The present invention is a method and apparatus that produces an estimate of the local oscillator (LO) frequency error using an external reference signal. The error estimate can be used for LO calibration, correction and other purposes. The present invention does not require the external reference signal to be a precision reference signal, nor does the present invention require that the reference signal be continuously supplied. Further, the present invention can be implemented exclusively in software, and therefore does not add to the size or weight of any device that it is resident in. Thus, the present invention can be added to microcontrollers and various specialized programmable digital ICs that were not initially designed for this task.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to Satellite Positioning Systems (SATPS), and in particular to a method and apparatus for estimating the Local Oscillator (LO) frequency for Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers.
2. Description of the Related Art
Cellular telephony, including Personal Communication System (PCS) and Personal Data Assistant (PDA) devices, has become commonplace. The use of such devices to provide voice, data, and other services, such as internet access, has provided many conveniences to cellular system users. A current thrust in the cellular and PCS arena is the integration of GPS technology, which is a subset of SATPS technology, into cellular telephone devices and other wireless transceivers.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,841,396, issued to Krasner, which is incorporated by reference herein, describes a method of integrating GPS into wireless devices where the local oscillator for the GPS system is locked to a precision local oscillator frequency that is generated at a basestation of the cellular system. Such an approach, however, requires the cellular system to constantly deliver such a precision frequency to the cellular phone for the integrated GPS system to work properly. Many cellular systems, such as GSM and AMPS, do not have such capability. Further, the Code-Division Multiple Access (CDMA) system that is used for cellular telephony in the United States does not always have a constant delivery for such a frequency; instead, the frequency is delivered in bursts periodically to the cellular telephones. As such, the system described in the Krasner patent would not be of much use.
Further, the Krasner approach requires additional hardware to be installed in the cellular telephone, requiring additional power and weight in a handheld device. Such an approach, where size, power consumption, and weight are such critical parameters, may not be acceptable in the marketplace.
This current interest in integrating GPS with cellular telephony stems from a new Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requirement that cellular telephones be locatable within 20 feet once an emergency call, such as a "911" call (also referred to as Enhanced 911 or "E911") is placed by a given cellular telephone. Such position data assists police, paramedics, and other law enforcement and public service personnel, as well as other agencies that may need or have legal rights to determine the cellular telephone's position. Further, GPS and/or SATPS data can be used by the cellular user for directions, location of other locations that the cellular user is trying to locate, determination of relative location of the cellular user to other landmarks, directions for the cellular user via internet maps or other GPS/SATPS mapping techniques, etc. Such data can be of use for other than E911 calls, and would be very useful for cellular and PCS subscribers.
It can be seen, then, that there is a need in the art for a method and apparatus for integrating GPS and cellular devices. It can also be seen that there is a need in the art for integrating GPS and cellular devices in such a manner that minimal additional power is used. It can also be seen that there is a need in the art for integrating GPS and cellular devices in such a manner that minimal changes are made to the size and weight of cellular devices. It can also be seen that there is a need in the art for integrated GPS and cellular devices that can work in various cellular systems, e.g., CDMA, GSM, AMPS, etc.

Method and apparatus for estimating local oscillator frequency for GPS receivers


In the process of hydrogenating a crude aldehyde product formed from the oxo process into a crude alcohol product, which process includes: feeding the crude aldehyde product into a first reactor which contains a hydrogenation catalyst, thereby forming a first hydrogenated product; feeding the first hydrogenated product from the first reactor through at least one intermediate reactor, each intermediate reactor being connected in series and containing a hydrogenation catalyst, thereby forming at least one intermediate hydrogenated product; and feeding the intermediate hydrogenated product from a last intermediate reactor to a final reactor which contains a hydrogenation catalyst, thereby forming the crude alcohol product; the improvement including a step wherein: at least a portion of the first hydrogenated product is recycled to the first hydrogenation reactor; or at least a portion of the intermediate hydrogenated product is recycled to the first hydrogenation reactor or an intermediate reactor upstream of the intermediate reactor from which the intermediate hydrogenated product is removed.

