An electrical connector has first terminals which are surface mounted to respective sides of a substrate and second terminals which extend through an edge surface of the substrate to make electrical connection to an opening provided in the substrate. As the connector is mated to the edge of the substrate, the connector occupies a minimal space on the substrate.

There are currently numerous electrical connectors available which are mounted to a printed circuit board. As the size of the machines in which the printed circuit boards are installed decreases, the density of the connectors positioned on the board must increase. Also, as the machines become more sophisticated, the complexity of the printed circuit boards and the connectors must increase. Consequently, the configuration of the machines requires that electrical connectors with numerous terminals extending therefrom be mounted on a printed circuit board in such a manner so as to occupy a minimal area of board real estate.
In the early stages of the progression toward high density placement of the connectors, through-hole mounting technology was used. Mating portions of the terminals were placed in through-holes of the circuit board and held in place by soldering or some type of mechanical engagement of the pin with the sidewalls of the hole. As the need for high density increased, the amount of through-holes required also increased. However, as the diameter of the through holes is relatively large, only a fixed number of through-holes could be provided in a given area. Consequently, through-hole technology could not support the requirements for high density applications.
In order to provide for a higher density of connectors on the board, surface mount technology was utilized. As no through-holes were required, the conductive pads on the circuit board could be closely spaced, thereby allowing more contacts to be mounted in the same area of the board. Also, as the terminal were configured to be surface mounted to the printed circuit board, the terminals were designed to have resilient characteristics which allowed the terminals to compensate for board warpage and the like, thereby insuring for a more reliable interconnection.
It is also important to realize that as the density of the connectors increases, the length of the terminals cannot increase significantly. Particularly in high speed applications, the ideal solution is one which provides high density connectors which have the shortest path over which the signals must travel.
As the progression towards higher density continues, it has become imperative that every possible area of board real estate by utilized. Consequently, the invention described herein is directed to an electrical connector which can be mounted to the edge of a printed circuit board. This type of connector requires the use of both surface mount and through-hole mount technology. The invention also provides for increased performance of the electrical connector due to the relatively short lengths over which the signals must be carried.

Electrical connector having terminals which cooperate with the edge of a circuit board


An organic light emitting diode (OLED) with a brightness enhancer. The OLED comprises a substrate having a first surface and a second surface oppositely. An anode electrode is disposed on the first surface of the substrate. An organic light emitting layer is disposed on the anode electrode. A cathode electrode is disposed on the organic light emitting layer. A brightness enhancer is disposed on the second surface of the substrate.

The invention relates to an organic light emitting diodes (OLED) and in particular to an OLED with a brightness enhancer.
OLED qualities such as light weight, slim profile, low power consumption, wide viewing angle and fast response time make it is a popular display choice. When luminescent efficiency of the OLED reaches 100 Lm/W, it can replace conventional light sources. Thus improving OLED efficiency is an important issue.
Recently, lifetime and brightness of OLEDs have improved, but not substantially. Organic materials and glass substrate have a higher refraction than air, such that light easily reflects or emits from device sides. About 80% light is trapped in the device, making the quantum efficiency of OLED less than 20%.
An improved OLED device 10 is shown in FIG. 1, comprising polarizing film 11/substrate 13/anode electrode 14/organic light emitting layer 15/and cathode electrode 16 encapsulant (not shown). The metal electrode provides good the reflection performance, however, double image is induced by exterior light entering the OLED device and reflecting. A polarizing film 11 with a ¼ wavelength delayer layer eliminates this problem. However, polarizing film 11 decreases brightness by more than ½, because it not only blocks exterior light but also light emitting from the device.

Organic light emitting diode with brightness enhancer

Industrial Technology Research Institute


The invention relates to a tool (1), in particular an impact wrench, with a pulse unit (6) having a hydraulic impact mechanism (7) and a drive unit (24). The working volume (5) can be connected within the hydraulic impact mechanism (7) to an additional volume (4) formed outside of the mechanism. The tool according to the invention is characterised in that at least the compensating volume (4) can be varied independently of the pressure.

A tool of this nature is known from DE 202 10 453 U1 (Cooper), wherein the working volume within the hydraulic impact mechanism is connected to an additional volume within the hydraulic cylinder through a small hole, which is closed during the pulse by a plate. A cover sealed with O-ring seals closes the hydraulic cylinder and thus defines the complete working volume of the pulse unit, because it is not adjustable for the setting of different working volumes. A spacer ring presses the cover against the cylinder wall and a locking ring permanently fixes the cover. Due to the defined mounting position of the locking ring, the distance between the hydraulic cylinder and the cover and thus also the working volume is defined and cannot be changed. The space for the working fluid cannot be adjusted and the required amount of the working fluid can only be provided by the addition or removal via a filling opening. Conventionally, the chamber is first completely filled with working fluid and then the removal occurs with syringes, which draw the fluid out of the inner space until a desired volume is obtained. This filling procedure is very cost-intensive and imprecise. Furthermore, it is not possible to change the working volume.
From the document DE 40 18 084 C1 a pulse nutsetter is known, the hydraulic impact mechanism of which is closed off on one side with a hydraulic impact mechanism cover, which is fixed, secured against turning, by means of a positioning pin. A cover plate then closes off the complete assembly. In this hydraulic impact mechanism the working volume remains constant.
From DE 698 07 013 T2 a tool is known, which has an impact wrench with a motor which rotates a drive element within a fluid chamber, wherein the drive element is fitted with a common fluid chamber with a variable volume. With an expansion of the hydraulic fluid the common chamber accepts the additional fluid volume. With the decrease in the expansion the common chamber passes the fluid back into the fluid chamber. The compensation is handled by an elastically deformable membrane which consists of two areas. The first area is connected to the fluid chamber via a channel and the second membrane layer is intended to provide protection against destruction due to the chemically aggressive hydraulic fluid. The increase in volume within the common fluid chamber leads to a deformation of the membrane and thus to enlargement of the working volume. When the temperature of the hydraulic fluid decreases, the excess fluid, which previously passed into the common chamber, returns via the channel into the common chamber and the membrane is relieved. The working volume can thus only be changed depending on the pressure of the working fluid. A specific volume setting is not possible.
Accordingly, the object of the invention is to improve a tool of the type mentioned in the introduction such that the working volume can be set within the hydraulic impact mechanism irrespective of the consistency of the working fluid and at any time.


The diagnosed soft tissue or brain injury component of concussions is generally defined by the symptoms of the temporal lobe manifestations. However, there is an undiagnosed structural fractured component of concussions occurring within the jaw joint complex which is the focus of this invention. A precise imaging technique and the powerful 3D Cone beam scanning technology, together, have revealed fractures in temporal bones of the jaw joint space which supports the temporal lobe of the brain. These fractures are the results of the lower jaw impact forces that cause concussions and this mechanism account for a large percent of the concussions arising in sports and military operations. These fractures have never been considered, diagnosed, or treated in the management of concussions. Fracturing temporal bones in the jaw joint that supports the temporal lobe will certainly produce the symptoms of temporal lobe manifestations. With early detection, these fractures can be more rapidly healed, eliminating many temporal lobe symptoms of concussions. The device of the present invention reduces the risk of the lower jaw impact concussion and temporal bone fractures, while enhancing the ability to speak and orally communicate.

In the prior art, the difficulty of clear, accurate and audible sound production while wearing mouth guards of any type made these product less desirable and problematic to wear in all sports due to the inability to speak, call signals, cadences, plays, and or expressing other critical or essential sounds for on or off-field-communications.
Athletes in all sports at all levels are becoming bigger, stronger, and faster. There are numerous studies and substantial medical evidence that various recreational activities and collision sports involving children, adolescents, young adults, professional athletes and military personnel are causing an unprecedented number of brain concussions and an unexpected finding of jaw joint (temporal mandibular joint) or basal skull fractures. This is especially so with regard to collision activities such as football, basketball, boxing, soccer, hockey, lacrosse, military operations and the like. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that each year, as many as 3.8 million sports and recreation-related concussions occur in the United States. All concussions involve some level of brain injury. The highest rates occur among males aged 10-19. While the soft tissue injury components of concussions (the brain) are the focus of medical research, sport policy and media awareness, not enough focus, if any, has been devoted to the consideration of the jaw joint and the possibility of fracturing these basal skull temporal bones associated with the forces of concussion. These basal skull fractures and pathologies are the structural injury components of concussions. The long-term consequences of concussions, jaw joint and basal skull fracture injuries are a looming national health issue with serious legal implications. Concussions and these related injuries are ending sport careers prematurely, causing distress, mental decline, behavioral changes, and financial hardships, which affect the quality of life of athletes, military personnel and their families long after their careers are over.
The compelling collision force of the helmet-to-helmet, helmet-to-chin or helmet-to-face shield common to lacrosse and football or the dangerous collision forces of the shoulder or elbow to jaw hits in basketball or stick-into-the-face in lacrosse and hockey and the damaging pugil stick to faceguard or chin or the wooden bayonet to chin in military combative training are seriously fracturing the fragile temporal bones at the base of the skull in the area of the jaw joint while causing the brain concussions. Whether intentional or unintentional, the severe impacts of these collision forces occur frequently during games, military operations and often during practice.
The helmet design for the head impacts of lacrosse, football, the military and the like, for the most part adequately protects the skull with the exception of the jaw joint complex. The 4-point chinstrap retention system when properly snapped in place, harmfully compresses the mandibular condyle of the lower jaw against the temporal bones at the base of the skull. This positioning preempts the jaw joint to more easily transmit these severe impact forces of the lower jaw impact concussions to base of the brain with greater intensity. This irritating and uncomfortable jaw joint constraint makes it difficult to maintain the chinstrap in place for extended periods of time in sports or military operations. Simply positioning or snapping the chinstraps in place can induce headaches, facial pain, discomfort and fatigue frequently experienced by many players and military personnel.

