An optical spectrum monitor includes a tunable optical detector that receives optical channel monitoring signals from an optical channel and receives a control signal that selects a frequency of an optical channel monitoring signal for detection. The tunable optical detector detects the optical channel monitoring signal selected by the control signal and generates an electrical signal related to a power of the detected optical channel monitoring signal. A processor analyzes a plurality of differences between selected optical channel monitoring frequencies and their corresponding ITU frequencies and then generates the control signal at the output that corrects for at least one of systematic band offset and systematic band tilt in the optical channel monitoring frequency.

The present invention relates to optical channel monitoring devices and systems. Optical channel monitoring is increasingly being used by telecommunications carriers and multi-service operators. Optical channel monitoring is particularly important for modern optical networks that use reconfigurable and self-managed fiber-optic networks.
For example, reconfigurable add/drop multiplexers (ROADM) require an optical channel monitor. In ROADM systems, a dense wavelength division multiplexer (DWDM) channel monitor provides an inventory of incoming wavelengths to avoid "wavelength collision" with added channels, as well as an inventory of outgoing channels when the ROADM is used for multi-degree ring-to-ring switching applications. The DWDM channel monitor is also relied on to provide channel-power information to variable optical attenuator (VOA) control electronics so that added channels can be equalized with the pass-through channels.
Optical channel monitors are also needed for multi-haul fiber-optic transmission systems. Multi-haul fiber-optic transmission systems include dynamic components for automatic span configuration at setup and for self-adjustment over time to compensate for changing environmental conditions. These dynamic components usually require feedback from an optical channel monitor. Systems with such dynamic components using feedback from an optical channel monitor enable system designers to maintain tight system margins.
State-of-the-art multihaul system designs often have DWDM channel monitors, which effectively build more intelligence in the optical node. These multi-haul systems can be self-managed optical nodes that adjust for changing environmental and input conditions. Such multi-haul systems allows for automatic testing and regression-testing in various network configurations. It is anticipated that future optical networks will include sophisticated distributed intelligence that will require more embedded DWDM channel monitoring in every optical node and eventually in every optical sub-module.
Furthermore, as the number of wavelengths in an optical network increase, so does the regenerator cost as a percentage of the total DWDM system cost. Carriers are currently requiring equipment vendors to devise ways to reduce the number of regenerators. One way of eliminating regenerators in DWDM systems is to require the client line cards (for example on routers) to source long-reach DWDM channels instead of short-reach 1310 nm channels. However, removing regenerators on DWDM systems also removes the SONET/SDH monitoring capability at that network node. In such systems, DWDM channel monitors can be used for monitoring functions because they provide DWDM channel visibility regardless of the native modulation format for each DWDM wavelength.
Thus, optical channel monitors can be used to provide higher network reliability and more efficient operation, administration and provisioning. Therefore, using optical channel monitors can significantly reduce the OpEx costs for many carriers and network service providers.

