Biocompatible polyarylates of diphenol compounds and poly(alkylene oxide) dicarboxylic acids, articles formed therefrom and therapeutic uses are disclosed.

The biotechnology industry has evolved to allow the large scale production of recombinant proteins for commercial use. However, many of these therapeutic proteins and vaccines present a unique challenge for drug delivery. The successful clinical application or commercial use of many proteins requires the use of a protein delivery system to reduce the frequency of administration, provide a lower toxicity through a reduced peak serum concentration, localize the drug at the site of action, or yield a steady-state level of the drug to achieve the desired effect. The biggest challenge however is to maintain the stability of proteins during the formulation steps.
Proteins are generally not very stable, as the stabilization energy of the native state is mostly between 5 and 20 kcal/mol, which is equivalent to that of a few hydrogen bonds. Many forces are involved in keeping the native proteins properly folded including hydrophobic interactions, electrostatic interactions (charge repulsion and ion pairing), hydrogen bonding, intrinsic propensities, and van der Waals forces. Among these forces, hydrophobic interactions seem to be the dominant.
There are many factors that affect protein stability. These include at least temperature, pH, ionic strength, metal ions, surface adsorption, shearing, shaking, additives, solvents, protein concentration, purity, morphism, pressure, freeze-thawing and drying. Most mesophilic proteins, such as those from human beings, can be denatured easily at temperatures between 50 to 80° C. A common phenomenon of protein instability is the formation of protein aggregates, which can be soluble or insoluble, chemical or physical, and reversible or irreversible. Chemical transformations that lead to protein instability include at least deamidation, oxidation, hydrolysis, isomerization, succinimidation, disulfide bond formation and breakage, non-disulfide cross linking and deglycosilation. It is therefore clear that developing a delivery system for proteins is not a trivial matter.
The most common approach used to develop a controlled delivery system for proteins is to encapsulate the protein in a polymer matrix or microsphere of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), which has been used for over twenty years as a resorbable suture material. A great deal of research has been published on the development of protein-controlled release formulations using PLGA microspheres. However, there are only a small number of successful commercial formulations using this system. A biodegradable microsphere formulation, the Lupron Depot, has been commercially successful for several years. This formulation consists of leuprolide acetate, a decapeptide, encapsulated in biodegradable microspheres of PLGA for the treatment of prostate cancer, endometriosis, and precocious puberty. The drug is released continuously over either one or three months depending upon the formulation. A biodegradable human growth hormone microsphere formulation is presently marketed by Alkermes, Inc.
PLGA microspheres are usually prepared by a solvent-based process, which as discussed above, is harmful to protein stability and activity. Melt processing is not a viable alternative, because the Tg of the PLGA system is in the range of 55 to 60° C. Thus, melt processing has to be conducted at relatively high temperatures that are detrimental to the stability and activity of the proteins. PLGA degradation also releases acidic byproducts, which can inactivate the proteins.
Drug delivery systems require a product that is injectable through a 21 gauge needle and from which a protein can be delivered at a sustained rate for two to four weeks without loss of activity. Water may be used as a diluent to allow injection through a narrow bore needle, and stabilizers such as sugars or salts may be used.
Accordingly, there exists a need for a biocompatible low viscosity polymer that is degradable and resorbable and able to absorb water or be emulsified in water so that water can be used as a diluent, if necessary. Ideally, for drug delivery purposes, the polymer should be fluid at room temperature. However, polymers that become fluid with heating to temperature below the temperature at which proteins denature are also suitable.

Polyarylates for drug delivery and tissue engineering

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey


A cartridge for storing and implanting an intraocular lens has a first part and a second part that are movable relative to one another from a storage configuration, in which interior surfaces of the first and second portions define a storage chamber for storing the IOL in an unfolded state, to an implanting configuration, in which the interior surfaces of the first and second portions together define a smooth-bored implanting chamber for retaining the IOL in a folded state. According to a first aspect, the first and second portions are hinged together, whereas according to a second aspect, the first and second portions are slidably interconnected.

One of the operative treatments used to treat cataract is a method of removing a natural crystalline lens from an eye of a patient and then injecting an intraocular lens (IOL) in place of the natural crystalline lens.
The majority of first generation IOLs were manufactured from rigid PMMA and were implanted into the eye using forceps through large (5-6 mm) incisions. The large incision size increased the risk of infection and could lead to induced changes in the shape of the cornea and also potentially cause astigmatism of the eye after the operation. To prevent such disadvantages, a next generation of foldable IOLs was developed that could be introduced into the eye through a reduced incision size (2-4 mm) using an injector.
IOLs typically comprise a lens portion and a pair of resilient haptics extending outwardly from opposite sides of the periphery of the lens portion. The haptics aid in locating the IOL in a correct position in the eye and in maintaining the IOL in that correct position.
To inject the IOL, the following steps are usually performed: first making an incision in the eye; fragmenting and aspirating a clouded natural crystalline lens through the incision; and then injecting the IOL into the eye through the incision to implant it in place of the natural crystalline lens.
A first generation of injectors typically consisted of reusable titanium bodies fitted with disposable plastic cartridges, those cartridges being loaded with a foldable IOL at the point of use.
With reference to FIGS. 1a and 1b, the next generation of injectors 10 were plastic, disposable, single-use injectors. These often had cartridges 20 that were integral with the injector bodies 12, the IOL 50 being inserted at the point of use as in the previous injectors mentioned above. It is also known for the cartridge 20 to be a separate element, removably fitted into a loading bay of the injector 10. The foldable IOL 50 in the cartridge 20 is positioned so as to be aligned with a bore 14 in the injector 10 containing a plunger 16. A relatively narrow end portion 16′ of the plunger engages the IOL 50 to urge the IOL toward the tip 18 of the injector. In some cartridges 20, the IOL 50 is held within the injector 10 and engaged by the plunger 16 in an unfolded state, in which case the tip 18 of the injector 10 will be tapered so as to fold the IOL into a smaller shape as it is pushed toward and through the tip 18 by the plunger 16. In other cartridges 20, the IOL 50 is folded just prior to insertion by manipulation of the cartridge 20 and is engaged by the plunger 16 in a folded condition, as described below. The folded IOL 50 is pushed out of the tip 18 of the injector 10 inserted in the eye through the incision and is spread (unfolded) and placed in the eye.
It is essential for IOLs 50 to be stored unstressed so as not to become permanently deformed over time. Accordingly, IOLs 50 are not held in a folded condition over a long period of time (i.e. in storage).
More recently, disposable, single-use injectors 10 have come preloaded with an IOL 50. Preloaded injectors designed for delivery of hydrophobic IOLs usually incorporate lens storage within the main injector body. Due to its simplicity, this is a more preferable option for a preloaded injector and is possible because hydrophobic IOLs can be stored in a non-hydrated or 'dry' state. Examples of known preloaded systems include four fully preloaded injectors: Isert Acrylat, hydrophobic aspheric; Acrysert Acrylat, hydrophobic aspheric; NX-1 Nex-load Acrylat, hydrophobic aspheric; and KS3-Ai Silicone aspheric (respectively manufactured by Hoya, Alcon, Domilens and STAAR-Domilens).
In contrast to hydrophobic IOLs, hydrophilic IOLs must be stored hydrated, normally completely submerged in a saline solution. As a consequence, semi-preloaded injectors for hydrophilic IOLs, requiring insertion of a cartridge into the injector by the end user, are used for hydrophilic IOLs. The IOL is held within a cartridge submerged in saline during storage, then removed and attached to the main body of an injector (dry) immediately prior to use, much as described above in connection with the early titanium injectors 10. Examples of known semi-preloaded injectors include: Polysert PPS Acrylat, hydrophobic aspheric; XL Stabi Sky Acrylat, Hydrophilic, aspheric; and Slimflex m1.2.3, Acrylat hydrophilic, aspheric (respectively manufactured by Polytech, Zeiss and Technoko).
The clinical argument for preloaded lenses is convincing. Manual loading of IOLs into injectors is usually carried out by the end user (e.g. a nurse or a surgeon), often in low light and under the stress of operating theatre conditions. Since manual insertion of the lens into the cartridge is not necessary with preloaded injectors, there is no additional risk of contamination, no mechanical damage because of contact with the lens by instruments, no 180° upside-down confusion, and no loss of the IOL on the operating table. Injection of the IOL is standardized. The injector systems themselves are all disposable materials; there is absolutely no more need for complicated preparation of the instruments for re-use.
As mentioned above, with some known cartridges 20, the IOL 50 may be held in an unfolded state within the injector 10. Accordingly, when the cartridge 20 is inserted into the injector 10, the IOL remains unfolded. It is only once the IOL is engaged and urged out of the tip 18 of the injector by the plunger 16 that the IOL becomes folded for injection through the incision in the eye.
In some known cartridges, the cartridge is manipulated prior to insertion into the injector in order to fold the IOL within. For example, the currently most common IOL injector cartridge format includes a pair of hinged flaps that, in a first configuration, define a chamber that holds the IOL in an unfolded state. When the flaps are hinged together, the chamber becomes reduced in size, thus folding the IOL within. This is also the case with integral cartridges; the IOL is inserted into a loading bay of the injector (defined within the integral cartridge) at the point of use in an unfolded state and the flaps of the cartridge are then closed to fold the IOL.


