the time base. Accordingly, the method is unaffected by a change in the optical path length of the optical fiber resulting from an external factor such as a temperature change.
The tunable wavelength band-pass filter 14, however, picks up a specific wavelength from the output light from the ultrashort pulse light source 11. Therefore, no present technology can prevent an increase in the pulse width (time width) of the optical pulse passing through the filter 14 resulting from limitations on the frequency band.
Accordingly, this method cannot easily locate the pulse peak position and is prone to many measurement errors.
For example, assuming that the passing wavelength width is 0.1 nm, the pulse width (time width) of the extracted optical pulse is probably 20 ps (picoseconds) or more.
As the delay time difference measuring means, the pulse waveform measuring device 18 constructed of, e.g., an electrical sampling oscilloscope is used.
Hence, the measuring method shown in FIG. 14 is effective to measure the dispersion of a long optical fiber (a few km or more) but difficult to use to measure low dispersion of a short optical fiber such as an EDF (the basic length of fiber amplifier EDF) about 20 m long.
In the wavelength dispersion measuring method shown in FIG. 13, the white pulse light source 1 for outputting a short pulse light group over a continuous broad wavelength range to accurately measure the wavelength dispersion is combined with the delay time difference measuring means 9 constructed of, e.g., a streak camera or the like. This enables more accurate measurement than in the wavelength dispersion measuring method shown in FIG. 14.
That is, since the spectral width of the white pulse light source 11 is as large as 200 nm, an optical band-pass filter 2 having a band width of about 1 nm can be inserted. Consequently, an optical pulse having a pulse width (time width) of a few ps can be obtained with no problem, so the peak position can be easily located.
When a streak camera is used as the delay time detecting means 9, however, the accuracy of in the time domain is 0.3 ps or more. This makes this method unsatisfactory to measure the wavelength dispersion of a low-dispersion object to be measured such as a short optical fiber.
This similarly applies to polarization dispersion measurement.

Wavelength dispersion measuring apparatus and polarization dispersion measuring apparatus

Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation


Work surface particularly designed for computer work or terminal operations is designed to prevent injuries of the neck, wrist and arms and excessive visual strain that commonly occur in computer and other terminal work by supporting the forearms of a person working at the computer or terminal at their entire length between the elbow and the wrist. The support to the forearms at their entire length is provided by a portion of the work surface being arranged to curve downwardly in such a way that the lowest point of the top surface of the work surface is close to the user and the highest to the keyboard and the mouse surface so that the user rests his/her arms on the work surface during work.

