An optical system for light scanning devices in which a beam of light travels from an origin to an object along a light path and has along that path a scan direction and a cross-scan direction. The optical system includes a light source at the origin of the light path, a polygonal reflector located along the light path and having adjacent peripheral mirror surfaces rotatable in the scan direction, and a pre-scan optical sub-system located along the light path between the light source and the polygonal reflector. The pre-scan optical sub-system includes, in order of light travel from the light source, a collimating lens and a pre-scan lens having a convex cylindrical lens entrance surface aligned in the scan direction for converging the light beam in the cross-scan direction, and a convex lens exit surface for converging the light beam in the scan direction. An aperture stop may be provided between the collimating lens and the pre-scan lens to further truncate or reduce the diameter of the collimated beam. The optical system has a post-scan optical sub-system located along the light path between the rotatable polygonal reflector and the object and including a first f-theta lens and a second f-theta lens.

The present invention relates to an optical system for scanning an object surface with a beam of light originating at a light source, and, more particularly, to such an optical system particularly suited for use in laser printers.
An optical system used in laser printers may be characterized as having three sub-systems, namely, a pre-scan optical sub-system, a scanning sub-system, and a post-scan sub-system. Typically, the pre-scan optical sub-system includes a laser diode with large beam divergence for a light source, a collimator lens to produce a collimated beam of the light emitted by the laser diode, a pre-scan lens to focus the process beam to a waist, a plane pre-scan mirror to fold the pre-scan optics path and to attenuate laser power, and associated mounting hardware.
The scanning sub-system is essentially a motor driven rotatable polygonal reflector having adjacent peripheral mirror surfaces or facets that both translate and rotate in operation of the printer. The mirror surfaces reflect the collimated and focused beam of the pre-scan optical sub-system and their direction of translation determines the scan direction of the beam passing to a scanned object, that is, a photosensitive drum in a laser printer.
The post-scan optical system conventionally includes a focusing lens for transforming the light beam reflected from the polygonal reflector of the scanning sub-system into a beam having spot size suitable for the laser printing operation, and a lens known in the art as an f-theta lens. The f-theta lens functions principally to compensate spot positional dependence on the tangent of the scanning mirror rotation angle .theta. in order to produce a nearly linear position to angle relationship. The post-scan optical sub-system may also include one or more folding mirrors to adapt to the geometry of the printer apparatus.
The pre-scan optical sub-system defines the light beam axis between the laser diode source and the rotatable polygonal reflector and provides a set of beam diameters and radii of curvature at two locations on that axis. Although the optical components used in this sub-system are relatively uncomplicated from a design standpoint, the pre-scan optical sub-system utilizes very short focal length optics of high numeric aperture for reasons of size and efficiency of coupling to the laser diode. As a result, sensitivity to component tolerance and placement accuracy are very important. Also, the pre-scan optical sub-system is required to produce a beam waist in the cross scan or processing direction, perpendicular to the scan direction, at a precise location relative to the polygonal reflector. This requirement has been satisfied in the prior art by a plano-cylindrical lens oriented with the axis of the cylinder parallel to the scan direction.
The polygonal reflector of the scanning sub-system of laser printers rotates at speeds in the range of tens of thousands of revolutions per minute and, as such, represents a source of audible and optical noise that has a deleterious effect on the ultimate quality of laser printer performance. Therefore, reduction in size and inertia of the rotatable polygonal mirror continues to be a much-sought-after objective of laser printer optical systems. The required width of the polygonal mirror surfaces in the cross scan direction has been reduced significantly by the aforementioned plano-cylindrical pre-scan lens. However, a reduction in the length of the peripheral mirror facets on the polygonal reflector is limited by beam diameter in the scan direction.
In the prior art, various designs of the pre-scan optical sub-system have been advanced to reduce the width of the laser beam directed to the polygonal scan reflector. Beam truncation by selection of the collimator lens represents one approach. The divergent beam emitted by the laser diode is truncated by the collimator lens because the clear aperture of collimator lens is smaller than the numerical aperture of the beam. Since the laser diode is aligned with its plane of widest divergence in the scan plane, the truncation effect is much larger in the scan direction. The main limiting factors in selection of the numeric aperture of a collimator lens, and thus the degree of truncation, are the cost of a collimator lens, allowable wavefront distortion due to a collimator lens, and allowable power loss. A secondary effect of truncation is the appearance of diffracted power as "lobes" associated with spots at the drum surface.
The use of aperture stops for reducing the width of the beam in the pre-scan optical system has also been proposed. This approach is also limited by allowable power loss. Finally, attempts have been made to reduce beam width at the scanning mirror facets, in the scan direction, by defocussing the collimator lens. This approach to the problem, however, results in the creation of spherical aberrations, increased wave front errors, and resulting lower print quality. Also, proper defocussing adjustment of a collimator lens requires extremely high precision, thereby making the proper adjustment very difficult to achieve in practice.
Accordingly, there is a need for improvement in the current optical systems used in devices such as laser printers, particularly a reduction in rotatable scan reflector diameter without compromising cost and print quality considerations.


A structural member for use in a rotor system which rotates about a rotational axis includes a pin which extends substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis, a filler component positioned adjacent the pin, and a plurality of layers of composite material having fibers oriented lengthwise along a central axis which is perpendicular to the rotational axis. The plurality of fibers in the layers of composite material is wrapped about the pin and the filler component such that the fibers extend along the central axis and the plurality of layers form an opening filled by the filler component and which decreases as a function of distance from the pin along the central axis.

The present disclosure relates to a bearingless rotor system, and more particularly, to a system for mounting a flexbeam of a rotor blade assembly to a rotor hub.
Bearingless rotor systems utilize a flexible structural member, commonly termed a "flexbeam" or "flexbeam connector" for retention of a helicopter rotor blade to a torque drive hub member. Basic operational constraints of rotary wing flight impose substantial functional complexity upon the rotor flexbeam necessitated by the need to accurately control the multi-directional displacement of the rotor blades, i.e., flapwise and edgewise bending, and torsional or pitch change motions. The flexbeam, which is typically comprised of fiber reinforced resin matrix materials, reduces the weight, complexity, and maintenance of the rotor assembly while, furthermore, improving the reliability and damage tolerance thereof.
In existing rotor systems, the flexbeam is typically attached to the rotor hub via a bolted connection. Accordingly, a series of holes are drilled at the inboard end of the flexbeam, and these holes receive fasteners that mechanically couple the flexbeam to the rotor hub. Because drilling holes in the flexbeam weakens the strength and rigidity of the flexbeam, the thickness of the flexbeam at the region of the bolted attachment is substantially thicker than what would otherwise be required to react the loads acting on the rotor blade. This adds considerable weight and complexity to the rotor blade.

Rotor blade assembly for bearingless rotor


Provided are an apparatus for managing resources in a Java environment and a method of managing the same, in which in confirming finalized states of a plurality of reference objects and finalizable objects classified according to accessibility from a program to be currently executed, an order confirming whether the respective objects are finalized is changed. The apparatus includes an accessibility confirming unit confirming whether an object to which a memory resource is allocated is accessible through a route set, an access path confirming unit confirming access paths to the object according to the confirmed result by the accessibility confirming unit, a control unit determining an order of the access paths, and a resource releasing unit releasing the memory resource allocated to the object according to the order of the access paths.

