A system, method, and processor executable instructions to isochronously communicate in standard USB mode laser printer scan data from a host computer to a laser printer. The host computer transmits a data stream that includes data packets having laser printer scan data, error detection information, and correction packets such as parity packets for use to reconstruct packets having an error. The laser printer receives the data stream, processes the error detection information, data packets and parity packets, and provides a continuous stream of laser printer scan data for printing.

A laser printer printing process typically includes a series of steps for transferring an image from a photoreceptor to a page of paper moving through the printer. The steps include projecting an electrostatic charge from a primary charge roller onto the photoreceptor. A mirror moves in accord with laser printer scan data, such as a raster image, to direct a laser beam through a system of lenses and mirrors onto the photoreceptor surface. The photoreceptor surface containing the latent image is then exposed to toner. Next, the photoreceptor surface is pressed or rolled over paper, transferring the image onto the paper as it steadily moves through the printer. The paper then passes through a fuser assembly having rollers that provide heat and pressure to bond the toner to the paper. Finally, an electrically neutral rubber blade cleans any excess toner from the photoreceptor.
The laser printer printing steps are synchronized and the process requires that the paper continuously move through the printer. Therefore, unlike an ink-jet printing process which can be paused, if necessary, to obtain printer data, the laser printer process requires that the laser printer scan data be readily available so that it can be read at a continuous and uninterrupted pace from the start of the process until the page is complete.
Theoretically, the universal serial bus (USB) standard isochronous mode provides a rate of data transfer that is sufficient for a host based laser printer. However, the USB standard isochronous mode does not provide error correction and is therefore unsuitable for real-time transfer of laser printer scan data from a host computer to the laser printer's system of lenses and mirrors, commonly referred to as video hardware. To compensate for the lack of error correction during data transfer, current USB host based laser printer systems buffer a significant portion of a page at the printer before starting the printing process. The need to buffer a significant portion of a page places a heavy demand on laser printer memory. For example, a typical host based color laser printer buffers over 16 MB of data in the printer's RAM.

USB isochronous data transfer for a host based laser printer


A communication gateway for communicating data frames for a motor vehicle, the gateway being intended to be connected to a plurality of electronic control units in order to exchange data frames, the gateway including: as many management modules as there are electronic control units; a memory in which are stored a lookup table including an index list, with each of the indices of which is associated a memory space, a level-zero addressing table, a level-one addressing table, a level-two addressing table and an address table of levels; a space manager for managing spaces of the lookup table that is configured to determine a free index in the lookup table, and when a memory space of the lookup table is freed or is filled, to modify the byte stored in each memory region of each addressing table associated with the index.

In a known manner, a motor vehicle comprises a plurality of electronic control units (or ECUs), each allowing at least one item of equipment of the vehicle to be controlled.
To this end, the electronic control units are connected to one another by a communication bus, allowing them to exchange data frames. This bus may for example be of CAN ("Control Area Network") type, known per se to those skilled in the art.
To address the data frames to the recipient electronic control units, it is known practice to use a routing gateway, for example implemented by one of the electronic control units, through which all of the data frames pass.
In a known solution, the management of the data frames by the gateway is performed by using a waiting line of FIFO, for "first in first out", type. In this method, the data frames are processed in the order in which they arrive.
After receiving a data frame, and before transmitting it to the at least one electronic control unit that is the recipient of the received data frame, the gateway records, in a memory region, a plurality of items of information relating to said data frame, and in particular to the payload associated with this data frame.
For this, the gateway must first determine a free memory space in the memory region, in order to record the information relating to the received data frame there.
in order to determine a free space, it is known practice, for example, for the gateway to go through all of the memory spaces of the memory region. Over this period of determining a free space, a latency time is generated and the received data frame cannot be transmitted, which temporarily puts the exchanges of frames between the electronic control units on hold.
This latency time may be detrimental in the operation of the vehicle or when carrying out diagnostics.
Specifically, in one existing solution, it is known practice to carry out diagnostics by using what is called a UDS ("Unified Diagnostic Services") protocol between an external diagnostic tool and the gateway. In this protocol, the external tool transmits requests to one or more electronic control units which must respond to it within a given time frame. In this case, the latency times generated by the determination of a free memory space in the memory region do not allow the electronic control units to respond within the given time frame, which may slow down or skew the diagnostics.
There is therefore a need for a solution that makes it possible to overcome this drawback at least in part.

Communication gateway for communicating data frames for a motor vehicle


To provide a method of controlling a turbine equipment and a turbine equipment capable of carrying out a starting operation of controlling a load applied to a speed reducing portion while complying with a restriction imposed on an apparatus provided at a turbine equipment. The invention is characterized in including a temperature elevating step (S1) of elevating a temperature of a working fluid flowing to the turbine portion, a flow rate increasing step (S2) of increasing a flow rate of a working fluid bypassed from a delivery side to a suction side of the compressing portion when a temperature of the working fluid flowing to the turbine portion is elevated by a heat source portion, and a flow rate reducing step (S3) of reducing the flow rate of the bypassing working fluid after an elapse of a predetermined time period after increasing the flow rate of the bypassing working fluid.

According to a closed cycle gas turbine of circulating a working fluid in a closed system by using an atomic reactor or the like for a heat source, an equipment capacity of a motor used for only operating to accelerate speed in starting, an electric apparatus SFC (Static Frequency Converter) or the like by using a generator as a motor is made to be as small as possible in order to achieve a reduction in plant construction cost.
Therefore, according to the closed cycle gas turbine, a speed is elevated to a rated revolution number in a state of reducing an amount of filling a working fluid in the closed system, for example, helium gas to a degree of circulating a fuel ball at inside of the atomic reactor by a flow of helium, and in a low temperature state.
In this way, a technology of reducing the amount of filling the working fluid in the closed system in starting has been proposed in a background art (refer to, for example, the Publication of Japanese Patent No. 3020853).
However, a temperature elevating rate of the atomic reactor is restricted, and therefore, even when the closed cycle gas turbine reaches the rated revolution number, the generator is used as the motor for some period of time. Therefore, there is continued an operation in a state in which a negative torque is loaded on a speed reduction gear or the like arranged between the closed cycle gas turbine and the generator.
Thereafter, the temperature of the working fluid flowing to the turbine is elevated by heat generation of the atomic reactor and a turbine output is increased. In the procedure, an axial output is changed from the negative output to the positive output and also a torque applied on the speed reduction gear or the like connecting the turbine and the generator is changed from the negative torque to a positive torque.
The speed reduction gear is prescribed with a necessary minimum torque for preventing a drawback of fretting or the like from being brought by shifting load sharing of the gear from a standard value by a self weight of the gear, or by shifting a contact position of teeth from a standard position.
Meanwhile, when the torque applied to the speed reduction gear or the like is changed from the negative torque to the positive torque as described above, there poses a problem that the torque necessarily becomes lower than the necessary minimum torque.
Further, since the temperature elevating rate of the atomic reactor is restricted, also a rate of increasing the torque applied to the speed reduction gear or the like is restricted and it is difficult to shorten a time period during which a torque becomes lower than the prescribed necessary minimum torque.

Method of controlling turbine equipment and turbine equipment

PEBBLE BED MODULAR REACTOR (PTY) LIMITED


A magnetically geared apparatus that includes a first rotor and a stator. The stator can include windings and a first plurality of permanent magnets, where the first plurality of permanent magnets are located between the windings and the first rotor. The stator can also include un-magnetized magnetisable material between circumferentially juxtaposed permanent magnets of the first plurality of permanent magnets.

A known magnetically geared apparatus 100 is shown in FIG. 1. Such an apparatus acts as a motor/generator and is typically made up of an inner rotor 102 with inner permanent magnets 104 having a low number of magnet poles, a modulating rotor 106 with a number of pole-pieces 108 and an outer stator 110 having an array of outer permanent magnets 112 with a high pole number. The flux from the inner magnets 104 is modulated by the array of pole-pieces 108 in the modulating rotor 106 to create a number of harmonics on the outer surface of the pole-pieces 108. The dominant harmonic links with the fundamental field of the outer permanent magnets 112 to create a magnetic gear. The fundamental component of the inner rotor 102 magnet flux links with the stator 110 and it is this fundamental component of flux that gives rise to a back-emf in stator windings 103 of a pseudo-direct drive machine (magnetically geared motor/generator). The magnitude of this fundamental component of flux dictates the magnitude of the back-emf for a given speed. The higher this fundamental component of flux, the lower the current required to provide a given output torque. Copper losses in the stator windings are proportional to the square of the current. A typical flux path 114 linking two magnetic poles of such a magnetically geared device 100 is shown in FIG. 1.
The magnetically geared device 100 could be used as a motor/generator. The outer magnets 112 of such motor/generators are mounted to the bore of the stator 110 with an adhesive. Such motor/generators have a small circumferential gap between each of the outer magnets 112 to cope with engineering tolerances. This is normally filled with a non-magnetic encapsulant for structural purposes. The circumferential gaps between the individual magnets 112 are made as small as possible within engineering tolerances to maximise the amount of magnet material and thus increase the torque density of the magnetic gear part of the motor/generator.