The invention relates to a work surface particularly designed for computers and computer terminals, comprising at least one tabletop and a base supporting the tabletop, the tabletop or portions of the tabletop that are closest to a person working at the work surface thus providing a keyboard platform which is arranged to at least partially surround the user, the front edge of the tabletop forming a user space with a curvilinear or fractional edge line, the keyboard platform comprising a support surface receiving the user""s arms, and a keyboard surface receiving the keyboard and a mouse.
Computer work and other similar terminal operations commonly cause various problems related to injuries in the neck, wrists and arms, and excessive visual strain. Such problems are mainly due to ergonomically poor working conditions, i.e. the workplace is unsuitable for the user. This may be because of an unsuccessful choice of chair or incorrectly positioned equipment. The most usual reason, however, is a combination of these two main reasons.
Usually it turns out that the display terminal is placed too high up at the workplace, or that the display terminal and the keyboard are incorrectly located in relation to each other. A display terminal placed too high up causes extra movement of the head, which leads to tension in the neck, thereby inflicting pain. An inappropriate location of the display terminal and the keyboard in relation to each other cause increased visual strain because the eyes are constantly focused alternately on the display terminal and the keyboard.
It is also common that the keyboard is unsatisfactorily positioned for the user, thus causing tension and pain in the shoulders, forearms and wrists.
Up to the present, attempts have been made to solve the above ergonomic problems by means of various kinds of auxiliary devices fastened to the workplace. It is therefore known to provide the keyboard with wrist supports having an articulated arm supporting the user""s wrists when his/her hands operate the keyboard. In addition, it is known to use different kinds of fixed wrist supports arranged in front of the keyboard. Such fixed wrist supports have also been arranged for operating a mouse on a mouse surface. Other arrangements for operating the mouse include different articulated arm plates on which the user rests his/her forearm when moving the mouse.
In the latest solutions the workplace is provided with a space receiving the user. In a desk provided with such a space, the tabletop extends on both sides of the user sitting at the desk, thereby partially surrounding him/her and, at the same time, providing better support for the user""s arms.
A problem with the known solutions is, however, that separate wrist supports are not only expensive but also inconvenient to use, because such wrist supports hamper other operations. Fixed wrist supports arranged in conjunction with the keyboard or, the mouse, and the new work surface provided with a space for the user do support the wrist and the forearm, but not sufficiently. The support such solutions provide to the wrist or the forearm is extremely local, therefore they fail to remove tension in the user""s arms, shoulders and in the neck area.
The solution of the invention succeeds in providing a fully novel work surface an object of which is to prevent, as effectively as possible, stress injuries from occurring. The work surface of the invention offers maximum support to the wrists and arms of a person working at the equipment, ensuring, however, at the same time a pleasant and natural working position.
This object is achieved with a work surface having the characteristics of the present invention as disclosed in the claims. More specifically, a device of the invention is principally characterized in that, in its working position, the support surface curves substantially downwardly in such a way that at least its top surface is arranged to be lower down substantially at every point of the curvilinear or fractional edge line of the front edge of the user space than at a connect surface forming between the support surface and the keyboard surface.
In other words, the idea of the invention is to fully support the forearm between the elbow and the wrist so that, when a person places him/herself in front of the work surface, the height of the work surface can be adjusted in such a way that the person can rest his/her forearms on the work surface. A portion of the top surface of the work surface being arranged to curve downwardly so that the lowest point of the top surface of the work surface is close to the user and the highest point is close to the keyboard and the mouse surface, allows the work surface to support the forearm at its entire length. When a person is working at this kind of a work surface, all the motions of his/her forearm follow the work surface in a natural manner. To support all arm motions, the work surface can be formed into a conical or double-conical form. The keyboard portion of the work surface being arranged to curve downwardly allows a natural position to be obtained for the hands, too, thereby avoiding any extra tension to the arms and wrists during keyboard operations.
By providing at least a partially stepped separation of the keyboard surface from the support surface also allows an ergonomically advantageous working position to be obtained. Another way to lower the keyboard in relation to the support surface is to provide the keyboard surface with a separate recess or depression that receives the keyboard. In this case, the mouse surfaces at the sides of the keyboard are, however, advantageously arranged to continue from the support surface following a continuous fractional or curved line, without any vertical discontinuity.
By arranging the support surface to be fully or partly resilient or bending at the user""s side it is possible to provide an arm support which is always correctly focused.
By arranging the top surface of the keyboard platform, in turn, to approach substantially horizontal at the edge zones allows excellent conditions to be obtained for mouse operations. A keyboard platform designed in this way allows mice of different sizes to be used, the platform still always providing sufficient support for the user""s wrist.

Work surface particularly designed for computers or computer terminals


The present invention comprises a method and system for peer to peer input output. The present invention is implemented on a computer system having a microprocessor and a packet switched router coupled to the microprocessor. The peer to peer input output system of the present invention defines a data source corresponding to a first device coupled to the computer system. The system then defines a data sink corresponding to a second device coupled to said computer system. The packet switch router is subsequently used to logically implement a data pipe between the data source and the data sink. The system configures the data pipe to provide adequate bandwidth between the data source and the data sink such that a data transfer occurs smoothly and predictably. The data transfer is performed via the data pipe such that the data transfer proceeds independently of any simultaneous second data transfer in the packet switched router.

