The present disclosure provides a dehydrating chemical for dehydrating a semiconductor substrate under an ambient temperature, including a first chemical having a melting point below the ambient temperature, and a second chemical having a melting point greater than the melting point of the first chemical, wherein the dehydrating chemical has a melting point less than the ambient temperature by predetermined ΔT0 degrees, and at least one of the first chemical and the second chemical has a saturated vapor pressure greater than a predetermined pressure PSV under 1 atm.

As fabrication techniques for semiconductor integrated circuits continue to develop, the number of elements in a chip has increased. For some examples, high aspect ratio fin structures were key elements to achieve required cell capacitance in the fabrication devices. However, after various kinds of aqueous processing of silicon wafers, residual moisture may be remained on a surface of a substrate, thereby interfere the procedures in advance and induce defects; thence the substrate is entailed to be dehydrated after aqueous operations in order to alleviate the defects on fin structures caused by residual moisture.

Method for forming a semiconductor structure using dehydrating chemical, and method for forming a semiconductor structure

TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.


A system and method are provided for the indoor and outdoor cultivation of larger fruiting plants. Improved lighting techniques, plant layouts, and space utilization are provided to improve the quality and yields of harvested products from large fruiting plants on a per plant and unit area basis. The uniformity of artificial light is improved from the top to the bottom of tall plants and vines, and overcome the lack of light penetration through the canopy of the plant by changing the orientation of lights from a horizontal to vertical alignment along the side of the plant verses over the top of the canopy, as well as increasing the number of light sources to reduce shading. Plants are trained to grow in specific directions and orientations in a grid system to enable an optimal and uniform light distribution and to improve space utilization in a given growing area.

The cultivation of larger fruiting plants generally results in a lack of light penetration into and through the upper portion or canopy of the plant to the lower regions of the plant. Light penetration to the lower portion of the plant is necessary in order to stimulate photosynthesis and therefore growth on the lower portion of the plant so as to increase health and yield. Fruit or flower sets are nonexistent on plant sites where light does not reach, else the fruit or flower sets are severely weakened and not viable for sale.
The use of artificial light sources in indoor cultivation differs from natural sunlight in that light from the sun does not diminish over distances. Plants illuminated by the sun receive the same amount of light at the bottom of the plant as the top of the plant as measured in lumens. Light sources for indoor cultivation are generally mounted above the canopy and have a drop off of light intensity of the reciprocal of the square of the distance between the light source and a given point. Shorter plants, around one foot tall, usually do not have an issue with light diminishment from top to bottom of the plant. However, problems arise when dealing with taller plants or vines. For example, the measurement of light received at the bottom of a six foot tall plant with an artificial light mounted two feet above the canopy will have an intensity close to thirty five times less than the light received at the canopy level. Table 1 illustrates typical light measurements in lumens for an artificial light source.
TABLE 1Light density distribution for artificial light.Feet from bulblumens1140000270000top of plant335000417500587506437572187.5bottom of plant81093.75
It is also noted that even in instances where balanced illumination (as measured in lumens) is provided to the plant canopy there is still the issue of light penetration through the upper canopy of leaves to lower regions of the plant. On smaller plants, this is not an issue because the fruit is not far from the outer edges of the plant, however on a six foot tall and six foot wide plant the inner fruit sets often suffer from both a lack of illumination as well as shading of fruit sets from the outer canopy that causes the fruit to suffer in terms of quality, vigor, and overall development.
Thus, there exists a need for improved lighting techniques and plant layouts to improve the quality and yields per plant and the number of plants for a given area for cultivation of larger fruiting plants.


The invention refers to a coated turbine blade for a gas turbine, having blade walls divided into sections with locally adapted material temperatures. The cooler material temperatures of the blade walls are at the points where the support ribs merge into the blade walls. The regions with higher material temperatures of the blade walls are at the positions where cavities are arranged inside the blade walls. This is achieved via a ceramic thermal barrier coating having different layer thicknesses that allow different material temperatures. The region of the surface of the blade wall which faces the working medium and lies opposite an internal rib has a thicker thermal barrier coating than a region of the surface of the blade wall which is cooled via a cooling medium that flows in the cavities. This results in homogenization of the material temperature in the connecting regions, which results in prolonged blade life.

Such turbine blades are generally known. They have an airfoil section which is subjected to flow of a hot working medium and extends from a leading edge to a trailing edge. The airfoil section in this case is formed by a blade wall on the suction side and a blade wall on the pressure side and is provided with a coating on its outer surface which faces the hot working medium. The coating serves as a thermal barrier coating in order to minimize the heat yield from the hot working medium to the material of the airfoil section, so that this can withstand the mechanical and thermal stresses for a predetermined service life. Although this coating, for example a ceramic APS thermal barrier coating, protects the turbine blade material, cracks can occur in the blade material as wear phenomena, which shorten the service life of the component and which can endanger the operation of the gas turbine with the absence of countermeasures.


Methods for simultaneous syngas generation by opposite sides of a solid oxide co-electrolysis cell are provided. The method can comprise exposing a cathode side of the solid oxide co-electrolysis cell to a cathode-side feed stream; supplying electricity to the solid oxide co-electrolysis cell such that the cathode side produces a product stream comprising hydrogen gas and carbon monoxide gas while supplying oxygen ions to an anode side of the solid oxide co-electrolysis cell; and exposing the anode side of the solid oxide co-electrolysis cell to an anode-side feed stream. The cathode-side feed stream comprises water and carbon dioxide, and the anode-side feed stream comprises methane gas such that the methane gas reacts with the oxygen ions to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The cathode-side feed stream can further comprise nitrogen, hydrogen, or a mixture thereof.

The ever-increasing consumption of fossil fuels and their unfavorable burning products, CO2, are leading the society into serious energy shortage and environmental issues. Alternative energy technologies with low CO2 emission are urgently desired to meet the demands. Solid oxide co-electrolysis cell offers a potential way to convert surplus renewable electricity into easily transportable chemical energy by splitting H2O and CO2 into syngas (a mixture of CO and H2), which can be used as feedstock through the subsequent well-established Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) process to produce liquid synthetic fuel.
However, there are still many challenges before it becomes practically feasible. Solid oxide co-electrolysis cell is in principle a concentration cell, which performs according to the gas conditions in both electrode sides. For the current solid oxide co-electrolysis cell system, the cathode is typically composed of Ni-based material, which is easily oxidized losing its electrical and catalytic properties. Thus, some reduced gases such H2 and/o CO are required to feed together with the co-electrolysis reactant CO2 and H2O to maintain the reducing atmosphere in the cathode. Meanwhile, the anode is often directly exposed to air, and the oxygen gas produced during the co-electrolysis is normally emitted as an exhaust or collected as it forms. It is a huge waste or at least not effectively utilized, deserving to generate more commercial values. To make things worse, the current operating conditions for solid oxide co-electrolysis cells can cause an extremely large difference of the oxygen pressure between two electrodes. The oxygen pressure gradient results in a high open circuit voltage up to 1.0 V at 800° C. according to the Nernst equation. It is known, however, that a voltage higher than the open circuit voltage ("OCV" or "VOC") is required to generate the co-electrolysis. So the current solid oxide co-electrolysis cell has a very low electrolysis efficiency since most of the electricity is consumed to overcome the initial energy barrier resulted from the oxygen pressure gradient not for producing the real electrolysis.

Partial oxidation of methane (POM) assisted solid oxide co-electrolysis


A therapeutic device (20) for the treatment of male sexual dysfunction which has first and second substantially rigid portions (21,23) interconnected by malleable or deformable portions (24). The device (20) is fitted to the base of the male penis and by selective deformation of the device (20), the first portion constricts blood flow through the penile veins to enable the user to achieve a penile erection; the second portion (23) constricts the urethra to prevent premature ejaculation; and the malleable or deformable portions (24) constrict blood flow through the penile arteries to overcome Priapism. The device (20) has a core (30) (e.g. of copper wire) within a deformable resilient sheath (33), with grooves or slots (27) which allow blood flow through the blood vessels under the skin of the penis when in use.

(1) Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a therapeutic device for male sexual dysfunction. The device may also be used to enhance male sexual pleasure (e.g. by prolonging the male orgasm).
(1) Prior Art
There are three main problem areas in male sexual dysfunction, as follows:
(1) the inability to achieve and/or maintain penile erection; PA1 (2) Priapism (i.e. where penile erection is not released); and PA1 (3) premature ejaculation,
There are many reasons for these problems. In certain cases they are related to the side effects of drugs. Males who suffer arterial disease, renal disease and/or diabetes are also likely candidates to suffer such problems.
Various methods have been adopted in an attempt to solve these problems. For example, the problem of penile erection has seen the use of surgery to restore arterial flow and the use of inflatible implants to enable an erection to be achieved, Priapism often requires an injection to enable the erection to be released while desensitizing preparations can be prescribed for premature ejaculation.
All of the proposals to date have problems in themselves and tend to mitigate against any enjoyment obtained from performing the sexual act.