Provided is an image capture apparatus that can perform focus detection based on a focus evaluation value indicating contrast of a subject image included in a focus detection area using an image signal output from an image sensor. In accordance with the extent of a blur amount of the subject image, the image capture apparatus determines how to use a method for performing focus detection through a reciprocating motion of a focus lens and a method for performing focus detection by moving the focus lens in a direction toward which the focus evaluation value increases. Focus detection is performed based on the determination.

1. Technical Field
This disclosure relates to an image capture apparatus and a control method therefor.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, image capture apparatuses such as digital video cameras and digital cameras often have so-called contrast-detection type autofocus (AF) as an AF function. Contrast-detection type AF uses the sharpness of a captured image as an AF evaluation value, and focuses on a subject by controlling the position of a focus lens so as to maximize the AF evaluation value. The sharpness of an image used as an AF evaluation value may be, for example, the level of high-frequency components extracted from image signals.
According to contrast-detection type AF, the AF evaluation value is computed based on a captured image and hence could change due to factors other than defocus. For example, in the case where captured images are not still images (captured images are moving images), e.g. when capturing images while panning and when a camera shake occurs, the spatial frequency distribution in the images decreases overall, resulting in a decrease in high-frequency components and the AF evaluation value.
The AF evaluation value is used not only in detection of a focus position, but also in determination of a focus direction and control of an AF operation. Therefore, the influence of a change in the AF evaluation value caused by image blur is versatile. For example, in the case of AF control that has a plurality of inner states and transits the inner state to another inner state in accordance with the AF evaluation value and a change therein, the influence of the change in the AF evaluation value caused by image blur varies with each inner state.
Examples of the inner states of AF control include a minute-driving operation (wobbling) and hill-climbing operation. The minute-driving operation is an operation for obtaining an AF evaluation value by intermittently causing the reciprocating driving of a focus lens within a minute range, and for detecting a direction in which the AF evaluation value increases as a direction of a focus position and identifying the focus position. The hill-climbing operation is an operation for obtaining an AF evaluation value at a plurality of positions while driving the focus lens in the focus direction detected through the minute-driving operation, and for identifying a focus position based on a change in the AF evaluation value.
When image blur has occurred, the minute-driving operation is executed first to identify the direction of the focus position and the focus position. In this case, however, as it is difficult to detect a change in the AF evaluation value compared to the case where the image is stable, it takes time to identify the focus position and the direction thereof. Accordingly, the minute-driving operation is transited to the hill-climbing operation to search for the focus position from a wide range. However, the hill-climbing operation is easily influenced by the change in the AF evaluation value caused by image blur as it identifies the focus position based on an increase and a decrease in the AF evaluation value. Therefore, there are cases where the identified focus position is different from an expected position and captured images are unpleasant to view because the operation of tracking the focus position is unstable.
Meanwhile, many of today's cameras have a camera shake correction function. A camera shake correction function optically or electronically corrects image blur by detecting the amount and direction of image blur based on the output from an angular velocity sensor, such as a vibrating structure gyroscope, and on correlation between images captured in chronological order. Japanese Patent No. 3054603 suggests that information of the detected image blur be used in AF control, or more specifically that AF be not performed while the amount of image blur is large. On the other hand, Japanese Patent No. 4438047 suggests that, in the minute-driving operation whereby AF is performed while operating the focus lens minutely and intermittently, AF be continued after changing a driving condition when the amount of image blur is larger than a predetermined amount.
However, according to the method described in Japanese Patent No. 3054603, while AF is not performed because the amount of image blur is large, tracking cannot be performed in accordance with a change in the distance to a subject.
On the other hand, according to Japanese Patent No. 4438047, although the minute-driving operation is continued under a driving condition that takes into consideration the influence of image blur, the influence of image blur is not taken into consideration in the hill-climbing operation. Therefore, when the operational state of AF is transited from the minute-driving operation to the hill-climbing operation during the occurrence of image blur, the result of AF performed in the hill-climbing operation may be erroneous or unstable due to the influence of image blur as described earlier.

Image capture apparatus and control method for tracking of focus position


A modular portable wheel chair ramp comprising a plurality of mechanically interconnected modular ramp sections. Ramp sections are supported by adjustable post assemblies on ramp section sides. A rail panel comprising upper and lower rails extend between said outer post on one end and a second post matching in complement the outer post on an opposite end wherein said second post of a first rail panel removably connects to an outer post of an adjacent rail panel therein connecting said rail panels together. Slats connecting between upper and lower rails form a rail panel. An inner rail is also secured between the posts, interlocking with an extended lug on an inner rail section end fitting into a matching hole in an adjacent inner rail section end to make a continuous inner section rail.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to ramps and more specifically to a light-weight and portable wheel chair ramp adjustable in height and easy to assemble.
2. Prior Art
It is known to have wheel chair ramps. The American Disability Act (ADA) requires that wheelchair ramps be placed in all public entry ways, thus insuring entrance to all. Although portable wheelchair ramps, even modular ramps, have long been used in various types of construction, the standards for these ramps have become more stringent, precluding the use of many prior wheelchair ramps. It is not known previously to have a modular wheel chair ramp that is portable and easy to install and that also complies with the ADA. Thus it is the objective of the present invention to provide a ramp suitable for wheel chair use that is modular, adjustable in height, light-weight, easy to assemble and disassemble, and still comply with the ADA with a high safety factor.

Adjustable quick disconnect portable wheel chair ramp


A jewelry storage system for storing and allowing access to and removal of jewelry pieces includes a jewelry cabinet and a stand. The jewelry cabinet defines an interior space for holding jewelry items. The jewelry cabinet includes a box frame and a door connected to the box frame wherein the door extends substantially from the top wall to the bottom wall. A plurality of jewelry storage elements are attached within the interior space. In one embodiment, a stand is configured to receive the jewelry cabinet to hold the jewelry cabinet in an upright position so that the back wall of the jewelry cabinet forms an angle from the horizontal.

Jewelry holders are known that allow the display of many different types of jewelry simultaneously. However, there is a need for a jewelry holder that displays jewelry in an easy to access format. Additionally, there is a need for a jewelry holder that may either be free standing or mounted to a wall.


A dual offset reflector system is disclosed. The system comprises a main reflector, a subreflector, a first gimbal mechanism for positioning of the subreflector. The system includes at least two feeds for receiving beams from the main reflector and the subreflector. One of the feds is at a focal point of the system and the other beam is displaced from the focal point. Accordingly, a simple solution to restore antenna gain reduction and avoid beam distortion due to the scan loss for a reflector system is provided that utilizes multiple feeds at different frequencies and polarizations. By placing the feeds at focal point trajectory of the subreflector whose positioning is controlled by a gimbal mechanism, a system is provided that minimizes distant and scan loss in a dual reflector system. The gimbal mechanism positions the subreflector so that a desired feed is in the focal point of the subreflector.

Satellite systems supporting multiple missions require operation over multiple frequency bands. Separate antenna apertures cannot be used for each frequency band, due to the limited real estate on the satellite, so antennas must operate over multiple frequency bands.
Reflector antennas are often used on satellites for their mass efficiency and consist of one or more reflectors and feeds. Reflectors are inherently broadband, but multi-frequency feeds are complex and difficult to design and build. Using separate feeds for each frequency band reduces the feed complexity, however, when the feed is displaced from the reflector focal point, the beam is scanned from the mechanical boresight of the system and the gain of the antenna is reduced (called scan loss) resulting in degraded system performance.
Multi-frequency feed systems and frequency selective surfaces have been used to provide limited multiple frequency operation. Separate feeds operating at each frequency located side-by-side have also been used. Both of these systems have problems.
Multi-frequency feed systems are complex and difficult to build. Only a few feed systems have been developed for two or three frequency bands and are highly dependent on the frequency plan. If the frequencies are too close or the bandwidths are too broad, these feeds cannot be made to operate. Frequency selective surfaces (FSS's) have been designed to combine separate feeds to illuminate a common reflector. Like the multi-frequency feeds, FSS performance is highly dependent on the frequency plan. They also require significantly more volume and mass to implement.
Separate feeds located side-by-side is the simplest implementation with the least constraints on the frequency plan. However, when placed in conventional reflector systems, they suffer from beam scan and scan loss, as described above.
What is needed is a method and system that overcomes the above-identified issues. The present embodiment addresses this need.

Dual offset reflector system utilizing at least one gimbal mechanism


A switched-mode power conversion circuit can include a switch control circuit including switch control outputs coupleable to switches included in a bridge network, the switches controllably coupling power input nodes to an isolation transformer according to switch states established by the switch control circuit. A current monitoring circuit can be coupled to the isolation transformer, the current monitoring circuit including an output indicative of a current flowing through a winding of the isolation transformer. A sampling circuit can be coupled to the output of the current monitoring circuit to obtain information indicative of a first current peak during a first sampling duration corresponding to a first current polarity established by the bridge network and a second current peak during a second sampling duration corresponding to an opposite second current polarity established by the bridge network.