In the past, computers were primarily applied to processing rather mundane, repetitive numerical and/or textual tasks involving number-crunching, spread sheeting, and word processing. These simple tasks merely entailed entering data from a keyboard, processing the data according to some computer program, and then displaying the resulting text or numbers on a computer monitor and perhaps later storing these results in a magnetic disk drive. However, today's computer systems are much more advanced, versatile, and sophisticated. Especially since the advent of digital media applications and the Internet, computers are now commonly called upon to accept and process data from a wide variety of different formats ranging from audio to video and even realistic computer-generated three-dimensional graphic images. A partial list of applications involving these digital media applications include the generation of special effects for movies, computer animation, real-time simulations, video teleconferencing, Internet-related applications, computer games, telecommuting, virtual reality, high-speed databases, real-time interactive simulations, medical diagnostic imaging, etc.
The reason behind the proliferation of digital media applications is due to the fact that much more information can be conveyed and readily comprehended with pictures and sounds rather than with text or numbers. Video, audio, and three-dimensional graphics render a computer system more user friendly, dynamic, and realistic. However, the added degree of complexity for the design of new generations of computer systems necessary for processing these digital media applications is tremendous. The ability of handling digitized audio, video. and graphics requires that vast amounts of data be processed at extremely fast speeds. An incredible amount of data must be processed every second in order to produce smooth, fluid, and realistic full-motion displays on a computer screen. Additional speed and processing power is needed in order to provide the computer system with high-fidelity stereo sound and real-time, and interactive capabilities. Otherwise, if the computer system is too slow to handle the requisite amount of data, its rendered images would tend to be small, grainy and otherwise blurry. Furthermore, movement in these images would likely be jerky and disjointed because its update rate is too slow. Sometimes, entire video frames might be dropped. Hence, speed is of the essence in designing modern, state-of-the-art computer systems.
One of the major bottlenecks in designing fast, high-performance computer systems pertains to the current bus architecture. A "bus" is comprised of a set of wires that is used to electrically interconnect the various semiconductor chips and input/output devices of the computer system. Electric signals are conducted over the bus so that the various components can communicate with each other.
FIG. 1 shows a typical prior art bus architecture 100. Virtually all of today's computer systems use this same type of busing scheme. A single bus 101 is used to electrically interconnect the central processing unit (CPU) 103 with the memory (e.g., RAM) 107 via controller 102. Furthermore, other various devices 104-106 are also coupled to bus 101. Bus 101 is comprised of a set of physical wires which are used to convey digital data, address information for specifying the destination of the data, control signals, and timing/clock signals. For instance, CPU 103 may generate a request to retrieve certain data stored in memory 102. This read request is then sent over bus 101 to memory controller 102. Upon receipt of this read request, memory controller 102 fetches the desired data from memory 107 and sends it back over bus 101 to the CPU 103. Once the CPU is finished processing the data, it can be sent via bus 101 for output by one of the devices 104-106 (e.g., fax, modem, network controller, storage device, audio/video driver, and the like).
The major drawback to this prior art bus architecture is the fact that it is a "shared" arrangement. All of the components 102-106 share the same bus 101. They all rely on a single bus to meet their individual communication needs. However, bus 101 can only establish communications between two of these devices 102-106 at any given time. Hence, if bus 101 is currently busy transmitting signals between two of the devices (e.g., device 105 and device 106), then all the other devices (e.g., memory 102, device 104, and CPU 103) must wait their turn until that transaction is complete and bus 101 again becomes available. If a conflict arises, an arbitration circuit, usually residing in memory controller 102, resolves which of the devices 102-106 gets priority of access to bus 101. Essentially, bus 101 is analogous to a telephone "party" line, whereby only one conversation can take place amongst a host of different handsets serviced by the party line. If the party line is currently busy, one must wait until the prior parties hang up, before one can initiate their own call.