A flash disk card using a flash memory is provided with MPU for converting the cylinder, head and sector numbers, which are input from a host device, into a logical block address (LBA) and a sector address in block format, determining a physical block address (PBA) having the same size as that of an erase block from the logical block address with reference to a logical/physical block address conversion table stored in the flash memory, and accessing the flash memory on the basis of the physical block address. The flash disk card permits a decrease in size of the address conversion table, can be constructed at low cost, and has no need for constructing the table at each time a power supply is turned on.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a flash disk card equipped with a flash memory for use as an external storage medium for an information processing device.
2. Description of the Related Art
A known flash disk card will be described below with reference to FIGS. 10 to 14. FIG. 10 is a drawing illustrating the configuration of the known flash disk card. FIG. 11 is a drawing illustrating the configuration of an address conversion table of the known flash disk card. FIG. 12 is a drawing illustrating an addressing system of the known flash disk card. FIG. 13 is a drawing illustrating the configuration of a flash memory of the known flash disk card. FIG. 14 is a drawing illustrating a change in content of the address conversion table of the known flash disk card.
In FIG. 10, a known flash disk card 1 comprises a flash disk control circuit 3 having a plurality of registers for receiving and transmitting cylinder, head and sector numbers or commands from the host device 2 such as a computer or the like, a MPU 4 for controlling the flash disk card, a logical/physical sector address conversion table 5 comprising a 1 Mbit SRAM, a flash memory array 6, for example, having 20 Mbytes, and a sector buffer 7 comprising a RAM.
As shown in FIG. 11, the logical/physical sector address conversion table 5 converts logical sector addresses (LSA) into physical sector addresses (PSA) of the flash memory array 6.
The flash memory array 6, which is an electrically rewritable nonvolatile memory, requires an erasing operation requiring more time than reading and writing operations during data rewriting. The flash memory array 6 erases data in blocks of several kilo-bytes to several tens kilobytes or chips. This unit is greater than the sector size (512 bytes) which is the unit of data transfer of a hard disk device.
Thus, the flash disk card 1, which emulates a hard disk device, i.e., performs a pseudo-operation, by using the flash memory array 6 generally employs the method of displaying only a flag indicating that the old sector is invalid without erasing the data of the old sector in response to a command to update data in units of sectors. The command is output from the host device 2, and writing updates data in a space area of the flash memory array 6.
In this method, since the correspondence between the sector-unit address (logical sector address: LSA) specified by the host device 2 and the address (physical sector address: PSA) of the flash memory 6 where update data is actually written changes each time data is updated, the logical/physical sector address conversion table 5 shown in FIG. 11 is used.
Like access to the hard disk device, the flash disk card 1 is accessed from the host device 2 by specifying a cylinder number, a head number and a sector number in four registers of the flash disk control circuit 3, as shown in FIG. 12. Two registers are used for higher and lower cylinder numbers. The cylinder number, head number and sector number are then converted into a logical sector address. This address conversion is performed on the basis of the following equation (1): EQU LSA=(C.times.HpC+H).times.SpH+S-1 (1)
wherein C is the cylinder number, HpC is the number of heads per cylinder, H is the head number, SpH is the number of sectors per head, and S is the sector number.
The MPU 4 converts the logical sector address (LSA) into the physical sector address (PSA) with reference to the logical/physical sector address conversion table 5. The physical sector address is used for operations of reading and writing data.
Description will now be made of update of a content, for example, the content of logical sector address L2, of the flash memory 6. As shown in FIG. 13, the flash memory 6 has a data area having physical sector addresses of P0, P1, P2 to PX, and a space area having physical sector addresses from PY. In the flash memory 6, the logical sector addresses L0 to L2 are presently used (data is actually stored).
The MPU 4 first reads the content of the present logical sector address L2 (physical sector address P2), confirms that the read data is effective, and then sets an invalid sector flag (mark .DELTA.). The MPU 4 then checks the content of physical sector address PY of the space area, confirms that the sector is a spare sector, and then writes update data therein.
The content of the physical sector address corresponding to logical sector address L2 of the logical/physical sector address conversion table 5 is converted from 2 to Y, as shown in FIG. 14.
In this way, since the correspondence between the sector-unit address (LSA) specified by the host device 2 and the physical sector address (PSA) of the flash memory 6 where update data is actually written changes each time data is updated, the logical/physical sector address conversion table 5 is used. In a simple writing operation, the MPU 4 adds the logical/physical sector address conversion table 5 for causing the logical sector address to correspond to the physical sector address.
Although SRAM is used for the logical/physical sector address conversion table 5 because of the rewriting frequency and high speed, the conversion table 5 is formed in units of sectors (512 bytes), thereby causing the problem that the size of the SRAM for the conversion table increases as the card capacity increases.
In an example where the flash disk card 1 has 20 Mbytes, the number of sectors is 40 k, and 16 digits (2 bytes) are required for binary representation display of the 40 k sectors. The size of the SRAM for the conversion table is thus 80 kbytes, and SRAM with 1 Mbits (128 bytes) is finally required.
The above known flash disk card 1 comprises the logical/physical sector address conversion table 5 which is formed in units of sectors, and thus has the problem that the size of the conversion table increases as the capacity of the card increases.
Although the SRAM is used for storing the large conversion table, the SRAM is volatile and thus has the problem that the table must be reconstructed each time a power supply is turned on.

Flash memory card with block memory address arrangement


The invention pertains to polyol compositions containing a lithium salt of an aliphatic or cycloaliphatic, saturated or unsaturated carboxylic acid having 2 to 7 carbon atoms and to flexible polyurethane foams having an open cell structure produced thereby.

Water-blown polyurethane foams contain many urea segments by the reaction between the isocyanate and water. Since the urea bond is less flexible than a polyurethane bond, the urea segments disadvantageously cause the foam to have a hard feel. Further, water tends to close the cells of the foam, which, in the case of slabstock foam, generally requires mechanical crushing to avoid puckering. By opening the cells of the foam with the lithium salts of the invention, one obtains a polyurethane flexible foam which is dimensionally stable and does not shrink either as a free rise or in the mold.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,108,975 describes the production of flexible polyurethane foams using certain basic compounds as catalysts without the need to employ amine-based catalysts. Described as catalysts were hydroxides of lithium, potassium, and sodium, with potassium and sodium emphasized and exemplified. Also mentioned were carboxylic acid salts of these metals, the carboxylic acids being predominately long chained but also including acetic and phthalic acid. The requirement for each of these compounds, however, is that they exhibit predominately basic activity and act as a source of hydroxide ions or anions to catalyze the reaction between isocyanate and polyol in a water-blown system. Thus, with an acetate group, the basic compound potassium acetate is exemplified; and with a water-based metal such as sodium, sodium hydroxide is exemplified. In the present invention, however, the lithium metal ion exhibits much weaker basic activity than sodium or potassium ions; and when combined with stronger short chain carboxylic acids having 1-6 carbon atoms, the lithium salts exhibit insufficient basic activity to act as catalyst substitutes for the above-described amine-based catalysts of U.S. Pat. No. 3,108,975.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,041,295 also describes the use of a lithium compound in flexible polyurethane water-blown foams but only in combination with a phosphate ester to prevent high temperature, high humidity breakdown of the foam. As in the previous patent, the lithium compound must exhibit basic activity; and exemplified are lithium carbonate, lithium hydroxide, and lithium ricinoleate. The lithium salts of the invention, however, are short chain carboxylic acid salts of lithium, which salts exhibit very weak basic, almost neutral, activity and are used as cell openers and aids in reduction of foam density.


A B-pillar for a vehicle includes an inner plate and an outer plate disposed to be opposite to each other; and a first reinforcing plate, wherein the inner plate and the outer plate forms a cavity, the cavity being surrounded by the inner plate and the outer plate to extend in a vertical direction and have a closed cross section, the first reinforcing plate is disposed in an upper region of the cavity, the first reinforcing plate includes a first reinforcing segment and a second reinforcing segment to be connected with each other, a front edge and a rear edge of the first reinforcing segment are connected to an inner wall surface of the cavity, and a front edge or a rear edge of the second reinforcing segment is apart away from the inner wall surface of the cavity with an interval therebetween to form a notch portion.

Generally, a B-pillar for a vehicle extends between a roof rail and a bottom locker of the vehicle in a direction from bottom to top of the vehicle. Basically, an upper portion of the B-pillar is formed to be delicate and provided with a seatbelt mounting hole such that the rigidity of the upper portion of the B-pillar is relatively low. When a collision occurs toward the lateral side of the vehicle occurs, the upper portion of the B-pillar is often deformed to be concave toward the inner side and fractured so as to cause the roof of the vehicle to be recessed and expose the occupant in the vehicle to danger.
According to the conventional technology, in order to improve the collision resistance strength in the lateral direction of the vehicle for resisting the collision from the lateral side of the B-pillar, generally, a reinforcing member is added to the B-pillar so as to significantly reduce the degree of the recess deformation of the B-pillar toward the vehicle interior space due to the external collision.
For example, a B-pillar for a vehicle is disclosed in Patent Document 1. The B-pillar for a vehicle disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes an inner plate and an outer plate being disposed to be opposite to each other, and a reinforcing plate. The reinforcing plate is positioned between an upper region of the outer plate and an upper region of the inner plate. A length direction of the reinforcing plate is coincided with either of a length direction of the inner plate or a length direction of the outer plate. In the upper region of the whole B-pillar, the outer plate, the reinforcing plate, and the inner plate are disposed in this sequence along a thickness direction of the B-pillar such that the strength of the upper region of the B-pillar for a vehicle is improved.
However, according to the B-pillar disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the collision to the lateral surface of the vehicle occurs, the inner plate and the outer plate are easy to be peeled from each other. Due to the reinforcing plate provided to the upper portion of the B-pillar, the rigidity of the whole B-pillar is significantly improved and in response, the deformation capability of the B-pillar is weaken. Accordingly, when the external collision is applied to the upper portion of the B-pillar and the external collision force is transmitted to the inner plate via the outer plate and the reinforcing plate, the rigidity of the inner plate that is connected to the outer plate with the reinforcing plate is increased such that it is difficult for the inner plate to be deformed. When an excessive collision force is applied to the upper portion of the inner plate, the inner plate and the outer plate are easy to be peeled from each other and bent toward the vehicle interior space to result in injury to the occupants inside the vehicle.


