Caller ID information provided coincident to a Voice over IP (VoIP) call is validated by one or more network devices. An originating router detects an offered IP address associated with a calling party node, for example, upon receiving a SIP Invite message initiated by the calling party node. The originating router determines the validity of the offered IP address and hence determines the validity of the Caller ID information based on the validity of the offered IP address. The originating router sends indicia of the validity to a terminating router, connected to a called party node, by inserting a verification bit in the SIP Invite message and sending the transformed SIP Invite message to the terminating router. Alternatively, the terminating router may query the originating router for indicia of validity. Upon receiving the indicia of validity, the terminating router may notify the called party node and so inform the called party whether it can rely on the Caller ID information.

Caller ID is a well-known feature whereby the directory number of a calling party is displayed on a recipient's phone coincident to ringing the called party phone for an incoming call. The recipient may screen the call by viewing the directory number before choosing to answer the call and in such manner, the recipient may avoid certain calls from unrecognized or undesired calling parties. Caller ID information may also be used to automatically block certain calls or to provide different call treatment (e.g., directing the call to a messaging system) without ringing the called party phone. Accordingly, Caller ID is presently an effective tool for screening or blocking calls.
However, various countermeasures have evolved for the purpose of circumventing or reducing the efficacy of Caller ID. One such countermeasure comprises "spoofing" technology that causes the Caller ID feature to display the wrong name and/or number so as to disguise the identity of the true caller. In such manner, for example, a telemarketer or other undesired caller may steal the identity of a different legitimate caller and trick the called party into answering the phone. The spoofing paradigm has emerged as the telecommunications industry begins to shift toward packet-based technologies such as Voice over IP ("VoIP").
Spoofing for the purpose of masking a marketer's identity is illegal under the Telemarketing Sales Rule, enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). However, loopholes exist in that a business may cause a different number to be displayed for an incoming call so long as the different number is owned by the business. In such manner, for example, a call from a salesperson's personal line may appear as if it originated from the company's main number. Moreover, the laws do not currently prevent the use of spoofing technology by individual citizens and thus there is a great potential for abuse by crank callers, stalkers and the like. Thus, it seems that the use of spoofing technology will continue, and perhaps even increase, in the foreseeable future. For so long as spoofing technology continues to be used, it threatens to undermine the Caller ID feature since the recipient no longer can trust the authenticity of the Caller ID information. Consequently, a need exists to preserve the benefits of Caller ID despite the presence of spoofing technology.

Network support for caller ID verification


The present disclosure provides a method for forming resist patterns. The method includes providing a substrate; forming a material layer including a plurality of quenchers on the substrate; forming a resist layer on the material layer; exposing the resist layer; and developing the resist layer to form a structure featuring resist remaining layer on an upper surface of the material layer, and a plurality of resist features on the resist remaining layer to improve the yield of lithography process.

The semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) industry has experienced exponential growth. Technological advances in IC materials and design have produced generations of ICs where each generation has smaller and more complex circuits than the previous generation. In the course of IC evolution, functional density (i.e., the number of interconnected devices per chip area) has generally increased while geometry size (i.e., the smallest component (or line) that can be created using a fabrication process) has decreased. This scaling down process generally provides benefits by increasing production efficiency and lowering associated costs. Such scaling down has also increased the complexity of processing and manufacturing ICs and, for these advances to be realized, similar developments in IC processing and manufacturing are needed.
As the critical dimension (CD) of a feature is scaled down, the feature may have a high aspect ratio (the ratio of the height vs. width of the feature). When the high aspect ratio reaches a critical value, the pattern may actually collapse or fall down during the fabrication process. Generally speaking, the pattern collapse often occurred in wet developing process. For example, the pattern collapse may occur when rinsing with Deionized (DI) water and spin-drying with high speed rotation.
Accordingly, there is a need for a method for preventing the pattern collapse from occurring.

Lithography layer with quenchers to prevent pattern collapse

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.


Testing computer software applications is implemented by probing a computer software application to determine the presence in the computer software application of any data-checking features, and applying a rule to the data-checking features that are determined to be present in the computer software application, thereby producing a testing set of inputs. The testing set includes any sets of inputs that were used to test sets of data-checking software, where each of the sets of data-checking software includes one or more data sanitizers and/or data validators, and where the rule is configured to produce the testing set to include one or more of the sets of inputs when the rule is applied to any of the data-checking features. The computer software application is tested using the testing set.

The invention relates to computer software testing in general and, more particularly, to optimizing test data payload selection for testing computer software applications that employ data sanitizers and data validators.
Dynamic analysis tools are often used by computer software developers to test computer software applications, typically by first exploring a computer software application to discover its interfaces, including those by which data may be provided to the application, and then by interacting with the application's interfaces and monitoring the application's responses to such interactions. In one type of dynamic analysis a computer software application is tested for security vulnerabilities by providing test data designed to exploit a security vulnerability as input to the application, and then observing the behavior of the application. For example, dynamic analysis may be used to test a web application that is accessed over a computer network, such as the Internet, by employing a "black-box tester" running on one computer that sends HTTP requests via a computer network as input to the web application that is hosted by another computer. The HTTP requests are configured with test data payloads drawn from a library of test data payloads designed to test for security vulnerabilities such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and command injection.
Computer software developers often employ measures to defend against such attacks by incorporating data sanitizers, which transform input, and/or data validators, which test whether input is legal, into their applications where such inputs are processed. However, their choice of sanitizers and validators might not be sufficient to prevent all kinds of attacks. While a black-box tester could send all possible test data payloads to a computer software application to test for all possible security vulnerabilities, the cost of sending many HTTP requests via a computer network is high in terms of time and bandwidth, and therefore commercial black-box testers that test web applications via computer networks typically send only a few dozen test payloads per HTTP parameter being tested in order to keep such costs down. Unfortunately, this often means that some security vulnerabilities go undetected.

Optimizing test data payload selection for testing computer software applications that employ data sanitizers and data validators

International Business Machines Corporation


Disclosed is a process of preparing fluorinated material which comprises thermally treating the mixture of carbon black and hydrocarbon polymer compound powder for covering the surface of the carbon black with the latter and fluorinating the hydrocarbon polymer compound. The thermal treatment can be conducted in two stages.. The fluorinated material prepared in accordance with the present invention can provide much more pore volumes acting as gas networks in, for example, an electrode which exhibits high gas permeability or gas supplying ability. Further, the hydrophobicity is as high as that of the material prepared in accordance with mixing carbon black with hydrocarbon polymer compound dispersed in an organic solvent, and is higher than that of the conventional mixture of carbon black and polytetrafluoroethylene particles. The fluorinated material is preferably employed to a fuel cell as gas network material.

The present invention relates to a process of preparing fluorinated material preferably employed as raw material of a gas diffusion electrode of a fuel cell.
The gas diffusion electrode mainly employed in a fuel cell is an indispensable factor of effectively conducting a gas-liquid phase reaction. In the gas diffusion electrode in which fine channels of two types for a gas and an electrolyte are present, it is extremely difficult to achieve a long life and high performances in the existing structures of the fuel cell in which are used the conventional polytetrafluoroethylene (hereinafter referred to as "PTFE") for wet-proofing of gas channels because the gas channels are easily filled with an electrolyte in a short period due to the low wet-proofing property and become unable to supply a reactant gas to catalyst clusters existing in the electrolyte channels. By increasing the PTFE content, the hydrophobic property can be improved, but the utilization of catalyst clusters for the electrode reaction simultaneously decreases, resulting in the reduction of the electrode performance. Namely, the requirements of the gas and electrolyte channels to improve the respective properties contradict each other with the use of the conventional materials because their insufficient hydrophobic property.
In order to solve the above problem, one of the present inventors has proposed a process of preparing fluorinated particulate material employed in a fuel cell (U.S. Pat. No. 5,137,754). The process comprises applying a hydrocarbon polymer solution (for example, a hexane solution) to the surface of support material, vaporizing the solvent and fluorinating the polymer compound. The fluorinated material provided by this process, when employed in the fuel cell, forms a network through which a gas efficiently permeates.
In the network provided with material other than the above which is composed of carbon black of which a particle size is usually about 0.02 and 0.06 .mu.m and PTFE, particles of which a particle size is usually about 0.3 .mu.m, the carbon black surface is not completely covered with PTFE. The space in the agglomerated carbon black or that between the carbon black and PTFE may act as a gas network at the initial stage of operation, but the space will be filled with an electrolyte sooner or later resulting in the degradation of cell performances.
Since, to the contrary, a thin layer is formed around the material provided by the process of the U.S. patent, the fuel cell employing the material exhibits high performances because the space is not likely to be filled with the electrolyte.
However, the material particles before the fluorination of the U.S. patent are likely to agglomerate with each other to become massive so as to provide the thin layer of which a thickness is not uniform so that time complete fluorination can be achieved only under strict conditions. Since, further, the material becomes massive, the space or fine apertures of the materials is likely to be filled with the hydrocarbon polymer to lessen the number of channels for gas supply and discharge. In addition, the preparation of the solution of the hydrocarbon polymer itself is dangerous and rather complex.