Hydroformylation reactions involve the preparation of oxygenated organic compounds by the reaction of carbon monoxide and hydrogen (synthesis gas) with carbon compounds containing olefinic unsaturation. The reaction is typically performed in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst and results in the formation of compounds, for example, aldehydes, which have one or more carbon atoms in their molecular structure than the starting olefinic feedstock. By way of example, higher alcohols may be produced in the so-called "oxo" process by hydroformylation of commercial C.sub.5 to C.sub.12 olefin fractions to an aldehyde-containing oxonation product, which on hydrogenation yields the corresponding C.sub.6 to C.sub.13 saturated alcohols. The oxo process is the commercial application of the hydroformylation reaction for making higher aldehydes and alcohols from olefins. The crude product of the hydroformylation reaction will typically contain catalyst, aldehydes, alcohols, unreacted olefin feed, synthesis gas and by-products.
The oxo process is well known in the art and is generally described in detail in Kirk-Other, Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, Volume 16, 3rd edition, John Wiley & Sons, pp. 637-53, 1981. The teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 5,237,105 to Summerlin in regard to the oxo process are also incorporated herein by reference.
Prior to the hydrogenation step, the crude product of the oxo process is generally treated to remove the dissolved cobalt catalyst, which for reasons of economy may be recycled to the oxo reactor.
"Demetalled" hydroformylation reaction product or crude oxo aldehyde product is the reaction product which is substantially depleted of the transition metal cobalt catalyst required for the hydroformylation reaction. Such crude oxo aldehyde product will generally contain cobalt in an amount of from about 0.05 to 3.0 wt. %, calculated as elemental cobalt. The concentration of aldehyde in the crude oxo aldehyde product is generally from about 40 to 90 wt. %.
The next step in the oxo process is the hydrogenation of the crude oxo aldehyde product which is typically carried out in the presence of hydrogen and at pressures of about 6.89 MPa to 31.00 MPa (1000 to 4500 psig) using a hydrogenation catalyst.
The crude product of the oxo process is recovered then and, optionally, treated by known means to hydrogenate the aldehydes to form additional quantities of the corresponding oxo alcohols. These oxo alcohols, in turn, are widely used as chemical intermediates in the manufacture of plasticizers, detergents, solvents and the like.
The present inventors have developed a unique process which is capable of producing a higher yield of alcohols, as well as minimizing the amount of acid byproducts and dimer materials produced during the hydrogenation of oxo aldehydes. The present inventors have discovered that when hydrogenation is performed on a sulfided molybdenum-based catalyst such as NiMo, CoMo, NiCoMo, Mo and mixtures thereof, a higher yield and quality of alcohols can be obtained by recycling the output of one or more of the serially connected hydrogenation tank reactors back to the crude oxo aldehyde feedstream or, optionally, into a hydrogenation tank reactor connected in series with and preceding the hydrogenation tank reactor from which the recycle stream is taken.
Other and further objects, advantages and features of the present invention will be understood by reference to the following specification in conjunction with the annexed drawings.

Alcohol hydrogenation with intermediate recycle


The present invention provides a measuring tape having one or more guiding elements, provides the ability for quick and easy cutting and/or scribing of lines on drywall and other materials. A guiding element comprising a rigid attachment having an elongated aperture is provided that can receive a writing utensil tip or cutting blade. In addition, the main body of the tape measure may contain a second guiding element that can be placed against the outer edge of whichever construction material is being marked or cut, thereby providing an appropriate surface to facilitate the travel of the tape measure body along the edge of the material. This guide also acts as protection of the fingers/hand that holds the main body of the tape measure during travel.

Measuring tapes are common in construction and are often used to measure drywall and other construction material sections before cutting. A typical method is to measure the length between two points on the material, mark the points, and draw a line connecting the points with a straight edge before cutting.
However more experienced workers often shortcut this method by holding the measuring tape body against an outer edge of the material to be marked/cut, extending the tip of the tape across the surface of the material to a desired length, holding a writing utensil or knife blade against the tape tip with one hand, and gliding both hands in the direction of the desired cut or mark such that the body of the tape slides along the outer edge while the writing or cutting utensils glides along the surface of the material at a uniform distance from the outer edge, thereby scribing and/or cutting the material in one motion.
Such methods are difficult to perform, often resulting in poor quality cuts and marks, and put the hands of the user at serious risk from both the blade and outer edge of the construction material, yet users still carry out these methods to save time. It is within this context that the present invention is provided.