An optical identification label consisting of an area of hologram or diffraction grating which is transparent to visible light but reflects incident light with a specific reflective directivity. By identifying the reflectivity directivity, it is possible to identify the authenticity of the label and, hence, the object to which the identification label is affixed. The fact that the identification label is transparent to human eyes offers a strong discouraging effect on potential forgers. Further, the pattern of the reflected light may be used as means for encoding data.

Conventionally is known the structure in which hologram which is difficult to duplicate is affixed as an identification label to objects such as magnetic cards and other information storage cards, stocks and bonds, tickets, and other commercial goods to identify their authenticity, and such a label is disclosed, for instance, in Japanese utility model laid-open publication (kokai) No. 61-182580.
However, such an identification label is necessarily affixed to a location which can be readily and visually identified because it is required to be visually identified. Therefore, the freedom of the design of the object tends to be reduced because the position, shape and color of the identification label must be considered as a part of the design, and the external appearance of the object may be seriously impaired because of the failure to achieve an acceptable design balance.
According to the disclosure of Japanese patent laid-open publication (kokai) No. 3-71383 by the applicant of this patent application, a hologram area having a unique diffraction property is provided on the surface of an object, and this hologram area is identified with an identification unit serving as optical identification means. By using this structure, since the object consists of an object having a fixed shape, such as information storage cards, stocks and bonds, and tickets, and the identification process is carried out by the identification unit, it is possible to place an identification label at an inconspicuous location on the object and to improve the freedom in the design of the object, but the very existence of the identification label on the surface of the object could not totally eliminate the restriction on the design of the object.
Meanwhile, as for the system in which the identification process is carried out with a machine, since the operator is not required to heed the location at which the identification label is placed, it is preferable to make the visual recognition of the existence of the identification label difficult as much as possible to the end of discouraging any attempt to duplicate the identification label with an fraudulent intent.

Transparent optical identification label with infrared directivity


Described are fluorochemical surfactants derived from nonafluorobutanesulfonyl fluoride that contain polyalkyleneoxy side chains and may be copolymerized with acrylic acid or methacrylic acid to form polyacrylates or polymethacrylates. The surfactants surprisingly lower the surface tension of water and other liquids in the same or similar low values achieved by premier surfactants such as those derived from perfluorooctane sulfonyl fluoride.

The art of surfactants, particularly surfactants with fluorochemical chains, shows a preference for such surfactants with longer fluorochemical chains, e.g., C6-C10 in U.S. Pat. No. 2,803,615 and C6-C12 in U.S. Pat. No. 3,787,351. Even in hydrocarbon surfactants, increasing the chain length of the hydrocarbon chain decreases the CMC (critical micelle concentration); the decrease in CMC is roughly one order of magnitude for each —CH2CH2— added to the chain (Amphoteric Surfactants, edited by Eric G. Lomax, Marcel Dekker Inc. (1996), p. 13). The same trend has been noted in surfactants derived from the perfluorocarboxylic acids and sulfonic acids (Organofluorine Chemicals and their Industrial Applications, edited by R. E. Banks, Ellis Horwood Ltd. (1979), p. 56; J. O. Hendrichs, Ind. Eng Chem, 45, 1953, p. 103; M. K. Bernett and W. A. Zisman, J. Phys. Chem., 63, 1959, p. 1912). Data exist that suggest that only after the seven outermost carbon atoms are fully fluorinated do the contact angles of various liquids on the surface approach those of a perfluoro fatty acid monolayer (N. O. Brace, J. Org. Chem., 27, 1962, p. 4491; W. A. Zisman, Advan. Chem. 1964, p. 22). Since models to explain the actions of surfactants often invoke the monolayer of the surfactant on the air/liquid interface, one would expect the same to be true of fluorinated surfactants, and that activity of the surfactant is closely tied to its chain length.
We have found the same trend when the surface tensions of C4F9SO3K and C8F17SO3K were measured in water. The results are shown in FIG. 1. We have also found that the same trend can be observed in a series of homologous fluorinated glycamide salts shown in FIG. 2. In each case the surface tension of the resulting solution of the C4F9SO2N-containing surfactant was significantly higher at the same concentration than the C8F17SO2N-containing surfactant. Based on the above, use of a C4F9SO2N-containing surfactant in an application would be disadvantageous over a C8F17SO2N-containing surfactant because higher levels would be required and the end result would potentially be higher expense and adverse effects on the properties of the composition used in the application.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A modulation system includes an amplitude modulation path and a phase modulation path coupled to the amplitude modulation path. One of the amplitude modulation path and the phase modulation path receive a reduced current such that the reduced current reduces power consumption by the system. Preferably, the amplitude modulation path receives the reduced current. The amplitude modulation path has a first set of components and a second set of components. The first set of components consumes less power by using slower operation. The second set of components consumes less power by effectively not operating, or being turned off.

The 3GPP standard TS25.101 (section 188.8.131.52) sets the following requirements on adjacent channel leakage power ratio measurement for mobile phones: Adjacent channel leakage power ratio (ACLR) is the ratio of the transmitted power to the power measured after a receiver filter in the adjacent channel(s). Both the transmitted power and the received power are measured with a filter that has a root-raised cosine (RRC) filter response with roll-off α=0.22 and a bandwidth equal to the chip rate. The following table indicates the requirement for ACLR according to the 3GPP TS25.101 standard.
UE channelACLR limit ±5 MHz−33 dB or −50 dBm, which ever is higher±10 MHz−43 dB or −50 dBm, which ever is higher
These values apply to the complete mobile phone. The requirements for the different modules and components of a mobile phone are typically more demanding in order to meet the overall performance requirement for the standard. One of ordinary skill recognizes additional standards, such as, for example, the Universal Mobile Telephone Service (UMTS) standard, which is further discussed below in relation to particular embodiments of the invention.

Selective envelope modulation enabling reduced current consumption


A method improves voice recognition by improving storage of voice recognition (VR) templates. The improved storage means that more VR models can be stored in memory. The more VR models that are stored in memory, the more robust the VR system, and therefore the more accurate the VR system. Lossy compression techniques are used to compress VR models. In one embodiment, Mu-law compression and A-law expansion are used to compress and expand VR models. In another embodiment, Mu-law compression and Mu-law expansion are used to compress and expand VR models. VR models are compressed during a training process, and they are expanded during voice recognition.

1. Field
The present invention pertains generally to the field of communications and more specifically to a system and method for improving storage of templates in a voice recognition system.
2. Background
Voice recognition (VR) represents one of the most important techniques to endow a machine with simulated intelligence to recognize user or user-voiced commands and to facilitate human interface with the machine. VR also represents a key technique for human speech understanding. Systems that employ techniques to recover a linguistic message from an acoustic speech signal are called voice recognizers. The term "voice recognizer" is used herein to mean generally any spoken-user-interface-enabled device.
The use of VR (also commonly referred to as speech recognition) is becoming increasingly important for safety reasons. For example, VR may be used to replace the manual task of pushing buttons on a wireless telephone keypad. This is especially important when a user is initiating a telephone call while driving a car. When using a phone without VR, the driver must remove one hand from the steering wheel and look at the phone keypad while pushing the buttons to dial the call. These acts increase the likelihood of a car accident. A speech-enabled phone (i.e., a phone designed for speech recognition) would allow the driver to place telephone calls while continuously watching the road. In addition, a hands-free car-kit system would permit the driver to maintain both hands on the steering wheel during call initiation.
Speech recognition devices are classified as either speaker-dependent (SD) or speaker-independent (SI) devices. Speaker-dependent devices, which are more common, are trained to recognize commands from particular users. In contrast, speaker-independent devices are capable of accepting voice commands from any user. To increase the performance of a given VR system, whether speaker-dependent or speaker-independent, training is required to equip the system with valid parameters. In other words, the system needs to learn before it can function optimally.
An exemplary vocabulary for a hands-free car kit might include the digits on the keypad; the keywords "call," "send," "dial," "cancel," "clear," "add," "delete," "history," "program," "yes," and "no"; and the names of a predefined number of commonly called coworkers, friends, or family members. Once training is complete, the user can initiate calls by speaking the trained keywords, which the VR device recognizes by comparing the spoken utterances with the previously trained utterances (stored as templates) and taking the best match. For example, if the name "John" were one of the trained names, the user could initiate a call to John by saying the phrase "Call John." The VR system would recognize the words "Call" and "John," and would dial the number that the user had previously entered as John's telephone number. Garbage templates are used to represent all words not in the vocabulary.
Combining multiple VR engines provides enhanced accuracy and uses a greater amount of information in the input speech signal. A system and method for combining VR engines is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/618,177 (hereinafter '177 application) entitled "COMBINED ENGINE SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR VOICE RECOGNITION", filed Jul. 18, 2000, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/657,760 (hereinafter '760 application) entitled "SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATIC VOICE RECOGNITION USING MAPPING," filed Sep. 8, 2000, which are assigned to the assignee of the present invention and fully incorporated herein by reference.
Although a VR system that combines VR engines is more accurate than a VR system that uses a singular VR engine, each VR engine of the combined VR system may include inaccuracies because of a noisy environment. An input speech signal may not be recognized because of background noise. Background noise may result in no match between an input speech signal and a template from the VR system's vocabulary or may cause a mismatch between an input speech signal and a template from the VR system's vocabulary. When there is no match between the input speech signal and a template, the input speech signal is rejected. A mismatch results when a template that does not correspond to the input speech signal is chosen by the VR system. The mismatch condition is also known as substitution because an incorrect template is substituted for a correct template.
An embodiment that improves VR accuracy in the case of background noise is desired. An example of background noise that can cause a rejection or a mismatch is when a cell phone is used for voice dialing while driving and the input speech signal received at the microphone is corrupted by additive road noise. The additive road noise may degrade voice recognition and accuracy and cause a rejection or a mismatch.
Another example of noise that can cause a rejection or a mismatch is when the speech signal received at a microphone placed on the visor or a headset is subjected to convolutional distortion. Noise caused by convolutional distortion is known as convolutional noise and frequency mismatch. Convolutional distortion is dependent on many factors, such as distance between the mouth and microphone, frequency response of the microphone, acoustic properties of the interior of the automobile, etc. Such conditions may degrade voice recognition accuracy.
Traditionally, prior VR systems have included a RASTA filter to filter convolutional noise. However, background noise was not filtered by the RASTA filter. Such a filter is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,450,522. Thus, there is a need for a technique to filter both convolutional noise and background noise. Such a technique would improve the accuracy of a VR system.
In a VR system, whether it is a speaker-dependent or speaker-independent VR system, the number of templates that can be stored in a memory of both of these types of VR systems is limited by the size of the memory. The limited size of the memory limits the robustness of the VR system because of the limited number of templates that can be stored. A system and method that increases the number of templates that can be stored in the memory of these VR systems is desired.


