A heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor comprising a support having thereon two image-forming layers each containing a polymer insoluble in water and soluble in an aqueous alkaline solution, wherein an upper layer of the image-forming layers contains a copolymer including a monomer unit represented by formula (A) defined in the specification.

The progress of lasers in recent years has been remarkable and high output and compact devices of solid laser or semiconductor laser having a light emission region in the range of from near infrared to infrared become easily available. The heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor for direct plate-making, which is used such an infrared laser as a light source, is useful because it can be handled in a bright room and is very preferable in the plate-making operation.
As the heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor for direct plate-making, a positive-working heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor having a heat-sensitive layer (an image-forming layer) comprising a binder resin soluble in an aqueous alkali solution and an infrared absorbing dye or the like, which absorbs light to generate heat, is described, for example, in Patent Document 1 (WO 97/39894) and Patent Document 2 (JP-A-11-44956 (the term "JP-A" as used herein means an "unexamined published Japanese patent application")). In the unexposed area of the image-forming layer, the infrared absorbing dye or the like interacts with the binder resin to substantially decreases a solubility of the binder resin. Specifically, the infrared absorbing dye or the like functions as a dissolution inhibiting agent. On the other hand, in the exposed area, the interaction between the infrared absorbing dye or the like and the binder resin is weakened upon the heat generated by the exposure so that the binder resin becomes soluble in an alkali developing solution. Development is conducted using such difference of the solubility between the exposed area and the unexposed area, whereby a lithographic printing plate is prepared.
However, in such a positive-working heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor, there is a problem in that the difference between the dissolution resistance of the unexposed area (image area) to the developing solution and the solubility of the exposed area (non-image area) in the developing solution in various using conditions is yet insufficient, and an excessive development (phenomenon of reduction of film thickness, in which the image layer becomes thin due to the dissolution of the image area) or an inferior development (phenomenon of the occurrence of residual film, in which the non-image area is not completely dissolved and remains) is liable to occur by the fluctuation of the using conditions.
Further, since strength of the image-forming layer is low, there is a problem in that the surface state readily fluctuates, for example, fine scratches are generated even by touching with the surface at the handling, and such slight fluctuation of the surface state, for example, the fine scratches, causes increase of the solubility in the vicinity thereof, as a result, the scratch trace is left in the image area after development, resulting in the occurrence of deterioration of printing durability or inking failure.
Moreover, since the image-forming faculty of heat-developable lithographic printing plate precursor depends upon the heat generation by an infrared laser exposure, there is also a problem that in the vicinity of a support where diffusion of the heat to the support occur, the quantity of heat used for dissolving the image-forming layer is decreased to reduce the difference of solubility between the exposed area and the unexposed area, whereby the reproducibility of highlight becomes insufficient.
Those problems are derived from essential difference in plate-making mechanism between a positive-working heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor and a conventional positive-working photosensitive lithographic printing plate precursor (positive PS plate) for plate-making through UV exposure. Specifically, in the positive PS plate, an image-forming layer contains a binder resin soluble in an aqueous alkali solution and an onium salt or quinonediazide compound. The onium salt or quinonediazide compound performs two functions. One is a function as dissolution inhibiting agent upon interaction with the binder resin in the unexposed area, and the other is a function as dissolution accelerating agent by generating an acid upon decomposition with light in the exposed area.
On the other hand, the infrared absorbing agent or the like contained in the heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor acts only as the dissolution inhibiting agent in the unexposed area, and does not accelerate the dissolution in the exposed area. Therefore, in order to make difference in solubility between the unexposed area and the exposed area in the heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor, it cannot be helped to use as the binder resin a resin essentially having high solubility in an alkali developing solution. Thus, the heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor bears problems in that the reduction of film thickness occurs, in that the scratch resistance is deteriorated and that the states before development are unstable. On the contrary, when the solubility of the binder resin in the alkali developing solution is decreased in order to strengthen the unexposed area, decrease in sensitivity is caused. Accordingly, since the difference in solubility between the unexposed area and the exposed area is small in the heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor, a range of development condition (development latitude) for forming an image by distinguishing of the difference in solubility is narrowly restricted.
Therefore, various investigations have been made to develop a dissolution inhibiting agent having selectivity, which loses the dissolution inhibiting function in the exposed area but maintains the dissolution inhibiting function in the unexposed area. For instance, a technique of adding a light-heat converting agent and a substance that is thermally decomposable and can substantially decrease solubility of the alkali-soluble resin before it is thermally decomposed to a recording layer of positive-working lithographic printing plate precursor for infrared laser is described, for example, in Patent Document 3 (JP-A-7-285275). According to the technique, the dissolution of the recording layer is inhibited and the scratch resistance is improved and on the other hand, in the exposed area the substance thermally decomposable is decomposed by heat generated by the light-heat converting agent to lose the dissolution inhibiting function to the alkali-soluble resin, thereby being capable of increasing the sensitivity.
A heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor comprising a support having thereon a hydrophobic layer containing a polymer soluble in an aqueous alkali solution and an upper layer sensitive to an infrared ray on the hydrophobic layer is described in Patent Document 4 (JP-A-10-250255). The upper layer of the heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor contains carbon black and nitrocellulose or the like. When the heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor is exposed, the upper layer is partially diminished so that the upper layer becomes more permeable to the aqueous alkaline solution. Using the upper layer as a mask, the lower hydrophobic layer is selectively removed upon development to form an image.
Further, it is described in Patent Document 5 (JP-A-2002-251003) that a heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor comprising a lower layer containing a specific water-insoluble and alkali-soluble resin having a sulfonamido group or the like and an upper heat-sensitive layer increasing the solubility in the aqueous alkaline solution upon exposure and containing a water-insoluble and alkali-soluble resin and an infrared absorbing dye exhibits favorable printing durability and development latitude.
However, in such a heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor having an image-forming layer of two-layer type, although the sensitivity can be increased by reducing thickness of the upper heat-sensitive layer, the scratch resistance decreases at the same time. To increase the thickness of upper heat-sensitive layer in order to improve the scratch resistance results in decrease in the sensitivity. Namely, there is a problem of trade-off between the sensitivity and the scratch resistance in the heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor.
Patent Document 1: WO 97/39894
Patent Document 2: JP-A-11-44956
Patent Document 3: JP-A-7-285275
Patent Document 4: JP-A-10-250255
Patent Document 5: JP-A-2002-251003

Heat-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor


An agricultural mowing system includes: a driving vehicle having a steerable axle and a pivotable tongue and defining a travel axis; a first mower coupled to the driving vehicle; a second mower coupled to the tongue; a tongue actuator configured to pivot the tongue; a tongue angle sensor configured to output signals corresponding to a tongue angle of the tongue; and a controller operatively coupled to the tongue actuator and the tongue angle sensor. The controller is configured to: determine a lateral overlap or underlap of the mowers exceeds a threshold value based at least partially on the tongue angle and a steering angle of the steerable axle; determine a correction angle needed for the tongue to pivot such that the lateral overlap or underlap no longer exceeds the threshold value; and output a correction signal to the tongue actuator to pivot the tongue by the correction angle.

Mowers and mower-conditioners are often employed to cut hay and/or other standing plants, such as grass, in a field. For cutting large fields, many mowing systems include a driving vehicle that pushes a mower (or mower-conditioner) in front of the vehicle while simultaneously pulling another mower (or mower-condition) behind the vehicle.
It is known that a slight lateral overlap is desired between the front mower and the rear mower to ensure that all of the standing plants are cut and no patches of uncut plants are left behind in a pass, which results due to lateral "underlap". Various mechanisms are known for adjusting the lateral overlap between the front and rear mowers, but such solutions can be overly complex and unreliable.
What is needed in the art is an agricultural mowing system that can address some of the previously described issues with known systems.

Agricultural mowing system with overlap control


The spoken dialogue interface apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a speech recognition module for recognizing a human's speech from a sound signal; a user intention interpretation module for extracting a sentence from the recognized speech and interpreting a user's intention based on the sentence; a user intention selection module for determining user intention using the interpreted user's intention and a predetermined domain action frame; and a system response generation module for generating a system response sentence corresponding to the selected user intention, wherein the domain action frame includes service information which the user requests, and parameter information which is used to perform a service, and the domain action frame is constructed to have a hierarchical tree structure.