Therapeutic device for male sexual dysfunction


A nozzle sealing assembly includes a cup-shaped nozzle seal cap and a sealing ring. The nozzle seal cap is coupled to a nozzle body and surrounds a tip portion of the nozzle body. The sealing ring is coupled to an outer surface of the nozzle seal cap and provides a sealing surface that is configured to slidably contact an adjacent mold plate.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to injection molding, and particularly to a nozzle sealing assembly for edge-gated injection molding nozzles.
2. Background of the Invention
Injection molding is a common manufacturing practice. Various articles of commercial value such as plastic bottles, toothbrushes, and children's toys, are made using well-known injection molding techniques. Injection molding generally involves melting a material, which is often plastic, then forcing the melt stream at high temperatures and pressures through one or more gates into a mold cavity. The melt cools in the shape of the mold cavity, which is opened to eject the finished part.
The melt is supplied from a machine nozzle, injected into a heated manifold and distributed to the mold cavities through heated nozzles. The heated nozzles are seated within bores in a mold plate that forms the cavities. The mold plate is cooled so that melt injected into the cavities can be adequately cooled prior to ejection. However, because the nozzle is heated and the mold plate is cooled, heat from the nozzle is drawn from the nozzle into the mold plate, which can create difficulty in maintaining the melt at an optimum temperature in the nozzle. As a result, it is often desirable to configure the injection molding system to reduce heat transfer from the nozzles to the mold plate, especially proximal to the mold gates, while still maintaining an adequate seal between each nozzle and a respective mold gate.
Front-gated nozzles often include an alignment collar and a transfer seal to maintain the position of the nozzle in the mold plate and to provide a seal between the nozzle and the mold plate. In some systems, the alignment collar and transfer seal suspend the nozzle body within a bore in the mold plate so that there is no direct contact between the nozzle body and mold plate. To further reduce heat transfer between the nozzle and the mold plate, the alignment collar and transfer seal are constructed from materials that are less thermally conductive than the nozzle body or the mold plate, and/or they are configured to reduce the contacting surface area between the components. During mold cycles the temperature of the injection molding system components fluctuate resulting in thermal expansion and contraction of those components. During the temperature cycles, sealing between the nozzle and the mold gate can be maintained by sliding contact between the transfer seal and the mold plate.
Some molding operations require edge-, or side-, gated nozzles. Edge-gated nozzles are used when a mold cavity is spaced radially from the longitudinal axis of the nozzle and melt must be distributed from the nozzle transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle body. Edge-gated nozzles employ one or more nozzle tips extending radially outward from the nozzle body to provide a path for melt to flow radially outward from the nozzle body.
One approach for providing a seal between a nozzle tip and a mold gate in edge-gated nozzles is to utilize individual edge gate seals or inserts that contact the mold plate adjacent to the mold gate. The gate seals are configured to slide with respect to the mold plate during thermal expansion. A disadvantage of such seals is that they form a thermal conduction path between the nozzle body and the mold plate close to the mold gate. In addition, it has been found that allowing melt to flow into a gap between the nozzle tip and mold plate may be beneficial and such thermal seals do not allow for such a gap.
Another device utilizing individual seals employs a nozzle tip that includes a sealing flange spaced from the tip outlet by an annular recess. The sealing flange has a contacting surface that is configured to contact the mold plate and seal around the mold gate. The outlet of the tip is recessed so that a gap is formed between the portion of the tip where the outlet is located and the mold gate when the sealing flange contacts the mold plate. As a result, a small cavity is formed between the tip and the mold plate that is filled with melt during operation. Although the device provides the benefit of the gap between the tip and mold plate, the proximity of the sealing flange with the mold gate provides a thermal conduction path that is close to the mold gate.
Another approach for providing a seal between a nozzle tip and a mold gate in edge-gated nozzles is to utilize a single seal between the nozzle body and the mold plate at a location spaced from the nozzle tip and mold gate. In one device, a sealing sleeve that contacts both the nozzle body and the mold plate is provided. The sealing sleeve surrounds a portion of the nozzle body spaced from the nozzle tip and mold gate. A shoulder is provided on the outer surface of the nozzle body to locate the sleeve longitudinally on the nozzle body. An upper portion of the sleeve is held in place on the nozzle body by a press fit or threaded engagement with the nozzle body. A lower portion of the outer surface of the sealing sleeve is configured such that there is sliding contact between the sealing sleeve and the mold plate. A sealing ring is also provided between the sealing sleeve and the nozzle body to improve the seal between the sleeve and the nozzle body and to prohibit melt from flowing between the sealing sleeve and the nozzle body. A gap is provided between the nozzle tips and mold gates so that melt is free to flow into a cavity created between the nozzle body, sealing sleeve and mold plate. A disadvantage of such a device is that the nozzle body must be specially configured to receive the sealing sleeve, e.g., the nozzle body must include a shoulder. Another disadvantage of the device is that mounting the sealing sleeve to the nozzle body requires either an additional press fit operation or a further complicated nozzle body design.
Another device that utilizes a single seal between the nozzle body and mold plate utilizes a sealing ring stopper sleeve and a sealing ring. The sealing ring stopper sleeve is brazed to an end portion of the nozzle body and the sealing ring is slid onto the stopper sleeve so that it abuts a shoulder provided on the stopper sleeve. Although the nozzle body does not require a special configuration in such a device, manufacture of the device requires an additional brazing operation to mount the stopper sleeve to the nozzle body.


A high-capacity collector apparatus and method are provided for collecting sheet articles and advancing collected sheet articles. The collector apparatus includes a stage for collecting a stack of sheet articles advanced thereto wherein the stage is adjustable to accommodate sheet articles of various dimensions or sizes. Pusher/stop members are provided and are operable to stop sheet articles collected in a stack in the stage and to subsequently push the stack of sheet articles from the stage. The pusher/stop members are preferably lug members fixedly attached to a plurality of belts with each belt having one lug member fixedly attached thereto.. In a preferred embodiment, the collector apparatus comprises two pairs of independently controlled movable belts each having one lug member attached thereto. The lug members of one pair of belts are adapted for providing a front stop for one stack of sheet articles collected in the stage, and for alternately moving to a rear ready position and then pushing another stack of collected sheet articles from the stage at a predetermined time. Each belt operatively extends around one drive pulley and one idle pulley, and the belts are aligned so that two opposing shafts rotated independently by separate drive motors can be used to controllably drive each pair of belt means independently.

Various collector or accumulator apparatuses have been and/or are utilized for the collection and subsequent advancement of sheet articles comprising paper sheets, documents and the like such as those typically utilized in high-speed media processing such as, for example, mail processing.
One such collector apparatus and method utilizes a front stop/pusher carriage for advancing a set or stack of collected sheet articles into constant running nip rollers which handle and further advance the collected sheet articles. Another collector or accumulator apparatus and method that has been used in the past uses over and under continuously running round belt drives to advance sheet articles into clutch-actuated nip rollers. Yet another common collector apparatus and method uses flat belt drives and solenoid-actuated drop rollers to convey collected sheet articles into constant running nip rollers. These apparatuses and methods all suffer from the disadvantage of shingling of the set of collected sheet articles which can occur because of the nip rollers as well as from the problem of toner sometimes being transferred from the nip rollers to the processed material.
A collector apparatus and method used in the past which does not require the use of nip rollers is a Vacuum Sheet Sequencer device comprising a two belt system wherein each belt has two spaced-apart lugs fixedly attached thereto and the system is driven by a clutch brake system. One lug of each belt simultaneously acts as a front stop for collected sheet articles. Advancement of the collected sheet articles occurs by each belt simultaneously cycling such that the lugs acting as front stops move forward in the advance direction and out of the way of further advancement of the collected sheet articles by movement dictated by the belts. Since each belt has two lugs attached thereto, the other lugs of each belt simultaneously move to push the collected sheet articles from their previous stop position and stop in a position for providing a stop for subsequent collected sheet articles. Since the lugs are fixedly attached to the belts and therefore all cycle simultaneously, this system typically is adapted for collecting and advancing sheet articles of a certain predetermined dimension or size and therefore suffers from such disadvantage.
Another problem with prior art collector apparatuses and methods such as those described hereinabove is that they have a limited capacity regarding the number of stacked sheet articles that can be collected thereon and subsequently advanced therefrom. Typical prior art collector apparatuses and methods have at best a limited capacity or ability regarding the number of sheet articles that can be collected and advanced as a stack as such prior art apparatuses at best typically can only collect and advance a stack of up to approximately twenty-one (21) sheet articles. To compensate for such a limitation, large sets or stacks of sheet articles have had to be broken up into various subsets for processing.
In view of the problems associated with prior art collector apparatuses and methods, it can therefore be seen that much room for improvement exists in the art of collector apparatuses and methods for an improved collector apparatus and method with an ability to collect and advance large stacks of sheet articles of various dimensions or sizes in an improved manner.


A positioning arrangement for positioning a rotor relative to a shaft includes a collar provided with a formation cooperable with a corresponding formation provided upon the shaft to resist relative angular movement between the collar and the shaft, the collar being provided with an external, generally axially extending rib cooperable with a part of the rotor to deform the said part of the rotor to resist relative rotation between the collar and the rotor.