Process of preparing fluorinated material


An embodiment method for session handling for a connection between an UE and a network includes establishing, at a first distributed EPC, user and IP sessions over the connection through the first distributed EPC. The first distributed EPC includes a first PGW at which the IP session is anchored. The method also includes holding original IP resources and releasing original connection resources for the sessions at the first distributed EPC when the UE moves beyond the first distributed EPC to a second distributed EPC. The method then establishes a tunnel between the first PGW and a second PGW for the second distributed EPC. The tunnel utilizes the original IP resources and new connection resources at the second distributed EPC. The method then routes data from the tunnel, through the first PGW, and to the network.

3GPP LTE and Wi-Fi use centralized architectures where user sessions are managed in highly centralized data centers or central offices. Due to the proliferation of highly functional user equipment (UE) that allow users to multi-task, for example, surf the internet, instant message and stream videos at the same time, the handling of user sessions in the data centers or central office can approach the performance limits of the data centers or central office.
In addition, with the increased deployment of small cells, het-net, machine to machine (M2M), and networks of devices, where thousands or millions of devices are attached, there are a large number of user sessions, some of which are more local (i.e., originate and terminate in nearby locations), while others are more distant. Each of these devices may be mobile. An evolved packet core (EPC) network anchors the Internet protocol (IP) session centrally and thus is able to maintain the same IP session while a device transitions between layer 2 anchor points.

System and method for distributed evolved packet core architecture


The satellite navigational system integrated with the tilt measurement system capable of precise measurement of the actual coordinates of the mobile unit that moves along a track with variable tilt is disclosed. Using the integrated satellite/tilt measurement system, a plurality of 3 dimensional lines separated by optimal swathing offset vector can be formed and followed in order to provide field guidance during a precision farming operation across variably inclined terrain.

The current invention is in the field of the satellite navigational system.
In the available art relating to the satellite positional systems (SATPS), the curvature of terrain is not taken into account.
Indeed, the SATPS provides the 3-D location of signal reception (for instance, the 3-D location of the antenna). However, the position of interest is often not the same as where the satellite receiver (SR) is located since the SR is placed in the location for good signal reception. For example, for a tractor towing an implement, the best location for the SR may be on top of the tractor cab, but the position of interest (POI) for providing guidance to the tractor operator may be the position on the ground below the operator. If the tractor is on a flat terrain, determining this POI is a simple adjustment to account for the antenna height. However, if the tractor is on an inclined terrain with a variable tilt, which is often the case, the SATPS alone cannot determine the terrain tilt so the POI also cannot be determined. This results in a guidance error because the POI is approximated by the point of reception (POR), and this approximation worsens as the terrain inclination increases. By measuring tilt of vehicle with inexpensive tilt sensors, the POI can be determined, and the guidance error caused by the tilt of the terrain can be reduced.
In addition, in the prior art satellite guided parallel swathing for precision farming, the actual curvature of terrain is also not taken into account. This results in a less than precise farming because of the less than precise parallel swathing. Indeed, in order to provide parallel swaths through a field, the guidance system collects positions of the vehicle as it moves across the field. When the vehicle turns around at the end of the field and commences the next pass through the field, the guidance system sets the collected positions for the previous pass by the width of the complement (i.e. swath width). If only 3-D coordinates are collected, the next swath computations should assume a flat terrain offset. This set of next swath positions is used to provide guidance to the operator as he drives vehicle through the field. The current vehicle location as compared to the desired swath location is provided to the driver. However, if the terrain is inclined, the horizontal swath offset is in error because it does not take into consideration the curvature of the terrain. On inclined terrain, this error can be minimized by collecting vehicle tilt configuration along each current pass or the previous pass. The swath offset thus becomes a vector taking the terrain inclination into account with the assumption that from the first swath to the next one the terrain inclination does not change too much.
To meet the challenge of taking into account the actual terrain curvature, a satellite navigational system integrated with a tilt measurement system is needed. The integrated system should be capable of precise tilt measurements of the mobile unit that moves along a variable tilt track, so that the actual curvature of terrain is included in the swath vector.
To address the shortcomings of the available art, the present invention provides a satellite navigational system integrated with a tilt measurement system that is capable of precise measurement of the actual coordinates of the mobile unit that moves along a track with a variable tilt.
One aspect of the present invention is directed to a real time positioning system comprising: (1) a satellite positioning system (SATPS) receiver mounted in a housing means of a mobile unit; and (2) a tilt angle measurement device integrated with the SATPS receiver. The SATPS receiver is configured to perform three dimensional coordinates measurements of the mobile unit, and the tilt measurement device is configured to perform tilt measurements of the mobile unit.
In one embodiment, the system further comprises a SATPS/tilt integrated navigational computer configured to calculate three dimensional coordinates of an implement mounted in the mobile unit by solving a set of geometrical equations including the three dimensional coordinates of the mobile unit, the tilt coordinates of the mobile unit that are measured synchronously with the three dimensional coordinates of the mobile unit, and a distance between the SATPS receiver and the position of interest for the application.
The SATPS receiver can comprise: an RTK differential GPS receiver, a differential GPS receiver, a GLONASS receiver, or a combined GPS/GLONASS receiver. The tilt angle measurement device can comprise: an electronic tilt measurement device. The electronic tilt measurement device can comprise a single angle measurement device or a dual angle measurement device.
Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a map generating system. In one embodiment, the map generating system comprises: (1) a satellite positioning system (SATPS) receiver mounted in a housing means of a mobile unit; (2) a tilt angle measurement device integrated with the SATPS receiver; (3) a SATPS/tilt integrated navigational computer; and (4) a memory unit.
In one embodiment, the SATPS receiver is configured to perform three dimensional coordinates measurements of the mobile unit, the tilt measurement device is configured to perform tilt coordinates measurements of the mobile unit, and the SATPS/tilt integrated navigational computer is configured to calculate three dimensional coordinates of an implement mounted in the mobile unit. The memory unit is configured to record three dimensional coordinates of the implement in order to generate a map of an actual area covered by the implement.
In one embodiment of the map generating system, the (SATPS) receiver further comprises a differential GPS post-processing receiver, the mobile unit further comprises a farm tractor towing a spray unit, and the map generating system generates an xe2x80x9cas-appliedxe2x80x9d map of the area sprayed on.
Yet, one more aspect of the present invention is directed to a method of 3-dimensional line forming using a satellite navigational system integrated with a tilt measurement system. In the preferred embodiment, the method comprises the following steps: (A) defining a first 3-dimensional form line using at least two terrestrial locations; (B) defining a second 3-dimensional form line, while following the first 3-dimensional form line and deviating from the first 3-dimensional form line to accommodate one or more terrain features; and (C) updating the second 3-dimensional form line as defined in the preceding step (B).
One additional aspect of the present invention is directed to a 3-dimensional form line following apparatus. In one embodiment, the 3-dimensional form line following apparatus comprises a mobile unit further comprising: (a) a satellite navigational receiver including a satellite antenna configured to receive a set of satellite navigational data and a set of satellite navigational correction data; (b) a tilt measurement system configured to generate a set of tilt measurement data; and (c) a processor configured to compute a set of position information using the set of satellite navigational data and the set of satellite navigational correction data; and the set of tilt measurement data; and configured to define an updated 3-dimensional form line having been defined using positioning data derived from an earlier received set of satellite navigation data, from an earlier generated set of tilt measurement data, and from a swathing offset vector; and (b) deviating from the previously computed 3-dimensional form line to accommodate one or more terrain features and/or operator""s errors.

