A self-ejecting garbage receptacle includes a container body for holding a garbage bag containing refuse, the container body having a bottom and a side wall enclosure with an open upper end, the side wall enclosure being connected with the bottom; a belt draped in the container body for normally supporting the bag in a lowered position in the container body, the belt having first and second opposite ends, with the first end being fixed to the side wall enclosure adjacent the open upper end; and a jug handle-shaped ejector handle for raising the belt, the ejector handle being connected with the second opposite end of the belt and being pivotally connected at one end thereof to an external surface of the container body; a hinge for pivotally connecting the ejector handle to the container body; a hook on an external surface of the container body; and a latch on the ejector handle for engaging with the hook to hold the belt in a raised position.

The present invention relates generally to garbage receptacles.
Waste containers for household use, and particularly those used in kitchen areas which include a foot-operated lid opening mechanism, are well known. Other kitchen-type containers that include a two-position lid are also known. Such waste containers have been immensely helpful in households.
However, it is still necessary to exert significant force to remove a garbage bag from the waste container, especially in the case where the garbage bag is heavy. A particular problem thus results if the user, such as a child or elderly person, has insufficient strength to remove the garbage bag from the waste container.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,980,287 to Fisher discloses a lockdown floating platform mechanism for spooler troughs and doff trucks in which a spring biased platform may be latched in place by a latching mechanism so that the same can be locked in a lowered position for purposes of loading or the like. Once loaded, the platform will float depending on the load, so that unloading from a convenient level always takes place. Thus, when the platform is full, it will remain in the lowered position, and as each level of bobbins or the like are removed, the next level will rise to the top for convenient unloading.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,612,457 to Morikawa et al discloses a device for supporting a sliver can or sliver plate on a platform. The platform is positioned in a raised position to receive slivers from the processing apparatus such that the same are supported as they are coiled within the sliver can. As the load is increased, the bias on the spring beneath the platform is slowly overcome until it is in a full downward, depressed position, allowing a full sliver coil to be loaded therein. In order to move the same from place to place, a latching mechanism associated with a stop rod and projection is provided to latch the sliver plate in place.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,489,473 to Goodwin, Jr. et al discloses a textile roving can in which the top of the container takes the form of a platform which is urged upward by a coil spring. The top moves downward under the weight of sliver or roving material as the material is deposited in the can. See also U.S. Pat. No. 4,261,079 to Masini et al.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,695,209 to de Witt et al discloses a can unpacker in which the container is designed to load bags of empty cans for processing, and particularly, one level of cans at a time is unloaded. A hand crank interfaces with a chain drive to allow each successive layer of cans to be moved upwards for placement on a conveyer.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,449,892 to Gibbs discloses a similar arrangement. Specifically, the container stores articles such as trays or plates so that one level of articles is always at the top for quick removal. The platform is automatically raised to continue this process until the container is empty.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,494,503 to Kingsley discloses a storage bin in which the level of a wheeled bin for books or other articles floats so that the same may be conveniently loaded from the top until fully loaded, and a reverse operation also takes place for unloading.
Other patents which disclose related devices are U.S. Pat. No. 2,919,168 to Shivek and U.S. Pat. No. 3,357,346 to Crafoord.
However, none of these patents is related to a garbage can for household use. Rather, the above patents disclose devices which include a spring-biased platform or similar mechanism in order to selectively dispose the platform and materials contained thereon in a desired position. Specifically, some of the above references utilize a spring-biased platform which is depressed within the container during loading, and which displaces upwardly during unloading so that the goods to be unloaded are always at a convenient height. Still other ones of the above references receive sliver or roving material from a textile manufacturing operation, where it is desirable to have the platform in an upwardly extended position to accept slivers and to cause the platform to depress as the sliver material is increased, enabling a full load to be accepted while support is always provided by the platform. The structures disclosed by the prior art, however, do not provide a convenient and efficient configuration for a household garbage can.


An electrically conductive element for protecting electrical components positioned within a cable connector or cable terminator from high voltage surges includes a ring that is positioned in circumferentially surrounding relation to the input pin of the connector or terminator that carries the signal being transmitted by the coaxial cable. The ring includes at least one prong that extends radially inward therefrom which terminates in close but non-contacting relation to the input pin. When a high voltage surge of electricity is carried by the coaxial cable transmission line, a spark is formed in the gap between the prong and the cable connector or terminator. As a consequence, the high voltage surge is transferred to the surge protection element which in turn conducts the electricity to the grounded body of the connector or terminator.

The present invention relates generally to devices for interconnecting coaxial cable to CATV systems, and more particularly to surge protection devices that protect the integrity of electronic components positioned within interconnect devices from high voltage surges of electricity.
In the CATV industry, cable television signals are traditionally transmitted by coaxial cable. As the cable is extended through a distribution network, several types of electrical devices, such as filters, traps, amplifiers, and the like, are used to enhance the signal and ensure signal integrity throughout the transmission. It is therefore necessary to prepare a coaxial cable for interconnection to these devices in such a manner so as to ensure that the signal is not lost or disrupted.
In a traditional interconnection of the coaxial cable to the electrical device, the coaxial cable is attached in axially aligned relation to a conductive pin extending outwardly from the electrical device. The pin then transmits the signal from the coaxial cable to the electrical device. A conductive lead extending rearwardly from the electrical device carries the electrically treated signal to the distribution cable in the CATV system.
It is also necessary to terminate a coaxial cable distribution line at its end point. To terminate the coaxial cable, its central conductor is interconnected to a termination connector, such as a UMTR. The termination connector includes an input end, a body portion which defines a cavity, electrical components mounted within the cavity (for instance, a capacitor to dissipate the charge, and resistor for impedance matching purposes), and an end cap that terminates the connector. The central conductor of the coaxial cable is electrically attached to a pin extending outwardly from the electrical components. As used herein, "connector" will refer to either a termination type connector or any other standard coaxial cable connectors used in a CATV system.
On occasion, a high voltage surge may be transmitted through the coaxial cable, for instance, due to a lightning strike. If this high voltage surge is permitted to be picked up by the input pin and transmitted to the electrical device within the connector, the device would become inoperable due to the electrical components essentially melting or otherwise deteriorating as a consequence of the surge. A new connector would then need to be installed at the site of the surge.
It is therefore a principal object and advantage of the present invention to provide a cable connector having a device that provides an alternate path for high voltage surges of electricity in order to protect the integrity of any electrical components positioned within the connector.
It is an additional object and advantage of the present invention to provide a surge protection device that may be easily installed on an otherwise conventional cable connector.
It is a further object and advantage of the present invention to provide a surge protection device for a cable connector that is inexpensive to manufacture.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will in part be obvious, and in part appear hereinafter.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

High voltage surge protection element for use with CATV coaxial cable connectors


In an optical disk of the invention composed of two substrates bonded to each other, the level of double refraction is set to 60 nm or less in a read-only disk, to 60 nm or less in a write-once type disk, and to 40 nm or less in a rewritable type disk, respectively.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical disk apparatus, which records and reproduces information on and from an information recording medium using a laser beam, an optical disk as an information recording medium, which can stably obtain a signal having a high. C/N ratio, and an optical disk apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
Optical discs have become widespread in various configurations such as a reproduction-only type as typified by a CD and a DVD-ROM, a write-once type as typified by a CD-R and a DVD-R, a rewritable type (a CD-RW, a DVD-RAM) as typified by an external memory of a computer and recording/reproducing video disk, and the like.
Recently, it is required to increase the capacity of an optical disk to cope with an abrupt increase in a recording capacity required for information and broadcast relating equipment. Accordingly, researches are executed to reduce the wavelength of a laser beam (to reduce the diameter of a converged light spot) and to make use of an ultra-resolution technology as well as a mastering technology of electron beam exposure and the like is examined to reduce a track pitch and a mark pit pitch.
Nowadays, a widely used DVD standard disk is formed in a thickness of 1.2 mm by molding 0.6 mm thick substrates by injection molding polycarbonate resin, forming a reflection film and a recoding film on the substrates, and then bonding two substrates to each other using ultraviolet ray curing resin (hereinafter, referred to as UV resin") and the like.
A DVD-RAM, for example, is commercialized to cope with a requirement for recording an MPEG2 image on a side of an optical disk having a diameter of 12 cm for at least two hours, and it is determined that the DVD-RAM has a memory capacity of 4.7 GB on one side, a track density of 0.74 μm/track, and a line density of 0.267 μm/bit. Further, a light beam used to record or reproduce information has a wavelength of 650 nm, and an objective lens assembled in an optical head has a numerical aperture of 0.6.
Incidentally, when a thin resin disk is formed by injection molding, it is difficult to completely eliminate optical anisotropy caused by the effect of mechanical strain remaining in a substrate when the disk is molded. Since known double refraction is caused by the optical anisotropy, phase retardation is caused by the double refraction, from which a problem arises in that the intensity of a reproduced signal is attenuated in an optical disk.
That is, when a light beam, which has a predetermined wavelength and polarization in a predetermined direction and is irradiated to an optical disk, is transferred therethrough and outgoes therefrom, the intensity of the light beam, which can be used as a reproduced signal, is reduced by the effect of the double refraction. Thus, in the DVD standard optical disk described above, the upper limit of double refraction is set to 100 nm.
Nowadays, it has been proposed to increase a recording density using a light beam having a short wavelength, for example, using a 405 nm light beam. In this case, the amplitude of a reproduced signal is more reduced by the reduction of the wavelength of the light beam even if double refraction has the same value.
Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2002-304770 relates to a method of prescribing the double refraction of an optical disk that uses a light beam having a wavelength of 400 nm and proposes to set the amount of variation of the double refraction to ±20 nmpp or less in the one round of the optical disk in its turning direction.
Further, Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2000-67468 reports to set the double refraction of a transparent film to 20 nm or less in an optical recording medium employing a system for bonding the transparent film on a base plate on which information is recorded.
As described above, when a light beam having a short wavelength is used to increase the recording capacity of an optical disk, a problem arises in that the amplitude of an reproduced signal from the optical disk is reduced and information is reproduce unstably.
The value of the double refraction defined in Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2002-304770 is actually the value of a single transparent sheet bonded to a support base plate, and thus the value is not a value that includes all the characteristics, which must be taken into consideration, such as a pattern transferring property, curling of a substrate, the thickness of the substrate, and the like from which an important problem arises in a molded substrate onto which a pattern is transferred by injection molding.
The value of the double refraction defined in Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2000-67468 is also the value of a single film bonded to a surface of a substrate through a bonding layer, and the value is not a value that includes all the characteristics, which must be taken into consideration, such as a pattern transferring property, curling of a substrate, the thickness of the substrate, and the like from which an important problem is caused in a molded substrate onto which a pattern is transferred by injection molding.
As described above, even if the value disclosed in the respective publications or any one of them is satisfied, the problem that the amplitude of the reproduced signal obtained from an optical disk is reduced and information is reproduced unstably is not solved.
When an optical disk, which includes high density pits and grooves and in which a light beam having a wavelength of 405 nm is used, is integrally molded by an injection molding mold, a more strict transferring property is required as compared with a DVD standard optical disk using a light beam having a wavelength of 650 nm. Accordingly, when, for example, the value of double refraction is defined, the magnitude of the amplitude of a reproduced signal must be also taken into consideration.