This invention relates to an angular positioning arrangement, and in particular to an angular positioning arrangement suitable for use in securing a rotor of a resolver or position sensor associated with a rotary shaft of an actuator against angular movement relative to that shaft. However, it may be used in other applications.
Where a resolver or rotary position sensor is associated with a rotatable shaft, for example associated with an actuator, to provide position information, it is important that the rotor of the resolver or position sensor is firmly and reliably secured to the shaft in a known angular position relative to the shaft. Any movement of the rotor relative to the shaft, or incorrect angular installation of the rotor relative to the shaft, may result in incorrect position information being supplied to an associated controller which could result in inappropriate control over the actuator or other device of which the shaft forms part or with which it is associated. Furthermore, it is desirable for the axial position of the rotor to be accurately aligned with an associated stator.
One technique used in positioning and securing a rotor of a position sensor or resolver to a shaft is to, prior to installation, move the rotor of the sensor relative to a stator thereof until the output of the position sensor reaches a null-point value. Once this position has been reached, the rotor and stator are both marked to indicate the relative positions occupied by the rotor and stator when in the null-point position. The stator is then mounted in position upon the actuator or other device with which it is to be used such that the stator position is fixed. The rotor is then positioned upon the actuator shaft, with the actuator occupying a known position which will, in use, correspond to the null-point position of the sensor. Keeping the shaft stationary, the rotor position is adjusted to bring the markings into alignment with one another.
In order to secure the rotor in this position relative to the shaft, the rotor is formed with a pair of slots. Once correctly positioned upon the shaft, the shaft is deformed, for example by swaging, to force part of the shaft material into the slots of the rotor, and thereby prevent relative movement between the shaft and the rotor.
US2011/0241498 describes another technique for securing a resolver rotor to a shaft. It includes a bearing by which the resolver is mounted upon the shaft, and a lock arrangement for locking the resolver in a chosen angular orientation relative to the shaft.
US2008/0279652 describes a coupling in which one component is provided with a series of serrations received within recesses formed in another component.
There is a desire to provide an alternative positioning arrangement whereby a rotor can be secured to a shaft in a desired angular position. Furthermore, there is a desire to provide an arrangement which allows removal of the rotor from the shaft, for example to allow replacement of the rotor in the event that replacement thereof is required.


An auxiliary input device for menu control on a portable computing device is provided. The auxiliary input device includes a lighting unit, an optical lens, and an optical sensor. The lighting unit is for projecting light to a surface upon which the portable computing device is moved upon. The optical lens is for receiving reflected light from the surface and focusing the reflected light on the optical sensor. The optical sensor is for periodically capturing images of the reflected light and transmitting information of the images captured to the portable computing device. The images captured map a movement of the portable computing device. Accordingly, the portable computing device scrolls through a menu displayed thereon according to the images captured. A related method is also provided.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to input devices and methods for a portable computing device, and particularly to an input device and method for menu control based on a movement of a portable computing device.
2. General Background
People commonly use portable computing devices today for various personal and work-related purposes. Such portable devices are, for example, mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDA's), media players (e.g., MP3 players), and digital cameras. Portable devices are increasingly popular because their small size allows people to easily carry and use the devices in remote locations.
Another aspect, there exist today many conventional styles of input devices for performing operations with respect to these portable computing devices. By way of example, the input devices may include buttons, switches, keyboards, touch pads, touch screens, and the like. With respect to buttons, switches, or keyboards (hereinafter, "first type input devices"), they are generally dedicated to moving a selector (e.g., a cursor) in a specific direction (e.g., arrow keys) or to making specific selections (e.g., enter, delete, etc.). However, due to the mechanical structure of the first type input devices, they can no longer be accurately manipulated when over time mechanical components thereof wear out or simply break down. With respect to touch pads or touch screens (hereinafter, "second type input devices"), they are operable to move a selector in an appropriate direction or make a selection in an appropriate portion of these touch devices. However, due to the sensitive nature of the second type input devices, they are easy to be scratched or damaged so that operational inputs thereon may become ineffective.
What is needed, therefore, is an auxiliary input device and method for aiding selection control on the portable computing device.

Input device and method for menu control on a portable computing device

Longhua Town, Bao'an District, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province

Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (Shen Zhen) Co., Ltd.


A device is described for establishing an electrical connection between a portable electronic instrument and an external device, the portable electronic instrument comprising a casing provided with a socket in which a plurality of electrical contact elements is disposed, this socket being shaped to permit the insertion of a plug-in adaptor which is electrically connected to the external device and comprises a plurality of electrical contact zones, each intended to come into contact with a corresponding electrical contact element in the socket. The electrical contact elements are disposed substantially perpendicularly to the direction of insertion of the plug-in adaptor, and the electrical contact zones extend substantially parallel to the direction of insertion of the plug-in adaptor. Also described is a system for recharging a battery of a portable electronic instrument comprising such a connection device, as well as a plug-in adaptor for such a connection device.

In the field of digital watches, a certain number of solutions which make it possible to establish an electrical connection between the watch and an external device are already known. Documents U.S. Pat. No. 4,118,922, U.S. Pat. No. 4,323,996, U.S. Pat. No. 4,103,483 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,165,605 describe for example a certain number of solutions which consist in placing one or more electrical contact elements in the bottom of the casing of the watch, in an area where the watch is in contact with the user's skin, the electrical connection with these contact elements being guaranteed by an adaptor or by suitable contact means.
The proximity of the electrical contact elements of the watch to the user's skin is an important constraint. It is indeed desirable, as a general rule, to avoid all contact of these elements with the user's skin. Mechanical or electrical means of protection must typically be provided in order to limit this risk. On the other hand, these solutions are subject to dirtying or contamination problems which impair the quality of the electrical connection.
More desirable solutions for tackling the problem of a possible contact with the user's skin have already been suggested. The document U.S. Pat. No. 5,703,460 describes for example an electrical connection device using a plug-in adaptor which is inserted into a socket provided laterally in the watch casing. Although it allows all contact with the user's skin to be avoided, this solution nonetheless has the disadvantage of only allowing the establishment of an electrical connection with a single contact element (an additional plug-in adaptor being necessary for the establishment of an electrical connection with a supplementary contact element in the watch) and of being more severely subject to contamination problems, dirt and impurities accumulating in the bottom of the socket as the watch is used. Moreover, the configuration of the connection device is not suitable from the viewpoint of guaranteeing the water resistance of the portable instrument.
Another solution using a plug-in adaptor is illustrated by the document JP 2001-186584. This document describes a portable electronic instrument taking the form of a wrist-watch provided with a connection device ensuring an electrical link with a pair of headphones. The plugging-in of the pair of headphones is ensured by a conventional jack-type adaptor. In the context of this application, the adaptor has three electrical contact zones aligned the one behind the other in the direction of insertion of the adaptor into its socket. In the same way, this socket is provided with three electrical contact elements also aligned the one behind the other in the direction of insertion of the adaptor, these three contact elements being electrically linked to the electrical and electronic components housed in the casing of the instrument. It should be noted that the socket Into which the adaptor is to be plugged in is not as such arranged directly in the casing of the Instrument, but into an additional casing attached to the casing of the Instrument, the electrical connection between the two casings being ensured by components of a similar construction to that of a push-button.
This solution has the advantage of requiring only a single plug-in connector to establish a plurality of electrical connections, as well as constituting a relatively widespread standard on the market This solution Is however always Ill-adapted with regard to the sealing constraints of the portable Instrument and is also very sensitive to the build-up of dirt or impurities which may Impair the quality of the electrical contact. Moreover, the construction of such a device remains relatively complex and is not very robust in use.

Device plug and electronic instrument socket particularly for use in recharging instrument battery


Described is a resonant-cavity p-i-n photodetector based on the reflection or transmission through a Fabry-Perot cavity incorporating non-epitaxial, amorphous layers with alternating refractive index difference which layers are electron-beam deposited on a light-gathering side of a commercially available photodetector. The materials of the Fabry-Perot cavity are selectable from materials, refractive indices of which fall within a large range (from n=1.26 for CaF.sub.2 to n=3.5 for Si) preferably from materials which are depositable in an amorphous state. The material combinations are selected so that only wavelengths resonant with the cavity mode will be detected. The microcavity of the RC-PIN design can also be deposited on any existing detector structure, without modification of semiconductor growth. Such a photodetector would be useful for wavelength de-multiplexing applications. The ease of layer deposition, as well as the high degree of tailorability of spectral position, spectral detection width, and maximum numerical aperture of efficient detection, make the RC-PIN attractive for use in wavelength demultiplexing applications. An exemplary RC-PIN photodetector includes a Si/SiO.sub.2 Fabry-Perot cavity electron-beam deposited on the InP substrate of a commercial InGaAs photodetector. The detection efficiency relative to a reference device was 52 percent at the resonant wavelength of 1350 nm, with a resonance width of 14 nm, and a 4 percent response for off-resonance wavelengths in the 1100-1700 nm range.