Precise parallel swathing guidance via satellite navigation and tilt measurement


In order to reduce the complexity of an adaptive digital filter used to cancel delayed network echoes, a delay circuit is arranged in series therewith and arranged to compensate for the delay inherent with a speech codec. In the case of a variable delay circuit, the degree by which the echo is delayed is detected in the adaptive digital filter and used to modify the delay time. A gain control arrangement can be provided and used to reduce the gain of the received signal when the near-end party is talking and the adaptive capacity of the adaptive digital filter is exceeded.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a method and arrangement of eliminating delayed echoes in a digital telecommunications system, and more specifically to such an arrangement and method by which delayed "network echoes" can effectively be canceled without incurring undesirable increase in the size of an adaptive digital filter as compared with the size of the counterpart provided in an analog telecommunications system. The term "network echoes" implies the echoes which are mainly caused by impedance mismatches in distant four-wire to two-wire hybrid(s) of public switched telephone networks.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Long distance telephone communications systems have been constantly plagued by the so called "echo" phenomenon. A known approach to solving this problem is the use of an echo canceler which by means of an adaptive digital filter makes an estimate of the transfer function of the echo path and uses that information to subtract the echo in the return path.
Before turning to the present invention it is deemed advantageous to describe a known echo canceler for use in a mobile telephone terminal of an analog mobile telephone communications system with reference to FIG. 1.
It should be noted that while the FIG. 1 arrangement is disclosed in connection with a vehicle mounted speakerphone, the present invention is not limited to such applications and can be applied to a wide variety of telecommunication systems.
The arrangement shown in FIG. 1 includes, an antenna 10, a duplexer 12, a front end 14, four amplifiers 16a-16d, two codecs 18, 20, a network echo canceler 22, an acoustic echo canceler 24, a loudspeaker 26 and a microphone 28, all of which are coupled as illustrated. A "codec" is defined as an assembly comprising an encoder and a decoder in the same equipment (CCITT recommendations). Merely by way of example, each of the codecs 18, 20 in this instance, is of a 64 kbit/sec .mu.-law (viz., A-law) PCM (pulse code modulation) type.
The codec 18 includes an analog/digital (A/D) converter 18a and a digital/analog (D/A) converter 18b. Similarly, the other codec 20 is provided with a D/A converter 20a and an A/D converter 20b. Further, the network echo canceler 22 includes an adaptive digital filter (ADF) 22a and an adder 22b, while the acoustic echo canceler 24 includes an ADF 24a and an adder 24b.
The front end (viz., radio signal section) 14 is supplied with an incoming radio signal (analog) via the antenna 12 and the duplexer 12. The analog signal outputted from the front end 14, is applied to an amplifier 16a by which the amplitude of the incoming signal is adjusted to a predetermined one. The A/D converter 18a converts the analog output of the amplifier 16a to the corresponding digital signal.
The ADF 22a of the network echo canceler 22 is arranged to receive the output of the acoustic echo canceler 24 and outputs an estimated (or synthetic) echo signal 22c. The network echo canceler 22 operates such as to eliminate the network echo by rendering an error signal Se zero. As is well known in the art, the network echo canceler 22 updates tap-coefficients of the ADF 22a using the learning algorithms which are demonstrated by the following equation (1). EQU H.sub.n+1 =H.sub.n +.alpha.*(Xn/XnXn.sup.T)*Se.sub.n ( 1)
Where: H.sub.n is a row vector of tap-coefficient matrix at a time "n", Xn a row vector of a matrix of the digitized incoming signal at a time n, Se.sub.n an error signal at a time n, .alpha. a convergence coefficient (0<.alpha.<2), T indicates transposition of vector, and * indicates convolution.
When near-end and distant-end parties talk simultaneously, i.e., during double talk, the network echo canceler 22 is no longer able to correctly update tap-coefficients of the ADF 22a. This is because the distant party's signals mask the network echo. Accordingly, it is a current practice to provide a double talk detector to inhibit the updating of tap-coefficients of the ADF 22a while such is detected.
The aforesaid tap-coefficients updating and the double talk detection, are well known in the art and are not directly concerned with the present invention and, hence, further descriptions thereof will be omitted for simplifying the instant disclosure.
In the case where the tap-coefficients updating is correctly implemented, the distant party's speech signal is derived from the adder 22b during the double talk while effectively canceling the network echoes. The output of the adder 22b is applied to the ADF 24a of the acoustic echo canceler 20 and also is converted into the corresponding analog signal at the D/A converter 20a. The output of the D/A converter 20a is amplified by the amplifier 16b and then drives the loudspeaker 26.
A speech signal issued from the microphone 28 is amplified by the amplifier 16c and then converted into the corresponding digital signal at the A/D converter 20b. The adder 24b of the acoustic echo canceler 24 is arranged to subtract an estimated echo 24c (viz., the output of the ADF 24a) from the output of the A/D converter 20b. The acoustic echo canceler 24 operates in a manner which establishes an error signal Se' and eliminates the acoustic echo which is established via an acoustic coupling between the loudspeaker 26 and the microphone 28. The acoustic echo canceler 24 updates tap-coefficients of the ADF 24a in the same manner as in the network echo canceler 22 using the above mentioned learning algorithms shown by equation (1).
In the event that the tap-coefficients updating of the acoustic echo canceler 24 is correctly implemented, the near-by party's speech signal is derived from the adder 24b while the acoustic echoes are effectively canceled in a manner whereby no subjective interference to the telephone conversation occurs. The output of the adder 24b is applied to the ADF 22a and is also converted into the corresponding analog signal at the D/A converter 18b of the codec 18. The output of the D/A converter 18a is amplified by the amplifier 16d and then transmitted to the distant-end party (not shown) via the front end 14, the duplexer 12 and the antenna 10.
In the above mentioned arrangement (FIG. 1), the network echo is caused by a distant four-wire to two-wire hybrid provided in the vicinity of the distant-end party and is delayed by about 40 ms when returning to the network echo canceler 22. In the event that a sampling clock used in the FIG. 1 arrangement is 8 kHz, the number of samples derived during the 40 ms period is 320. Accordingly, the ADF 22a is required to have 320 taps in order to cancel the delayed network echo (40 ms).
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a digital type mobile terminal wherein the codec 18 of FIG. 1 is replaced with a speech codec 30.
The speech codec 30 in this instance takes the form of an LPC (linear predictive coding) codec such as a 11.2 kbit/s VSELPC (vector sum exited LPC) type. The ADF 22a of FIG. 1 should be modified to cancel the network echo whose delay time is prolonged due to the provision of the speech codec 30 and thus, in FIG. 2, a prime (') is added to the reference numerals 22, 22a for differentiating same from the counterparts of FIG. 1.
As is well known in the art, this type of coding offers low data rates ranging from 8-16 kbit/s (for example). This means that the 40 ms delayed network echo is further delayed by about 100 ms at the speech codec 30, and thus the total delay time of the network echo amounts to approximately 140 ms. Accordingly, if the sampling clock used in the FIG. 2 arrangement is 8 kHz (viz., the same as in the FIG. 1 arrangement), the number of samples taken during 140 ms is 1120. Accordingly, the ADF 22a must be provided with 1120 taps in order to cancel the network echo which is delayed by 140 ms.
Further, the network echo canceler 22 requires, for echo cancellation, 4 instruction steps per tap (viz., one instruction step for producing the estimated echo signal and three instruction steps for updating tap coefficients). This means that the network echo canceler 22 requires a computing power of about 36 MIPS (million instructions per second) (viz., 1120.times.4.times.8000=35.84 millions).
Still further, in order to realize the adaptive digital filtering at the ADF 22a, it is necessary to provide a RAM (random access memory) with a memory capacity of 2,240 words for storing the 1120 tap coefficients and 1120 sampled data.
It is understood from the foregoing that the ADF 22a of FIG. 2 is rendered undesirably bulky, complex as compared with the FIG. 1 arrangement.

Method and arrangement of echo elimination in digital telecommunications system


Disclosed herein are a core assembly for wireless power communication, a power supplying device for wireless power communication having the same, and a method for manufacturing the same. The core assembly for wireless power communication includes: a plate shaped core including concave parts disposed in a main surface thereof and made of a magnetic material; a plurality of winding type coils received in the concave parts and partially overlapping each other; and a circuit board connected to both ends of each of the coils which controls application of a power to the coils.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a core assembly for wireless power communication used in a wireless power communication system, a power supplying device for wireless power communication having the same, and a method for manufacturing the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, a portable electronic device such as a mobile communication terminal, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or the like, is mounted with a rechargeable battery. In order to charge the battery, a separate charging device providing electrical energy to the battery of the portable electronic device using home commercial power is required.
Typically, the charging device and the battery include separate contact terminals formed at outer portions thereof, respectively, such that the charging device and the battery are electrically connected to each other by connecting the contact terminals to each other. However, when the contact terminals as described above protrude externally, the contact terminals are not attractive in appearance. Also, the terminals may easily be dirtied or contaminated with external foreign materials, such that a contact state therebetween easily deteriorates. In addition, when the battery is short-circuited or exposed to moisture due to carelessness of a user, charged energy may be easily lost.
As an alternative to the above-mentioned contact type charging scheme, a non-contact type (wireless) charging system, which charges the battery without contact between the terminals of each of the charging device and the battery, has been suggested.

Core assembly for wireless power communication, power supplying device for wireless power communication having the same, and method for manufacturing the same


An improvement in an injection press composite molding machine, provides a nozzle touch mechanism in which even when the horizontal injection unit expands or contracts due to heat, the positional relation between the injection nozzle and the mold remains unchanged, and in which initial alignment of injection nozzle with the mold is easy, and further in which the thermal expansion or contraction thereof is small. An adjusting mechanism (40) for adjusting the position of an injection nozzle (10b) is provided on an upper portion of the stand (9) which presses the injection nozzle (10b) onto a lower mold (3). A positioning stopper (21) is provided for one end of a base (14) to which a table (4) of a horizontal injection unit (10) is journaled. The adjusting mechanism has a plurality of bolts for adjusting the vertical and horizontal positions of the injection nozzle. A heat insulating member may be interposed between the tips of these bolts and the injection nozzle.