1. Field of the Disclosure
The present disclosure relates generally to a spoken dialogue interface and, more particularly, to a spoken dialogue interface apparatus and method, which, in a spoken dialogue system, provides a dialogue model capable of processing various dialogue states using the advantages of a conventional flame-based model and a conventional plan-based model, and can actively react to the mobility between domains and the expandability of service using the dialogue model.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the operation of a conventional spoken dialogue interface apparatus. First, the conventional spoken dialogue interface apparatus performs speech recognition on a user's speech (110). Then, the conventional spoken dialogue interface apparatus interprets the language spoken by the user by analyzing the recognized speech (120), and then performs dialogue processing using the interpreted language (130).
For example, when the interpreted language is a control command that controls a specific device, the conventional spoken dialogue interface apparatus performs an operation of controlling the corresponding device (150). Such an operation is referred to as "service performance" below.
The service performance may include the performance of information retrieval in response to a request made through a user's speech, besides the control of the specific device. That is, "service performance" refers to the performance of a specified operation that a user requests through speech.
Meanwhile, the conventional spoken dialogue interface apparatus can perform plan management 140 in the performance of the dialogue processing. The plan management 140 refers to the management and planning of a series of detailed operations required for the performance of a specific service. That is, when performing the dialogue processing 130, the conventional spoken dialogue interface apparatus sequentially performs services suitable for situations based on the plan management 140.
When the conventional spoken dialogue interface apparatus cannot interpret the language of the user's speech or receives the results of service performance, the conventional spoken dialogue interface apparatus must inform the user of it.
Therefore, the conventional spoken dialogue interface apparatus generates a language to be used to respond to the user based on a specific spoken dialogue model, and informs the user of the generated language through a predetermined display (180), or through a speech synthesis process 170 of transforming the responding language into speech and a speaker. The method shown in FIG. 1 is generally used in a spoken dialogue interface apparatus which recognizes a user's speech, interprets the recognized speech, performs a specific function and then verbally informs the user of performance results. Various spoken dialogue models have been proposed for the dialogue processing 130 about how to process the interpreted language. FIGS. 2 to 5 are diagrams illustrating examples of the four representatives of the various spoken dialogue models.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a conventional spoken dialogue model using pattern matching.
First, a plurality of keywords is extracted from a user's speech (210), and a pattern matching operation is performed using a list of extracted keywords and pattern information stored in a dialogue script DataBase (DB) (220). If a matching pattern exists, a corresponding dialogue script is selected and a response is generated using a template in the selected dialogue script (240). Then the spoken dialogue interface apparatus transfers the generated response to the user.
The spoken dialogue model using the pattern matching method is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,604,090.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a conventional spoken dialogue model using a finite state model.
In the finite state model, for each state, the spoken dialogue interface apparatus queries the user and interprets the user's response to the query. At this time, each state knows the histories of previous states. For example, in state-4 shown in FIG. 3, a dialogue with the user is performed while the results of state-1 and state-2 remain known.
The dialogue in the finite state model is mainly led by the spoken dialogue interface apparatus, an example of which is an Automatic Response System (ARS).
The spoken dialogue model based on the finite state model is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,356,869.
FIG. 4 is a drawing illustrating an example of a conventional spoken dialogue model using a frame-based model.
The frame-based model conducts a spoken dialogue based on a table type frame 410.
The frame 410 includes parameter fields 410 which are required in order for a user's language to be recognized by the spoken dialogue interface apparatus, and a response field 420 for which content to be used to respond to the user is set depending on values set in the parameter fields 410.
For example, in FIG. 4, the frame structure of the frame-based spoken dialogue interface apparatus for a flight reservation is shown.
The parameter fields 410 include a departure location field, a departure time field, a destination field, a flight Number field, and a current reservation status field. For example, when recognizing only information about a departure location and departure time from a user's speech, the spoken dialogue interface apparatus queries the user about the destination in response to the speech. Alternatively, when recognizing information about a departure location, departure time and a destination from the user's speech, the spoken dialogue interface apparatus informs the user of a corresponding flight number and reservation status by searching a DB for flight reservation status.
The spoken dialogue model based on the frame-based model is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,044,347.
FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating an example of a conventional spoken dialogue model using a plan-based model.
The plan-based model uses a hierarchical tree structure. In this hierarchical tree structure, the ultimate purpose of a user is located in the uppermost layer and elements necessary in order to accomplish the purpose are located in lower layers.
In FIG. 5, an example of the tree structure for a train trip is shown. For example, information about a selected train, ticket purchase, boarding time and gate is located in the lower layers. When a user requests service for a train trip, the plan-based spoken dialogue interface apparatus responds to the user request based on the tree structure shown in FIG. 5.
The spoken dialogue model based on the plan-based model is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,786,651.
Of the spoken dialogue models for the above-described spoken dialogue interface, the spoken dialogue model using the pattern matching shown in FIG. 2 enables dialogue knowledge to be easily established, but has a problem in that it cannot easily process various dialogues because it performs only simple pattern matching. Furthermore, the plan-based spoken dialogue model shown in FIG. 5 can process various dialogues, but has a problem in that vast dialogue knowledge for the various dialogues must be established. Furthermore, there is another problem in that the maintenance of the established dialogue knowledge is not easy.
As a result, a spoken dialogue model that can process various dialogues and allows knowledge to be easily established is required.

Spoken dialogue interface apparatus and method


A transport device, or hand truck (10), having a load carrying surface (26) that is mounted to move up and down along the hand truck (10). The level of the load carrying surface (26) is changed by the amount of air within a pneumatic cylinder (40). The amount of air in the pneumatic cylinder (40) is determined by a pneumatic adjustment subsystem (42) and the load on the load carrying surface (26). Preferably, the pneumatic adjustment subsystem (42) is set so that the top item located on the load carrying surface (26) is always at waist level. The pneumatic adjustment system (42) permits the pneumatic cylinder (40) to be offset an incremental amount respective to items of identical weight and height being removed from or placed upon the load carrying surface (26). Thus, as items are removed from the load carrying surface (26), the load carrying surface indexes upward so that the top item is readily available at waist level.

The manual loading and unloading of goods from a transport, such as hand truck, is a common cause of back injury. Operators load a hand truck by lifting goods and placing them on the hand truck, starting at the lowest level of the hand truck, and continuing until the hand truck is full. After the goods are moved to an unloading location, the operator manually unloads the hand truck, starting from the top and working down as the level of the goods reduces. The removal and addition of the lowest items places the largest amount of strain on the back of an operator. The repetitive nature of the movement further intensifies the problem.
Delivery personnel in the beverage industry are particularly susceptible to back injuries. A typical delivery person manually loads a hand truck several times a day from bottom to top with cases of beverages to create a stack. The stack is delivered to dispenser machines or vendors, and the delivery person manually unloads each of the cases from the stack. Not only is loading and unloading lower level beverage cases difficult, it also places increased strain on the back of the operator, when compared to higher level beverage cases.
Many beverage delivery personnel utilize support belts worn around the waist to provide back support during lifting. Although the belts may support some of the strain placed upon the back, the belts do not alleviate the strain caused by leaning to low positions to load or unload beverage cases.
Thus, there exists a need for a more efficient, safer way of loading and unloading stacks of beverage cases and stacks of other items onto and from a transport so that an operator does not have to stoop to the lower positions to load and unload the transport. Preferably, such transport would be easy to use, and relatively inexpensive to manufacture.


A mailing machine is provided that determines if entry into a disabled state is coupled with the need for auxiliary information to be entered by the user. If auxiliary information is required to be entered by the user, the print head will not move to the capped position but instead remains in the printing position, and a timer is activated to provide the user with time to enter the information. If the user enters the required information before a predetermined amount of time has expired, the mail piece will be processed without any delay required for the print head to move from the capped position to the printing position. Only if the user has not entered the required information within the predetermined amount of time will the print head move to the capped position.