Wavelength selective detectors are useful in wavelength-division multiplexing applications. By sending separate signals at different wavelengths through an optical fiber, and detecting these wavelengths separately, one can increase the information capacity of a communications system. The light sources could consist of semiconductor lasers or narrow-spectrum light emitting diodes (LEDs) such as a resonant cavity LED (RCLED). The detection system must be able to demultiplex the signal, i.e., detect the different wavelength signals separately. Each detector in the demultiplexing scheme must be able to detect the light from its design wavelength with good efficiency, while being insensitive to all other wavelengths in order to minimize cross-talk between channels.
Recently, resonant cavity enhanced (RCE) photodetectors have been studied for use in wavelength-division multiplexing applications. These designs place the absorbing region of a photodetector within a Fabry-Perot resonant cavity consisting of epitaxial semiconductor layers. Such devices can exhibit high speed, can have thin absorption regions, and detect light most strongly at the resonant wavelength of the cavity while reflecting non-resonant wavelengths. These devices, however, require the growth of a thick epitaxial distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) semiconductor mirror below and usually above the active region. For example, see K. Kishino et al., "Resonant Cavity--Enhanced (RCE) Photodetectors", IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics, Vol. 27, No. 8, August 1991, pages 2025-2026.


Pre-compression valve systems for trigger sprayers include one-piece valve systems having both check and pre-compression valves or multiple component valve systems. The pre-compression valve is positioned in a vertical cylinder, and may have a flat, concave, or convex surface.

Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the present invention relate to trigger sprayers and in particular to pre-compression type trigger sprayers.
State of the Art
Trigger sprayers and their uses are well known. In some instances, it is desirable to prevent discharge of a trigger sprayer until a certain pressure—or pre-compression—has been applied to the fluid to be discharged by a trigger sprayer. Various systems have been developed to accomplish such pre-compression features. However, it is desirable to develop new pre-compression configurations which may be easier or more cost efficient to produce and manufacture.


A tool box includes a housing having a number of orifices formed in an upper wall, and a carrier slidably received in the housing and having a number of socket openings for receiving tool members. The carrier is slidable relative to the housing for selectively moving the tool members in and out of the housing. A spring member may be engaged between the housing and the carrier, for biasing the carrier to move the tool members out of the housing. The carrier includes a bore for slidably receiving a guide post of the housing, and for guiding the carrier to move up and down relative to the housing. An anchoring device may anchor the carrier to the housing at the inwardly storing position.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a tool box, and more particularly to a tool box having a movable or spring-biased holder for movably supporting tool bits, sockets or other tool members therein.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Typical tool boxes comprise a receptacle including a number of cavities or socket openings formed therein for receiving tool bits, sockets or other tool members therein. Normally, the tool bits or the sockets or the other tool members may include an end portion extended out of the cavities or the socket openings of the receptacle, for allowing the tool members to be gripped or fetched by the users and to be removed from the cavities or the socket openings of the receptacle.
However, normally, the tool members may include only a short or tiny end portion extended out of the cavities or the socket openings of the receptacle, such that the tool members may not be easily gripped or fetched by the users.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,237,451 to Wei discloses one of the typical tool boxes and also comprising a receptacle including a number of cavities or socket openings formed therein for receiving tool bits, sockets or other tool members therein, and a cover rotatably attached onto the receptacle for enclosing the receptacle. The cover includes an aperture formed therein for aligning with either of the tool members, to allow the selected tool members to be gripped or fetched by the users.
However, when the aperture of the cover has been rotated and aligned with one of the tool members, the selected tool member also may not be moved out of the cavities or the socket openings of the receptacle, such that the tool members also may not be easily gripped or fetched by the users.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,327,942 to Mariol et al. discloses another typical tool box or bit drive comprising a driver handle including a number of cavities or socket openings formed therein for receiving tool bits, sockets or other tool members therein, and a bit cap rotatably attached onto the driver handle for enclosing the driver handle. The bit cap includes a spring-biased bit gate having a gate aperture formed therein for aligning with either of the tool members, to allow the selected tool members to be gripped or fetched by the users.
However, similarly, when the gate aperture of the bit gate of the bit cap has been rotated and aligned with one of the tool members, the selected tool member also may not be moved out of the cavities or the socket openings of the driver handle, such that the tool members also may not be easily gripped or fetched by the users.
The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages of the conventional tool boxes.


The card reader prevents fraudulent use of the data read from a magnetic card. The card reader takes a card having a magnetic stripe at a card insertion port into a card reader and a magnetic head reads data recorded on the magnetic stripe. The data read is saved and a timer is started. After a given time elapses, the saved data is made unavailable for reading.

Among all card readers characterized above, there is card reader (100) of the manual type as illustrated in FIG. 5. The manual type card reader comprises: a frame (102) having a card insertion port (101); a channel (103) continuing in the card insertion direction to accommodate insertion and discharge of a magnetic card (105); and a magnetic head (104) arranged at a side of channel (103) for detecting magnetic card (105).
The process steps in which manual card reader (100) reads data from magnetic card (105) to send it to a higher level apparatus is described herein with reference to the flow chart illustrated in FIG. 6.
Insertion of magnetic card (105) is recognized by magnetic head (104) when magnetic head (104) reads the data on magnetic stripe (106). While waiting for insertion of magnetic card (105), magnetic head (104) reads no data from magnetic stripe (106). Therefore, it determines that magnetic card (105) is not considered to be inserted to card reader (100) (No for Step 101; step is designated as "S" hereinafter).
As magnetic card (105) is inserted into channel (103) through card insertion port (101), magnetic head (104) reads data recorded on magnetic stripe (106) of magnetic card (105), then insertion of magnetic card (105) is detected (Yes for S 101). Magnetic head (104) reads data on magnetic stripe (106) (S 102), and edits the data it has read (S 103). The data being edited stays until the data transmission to a higher level apparatus (S 104) is authorized. A requirement for authorization of the data transmission is detection of magnetic card (105) by rear sensor (107) in card reader (100). When the data transmission is authorized (Yes for S 104), the data is sent to a higher level apparatus (S 105).
In order to accurately transmit the data read from magnetic card (105) to a higher level apparatus, the data is held within card reader (100) until the data transmission to a higher level apparatus is authorized in this card reader (100). The data is deleted when one of the following conditions is met: (i) rear sensor (107) detects presence of magnetic card (105), which authorizes data transmission, then the data is sent to a higher level apparatus; or (ii) rear sensor (107) detects the magnetic card (105) at a given position, and a "delete" command is executed upon detection described in section (ii), then the data is sent to a higher level apparatus.
Nonetheless, the above card reader (100) of conventional technology has a drawback in that it holds the data read from magnetic card (105) internally until a higher level apparatus receives the data. The data being held in card reader (100) may be used for a fraudulent purpose by a third party, not the holder of magnetic card (105). For example, a person may trick rear sensor (107) to fail accurate detection of positions of magnetic card (105). Even though a deceptive mechanism is created in card reader (100), data on magnetic card (105) can be read and saved as usual when a card holder inserts magnetic card (105) to the card reader (100). In this case, since rear sensor (107) fails to detect the arrival of magnetic card (105) at a given position, authorization does not occur and the data is not sent to a higher level apparatus. The data is left in card reader (100) as a result of not being cleared. As soon as the holder of magnetic card (105) leaves card reader (100), the person with a malicious intent can use the data held in card reader (100).
The object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide a card reader that can discourage fraudulent use of the data being read from a magnetic card and a method of controlling the card reader.

Card reader and method of controlling the card reader


A wireless communication apparatus includes an X-ray sensor that transmits X-ray image data, a wireless access point that receives the X-ray image data from the X-ray sensor by wireless communication, and an entry apparatus that communicates with the X-ray sensor by short-range communication. A wireless setting apparatus sets wireless communication parameters for starting the wireless communication between the X-ray sensor and the wireless access point to the wireless access point and sets the same wireless communication parameters as those set to the wireless access point to the X-ray sensor by performing short-range wireless communication from the entry device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to wireless communication, and in particular, relates to a technology suitable for setting wireless communication at the time of installation.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, digital X-ray imaging apparatuses have been commercialized. The digital X-ray imaging apparatus generates X-rays to acquire X-ray image data from an X-ray sensor, performs analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion on the X-ray image data into digital X-ray image data, and performs image processing on the digital X-ray image data for diagnosis. An arrangement of a conventional X-ray imaging apparatus is illustrated in FIG. 3, for example. As illustrated in FIG. 3, in the conventional digital X-ray imaging apparatus, an X-ray sensor 1001 is generally installed on an upright stand or a table and is tethered with a cable to be used.
However, depending on an image capture method, it is necessary to capture X-ray images at a free position without fixing the X-ray sensor. In response to such a necessity a portable X-ray sensor has been proposed. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-172783 discusses an X-ray imaging apparatus including a thin and lightweight type X-ray sensor which is easy to handle. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-140255 discusses an X-ray imaging apparatus in which an X-ray sensor and a synchronous repeater are wirelessly connected to eliminate installation limitations of an X-ray sensor 1101 due to a cable, as illustrated in FIG. 4.
To provide a high-quality X-ray image, the pixel pitch of the X-ray sensor is about 100 to 200 μm and a 16-bit density resolution is used. If an image region size is 17″*14″ (43*35 cm), the data size constituting one image becomes generally 7.5 to 30 megabytes. To display an X-ray image at a speed of several seconds on a display after capturing the X-ray image at a free position and acquiring X-ray image data of the above size, a wireless communication unit is also required to be correspondingly fast. To easily realize such a high speed performance, a radio frequency (RF) wave is used for wireless communication.
Regarding RF waves, however, local RF regulations differ according to countries and regions, and available frequency bands are regulated for each country or region. Thus, individual and specific RF wave setting is required for an X-ray imaging apparatus according to the country or the region. Therefore, the RF wave setting has conventionally been performed on the apparatus according to a destination or an installation site at the time of shipment or the installation by human work.
However, the radio frequency (RF) wave settings established by human work are prone to the occurrence of operational error. If an operational error occurs and RF wave communications is set to a band out of regulation, the X-ray sensor may fail to operate properly and/or it may operate outside of regulated conditions which may be against local or regional laws.