Thus, CPU 103 competes for bus 101 bandwidth to access program instructions and data stored in memory 102. Each of devices 104, 105 and 106 need to compete for bus bandwidth to perform input output. Regardless of the speed of CPU 103, the limiting factor of the speed of computer system 100 is very often the bandwidth of bus 101, more particularly, the contention for bandwidth to access memory 107. Historically, bus traffic proceeded to and from memory 102 due to the fact that most input output was performed either to or from memory 102. This input output competes with all other traffic (e.g., CPU 103) for access to memory 102.
In the past, this type of bus architecture offered a simple, efficient, and cost-effective method of transmitting data. For a time, it was also sufficient to handle the trickle of data flowing between the various devices residing within the computer system. However, as the demand for increased amounts of data skyrocketed, designers had to find ways to improve the speed at which bits of data can be conveyed (i.e., increased "bandwidth") over the bus.
One solution to the bandwidth problem was to increase the width of the bus by adding more wires. The effect is analogous to replacing a two-lane road with a ten-lane super freeway. However, the increase in bus width consumes valuable space on an already densely packed and overcrowded printed circuit board. Furthermore, each of the semiconductor chips connected to the bus must have an equivalent amount of pins to match the increased bus width for accepting and outputting its signals. These additional pins significantly increase the size of the chips. It becomes more difficult to fit these chips onto the printed circuit boards. Additionally, the practical limitation for cost effective chips and packages impose a physical restriction on the chip's overall size and its number of pins. Today's buses are typically limited to being 64-bits wide. In other words, 64 bits of data or address can be sent simultaneously in parallel over 64 separate wires. The next step of increasing the bus width to 128 bits wide has become impractical due to this added complexity.
Another solution to the bandwidth problem was to increase the rate (i.e., frequency) at which data is sent over the bus. However, the physics associated with implementing long sets of parallel wires with multiple loads produces a wide range of problems such as impedance mismatches, reflections, crosstalk, noise, non-linearities, attenuation, distortions, timing, etc. These problems become more severe as the bus frequency increases. Higher bus frequencies cannot be attained without fine tuning, extremely tight tolerances, exotic micro-strip layouts, and extensive testing. It is extremely difficult to reliably mass produce such high frequency computers.
As such, applications written for these systems are structured to function around the bandwidth limitations of the system bus. The nature of data the applications transfer via the system bus is accordingly dictated by the bandwidth constraints of the system bus. As a result, there are very few full motion 3D simulation applications written for desktop systems. In the 3D applications that do exist, the realism and richness of 3D applications are greatly simplified in order to reliably and responsively run without slowing the computer system to a crawl. Tomorrow's applications will be rich 3d simulations. They will include extensive video manipulation by the computer system's processor. Multiple video streams, digital synthesis, digital audio are a few of the many applications envisioned. Given a 64-bit bus running at 66 MHz, the highest attainable data rate for a typical computer system is 524 Mbytes per second. Although this data rate appears adequate, it is rapidly becoming insufficient in light of the demands imposed by tomorrow's new applications.
Thus, what is required is a method and system which effectively provides for greatly increased system bus bandwidth. What is required is a method and system which accommodates the enormous bandwidth requirements of digital video, digital audio, 3d graphics, real-time compression and decompression, and the like. What is further desired is a method of servicing the bandwidth requirements of the above applications while conserving memory bandwidth. The required system should provide for a new programming paradigm wherein application designers are not limited by system bus bandwidth constraints. The required system should also allow one set of code to execute on both a new high bandwidth computer system and on conventional computer systems. The method and system of the present invention provides a novel solution to the above requirements.

