A system and a process for heat treatment of glass or other materials where fan air is blown into a heating chamber via propellant air fans and the chamber air is circulated. In order to achieve effective convection, the propellant air fans have cylindrical mixing sections. Additionally, resulting air swirls flow around the heating means which are located in the heating chamber.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a systems and processes for heat treatment of glass and more specifically to heat treatment of glass in a tempering system.
2. Description of Related Art
In the heat treatment of glass, especially in a tempering system or tempering furnace, there are conventionally radiant heaters to heat the glass. The heat is injected at least in large part via heat radiation.
In particular, in so-called low-E glass (i.e., glass with low emission, conventionally by a reflective coating) a problem exists where heat injection, which is much less compared to normal glass, is possible by heat radiation. Alternatively or in addition, therefore there is heat transfer by convection (a warm or hot air flow being directed at the glass or routed past it) to improve heat exchange.
A similar problem, especially relevant again with low-E glass, resides in "key formation" as the flat glass enters such a system. The still cold incoming glass rolls on ceramic rollers of a conveyor means, where the rollers are of the temperature of the heating chamber (a temperature of roughly 700° C.). The heat transfer from the rollers to the bottom of the glass is very intensive, but the heat conduction of the glass, as a result of its low temperature, is still low. The heat radiation from the top is less effective, especially for low-E glass, so that the glass plate in the heating chamber has the tendency to arch in the manner of a key. This is especially pronounced in low-E glass in which the reflective coating is not on the top side that comes into contact with the rollers, in order to avoid damage to the coating.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,059,426, which comprises the starting point of this invention, discloses a system for heat treatment of glass. According to one version, compressed air is blown into the heating chamber by means of a propellant air fan, also called an air flow amplifier, which is located vertically above the glass. The compressed air is fed tangentially into the propellant air fan which, based on the Coanda effect, conveys the warm air located in the heating chamber through a diffuser which widens conically.
The entire volumetric flow which flows through the propellant air fan is greater by a volumetric factor of 10 to 20 than the volumetric flow of supplied fan air. In order to achieve the required high circulation of air in the heating chamber, a comparatively large volumetric flow of fan air must be supplied at the indicated volumetric factor. In order to prevent excess cooling of the air in the heating chamber by the supplied fan air, the fan air is preheated.
Published European Patent Application EP 0 058 529 A1 discloses a similar system for heat treatment of glass. In contrast to the aforementioned propellant air fans, open nozzles are arranged in rows transverse to the conveyor direction of the glass, in order to direct fan air from top and bottom onto the glass surface. The glass is conveyed in the heating chamber on rollers.
The systems for heat treatment, described in published International Patent Application WO 95/04708 A1 and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,368,624, likewise have propellant air fans for controlled delivery of air. These propellant air fans are in any case intended solely for cooling of the glass which is to be treated.
Another known heat treatment system, as described in published International Patent Application WO 00/37371 A1, shows a heating means for radiant heating underneath the glass which is to be treated and several hot air nozzles above the glass which is to be treated for heat transfer by convection. Here, the hot air nozzles are used solely to deliver fan air. The disadvantage in this concept is the danger of spot heating of the glass to be treated.


A composite voltage reference with improved temperature stability includes a monolithic voltage reference integrated circuit (“IC”). The voltage reference IC has an internal voltage reference, an internal OpAmp circuit including scaling resistors, a monolithic voltage reference IC temperature coefficient, and a user accessible input to vary a monolithic voltage reference IC output voltage. A second voltage reference has a second voltage reference temperature coefficient lower than the monolithic voltage reference IC temperature coefficient. The second voltage reference is electrically coupled to the user accessible input wherein the temperature coefficient of the composite circuit of the monolithic voltage reference IC and the second voltage reference is improved over the monolithic voltage reference IC temperature coefficient.

Voltage references are used to transfer the standard unit of voltage from a National Institute of Standards ("NIST") traceable standard to a laboratory and ultimately to an instrument or measurement circuit. Decades ago, standard chemical cells served this purpose. But, standard cells typically comprise hazardous elements such as Cadmium and Mercury in glass tubes. Even when further encased in outer cases, they are still subject to slight changes in voltage with mechanical upset and temperature.
Major laboratories needing the best primary voltage references can now use a voltage standard based on Josephson junctions. When cooled to superconducting temperatures and irradiated by a precise microwave frequency, hundreds of Josephson junctions wired in series provide a standard voltage based on physical constants. Such standards however are very expensive, costing in excess of ten thousand dollars. And they need a reservoir of liquid Helium to cool the Josephson junctions. Such standards are not practical for smaller companies or laboratories. And, they are neither small enough nor cost effective for use in precision instrumentation circuits.
Temperature compensated zener diodes, including the 1N821 family, and in particular 1N829A compensated zener diodes are stable enough to fulfill many precision voltage reference applications. Since the 1N829A diode is very sensitive to zener bias current, the reference diode bias current must be provided by a precision current source or a resistor coupled to the reference output in a "bootstrap" topology. By using precision non-inverting OpAmp configurations, a variety of desired output voltages, such as 10.000 Volts can be derived from the diodes fixed voltage near 6.2 V.
Another zener based voltage reference uses a small device comprising a zener diode type semiconductor element, an internal heater, and a temperature control circuit. The internal heater of the device package maintains the internal semiconductor elements at nearly constant temperature. Such devices can further include second and third order correction devices such as junctions and transistors on the same die. This type of device is typically packaged in a standard semiconductor package. The device package can further comprise optional outer layers of insulation, such as a plastic outer casing, to further thermally isolate the tiny oven controlled environment from the ambient atmosphere. Classic devices of this type include the National Semiconductor LM199/LM399 families. More sophisticated versions, as Linear Technology's LTZ1000 families are capable of the highest levels of precision with short term changes in voltage with temperature of better than 0.1 part per million ("ppm")/degree C. These devices however can only generate a single voltage typically falling between 6.8 and 7.1 Volts. And, they do not include an internal amplifier for driving reference loads.
Monolithic zener based voltage reference chips are the most commonly used voltage reference chips. These chips draw their precision from zener type devices and bandgap references. Monolithic voltage reference chips typically also include an internal non-inverting OpAmp circuit to generate a predetermined output voltage. Common output voltages are 1.024, 2.048, 4.096, 5.000, and 10.000 Volts. Any voltage can be generated by use of the appropriate internal resistors. One or more of these resistances are usually laser trimmed to bring absolute output voltages to within 1 to 0.1% of the rated voltage. Stability with temperature for monolithic reference integrated circuit ("IC") chips generally ranges from 5 to 50 ppm/degree C.
What is needed is an inexpensive circuit topology that can achieve the temperature stability of ovenized zener devices while offering the choice of output voltages and output drive capability available from monolithic references.

Voltage reference with enhanced stability


A portable computing device, including a keyboard illumination device and system may include a light emitter housing incorporated into the hinge element of a portable computing device. The light emitter housing may include an aperture and a light emitter and may be configured to illuminate a keyboard while keeping the source of the emitted light hidden from the user and others who may be in the vicinity of the portable computing device. The light emitter, which illuminates the keyboard, may be driven by a different light source than the light source that illuminates a display panel of the portable computing device. It follows that the brightness of the light emitter may be adjusted without having any effect on the brightness of the display panel.