Low profile articulation jaw joint stabilizer device


An apparatus for and method of distributing and reproducing infrared signals within a digital network is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a control unit for digitizing a received infrared signal command from a wireless remote and transmitting the digitized signal over the digital network. The apparatus also-comprises at least one transceiver device coupled to the network and identified by the control unit to receive the digitized signal and reproduce the infrared signal as originally received. The transceiver device can provide the reproduced infrared signal to at least one electronic device located within a vicinity of the transceiver device.

Consumer electronic devices are commonly remotely controlled through the use of coded infrared signals. However, the remote controls for these devices typically require a line of sight between the user and the electronic device.
Modem homes contain multiple consumer electronic devices that can benefit from interconnection to other electronic devices in the home, for example, displaying the output of a DVD player located in a living room on a television located in a bedroom. As the number of interoperable electronic devices in the home environment increases, the need arises for a way to control all of the electronic devices in the household remotely and to allow the devices to interact remotely.
A problem encountered when attempting to control multiple electronic devices remotely is that the infrared signal must travel from room to room if the user is in a different room from the device or if multiple devices in different rooms need to be controlled simultaneously. In the past, this problem has been addressed by broadcasting signals and using repeaters to boost the signals in order to reach devices located in a different room from the infrared signal transmitter. Drawbacks to this method include: infrared noise from the environment interfering with the commanded signal, difficulty differentiating between devices of the same make and model, and difficulties arising when more than one user tries to share the same device. In addition, using repeaters for communicating with multiple electronic devices located in more than two rooms creates a broadcast environment where signals feedback and interfere with each other. To accommodate flexibility in accessing and controlling multiple electronic devices, a new apparatus and method is needed for the distribution and reproduction of infrared signals to control remote electronic devices within a home network.

Infrared signal distribution and management system and method


In a game played by a plurality of game machines through teamwork, an evaluation is performed according to the correlation among operation information obtained through communications with each of the game machines. A plurality of game machines communicate with one another to establish timing synchronization. After the game, input timings at which buttons are operated during the game are collected and then evaluated so as to determine an absolute and relative timing coincidence in a predetermined period (unison part). A predetermined number of points are added to its game score based on the evaluation.

1. Technical Field
Present non-limiting embodiments relate to game machines and game programs executed by such game machines. More specifically, present non-limiting embodiments relate to game machines for evaluating timings based on a player's operation, including evaluating timings of a game process (presentation effects) based on a plurality of players' operations corresponding to reproduction of music data, and game programs to be executed by such game machines.
2. Description of Background Art
This type of conventional game machine has been disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2000-237454. In such a game machine, a drum rhythm game machine and a guitar rhythm game machine are synchronized with each other in terms of BGM music and presentation instructions so that harmonious music play can be realized as actual band play.
In the conventional technique described in the above publication, however, the game machines (drum rhythm and guitar rhythm) independently evaluate the player's operation. The manner of evaluation of each player's operation is exactly the same as the case of single player, involving a determination of whether or not a predetermined criterion is met.
Therefore, even if a plurality of game machines perform music play at the same time, there is not much correlation among the game machines (band parts), and there is not much fun in obtaining a high score through teamwork either. Moreover, the evaluation manner remains exactly the same between independent play and harmonious play, thereby failing to provide zest and surprise.

Game system capable of evaluating the correlation of user operation on a game machine with displayed operational information and user operation on another game machine


A pet collar for alerting others as to the location of a pet is provided. The pet collar is provided for announcing the presence, audibly and visibly, of a pet such as in a burning structure or otherwise when the pet cannot be found. The pet collar is adapted to work in cooperation with either a conventional or an improved smoke detector. In one embodiment, a radio frequency (RF) transmitter is used in cooperation with a conventional smoke detector to communicate with a pet collar of the present invention. In either embodiment, when the smoke detector sounds an audible alarm either automatically or manually, the pet collar is activated to sound an alarm and to illuminate at least one light. The pet collar is also useful in cooperation with other detectors such as a carbon monoxide detector or a security alarm.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention pertains to the field of pet collars. More particularly, this invention is related to a collar adapted to be worn by a pet and on which is provided audible and/or visual alarms useful in locating the pet in a smoke-filled building from which the animal is unable to escape unassisted.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the field of pet care, it is well known that pets face the same dangers as humans when in emergency situations such as house fires. Often, when pets are lost in fires, the loss to the owners is like that of the loss of a family member. However, when in a house fire, it is well known that smoke can quickly consume the dwelling thereby making it difficult both to breathe and see. Because most pets are smaller than humans and often find obscure hiding places, finding them in a smoke-filled structure is often too complicated and dangerous to risk human life in an attempt to find and rescue them.
In order to assist the pet in leaving a dwelling, several devices have been provided for opening an enclosure such as a cage, a pen or a house in which the animal is housed, thus permitting the exit of the pet from the enclosure. Such devices typically respond to the detection of fire or smoke. However, should the devices fail to function to open an exit for the pet from the enclosure, no provision is made for a pet owner, a firefighter, or other rescue worker to locate the pet and remove the pet from danger.
Typical of the art are those devices disclosed in the following U.S. patents:
U.S. Pat. No.Inventor(s)Issue Date507,322A. R. HolmesOct. 24, 1893520,395J. S. EdmondsMay 22, 18941,006,914C. S. CoxOct. 24, 19111,310,612E. EskelinJul. 22, 19194,837,560C. L. NewberryJun. 6, 19895,642,092G. Dunne et al.Jun. 24, 19975,651,331C. J. Cleri, Jr.Jul. 29, 19975,652,563A. B. MausJul. 29, 19976,318,296T. T. NguyenNov. 20, 20016,710,714M. ConwayMar. 23, 2004
Holmes, in his '322 patent, teaches an electric alarm system for use in horse stables. The alarm system is adapted to alert a remote location of a fire in the stable, and will automatically releases the horses housed in the stable in the event a fire is detected. Edmonds, in his '395 patent, as well as Cox in his '914 patent, disclose similar alarm and release systems using mechanical levers and cables. Eskelin ('612) provides yet another system for releasing livestock, the system using a flexible connector that is burnable or capable of being melted. When a fire burns the connector, weights at one end of the connector fall and engage the end of a sliding rod. The rod is connected to the locking devices on the stall gates such that when the rod is so engaged, the rod is slid and the locking devices are unlocked, thereby releasing the livestock.
Newberry, in his '560 patent, discloses an apparatus for automatically unlocking the guard bars on a window in response to the output signal of a fire detection device. A smoke alarm includes a pair of relay-controlled contacts used in conjunction with a solenoid arrangement to unlock the window bars. Power to the smoke detector and the solenoid circuit is supplied by a rechargeable battery.
The '092 patent issued to Dunne et al., teaches an automatic evacuation assistance system for assisting animals or people in existing a structure. The '092 device includes an event detector, such as a smoke detector for providing an event detection signal. The event detection signal is received by an exit control device which is coupled to an exit opening, for allowing the exit opening to open, providing an exit path to the outside of a structure. A transmitter transmits an alert in the form of a sound, smell, or visual signal to attract the person or animals to the exit path and exit opening.
Cleri, Jr., in his '331 patent, teaches an escape device for pets including a passageway opening from the inside to the outside of the enclosure. The passageway is normally closed by a primary door. An apparatus is provided for opening the door at the onset of a smoke emitting emergency such as a fire such that the door is open for safe egress for the pet or pets. Cleri further provides for a pre-recorded message preferably in the owner's voice directing and/or commanding the pet or pets to the open passageway.
The '563 patent issued to Maus discloses a safety system for a stable. The '563 device includes "smart detectors" installed in the stable for detecting at least one abnormal condition in the stable, a siren and/or flashing strobe installed in each stall for spooking horses out of their stalls, an electromagnetic lock provided on each said door, a power source supplying power to each said electro-magnetic lock keeping each door closed in the absence of the abnormal condition, and a controlling means continually monitoring the "smart detectors." Once the abnormal condition has been detected, the controlling unit immediately turns down the power supplied to each electromagnetic lock and, with a certain delay, actuates the siren and/or flashing strobe.
Nguyen, in the '296 patent, teaches an animal holding facility with an automatic evacuation system. An automatic fire, smoke and/or carbon dioxide detection system utilizing a plurality of smoke, fire and/or carbon monoxide sensors is disclosed by Nguyen. An audible alarm activates upon triggering of the sensors. A common fire door opens automatically and a hydraulic animal ejection means gently sweeps or guides the animal out of the kennel through the fire exits.
Conway discloses a system and method for freeing a pet from a portable holding cage in his '714 patent. The portable holding cage is provided with a door that can be locked in a closed position by an electromechanical lock. The operation of the lock is controlled by a systems controller which monitors alarm signals transmitted to it from a remote smoke detector. The transmitted alarm signals can be audible alarm signals, radio alarm signals or optical alarm signals. Once the alarm signal is received and identified by the systems controller, the systems controller activates the lock and opens the door to the holding cage.
Other devices have been developed to overcome these and similar problems associated with the location of a pet in conditions of low visibility. Typical of the art are those devices disclosed in the following U.S. patents:
U.S. Pat. No.Inventor(s)Issue Date5,140,946J. F. Pennock et al.Aug. 25, 19925,523,927J. A. GokeyJun. 4, 19966,394,040W. AxelMay 28, 20026,892,678V. ChengMay 17, 20056,970,090M. SciarraNov. 29, 2005
Of these patents, Pennock et al., in their '946 patent, disclose an illuminated pet collar including a housing for a battery power source and an elongated transparent display tube having a plurality of spaced apart miniature lights operably connected therein and along substantially the entire length thereof. The housing includes a stem or extension tube extending from each end thereof sized to be snugly inserted into each end of the display tube.
The '927 patent issued to Gokey discloses an illuminated collar including a collar for placement on an animal, at least one light emitting diode (LED) placed on the outer exterior of the collar to be visible when the collar is worn. The LEDs are activated via a motion sensitive switch designed to respond to the motion of the animal. A timing circuit is triggered by the open and closed state of the motion sensitive switch which turns the LEDs off after a predetermined duration, to thereby prevent constant and re-illumination of the light emitting diodes before the motion sensitive switch can change state from open to closed again. An intermittent flashing of the light emitting diodes is established for constant movement. A low battery detection circuit sounds an audible alarm to warn the user of a low battery.
Axel, in her '040 patent, teaches a lighted safety collar for pets including a plurality of light emitting units slidably attached to a strap. Each of the light emitting units includes a housing with a base and a lens formed of a rigid, translucent material. A light control circuit is provided having a battery, a low-power light source, and a switch for selectively operating the light source.
In his '678 patent, Cheng discloses a pet collar capable of reflecting and emitting light to alert vehicle drivers as to the presence of the pet in a poorly-lit place, or at the time of poor visibility. The '678 device includes a strip body, a protective piece, an integrated circuit control board, a printed circuit piece, and a housing. The protective piece is either previous to the light or capable of reflecting light emitted by a motor vehicle or the like. The protective piece is attached to the outer side of the strip body to form a pocket in which the printed circuit piece is contained. The printed circuit piece includes a plurality of LED bulbs and is connected to the integrated circuit control board which is fastened with the strip body in conjunction with the housing.
Finally, Sciarra teaches a pet tracking collar comprising a length of clear flexible tubing having a fastener adapted to fasten around the pet in his '090 patent. Hermetically sealed within the tubing is an electrical ribbon cable extending through the length thereof. A plurality of light-emitting diodes, visible through the clear tubing, is wirelessly connected at spaced intervals to the cable. The tracking collar also includes an antenna within the electrical ribbon cable, and a radio transmitter secured to the cable adapted to transmit a radio frequency signal. A radio frequency signal receiver determines direction or distance of the collar with respect to the receiver.