A power delivery system of a hybrid vehicle realizes a speed reduction route and a speed increase route, and thereby enhances fuel economy.

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a power delivery system of a hybrid electric vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a power delivery system of a hybrid electric vehicle having two speed ranges in addition to speed ranges of a transmission.
(b) Description of the Related Art
Generally, a hybrid electric vehicle uses two power sources of an engine and a motor, different from an internal combustion engine vehicle.
In the prior art, a continuously variable transmission (CVT) may be used as a transmission of a hybrid electric vehicle.
In addition, power delivered by a chain from the CVT is delivered to a differential case by gears coupled to two shafts.
A speed reduction ratio of gears coupled to two shafts is determined by sizes of gears, and a problem of noise vibration harshness (NVH) may occur.
A speed reduction ratio of gears coupled to two shafts is determined by the outer diameters of the gears.
However, when a speed reduction ratio of gears coupled to two shafts is set as one, there is a problem in that neither a speed increase nor a speed reduction can be realized.
The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the invention and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

Power delivery system of hybrid electric vehicle


A programmable telephone line device (10) for selectively interconnecting two or more telephone lines between a plurality of communication instruments is disclosed. The device (10) includes an assignment matrix (24) for inter-connecting the telephone lines with the communication instruments and a control assembly (26) for automatically or manually directing the assignment matrix (24) to transfer a communication instrument from its primary telephone line to a roll-over telephone line if its primary telephone line is in use.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to telephone line devices, and more particularly, to a programmable customer premises device for selectively assigning two or more incoming telephone lines between a plurality of communications instruments at a telephone customer's home or business.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Many telephone customers have several telephone lines for providing phone service to a plurality of different communication instruments. For example, it is common for residential telephone customers to have one telephone line for their main telephone or telephones, a second telephone line for their childrens' telephones, a third telephone line for their family computers and facsimile machines, and a fourth telephone line for their home office computer equipment. Moreover, the number of telephone lines subscribed to by customers is expected to increase in the future.
Currently, telephone customers who have a plurality of different communication instruments must either: (1) use only one communication instrument at a time, (2) subscribe to separate telephone lines for each communication instrument, or (3) purchase expensive multi-line telephones that can interconnect between more than one telephone line. None of these options is desirable. The first is inconvenient and the second and third are often too expensive, especially for residential telephone customers.
Sophisticated programmable connection devices are not affordable to many users and are not suitable for residential use. Some examples of these sophisticated devices are PBX systems and automatic call distribution (ACD) systems. Typically, PBX and ACD systems make connections based on telephone numbers. Clearly they are quite expensive and are not suited to residential use. Another example of such sophisticated equipment are digital cross-connect systems (DCS). Clearly, DCS systems are not affordable or suitable to residential users.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved customer telephone line device for coupling a plurality of telephone lines with a plurality of communication instruments. More particularly, there is a need for such a device that permits a telephone customer to use more than one communication instrument at a time without subscribing to a separate telephone line for each communication instrument and without purchasing expensive multi-line telephones.


A cargo restraint system for holding down a cargo pallet, container or Unit Load Device ("ULD") to a cargo floor which has several cargo restraint units that can be attached to the cargo floor. Each cargo restraint unit has a pawl member which can be extended from a substantially horizontal position to a substantially vertical position. In the vertical position, the pawl member restrains the horizontal movement of the cargo pallet, container or ULD placed next to the pawl member. An elongated locking bar engages several of the pawl members to restrict the vertical motion of the cargo pallet, container or ULD placed adjacent to the pawl members.

Modern aircraft are normally operated to accommodate passengers, cargo, or a combination of the two. In either case, the goal is to generate maximum revenues for each flight. In the case where the aircraft is fitted for passengers, this may be accomplished by adding extra seats. For cargo transportation, clearly the goal is to accommodate the largest volume of parcels and freight possible given the total volume available in the aircraft fuselage.
Most commonly, cargo is loaded into a freighter aircraft either in cargo containers or secured to cargo pallets. To accommodate and secure these containers or pallets in flight, freighter air craft are fitted with ball mats, floor rollers, and floor restraints occasionally referred to as "locks." The locks are secured to seat tracks at specific locations on the cargo floor. The seat tracks are essentially grooves to which passenger seats are typically secured. The locks are positioned on the cargo floor so as to provide fore, aft and vertical restraint for the cargo containers or pallets.
The locks or restraints which are currently used have retractable spring-loaded bear trap-type pawls which, when erected, engage the edges of the containers or pallets. When retracted, the restraints lie below the transport plane. The transport plane is defined as a horizontal plane coincident with the lower surface of the container or pallet when in full contact with the cargo rollers or ball units. For loading and unloading purposes, retracted restraints must lie below the transport plane to permit free movement of the Unit Load Devices ("ULD's", i.e., cargo containers and pallets) within the fuselage main deck cargo area.
Typically, when loading or unloading a freighter aircraft, the first or most forward ULD is initially moved forward (or toward the front of the aircraft) of the in-flight position to fixed stops called rollout stops. The first ULD is moved to the rollout stops to provide sufficient room for personnel to erect or retract the restraint pawls.
In recent years, a modification was made by operators to the cargo systems of many narrow-body freighter aircraft, such as the Boeing-727 and the Douglas DC-8. This modification added a half size ULD in front of the normal main deck ULD complement. Some operators termed this as the "ICU" modification which stands for "Increased Cube Utilization" (i.e., more cubic feet available). This modification was desirable to increase revenue payloads because for those flights with lower density cargo, the aircraft might become volume limited ("cubed out") before it approached the established maximum gross weight limit for operation ("grossed out").
While the payload volume was increased by this modification, an unfortunate side effect occurred which generated loading and unloading difficulties. It was no longer possible to move the first ULD forward toward the original rollout stops to generate gaps between the ULDs. The additional half size ULD used up the space which was previously available. That space had been useful to permit separating the other ULD's sufficiently to erect and retract their mutually shared floor restraints. But after the addition of the ICU module, the new configuration required that the restraint pawls be erected to engage each ULD as it was loaded into position. As always, the last ULD loaded (and the first to be unloaded) had to be positioned on the ballmat in the doorway area adjacent to the main cargo door. However, now in addition, the fore and aft floor restraint pawls had to be erected before loading this final ULD into position. Otherwise, the final ULD would sit on top of the cargo restraint pawls before they had been erected an locking would be impossible. Threading this ULD into position under the erected restraint pawls and unloading the ULD from this position has proven to be a frequently difficult and time-consuming task and is the reason for the development of the cargo hardware described herein.
The problem which has developed concerns the cargo position commonly referred to as 3-Left or 3L position. As mentioned, the 3L cargo position is immediately adjacent to the main cargo door on the upper deck, and it is the last position in which cargo is secured prior to flight. It is also the first position unloaded from the aircraft. The difficulty with the 3L position arises because the 3L position must be loaded with the conventional restraint pawls erected. The reason that the pawls are erected is that they must hold the cargo containers in place on either side, fore and aft, of the 3L position.
In order to place the cargo module in or remove the container from the 3L position, the cargo container must be "threaded" under the erected pawls from a mechanical loader or cargo handler from outside the cargo hold. Since the aircraft sits on landing gear with compressible air-oil shock struts, as the aircraft is loaded and unloaded, the center of gravity shifts and both the deck height and angle may change. Mechanical loaders are capable of compensating for height changes, but few can accommodate deck angle changes. Once a deck angle difference has been created between the aircraft and the loader, the container impacts the erected pawls and may become wedged in place. This problem is especially acute when the cargo container is half in the aircraft and half on the loader. The end result is that it can take as long to load or unload the 3L position as it does to load or unload the remainder of the aircraft.