A chromatography media such as silica controlled pore glass or agarose containing an affinity ligand such as 2-Aminobenzimidazole (ABI) or aminomethylbenzimidazole (AMBI). The ligand is present in density of from about 30 to about 80 μmole/ml.

Affinity chromatography may be used for the purification of proteins, for example IgG purification. Affinity chromatography media typically comprise a solid support (e.g. a resin) and, attached thereto, a selection of affinity ligands. The selectivity of the ligands typically depends on a number of factors, for example the pH or ionic strength of the sample undergoing separation. The ionic strength or pH may be varied to enhance selectivity for a particular protein.
2-Aminobenzimidazole (ABI) and aminomethylbenzimidazole (AMBI) are examples of affinity chromatography ligands.
Judicious selection of the solid support, ligands and separation conditions allow a reasonable degree of specificity to be attained. However, conventional non-affinity chromatographic processes are typically accompanied by a high degree of non-specific binding. There remains a need for chromatography media having a greater degree of selectivity, particularly towards proteins such as IgG.

Immobilised affinity medium and its use in separation


A plurality of source data frames is input into a processor. The plurality of source data frames is sectioned into a plurality of sections which are mapped to form a plurality of pre-distort images. The plurality of pre-distort images is compensated for variations in the degree of saturation (Diffraction Efficiency) to reduce ghosting and compressed to form a plurality of holographic elements, which are recorded onto a holographic recording medium to form a holographic stereogram.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to holographic stereograms. More particularly, the present invention relates to reducing ghosting in holographic stereograms.
2. Description of the Related Art
A holographic stereogram is a type of hologram composed or synthesised from a set of two-dimensional views of a subject which are sequentially recorded as holographic elements (hologels) on a holographic recording medium.
FIG. 1 illustrates a process for forming a horizontal-parallax-only stereogram 10. Source data 12, in the form of a plurality of source data frames 14 containing two-dimensional views of an object 15, is input into a processor 16, where each of the source data frames 14 is sectioned. Each section 18 of the source data frames 14 is then distributed using a re-mapping algorithm (e.g. by the methods of Re-Centring, Panning or Rotating, which refer to the way the subject is captured by a video camera) to form a plurality of pre-distort images 20, which is input into a spatial light modulator (SLM) 22 such as a liquid crystal display (LCD). The pre-distort images 20 are subsequently projected through a converging lens 24 (which tends to be a very complicated assembly of lenses) onto a holographic recording medium 26 such as photopolymer.
The converging lens 24 compresses the pre-distort images 20 into a plurality of holographic elements 28, each of which is sequentially recorded onto the holographic recording medium 26 to form the holographic stereogram 10.
FIG. 2 illustrates a set of source data 12 and a corresponding set of images 30 reproduced from the holographic stereogram 10 generated by the method illustrated in FIG. 1. This is a rough depiction of what the viewer sees in real life. Brightness, contrast, etc. could differ. Ideally, the holographic stereogram 10 provides an accurate reproduction of the source data 12. Often, however, shadows appear in the images 30 reproduced from the holographic stereogram 10 as illustrated in FIG. 2. The presence of "shadows" in the images 30 reproduced from the holographic stereogram 10 is known as ghosting. The ghosting phenomenon reproduces the images 30 inaccurately on the holographic stereogram.
In view of the foregoing, it is desirable to provide a method for forming a holographic stereogram wherein ghosting in images reproduced from the holographic stereogram is reduced or eliminated, in order that the final stereogram images resembles the original images 30 as accurately as possible.