The present invention provides compounds useful, for example, for treating metabolic disorders in a subject. Such compounds have the general formula I:

The production of insulin is central to the regulation of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Insulin imbalances lead to conditions such as type II diabetes mellitus, a serious metabolic disease that afflicts around 5% of the population in Western Societies and over 150 million people worldwide. Insulin is secreted from pancreatic β cells in response to elevated plasma glucose which is augmented by the presence of fatty acids. The recent recognition of the function of the G-protein coupled receptor GPR40 in modulating insulin secretion has provided insight into regulation of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in vertebrates, and further provided targets for the development of therapeutic agents for disorders such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and dyslipidemia.
GPR40 is a member of the gene superfamily of G-protein coupled receptors ("GPCRs"). GPCRs are membrane proteins characterized as having seven putative transmembrane domains that respond to a variety of molecules by activating intra-cellular signaling pathways critical to a diversity of physiological functions. GPR40 was first identified as an orphan receptor (i.e., a receptor without a known ligand) from a human genomic DNA fragment. Sawzdargo et al. (1997) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 239: 543-547. GPR40 is highly expressed in pancreatic β cells and insulin-secreting cell lines. GPR40 activation is linked to modulation of the Gq family of intra-cellular signaling proteins and concomitant induction of elevated calcium levels. It has been recognized that fatty acids serve as ligands for GPR40, and that fatty acids regulate insulin secretion through GPR40. Itoh et al. (2003) Nature 422:173-176; Briscoe et al. (2003) J. Biol. Chem. 278: 11303-11311; Kotarsky et al. (2003) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 301: 406-410.
Various documents have disclosed compounds reportedly having activity with respect to GPR40. For example, WO 2004/041266 and EP 1559422 disclose compounds that purportedly act as GPR40 receptor function regulators. WO 2004/106276 and EP 1630152 are directed to condensed ring compounds that purportedly possess GPR40 receptor function modulating action. More recently, WO 2005/086661 U.S. Patent Publication No. 2006/0004012, US Patent Publication No. 2006/0270724, and US Patent Publication No. 2007/0066647 disclose compounds useful for modulating insulin levels in subjects and useful for treating type II diabetes.
Although a number of compounds have been disclosed that reportedly modulate GPR40 activity, the prevalence of type II diabetes, obesity, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and dyslipidemia underscores the need for new therapies to effectively treat or prevent these conditions.
Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) is a peptide that is secreted from the enteroendocrine L-cells of the gut in response to an oral glucose load or food ingestion. The active forms of GLP-1 are processed from a precursor and are denoted GLP-1(7-37) and GLP-1(7-36) amide. GLP-1 has many effects on peripheral tissues. GLP-1 activates its cognate receptor GLP-1R (GLP-1 receptor) on pancreatic beta cells and potentiates glucose stimulated insulin secretion. Additionally, GLP-1 decreases glucagon levels, increases insulin biosynthesis, increases beta cell mass, decreases beta cell apoptosis and inhibits gastric emptying. These activities contribute to an improvement in hyperglycemia, and GLP-1 and GLP-1 mimetics have proven useful in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. GLP-1 has also been found to decrease body weight. Therefore, GLP-1 secretagogues may be useful in treating obesity and preparing medicaments for treating obesity. The decrease in body weight may result from the activities of GLP-1 to inhibit gastric emptying and to increase satiety. The GLP-1 receptor is also expressed in the heart and GLP-1 has been demonstrated to have cardioprotective effects and may be useful in the treatment of cardiovascular disease. The importance of GLP-1 with respect to diabetes, obesity and cardioprotection underscores a need for new therapies and compounds that stimulate GLP-1 secretion.

Abstract: where the definitions of the variables are provided herein. The present invention also provides compositions that include, and methods for using, the compounds in preparing medicaments and for treating metabolic disorders such as, for example, type II diabetes.


A fracturing fluid comprises (a) a carrier, (b) a nucleating agent capable of reducing the concentration of scale-forming ingredients and/or natural occurring radioactive materials (NORMs) present in an aqueous subterranean fluid, and optionally (c) an ingredient selected from the group consisting of proppants, friction-reducing additives, fluid-loss-control additives, gelling agents, bactericides, and scale stabilizers. The fracturing fluid is employed in hydraulic fracturing procedures to, among other things, reduce the concentration of the scale-forming ingredients and/or NORMs present in produced aqueous subterranean fluids.

The present invention relates to (a) hydraulic fracturing techniques, (b) hydraulic fracturing fluids, and (c) hydraulically fractured subterranean formations.
A common problematic occurrence is the formation of scale proximate and/or within the casing of a production well as well as within equipment handling aqueous fluids produced from a subterranean formation. The scale can reduce, and even totally block, the production of oil or gas or geothermal fluid from the production well. In addition, in subterranean formations containing a high level of a naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM), such as .sup.226 Ra and .sup.228 Ra, the scale formed in the casing and equipment can reach levels which require the scale-containing casing and equipment to be handled and disposed of as a radioactive waste.
Some aqueous subterranean fluids contain both scale-forming constituents and NORMs, while other aqueous fluids essentially contain only one of these adverse constituents.

Hydraulic fracturing technique employing in situ precipitation


A vehicular exterior component, such as a handle assembly for a closure of a vehicle, includes a force-based sensor disposed behind an outer wall and responsive to forces applied thereto. The vehicular exterior component may include a force-sensitive printed circuit board (PCB) configured to detect touch forces at either of an inner surface or an outer surface of the outer wall of the vehicular exterior component and to distinguish between those different touch forces in order to provide corresponding unlock or lock signals. A short-range RADAR antenna may be disposed within the vehicular exterior component and adjacent to the outer wall. A passive keyless entry (PKE) antenna may also disposed within the vehicular exterior component and adjacent to the outer wall.