Mail processing equipment, such as, for example, a mailing machine, often includes different modules that automate the process of producing mail pieces. The typical mailing machine includes a variety of different modules or sub-systems each of which performs a different task on the mail piece. The mail piece is conveyed downstream utilizing a transport mechanism, such as rollers or a belt, to each of the modules. Such modules could include, for example, a singulating module, i.e., separating a stack of mail pieces such that the mail pieces are conveyed one at a time along the transport path, a moistening/sealing module, i.e., wetting and closing the glued flap of an envelope, and a metering/printing module, i.e., applying evidence of postage to the mail piece. The exact configuration of the mailing machine is, of course, particular to the needs of the user.
One of the factors that determines the cost for shipping a mail piece to a destination is the weight of the mail piece. A mail piece could be, for example, an envelope, postcard, magazine, package, etc. The mailing machine will be provided with the weight of the mail piece, typically from an integral scale incorporated within the mail flow path, an external scale coupled to the mailing machine, or user input. Based on the weight of the mail piece, the postage rate and operator specified service option for a selected carrier, the mailing machine will determine the cost to deliver the mail piece to the destination. The mailing machine will then conduct an accounting procedure for the cost of shipping the mail piece and print an indicium evidencing payment of the postage. Mailing machines have traditionally been capable of printing postage indicia either directly on mail pieces, or on pieces of tape or a label, which are then attached to mail pieces.
For mailing systems that utilize an external platform scale, i.e., a scale that is independent and separate from the mail flow path, there are different methods that can be utilized for determining the weight of an item. In one method, referred to as single piece mode, the user places each mail piece onto the platform of the external scale, and the weight of the mail piece is provided by the scale to a control unit of the mailing machine. The control unit will calculate the cost for shipping the mail piece based on the weight of the mail piece provided by the scale. The user removes the mail piece from the scale and places it on the feed deck of the mailing machine base. Sensors detect the presence of the mail piece on the feed deck and the mail piece is automatically fed into the mailing machine for processing, or, alternatively, the user must press a start button for the mailing machine to transport the mail piece into the mail flow path. The user then repeats this procedure for each mail piece that the user desires to process.
Another method for determining the weight of a mail piece is referred to as a differential weighing method as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,001,648, which is hereby incorporated by reference. In accordance with the differential weighing method, a plurality of mail pieces are placed on an external scale coupled to a mailing machine and the collective weight of the mail pieces is registered. When the user removes a mail piece from the scale, the difference between the original collective weight of the mail pieces and the new collective weight of the mail pieces remaining on the scale is determined. The cost for shipping of the mail piece is calculated based on the determined differential weight. The user places the mail piece on the feed deck where it is detected by sensors and the mail piece is preferably automatically fed into the mailing machine for processing. The user then repeats this procedure for each mail piece that the user desires to process.
One metric used by customers for determining satisfaction with a mailing machine is the throughput of the mailing machine, i.e., the number of mail pieces that can be processed per hour or minute. Generally, customers desire to have as high a throughput as possible. There are some situations, however, that can operate to decrease the throughput of the mailing machine. For example, in some situations, before a mail piece can be processed by the mailing machine, auxiliary information is required to be entered by the user. Such a situation frequently exists when the user desires to utilize special services provided by the postal service. Special services are provided by the postal service, for an additional fee, to provide greater accountability and security for a mail piece, or improved handling. Such special services include, for example, delivery confirmation, certified mail, insured mail, registered mail, and signature confirmation. Such auxiliary information could include, for example, the destination zip code and/or an identification number that uniquely identifies the mail piece. The mailing machine cannot process the mail piece until the necessary information has been entered. Typically, the mailing machine will enter a disabled state, i.e., will not perform any processing, until the required information has been entered by the user. Thus, a mail piece will not be fed into the mailing machine until the necessary information has been provided.
Entry into a disabled mode, however, will also disable the printing mechanism, and the print head will move from a printing position to a capped position. When the required information has been entered, the print head will return to the print position from the capped position. The print head, however, can take up to 1500 msec or more to move from the capped position to the print position, and thus the processing of the mail piece is delayed until the print head has returned to the printing position. While this delay may seem small with respect to each envelope, it can add significantly to the processing time required when processing hundreds or thousands of mail pieces in a batch. Thus, the delay associated with the movement of the print head from the capped position to the printing position can significantly reduce the throughput of the mailing machine, especially when the mailing machine is being operated in a differential weighing mode and the user is attempting to process the mail pieces as quickly as possible.
Thus, there exists a need for a mailing machine capable of processing mail pieces as described above without decreasing the throughput of the mailing machine.

Method and system for controlling processing performed by a mailing machine


Disclosed is a breathable heater element for a garment or for the lining of a garment such as an outdoor jacket, e.g. a waterproof jacket. The heater element is formed from porous metallised fabric such a nickel plated woven polyester fabric by photochemical etching of a suitable track pattern onto the metallised fabric. The formed heater element is then laminated into a lining. The material of the lining may be impregnated with microencapsulated functional chemicals such as fragrances, perfumes, antimicrobials or insect repellents. The microcapsules release their contents on activation due to heat generated by the heater element.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a garment or garments incorporating a functional electrical or electronic circuit. Preferably, the invention relates to the incorporation into a garment of a breathable, porous, flexible fabric circuit for use as a heater. The garment may include a thermally activated chemical delivery system. The circuit may be used as an electrical interconnect (electro-conductive) system with or without electronic devices, e.g. as a keypad or keyboard.
2. Related Art
A primary function of garments designed for outdoor sports and leisure activities such as mountaineering, hiking, potholing, motorcycling, etc., is thermal protection, particularly from cold weather conditions. Similarly, such thermal protection is important in many work-wear applications (e.g. seamen, workmen, delivery personnel, refrigeration plant operators, airport workers, etc.) where, potentially, staff may be exposed to cold conditions for prolonged periods. Conventionally, protection from the cold has been achieved by incorporating within garments low-convection fabric structures capable of entrapping still air to provide thermal insulation (e.g. waddings or battings). The thermal insulation achieved by such structures is principally a function of fabric thickness: the insulation increases with fabric thickness. Therefore, existing garments with high thermal insulation can be thick and bulky and may have limited conformability. This can restrict the mobility and comfort of the wearer in use, which is disadvantageous.
The designs of various active heating systems capable of evolving heat in response to an energy input are known. These systems involve incorporating materials into fibres or films, coatings and laminated structures and specify the use of (for example); phase change materials, metals and exothermic materials. The incorporation of electrical heating systems within garments has also been described in the prior art and include continuous metallised fabric (GB-A-2092868), woven carbonised filament (U.S. Pat. No. 6,172,344 and GB-A-2336514) and insulated conductive yarn (U.S. Pat. No. 6,501,055) heating elements.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Garment incorporating functional electrical circuit

Throckley, Newcastle Upon Tyne, TYne & Wear


A video conferencing device for video conferencing between at least one local participant and a remote participant includes a video camera, a microphone array, and a speaker tracker. The video camera provides a local video input signal. The microphone array provides a local audio input signal. The speaker tracker is configured to identify a local speaker from the at least one local participant using a sound source localizer. The video conferencing device processes the local video input signal without the local speaker, based on the video conferencing device receiving a signal from a computing system, the signal dependent on a loopback audio output signal indicating that the remote participant is speaking.

Video conferencing may be used to facilitate interaction between local participants and remote participants. Some video conferencing solution provide a speaker tracking feature. The speaker tracking feature identifies a currently speaking local speaker from among the local participants. Based at least in part on the identification of the local speaker, the local speaker may be highlighted in the video frames provided to the remote participants, for example, by identifying the local speaker using superimposed geometric shapes, etc., in the video frames. The highlighting may facilitate establishing visual contact and following the local speaker, by the remote participants.

Method and system for controlling speaker tracking in a video conferencing system


A system for controlling an absorption chiller includes feedback control loops determining adjustments to system cooling and heating capacities and a controller for simultaneously adjusting positions of an energy input valve, a hot water valve, and a chilled water valve. The controller adjusts valves based on desired adjustments to system cooling and heating capacities and performance maps characterizing relationships between cooling capacity and heating capacities and valve positions. A method for controlling an absorption chiller includes the step of obtaining a performance map characterizing heat energy input to cooling and heating loops as functions of valve positions. To obtain the map, the hot water valve is held in a substantially constant position while the chilled water valve is modulated. Similarly, the hot water valve is modulated while the chilled water valve is held in a substantially constant position.