Wireless communication apparatus, wireless communication system, wireless communication method, X-ray sensor, and program storage medium


In a flexible endoscope having a flexible insertion tube comprising a tubular, biocompatible elastomeric outer covering thereabout which encloses an interior space, the improvement according to the present invention comprises a vapor barrier between the outer covering and the interior space. Thus, vapor, such as hydrogen peroxide or other sterilants, passing through the outer covering from an atmosphere thereabout is prevented from entering the interior space by the vapor barrier. Further, the vapor is thus prevented from interacting with substances, such as lubricants, within the interior space to produce agents harmful to the elastomeric covering.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to flexible endoscopes; specifically to an improvement in the design of their flexible insertion tubes.
2. State of the Prior Art
A typical endoscope comprises an elongated tube suitable for introduction into a human or animal body. A lens at a distal tip of the endoscope forms an image of an internal area of the body. Means such as fiber optic cables or video transmission transmit the image along the length of the endoscope to a point outside of the body where it can be viewed by a surgeon or other user of the endoscope. Of course, endoscopes are not limited to medical uses, and are also useful in machine diagnostics and repair among other uses. Regardless of its intended use, a flexible distal portion allows the endoscope to negotiate non-linear passages.
In addition to the image transmission means, the distal portion of the endoscope typically contains one or more tubular passages for passing air, liquid, or instruments. Flexible endoscopes usually also contain one or more wires for controlling movement of the tip of the endoscope. A flexible sheath surrounds the flexible portion of the endoscope to protect it from its environment and to protect a patient's body or other environment from the internal parts of the endoscope.
To prevent noscomical infection, endoscopes are typically washed and then either sterilized or subjected to high level disinfection after each use. For added convenience during these procedures, many endoscopes are provided with an entirely water tight structure to protect the internal components of the endoscope from washing, disinfection and sterilization agents. In a flexible endoscope, the flexible elastomeric sheath surrounding the flexible portion of the endoscope forms an integral part of this water tight structure.
Delicate medical instruments, such as flexible endoscopes and the like, are notoriously difficult to sterilize and disinfect due to the complexity of their structure and design. Elastomeric parts on flexible endoscopes cannot survive the intense heat of steam sterilization typically used in the hospital and clinical environment. Typically, these instruments are now dipped into baths of liquid sterilants or high level disinfectants, with some of the liquid being forced through the long lumens within the endoscopes. Such processes have limitations. For instance, the high toxicity of many of the preferred liquid sterilants or disinfectants classifies them as hazardous waste after the procedure and makes them dangerous to work with. Also, liquid does not penetrate small crevices within an instrument as well as gaseous phase sterilants such as high pressure steam and gaseous chemical sterilants.
Gaseous sterilization with strong oxidizing agents such as hydrogen peroxide is a well established method for sterilizing delicate instruments such as flexible endoscopes. Ethylene oxide (EtO) gas is one such sterilant. However, it must be handled carefully as it is extremely toxic and mutagenic. One particularly effective gaseous technology is hydrogen peroxide gas plasma sterilization such as that provided by the STERRAD.RTM. Systems of Advanced Sterilization Products, a division of Johnson & Johnson Medical, Inc. In this type of system, instruments are placed into a sealed chamber and exposed to an atmosphere containing hydrogen peroxide in the gaseous phase. The chamber is placed under a vacuum prior to admitting the hydrogen peroxide to encourage the hydrogen peroxide vapor to reach all areas of the instrument. Once the vapor has reached all surfaces on the instruments in the chamber, an electromagnetic field is applied to the chamber driving the hydrogen peroxide into the plasma phase of matter. This enhances the sterilizing effect of the hydrogen peroxide. Further, when the field is released, the free radicals in the plasma recombine to form water and oxygen, thereby leaving no harmful residuals.
However, when flexible endoscopes have been subjected to this type of process, many experienced rapid degradation of their elastomeric outer sheath. This was curious as it was not thought that the hydrogen peroxide would affect such parts. Even more perplexing was the apparent random nature of the problem. Many theories were propounded, including some unknown interaction between the hydrogen peroxide, the plasma state and the elastomers. It was discovered that the degradation stems not from the action of the oxidizer on the elastomer, but from the action of the oxidizer on lubricating substances within the interior space within the insertion tube which in turn form compounds which degrade the elastomers. Certain lubricants found in endoscopes and other instruments breakdown in the oxidizing environment of the hydrogen peroxide vapor to form acids which can damage the elastomeric parts of delicate medical instruments. The lubricants are members of the class of metal dichalcogenides, such as molybdenum disulfide.
The oxidative chemical sterilant vapor reaches interior space primarily through two avenues. First, vapor may enter the space through a pressure relief port in the insertion tube. A significant area of unused space occupies the interior of the insertion tube of most flexible endoscopes. Of course, this space is filled with gas, typically air. As the pressure is reduced during a sterilization procedure, the gas trapped inside of the endoscope exerts tremendous pressure against the elastomeric sheath. If this pressure is not released, the sheath could rupture. Many endoscopes are provided with a sealable port leading into the interior of the endoscope. During sterilization in a reduced pressure environment the port may be opened to allow the interior of the endoscope to communicate with the sterilization atmosphere and thus relieve the excess pressure within the endoscope. The port is also used to check for leaks in the endoscope, especially in the sheath, through the controlled application of gas pressure to the endoscope's interior while it is submerged in water. Co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/446,377, and its foreign equivalents including EPO Application No. 96303585.2, incorporated herein by reference, disclose a two-way check valve and filter mechanism to relieve the pressure differential across the outer sheath without admitting hydrogen peroxide or other gaseous sterilants into the inner space of the insertion tube.
Second, polyurethane is a preferred elastomer for forming the outer sheath due to its biocompatibility, surface lubricity softness and to the ease with which it can be manufactured. However, oxidative sterilant vapors such as hydrogen peroxide can permeate through a sheath formed of polyurethane to enter the interior space of the endoscope. Once within the interior space it interacts with lubricants such as molybdenum disulfide to form acidic products which attack the polyurethane sheath. This action also degrades the effectiveness of the lubricant, but the sheath generally fails before the lubricant is exhausted in this manner. Further, the chemical sterilant vapor may cause other damage within the insertion tube and it may not dissipate during the normal course of the sterilization cycle, leaving residual chemical sterilant within the interior space after the sterilization procedure is completed, thus extending the chemical reaction between sterilants gas and molybdenum disulfide.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,753,222, incorporated herein by reference, discloses an endoscope sheath with a two layer construction. However, it does not disclose that the inner layer may be made to prevent passage of hydrogen peroxide or other sterilants into the interior space of the insertion tube.

Endoscope with improved flexible insertion tube


An implantable device includes a body member having a bottom side that is parallel to a top side; a pair of legs extending from the bottom side of the body member; and a pair of arms extending from the body member perpendicular to the pair of legs and a second arm extending from the body member perpendicular to the pair of legs.