Self calibrated optical spectrum monitor


Stock materials for manual and/or high speed industrial automated bonding applications having a curable pre-applied adhesive or sealant compositions on the bonding surfaces wherein the curative for the pre-applied adhesive or sealant composition is contained within a carrier which prevents its premature release.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to adhesively securable and/or matingly sealable stock materials having a pre-applied, encapsulated adhesive or sealant composition wherein the pre-applied, encapsulated adhesive and sealant composition resist premature activation, even with the application of pressures typical for fracturing traditional encapsulated adhesives and sealants. In particular, the present invention is directed to stock materials having applied thereto a pre-applied encapsulated, liquid adhesive or sealant composition wherein at least one curative ingredient necessary for effectuating polymerization or cure of the adhesive or sealant composition is contained within a non-liquid, non-flowing carrier material that is encapsulated. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is directed to stock materials having threaded elements for fastening including fasteners, conduits and finished stock materials to be assembled into a larger apparatus or assembly; utilized in retaining or blind hole bonding applications, and other stock materials having a planar surface for bonding applications as well as stock packaging materials, especially paperboard packages and containers.
2. Description of Related Art
Adhesive and sealant compositions are available in a seemingly endless variety of chemistries, forms (whether as a state of being or physical construct) and mechanisms of cure or polymerization. The types of chemistries include epoxies, urethanes, acrylic esters, vinyl esters, polyesters, polyvinylacetates, etc. Their physical state may be that of a water-like liquid, a viscous flowable or non-flowable material, a solid or semi-solid form, etc. Water-like liquid forms may comprise one or more liquid curable or polymerizable monomers, oligomers and/or prepolymers or a solid or semi-solid material that is dissolved in an appropriate solvent. Viscous forms may be highly thickened compositions; particularly those liquid systems that further contain thixotropic agents or other thickening fillers and polymeric materials. Solid and semi-solid compositions include temperature sensitive materials, such as hot melts and reactivatable adhesives, as well as materials that, due to their inherent characteristics or the presence of tackifiers and/or plasticizers, are sticky in nature, such as pressure sensitive adhesives.
Curable adhesive and sealant compositions also vary widely in their physical construct. They may exist as true one-part systems where all components necessary for effectuating the bond or seal are present in the adhesive or sealant composition, e.g., anaerobic adhesive and sealants or solvent type adhesives and sealants. Alternatively, they exist as two- or more part systems wherein each part is kept separated or isolated from the other until time of use. These too take many forms. The simplest form, oftentimes employed with two-part epoxy systems, is that where semi-solid beads of each component are extruded in a side-by-side relationship, with or without a tape backing or support. A more complex form is that where a special packaging design is employed to keep the reactive components isolated from each other until the time of use, e.g., a dual barrel or a single barrel, dual compartment caulking-type tube, a mixer cup which has separate compartments which collapse to form a single compartment upon use or a self-contained packaging wherein both a crushable ampule (often glass) containing one component and the liquid curable component are contained in a single container which is made of a flexible material so as to allow for the crushing of the ampule and the kneading of the two components before dispensing. A particularly successful and desirable form of two- or more-part adhesives and sealants are those known as encapsulated adhesives and sealants wherein one or more curative components are isolated from the remaining components through encapsulation, more specifically microencapsulation.
The mechanism of cure or polymerization for the various adhesive and sealants vary widely as well. Solvent based adhesives and sealants are effectively "cured" upon evaporation of the solvent carrier. Monomeric, oligomeric and/or pre-polymeric adhesive and sealant systems may cure or polymerize through step growth polymerization and/or addition polymerization, especially free radical, cationic or anionic polymerization, each of which may be facilitated by or initiated chemically or by environmental conditions including heat and/or light. Other systems, especially pre-polymeric and polymeric systems may cure through cross-linking with other monomers, oligomers and or prepolymers.
With such a variety of adhesive and sealant compositions, it is no wonder that they find broad use across a number of industries as well as in the construction and consumer markets. While there are so many different choices of adhesive and sealant chemistries, forms and mechanisms of cure or polymerization, no one is suitable for all applications. Each has attributes and characteristics, both of the uncured system and of the cured adhesive or sealant that will dictate where and when any given system or composition may be used. For example, solvent based adhesives are fine for making adhesive tapes, flooring bonding systems, wood glues and other consumer glues; however, such adhesive and sealant systems are not useful for most industrial assembly operations due to environmental and safety concerns with the solvents, especially organic solvents, nor for applications where speed of cure is important.
While many different adhesive and sealant compositions find utility in industrial manufacture and assembly operations, selection of the appropriate adhesive and sealant is particularly important. Although hot melt type adhesives probably account for the greatest volume of adhesives used in manufacturing, liquid curable adhesives and sealants have more applications and provide far greater versatility in industrial applications. The most common form of liquid curable adhesive and sealants used in industrial manufacture and assembly operations are the one-part systems. However, multi-part liquid adhesive and sealant compositions also find use; although these require the use of more sophisticated application means so that mixing occurs concurrent with dispensing. Since mixing typically initiates curing or polymerization, as appropriate, concern must also be given to the pot life or open times associated with such adhesive and sealant compositions, i.e., the period of time in which the adhesive or sealant is still workable. A short open time or pot life means that mating of the components must occur concurrent with or immediately following application of the adhesive or sealant. Further viscosity must also be properly addressed to ensure that the liquid adhesive and sealant materials do not run out of the bond interface and/or are capable of filling gaps often found with mated surfaces. While such one-part and two- or more part liquid adhesive and sealant compositions are broadly and successfully used in industrial manufacturing and assembly operations, their use is not without risk. Specifically, should an adhesive or sealant composition clog up the dispenser or, in the case of two- or more part systems, the mixing means improperly mix the components or fail to employ the proper mixing ratio of the components; it may be necessary to shut down the whole of the industrial assembly/manufacturing process until the problem is addressed. Additionally, whether or not the problem can be address on the run, i.e., while the process is still operating, all those substrates to which an improper adhesive or sealant has been applied will have to be scrapped or cleaned, if cleanable. Thus, there can be huge economic consequences should problems arise with the in-line use of hot melts as well as liquid adhesive and sealant compositions.
A second class of adhesives and sealants that have found use in industrial assembly and manufacturing processes are those known as pre-applied adhesives and sealants, i.e., those that are capable of being pre-applied to a substrate for later activation and use. Like liquid curable adhesives and sealants, pre-applied adhesives and sealants come in a number of chemistries and forms. The more common forms are the pressure sensitive adhesives and sealants, encased sealants and adhesives, encapsulated adhesive and sealants, and reactivatable adhesives and sealants. While each has their respective niche applications, they are not without their limitations and oftentimes one must compromise on performance and/or economics. Furthermore, they are not generally suited for use in high-speed industrial assembly operations, at least not without significant compromises or limitations.
Although pressure sensitive adhesives have found utility in a number of applications, including on stock materials, there are a number of limitations, both from a performance and utility standpoint. Generally, pressure sensitive materials do not provide the same bond strength or permanence as curable or polymerizable materials. This may not be a problem in certain applications, e.g., consumer envelopes; however, in applications requiring high bond strengths, it is an issue. Additionally, the use of pressure sensitive adhesives on stock materials requires added steps since a release paper or film must be applied over the pressure sensitive material to prevent pre-mature and/or unintended bonding and then removed prior to mating the surfaces to be bonded. These additional steps also necessitate added costs to the assembly operation in terms of materials, the release paper or film, and equipment needed to apply and remove the same. Though some pressure sensitive adhesives and sealants may be latently activatable, their activation means, e.g. heat or solvent, also limit their use as well as add costs.
Another form of adhesive and sealant compositions used in pre-applied applications are those wherein the adhesive or sealant composition or one or more components of the same are encased or encapsulated. Encased adhesives and sealants are those wherein a pool of a liquid curable or polymerizable composition is encased by a cured or polymerized film of the same or a second curable or polymerizable composition such that the liquid curable composition lies between the latter and the substrate to which it is applied. The encased systems are often anaerobic systems or heat activatable systems that incorporate a light activated component which, following application of the liquid curable or polymerizable composition to the substrate, are exposed to the appropriate light to effectuate a cure or polymerization of the top layer of the liquid composition thereby forming a skin on the surface of the liquid curable or polymerization composition. Alternatively, a liquid, film forming material, which may be curable, polymerizable or in solution, is sequentially applied as a separate over-layer to a substrate having a liquid polymerizable or curable adhesive or sealant composition already applied thereto and then exposed to conditions for effecting the cure or polymerization of the over-layer material so as to encase or skin over the first applied material. These type adhesive and sealant compositions are often found on threaded assemblies or more commonly in potting or encapsulating type applications, for example, of electronic components.
The most common form of pre-applied adhesive and sealant compositions are those known as the encapsulated or microencapsulated systems. Encapsulated systems typically comprise a plurality of microencapsulated curable or polymerizable adhesive or sealant components bound to the substrate by an appropriate binder composition. These systems may be of a single type of microcapsule wherein a curative necessary for effecting cure of the liquid curable or polymerizable composition is either entrained within or adhered to the microcapsule walls or is entrained in the binder and the liquid curable component contained in the microcapsules. Alternatively, there may be a plurality of microcapsules, each containing one or more components of the liquid curable or polymerizable composition provided that the ingredients necessary for initiating or effecting cure or polymerization are in separate microcapsules so that cure or polymerization is not effected until the microcapsules are broken and the contents thereof allowed to intermix and interact. Yet another microencapsulated adhesive or sealant system is that where the binder bonding the microcapsules to the substrate surface is actually the adhesive or sealant material and the microcapsules contain a solvent for the binder material. Upon rupture of the microcapsules, the solvent is released softening or dissolving the binder to allow for the mating of substrates and the solvent is subsequently absorbed into one or more of the substrates and/or evaporated off leaving the re-solidified adhesive or sealant.
Pre-applied encapsulated adhesives and sealants have utility in a number of applications, particularly in thread locking, snap fit and retaining applications where a threading action and/or interference fit provides the necessary action to fracture the microcapsules, thereby releasing and intermixing, as necessary, the components of the liquid curable adhesive or sealant composition. Such compositions and their applications are show in, for example, Wallace (U.S. Pat. No. 4,428,982), Müller et. al. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,100,954) Sweeney (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,556,206 and 4,830,558), Rich et. al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,853,520), Matsuo (U.S. Pat. No. 6,025,074), Bachmann et. al. (U.S. Pat. No. 3,814,156) and Bohli (U.S. Pat. No. 3,866,873).
They also find use in bonding or laminating flat sheets of one substrate to itself or another flat substrate where one or more pinch rollers, a stationary blade or other means, including finger pressure, compress the mated substrate surfaces with the pre-applied adhesive sandwiched in between whereby the compressive forces fracture the microcapsules and facilitate the intermixing of the components of the curable or polymerization compositions. For example, Akridge et. al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,794,409) and Haugwitz (U.S. Pat. No. 4,961,811) teach paper bonding applications employing encapsulated adhesive compositions.
Although pre-applied adhesives and sealants have found broad commercial use, they are not without limitations and disadvantages. One of the key disadvantages or limitations of the encapsulated adhesive and sealant compositions lies in the fragility of the microcapsule walls. Consequently, the pre-application of such microencapsulated adhesives tend to be limited to those applications where there is little or limited opportunity for premature fracture of the shell wall. For example, where such materials are to be pre-applied to stock materials, storage and handling of the stock materials must be such that the areas to which the encapsulated adhesive or sealant is applied do not come in contact with each other, other substrates and/or are not subject to compressive forces. Stacking of stock materials, one on top of the other, may lead to premature fracturing of the microcapsules, thus leading to unwanted bonding of one stock material to another and, even if such bonding does not occur, consumes the liquid curable or polymerizable components in the ruptured microcapsules, leaving less, and oftentimes insufficient material for the ultimate bonding or sealing application. Similarly, when the microencapsulated adhesive is applied to small fasteners (e.g., screws, bolts, push pins and the like), because such products are often loosely packaged, they often bond to each other as a result of collisions between the products during packaging and handling.
Furthermore, in those automated assembly operations where a stock material having a pre-applied adhesive may come in contact with other substrates or the handling and assembling equipment, the potential exists for premature and unwanted bonding and/or consumption of liquid curable materials. In a high-speed assembly process, the last thing one wants is to have to shut down the assembly line to remove a bonded component. While such point contact bonded pieces may be readily parted, cured materials remain in the threads and/or on the surface of the substrate making proper threading or, in the case of an interference fit situation, insertion difficult, if not impossible. In other applications, such cured materials may act as a spacer between the substrates to be mated, thereby creating a gap where no gap is desired. Consequently, in each of these situations, it may be necessary to remove the cured materials before the item can be used.
Though a number of solutions exist for overcoming some of the foregoing difficulties and problems, they are not completely satisfactory or totally effective, if even practical. For example, while it is possible to individually package or to create special packaging that does not allow contact between the substrates carrying the pre-applied adhesives, such solutions are most often too expensive, particularly for high volume commodity applications such as small fasteners. Furthermore, besides the cost and need for materials and equipment to perform the proper packaging, such packaging may introduce the need for yet another apparatus in order to remove the particular substrate from the custom packaging for introduction into the assembly process. Similarly, special racks and/or spacer elements may be employed to keep stock materials from touching one another; however, again, costs are increased and production efficiencies may be adversely affected.
Problems with premature fracturing can also be mitigated or reduced by using thicker shell walls on the microcapsules and/or spacer particles; however, these have the disadvantage of increasing the amount of non-adhesive and non-sealing materials at the bond or seal interface. As more and more of the solid shell material is present or as solid particles are added to protect the weaker, microencapsulated liquid particles, there is less liquid curable component available to achieve the bond or seal for a given volume of the microencapsulated adhesive or sealant composition. Similarly, such "filler" materials will present additional problems in that they serve as a spacer between the substrates, even if no gap is present or desired. Additionally, in retaining and interference fit situations, e.g., the insertion of a pin into a cylindrical recess, the presence of such "filler" particles may prevent proper fitting of the substrates or cause the liquid curable adhesive or sealant material to be scraped off the one substrate as it is being inserted into the other. Consequently, in each of these circumstances, one may end up with weak bonds and/or poor seals.
Another limitation on the use of conventional pre-applied microencapsulated adhesive and sealant compositions in industrial applications relates to the viscosity of the encapsulated compositions, especially prior to cure or polymerization. Once the microcapsules containing the liquid components are ruptured, the liquid quickly runs across the surface. The tendency is for the same to form a monolayer except where capillary forces keep thicker amounts between substrates and/or the fractured shell materials. While this may not be a problem with applications where two substrates are to be mated concurrent with rupturing of the microcapsules, care must be given to ensure that too much run out or squeeze out does not occur, particularly where a gap may be present, e.g., where one or both substrates to be mated have an uneven surface and/or a flex which manifests itself once the rupturing forces are removed and the substrates relax to their normal position.
As noted above, pre-applied adhesives and sealants have found utility in a number of stock material applications; however, their use is limited due to the constraints of activation and, perhaps more commonly, the physical and/or performance characteristics of the typical pre-applied adhesives. In the latter case, due to poor or incomplete activation and/or availability of the curable components, pre-applied adhesives and sealants oftentimes manifest poor bond/seal strengths. Additionally, due to the constraints on encapsulating high viscosity materials, pre-applied adhesives tend to be of low viscosity, such that they may readily run out of or, during assembly and/or activation, are pressed or squeezed out of the bond interface. Furthermore, with concerns of capsule fragility and pre-mature breakage, the amounts of activators and catalyst and other cure speed enhancers are limited to prevent premature curing.
In order to overcome many of the shortcomings and problems associated with pre-applied encapsulated adhesives and sealants as well as other types of adhesives, particularly hot melt adhesives, on stock materials for use in industrial assembly operations, the industry has turned its attention away from hot melts and encapsulated adhesive and to what are typically referred to as reactivatable adhesives. These reactivatable adhesives, though "cured" in place on the stock material, can be reactivated upon exposure to sufficient energies of various types, especially ultrasound or near infrared radiation (NIR). Such materials and their use on stock materials are disclosed in, e.g., Gong et. al. (US 2003/0041963 A1; US 2004/0164134 A1; US 2004/0164135 A1 and US 2004/0166309 A1); Nowicki et. al. (US 2004/0163754 A1; US 2004/0163768 A1 US 2004/0166238 A1;) and Pierce et. al. (US 2004/0166257 A1). These materials, however, are limited in chemistries and, thus, applications. More problematic is the fact that they introduce a number of new problems, particularly health and safety problems. Specifically, these materials require specialized equipment not only for generating the NIR and ultrasound energies but also in protecting the workers and workplace from the energies so produced.
Thus, while conventional pre-applied adhesives have found considerable use in the manufacture of certain stock materials, their use is limited and not without its detractions. It would be desirable, therefore, to provide stock materials having a pre-applied adhesive wherein concerns relative to premature fracturing of the microencapsulated adhesive is greatly reduced, if not overcome. Similarly, it would be desirable to provide stock materials where concerns of premature bonding due to point contact or rough handling during processing, transportation and/or use is greatly reduced if not overcome. Furthermore, it would be desirable to expand the realm of stock materials to which pre-applied adhesive and sealant compositions could be applied, especially for high-speed assembly and manufacturing processes. In following, it would be desirable to provide pre-applied adhesive and sealant compositions whose cure speeds are immediate or close thereto. It would also be desirable to provide high-speed industrial assembly and manufacturing processes wherein the dispensing and application of liquid or flowable adhesives can be avoided. Finally, it would be desirable to provide a high-speed process by which a curable pre-applied adhesive or sealant composition on a stock material, which overcomes the aforementioned problems and issues, is activated quickly and with minimal complexity so as to be amenable for use in high-speed assembly and manufacturing processes.