A conventional injection press composite molding machine employs either a combination of a horizontal press unit and a vertical injection unit or a combination of a vertical press unit and a horizontal injection unit The former combination has problems in that the height of the machine generally ends up to be rather great and the operability of changing is not favorable. Therefore, the latter combination is more widely used. For example, a molding machine (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-22917) as shown in FIG. 3 is disclosed. An injection nozzle 32 is placed to abut on a side surface 31a of a fixed mold 31, and a resin passage (a hot runner) 33 is cut through the inside of the mold from a portion to be in contact with the nozzle, and further, a heater 34 is provided around the resin passage. In such a structure, a resin 35 is injected to a cavity (D).
However, the above-described conventional injection press composite molding machine has problems caused by expansion and contraction of the injection unit due to heat. The expanding injection unit pushes and shifts the mold 31, and the contracting injection unit reduces the contact surface pressure between the injection nozzle 32 and the mold 31, resulting in a leakage of the resin. To solve such problems, the present inventor proposes in Japanese Patent Application No. 63-245663 an improvement in which a unit for mounting an injection unit thereon is slidable so that even when the injection unit expands or contracts due to heat, the relation between the injection nozzle and a mold is unchanged. However, this improvement still has problems in that the initial alignment of the nozzle with the mold is difficult and the thermal expansion and contraction of the injection unit is large. To solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, the present invention is directed to provide a nozzle touch mechanism for an injection press composite molding machine, in which even when the injection unit expands or contracts due to heat, the positional relation between the injection nozzle and the mold remains unchanged, and in which initial alignment of the injection nozzle with the mold is easy, and further in which the thermal expansion or contraction thereof is small.

Nozzle touch mechanism for injection press composite molding machine


Microwave oven apparatus includes provisions for adding moisture to foods being cooked in a microwave oven to reduce drying of the food during the cooking procedure. Different embodiments of a microwave oven include a microwave oven with mister elements, one mister element providing a cold mist and another mister embodiment providing a hot or steam mist derived from the heating of water in a reservoir of the microwave oven. A microwave oven may also include a water tray at the bottom of the oven, with water in the tray comprising the source of moisture for food being cooked in a dish within the oven. At the top of the oven, or above the mister elements, is a filter, preferably made of paper, or the like, through which moisture may permeate, but which prevents moisture condensing on the top of the microwave from falling onto the food in the form of droplets.. Cooking elements for cooking foods in a microwave oven include provisions for a water reservoir in an outer cooking element, with a inner cooking element holding food to be cooked. Different embodiments are disclosed, and different types of elements for containing or holding food to be cooked are also disclosed. Also disclosed are different embodiments of pitchers in which liquids may be heated relatively rapidly in microwave ovens, and apparatus for purifying water in a microwave oven by condensing water vapor.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to microwave ovens and, more particularly, to ovenware elements for use in microwave ovens and which provide hydrating functions and which reduce dehydration for food cooked in microwave ovens and, including food cooked directly in its packaging, whether frozen packaged foods or nonfrozen packaged foods, and microwave water purifiers.
2. Description of the Prior Art
U.S. Pat. No. 3,777,099 (Levinson) discloses method and apparatus for heating or cooking articles in a microwave oven. The microwave oven includes a sloping bottom and a plurality of apertures extending through the bottom at its lowest point and a pan beneath the openings for receiving liquids draining through the openings. Different types of food supporting elements are also disclosed and are supported within the microwave oven.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,854,023 (Levinson) discloses a container or heating member for use in a microwave oven. Included is a liquid absorptive body for absorbing liquids from the food being cooked.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,985,990 (Levinson) discloses another type of heating utensil for use in a microwave oven. The utensil includes outer and inner elements, and the inner element, on which food is disposed, includes a plurality of apertures from which liquid drains as cooking takes place.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,985,991 (Levinson) discloses a different type of utensil for cooking food in a microwave oven. The absorption of liquids is discussed as in the other above referenced patents.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,994,212 (Wong) discloses a drain pan for use in a microwave oven. The drain pan includes a plurality of ridges extending upwardly from the bottom surface and a groove running perpendicularly to the ridges and grooves. Food being cooked is supported on the ridges, and liquid drains to the grooves and into the central groove.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,306,133 (Levinson) discloses another type of utensil for baking meat or fruit pies in a microwave oven.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,317,017 (Bowen) discloses a utensil for steam cooking within a microwave oven. The apparatus includes a dish in which water is placed, a pan is placed over the water holding compartment with holes in the pan, and a tray on which food is placed above the pan. The entire cooking apparatus is enclosed so that only the water is subjected to microwave energy. The microwave energy then heats the water and steam from the heated water is in turn used to cook the food.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,871,892 (Samford) discloses another type of microwave cooking utensil designed for killing salmonella bacteria in liquids during the cooking of poultry. Water is placed in the bottom of a container, and a rack is placed above the surface of the water and food to be cooked is placed on the rack. Microwave energy boils the water and steam from the boiled water kills the salmonella bacteria.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,941,401 (Sarnoff) discloses a fish poaching dish for cooking fish in a microwave oven. Three separate elements are included in the apparatus. There is a base dish with ridges which extend upwardly from the bottom of the dish and which water is placed. There is a rack that is placed in the dish and is supported on the ridges in the bottom of the dish. A rack, having a plurality of elongated apertures extending to the bottom of the rack, is placed on the dish and is supported on the ridges in the bottom of the dish. Fish to be poached is placed on the rack. A cover, the third element.
While some of the above discussed patented apparatus utilize steam for cooking food in a microwave oven, none of the apparatus is generally concerned with keeping the food being cooked in the microwave oven from becoming dehydrated, and accordingly none of the apparatus include what may be referred to as hydrator apparatus for providing the necessary moisture during cooking.
The apparatus of the present invention overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art by providing hydrator apparatus for cooking food in a microwave oven to essentially moisten the food as it is being cooked, and to reduce the vapor loss from the food as the food is cooked in a microwave oven. The vapor lost from the food is returned to the cooking atmosphere. This allows the food to absorb the lost vapor or moisture.

Microwave ovenware apparatus, hydrating microwave ovens and microwave water purifier


The invention provides an improved appearance, glossy, autodepositing coating composition that maintains its desirable properties such as moisture barrier properties, although it is still able to deliver a glossy finish. No additional coatings are necessary over the instant coating to achieve a gloss. The glossy composition is accomplished by narrowing the molecular weight distribution and the molecular weight of an autodepositing epoxy dispersion coating by adding a chain transfer agent. The chain transfer agent is a thiol-containing compound made from an epoxy resin mixed with at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer polymerized through a polymerization process, a curing agent, and a starter composition of peroxide, FeF3, and hydrofluoric acid. By eliminating the starter composition, a bath concentrate suitable for selling is manufactured.