In recent years, decreased prices and increased processing capability have resulted in a dramatic increase in the use of portable computing devices. Consumers are attracted to portable computing devices because, among other things, they are lightweight and allow users to perform computing tasks outside of the confines of an office. Portable computing devices are utilized in many places where computing was not previously possible (e.g., planes, automobiles, park benches, at home on a couch, etc.). The versatility of a portable computing device, however, can be limited by insufficient lighting conditions. When there is an insufficient amount of available ambient light, a user may have difficulty seeing the keyboard and may therefore find it difficult to accurately and efficiently operate the portable computing device.
To provide ambient light, some laptop computers provide task lights mounted to the top surface of the display, which is attached to the keyboard using a hinge. In this configuration, the area of illumination provided by the task lights changes when a user moves the display relative to the keyboard. When the display is tilted beyond a certain angle, the task light may fail to illuminate the keyboard at all. Tilting the display may also cause a direct light source to be visible to the user or bystanders in the vicinity. This visible direct light source can be a distraction and annoyance.
Other laptop computers illuminate the keyboard by directing a portion of light from the display panel to the keyboard. Because the keyboard illuminator and display panel share a common light source, if a user were to reduce the display brightness in a low-light environment, the light directed to the keyboard would correspondingly be reduced. When a user adjusts one, the other is necessarily adjusted as well. Additionally, this configuration may reduce display brightness, because energy is diverted from the display to the keyboard illuminators.
Certain other keyboard illumination techniques rely on moving parts, such as shutters or doors, to hide the task light when it is not needed. In such systems, the moving parts are subject to mechanical failure.
Advantages of these and other embodiments will become apparent from the following detailed description, which taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, describe by way of example—and not limitation—principles of various exemplary embodiments.

System and apparatus for keyboard illumination


Solutions for automated labeling of child objects within tagged parents include: receiving a plurality of parent objects, each having a tag and including a plurality of child objects; receiving a machine learning (ML) component operable to rank objects according to relevance to queries; for each parent object: generating a set of restricted objects, wherein each restricted object corresponds to each child object in the plurality of child objects; for each of a plurality of queries, ranking, with the ML component, the restricted objects according to relevance; based at least on the query and an inverse of the rank of the restricted objects, assigning a child object label.

In information-intensive activities, such business analytics, sales intelligence, and others, users are often presented with reports (or other data sets or documents) that have a myriad of disparate, data-rich sub-portions. For example, a user searching business intelligence reports for relevance to a certain query may receive a plethora of search result hits for which the most relevant portions are buried deep within the identified reports. This is because, when multiple reports each address multiple topics, not only may a single search find multiple reports, but any single report may be at least somewhat relevant to multiple different searches. Without a meaningful explanation for why each report was selected for a particular search, there is a risk that an overwhelmed user may fail to appreciate the significance of a relatively valuable find, and therefore not fully benefit from the available material.
Some search tools present summaries of search result hits that use the first paragraph of a document or a selection of sentences that happen to contain variants of search keywords. Neither solution is effective, however, at locating deeply-buried visualizations. Labeling of child objects (e.g., visualization and other objects) within parent objects (e.g., reports, documents, and other data sets) can permit identification of more highly relevant child objects, specific to a particular search query, when the parent object is included within the search results. Unfortunately, labeling objects to use in various tasks, such as selecting sub-portions (child objects) of search result hits to use as summaries, can be a prohibitively expensive, time-consuming process.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Automated labeling of child objects within tagged parents


The present invention is a device for cleaning surfaces comprising; a housing having a handle on one end and a cleaning head on the other end the cleaning head having an upper surface, a lower surface, a perimeter edge and a magnetic means. The magnetic means is removably attached to the cleaning head and provides a magnetic field to its lower surface. There is at least one attachment means provided on the upper surface or the perimeter for securing a cleaning sheet over the lower surface of the cleaning head.

1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to devices used in cleaning. More particularly, to dusting or sweeping devices that use magnetism to assist in collecting dust or dirt that is susceptible to a magnetic field.
2. Description of Related Art
A number of devices have been used over the centuries to remove unwanted dust and dirt particles from surfaces both inside and out. Brooms were developed long ago and were generally composed of a bundle of firm sticks or fibers bound together onto a long handle for brushing or sweeping dirt and other unwanted items from a surface. Unfortunately, not all items that impact the floor could be swept or brushed away.
Mops were designed to provide soap and water or a cleaning solution to the floor for removing organic materials. Mops have been used over the past few centuries and are generally composed of absorbent rope or twine bundled together and affixed to a long handle. While the mop has been effective in removing unwanted organic matter from floor the surface must be allowed to dry prior to use to prevent potential injury from slipping and/or falling.
Recent innovations in cleaning devices have lead to the development of the dust mop such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,815,878 and 6,305,046. The dust mop was designed to clean smooth surfaces such as tile and wood floors. They have also been adapted for use on furniture, such as tables, cabinets, or counters as handheld dusters. The dust mop usually has a handle attached to a cleaning head with a flat surface on which a cleaning sheet or cloth is secured. This construction has the advantage of performing the functions of both a broom and a mop simultaneously. The cleaning sheet acts like a broom pushing and aggregating dirt and dust as it is drawn over a surface. The chemicals provided on the cleaning sheet dissolve and remove unwanted organic matter from the surface as the head is passed over the affected area. Unfortunately, these dust mops are limited on the volume and size of the particles they are able to capture and remove from a surface. The size limitations are generally a factor of the cleaning sheet weave and the static charge provided on the sheet surface. Particles not captures by the cleaning sheet may be too heavy to be removed from the surface or simply too large.
Consequently, there is a need for a dust mop that functions to remove dust and dirt from a surface like a broom, is able to dissolve or remove organic matter from a surface like a mop and has the ability to remove heavy and/or larger particles from a surface that other commercially available mops are unable to remove.

Cleaning implements having magnetic means


A mechanism is provided for deciding whether to install a first application within one of a plurality of candidate environments. An environment comprising one or more other applications. The first application and a candidate environment are analyzed to determine whether there is the potential for the first application to interact in an unintended manner with an application in the candidate environment. If there is no such potential, then the environment is identified as a suitable environment into which to install the first application. An unintended interaction is when a rule would be broken by an interaction between the first application and an application in the candidate environment.

The invention relates to installation of applications.
The OSGi Alliance is a standards organisation that defines a dynamic module framework for Java™. (Java and all Java-based trademarks and logos are trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States, other countries, or both.)
The unit of modularity defined by OSGi is an OSGi "bundle," which is ajar archive containing OSGi metadata as additional headers in ajar manifest. The concept of an "application" comprised of multiple bundles is not standardized yet in OSGi, but technologies such as Spring dm Server and Apache Aries have defined an application as a collection of OSGi bundles (code modules). In order to reduce memory and CPU usage, multiple applications may run in a single OSGi framework instance. Such applications may specify dependencies on other bundles, packages or services.
The examples provided herein will be given with respect to package dependencies. This is for ease of explanation only and it should be appreciated that they apply equally to other kinds of dependencies such as bundles and services.
An application is intended to provide an isolation boundary such that the application internals cannot be seen from the outside. It is important, therefore, that applications within the same framework instance do not expose packages exported by their bundles to other applications unless the providing application chooses to export the package. For example, an application X contains bundle A and an application Y contains bundle B. Bundle A exports a package Q, whilst bundle B specifies an import for package Q. Package Q is not however intended to be used outside application X. Therefore, application X does not specify an export for that package. It is however necessary to provide additional support to prevent packages from being unintentionally shared across applications. Possible solutions and their drawbacks will be described subsequently.
An additional consideration is that applications may specify version level constraints. For example, application X may include a bundle A which imports package Q in the range 1.0 to 1.5. Bundle B, within the same application, exports package Q at version 1.2. However, application Y (running alongside X) contains a bundle C which exports package Q at version 1.3. In the absence of any application isolation, bundle A will typically use the most up to date version of package Q matching its import range and would therefore use the package from bundle C.
For application X to make use of application Y's package at version 1.3 may not however be desirable. Each application has been tested and quality assured using specific bundles and packages. Even though bundle A has specified a range that it supports, it may not have actually been tested for all versions within the range; rather there may be a long term plan to eventually test "A" with all versions within the supported range.
In a plain Java Virtual Machine (JVM), with a single global classpath, it is not possible to run multiple versions of the same Java class side by side. This is because the JVM will simply use the first version it finds on the classpath. OSGi enables this by having a distinct classpath and class loader for each bundle. Each bundle can then contain a different version of the same class and bundles can express a dependency on a specific package version (and therefore class version).
In less modular systems than one conforming to the OSGi standard, the opportunities to solve this type of problem are more limited. For example, it is known when downloading firmware levels onto communicating nodes that if a node already has a higher level of firmware than the level that is to be installed on that node, then the installation will not take place. Additionally, it is known in AIX® packaging for an install process to look for dependencies between patches being applied to AIX. If there is a conflict, then a sufficient number of patches are installed to enable the system to work. It is also known when installing IBM® WebSphere® Application Server applications onto a mixed-version cell (an administrative cell containing WebSphere Application Server nodes at different versions, that an application will be installed only onto those WebSphere Application Server nodes that support the requirements of that application (in other words, node(s) at the correct version). (IBM, WebSphere and AIX are trademarks or registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation in the United States, other countries, or both.)
The OSGi environment presents a different set of expectations which result in problems of their own.
Spring dm Server uses a single framework instance and relies on the system adding naming conventions to any bundle, package and service dependencies at runtime to isolate applications. This approach is not ideal since any user who knows the convention can easily gain access to the application internals.
The concept of nesting an OSGi framework within another framework is being standardized in the OSGi Alliance as a means for isolating internal middleware capabilities from applications (so applications do not have access to middleware internals).
Nested frameworks are also being seen as a possible mechanism for isolating applications from each other. Each application would be deployed into its own nested framework and therefore have its own package resolution scope. This solution is ideal from the perspective of providing application isolation but in cases where there are tens or hundreds of applications it has the potential to cause significant scalability issues. Additionally each framework instance has an associated cost (memory, CPU etc).