Of the estimated 19 million North American adults who have urinary incontinence, 20% are estimated to be men. Such condition can range in severity from partial to complete loss of bladder control and patients afflicted with urinary incontinence can experience varying degrees of urine loss. In addition, it is known that urinary incontinence may change over time and that men and women with light incontinence, for example, may experience minimal leakage during the occurrence of a provocative event, such as laughing or coughing, whereas men with heavy incontinence may experience continuous urine leakage.
Generally, urinary incontinence is not considered a disease, but rather a symptom or side effect of another medical condition. Some conditions known to cause male urinary incontinence include prostate surgery, and in particular total prostatectomy, head and spinal cord injury, infection, certain toxins, such as too much alcohol consumption, certain medications, such as sedating medications, and certain diseases, such as cancer, Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis. Indeed, male incontinence can be caused simply by virtue of the aging process or emotional distress.
Each case of incontinence, however, is unique and no two people are affected by incontinence in the same way. There are, however, well-recognized types of incontinence and various ways to treat the same. Stress incontinence, which is a common type of incontinence, may be characterized as urine leakage during a provocative event such as sneezing, laughing, lifting heavy objects, or when the patient engages in any type of exercise that puts pressure on the bladder. Urge incontinence occurs when the patient wants to urinate but is incapable of exercising restraint until reaching a restroom. Additional types of incontinence include overflow incontinence, which occurs when the quantity of urine exceeds the capacity of the patient's bladder, and functional incontinence, which occurs when the patient has knowledge of the need to urinate but simply cannot access a restroom quickly enough due to a physical obstruction or debilitation.
To treat urinary incontinence, several options are available. Among the more effective types of recognized treatment include behavioral techniques, such as biofeedback, bladder training, and pelvic muscle exercises, and modifications of the patient's diet and fluid intake. With respect to the latter, it is known that eliminating or cutting back on certain types of substances, such as caffeine and alcohol, can help alleviate incontinence. There are additionally medications available, such as dicyclomine (Bentyl), flavoxate (Urispas), hyoscyamine sulfate (Anaspaz), imipramine (Tofranil), oxybutynin (Ditropan), tolterodine (Detrol), and propantheline (Pro-Banthine), phenylpropanolamine (Dexatrim), and pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) that are helpful in controlling urinary incontinence.
Surgery may additionally be an option to treat male urinary incontinence. Along these lines, surgically implantable devices for males, such as the In-Vance sling device and Artificial Urinary Sphincter (AUS), produced by American Medical Systems, Inc., of Minneapolis, Minn. The InVance sling device is a commercially available surgically implantable device that is operative to provide structural support to the urethra for the treatment of stress incontinence. In this regard, the device is operative to provide structural support to the urethra such that during a provocative event, the device will provide structural support to the urethra thus causing the urine to be retained within the bladder and not leak through the urethra. The AUS is a fluid-filled cuff that surrounds the urethra and keeps it closed. While both devices have been used in the treatment of incontinence, they are not easily used by the average urologist. For example, there are issues with the patient not being 100% dry postoperatively due to the sling or AUS being too loose. Alternatively, there are also issues with patients being put in retention postoperatively due to the device being too tight.
Utilizing such sling devices to treat incontinence has been known to have numerous additional drawbacks. For example, securing suburethral sling devices into position typically requires the use of bone screws, which are well-known in the art to be difficult and time consuming to deploy, and can result in significant patient discomfort, especially within the first couple of weeks following the surgical implantation.
In addition, procedures and methods for implanting suburethral sling devices often lead to difficulties in securing them into position with optimal degrees of tension. Indeed, the implantation of suburethral sling devices for the treatment of incontinence may be complex and time consuming, and may produce suboptimal clinical outcomes. Moreover it is recognized among surgeons who perform such implant procedures that sutures attached to bone anchors or bone screws, which are utilized to secure the devices into position, frequently break and that often times additional bone anchors or screws must be secured into position. In fact, sutures attached to bone anchors and or bone screws usually need to be individually re-tensioned several times before optimal device positioning and structural support to the urethra is achieved.
Accordingly, there is a substantial need in the art for a suburethral implantable device for the treatment of incontinence that may be easier to surgically secure into position and that may further provide an optimal degree of urethral support to thus effectively treat urinary incontinence. There is additionally a need in the art for an implantable device that may be simply constructed, easy to surgically manipulate, and which may be manufactured at relatively low cost utilizing known implant materials—whether they are synthetic materials, natural tissues, or combinations thereof. There is yet a further need in the art for such an implantable device that can be secured into position such that the device defines a suburethral portion operatively positioned to support the bulbar urethral region of the patient, with the device remaining in position via use of at least a pair of elongated extension members, such as arms, that are secured at or near respective pubic rami (variously referred to in the art as pubic rami/ramus (plural/singular) or descending pubic rami/ramus (plural/singular)—which surround or define the obturator foramen of a patient's pelvic region) without the use of bone anchors. With respect to the latter, it would be advantageous for such an implantable device to be secured, at least in part, by way of obturator foramen and preferably via pubic rami thereof. There is also a need for an implantable device that provides an opportunity to adjust tensioning of the implanted device postoperatively, in a minimally invasive and efficient manner.

Implantable devices for the treatment of incontinence and methods of using same


Apparatus and method for a golf putting training aid, which is attached to the shaft of a conventional existing putter which putter would normally be used by the golfer for putting. The apparatus comprises a second handle, which is disposed parallel to the first handle of the existing putter, wherein the apparatus has means of being attached to the shaft of the existing putter so that the second handle on the golf putting training aid is disposed parallel to the handle of the existing putter. The second handle is removable and can be moved along the first handle and the distance between the first and second handles can be varied.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to golf training aids and, more particularly, is concerned with an apparatus and method for a golf putting training aid.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Golf training aids have been described in the prior art. However, none of the prior art devices disclose the unique features of the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,533,676 to D'Angelo, et al. dated Mar. 18, 2003 described a golf putting aid and brace member therefore. U.S. Pat. No. 6,491,591 to Schuster dated Dec. 10, 2002 described a putter stabilizing brace for putt training. U.S. Pat. No. 5,810,675 to Weathers dated Sep. 22, 1998 described a golf putting stroke training device. U.S. Pat. No. 5,520,392 to Foresi, et al. dated May 28, 1996 described a golf training device for teaching a pendulum-type putting swing. U.S. Pat. No. 4,944,516 to Bickler dated Jul. 31, 1990 described a putting trainer device. U.S. Pat. No. 3,951,416 to Koch, et al. dated Apr. 20, 1976 described a golf training device. U.S. Pat. No. 2,273,416 to Norwood dated Feb. 17, 1942 described a golf instruction device. U.S. Pat. No. 5,220,742 to Lewis dated Jun. 22, 1993 disclosed a rod-mounted case for fishing lures. U.S. Pat. No. 2,801,875 to McEvoy dated Aug. 6, 1957 disclosed a golf ball retriever. U.S. Pat. No. Des. 356,135 to Slusher dated Mar. 7, 1995 disclosed a golf swing training aid. U.S. Pat. No. 5,890,977 to Taylor dated Apr. 6, 1999 disclosed a golf putter alignment method. U.S. Pat. No. 6,071,199 to Suzuki dated Jun. 6, 2000 disclosed a method for correction of golf swing. U.S. Pat. No. 760,161 to Smith dated May 17, 1904 disclosed an attachment for a golf club handle.
While these golf training aids may be suitable for the purposes for which they were designed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention, as hereinafter described.