It is recognized that absorption cooling can be an effective means for using heat output from a turbine to provide heating and/or cooling to condition the air of a building, and a number of absorption cooling systems currently exist to provide a combination of cooling, heating and power. Such systems are known as tri-generation systems. As shown in FIG. 1, an exemplary tri-generation system 100 includes a chilled water circuit 110, a cooling water circuit 120, a hot water circuit 130, and a circuit 140 for receiving exhaust energy from a turbine-generator 150. This exemplary system also includes an internal refrigerant loop 160 for transferring heat among the cooling water 120, the chilled water 110, and the hot water 130 circuits.
In attempting to provide a control for absorption chillers such as the tri-generation system of FIG. 1, those skilled in the art have implemented a set of control valves so as to modulate flow rates in the system's various circuits. For example, in the illustrated system, energy input valve 141 can be used to control the heat input to the system by controlling the rate of flow of turbine exhaust gas in the exhaust gas circuit. Similarly, hot water valve 131 can be used to control the rate at which heat from the exhaust gas circuit is transferred to the hot water circuit (i.e., the heating loop) by modulating the rate of flow of refrigerant through the heating loop. Finally, chilled water valve 121 can be used to control the rate at which heat is extracted from the chilled water circuit and transferred to the cooling water circuit by modulating the rate of flow of refrigerant through the cooling loop. When the system is controlled properly, and the positions of control valves 121, 131, and 141 are set properly, all system constraints would be satisfied. Thus, the cooling capacity of the system would meet a desired cooling setpoint, the heating capacity of the system would simultaneously meet a desired heating setpoint, and the generator turbine would be producing a desired power output.
Unfortunately, however, prior attempts have failed to provide an automated control that can reliably meet all of these constraints, simultaneously. As a result, prior art controls for such a tri-generation systems typically require a user to preselect a mode of operation for the control. For example, a user may preselect whether the control is to operate in a cooling mode or in a heating mode. In an exemplary cooling mode, a conventional control may modulate the position of energy input valve 141 based on only a prescribed chill water set point such that the adjustment of the position of energy input valve 141 depends only upon the deviation of produced cooling capacity from the demanded cooling setpoint. Accordingly, the position of energy input valve 141 is not affected by changes to hot water temperature. Similarly, in a conventional control operating in heating mode, the modulation of energy input valve 141 may depend only upon the deviation of produced heating capacity from the demanded hot water set point without regard for its effect on chilled water temperature.
Unfortunately, a substantial drawback of conventional tri-generation systems is that they must typically be pre-set so as to be controlled, or to operate, in either a cooling mode or a heating mode, and the task of switching between modes can be problematic. The necessity to pre-select either a heating control mode or a cooling control mode has been found to be impractical when and where switching between modes may be required one or more times within a single day—such as in moderate climates or during moderate seasons. Accordingly, a demand exists for an absorption chiller that can simultaneously (i.e., without switching between two mutually-exclusive modes such as a cooling-only mode and a heating-only mode) be controlled or operated in both heating mode and cooling mode, i.e., so as to simultaneously produce desired levels of both heating and cooling.
Therefore, in addition to the simplified approach described above, a number of attempts have been made to better accommodate concurrent demand for both heating and cooling. For example, previous attempts to control a tri-generation system include a hierarchy of control modes. One such control system includes a so-called priority-override control and a separate capacity control. In accordance with such control schemes, a priority-override controller may manipulate hot water valve 131 and chilled water valve 121 according to whether the system is pre-set for heating priority or cooling priority.
In cooling priority, when cooling capacity is less than cooling setpoint minus cooling override, cooling priority override is active. In accordance with this scheme, control error to be minimized is the difference between actual cooling capacity and desired cooling, or setpoint. The control modulates the position of chilled water valve 121 so as to reduce that control error, i.e., such that the actual cooling capacity meets the setpoint. At the same time, the control may modulate the position of hot water valve 131 in a compensating manner. In a corresponding heating priority mode, when heating capacity is less than heating setpoint minus heating override, heating priority override may be activated. Control error is heating capacity deviation from the heating setpoint, and the control opens or closes hot water valve 131 while adjusting the position of chilled water valve 121.
Alternatively, a tri-generation system may be controlled using a capacity control scheme. In a capacity control, hot water valve 131 is used to minimize the deviation of heating capacity deviation from a heating setpoint while chilled water valve 121 is adjusted so as to maintain sufficiently high hot water outlet temperature.
Nonetheless, while these and other control schemes have provided some improvements in the control of tri-generation systems, control instability remains a persistent issue, and attempts to simultaneously meet a demanded level of cooling and a demanded level of heating, have caused controls to experience difficulty finding appropriate positions for all three control valves. For example, when cooling and heating loops are controlled simultaneously, even when one mode is given priority over another mode, controls have been found to repeatedly switch between modes, such as the above-described priority override control and capacity control modes, resulting in control instability. This occurs, for example, when cooling capacity is greater than or equal to the difference between cooling setpoint and cooling override in cooling priority mode, or when heating capacity is greater than or equal to the difference between heating setpoint and heating override in heating priority mode, then control logic switches to capacity control where no priority override is active. As a result, both hot water temperature and chilled water temperature may oscillate in an unstable and unacceptable manner such that modulation of energy input valve 141 may be unable to continuously accommodate both cooling and heating demand. Put another way, using prior art control systems, the position of energy input valve 141 can only be effectively controlled based on either cooling or heating setpoint with hot water valve 131 and chilled water valve 121 being regulated based on heating and cooling setpoint—independently.
Thus, prior art controllers for simultaneous heating and cooling exhibit discontinuous behavior, with the discontinuity resulting from repeated switching (i.e., control oscillation) between control modes such as priority override and capacity control modes. It has also been discovered that independent control of hot water valve 131 and chilled water valve 121 in capacity control mode can result in oscillation due to strong coupling between the heating and cooling loops and differences between the dynamic response characteristics inherent in heating and cooling loops. As a result, prior art control schemes can be complicated and difficult to service in the field.
Accordingly, a need exists for an improved system and method for controlling an absorption chiller configured to simultaneously provide cooling and heating. More specifically, a need exists for an improved system and method for controlling an absorption chiller that can meet a priority cooling or heating demand while maintaining chilled water and hot water outlet temperatures and their associated control valves stable automatically—without violating chiller safe operating constraints.

System and method for controlling an absorption chiller configured to simultaneously produce cooling and heating


The present invention is a storm water filter system for filtering floatable debris and non-floating pollutants from storm water passing through a storm water drain system. The storm water filtering system has a floatable skimmer therein for capturing floatable debris and trash from the storm water and a separate filtration system to filter non-floatable pollutants from water passing therethrough.

The present invention is a storm water filter system for filtering floatable debris and non-floating pollutants from storm water passing through a storm water drain system and more specifically, the present invention is directed towards a storm water filtering system having a floatable skimmer therein for capturing floatable debris and trash from the storm water and separate filtration of non-floatable pollutants from water passing therethrough.
Federal clean water requirements require that water bodies such as lakes and rivers meet strict minimal water quality specifications. To achieve this end, storm water drainage pipes often require treatment before conveying storm water into receiving water bodies. As a result, a wide variety of technologies have been developed to treat storm water and improve the water quality.
A common variety of storm water treatment systems are hydrodynamic separators such as baffle boxes and vortex systems. Hydrodynamic separators can treat relatively large water flows and are good for removing solids that are relatively large in size. Hydrodynamic separators do very little to remove the dissolved pollutants and have a typically poor removal efficiency for fine particles.
To achieve water treatment beyond what can be accomplished by a hydrodynamic separator, another class of storm water treatment systems commonly referred to as filtration systems are used. Filtration systems typically will pass the water flow through a filter media such as sand, zeolite, activated carbon, and the like. Filter media is typically selected to do more than remove solids from the water flow. Depending on the pollutants of concern, filter media can be selected to remove specific dissolved pollutants such as nutrients, metals, or a wide variety of chemical contaminates. However, a problem with using filter media in a storm water treatment system is the significant influence of friction between the water and the media. In addition, changing the direction of water flow as it passes through a filtration system reduces the kinetic energy of the water flow which will reduce the volume water flow. During big rain events a storm water filtration system in a storm water pipe can significantly inhibit the passage of water and cause flooding upstream from the filtration system. If the filtration system becomes clogged with debris the water flow can be completely stopped.
The purpose of the present invention is to be able to treat the storm water flow with a storm water filtration system that is resistant to clogging, yet be able to pass large water flows during large rain events. In this way filter media can be incorporated into the treatment of storm water without the potential of flooding upstream caused by the filtration system. The invention can be described as a vault that contains a floating skimmer system with an up-flow filtration system. The skimmer system portion of the invention will be positioned in line with the water flow and will divert the water flow through the filtration system. The water flow will then flow through the filter where it is treated by the media. Once the water flow has passed through the filter it will continue down stream. During large rain events that cause the water levels within the invention to rise, the floating skimmer will also rise and allow water to flow under the skimmer and by-pass the filter by-pass the filtration treatment.
The invention has two primary components that work in concert with each other. The floating skimmer system acts to direct the water flow down toward the underside of the skimmer and through the filter during low to medium flow rates. During large flow rates the floating skimmer reacts to allow the high flow rates to pass straight ahead through the vault with minimal friction. The up-flow filter provides treatment to the water flow during low to medium flow rates and is resistant to clogging due to its design and nature.
In the present invention a relative short floating skimmer is used and has the same performance of a much taller fixed skimmer without the head loss associated with a taller skimmer by opening up a larger passageway under the skimmer. A storm water treatment structure that makes use of a floating skimmer can be more easily retrofitted to an existing water shed storm drain system due to the minimal head loss of the shorter skimmer.
In my prior U.S. Pat. No. 6,869,525 for a Storm Drain Filter System I show a storm drain filter system which includes a skimmer for collecting floating hydrocarbons and for absorbing the hydrocarbons in a hydrocarbon absorbing boom while preventing them from passing out of the skimmer. In my prior U.S. Pat. No. 7,294,256 for a Storm Water Filter System, a storm water filter system is provided for filtering storm water being fed into an in-ground well and uses a fixed skimmer to prevent floating organic debris from entering the discharge into the in-ground recharge well.