A mold shell for forming a wind turbine blade (20) comprises at least two mold shell sections (401, 402) each having a mold surface with a recessed portion (419, 420) adjoining the connecting edges (407, 408) between the mold shell sections. A bridging sheet (421) is accommodated in the recessed portions (419, 420) of the mold shell sections (401, 402). The bridging sheet (421) fills up the recessed portions.

The present invention is directed to a mould shell section for a mould shell for forming a wind turbine blade, to a mould shell for forming a wind turbine blade, to adjustment means for adjusting adjacent mould shell sections to each other, and a method for providing a smooth transition between adjacent mould shell sections.

Mould shell section for a mould shell for a wind turbine blade, mould shell and method using the mould shell sections


In order to remedy the drawbacks consisting of separations at the end of upturns (50) of the carcass reinforcement (1) of a tire having frustoconical seats as well as the rapid wear of the bead protectors, said tire is provided with beads (B) each of which has an auxiliary bead ring (4) located in the part intended to cover the tire flange (13), a reinforcement ply (5) being wound around the bead ring (4) in order to form two layers (51) and (52) which extend to the tip (6) of the bead (B).

The present invention relates to a tire with radial carcass reinforcement anchored in each bead with at least one bead ring, each bead having a seat which is inclined with respect to the axis of rotation of the tire by an angle of more than 5.degree., and generally at least equal to 15.degree..+-.1.degree.. Radially on top of the radial carcass reinforcement, there is a crown reinforcement consisting of one or more plies of cords or cables.
In each bead, axially to the outside of the upturn of the carcass ply, there are arranged, in known manner, one or more plies of textile or metal cords or cables oriented at a slight angle with respect to the circumferential direction of the tire, the radially outer end of said ply or plies being located either above or below the end of the upturn of the carcass reinforcement, the radially inner end being possibly located in the toe of the bead.
This reinforcement armature in each bead has the function of stiffening the rubber mix present axially to the outside of the upturn of the carcass reinforcement. It gives rise to separations with ruptures of rubber at its radially outer end. Furthermore, in view of the profile of the base of the bead, which is designed as a function of the profile of the service rim on which the tire is mounted, the contact pressure between the bead and the rim is very high between the inclined portion of the base of the bead and the inclined seat of the rim. The same is true between the flange of the rim and the corresponding portion of the tire, the tire being inflated at its operating pressure but not under load. On the other hand, the part of the bead located immediately above the rim flange, and not in contact with said flange when the tire is inflated, assumes contact with the rim flange under the effect of the load applied to the tire from the contact ellipse between said tire and the ground. The slippage between the tire rubber and the metal of the service rim is substantial, resulting in degradation by resulting rapid wear of the portion of the bead referred to above and which is even greater since foreign bodies, such as grains of sand and dust may enter between the rubber and the metal.
From EP Application 0 168 754, tires are known in which the beads are provided with two bead rings, a main bead ring around which a radial carcass reinforcement can be anchored and an auxiliary bead ring around which a reinforcement ply can be wound. This is, of course, a tire for passenger cars intended to be mounted on a rim provided with a circumferential protrusion on the rim seat so as to counteract the unwedging of the bead. This type of tire generally does not present any damage at the level of the upturn of the carcass reinforcement or at the level of the ends of the reinforcement ply.

Tire with beads having frustoconical seats and provided with at least one main bead ring and one auxiliary bead ring

Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin - Michelin & Cie


In a personal area network, a method for programming an appliance by a controller. The method includes steps of a) determining (358), by the controller (300), that the appliance (324) is included in the personal area network; b) determining (328), by the controller (300), that the appliance (324) is in data communication with the controller (300); and c) when the appliance (324) is in data communication with the controller (300), performing substeps of: i) requesting downloading (330) of a command set for controlling the appliance (324); ii) receiving (332) the command set for controlling the appliance (324); and iii) programming (401) the command set into a memory of the controller.

In a typical day many people come into contact with a massive number of electronically controlled devices. Such devices range from automobiles and appliances, to home and office equipment and to telephones and televisions to name but a few. Many of these devices are required to move from time to time. Many of these devices are even portable. These devices provide a vast and diverse assortment of services for the people coming into contact with them. However, they suffer from a common problem related to user input and output (I/O).
User I/O refers to components and processes used to communicate user-supplied data to an electronic device and to annunciate data from an electronic device so the data may be perceived by a user. Although electronic devices provide a vast and diverse assortment of services, they tend to have redundant I/O. In other words, many such devices have displays, speakers and the like at which data may be annunciated and have buttons, switches, keypads and other controls at which user-supplied data may be communicated to the devices. In order to keep costs low and size small, user I/O capabilities often suffer. As a result, many electronic devices encountered in everyday life and particularly many portable devices, are cumbersome and tedious to use because communicating data from a user to the devices is difficult and because provisions are unavailable for clearly annunciating data for a user's benefit.
In theory, this user I/O problem could be ameliorated by better integrating electronic devices to ease data communications therebetween. For example, a portable telephone could receive a facsimile (fax), but typically has no capability to print the fax and typically has no capability to communicate with a printer which may be able to print the fax. Likewise, a pager may receive a call-back phone number, but typical pagers have no capability to transfer the call-back number to a telephone from which the call-back can be made. User involvement is required to address these and many other data transfer issues. While many conventional data communication or computer network architectures are known, the conventional architectures are unsuitable for the task of integrating a plurality of electronic devices which collectively provide a vast and diverse assortment of services.
Conventional computer networks require excessively complicated setup or activation procedures. Such setup and activation procedures make the jobs of forming a connection to a new network node and making changes in connectibility permission cumbersome at best. Setup and activation procedures are instituted, at least in part, to maintain control of security and to define network addresses. Typically, a system administration level of security clearance is required before access is granted to network tables that define the network addresses. Thus, in conventional networks, many network users lack sufficient security clearance to activate and obtain addresses of network nodes with which they may wish to connect on their own.
Once setup is performed, either directly by a user or by a system administrator, connections are formed when an initiating node presents the network with the address of a network node to which a connection is desired. The setup or activation requirements of conventional networks force nodes to know or obtain a priori knowledge of node addresses with which they wish to connect prior to making the connection. Excessive user attention is involved in making the connection through setup procedures and during the instant of connection to obtain addresses. This level of user involvement leads to an impractical network implementation between the everyday electronic devices with which people come into contact.
Further, conventional computer networks tend to be infrastructure intensive. The infrastructure includes wiring, servers, base stations, hubs and other devices which are dedicated to network use but have no substantial non-network use to the computers they interconnect. The use of extensive network components is undesirable for a network implementation between everyday electronic devices because an immense expense would be involved to support such an infrastructure and because it impedes portability and movability of nodes.
The use of wiring to interconnect network nodes is a particularly offensive impediment to the use of conventional networks because wiring between diverse nodes is not suitable when some of the nodes are portable. Wireless communication links could theoretically solve the wiring problem, and conventional wireless data communication networks are known. However, the conventional wireless networks do little more than replace wire lines with wireless communication links. An excessive amount of infrastructure and excessive user involvement in setup procedures are still required.
In the context of remote controls, there are three basic problems that are noted: (i) prior art remote controllers have a finite set of buttons that are pre labeled with function names; even though some buttons may be changed from one function to another, by "re-programming" the remote controller, function names/labels then become inaccurate; (ii) functions may not be added, and remote controllers cannot be reprogrammed to personal preferences or needs, because of the finite number of physical buttons; and (iii) remote controllers are typically incapable of dynamically addressing and controlling a multiplicity of different appliances or devices. What is needed is a new type of remote controller that is not subject to these limitations.