Reducing ghosting in holographic stereograms


A cap assembly for enclosing a metallic fastener which extends through a structure. The assembly includes a housing having an inner wall and an outer wall which extends about and is spaced apart from the inner wall defining a space positioned between the inner wall and outer wall. The assembly further includes a plunger member with a side wall portion secured to an end wall portion. The side wall portion of the plunger member has a thickness dimension smaller than a distance between the inner wall and the outer wall to position the sidewall portion of the plunger member within the space. With the side wall portion positioned within the space, the end wall portion is positioned in alignment with the inner wall and with an opening defined by and through the inner wall.

In fabricating assemblies, such as an aircraft, cap assemblies are installed to enclose a metallic fastener that extends through a structure so as to protect the vicinity in which the metallic fastener is located within the aircraft from a transmission of any electrical current or spark from the metallic fastener. The cap assembly is used to insulate the metallic fastener from transmitting any current or electrical spark from the metallic fastener to the vicinity of the location of the metallic fastener within the aircraft upon an occurrence of an electromagnetic effect ("EME") or lightning strike event.
In installing cap assemblies for electrically isolating a metallic fastener, which extends from a structure, the cap assembly is filled with uncured sealant and the cap assembly is placed over the metallic fastener and onto a surface of the structure. The uncured sealant tends to expand once the cap assembly is installed and the expansion of the uncured sealant tends to lift off the cap assembly from the surface of the structure such that the cap assembly no longer secures an enclosure of the metallic fastener. Cap assemblies that have experienced lift off from the surface of the structure are reinstalled thereby increasing the cost of providing electrical isolation of the metallic fasteners which extend from structures within the aircraft. In addition, sealant which can be constructed from high density material can add additional weight to the aircraft with filling the internal volume of the cap assembly with sealant when the cap assembly is installed. The additional weight to the aircraft can result in an increase in cost of operation of the aircraft.
There is a need for cap assemblies to avoid unnecessary additional weight with filling the cap assemblies with uncured sealant and there is a need to design a cap assembly in which uncured sealant expansion will have minimal or no lift off effect to a cap assembly.

EME protection cap system with push sealant extrusion mechanism


An optical scanner includes: a movable portion that includes a base portion and a light reflecting plate which is fixed to the base portion and includes a light reflecting portion with a light reflecting property and is rotatable about the Y-axis; a frame portion that is provided so as to surround the base portion and is rotatable about the X-axis perpendicular to the Y-axis; a shaft portion that supports the movable portion so as to be rotatable about the Y-axis with respect to the frame portion; and a permanent magnet that is provided in the frame portion. The light reflecting plate is provided such that it is separated from the shaft portion in a thickness direction and overlaps the shaft portion, as viewed from the thickness direction. The permanent magnet is fixed to a surface of the frame portion close to the light reflecting plate.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to an optical device, an optical scanner, and an image display device.
2. Related Art
An optical scanner which performs two-dimensional scanning with light has been known as an optical device used in, for example, a projector (for example, see JP-A-2008-216920).
For example, the optical scanner disclosed in JP-A-2008-216920 includes a frame-shaped driving member, a pair of first shaft members that supports the driving member so as to be rotatable about the X-axis, a movable plate that is provided in the driving member and includes a light reflecting portion, and a pair of second shaft members that support the movable plate so as to be rotatable about the Y-axis perpendicular to the X-axis with respect to the driving member.
The optical scanner includes a permanent magnet that is provided in the driving member, a coil that is provided opposite to the permanent magnet, and a voltage applying unit that applies a voltage to the coil. A line connecting both poles of the permanent magnet is inclined with respect to each of the X-axis and the Y-axis in a plan view.
The voltage applying unit applies a superimposed voltage of a first voltage and a second voltage with different frequencies to the coil to rotate the movable plate about the Y-axis at the frequency of the second voltage while rotating the movable plate about the X-axis at the frequency of the first voltage. In this way, it is possible to perform two-dimensional scanning with light reflected from the light reflecting portion of the movable plate.
However, in the optical scanner disclosed in JP-A-2008-216920, since the first shaft member is directly connected to the side surface of the movable plate provided with the light reflecting portion, stress is applied to the movable plate due to the torsional deformation of the first shaft member during the rotation of the movable plate and the movable plate warps. As a result, it is difficult to accurately perform scanning with light.