A perpendicular magnetic recording head is provided capable of suppressing the magnetic field attributable to the edge write phenomenon and improving resistance to an external magnetic field. The perpendicular magnetic recording head includes a magnetic layer that has a main magnetic pole on a surface facing a recording medium; a return yoke layer that is disposed on the magnetic layer with a nonmagnetic layer disposed therebetween and has a large width in the direction of the main magnetic pole; and a coil layer for applying a recording magnetic field to the magnetic layer. The return yoke layer is provided with such a shape that as seen in the plan view, the return yoke layer is exposed from the medium facing surface with a width not greater than the width in the track width direction of a protrusion region of the return yoke layer that covers the coil layer and the width of the return yoke layer gradually increases in the height direction from the medium facing surface.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a perpendicular magnetic recording head that records information on a recording medium by applying a magnetic field in a direction perpendicular to a medium facing surface.
2. Description of the Related Art
A perpendicular magnetic recording head has a laminated structure in which a return yoke layer is provided on a medium facing surface that faces a recording medium with a nonmagnetic insulating layer disposed on a main magnetic pole layer. The main magnetic pole layer and the return yoke layer are magnetically connected to each other at a portion disposed closer to the starting point of the height direction than the medium facing surface. A coil layer is buried in the nonmagnetic insulating layer so as to apply a recording magnetic field to the main magnetic pole layer and the return yoke layer. In a magnetic head having such a configuration, when current is supplied to the coil layer, a recording magnetic field is induced between the main magnetic pole layer and the return yoke layer. The recording magnetic field is incident perpendicularly from the medium facing surface of the main magnetic pole layer to a hard film of the recording medium and returns to the return yoke layer after passing a soft film of the recording medium. Accordingly, information is recorded on a region of the recording medium opposed to the main magnetic pole layer (see JP-A-2005-122831 (Patent Document 1).
The return yoke layer and a shield layer of the perpendicular magnetic recording head are typically formed of a substantially rectangular thin-film magnetic body. When an external magnetic field is applied in the height direction, magnetic flux is concentrated on edges of the thin film. At this time, the height directional magnetization component becomes dominant, causing rewriting (edge write phenomenon) of previously recorded information. That is, in order to suppress the magnetic field attributable to the edge write phenomenon, it is necessary to decrease the height directional component of the magnetic field generated from the edges of the return yoke layer or the shield layer.

Perpendicular magnetic recording head with the return yoke layer having gradually increasing the width


A system is provided for a solid-state implementation of a vacuum tube replacement device. The system may derive power from a target amplifier filament supply. The system may include active or passive functions for noise reduction, voltage isolation, servo biasing, and other functions. The vacuum tube replacement device is pin-for-pin compatible with standard vacuum tube circuit pin configurations. The vacuum tube replacement device system architecture is equally useful for non-vacuum tube systems such as audio amplifier circuits.

Glass vacuum tubes have been widely used in audio applications such as amplification of musical instruments as well as hi-fidelity reproduction. Although solid-state circuit technology has also been developed for use in such audio applications, vacuum tubes are still being used in some audio applications. Modern audio applications often use vacuum tubes for their acoustic properties, as well as their esthetic appeal.
The quality control effort associated with traditional vacuum tube devices is inevitably subject to less efficient production standards as compared to a solid-state solution. Traditional vacuum tube devices include a glass surround that is vacuum-sealed to a socket base similar to a light bulb. Inside the glass surround, a complex structure of metal plates, filaments, and other metal plated material arrangements are necessary to provide the proper function of the vacuum tube. Vacuum tube devices are prone to mechanical failure similar to light bulbs, where the filament materials eventually break due to mechanical failure. They are also prone to vacuum leaks and wear out which may reduce cathode emission.
Solid-state technology has been acknowledged for cost, performance, manufacturability, and/or other advantages over glass vacuum tubes. Solid-state devices can be significantly less expensive to manufacture, smaller in size, less prone to mechanical failures.
The present disclosure describes a system architecture for a vacuum tube-replacement-structure that utilizes solid-state circuits to provide the functions normally provided by the vacuum tube device. The described solid-state circuits can be used to effectively emulate the functions of vacuum tubes as pin-for-pin compatible vacuum tube replacement devices (VTRDs). As will be further described, the described system, circuits, devices, and/or partitions thereof may also be useful in other non-vacuum tube replacement applications.

Vacuum tube replacement device, circuit and system


A receive system, including special integrated circuits, for providing enhanced directivity in the form of a narrowed receive beam and a relatively small antenna with performance comparable to a much larger antenna at similar frequencies. Received signals are converted to digital values and stored in a manner which enables subsequent processing directed to improving the resolution of the received signals and to reduce the associated noise corresponding to the received data samples. The Signal-to-Noise ratio of the received data signals is improved as a result of processing techniques made possible by the configuration of the antenna and the digitally stored nature of the received data.

This invention relates to a unique receiver system which enhances the directivity of an incoming beam and improves the Signal-to-Noise ratio of received signals, compared to conventional receiver techniques, and which processes stored received data from an antenna to achieve enhanced directivity and improved Signal-to-Noise characteristics. The invention includes a specific antenna configuration interwoven with a special processing scheme. The invention provides dramatic improvement in the performance of a receiving system and affords greater flexibility with respect to several relevant parameters, such as frequency and antenna size and configuration. The invention is beneficial in various applications that utilize receiving systems. Accordingly, the invention is beneficial in a wide range of commercial and military applications. For example, the noise reduction aspect of the invention is applicable to improving the Signal to Noise ratio (S/N) in wired systems as well as in wireless systems. As such, the invention is applicable to a variety of wireless and wireline telecommunications media applications and other wireless systems, including radar.
In typical radar configurations, a common antenna is used for both transmitting and receiving, and the "transmit" and "receive" beams have essentially the same characteristics. In accordance with the present invention, the transmitter beam would not be narrowed and would distribute its power over a solid angle encompassing either a single, or a multiplicity (cluster), of beams. The equivalent power density per narrowed "receive" beam, in accordance with the invention, is the same as in the original beam, but the effective gain of the narrowed receive beam provides overall enhancement.
It is well established that the characteristics of an antenna used in wireless receiving systems are determined largely by the physical size of the antenna measured in wavelengths of the operating frequency of the system. The horizontal and vertical dimensions (in wavelengths) of the antenna aperture determine the "half power width" of the antenna pattern, or "beamwidth", in each direction. As a consequence, a given available aperture, i.e., "effective antenna" area, dictates the use of shorter wavelengths to obtain proportionately smaller beamwidths and, hence, improvement in directivity of the overall system. Directivity refers to the ability of the receive system to distinguish between signals received from the same general direction. If, for example, the beamwidth of the receive system was narrowed sufficiently, the ability to resolve closely spaced signals would be improved.
The configuration of an antenna can take a variety of geometric forms. For instance, an antenna can be made up of a number of "dipole" radiating elements, each of which receives the signal. A collection of received signals from each element is combined resulting in a final receive signal with a respective overall beamwidth. The beam is then directed, or scanned, in a desired direction to receive signals from, ideally, that particular direction only. As the beam is scanned in other directions, signals from those directions can be distinguished from signals received from the previously scanned directions. However, a problem of interference arises when signals from outside the intended direction of the beam are received and these interference signals cannot be resolved from the signals received from the intended direction. This problem is due mainly to the inability of the given antenna aperture to create a beamwidth narrow enough to distinguish between closely spaced signals.
Further, as each of the individual receive signals is collected from the respective antenna elements, it is typically necessary to amplify the signals to provide sufficient signal strength for subsequent signal processing. Accordingly, in many applications the signal received from each element can be amplified by the use of an associated "preamplifier" having a state-of-the-art "noise figure" to improve the S/N ratio at the beginning, or input, of the system. Under these circumstances, as well as in normal circumstances, this input noise becomes the principal source of noise and establishes the S/N ratio from each element. Enough amplification is typically introduced to provide a signal level appropriate for subsequent processing in the overall system. When the ratio of the signal level as compared to the associated noise level for each receive element is maximized, it becomes easier to distinguish between low-level received signals and the respective noise associated with each received signal. The ability to resolve low-level signals from the noise imparts improved "detectability" and resolution to the overall receive system and is desired in all receive systems.
Therefore, it is desired to raise the S/N ratio as high as possible and at the same time narrow the beamwidth of the antenna in order to distinguish between signals in close proximity from each other and to distinguish signals with low power levels from the noise.