Interactive appliance remote controller, system and method


Collapsible lightweight, and portable cot type bed for pets and children. A spring biased horizontal connector pin can slidably attach bottom edges of vertical support legs to horizontal cross braces to maintain the cot in an assembled position that can support extreme amounts of weight. The horizontal pin can be connected to a bottom portion of a metal strip having an upper edge attached by rivets, soldering or welding to the vertical support legs. Sidewall panels along the planar support surface of the cot allow for keeping objects from sliding off the cot. A removable canopy or a removable hutch-like compartment for deflecting sun and providing shade when the cot is used outdoors can be mounted to the vertical legs above the planar support surface. The hutch-like compartment is made of flexible, lightweight materials and can be closed on all sides, using see-through or open weave materials for ventilation while securely containing a child or pet inside. The cot can be easily folded like an accordion and placed in a carrying bag and have a weight of less than approximately 15 pounds.

Pets and small animals usually sleep directly on the floor. Often a piece of carpet, blanket, or pad has been used. However, the pets and animals are still lying on the floor, and are subject to undesirable effects such as bugs and insects, and lying on a hard uncomfortable surface.
Various types of beds and cots, and the like, have been proposed over the years that are primarily used for people. See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 829,589 to Leavitt; U.S. Pat. No. 1,366,482 to Osterud; U.S. Pat. No. 1,858,254 to Uline; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,846,204 to Sok KyuRecently, an international patent application, PCT/AU03/00353 to Bedington discloses a bed for pets and a website, www.global sources.com/gsol/General Manager/& design, shows a "Lightweight Camping Bed Suitable for Outdoor Use," item no. GH2047, manufactured by Zhejiang Ganghai Industrial Co. Ltd., China, copyright 2003.
However, none of the prior art devices have a locking mechanism to keep the legs in place when fully assembled, nor do they have sidewall panels for keeping animated objects confined on the surface. Furthermore, none of these devices combine sidewalls with any type of shade and protective covers such as canopies or hutch-like compartments for covering the occupants. None of these devices appear to be easily collapsible and portable, yet stable and strong enough to be used as a step to assist climbing to higher elevations. Finally, none of these devices appear to be easily collapsible and portable so as to be carried by a single person. The prior art devices would have problems supporting large weights that can come with large pets since these beds/cots would tend to collapse under large weights of up to 150 pounds or more.
Several patented devices have been proposed as beds/cots for pets. See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,820,284 to Mills; Des. 127,808 to McGillicuddy; Des. 294,752 to Palier; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,072,694 to Haynes et al. However, these patents again do not solve all the problems with the other devices described above. For example, these pet devices do not have locking mechanisms to keep the legs in place when fully assembled, and are also not easily collapsible and portable. Furthermore, these pet devices would not be able to support large animals of up to approximately 150 pounds or more.
Thus, the need exists for solutions to the above problems with the prior art.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A vehicle seat is disclosed as having a seat structure with an upper transverse strut for receiving a headrest of the vehicle seat. The headrest has right and left headrest rods for coupling with the upper transverse strut. The transverse strut 6 includes right and left receiving openings for the right and left headrest rods. The headrest may be arranged with the headrest rods in various guide channels to define first and second mounting positions relative to the upper transverse strut. The headrest in the first mounting position is offset transversely to the seat direction with respect to the headrest in the second mounting position.

In almost every vehicle, seats are integrated for occupants of the vehicle. Attempts are known to configure a vehicle seat so that it can be installed in different vehicles. For example, DE 10 2007 052 960 A1 describes a seat assembly structure of a backrest- or seat frame of a vehicle seat. The seat assembly structure includes a metal structure which has a plurality of longitudinal and transverse elements connected with one another. At least one of the longitudinal elements and/or at least one of the transverse elements are produced from a profile semi-finished product by cutting to a predetermined length and, if applicable, by bending. Through the presetting of the length of the transverse elements, a designer can preset the width of the vehicle seat in a simple manner and therefore adapt it for different vehicle models, without accepting high costs for investment in forming tools for this.
In addition, other objects, desirable features and characteristics will become apparent from the subsequent summary and detailed description, and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background.

Vehicle seat for a vehicle and vehicle fleet with the vehicle seat


Methods and apparatus for adaptive surge protection are disclosed. An example method comprises providing load voltage to the electric load by regulating a source voltage with a surge protection device; monitoring, via a voltage detection circuit, the source voltage from an electric source, and determining, via a wiring diagnostic circuit, whether a wiring fault is detected; monitoring, via a lightning detection circuit, for the presence of lightning within a threshold distance of the surge protection device; and breaking, with a switching device, a circuit connection to stop providing the load voltage to the electric load in response to detecting at least one of: a presence of the wiring fault, the presence of lightning within the threshold distance, an overvoltage at the source voltage; or an undervoltage at the electric source.

The present disclosure relates to providing electric power, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for adaptive AC/DC surge protection.
Limitations and disadvantages of conventional approaches to AC/DC power surge protection will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of such approaches with some aspects of the present method and system set forth in the remainder of this disclosure with reference to the drawings.

Method and apparatus for adaptive AC/DC surge protection


A method of removing organic carbon and other contaminants from a water stream. The method comprises screening large solids from the stream. Pre-oxidation chemicals may then be added. A coagulant is fed into the stream. An activated carbon, preferably formed from lignite, is added by pumping a highly concentrated activated carbon slurry into the stream. The stream, including the activated carbon and coagulant, next flows into a clarifier, where the coagulant will flocculate and enmesh the activated carbon. The activated carbon adsorbs organic carbon and other contaminants, including bacteria, pharmacological agents, and hydrocarbons, as the stream flows through the clarifier. Eventually, the flocculate will agglomerate and settle out in the clarifier, where it, the enmeshed carbon, and the contaminants they contain may be removed. The stream's organic carbon content exiting the clarifier will be much reduced. Accordingly, less primary oxidizing agent will be needed to treat any remaining organic carbon.

Field of the Invention: The invention relates to water treatment in general and treatment of drinking water in particular.
Prior Art: Much drinking water comes from surface water sources, such as rivers, lakes, and artificial impoundments or reservoirs. Water from these sources has varying degrees of impurities that must be removed or treated before the water is safe to drink. One contaminant present in many surface water sources is organic matter. Sources of organic matter include decaying plants and animals, urea, fertilizer, and other materials commonly present in surface water. Organic material in water will support bacteria. The bacteria consume oxygen as they breakdown organic material. The bacterial consumption of oxygen is measured as BOD, or biological oxygen demand. It is a key metric in assessing and treating water that is to be rendered potable. BOD should be low before water is safe to drink or, in the case of wastewater, safe to discharge in surface waters.
A shorthand measure of BOD is total organic carbon or TOC. There can be other sources of BOD in water besides organic carbon, such as nitrogen, but organic carbon is often a major component of BOD.
Another way of measuring organic carbon present in water is chemical oxygen demand or COD. Strong oxidizing agents such as potassium dichromate will reduce most organic carbon to carbon dioxide under acidic conditions. Oxygen is consumed in the reaction. This allows the amount of organic carbon present to be determined. An oxidizing agent is added to a sample of the water to be rendered potable, and the reduction of dissolved oxygen in the sample is measured. The measured reduction in oxygen indicates the organic carbon present in the sample.
Organic material present in water must be treated before the water is safe to drink. One way of treating the organic material is to add oxidizing agents, such as chlorine, to the water. As indicated above, most organic carbon can be reduced to carbon dioxide. However, treatment of water streams with chlorine can produce numerous chlorination disinfection by-products—many of which are undesirable. Some of these by-products include haloacetic acids: mono- di-, and trichloroacetic acids; mono- and dibromoacetic acids; and bromochloroacetic acid—collectively, HAA's. Another chlorination byproduct is trihalomethane (THM). Monitoring is required for many chlorination by-products, and excessive amounts will render water unsuitable for human consumption.
Surface waters frequently contain other contaminants. Pharmaceuticals, including antibiotics such as sulfamethoxazole (SMX) and sulfamethanzine (SMZ), will pass through the people or animals that use them, frequently without substantial pharmacological alteration. Once excreted, such drugs often find their way into the surface waters. The presence of these and other drugs in the water stream, particularly when they end up in potable water, is believed to accelerate the development of drug resistant pathogens.
A variety of bacteria are commonly present in surface waters. Some of these include cyanobacteria and actinomycetes. Both of these bacteria produce 2-methylisoborneal (MIB) and trans-1, 10-dimethyl-trans-9-decalol (Geosmin). Humans are sensitive to the smell of MIB and Geosmin at extremely low levels—parts per trillion. Geosmin and MIB have a very unpleasant, earthy odor. When MIB and/or Geosmin is present in water, the taste and odor of the water can be compromised. Other biological contaminants, such as Synura and other algae, can release chemicals that adversely effect the taste and odor of water.
Hydrocarbons from land or water based dumping, water craft engine exhaust, spills, and natural seepage are not infrequently found in surface waters. Their presence can also compromise the taste and odor of water, in addition to posing a health risk if consumed.
Accordingly, a method ofremoving organic carbon and other contaminants from water in the course of rendering the water potable is desired.