1. Field of the Invention
Apparatuses and methods consistent with the present application relate to managing resources in a Java environment. More particularly, apparatuses and methods consistent with the present invention relate to managing resources in a Java environment, in which in confirming finalized states of a plurality of reference objects and finalizable objects classified according to accessibility from a program to be currently executed, an order confirming whether the respective objects are finalized is changed, such that resources allocated to objects accessible through the reference objects are effectively used.
2. Description of the Related Art
Java is an object-oriented programming language that runs written code in a platform independent manner. Here, the platform means hardware on which a program executes, or a software environment, such as an operating system. The code written in Java is compiled into a Java byte code by a Java compiler. The Java byte code is executed by a Java virtual machine that is ported to a variety of hardware-based platforms.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a Java virtual machine according to the related art. A Java virtual machine 10 includes an interpreter 11, a garbage collector 12, a class loader 13, and a run-time system 14.
An instance for a class is referred to as an object. When one object is created, a portion of a heap region of a memory is allocated to the created object. In addition, when the corresponding object disappears, the garbage collector 12 releases the resource allocation of the corresponding memory region, such that another program or object can freely use the resource.
At the time of releasing the resource allocation, the garbage collector 12 confirms whether all objects to which memory resources of the heap regions have been allocated are finalized, and then releases the resources allocated to all of the finalized objects. In this case, the garbage collector 12 confirms whether access is possible from a program currently being executed so as to confirm whether the corresponding object is finalized. That is, the garbage collector 12 determines that accessible objects through a root set of a thread are not finalized, and determines that inaccessible objects through the root set of the thread are finalized.
There are objects that are accessible from the root set through an instance of a class (hereinafter, referred to as "reference object") to which a reference class is inherited. These objects are classified into objects that are inaccessible from the root set, and the resource allocation for the corresponding memory region is released by the garbage collector 12.
In this case, the reference objects are classified into a soft reference object, a weak reference object, and a phantom reference object, and access to the objects may be classified into four types according to the access methods from the root set. That is, access to the objects are classified into access from the other objects excluding the reference object, access from the soft reference object, access from the weak reference object, and access from the phantom reference object.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a state in which objects are finalized according to the related art. The state includes a finalizable state 21, a finalizing state 22, a finalized state 23, and a returned state 24. The object in which a state change can be made is referred to as a finalizable object.
The finalizable state 21 means a state in which the object is created and being executed, the finalizing state 22 means a state in which the object is finalizing as a finalize function is executed, the finalized state 23 means a state in which the resource allocated to the corresponding object can be released by the garbage collector 12 as the execution of the finalize function is finalized, and the returned state 24 means a state in which the resources allocated to the corresponding object are released from the memory region.
In order to confirm whether the object to which the memory resource of the heap region is allocated is finalized, the garbage collector 12 sets all of the bits indicating whether the object is active (hereinafter, referred to as active bit) to false, and then starts to confirm all objects that are accessible from the route set. Then, if the object to be a confirm target is accessible from the route set, the garbage collector 12 sets the active bit of the corresponding object to true, and removes it from the resource releasing target.
A queue for each reference object may exist depending on whether a Java virtual machine is implemented. When the object to be the confirm target is accessible through the reference object, the garbage collector 12 inputs the address of the corresponding object to the queue corresponding to the type of the reference object. At this time, since the object accessible through the reference object is not a strongly accessible object, the active bit of the corresponding object is maintained as false.
When it is confirmed that the object is finalized, the garbage collector 12 inputs the address of the object, which is not strongly accessible, to the queue of the finalizable object.
In addition, the garbage collector 12 performs a resource releasing job for the objects corresponding to the collected addresses in the order of the queue of the soft reference object, the queue of the weak reference object, the queue of the finalizable object, and the queue of the phantom reference object. That is, the garbage collector 12 extracts the addresses input to the queue of the soft reference object, the queue of the weak reference object, and the queue of the phantom reference object, then sets the objects corresponding to the respective addresses to NULL, and sets active bits of the object corresponding to the address input to the queue of the finalizable object and all objects to be accessible from the object to true. This is because the objects finalized by the finalize function, that is, a finalizable object and the objects accessible by the finalizable object should be in an active state.
Meanwhile, when a certain object is a strongly accessible object and is an object accessible through the reference object (hereinafter, common object), the garbage collector 12 sets the common objects corresponding to the addresses extracted from the queue of the soft reference object and the queue of the weak reference object to NULL, and sets the active bit of the common object of the address extracted from the queue of the finalizable object to true. That is, after the same object (common object) is set to NULL, the active bit of the same object is set to true, and the memory resource allocated to the same object exists in a heap region. This state is maintained until the state of the object is a finalized state 23. Therefore, the memory resources that are not accessible through the reference object exist in the heap region resulting in wasted resources.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,070,173 discloses a method in which an actual object heap and a virtual object heap larger than the actual object heap are formed, a Java application object is allocated to the virtual object heap, and the garbage collection is performed in the virtual object heap.
However, according to the method disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,070,173, since the heap region is virtually extended, there is no disclosure of a method preventing the generation of memory resources that are not accessible through the reference object.
Accordingly, a method has been strongly required where memory resources, which are not released in the resource releasing process by the garbage collector 12 and are not accessible, are prevented from being generated.

Apparatus and method for managing resource on java environment


A base station judges whether backup channel of the base station has therein a channel which is not an operating channel of another base station configuring an adjacent cell by the channel management unit, and, if there is at least one channel which is not an operating channel of the another base station, performs fairness processing according to a prescribed etiquette to have one of the channels as an operating channel of the base station, and, if not, determines a base station which requests a release of an operating channel from the another based on the basis of a degree of satisfaction defined as a function of an offered communication traffic within a cell, a transmission rate depending on a propagation environment between the base station and a wireless communication terminal and an actually allocated operating channel number, and performs negotiation processing to cause a release of an operating channel.

The present invention relates to a multichannel wireless communication technology according to which a base station uses two or more channels to configure a cell including wireless communication terminals, and more particularly to a technology for controlling the use of channels between neighbor base stations.
Progress of an information society in recent years is very remarkable, and as a communication method for many information and communications apparatus and services, wireless communication is also used frequently other than wire communication.
Therefore, the demands for the radio frequencies whose use is limited are increasing continuously, and the depletion of frequencies that can be allocated is posing a big problem in every country in the world. In general, a country performs license management of the frequencies, and only those who are licensed to use can use the frequencies in the specific location and time period.
But, in order to satisfy the demands for frequencies which will increase continuously in the future, a new method of using the frequencies not being obsessed with the incumbent use method is being demanded.
Therefore, as a new method of using the frequencies to solve the depletion problem of the frequencies, studies are being made in these years to provide a method using a frequency band (for white space) which is not used spatially and timewise though it has already been allocated.
For example, research and development are being performed on a cognitive wireless communication system or the like by which an unlicensed user (hereinafter referred to as "secondary user") uses the radio wave of the white space flexibly while the influence of the incumbent system for a licensed user (hereinafter referred to as "primary user") to the frequency use is avoided sufficiently. See the Non Patent Literature 1: Koji Fujii, "Cognitive radio: Core technology of using white space to eliminate the waste of wave use", RIC TELECOM, Retrieved on Jun. 9, 2011, on the Internet of businessnetwork.jp.
For example, in a wireless communication system using the white space, that is standardized by IEEE 802.22, respective radio stations access the database (DB) on an IP network by PAWS (Protocol to Access White Space database) to obtain a transmittable channel list (frequency list) based on the position information on a local station and maximum transmittable power. The transmittable channel list is collectively managed while it is being updated as required by a spectrum manager (SM) within a base station (BS). And, the BS determines a channel usable for communication as an operating channel according to the transmittable channel list and communicates with a wireless communication terminal (CPE: Customer Premises Equipment) such as a slave station, a cellular phone or the like, which is installed from door to door within a service area (cell) of the BS.
The SM manages spectrum sensing information. The respective radio stations (such as BS and CPE, the same applies below) are provided with a spectrum sensing function. Upon detecting by the spectrum sensing that the determined operating channel is being used by the incumbent system (system for the primary user), the respective radio stations notify the information to the SM. Then, the SM notifies the detected information to the DB and excludes the above channel from the transmittable channel list.
The wireless communication system using the white space performs dynamic spectrum access based on the information which is updated every moment as described above, avoids an influence to the frequency use by the primary user and also realizes communication of the secondary user.
Other functions provided to the SM include a function to share a list of operating channels (OPE) and a list of backup channels (BAK) with an adjacent BS, and according to such information, a channel can be selected exclusively not to cause interference between geographically closely positioned IEEE802.22 cells (adjacent cells). A Self Co-existence function (SC) is provided so that in a case where exclusive use is impossible, the channel is shared between the adjacent cells by time sharing. See the Non Patent Literature 2: "IEEE Std 802.22-2011 Part 22: Cognitive Wireless RAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Specifications: Policies and Procedures for Operation in the TV Bands" edited by Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Computer Society, (U.S.A.), IEEE Standards Association, Jul. 27, 2011.
FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing a flow to determine an operating channel after obtaining a list of channels usable by own cell and a channel list of all adjacent cells according to Non Patent Literatures.
Non Patent Literature 2 includes, for example, the following states as a state of channel.
AVA (Available): Channel notified as a usable white space by the DB.
OPE (Operation): Channel operating in the cell.
BAK (Backup): Operation candidate channel that is AVA and also judged as operable according to a sensing result.
LP1 (Local priority 1): Channel that is not OPE or BAK of an adjacent cell in the BAK.
LP2 (Local priority 2): Channel that is not OPE of an adjacent cell in the BAK.
LP3 (Local priority 3): OPE channel of an adjacent cell in the BAK.
Provided that an SCH (Superframe Control Header) or a CBP (Co-existence Beacon Protocol) is received from the adjacent cell, each BS can obtain a list of OPE and BAK channels of the adjacent cell. Then, a channel not causing interference between the adjacent cells is selected depending on the operating state of the channel of the adjacent cell.
The SCH is a frame header, which is transmitted at a top frame of the superframe having 16 frames as one control cycle, and includes an ID for uniquely identifying the BS and information on candidate channels for use.
The CBP is transmitted during a period called an SCW (Self Co-existence Window) allocated to the last of the uplink subframe, includes information on IDs and BAK channel numbers for uniquely identifying the BS similar to the SCH, and also includes information elements (IE), such as a frame release request (FC-REQ) for an ODFC (On-Demand Frame Contention) (FIG. 8, S104), a response (FC-RSP), a response acknowledgement (FC-ACK) and a release notification (FC-REL), which are used in a Self Co-existence mode.
First, the SM judges based on the operating channel information on the adjacent cell whether or not there is an exclusively available channel, namely a channel in a state of LP1 or LP2 (step S101).
And, when there are an exclusively available channel and LP1, a channel which is determined to be an OPE is selected out of the LP1, and when there is not LP1, a channel which is determined to be the OPE is selected out of the LP2 (step S102). In this case, a channel may also be selected according to the system specified standard, such as the order of priority of channel use, to determine its channel as an operating channel. For the order of priority, there is a way of following channel quality such as a CINR (Carrier power-to-Interference and Noise power Ratio), wireless communication regulation defined by the country, an operation rule for a network or a network operator's instruction.
On the other hand, when there is not an exclusively available channel, the SM judges whether or not the SC (Self Co-existence) mode can be performed (step S103).
When there is not LP3 or when the SC mode cannot be performed because of the wireless communication regulation defined by the country, the operation rule for a network or the network operator's instruction, the operating channel is not obtained, and BS operation is stopped, or waiting is made until an exclusively available channel becomes available.
When the SC mode can be performed, any channel is selected out of the LP3, and a channel operation right is obtained in a frame unit by randomized algorithm which is called as the ODFC from the OPE of the adjacent cell to realize channel sharing between cells by time sharing, or when interference can be avoided by synchronizing a downlink transmission/reception period (DS: Down Stream) and a uplink transmission/reception period (US: Up Stream) between cells, channel sharing is realized as a result.
The other prior art documents of the present invention is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2009-515468.