The disclosure provides a delay line circuit including an output stage. The output stage includes a first inverter cell, a second inverter cell, a correction circuit, and a first switch capacitor array. The input terminal of the first inverter cell receives a reference clock signal. The input terminal of the second inverter cell is coupled with the output terminal of the first inverter cell. The first terminal of the correction circuit is coupled with the output terminal of the first inverter cell, and the second terminal of the correction circuit is coupled with a ground, wherein the correction circuit corrects a duty cycle of the delay line circuit. The first terminal of the first switch capacitor array is coupled with the output terminal of the second inverter cell, and the second terminal of the first switch capacitor array is coupled with the ground.

A digitally-controlled delay line (DCDL) circuit with multiple stages is widely used in various applications (e.g., multi-phase outputs). However, since the output of each stage of the DCDL contributes slightly unbalanced rise/fall time, the output duty cycle of the DCDL would be unsatisfying. Therefore, to people with ordinary skills in the art it is crucial to design a mechanism for correcting the output duty cycle of the DCDL.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.


A damper device is provided between an engine and a transmission and has a torque distribution mechanism that is provided with a first input element connected to the engine, a second input element connected to the engine via a first elastic member, a first output element connected to transmission, and a second output element connected to the transmission via a second elastic member. The damper device further has a first clutch that is provided between the first output element and the transmission and that is switched between an engaged state of connecting the first output element to the transmission and a released state of disconnecting the first output element from the transmission, and a second clutch that is provided between the second output element and the transmission and that is switched between an engaged state of connecting the second output element to the transmission and a released state of disconnecting the second output element from the transmission.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a damper device that is disposed between an engine and a transmission.
2. Related Art
A damper device is disposed between an engine and a transmission in order to reduce torsional vibration that is transmitted from the engine to the transmission. For example, a damper has been proposed that comprises two flywheels connected to each other via a spring (see PCT International Publication No. WO 2012/66680 A1).
The connection of the two flywheels via the spring can suppress the torsional vibration of the engine.
Damper devices are designed so as to exclude a resonance point (natural frequency) of the damper device from a normal region of engine revolutions, through adjustment of the mass and spring constant of the various members that make up the damper device. Through mere adjustment of masses and spring constants in the damper device, however, it is difficult to exclude the resonance point of the damper device from a wide region, extending from a low-revolutions region to a high-revolutions region. Accordingly, it is difficult to suppress torsional vibration of the engine over a wide region in cases where conventional damper devices are used.


The invention relates to a print head (10) for a 3D printer (1), comprising a feed section (11) having a feeder (12) for a starting material (21) that is variable in the viscosity thereof; a plasticizing zone (14) having a heater (15) and an outlet opening (16) for the liquid phase (22) of the starting material (21); and a conveying device (30) for conveying the starting material (21) from the feed section (11) to the plasticizing zone (14), wherein the conveying device (30) comprises a piston (31) that can be inserted into the feed section (11). The invention is characterized in that the piston (31) has a first piston portion (5) facing the plasticizing zone (14) and having a guide surface (9), through which the piston (31) is guided in a bore (7) of the print head (10).

The present invention relates to a print head for a 3D printer.
A 3D printer for a material of variable viscosity receives a solid phase of this material as the raw material, produces a liquid phase therefrom, and applies this liquid phase selectively at the locations which belong to the object to be created. Such a 3D printer comprises a print head in which the raw material is prepared for printing. Also provided are means for generating a relative movement between the print head and the working surface on which it is intended for the object to be formed. Either just the print head, just the working surface, or both the print head and the working surface can thus be moved.
The print head has a first operating state in which liquid material is discharged from it, and a second operating state in which no liquid material is discharged from it. The second operating state is assumed, for example, when it is intended to move to a different position on the working surface and that no material is deposited en route. It is possible to switch, for example, between the two operating states of the print head by switching the advance of the solid raw material on and off.
The most common method is "fused deposition modeling" (FDM), in which a filament of the raw material is melted in an electrically heated extruder nozzle and applied to a platform in layers. In such a filament form, the raw material is very expensive. It is proposed in US 2016/082 627 A1 to feed in the raw material in pellets and convey it by means of a screw conveyor to a heated zone from which it is discharged in plasticized form. On the one hand, pellets are less expensive and, on the other hand, mixtures of different thermoplastic materials can be produced simply in this way.
It is moreover known from the application DE102016222306 which had not yet been published at the date of this application to plasticize pellets by means of a piston and a heated path. When the piston presses against the pellets, they are compressed and conveyed to a plasticization zone. Forces occur here which highly stress the piston and a cylinder wall of the print head.


A control panel assembly for controlling a home appliance is provided. The control panel assembly includes a control board including at least one functional component. A control panel is coupled to the control board. The control panel forms a central cylinder defining an opening. A knob is positioned within the opening. The knob includes a front side, a rear side, a first cylindrical portion extending from the rear side and coupled to the control panel, and a second cylindrical portion extending from the rear side. The knob is configured to shield the control board from damage.

This invention relates generally to home appliances and, more particularly, to an appliance knob mounting system and method.
Known home appliances include a control panel on which a plurality of control knobs is mounted. In some applications using an electronic control, a control chassis assembly is used to provide protection from imparted forces on the knob and prevent or limit control board contamination. Without the use of a chassis, the control board and its components are susceptible to damage from forces imparted to the knobs. As is the case with many home appliances, liquids may spill on the control board during use, which may contaminate the control board.

Appliance knob mounting system and method


The present invention provides a container-transporting device which fundamentally avoids the problems caused by elongations and the structure of endless chains, which is inevitably created by using endless chains in the container-transporting conveyors for conventional filling-and-packaging machines. It is a container-transporting device for holding and transporting a square-cylindrical container 36 by a container holder 34 formed between container-transporting means 32 and 33 disposed to face parallel with each other, wherein the container conveying means 32 and 33 are equipped with: a number of blocks 40 having a holding part 38 constituting a part of a container holder 34; outward block-support members 42 and homeward block-support members 44, arranged by extending in the conveying direction, for supporting a number of blocks 40 in a movable condition along the conveying direction; a first transfer means 46 capable of sequentially transferring the blocks 40 that have been conveyed while being supported by the outward block-support members 42 to the homeward block-support members 44; a second transfer means 48 capable of sequentially transferring the blocks 40 that have been conveyed while being supported by the homeward block-support members 44 to the outward block-support members 42; and a block delivering means 50 capable of delivering and conveying the blocks 40 so that each block 40 can be circulated.