A switched-mode power converter can be implemented using a full-bridge power converter configuration, such as for an application where an alternating current (AC) input or a direct current (DC) input is provided, and a DC output is to be generated (or vice versa, such as for bi-directional conversion). For example, for single-phase AC input, four switches (e.g., transistors) can be used to direct a current through a primary winding of an isolation transformer. During a first switching phase, the switches can be controlled such that current having a first polarity is conducted through the primary winding. During a second switching phase, the switches can be controlled such that the primary winding conducts a current having a polarity opposite the first polarity.
A secondary side of the isolation transformer can include one or more windings electrically coupled to a rectification circuit, the output of which can be used to provide power to other circuitry. The rectification circuit can be coupled to an inductor. The during switching phases where power is transferred from the primary winding to the second winding, the current in the inductor can be ramped up, and during other portions of the switching cycle, the current in the inductor can ramp down, thereby generating an output voltage.

Power converter control to avoid imbalance and transformer saturation


Method and apparatus for reduced contribution to suspension hinge stiffness of an electrical interconnect metal layer while retaining substantial impedance reductions from the metal layer use a sinuous pattern of removed and retained subregions of the metal layer selectively and distributively to ease bending of the metal layer and decrease its stiffness contribution while the retained metal layer subregions provide a substantial proportion of the impedance reduction normally provided by the metal layer.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to disk drive suspensions. More particularly, the invention is concerned with suspensions having an electrical interconnect of trace conductors, an insulator and a metal layer traversing the suspension spring portion or hinge. In such suspensions, the interconnect, particularly the metal layer thereof, contributes unwanted added stiffness to the spring portion. The metal layer, however, serves to control impedance in the conductive traces.
2. Description of the Related Art
Lessening the stiffness contribution of electrical interconnect metal layers by complete removal thereof or by opening a large aperture in the metal layer eliminates or greatly lessens the stiffness contribution but impedance control suffers. From a mechanical point of view, the suspension spring portion comprising a hinge defining a bending zone is desirably as flexible as possible. Using a large aperture in the ground layer-defining interconnect metal layer is a solution often used, although this causes changes in the impedance value in the interconnect and creates a Z0 mismatch between the amplifier and the slider, and cross talk between traces.

Impedance control with reduced stiffness contribution from electrical interconnect


A receiver includes a tuner and a circuit. The tuner receives an indication of a radio frequency signal from an antenna feedline in response to the radio frequency signal being provided to the antenna feedline by an amplifier. The circuit transmits a control signal to the antenna feedline to control a gain of the amplifier in response to a strength of the radio frequency signal.

The invention generally relates to controlling the gain of a remote active antenna.
A satellite radio receiver system typically includes a satellite tuner, an active antenna and a coaxial antenna feedline that connects the antenna to the tuner. The active antenna typically includes an antenna and a low noise amplifier that compensates for loss in the antenna feedline and for the noise figure of the satellite tuner. The amplifier of the active antenna typically has a fixed amplification gain that is optimized for weak signal reception from the satellite.
In a conventional mobile satellite radio receiver system (a satellite radio system that is installed in an automobile, for example), the strength of the radio frequency (RF) signal that is received from the satellite varies due to satellite signal blockages due to buildings, trees, rain, hills, etc. The effect of the signal blockages may be reduced in an urban area that has high power terrestrial repeaters that are located strategically throughout the urban area. When a mobile satellite radio receiver system is near a terrestrial repeater antenna, the strength of the received RF signal may be large enough to overload an RF tuner of the system, and as a result, bit errors may occur. A typical solution to this dilemma involves adjusting the gain of the RF tuner according to the strength of the received RF signal. However, this solution may not be optimal because the RF tuner needs to be linear in operation over a wide range of potential gains, and this linearity may be difficult to achieve.
Thus, there exists a continuing need for better ways to adjust the response of a satellite radio receiver system to the signal strength of an RF signal.

Controlling the gain of a remote active antenna


According to one embodiment, a docking station for a portable device is provided with an improved latching mechanism for securing the portable device within the docking station. In general, the latching mechanism may comprise a pivotable lever and a larch assembly that operate together as a cam-follower mechanism. The pivotable lever may have a curved lower surface and contoured upper surface, and may be generally configured to rotate about a rotational axis when a back surface of the portable device contacts and pushes against the curved lower surface of the pivotable lever. The latch assembly may be generally configured to translate a rotational motion of the pivotable lever into a linear motion, which causes a hidden latch portion of the latch assembly to extend out of the docking station for securing the portable device within the docking station.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to docking stations for portable electronic devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to a docking station with a CAM operated latch for securing a portable electronic device against the docking station.
2. Description of the Related Art
The following descriptions and examples are not admitted to be prior art by virtue of their inclusion within this section.
Portable computers, including laptop computers, tablet PCs, and personal digital assistants (PDAs), allow computer users to utilize many of the functions of a personal computer while facilitating freedom of movement about the workplace. Portable computers are generally lightweight and compact, but may compare unfavorably to desktop computers in some respects because they are generally equipped with smaller keyboards and displays. Further, some portable computers may not have a keyboard, mouse, printer ability, local area network (LAN) connection, or an optical drive. To overcome these shortcomings, many portable computer users connect their portable computer to a docking station when using their computer in an office environment. The docking station can equip the portable computer with most of the characteristics of a desktop computer. For example, a docking station typically has a power source to charge the battery of the portable computer in addition to numerous ports that provide connectivity to local area networks and peripheral devices, such as optical drives, monitors, printers, keyboards, and mice. In addition to portable computers, other portable electronic devices such as smart phones, portable music players (e.g., an mp3 player), e-readers, netbooks, etc. may utilize docking stations for providing power, charging batteries or providing connectivity to networks or peripherals. As used herein, the term "portable device" refers to any portable computer or portable electronic device that can be docked to a docking station.
Outside of the office environment, ruggedized docking stations are often needed to constrain the portable computer in all six axes of freedom. For example, it is often desirable to secure a portable computer within a ruggedized docking station when used in environments, such as hospitals, manufacturing facilities, vehicles, and other environments where motion and/or security are a concern. In order to constrain the portable computer in all six axes of freedom, the ruggedized docking station typically includes a cradle for receiving a bottom portion of the portable computer, a support plate for receiving and supporting a back side of the portable computer, and a robust latching mechanism for constraining a top portion of the portable computer. This latch typically must have tight tolerances and a high spring force to achieve the high constraint requirements of a ruggedized docking station.
Latching mechanisms used in conventional docking stations typically include a sliding latching mechanism that moves up and down along a linear axis to receive and constrain the top portion of the portable computer. To dock the portable computer, the user typically inserts the computer into the cradle and pushes the computer back towards the support plate of the docking station. When the top portion of the portable computer contacts an inclined surface of the latching mechanism, the latching mechanism is forced up along its linear axis until the top portion of the portable computer is pushed under and past the latch. When this occurs, the latching mechanism falls back down into place to secure the portable computer against the docking station.
A problem with this type of latching mechanisms is that the user must force the portable computer against the inclined surface of the latch to insert the computer into the docking station. In some cases, a significant insertion force may be needed to overcome the high spring force attributed to the latch, and over time, repeated application of this force may cause marring of the back surface of the portable computer. The linear motion of the latch and the tight tolerances needed to constrain the portable computer may also cause the latch to drag across the front surface of the portable computer. This dragging motion combined with high spring forces further increase the insertion force needed to dock the computer and may cause marring of the front surface of the portable computer. Finally, the tight tolerances needed to constrain the portable computer may not allow the docking station to tolerate and support variations in the size, shape and surface texture of different portable computers. A need, therefore, remains for an improved latching mechanism that overcomes the problems associated with conventional linear latching mechanisms.

Docking station with improved latching mechanism


System for establishing a TDM information protocol over a communications path includes a transmit section and a receive section. In general, the transmit element receives a succession of data elements from each of a plurality of independent channels and combines the data elements to form a single TDM sequence of data elements. The receive element receives a TDM sequence of data elements and separates the sequence into its constituent components to form a plurality of channels, each forming a succession of data elements. In one form of the invention, data elements transmitted via the TDM communications path are limited to a single time slot in the TDM protocol.