Deciding whether to install a first application within one of a plurality of candidate environments


A ski has an elongate body with an upper surface and a binding mounting portion on the upper surface of the elongate body. The binding mounting portion has a front end and a rear end defining a boot support surface. The binding mounting portion has a first height at the front end and second height at the rear end with the second height being greater than the first height to dispose the boot support surface at an angle with the rear end higher than the front end of the boot support surface.

Bindings are mounted on skis slightly rearward from center over the mid running surface of the ski. Skis have a tapered profile with the center portion being thicker, and the front and rear ends being thinner. Therefore, the ski is thinner under the rear of the binding mounting portion that supports the rear binding than it is under the front of the binding mounting portion where the toe binding is located. Thus, in conventional skis, ski boots attached thereto may be oriented at a negative ramp angle whereby the toe of the ski boot is angled upwardly with respect to, and is higher than, the heel portion of the boot. This ski boot orientation affects the mobility range of the ankle, restricting the ability of the hip to lower when the user attempts to maintain hip position just fore of the ankle joint. There is a point where the hip will "bottom out" prematurely in its downward motion. At this point, if the hip continues to lower, the center of mass falls aft of the ankle joint, resulting in an inefficient and out-of-balance stance. In contrast, if the ski boot, and foot, of the user is oriented such that the toe is lower than the heel on the ski, the user's ankle will have the ability to flex more effectively. This allows the hips and center of mass of the user to lower to a greater depth, while the hip joint remains directly forward of the ankle joint, resulting in the maximum effective vertical mobility range. In this manner, a well balanced and efficient position over the ski is achieved to optimize performance. The subject invention provides the above ski boot and foot orientation in order to maximally balance the stance of the skier. Women have relatively larger hips and a smaller upper body that shifts their center of gravity rearward. The subject invention, which provides a positive ramp angle, is thus especially beneficial to women.

Ski having binding mounting portion for angled boot orientation


An electrical equipment cabinet cooling device includes an electrical equipment cabinet having a cabinet outer frame defining an inner perimeter wall. A planar outer cabinet wall is positioned within the inner perimeter wall. A two-phase thermal device includes spaced and opposed first and second transfer walls. An outer perimeter wall connects the first and second transfer walls and defines an interior sealed cavity between the first and second transfer walls. The outer perimeter wall is sized for slidable receipt within the inner perimeter wall. A liquid/vapor retained in the interior sealed cavity acts as a heat transfer medium between the first and second transfer walls. A convective cooling block has a planar end face in direct contact with the second transfer wall. Heat transfers to atmosphere in a path including the outer cabinet wall, the first transfer wall, the liquid/vapor, the second transfer wall, and the cooling block.

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.
Portable and field operative electronic components/cabinets such as card cages and radio equipment often require the internal components to be sealed from atmospheric contaminants, moisture, dirt and the like. This limits or prevents the use of flow through ventilation to remove equipment generated heat. Known solutions include the use of external cooling fins, finned attachments, block-machined cooling surfaces and the like to remove heat from the internal components of the cabinet by convective/conductive heat transfer through the outer walls of the cabinet, through the fins to the atmosphere.
Limitations of known cooling fin designs include the inability to cover the entire surface area of the cabinet with fins due to mechanical attachment limitations, hot spots occurring within the cabinets or at the heat transfer surfaces where radiant and convective heat transfer between the internal components and the cooling fin connection blocks are located, and the inability to evenly distribute the heat load across the surface of the finned components.

Method and device to provide uniform cooling in rugged environments


A new and distinct variety of Spathiphyllum plant characterized particularly as to novelty by demonstrating a greater suckering propensity than its parents at the juvenile stage, and producing more and shorter blooms and having shiny, dark green leaves without the burn problems of the pollen parent.

This invention relates to a new and distinct plant variety of the Araceae family and, specifically, to a new and distinct plant variety of Spathiphyllum which is named Araceae Spathiphyllum `61352`.
Certain plant varieties of the Araceae family are well known in the foliage plant market and among these is the `Petite` variety of Spathiphyllum. This variety is characterized by, among other things, sporting more and shorter blooms and dark green leaves without the burn problems associated with `Petite`.
The variety forming the subject matter of this application is hybrid of interspecific genetic background from a cross between `Annette` (unpatented) and `Petite` (unpatented). A general objective of the invention has been to provide a variety of the Spathiphyllum species which would be distinguishable from the other known varieties of this plant and suitable for sale in the foliage plant marketplace.
This new variety of Spathiphyllum was asexually reproduced by tissue culture near Apopka, Fla. and such reproduction has shown this new variety to come true in successive generations. This propagation of the new variety by tissue culture in the usual controlled environment clearly shows the continued maintenance of the characteristics described herein which distinguish this new variety from the parent varieties and all other known and related varieties mainly by more and shorter blooms and darker green leaves. In addition, it is resistant to the burn problems associated with `Petite`. The propensity to form suckers and a proliferation of dark foliage results in an early finished density and an attractive specimen distinguishing it from its parents and from other varieties. The length of the peduncles is about 30% less than that of the parents, thus serving to contribute to a compact size thereby facilitating the packaging for shipment of the plant.


A virtual secure mode is enabled for a virtual machine operating in a computing environment that is associated with a plurality of different trust levels. First, a virtual secure mode image is loaded into one or more memory pages of a virtual memory space of the virtual machine. Then, the one or more memory pages of the virtual memory space are made inaccessible to one or more trust levels having a relatively lower trust level than a launching trust level that is used by a virtual secure mode loader to load the virtual secure mode image. A target virtual trust level is also enabled on a launching virtual processor for the virtual machine that is higher than the launching trust level.