The invention is a method for detecting the presence of bacteria in a sample. The method of the invention utilizes the steps of (a) admixing a fluorescent conjugate with a sample to be tested for the presence of bacteria in the sample, wherein a moiety of the fluorescent conjugate is metabolized to release the fluorescent moiety of the fluorescent conjugate; (b) inducing fluorescence of the fluorescent conjugate and the fluorescent moiety of the metabolized fluorescent conjugate at 325-345 nm; (c) simultaneously detecting the fluorescence of the fluorescent conjugate at 370-380 nm and the fluorescent moiety of the metabolized fluorescent conjugate at 445-480 nm; and (d) correlating the detected fluorescence of the fluorescent conjugate and the fluorescent moiety of the metabolized fluorescent conjugate to the presence of bacteria in the sample.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for detecting the presence of bacteria in a sample using fluorescent conjugates. The present invention also relates to a method for detecting the presence of bacteria in a sample by measuring the fluorescent intensity ratio of a metabolized fluorescent product at a specific wavelength to the metabolizable fluorescent conjugate at a second specific wavelength.
2. Description of the Art
Bacterial contamination of products designed for human use or consumption can be a significant public health and public relations problem. Recent news reports in this country and abroad have alerted the public to the dangers of bacterial contamination. As a result, rapid methods to identify sources of bacterial contamination have become increasingly important.
The sources of bacterial contamination frequently arise from inoculation of pathogenic bacteria into water sources via intestinal excrement of animals, particularly mammals. Epidemiological studies have indicated a strong correlation between the presence of waterborne pathogenic organisms and the presence of microorganisms of mammalian intestinal origin (e.g. the bacterium Esherichia coli). In addition, it has been well established that the quality of products for human use or consumption is negatively impacted by the presence of pathogenic organisms. Coliform bacteria (e.g., bacteria normally present in the gut of humans or animals) in particular have been shown to correlate with outbreaks of certain diseases such as gastroenteritis, dysentery, hepatitis, and the like. These illnesses can be severe or life-threatening in children, the elderly, and immunosuppressed individuals. Bathing beaches, shellfish beds, food processing and/or handling facilities, foodstuffs (e.g., hamburger, chicken, apple cider and the like), hospital equipment, sewage treatment plants, and certain industrial lubricants are a few examples of products or locations that can become contaminated by coliform bacteria. If present in significant numbers, coliform bacteria can cause product deterioration, spoilage, disease, or serious economic loss of consumable goods. In addition, the public perception about the sanative state of a product or location can be damaged, and is difficult to repair. It is therefore important to identify those products or locations that are contaminated with coliform bacteria as quickly as possible.
To address the problem of bacterial contamination, several test methodologies have been developed. Among these are radiometric, electrochemical, chromatographic, chemiluminescent, and fluorescent methodologies.
Radiometric approaches to identifying bacterial contamination generally utilize a nutrient such as lactose or galactose that incorporates one or more radioactive atoms. Upon metabolization by the bacteria, the radiolabel becomes incorporated into the bacteria, and the bacteria can be isolated and identified by following the radiolabel. However, this method has several undesirable drawbacks. Although this method is very sensitive, it utilizes radioisotopes which can be expensive and difficult to handle. This method also generates significant quantities of radioactive waste which is difficult and expensive to dispose. In addition, testing procedures using this method generally require from about 18 to 48 hours to produce results. This time delay in identifying the source of the bacterial contamination is too great in many situations that require immediate identification.
Electrochemical, chromatographic, and chemiluminescent methods are generally less sensitive than the radiometric approaches, and therefore require higher concentrations of bacteria to generate useful data. To achieve these higher bacterial concentrations, the bacteria are frequently cultured in a growth medium for about 24 hours until enough bacteria are present for the test. Alternatively, the bacteria are concentrated using filtration or other concentrating procedures. However, these preliminary concentration steps require additional time, materials, and equipment which generally add complexity to these procedures. In addition, the total time for performing electrochemical, chromatographic, and chemiluminescent tests generally range from 24 to about 48 hours. Like the radiometric procedures, this time delay may be too great if information concerning bacterial contamination is urgently needed.
Several fluorescent methods have been described in the prior art which offer advantages over the radiometric, electrochemical, chromatographic, and chemiluminescent methods. Many of these fluorescent methods are based on the enzymatic degredation of a fluorescently labeled umbelliferone substrate with concomitant monitoring of the fluorescence at a single wavelength. The following U.S. patents are representative of the current state of the art:
U.S. Pat. No. 4,591,554 to Koumura et al. discloses a method for rapidly detecting microorganisms utilizing nonfluorescent umbelliferone derivatives such as 4-methyl-umbelliferyl-.beta.-D-galactoside, 4-methyl umbelliferyl-.alpha.-D-galactoside, 4-methyl umbelliferyl-phosphate, and 4-methyl umbelliferyl-pyrophosphate. Fluorescence of the liberated umbelliferone moiety is induced at 360 nm and monitored at 450 nm. High concentrations of umbelliferone derivative are used in this method (10.sup.-3 -10.sup.-4 M).
U.S. Pat. No. 5,089,395 to Snyder et al. discloses use of a nonfluorescent umbelliferone derivative which is enzymatically converted to a fluorescent product to indicate the presence of bacteria. High concentrations of umbelliferone derivative are used in this method (about 50 .mu.g/ml). Fluorescence of diacetylfluorescein is induced at 310 nm and monitored at 350 nm to calibrate the instrument.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,518,894 to Berg discloses a rapid method to detect the presence of coliform bacteria. However, this method uses a concentration step (filtration) in combination with incubation to increase the number of bacteria present. The fluorescence of a high concentration of hydrolyzed umbelliferone derivative is monitored as an indication of bacterial presence. Fluorescence is induced at 365 nm and monitored at 465 nm.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,429,933 to Edberg discloses detection of environmental microbes using a fluorescent metabolite and a nutrient-rich medium. No particular wavelengths to monitor fluorescence emission energy are disclosed.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,610,029 to Ehrenfeld et al. discloses a culture medium for the detection of microbes in a sample. This culture medium includes various nutrients and growth factors, as well as a fluorescent metabolite (4-methyl umbelliferyl-.beta.-D-glucuronide). High concentrations of the fluorescent metabolite are utilized (60-90 .mu.g/ml), and fluorescence is monitored at 366 nm.
Thus, many of the prior art methods of detecting bacteria in a sample utilize high concentrations of fluorescent metabolite, and monitor induced fluorescence at a single wavelength. However, it is well established that high concentrations of fluorescent compounds result in a quenching effect of induced fluorescence. Thus, an accurate correlation between induced fluorescence and bacterial presence is not possible using high concentrations of fluorescent metabolite. Additionally, monitoring fluorescence with a single wavelength requires instrument and temperature stability, as well as calibration of the instrument prior to each experiment. Such requirements make the analysis process time-consuming, unreliable, and highly dependent on operator skill. Accordingly, what is needed in the art is a rapid method to detect the presence of bacteria in a sample that is simple to perform, accurate, and reliable. The present invention is believed to be an answer to that need.

Method for detecting bacteria in a sample


Electrical wiring apparatus having a base with an outer opening. The base has cable entries at opposite ends thereof that have the stripped wire ends of cables mounted therein. A mounting post extends outwardly from the base which has spaced recesses therein adjacent to the mounting post. Links are slidably mounted on the mounting post in offset relation in the spaced recesses to engage and connect the wire ends of the cables at opposite ends of the base. A cover plate and/or associated electrical device can be removably mounted on the base over the outer opening thereof to engage the links and maintain them in engagement with the wire ends. The electrical device may have terminals engaging the links.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to electrical wiring apparatus and, more particularly, to electrical switches, receptacles or the like. It is constructed to make circuit and device installation safer, faster and simpler.
2. Description of the Background Art
Millions of electrical devices, such as switches, receptacles, light fixtures or the like are installed in homes and other environments each year. The circuit installation mechanics of these devices have not changed significantly since 1892 with the result that such devices in most cases are time consuming to wire and install, are subject to circuiting errors, require many parts and are not always safe and reliable in operation. The wiring apparatus of the present invention is not subject to these disadvantages and possesses many advantages over conventional wiring devices.


A guiding system for machine tools of the type having first machine parts with guiding rails fastened thereto and second machine parts supported by shoes on the guiding rails of the first machine parts in such a way that they can be moved with respect to each other. At least in sections along their length that are exposed to high thermal loading, the guiding rails are kept in close pressure contact over a large surface area by cooling bars to which a coolant is applied.

In order to improve the running times and non-productive times, the axis speeds and the axis accelerations of the machine parts of machine tools are constantly increased. This results in major frictional losses in driving and guiding elements and in an increased heating of certain machine areas. In order to reduce these problems, encapsulated and cooled drive motors for the respectively moving machine parts have been used. The thermal encapsulation of the drive motors can lead to the fact that in particular in the case of highly dynamic machines more heat is introduced into the machine structure by friction in the linear guides rather than by the drives as such. The heat is introduced into the slides via the guiding shoes at a defined location and, if necessary, can be measured by a fixedly attached temperature sensor and therefore the effects of the heat input on the machine can be linearly compensated. On the other hand, the heat input into the machine structure takes place via the guiding rails in a way as a "line load," this thermal line load, that is, also the local distribution of the heat input in the respective machine part over the driven distance, depending on a number of parameters and on the NC program. Since the heat input changes with the location, it is no longer possible to detect and analyze it with stationary temperature sensors. This applies in particular to the cases in which only short machining is carried out with small lifting distances in rapid sequence on one or more workpieces. The disadvantageous result is heating and thus thermal deformations of the guiding rails, said deformations impairing the machining accuracy and reducing the life-time of the guiding systems due to increased wear.
According to patent publications EP 1 785 225 A and JP 2002 266977, the prior art includes spindle drives for machine tool components that have internal cooling for lowering the temperature of the spindle over its entire effective length and for avoiding heat concentrations in particularly stressed lengthwise sections. For the purpose of cooling, two longitudinal channels are formed in the spindle interior, those channels being connected to each other at one end and being provided with connections for supplying and discharging cooling liquid at the other end thereof. Due to the rotation of the spindle it is necessary to use multi-sealed rotating connections for the pressurized cooling liquid, which requires a technical input along with relatively high costs. There are no effects on the thermal behavior of the guiding system of the machine parts moved by the linear drives.
German patent DE 10 2005 029 854 B4 discloses a guiding rail for a linear guiding system which is designed for being used in machine tools. The respective guiding rail has internal cooling by means of a cooling liquid. Instead of having an inner longitudinal bore to be produced with technical input, a longitudinal groove is formed in the bottom of this known guiding rail, the groove being filled with cooling liquid. However, the leakages of the cooling liquid, occurring in the long-term operation when the mechanical and/or thermal loads are high, are problematic.

Guiding system for machine tools that is held by means of cooling bars


An optical fiber (10) having a first section (10A) with little or no small-angle scattering (SAS) and a second section (10B) with an increased amount of SAS is disclosed. The optical fiber is formed by changing the draw temperature (TD) and/or the draw speed (VD) so as to induce index of refraction perturbations (P) at a core interface (40). The SAS optical fiber is useful in forming an evanescent optical fiber sensor (400), wherein the increased SAS enhances an evanescent wave portion (436) of a guided wave (434), which leads to increased sensitivity when measuring a property of a test medium (500).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to optical fibers, and particularly to optical fibers having a relatively large amount of small-angle scatter, and sensors using same.
2. Technical Background
Optical fibers were developed some thirty years ago for long-distance telecommunication because of their large bandwidth, light weight, immunity from electromagnetic interference, and other advantageous properties. The typical optical fiber has a high-refractive-index core region surrounded by a low-refractive-index cladding. A protective coating is usually provided over the cladding to protect the structure from the environment. Light injected into the optical fiber travels down the core region of the optical fiber, with a small portion of the light propagating in the cladding as an evanescent field ("evanescent wave"). The evanescent wave typically penetrates a short distance into the cladding (e.g., a few microns), depending on the optical fiber's refractive index profile.
The distance over which optical signals can be transmitted over an optical fiber is limited by attenuation (loss) due to absorption and scattering (e.g., Rayleigh, Brillouin and weak scattering), as well as from geometric effects (e.g., bending). Consequently, over the years, tremendous effort has been directed to studying and reducing these sources of signal attenuation.
More recently, optical fibers have been used in sensors for measuring a host of different physical properties such as temperature, pressure, strain, chemical composition, current/voltage, vibration/acceleration, and absorbance/fluorescence. One type of optical fiber sensor is referred to as an "evanescent optical fiber sensor." In a typical evanescent optical fiber sensor, light from the optical fiber core is transferred to the test medium via optical coupling of the evanescent wave with the test medium. The change in the amount and/or wavelength of the detected light is then translated into a measurement of the test medium.
Typically, the sensitivity of an evanescent optical fiber sensor is improved by transferring more light from the core to the test medium beyond that naturally conveyed by the evanescent wave. For example, increasing the strength of the evanescent wave penetrating into a biological sample to be assayed increases the amount of fluorescence, which translates into improved sensor performance. The need for improved evanescent optical fiber sensors is growing due to the increasing demand for measurement sensitivity.