Multichannel wireless communication system, base station, and channel using method


A method for compressing a bi-level document image containing text is disclosed. The document image is segmented into symbol images each representing a letter, numeral, etc. in the document. The symbol images are classified into a plurality of classes, each class being associated with a template image and a class index. Classification is done by comparing each symbol to be classified with template of existing classes, using a number of image features including zoning profiles, side profiles, topology statistics, and low-order image moments. These image features are compared using a tolerance based method to determine whether the symbol matches the template. After classification, certain classes that have few symbols classified into them may be merged with other classes. In addition, the template images of the classes are down-sampled, where the final sizes of the template images are dependent on the likelihood of confusion of the template with other templates.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an image compression method, and in particular, it relates to a method of compressing document images containing text, as well as its application in document authentication.
2. Description of Related Art
Original digital documents, which may include text, graphics, pictures, etc., are often printed, and the printed hard copy are distributed, copied, etc., and then often scanned back into digital form. Authenticating a scanned digital document refers to determining whether the scanned document is an authentic copy of the original digital document, i.e., whether the document has been altered while it was in the hard copy form. Alteration may occur due to deliberate effort or accidental events. Authentication of a document in a closed-loop process refers to generating a printed document that carries authentication data on the document itself, and authenticating the scanned-back document using the authentication data extracted from the scanned document. Such a printed document is said to be self-authenticating because no information other than what is on the printed document is required to authenticate its content.
Methods have been proposed to generate self-authenticating documents using barcode, in particular, two-dimensional (2d) barcode. Specifically, such methods include processing the content of the document (text, graphics, pictures, etc.) and converting it into authentication data which is a representation of the document content, encoding the authentication data in a 2d barcode (the authentication barcode), and printing the barcode on the same recording medium as the original document content. This results in a self-authenticating document. To authenticate such a printed document, the document is scanned to obtain a scanned image. The authentication barcode is also scanned and the authentication data contained therein is extracted. The scanned image is then processed and compared to the authentication data to determine if any part of the printed document has been altered, i.e. whether the document is authentic. Some authentication technologies are able to determine what is altered, and/or where is altered, some merely determine whether any alterations have occurred.
JBIG2 is an international standard for compression of bi-level images, in particular document images containing text. It utilizes a pattern matching and substitution method, by which the image is segmented into multiple symbols and a symbol dictionary is developed; each symbol in the document image is matched to a symbol in the dictionary, and encoded by an index to the dictionary entry and the location and size of the symbol in the image.

Document image compression method and its application in document authentication


A method of manufacturing a flexible display apparatus includes: preparing a support substrate; forming a first graphene oxide layer having a first electrical charge on the support substrate; forming a second graphene oxide layer having a second electrical charge on the first graphene oxide layer; forming a flexible substrate on the second graphene oxide layer; forming a display unit on the flexible substrate; and separating the support substrate and the flexible substrate from each other.

1. Field
One or more embodiments of the present invention relate to a method of manufacturing a flexible display apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
Liquid crystal display apparatuses, organic light-emitting display apparatuses, and the like formed with a thin film transistor have gained increasing market share as displays for mobile devices, such as digital cameras, video cameras, personal digital assistants (PDAs), cellular phones, or the like.
Such displays for mobile devices needs to be thin, light, and flexible enough to be curved, so as to be easy to carry and be easily applied to various shapes of display apparatuses. To this end (currently), a method for performing a process of separating a support substrate and a flexible substrate from each other after mounting the flexible substrate on the support substrate has been introduced.
However, in a process of using a laser to separate the support substrate from the flexible substrate, as used in a comparable method, the separation may not be uniformly performed since energy is not uniformly emitted (distributed), or a flexible display apparatus may be deteriorated due to the excessive emission of energy.

Flexible display apparatus and method of manufacturing same


The present disclosure discloses an automotive LED headlight and manufacturing process. The automotive LED headlight includes a radiator integrally formed and a PCBA board, wherein a hole is arranged in the center of the radiator and used for accommodating an end portion of the PCBA board, and the end portion of the PCBA board is tightly connected with the radiator. The present disclosure has the advantages of good heat dissipation effect, simple processing technology, and low material and manufacturing costs.

As LED headlights are applied in automobiles more widely, the industry competition is becoming increasingly fierce. Only by developing higher-quality and cheaper products, can a company stand out from the industry competition. A base of an LED automotive headlight is the key to heat dissipation of the headlight, and the heat dissipation effect directly affects the life of the LED automotive headlight.
A heat-dissipating base of an existing LED automobile headlight has a high manufacturing cost, requires complicated processes such as machining processes, and requires professional operations, which increases the material and labor costs of the headlight.
The base of the existing LED automotive headlight is generally a split-type heat-dissipating structure that is combined by an upper base member and a lower base member, and an LED lamp bead plate is arranged between the two base members and fixed through screws, which causes poor dissipation efficiency and effect.

Automotive led headlight and manufacturing process


A liquid level gauge utilizes a liquid tight plastic envelope carrying an elongate p-c board that has a light source mounted so as to direct light laterally thereof, and a light sensor also mounted so as to receive light from a direction which is lateral of the board. The gauge further has a lens configuration which is part of the envelope, for providing a largely solid, reflective path for light which emanates at the light source and is to be received at the light sensor. The lens is capable of aiding in the establishment, at the exterior of the envelope, of a path which diverges from the solid reflective path when the exterior of the envelope is surrounded by liquid that has an index of refraction which is different from the index of refraction of the material of which the lens and envelope are constituted. Assembly is significantly simplified as compared with prior, known gauge constructions.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to liquid level gauges, and more particularly to gauges of the electronic type which utilize no moving parts.
More particularly, the invention relates to improvements in the gauge disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,840,137 dated Jun. 20, 1989, entitled LIQUID LEVEL GAUGING APPARATUS, and having common ownership with the present application.
The entire disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 4,840,137 is incorporated into the present application, by specific reference, in accordance with the practice set forth in MPEP .sctn..sctn. 608.01 (p), Revision 2, July, 1996.
2. Description of the Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR .sctn..sctn.1.97-1.99
U.S. Pat. No. 4,840,137 above identified illustrates and describes a liquid level gauge having a semi-transparent cup-shaped housing with a closed end, the end having a configuration which forms a light-refracting prism. Mounted inside the housing are a light source and a light sensor. In the disclosed embodiment, both the source and the sensor are secured in operative positions by a carrier block (72). The latter has seats for the source and sensor, such that they are positioned so as to be slightly convergent with respect to one another. Essentially, the gauge detects variations in the light that is reflected interiorly of the lens when the latter becomes immersed in liquid. Changes in the light arriving at the sensor are converted to measurements of liquid level in the area exterior of the lens.
Relatively high-resolution measurements are possible with the disclosed arrangement. Due to space requirements and auto-motive vehicle manufacturers' constraints, following the filing of the patent application which matured into this patent, the disclosed design was modified to incorporate an elongate internal printed circuit board that contained the various electrical circuitry which was necessary in order to power the light source, as well as processing the output from the light sensor.
As a consequence of such modifications, one proposal was the mounting of the light source and light sensor on a miniature p. c. board that itself was disposed perpendicular to the main p. c. board.
However, a distinct drawback resided in the assembly of the miniature p. c. board, and establishment of electrical connections between the miniature board and the main, elongate p. c. board.
Furthermore, where the gauge was subjected to vibration, as in automotive applications, it had to be capable of reliable operation and over extended periods of use.
A fairly concise explanation of the theory of operation of gauges of the type to which this invention relates is given in U.S. Pat. No. 4,998,022 issued Mar. 5, 1991, entitled OPTICAL LIQUID LEVEL SENSOR USING A POLYTETRAFLUOROETHYLENE PERFLUOROALKOXY MATERIAL, assigned to Conax Buffalo Corporation, Buffalo, N.Y. Specific reference is made to the first sheet of drawings of this patent, and the description beginning at line 10 of col. 6 thereof. The entire disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 4,998,022 is also incorporated into the present application, by specific reference, in accordance with the practice currently set forth in MPEP .sctn..sctn. 608.01 (p).