A scrolling sign that includes a plurality of webs each having indicia which are displayed through a window on the sign face. The plurality of webs are disposed in vertical and horizontal alignment with one another. Each of the webs are disposed between a forward and a reverse web roll. A plurality of forward and reverse web rolls are rotatably mounted to a modular unit such that the individual web rolls are aligned. A drive shaft passes through each of the web rolls and is engageable with only one of the web rolls at a time. The engagement of the drive shaft with the web rolls, as well as rotation of the individual web rolls is manual. The drive shaft includes a driving mechanism which prevents the drive shaft from being rotated in an improper direction.

The present invention relates to a sign of the type in which indicia are changed by scrolling a web containing the indicia across one or more viewing windows in the sign. More specifically, the invention is directed to a modular digit mechanism including a driving mechanism that permits the manual scrolling of the indicia based on the manually adjustable position of the driving mechanism.
Scrolling signs are well known in the art. They are particularly useful for gasoline service stations and the like where information about a wide range of products is displayed on the signs. It is often necessary or desirable to change the information displayed due to competitive factors, seasonal considerations, special promotions, or numerous other reasons. Motor fuels, such as gasoline, are typical of the product for which information, such as pricing, changes frequently. The price of gasoline is typically advertised to the consumer by signage located on the premises of the service station. The signs are usually close to the road and thus remote from the office or payment booth. These signs are usually elevated to increase their visibility to passing motorists. Such signs are often backlighted for the same reasons, as well as to emphasize brand names and other consumer information. All of these factors raise problems with respect to changing pricing information.
The changing of pricing or other information by exchanging placards on the sign is at best cumbersome, and because of environmental damage and vandalism, somewhat undesirable. Additionally, the unattached placards can fall during changing, potentially resulting in injury to the user. These problems led to the development and use of electrically changeable signs wherein the letters are formed from a matrix having incandescent light bulbs, liquid crystal or light emitting diode elements or magnetic flippers. However, the use of such matrices often lessens or destroys the graphic features or aesthetics of the sign. Colors, fonts or other design features of the above-mentioned changeable indicia are usually severely limited.
Over the years, a number of scrolling web signs have been developed which permit the use of enhanced graphics, meet the needs of providing protected indicia and are readily changeable. These provide a very desirable, aesthetically pleasing signage for billboards and other uses in which the indicia of the sign have to change from time to time.
Scrolling web signs include indicia which may be changed, yet still be protected from the environment with a protective transparent cover sheet, and are an improvement over signs of the type wherein the letters are generally removable from the ground by use of elongated poles and the like for hanging the letters on positions provided in the sign. The scrolling signs are also more aesthetically pleasing than the matrix type signs, and permit a wider range of graphics to be used. The covered indicia of the scrolling web signs are less susceptible to soiling, wind damage and vandalism. All of these factors make the scrolling web sign preferable over many of the signs of the prior art in providing signage where the indicia must be changeable.
Examples of such signs are seen in U.S. Pat. No. 4,741,118 entitled "Sign With Improved Scrolling Mechanism", issued to R. Aiken et al. on May 3, 1988; U.S. Pat. No. 4,995,183 entitled "Scrolling Sign With Improved Web Guide", issued to R. Aiken on Feb. 26, 1991; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,412,893 entitled "Manually Operable Scrolling Web Sign", issued to R. Aiken on May 9, 1995.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,741,118 discloses a scrolling sign having a sign face with windows in which indicia may appear. A pair of shafts are mounted in the framework of the sign for containing a plurality of web rolls between which webs containing indicia extend. A drive mechanism, including an electric motor, simultaneously rotates the shafts. Clutches interposed between the web rolls and the shafts are selectively operable to move the webs in one or the other direction across the window to alter the displayed indicia. A constantly applied differential brake is also coupled to the web rolls to maintain tension on the webs and to assist in their movement. The control for the motor and clutches may be placed at a position remote from the sign and cabled to the sign.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,412,893 discloses a scrolling sign which includes a plurality of web rolls each having indicia which is displayed through a window on the sign face. A switch control on the sign allows the user to select which of the indicia is to be changed. An electric clutch assembly contained within the sign selectively connects a manual crank mechanism with the desired scrolling web. With the proper scrolling web selected, the user is able to manually adjust the web to change the indicia displayed on the sign.
While the electric scrolling web signs of the prior art type have been widely accepted, a need has developed for a completely manual scrolling price sign that has the same aesthetic qualities and versatility as the electric powered scrolling web signs currently available but which is lower cost in both construction and installation.

Scrolling sign with manually operated change mechanism


A rapid locking device including: a handle formed with a curved portion at one end, two lugs at another end, a first hole between said two lugs, and an opening below the hole; a fixing member with a threaded hole and a second hole; a center rod threadedly engaged with the threaded hole of said fixing member; an axle extending through the lugs of said handle and said fixing member; a spring-loaded pin inserted into the first hole of said handle; and a button disposed within the opening of said handle and connected with a lower end of said spring-loaded pin, whereby the handle may be firmly and quickly kept in a fixed position.

1. Description of the Prior Art
It has been found that the prior art rapid locking device is often and easily loosened when subjected to vibration. Hence, various rapid locking devices have been developed to eliminate this defect. However, they are still unsatisfactory in use.
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an improved locking device which may obviate and mitigate the above-mentioned drawbacks.


A system for augmenting data from a source data file with data from a reference database to generate an augmented data file is provided. The system includes a reference database including at least one reference datum. A handler component is configured to retrieve a source data file including the structured datum. A locator component is configured to locate the structured datum in the source data file; an analyzer component configured to associate the identified structured datum to one reference datum to create an association according to an analyzing strategy. A generating component is configured to generate a hyperlink based upon the association and embeds the generated hyperlink in the source file to create an augmented data file.

Hypertext is the organization of computer-based text into connected associations enabling a user to quickly access information that the user chooses. An instance of such an association is called a hyperlink or hypertext link. Hypertext was the main concept that led to the invention of the World Wide Web, which is nothing more than an enormous amount of information content connected by an enormous number of hyperlinks.
While the hyperlink has proven to be a successful means of relating two pieces of information, the process of generating hyperlinks has proven to be generally tedious. To create a single link, the process requires an author to define such portions, usually a text string or photo element of a structured file (usually a text document, web page, or other form of document) from which the hyperlink originates and a destination address at which the hyperlink terminates. In a closed system such as in a local network of workstations, the destination might be within the same file, directory, or computer, or the destination may be a designated file within a designated directory on the network.
Even with the required information, the knitting together of hyperlinks still requires some skill. The would-be author of a document with suitable links must first identify the content of the file the author seeks to augment and then must use an appropriate application to edit the file. Generally, the MIME header embedded in the file identifies the file type. The embedded header allows a computer software product to recognize the data by virtue of its Multi-Purpose Internet Mail Extensions ("MIME") type. MIME is an extension of the original Internet e-mail protocol that lets people use the protocol to exchange different kinds of data files on the Internet including audio, video, images, application programs, and other kinds, including text generally in the ASCII format. Once identified, the file is opened for review using the appropriate application as identified by the MIME header.
When the network is broader, such as on the Internet, static addresses on the Internet may be used as destinations. A Uniform Resource Locator is the address of a file (resource) accessible on the Internet. The type of resource depends on the Internet application protocol. Using the World Wide Web's protocol, Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), the resource can be an HTML page, an image file, a program such as a common gateway interface application or Java applet, or any other file type supported by HTTP. The URL contains the name of the protocol required to access the resource, a domain name that identifies a specific computer on the Internet, and presents a hierarchical description of a file location on the computer.
For this reason, the content of resources may not have all of the links that would be useful. Old data might direct browsers to addresses where no data is now stored. "Link rot," describes a gradual loss of data at URL's linked to documents. This gradual loss occurs when a destination document is removed while the link in an originating document to the destination document remains. The reader receives a "404 message," an arbitrarily assigned code indicating that the page to which the reader has directed the browser no longer exists at the designated address. Another form of link rot occurs when the destination page has been changed in content and is no longer relevant according to the sending description.
Where parties, such as advertisers, wish to inject links into existing resources in order to direct the reader's browser to designated resources, it is critical that the links remain current. Because files are static, links that are old will not complete the hyperlink transit and therefore will lose the benefit of the hyperlink. Fixedly embedding links in the file subjects the file to link rot.
There is, therefore, an unmet need in the art for a publishing system and method for augmenting resources and maintaining suitable current hyperlinks within the resources.