Conventionally, a high-speed liquid-filling machine equipped with a filling station illustrated in FIG. 9 for example, is known as a high-speed liquid-filling machine for filling liquid such as milk and juice to paper containers. Such a high-speed liquid-filling machine is equipped with: a machine frame 1 having a filling station; a transporting conveyor 2 capable of transporting containers in such a manner that they stop in succession at the filling station; a rotative body 4 having a radial mandrel 3, disposed upward of the starting end of the transport path of the transporting conveyor 2; a filling device 8 having a filling tank 5, a quantifying cylinder 6, and a filling nozzle 7, and a container lifting-and-lowering means 9, disposed at the filling station located in the midpoint of the transport path; a heat sealer 10 disposed on the latter half of the transport path, and so on.
Filling and packaging by the above high-speed liquid-filling machine is effected by the following steps of: unfolding a container material (carton blank) into a square-cylindrical shape, while taking it out from a magazine 11 retaining the container material which is capable of being formed into a square-cylindrical shape; inserting and setting the unfolded material in succession to the mandrel 3; heating the edged of the material that will form the bottom of the container by a bottom-heating device 12; folding flat the heated circumferential edge of the container by a container-edge folding device 13; crimping the above flat-folded edge by a container-bottom-application device 14 to form a square-cylindrical container with a bottom; and shifting the square-cylindrical container with a bottom from the mandrel to container holders fixed to endless chains 15. The above transporting conveyor 2 is comprised of: the endless chains 15 coupled with a plurality of the container holders; and a pair of sprockets 16 and 17 provided at the starting end and the terminal end of the transport path respectively, where the endless chains 15 are bridged.
The square-cylindrical containers with a bottom shifted onto the transporting conveyor are transported intermittently by the container holders fixed to the endless chains 15, over a rail 18 which provides a bottom support for and guides the containers. The square-cylindrical containers are then transported through a preparative folding device 19 which marks fold lines on the square-cylindrical containers with a bottom so that the top of the containers can be easily interfolded into a roof shape, and through a sterilizer 20 which sterilizes the inside of the container by oxygenated-water spray and/or ultraviolet irradiation, and finally reach the filling station. The square-cylindrical containers with a bottom intermittently transported and stopped at the filling station are then pushed up by the container lifting-and-lowering device 9. When the container reaches the top dead center, the filling nozzle 7 starts filling the descending container with liquid until the head of the filling nozzle 7 is withdrawn from the descended container, and the container-transporting starts almost at the same time as the filling is completed. The square-cylindrical containers with a bottom filled with liquid are then transported via a main-folding device 21 which finally interfolds the container top with the pre-folded lines into a roof shape, and via a container-top heating device 22 which heats the sealing surface of the interfolded container top. The container top is then heat-sealed by crimping by a heat sealer 10 and is printed with a date and the like by a printer 23, and then the containers are discharged as liquid-filled, packaged products.
Incidentally, chain conveyors used as container-transporting conveyors are commonly known to generate chain elongation due to abrasions of endless chains over a long period of use. For example, in roller endless chains, constituted by sequential combinations of pin links and roller links, wherein each pin link has pin link plates at both ends of the two pins, and each roller link has roller link plates at both ends of the two bushings on which the rollers are fitted rotatably, it is known that the pin and the bushing which respectively constitute slide portions are brought into contact with each other in use and hence, the pin and the bushing are abraded thus decreasing thickness thereof whereby the elongation of the endless chain is generated. The generated endless-chain elongations displace the center position of the container holders into the transporting direction resulting in various drawbacks such as the seizure of endless chain into a sprocket wheel or a conveyor rail at the time of transportation and the leaking of liquid from the container after filling besides the displacement of centering between the device such as the filling device operable in each group of devices and the container. Particularly, with respect to the displacement of centering, it has been absorbed by moving the filling device or the like in the conveying direction. However, there exists a limit with respect to the absorption of the displacement and hence, when the absorption of the displacement reached the limit, it has been determined that the lifetime of the endless chain had almost run down and the endless chains have been exchanged at the same time.
Meanwhile, as a technique for applying a preferred tension to the chains, a take-up of a chain conveyor is known, such take-up comprising: a holding arm which is freely pivotable within a given area where a driven sprocket bridged with chains is fixed at the head position and is so arranged that it can be moved closer to or further away from a drive sprocket; a biasing means biasing the holding arm into the direction to which the driven sprocket can be moved away from the drive sprocket; and a locking means which lock-releasably locks the pivot of the holding arm at any given position within the pivot area (see Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 5-338758).
The latest type of this high-speed liquid-filling machine is made with a view to achieving an even higher performance (speeding up of the operation) without changing the number of rows and conveying pitches and hence, a time cycle of the intermittent operations of the conveyor is shortened. In order to conduct the given container supplying, filling, lid-material sealing and the like within this short time cycle, particularly within a short intermittent stop time, sections for container supplying, filling, lid-material sealing and the like are provided at plural sections. Providing plural sections for filling, sealing, sterilizing and the like inevitably leads to an elongated machine length. In the latest type of this filling-and-packaging machine with elongated machine length, in order to achieve higher performance, positioning accuracy of container holders transported to each station of container supplying, filling and lid-material sealing should be as precise as possible. However, as long as conventional endless chains are used in transporting conveyors, problems resulting from elongation of endless chains in use, more specifically, regular positioning adjustment of each station and replacement of endless chains for making as precise as possible the center-position accuracy of the container holders transported to each station for container supplying, filling and lid-material sealing, were simply unavoidable. Particularly, in conventional container transporting conveyor apparatuses, the drive source (drive sprocket) has to be provided at the downstream-side end of the transport path, and in this case, the displacement of the container holders due to chain elongation would arise more significantly as the distance from drive source of the transporting apparatus increases, namely, notably at the starting-end of the transport path. Hence, the container supplying device which is situated at the very starting-end side of the transport path is most susceptible to positioning displacement of container holders, which has been a serious problem. Moreover, another problem has been that, as stated above, as there is a limit to the chain-adjustment task, and chains that have elongated beyond this adjustment limit have to be replaced; and further that link parts are provided with some allowance which resulted in poor accuracy of stop position for the objects transported.


A local probe measuring device is provided for effecting local measurements of a sample. This device includes first and second local probes for local measurements with respect to a sample or a reference surface. A measurement condition adjustment arrangement is adapted to commonly adjust first and second measurement conditions of the respective first and second local probes with respect to the sample or the reference surface. A detection arrangement is provided that includes first detection arrangement associated with the first local probe adapted to independently detect first measurement data referring to local measurements reflected by first local probe and a second detection arrangement associated with the second local probe adapted to independently detect second measurement data referring to local measurements effected by second local probe. Further, methods for effecting local measurements and local manipulations using multiple local probes are provided.

Scanning force microscopes (SFM) were in developed in 1986 by Binnig et al. (compare: Binnig, G. et al., PhysRev Letters, 1986, Vol. 56(9), p. 930–933) for imaging non-conducting surface with atomic resolution. They have since become a widely used tool in the semi-conductor industry, biological research and surface science. The first SFM was basically a thin metal foil acting as a cantilever, which was jammed between an STM-tip and the sample surface. Since the cantilever was a conducting metal, it become possible to measure the surface corrugation of non-conducting samples by monitoring how the foremost tip of the cantilever pointing towards the sample was deflected while moving across the sample surface on the basis of a tunneling current between the cantilever and a probing tip according to the scanning tunneling microscopy principle. Today, the registration of a laser's deflection from the back of the cantilever on a segmented photodiode is commonly used for this task (compare: Meyer, G. et al., Physics Letters, 1988, Vol. 53, p. 1045–1047).
Just as Binnig and Rohrer were originally interested in doing local spectroscopy on superconductors while developing the scanning tunneling microscope (STM) in 1981 (compare: Binnig, G. et al., ApplPhys Letters, 1982, Vol. 40, p. 178–180). The SFM was soon applied to local measurements of forces between different materials in vacuum, gaseous atmospheres, and in liquid. For many researches in different fields, the SFM has become an instrument for measuring local force-distance profiles on the atomic and molecular scale. Measurements that have been performed recently were concerned with ligand-receptor binding forces (compare: Florin et al., Science 1994, Vol. 264, p. 415–417), the unfolding and refolding of proteins (compare: Rief et al., Science, 1997, Vol. 276, p. 1109–1112), stretching of DNA as well as monitoring charge migration on semiconductors and conductor/insulator surfaces (compare: Yoo, M. J., et al., Science, 1997, Vol. 276, p. 579–582).
Local measurements of forces between tip and surface suffer from the following problems: 1) drift of the positioning arrangement, generally a piezo (immediately after the piezo has been extended or compressed); 2) hysteresis of the positioning arrangement or piezo; 3) mechanical drift; 4) thermal drift between sensor and sample on time scales ranging from seconds to hours; and 5) general mechanical instability resulting from the fact that the sensors' mechanical "feedback" on the sample is typically realized via a mechanical arm of much larger dimensions and mass than the sensor itself.
These problems can be alleviated to some degree if the force between tip and surface and, therefore, the distance between substrate and sample surface is kept constant, for instance, by keeping the deflection angle of the cantilever constant (constant force mode). This is restricted to cases, though, where the lever (cantilever) is actually in contact with the sample surface and the normal force on the tip is large enough so as to be well distinguishable from any background noise.
A minimal force-level in the range of a hundred pN is generally required to provide a stable feedback control. Many interactions, especially of biological molecules under physiological conditions, are in the range well below 100 pN down to the level of thermally induced fluctuation forces of the cantilever. Presently available instruments are not capable of locally stabilized measurements at well-defined distances from the sample in this important force range of thermally fluctuating sensors (few pN).
Furthermore, data often need to be sampled locally over time periods of seconds to hours. Stability problems (as enumerated above) of instruments available to date ultimately render such measurements impossible.

Multiple local probe measuring device and method

Europaisches Laboratorium fur Molekularbiologie (EMBL)


An ultrasonic detection device is constructed in such a way as to include a discriminating processing unit (a time width detecting part 13 and a pulse width discrimination part 14) for approximating the shape of each signal which is a reflection signal which is reflected from an object as a result of transmitting a ultrasonic pulse toward the object, or a noise as an isosceles triangle and computing a pulse time width equal to the length of the base of the approximating isosceles triangle, and for discriminating between the reflection signal and the noise signal by determining whether the computed pulse time width exceeds a predetermined pulse width discrimination threshold. Therefore, the ultrasonic detection device can determine the pulse time width with stability, and carry out the discriminating process with a high degree of reliability.