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.
Electronic latch systems, also called smart latches, are becoming increasingly attractive for vehicle manufacturers to replace mechanical linkages between handles and other hardware with latch mechanisms in vehicle closures, such as doors and lift gates or tailgates. A capacitive sensor, such as a touch pad, can be used to replace external handle switch in such a smart latch system, for example, for entry of a code sequence to open, lock, or unlock the door, or a swipe or wave hand gesture. However, capacitive sensors have several disadvantages, such as susceptibility to moisture from rain, melting snow or spilled beverages, which can render switches that use capacitive sensors useless. Further, false activations, due to water presence over the capacitive sensor for example, may unintentionally cause the release or activation of the smart latch. Capacitive sensors are also ineffective at detecting touches by hands covered by items such as gloves or bandages.
Many passenger vehicles and trucks are now equipped with keyless entry systems that function alone or in combination with a traditional mechanical-type (i.e., key) entry system. In many instances, the keyless entry system includes a portable device, such as a key fob, having pushbuttons that can be manipulated to unlock/lock the vehicle doors as well as perform other functions (e.g., opening a trunk or lift gate, selective activation of alarms, and/or the ignition system) through encoded RF signals transmitted to a vehicle-installed receiver. Typically, the signals supplied to the receiver are primarily used to control the selective locking and unlocking of a power-operated door latch mechanism.
Certain vehicles may be equipped with a vehicle-mounted keyless entry system. Typically, a touch device, such as a keypad, is mounted to the vehicle in close proximity to the door handle (e.g., on the door or the B-pillar) which enables an authorized user to enter a passcode consisting of a sequence of alpha or numerical codes. Upon verification of the passcode, an on-board controller unit controls operation of the power-operated door latch mechanism. The keypad may also be used to control other vehicle operational functions such as, for example, power release of the gas tank cover or the tailgate lift system following entry and verification of the correct passcode. Some keypads use pushbuttons and/or switches to enter the authentication code. One example of a touchless keyless entry keypad associated with a vehicle entry system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,400,265, the entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference. As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,400,265, a plurality of proximity sensors, such as capacitive sensors, are used as the code input interfaces associated with the keypad.
Still other vehicles may be equipped with a passive keyless entry (PKE) system which utilizes a transmitter carried by the user to provide a signal to the vehicle mounted receiver for controlling activation of the power-operated door latch mechanism with some limited tactile input from the user. Typically, close proximity of the transmitter to the vehicle and a single action, such as touching the door handle or waving in proximity to a motion detector, act to control the locking and unlocking function of the vehicle door. While such keyless entry systems have found widespread applications in vehicle door systems (i.e., passenger doors, tailgates and closure doors), a need exists to continually advance the art and address known deficiencies associated with conventional keyless entry systems.
Another need to be addressed includes non-contact object detection (NCOD) using sensors mounted in a vehicle and simultaneously providing a smooth appearance on the vehicle. Radar sensors are commonly used for non-contact object detection in vehicles. Vehicles commonly include external components such as handles or side light modules that may be used to house one or more components of a radar sensor. However, such external components present several considerations, such as limited packaging space and transmission of RF radiation through any structure overlying the radar sensor.

Handle assembly for vehicular closure panels having integrated antenna and force sensor configuration


A gesture recognition apparatus for recognizing a gesture of a predetermined operating body includes a storage unit, having stored therein, correspondence relationships between a plurality of coordinate ranges in relation to the operating body and to a plurality of operation target apparatuses, each of the plurality of coordinate ranges further corresponding to each operation target apparatus of the plurality of operation target apparatuses. An image capturing unit captures one or more images of the operating body, a coordinate detecting detects coordinates of the operating body based on the one or more captured images, and an operation target apparatus specifying unit selects an operation target apparatus corresponding to the detected coordinates of the operating body and the stored correspondence relationships. A gesture recognition processing unit recognizes a gesture associated with the operating body based on one or more captured images and corresponding to the selected operation target apparatus.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a gesture recognition method and apparatus, and particularly relates to a gesture recognition method and apparatus for recognizing gestures of an operating body.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, various devices, such as household electrical appliances, personal computers, or game consoles, which may recognize gestures of a user and perform command entry corresponding to the recognition result, have become widespread.
In this kind of apparatus, the more commands there are that may be entered by gestures of a user with a hand, the more a user must memorize specific hand motions. Therefore, only simple hand motions in an upward, downward, right, or left direction or the like have been predominantly used.
With only a limited number of hand motions; however, operation of a plurality of operation target apparatuses is limited. Therefore, various techniques have been proposed in which a hand motion is combined with a sound, a line of sight, or an orientation of a face (see, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2000-163196, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2007-121576, and Japanese Patent Registration No. 4311190).
When an element other than gestures with a hand, such as a sound, a line of sight, or an orientation of a face, is to be a target of recognition; however, a user is forced to make complex motions, and moreover a plurality of different kinds of recognition processing need to be performed, which is disadvantageous with respect to operability, cost, and response time.

Gesture recognition apparatus, gesture recognition method, and recording medium


A plasma processing apparatus includes a processing chamber; a plasma generating unit for generating a plasma of a gas supplied into the processing chamber; a substrate mounting table, disposed in the processing chamber, for mounting a semiconductor substrate having a surface on which an etching and/or a film forming process is to be performed. The apparatus further includes a metal member disposed in the processing chamber and to be etched by the plasma generated in the processing chamber to release a precursor of a film to be formed by the film forming process into the processing chamber; a gas supply unit for supplying a first and a second gas into the processing chamber, wherein the second gas which includes halogen atoms and is different from the first gas; a first and a second wiring for supplying high frequency power to the metal member and the substrate mounting table, respectively.

A plasma processing apparatus is used in manufacturing semiconductor devices. The plasma processing apparatus performs an etching process, a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process, and the like on a semiconductor wafer, by using plasma. The plasma processing apparatus generates the plasma in a processing chamber while a semiconductor wafer is mounted on a substrate mounting table disposed in the processing chamber. Then, a predetermined plasma process is performed on a surface of the wafer by the plasma.
Depending on plasma sources for generating the plasma, plasma processing methods or apparatuses are classified as capacitively coupled plasma (CCP), electron cyclotron resonance plasma (ECRP), helicon wave plasma (HWP), inductively coupled plasma (ICP), and microwave excitation surface wave plasma (SWP). In the plasma sources except for the CCP, a discharge power and a bias power are independently controllable. Therefore, these plasma sources are used to make the control of an etching shape and the like easy.
In a semiconductor manufacturing process, a plasma processing apparatus is employed as an apparatus included in, for example, a metal film forming system. Patent References 1 and 2 disclose a metal film forming system 100 in which a plasma processing apparatus is included as a pre-cleaning device 115 for a semiconductor wafer, as illustrated in FIG. 9. The metal film forming system 100 includes a transfer chamber 110, a transfer arm 119, and a group of devices 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117 and 118 disposed around the transfer chamber 110. The group of devices includes cassette chambers 111 and 112, a degassing chamber 113, a titanium (Ti) film forming device 114, a pre-cleaning device 115, a titanium nitride (TiN) film forming device 116, an aluminum (Al) film forming device 117, and a cooling chamber 118.
The metal film forming system 100 is used for forming a barrier layer on a semiconductor wafer in which a contact hole and/or a via hole are formed and forming a metal layer (Al wiring) by burying Al within the hole on the barrier layer thus formed. Specifically, the transfer arm 119 takes out one sheet of a semiconductor wafer from the cassette chamber 111 and tranfers the semiconductor wafer into the pre-cleaning device 115 so that a native oxide film on a surface of the semiconductor wafer is removed by plasma etching.
Subsequently, the transfer arm 119 transfers the semiconductor wafer into the degassing chamber 113 so that a degassing process is performed on the semiconductor wafer. Subsequently, the transfer arm 119 transfers the semiconductor wafer into the Ti film forming device 114 so as to form a Ti film and then transfers it into the TiN film forming device 116 so as to form a TiN film as a barrier layer. Further, the Al wiring is formed on the semiconductor wafer by the Al film forming device 117. Finally, the semiconductor wafer is cooled in the cooling chamber 118 and is transferred into the cassette chamber 112.
Accordingly, the barrier layer and the metal layer (Al wiring) which is formed on the barrier layer and is conducted to an impurity diffusion region are formed on, for example, the semiconductor wafer in which the contact hole if formed, wherein the contact hole passes through an interlayer insulating film to the impurity diffusion region.
In semiconductor manufacturing, a plasma processing apparatus is used as a plasma etching apparatus as well as a plasma CVD apparatus. A film formed by the CVD of the plasma CVD has an improved step coverage, compared to a film formed by sputtering. Therefore, the CVD is more favorable than the sputtering, when a barrier layer is needed to be formed inside the contact hole, the via hole and the like, for example, for the case of the metal film forming system 100.
However, in the CVD, a material of a film needs to be vaporized to be supplied into a chamber. A vaporizing device of the material of a film is one of the factors for preventing a reduction in a manufacturing cost in a CVD apparatus. Further, in the CVD, a vaporable material of a film needs to be used. Therefore, in the CVD, available materials for a film are limited. This limitation can be a factor increasing the manufacturing cost since high price materials may have to be used in the manufacturing process, depending on a kind of films to be formed. For example, iridium (Ir) is used as a material in an electrode film of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) which is noticed as a material for ferroelectric RAM. However, the materials for forming an Ir film by metal organic CVD (MOCVD) is very expensive.    [Patent Reference 1] Japanese Patent Laid-open Application No. 2002-237486    [Patent Reference 2] Japanese Patent Laid-open Application No. 2003-124201


As an electronic pen (16) moves across a display screen (12), a position resolver (14) generates a series of x,y-coordinate positions which are sent to a remote computer system (20) having a relatively high latency or time delay before the positions are processed and intended display information is returned to the memory cells of a memory array (24) which controls the display on the display screen (12). During the time delay, a temporary display of the trajectory is created, preferably in light gray or another distinguishable color. Each x,y-coordinate position is compared (32) with an immediately preceding coordinate position to determine whether the pen has moved. If so, the new coordinate is stored in a memory (36) which stores a preselected number of the most recent coordinate positions and to a toggle circuit (38) which toggles a preselected bit of the display information stored in the corresponding memory cell of the memory array. After a preselected time, determined by clocking the recent coordinate position memory (36), the oldest stored coordinate position is clocked out and display information in the memory cell corresponding to the clocked out coordinate position is retrieved (42) and analyzed (44). If the toggled bit is still in the toggled position, the toggle circuit (38) toggles it back to the initial state. If the preselected bit has been reset by the intended drawing in the interim, it is not altered.