TDM provides a convenient method of transporting multiple channels of digital data via a single physical link. For example, the T1 digital carrier system has been in use since the early 1960's, providing the capability for commercial and public digital communications. The T1 digital carrier system uses two frame formats; the superframe format and the extended superframe format. One difference between the two formats is the distribution of frame synchronization bits. The superframe format embeds a frame synchronization pattern in groups of 12 contiguous frames, while the extended superframe format embeds a frame synchronization pattern in groups of 24 contiguous frames. FIG. 1 shows the structure of the superframe format of the T1 digital carrier system. In general, a T1 superframe link includes 24 distinct TDM time slots, each conveying eight bits of information. A single framing bit is included with each group of 24 TDM time slots to form a frame of 193 bits. The framing bits of 12 consecutive frames form a unique pattern, which is used by the receiving equipment to establish frame synchronization. The transmission rate of a T1 link is 1.544 million bits per second (hereinafter MBPS), so the maximum available data rate for any single time slot is 64 thousand bits per second (hereinafter KBPS). With the T1 TDM architecture, 24 distinct 64 KBPS channels can be transmitted over a single T1 link. To increase bandwidth, a single channel can utilize more than one time slot. For example, if two time slots are used for a single channel, the channel capacity increases to 128 KBPS. If all 24 time slots are used for a single channel, the system achieves the maximum channel capacity of 1.536 MBPS.
For digitized voice transmission, each voice channel is typically conveyed via a single time slot. The original analog voice signal is digitized using pulse code modulation (hereinafter PCM) at a rate of 8000 samples per second. For five of every six frames, eight bit PCM samples are transmitted in a time slot. Seven bit PCM samples are transmitted every sixth frame, with the eighth bit from each time slot being used for signaling. The signaling bits form a control data stream for each time slot, which may be used, for example, to establish a connection or terminate a call.
For digital data transmission, each time slot typically carries up to seven bits of user information, with the eighth bit used for control or unused and set to a constant value. Such an arrangement allows a channel capacity of 56 KBPS per time slot. In some applications, all eight bits of each time slot are used for user information, which allows the maximum channel capacity of 64 KBPS per time slot.
A common scheme known as subrate multiplexing is used to convey multiple low rate channels within a single T1 time slot. Subrate multiplexing uses one of the seven available bits for control, and the remaining six bits for user data, at a total channel capacity of 48 KBPS. The 48 KBPS channel conveys five 9.6 KBPS channels, or ten 4.8 KBPS channels or twenty 2.4 KBPS channels. The control bit contains information which is used by the receiver to determine which of the subrates is being utilized.
A data channel is often accompanied by a low rate status channel which conveys information regarding activity status and/or fault status of the data channel. In the aforementioned subrate multiplexing scheme, no channel capacity is available within a time slot to convey such information. Consequently, one or more additional time slots must be used to transmit the status information.
There is a need for a method and apparatus for increasing the channel capacity of the prior art subrate multiplexing scheme.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a method and apparatus for increasing the channel capacity of the prior art subrate multiplexing scheme.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the appended drawings and description thereof.


An oxygen scavenger composition is effective in reducing oxygen-induced corrosion in aqueous systems that contain water, oxygen and a significant proportion (at least about 20 wt %) of a glycol, such as monoethylene glycol (MEG). The oxygen scavenger composition contains a sulfite, a transition metal salt, and a stabilizer to enhance the kinetics of oxygen removal (scavenging). The oxygen scavenger composition is particularly suitable when the transition metal salt component includes at least two different transition metals together, such as Ni and Co, or Ni and Mn.

It is well known that when impure iron (e.g. cast iron) is in contact with water, dissolved oxygen or other strong oxidants (or acids) it rusts. Iron metal is relatively unaffected by pure water or by dry oxygen. As with other metals, like aluminum, a tightly adhering oxide coating, a passivation layer, protects the bulk iron from further oxidation. The conversion of the passivating ferrous oxide layer to rust results from the combined action of two agents, usually oxygen and water. However, other degrading solutions such as those of sulfur dioxide and/or carbon dioxide in water create corrosive conditions where iron hydroxide species are formed. Unlike ferrous oxides, the hydroxides do not adhere to the bulk metal; as they form and flake off, fresh iron is exposed and the cycle is repeated.
The rusting of iron is an electrochemical process that begins with the transfer of electrons from iron to oxygen. The rate of corrosion is affected by water and accelerated by electrolytes, such as those from salts present. The key reaction is the reduction of oxygen (i.e. molecular oxygen O2). Therefore one approach to reducing and/or preventing corrosion of metals, particularly those containing iron, in contact with water and oxygen is to "scavenge" or bind up the oxygen before it has a chance to oxidize the iron.
While mechanical deaeration of water is an important step, in many systems and processes, mechanical deaeration is followed by chemical deaeration in order to remove (bind up or otherwise scavenge) the last traces of dissolved oxygen. Where mechanical deaeration is not employed, chemical deaeration must be used for the removal of the entire oxygen content of the aqueous system.
Sodium sulfite and sodium bisulfite are chemical agents commonly used for scavenging oxygen, in non-limiting instances, oilfield production systems, such as from produced water systems or water injection systems to reduce the potential for oxygen-induced corrosion. However in the presence of glycols, the oxygen removal reactions become challenged by glycols that act to terminate the chain reactions and prevent oxygen removal. Thus, glycols interfere with the use of sulfites as oxygen scavengers.
It would be advantageous if new oxygen scavenger compositions were discovered or developed that could be used in aqueous systems where glycol is present.

Application of oxygen scavengers to glycol systems


Disclosed is a method for treating a surface of a PVC product. A PVC product including PVC and plasticizer is provided. A surface of the PVC product is treated by an aqueous solution of a crosslinking agent and a first phase transfer catalyst to form a first surface treated PVC product. The surface of the first surface treated PVC product is treated by an aqueous solution of an aqueous free radical initiator and a second phase transfer catalyst to form a second surface treated PVC product. As such, the release of the plasticizer from the PVC product to an environment is inhibited.

The global usage of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is second to polyethylene (PE). In 2009, the global production of PVC reached 41,610,000 tons, and the global demand for PVC reached 33,430,000 tons. PVC is not expensive due to its raw material being mass produced by mature process of cracking petroleum. In addition, extensively desired properties of PVC can be easily achieved by incorporation of a variety of additives such as plasticizers. Accordingly, PVC is one of the most used plastic for a wide variety of applications, which is difficultly to be replaced. PVCs classified as soft PVC, semi-hard PVC, and hard PVC depend on the amount of plasticizer within PVC. A soft PVC has a plasticizer amount of 40 phr to 150 phr, a semi-hard PVC has a plasticizer amount of about 15 phr, and a hard PVC has a plasticizer amount of less than 3 phr. PVC products used in many applications for instance include electric wires, electric cables, building materials, car accessories, medical drip bags, package containers, hoses, artificial leathers, and other household products.
Plasticizer is easily released from PVC products into the environment while under high temperature/high humidity conditions, contact with oil, contact with low-polarity organic solvents, or the likes. The issue of the released plasticizers harmful to health should be highly concerned when the PVC product is used in children's toys, food packaging containers, or twist caps of cans. Due to the safety and environmental issues, PVCs are being replaced with a new plastic material, and/or the conventional plasticizers are being replaced with environmentally friendly plastic plasticizers such as non-phthalate type plasticizer, epoxy soy bean oil plasticizers, or triformate plasticizers. Compared to conventional phthalate plasticizers, however, the environmentally friendly plastic plasticizers are not only relatively expensive, but also provide relatively insignificant plasticization effect on PVC. For safety and environmental issues, a novel method of inhibiting the plasticizer released from PVC products is called-for. In recent years, the methods of inhibiting the plasticizer release have been classified into four types: surface coating, crosslinking treatment, barrier layer, and plasticizer modification. However, the surface coating, the crosslinking treatment, and the barrier layer methods may locally vary the properties of PVC products according to a ratio of treatment area to the PVC product size.

PVC product and method for treating surface thereof

INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE


Method and apparatus for detecting a contour of an object within an image is provided. A user interface is used to select first and second points within the object. A processor detects first and second subcontours based on the first and second points, respectively; and the first and second subcontours are based on detected edges. The detected edges are representative of non-uniformities within the image. The processor defines subcontours around each of the points, and the subcontours are combined into a contour.

This invention relates generally to diagnostic ultrasound systems. In particular, the present invention relates to method and apparatus for interactively detecting the contour of an object.
Various algorithms are available which search for the outside edge, or contour of an object, within an image. These algorithms may be used to calculate various size dimensions of the object. For example, the object may be an organ, cyst, or tumor which the user is interested in further analyzing to determine proper treatment.
Problems exist with the current algorithms and user interface methods, however. For example, a user may select a single starting point within an object. The algorithm starts with the single starting point and searches outward looking for changes within the tissue which identify boundaries between different types of tissue. Another method is to employ known shapes, such as circles and ovals, then require the user to drag the contour to the desired location around the object. Still another method has the user draw the contour of the object using a mouse or various keyboard keys, which can be quite time consuming, with accuracy being affected by the display size and resolution, and the minimum distance the user may move the cursor on the display. Also, working with 3D images adds an additional element of complexity.
Additionally, tissue in the body is not uniform. High contrast boundaries exist between different types of tissue, such as bone and muscle, and muscle and blood. Lower contrast boundaries exist also, such as a change within the density of the muscle, organ, or tumor. An automatic searching algorithm may detect a boundary close to the starting point which does not reflect the contour of the object, and thus exclude portions the object. Alternatively, the algorithm may search for a boundary having a greater contrast and include areas which are outside the object.
Thus, a system and method are desired to obtain a contour of an object within an image that addresses the problems noted above and others previously experienced.