An ultrasonic detection device as mentioned above is disclosed by patent reference 1, for example. The ultrasonic detection device disclosed in patent reference 1 measures a pulse time width and stores this pulse time width temporarily by amplifying a reflection signal into which a noise is mixed, and, after that, shaping the waveform of the reflection signal by counting a clock by using the reflection signal shaped in waveform as a gate. Then, the ultrasonic detection device measures pulse time widths sequentially by performing the same process, and, when the pulse time width of each of the immediately-preceding and next reflection signals is equal to or larger than a predetermined value, determines that the waveform at that time is that of a noise.


A modular combat load system which is portable, light weight and easily moved from one location to another and which allows the military to supply troops with mission critical consumable supplies, such as drinking water, in a combat environment. The system has sixteen modular combat load units stacked on a pallet. Each modular combat unit has a water/fuel module positioned at the upper end of the unit, a mission requirements module which comprises the lower portion of unit and a field pack module assembly which is positioned within a cavity formed within the interior of the mission requirements module. The field pack module assembly holds a plurality of field pack storage units which are stacked on top of one another within the tray. The field pack storage units are of sufficient size to hold one day of consumable supplies for use by a soldier in a combat environment.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a system for supplying the military with mission critical consumable supplies in a combat environment. More specifically, the present invention relates to a modular combat load system which is portable, light weight and is easily moved from one location to another location and which provides an efficient means for supplying the military with mission critical consumable supplies, such as drinking water, in a hostile or combat environment.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Currently, the supply of combat loads to military ground forces ashore is unique among supply scenarios in that it is driven by a time critical need for system responsiveness to unplanned material requests that are often emergency situations dealing with life and death. In particular, the timely resupply of consumables to troops ashore is a unique requirement of the military when in a combat or hostile environment and is substantially different from standard assault logistics operations.
There is also a need for a modular combat load system which comprises a one-way disposable system which allows for standardized multi-product containers that will increase the range capability of the combat service support function and improve the efficiency of the cargo delivery process.
The modular combat load system must allow for (1) a standard unit of distribution and unit of issue; (2) for a seamless flow of supplies from manufacturer to user; (3) provide for the different standard missions that the marines and other land based military personnel train for; and (4) allow for integration with logistic material movement handling equipment currently in use by the military.
The present invention overcomes some of the disadvantages of the past including those mentioned above in that it is a relatively simple in design yet offers a highly effective modular combat load system which when deployed will allow for the transport of mission critical consumable supplies, such as drinking water, to a hostile or combat environment that is beyond the reach of powered material handling equipment. This modular combat load system will then allow combat troops to carry out their mission in hostile or combat environment where conventional material handling equipment cannot operate.
The modular combat load system is portable, light weight and easily moved from one location to another location and also provides a means for the military to supply troops with mission critical consumable supplies, such as drinking water, rations, ammunition and medical supplies, in a wide range of combat environments. The system includes sixteen modular combat load units stacked on a 48 inch by 42 inch pallet. Each modular combat unit has a water/fuel module which comprises the upper portion of the unit, a mission requirements module which comprises the lower portion of unit and a field pack module assembly which is positioned within a cavity formed within the interior of the mission requirements module. The field pack module assembly holds a plurality of field pack storage units which are stacked on top of one another within the tray.
The water/fuel module of each unit contains about 5.00 gallons of water and may be fabricated from a light weight, clear plastic or polymer. When used to carry fuel, the module is fabricated from a strong cross linked polymer which is opaque to light. The field pack storage units are of sufficient size to hold one day of consumable supplies for use by a soldier in a combat environment.
The interior of mission requirements module may be used to store additional medical supplies, food and water, ammunition and other consumables used by military troops in a combat area.

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy


Systems and methods are provided for efficient tree-based detection of multi-carrier modulated signals, such as Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols. In an embodiment, a plurality of signals occupying respective tones are received and processed to determine an order, based on a tone quality metric, for the plurality of signals. The plurality of signals are then dispatched to a pool of tree detectors in accordance with the order. In an embodiment, the order ensures that signals occupying higher quality tones, and requiring shorter detection times, are dispatched first to the pool of tree detectors. In another embodiment, a maximum runtime of busy tree detectors of the pool is updated based signal on actual detection times to exploit the time slack of early terminating detectors.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates generally to Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbol detection in a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) system.
2. Background Art
One disadvantage of conventional tree-based detection algorithms for multi-carrier modulated signals (e.g., OFDM) (with multiple antennas at the transmitter transmitting multiple spatial layers and multiple antennas at the receiver) is that the detection time can vary significantly from one tone to another due to varying channel conditions. For hardware implementation purposes, this is problematic because if the actual detection time varies from tone to the next tone, the detection throughput will be non-constant. One approach to solve this problem sets a fixed limit on the number of nodes that the tree detector can visit for a given tone. If the detector is able to complete detection within this fixed limit, it will return an optimal solution (e.g., Maximum Likelihood (ML) solution). Otherwise, the detector returns a best-effort sub-optimal solution determined up to that point. A disadvantage of this approach is that it does not adapt the fixed limit from tone to the next tone and does not exploit the time slack of early terminating detectors.
The present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Generally, the drawing in which an element first appears is typically indicated by the leftmost digit(s) in the corresponding reference number.

Efficient tree-based MIMO OFDM detection


The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides which comprise an amino acid sequence consisting of a mutated functional Abl kinase domain, said mutated functional kinase domain being resistant to inhibition of its tyrosine kinase activity by N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-pyrimidin-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-4-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-ylmethyl)-benzamide or a salt thereof, to the use of such polypeptides to screen for compounds which inhibit the tyrosine kinase activity of such polypeptides, to nucleic acid molecules encoding such polypeptides, to recombinant vectors and host cells comprising such nucleic acid molecules and to the use of such nucleic acid molecules in the production of such polypeptides for use in screening for compounds which inhibit the tyrosine kinase activity of such polypeptides.

Bcr-Abl, a constitutively activated tyrosine kinase resulting from the formation of the Philadelphia chromosome [Nowell P. C. and Hungerford D. A., Science 132, 1497 (1960)] by reciprocal translocation between the long arms of chromosomes 9 and 22 [Rowley J. D., Nature 243, 290-293 (1973)], has been established as the characteristic molecular abnormality present in virtually all cases of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and up to 20 percent of adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) [Faderl S. et al., N Engl J Med 341, 164-172 (1999); Sawyers C. L., N Engl J Med 340, 1330-1340 (1999)]. Bcr-Abl is sufficient to cause CML in mice [Daley G. Q. et al., Science 247, 824-830 (1990)] and its transforming capacity is absolutely dependent on tyrosine kinase activity [Lugo T. G. et al., Science 247, 1079 (1990)]. The compound N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-pyrimidin-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-4-(4-methyl-piperazin-1-ylmethyl)-benzamide (hereinafter also referred to as "STI571"; STI571 is described in EP-0 564 409 and, in the form of the methane sulfonate salt, in WO 99/03854), a competitive inhibitor at the ATP-binding site of Bcr-Abl, as well as of the receptor for platelet-derived growth factor, and c-kit tyrosine kinase [Lugo T. G. et al., Science 247, 1079 (1990)], has been shown to be capable of very rapidly reversing the clinical and hematological abnormalities of CML in chronic phase and in blast crisis as well as of Ph-chromosome-positive (Ph+) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ALL) [Druker B. J. et al., N Engl J Med 344, 1031-1037 (2001); Druker B. J. et al., N Engl J Med 344, 1038-1042 (2001)]. Whereas almost all chronic phase CML patients durably respond, remissions in CML blast crisis and Ph+ ALL are transient, and most patients relapse after several months, despite continued therapy with STI571 [Druker B. J. et al., N Engl J Med 344, 1038-1042 (2001)]. The mechanism of resistance to STI571 is subject of intense research.
It was now surprisingly found that mutations present in the kinase domain of the Bcr-Abl gene of patients suffering from CML or Ph+ ALL account for the biological resistance of these patients towards STI571 treatment in that said mutations lead to resistance of the Bcr-Abl tyrosine kinase towards inhibition by STI571.
These findings are extremely valuable in e.g. finding new compounds or combinations of compounds which are capable to overcome resistance towards treatment with STI571. Moreover, knowledge of such mutations is also very useful in the diagnosis of Ph+ leukemias in that it allows e.g. the detection of drug-resistant clones before clinical relapse of the patient.

Detection of gleevec resistant mutations


A top plate (3) of a low-expansion crystallized glass of deep color, with a first enamel coating coated on a heating portion (5, 7, 9, 11) of the plate and a second enamel coating coated on a non-heating portion (13) around and other than the heating portion. The first enamel coating consists essentially, by weight, of 40 to 98% glass content, 5 to 55% at least one of ZrSiO.sub.4 and ZrO.sub.2 crystals, and 0 to 54% coloring pigment. The second enamel coating consists essentially, by weight, of 30 to 94% glass content, 5 to 69% TiO.sub.2 crystals, 0 to 34% coloring pigment.