Optical fiber with high small-angle scatter and sensor using same


A method of compensating a measurement. The method includes determining a zero-point, determining a rate of change of the zero-point, and compensating the measurement based on the rate of change of the zero-point and/or the zero-point. In one embodiment, the compensated measurement is used to control a safety device in a vehicle.

Embodiments of the invention relate to an apparatus and a method of compensating a seat offset for a load applied to the seat.
Automobiles are equipped with seat belts and airbags to restrain passengers. In recent years, there is a trend for controlling the operation of such safety devices according to the body weight of a passenger. For example, the amount of gas to be introduced into the airbag, an airbag inflating speed, or a pre-tensioning of the seat belt may be adjusted according to the weight of a passenger. Thus, to perform such adjustments the weight of the seat's occupant needs to be measured.
Several devices have been designed to measure the weight of an occupant while seated. Most of these devices use some form of sensor to measure forces transmitted to the seat. However, many of these devices do not provide an accurate measure of the occupant's weight because the sensor also measures additional forces other than the occupant's weight. Examples of these error-inducing loads include horizontal forces caused by assembly forces or an occupant in the rear of the vehicle pushing on the seatback, twisting moments caused by a leaning occupant, non-vertical load components caused by acceleration and deceleration of the vehicle, and the like. These error-inducing loads (or forces) can be transferred to the sensor and cause the sensor to generate incorrect information.
Thermal issues can also degrade the sensor. During seat installation, the seat is secured to the vehicle by forcing and twisting some metal parts of the seat into position. Once twisted and forced into position, the metal parts will generate forces generally referred to as preload. If the metal parts of the seat are heated by, for example, the sun, the heat accumulated in the seat and its metal parts relaxes the mechanical parts and changes the preload. In this way, the preload can also affect information from the sensor. Furthermore, information from the sensor can become inaccurate over time due to aging and wear of the sensor.

Apparatus and method of compensating a seat offset for a load applied to the seat


A device which is capable of minimizing the use of resources in devices and safely communicating information such as settings on devices. The device is capable of communicating with another device via a wireless communication network and manages the other device. The device leaves a first wireless communication network to which the device is currently connected. Then, the device wirelessly connects to the other device so as to construct, with the other device that left the first wireless communication network after the device, a second wireless communication network, which is different from the first wireless communication network, by using a setting network ID for use in a setting change mode for changing setting values of the other device. The device sends setting data to the other device, to which the device was wirelessly connected, via the second wireless communication network.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device and a communication control method therefor, as well as a computer-readable storage medium storing a program for implementing the method, and in particular to a technique for controlling communications between devices connected to a wireless personal area network (also denoted as "WPAN") that carries out short-distance wireless communications.
2. Description of the Related Art
IEEE 802.15.4, which is low-cost and low-power-consumption although transmission speed is as low as 250 Kbps, is used as an exemplary communication method for use in constructing a WPAN. They are called Zigbee (registered trademark) and have potential for increased use in the future.
Conventionally, a technique that registers an ID in each device in advance so as to reduce operations for joining a network has been proposed (Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 2009-171407). Also, a technique that sets a network frame period available to a plurality of wireless networks and prepares a plurality of channel slots to thus realize coexistence of a plurality of networks has been proposed (Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 2003-309572).
However, the technique according to Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 2009-171407 has a problem that devices and a device capable of managing them are not configured by a topology suitable for configuring settings on the devices, setting data or the like is transmitted to other devices within a network, and hence security cannot be ensured. Further, because setting data or the like is successively transmitted to other devices within a network having a tree structure, communication traffic may increase.
Moreover, according to Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 2003-309572, maintenance such as setting of frame period and securing of channel slots is required so as to enable a plurality of independent networks to coexist, and hence a large amount of resources is required.

Device capable of safely communicating device information, communication control method therefor, and storage medium


A new and distinct cultivar of Kalanchoe plant named ‘Ficalanewbank’, characterized by its compact, upright and uniformly mounded plant habit; moderately vigorous growth habit; moderately freely branching plant habit; glossy dark green-colored leaves; uniform, early and freely flowering habit; double white-colored flowers; and excellent postproduction longevity.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct Kalanchoe plant, botanically known as Kalanchoe blossfeldiana and hereinafter referred to by the name 'Ficalanewbank'.
The new Kalanchoe is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Odense, Denmark and De Lier, The Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program is to create new freely-branching and freely-flowering Kalanchoe plants with double flowers and attractive leaf and flower coloration.
The new Kalanchoe plant originated from a cross-pollination made by the Inventor in Odense, Denmark in March, 2007 of a proprietary selection of Kalanchoe blossfeldiana identified as code number 0770-05 (06), not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with a proprietary selection of Kalanchoe blossfeldiana identified as code number 0981-03 (07), not patented, as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Kalanchoe plant was discovered and selected by the Inventor as a single flowering plant from within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled environment in De Lier, The Netherlands.
Asexual reproduction of the new Kalanchoe plant by vegetative terminal cuttings in a controlled environment in De Lier, The Netherlands since 2008 has shown that the unique features of this new Kalanchoe plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.


Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and a device for correcting a CQI value. Information indicates radio channel characteristics. A block error rate (BLER) target value is determined according to the information that indicates radio channel characteristics. A channel quality indicator (CQI) measurement value is corrected according to a BLER measurement value and the determined BLER target value.

A high speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) technology is introduced to Release 5 (R5) of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), and by using a series of key technologies such as adaptive modulation and coding, hybrid automatic retransmission, higher-order modulation, base station 2 ms fast scheduling, and the like, downlink high-speed data transmission is achieved.
In an HSDPA system, a user terminal measures quality of a received radio channel, where each channel quality level corresponds to one channel quality indicator (CQI) value, and returns a CQI value to a base station. After receiving the CQI, the base station, with reference to usable power resources and code resources and a data volume in a transmission cache, transmits data blocks in a proper size by adopting an appropriate transmit power, the appropriate number of code channels and an appropriate modulation manner. This is the adaptive modulation and coding technology in the HSDPA system.
The inventor of the present invention finds that accuracy of CQI feedback has a severe impact on a data transmission rate in HSDPA. Accuracy of CQI measurement is related to an implementation algorithm of a user terminal, which is uncontrollable by a network side.

Method and device for correcting channel quality indicator value


A wrist support is detachably connectable to a computer keyboard by means of two connector plates which are received within two cavities formed on the wrist support and movable between a stow position where the connector plates are completely received within the cavities and an extended position where an end of the connector plates is extended out of the wrist support to be pivotally connected to the keyboard. Each of the cavities has two side walls each having two spaced flanges defining therebetween a rail for receiving and guiding a lateral side edge of the plate so as to allow the movement of the plate within the cavity. The plate has first paws which are engageable with ends of the flanges to define the extended position and a second paw engageable with stop blocks provided in the cavity to define the stowed position. The second paw is releasable from the stop blocks to allow the connector plate to move from the stowed position to the extended position. By means of such a detachable connection, the keyboard and the wrist support may be packed and sold separately and allow the general consumers to selectively mount the wrist support to the keyboard.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a wrist support of a computer keyboard which provides a support to the computer user's wrists and in particular to a wrist support which is detachably and selectively mounted to the keyboard by means of two connectors which are releasably connected between the keyboard and the wrist support and are selectively retractable back into the wrist support so as to allow the wrist support and the keyboard to be separable from each other to facilitate manufacture, storage and transportation and to provide the general consumers with options in selectively mounting the wrist support to the keyboard.
2. Related Arts
In operating a computer, most of the computer users make use of a keyboard as a major input device. The usual way of using the keyboard is to have the palms and fingers in contact with the keyboard but leaving the wrists hanging in the air without appropriate support. This causes strains on the muscles of the user's wrists and arms and may damage the wrists and arms with long term use of the computer.
To solve such a problem, some of the keyboards are provided with a wrist support to support the computer user's wrists, protecting the muscles of the wrists and the arms from over-stressing. Conventionally, the wrist support is formed integrally with the keyboard and is not detachable from the keyboard. This certainly increases the overall size of the keyboard and is thus disadvantageous for storage and transportation. Furthermore, the keyboard having wrist support integrally formed thereon requires a different mould to manufacture so that an additional cost is needed.
Thus, it is desirable to provide an improved design of wrist support of a keyboard design which allows the wrist support to be selectively and detachably connected to the keyboard in order to overcome the above problems. In this way, no significant modification on the original design and mould of the keyboard is needed and the wrist support may be manufactured separately and then selectively mounted to the keyboard by the general consumers. The cost is thus reduced and the storage and transportation enhanced.