Optical device, optical scanner, and image display device


A system for limiting vehicle operation is disclosed. The system may comprise one or more memory units for storing instructions and one or more processors configured to execute the instructions to perform operations. The operations may comprise determining that a key device is inside the vehicle; performing an authentication; setting the vehicle in a first vehicle mode; starting the vehicle based on the determination and the first authentication; and limiting vehicle operation based on the first vehicle mode.

Conventional systems and methods to authenticate a user for vehicle operation typically consist of a single authentication process using a key device. For example, any user with a vehicle key device may start and operate a vehicle. To start a vehicle, a user may simply need to insert a traditional key into an ignition mechanism or place a wireless key device inside the vehicle. A user may insert a Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS) key with a chip containing a code into an ignition mechanism to start a vehicle. These conventional systems suffer from several deficiencies.
For example, conventional systems and methods are prone to carjacking. As news reports demonstrate, carjackings are becoming more common. Situations include cars stolen when a driver leaves a key device inside a car while pumping gasoline at a gas station. In this situation, a carjacker may be able to rush into a vehicle, start the vehicle, and drive away. Further, conventional systems and methods may leave drivers vulnerable to a carjacking in which a carjacker enters a vehicle, whether or not the engine is running, and coerces an owner to begin driving.
Further, conventional system and methods for vehicle authentication (e.g., PATS keys) may be unable to effectively limit vehicle operations for a temporary user or other authorized user. A vehicle owner may wish to limit vehicle operations when allowing a new driver, a child, or another inexperienced driver to borrow a vehicle, or when valet parking. However, conventional systems may be unable to limit vehicle speed or confine a vehicle to a specific geographic area.
In addition, conventional systems may be unable to provide data associated with the vehicle to remote devices. For example, conventional authentication systems may be unable to transmit a vehicle location, a vehicle speed, or a vehicle condition to a remote device. Conventional systems may be unable to notify an emergency system.
Some solutions to the problems of conventional systems have been proposed. For example, some vehicle systems may be configured to require a passcode to start. The passcode may be, for example, a valet passcode. Upon entry of the valet passcode before starting a vehicle, a vehicle may enter a valet mode in which vehicle speed is limited.
However, such existing systems may include just two vehicle modes: an unrestricted mode and a valet mode. Further, such systems may not be dynamic, i.e. a driver may be unable to alter the vehicle mode while the vehicle is running. Further, a user may not have control over the restriction criteria associated with the vehicle mode, e.g., the maximum vehicle speed. In addition, in a carjacking or another emergency situation, it may not be possible to set a restricted vehicle mode without being observed by other vehicle occupants, such as a carjacker. Further, existing solutions may not include processes which are more secure than simple passcodes.
Therefore, in view of the shortcomings and problems with existing methods, there is a need for improved systems and methods providing multifactor authentication for vehicle operation to provide greater security, offer multiple vehicle operation and authentication methods, and limit vehicle operations in multiple, customizable ways.