This invention relates to a top plate for use in a cooker and, in particular, to a top plate having enamel coatings formed on a low-expansion crystallized glass of deep color.
Recently, demand is increasing for an electric cooker or an electromagnetic cooker provided with a heating element, such as a halogen heater, under the top plate because of its safety.
As a top plate of the cooker, a low-expansion crystallized glass plate is used with a low coefficient of thermal expansion of about -5 to 30.times.10.sup.-7 /.degree.C. within a temperature range between 30.degree. and 750.degree. C.
In Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-9056 (JP-B-3-9056), a low-expansion crystallized glass is disclosed which has a deep color and used for the top plate. The crystallized glass consists, by weight, of 60 to 70% SiO.sub.2, 14 to 28% Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, 2.5 to 5.5% Li.sub.2 O, 0.1 to 0.9% MgO, 0.1 to 0.9% ZnO, 3 to 6% TiO.sub.2, 0.03 to 0.5% V.sub.2 O.sub.5, 0.1 to 1% Na.sub.2 O, 0.1 to 1% K.sub.2 O, 0 to 1% CaO, 0 to 2% BaO, and 0 to 3% PbO. The crystallized glass contains precipitated solid solution crystal of .beta.-quartz and has a black appearance. Such a deep color, low-expansion crystallized glass plate is excellent in strength and thermal shock resistance, and has a high transmittance for an infrared ray but a low transmittance for a visible light.
Accordingly, when the heating element is working, the heating element can be confirmed through the top plate. On the other hand, when the heating element is not working, the heating element is not seen through the top plate.
In order to paint a surface of the low-expansion crystallized glass plate of the type described, an enamel frit composition is widely used which comprises glass powder typically used as an enamel or glaze for a ceramic article, and a coloring pigment. An enamel coating is produced by mixing the glass powder and the coloring pigment to form a paste, applying the paste on the surface of the crystallized glass plate by screen printing, and burning the paste at a predetermined temperature.
In recent years, a light color, such as beige, is preferred as a color tone of a panel and a frame of the cooker. In order to harmonize the color tone, it is desired that the enamel coating of the top plate has a light color.
However, in case where the enamel coating of such a light color is formed on the surface of the above-mentioned low-expansion crystallized glass plate of a deep color, it is difficult to obtain a desired color tone because the color tone of the crystallized glass plate is seen through the enamel coating.
In order to avoid that the color tone of the low-expansion crystallized glass plate of a deep color is seen through the enamel coating, the thickness of the enamel coating is increased and/or the coloring pigment is mixed at a high mixing ratio. However, such approach causes various problem.
Specifically, when the thickness of the enamel coating is increased, abrasion resistance is deteriorated. Accordingly, when the cooker is used, the enamel coating is easily damaged by friction with a pan or pot. Furthermore, if a large difference exists in the coefficient of thermal expansion between the low-expansion crystallized glass plate and the enamel coating, an increase in thickness of the enamel coating results in frequent occurrence of cracks and peel-off and is, therefore, unfavorable.
On the other hand, in case where the coloring pigment is mixed at a high mixing ratio, the abrasion resistance of the enamel coating is deteriorated and the acid resistance is also decreased. While the cooker is used for a long period of time, the enamel coating is readily damaged, for example, by spilling of food during boiling.

Top plate having a first enamel coating in a heating portion and a second enamel coating in a non-heating portion on a surface of a low expansion crystallized glass


A vehicle seat for use with a vehicle includes a seatback frame having a first locking element, and a head restraint arrangement movably associated with the seatback frame. The head restraint arrangement includes a second locking element that is engageable with the first locking element. Upon a sufficient impact to the vehicle, the head restraint arrangement is configured to move with respect to the seatback frame from an initial position toward a support position. Furthermore, the locking elements are configured to allow movement of the head restraint arrangement toward the support position, while inhibiting movement toward the initial position.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention is directed to a vehicle seat having a movable head restraint.
2. Background Art
Vehicle seats having movable headrests or head restraints are known in the vehicle seating art. Examples of such vehicle seats are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,822,102 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,762,367.


A jet propelled watercraft includes a prime mover, a jet pump driven by the prime mover and jetting water from a jet port, a reverse gate changing a direction of the jet flow jetted from the jet pump, a shift actuator capable of moving a position of the reverse gate to a plurality of shift positions including a forward drive position, at which the direction of the jet flow is toward the rear of the body, a reverse drive position, at which the direction of the jet flow is toward the front of the body, and an intermediate position in between these positions, and a controller configured or programmed to execute a stoppage shift control of controlling the shift actuator to move the reverse gate to the forward drive position when stoppage of the prime mover is detected.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a jet propelled watercraft.
2. Description of the Related Art
U.S. Pat. No. 8,177,594 discloses a watercraft that includes an engine, a jet pump driven by the engine, a reverse gate, a shift actuator (reverse gate actuator), and an ECU (electronic controller). The shift actuator moves the reverse gate to a forward drive position, a neutral position, and a reverse drive position. The ECU controls the engine and the shift actuator.


Provided are thermoplastic polymer particles having an aspect ratio of 1.00 or more and less than 1.05, and a roundness of 0.95 to 1.00. The thermoplastic polymer particles are formed from a thermoplastic polymer resin in a continuous matrix phase. The thermoplastic polymer particles show a peak cold crystallization temperature (Tcc) at a temperature between a glass transition temperature (Tg) and the melting point (Tm) in a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) curve which is derived from temperature rise analysis at 10° C./min by differential scanning calorimetry.

Polymer resins in the form of particles are used in various ways throughout the industry. Such polymer resin particles are manufactured through a process of granulating a raw material of polymer resin.
In general, as a manufacturing method of thermoplastic polymer particles, there are a crushing method represented by a freeze-crushing method; a solvent dissolution-precipitation method which makes it precipitate by dissolving in a high temperature solvent and then cooling or which makes it precipitate by dissolving in a solvent and then adding a bad solvent; a melt kneading method which obtains thermoplastic resin particles by mixing the thermoplastic resin and the incompatible resin in the mixer to form a composition having the thermoplastic resin in the dispersed phase and the thermoplastic resin and the incompatible resin in the continuous phase, and then removing the incompatible resin; and the like.
If the particles are manufactured by the crushing method, there is a problem that it is difficult to secure the particles uniformity of the manufactured thermoplastic polymer resin particles. In addition, the crushing method requires a high cost compared to the particle obtaining process because liquid nitrogen is used during cooling. If a compounding process for adding pigments, antioxidants, etc. to the raw material of the thermoplastic polymer resin is added, since the process proceeds batchwise, the productivity is low as compared to that of the continuous particle obtaining process. If the particles are manufactured by the solvent dissolution precipitation method and the melt kneading method, there is a problem that in addition to the thermoplastic resin particles, other components such as a solvent may be detected as impurities. When impurities are incorporated in the process, it is not only difficult to manufacture the particles purely made of only a thermoplastic polymer resin, but also highly susceptible to deformation of physical properties and shapes of the particles, and also it is difficult to control them finely.
Due to the above-described problems, it is not possible to manufacture thermoplastic polymer resin particles having suitable physical properties for application to products by conventional methods. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for thermoplastic polymer resin particles having improved physical properties by improving conventional methods.

Thermoplastic polymer particles having a peak of cold crystallization temperature


This invention relates to a stereoscopic image display apparatus which allows an observer to recognize a stereoscopic image, comprising right eye image display member for displaying an image for a right eye by irradiating light, left eye image display member for displaying an image for a left eye by irradiating light, and tilt member for tilting a central line, in a vertical direction, of an observation image which is formed based on the image for the right eye and is to be observed by the right eye of the observer, and a central line, in the vertical direction, of an observation image which is formed based on the image for the left eye and is to be observed by the left eye of the observer, relative to each other within a range from an angle larger than 0.degree. to an angle not more than 3.degree..