Liquid level gauge having p-c board enclosed within probe


A tone-conversion-characteristic determining apparatus determines tone-conversion characteristics for use in converting tone characteristics of original data so that targeted tone characteristics are obtained when display is performed by a display device. The apparatus includes a tristimulus value determining unit that, on the basis of tristimulus values corresponding to a tone value of each of a plurality of colors capable of being displayed by the display device, determines a tristimulus value which is greater than the other tristimulus values, and a tone-conversion-characteristic determining unit that, on the basis of the tristimulus value determined by the tristimulus value determining unit, determines the tone-conversion characteristics so that the targeted tone characteristics are obtained.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a tone characteristics-conversion determining apparatus, a tone characteristics-conversion determining method, and a tone characteristics-conversion determining program that determine tone characteristics-conversion for use in converting tone characteristics.
2. Related Art
An image processing apparatus for adjusting characteristics, such as tone characteristics, of a display apparatus such as a liquid crystal panel, has been known. For example, JP-A-9-304840 discloses a method for adjusting tone characteristics of a liquid crystal display panel by using a conversion table which is generated by using relationships between driving data of the liquid crystal display panel and the amount of transmitted light of the liquid crystal display panel. Also, JP-A-2002-300371 discloses a method that includes linearizing image data by performing inverse gamma correction and using the linearized image data to perform image processing. In addition, a method for separately calculating tone characteristics for red, green, and blue is described in a document entitled "IEC61966-3 Multimedia systems and equipment Colour measurement and management Part3: Equipment using cathode ray tubes". Accurately, this document does not disclose any correction method but simply describes a tone-characteristic calculating method.
In recent years, image display apparatuses hereinafter referred to as "multiprimary-color display apparatuses") that display images by using four or more primary colors (hereinafter referred to as "multiprimary colors") have been used. The above documents include no description of a method for appropriately adjusting tone characteristics of image data. In particular, tone characteristics cannot be appropriately adjusted for multiprimary-color image data.

Tone characteristics-conversion determining apparatus, tone characteristics-conversion determining method, tone characteristics-conversion determining program, image processing apparatus, and image display apparatus


The present invention discloses an image capture method comprises capturing a sequence of image frames; providing the sequence of image frames for preview along a first path and buffering the sequence of image frames into a buffer along a second path separately and concurrently; receiving an input command via an input interface unit; and in response to the input command, extracting a portion of the sequence of image frames from the buffer and encoding the portion of image frames along the second path; and storing the portion of encoded image frames in a memory unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention discloses an image capture method and an image capture system thereof; more particularly, a burst image capture method of providing image frames along separate paths for preview and buffering concurrently.
2. Description of the Prior Art
As the popularity of portable devices increases hugely, functions equipped within the portable device becomes more variant. One of important functions that are widely used by consumers is image capture, such as camera. However, image capture operation of a portable device is often limited by its slow performance. When user launches the camera application, the camera of the portable device is in a preview mode and provides preview image frames of a scene on the display screen at first. When user desires to take a photo of a certain scene and triggers the shutter button (for example press shutter icon on the touch screen), the camera switches from preview mode to capture mode, and the preview of image frames would stop refreshing and the portable device is temporarily occupied by processing the captured image frame. As a result, if a user desires to capture multiple image frames, the time required to capture all image frames would be significantly long due to the camera has to switch in between preview mode and capture mode, and thus cannot provide burst photo within a short time. This is because that the camera provides preview of image frames in low resolution, but in capture mode, the image frames are captured in high resolution comparing with preview mode. Consequently, the camera needs to spend time to configure settings in response to mode change.
Another conventional way of performing burst image capture is to use the low resolution image frames in preview mode as captured image frames in capture mode. This can save the delay caused by mode change. However, the image quality may not be satisfying, and still the display screen is idled from refresh. Such kind of burst image capture generally performs image capture of predetermined number of image frames, which means that when user triggers such burst capture, the camera automatically captures the predetermined number of image frames. While the camera is capturing the image frames, the display screen is paused at the image frame previously display (prior to the trigger of burst image capture).
Therefore, there exists a need of an image capture method and system that is capable to capture high resolution image frame continuously without stopping refresh of preview image frame on display screen.

Burst image capture method and image capture system thereof


An example orthotic is described which may include a cushioning first layer and a shell layer. The shell layer may be configured to extend longitudinally from at least the talus-navicular joint to the medial cuneiform-first metatarsal joint and laterally under at least the medial cuneiform bone when the orthotic is in use. The shell layer may be configured to receive a removable insert that alters an amount of arch support provided by the orthotic. A set of inserts may be provided to allow the example orthotic to be customized based on user support preferences.

Conventional footwear inserts, such as orthotics, are typically sold to customers to conform to a particular customer need. As those needs change over time, either due to the change in a customer's foot conditions or a customer's personal preferences, a customer would typically buy an entirely new replacement. This practice of buying multiple orthotics can become expensive and also bulky to store.
Off-the-shelf orthotics or insoles are generally not customizable and have a limited range of support. These orthotics are made in different sizes, but typically have a particular shape and support structure. Orthotics that are sold may vary in different properties, such as the type of material, hardness of the material, stiffness, flexibility, flexural modulus of the material, or the shape of an arch, etc. However, for a particular orthotic, each of these individual characteristics is not customizable. Thus, many variations of orthotics must be provided in a retail environment to satisfy different custom preferences.
Some custom orthotics have been described but are not easily adjustable by a user. For example, a custom orthotic may be made from a material that is molded when compressed by a foot, or made of a curable material to conform to a foot. Alternatively, a custom orthotic may be made from taking measurements of an individual's foot. However, the disadvantage of these custom orthotics is that they must be custom made with a custom fit for a particular foot. They also may not be adjusted depending on the use. For example, a user may want a different level of support when playing a sport versus everyday use.

Schering-Plough Healthcare Products, Inc.


A roofing tile clip and apparatus and installation method thereof. The clip comprises a rigid body (2) from which extends at least one, preferably two, securing members (3), (11) and a fastening member (6). Each securing member comprises a shank portion (4), (12) termination in a shaped hook (5), (60). The fastening member comprises a short shank portion (7) bent orthogonally approximately at its mid-length, this orthogonal portion being crimped and having one edge thereof shaped to form a barb (9). Rows of clips are affixed at spaced intervals along the length of the individual battens and the roofing tiles are engaged along their edge portions by the hooks (5), (60). The clips are preferably affixed to the battens by a clip-driving machine connected to an apparatus for accurately positioning the clips, the apparatus comprising a channel section (100)--adapted to rest on and slide along a batten--and an outrigger (114) extending at right angles thereto and adapted to be supported at its other end by an adjacent roofing batten. A U-shaped opening (116) is provided at the junction of the outrigger (114) and channel section (100) and a clip-driving machine is secured to the outrigger (114) with the clip-locating head being arranged in the U-shaped opening (116). Various means are provided for accurately positioning the apparatus including an abutment (112) or a spring-loaded tongue (123) and latch (124) or a pivoting arm (901).

A method often employed for the installation of concrete roof tiles comprises placing a tile in position so as to overlay two spaced apart roofing battens, fitting a clip to the profiled edge of the tile adjacent one of the battens, and nailing the clip to the side of the batten directly beneath the clipped edge of the tile.
A preferred clip for such a method is described in Australian Patent No. 520403 which discloses a tile clip having a rigid body having a pair of outwardly extending hooks for engagement with adjacent edge portions of an upper tile and of a lower tile of a pair of overlapping roof tiles. Each of the hooks are located on a common side of the rigid body. Fastening means are included which comprise one or a pair of opposed downwardly extending lugs having a plurality of barbs for penetration into an adjacent surface of a tiling batten. The or each lug depends from an elongate flange which is part of the rigid body wherein the flange is oriented at right angles to each hook and an intermediate web located therebetween.
This prior tile clip suffers from a number of disadvantages, including (1) a tendency to rotate or deflect under an applied load and thus can not be used advantageously in situations subject to relatively inclement or extreme weather conditions such as heavy winds; (2) the clip can only be installed using a hammer or other form of impact tool and thus the speed of installation is relatively slow and can only be carried out effectively by an experienced tradesman; (3) the clip can only be produced from relatively heavy grade metal and thus is relatively expensive to manufacture; (4) its installation is time consuming, tiring and subject to error as the tradesman must continually and in sequence, lift and place a tile, pick up a clip and hammer, locate the clip and hammer it home, and then put the hammer down before repeating the process.
This prior installation method is of particular concern because the method is tiring not only because of the repetition, but also because of the awkward position required to nail the clip. Errors occur with tile breakages because the clip is required to be nailed immediately adjacent the tile edge and any small deflection can result in the tile being hit. Additionally, and more importantly, it is not uncommon for the clip to be nailed at a location away from the edge of the tile in order to reduce breakages and speed up the tiling. However, this results in a significantly weakened roof structure which often does not comply with the relevant government safety standards.