Multifactor authentication for vehicle operation


The curved rearview mirror system for vehicles allows a driver to see the entire area of a driver's blind spot from looking into any one of three mirrors without giving the driver an overly distorted view. The mirror system includes a central rearview mirror with a central planar section and two side convexly curved sections having a constant radius of curvature. The mirror system also includes left and right side rearview mirrors. Each side rearview mirror includes a central planar section, a convexly curved side section, a convexly curved top section, and a convexly curved bottom section. The shape and placement of each mirror is governed by a series of equations that give the driver the best possible view of the blind spot.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the shape and placement of side and center rearview mirrors on a vehicle that allow a driver to have a complete view of the blind spot.
2. Description of the Related Art
Ordinarily, flat mirrors of rectangular or of substantially rectangular shape are employed as rearview mirrors in automobiles. These mirrors provide the driver with a view through the rear window of the automobile, but the driver ordinarily cannot see automobiles on either side of the driver's automobile that are in a position to pass the driver's automobile, i.e., the driver cannot see other automobiles in his or her "blind spot."
U.S. Pat. No. 2,857,810, issued Jun. 22, 1953 to J. Troendle, discloses a center rearview mirror with a planar central section and two curved sections on the side. The '810 patent, however, does not disclose the best shape and positioning of the mirror to yield the optimal view of the blind spot.
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2003/0169521, published Sep. 11, 2003, discloses a central rearview mirror having curved sides that transition from substantially flat surface having a very large radius of curvature in the middle to a progressively smaller radius of curvature towards the sides of the mirror. U.S. Pat. No. 4,264,144, issued Apr. 28, 1981 to McCord, discloses a similar central rearview mirror having a progressively smaller radius of curvature towards the sides of the mirror. Neither the '521 publication nor the '144 patent, however, discloses the positioning of the mirror that yields the optimal view of the blind spot.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,449,786, issued on May 22, 1984 to R. McCord, discloses a central rearview mirror that is entirely curved. Other central rearview mirrors that are entirely curved are described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,901,587, issued on Aug. 26, 1975 to E. Haile; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,321,556, issued Jun. 14, 1994 to T. Joe. The images produced by rearview mirrors which are entirely curved, however, tend to be distorted.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,331,382, issued on May 25, 1982 to H. Graff, discloses a side rearview mirror having a planar section and an adjacent curved section having a constant radius of curvature. Other Patents disclosing similar side rearview mirrors having a planar section and an adjacent curved section include U.S. Pat. No. 4,258,979, issued on Mar. 31, 1981 to W. Mahin and French Patent No. 2,588,808, published Apr. 24, 1987. These patents, however, does not disclose the best shapes and positioning of these mirrors that yield the optimal view of the blind spot.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,389,952, issued on Dec. 2, 1964 to J. Tobin, Jr., discloses a side rearview mirror having a planar section with an adjacent spherical side section. Similar side rearview mirrors having a planar section and an adjacent spherical section are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,005,962, issued Apr. 9, 1991 to K. Edelman; U.S. Pat. No. 5,517,367, issued May 14, 1996 to Kim et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,793,542, issued Aug. 11, 1998 to Kondo et al.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,279,751, issued Apr. 14, 1942 to E. Hensley, discloses a side rearview mirror having four planar sections at different angles. U.S. Pat. No. 2,514,989, issued Jul. 11, 1950 to N. Buren, discloses a similar side rearview mirror having two planar sections of different colors. Similar rearview mirrors with multiple planar sections at different angles are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,501,227, issued Mar. 17, 1970 to W. Landen; U.S. Pat. No. 3,628,851, issued Dec. 21, 1971 to H. Robertson; U.S. Pat. No. 3,972,601, issued Aug. 3, 1976 to W. Johnson; U.S. Pat. No. 4,859,046, issued Aug. 22, 1989 to Traynor et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,579,133, issued Nov. 26, 1996 to Black et al.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,280,386, issued Jan. 18, 1994 to D. Johnson, discloses a windshield deflection shield with lenses or rearview mirrors.
None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus, a curved rearview mirror system for vehicles solving the aforementioned problems is desired.


A vehicle drive axle arrangement comprises an electric drive motor (1, 3), a left shaft (20) and a right shaft (23), coaxial with each other, in drive connection with the motor (1, 3), and intended for connection to respective driving half-axles of the vehicle in which the arrangement can be mounted, and a differential mechanism (6-19). The electric drive motor (1, 3) is coaxial with and arranged around the left shaft (20, 23), and the differential mechanism (6-19)—receiving rotary motion from the electric motor (1, 3)—comprises a reduction gearing (6, 7, 12, 13) and a planetary gearing (13-9), operatively connecting the two shafts (20-23).

There is a current trend to develop hybrid cars, in which often the front axle is driven by an internal combustion engine and the rear axle is driven by an electric motor. Driving can occur by means of either axle or by a combination of the two. The electric motor is powered by batteries in the car, which may be charged by the internal combustion engine or otherwise.
An electrically driven drive axle arrangement shall be as simple, light-weight and cheap as possible while providing the necessary power and lifespan. Its dimensions shall be as small as possible, and its number of parts shall be as low as possible.