Interconnection of computing systems has facilitated distributed computing systems, such as so-called "cloud" computing systems. In this description, "cloud computing" may be systems or resources for enabling ubiquitous, convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (e.g., networks, servers, storage, applications, services, etc.) that can be provisioned and released with reduced management effort or service provider interaction. A cloud model can be composed of various characteristics (e.g., on-demand self-service, broad network access, resource pooling, rapid elasticity, measured service, etc.), service models (e.g., Software as a Service ("SaaS"), Platform as a Service ("PaaS"), Infrastructure as a Service ("IaaS"), and deployment models (e.g., private cloud, community cloud, public cloud, hybrid cloud, etc.).
Cloud and remote based service applications are prevalent. Such applications are hosted on public and private remote systems such as clouds and usually offer a set of web-based services for communicating back and forth with clients.
Corporate computing systems are under increasing risk of breach leading to monetary damages, leakage of intellectual property or sabotage. In particular, there can be threats to workloads in a datacenter, running in virtual machines, from the hosting fabric (the virtualization hosts, storage and networking systems) they run on and the management systems used to manage the fabric and the virtual machines.
This threat is relevant for tenants that operate their workloads at a public cloud or at a service provider: while the tenant may trust the service provider as an institution, it does not want to extend that trust to the staffers of the service provider, who may be malicious due to personal criminal initiative or having been bribed or recruited by external attackers, or whose credentials may have been stolen by an external attacker using one of many kinds of attacks including "phishing". But it is also relevant for internal operations of an enterprise: the enterprise's own IT staff may similarly have had their credentials stolen, or may be malicious for other reasons. In current practice, IT staff with privileges to operate the hosting fabric has broad and nearly unlimited access to all workloads.
These increased threats come at a time when modern cloud computing utilizes automation for lowered capital and operational costs and for large scale, high availability and geo-scale reach. But this automation and large scale also increases the risks, by allowing attackers to leverage the automation techniques and to hide their tracks among the large number of legitimate actions.
Thus, it may be useful to enable automated management workflows of both the virtualized workloads and the fabric, while protecting the workloads from the IT staff that operates the fabric. The challenge is that in current practice the virtual machine management systems (VMMs) play an active role in provisioning and managing virtual machines (VMs), and similarly the fabric management systems (FM) play an active role in provisioning and managing the fabric, but having either be part of the "trusted computing base", the foundation on which trusted computing is built, may be problematic for at least two reasons: management systems are large and complex and as such typically cannot be made or proven to be secure, and the tenant does not want to extend trust to the service provider's operations staff that runs the VMM and the FM.
The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to embodiments that solve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such as those described above. Rather, this background is only provided to illustrate one exemplary technology area where some embodiments described herein may be practiced.

Secure management of operations on protected virtual machines


A method of separating air in a liquid nitrogen assist plant in which oxygen rich waste stream produced by the plant is used to partially pressurize adsorbent beds in a pre-purification unit operating in accordance with a pressure swing adsorption cycle.

The present invention relates to a method of separating nitrogen from air in which compressed and purified air is separated in a single column and refrigeration is added by a an external liquid stream. More particularly, the present invention relates to such a method in which the column is refluxed by condensing tower overhead against vaporizing liquid column bottoms to produce an oxygen rich waste stream. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to such a method in which the air is purified in adsorbent beds that are regenerated and pressurized in part by the oxygen rich waste stream.
Air is separated by a low temperature rectification process utilizing a single column known as a nitrogen generator. The air is compressed, purified and cooled to near its dewpoint and is then introduced into the distillation column to produce a nitrogen rich tower overhead and an oxygen rich liquid column bottoms. A stream of the column bottoms is expanded and then used as a coolant to condense tower overhead that is in turn used to reflux the column. Refrigeration is added by injecting a liquid stream into the process in order to compensate for warm end losses and heat leakage into the process. Commonly, the refrigeration is added by way of a liquid nitrogen stream injected into the distillation column. An air separation plant utilizing an external source of liquid to provide refrigeration is known in the air as a "liquid assist plant".
In any air separation plant it is necessary for the air to be prepurified so as to remove carbon dioxide and moisture that would otherwise solidify within piping and heat exchange passages within the plant. In air separation plants designed to produce high purity products, it is also necessary to remove other impurities such as carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons.
The necessary prepurification can be effectuated by known prepurification units used in connection with liquid assist plants such as described above. Prepurification units comprise adsorbent beds to adsorb the aforementioned impurities from the incoming air. In order that the plant can continuously be operated, the adsorbent beds are utilized in continuous cycles in which one adsorbent bed functions in an on-line capacity to adsorb the impurities from the air with one or more other adsorbent beds are in an off-line state being regenerated. One major cycle is referred to in the art as pressure swing adsorption in which the beds adsorb at an operating pressure of the plant that is set by the main air compressor and are then regenerated at a lower pressure at which the adsorbed impurities desorb and are expelled from the unit.
Typically the regeneration in a pressure swing adsorption cycle is effected by first venting an adsorbent bed to atmosphere so that the adsorbed impurities desorb from the bed and flow towards the bed inlet. Thereafter, the adsorbent bed is purged with a stream of nitrogen to further desorb the adsorbed impurities. The adsorbent bed is then repressurized with part of the compressed air that has been compressed by the main air compressor. The use of part of the air to be rectified not only represents an increase in the required capacity of the compressor but also an additional energy expenditure beyond that required for the distillation itself.
As will be discussed, the present invention provides a method of separating nitrogen from air in which a liquid assist plant is operated in connection with a pressure swing adsorption, prepurification unit in a more energy efficient manner than the prior art and such that inherently decreases compressor capacity requirements.


A phase change memory device, comprising a phase change memory device; a semiconductor substrate; a MOS transistor disposed at each intersection of a plurality of word lines and a plurality of bit lines arranged in a matrix form; a plurality of phase change memory elements for storing data of a plurality of bits, each formed on an upper area opposite to a diffusion layer of the MOS transistor in a phase change layer made of phase change material; a lower electrode structure for electrically connecting each of the plurality of phase change memory elements to the diffusion layer of the MOS transistor.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a non-volatile semiconductor device which is constructed on a semiconductor substrate using phase change material and is capable of storing desired data.
2. Related Art
In recent years, non-volatile memory has been widely used to store data of portable device and the like. As next-generation non-volatile memory, attention is directed toward phase change memory using structural changes of phase change material. For example, the phase change memory has a structure in which a phase change layer is deposited on a semiconductor substrate using a chalcogenide based phase change material, and current is supplied to a predetermined region of the layer via an electrode. Such a structure causes the predetermined region of the phase change layer to change freely between its high-resistance amorphous state and low-resistance crystalline state, and using changes in resistance of the states, it is possible to rewritably store desired data (for example, see U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,590,807B2 and 6,567,296B1). In this case, it is possible to construct multi-bit phase change memory by integrating unit cells each composed of a single MOS transistor to supply power and a single phase change memory element.
However, in the aforementioned conventional phase change memory, since the current for rewriting data is sufficiently large, the gate width of the MOS transistor is required to be increased. The area of a unit cell in the phase change memory is determined by the gate width of the MOS transistor, and it is inevitable that the area is increased. In this case, the entire chip area increases as the storage capacity increases in the phase change memory, resulting in an obstacle to high integration.


Pulley-movement detection within an alternator or integrated starter/generator (ISG) for a vehicle is provided. The alternator or ISG includes a housing, a stator fixed within the housing, a rotor configured to rotate relative to the stator about an axis, and a shaft coupled to the rotor for rotation about the axis. The alternator or ISG also includes pulley coupled to the shaft at an interface, and configured to engage with a chain or belt to transfer movement between the shaft and the chain or belt. An electrical switch located at the interface is configured to be in a first state when the pulley is axially secured to the shaft, and a second state when the pulley is axially displaced away from the shaft. This can enable signals or warnings to be output in response to the electrical switch changing states, indicating an improper connection at the interface.