Autodeposition has been in commercial use on steel for about thirty years and is now well established for that use. For details, see for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,063,877; 3,585,084; 3,592,699; 3,674,567; 3,791,431; 3,795,546; 4,030,945; 4,108,817; 4,178,400; 4,186,226; 4,242,379; 4,234,704; 4,636,264; 4,636,265; 4,800,106; and 5,342,694. Epoxy resin-based autodeposition coating systems are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,180,603 (Howell. Jr.); U.S. Pat. No. 4,289,826 (Howell Jr.); U.S. Pat. No. 5,500,460 (Ahmed et al.); and International Publication Number WO 00/71337. Epoxy-acrylic blend resins for autodeposition have also been developed as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,138,444, but these coatings provide a low gloss, semi-matte finish. The disclosures of all these patents and published patent applications are hereby incorporated by reference to the extent that they are not specifically contradicted by the below teachings.
Autodeposition compositions are usually in the form of a liquid, usually aqueous solutions, emulsions or dispersions in which active metal surfaces of inserted objects are coated with an adherent resin or polymer film that increases in thickness the longer the metal remains in the bath, even though the liquid is stable for a long time against spontaneous precipitation or flocculation of any resin or polymer, in the absence of contact with the active metal. When used in the autodeposition process, the composition when cured forms a polymeric coating. "Active metal" is defined as metal that spontaneously begins to dissolve at a substantial rate when introduced into the liquid solution or dispersion. Such compositions, and processes of forming a coating on a metal surface using such compositions, are commonly denoted in the art, and in this specification, as "autodeposition" or "autodepositing" compositions, dispersions, emulsions, suspensions, baths, solutions, processes, methods or a like term. Autodeposition is often contrasted with electrodeposition. Although each can produce adherent films with similar performance characteristics, the dispersions from which they are produced and the mechanism by which they deposit are distinctly different. Electrodeposition requires that metal or other objects to be coated be connected to a source of direct current electricity for coating to occur. No such external electric current is used in autodeposition.
Typical autodeposition coatings currently commercially available, including epoxy-acrylic based systems that provide good corrosion resistance, have a low gloss finish and may include surface inconsistencies. In many industries, the low gloss finish of the autodeposition primer was perfectly satisfactory for the application. For example, conventional autodeposition coatings have been used as primers to be subsequently coated with paint in order to achieve a glossy, "show surface" appearance. Such autodeposition primer compositions have been utilized in numerous technical applications, such as automotive components, agricultural machinery, appliances, too numerous to mention here, that require anti-corrosion and proper adhesion properties for subsequent coatings.
In certain applications, the autodeposition coating has been used without the need for topcoating. Generally, due to the low gloss nature of commercially available autodeposition coatings, this use has been limited to non-show surfaces, for example in shock absorbers, automotive seating tracks and the like. Although autodeposition coatings have been utilized for decades in these coating instances, a smooth, glossy, improved appearance with good corrosion and adhesion characteristics was not readily forthcoming. There are incidences where an improved appearance of the autodeposition coating is desired without the need for subsequent coating operations, and this has been an unmet need in the industry.
In the prior art, certain epoxy or epoxy-acrylic resins used for autodeposition applications were generally made by preparing solutions of epoxy resin and acrylic monomer in organic solvent(s). The resulting mixture was dispersed in water with surfactant, mechanically dispersed to a desired particle size and then polymerized. Because a high concentration of solvent is undesirable in an autodepositing coating bath, these solvent-rich emulsions required removal of solvent by distillation techniques known in the art. The resulting polymerized resin could then be mixed with other components and used as a component of an autodeposition coating bath. The bath forms a polymeric coating when autodeposited on a metal surface and cured. Low solvent/no solvent epoxy-acrylic autodeposition coating compositions have been developed which eliminate and/or minimize the need for process solvents, which had caused increased manufacturing costs. However, the appearance of these epoxy-acrylic resin based coatings had some shortcomings such as high surface roughness and low gloss.
As discussed above, previous autodeposition formulations have been limited to applications where a semi-matte, low gloss finish was acceptable. Prior attempts to achieve a glossy, improved appearance have not met with a high degree of success, particularly with epoxy-acrylic compositions. Direct-to-metal or corrosion protection thermoset primers, such as 2-components urethane, 2-components epoxy, and electrodeposited epoxies, are single phase low molecular weight polymeric systems with glossy, smooth finishes due to their low viscosity, but these systems lack edge corrosion performance. While traditional methods of enhancing appearance characteristics of a coating involved the use of flow additives, co-solvents, or plasticizers, among others, those solutions may impact coating volatile organic compound (VOC) content and environmental sustainability.
Previously, the characteristics of the epoxy and acrylic phases of the resin were incompatible, and had contributed to low gloss, matte and textured finish coatings. The present invention seeks to make compatible both phases and in doing so enhances the aesthetic and overall appearance properties of resulting coatings, by increasing gloss and reducing roughness, without loss of corrosion performance and without loss of adhesion to the metal substrate and any later applied coatings. Another aspect of the present invention is that the smoother, glossier coating of the invention may much easier to clean, and can be easily rinsed off by natural conditions on the roadway, thereby possibly lessening corrosion.
Up to now, autodeposition coatings have not been used successfully for automotive, "show" surfaces due to the lack of gloss and smoothness sufficient to meet manufacturer requirements. There has been an unmet need, particularly in the economy automotive market, to reduce the number of layers of paint required to achieve a "show surface without loss of corrosion performance. The coatings of the invention have both higher gloss and smoothness and may be used as a stand alone coating, such as a finish coating. In particular in the economy automotive market, these coatings may be useful for less expensive car body parts thereby providing customers with an attractive, glossy coating at lower cost.