The present invention relates to the electronic drawing and display arts. It finds particular application in conjunction with tablet computers and will be described with particular reference thereto. However, it is to be appreciated that the present invention will also find application in other high latency drawing systems.
Heretofore, tablet computer systems have commonly included a drawing and display pad, such as a 640.times.480 grid of display cells. A memory array, for example 640.times.480.times.2, stored an indication whether each cell of the memory should be displayed as black or white.
The tablet computer systems further included an electronic writing pen and a pen sensitive surface overlying the display. The writing pen and sensitive surface, along with conventional resolver circuitry provided the x,y-coordinates of the writing pen relative to the coordinate system of the display grid. The x,y-coordinates of the pen were clocked out at regular, short intervals such that the output was a series of x,y-coordinates indicating the trajectory (or stationary position) of the pen.
The trajectory information was transferred by radio, cable,or other data link central computer. The central computer included the processing and drawing software for performing a number of drawing, recognition, or other operations based on the pen input. Typically, a relatively large number of tablet computers were networked with the central computer. After the central computer processed the trajectory information, it calculated appropriate displays to be displayed on the tablet computer screen. Often, but not always, the display included the immediate preceding trajectory of the electronic pen.
One of the drawbacks of the system resided in the latency or time lag between when the pen was moved and when time the central computer caused the local tablet computer to display the trajectory which the electronic pen had followed. Depending on system load, a lag or delay of 1-2 seconds was not uncommon. In 1-2 seconds, a user could write several words or even a complete communication either graphically or textually. Most users found it disconcerting to have no visual feedback as the pen moved. The trajectory was displayed a short time later, often in a sudden burst, i.e., the whole display or recent writings appeared at once.
The present invention provides a new and improved method and apparatus for providing the user with immediate feedback of the electronic pen's trajectory.


A method for classifying defects of an object includes irradiating lights having different polarizations onto the object to create an inspection spot on the object, collecting scattered lights generated by the irradiated lights scattering from the inspection spot, and classifying defects of the object by type of defect by analyzing the scattered lights. An apparatus for classifying defects of an object includes light creating means emitting lights having different polarizations to create an inspection spot on the object, and a detecting member for collecting scattered lights that are created from the lights scattering from the inspection spot, wherein the scattered lights are analyzed and classified in accordance with defects positioned on the inspection spot of the object.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for classifying defects of an object. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for rapidly inspecting and classifying defects, such as particles or scratches, of an object, such as a wafer.
2. Description of the Related Art
A semiconductor fabricating process indispensably requires a process for inspecting defects of an object, such as a wafer. For example, after forming fine patterns on the wafer using a photolithography process, defects, such as particles or micro-scratches, may be generated on the pattern formed on the wafer. In addition, when a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process is performed on the wafer including the patterns, additional defects may be generated on the pattern formed on the wafer.
Conventional inspection equipment may inspect only whether defects are present on the patterns. Conventionally, an inspector directly identifies defects either by the naked eye or by using an additional review tool.
As inspection equipment has rapidly improved, an ability to manage scores of defects has improved to an ability to manage hundreds or thousands of defects. At the same time, the time and the effort for classifying the defects have remarkably increased. This increase in time and effort decreases a productivity of a semiconductor device. To prevent this decrease in the productivity of the semiconductor device, the inspection process is only performed on selected portions of the wafers. However, this selective inspection causes another problem in that a reliability of the inspection process may be lowered. Accordingly, a method and an apparatus for fast and efficient classification of defects are in demand.
FIG. 1 is a flow chart illustrating a conventional method for classifying defects of a wafer.
Referring to FIG. 1, in step S11, a surface of a wafer is scanned using defect inspecting equipment. In step S12, the defect inspecting equipment obtains information concerning the number and coordinates of defects generated on the wafer. In step S13, a server stores this information from the defect inspecting equipment.
In step S14, it is determined whether the number of defects exceeds a count specification. If the number of the defects on the wafer exceeds the count specification, a semiconductor fabricating process will be suspended due to a "spec out interlock" thereof. Subsequently, in step S15, the wafer is transferred to a review tool and is reviewed. Here, the review process represents a process that identifies the shape and formation of the defects on the wafer by an inspector using the review tool in accordance with the information concerning the defects. The review tool may be a microscope or a scanning electron microscope (SEM).
In step S16, the review process determines whether the extent to which defects on the wafer may affect the semiconductor manufacturing processes. In particular, it is determined whether the defects exceed a critical defect specification. If the defects on the wafer exceed the critical defect specification, in step S17, the semiconductor fabricating process is suspended due to a "spec out interlock" thereof.
If the number of defects fails to exceed the count specification in step S14 or the defects fail to exceed the critical defect specification in step S16, then, in step S18, subsequent semiconductor manufacturing processes are advanced.
FIGS. 2A and 2B are graphs illustrating results of a conventional method for classifying defects according to a manual review process.
Referring to FIG. 2A, when a number of defects detected exceeds a reference number, for example, about 200, the wafer is reviewed to determine whether further processes should be suspended or advanced.
In the review process, a worker, i.e., the inspector, visually inspects the defects on the wafer. The worker manually classifies the types of the defects, and then inputs the information concerning the classified defects onto a server, where the information is stored. Types of stored defects may be classified as shown in FIG. 2B. Specifically, a type I defect corresponds to a critical defect, from among type I to type IV defects. The number of type I defects may determine whether further processes are suspended or advanced. For example, type I defects indicate particles, type II defects represent flat defects, type III defects indicate contact recesses, and type IV defects represent scratches.
Since a conventional inspecting apparatus determines the review process in accordance with the total number of the defects on the wafer, the conventional inspecting apparatus may not discriminate between severity or types of the defects when the total number of the defects is below a reference number, even if all of the defects are of the most severe variety. As a practical matter, this often occurs in semiconductor manufacturing processes. Here, the reference number of the defects may be properly adjusted in the processes after the occurrence.
Particularly, when the number of the defects is in a range of about hundreds to thousands, a problem occurs in that not all of the defects may be classified because a time of the review process may be prohibitively long.
Furthermore, the classification of the defects through manual review may lack objectivity in view of the subjective judgment of the inspector. For example, the conventional inspecting apparatus inspects about 200 to about 300 wafers per day. The number of wafers inspected per day in one fabricating line using seven inspecting apparatuses is about 1,400 to about 2,100. Thus, only a small number of wafers are actually reviewed among the inspected wafers.
To overcome the problems caused by manual inspection, there is disclosed an auto defect classification (ADC). A method according to the ADC includes inspecting the defects on the wafer, determining coordinates of the defects, verifying images of the defects stored in the server and classifying the defects. The classification can be automatically performed in the ADC. However, the ADC may be practically employed in the present because the inspecting time of the ADC is much longer than that of the manual inspection and also initial conditions may not be easily set in the ADC.

Method and apparatus for classifying defects of an object


A radio communication apparatus may receive transmit power control commands transmitted from a plurality of base station apparatuses and select a main base station apparatus having the best channel condition based on a history of received transmit power control commands. Thereafter, the apparatus transmits a signal using an error coding scheme and a modulation scheme provided by the selected main base station apparatus.

In a radio communication system in recent years, scheduling of data transmission on a downlink such as HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) is attracting attention on one hand and scheduling of data transmission on an uplink is under study on the other.
During scheduling on an uplink, a base station apparatus sequentially assigns data transmission timings to communication terminal apparatuses within the own cell and the communication terminal apparatuses transmit their signals at the respective assigned transmission timings.
More specifically, for example, the base station apparatus estimates the channel quality of the downlink up to the respective communication terminal apparatuses from transmit power when transmitting signals to the respective communication terminal apparatuses within the own cell. Then, uplink scheduling is realized by assigning transmission timings on the uplink to the communication terminal apparatuses in descending order of channel quality (e.g., see Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 2002-290327).
However, the above described uplink scheduling has a problem that even when there is a communication terminal apparatus in the process of soft handover within the own cell, the base station apparatus performs uplink scheduling regardless and independently of the base station apparatus at the handover destination of the communication terminal apparatus in the process of soft handover. That is, when a communication terminal apparatus has established communications with a plurality of base station apparatuses to realize soft handover, if the communication terminal apparatus sends a signal at a transmission timing assigned by one base station apparatus, the signal also arrives at other base station apparatuses which are communicating with other communication terminal apparatuses and causes interference with their communications.
This problem will be explained more specifically with reference to FIG. 1.
In FIG. 1, communication terminal apparatuses (MS) #3 and MS#4 are communicating with a base station apparatus (BTS) #1 and MS#5 and MS#6 are communicating with a BTS#2. Furthermore, the MS#1 and MS#2 are moving from the cell of the BTS#1 to the cell of the BTS#2 (or from the cell of the BTS#2 to the cell of the BTS#1) and are in the process of soft handover which allows the MS#1 and MS#2 to communicate with both of the base station apparatuses BTS#1 and BTS#2.
Under such circumstances, for example, the BTS#1 performs uplink scheduling and a transmission timing is assigned to the MS#1 which is in the process of soft handover. At this time, the MS#1 sends a signal at the assigned transmission timing and this signal reaches not only the BTS#1 but also the BTS#2.
On the other hand, the BTS#2 is also autonomously performing uplink scheduling and if a transmission timing has been assigned, for example, to the MS#6 when the signal from the MS#1 arrives, the signals from the MS#1 and MS#6 arrive at the BTS#2 simultaneously and the signal from the MS#1 to which no transmission timing is assigned constitutes an interference component in the received signal of the BTS#2.