Floating skimmer apparatus with up-flow filter


In a packet communications system, a control apparatus implements routing control of a received packet directed for the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal includes a plurality of network interface cards; a communication manager configured to select at least one network interface card among from the plurality of network interface cards, in accordance with information regarding the network interface card; and an upper layer manager configured to receive the packet transmitted from the control apparatus, with using a selected network interface card.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a mobile terminal and a control apparatus which are used in a packet communications system in which the control apparatus implements routing control of a received packet destined for the mobile terminal.
The present invention also relates to a mobile terminal and a control apparatus which are used in a packet communications system implementing paging control. In the paging control, the control apparatus transmits a paging notification packet to a paging area of the mobile terminal when receiving a packet destined for the mobile terminal, so as to acquire location information of the mobile terminal and to decide a transfer destination of the packet.
The present invention further relates to a mobile terminal and a home agent which are used in a packet communications system in which a plurality of home agents implement routing control of a received packet destined for the mobile terminal, in accordance with each home address and each care-of address.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional packet communications system has been configured to confirm reachability of an IP packet, by using the address resolution protocol (ARP) or the neighbor discovery protocol (NDP), prior to the transfer of the IP packet using a unicast address.
The ARP and NDP are defined to associate a link layer address (or a card address) of a network interface card and a network layer address (an IP address) with each other.
Note that an IP address is decided by means of static setting where the IP address is assigned to a network interface card in advance, or by means of dynamic setting such as the dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP). Alternatively, an IP address is decided by calculation using an address automatic generation technology used in IPv6, based on a network interface card address on a link layer and random numbers.
In the conventional packet communications system, when a mobile terminal (a mobile node or a host) has a plurality of network interface cards as means for allowing a packet to reach its destination, a customer-oriented interface application technology is implemented as an interactive application technology such as an access link manager.
In this customer-oriented interface application technology, for example, a network interface card corresponding to a communication link system having low communication costs is selected among from the plurality of network interface cards.
In such a case, a multiple interface manager (MIM), which manages a plurality of network interface cards, is known as a method of selecting a network interface card autonomously.
The MIM is configured to make a predetermined conditional decision using attributes and measured values collected from each of the network interface cards, so as to select a network interface card to be used.
Conventionally, a packet communications system which implements a mobility management control technology including a Mobile IP technology and an expansion technology of the Mobile IP technology has been known as a communications system which enables transfer of a packet destined for a mobile terminal.
In the mobility management control technology, a home address is used as a controlling unit of packet transfer.
Here, the home address is assigned to each mobile terminal on a home link where a home agent exists, and, for example, the home address is an IP address which belongs to a subnet of the home link.
The packet communications system, which implements the abovementioned mobility management control technology, is configured to perform routing control independently by using each home address as a unit, when a mobile terminal (a mobile node) has a plurality of home addresses as means for allowing a packet to reach its destination, for example, when the mobile terminal is connected to a plurality of home agents depending on application of the mobile terminal and a kind of communications system being used, or when the mobile terminal is in a multi-home situation where the mobile terminal has a plurality of home addresses within the same home agent.
However, in the technique of selecting a network interface card in the conventional packet communications system, an IP address (network layer address) is not particularly considered, and correspondence between the network interface card and the IP address is thus not maintained.
Therefore, the conventional technique of selecting a network interface card has a problem in that address resolution means, such as the ARP and the NDP, is required in order to acquire the abovementioned correspondence, every time a network interface card to be used changes, even among network interface cards to which the same IP address has been assigned.
The conventional technique of selecting a network interface card also has a problem in that an IP address to be used changes when a network interface card to be used changes, so that a procedure for changing a packet's route is required.
For example, in the IPv6 automatic address generation technology using a link layer address, an IP address to be used changes every time a network interface card to be used changes, even where the mobile terminal belongs to the same network domain, so that a procedure for changing a packet's route is required.
Further, even in a case of automatic allocation (dynamic setting) of an IP address by the network side, like the DHCP, a procedure for changing a packet's route is required. This is because network domains generally differ from each other when the kind or owner of the relevant communication link (access link) system is different. Therefore, a IP address to be used changes every time a network interface card to be used changes.
In other words, in the conventional packet communications system, a mobile terminal is required to register an IP address with a control apparatus (such as a routing control agent and a relay agent) within the IP network and with a transmitting terminal, every time a network interface card to be used changes. A packet is reached to the mobile terminal by using the IP address.
Therefore, the conventional packet communications system has a problem in that IP packets related to the aforesaid registration pass through wireless links, so that wireless resources are wasted.
It is highly likely that this problem causes another problem in a paging control technology.
The paging control technology reduces an amount of control signals related to location registration control of the mobile terminal, by registering the location of the mobile terminal per paging area wider than a location registration area, and also reduces power requirements together with an intermittent reception technology of the mobile terminal.
The problem in the paging control technology is that a paging agent cannot acquire location information (subnet) of the mobile terminal accurately.
Meanwhile, the conventional mobility management technology does not maintain the correspondence among a plurality of IP addresses assigned to the same mobile terminal.
Therefore, when an IP packet destined for the mobile terminal is transmitted and the IP packet cannot reach the mobile terminal through a transfer route generated based on a specific home address due to link disconnection or the like, the transfer of the IP packet fails even where a transfer route generated based on a different home address is available and the IP packet could reach the mobile terminal through the transfer route.
Further, the conventional packet communications system does not maintain the correspondence among a plurality of IP addresses, even when the mobile terminal dynamically changes validity and invalidity of the plurality of IP addresses in accordance with applications, communication costs, and power-saving control of network interface cards.
Therefore, the conventional packet communications system has a problem in that a transfer of a packet from a transmitting terminal to a mobile terminal fails.
In such a case, the mobile terminal notifies the transmitting terminal or a name resolution (DNS: domain name system) server of the change between validity and invalidity of the IP addresses by using a control packet, every time the mobile terminal changes validity and invalidity of the IP addresses.
Therefore, the conventional packet communications system has a problem in that resources are wasted according to the frequency of such notification.

Mobile terminal, control apparatus, home agent and packet communications method


Disclosed is a hydraulic system for utility vehicles, in particular agricultural tractors, for supplying primary and/or auxiliary pressure medium consumers (6, 11, 12) with pressure medium, comprising a pump (1), whose pressure and flow are controlled as a function of the load pressure of the pressure medium consumers by a pressure and flow controller (13) to which whenever auxiliary pressure medium consumers (11, 12) are operating, a higher load pressure compared to the actual load pressure is reported through an amplifier device. In order to obtain rapid response of an actuated auxiliary pressure medium consumer it is proposed that the amplifier device (29) consists of a proportionally controllable pressure reducing valve (39).

The invention relates to a hydraulic system for utility vehicles, in particular agricultural tractors, for supplying primary and/or auxiliary pressure medium consumers with pressure medium, comprising a pump sucking from a pressure medium tank, said pump being controlled as a function of the load pressure of the pressure medium consumers and supplying a pump pressure exceeding the load pressure by a predetermined control pressure differential, whereby in order to produce a first control pressure differential for operating a primary pressure medium consumer its load pressure acts upon the pressure and flow controller of the pump and in order to produce a second, higher control pressure differential for operating auxiliary pressure medium consumers a pressure exceeding their load pressure is produced by means of an amplifier device, which acts upon the pressure and flow controller.
European Patent EP 110 70 852 A2 describes such hydraulic system with a fixed displacement pump. Assigned to that pump is a device consisting of a pressure control valve with an inlet for an actuating pressure that enables the pump to deliver pressure medium to the pressure medium consumers at a necessary pressure and (flow) output. In the case of this system, for operating both the vehicle external (hereafter: primary and auxiliary) pressure medium consumers, the actuating pressure for the pressure control valve of the pump is picked up between the two orifices of the amplifier device. In order to provide different control pressures as they are needed to produce the various control pressure differentials for these pressure medium consumers, the line containing the orifices is blocked off by means of an additional pressure regulator, whenever a primary pressure medium consumer is in operation and open whenever an auxiliary pressure medium consumer is in operation. A disadvantage here is that the load pressure of the primary pressure medium consumers, which is utilized as actuating pressure for operating said pressure medium consumers is subject to restriction when passing through the one orifice. As a consequence the actuating pressure takes longer to build up and finally the system dynamics are lower as a result.
A further disadvantage of the prior art hydraulic system is apparent if no implement is mounted on the vehicle, i.e. no auxiliary pressure medium consumer is connected to the hydraulic system of the vehicle. In this case it is possible that due to thermal expansion of the pressure medium inside the load pressure line for auxiliary pressure medium consumers or due to a leakage in the pressure regulator adjacent to the orifices, pressure medium flows to the pressure control valve of the pump. The effect of this is automatic restriction of the pump even as far as actuation of the assigned pressure relief valve (pump short-circuit).
The object of the invention is seen as providing a hydraulic system of the type mentioned at the beginning, wherein the disadvantages described are eliminated and which in particular without any time delay makes available the load pressure of a primary pressure medium consumer as actuating pressure for the device assigned to the pump.