Method and system for simultaneous high bandwidth input output


A tactile display for dynamically reproducing content from an electronic device, such as a computer, tablet, mobile phone or other device, in a touch-sensory format, such as Braille. The tactile display includes a housing and a plurality of tactile elements. The tactile elements are movable relative to the housing between an extended position for engagement by a user and a retracted position at or inward of a surface of the housing.

Braille is a language of raised dots read by the fingertips. Louis Braille, a young blind teacher in Paris, created the system in the 1800s whereby alphanumeric characters could be displayed with the sense of touch. The raised dots are created by indentations in paper. Each character is displayed with dots orientated in two vertical columns of three dots each. A sight impaired person then reads by passing fingertips from left to right across a row of characters. Characters can be arranged on a page such that a page of Braille text aligns in a similar fashion to a line of written text that would be displayed to a sighted person.
Braille is displayed in a few different forms currently. Grade I Braille is the current format that is translated letter for letter. Capital letters and other symbols require two characters to be displayed. Grade II Braille is a format that contracts many combinations of letters, such as "tt", and "ough." This allows the reader to have to sense less characters to read, so that faster reading can be attained. Additionally, current format computer braille is often displayed with eight dot Braille, where each character consists of two columns of four dots. This allows for items such as capital letters to be displayed as a single character, instead of two as would be displayed in Grade I Braille.
The Braille dots and how they raise and lower mechanically to create a touchable surface are a critical element of the display. The dots are actuated by placing an actuator under the dot, and with some type of physical force, the dot is raised ("up" position) and or lowered ("down" position).
The current designs of refreshable Braille displays on the market today make use of piezoelectric actuators to raise and lower the braille dots. Each dot of a Braille character requires its own actuator, so an eight dot character of Braille requires eight of these actuators. Piezoelectric actuators work by applying an electric current across a material strip (usually made from ceramic and or metal materials), which then causes the strip to deflect. This deflection causes the dot to raise. However, these piezo actuators are very expensive to manufacture. Therefore, the cost per Braille cell is too high to be used in mass quantity, such as a display containing multiple lines of Braille. Additionally, and more importantly, the piezo electric design does not allow the actuator of each dot to physically reside under each dot. This piezoelectric actuator must be sufficiently long to cause the dot to raise enough for Braille. This length is much longer than what can physically reside under a dot, and therefore limits the current refreshable Braille displays to a single line of text for most applications. Multi-line units are not only too expensive to build, but physically will not allow actuators to fit within the required confines of multi-line displays. This limit to single line displays then forces Braille readers to read one line of text at a time, akin to reading a book on a ticker tape display. This method slows Braille reading down significantly, and results in less access to many methods of print media for the sight impaired.
Therefore, there is a need for compact actuation of tactile elements in a display.


A new Combination Tool for use in measuring, leveling, squaring, and plumbing operations. The inventive device includes a housing adapted to encase a tape measure including an extendable and retractable tape and adapted to encase a laser source capable of projecting a visible light beam, wherein the extendable and retractable tape is extendable from the housing and the visible light beam is projectable from the housing perpendicular to the extendable and retractable tape. A horizontal bubble-leveling vial and a vertical bubble-leveling vial are mounted on the housing for leveling thereof in horizontal and vertical planes.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to combination hand tools and more particularly pertains to a new Combination Tool for use in measuring, leveling, squaring, and plumbing operations.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of combination hand tools is known in the prior art. More specifically, combination hand tools heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
Known prior art combination hand tools include U.S. Pat. No. 5,075,977; U.S. Pat. No. 4,852,265; U.S. Pat. No. D299,437; U.S. Pat. No. 3,897,637; U.S. Pat. No. 5,446,968; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,012,585.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new Combination Tool. The inventive device includes a housing adapted to encase a tape measure including an extendable and retractable tape and adapted to encase a laser source capable of projecting a visible light beam, wherein the extendable and retractable tape is extendable from the housing and the visible light beam is projectable from the housing perpendicular to the extendable and retractable tape. A horizontal bubble-leveling vial and a vertical bubble-leveling vial are mounted on the housing for leveling thereof in horizontal and vertical planes.
In these respects, the Combination Tool according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of use in measuring, leveling, squaring, and plumbing operations.


A new and distinct Philodendron cultivar named ‘Lemon Lime’ is disclosed, characterized by bright lime-green to golden yellow foliage and unique pink petioles. The new cultivar produces a compact plant form and a busy plant shape, with many leaves and shoots emerging basally.