User interactive method and user interface for detecting a contour of an object

GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC


A microprocessor for processing data corresponding to a plurality of computer programs includes multiple program counters each specifying a program address of a computer program having data to be processed, a selector for sequentially selecting the program counters, the selector having multiple independent storage sections for storing a plurality of arbitrary selection order of the program counters, an arithmetic logic unit for processing data of the computer program corresponding to the program address stored in one of the program counters selected by the selector, and a device for transferring data between the program counters, the selector, and the arithmetic logic unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system of a microprocessor suitable for simultaneously executing a plurality of independent programs.
2. Description of the Related Art
As an operation system of the microprocessor suitable for simultaneously executing a plurality of independent programs, an interruption system, a time slice system, and a multiprocessor system have been conventionally used.
The interruption system can be explained as follows.
If a specific interruption signal is generated while a program of a computer is executed, the program that is being executed is suspended and the program is branched to another routine for processing the specific program in which the interruption is received. After the program is executed, the program is returned to the original routine, and the operation of the original program is started again.
The time slice system can be explained as follows:
A plurality of programs are processed in the predetermined order of their priority at a constant time, that is, using time for CPU which a scheduler assigns to the program.
The multiprocessor system can be explained as follows:
A plurality of CPUs are provided and a plurality of programs are processed in parallel, in order to realize the computer system having high performance, which is excellent in high speed, reliability, and expandability.
However, in the microprocessor of the interruption processing system, the following problem exists.
While the program is branching to another routine for processing the specific program, other programs must be interrupted. Due to this, loss time is generated, and execution speed of the microprocessor is reduced.
In the microprocessor of the time slicing system, the following problem exists.
Since using time for a CPU, which a scheduler assigns to the program, is roughly sliced (ms unit), time restriction must be received.
In the microprocessor of the multiprocessor system, the following problem exists.
Since a plurality of CPUs of parallel processing type are needed, the manufacturing cost increases, the management of the CPUs are complicated, and the efficiency of CPUs are generally decreased.

Microprocessor for simultaneously processing data corresponding to a plurality of computer programs


Methods for automatically maximizing blood oxygenation saturation or maintaining blood oxygen saturation levels in adult patients having an oxygen requiring pulmonary disease and infant patients having underdeveloped lungs, within a specified range of values. In one embodiment, the method includes energizing a valve to deliver oxygen to the patient at a first rate and measuring the associated average oxygen saturation level of the patient. The method also includes deenergizing the valve and energizing another valve to deliver oxygen to the patient at a second rate and measuring the second average oxygen saturation level of the patient. A dominant valve, the valve associated with the higher average oxygen saturation level, is identified based on the measured oxygen saturation levels and then energized to deliver oxygen to the patient, thereby maximizing the blood oxygen saturation level in the patient.

Oxydosimeters are used by physicians and therapists to treat patients having chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), such as emphysema. Typically, COPD patients exhibit symptoms ranging from a hacking cough, to a continual shortness of breath. These symptoms are known to therapists and physicians to possibly reflect hypoxia, a term which refers to a deficiency of oxygen in the blood, oftentimes due to impaired respiratory conditions. In general, hypoxia is defined as an average, or mean, blood oxygen saturation level less than 90%.
Oxydosimeters are also used to treat infants, or neonates, born with underdeveloped lungs. It is well known that neonates must be adequately oxygenated in order to avoid organ damage or, in the worst case, death. Frequently, clinical manifestations of neonatal hypoxia are subtle, although its effects may be rather severe later in life. For example, children who were hypoxic as neonates may suffer mental retardation from the lack of oxygen supplied to their body by their undeveloped lungs. On the other hand, care should be exercised to avoid delivering excessive oxygen, which may lead to retinal damage in young children.
A microprocessor-based device for treating neonates is disclosed in the article titled "Closed-loop Control of SaO.sub.2 in the Neonate," authored by Paul E. Morozoff and Ron W. Evans and published in the March/April 1992 issue of Biomedical Instrumentation and Technology. This device is used to maintain a preset oxygen saturation level in neonates so that the maximum amount of oxygen is delivered to the body. The system comprises a pulse oximeter utilized to gather patient data, a microprocessor to analyze the data and control the machine, and a motorized air-oxygen blender to provide the correct oxygen saturation level to the neonate. This device controls a mechanical valve separate from the mixer valves with servo-motors and potentiometers. With this device, however, a one-to-one mechanical-electrical correspondence is impossible. As a result, operators must frequently make manual adjustments to the device to maintain the desired blood oxygen saturation level of the patient.
It is, however, desirable to provide an improved method and apparatus for automatically maintaining the blood oxygen saturation level within desired ranges in neonates and to maximize the blood oxygen saturation level in adult COPD patients.

Method for delivering incremental doses of oxygen for maximizing blood oxygen saturation levels


An electronic component module according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a printed circuit board including a low-profile plug and at least one memory component thereon, and a connector for connecting the printed circuit board to a motherboard, the connector being mateable with the plug on the printed circuit board and having a z-height of no more than about 1.5 mm. The low-profile plug includes one hundred seventy pins and the number of pins allocated for VSS is no more than twenty-two and the number of pins allocated for VDD is no more than sixteen. Further, the low-profile plug includes an insulative portion protruding from a surface of the printed circuit board and having a “”-like or inverted “”-like profile in its center. The connector includes two sub-connectors, and an insulative portion having a “”-like or inverted “m”-like profile in the center.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to memory modules and more specifically, to dynamic random-access memory ("DRAM") modules that have low profile or for implementation in low-profile applications. The present invention also relates to memory modules with a smaller connector or a reduced number of pins while maintaining sufficient power delivery and ground return.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Electronic components are generally assembled into modules. Modules, for example, memory modules, may be physically and electrically coupled to a printed circuit board assembly ("PCBA") to form an electronic assembly. These assemblies may then be incorporated into a variety of electronic systems such as computers, communication devices, and recreational devices, including desktops, laptops, notebooks, tablets, handhelds, servers, Internet appliances, mobile phones, televisions, video game consoles, compact disc players, MP3 players, and the like.
The main memory in personal computers, servers, and video game consoles, commonly utilizes dynamic random-access memory ("DRAM"). One advantage of DRAM is its structural simplicity: DRAM conventionally stores each bit of data in a separate capacitor. Thus, conventionally only one transistor and a capacitor are required per bit in DRAM as compared to four or six transistors in static random-access memory ("SRAM"). This allows DRAM to achieve very high densities. For example, billions of transistors and capacitors can fit on a single memory chip.
To further increase the memory capacity onto a memory module, single in-line memory modules ("SIMMs") and dual in-line memory modules ("DIMMs") have been developed where each module contains a number of memory chips on one PCBA. In a SIMM, the pins for communicating to the memory chips are located on the lower edge of the front and back surfaces of the SIMM, and these pins are redundant and connected, thereby providing a single line of communication paths between the module and a host system. In contrast, the contacts or pins on the lower edge of the front and back surfaces of a DIMM are not connected, providing two lines of communication paths between the module and a host system. For example, a DIMM has one communication path in the front surface and one communication path in the back surface. In turn, SIMMs and DIMMs are not interchangeable, have different sizes and require different types of sockets to be provided by the host system.
As consumers often desire smaller and more compact electronic devices, electronic manufacturers desire not just increased component capacity but also decreased component sizes. However, the smaller electronic devices challenge technology as they pit performance against size, requiring reduction, compaction or miniaturization of the electronic components to realize the size restrictions. Modifications to surface areas to DIMMs have been suggested. For example, there have been small outline dual in-line memory modules ("SODIMMs"). Also, micro dual in-line memory modules ("MicroDIMMs") have smaller surface areas as compared to a conventional DIMM and a SODIMMs. MicroDIMMs has been roughly half size of the surface area of a conventional DIMM.
To increase components or parts compatibility, industries have formed standard setting bodies or associations to promote uniformity in certain component dimensions or functions. For example, JEDEC, formerly known as the Joint Electron Device Engineering Council, has standardized surface areas and numbers of pins for SIMMs and DIMMs. As shown in Table 1, JEDEC has established 200 pins as a 'standard' format for SODIMMs, and 214 pins as a 'standard' format for MicroDIMMs.
TABLE 1214-pin200-pin SODIMMMicroDIMM(related art)(related art)# of Pins200214
FIG. 1 is a chart reflecting the pin assignment for a 240-pin MicroDIMM module according to the related art. As shown in FIG. 1, the related art uses two hundred fourteen (214) pins for a MicroDIMM. More specifically, the related art has sixteen (16) pins are for core and input/output ("I/O") power, fifty-six (56) pins for ground, and eleven (11) pins for no-connect. "DDR3" refers to double data rate three, where data can be transferred on both the rising and the falling edges of each clock signal between a host and the memory module.
Nonetheless, mechanical outlines of electronic components, such as the seating height of a module, has been a focus as each new generation of packaging must provide improved performance, while reducing or compacting package size. For example, laptops, notebooks and tablet devices, which are becoming increasing popular, are small and demand low profile and high performance. Thus, a particular need also continues to exist to reduce the size of the high-speed memory components necessary to support state-of-the-art software applications while maintaining or even improving memory performance. For example, a particular need exists to reduce device thickness while supporting faster data speed.