Hydraulic system for utility vehicles, in particular agricultural tractors


A hinge for pivotably mounting a panel to a vehicle body includes a panel attachment plate securable to the panel, a body attachment plate securable to the vehicle body, and an intermediate member pivotably attached between the body and panel attachment plates. The intermediate member has opposite sidewalls and a center flange extending between the sidewalls. The sidewalls engage the body attachment plate with the center flange spaced from the body attachment plate when the intermediate member is pivoted such that the sidewalls are positioned generally along the body attachment plate. The intermediate member may include a stop member for limiting pivotal movement of the panel attachment plate. The stop member may limit such pivotal movement at different positions by being cut to different sizes during manufacture of the hinge. The body attachment plate may provide a hinge portion that provides enhanced structural rigidity to the hinge.

Modern automobiles include a number of different types of hinges. Some hinges are used to mount the doors to the body of the vehicle, others to mount the trunk lid or deck lid to the vehicle body, others to pivotably support the rear door or gate of a vehicle at the rear of the vehicle body (such as, for example, the body of a minivan or sport utility vehicle or the like), and others are used to mount the hood to the vehicle body. In many cases, different models of vehicles require different hinges because of the different constructions of the different vehicle models. One of these differences relates to the stopping position of the hinge. For example, the hinges used to support the rear gate of a vehicle often include stops built into the hinge to stop the rear gate from pivoting upwardly past a certain point. While the vehicle will often include gas struts on the upwardly pivoting rear gate that stop the rear door from pivoting beyond a given angle of opening, it is typically the case that the gate hinge includes upward stops that limit or positively stop the extent to which the gate can be lifted before the gas struts are mounted to the gate and vehicle. The stops may thus prevent the gate or door from rolling over onto the top of the vehicle during initial assembly of the vehicle in the vehicle assembly plant. The gate is typically installed on the vehicle body in the "body in white" area of the vehicle assembly plant before the vehicle body and doors and other components are moved to the paint area. After the vehicle is painted, the gate is raised and the gas struts are installed. The gas struts then provide the stops for the gate to limit the upward pivotal movement of the gate.
The stops on the hinges thus may control the degree of opening, depending on where they are located, and may prevent the gate from rolling over onto the top of the vehicle body. For different models of vehicles, the angular position of the respective hinge when it has reached its upward limit will desirably be different, due to different rear door constructions and different overall vehicle constructions and different desired opening angles.
Typically, in order to accommodate the different stop positions for the hinge, it has often been necessary to construct different hinges, with each particular hinge being used with a specific vehicle model. The construction of different hinges for each vehicle, however, is typically relatively expensive. Automobile manufacturers are increasingly looking to use common parts on different vehicle models in order to reduce the costs associated with manufacturing so many separate parts. The desirability of an automobile hinge that can easily accommodate different stopping positions can therefore be seen.
Automobile manufactures are also looking to decrease the manufacturing costs of virtually all automobile components, including vehicle hinges. Some automobile hinges have included relatively expensive components, such as extruded aluminum parts that are cut and further processed after the extrusion process takes place. The aluminum parts typically require strengthening ribs or flanges or the like formed thereon to make the parts strong enough to withstand the forces typically encountered during opening and closing of the pivotable components. The use of aluminum is often desirably avoided due to its relatively expensive nature as compared with other metals. Other hinge parts have been made out of bent tubular steel in order to provide suitable strength. Bent tubular steel, however, is also typically relatively expensive as compared to other manufacturing materials and techniques.
The desire thus exists for automobile hinges that have reduced manufacturing costs as compared to present hinges and techniques. Furthermore, it is desirable to reduce the weight of automobile hinges while still retaining the necessary structural strength. Therefore, there is a need in the art for an automobile hinge that overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art.


A system and method is provided for controlling printing in a thermal printer which includes measuring a temperature of a thermal printhead (TPH), heating the TPH by applying a TPH driving strobe pulse when the temperature of the TPH is lower than a first set temperature, and printing on a thermal reactive paper when the temperature of the TPH is equal to or greater than the first set temperature.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling printing in a thermal printer. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling printing in a thermal printer while maintaining a temperature of a thermal printhead (TPH) for applying a predetermined heat to a double-sided thermal reactive paper.
2. Description of the Related Art
Thermal printers include a number of devices which typically use print paper (hereinafter, referred to as "thermal reactive paper") which displays a predetermined color by reacting to heat, and include a number of devices which typically use an ink ribbon which transfers a predetermined color to the paper by reacting to heat for printing. The devices using the ink ribbon require an additional apparatus for driving the ink ribbon so that the structure thereof is complicated and a final product is expensive. Also, since the ink ribbon is provided as a consumable product, it needs to be continuously replaced, such that resulting printing costs per page are high.
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a typical thermal reactive paper. Referring to FIG. 1, a thermal reactive paper 10 has ink layers 12 and 13 of a predetermined color formed on first and second surfaces of a base sheet 11, respectively. Each of the ink layers 12 and 13 may have a monolayer structure comprised of a single color ink, or a multilayered structure for the display of two or more colors. For example, the ink layer 12 on the first surface of the base sheet 11 may have two layers for the display of magenta (M) and cyan (C) colors, while the ink layer 13 on the second surface may have a single layer for the display of a yellow (Y) color. The base sheet 11 is a transparent material. Additional details of thermal reactive paper are disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003-0125206 of Bhatt et al., entitled "Thermal Imaging System", the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
A thermal printer using the thermal reactive paper 10 typically comprises a thermal printhead (TPH) where a plurality of heating elements are arranged at a predetermined resolution in a widthwise direction of the thermal reactive paper 10. After printing is performed with respect to both sides of the thermal reactive paper 10, a color image appears on the thermal reactive paper as viewed from one side of the thermal reactive paper 10.
The quality of a color image of the thermal printer is greatly dependent on the temperature of the TPH, such that the temperature of the TPH should be maintained at a substantially constant value during printing. In particular, when the printer is in a ready mode or prints the first page, if the temperature of the TPH is lower than the minimum target temperature, the color of the ink layer of the thermal reactive paper is insufficiently displayed. Thus, spots may be formed on the thermal reactive paper.
To make the temperature of the TPH reach a value that is greater than the temperature of the minimum target temperature, the TPH needs to be preheated. Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 1996-25679, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a structure to increase the temperature of a printhead by installing a generating device and a temperature sensor at a support portion for supporting the heating elements and heating the generating device according to the temperature of the printhead. Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2004-142357, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, further discloses a structure including a printhead, a temperature sensor, a cooling fan, and a heater to constantly maintain the temperature of the TPH.
However, a need remains for a system and method for effectively and efficiently controlling printing such that the temperature of a printhead of a thermal printer is maintained in a particular range.

Method and apparatus for controlling in thermal printer


A method and apparatus to control an operating clock frequency of a hard disk drive. The method includes analyzing a command workload, and changing the operating clock frequency of the hard disk drive based on an analysis result. Alternatively, the method includes measuring a time taken to receive a predetermined number of write/read commands and controlling the operating clock frequency of the hard disk drive based on a result of a comparison of the measured time with at least one reference value. An operating clock frequency control block included in the hard disk drive executes the method.

1. Field of the Invention
The present general inventive concept relates to a system to control an operating clock frequency of a hard disk drive, and more particularly, to a method of adaptively controlling an operating clock frequency of a hard disk drive according to an operating environment of the hard disk drive by analyzing a command workload, a recording medium to record the method, and a hard disk drive using the method.
2. Description of the Related Art
Performance of hard disk drives increases in proportion to an operating clock frequency. However, when the operating clock frequency is increased to increase the performance of a hard disk drive, power consumption of the hard disk drive is also increased.
A low operating clock frequency is usually used in mobile drives to decrease power consumption. However, high performance of a drive may be required depending on an environment in which the drive is used. In some instances, low power consumption may be more desirable than high performance. For example, when a quantity of command workload is large like in a compiling or rendering operation, the high performance of a hard disk drive is required, and therefore, the hard disk drive needs to be operated at a high operating clock frequency. On the other hand, when the hard disk drive is used to see movies, the low power consumption takes precedence over the performance, and therefore, the hard disk drive needs to be operated at the low operating clock frequency.
A command workload indicates a total number of write/read commands received by a hard disk drive during a predetermined reference time. Accordingly, when an amount of operation increases in the hard disk drive, the command workload also increases.
As described above, priority between high performance and low power consumption in a hard disk drive may change according to an operating environment of the hard disk drive. Accordingly, when the operating clock frequency of the hard disk drive is fixed, the hard disk drive cannot be used efficiently in various operating environments.