Internal combustion engines typically include a serpentine belt which drives various peripheral devices, such as an alternator, power steering pump, water pump, air conditioning compressor, air pump, etc. Idler pulleys and/or belt tensioners may also be provided to increase tension in the belt. As the engine is operated, the belt moves along its serpentine path, driving the peripheral devices to enable those devices to power associated systems, such as power steering, air conditioning, battery, etc.
In some engine applications, such as in a hybrid vehicle, an integrated starter/generator (ISG) is provided. The ISG can use the vehicle's battery and electric motor to power the engine's crankshaft via the belt. This is also known as a belt-integrated starter/generator (BSG) or a belt assisted starter/generator (BAS). The ISG can also be located between the engine and transmission, along with a clutch, so that the ISG can start the engine while the engine is disconnected from downstream of the powertrain.


A device for driving and extracting a post having a hollow barrel having one closed end and one open end for receiving the post, and two longitudinal handles, wherein at least one handle is pivotally fixed at the closed end of the barrel and releasably secured with a fastener at the other end such that the is utilized to facilitate driving of the post or can be released to act as a lever for extracting the post. The device also has a striker disc fixed within the barrel at the closed end with a void between the disc and closed end of the barrel to muffle the noise created during driving of a post.

Wooden stakes and metal star pickets are popular multipurpose posts that are used in fencing or to support signs, barricades or plants. Generally, a driving device is used to drive the posts into the ground at the desired location. However, a post can easily be driven too far or can twist out of alignment and must be extracted. Also, these posts are often installed temporarily and need to be removed at some point in time. A separate device is then required to pull the post out of the ground.
In most circumstances both the driving and extracting devices are required. However, both devices are heavy and cumbersome and are difficult to carry together. Accordingly, a person will generally use the driver and return to get the extractor as needed. This is inefficient and results in wasted time and effort.


A combination of a ski boot and a training aid (110) attached thereto that is suitable for training a user to focus pressure on the sweet spot of a ski; wherein the training aid (110) comprises a balancing member (122) positioned underneath the ski boot at a location that would be vertically aligned with the sweet spot of a ski if the training aid were fitted to the ski boot; the training aid (110) allowing the user wearing a pair of ski boots, without skis and with a training aid attached to each boot, to pivot about the balancing members (122) until a desired balancing position is reached, whereby pressure is focussed at a spot corresponding to said sweet spot.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to ski training, especially to training aids useful in practicing balancing for skiing, without needing to be on a ski slope.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Skiing is an exhilarating sport that is practised in many countries with good snow conditions. However it can be expensive to ski. Ski lessons can also be expensive.
A further issue is that climatic conditions are often not suitable for skiing even in established ski resorts. Typically there are only a few months during the winter when most resorts are open for skiing. Even then, there can be frequent interruptions due to adverse weather conditions. For example, there may be insufficient snowfall, excessive snowfall, excessive wind conditions, danger of avalanches etc.
It is also important to appreciate that many skiers have to travel abroad for ski holidays and therefore often have little time actually available on the ski slopes. Thus anything that can aid in improving technique prior to skiing can be helpful in ensuring that a skier makes maximum use of the limited time available on the ski slopes to enjoy skiing and to make further progress.
It is of course well known to practice on indoor dry ski venues. There are also indoor venues that provide artificial snow. However both dry ski and artificial snow venues can become very crowded and are often themselves expensive. Furthermore, they tend to attract a high proportion of beginners/very inexperienced skiers, who may get in the way of more experienced skiers trying to practice their technique. In any event there are not usually many such venues in most countries.
A large number of training aids have been developed that can be used at home, in hotels or in gyms in order to try to improve ski techniques. These are generally in the form of apparatuses having stationary bases and one or more movable components movably mounted to the base designed to mimic skiing or various aspects thereof.
Some training aids are also provided that are intended primarily to condition/strengthen muscles used in skiing.
Various known apparatuses will now be discussed, by way of example, so as to indicate current approaches.
WO 96/06660 disclosed an apparatus designed for training a user how to execute parallel turns. The apparatus is bulky. It includes a platform shaped as a small pair of skis onto which feet of a user are placed and which can move through an arc relative to a fixed horizontal base, whilst remaining parallel thereto. Side supports are also provided that are fixed to the base and are designed to mimic ski poles. End stops and returns (e.g. traction return springs) are also provided. These respectively function so as to prevent turning beyond a pe-set maximum and to return the user to a position in which training can continue.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,496,239 discloses another bulky ski training apparatus. Here two simulated skis are pivotally mounted at their front ends to an assembly that extends rearwardly over a back track. The simulator includes an adjustable declined platform on which the skis move in a manner so that they can be adjusted between wedge and parallel positions. Outwardly angled standing bars are also provided and are said to provide pulling forces that mimic the forces involved in ski turns.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,251,068 discloses an exercise apparatus for conditioning muscles used in skiing. A platform is provided for each foot. The platform includes boot engaging clamps that can be used to engage a ski. A strap may also be provided. Underneath the platform there is curved body portion that resembles the hull of a boat with a rounded bottom. This is attached to the platform by bolts or rivets and lies underneath the ski boot.
EP 0338295 disclosed another ski training apparatus. The apparatus is described as including a rotary platform and a stout belt attached via an elastic cable to the platform. A planar base is shown that attaches to the ground and provides stability. Half wheels are provided to allow the rocking movement. An advantage of the apparatus is said to be that it does not require the wearing of ski boots or the use of other specialised skiing equipment.
JP 2001-157726 discloses another complex ski training apparatus. This includes a base and an inclined plate that is hingedly mounted to the base. A pair of mock skis is provided above the inclined plate, with the mock skis mounted upon free bearings. A spring is provided on the front end of the inclined plate that aids in allowing a rocking motion to be provided. Inclination adjusting means are also provided as are stoppers that limit rotation. The apparatus is illustrated with a ski boot attached to a mock ski that is mounted upon said inclined plate.
US 2003/0060338 discloses a ski training apparatus useful for practicing parallel skiing. Two tillable foot platforms are provided which are mounted to rotation members, which are in turn rotatably mounted to a base platform. A key advantage is said to be that special footwear is not required, thus allowing a user to wear street shoes or tennis shoes, for example. With the front of the base raised a user's ankles are said to assume a leaning forward attitude that is used in parallel skiing. Rocking the base from side to side is said to simulate a change in attitude that occurs as a skier changes direction on a downhill slope.
It will be appreciated from the foregoing summary that, although a variety of ski training apparatuses are known, many are bulky and expensive to manufacture. The main common feature is that one or more bulky platforms are provided on which a user stands with or without ski boots mounted to said platforms. The main differences between the apparatuses are the ways in which the platforms are arranged relative to a supporting base.
Most of the existing ski training aids are far too large to be easily transported in a suitcase or other personal travel luggage. Thus, for example, people wishing to take ski holidays would not normally consider taking such aids with them, even though they might be useful in practicing techniques at a ski resort prior to skiing or following a session of skiing.
A further disadvantage of many existing ski training aids is their complexity. This can make it difficult for a beginner or even an intermediate skier to use them effectively to improve their technique.
Indeed, in many cases, the training aids are of doubtful practical use and may even result in a deterioration of skiing technique.
Furthermore, no existing ski training aids of which the present inventor is aware are specifically adapted for training a user to focus pressure on the sweet spot of a ski.
There is therefore a need to provide improved ski training aids, especially ones specifically adapted to training a user to focus pressure on said sweet spot. There is also a need to provide more portable ski training aids. There is a further need to provide ski training aids that are less expensive to manufacture than traditional skiing training devices.


The present invention provides stability-modulated antibody-drug conjugates, stability-modulating linker components used to make these stability-modulated antibody-drug conjugates, therapeutic methods using stability-modulated antibody-drug conjugates, and methods of making stability modulating linkers and stability-modulated antibody-drug conjugates.