Method and apparatus for improving the directivity of an antenna


A watercraft including an elongated V-type hull and first and second stabilizers mounted in outrigger fashion on opposite sides of the hull. In a preferred embodiment, each stabilizer includes an elongated flotation member having its longitudinal centerline aligned with the longitudinal centerline of the hull. Each stabilizer is retractably mounted on its respective side of the hull employing a pantographic-type set of extensors interconnecting its flotation member with the hull, whereby each flotation member, and its accompanying extensor arms, may be independently extended away from the hull or retracted to a position alongside the hull.

In the field of boating it is well known that stability is an important issue. On open waterways where winds and the wakes of boats can cause the water to be choppy, boats need stability in order to give a comfortable ride and prevent the boat from capsizing. In the industry, a large number of boats made at present are single hulled models that have a width large enough to give a boat the stability it needs to navigate in the choppy conditions common to oceans and lakes. The industry also currently includes many boats which are known as multi-hulled boats and which usually consist of a platform with two independent, pontoon shaped hulls on opposite sides of this platform for support of passengers and navigating equipment. Both of these types of boats have sufficient width to sustain stability in the water under normal conditions of use, however, their respective widths make them difficult, and costly, to transport and store. The hull sizes for these watercrafts also tend to increase their costs of manufacture, hence greater costs to the consumer.
Boats having relatively narrow hulls and including features to enhance stability have heretofore been known. Typical art related to such boats is shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,964,357; 5,647,294; 5,682,831; 5,642,682; 5,515,801; 4,771,716; 4,664,049; 4,512,275; 4,562,785; 4,730,570; and 5,174,233. Boats having narrow canoe-shaped hulls are particularly unstable in choppy water; however, such boats are normally relatively easy to transport and relatively light in weight. Rigid laterally-mounted stabilizers for watercraft are known in the art, but such rigs are difficult to transport over land and to store when not in use.
In certain light-weight and relatively small watercraft, it has become common in the industry to power the watercraft employing a stream of water jetted from a movable nozzle, ie., jet ski-type watercraft, etc. Movement of the directionality of the nozzle, hence the direction of thrust of the jet stream of water, functions to propel the craft and to steer the craft. These watercraft suffer from potentially disastrous loss of steerability when the water jet is lost, either intentionally by shutting down the motor, or upon inadvertent loss of power when the craft is underway.
Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide a watercraft having stabilizers which are selectively extensible and retractable relative to the hull of the watercraft.
Another object of the invention is to provide a motorized stabilized watercraft having a relatively narrow elongated hull.
Another object of the invention is to provide a watercraft having selectively adjustable elongated flotation members which provide lateral (side to side) stability while at the same time providing longitudinal (fore to aft) stability.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a stabilized motor-powered watercraft which is steerable when the propulsion motor is deactivated while the craft is underway.


A packaged product comprising a plurality of individual containers, a corrugated board or paperboard carrier wall disposed along a portion of the periphery and shrink wrapping. The shrink wrap film has vent holes that are specifically sized and spaced apart as needed to provide adequate venting of one or more volatiles out of the shrinkwrapped multi-pack to prevent package staining and/or discoloration of the package's printing inks. The container wall preferably has an open top and bottom and also has two free edges spaced from each other so as to leave a portion of the periphery uncovered by the wall.

Generally, consumer product packages such as cartons or bottles are shipped from the manufacturer to the retailer in a shipping case. In some situations the shipping case is specially designed so that a portion may be readily removed to facilitate display of the product in the case. Certain shipping cases even permit viewing of the product without removal of a portion of the shipping case.
It is important that a shipping case provide adequate protection to the packages so that the product is not damaged in transit. Particularly important is that the shipping case have adequate compressive strength so that when cases are loaded one on top of another the weight of the upper case is supported by the lower case without any damage to the packages in the cases.
A further problem attendant to the design of modern shipping cases is the desire for reduction of resource used in the fabrication of the case. Not only does this reduce the cost of the case, but it minimizes the amount of waste material which must be disposed of when the mission of the case has been fulfilled. However, it is not an easy task to meet the dual goals of providing significant source reduction and at the same time affording adequate protection to the packages housed within the case.
Shrinkwrapped packaging is well known. However, it has been found that when shrink wrapped packaging is employed for cartons containing volatile components such as perfumes, staining and/or printing ink discoloration of the cartons can occur. Numerous patents discuss shrink wrapping.
Harris, U.S. Pat. No. 4,873,814 discloses a shrinkwrap package including vent openings of a size and number to permit free air flow through the package and allow the escape of gas. The container is for produce and other comestibles and is said to lengthen the life of such products by permitting a free flow of air through the package, thereby discouraging the formation of mildew and preventing the buildup of moisture which causes spoilage. The patent explains that the disadvantage of effectively encasing produce such as fruit and the like in a sealed container of air is that it results in a shortened shelf life. Fruit, for example, generates ethylene which promotes accelerated ripening. Fruit, candies, cheeses, liqueurs and the like are mentioned.
Harris, U.S. Pat. No. 4,815,603 issued from the parent application to the application which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 4,873,814 mentioned above.
Rumsey, U.S. Pat. No. 3,026,656 is directed to an improved commercial package wrapped in sheet material and an improved method and apparatus for making the same wherein the air or a substantial proportion thereof is removed in an improved and effective manner and the package is thereupon effectively sealed so that air will not reenter the package at the point of extraction. The patent mentions that food products are frequently packaged in transparent sheet material and it is has been found that by removing the air or a large portion thereof from the package the product will be protected and preserved for a relatively longer period of time. The Rumsey patent indicates that packages embodying the invention may be used for many different types of products, but particularly products such as food products which are protected and preserved for longer periods of time when the air or at least a portion of the air is removed from the package. Thus the invention, it is said, may be used for the packaging of meat products of various types, dairy products such as cheese or butter and the like.
Anderson, U.S. Pat. No. 3,804,235 is directed to a package having a sheet of heat shrinkable material wrapped therearound wherein the sheet of heat shrinkable material has at least one opening. An object is a pilfer-proof package having holes therein which have ribbed reinforcements that are tightly held against and contiguous to the packages to prevent air circulation. Packaging of, e.g., cigarettes is mentioned.
Cutara, U.S. Pat. No. 4,289,237 is directed to a fire wood package having a film of plastic material secured around the bundle of firewood. Both ends of the bundle are exposed and the plastic material is perforated to permit air to circulate into and through the bundle by way of the perforations and open ends of the bundles.
Fales, U.S. Pat. No. 4,306,653 is directed to a packaging container for protection of fragile articles. Lamps, objects d'art, motors and furniture are mentioned. A heat shrinkable inner packing may be used. In FIG. 1, shrink bag 60 appears to include holes.
Oberle, U.S. Pat. No. 5,002,782 discloses heat shrinkable thermoplastic bags including slits cut by a knife blade. The slits are said to reduce the splitting when a product, such as a meat product, is cooked within the bag. The baking or roasting of turkey breast, ham or the like is mentioned.
Doyle, U.S. Pat. No. 5,171,593 is directed to a method of wrapping a tray of produce or other articles requiring ventilation. The sheet includes a perforated portion which is bounded by non-perforated lateral edge portions. Plastic film packaging of produce such as blueberries and raspberries is mentioned.
Harris, U.S. Pat. No. 4,941,572 is directed to a package for shipping and storing articles such as cut flower arrangements. Use of the package of the Harris invention for shipping potted plants is also mentioned. A plastic film cover is employed which is formed from shrinkwrapped plastic and includes an upper vented portion and a lower portion wrapped around the container in shrinkwrap relation.
A number of different types of cases and other shipping packages are known in the literature.
Richardson, U.S. Pat. No. 3,918,584 is directed to a shipping case for fragile product-filled cartons made from a rectangular sleeve of corrugated fiberboard having open ends and having the corrugation running between the open ends. A plurality of cartons are stacked in rectangular configuration in the sleeve and occupy the entire volume of the sleeve with exposed carton faces forming a substantial planer surface at both ends of the sleeve. Heat shrinkable transparent film in the form of a band is disposed around the open ends of the fiberboard sleeve and at least two opposite walls of the sleeve and is shrunk. The sleeve and carton are contained together as an integral unit providing a shipping case without end flaps.
In Richardson, the vertical compressive or end strength is said to be unexpectedly superior to that of conventional filled cases, thereby enabling, if desired, the use of lower weight packing materials with attendant cost savings. Moreover, the lack of flaps in the Richardson construction is said to minimize fatigue or damage since it is said virtually to be impossible to maintain the case in a square configuration as the flaps are being glued closed. The visibility of the cartons through the transparent overwrap is said to make less likely damaging or cutting of the cartons when the case is open.
Lehms, U.S. Pat. No. 4,828,110 is directed to a unitized package of a plurality of generally cylindrical containers such as cans or bottles. The unitized package comprises several independent integral container cells of equal size held together to one another by a resilient film ribbon under tension. The film ribbon may be oriented polypropylene. Optionally, each container cell may be circumscribed by a band, such as plastic strips 28, 30 and 32. The resilient film ribbon of Lehms is in contact with the containers about the periphery of the package along a major portion, i.e. more than 50% of the cylindrical body portion length dimension.
Ryan et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,878,943 is directed to a rectangular shipping package comprising a carton having at least five sides enclosed within a shrunken packaging film.
Oglesbee, U.S. Pat. No. 3,693,788 is directed to a package designed to pack and distribute articles such as glass tumblers, having an inner paperboard sleeve and an outer envelope such as a shrink film envelope. The sleeve has one or more flexible curved article gripping panels formed by the use of curved scorelines.
Heaney, U.S. Pat. No. 3,990,576 is directed to an arrangement for packaging glass doors and the like for shipment and handling. The bundle of glass doors is wrapped in a packing strip, which is cinched to a pallet and covered with a transparent film, preferably by heat shrinking a clear plastic envelope therearound.
Brown, U.S. Pat. No. RE.27,212 is directed to package constructions having open ended receptacle means filled with product containers arranged in rows and disposed in a heat shrunk film-like member holding the receptacle means and product containers tightly together. A plurality of receptacle means can be disposed in stacked relation within the heat shrunk tubular film-like member.
Coons, U.S. Pat. No. 3,416,288 is directed to a method of shrink packaging utilizing a self-erecting pallet.
Begnaud et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,589,510 is directed to a package comprising a tray having four vertical sides and a bottom, contents in the tray and a shroud extending over the contents.
Clarkson, U.S. Pat. No. 4,730,730 is directed to a tray for supporting a plurality of bottles and a band around the perimeter of the bottles. A shrink wrap is placed around the bottles, band and tray.
Ganz, U.S. Pat. No. 3,756,397 discloses a single wrap of a single sheet of continuous shrinkable plastic material to constitute virtually the entire package for a cluster of plural, like containers such as bottles. The sheet circumferentially envelopes the cluster with the ends of the sheet overlapping at the alignment of one of the longitudinal ends of the clustered containers.
Shelton, U.S. Pat. No. 4,177,895 is directed a package comprising a multi-cell container prepared from a partially corrugated first material having peaks and flutes, a polymeric film encompassing the outermost peripheral surface of said container and a cover for said container and which cover is prepared from at least a partially corrugated second material having peaks and flutes.