Method and system for augmenting web content


The present invention relates to a ferrofluid composition having improved oxidation resistance, which contains a carrier liquid, magnetic particles in a stable colloidal suspension, and from more than about 10% to about 400% by weight of an antioxidant based on the weight of the magnetic particles.

The present invention relates to a ferrofluid composition having improved oxidation resistance and a method for increasing the gelation time of a ferrofluid.
Super paramagnetic fluids, commonly referred to as ferrofluids, are colloidal suspensions of magnetic particles suspended in a carrier liquid. The magnetic particles are suspended in the carrier liquid by a dispersing agent which attaches to the surface of the magnetic particles to physically separate the particles from each other. Dispersing agents, or dispersants, are molecules which have a polar "head" or anchor group which attaches to the magnetic particle and a "tail" which extends outwardly from the particle surface.
Magnetic fluids have a wide variety of industrial and scientific applications which are known to those skilled in the art. Magnetic fluids can be positioned and held in space, without a container, by a magnetic field. This unique property has led to the use of magnetic fluids as liquid seals which have low drag torque and which do not generate particles during dynamic operation, as conventional lip seals tend to do. Specific uses of magnetic fluids which illustrate the present invention and its advantages include the use of magnetic liquids as components of exclusion seals for computer disk drives, seals and lubricants for bearings, for pressure and vacuum sealing devices, for heat transfer and damping fluids in audio speaker devices and for inertia damping.
In many sealing applications which use a magnetic colloid sealing system, it is particularly advantageous to have a magnetic colloid with the lowest possible viscosity to reduce frictional heating. This, in turn, reduces the temperature of the fluid in the seal and consequently the evaporation rate of the carrier liquid, thereby prolonging the life of the seal. Ideally, magnetic fluids suitable for sealing disk drives for computers have both a low viscosity and a low evaporation rate.
These two physical characteristics of magnetic fluids are primarily determined by the physical and chemical characteristics of the carrier liquid. According to the Einstein relationship, the viscosity of an ideal colloid is: EQU (N/N.sub.0)=1+.alpha..PHI.
wherein
N is the colloid viscosity; PA1 N.sub.0 is the carrier liquid viscosity; PA1 .alpha. is a constant; and PA1 .PHI.is the disperse phase volume.
The saturation magnetization (G) of magnetic fluids is a function of the disperse phase volume of magnetic material in the magnetic fluid. In magnetic fluids the actual disperse phase volume is equal to the phase volume of magnetic particles plus the phase volume of the attached dispersant.
The ideal saturation magnetization for a magnetic fluid is determined by the application or the magnetic design.
The higher the magnetic particle content, the higher the saturation magnetization. Also, a set volume % of metal particles in the fluid such as cobalt and iron generates a higher saturation magnetization than the same volume % of ferrite. In other words, saturation magnetization of a fluid is determined by the amount and type of magnetic particles in the fluid.
By way of example, typical saturation magnetization values for: (1) exclusion seals for a hard disk drive are between 200-300, preferably 250 G; (2) vacuum seals for the semiconductor industry are between 300-600, preferably 450; (3) loud speakers are between 100-400, preferably 100; and (4) fluid film bearings for a motor and tester are between 50-300.
Magnetic particle size and size distribution, along with the physical and chemical characteristics of the dispersant, also affect the viscosity and, consequently, the evaporation rate of magnetic fluids.
There are, however, a number of ways that a ferrofluid can lose its effectiveness, such as evaporation of the carrier liquid. Oxidative degradation, which occurs when the fluid is heated in the presence of air, is another problem.
Oxidative degradation of the magnetic particles causes the particles to lose their magnetic character due to the formation on the surface of the particles of a non-magnetic or low magnetic oxide layer. Attempts to solve this problem, i.e., prevent oxidation of the magnetic particles, are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,608,186, 4,624,797 and 4,626,370.
In addition to oxidative degradation of the magnetic particles, oxidative degradation of the dispersant is believed to be another problem associated with the loss of effectiveness of a ferrofluid. Oxidative degradation of the dispersant increases the particle-to-particle attraction within the colloid, resulting in gelation of the magnetic colloid at a much more rapid rate than would occur in the absence of oxidative degradation. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a ferrofluid having an improved resistance to oxidative degradation of the dispersant to increase the time until gelation occurs.

Ferrofluid having improved oxidation resistance


A seat height adjusting device includes first and second brackets spaced away from each other, an arm disposed between the first and second brackets and having first and second ends pivotally mounted on the first bracket and a seat support, a spur gear operable to rotate the arm, first and second latches engageable with the spur gear, and a handle rotatably mounted on the first or second bracket. One of the first and second brackets is joined to a seat frame. When the seat is raised, the handle is operated to intermittently engage the first latch with the spur gear, thereby rotating the spur gear in a first direction to drive the arm. To lower the seat, the handle is operated to intermittently engage the second latch with the spur gear, thereby rotating the spur gear in a direction opposite the first direction to drive the arm.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device for appropriately adjusting the height of a seat such as, for example, an automobile seat.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional height adjusting device for an automobile seat is disposed between an upper rail, which constitutes a seat sliding apparatus, and a seat cushion, and includes a small-diameter pinion mounted on an operating shaft, a large-diameter sector gear held in engagement with the pinion, and an operating lever mounted on the sector gear. In an attempt to adjust the height of the seat, the operating lever is operated up and down to rotate the pinion via the sector gear (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
This height adjusting device also includes a brake drum for preventing a vertical movement of a lifting mechanism. Even if the operating lever is operated, no brakes are applied to the lifting mechanism, but if a load is applied from the seat cushion side, the brake drum applies the brakes to the lifting mechanism.
Patent Document 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 10-35332 (see FIG. 1)
However, the brake drum employed in the height adjusting device as disclosed in Patent Document 1 is of a friction type, and there is still room for improvement in terms of the operational feel. Also, the seat stiffness is not so high.


A sound generation system for a vehicle includes a sound generator for operating a speaker of the vehicle to produce an audible sound. A controller detects a vehicle operation event and controls the sound generator to generate an audible indication of the event, an association of the audible indication with the event being programmable by a user.

Electric and hybrid vehicles that are powered either fully or in part by electricity and are becoming increasingly popular. The increased popularity is due in part to rising prices of fossil fuels, as well as to the environmental concerns of fossil fuel emissions and their contribution to air pollution and to the greenhouse effect. In parallel, manufacturers of such electric and hybrid vehicles continue to improve the vehicles' performance and reliability.
The growing number of electric vehicles in traffic creates new and potential risks to the safety of pedestrians, bicyclists, runners, children, pets, wildlife, and other vehicle operators. Such pedestrians and others are often used to hearing the presence or approach of a vehicle, and will often expect such audible cues when approaching a road or driveway. As the sound generated by engines of electric vehicles generate is almost inaudible, pedestrians and other users of the road cannot audibly detect the approach or presence of an electric vehicle.
When the pedestrian is blind or vision impaired, the dependence of audible clues to the presence of a vehicle is increased. The lack of audibility of an approaching electric vehicle could prove disastrous.
The Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2010 mandates the Secretary of Transportation to promulgate a motor vehicle safety standard "establishing performance requirements for an alert sound that allows blind and other pedestrians to reasonably detect a nearby electric or hybrid vehicle . . . and . . . requiring new electric or hybrid vehicles to provide an alert sound conforming to the requirements of the motor vehicle safety standard established." In order to determine the standard, the Secretary is instructed to "determine the minimum level of sound emitted from a motor vehicle that is necessary to provide blind and other pedestrians with the information needed to reasonably detect a nearby electric or hybrid vehicle" and to "determine the performance requirements for an alert sound that is recognizable to a pedestrian as a motor vehicle in operation."

System and method for user selectable audible event indication for a vehicle


During planarization of wafers, the thickness of a layer of a wafer is measured at a number of locations, after the wafer has been planarized by chemical mechanical polishing. The thickness measurements are used to automatically determine, from a center to edge profile model to which the measurements are fit, a parameter that controls chemical mechanical polishing, called “backside pressure.” Backside pressure is determined in some embodiments by a logic test based on the center-to-edge profile model, coefficient of determination R-square of the model, and current value of backside pressure. Note that a “backside pressure” set point is adjusted only if the fit of the measurements to the model is good, e.g. as indicated by R-square being greater than a predetermined limit. Next, the backside pressure that has been determined from the model is used in planarizing a subsequent wafer.