Method of controlling operating clock frequency of hard disk drive, recording medium, and hard disk drive


A bushing having a shaft seal is disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a fluid valve body, a valve shaft disposed in the fluid valve body, and a bushing disposed on the valve shaft between the valve shaft and the fluid valve body. The bushing includes a first groove disposed on an inner surface of the bushing and a second groove disposed on an outer surface of the bushing. A first seal is disposed in the first groove to seal against the valve shaft and a second seal is disposed in the second groove to seal against the valve body.

Process control systems use fluid valves to control the flow of process fluids. A fluid valve typically controls the flow of a process fluid by moving a valve flow control member such as a plug or a disc. Many fluid valves include a bushing to guide and support a shaft or stem of the valve. Fluid valves also generally include a packing surrounding the shaft or stem. The packing may be composed of graphite, polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE), or metallic materials to prevent fluid leaks and/or undesired changes in fluid pressure. In many known valves that include a packing and a bushing, the valve shaft or stem must be long enough to accommodate the packing and the bushing. In some instances, such as the Fisher Z500, a one-fourth turn on/off floating ball valve, the only shaft support is provided by the valve packing and does not include a bushing. Using the valve packing to support the shaft enables use of a relatively short shaft, but subjects the valve packing to relatively high loads, which can shorten the life of the packing and/or may result in a valve that requires more torque to operate than initially intended.


An interdental cleaning device that is easy to handle, especially for kids and handicapped people, including a frame supporting four zones for removing food and plaque between the teeth. Each zone having a particular thickness combined with cleaning substance and cleaning surface for a thorough teeth cleaning.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an interdental space cleaner, and more particularly, to an easy to handle interdental cleaner having different cleaning zones.
2. Discussion of the Background
Regular and frequent regimen of teeth cleaning is required for a good oral hygiene. Several instruments such as the toothbrush are commonly used for that purpose. However some teeth areas are not properly cleaned by the toothbrush because of its design. Therefore, other devices such as toothpicks, dental floss and other dental instruments are provided for cleaning interdental spaces removing food and dental plaque preventing caries and inflammation of the gum.
The use of dental floss has been known for decades. Dental Floss is commonly used by adults rather than kids or even some handicap people having limited use of one hand. Therefore, even though is used often dental floss is unpopular, especially for kids, because it is necessary to be familiar with the application technique which requires time, patience and the use of both hands.
The conventional toothpicks, as mentioned above, are another choice for interdental cleaning mainly because of their cost. However the toothpick is difficult to use in areas where the teeth are really close together and does not maintain sufficient strength.
An example of a toothpick is U.S. Pat. No. 5,234,009 which discloses a toothpick made from plastic comprising an elongated body portion having an upwardly extending ridge and a pair of angulated legs defining a longitudinal groove. The tip end of the toothpick having different angles, however it not easy to be used by a kid or a handicapped person and also does not provide enough area to not just remove the food between the teeth but also clean the teeth by contact.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a dental cleaning device that is easy to handle, especially for a kid or a handicapped person, which not just removes the food between teeth but also encourage thorough teeth 10 cleaning to prevent carries and inflammation of the gum.


Bath cushions for a child a disclosed herein. One bath cushion includes a set of perimeter portions including a predefined shape and an integrated center support portion coupled to the set of perimeter portions. The integrated center support portion includes a first non-flat profile and a size and the integrated center support portion is configured to accommodate a child. Another bath cushion includes a set of perimeter portions including a predefined shape and a plurality of removable center support portions coupleable to the set of perimeter portions. The set of perimeter portions includes a center space for coupling one of the plurality of removable center support portions at a time. Further, each center support portion in the plurality of center support portions includes a respective size and a respective first non-flat profile and each center support portion is configured to accommodate a child.

A child (e.g., a newborn, an infant, a toddler, etc.) is often bathed in a bathing environment with a small area (e.g., a sink, a bathtub, etc.). The small size of a child can make it difficult to hold and/or support the child while the child is being bathed in such a bathing environment. Conventional bath cushions do not adequately hold and/or support a child while the child is being bathed, which can make bathing a child more difficult than it otherwise could be.


A new and distinct Coreopsis plant named ‘Sangria’ characterized by small ruby red inflorescences, and an upright, very dwarf habit.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct plant of Coreopsis and given the cultivar name 'Sangria'. Coreopsis is in the family Asteraceae. This new cultivar originated from unknown parents at the nursery in Canby, Oreg. and reproduced in tissue culture where further selections were made. This selection was made for its ruby red inflorescences and compact habit. The species involved are unknown.


A monolithic thick film inductor is made by printing alternating conductive layers and dielectric layers above one another, using the same dielectric printing screen and the same conductor printing screen for printing each of the dielectric layers and the conductive layers respectively. Each of the coil printing screen and the dielectric screen are indexed to n different positions in order to print each of the n layers. The resulting inductor includes a plurality of helical coil segments stacked above one another and electrically connected to one another to create the desired number of coil turns.

The present invention relates to a monolithic thick film inductor and method for making same.
Many prior art methods have been used for printing monolithic thick film inductors. Most of these methods include printing alternating layers of coils and dielectric layers (usually ferrite). Each coil is a segment and the coil segments are interconnected through the ferrite layers to create a continuous helical coil inductor.
Most prior art methods for creating these monolithic film inductors involve separate printing screens for each layer that is printed to create the inductor.
Therefore a primary object of the present invention is the provision of an improved monolithic thick film inductor and method for making same.
A further object of the present invention is the provision of a monolithic thick film inductor which can be printed with a minimum of printing screens or patterns that can be repeated several times as the various laminated layers are printed.
A further object of the present invention is the provision of a monolithic thick film inductor and method for making same which requires less equipment to mass produce the inductor.
A further object of the present invention is the provision of a monolithic thick film inductor wherein the length and width of the coil remains constant throughout the part from the bottom to the top.
A further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved monolithic thick film inductor which can be manufactured in smaller parts than has been the case in the prior art.
A further object of the present invention is the provision of a monolithic thick film inductor which is easily adaptable to automated manufacture.
A further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved monolithic thick film inductor and method for making same wherein the inductor is more economical to manufacture, durable in use, and efficient in operation.

Method of making monolithic thick film inductor


A mobile device, including a main body provided with an input device, and a cover portion including a display unit, the cover portion including a first bezel portion and a second bezel portion, the second bezel portion having a hinge portion to couple the cover portion to the main body, wherein the first bezel portion includes a fastening portion of the display unit and the second bezel portion includes at least one of a camera and a wireless antenna.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a mobile device, and more particularly to the structure of a bezel in a display unit mounted on a mobile device and the implementation method thereof.
Discussion of the Related Art
A mobile device including a mobile computer, laptop PC, palmtop PC, PDA, or the like, a mobile communication device, a gaming device, an audio or video player (e.g., MP3 player, portable media player (PMP)) or the like has a display device for outputting visual information or various user interfaces. A camera or antenna may be mounted on a mobile device to provide the production, transmission and reception, or various wireless services of a multimedia. It may be provided in a display device rather than a main body, thereby enhancing the utility and performance. However, when a camera or antenna is provided in the display device, it may cause to increase the width of a bezel portion that limits a portion of visual information being outputted by the display unit, thereby deteriorating the appearance of a mobile device.


A video crane game including a display device, such as a video screen, for displaying images. A mechanical crane-like device provided over the display device includes an x-y assembly for allowing a player to control the movement of a selection head in an x-y plane. A z-movement device causes the selection head to move in a z-direction toward and away from the images of the display device. A sensor detects a location of the selection head with respect to the images displayed on the display device when the head is moved just above or contacts the display. A game controller controls the display of the images and determines a game outcome based on the location of the selection head with respect to the displayed images. The displayed images may include multiple selectable image targets, such as prize images associated with a prize, penalty areas, or images associated with a point score. A dispenser dispensing an award to a player of the game apparatus, such as tickets or prizes.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to arcade games, and more particularly to video-mechanical arcade games in which a player controls a mechanical apparatus to achieve goals in the game.
2. Background of the Related Art
Crane-type or "claw machine" arcade games are popular amusement devices often provided in game arcades, stores, or other public places. In these types of games, physical prize objects are placed on a floor within a closed housing and are viewable by a player through transparent glass or the like. Upon the insertion of a coin, the player controls a mechanical claw or other grasping implement with controls such as a joystick, buttons, or toggle switch. Typically, the claw is provided above the prize objects and the player can change the position of the claw over the prizes. The claw is lowered towards the prizes by either a controller such as a computer or the player. The claw is either automatically opened and closed when it reaches the level of the prizes or is opened and closed under the player's control, after which the closed claw is automatically elevated. The claw may or may not have grasped a prize and hold onto the prize as the claw is raised. The controller moves the claw over to a dispensing container and opens the claw, allowing the prize (if any is held) to drop into a dispensing chute and to the player.
The claw pick-up games of the prior art have some distinct disadvantages. The prizes that the operator of a claw-type crane game provides in the game are usually inexpensive items such as small stuffed dolls, rubber items, or containers with small prizes in them. Thus, the operator is usually quite limited in the types of prizes that can be offered, both because of size and cost limitations for those prizes that can be positioned in the limited space of the prize area, and because of the size and other characteristics of prizes that are required for the claw to be able to pick up the prizes. Players thus may grow tired of the game due to lack of variety of available prizes.
In addition, the operator must continually maintain the prize selection in each offered crane game. Thus, for example, if one type of popular prize is continually picked up and dispensed to players, the operator must supervise the prize areas of the games to ensure that at least some of these popular prizes are available to attract additional players. These limitations of prizes in prior art crane games tend to increase maintenance and decrease player involvement, thus leading to less revenue for the game owner.