File clip, apparatus and installation method


A convertible mounting bracket (100) capable of securement onto load carrier bars (200, 202) of different dimensions is presented. The bracket (100) can include an elongate first jaw body (102), elongate second jaw body (110), and a flip-connector (130). The flip-connector (130) can be interconnected to a first end (112) of the second jaw body (110) by a pivot connection (140). In a first orientation (152) of the second jaw body (110), a first (120) of at least two load bar engaging surfaces (121, 123) of the second jaw body (110) is facing a load bar engaging surface (108) of the first jaw body (102). In a second orientation (154) of the second jaw body (110), a second (122) of the at least two load bar engaging surfaces (121, 123) of the second jaw body (110) is facing the load bar engaging surface (108) of the first jaw body (102).

Safely and conveniently transporting sports equipment is a concern for many sports enthusiasts. For example, canoes, kayaks, and bicycles can be carried on the roof of a car via one or more load bars that are mounted horizontally to the direction of travel. Typically, a clamping device is configured to be coupled to a particular type or size of load bar.


A wireless communication system is provided in which a relay station relays wireless communication between a base station and a mobile station. The relay station includes an acquiring unit and a notifying unit. The acquiring unit acquires, from the base station that retains information on the mobile station used for the wireless communication, identification information on the base station. The notifying unit notifies the mobile station of the identification information acquired by the acquiring unit. Furthermore, the mobile station includes a reconnecting unit. When connection with the relay station is released, the reconnecting unit performs a reconnection request with respect to the base station that is identified by the identification information that is notified by the relay station.

In recent years, in order to implement faster high-speed and greater high-volume wireless communication, discussions have taken place at standardization conferences related to 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) on LTE advanced, which is an expansion of the Long Term Evolution (LTE) system that is one of the wireless communication systems. In a wireless communication system that uses the LTE-Advanced system, a relay station is scheduled to be set up in a blind zone, such as a boundary of cells of a base station, and the station is scheduled to relay wireless communication between a mobile station and a base station. If a radio link failure (RLF) occurs between the base station and the relay station due to the quality of the radio link being degraded, the mobile station working under the relay station selects a cell that satisfies a predetermined quality and performs a reconnecting process with respect to a base station that forms the selected cell.
Furthermore, there is also a known conventional technology described below that uses a base station as a relay station. Specifically, when a link with a higher level network is disconnected, the base station transfers an outgoing call received from the mobile station to an adjacent base station and the adjacent base station that has received the transferred outgoing call relays communication between the mobile station and the higher level network.    Patent Literature 1: Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2000-050359
In the wireless communication system that uses the LTE-Advanced system, there is however a problem in that, if any RLF occurs between a base station and a relay station, the mobile station working under the relay station is not able to continue wireless communication.
Specifically, in a wireless communication system that uses the LTE-Advanced system, if any RLF occurs between the base station and the relay station, the mobile station selects a cell that satisfies a predetermined quality and performs a reconnecting process with respect to a base station that forms the reselected cell. When the mobile station performs the reconnecting process, it sometimes sends a reconnection request to a base station other than the original base station with which it was communicating via the relay station. In such a case, the base station, which has received the reconnection request from the mobile station, does not retain the mobile station's information (UE context) which is used to establish wireless communication with the mobile station. It is prescribed in the LTE-Advanced system that a base station that has received a reconnection request from a mobile station is allowed to reconnect with a mobile station in accordance with the reconnection request only when the base station retains the UE context; therefore, the other base station above, that do not have the UE context are not able to accept the reconnection request from the mobile station. Consequently, the mobile station that works under the relay station needs to try establish a new connection with another base station, and thus is not able to continue wireless communication with the base station with which it was originally communicating.

Wireless communication system, relay station, base station, and wireless communication method


A one-piece nozzle adapted for use within an adhesive dispenser includes a nozzle body formed with a throughbore having a discharge outlet within a nozzle tip portion which emits a bead of adhesive. A nozzle cap mounts the nozzle body to the adhesive dispenser such that an adhesive passageway within the dispenser communicates with the throughbore in the nozzle body and a plunger valve associated with the adhesive dispenser extends into the nozzle body in position to engage a seat formed at the nozzle tip. A number of air jet bores are drilled in the nozzle body, each communicating with an air passage formed between an outer surface of the nozzle body and an inner surface of the nozzle cap, which discharge jets of air into contact with the adhesive bead producing an elongated adhesive fiber deposited in a spiral pattern onto a substrate.

Adhesive dispensing devices such as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,969,602 to Scholl; 5,065,943 to Boger et al; and, Re. 33,481 to Ziecker et al, all owned by the assignee of this invention, have been employed in a number of applications such as the manufacture of disposable diapers, incontinence pads and similar articles wherein a comparatively low adhesive application temperature and good bond strength are required using as little adhesive as possible. In dispensers of this type, a bead of adhesive is extruded from the adhesive discharge bore formed in a nozzle plate mounted to the nozzle of the dispenser. This adhesive bead is then impinged by air jets emitted from bores formed in the nozzle plate to attenuate or stretch the adhesive bead forming a thin fiber, and to then twist or swirl the fiber so that it is deposited in a spiral pattern onto the substrate. The flow of adhesive to the nozzle plate is controlled by the operation of a plunger valve carried by the adhesive dispenser which is movable between an open position and a closed position relative to the adhesive discharge bore in the nozzle plate.
The nozzle attachments or plates disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,969,602; 5,065,943; and, Re. 33,481 satisfy many of the requirements associated with the manufacture of disposable diapers and similar articles, but certain limitations remain. One problem involves inefficient heat transfer to the adhesive as it flows from the adhesive dispenser and nozzle into the nozzle plate. Although the adhesive dispenser, and/or the manifold which supplies adhesive thereto, contain heating elements to maintain the temperature of the hot melt adhesive, no heaters are present within the nozzle portion of the dispenser. Heat transfer to the nozzle plate is therefore completely dependent on heat conduction from the dispenser body, through the nozzle and then to the nozzle plate. As a result, at least some temperature drop in the adhesive can occur in the course of its passage to the nozzle plate prior to discharge onto a substrate.
Another concern with adhesive dispensers having nozzle plates of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,969,602; 5,065,943; and, Re. 33,481 is leakage or drooling of adhesive from the nozzle plate, particularly when the adhesive dispenser is operated intermittently. As mentioned above, the adhesive dispenser includes a plunger movable with respect to the adhesive discharge bore in the nozzle plate to control the flow of adhesive thereto. In each of the nozzle plate designs disclosed in the patents mentioned above, a relatively large cavity is formed between the adhesive discharge bore in the nozzle plate and a seat within the nozzle which engages the tip of the plunger. Adhesive can pool or collect within this cavity and leak through the adhesive bore in the nozzle plate when the plunger is in a closed position. This creates stringing or drooling of adhesive which can clog the adhesive discharge bore and/or the air jet bores formed in the nozzle plate.
A still further potential concern with nozzle plates of the type described in the patents mentioned above is leakage of adhesive into the air jet bores of the nozzle plate at the point of introduction of the adhesive from the nozzle of the dispenser into the nozzle plate. In U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,969,602 and Re. 33,481, for example, a metal-to-metal seal is provided between the nozzle plate and the nozzle of the adhesive dispenser in the area between the adhesive discharge bore and air jet bores of the nozzle plate. Recognizing the potential difficulties with this type of a seal, U.S. Pat. No. 5,065,943 to Boger et al discloses a nozzle cap assembly in which an O-ring is interposed between the adhesive bore of the nozzle plate and its air jet bores so that when mounted to the nozzle of an adhesive dispenser an improved seal is created between the adhesive flow path and air flow path. While the construction disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,065,943 is an improvement, the O-ring can become dislodged or lost during maintenance or cleaning of the nozzle cap, thus presenting a sealing problem when the cap is subsequently replaced.