During processing of semiconductor substrates that are to contain integrated circuits and/or heads of disk drives (such as read and write heads), it is common to planarize a wafer by use of chemical mechanical polishing (CMP). Typical chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) systems use a polishing arm and carrier assembly 110 (FIG. 1A) that press the top surface of a semiconductor wafer 101 against a rotating polishing pad 102 mounted on a platen 120.
Post-CMP within wafer non-uniformity (WIWNU) could depend on many factors such as incoming wafer film uniformity, down force, wafer curvature back-side-pressure (BSP), wafer to retaining ring protrusion, retaining ring pressure, pad, conditioning, table and carrier speed, slurry distribution, oscillation, etc. However, inventors note that the effect from back-side-pressure (BSP) on post-CMP uniformity is much more significant than other parameters. We found that Post CMP wafer uniformity is dominated by polishing BSP.
Bow (convex) is the typical global geometry of wafer deformation due to the wafer substrate bow and film stress. The compressive stress from deposition processing causes convex bending. Based on the incoming wafer and process maps, the back-side-pressure in the process recipe can be adjusted to bend wafer by positive, vacuum, or radical zone back-side-pressure and optimized to obtain polishing uniformity or compensate for film center-to-edge thick or thin incoming film thickness. Back-side-pressure can push the back of a wafer and accelerate the center polishing rate for center-thick-edge-thin film or center-slow-edge-fast process. It also can vacuum the back of the wafer and decrease the center polishing rate for the center-fast-edge-slow process.

Run-to-run control of backside pressure for CMP radial uniformity optimization based on center-to-edge model

Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.


Provided is an apparatus and method for displaying a picture in a portable terminal. The method includes identifying a visibility color quality corresponding to the external brightness upon sensing of generation of a visibility control event, identifying external brightness, identifying a set color quality that is a color quality currently output to a display unit, comparing whether the visibility color quality is equal to the set color quality, and altering the set color quality into the visibility color quality when the comparison result is that the visibility color quality is not equal to the set color quality.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an apparatus and method for displaying a picture in a portable terminal, and in particular, to an apparatus and method for displaying a picture, for adjusting a color quality of a picture to guarantee the visibility of an output picture depending on an ambient brightness in a portable terminal.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, portable terminals such as mobile communication terminals or Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) have become widely used. Portable terminals are increasing, as time goes by, in their number of uses, such as photographing an image or a video through an equipped digital camera, viewing a satellite broadcast, editing a document, playing a game, navigating, listening to music, transmitting/receiving a short message, and transmitting/receiving a multimedia message attached with a photographed image or moving picture, as well as simple telephony or schedule management.
The camera can use a Charge Coupled Device (CCD) or a Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) sensor. A display unit can use a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD). The miniaturization of cameras leads to a tendency to miniaturize devices containing cameras. Portable terminals can photograph and display video pictures as moving pictures or still pictures. Also, portable terminals can transmit photographed pictures to a base station. The portable terminals are equipped with camera modules for processing high-resolution video data. Thus, portable terminals can process and store high-resolution true color image data at the level of a general digital camera. However, the portable terminal is limited in size and thus, its display unit generally is small in size. Such a small-sized display unit can display a high-resolution true color video, however, a high-resolution true color video has a drawback that visibility, which is the ability of human visual perception, may be rather deteriorated under bright outdoor circumstances, as a resolution increases and the number of expressed colors increases.
In many cases, portable terminals are used mainly outdoors. In a case where an ambient brightness is greater than a brightness of the display unit, there occurs a drawback that visibility deteriorates enough to make it difficult for a user to identify a picture displayed on a display unit of the portable terminal. This drawback worsens due to a limitation in the brightness of a backlight source, in a case where the display unit is a transmissive LCD using only a backlight source.
In order to overcome the drawback, a new light transmission method or light source is under development. However, the real circumstances are that it is difficult to develop a product satisfying consumers even under a strong midday sunshine.
In a case where the drawbacks of visibility reduction appear complex, the reduction of visibility appears more greatly. In other words, visibility is greatly deteriorated when a display unit of a portable terminal displays high-resolution true color video data in a place where ambient brightness is greater than brightness of the display unit.

Apparatus and method for displaying picture in portable terminal


A gamut mapping method and apparatus are provided which allow a reproduction device to properly represent colors that are not within a gamut boundary of the reproduction device but within in a gamut boundary of a source device. The gamut mapping method includes (a) setting a cut-off rate for a predetermined color component and defining a cut-off region on a standard color circle; (b) determining a gamut of a reproduction device using color data which is part of basic color data and corresponds to colors that do not belong to the cut-off region; (c) modifying a gamut of a source device according to the determined gamut of the reproduction device; (d) determining a mapping relationship between the modified gamut of the source device and the determined gamut of the reproduction device; and (e) creating a mapping table based on the determined mapping relationship.

1. Field of the Invention
Apparatuses and methods consistent with the present invention relate to gamut mapping, and more particularly, to gamut mapping which can allow a reproduction device to properly represent colors that are not within a gamut boundary of the reproduction device but within a gamut boundary of a source device.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, color input/output devices such as monitors, scanners, cameras, and printers which represent colors use different color spaces or different color models. For example, for reproducing color images, printers use a cyan-magenta-yellow (CMY) or cyan-magenta-yellow-black (CMYK) color space, color cathode ray tube (CRT) monitors or computer graphic devices use a red-green-blue (RGB) color space, and color input/output devices which are required to handle hue, saturation, and brightness all together use a hue-saturation-intensity (HSI) color space. A CIE color space is often used to define colors which can be accurately represented by any types of devices, i.e., device-independent colors. Examples of the CIE color space include a CIEXYZ color space, a CIELab color space, and a CIELuv color space.
A range of colors that can be represented, i.e., a gamut, may differ from one color input/output device to another. Accordingly, color input/output devices having different gamuts may represent the same image differently. Therefore, in a case when a gamut of a source color input/output device which provides an input color signal is different from a gamut of a target color input/output device which represents a color corresponding to the input color signal, gamut mapping is needed to appropriately convert the input color signal such that the gamut of the source color input/output device can match the gamut of the target color input/output device and that the color reproducibility of the input color signal can be enhanced.
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining related art gamut mapping. Referring to FIG. 1, reference character S1 represents a gamut of a source device, reference character S2 represents a gamut of a target device, X1 represents an original color provided by the source device, and X2 represents a color obtained by performing gamut mapping on the original color X1.
Since the gamut S1 of the source device is wider than the gamut S2 of the target device, as illustrated in FIG. 1, gamut mapping must be performed on the original color X1 using the Gamut boundary descriptors (GBDs) of the source device and the target device such that the original color X1 can be mapped to the inside of the gamut S2 of the target device. In other words, gamut mapping is a process of enabling the target device to properly represent the color X1, which is provided by the source device and is outside the gamut S1 of the target device, by mapping the color X1 to the color X2 which is located on the boundary of the gamut S2 of the target device.
In general, a related art gamut mapping operation for different color input/output devices may be performed by converting a color space of an input color signal and converting the lightness and chroma of the resulting input color signal while keeping the hue of the resulting input color signal. In detail, a color space of an input color signal may be converted from a device-dependent color space (DDCS) such as an RGB color space or a CMYK color space to a device-independent color space (DICS) such as a CIEXYZ color space or a CIELab color space, and the DICS is converted to an LCH coordinate system representing lightness, hue, and chroma. Thereafter, gamut mapping is performed on the input color signal on a plane where hue is uniform, i.e., a lightness-chroma (LC) plane, such that the lightness and chroma of the input color signal can be appropriately changed.
Related art gamut mapping methods are broadly classified into a gamut mapping method in which gamut mapping is performed such that accuracy, and brightness/contrast can be enhanced and a gamut mapping method in which different gamut mapping techniques are applied to different gamuts. These related art gamut mapping methods, however, simply use an original gamut of a source device (such as a monitor) as it is. No specific methods capable of properly realizing an original gamut of a source device by appropriately adjusting a gamut of a reproduction device such as a printer have been suggested.
A gamut of a monitor includes a gamut of a printer for most hues. However, referring to FIG. 2, there are colors, such as cyan (C), which cannot be properly represented by a source device such as a monitor, but can be represented by a reproduction device such as a printer. Obviously, there is no need for a printer to represent colors which cannot be represented by a monitor. However, a printer may make C, which is generally displayed by a monitor, appear darker than it actually is.


A uniform layer of charged toner particles is deposited onto a photoconductive layer of an imaging member. The toner particles are imagewise heated to imagewise tack selected ones of the particles to the photoconductive layer. The photoconductive layer is uniformly exposed to actinic radiation to discharge the toner particles while the layer is subjected to a gentle cleaning process which removes the nontacked toner particles.