The new cultivar was discovered as a naturally occurring, spontaneous mutation, among several thousand random tissue cultures of Philodendron domesticum.                 It was discovered by the inventor, Tai Yam, a citizen of Malaysia, in June of 2004, at a commercial laboratory in Nanhai, China. Upon discovery of the interesting mutation, the inventor immediately initiated cultivation in tissue culture in the same laboratory. During the Summer of 2004, 'Lemon Lime' was asexually propagated by tissue culture in a commercial laboratory in Nanhai, China. Subsequently 'Lemon Lime' has been reproduced by micro-propagation and has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type through several generations.


A Markov chain model of a software system may be used to compute all-pairs reaching probabilities to provide guidance in performing speculative operations with respect to the software system.

Speculative computing methods may provide greater computing efficiency. In such methods, sections of a sequential computing task may be carried out in parallel according to a "guess" as to how the computing task will proceed. Examples of such speculative computing methods include speculative parallel thread compilation and speculative parallel thread program execution.
One aspect of performing speculative computing is the prediction of when a particular path will be taken in a computing task. For example, a program may contain several different points at which it may proceed to different steps, depending, for example, on data input, a computed value, etc. In speculative computing, the predictions of which paths will actually be taken during a computing task determine the efficiency of the technique. The more spurious the predictions are, the less efficient the technique becomes.

Computation of all-pairs reaching probabilities in software systems


An oscillating circuit includes an oscillating transistor in which the collector or the base is grounded in a high-frequency manner, and a bias resistor connects the emitter of the oscillating transistor to a ground in a direct-current manner. In the oscillating circuit, a resonance unit, having maximum impedance at the oscillation frequency, is interposed between the bias resistor and the ground. Thus, an oscillation signal is obtained from the connection point between the bias resistor and the resonance unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an oscillating circuit obtaining an oscillation signal in which a second harmonic wave is suppressed.
2. Description of the Related Art
An oscillating circuit according to the related art includes a control terminal C, an output terminal P, a resonance circuit 1 whose resonance frequency varies depending on a control voltage VC that is to be applied to the control terminal C, an oscillation stage 2 whose oscillation frequency is determined on the basis of the resonance frequency of the resonance circuit 1, a buffer stage 3 which amplifies a signal output from the oscillator stage 2 and prevents variation of the oscillation frequency due to load variation, and an output matching stage 4 which matches a subsequent stage circuit to be connected to the output terminal P and suppresses harmonic waves, as shown in FIG. 5.
The resonance circuit 1 includes a coupling capacitor C1, a variable-capacitance diode VD, a resonance inductor L1, and a resonance capacitor C2. The control voltage VC applied to the control terminal C is applied to the variable-capacitance diode VD through a choke coil L2. The control terminal C is grounded in a high-frequency manner by means of a high-frequency bypass capacitor C3.
The oscillation stage 2 includes an oscillating transistor Q1, bias resistors R1 to R3, colpitts capacitors C4 and C5, a high-frequency bypass capacitor C6, a strip line SL connected in series with the bypass resistor R3, and a chip capacitor Cc connected in parallel to the strip line SL. The oscillation stage 2 is connected to the resonance circuit 1 through a coupling capacitor C7. Further, the bias resistor R3 regulates the DC bias of an emitter of the oscillating transistor Q1 serving as a current outputting terminal.
The buffer stage 3 includes a buffer transistor Q2 and bias resistors R4 and R5. The buffer stage 3 is connected to the oscillation stage 2 via a coupling capacitor C8. The output matching stage 4 includes a choke coil L3, a coupling capacitor C10, a high-frequency bypass capacitor C11, and an output terminal P. A driving power supply terminal B is grounded by a high-frequency bypass capacitor C12 (for example, refer to JP-A-08-148933).
The oscillating circuit according to the related art is configured so as to suppress harmonic waves by means of the output matching stage 4. However, when the levels of the harmonic waves included in the oscillation signal output from the emitter of the oscillating transistor Q1 are high, it is difficult to suppress the harmonic waves.

Oscillating circuit for suppressing second harmonic wave