One-piece, zero cavity nozzle for swirl spray of adhesive


A crop collecting assembly includes a first collecting unit located between a pair of further collecting units. All of the units operate to gather crop from the ground and feed it to the rear where it may fall to the ground or enter a harvesting machine, such as a self-propelled baler, for further processing. At least one of the further collecting units is adjustable laterally so as to be spaced from the first collecting unit, and a crop-transferring bridging element is provided in the space between the two units for receiving crop from the further collecting unit and delivering the received crop to the first collecting unit.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,910,946 discloses an extensible combine header for harvesting small grain. Lateral header units are telescopically moveable with respect to a center unit. To allow a transportation of the cut crop as well as extension and retraction of the header, overlapping housing parts are provided and the auger core is formed like a telescope, whereas the auger flights are substantially loose and flexible on the core. Extension and retraction are accomplished by hydraulic cylinders.
It is known from EP A1 640 277 to combine three pick-up units to a single crop collecting assembly, whereas the pick-up units are vertically moveable with respect to each other and can be driven independent of each other and depending on a sensed velocity of a harvesting vehicle. The outer pick-up units can be tilted upwardly to assume a transport position. Furthermore the pick-ups can be of the tine or of the belt type, whereas the belt may be flexible enough to allow said movement of the outer pick-up units. The collected crop is fed to a downstream baler.
The problem to be solved by this invention is seen in that said known pick-up can be operated only if windrows maintain always a given distance to each other.

Crop collecting assembly for an agricultural harvester


An electromagnetic safety valve that includes a reel, a support that has a first segment that is inserted in the interior of the reel and which acts as a fixed core, a movable core that moves in the interior of the reel, a sealing member connected to one end of the movable core that opens a passage of gas overcoming the opposition of a spring when the valve is energised, and a casing that encloses the reel. The support has a second segment that includes a base upon which the reel is supported, the base including axial through holes for the respective passage of a phase wire and a mass wire. The second segment also includes a coaxial housing wherein a male terminal is inserted.

There are known electromagnetic gas safety valves that are inserted in gas taps adapted to a cooking appliance or domestic stove. In this type of valve the reels are initially energised by a manual thrust or DC voltage until a low-voltage electrical current, conditional on the presence of a flame in a thermocouple, is capable of keeping the electromagnetic valve open.
Spanish Patent No. ES1062961U discloses a rotary gas tap adapted to a domestic cooking or heating appliance, with an electromagnetic safety valve integrated into the body of the tap, powered by a low-power external VDC voltage, and which has a cylindrical movable core guided axially when moved in the interior of a reel and which includes on one end a sealing member that opens or closes a passage of gas, a magnetic core that includes a base and a fixed core that is inserted inside the reel, and a magnetic capsule that envelops the reel as part of the magnetic circuit of the electromagnet.


A squirrel-proof post is composed of a post, supporting a bird feeder or bird house, an annular sleeve, a set of springs, and a means of securing the springs to both the platform supporting the bird feeder or house and to the sleeve. The set of springs will be naturally somewhat elongated due to the weight of the sleeve. When the squirrel climbs up the post and onto the sleeve or else jumps from the ground onto the sleeve, the additional weight will cause the sleeve to begin to slide down the post at a rate approximating free fall. This sudden and rapid acceleration induces the squirrel to immediately jump off the sleeve, returning to the ground unharmed. The reduction in weight acting in opposition to the restoring force of the springs will rapidly result in the return of the sleeve toward its equilibrium position. The rapid rate of return will prohibit other, lighter squirrels from either jumping on the sleeve and being boosted toward the bird feeder or house or from jumping to a position on the pole above the sleeve, thus circumventing its intended deterrence. The oscillatory motion of the sleeve, induced by the squirrel's jumping on and off the sleeve, can persist for several tens of seconds, during which the squirrel(s) will not be inclined to repeat the attempt. Eventually, the squirrel will become discouraged and leave the area. In this fashion the apparatus prevents the squirrel from gaining access to the bird platform.

Bird feeders are prone to being accessed by a variety of animals other than the intended fowl. Foremost among the invaders is the squirrel. Despite many attempts to devise a bird feeder, either post-mounted or of the hanging type, that is resistant to being looted by the squirrel, no consistently-effective product exists. The past attempts have included weight-activated electric shock deterrent feeders, weight-activated barrier systems, as well as even greased-pole mounted feeders. Although they may prevent access by the squirrel to the bird feed initially, the squirrel has always been able to circumvent all barriers placed in its path, in time.
Although some of the failures are related to the mechanics of the design (e.g., electric system breakdown, corrosion of movable joints/components, etc.), other failures are due to the intelligence of the squirrel and the fact that squirrels may often "invade" the feeder in groups.


The present disclosure is generally directed to a process for controlling the quality of manufactured absorbent articles, the process including incorporating into an absorbent article at least a portion of a wetness sensing system that is configured to detect the presence of a substance, the wetness sensing system comprising at least one metallic conductive element; and passing the absorbent article in proximity to a foreign material sensor employing x-ray technology, the foreign material sensor adapted to detect the presence of foreign material to confirm whether foreign material has been incorporated into the article.

Absorbent articles such as diapers, training pants, incontinence products, feminine hygiene products, swim undergarments, and the like conventionally include a liquid permeable body-side liner, a liquid impermeable outer cover, and an absorbent core. The absorbent core is typically located in between the outer cover and the liner for taking in and retaining liquids (e.g., urine) exuded by the wearer.
The absorbent core can be made of, for instance, super absorbent particles. Many absorbent particles, especially those sold under the trade name HUGGIES™ by the Kimberly-Clark Corporation, are so efficient at absorbing liquids that it is sometimes difficult to tell whether or not the absorbent article has been insulted with a body fluid.
Accordingly, various types of moisture or wetness indicators have been suggested for use in absorbent articles. The wetness indicators may include alarm devices that are designed to assist parents or attendants to identify a wet diaper condition early on. The devices produce either a visual or an audible signal.
In some aspects, for instance, conductive threads or foils have been placed in the absorbent articles in the machine direction. The conductive materials serve as conductive leads for a signaling device and form an open circuit in the article that can be closed when a body fluid, such as urine, closes the circuit. In other aspects, disposable absorbent articles such as roll products, wipes products, health care products, incontinence products, feminine care products, diapers and training pants may also include conductive threads or foils.
Incorporating a wetness sensing system into an absorbent article during its manufacture, however, can be problematic with respect to quality control. Standard absorbent articles are typically inspected using a metal detector to detect whether metallic foreign materials of any kind have been introduced into an absorbent article. Metal detectors are also currently used by many manufacturers to confirm that no foreign metal objects have accidentally been placed into any product packages. Absorbent articles or packages including such a foreign materials are culled from the process and disposed of. Absorbent articles incorporating a wetness sensing system including conductive foils or other similar structures, however, may not always be accurately inspected for foreign materials using a metal detector because such absorbent articles already include a certain amount of metal. Thus, a need currently exists for a quality control process that can be used to verify that the absorbent articles incorporating a wetness sensing system do not include foreign materials.

Process for controlling the quality of an absorbent article including a wetness sensing system


A spring device of a torque wrench includes a mediate member slidably received in a tube of the wrench and located between a block and an actuating member, wherein the block is movably connected to a positioning bolt extending from the tube and the actuating member contacts a shank in the tube. The other end of the shank has a head portion formed thereon. The actuating member has a rod extending therefrom and extending through a hole defined in the mediate member. A first spring is mounted to the rod between the mediate member and the actuating member, a second spring mounted to the rod between the mediate member and the block. The first and the second spring are maintained straight when being depressed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a spring device and, more particularly, to a spring device of a torque wrench and which is maintained straight in the torque wrench during operation.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
FIGS. 1 and 2 show a conventional torque wrench which includes a tube 32 with a first end into which a shank 53 is inserted and a second end into which a block 42, a stop 45 and a bolt means 44 are inserted wherein the bolt means 44 is threadedly engaged with a threaded hole 421 defined in a rear end of the block 42. A revolving grip 40 is threadedly mounted to the second end of the tube 32 which has numbers 33 marked thereon so as to indicate the value of torque to be set. The shank 53 is pivotally inserted into the tube 32 by a first pin 31 and has a head portion 30 formed one a first end thereof which extends from the tube 32. The shank 53 has a second end with a protrusion 52 disposed transversely thereto. An actuating member 50 is securely received in the tube 32 by a second pin 51 and has a roller 54 mounted to the second pin 51. A spring 43 is biasedly disposed between the actuating member 50 and the block 42. When using the torque wrench, a user rotates the revolving grip 40 to push the block 42 to depress the spring 43 until a front edge of the revolving grip 40 is in alignment with a number 33. When a torque having the same value as the number 33 set is transmitted from the wrench, the torque will force the roller 54 rapidly sliding across the protrusion 52 so that a sound is produced to notify the user the desired torque is achieved.
However, the spring 43 is found to be curved in the tube 32 when being depressed by the block 42 as shown in FIG. 2, this results the torque to be set is different from the number 33 alignment with the front edge of the revolving grip 40 because the positions of the numbers 33 are determined under a condition when the spring 43 is maintained straight when being depressed. Therefore, there has been at most 4% error when using the conventional torque wrench.
The present invention intends to provide an improved spring device of a torque wrench to mitigate and/or obviate the above-mentioned problem.