Glossy improved appearance auto-deposition coating, and methods of applying same


An ergonomic dual-section computer-pointing device, that includes a cursor control section fixedly and movably attached to an ergonomic hand support section, reduces stress and helps to prevent cumulative trauma disorder. The ergonomic dual-section computer-pointing device keeps the hand in a neutral position, which imitates the natural roll of the hand, the wrist and the forearm. The ergonomic dual-section computer-pointing device facilitates two fields of motion. In a first field of motion, the fingers, the hand, and the wrist are used to manipulate the cursor control section while the ergonomic hand support section remains substantially stationary. In a second field of motion, the arm and shoulder are used to move the cursor control section and ergonomic hand support section in unison. The cursor control section is fixedly and movably attached to the ergonomic hand support section by a coupler. The fixed attachment permits the cursor control section to move freely within an opening over the first field of motion. When the cursor controlled by movement of the cursor control section must be moved further than is permitted within the first field of motion, the user grasps the cursor control section, and effortlessly slides the combination of the ergonomic hand support section and cursor control section around the work surface using the arm and shoulder muscles while maintaining the hand, wrist and forearm in the neutral position.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention generally relates to devices for minimizing work-related injuries caused by the use of computers, and more particularly relates to ergonomic computer-pointing devices such as an ergonomic computer mouse.
2. Description of Related Art
It is well known that the extended use of a computer-pointing device, such as a computer mouse, can cause a computer user to suffer from cumulative trauma disorder (CTD) or repetitive strain injuries (RSI). Computer users are often afflicted with pains in the hands and the wrists caused by excessive wrist movements such as flexion and hyperextension of the wrist. Computer users can also suffer from soreness and fatigue in the shoulders and the neck due to excessive arm and shoulder motions associated with use of computer-pointing devices.
Long period of repetitive motion associated with the use of the computer mouse coupled with incorrect hand posture while using the mouse may cause disorders in the hand, wrist, elbow, shoulder, and neck, such as carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome is the numbness, tingling and loss of strength of the hand and wrist, and is caused by stress on the wrist induced by repetitive wrist and finger motions. Repetitive stress injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, can be disabling and are costly, in terms of both medical expenses and lost work time.
The prior art includes several support devices that were used in conjunction with the computer pointing device, such as a computer mouse, to reduce the stress and risk of injury associated with the frequent and repetitive motion necessary in the use of the computer mouse. As described more completely below, typical support devices include stationary or movable apparatus supporting the hand, the wrist or the palm.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,451,020 to Smith et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,228,655 to Garcia et al. disclose examples of stationary wrist support devices, also called wrist rests. Wrist rests are typically pads placed in front of the keyboard or the mouse. The height of the pad is selected to support the wrist to elevate the hand to be level with the forearm. Wrist rests alleviate the stress on the wrist by avoiding prolonged bending up and down of the wrist. However, studies have shown that pressure on the underside of the wrist can irritate wrist tissue and increase the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome. Furthermore, wrist rests do not protect the wrist from excessive side-to-side bending, which can cause injuries to the tendons in the wrist. Thus, stationary wrist rests are not a satisfactory means to protect computer users from repetitive stress injuries.
Other types of stationary support devices include a palm rest disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,407 to Rice, and a computer mouse support having an upwardly inclined orientation disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,203,845 to Moore.
Prior art support devices also include movable apparatus. U.S. Pat. No. 5,490,647 to Rice discloses an example of a movable hand support also called a palm rest. Movable palm rests such as that disclosed by the Rice ""647 patent tend to fall over easily during use and at best support the palm indirectly.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,340,067 to Martin et al. discloses a movable hand and wrist support 110 for computer mouse 112 as shown in FIG. 1. Support 110 holds mouse 112 within a retainer 114. The user rests hand 113 on support 110 such that hand 113 is on the same plane as mouse 112.
Movable hand and wrist support 110 disclosed by Martin et al. has several disadvantages. First, support 110 has a raised area 116 near the center of support 110 intended to apply gentle pressure on the palm of hand 113. As mentioned previously in reference to palm rests, applying pressure to the center of the palm can cause carpal tunnel syndrome and is highly undesirable. Second, fine mouse movements are made more difficult because the user must move mouse 112 and support together 110. Third, support 110 does not maintain hand 113 in a neutral position because the user has to twist his/her wrist to place hand 113 on the flat surface of support 110.
In addition to the disadvantages described above, prior art support devices are not satisfactory because such devices tend to force the user to focus movement of the user""s hand and shoulder in one field of motion only. Stationary palm rests restrict arm and shoulder movement, and force the user to move the wrist only in manipulating the mouse. The movable wrist/hand support disclosed by Martin et al. completely eliminates wrist motion, thereby forcing the user to move the arm and shoulder exclusively in manipulating the mouse. Extended and repetitive motions focused on either the wrist or the shoulder can cause cumulative trauma disorders.
Another problem with wrist pads is that a movable wrist pad is not easily manipulated by the user. Consequently, as the mouse is moved about, either the mouse or the movable wrist pad must be repositioned to maintain the movable wrist pad in the proper relationship to and separation from the computer mouse.
One solution to this problem has been to attach the computer mouse to the movable wrist pad using a spring loaded tether. The tether is contained in the wrist pad and is attached to the head of the computer mouse using a VELCRO fastener. VELCRO is a registered U.S. trademark of Velcro U.S.A. Inc. and is a synthetic material having complementary parts, which adhere to each other when pressed together.
This configuration has several shortcomings. First, the configuration is still a computer mouse and a wrist pad and so the configuration suffers from the same basic shortcomings as the wrist pads described above. Second, the combination does not assist the user in using different muscle groups.
In particular, if the wrist pad and the computer mouse are moved to keep the two together, only the arm and shoulder muscles are used. To avoid this the user must pull the mouse away from the wrist pad, and maintain enough pressure on both the mouse and the wrist pad to maintain the separation. This adds additional unnatural stresses on the user""s hand, fingers and wrist, and causes the user to attempt to manipulate the mouse using the fingers while maintaining pressure on the wrist pad with the wrist so that is does not move. If the user lifts the wrist, the spring-loaded tether moves the wrist pad against the mouse. This combination also reduces user efficiency because each time the user reaches for the mouse, the user must apply pressure on the wrist pad, and then move the mouse a sufficient distance from the wrist pad so that the mouse can be used. All of these motions are unproductive and only add to the stresses associated with using the combination device.
Also, the VELCRO fastener is not a fixed connection and if the user simply continues to move the mouse when the tether is fully extended, the VELCRO fastener may pull loose. Finally, the combination is bulky and requires sufficient desk area to facilitate moving both the wrist pad and the computer mouse. In fact, the combination is difficult to move to another location on the desktop, and difficult to move for cleaning the desktop. Users have also indicated that the combination makes it more difficult to clean the mouse ball.
Another combination simply used a VELCRO fastener to affix a palm rest to the computer mouse. The palm rest was supported by a small square bottom that did not move easily and the palm rest put pressure on the center of the hand, which as described above is undesirable. This combination suffers from the same shortcomings as an ergonomic mouse in that the combination does nothing to encourage the user to use vary the muscle groups used in manipulating the computer mouse. In fact, the combination can only be moved about using the arm and shoulder muscles, which can result in elbow and other injuries. Also, this combination makes fine control of the cursor, which is normally done using the fingers, extremely difficult.
To eliminate the problems with the various support devices, many manufacturers are changing the shape of the single unit computer mouse and some are including a larger area for hand and palm support. The intention is to cause the user to align the hand and wrist in the neutral position while grasping the mouse. While aligning the hand and wrist in a neutral position is desirable, the alignment alone is not sufficient to assure that injuries caused by repetitive use of only certain muscle groups are eliminated.
Accordingly, there is a need for a computer-pointing device, such as a computer mouse, which can reduce stress and help to prevent injuries while not impeding the productivity of the computer user.
According to the principles of this invention, an ergonomic dual-section computer-pointing device, that includes a cursor control section fixedly and movably connected to an ergonomic hand support section, reduces stress and helps to prevent cumulative trauma disorder. The ergonomic dual-section computer-pointing device does not compromise the productivity of a computer user. For example, the ergonomic dual-section computer-pointing device facilitates the user moving his/her hand from a computer keyboard to a proper position with respect to the computer-pointing device without looking at the computer-pointing device, or having to reposition any part of the device to obtain a proper relationship between the sections of the device. Therefore, delays associated with interpreting work and visually seeking the location of the computer-pointing device, or in repositioning a part of the device so that the device can be used are greatly reduced or eliminated.
The ergonomic dual-section computer-pointing device of the invention keeps the hand in a neutral position which imitates the natural roll of the hand, the wrist and the forearm, and therefore minimizes stress and fatigue while using the computer-pointing device. In addition, the ergonomic dual-section computer-pointing device positions the hand in the same plane and as close as possible to the cursor control section which in turn allows the user to easily manipulate the computer-pointing device of this invention.
The ergonomic dual-section computer-pointing device is not only compact and inexpensive, but also is adaptable to an existing desktop and does not take up too much desktop space. Hence, the ergonomic dual-section computer-pointing device of this invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art hand support devices, and ergonomic computer-pointing devices described above.
A significant ergonomic feature of the ergonomic dual-section computer-pointing device is that the device facilitates two fields of motion. In a first field of motion, the fingers, the hand, and the wrist are used to move the computer-pointing device of this invention, and in a second field of motion, the arm and shoulder are used to move the computer-pointing device. The two fields of motion inhibit excessive use of a particular muscle group, which in turn reduces the likelihood of injury associated with repetitive stresses and motions of that particular muscle group.
Specifically, in the first field of motion, the fingers, the hand, and the wrist are used to manipulate the cursor control section while the ergonomic hand support section remains substantially stationary. In a second field of motion, the arm and shoulder are used to move the cursor control section and the ergonomic hand support section in unison. Hence, the two fields of motion inhibit excessive use of a particular muscle group, which in turn reduces the likelihood of injury.
When a user extends a hand to the ergonomic dual-section computer-pointing device, the ergonomic hand support section guides the hand into the proper position for using the cursor control section, and guides the hand into a neutral position so that the hand, wrist, and forearm are in the same natural alignment as when the palm of the hand rests naturally on a flat surface.
As indicated above, the cursor control section of this invention is fixedly and movably connected to the ergonomic hand support section. Specifically, a coupler fixedly and movably attaches the cursor control section to the ergonomic hand support section. The fixed attachment permits the cursor control section to move over the first field of motion. Specifically, the coupler allows the user to move the cursor control section until the cursor control section contacts a control point of the ergonomic dual-section computer pointing device. In one embodiment, the control points are internal to the device, which means that the control points are defined by the coupling mechanism. In another embodiment, the control points are a combination of internal control points and external control points. In this embodiment, the internal control points are defined by the coupling mechanism, and the external control points are defined by a surface of the ergonomic hand support section and a surface of the cursor control section.
In either an internal embodiment, or a combination of an internal and external embodiment, when a control point is contacted, the user is alerted that the range of fine movement is reached and the user must employ the second field of motion to move the cursor control section further in that direction. In this manner, the ergonomic dual-section computer-pointing device inhibits excessive side-to-side bending of the user""s wrist and inhibits excessive use of only one group of muscles.
When the cursor controlled by movement of the cursor control section must be moved further than is permitted within the first field of motion, the user grasps the cursor control section, and effortlessly slides the combination of the ergonomic hand support section and cursor control section around the work surface using the arm and shoulder muscles while maintaining the hand, wrist and forearm in the neutral position.
The ergonomic hand support section includes a first surface e.g., a top surface that in turn includes a palm support region. A little-finger support region extends from the palm support region. A thumb support region also extends from the palm support region. The thumb support region and the little-finger support region are positioned with respect to the palm support region so that when a user""s palm rests on the palm support region, the user""s little finger curls in a neutral manner about the device, and the thumb can grasp the cursor control section, i.e., the little finger and thumb are in a natural ergonomic position for the palm resting on a flat surface.
Hence, the thumb support region and the little-finger support region are ergonomically positioned with respect to the palm support region. In one embodiment, to facilitate the ergonomic positioning of the hand, the palm support region has a slope in a direction from the little-finger support region to the thumb support region.
In addition to the ergonomic positioning, in the embodiment that utilizes a combination of external and internal control points, the thumb support region and the little-finger support region define an opening positioned between the thumb support and little-finger support regions. Hence, a position of the thumb support region and a position of the little-finger support region also are selected to provide a size of the opening to permit the cursor control section have a desired range of motion within the opening. The opening has a shape similar to a portion of the cursor control section positioned in the opening, but the opening is larger than a head portion of the cursor control section thereby permits a limited range of movement of the cursor control section within the opening.
The ergonomic hand support section has a second surface, opposite and removed from the first surface, and a perimeter surface connecting the first surface to the second surface. A portion of the perimeter surface, that bounds the opening and that is between the thumb support region and the little-finger support region, is a control surface.
As the user manipulates the cursor control section within the opening, the computer-pointing device may contact a point on the control surface. A point of contract between the computer-pointing device and the control surface defines an external control point for the first field of motion. Hence, the control surface, between the finger and thumb support regions, has one or more external control points that confine the range of movement of the cursor control section in the first field of motion.
In addition to the ergonomic features, the ergonomic dual-section computer-pointing device improves the efficiency of the user by eliminating the need to look at the device when placing a hand on the device. As the user""s hand moves over the ergonomic hand support device, one or more tactile indices provide tactile reference points for properly positioning the hand with respect to the computer-pointing device. In one embodiment, a combination of the first and second tactile indices is what permits the user to properly position the user""s hand on the device without looking at the device.
In general, the first and second tactile indices can be placed at any location on the first surface of the ergonomic hand support section that does not interfere with the natural positioning of the hand and wrist; that does not place unnatural pressures or stresses on the hand and wrist; and that guides the hand into the proper position with respect to the computer-pointing device. The two tactile indices on the first surface are separated from each other and orientated at an angle with respect to each other in one embodiment. The angle is selected to ergonomically position the hand with respect to the computer-pointing device.
In another embodiment, the two tactile indices are placed along opposite sides of the hand support device so that one extends from the thumb and palm support regions, and the other extends from the little finger and palm support regions. Further, a tactile index may extend only along a part of a side of the hand support device. Thus, the tactile indices may be diagonally separated across the surface of the hand support device. When the indices extend along the two sides of the hand support device, there may be a small angle between the two indices, but in this case, the indices are said to be substantially parallel.
In one embodiment, a first tactile index is a side index extending from the thumb support region and the palm support region. The second tactile index is a front index extending from a portion of the palm support region between the little-finger support region and the thumb support region. The side index is shaped to push a user""s hand toward the computer-pointing device. The front index is positioned so that no pressure is exerted on a center of a user""s palm resting on the ergonomic hand support device.
The first surface of the ergonomic hand support section also has a pressure relief edge surface extending from a portion of the palm support region opposite and removed from the opening to a portion of the perimeter surface. In one embodiment, the pressure relief edge surface is a convex surface.
In one embodiment, the second surface of the ergonomic hand support section has a plurality of rails affixed thereto. The plurality of rails permits smooth movement of the ergonomic dual-section computer-pointing device off and on any edge of the working surface. Each of the plurality of rails has a sliding surface and a beveled edge surface. The beveled edge surface surrounds the sliding surface and extends from the sliding surface to the second surface.
Thus, an ergonomic computer-pointing device of this invention has a cursor control section, an ergonomic hand support section, and a coupler interconnecting the cursor control section and the ergonomic hand support. The coupler movably and fixedly connects the cursor control section to the ergonomic hand support section to permit free movement of the cursor control section over a first field of motion while the ergonomic hand support section remains substantially stationery. However, the coupler limits a range of motion in a first direction in the first field of motion.
In one embodiment, the device of this invention also includes a pressure timing circuit coupled to the ergonomic hand support section. The pressure timing circuit measures an amount of time a user maintains pressure on the ergonomic hand support section and generates a time-out signal when the amount of time exceeds a predefined time.
The time-out signal is used to generate a warning to the user indicating that the user has maintained contact with the device of the invention for the predefined time. The warning can be generated by circuitry on-board the computer pointing device or alternatively, by a computer to which the computer pointing device is coupled. The pressure warning circuitry of this invention can be incorporated in any computer pointing device, or alternatively in any hand or wrist support.
In one embodiment, the coupler is a telescoping mechanism pivotally connected to the cursor control section and pivotally connected to the ergonomic hand support section. A set of crash stops is mounted in one or both of the ergonomic hand support section and the cursor control section about the telescoping mechanism to limit movement of the telescoping mechanism.
In another embodiment the coupler includes a cam opening oriented about a crash stop. A size of the cam opening and a size of the crash stop determine a range of motion in the first field of motion.