Antibody therapy provides targeted therapeutic treatment in patients with various disorders, such as cancers and immunological diseases, and therefore has played an important role in biological research. Different approaches of targeted antibody therapy, including antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), have been explored. Chari, R. V., Miller, M. L., and Widdison, W. C. (2014) Antibody-drug conjugates: an emerging concept in cancer therapy. Angewandte Chemie 53, 3796-827; Senter, P. D., and Sievers, E. L. (2012) The discovery and development of ADCETRIS® (brentuximab vedotin) for use in relapsed Hodgkin lymphoma and systemic anaplastic large cell lymphoma. Nature biotechnology 30, 631-7; Lambert, J. M. (2013) Drug-conjugated antibodies for the treatment of cancer. British journal of clinical pharmacology 76, 248-62.
In the case of ADCs (also called immunoconjugates in certain contexts) small molecule "payloads", which are often cytotoxic small molecules (drug moieties), are covalently linked (conjugated) to antibodies for targeted local delivery of the drug moieties to tumors. Conventional conjugating methods for ADCs include chemical modification through either the lysine side chain amines, or through the cysteine sulfhydryl groups activated by reducing the interchain disulfide bonds. Brentuximab vedotin and KADCYLA® (ado-trastuzumab emtansine) are two examples of ADCs using these conventional methods.
Enzymatic approaches using a transglutaminase for making ADCs have also been explored. Transglutaminases belong to a family of enzymes that catalyze acyl addition to a primary amine. Conjugation using a transglutaminase provides the advantages of high selectivity, simplified reaction procedures, and mild reaction conditions. See, e.g., Strop et al., Chemistry & Biology, 20:161-167 (2013); and Farias et al., Bioconj. Chem. 25(2):240-250 (2014). US2013-0230543 and US2013-0122020 describe transglutaminase-mediated site-specific conjugation of antibodies and small molecules.
Conventional ADC conjugation methods result in ADCs having an inherent stability in a given biological system. Delivery of the payload at the desired site, typically a tumor, is dependent upon the properties of the payload, the covalent linker, the antibody and the biological system into which the ADC is introduced. Often, a significant amount of the payload is released prematurely from a less than optimally-stable ADC, for instance in the plasma, and thus necessitates higher ADC dosing levels in order to achieve the desired exposure to payload at the tumor site. In other circumstances use of an overly stable ADC results in less than optimal payload release activity within the targeted tumor cells.
Proteolytically cleavable peptide-based linkages that employ the p-aminobenzyloxycarbonyl (PABC) immolation element have been widely used in antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) research since their introduction in 2002 (Dubowchik, G. M. et al. Bioconjugate Chem. 2002, 13, 855-869). Such linkages purportedly undergo cleavage upon internalization into antigen-targeted cells and exposure of the ADC to the degradative proteolytic environment found in endosomal and lysosomal organelles. Cysteine-linked variants of these dipeptide-PABC linkers have been patented (U.S. Pat. No. 6,214,345 B2), and it has been demonstrated that amine-containing versions of these and other linkages are appropriate for site-specific conjugations to glutamine residues using enzymatic conjugations promoted by microbial transglutaminase, as well as the use of aglycosylated antibodies and engineered antibody variants that undergo efficient conjugations using this enzymatic conjugation approach (WO2012/059882 A2).
All publications, patents, and patent applications cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety for all purposes to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, and patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be so incorporated by reference. In the event that one or more of the incorporated literature and similar materials differs from or contradicts this application, including but not limited to defined terms, term usage, described techniques, or the like, this application controls.

Stability-modulating linkers for use with antibody drug conjugates


An image forming apparatus having a fixing apparatus for nipping a recording material bearing an unfixed toner image on the surface thereof by a nip portion between a fixing member and a pressure member and fixing the unfixed toner image on the surface of the recording material has a first temperature detecting element and a second temperature detecting element for detecting the temperatures of the fixing member and the pressure member, respectively, and electric power supplied to a heating portion for heating the fixing member is controlled in conformity with the detected temperature by the first temperature detecting element. When image forming on a plurality of recording materials is to be continuously effected, the conveyance interval of the recording materials is controlled so as to become short when the detected temperature of the pressure member is high, and to become long when the detected temperature of the pressure member is low.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a heating apparatus for heating and pressurizing a recording material bearing an unfixed toner image on the surface thereof.
More particularly, the invention relates to a toner image heating apparatus of a type which heats and fixes an unfixed toner image corresponding to desired image information formed and borne on the surface of a recording material (such as paper, printing paper, a transferring material sheet, an OHP sheet, glossy paper or glossy film) by a direct method or a transferring method by the use of a toner consisting of heat-fusable resin or the like by suitable image forming process means for electrophotography, electrostatic recording, magnetic recording or the like as a permanently fixed image on the surface of the recording material bearing the image, and an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a laser beam printer using the same.
2. Related Background Art
Laser beam printers and the like are known as an image forming apparatuses to which an electrophotographic process is applied. FIG. 11 of the accompanying drawings shows an example of the laser beam printers. In FIG. 11, the reference numeral 1 designates a photosensitive drum, the reference numeral 2 denotes an exposing apparatus, the reference numeral 3 designates a developing apparatus, the reference numeral 4 denotes a transferring member, the reference numeral 5 designates a cleaning apparatus, the reference numeral 6 denotes an electrifying member, the reference numeral 7 designates a fixing apparatus as a heating apparatus, the letter C denotes a sheet supplying cassette containing therein transferring materials which are recording materials to be supplied, the reference numeral 8 designates a sheet feeding apparatus, the letter P denotes a conveying path for the transferring materials, and the letter L designates a laser beam applied from the exposing apparatus 2.
In the above-described printer, the exposing apparatus 2 turns on/off and applies the laser beam L conforming to image information to the surface of the photosensitive drum 1 electrified to desired potential by the electrifying member 6, and eliminates charges to thereby form an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 1.
The developing apparatus 3 is comprised of a developer (hereinafter referred to as the toner), a developing container and a developing sleeve 31. The toner is supplied from the developing sleeve 31 in conformity with the electrostatic latent image, and a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 1. Thereafter, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 1 is transferred to the surface of the transferring material as the recording material by the transferring member 4. The unfixed toner image on this transferring material is heated and pressurized by the fixing apparatus 7, whereby it is permanently fixed on the surface of the transferring material, and the transferring material is discharged from the image forming apparatus.
On the other hand, any toner and paper dust or the like residual on the photosensitive drum 1 during the transfer are removed by the cleaning apparatus 5.
The fixing apparatus 7, as shown in FIG. 12 of the accompanying drawings, is provided with a fixing roller 10 and a pressure roller 20, and the fixing roller and the pressure roller are heated by heaters 13-1 and 13-2, respectively, provided therein. The temperature of the fixing roller 10 is detected as the surface temperature of the fixing roller 10 by a temperature detecting element 30-1 such as s thermistor brought into contact with the surface of the fixing roller, and the heater 13-1 is intermittently operated by a temperature control circuit 14-1 for the fixing heater, whereby the above-mentioned surface temperature is controlled to a predetermined temperature. On the other hand, the temperature of the pressure roller 20 is detected as the surface temperature of the pressure roller 20 by a temperature detecting element 30-2 such as a thermistor brought into contact with the surface of the pressure roller, and the heater 13-2 is intermittently operated by a temperature control circuit 14-2 for the pressure heater, whereby the above-mentioned surface temperature is controlled to a predetermined temperature.
In the above-described fixing apparatus, the transferring material T bearing the toner image t thereon is directed to a contact nip portion (fixing nip) N between the fixing roller 10 and the pressure roller 20, and is heated and pressurized by this nip portion, whereby the toner image is fixed on the surface of the transferring material.
When in the laser beam printer provided with such a fixing apparatus, a higher printing speed is contrived to thereby secure a fixing property, electric power is preferentially supplied to the fixing heater (the heater in the fixing roller) side so that the surface temperature of the fixing roller of the fixing apparatus can be maintained constant. Consequently, electric power supplied to the pressure heater (the heater in the pressure roller) side is limited and therefore, it becomes impossible to maintain the surface temperature of the pressure roller at a sufficiently high temperature.
On the other hand, the amount of heat necessary for fixing differs depending on the basis weight of the transferring material, particularly paper, and therefore, a great amount of heat is necessary for paper having a great basis weight of e.g. 128 g/m2 or 199 g/m2 or the like (hereinafter referred to as the thick paper). Also, when paper having unevenness on the surface thereof for the purpose of a sense of high quality or an improved sense of quality (hereinafter referred to as the rough paper) is to be printed, it is difficult for heat to be transferred to the paper and therefore, the secure a sufficient fixing property, it is necessary to set the temperature of the fixing roller or the pressure roller at a high level. Thus, to sufficiently fix an image on the thick paper or the rough paper, the surface temperature of the pressure roller is important and therefore, heretofore a thick paper mode, a rough paper mode or the like has been provided and has been arbitrarily settable by a user. Such a special mode sets the controlled temperature of the fixing roller at a high level or lowers the throughput to thereby set the temperature of the pressure roller at a high level.
However, when copying with the thick paper or the rough paper by a particular mode (particular controlled temperature and throughput), the surface temperature of the pressure roller is governed by differences in the heat capacity and heat transfer efficiency of the paper. That is, not only the fixing property does not become constant between different kinds of paper such as the thick paper and the rough paper, but also unevenness occurs to the curl amount of the paper. Also, if the particular mode is set for paper having a great basis weight or paper of bad heat transfer efficiency, the entire throughput becomes slow, or conversely, if the throughput is set fast to a certain extent in accordance with paper having a relatively small basis weight or paper of relatively good heat transfer efficiency, there will arise the problem that paper like the former cannot be coped with.