Radio communication system, communication terminal device, base station device, and radio communication method

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


An anchoring member is provided with a shaft 2 for fastening to a bone and a head 3 for connection with a rod 10, the head being connected to the shaft and having a generally U-shaped cross-section with a base and two legs laterally defining a first channel for receiving the rod. The rod is retained in a desired position within the channel by a fastening member. In order to allow the anchoring member to be used not only with a rod of the appropriate diameter, but also with rods having smaller diameters the anchoring member comprises an insert member 13, 13' having a generally U-shaped cross-section forming a second channel 18 defined by its two free sides 14, 15 for receiving a rod 17 having a smaller diameter. The outer curvature of the U-shaped cross-section of the insert member 13, 13' is substantially equal to or slightly smaller than the internal curvature of the first channel 4.

The invention relates to an anchoring member for attachment to a vertebra and for connection with a first rod having a first diameter or a second rod having a second smaller diameter. The anchoring member comprises a shaft and a head for connection to the rods, the head being connected to the shaft and having a generally U-shaped cross-section with a curved base and two legs laterally defining a first channel for receiving the first or second rods and a center axis extending between the legs perpendicular to the base, a fastening member for cooperation with the legs to fasten the rods within the first channel and a cylindrical recess in said head being concentric to the center axis and extending from the free end of the legs to the base of the first channel.
Such an anchoring member is known from document WO 94/08527. The radius of the base of the U-shaped channel, which is substantially equal to half of the distance between the two legs, is chosen as a function of the diameter of the rod to be received so that the rod can be placed into the channel without getting jammed. The use of rods having different diameters requires corresponding different anchoring members having their radius of the U-shaped base adapted to the diameter of the rod. This not only increases the costs of stock-keeping, but also renders the operation proper more difficult.
Document WO 93/11715 discloses an anchoring member having a shaft to be fastened to a bone and a head for connection with a rod. The head has a generally U-shaped cross-section and two free legs defining a first channel for receiving the rod therein. In order to allow the use of rods having different diameters an insert member is provided with a generally U-shaped cross-section and a second channel defined by the two free legs thereof for receiving a rod having a smaller diameter. The length of the insert member is greater than the length of the first channel. Projections are provided at both opposite ends of the insert member and the distance between the projections is substantially equal to the length of the first channel. After insertion the two projections engage the outside of the head and thereby prevent the insert member from being relatively displaced within the channel during the adjustment operation. This changes the outer contour of the head.
It is the object of the invention to provide an anchoring member with an insert member which is formed so that the above disadvantage is avoided.


A pressure vessel penetration sidewall adjacent a tube installed in the penetration by a clearance fit is inspected by passing an eddy current probe having a pair of circumferential coils through the tube. Eddy currents are induced in the pressure vessel as the probe passes through the penetration tube and degradation of the pressure vessel adjacent the clearance is determined based upon the eddy currents induced in the pressure vessel by the probe.

The invention relates to a method of inspecting pressure vessels for corrosion wastage and other forms of degradation and more particularly to a method of inspecting the regions of pressure vessels adjacent penetration tubes installed with clearance fits and welded to the pressure vessels.
The penetration tubes welded to pressure vessels may become susceptible to stress corrosion cracking after years of on-line operation at high temperatures and high pressures. Micro-cracks may form and grow into leak paths through which the contained fluids may seep and eventually corrode the pressure vessels. Thus, it has been found that the penetration tubes extending through the heads of reactor pressure vessels in the primary systems of pressurized water nuclear reactors are susceptible to cracking. In one case, it was found that a crack had grown in a penetration tube beyond its J-groove weld and that primary water (which is a dilute boric acid solution) had leaked through the crack and corroded the shell of the pressure vessel so that a stainless steel liner was the only structure maintaining the pressure of the system. The nuclear industry now inspects the wetted surfaces of the heads of certain reactor pressure vessels in the course of each refueling outage in accordance with NRC Order EA-03-009. Thus, the wetted surfaces of the heads are inspected visually and the portions of the penetration tubes from the J-groove welds to two inches above the J-groove welds are inspected using ultrasonic, eddy current or dye penetrant techniques.
The Applicants have realized that the inspections now conducted by the nuclear industry may not detect chemical wastage or other degradation in the regions of pressure vessel penetrations adjacent clearances behind some penetration tubes (such as vents in the their heads) until boric acid residues from evaporated leaking water are visually detected on the outer surfaces of the heads during refueling outages.

Eddy current method of inspecting a pressure vessel shell


A gear ratio selection method for a transmission in a motor vehicle includes detecting a power request, detecting a vehicle speed of the motor vehicle, and providing an engine speed of the motor vehicle. A first desired engine speed is calculated from a first variogram using the power request and the vehicle speed. A second desired engine speed is calculated from a second variogram using the power request and the vehicle speed. A blend factor is determined from the power request, the vehicle speed, and the engine speed. Finally, a blended desired engine speed is calculated from the first desired engine speed, the second desired engine speed, and the blend factor. The blended desired engine speed is used to determine a gear ratio for the continuously variable transmission.

Continuously variable transmissions are known in the art and generally include primary and secondary pulleys used to continuously vary the transmission ratio of engine speed to vehicle speed in a motor vehicle. Unlike automatic and manual transmissions, continuously variable transmissions have a different driving "feel" since they do not have discrete gear selections.
One method for controlling the continuously variable transmission ratio (i.e., gear ratio) is to use predefined variograms. These variograms relate vehicle speed to requested power to determine an engine speed. This engine speed, along with the known vehicle speed, is used to calculate a gear ratio for the continuously variable transmission. However, a given variogram is different from another variogram and some variograms are tailored to economical fuel efficient driving, while others are tailored to sporty performance driving. A past solution to this has been to include two different switchable driving modes each corresponding to a different variogram. For example, providing a sports drive mode and an economy drive mode, selectable by an operator of the motor vehicle. This, however, forces the driver to manually select between the two variograms and does not allow for gear selection in between.

Ratio selection method for a continuously variable transmission


The present invention provides processes for producing a (4E)-5-chloro-2-isopropyl-4-pentenoate and an optical isomer of the (4E)-5-chloro-2-isopropyl-4-pentenoate, namely a process for producing a (4E)-5-chloro-2-isopropyl-4-pentenoate represented by the following formula (4), which comprises reacting a compound represented by the following formula (2) in the presence of an aprotic solvent (II) with a base (II) and then with (1E)-1,3-dichloro-1-propene to give a compound represented by the following formula (3), and dealkoxycarbonylating either ester in the compound represented by the following formula (3), and a process for producing a (S)-(4E)-5-chloro-2-isopropyl-4-pentenoate represented by the following formula (5), which comprises optically resolving a (4E)-5-chloro-2-isopropyl-4-pentenoate represented by the formula (4) obtained by the above-mentioned process (wherein R is a lower alkyl group or an aralkyl group).