A data transmission method includes the steps of generating a data characteristic table and a retrieval data table in a memory area on a server side (S102, S103); converting items of the tables into serial form and combining them to generate transmission data (S104); attaching control data corresponding to the characteristics of the transmission data (S108); transmitting the data to a client machine (S110); regenerating the data characteristic table and the retrieval data table in a memory area on the client side (S203); and reading predetermined data from the regenerated table (S204). This method increases the data transmission rate, decreases the response time, and increases the efficiency of use of the database.

A database server configured for retrieval through a network comprises a computer incorporating a high-speed CPU provided with a high-capacity storage device, a network operation system and application software dedicated to database server operation. To this database server, a clienat machine is connected via the network. The clienant machine issues a retrieval command via the network, upon which retrieval is made in the database server. A retrieval result data is then transmitted to the client machine via the network.
For extensive use of the database, the database server is connected with a multiple number of client machines via a wide-area network such as Internet, a LAN in a company, and so on. The connection of the client machines and the database server with Internet can be provided by a telephone link, as well as high-speed digital data transmission link, dedicated communication link, and so on. TCP/IP communication protocol is used as the world standard for the information exchange.
Kind of data retrieved in the database is very extensive, and so are attributes of the data retrieved. Information retrieved from the database takes a form of a table, in which a number of data is arranged in a matrix. The table is made up of a number of rows having a same structure. Each of the rows represents a unit of information, serving as a minimum unit of the result of retrieval in the database. Each of the rows contains items, and the item represents a minimum unit of information handled by the database.
When the result of retrieval obtained by the server side is transmitted to the client machine, a cycle of transmitting operation is performed for each item or row. This means that a huge amount of time must be spent for the transmitting procedure if the retrieved data includes a large number of rows.
There is another problem when the data is transmitted via a general-purpose network such as Internet. Specifically, the link is shared by other users, which means a long transmission time is required if the link is being used by a large number of users. The transmission time can be longer if the communication link has a narrow bandwidth, making impossible to use the database efficiently. For these reasons, very often, the retrieval speed decreases very unfavorably via a public link such as Internet, even if the same data retrieval can be performed at a very high speed on an in-house LAN.
An invention disclosed in the Japanese Patent laid-Open No. 8-286889 proposes a data transmission method, in which only a difference contained in an intended data is transmitted, and the client machine restores the intended data from a previously transmitted data and the difference data.
Further, an invention disclosed in the Japanese Patent laid-Open No. 9-198285 proposes an arrangement, in which access operation from the client machine to the database on the server and transmission operation of data other than the database data are performed by using a same language and interface as used in execution of functions uniquely incorporated in an application software as the subject of development.
Data retrieved from the database is very extensive. In addition, attribute of retrieved data and size of the retrieval data table are different every time the retrieval is made. Therefore, the data transmission method in which a predetermined data table format is stored in the client machine and only a difference data contained in an intended data is transmitted does not have general applicability. Further, the data retrieved in accordance with the retrieval command must eventually be transmitted in its entirety. Therefore, the data transmission method disclosed in the first Gazette can not increase data transmission speed.
On the other hand, the invention disclosed in the second Gazette aims at improving transmission efficiency by rationalizing the way in which the database is used. In other words, nothing has been changed in the method of data transmission, configuration of the data to be transmitted, and so on. Therefore, there is no improvement in data transmission speed itself, and the data transmission speed can be decreased dramatically depending upon a condition of the communication link.

Data transmission method, computer-readable medium, and data transmission apparatus


An image scanning apparatus includes a scanning section which scans an object opposite to a linear scanning area along a main scanning direction while moving the scanning area along a subscanning direction intersecting the main scanning direction. The scanning section generates image data on the basis of the result of the scanning. A control unit of the scanning section includes a first image acquiring section that acquires first image data by making the scanning section execute scanning at a first subscanning resolution. The control unit also has a pattern searching section that searches the first image data for the image of the predetermined pattern. A second image acquiring section of the control unit acquires second image data in such a manner that when the image of the predetermined pattern is not detected by the pattern searching section.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to an image scanning apparatus and, more particularly, a technique for an image scanning apparatus to detect a predetermined pattern that specifies a base position defining a scanning position.
2. Related Art
Image scanning apparatuses, or scanners, which optically scan an object using an image sensor and which generate image data based on the scanned result are widely used. Scanners generally use a position sensor to determine a scanning position. Another known method for determining a scanning position detects a pattern image from scanned image data using a predetermined pattern formed of, for example, black and white areas on the scanner, and determines a scanning position using the position of the detected pattern image as the reference (for example, JP-A-2000-113162).
In the case of the technique described in JP-A-2000-113162, the carriage is located in the vicinity of a home position at power-on, and the position of the predetermined pattern is specified by the relationship with the home position. However, scanners have the possibility that the carriage is located at a position different from the home position at power-on, for example, immediately after abnormal termination. In that case, the position of the predetermined pattern is not specified, which needs a process of detecting the predetermined pattern. The detection of the predetermined pattern is preferably executed quickly without fail.


A window cleaning implement (10) comprises a tubular body divided into rear (12) and front (14) segments inserted telescopically one inside the other and connected by a threaded ring nut (16); the front segment supports a cleaning head (24) fitted with hooking devices for a cloth in microfiber or other suitable material. Said implement comprises, in addition, a removable reservoir (20) for the washing liquid which is drawn from it by means of a manual pump incorporated in said implement, channelled along a flexible hose (32) and dispensed through at least one nozzle (30) placed next to said cleaning head (24).

It is known that for the periodic cleaning of windows, especially in offices and places open to the public such as railway stations and airports, gyms and restaurants, cleaning staff use specific implements which enable them to reach considerable heights from the ground without the use of ladders. Such implements, in their simplest form, typically comprise a pole which at the upper end bears a head supporting a strip of spongy material or microfibre extending horizontally used to distribute water and specific cleaning products on the surface to be cleaned. Said implement comprises, to the side of said strip, a squeegee in plastic material used to collect the liquid distributed on the surface, bringing it down to a height where it can be removed with a cloth.
Other implements of this type are fitted with a telescopic pole for height adjustment and a swivel head, to which a tube supplying the liquid contained in a drum, is connected.
The latter constitutes an element of obstruction, hindering and conditioning the operator, which must be systematically moved together with the implement, to the windows and surfaces to be cleaned in different places and environments. If the drum comes with a pump for distributing the liquid on the implement or on the windows, the drawbacks increase in that as well as the additional weight of the pump, an electricity supply is required; generally speaking the electricity is provided by batteries incorporated in a belt worn by the operator. This solution however further conditions the freedom of movement of the operator. Similar drawbacks arise in the case of a reservoir with pump arranged in the form of a backpack worn on the shoulders.
Machines are also known of for the external washing of large windows or surfaces consisting of solar panels. In this case however the machines are complex and expensive, comprising a transportable structure with a liquid reservoir and relative, electrically powered pump and are not suitable for cleaning windows internally or surfaces distributed over various rooms.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,364,198 a window cleaning implement is described comprising an extendable tubular body, along which a tube extends fitted with a nozzle at the front end next to a squeegee; a reservoir bearing an actuating lever to dispense the fluid is attached to the rear end of the tubular body.
A similar appliance is described in U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2004/146332 wherein the dispenser pump of the fluid is electrically operated by a battery placed in the grip. U.S. Pat. No. 5,657,909 relates rather to a manual sprayer of liquid detergent, wherein the actuating lever is used in conjunction with a piston interacting with a helical spring which sucks the liquid from the reservoir.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,195,664 describes a manual sprayer enabling withdrawal of the entire liquid content of the reservoir, regardless of the positioning thereof, thanks to a partly flexible hose with the free end paired to a weight.
All these known solutions however do not envisage the possibility of dispensing the washing liquid immediately and in a calibrated quantity, to avoid wastage.