A new and distinct Sutera roth plant named ‘Sumsut 06’ with white colored double flowers and a hanging growth habit.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Sutera plant known by the varietal name 'Sumsut 06'. The new variety was discovered in June of 2005 in a selected breeding program in 's Gravenzande, The Netherlands. The purpose of the breeding program was to develop double-flowering Sutera plants with large flowers. The new variety is a selection from the cross of proprietary, unpatented breeding plants. The female parent was Seedling 1-5 and the male parent was Seedling 2-34. The double-flowering characteristic of the new variety is similar to its parents, but the new variety exhibits a different flower color and larger flowers when compared to both parents. The new variety was first asexually reproduced in September of 2005 by tip cuttings in 's Gravenzande, The Netherlands. The new variety has been trial and field tested and has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics and remains true to type through successive asexual propagations.
The following traits distinguish 'Sumsut 06' as a new and distinct cultivar from other Sutera varieties known to the breeder.                Big and double flowers;        Hanging growth habit; and        Three stigmas per flower.
The new variety exhibits double flowers like Sutera variety 'Sumsut 05' (U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 12/284,404, applied for concurrently). However, 'Sumsut 06' has white flowers and a hanging growth habit, while 'Sumsut 05' has violet flowers and a compact growth habit. The following Table 1 provides a comparative listing of botanical characteristics of 'Sumsut 06' and 'Sumsut 05'.
TABLE 1Botanicalcharacteristics'Sumsut 06''Sumsut 05'Pistil number perAverage of 21inflorescence:Number of petaloidsAverage of 14 (8-20)Average of 7 (4-9)per inflorescence:Flower diameter:18-20mm15-18mmFlower length:10mm7-9mmPeduncle length:18-20mm6-8mmLobe length:8mm5mmLobe width:7mm5mm
The following Table 2 provides a comparative listing of botanical characteristics that distinguish 'Sumsut 06' from Sutera variety 'Sumsut 04' (U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 12/284,308, applied for concurrently).
TABLE 2Botanicalcharacteristics'Sumsut 06''Sumsut 04'Petal number per5Average of 6 (from 5-7)inflorescence:Pistil number perAverage of 2Average of 3inflorescence:Number of petaloidsAverage of 14 (8-20)Average of 8 (4-10)per inflorescence:Flower diameter:18-20mm14-16mmFlower length:10mm7-9mmPeduncle length:18-20mm6-8mmLobe length:8mm5mmLobe width:7mm5mm


Techniques are provided for selection of machine learning algorithms based on performance predictions by trained algorithm-specific regressors. In an embodiment, a computer derives meta-feature values from an inference dataset by, for each meta-feature, deriving a respective meta-feature value from the inference dataset. For each trainable algorithm and each regression meta-model that is respectively associated with the algorithm, a respective score is calculated by invoking the meta-model based on at least one of: a respective subset of meta-feature values, and/or hyperparameter values of a respective subset of hyperparameters of the algorithm. The algorithm(s) are selected based on the respective scores. Based on the inference dataset, the selected algorithm(s) may be invoked to obtain a result. In an embodiment, the trained regressors are distinctly configured artificial neural networks. In an embodiment, the trained regressors are contained within algorithm-specific ensembles. Techniques are also provided for optimal training of regressors and/or ensembles.

Machine learning is used in a variety of applications and domains such as healthcare, Internet of Things (IOT), finance, and security. Decades of research have created a huge assortment of algorithms and techniques that can be applied to these applications. Selecting the best algorithm for an application may be difficult and resource intensive. For example, a classification task can be done by several algorithms such as support vector machines (SVMs), random forests, decision trees, artificial neural networks, and more. Each of these algorithms has many variations and configurations and performs differently for different datasets. Choosing the best algorithm is typically a manual task performed by a data scientist or a machine learning expert having years of experience.
Some automatic algorithm selection techniques incur significant computational overhead, such as during product research and development (R&D), which can prolong a time to market. There are hundreds of machine learning algorithms. Training and testing each one to find the best performing might not be feasible. Automatic approaches to selective training typically ultimately use a single regressor/classifier for predicting algorithm performance, which causes different algorithms to interfere with each other in the selection model, thereby lowering accuracy. These approaches also do not consider algorithm hyperparameters, which can significantly affect algorithm performance and behavior.

Algorithm-specific neural network architectures for automatic machine learning model selection


A cylindrical mixing drum for mortar and similar material includes a drum body having a hollow shell with upper and lower portions and front and rear portions and an opening having front and rear portions in the upper portion and a pair of spaced substantially parallel and opposite end plates with a paddle shaft rotatably mounted between the plates. A first pair of spaced paddles is used for forcing a mix in a first direction and a second pair of paddles is used for forcing a mix in a second direction. A pair of spaced drum end scrapers are also mounted on the shaft closely adjacent the interior surface of an end wall. A pair of drum end wipers is also included for wiping another portion of the end wall. The lower portion of the drum shell is substantially cylindrical in shape from the front portion of the opening to the rear portion of the opening and the paddles are positioned on the shaft to be closely adjacent the interior surface of the drum shell as the shaft is rotated through 360°.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to drum assemblies used in portable mortar mixing apparatus.
2. Related Art
Conventional drum design includes a straight back portion which results in a "dead zone" where the mortar is not easily mixed. The existence of such a dead zone significantly extends the time needed to complete the mixing process. What is needed is a new drum configuration and additional changes in the mixing paddles and the drum chute to provide improved mixing and speedier delivery of the mixed mortar.

Cylindrical mixing drum assembly including end wipers and enlarged chute


A power scroll saw with a housing and a saw blade capable of being driven in a reciprocating manner, and with tongs-like guides that guide the saw blade in a laterally-supported manner is capable of being used in a variety of work applications due to the fact that the guide means are capable of being switched by hand selectively into a position having lateral clearance from the saw blade and into a position in which they laterally support the saw blade.

The present invention is relates to a power scroll saw 1.
A power scroll saw with saw blade guidance system is made known in WO 02/22297, which guides the flat sides of the saw blade between two lateral clamping jaws. According to the invention, the clamping jaws are controlled using a servomotor.

Hand-operated jig-saw with saw blade guidance system


A new synthetic, pyrolized, spherical adsorbent, with a moving or fluidized bed VOC control/solvent recovery system, also described as a control/solvent recovery system.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is for solvent vapor control, solvent recovery, and air pollution control.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Kureha Chemical Industries of Tokyo, Japan, has had patents on moving bed solvent recovery systems. These patents have now expired. These patents were based on a beaded form of a natural carbon source, petroleum pitch. The distinction with the current invention is the use of higher performing, synthetic ion exchange resin, a new product.
Chemateur of Sweden has moving bed systems based on another type of non-pyrolized synthetic resin. This material has a more limited applicability and suffers from physical attrition.


A system and corresponding method for organ wall analysis are provided, the system including a processor, an imaging adapter in signal communication with the processor for receiving organ scan data indicative of an organ, a distance mapping unit in signal communication with the processor for providing a three-dimensional distance map of a segmented outer surface of an organ, and a ray-casting unit in signal communication with the processor for providing a maximum intensity projection substantially normal to the segmented outer surface for each of a plurality of rays, and for forming a ray collection by casting each of the plurality of rays from a center of the organ through the respective maximum intensity projection to the segmented outer surface; and the corresponding method including providing a three-dimensional distance map of a segmented outer surface of an organ, providing a maximum intensity projection substantially normal to the segmented outer surface for each of a plurality of rays, and forming a ray collection by casting each of the plurality of rays from a center of the organ through the respective MIP to the segmented outer surface.

Medical image scanning data, for example, is typically obtained in the form of slices in various types of imaging modalities. These slices are then stacked to form a three-dimensional (3D) volume.
In the case of cardiovascular applications, a measurement of heart wall thickness may be necessary in order to detect damage to the heart muscle. Conventional tools have been used to acquire heart wall measurements, but they have the disadvantages of requiring user interaction and/or being based on two-dimensional (2D) slice-by-slice contouring techniques. It is desirable for many cardiovascular applications to have an automatic, more accurate and robust technique for analysis of a heart wall, particularly while in motion.
Accordingly, what is needed is an improved system and method for organ wall analysis. The present disclosure addresses these and other issues.


To maximize the life of a rechargeable battery and the life of cells forming the rechargeable battery, the rechargeable battery is so constructed that each of the cells forming the rechargeable battery can be charged independently of the other cells. To charge this rechargeable battery, a cell to be charged is selected, and the selected cell is charged.