The above referenced application discloses a method and apparatus for producing images. Such apparatus utilizes a moving imaging member which includes a dielectric layer and a conductive layer maintained at a reference potential such as ground. A substantially uniform layer of charged toner particles is deposited onto the dielectric layer. The uniform layer of toner particles is then imagewise heated with a scanning, intensity-modulated laser beam which softens selected toner particles. This causes the selected toner particles to be lightly tacked to the dielectric layer.
In order to reveal the image, those toner particles which are not lightly tacked to the imaging member (nonselected toner particles) must be removed from the imaging member. This is accomplished by a magnetic brush which utilizes magnetic carrier particles. Typically, a large quantity of nonselected toner particles must be removed from the imaging member in a short period of time in order to efficiently produce images. A problem in removing the charged, nonselected toner particles from the imaging member is that these toner particles are electrostatically attracted toward the conductive layer. Because the dielectric layer is an insulator, the charged, nonselected toner particles cannot be discharged. As a result, it is more difficult and time consuming to remove the charged, nonselected toner particles from the imaging member to reveal the image.


In a separator for separating a stripping sheet from a composite film formed by a base sheet and the stripping sheet which are superposed with each other, the composite film is first so carried and arranged that its forward end portion extends over a separating clearance formed in a support, and then a blade is pushed into the separating clearance for thrusting the composite film into the separating clearance in a bent state. Thus, the forward end portion of the composite film is separated (i.e., delaminated). Thereafter the base sheet and the stripping sheet are independently sucked/held on the delaminated forward end portion, and the stripping sheet is completely separated from the base sheet while widening the space between the held positions of these sheets. Due to the aforementioned structure and operation, the composite film can be separated in a simple structure with minimum force, and the separator can be reduced in size and power.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for separating a plurality of sheets laminated in the form of a composite film, which is available in an image recording process.
2. Description of the Background Art
In a general image recording unit, for a printing process an unexposed photosensitive film is drawn out from a long film which is wound in the form of a roll and attached onto an outer peripheral surface of a drum in a prescribed length to be exposed through irradiation with a laser beam or the like. The exposed films formed with latent images are successively rolled-up and a number of rolled-up exposed films are developed by an automatic developing apparatus or processor which is provided independently of the image recording unit, for preparing a number of process films through single development.
Therefore, films exposed by the image recording unit must be temporarily carried to the automatic developing apparatus while the same are rendered not exposed by external light, to be charged into and developed in the automatic developing apparatus. Thus, these steps are so complicated that productivity is inevitably reduced.
In recent years, on the other hand, a composite film requiring no developing step is provided. As shown in FIG. 1A, a composite film 1 for image recording is formed by a base sheet 3 provided with a color material layer 2 and a stripping sheet 5 which is separably stuck to the color material layer 2 through an adhesive layer 4, and the stripping sheet 5 is generally formed to be smaller in thickness as compared with the base sheet 3.
When this composite film 1 is exposed, a color material portion which is irradiated with a laser beam in the color material layer 2 loses bonding strength with respect to the base sheet 3, and is separated and removed from the base sheet 3 along with the adhesive layer 4, following separation of the stripping sheet 5, as shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C. Thus, a base sheet, i.e., an image formation sheet 7 (image recording film) recording image information is obtained. In another type of composite film, a portion of a color material layer 2 irradiated with a laser beam acquires bonding strength with respect to a base sheet 3, and a color material portion not irradiated with the laser beam is separated and removed from the base sheet 3 along with a stripping sheet 5 in this case.
The aforementioned composite film 1 is also provided in the form of a rolled long film in general, and an operation of forming an image on the composite film 1 which is cut into a proper length and exposing the same is continuously performed so that the cut film is generally handled as a square sheet type composite film 1 after the exposure.
An unnecessary sheet must be separated and removed from the exposed square sheet type composite film 1 in order to obtain the image formation sheet 7. No means of efficiently separating and removing the unnecessary sheet from the exposed composite film 1 has yet been established in the image recording unit employing the composite film 1, under the present circumstances.
In the image recording unit employing such a composite film 1, the stripping sheet 5 falls into disuse after the exposure, and this unnecessary sheet 5 is collected and discarded after separated from the base sheet 3.
In general, a collection area such as a trash can or the like is generally provided in the exterior of a processing unit such as the image recording unit so that the unnecessary sheet carried from the processing unit is dropped and collected therein. On the other hand, there has been made a trial of carrying the unnecessary sheet inside a ring-shaped guide for rolling and collecting the sheet therein.
If the collection area such as a trash can is provided, however, a space is required in the exterior of the processing unit and the space for installing the unit is disadvantageously increased. Further, unnecessary sheets simply dropped in the collection area bulkily heap up therein, and hence the size of the collection area must be increased in order to increase the amount of collection. On the other hand, the method of collecting the unnecessary sheets while rolling the same inside the ring-shaped guide is impractical since trouble such as jamming readily takes place in collection and the amount of collection is limited to several sheets.
The present invention is not restricted to the collection of the aforementioned unnecessary sheets, but is also applicable to the simple and compact collection of various types of sheets such as photographs and printed matters and ink sheets in DDCP (digital direct color proofer).

Sheet separator for image recording process


When one or more reused sheets each having a printed side and an unprinted side on which duplex printing has been performed are ejected onto an exit tray and then loaded onto a manual feed tray, an operation control section controls a sheet feed section to feed sheets alternately from a sheet feed cassette and the manual feed tray. At times at which the sheets in the sheet feed cassette are fed, the operation control section controls an image forming section to form, on the sheets fed from the sheet feed cassette, images that have been formed over the printed sides of the reused sheets in the duplex printing. At times at which the sheets loaded onto the manual feed tray are fed, the operation control section controls the image forming section to not form an image and causes the sheets to be ejected onto the exit tray.

The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus and in particular relates to a technique for reducing wasteful consumption of sheets of paper due to printing errors during duplex printing.
In order to effectively reuse resources and reduce costs, it is common practice to load sheets of paper on which simplex printing has already been performed (referred to below as reused sheets) into a specific one of a plurality of sheet feed cassettes in an image forming apparatus, and to print on unprinted sides of the reused sheets. Unfortunately, the sheet feed cassette in which the reused sheets are stored may be mistakenly selected in duplex printing for which it is necessary to use sheets of paper on which printing has not been performed on either side thereof (referred to below as new sheets). In such a situation, printing is performed on printed sides of the reused sheets, resulting in a printing error.
In a known technique, for example, each sheet feed cassette is set in advance as either storing new sheets or reused sheets in order to solve the above-described problem. When an instruction for duplex printing is received, simplex printing is performed instead of duplex printing if the instruction indicates a sheet feed cassette that is set as storing reused sheets therein. Thus, printing is prevented from being mistakenly performed on the printed sides of reused sheets.


Approaches to using unstructured input to update heterogeneous data stores include receiving unstructured text input, receiving a template for interpreting the unstructured text input, identifying, using an entity classifier, entities in the unstructured text input, identifying one or more potential parent entities from the identified entities based on the template, receiving a selection of a parent entity from the one or more potential parent entities, identifying one or more potential child entities from the identified entities based on the template and the selected parent entity, receiving a selection of a child entity from the one or more potential child entities, identifying an action item in the unstructured text input based on the identified entities and the template, determining, using an intent classifier, an intent of the action item, and updating a data store based on the determined intent, the identified entities, and the selected child entity.

The subject matter discussed in the background section should not be assumed to be prior art merely as a result of its mention in the background section. Similarly, a problem mentioned in the background section or associated with the subject matter of the background section should not be assumed to have been previously recognized in the prior art.
Computer and software development is evolving away from the client-server model toward network-based processing systems that provide access to data and services via the Internet or other networks. In contrast to traditional systems that host networked applications on dedicated server hardware, a "cloud" computing model allows applications to be provided over the network "as a service" supplied by an infrastructure provider. The infrastructure provider typically abstracts the underlying hardware and other resources used to deliver a user-developed application so that a user (e.g., consumer of cloud-based services) no longer needs to operate and support dedicated server hardware. The cloud computing model can often provide substantial cost savings to the user over the life of the application because the user no longer needs to provide dedicated network infrastructure, electrical and temperature controls, physical security and other logistics in support of dedicated server hardware.
A cloud platform (i.e., a computing platform for cloud computing) may be employed by many users to store, manage, and process data using a shared network of remote servers. Users may develop applications on the cloud platform to handle the storage, management, and processing of data. In some cases, the cloud platform may utilize a multi-tenant database system. Users may access the cloud platform using various user devices (e.g., desktop computers, laptops, smartphones, tablets, or other computing systems, etc.). In one example, the cloud platform may support customer relationship management (CRM) solutions. This may include support for sales, service, marketing, community, analytics, applications, and the Internet of Things (IoT).
It is not uncommon for a multi-tenant database system to store data for different tenants according to tenant-specific schemas and/or data arrangements. This creates a database that encompasses multiple data stores that are heterogeneous because each of the data stores store different information according to the different schemas and/or data arrangements. This presents a challenge to both users and developers as the users are often constrained to enter new data and/or specify data changes using a structured approach built around a user interface that is typically constrained by the schema of the underlying data store.
Accordingly, it would be advantageous to have improved methods and systems that users may use to specify additions and/or changes to data and, more specifically, methods and systems that allow users to specify the additions and/or changes using unstructured input.
In the figures, elements having the same designations have the same or similar functions.

Using unstructured input to update heterogeneous data stores