Ergonomic dual-section computer-pointing device


A cargo transporting system for a tailsitter aircraft includes a cargo receptacle rotatably coupled to an underside of a wing and a cargo assembly selectively coupled to the cargo receptacle. By rotating the cargo receptacle, the cargo transporting system can transition between a deployed position and a retracted position. In the deployed position, the cargo receptacle is substantially perpendicular to the wing, and accommodates ground personnel charged with connecting or removing the cargo assembly from the cargo transporting system. In the retracted position, the cargo receptacle is substantially parallel to the wing, and positioned for flight operations.

An example of an aircraft is a tailsitter aircraft. A tailsitter aircraft generally has a rotor system fixed relative to a body and wings. A tailsitter aircraft can operate in a vertical takeoff and landing or hover flight mode by vertically orienting its body and wings and pointing its rotor systems in an upright direction. In hover flight mode, the tailsitter aircraft generates a lifting force by rotating a plurality of rotor blades, which allows the tailsitter aircraft to make vertical takeoffs or vertical landings with little or no forward momentum. The tailsitter aircraft can also operate in a forward flight mode by horizontally orienting its body and wings and pointing its rotor systems in a forward direction. In forward flight mode, the tailsitter aircraft generates a lifting force by running an airflow over an aerodynamic wing surface, which allows the tailsitter aircraft to reach a greater forward airspeed than would otherwise be possible in hover flight mode.
A tailsitter aircraft can land by vertically orienting its body and wings and bringing its tail end in contact with a surface such as the ground or a top deck of an aircraft carrier. Once the tailsitter aircraft contacts the surface, cargo can be loaded onto the tailsitter aircraft. It has been found, however, that the vertical orientation of the body and wings of a tailsitter aircraft sitting on a surface makes traditional cargo loading operations difficult.

Cargo transporting systems for tailsitter aircraft


In one aspect, a system includes electrical components arranged in a daisy chain that include a first electrical component disposed at a first end of the daisy chain and a second electrical component disposed at an opposite end of the daisy chain than the first end. Each of the first and second electrical components includes an input port, an output port and a common port. The input port of the first electrical component is coupled to one of a supply voltage port or ground and the common ports of the first and second electrical components are coupled to the other one of the supply voltage or the ground. An address of the second electrical component is determined before addresses of the other of the electrical components are determined, and the addresses determine a position of an electrical component with respect to the other of the electrical components.

A master-slave system includes a master circuit that controls one or more slave circuits. A master-slave system may be used in a number of applications. One such application is a sensor system having multiple sensor devices arranged along a two-wire bus in a daisy-chain arrangement. One wire of the two-wire bus includes a supply voltage and the other wire includes ground. Generally, the sensor devices function as slave circuits receiving commands from a master circuit. In this configuration, the two-wire bus is used for multiple purposes. One purpose is to provide power to the sensor devices while reducing the number of wires to avoid extra weight and to reduce the number of connections in a car, for example. Another purpose is to allow communication between the master circuit and the sensor devices. One important diagnostic feature includes the master circuit's ability to determine where in the daisy-chain arrangement a sensor has detected a fault. Therefore, it is important for an address of each sensor device to be determined. In one example, an addressing scheme should be simple in order to reduce cost.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Determining addresses of electrical components arranged in a daisy chain


Electronically generated information for facilitating the efficient and effective authorization of a medical procedure, treatment or medicine are provided. The information is specific to a patient's insurance company, medical need and diagnosis. An electronic Database has been configured for analysis by a user such that inputs to the Database result in outputs considered necessary in a preparation and submission for authorization of the medical procedure, treatment or medicine.

Health care reimbursement by insurance companies is of particular concern to health care providers and end-users in need of timely medical assistance. This is true where the medical assistance is a surgical repair, medical implant, cancer treatment, pharmaceutical, prosthetic or any other necessitated procedure, treatment or medicine. The patient's health care provider will typically prepare and submit information required by an insurance company to determine whether coverage will be granted for the particular medical patient need. Importantly, the information useful for reimbursement of a medical procedure, for example, from one insurance company is often different than the information necessitated by a different insurance company. As such, the reimbursement process is often time consuming and burdensome on the patient and the health care provider, typically resulting in some level of hindrance in a patient's sought after medical assistance.
In addition, insurance companies will often request additional follow-up materials during the approval process which further delays their decision. If coverage is denied, additional time and cost is required for an appeals process. The result is that medical coverage is delayed for the patient until the procedure, treatment or medicine is approved by the insurance company, or the patient is denied coverage and forced to pay out of pocket. In some cases, the patient is simply forced to forego the medical procedure, treatment or medicine in place of other less costly or other covered alternatives.
Health care providers spend significant time attempting to obtain approval for patients in need of medical assistance. In one recent study undertaken by the Inventors, health care providers estimated they spent upwards of 4 hours per patient in preparing and submitting prior-authorization paperwork for a medical implant procedure, and upwards of 10 hours per patient when the patient was denied coverage, and an appeal of the negative decision required. In addition, preparation delays and claim denials can result in negative outcomes for the patient, such that a denial can lead to the patient being in pain during the period of delay, a possible decreased likelihood for the medical procedures success, and/or payment out of pocket. There is a need in the industry to facilitate the potential for insurance coverage approval, as well as to make the overall process more time efficient and reduce cost (for the health care provider and for the insurance company).
Against this backdrop the current disclosure is provided.

Systems and methods for facilitating insurance coverage


A gas spring suspension system that maximizes the travel of the suspension system. The suspension system includes a first tube and a second tube slidable within the first tube. A piston assembly is slidably mounted in the second tube for changing the pressure in the second tube. A floating piston is slidably mounted in the second tube. A first gas chamber biases the first and second tubes apart from each other while a second gas chamber biases the first and second tubes toward each other. A third gas chamber exists between the floating piston and an end of the first tube. The floating piston has a configuration such that when a pressure in the third gas chamber is greater than a pressure in the second gas chamber, the floating piston displaces within the second tube to decrease the pressure in the third gas chamber.

The present invention relates to suspension systems, and more particularly to a gas spring suspension system that includes a floating piston to maximize the travel of the suspension system.
Bicycles include suspension systems to cushion the rider from irregularities in the terrain. Bicycle suspension systems are typically located at the front fork, seat tube or at other bicycle frame locations. A typical front suspension fork includes two legs, each leg having upper and lower telescoping tubes. At least one leg includes a resilient member for biasing the upper and lower tubes apart from each other and for absorbing compressive forces applied to the fork. The resilient member may be a coil spring, an elastomer spring, a gas spring or the like.
The maximum amount the upper and lower tubes may compress relative to each other is commonly referred to as the travel of the fork. Early suspension forks were capable of about 50 mm of travel. However, as riders began to traverse rougher terrain at higher speeds, a greater amount of travel was needed to absorb the higher riding forces. Thus, later suspension forks were designed with travel settings of 140 mm or more.
Another concern of bicyclists is the overall weight of the bicycle. Typically, a coil spring or an elastomeric suspension fork adds unnecessary weight to the bicycle. To reduce the weight of the fork, a gas spring may be used. The gas spring may include a positive gas chamber to bias the upper and lower tubes apart from each other and a negative gas chamber to bias the upper and lower tubes toward each other. However, a disadvantage of such a gas spring is that during compression the entire length of the upper tube is not used. Accordingly, there is a need to provide a gas spring that uses the entire length of the upper tube.