The present invention relates to a wireless communication system and, specifically, to a method and an apparatus therefor, the method comprising the steps of: receiving scheduling information for a plurality of consecutive transmission time intervals (TTIs); and transmitting data on the basis of the scheduling information, wherein the scheduling information includes a combination of a first symbol index and the number of consecutive symbols, the data is transmitted from a starting symbol of a first TTI (starting TTI) among the plurality of consecutive TTIs to an ending symbol of the last TR on the basis of the scheduling information, and the index of the starting symbol and the index of the ending symbol are determined on the basis of the combination of the first symbol index and the number of the consecutive symbols.

Wireless communication systems have been widely deployed to provide various types of communication services such as voice or data. In general, a wireless communication system is a multiple access system that supports communication of multiple users by sharing available system resources (a bandwidth, transmission power, etc.) among them. For example, multiple access systems include a code division multiple access (CDMA) system, a frequency division multiple access (FDMA) system, a time division multiple access (TDMA) system, an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) system, and a single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) system.
The necessity for mobile broadband communication more improved than the conventional radio access technology (RAT) has increased as a number of communication devices have required higher communication capacity. In addition, massive machine type communications (MTC) capable of providing various services anytime and anywhere by connecting a number of devices or things to each other has been considered as a main issue in the next generation communications. Moreover, a communication system design capable of supporting services sensitive to reliability and latency has been discussed. The introduction of next-generation RAT considering enhanced mobile broadband communication (eMBB), massive MTC (mMTC), ultra-reliable and low-latency communication (URLLC), etc. has been discussed. In the present disclosure, the corresponding technology is referred to as new radio access technology (NR), for convenience of description.

Method for transmitting or receiving signal in wireless communication system supporting unlicensed band and apparatus for supporting same method


Systems and methods for navigating a camera are provided. In some aspects, a method includes identifying an initial projection of a target on a viewport of the camera. The initial projection is associated with an initial camera pose of the camera. The method also includes determining a final projection of the target on the viewport. The final projection is associated with a final camera pose of the camera. The method also includes calculating intermediate camera poses of the camera along a navigational path between the initial camera pose and the final camera pose. Each of the intermediate camera poses is associated with a corresponding intermediate projection of the target on the viewport. The intermediate camera poses is calculated such that each subsequent one of the intermediate projections is closer to the final projection than is a previous one of the intermediate projections.

Mapping applications often provide both high-altitude aerial images and low-altitude "streetview" images of points of interest. As a user views a high-altitude aerial image, the mapping application may provide links on a map interface allowing the user to select and view different low-altitude "streetview" images identified by the links. The transition from the high-altitude image to the low-altitude image can be an abrupt and unpleasant user experience.


A heat conductivity and brightness enhancing structure for light-emitting diode, including a bracket having a cathode leg support. A bowl structure is formed on upper end of the cathode leg support for resting a light-emitting chip therein. At least one depression is formed on a bottommost section of the bowl for receiving an adhesive therein. The depression has a diameter or area smaller than the bottom face of the chip. The adhesive is filled into the depression for adhering one or more chip. The other portions of the bottom face of the bowl, which contact with the chip is free from the adhesive and can achieve good heat conduction and radiation effect. At least one column hole is formed in the cathode leg support from a hollow section of the bottom of the bracket to the depression of the bowl. During manufacturing procedure, the adhesive can be heated, molten and exhausted from the column hole. The column hole serves as a passage for air convection, whereby the heat generated by the chip can be dissipated.

The present invention is related to an improved heat conductivity and brightness enhancing structure for light-emitting diode. An improved bowl structure is formed on upper end of the cathode leg support, whereby heat-radiation and light-focusing effects are enhanced. Accordingly, the brightness, quality, reliability and using life of the light-emitting diode can be greatly enhanced to save energy.
The conventional light-emitting diode bracket includes a cathode contact pin made of metal plate and an anode contact pin made of another metal plate. The upper end of the cathode contact pin is former with a recess in which a chip is fixed. Such structure is disclosed in Taiwanese Patent Publication No. 506626, entitled "light-emitting diode structure", Taiwanese Patent Publication No. 488616, entitled "light-emitting diode bracket", Taiwanese Patent Publication No. 486153, entitled "light-emitting diode bracket", Taiwanese Patent Publication No. 441860, entitled "light-emitting diode bracket structure".
Taiwanese Patent Publication No. 506626 discloses a light-emitting diode structure in which at least one light-emitting diode chip is disposed on upper end of the cathode contact pin. The light-emitting diode chip is connected to upper end of an anode contact pin via a conductive wire. The upper ends of the cathode and anode contact pins are packaged with a gum body. This light-emitting diode structure is characterized in that the gum body is a cylindrical body with a convex top face.
Taiwanese Patent Publication No. 488616 discloses a light-emitting diode bracket. A conductive metal plate is continuously punched to form multiple bracket units connected with each other and arranged at equal intervals. Each bracket unit includes a connecting section and a central section opposite thereto. The connecting section serves to connect with a conductive wire. The central section has a rest seat extending toward the connecting section for fixing a chip on the rest seat. Two ends of the connecting section and central section further outward extend to form a first, a second, a third and a fourth contact pins for connecting with a circuit. The heat generate by the chip when working can be quickly dissipated through the contact pins so as to enhance the heat-radiating efficiency of the light-emitting diode.
Taiwanese Patent Publication No. 486153 discloses a light-emitting diode bracket. A conductive metal plate is continuously punched to form multiple bracket units connected with each other and arranged at equal intervals. Each bracket unit includes a first contact pin and a second contact pin opposite to each other. An upper end of the first contact pin is formed with a first contact point for connecting with a first conductive wire. An upper end of the second contact pin is formed with a recess for fixing the chip therein. This bracket is characterized in that a second contact point further upward extends from outer side of the recess for connecting with a second conductive wire. The other ends of the first and second conductive wires can be respectively connected to the chip.
Taiwanese Patent Publication No. 441860 discloses a light-emitting diode bracket structure which is integrally formed of metal material such as copper or iron. A bowl structure is formed on top section of the bracket. The bottom of the bowl has a plane rest face for resting a light-emitting chip thereon. An inclined wall face obliquely upward extends from the periphery of the rest face for upward reflecting the light beam of the chip. This bracket structure is characterized in that at a height higher than the rested chip, the inclined wall face is perpendicularly converged toward the top end of the bowl to form a light focusing section.
In all the above prior arts, the upper end of the bracket of the conventional LED lamp is packaged with a transparent body. In addition, the bottom area of the bowl is entirely covered by an adhesive glue (such as silver glue, white glue and insulating glue) with a thickness of about 20 μm˜100 μm for adhering the LED chip. The transparent body and the adhesive glue hinder the generated heat from being conducted and dissipated. When turned on, different LED chips with different powers will proportionally generate different heat quantities. It is critical to the lighting effect of the light-emitting diode whether the heat can be quickly conducted and dissipated. However, the adhesive glue painted on the bottom and the resin (A, B gum) packaged on the upper and lateral sections tightly enclose the chip into a big sealed body. The sealed body is much larger than the chip material. As a result, the brightness, quality, efficiency and using life of the light-emitting diode lamp are deteriorated. Therefore, it is tried by the applicant to provide an improved heat conductivity and brightness enhancing structure for light-emitting diode to solve the above problems.

Heat conductivity and brightness enhancing structure for light-emitting diode


Provided is a method of displaying a context menu. A triggering event related to selection of an object on a computing device is recognized. A direction observed during the selection of the object is recognized. A context menu based on the direction observed during the selection of the object is displayed.

Computing devices have become the preferred mode for people to create and consume content. Millions of documents such as presentations, spreadsheets, web pages etc. are created each day in electronic form. Some of the reasons behind the popularity of digital content over physical content are the ease of creation, modification, storage and retrieval offered by the electronic format. Development of a Graphical User Interface (GUI) has helped the digital document experience even further. A GUI typically offers a number of user interface elements that makes it easier even for a non-skilled user to interact with a computing device. Some commonly used GUI elements include windows, icons, menus, cursors, controls, icons, tabs, etc.

HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.


A microreactor for use in an electrode system of a fuel cell includes a filament having a supporting core and a plurality of spokes extending radially from the core, the filament forming an electrode against which a fuel component flows. A membrane is supported on the spokes to form flow channels for the fuel component, the filament and the membrane supporting each other.