For synthesis of (4E)-5-chloro-2-isopropyl-4-pentenoates and their analogues, the following processes have been reported.
(1) A process for producing a 5-chloro-2-isopropyl-4-pentenoate by reacting methyl isopentanoate with 1,3-dichloro-1-propene in the presence of lithium diisopropylamide (LDA) at an extremely low temperature (−78° C.) (U.S. Pat. No. 4,492,799).
(2) The process (1) in which the reaction is carried out at −15° C. by using sodium iodide (NaI) for higher reactivity (Examples in WO02/08172 and WO01/09079).
(3) A process for synthesizing 5-chloro-2-isopropyl-4-pentenoic acid, which comprises quaternary alkylation of diethyl isopropylmalonate with 1,3-dichloro-1-propene in ethanol as a solvent in the presence of sodium ethoxide (NaOC2H5), hydrolysis of the two ester linkages and monodecarboxylation of the resulting dicarboxylic acid ("Akad. Nauk Armyan, S. S. R. Khim. Nauki", 1960, vol. 13 (4), p. 259-262, (Russia)).
(4) A process for synthesizing various 4-pentenoate derivatives, which comprises quaternary alkylation of a diethyl malonate derivative with a chloropropene derivative in toluene as a solvent in the presence of sodium hydride (NaH) and dealkoxycarbonylation of either ester linkage (U.S. Pat. No. 4,492,799).
For synthesis of optically active (S)-(4E)-5-chloro-2-isopropyl-4-pentenoates and their analogues, the following processes have been reported.
(5) A process for producing ethyl (S)-(4E)-5-chloro-2-isopropyl-4-pentenoate, which comprises adding porcine liver esterase (Roche Diagnostics, Technical Grade) all at once to the racemic ethyl (4E)-5-chloro-2-isopropyl-4-pentenoate obtained by the process (2) (WO01/09079).
(6) A process for producing (S)-(4E)-5-chloro-2-isopropyl-4-pentenoic acid, which comprises hydrolyzing the racemic ethyl (4E)-5-chloro-2-isopropyl-4-pentenoate obtained by the process (2), treating the resulting racemic (4E)-5-chloro-2-isopropyl-4-pentenoic acid with optically active cinchonidine for diastereomeric salt formation, separating the (S)-diastereomer salt by recrystallization and treating the (S)-diastereomeric salt with an acid (WO01/09079).
The reports of the processes (1), (3) and (4), however, are silent about the E/Z ratio of the double bond in the 5-chloro-2-isopropyl-4-pentenoates. Further, while the process (2) was reported to give the E-isomers of a 5-chloro-2-isopropyl-4-pentenoate in yields of 84% and 76%, reproduction of experiments disclosed therein by the present inventors did not gave the E-isomer in the reported yield, but in a yield of only about 4.2%. Thus, it has been difficult to selectively synthesize the E-isomer of 5-chloro-2-isopropyl-4-pentenoates in high yields without isomerization to the Z-form.
Further, because the use of lithium diisopropylamide (LDA) requires that the reaction temperature must be kept thermostatically at such an extremely low temperature as −78° C., and because LDA is prepared from expensive n-butyllithium (n-BuLi), the process (1) is unsuitable for industrial mass production for economical reasons and in view of operational difficulties and gives the product in such a low yield as 46%. The process (2) has a problem that the product is obtained in a low yield and is difficult to purify because methyl isopentanoate as the starting material undergoes side reactions such as self-condensation. The process (3) has a problem that esterification of 5-chloro-2-isopropyl-4-pentenoic acid, which is obtainable in a 23% yield, gives a 5-chloro-2-isopropyl-4-pentenoate in a still lower yield. The process (4) is economically and operationally unsuitable for industrial mass production in view of the use of NaH.
The report of the process (5) does not sufficiently disclose the reaction conditions for production of an optically active isomer and keeps it totally unclear how to obtain the desired compound at all. The processes (5) and (6) are unsuitable for industrial mass production because the use of the process (2) for production of the racemate to be resolved lowers the total yield considerably.

Process for producing (4E)-5-chloro-2-isopropyl-4-pentenoate and optically active form thereof


Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to liquid-cooled cylinder heads. In one example embodiment, a cylinder head is disclosed including a component which extends into a combustion chamber, an upper cooling jacked, a lower cooling jacket, a plurality of valves arranged around the component, a plurality of cylinder head screws, an oil deck, a fire deck, a plurality of valve guides, and a fixed connection. The fixed connection is arranged from each valve guide to the component, and is a ring having at least one support. The support and the ring extend at least from the oil deck to the fire deck thereby hounding the combustion chamber, and the component is connected to the plurality of cylinder head screws.

The invention relates to a liquid-cooled cylinder head having a component extending into a combustion chamber, wherein an upper cooling jacket and a lower cooling jacket are provided and a plurality of valves are disposed around the component, wherein cylinder head screws are provided.
Such cylinder heads are well known from the prior art. The component may be a spark plug, an injector for fuel injection or a receiving sleeve of a spark plug or an injector. The valves here include intake valves and exhaust valves. In prior-art cylinder heads, a force is introduced into the cylinder head by cylinder head screws and the explosive combustion of the fuel in a combustion chamber. The force thereby extends only locally at the points of introduction, leading to deformations in the cylinder head. This can lead to the cylinder head gasket being damaged by these deformations and to further leakage.
Furthermore, due to the local application of force, the valve guide is often also affected by deformation, which can sometimes lead to problems when the valve is actuated and to uneven loads on the valve disc and uneven wear.
It is the object of the present invention to provide a cylinder head by which the deformations are reduced.


An evaporator header can include a header body having one or more walls that define an inner cavity configured to receive a first flow of refrigerant from a plurality of evaporator flow paths. A liquid line portion can extend through the inner cavity, can define a liquid line flow path that is fluidly separated from the inner cavity, and can be configured to receive a second flow of refrigerant. A plurality of apertures can extend through the one or more walls of the header body. The evaporator head can include a plurality of flow path connectors, and each can be configured to facilitate at least some of the first flow of refrigerant from a corresponding evaporator flow path of the plurality of evaporator flow paths, into the inner cavity via a corresponding aperture of the plurality of apertures, and across at least some of the liquid line portion.

Direct expansion refrigeration systems typically include an indoor evaporator unit with evaporator coils that are configured to pass a refrigerant therethrough. The refrigerant passing through the evaporator coils absorbs heat from air that is to be conditioned, expands, and eventually converts to vapor. To prevent any of the refrigerant from entering a compressor of the refrigeration system in a liquid state, conventional direct expansion refrigeration systems superheat the refrigerant to the vapor state inside the evaporator coils using the air that is to be conditioned. However, superheating the refrigerant inside the evaporator coils reduces the evaporator capacity and efficiency because the refrigerant in the vapor state does not absorb much heat from the air that is to be conditioned. That is, the portion of the evaporator coil where the refrigerant is operated in the vapor state experiences low refrigerant to air heat transfer when compared to a remainder of the evaporator coil where the refrigerant is operated in a two-phase state, thereby reducing an overall efficiency and capacity of the evaporator. Further, the superheat is limited to the temperature difference between the air that is to be conditioned and the temperature of the refrigerant in the evaporator coils.
In view of the recent changes to the efficiency requirements for refrigeration systems, e.g., requirements mandated by the United States Department of Energy (DOE) for the year 2020, there is an imminent need to improve the efficiency and capacity of refrigeration systems. One method to improve the efficiency of the refrigeration systems is to increase the surface area of the evaporator coils by either increasing the number of evaporator coils and/or the length of the evaporator coils. However, said method of increasing the surface area of the evaporator coils would result in added material cost, thereby increasing the overall price of the refrigeration systems which may be undesirable. Another method to improve the capacity of the refrigeration systems is to increase the fan speed and/or increase the amount of air blown across the evaporator coils. However, said method of increasing the fan speed or volume of air blown across the evaporator coils consumes more power and may not meet the efficiency requirements mandated by the DOE. Further, both the above mentioned methods would require a size or footprint of the evaporator to be increased which may be impractical considering that the evaporator is an indoor unit and there are space constraints. Yet another method to improve the efficiency of the refrigeration systems is to use a suction heat exchanger that superheats the refrigerant from the evaporator using the hot condensate refrigerant liquid from the condenser. However, conventional suction heat exchangers are only available as an external option that can be field installed outside of the evaporator, which may be undesirable because it results in additional cost to the end user and would require labor for installation. Further, in said method using suction heat exchangers installed external to the evaporator, sensing elements associated with the operation of the expansion valve of the refrigeration system would have to be located external to the evaporator at the outlet of the suction heat exchanger where the refrigerant is superheated, which may be undesirable.
It is noted that this background information is provided to reveal information believed by the applicant to be of possible relevance to the present disclosure. No admission is necessarily intended, nor should be construed, that any of the preceding information constitutes prior art against the present disclosure.
The drawings illustrate only example embodiments of the present disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, as the present disclosure may admit to other equally effective embodiments. The elements and features shown in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the example embodiments. Additionally, certain dimensions or positions may be exaggerated to help visually convey such principles.

Evaporator header liquid suction heat exchangers


A control system for construction machinery, includes a hydraulic pump, first and second actuators connected to the hydraulic pump through first and second parallel lines respectively, first and second control valves installed in the first and second parallel lines respectively and configured to control operations of the first and second actuators, first and second spool displacement adjusting valves configured to control displacement amounts of the spools of the first and second control valves, and a controller configured to output a control signal to the first and second spool displacement adjusting valves corresponding to a manipulation signal of an operator, and configured to limit a spool displacement amount of the second control valve according to the manipulation signal for the first actuator when the manipulation signal for a multiple operation of the first and second actuators is received.

Recently, in construction machinery, an electro-hydraulic main control valve with an electro proportional pressure reducing valve (EPPRV) may be used. In construction machinery including a hydraulic main control valve, when a multiple operation of actuators having different working pressures is performed, an orifice structure may be installed in a hydraulic line to adjust balance in flow distribution between the actuators.
However, inefficient flow distribution and deterioration in controllability may occur due to a fixed orifice area in the orifice structure, and when a relatively great load is exerted on the actuator, fuel efficiency may be decreased due to pressure loss.