The disclosed embodiments include methods and systems for switching electronic accounts using self-service device. The account switch system may receive, from the self-service device, a request to switch an existing electronic account associated with a first provider to a new electronic account associated with a second provider. The account switch system may also receive, from the self-service device, information associated with the existing electronic account. The account switch system may generate the new electronic account associated with the second financial service provider and transfer data, such as funds, associated with the existing electronic account to the new electronic account. The account switch system may send information associated with the new electronic account to the self-service device, and the self-service device may provide a new account card associated with the individual and the new electronic account to the individual that is ready for use.

Currently, electronic account providers, such as banks, credit card companies, merchants, lenders, and the like, offer in-person services or online services for customers to switch their account activity from an existing provider. The current switching services typically require a customer to first open a new account with the new provider, fill out forms to transfer funds or balance from the existing financial account to the new financial account, and then close the existing financial account with the existing provider. Usually a new account card, such as a payment card, or a credit card, will be mailed to the customer after the new financial account is opened.
There are several disadvantages with the current account switching mechanism. First, it involves significant inconvenience for customers to switch financial accounts. Second, there is a delay in issuing a new account card to the customer switching financial accounts. Customers do not receive the activated account card at the moment the new account is opened. There also exists a delay in funding the new financial account when the funds are transferred from the existing financial account to the new account. Finally, customers typically must manually switch recurring transactions, such as automatic bill payment and deposit, from the prior financial account to the new financial account. Certain aspects of the disclosed embodiments provide methods and systems that enable customers to switch financial accounts in a quick and simple manner. Other aspects are also provided as disclosed below.

Systems and methods for switching electronic accounts using a self-service device


Compositions and methods are provided for the diagnosis, treatment, and medical management of cancers. The methods include the use of antibodies and other binding molecules that specifically bind to one or more nucleotide salvage pathway enzymes (SPEs) selected from the group consisting of adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT), hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HGPRT), deoxycytidine kinase (dCK); and thymidine kinase 1 (TK1) and complexes comprising SPEs, for detection of the SPE(s) on or in cancer cells and/or on or in body fluids and tissues of cancer patients. Binding of SPEs is useful in the methods provided herein for diagnosing cancer, determining prognosis of cancer and assessing the effectiveness of cancer treatments. Immunoassay systems for use in the methods are also provided, including sandwich immunoassays. In addition, an amino acid sequence comprising a novel TK1 binding site is provided, as well as nucleotide sequences encoding it.

In 2007 it was reported that over half a million people died from cancer and more than 1.4 million new cases were diagnosed in the United States. Thus, it is important to diagnose, assess prognosis for, and monitor treatment of cancer. Improved, noninvasive diagnostic compositions and methods using cancer-specific markers that provide strong discrimination between biological samples from cancer patients and normal individuals are especially needed in the art.
The nucleotide salvage pathway is a pathway in which nucleotides (purines and pyrimidines) are synthesized from intermediates in the degradative pathway for nucleotides. Salvage pathway enzymes are used to recover bases and nucleosides that are formed during degradation of RNA and DNA. This is important because some tissues cannot undergo de novo synthesis. There are two major pathways that lead to the production of nucleotides: the de novo pathway and the salvage pathway. The de novo synthesis of DNA begins with metabolic precursors such as amino acids, ribose 5-phosphate, and others known to the art. Most organisms also synthesize nucleotides through a salvage pathway that utilizes the degraded nucleotides from DNA, recycling nucleic acids rather than destroying them, providing an energy efficient way to produce nucleotides. This is accomplished through the enzymatic activities of adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT) and hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HGPRT), for purines, and thymidine kinase 1 (TK1) and deoxycytidine kinase (dCK) for pyrimidines, producing oligonucleotides which are further digested by phosphodiesterases to yield free nucleosides.
The de novo pathway to deoxythymidine triphosphate (dTTP) synthesis first requires the use of deoxyuridine monophosphate (dUMP) from the metabolism of either uridine diphosphate (UDP) or cytidine diphosphate (CDP). The dUMP is converted to deoxythymidine monophosphate (dTMP) by the action of thymidylate synthase. The methyl group of thymine is donated by N5,N10-methylene tetrahydrofolate (THF), similar to the donation of methyl groups during the biosynthesis of the purines. The unique property of the action of thymidylate synthase is that the THF is converted to dihydrofolate (DHF), the only such reaction yielding DHF from THF. In order for the thymidylate synthase reaction to continue, THF must be regenerated from DHF. This is accomplished through the action of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR). THF is then converted to N5,N10-THF via the action of serine hydroxymethyl transferase.
Expression of genes related to DNA replication is maximal during early S phase. TK1, APRT, HGPRT and dCK are cellular enzymes involved in a salvage pathway of DNA synthesis. In normal growing cells these salvage pathway enzymes' mRNA levels rise near the G1-S boundary, peak in early S phase, and return in G2 to approximately the level of early G1. They are activated in the G1/S phase of the cell cycle. DNA synthesis is primarily dependent upon salvage mechanisms to supply deoxypyrimidine nucleotides. Antisense inhibition of the de novo pathway of pyrimidine synthesis results in a compensatory stimulation of the less energy-consuming salvage pathways. The salvaged bases and nucleosides can then be converted back into nucleotides.
Thymidine kinase 1 (TK1) is an S-phase-regulated specific protein which is found both in normal individuals and in cancer patients. TK1 catalyses the reaction of thymidine to deoxythymidine monophosphate (dTMP) using adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and dCK works similarly with cytidine as its substrate. APRT and HGPRT both use phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate to phosphorylate adenine and guanine to adenosine monophosphate (AMP) and guanosine monophosphate (GMP) respectively.
Substantial research has been performed on TK1, but comparatively little research has been done on the other nucleotide salvage pathway enzymes as related to cancer. Mammalian cells express two different isoenzymes, TK1 and TK2, originally called fetal and adult TK, respectively. TK1 was originally called fetal TK since it was predominantly found in the fetus. The fetal isoenzyme, TK1, is associated with cell division, and its levels increase as the cell is dividing.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,698,409 (incorporated herein by reference) describes a mammalian TK1 purified from Raji cells and a TK1-specific monoclonal antibody. The monoclonal antibody binds to TK1 and inhibits TK1 activity. The TK1 monoclonal antibody was used for cancer diagnosis. U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,311,906 and 7,837,998, incorporated herein by reference, refer to TK1-specific monoclonal antibodies produced by hybridomas on deposit with American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), 10801 University Blvd, Manassas, Va., under Accession Nos. ATCC HB 11432, HB 11433, HB 11434 and PTA-670.
Other references of interest are listed in the References section below and incorporated herein by reference for purposes of enablement and written description.

Compositions and methods for cancer management using antibodies binding to nucleotide salvage pathway enzymes and complexes thereof


A cascode amplifier with protection circuitry is described. In one exemplary design, the amplifier includes multiple branches coupled in parallel, with at least one branch being switchable between “on” and “off” states. Each switchable branch includes a gain transistor coupled to a cascode transistor. The gain transistor amplifies an input signal and provides an amplified signal in the on state and does not amplify the input signal in the off state. The cascode transistor buffers the amplified signal and provides an output signal in the on state. The output signal swing may be split between the gain transistor and the cascode transistor in both the on and off states with the protection circuitry. Each transistor may then observe a fraction of the voltage swing. The voltage splitting in the off state may be achieved by floating the gain transistor and shorting the gate and source of the cascode transistor.

I. Field
The present disclosure relates generally to electronics, and more specifically to an amplifier.
II. Background
Amplifiers are commonly used in various electronics devices to provide signal amplification. Different types of amplifiers are available for different uses. For example, a wireless communication device such as a cellular phone may include a transmitter and a receiver for bi-directional communication. The transmitter may utilize a driver amplifier (DA) and a power amplifier (PA), the receiver may utilize a low noise amplifier (LNA), and the transmitter and receiver may utilize variable gain amplifiers (VGAs).
Sub-micron complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) fabrication processes are commonly used for radio frequency (RF) circuits in wireless devices and other electronics devices in order to reduce cost and improve integration. As CMOS device size continues to shrink, sub-micron transistors are more and more susceptible to stress under large signal swing conditions. The stress may adversely impact the reliability of amplifiers implemented with these sub-micron transistors. An amplifier with good performance and good reliability is highly desirable.