1. Filed of the Invention
The invention relates to a microreactor, as is used in particular in an electrode arrangement of a fuel cell, and which can preferably also be constructed in the form of a so-called cartridge, in which fiber bundles, which are mounted in a cage between two head plates, are connected in parallel as individual electricity-producing cells.
2. Description of the Related Art
Both gases and liquids are used as fuel components for producing electricity in fuel cells, are supplied to at least two electrodes, an anode and a cathode, and are catalytically broken down there into ions and electrons. In this case, the transportation of ions must be physically separated from the transportation of electrons and, in general, the ions are transported within an electrolyte and the electrons are supplied and carried away by means of conductive electrodes, the cathode or cathodes and the anode or anodes, which are also referred to as collectors in this context.
The ion-conductive electrolytes can disassociate and in the process form H+ or OH— ions. Such electrolytes may be liquid materials such as alkaline aqueous alkali solutions, for example, KOH, or aqueous acids, for example, H2SO4, or solid ion-conducting materials, for example membranes. In this case, alkaline electrolytes conduct anions, while acidic electrolytes conduct cations.
Two types of fuel cells are favored at the moment, which both use oxygen as the fuel component, with the hydrogen cell using hydrogen as a further fuel component, and with the direct methanol cell, frequently referred to as a DMFC for short, using methanol as a further fuel component. In hydrogen cells, hydrogen is first of all produced by reformers from methanol, before it can be converted into electricity in the fuel cell. In direct methanol cells, methanol is supplied directly as the fuel component.
The reactions which occur in this case are as follows:
Hydrogen/oxygen cell:Anode reaction: H22H++2e−(oxidation)Cathode reaction: O2+4H++4e−2H2O (reduction)MeOH/O2 cell:Anode reaction: CH3OH+H2OCO2+6H++6e (oxidation)Cathode reaction: 1.502+6H++6e−3H2O−(reduction)
U.S. Pat. No. 4,100,331 discloses a hydrogen fuel cell, in which hydrogen and oxygen are introduced, as fuel components, into separate, tubular membranes, which have a catalyst on the inside. Furthermore, an electrode is in each case arranged in a spiral shape within the membrane, with oxygen flowing around the cathode and hydrogen flowing around the anode, via which an electric current can be tapped off. The respective arrangements of the membrane, catalyst and electrode are aligned parallel to one another within an electrolyte in the fuel cell disclosed there.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,420,544 discloses a direct methanol cell in which, once again in an electrolyte, namely, H2SO4, a membrane is arranged with an internal catalyst coating. A spiral wire electrode is surrounded by the membrane, and oxygen flows against this wire electrode. Methanol is furthermore introduced into the electrolyte, and the disassociation process takes place between the spiral wire electrode and an electrode which is immersed in the electrolyte, is at a distance from the membrane and extends flat.
In a further exemplary embodiment, the electrode which is immersed in the electrolyte is in this case likewise spiral and is wound around the outer casing of the membrane.
In a comparable manner to a battery cell, such fuel cells can be connected in series in order to increase the voltage or in parallel in order to increase the power. Particularly when they are connected in parallel, the cartridges mentioned initially are expedient, in which membrane modules are used, such as those which are known from DE 44 38 327 and from DE 44 01 014.
Comparable circuits are known from WO 00/54358. There, a fuel component flows through a coaxial, tubular electrode arrangement. The microreactor on which this is based is in the form of a tubular assembly, in which a radially internal hollow mesh composed of bundles and/or wires of a material which conducts electrons forms an inner electrode, through which a fuel component flows. A catalyst layer is applied to the electrode, and a layer of a material which conducts ions is applied to this catalyst layer. This layer of a material which conducts ions in turn has a catalyst layer which is enclosed by a further hollow mesh composed of a material which conducts electrons, as the opposing electrode, with the different layers/materials being arranged such that they rest directly on one another.
A central metal wire with projections can be incorporated in the lumen of the internal hollow mesh, by means of which projections an electrical contact is produced between the wire and the internal hollow mesh, for a current output. Furthermore, the wire or wires is or are used to stabilize the tubular assembly.
In addition to the mechanical robustness, a problem which normally occurs in the fuel cell is that the power yield which it allows is only small since membrane surfaces, in particular, are normally limited in the same way as catalytic reaction areas, as well, in particular the so-called three-phase zone as a contact zone.


The problem of the present invention is to provide a tablet-type portable electronic device that can perform payment by way of a card, as well as having a compact size. A tablet-type portable electronic device of the present invention includes a plate-shaped housing having a front surface, a touch panel and display unit provided to the front surface of the housing, and reading units that perform reading processing of a card related to payment. The reading units are configured integrally with the housing.

Tablet-type portable electronic devices have come to be popular (e.g., refer to Patent Document 1). On the other hand, payment terminals dedicated for making payments with various cards (credit cards, cash cards, etc.) consisting of IC cards and magnetic cards are also known (e.g., refer to Patent Document 2).
Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, Publication No. 2012-215682
Patent Document 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, Publication No. 2013-003810

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A chimney damper and cap system containing a support base securable to the top of a chimney flue, an increased air flow bracket containing a support tube opening, an inner support tube secured to the bottom of the chimney cap, an outer support tube into which the inner support tube is slidably engaged, an inner and outer spring substantially contained within the inner and outer support tube, wherein the inner spring is secured to the chimney cap, and a damper cable secured to the inner spring, wherein the outer spring biases the chimney cap to an open position.

1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to chimney dampers and chimney caps. More particularly, this invention relates to an improved chimney cap which uses a combination spring mechanism contained within closed slidable tubes to bias the chimney damper to an open position while also permitting the cap to be pulled to a closed position.
2. Prior Art
In homes and other buildings having a fireplace, the fireplace opening is connected to a chimney flue which is open to the outside of the building. When in use, the combustion products from the fireplace pass up through the flue and exit the chimney in a conventional fashion.
When the fireplace is not in use, however, the fireplace opening and chimney flue form a passage through which heat can escape from the interior of the building. Although most fireplaces contain conventional fireplace dampers at the bottom of the flue or immediately above the fireplace opening, these fireplace dampers do not usually provide an adequate seal to prevent heat loss through the chimney flue.
A number of different types of chimney dampers or chimney caps have been produced which are mounted on the top of the chimney to provide a better seal and thus reduce the amount of heat lost through the chimney flue. For example, one well known type of chimney damper is a cap-type flue damper as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,437,574, 5,387,151, 5,295,901, 5,125,869, 4,554,863, 4,181,119 and 4,020,754.
Another common type of chimney damper utilizes a lid attached to the side of the chimney by hinges, which lid closes the flue as shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,368,663.
Another common type of chimney damper utilizes a frame secured to the top of the chimney containing a flap which is pivotally attached to the frame. This flap both closes the flue and prevents substantial quantities of either air or water from flowing over the damper flap into the chimney when the flap is in a closed position. See the particularly preferred devices shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,945,307, 5,127,874 and 5,160,291.
Many chimney dampers also contain springs or other similar devices which may orient the chimney damper to an open position. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,101,039, 3,267,832, 3,945,307, 4,020,754, 4,181,119, 4,007,730, 5,094,050, 4,554,863, 5,125,869, 5,295,901 and 4,368,663.
A common problem that arises with conventional chimney dampers is a buildup of soot or creosote on the components of the chimney damper. This problem was addressed, for example, by the device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,554,863. In this device a spring is utilized to bias the chimney damper to an open position. The spring is secured between a bracket and the top portion of the chimney damper.
Another problem often encountered with complicated chimney damper systems is a reduction in the flow of air through the chimney because of the presence of numerous components of conventional chimney damper system.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a chimney damper and cap system containing means to bias the chimney cap to an open position.
It is a still further object of the invention to provide a chimney damper and cap system containing a multiple spring system designed to bias the chimney cap to an open position.
It is a still further object of this invention to provide a chimney damper and cap system containing a closed, slidable tubular support system which supports the chimney cap when that the chimney damper and cap system is either closed or open.
It is a still further object of this invention to disclose a chimney damper and cap system containing a bracket to support a slidable tubular support system which reduces the restriction on flow of air through the chimney and the chimney damper and cap system.
It is an additional object of the invention to provide a chimney damper and cap system which utilizes a multiple spring system to bias the cap to an open position, which spring system is placed within a slidable tube system which reduces the exposure of the spring system to soot and creosote produced by fires in the chimney.
These and other objects are produced by the improved chimney damper and cap system of the instant invention.


The present invention relates to novel human coagulation Factor VIIa variants having coagulant activity as well as polynucleotide constructs encoding such variants, vectors and host cells comprising and expressing the polynucleotide, pharmaceutical compositions, uses and methods of treatment.