Heating apparatus with conveyance interval controller and control of electric power in conformity with detected temperature


An endoscope is described in which the diameter of the image relay assembly is less than that of the objective lens assembly. An endoscope sheath is also described for sheathing the endoscope and housing or directing optical fibers for use in illuminating the endoscope view of view. An endoscope-sheath system is further described comprising the combination of the endoscope and the endoscope sheath in eccentric alignment to reduce fluid flow impedance between the two.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of endoscopes, and, more specifically, high definition endoscopes that allow higher resolution viewing of internal body structures compared to conventional endoscopes.
2. Related Art
A high definition endoscope is needed to allow higher resolution viewing of internal body structures in relation to conventional endoscopes, and to match that available in current broadcast cameras. However, the increased size, surgical invasiveness, and obstruction in fluid flow that results from increasing the diameter of the objective lens or objective lens assembly in the endoscope weighs against such an approach.


The present disclosure provides an image displaying apparatus connected to a first camera and a second camera, on both of which pan/tilt control can be carried out, the image displaying apparatus including: an information acquisition section for acquiring information used for moving a display area over a virtual area obtained by combining a first area with a second area by making the first and second areas adjacent to each other; a control section for monitoring the position of the display area in the virtual area, requesting the first camera to carry out pan/tilt operations when the display area is positioned in the first area before and after a movement of the display area, and requesting the second camera to carry out pan/tilt operations when the display area has been moved from the first area to the boundary with the second area; and an image displaying section for displaying an image.

The present disclosure relates to an image displaying apparatus, an image displaying system, an image displaying method and an image displaying program.
In the past, there was known an image displaying system making use of a plurality of network cameras. In such a system, a plurality of images are generally displayed on a multi-image screen so that the user is capable of confirming the images. Thus, when the user images a moving object by carrying out pan and/or tilt operations, the user confirms the moving body displayed on the multi-image screen so that the user is capable of carrying out the pan and/or tilt operations while switching a controlled camera from one to another. In the following description, the pan and/or tilt operations are also referred to simply as pan/tilt operations.
With the resolution getting finer and the frame rate becoming higher, however, the amount of data of an image unit also increases. If the amount of data in an image unit increases, it is desirable to reduce the amount of data of the entire image due to a limit of the data transmission capacity and a limit of the data processing performance. Thus, in order to be able of confirming a plurality of images at the same time, it is important to adopt a good method for displaying the images and reduce the amount of data of all the images. Documents such as Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-205700 disclose a technology for displaying an image taken by making use of a camera being controlled at a high frame rate and for displaying images taken by making use of cameras other than the controlled camera at a low frame rate.
If a plurality of images are displayed on a small-size multi-image screen of an image displaying apparatus such as a portable phone or a portable information terminal, however, the degree of easiness to confirm the displayed images and the degree of easiness to carry out the pan/tilt operations undesirably decrease. It is thus important to show images without regard to images appearing on the multi-image screen and without lowering the degree of easiness to carry out the pan/tilt operations.

Image displaying apparatus, image displaying system, image displaying method and image displaying program


A closure device for a chamber housing a laser units for cutting a sheet metal strip includes, in proximity of an exit slit of the strip to be machined, a bar arranged transversely to the axis of advancement of the strip, and having, at the lower edges of the major side surfaces, longitudinal edges of a U-folded plate bound thereto. The plate has a plurality of transverse slots ending before its edges. An actuator provided for a vertical movement of the bar.

Sheet metal strip movement equipment is known that includes a spiked conveyor belt and a unit transversely movable with respect to the advancement of the spiked belt and supporting a laser unit. The belt housing frame surfaces, orthogonal to the advancement of the strip, are provided with slits through which the strip enters and exits the machining chamber.
Such known equipment has the drawback of possibly reflecting the laser light which, during machining, passes through the slits, endangering the surrounding environment.

Closure device for chamber housing laser unit for cutting sheet metal


An electric vehicle traction drive assembly includes a variable-speed electric motor for providing the torque. A multi-speed transaxle multiplies the torque of the electric motor through the vehicle operator's selection between more than one gear ratio. An adapter mechanically couples the motor and the transaxle to integrate the motor with the transaxle keeping an output shaft of the motor center-aligned with an input shaft of the transaxle.

The typical attempts at applying electric motors to various types of single and multi-speed gearboxes to propel an automobile utilize sun or planetary gears and perpendicular gear reductions. In many typical embodiments the electric motors are attached in the same position and orientation as an ordinary internal combustion engine with the shaft perpendicular to the drive axles. The rotation of an electric motor may be clockwise or anticlockwise, according to forward and reverse gearing of the transaxle (also referred to as the transmission) of an electric vehicle. The economy of stored energy in the batteries of electric vehicles where the electric motor is perpendicularly connected has inefficiencies due to rotational inertia and parasitic losses associated with perpendicular drivetrain orientation. Accordingly, there is a desire to improve the electric motor economy of this stored energy.