Cascode amplifier with protection circuitry


Various collapsible sun shelters are disclosed. In some embodiments, the sun shelter includes a frame structure. The frame structure can have a substantially longitudinal ridge beam, a first multi-axis hinge device, and/or a second multi-axis hinge device. The frame structure can have a plurality of support elements, such as first and second leg members. In some implementations, the frame structure includes a third leg member and a fourth leg member. In various embodiments, a shelter device includes a plurality of flexible shelter members, such as sails. The sun shelter can be configured to move between a collapsed state (e.g., for transport) and an expanded state (e.g., for use as a shelter against sun, wind, precipitation, etc.).

Certain portable structures, which can be called "pop-up" tents, include fabric that is supported by one or more poles to form a canopy. Certain such structures include cords or loops that connect the fabric to pegs driven into the ground, thereby aiding in stretching and/or tightening the fabric. Some portable structures can be collapsed for transportation and storage.


According to embodiments illustrated herein there is provided a method for controlling an electronic device. The method includes detecting, in a mobile device, a contact with the electronic device at a predetermined reference location on the electronic device. The method further includes tracking a movement of the mobile device from the predetermined reference location to a second location on the electronic device, wherein the second location corresponds to a first component of the electronic device. Additionally, the method includes receiving an input from a user to control one or more functionalities of the first component.

Electronic devices of current day have enabled a user to perform various functions through a single device. For example, a multi-function device (MFD) may enable a user to perform functions such as document printing, scanning, fax, emailing, etc. Similarly, a typical smart-phone includes a camera, memory, and GPS sensors that enable the user to perform various functions (e.g., emailing, navigation, etc.) other than just initiating calls and sending messages.
With increasing number of functionalities being bundled into a typical electronic device, there may be an increase in the design complexity of such electronic devices. Due to such increase in complexity, a user may find it difficult to operate such electronic devices. Additionally, troubleshooting such electronic devices may be a difficult and tedious task for the end-user.

Methods and systems for controlling an electronic device


The present invention provides an improved active power line conditioner which achieves a significant improvement in peak voltage regulation capability when compared with a similarly-sized device of the prior art. Enhanced peak voltage regulation capability is achieved by reducing the number of turns on the transformer winding connected to the series inverter. As a result, the AC regulation voltage induced across the transformer primary and added to or subtracted from the AC supply voltage will be capable of achieving higher peak levels of short duration. When a reduced-turns-ratio transformer is utilized according to the invention, variations of the AC supply voltage which are within the sinusoidal regulation range of a prior art active power line conditioner having a similarly-sized transformer, the output voltage will remain sinusoidal. When, however, the input voltage variation is outside of this sinusoidal regulation range, the reduced-turns-ratio transformer will create a peaking but nonsinusoidal AC output voltage. This allows rejection of higher magnitude input voltage disturbances of short duration.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to active power line conditioners which are utilized to regulate the quality of electrical energy delivered from an electrical energy source to an electrical load. More particularly, the invention relates to a series-parallel active power line conditioner (APLC) which utilizes a reduced-turns-ratio transformer to achieve significant improvements in peak voltage regulation capability.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Electric supply networks are increasingly being exposed to the consequences of nonlinear loads, such as data processing equipment, numerical controlled machines, variable speed motor drives, robotics, medical apparatus and communication equipment. Such loads draw nonlinear pulse-like currents instead of the sinusoidal currents drawn by linear loads (i.e., resistors, inductors and capacitors). These nonlinear currents flow through the source impedance, thus causing distortion of the AC line voltage.
This voltage distortion may produce a number of undesired effects. For example, sensitive loads connected to the network may experience operational difficulties. Additionally, the RMS current supplied by the source increases due to the presence of harmonics in the pulse-like currents. These harmonic currents may significantly increase I.sup.2 R losses in interposing transformers.
Another problem which may have significant effects on many types of electrical equipment is the occurrence of temporary sags in the AC line voltage. For example, many types of electrical equipment utilize a power supply input stage which converts the AC line voltage to DC voltage utilizing a full wave rectifier connected across one or more large filter capacitors. In normal operation, the filter capacitor recharges with each peak of the rectified line voltage. It is only during this peak that the load is actually drawing current from the electrical supply network. When the rectified line voltage is lower than the voltage level on the filter capacitors, the rectifier diodes will prevent current from flowing. If, however, the AC line voltage does not maintain an adequate peak-to-peak value, these filter capacitors will not be able to maintain their required peak charge levels. As a result, operation of equipment incorporating the rectified capacitive power supply may be affected.
The effects of many of these problems can be mitigated through the use of power electronic devices known as active power line conditioners. Such devices typically comprise one or two switching inverters arranged in a series, parallel, or series-parallel configuration. The inverters are controlled (generally by pulse width modulation (PWM) techniques) to effect a flow of current between a DC energy storage element and the AC supply lines to which they are connected. Such devices are shown and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,651,265 and 3,825,815, which are incorporated herein by reference.
When a single inverter is used, this current may consist of the harmonic and ripple currents required by the load. In a series-parallel configuration, two inverters are arranged to share a common DC link. In this arrangement, the inverters may cooperate to effect a transfer of real power between the source or load and the DC link. This may be helpful to insure that the load continually sees ideal current and voltage characterisrics.
The series inverter in a series-parallel APLC is typically coupled to the AC supply line via a coupling transformer. The series inverter applies a voltage of selected magnitude and polarity to the secondary winding of the transformer, which produces an AC regulation voltage on the primary winding of the transformer. This AC regulation voltage bucks or boosts (i.e., is added to or is subtracted from) the AC supply voltage to maintain the AC output voltage seen by the load at a regulated nominal value. The parallel inverter of the series-parallel APLC may operate as an active filter to supply real and reactive currents to the load as needed as well as cooperating with the series inverter to effect real power transfer.
The voltage regulation capability of a series-parallel active power line conditioner is given in terms of a rated buck/boost voltage range. While the line voltage magnitude stays within the rated buck/boost range, the output voltage stays generally constant and sinusoidal at the nominal value. Typically, the rated buck/boost range of an active power line conditioner is expressed as a percentage of the nominal output voltage. Generally, such range is selected to fall between .+-.10% to .+-.25% of the nominal output voltage. (The voltage buck/boost range tends to be symmetrical due to symmetry of the series inverter power circuit.)
When the supply voltage sinks below the rated boost range of the APLC, however, the output voltage tends to also be dragged down. Thus, the voltage seen by the various loads connected to the electrical supply network will fall below the nominal value. As a result, the quality of power delivered to these loads is no longer insured. This is particularly true in the case of loads having rectified capacitive inputs, since the filter capacitors may not be able to obtain their peak charge level. Additionally, transient voltage sags or surges may exceed the selected rating of the APLC on a statistical basis.
In order, therefore, to provide the greatest assurance of power quality to loads supported by the series-parallel APLC, it is desirable for the device to have as large buck/boost regulation range as is practical. The weight and cost, however, of many of the APLC components are proportional to the regulation range. As such, an APLC with a higher regulation range would be expected to be larger and more expensive than a similar device with a smaller regulation range. This may tend to negatively affect the commercial viability of such equipment. The installation of a larger coupling transformer to support excessive input voltage sags would also have double iron losses that would adversely affect overall efficiency.

Series-parallel active power line conditioner utilizing reduced-turns-ratio transformer for enhanced peak voltage regulation capability


A photodetection device is provided with a photoelectric converter portion that converts light to electric current, an electrical current/voltage converter portion, including a feedback circuit that returns at least part of the output to the input side, that converts the electrical current received from the photoelectric converter portion to a voltage corresponding to the resistance value of the feedback circuit and outputs the voltage, where the feedback circuit includes a first MOS transistor that allows the resistance value to be varied in accordance with the gate voltage.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a photodetection device that converts light to electrical signals and an optical disk device.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, there has been a rapid spread in optical disks that store selected data, such as images or sound, in digital format, and in optical disk devices that store data on and read data from optical disks. Optical disk devices can store data by irradiating optical disks with laser light, and can read data using the light reflected back when laser light is irradiated onto optical disks.
An optical disk device that includes a front monitor that detects irradiated laser light and converts it into electrical signals is disclosed in, for example, International Publication NO. WO2004/081921. The optical disc device controls the strength of the laser light based on the electrical signals converted from the laser light by the front monitor As mentioned above, laser light plays a pivotal role in optical disk devices, and it is therefore desirable for the front monitor to convert the laser light into electrical signals with a high degree of accuracy.
An example of this type of front monitor structure is shown in FIG. 7. In the example shown in FIG. 7, a front monitor 70 includes a photodiode D2 that converts the laser light irradiated onto the optical disk into an electrical current, a converter portion 80 that converts the electrical current converted by the photodiode D2 into a voltage, an amplifier portion 90 that includes an amplifier that amplifies the voltage converted by the converter portion 80 and adjusted by variable resistors 82 and 84, and a switch S2 that can be used to select the output from the amplifier portion 90.
As the variable resistors 82 and 84 cannot be incorporated into the front monitor 70 IC chip, they are provided externally to the front monitor 70. The manufacturer adjusts the resistance value of the variable resistors 82 and 84 to adjust the amount of variation in the voltage (for example, the degree of voltage rise) on the variable resistors 82 and 84, thus allowing the front monitor gain to be set to the desired value. Note that the voltage is converted from laser light by the converter portion 80. Two variable resistors and amplifiers are provided in order to ensure compatibility with various types of optical disk having different laser wavelengths, such as compact disks (CDs) and Digital Versatile Disks (DVDs).