The present invention provides methods of inducing somatic embryogenesis in tissue cultures derived from varieties of Taxus. In addition, the present invention provides methods of obtaining taxol, or precursors thereof, using in vitro propagated somatic embryo tissues.

A. Taxol and the production of secondary plant metabolites in vitro
Taxol, a diterpene, was first identified in 1964 and has subsequently been shown to have anti-cancer activity against ovarian cancer, breast cancer, small-cell lung cancer, melanoma, and colon cancer.
Taxol is produced primarily in the bark and cambial tissue of the pacific yew Taxus brevifolia. Using current purification procedures, 1 kilogram of taxol requires processing of approximately 10,000 kilograms of bark. This is equivalent to 2,000-4,000 sixty to seventy year old trees. Recent estimates put the need of taxol at approximately 250 kilograms of the purified drug per year. This is equivalent to a yield of 25 million kilograms of dried bark or approximately 750,000 trees. Due to the shortage of the pacific yew, other sources of taxol are currently being sought.
One potential source of taxol which has been examined is in vitro cultured plant cells and tissues. U.S. Pat. No. 5,019,504 describes the initiation and proliferation of callus cell cultures from explants of T. brevifolia. The callus cells produced by this procedure were shown to produce taxol.
There are several obstacles to the use of callus or undifferentiated cell cultures as a means of producing secondary metabolites such as taxol. Typically, secondary metabolites are produced by specialized or differentiated tissues; most notably bark in the case of taxol, or leaves in the case of other taxanes such as baccatin. Undifferentiated, or callus cultures often lack the necessary biosynthetic capacity to assemble molecules as complex as taxanes, or, the degree of cytodifferentiation required to sequester these molecules once synthesized. The result has been that most secondary metabolites are not found in callus cultures, and, in cases where they have been detected in callus, the concentration is usually very much lower than that in planta.
Nevertheless, callus cultures have been extensively investigated for the production of secondary metabolites due to their ease of establishment, manipulation and rapid growth rate. Often, for investigations in vitro, rapidly-growing callus cultures are the most convenient way to produce the large quantities of tissue required for detection of secondary metabolites such as taxol that are found in such low concentrations. The rapid growth rate of callus cultures underscores another of their disadvantages in that the cells that comprise these cultures tend to be genetically unstable, demonstrating high levels of genetic recombination and unstable ploidy levels. Such genetic instability can ultimately lead to cultures with diminished taxol production capacity. In order to avoid this problem, callus cultures need to continually be reestablished from a genetic stock.
For the large scale production of secondary plant products in vitro, it would be desirable to combine the rapid growth rates and capacity for high biomass concentrations of undifferentiated cell culture systems with the inherent capacity for secondary metabolite production of differentiated cells or tissues. Researches have realized the potential for secondary metabolite production in cultures that proliferate in a manner akin to undifferentiated cell cultures (i.e., callus or cell suspension), but are instead comprised of differentiated cells or tissues. For example shoot cultures (tissue cultures comprised of masses of rapidly proliferating shoots) have been investigated as sources of essential oils and alkaloids that are found in leaf or stem tissue (Heble, in Primary and Secondary Metabolism in Plant Cell Cultures, Neumann et al. (ed.), Springer-Verlag, Berlin Heedelberg, pp.281-289 (1985)). In shoot cultures, the specific tissue types that produce and sequester essential leaf oils are multiplied, and the rigid developmental program required for shoot morphogenesis also minimizes genetic instability. In this way, tissue cultures have been shown to combine the attractive features of both undifferentiated and differentiated systems.
Although taxol has been detected in undifferentiated cell culture systems, its production has not been described in tissue culture systems. One such system is embryogenic tissue cultures.
Embryogenic conifer tissue cultures are strikingly dissimilar to conifer callus cultures biochemically, histologically, and in macroscopic appearance. Although the term "callus" is a generic term used to describe cell and tissue cultures, many researchers in the field of conifer somatic embryogenesis object to the use of "callus" in describing embryogenic conifer tissue (See for example Gupta and Durzan, Bio/Tech. 5:147-151 (1987); Rohr et al., Amer. J. Bot. 76:1460-1467 (1988); Tautorus et al., Can. J. Bot. 69:1873-1899 (1991)). The reason for the objection to the use of the term "callus" is that, rather than being comprised of undifferentiated cells, embryogenic conifer tissue cultures are comprised of differentiated cells (suspensor-like cells) and structures analogous to early stage embryos found in developing seeds. Therefore, embryogenic conifer tissue cultures do not fit the detention of callus or their liquid counterparts, cell suspension cultures, and represent an improved way to produce taxol by the embodiment of the beneficial growth characteristics of cell culture systems with the capacity for secondary metabolite production of tissue culture systems.
B. Somatic Embryogenesis in Conifers
Although procedures for the induction of somatic embryogenesis have been known in the art for some time (Tisseral et al,. Hort. Re.1:1-78 (1979)), it has only been recently demonstrated successfully with coniferous species (See Hakman et al. Plant Sci. 38:53-59 (1985)). Since the first reports of successful induction of somatic embryogenesis in conifer cell cultures, eighteen (18) species from the genera Pinus, Picea, Abies, Larix, and Psuedotsuga (Tautorus et al., Can. J. Bot. 69:1873-1899 (1991)), have been demonstrated as having the capacity to produce somatic embryos.
The production of somatic embryos from conifers is not universal. Several important varieties have yet to be successfully cultured, such as members of the genus Taxus.
C. Transgenic Plants.
Recent advances in recombinant DNA and genetic technologies have made it possible to introduce and express a desired gene sequence in a recipient plant. Through the use of such methods, plants have been engineered to express gene sequences that are not normally or naturally present in the native plant, or to exhibit altered expression of naturally occurring genes. Plants produced through the use of recombinant techniques are known as "transgenic" plants.
Transgenic plants are generally produced by transforming a single plant cell and then regenerating a whole plant from the cell via somatic embryogenesis. Since many genera of plants have been regenerated from a single cell (Friedt, W. et al. Prog. Botany 49:192-215 (1987); Brunold, C. et al., Molec. Gen. Genet. 208:469-473 (1987); Durand, J. et al., Plant Sci62:263-272 (1989); Attree et al., Can. J. Bot. 67:1790-1795 (1989)), successful production of transgenic plants from a wide variety of plant groups is theoretically possible.
Several methods have been developed to deliver and express a foreign gene into a plant cell. These include engineered Ti plasmids from the soil bacterium A. tumefaciens (Czako, M. et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 6:101-109 (1986); Feirer et al., Proceedings 20th Southern Forest Tree Improvement Conference, Jun. 26-30, 1989, Charleston, S.C., pg. 381; Jones, J. D. G. et al., EMBO J. 4:2411-2418 (1985), engineered plant viruses such as the cauliflower mosaic virus (Shah, D. M. et al., Science 233:478-481 (1986)); Schewmaker, C. K. et al., Virol. 140:281-288 (1985)), microinjection of gene sequences into a plant cell (Crossway, A. et al., Molec. Gen. Genet. 202:179-185 (1986); Potrykus, I. et al., Molec. Gen. Genet. 199:169-177 (1985)), electroporation (Fromm, M.E. et al., Nature 319:791-793 (1986); Tautorus et al., Theor. Appl. Genet. 78:531-536 (1989), and DNA coated particle acceleration (Bolik, M. et al. Protoplasma 162:61-68 (1991)). Several of these procedures have been successfully employed to transform conifer tissues in vitro. (Ellis et al., International Society of Plant Molecular Biology, meeting of Oct. 6-11, 1991, Tucson, Ariz.).

Induction of somatic embryogenisis in taxus, and the production of taxane-ring containing alkaloids therefrom