Rear carriage structure for an electric vehicle


To provide a terminal apparatus, a program, and a communication bandwidth determination method which can correctly measure a communication bandwidth, without providing a server apparatus which measures the communication bandwidth.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a terminal apparatus, a recording medium on which a program is recorded, and a method which measure a usable communication bandwidth when carrying out a data communication between terminal apparatus, in a communication system in which a plurality of terminal apparatus are connected via a network.
2. Description of the Related Art
With a terminal apparatus connected to a network (a communication network) such as an internet, it can happen that a usable communication bandwidth when carrying out a data communication with another terminal apparatus via the network fluctuates greatly depending on conditions such as an area, a provider and a time. For this reason, the communication bandwidth varies according to the terminal apparatus.
Consequently, in a case of carrying out a communication among a plurality of terminal apparatus, or between a server apparatus and a terminal apparatus, via the network, by measuring a usable communication bandwidth for each terminal apparatus, and carrying out a communication control in accordance with a measurement result, it is possible to realize a low-burden data communication.
For example, with a content distribution system which, by a plurality of terminal apparatus connected via the network transmitting and receiving among themselves content information which each terminal apparatus holds, enables a distribution of the content information (for example, refer to Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2006-197400), in a case in which moving image content information is streaming distributed from a certain terminal apparatus to another terminal apparatus, it is possible to realize a pleasing moving image distribution by distributing at an image quality suited to the usable communication bandwidth. Specifically, with a terminal apparatus which can select between a moving image distribution of 1 Mbps and a moving image distribution of 100 kbps, in a case in which a usable communication bandwidth of another terminal apparatus, which receives a moving image distribution from the terminal apparatus, is 100 kbps, it is possible to realize a pleasing moving image distribution appropriate to the usable communication bandwidth by selecting a bit rate of 100 kbps.
Meanwhile, as a method of measuring the communication bandwidth, there is one in which a bandwidth measurement server apparatus is installed in a data center or the like, and the communication bandwidth is measured by carrying out a communication between the bandwidth measurement server apparatus and the terminal apparatus (for example, refer to Non-patent Document "goo speed test", [online], NTT Resonant Inc., [searched for Oct. 25, 2007], Internet<URL:http://speedtest.go.ne.jp/flash.htm>). FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of a heretofore known communication system which measures a communication bandwidth. The communication system is configured including a plurality of terminal apparatus 1001A to 1001E, and a bandwidth measurement server apparatus 1000, which measures a usable communication bandwidth of each terminal apparatus 1001A to 1001E in a network 1002. Each terminal apparatus 1001A to 1001E, and the bandwidth measurement server apparatus 1000, are connected via the network 1002. With this kind of communication system, the bandwidth measurement server apparatus 1000, by downloading or uploading predetermined measurement data at a predetermined measurement bit rate from or to each terminal apparatus 1001A to 1001E, measures the communication bandwidth for each of the terminal apparatus 1001A to 1001E based on a transmission time or reception time of the data.

Communication bandwidth measurement apparatus, recording medium on which program is recorded, and method

Abstract: A controller of a measuring terminal apparatus fixes a measurement bit rate and, every time it increases a number of subject terminal apparatus, transmits measurement data to, or receives them from, the plurality of subject terminal apparatus at a fixed measurement bit rate, and measures the bit rate for each subject terminal apparatus. Then, the controller, in the event that a difference between a tallied bit rate before increasing the number of subject terminal apparatus and a tallied bit rate after increasing the number of subject terminal apparatus is less than or equal to a predetermined value, determines that the tallied bit rate at that time is the communication bandwidth of the measuring terminal apparatus.


A method (900) includes a gain current (IGAIN) to an anode of a gain-section diode (D0) disposed on a shared substrate of a tunable laser (310), delivering a modulation signal to an anode of an Electro-absorption section diode (D2) disposed on the shared substrate of the tunable laser, and receiving a burst mode signal (330) indicative of a burst-on state or a burst-off state. When the burst mode signal is indicative of the burst-off state, the method includes sinking a sink current (ISINK) away from the gain current at the anode of the gain-section diode. When the burst mode signal transitions to be indicative of the burst-on state from the burst-off state, the method includes ceasing the sinking of the sink current away from the gain current and delivering an overshoot current (IOVER) to the anode of the gain-section diode.

Fiber optic communication is an emerging method of transmitting information from a source (transmitter) to a destination (receiver) using optical fibers as the communication channel. A Wavelength-Division Multiplexing Passive Optical Network (WDM-PON) is an optical technology for access and backhaul networks. WDM-PON uses multiple different wavelengths over a physical point-to-multipoint fiber infrastructure that contains passive optical components. The use of different wavelengths allows for traffic separation within the same physical fiber. The result is a network that provides logical point-to-point connections over a physical point-to-multipoint network topology. WDM-PON allows operators to deliver high bandwidth to multiple endpoints over long distances. A PON generally includes an optical line terminal located at a service provider central office (e.g., a hub), a remote node connected to the central office by a feeder fiber, and a number of optical network units or optical network terminals, near end users. The remote node demultiplexes an optical signal from the central office and distributes the demultiplexed optical signals to multiple optical network terminals along corresponding distribution fibers. Time-division-multiplexing (TDM) is a method of transmitting and receiving independent signals over a common signal path by using different, non-overlapping time slots. Time wavelength division multiplexing (TWDM) uses both time and wavelength dimensions to multiplex signals. Color-less optical network units (ONUs), which are based on tunable laser and suitable driving topologies, are critical components for flexible WDM/TWDM-PON system architectures. The laser driving circuit in the ONU is the component to generate the upstream optical signal. To meet the WDM/TWDM-PON system requirements, the driving circuit has to guarantee the optical output has not only enough power and modulation magnitudes, but also short burst switching times and minimum wavelength drifts.


Butanetetracarboxylic acid with acceptably low levels of color-causing contaminants, suitable for permanent press agent use, is prepared in high conversion and yield from tetraalkyl butanetetracarboxylates by a series of steps including purification of precursor material, hydrolysis with high concentration of acid catalyst, and oxidative purification of product.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention concerns a process for preparing 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid with acceptably low levels of color-forming materials, by steps involving purification of a tetraalkyl butane-tetracarboxylate precursor material and hydrolysis of the precursor, and oxidative treatment for purification of the resulting butanetetracarboxylic acid.
The compound 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid has been found by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to be an effective permanent press agent for polyester-cotton blend fabrics, and the compound could find use in large quantities for such purpose. Accordingly, an efficient process for preparing the compound could be very useful. Such a process must produce a product of acceptable color performance properties, as this is an important factor for suitability for permanent press agents. The tetraalkyl butanetetracarboxylates used as reactants in the present process can be prepared from dialkyl maleates by an electrolytic hydrodimerization process as described and claimed in commonly assigned copending application Ser. No. 07/450,773.
2. Description of the Related Art
Procedures have been reported in which 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid is prepared by oxidative cleavage of tetraphthalic acid or anhydride by oxidation with ozone-containing gas, followed by oxygen-containing gas, with the mixture then being heated with a peroxide, e.g. H.sub.2 O.sub.2, at 100.degree. C. to produce the butanetetracarboxylic acid See Japanese patent 55/49336 [80/493363], Apr. 9, 1980, Chem. Abstracts 93 (13) 132082h; and Japanese patent 54/151906 [79/151906], Nov. 29, 1979, Chem. Abstracts 92 (23) 197937 g. Also reported is a procedure in which Delta-4-tetrahydrophthalic anhydride was oxidized with HNO.sub.3, then stirred one hour at 90.degree. C. (oxidative post treatment) to give 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid free of HNO.sub.3, which gave no color on heating 30 minutes at 140.degree. C. in ethylene glycol. Polycarboxylic acids from the HNO.sub.3 oxidation of C.sub.3 -.sub.33 cycloalkenes were purified by an oxidative post treatment; see German Offen. DE 3016225 Al, Oct. 29, 1981, Chem. Abstracts 96 (3) 19672z.
It is known that various organic esters can be converted to free acids by hydrolysis procedures, employing acid, base, or other catalysts, although desirable hydrolysis procedures and conditions may vary considerably with the esters involved. It is also known that in equilibrium reactions, in accord with the law of mass action, the forward reaction rate is generally a function of the concentration of reactants, while the reverse reaction rate is generally a function of the concentration of products. Procedures which give high yields and good production rates are advantageous for commercial production.

Process for preparing 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid


The present application provides a WLAN access method. The method includes: obtaining an access location of a UE; obtaining AP access information of the UE at the access location; selecting an AP according to the obtained AP access information to access a WLAN; and sending AP access information of the selected AP to the UE. The present application further provides another WLAN access method and a corresponding apparatus.

When needing to access a WLAN, a UE (User Equipment) continuously scans a nearby WLAN network to obtain a nearby WLAN AP (Access Point) list, and then selects a WLAN AP to access the WLAN network, so as to implement WLAN network access.
In the foregoing process, the UE needs to keep a WLAN network interface on, and needs to continuously scan the WLAN network. In this way, electric energy consumption of the UE is rather high.