Blood coagulation is a process consisting of a complex interaction of various blood components (or factors) that eventually gives raise to a fibrin clot. Generally, the blood components, which participate in what has been referred to as the coagulation "cascade", are enzymatically inactive proteins (proenzymes or zymogens) that are converted to proteolytic enzymes by the action of an activator (which itself is an activated clotting factor). Coagulation factors that have undergone such a conversion are generally referred to as "active factors", and are designated by the addition of the letter "a" to the name of the coagulation factor (e.g. Factor VIIa).
Initiation of the haemostatic process is mediated by the formation of a complex between tissue factor, exposed as a result of injury to the vessel wall, and Factor VIIa. This complex then converts Factors IX and X to their active forms. Factor Xa converts limited amounts of prothrombin to thrombin on the tissue factor-bearing cell. Thrombin activates platelets and Factors V and VIII into Factors Va and VIIIa, both cofactors in the further process leading to the full thrombin burst. This process includes generation of Factor Xa by Factor IXa (in complex with factor VIIIa) and occurs on the surface of activated platelets. Thrombin finally converts fibrinogen to fibrin resulting in formation of a fibrin clot. In recent years Factor VII and tissue factor have been found to be the main initiators of blood coagulation.
Factor VII is a trace plasma glycoprotein that circulates in blood as a single-chain zymogen. The zymogen is catalytically inactive. Single-chain Factor VII may be converted to two-chain Factor VIIa by Factor Xa, Factor XIIa, Factor IXa, Factor VIIa or thrombin in vitro. Factor Xa is believed to be the major physiological activator of Factor VII. Like several other plasma proteins involved in haemostasis, Factor VII is dependent on Vitamin K for its activity, which is required for the gamma-carboxylation of multiple glutamic acid residues that are clustered close to the amino terminus of the protein. These gamma-carboxylated glutamic acids are required for the metal ion-induced interaction of Factor VII with phospholipids. The conversion of zymogen Factor VII into the activated two-chain molecule occurs by cleavage of an internal Arg152-Ile153 peptide bond. In the presence of tissue factor, phospholipids and calcium ions, the two-chain Factor VIIa rapidly activates Factor X or Factor IX by limited proteolysis.
It is often desirable to stimulate or improve the coagulation cascade in a subject. Factor VIIa has been used to control bleeding disorders that have several causes such as clotting factor deficiencies (e.g. haemophilia A and B or deficiency of coagulation Factors XI or VII) or clotting factor inhibitors. Factor VIIa has also been used to control excessive bleeding occurring in subjects with a normally functioning blood clotting cascade (no clotting factor deficiencies or inhibitors against any of the coagulation factors). Such bleeding may, for example, be caused by a defective platelet function, thrombocytopenia or von Willebrand's disease. Bleeding is also a major problem in connection with surgery and other forms of tissue damage.
European Patent No. 200,421 (ZymoGenetics) relates to the nucleotide sequence encoding human Factor VII and the recombinant expression of Factor VII in mammalian cells.
Dickinson et al. (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA (1996) 93, 14379-14384) relates to a Factor VII variant wherein Leu305 has been replaced by Ala (FVII(Ala305)).
Iwanaga et al. (Thromb. Haemost. (supplement Aug. 1999), 466, abstract 1474) relates to Factor VIIa variants wherein residues 316-320 are deleted or residues 311-322 are replaced with the corresponding residues from trypsin.
There is a need for variants of Factor VIIa having coagulant activity, variants with high activity that can be administered at relatively low doses, and variants which do not produce the undesirable side effects such as systemic activation of the coagulation system and bleeding, respectively, associated with conventional therapies.

Nucleic acids encoding human coagulation Factor VII polypeptides


A can cover is provided including a cover plate having a periphery with an annular peripheral lip coupled thereto and depending downwardly therefrom. The cover plate is adapted to be removably secured to a top of a can. A lid assembly is provided including a flange integrally coupled to a top face of the cover plate about a cut out formed therein. A cap is included for defining an open bottom for releasably securing to the flange. Connected between the cap and the cover plate is a string.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to can covers and more particularly pertains to a new resealable can cover for selectively sealing an opened can.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of can covers is known in the prior art. More specifically, can covers heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
Known prior art can covers include U.S. Pat. No. 5,240,132; U.S. Pat. No. 2,764,200; U.S. Pat. No. 5,108,003; U.S. Pat. No. 4,938,379; U.S. Pat. No. 4,938,379; U.S. Pat. No. 3,335,893; and Foreign Patents WO 94/07755 A1 and EP 0 454 889 A1.
In these respects, the resealable can cover according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of selectively sealing an opened can.


Phas difference controller for use in equipments having a photoelastic modulator, such as ellipsometers and optical rotatory dispersion meters. For enabling the photoelastic modulator to produce the constant amplitude of the phase difference regardless of the change in the wavelength of light incident into the photoelastic modulator, and regardless of the change in the temperature of the photoelastic modulator itself or its atmosphere, the controller has a birefringence polarizer which splits incident light into two linearly polarized light beams, ordinary light and extraordinary light. One of them acts as reference light LR and the other one acts as main light LM. These light beams pass through a photoelastic modulator which is forced to vibrate at angular frequency of .omega.. After that, the passed reference light LR is detected by a photomultiplier via an analyzer. The photoelastic modulator is forced to vibrate at angular frequency of .omega. so that the ratio of the amplitude of the ac component of angular frequency of 2.omega. to the dc component included in the output signal of the photomultiplier is maintained constant.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to phase difference controllers and methods for controlling the phase difference for use in equipments with a photoelastic modulator, such as ellipsometers, optical rotatory dispersion meters (ORD), circular dichroism dispersion meters (CD), linear dichroism dispersion meters (LD), and linear birefringence dispersion meters (LB), etc.
2. Description of Prior Art
FIG. 6 shows a conventional ellipsometer.
Here, continuous spectrum light is radiated from a light source 10, and wavelength selection is carried out for that light by a spectrometer 12. Then, passing through a polarizer 14, the light is converted to linearly polarized light. Furthermore, while the light passes through a photoelastic modulator 16, the modulator produces the phase difference .delta. between the linearly polarized components whose electrical vectors vibrate in the directions perpendicular to each other. This phase difference .delta. varies as .delta.=.delta..sub.0 sin .omega.t responding to the voltage V.sub.0 sin .omega.t applied to the photoelastic modulator 16 from the driving circuit 18. (In more strict expression, .delta. should be described by .delta.=.delta..sub.0 sin (.omega.t-.PHI.). But it is assumed for simplicity that .PHI.=0 because this assumption does not affect the basic discussion of this invention.) Here, .delta..sub.0, .omega., and t are phase difference amplitude, angular frequency, and time respectively. After passing through the photoelastic modulator 16, the light is incident on the sample 20 at an angle .PHI., reflected from sample 20 and travels through analyzer 22. Then, finally, the light is detected by photomultiplier 24.
The dc component of the output of photomultiplier 24 is selectively amplified by the dc amplifier 26 and the resulting amplified output is applied to the sensitivity adjustment circuit 28. The sensitivity adjustment circuit 28 adjusts the sensitivity of the photomultiplier 24 so that the magnitude (voltage) of this dc component is maintained constant.
On the other hand, the ac component of the output of the photomultiplier 24 is applied to the lock-in amplifiers 30 and 32 via capacitor C.sub.1. The driving circuit 18 supplies the reference signals V.sub.r sin .omega.t and V.sub.2r sin 2.omega.t to the lock-in amplifiers 30 and 32 respectively. The lock-in amplifiers 30 and 32 produce, at the output, voltages A.sub.1 and A.sub.2 proportional to the amplitudes of the components of angular frequencies .omega. and 2.omega. included in the input signal, respectively. These voltages, A.sub.1 and A.sub.2, are supplied to the analogue-to-digital converters 34 and 36 to transform them to digital signals. The resulting digital signals are applied to the microcomputer 38.
By setting the phase difference amplitude .delta..sub.0 so that the value of the Bessel function of order zero J.sub.0 (.delta..sub.0) is zero, that is, by setting .delta..sub.0 =2.405 rad, the microcomputer 38 can determine easily the required values to be measured.
Here, if the wavelength of spectrometer 12 is scanned maintaining the amplitude V.sub.0 constant, the phase difference amplitude .delta..sub.0 will change. Therefore, while the microcomputer 38 scans the wavelength of spectrometer 12, it adjusts the amplitudes V.sub.0 of the output voltage of the driving circuit 18 depending on the wavelength .lambda.. The relation between .lambda. and V.sub.0 is beforehand programmed into the microcomputer 38.
Based on .lambda., .delta..sub.0, A.sub.1, and A.sub.2, the microcomputer 38, in the known manner, determines the complex index of refraction of the substrate of sample 20 or the thickness and the complex index of refraction of the film formed on the surface of the substrate.
However, when the temperature of the photoelastic modulator 16 itself or the temperature of the atmosphere changes, the phase difference amplitude .delta..sub.0 changes. As a consequence, measured results are not accurate. Due to the essentially same reasons, similar problems occur in optical rotatory dispersion meters (ORD), circular dichroism dispersion meters (CD), linear dichroism dispersion meters (LD), linear birefringence dispersion meters (LB), etc.

Phase difference controller and method for controlling phase difference