Today, information networks are progressing, and the advancement of mobile electronic apparatuses such as cell phones, notebook PCs, digital cameras, and digital video cameras is remarkable. A battery is one of important parts for supporting high performance and maintaining high portability of these apparatuses. In particular, secondary batteries such as Nickel Cadmium (Ni—Cd), Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH), and Lithium Ion (Li-ion) batteries are reusable by charging during the cycle life of each battery. Therefore, these secondary batteries are good for the environment because their waste amount is smaller than that of primary batteries which are discarded after being used once.
Secondary batteries are presumably rechargeable 200 to 500 times. In practice, however, a battery pack which is not repetitively recharged many times often becomes unable to be recharged, or, even when the battery pack is rechargeable, its voltage quickly decreases to shorten the time of usage before the next charging. In other words, a so-called drop in battery capacity is often experienced.
One cause is, for example, a phenomenon generally called a "memory effect" of the Ni—Cd battery and the like. If recharging is performed while the depth of discharge is shallow, a drop in voltage occurs early compared to the actual capacity of the battery, and the usable capacity decreases. However, this memory effect can be recovered by a refreshing operation which discharges the battery to a voltage requiring recharging.
Unfortunately, even though this refreshing operation is performed, a battery pack operates worse and the life of the battery is shorter than expected in some cases.
The present inventors, therefore, examined unrechargeable battery packs by disassembling them and found that some or all of a plurality of cells forming an unrechargeable battery pack have an extremely low terminal voltage or opposite polarities. That is, so-called pole reversal occurs to make it impossible to hold the charging voltage of the battery pack. Consequently, even when the battery pack is attached to a charger, a protection circuit of the charger operates to make charging impossible. This phenomenon is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2732204 and Japanese Patent Publication No. 2743155 (paragraphs 8 to 23).
In principle, no pole reversal occurs if a battery pack is formed by secondary battery cells having exactly the same characteristics. In reality, however, it is impossible to make such secondary battery cells having exactly the same characteristics. Pole reversal unavoidably occurs in a battery pack which obtains a desirable voltage by connecting a plurality of batteries in series. As a method of solving this problem, a technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-327323 is proposed. This technique relates to a battery apparatus having a means for switching the connections of a rechargeable battery forming a battery pack. As shown in FIG. 1, a desired voltage is obtained during discharge by connecting cells in series, but these cells are connected in parallel during charging.
The above method of switching the connections has the following drawbacks:
(1) Even if dendrite grows in only one of the secondary battery cells forming a rechargeable battery to cause inconveniences (e.g., an internal electrode short circuit), other parallel-connected normal secondary battery cells discharge. In this case, no charging voltage can be applied to these parallel-connected normal cells, so the battery pack cannot be charged.
(2) Because the characteristics of cells forming a rechargeable battery are not exactly the same, variations in internal resistances of these cells make the effective voltages applied to the cells unequal to each other even when these cells are connected in parallel. That is, a cell having a higher internal resistance is fully charged later than the other cells. Accordingly, if charging is continued until this cell having the highest internal resistance is fully charged, cells having low internal resistances are overcharged. In contrast, if charging is terminated when a cell having a lower internal resistance is fully charged, cells having high internal resistances are used up as they are insufficiently charged. These insufficiently charged cells are connected in series during discharging and completely discharge first, allowing the easy occurrence of pole reversal.

Rechargeable battery, and apparatus and method of charging the same


A fractionation process for producing value-added products from a lignocellulosic biomass, comprises: a) mechanically refining the lignocellulosic biomass under mild refining conditions to form a refined biomass pulp with enhanced susceptibility to separation of hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin, and enhanced digestibility of carbohydrates in hydrolysis b) separating hemicellulose and sulfur-free high-quality lignin from cellulose in the refined biomass, and, optionally c) producing various bioproducts from the above said process.

(i) Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a process of producing value-added bioproducts from a lignocellulosic biomass.
Lignocellulosic biomass in the invention refers to any type of plant biomass that is composed of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin, typically in amounts of 30-55%, by weight, cellulose; 15-35%, by weight, hemicellulose; and 5-31%, %, by weight, lignin.
(ii) Description of Prior Art
Cellulose is the main structural constituent in plant cell walls. Cellulose is a carbohydrate comprising long chains of the six carbon sugar glucose that are connected end to end linearly as a polymer through β-O-4 glucosidic bonds. The long-chain cellulose is linked together by hydrogen and van der Waals bonds, which cause the cellulose to be packed into microfibrils. Hemicellulose and lignin cover the microfibrils.
Hemicellulose is a complex carbohydrate structure that consists of different polymers like pentoses (like xylose and arabinose), hexoses (like mannose, glucose, and galactose), and sugar acids. The dominant component of hemicellulose from hardwood and softwood is xylan and glucomannan, respectively.
Lignin is a complex, large heteropolymer consisting of three different phenylpropane units (coniferyl, coumaryl, and sinapyl alcohols) held together by different kinds of linkages.
Bioconversion of lignocellulosic materials to biofuel and bioproducts is a multistep process which involves the breakdown of the feedstocks followed by hydrolysis and extraction of various components. For example, bioconversion of lignocellulosic materials to biofuel (e.g. ethanol) typically consists of four main process steps: pretreatment, enzyme hydrolysis, fermentation and products recovery. There are also processes designed to extract specific components from biomass feedstock. These processes also employ a pretreatment step for the purpose of reducing the particle size of the biomass and creating large surface area for downstream processes. Pretreatment has a major impact on bioconversion process efficiency and economics. Many pretreatment techniques/methods have been developed for lignocellulosic materials using mechanical force, steam, acid, alkaline or biological agents or a combination of two or more thereof.
Mechanical refining has attracted increasing attention recently as a pretreatment for lignocellulosic biomass. Mechanical refining is an industrial process employed to produce mechanical pulp where the biomass raw materials are separated into fibres by a combination of heat and mechanical force. Several variations of mechanical pulping process are employed on an industrial scale, including refiner mechanical pulping (RMP), thermomechanical pulping (TMP), chemithermomechanical pulping (CTMP) and chemimechanical pulping (CMP). One of the major disadvantages of using mechanical pulping for a papermaking process is, the high energy consumption associated with mechanical pulping, producing one ton of mechanical pulp typically requires up to 4000 kWh of electricity. The bulk of the energy consumed during refining is to develop pulp fibre while only a small fraction of the energy is directed to the actual fibre separation.
Pretreating lignocellulosic biomass using a refiner has been a subject of several recent studies. Colin et al in WO 2008/131229 A1 disclosed a method of processing lignocellulosic biomass using a combined thermochemical pretreatment and mechanical refining. The refining pretreatment was carried out at a temperature between 165° C. and 220° C., and a pressure 100 psig to 700 psig (7-48 bars or 700 to 4800 kPa), for a duration of 5 seconds to 15 minutes. The focus of Colin et al was to improve the glucose yield in a subsequent cellulose hydrolysis, for ethanol production with little discussion on the utilization of hemicellulose and lignin content of the lignocellulosic biomass. Another recent research carried out by Zhu et al (Bioresources Technology, 100 (2009), 2411-2418) incorporates disk refining as a post-treatment after sulphite pulping (pretreatment) to reduce particle size of the substrate and enhance hydrolysis efficiency. A significant amount of chemicals, including 8-10% bisulfite and 1.8-3.7% sulfuric acid, were applied during sulphite pretreatment which are expected to significantly alter the nature of lignin. Pschorn et al. US 2008/0277082 A1 disclosed a high pressure compressor which is converted from a mechanical refiner and can be used for treating the biomass by a steam explosion method.

Biomass fractionation process for bioproducts


A perpendicular magnetic recording medium wherein a perpendicular magnetic film is formed on a substrate or a nonmagnetic film, and the perpendicular magnetic film contains Co and Cr, the content of the Cr being 22 at. % or higher but 30 at. % or less. The medium is used in a magnetic recording disk drive using a magnetoresistive read head.

Recently, in the field of recording devices such as a hard disk drive, it is more and more demanded to reduce the size of the hard disk drive and to increase its recording density. A perpendicular recording system is proposed as one of the approaches to increase the recording density of a recording medium. This system is attracting attention as a system replacing the longitudinal recording system.
A technology combining the perpendicular recording system with a head utilizing the magnetoresistance effect, such as an MR or a GMR head, has also been proposed. An article by the inventors of the present invention, "Perpendicular Magnetic Recording Using a Single-layer Medium and a Merged MR Head", Journal of the Magnetics Society of Japan, Vol. 19, Supplement, No. S2, 1995, reports characteristics of a single-layer Co--Cr perpendicular film as a recording medium which is indented to apply a merged MR head to a perpendicular recording system without modifying its write section. The composition of the single-layer Co--Cr perpendicular film described in the article has Co content of 78 at. % and Cr content of 22 at. %.
However, research by the inventors of the present invention revealed that the single-layer Co--Cr film consisting of the Co content of 78 at. % and the Cr content of 22 at. % used in the above conventional technology cannot provide sufficient maximum perpendicular magnetic interaction (.DELTA.M.perp.).sub.max when an MR head is used as the reproducing head. In view of the foregoing, the inventors of the present invention have continued their research and have found that the Co--Cr film exhibits unique (.DELTA.M.perp.).sub.max properties in a specific range of the contents of Co and Cr, within which the film has excellent properties as a perpendicular magnetic recording medium for an MR head.
Thus, the object of the present invention is to provide a perpendicular magnetic recording medium with favorable magnetic properties when a head utilizing the magnetoresistance effect is used.

Perpendicular magnetic recording medium and magnetic recording device using the same

International Business Machines Corporation