A flexible sheet barrier includes a flexible sheet which has a first face to receive adhesive surface from a material being a strip of duct tape. The flexible sheet has a spaced series of apertures along at least one edge of the sheet, and inwardly spaced from the edge of the sheet. When the duct tape is placed over the apertures, the adhesive surface adheres to a substrate on the opposite face of the flexible sheet. The adhesive surface also adheres to the material on the first face of the sheet. This effectively provides a bonding of the flexible sheet to the substrate. Applied to a secured area, a room or space or floor can be lined so that safe asbestos abatement can be effected.

Asbestos abatement from structures and buildings in a manner which is safe and easily effected is important.
This invention relates to a temporary barrier. In particular, the invention relates to a manner of providing a barrier for an area or structure.
It is conventional practice to provide flexible sheets of plastic to line a wall or floor in areas of construction or renovation. Similarly, drop sheets of plastic can be provided to cover a floor where painting and the like is effected.
Similarly, an air tight barrier also needs to be created for an area to be secure and to permit for abatement of asbestos. In such situations, relatively complex techniques are provided to secure the plastic sheeting or lining for the structure to be secured. Different forms of clip mechanisms, edge taping, edge glueing and anchoring are provided so that the area can be made effectively air-tight. During an asbestos abatement process, a pressure differential is created between the secured area and the space outside the secured area so as to insure that asbestos fibers do not escape uncontrollably. For this reason, it is necessary to ensure that the barrier can be securely anchored to substrates being part of the area. Known mechanisms for this are relatively complex clips, and anchors are used which also minimize the relative degree of freedom of the sheet between anchoring locations.
This invention seeks to provide a sheet, kit and a method for providing a flexible sheet barrier with improved characteristics. The invention permits for establishing a relatively inexpensive secured area.


A method for controlling a vehicle includes applying torque to a set of tires to cause the vehicle to move along a surface, reducing an amount of downward force applied to the surface by a first tire from the set of tires using an active suspension component, and actuating the first tire to control the dynamic response of the first tire relative to the surface. The method also includes determining a traction force of the first tire relative to the surface at each of multiple values for the dynamic response of the first tire relative to the surface, and determining a maximum available traction force based on the multiple values of the dynamic response and the corresponding values for the traction force. The method also includes determining a friction parameter based on the maximum available traction force, and controlling an operation of the vehicle based on the friction parameter.

A tire generates a traction force through compression and expansion of the tire body and via its interaction with an underlying surface (e.g., road). During acceleration, deceleration, and turning of a vehicle, the tire will slide with respect to the surface in addition to rolling, and this sliding is referred to as wheel slip. The amount of longitudinal sliding may be expressed as a slip ratio, which is the relative difference between the tire's rotational velocity and the achieved translational velocity. The amount of lateral sliding may be expressed as a slip angle, which is an angular difference between the direction that the tire is pointing and the direction that the vehicle is moving. The traction force generated by the tire is a non-linear function of the slip ratio and the slip angle.

Determining friction coefficient of a tire/surface interface


The present invention relates generally to methods of inducing contraceptive or abortive effects via modulation of levels of circulating hormones via administration of an enzyme, pharmaceutical compositions achieving such effects, antibody substances immunoreactive to said enzyme and related substances, and methods for screening for the predisposition of spontaneous abortions

Progesterone is a steroid essential for the maintenance of normal pregnancy in mammals, including primates. Among other things, progesterone: (a) causes development of decidual cells in the uterine endometrium which are important in nutrition of the early embryo; (b) increases secretion of nutritive substances in the uterus and fallopian tubes to aid in the development of the zygote prior to implantation; and (c) reduces the risk of spontaneous abortions via a decrease in contractility of the uterus. Thus, removal of progesterone from circulation before implantation or nidation (embedding of the early embryo into the uterine mucosa) can prevent implantation whereas removal after nidation can prevent normal maintenance of pregnancy.
Progesterone is mainly, although not exclusively, metabolized in the liver to the principal metabolite, 5.beta.-pregnane-3.alpha.,20.alpha.-diol. While 5.beta.-pregnane-3.alpha.,20.alpha.-diol is the principle metabolite, progesterone is also metabolized by the ovaries. Specifically, the 20-oxo group is reduced to, among other substances, 20.beta.-hydroxypregn-4-ene-3-one (i.e., 20.alpha.-hydroxyprogesterone). 20.alpha.-hydroxyprogesterone, unlike progesterone, is biologically inactive and cannot maintain pregnancy or even allow implantation to occur [Talwalker et al., Endocrinology 74:86-87 (1966); Wiest et al., Endocrinology 82:844-859 (1968)].
Presently, the only safe abortifacient available is the progesterone antagonist, mifepristone (RU 486). When administered early in pregnancy, mifepristone's main mechanism of action is to cause decidual breakdown by blockade of uterine progesterone receptors. However, for mifepristone to cause a complete abortion, a prostaglandin must be administered approximately 48 hours after mifepristone administration to further increase uterine contractions and ensure expulsion of the detached blastocyst. Therefore, there remains an interest for a novel substance that can not only induce abortion but also prevent implantation and pregnancy without the side effects or drawbacks of the currently available agent.
The enzyme responsible for the ovarian metabolism of progesterone to 20.alpha.-hydroxyprogesterone is 20.alpha.-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20.alpha.-HSD). Specifically, 20.alpha.-HSD is nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-dependent and catalyzes the transfer of hydrogen from NADPH to progesterone.
By metabolizing progesterone to an inactive form, 20.alpha.-HSD plays a central role in inhibiting the maintenance of pregnancy and prevention of implantation [Wiest, Endocrinology 83:1181-184 (1968); Wiest et al., Endocrinology 82:844-859 (1968); Kuhn and Briley, i Biochem. J. 0117:193-200 (1970); Rodway and Kuhn, Biochem. J. 152:433-443 (1975)]. Further supporting this role is the fact that it is the increase in ovarian 20.alpha.-HSD activity rather than a decrease in the synthesis of progesterone that contributes to the lower circulating progesterone levels associated with the termination of pregnancy [Kuhn and Briley, Biochem. J. 117:193-201 (1970)]. Indeed, 20.alpha.-HSD gene expression [Albarracin et al. Endocrinology 134:2453-2460 (1994)] and activity remains repressed throughout pregnancy but are induced before parturition [Wiest et al., Endocrinology 82:844-859 (1968); Kuhn and Briley, Biochem. J. 117:193-200 (1970]. Also, ovarian 20.alpha.-HSD catalyzes the decline in progesterone levels which occur during normal and induced termination of pregnancy and pseudopregnancy [Hashimoto and Wiest, Endocrinology 84:873-885 (1969); Naito et al., Endocrinology Jpn 33(1):43-50 (February 1986)].
While 20.alpha.-HSD is of much interest as a key enzyme in the termination/prevention of pregnancy, it is possible that the enzyme is also of importance in spontaneous abortions. Specifically, it is possible that a significant number of spontaneous abortions are due to early expression of 20.alpha.-HSD. Therefore, detection of early 20.alpha.-HSD expression would be of interest in those susceptible to early spontaneous abortions. If detection is made early enough, progesterone replacement therapy could be initiated to help maintain the pregnancy.
Since ovarian 20.alpha.-HSD has been identified as a key enzyme in the metabolism of progesterone, efforts have been undertaken to characterize the structural/functional aspects of the enzyme. However, these efforts have been hampered by the limited availability of the purified native form of the enzyme. Further, purified native enzyme is unsuitable for the studies designed to evaluate the role of post-translational events such as glycosylation and phosphorylation in enzyme activity. In order to avoid the limitations of using native 20.alpha.-HSD, cloning of the gene encoding the rat corpus luteum 20.alpha.-HSD has been undertaken and accomplished [Mao et al. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm. 201(3):1289-1295 (1994)]. The use of recombinant methods to produce 20.alpha.-HSD overcomes the limitations inherent in the use of native enzyme and provides an abundant source of the enzyme for a variety of uses.
These uses include, but are not limited to (1) obtaining a recombinant protein which can be used to inhibit the maintenance of pregnancy and/or prevent implantation leading to pregnancy and (2) obtain antibodies to the protein which can be used as a diagnostic agent to detect circulating levels of the protein in individuals at risk for spontaneous abortions.

20.alpha.-alpha-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase related material and methods

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