System and method for controlling construction machine


A traffic information providing system externally acquires traffic information including information relating to the travel time of a link, calculates a travel time for a non-provision link to which no travel time is provided through estimate/complement operation. The estimate/complement operation is carried out with use of travel times, emergencies, travel times of links in the vicinity of the non-provision link, and so on, obtained in the near past. The system stores and statistically processes the externally-acquired traffic information, and also estimates a travel time in the near future. When there is an abnormality in the acquired traffic information, the system deletes the abnormality, regards the information as a non-provision link, calculates a probability distribution of travel times of links, calculates a probability distribution of travel times of the entire route made up of a plurality of links, and also calculates a probability for a specific travel time range.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a car navigation system and more particular, to a technique of processing traffic information such as traffic jam or travel time and a technique of receiving and outputting processed traffic information in a system for performing communication between a car terminal and a server.
2. Description of the Related Art
There are disclosed systems in which when start and end points are transmitted from a car terminal to a server, the server searches for a route, searches for traffic information, and then returning both of the route and the traffic information to the terminal, in JP-A-2001-356021 and JP-A-2001-289656. In these systems, all the traffic information existing on the route are searched for and returned to the terminal.
Such a technique for estimating a travel time based on other information with respect to a link having no information about travel time as traffic information (which will be referred to as non-provision link, hereinafter) as disclosed in JP-A-7-129893, is known. In the technique, the average vehicle speed of the link is calculated based on traffic jam or congestion information included in external information. And the complementary information for the non-provision link is calculated based on the calculated average vehicle speed. The travel time of the link is also estimated based on the average vehicle speeds of individual time zones for each of previously stored links.
Such a technique for finding a reliability in the predicted value of the run time as disclosed in JP-A-2002-260142, is known. In the technique, data about run times of a road section including the road in question until the current time are collected, a run time memory table having run time data past collected is searched for one of patterns similar in the run time, and a run time memory value for the pattern is used as a predicted run time ahead of N hours. By repeating such operations, a plurality of candidates of the predicted run time are found, most frequent one of the candidates is determined as the predicted run time, and the reliability of the predicted run time is found on the basis of a spread in the distribution of the candidates.
The technique disclosed in JP-A-7-129893 is intended to be applied to a vehicle route guiding system. However, traffic information is updated from moment to moment, and when traffic information past received are also included in the first-mentioned traffic information, a memory capacity and a processing quantity correspondingly become enormous. In such a vehicle route guiding system as not enough in the memory capacity and processing performance, generally speaking, it is difficult for the system to estimate a travel time of a non-provision link on a real time basis. In addition, it is also inefficient for individual vehicle route guiding systems to perform the same operations.
The technique disclosed in JP-A-2002-260142 has a problem from a viewpoint of convenience. For example, even when a prediction error Ws within a probability S is found, the error Ws may fail to fall in a practical range. For example, the prediction error Ws within 90% of a probability S for a predicted run time value of 20 minutes becomes 100 minutes or so.

Traffic information providing system and car navigation system


In an APC control lead-in method in an image forming apparatus having a plurality of laser light sources, a laser beam emitted by at least one of the plurality of laser light sources is scanned by a deflector to detect a synchronization signal from the scanned laser beam. A first laser light source as one of the plurality of laser light sources is turned on to be led in APC control of the first laser light source. A second laser light source as the remaining one of the plurality of laser light sources is turned on in synchronism with the synchronization signal after lead-in of the APC control of the first laser light source is complete so as to be led in APC control of the second laser light source.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of leading in APC control for a multibeam optical write method which makes an optical write on an image carrier using a plurality of light beams, and an image forming apparatus using the same.
2. Related Background Art
In general, an image forming apparatus such as a printer, copying machine, facsimile apparatus, or the like makes an optical write on a photosensitive drum using a laser chip that integrates a single semiconductor laser and a single photodiode. More specifically, the semiconductor laser is driven in accordance with an image signal, and a laser beam modulated in correspondence with the image signal is linearly scanned on the photosensitive drum via a polygonal mirror, thereby making an optical write on the photosensitive drum. The photodiode detects some light components of the laser beam emitted by the semiconductor laser, and the detection signal is fed back to control the light amount of the semiconductor laser to a predetermined amount. This control will be referred to as APC control hereinafter.
In such an image forming apparatus, in order to turn on the OFF semiconductor laser and to start its APC control (to lead in the APC control) to print, a drive current is supplied to the semiconductor laser to set it continuously ON while the polygonal mirror is rotating. The light reflected by the polygonal mirror is detected by a sensor, and when a synchronization signal is detected from the output signal of the sensor, the APC control is led in synchronously with the synchronization signal, thus starting the APC control.
In the conventional technique, when an optical write is done in units of lines using a single semiconductor laser, the APC control can be easily led in, as described above. However, when optical writes are simultaneously done on a photosensitive drum by a plurality of laser beams using a plurality of semiconductor lasers, since only one photodiode is equipped in correspondence with the plurality of semiconductor lasers, it is difficult to attain the APC control of the individual semiconductor lasers by simultaneously turning on these semiconductor lasers. For this reason, it is hard to directly use the conventional APC control lead-in method for a single semiconductor laser in a multibeam write apparatus using a plurality of semiconductor lasers, and a new APC control lead-in method for a multibeam optical write is demanded.

Method of leading in APC control and image forming apparatus using the same


The present invention is directed to a storage system including a biodegradable plastic material that can be used in applications where biodegradability and biocompatibility are among primary desirable features, while having qualities which are desired for the various uses of the storage system. The present invention includes process to make the storage system and for transporting article wherein they can be stored at their destination.

Containers and bags used for storing and transporting articles have established a place in daily life. These containers and bags can be used for a child's lunch or for various medical equipment and medical specimens having specific requirements.
It is recognized in the industry that plastic films used in the manufacture of these bags and containers are superior in transparency and heat seal-ability as required in general packaging applications. Transparency is normally indicated in terms of light beam transmittance, the higher the transmittance, the better the transparency. Films with a high level of transparency are preferred as packaging material because the contents are visible from the outside.
Commonly, conventional plastic products, particularly packaging materials and "bags" are discarded soon after use resulting in disposal problems, which are numerous and must be recognized as an issue for an ecologically conscious society. Most particularly, general packaging plastics, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), etc. can be cited as problematic. These materials are high in calorific value produced during burning, which may result in incineration problems. In addition, polyvinyl chloride is resistant to burning based on its self-extinguishing property. Therefore, plastic products and materials are buried as method of disposal. Due to their chemical and biological stability, they decompose very slowly. Thus, it would be an ecologic benefit to produce plastic films used to make common bags and containers low in calorie, decompose in the soil, and are safe.
There have been many attempts to make degradable articles, however, because of costs, the difficulty in processing, and end-use properties, there has been little commercial success. Many compositions that have excellent degradability have only limited process-ability. Conversely, compositions which are processed easily have reduced degradability.
This invention is directed to a storage system which includes unique plastic materials that can be used in applications where biodegradability and biocompatibility are among primary desirable features of such applications, while having qualities which are desired for the various uses of the storage system. Further, their products must be a commercially viable method based on cost and is ecologically friendly.

Ecologically safe storage bag and transporting system and method of making same


A double-sided reversible and indexable cutting insert has identical opposing first and second end faces and a peripheral side surface extending therebetween. A clamping through-bore extends between, and opens out to, the first and second end faces. The cutting insert has a median plane between the first and second end faces, and a through-bore axis extending perpendicularly through the median plane. The cutting insert also has a Y-fold rotational symmetry about the through-bore axis. The peripheral side surface has Y major side surfaces and Y minor side surfaces, each minor side surface interconnecting two adjacent major side surfaces. Each minor side surface is a section of a single cylindrical surface having a given radius, the given radius being greater than a minor side surface distance of each minor side surface from the through-bore axis.

Such cutting inserts are generally provided with curved corners. U.S. Pat. No. 6,196,771 discloses a cutting insert having first and second side faces. Each side face includes a pair of minor cutting edges at each corner of the insert. The two minor cutting edges are located on two opposing sides of a corner bisector B, together forming an obtuse inner angle of about 170°, and are mirror-imaged about the bisector B. Two major cutting edges intersect respective ones of the minor cutting edges whereby each major cutting edge and its associated minor cutting edge together form a cooperating pair of cutting edges. There are two such cooperating pairs at each corner of each side face, whereby the insert has at least sixteen cooperating pairs. During a milling operation the insert is oriented so that only one cutting corner engages a work-piece, and only one of the cooperating pairs of cutting edges of that cutting corner is operative. Only half of the major cutting edge of each cooperating pair is effective. The minor cutting edge of the operative cooperating pair of cutting edges constitutes a wiper edge, by being arranged parallel to the surface of the work-piece, that is perpendicularly to an axis of rotation of a milling tool in which the cutting insert is mounted.
A drawback of these known inserts is that the minor cutting edge of each cooperating pair has a constant setting angle during the machining of the work-piece. Positioning deviation of the cutting insert relative to a cutter body of a milling cutter in which the cutting inserts are mounted, or axial bending of the milling cutter (which may occur under demanding machining conditions) may result in either a wiper corner adjacent the main cutting edge, or a wiper corner distal the main cutting edge of the cooperating pair cutting into the work-piece face, and thereby marring the face of a work-piece being milled.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,032,049 discloses an indexable cutting insert for face milling of engine blocks of cast iron. The insert has two opposing, substantially identical, generally square-shaped upper and lower surfaces which are perpendicularly connected by four side surfaces. Two adjacent side surfaces connect to each other via a smoothly rounded corner. The radius of the corner R is ¼ to ⅛ of a length X of the insert, and therefore the setting angle gets close to zero degrees during machining of the engine block when the insert gets close to the border line of the work piece. The corner of the cutting insert serves in machining the shoulder of a work-piece, as well as in finishing the face of the work-piece during the last pass of the milling cutter.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved cutting insert. This object is attained with the subject matter in accordance with the claims.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Cutting insert having cylindrically shaped side surface portions