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image display apparatus and an image recording apparatus and, more particularly, to a technique suitable for an apparatus for displaying display images on image display means on the basis of a plurality of input images with a parallax, so that an observer visually recognizes a plurality of observation images formed by the display images with his or her eyes, and recognizes them as a stereoscopic image.
2. Related Background Art
Conventionally, many image display apparatuses which independently present a plurality of images with a parallax to the two eyes of an observer so as to cause the observer to recognize a stereoscopic image have been proposed. Chihiro Masuda, "Three-dimensional Display" (Sangyo Tosho) discloses various types of stereoscopic image display apparatuses, as will be described below.
For the sake of easy understanding, images observed by the two eyes of an observer will be referred to as "observation images" hereinafter, images fetched from an object by input means will be referred to as "input images" hereinafter, and images displayed on image display means for the purpose of observation will be referred to as "display images" hereinafter.
FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of a three-dimensional display (stereoscopic image display apparatus) of an anaglyph method. In this method, a display image for the right eye and a display image for the left eye are respectively superimpose-displayed in two colors, e.g., red and blue, and observation images for the right and left eyes are separated using color filters, thus allowing an observer to recognize a stereoscopic image.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of a three-dimensional display of a polarizing glass method. In this method, a display image for the right eye and a display image for the left eye are respectively displayed on CRTs. Polarizing filters (polarizing plates) having orthogonal planes of oscillation and a half mirror are arranged in front of the CRTs. Observation images for the right and left eyes are separated by polarizing glasses, thus allowing an observer to recognize a stereoscopic image.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of a three-dimensional display of a time sharing shutter method. In this method, display images for the right and left eyes are alternately displayed on a CRT in a time sharing manner, and observation images for the right and left eyes are separated using time sharing shutter glasses which are opened/closed in a time sharing manner in synchronism with the display images, thus allowing an observer to recognize a stereoscopic image.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of an optical method. In this method, display images for the right and left eyes, which are separately displayed on a viewer using optical means such as prisms, mirror, lens, and the like, are superimpose-displayed as observation images in front of an observer, thus allowing the observer to recognize a stereoscopic image.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of a three-dimensional display of a lenticular method. In this method, a plurality of input images input by a lenticular lens are separately displayed via corresponding lenticular lens portions, thus allowing a plurality of observers to recognize a stereoscopic image.
FIGS. 6A and 6B are explanatory views of a three-dimensional display of large convex lens and large concave mirror methods. FIG. 6A shows the principle of the large convex lens method, and FIG. 6B shows the principle of the large concave mirror method. In this method, display images for the right and left eyes are formed on a large convex lens or a large concave mirror using projectors, and are displayed while determining the setting positions of the projectors and the spatial positions of the display images for the right and left eyes, so that light rays from the corresponding display images are incident on the right and left eyes, thus allowing an observer to recognize a stereoscopic image.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of a three-dimensional display of a parallax barrier method. In this method, a slit-shaped barrier (parallax barrier) is disposed in front of image display means to split a display image into right and left display images, and the right and left visual axes recognize these display images as observation images via the barrier, thus allowing an observer to recognize a stereoscopic image.
FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C are explanatory views of a three-dimensional display of an integral method. In this method, a large number of parallax images of an object are received (input) and recorded by an image taking device via a fly eye lens (FIG. 8A), and are transferred to a display device to be displayed as an image on the display device. The respective parallax images spatially form a real image at an identical position as that in the image taking operation. When an observer observes this real image from various directions, he or she can observe a parallax image corresponding to the observation direction, thus allowing stereoscopic viewing (FIGS. 8B and 8C).
On the other hand, as an input method of input images with a parallax, which are used in each of the above-mentioned image display apparatuses, a method of taking an image of an object from a plurality of directions using a plurality of cameras is normally used. When only two input images with a parallax for the right and left eyes are required like in the anaglyph method, polarizing glass method, time sharing shutter method, optical method, and the like, two image taking cameras Y.sub.R and Y.sub.L need only be used for an object X to be taken, as shown in FIG. 9, so as to obtain input images X.sub.R and X.sub.L.
However, the lenticular method, large convex lens/large concave mirror method, parallax barrier method, and the like require input images with a parallax from three or more view points in some cases. Thus, such methods require multi-lens camera input means, as shown in FIG. 25 (reference numerals in FIG. 25 will be described in detail later).
Note that the integral method inputs images via a special-purpose fly eye lens.
On the other hand, in recent years, input images actually taken by cameras are subjected to image processing attained by arithmetic operations of a computer so as to obtain parallax images for stereoscopic viewing, and such images are often used in stereoscopic viewing. In some cases, images of an object processed to appear to have been taken from quite different directions are generated and input on the basis of several input images, and such images are often used in the above-mentioned stereoscopic image display apparatus.
Furthermore, input images with a parallax, which are called CG (computer graphics) and are artificially synthesized by arithmetic operations using a computer, are often used in place of input images actually taken by cameras. When a CG method which performs image generation by accurately recognizing object configuration information in a three-dimensional space is used, since a plurality of input images with a. parallax can be formed on the basis of single three-dimensional information, such a method can be easily applied to the stereoscopic image display apparatus.
The above-mentioned stereoscopic image display utilizing a binocular parallax has no established display condition between the observation images for the right and left eyes, but is premised on the simple assumption that images for the right and left eyes are displayed under an identical condition. No image display apparatus which sets the display condition for images for the right and left eyes in consideration of effects to be given to an observer is available.
Similarly, as for the image input apparatus for inputting images to the image display apparatus for displaying a stereoscopic image, no apparatus which sets the display condition for images for the right and left eyes in consideration of effects to be given to an observer is available.

Apparatus for displaying image recognized by observer as stereoscopic image, and image pick-up apparatus


A charging device, implemented by a first terminal, includes a transceiver, a voltage converter, and a power supply. The voltage converter is connected with the transceiver and the power supply, and is configured to step up a voltage output by the power supply and provide the stepped up voltage for the transceiver when the first terminal supplies power, and to step down a voltage input by the transceiver and supply the stepped down voltage to the power supply when the first terminal is charged. The transceiver is configured to send a wireless charging signal out based on the voltage stepped up by the voltage converter when the first terminal supplies power, and to receive a wireless charging signal and convert the received wireless charging signal into an input voltage to transmit the input voltage to the voltage converter when the first terminal is charged.

Along with the development of wireless charging technologies, more and more terminals, including many wearable devices and intelligent terminals, have started using the wireless charging technologies for charging. The wireless charging technologies mainly include a wireless power consortium (WPC)-standard-based magnetic induction wireless charging technology and an alliance for wireless power (A4WP)-standard-based magnetic resonance technology. There are more and more scenarios where mobile terminals adopt wireless charging, and many mobile phones support wireless reverse charging technologies. However, most of the mobile phones support reverse charging at a relatively low power.

Bidirectional charging method and device, terminal and storage medium

Beijing Xiaomi Mobile Software Co., Ltd.


An LED lamp includes LED chips, an axle, and a lampshade. The LED chips are mounted on surface of the axle. The axle which is coupled to the lampshade includes heat pipes for transferring the heat generated by the LED chips to exterior of the lampshade and obtaining a better heat dissipation.

Light emitting diode (LED) is a highly efficient device to transform electric energy into light in comparison to conventional incandescent bulbs. The most important part of an LED is the semi-conductor chip located in the center of the bulb. The LED chip has two regions separated by a junction. The p region is dominated by positive electric charges, and the n region is dominated by negative electric charges. The junction acts as a barrier to the flow of electrons between the p and the n regions. Only when sufficient voltage is applied to the semi-conductor chip, can the current flow, and the electrons cross the junction into the p region. When an electron moves sufficiently close to a positive charge in the p region, the two charges "re-combine". Each time an electron recombines with a positive charge, electric potential energy is converted into electromagnetic energy. For each recombination of a negative and a positive charge, a quantum of electromagnetic energy is emitted in the form of a photon of light.
LEDs have advantages of small size, low driving voltage, fast response, resistance to vibration and long service life. They do dozens of different jobs and are found in all kinds of devices. Among other things, they form the numbers on digital clocks, transmit information from remote controls, light up watches and tell you when your appliances are turned on. Collected together, they can form images on a jumbo television screen or illuminate a traffic light.
Common LED lamps usually can be divided into two kinds of monochromatic light and polychromatic light. The polychromatic light LED lamp usually includes several lamps being able to provide different colored lights under individual controls so as to perform blends of light change.
As shown in FIG. 1, a side view of an LED lamp unit disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,577,073, a lamp unit 1000 mainly includes LED lamps 100, a reflector 110 and a power supply 120. The reflector 110 reflects the light produced from the LED lamps 100. The power supply 120 supplies power to the lamps 100. A number of, typically 10 to 200, LED lamps 100 are arranged on the bottom of the reflector 110 to provide the required luminosity. As shown in FIG. 2, each LED lamp includes blue and red LEDs and a phosphor. The blue LED produces an emission at a wavelength falling within a blue wavelength range. The red LED produces an emission at a wavelength falling within a red wavelength range. The phosphor is photoexcited by the emission of the blue LED to exhibit a luminescence having an emission spectrum in an intermediate wavelength range between the blue and red wavelength ranges.
In each LED lamp 100, the blue and red LEDs and the phosphor are integrated together within a single envelope. The lamp unit 1000 is composed of a plurality of such LED lamps. In comparison with prior arts that individual LED of monochromatic light being used, the LED lamp 100 of the prior patent saves about half of the space and cost of package.
However, in FIG. 1, the whole assembly of the plurality of LED lamps 100 in envelopes still occupies much area and decreases the number of possible LED lamps in the cluster and the luminosity of the lamp unit 1000 in the limited space.
There is further a problem that when arranging the LED lamps 100 tightly to get higher luminosity, the heat generated from the LED lamps is hard to be dissipated. The reflector 110 thermally coupled through solid conduction to the LED lamps 100 is insufficient for dissipating the heat. The heat accumulation will influence the service life of the lamp unit 1000.

Industrial Technology Research Institute


A device for alerting a user to the presence of a child in a vehicle comprising a housing having a first sensor for sensing the presence of at least one of a child and infant positioned therein. A means for detecting the operative mode of a vehicle engine is connected to the first sensor. A means for indicating the presence to a third party is connected to the first sensor. The indicating means is activated and indicates to the third party the presence of said at least one child and infant upon the detecting means detecting that the vehicle engine is in a first off mode and the first sensor sensing the presence of the at least one child and infant.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an alert system, and more specifically, to a child car seat that incorporates sensors, which are in communication with a vehicle electrical system. When an engine is stopped, the sensors signal a remote, which in turn engages an indicator, such as a tone. The indicator alerts any passengers in a vehicle or people located within a predetermined distance of the vehicle that the engine is off and that a child remains in the child car seat. Thus, the indicator reduces the likelihood of inadvertently leaving a child in a vehicle unattended.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Numerous other seatbelt alert systems exist in the prior art. Typical of these are U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,226,674; 3,624,601; 4,107,645; 5,483,221; 5,406,252; 5,627,512; 5,770,997; 6,002,325; 6,362,734; 6,501,374; 6,714,132; 2003/62996; and International Patent Applications UK GB1406864; DE 3432088. While these seatbelt alert systems may be suitable for the purposes for which they were designed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention, as hereinafter described.