Photodetection device and optical disk device


Techniques for data storage strategy determination are described herein. An aspect includes determining a plurality of file classifications for files that are stored in a data storage system based on performance history data of a disaster recovery (DR) system of the data storage system. Another aspect includes determining classification records and performance records for the DR system based on the plurality of file classifications. Another aspect includes determining an information loss based on the performance records. Another aspect includes determining a total cost savings based on the classification records. Another aspect includes determining a recommended recovery time objective (RTO)/recovery point objective (RPO) strategy based on the information loss and the total cost savings. Another aspect includes implementing the recommended RTO/RPO strategy in the DR system.

The present invention generally relates to computer systems, and more specifically, to data storage strategy determination for a computer system.
An enterprise data storage system may be composed of a number of interconnected computer storage devices, such as servers, that operate together as a storage pool. Data backups may be performed on a defined schedule in an enterprise data storage system so as to avoid data loss should any device in the enterprise data storage system experience errors. When an error occurs, the data may be recovered based on a most recent backup. A strategy for backup scheduling in the enterprise data storage system may be determined based on, for example, user input. However, a user may not have sufficient knowledge to define an appropriate backup strategy for the user's data that is stored in the enterprise data storage system.

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION


A device for loading and unloading a machine-tool with tools, the tools being mounted in a tool store and being transportable via a manipulation device, which is particularly movable along multiple axes to a transfer position on the machine tool or in the machine tool and, after use in the machine tool, being removable therefrom, and the manipulation device having a gripper device for receiving the tools. To save weight and increase the access speed of the manipulation device, the manipulation device has at least one displacement arm movable in a preferably horizontal first movement direction, which is mounted so it is displaceable on a guide element, and the gripper device is mounted so it is displaceable on the displacement arm in this first movement direction.

The present invention relates to a device for loading and unloading a machine tool with tools, the tools being stored in a tool store and being transportable via a manipulation device, which is particularly movable along multiple axes, to a transfer position on the machine tool or in the machine tool and, after use in the machine tool, being removable therefrom, and the manipulation device having a gripper device for receiving the tools.
In connection with loading and unloading, in particular automated loading and unloading of a machine tool, such as a milling machine, receiving a prepared tool by a manipulation device provided with a gripper device with the aid of particularly automated devices which are movable along multiple axes, upon which, after a movement of the manipulation device between a magazine, or store, to a transfer position on or in the machine tool, the supplied tool is deposited or situated in the machine tool and typically installed via a corresponding changing device from the receptacle—or transfer station—in the machine tool. Simultaneously with an accommodation of a new tool by the changing device of the machine tool, a tool used in an immediately preceding work step is deposited on the receptacle or transfer station or position and then received by the manipulation device, which is particularly movable along multiple axes, and in turn returned to a store or magazine. The movement of the gripper device typically occurs via simple linear axes (toothed racks, spindle or belt drives). A manipulation device of this type is known, for example, from AT 501.092 A2.

Device for loading and unloading of a machine tool


A plurality of vane chambers on the back side of vanes are caused to function as pump chambers using the reciprocating movement of the vanes to pressure-feed a lubricating oil to a compressor mechanism unit. A taper hole at one of the vane chambers for drawing the lubricating oil, a hole on another chamber for mitigating back pressure and a taper hole between the chambers are provided to improve the pressure feeding capability. In addition, the lubricating oil having been supplied to the compressor mechanism unit is supplied to the slide surfaces of crank portions from an oil hole of each crank portion through an oil passage at the center of the rotating shaft and is further distributed optimally to slide bearing portions by oil guide grooves. A horizontal multiple cylinder rotary compressor is thereby provided, which employs an oil supplying structure capable of supplying lubricating oil stably and at an optimal distribution, which provides high reliability and high efficiency and by which vibration is reduced and space is saved.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to horizontal multi-cylinder rotary compressors and, more particularly, it relates to the oil supplying structure of a rotary compressor having multiple cylinders, suitable in refrigerating and air conditioning machines such as a refrigerator, an air conditioner or the like by which power and space are saved less vibration and lower noise are caused, and there is highly reliable.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, compressors to be mounted on refrigerating and air conditioning machines and equipments are required not only to provide fundamental performance with respect to less vibration, lower noise and higher efficiency but also to take up less space and have high reliability. For this reason, a high efficiency rotary compressor is horizontally placed to improve its space-saving characteristic. That is, a horizontal rotary compressor of a single cylinder has been among compressors to be mounted on a conventional refrigerator. Recently, however, development is in progress of a rotary compressor having two cylinders which is efficient in reducing vibrations of the compressor, to respond to the demand in the market for further reduction of vibrations and noise.
A two-cylinder compressor is constructed such that the rotating shaft thereof has two eccentric portions that are different in their phase from each other by 180.degree., so that two rollers fitted on these eccentric portions are eccentrically rotated in the cylinders. Changes in gas compressing torque generated at the two pump units (compressor unit) are thereby leveled off to reduce vibrations of the compressor. For instance, a horizontal rotary compressor having two cylinders such as disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Unexamined Publication No.1-88092 is known as an example of a two-cylinder horizontal rotary compressor.
It is necessary in a horizontal rotary compressor to draw up the lubricating oil reserved at the bottom portion of a sealed container to supply it to the slide portions of the compressor mechanism unit.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the main portion of a conventional horizontal single cylinder rotary compressor.
For the oil supplying structure in a single cylinder horizontal rotary compressor, there is an example as shown in FIG. 5 where fluidic diodes 20a, 21 are provided at an inlet side and an outlet side of a vane chamber 14 behind a vane 13 to suck lubricating oil and to thereby supply the lubricating oil to the slide portion of the compressor through an oil supply pipe 22. In the case of a multi-cylinder rotary compressor, however, a problem occurs that the lubricating oil cannot be stably supplied to the compressor mechanism unit by using the conventional oil supplying means shown in FIG. 5, because a plurality of vane chambers are provided.
Further, a description will now be given by way of FIG. 6 with respect to the oil supplying structure of a two-cylinder horizontal rotary compressor as disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Unexamined Publication No.1-88092.
FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the main portion of a conventional horizontal two-cylinder rotary compressor.
Referring to FIG. 6, numerals are used to respectively denote: a main bearing 6; a first cylinder 7; a diaphragm 8; a second cylinder 9; a sub-bearing 10; and vane chambers 14, 15.
An oil returning hole 18a for communication between the vane chamber 14 and the motor chamber 16 is provided on a holding plate 19 for separating the interior of the sealed container into a motor chamber 16 and a machine chamber 17, and a backward flow prevention mechanism 24 for preventing a backward flow of the lubricating oil from the machine chamber to the motor chamber is provided on the vane chamber 14. An oil supplying mechanism is thereby achieved such that the lubricating oil sucked to the vane chamber 14 from the motor chamber 16 by the reciprocating movement of the vane 13a is caused to flow to the machine chamber 17 while preventing backward flow of the lubricating oil from the machine chamber 17 to the motor chamber 16.
However, due to such facts as that a valve or the like is additionally necessary behind the vane chamber 14 as the backward flow prevention mechanism 24 and that a separation within the sealed container by the holding plate 19 is necessary, the structure of the compressor becomes complicated, resulting in a problem that its reduction in size is difficult so that it is deprived of space-saving characteristic. Further, in this conventional example, no description has been made with respect to detailed structure of the distributing means by which the lubricating oil supplied to the compressor mechanism unit is distributed to each slide portion.

Horizontal multi-cylinder rotary compressor


A room dehumidifier includes a closed refrigerant cycle apparatus with an evaporator coil inclined at 20 from vertical on an air inlet side of the dehumidifier, which also includes openings in the cabinetry to allow a substantial portion of inlet air to bypass the evaporator coil, a fan and orifice plate arranged downstream of the evaporator coil, bypass openings to draw air through the cabinet, and a condenser coil arranged vertically on an outlet side of said fan. The fan blows air through the condenser coil and out back side louvers of the cabinet. A drip bucket is located beneath the evaporator coils and a compressor is located beneath the condenser coils.

The present invention relates to heat exchange appliances in general and in particular to a fan dehumidifier which uses a refrigerant cycle system to condense water vapor in the air onto an evaporator coil which is disposed above a drain pan and the air is then heated by a condenser coil to room temperature.
Known room dehumidifiers such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,117,651 can suffer from design features that prevent them from utilizing the maximum efficiency of their heat exchangers. In known dehumidifiers the same air flow volume flows through the evaporator as through the condenser which may not efficiently match the two exchangers. Air flow patterns can be non-uniform over the surface of the heat exchangers. Warm air discharges in the direction of room occupants, and heat from the condenser easily radiates to the evaporator because of their close proximity.

Slanted heat exchanger-encased fan-dehumidifier