Electrically driven vehicle drive axle arrangement


Aspects of the invention provide a projector capable of comparatively easily achieving a contrast ratio higher than the original contrast ratio of the liquid-crystal light valve by a simple mechanism. The illumination light modulated by liquid-crystal light valves, i.e., image light, can be combined together in a cross dichroic prism, and then light intensity of suitable pixels is reduced by a proper amount by a liquid-crystal light valve, and then sent to a projection lens. The image light entering the projection lens can be projected to a projection surface. Because the light intensity of the image light formed by the liquid-crystal light valves is appropriately attenuated at suitable pixel areas by the liquid-crystal light valve, image light projection with a contrast ratio exceeding by far the contrast ratio achievable by the liquid-crystal light valves alone is possible due to cumulative light-intensity adjustment.

1. Technical Field of Invention
Aspects of the invention relate to a projector for projecting an image by use of a liquid-crystal light valve and other light modulating devices.
2. Description of Related Art
Some related art projectors form a color image by combining, through a special prism, images of respective colors separately formed by sending three colors, RGB, of illumination light to three liquid-crystal light valves, for example. See, for example, JP-A-2002-365720. The contrast ratio achievable on such related art projector, at present, has the upper limit of approximately 1000:1.
Meanwhile, on the CRT or a film, a contrast ratio of 3000:1 or higher is obtained, depending on the viewing environment. Incidentally, according to movie directors and movie critics, where contrast ratio is concerned the ultimate target images desired for movies, require a 5000:1 ratio. Taking account of film overshoot (peaks), nearly 6000:1 is considered required in the future.
In the related art projector as above, the black portion brightness can be reduced by regulating the voltage applied to the lamp which is the light source. However, usually, the amount of light can be reduced only to 80% of maximum because of lamp characteristics.
Meanwhile, there is a proposal that an illumination light amount adjusting device be arranged between the light source and the liquid-crystal light valve, as another method to improve the dynamic range of projection images. See, for example, JP-A-2001-100699. Here, the illumination light amount adjusting device can have a polarization plate for achieving a desired illumination light amount by rotation to a certain direction and a ultrasonic motor for regulating the rotation.


A database management system receives a request to perform an operation on a set of target data and, at some point after it begins executing that operation, places a lock on the target data to prevent concurrent execution of other operations on the target data. In some embodiments, the system receives an instruction from a user to perform a data-definition operation on a set of target data; places an initial lock on the target data at a level that allows at least one concurrent operation on the target data; begins executing the operation; and then places a final lock on the target data at a level that excludes all other concurrent operations on the target data.

Database systems are nearly ubiquitous in modern-day business operations. Most business concerns electronically store at least some sort of information about their operations, inventory, transactions, and customers in database systems. Many companies use very large database systems, commonly known as data warehouses, to better understand the various aspects of their businesses and thus gain competitive advantage over rival companies. Data warehousing systems typically include a complex network of information processing and storage subsystems, complete with analysis tools that help their owners make sense of the vast amounts of information stored in the systems.
In general, companies that use data warehousing systems perform hundreds and even thousands of data-analysis and data-manipulation operations, such as loading data into the databases and retrieving data through database queries, on those systems on a daily basis. These companies also perform routine maintenance or data-definition operations, such as organizing the data into tables and creating indices for these tables, many times per week. Historically, these maintenance operations have required exclusive access to portions of the database and thus have involved the use of locking procedures that prevent, for limited time periods, the execution of data-manipulation operations on the affected portions of the databases. In many data warehousing systems, the number and length of these maintenance operations is very substantial and thus significantly impacts the amount of time that the systems are available for data-manipulation operations. As a result, these maintenance operations are usually carried out in "off-hour" periods, typically in the late-night or early-morning hours.
As the amount of data stored in data warehousing systems and the numbers of concurrent users of those systems increase, the amount of time needed for performing data-manipulation operations is also increasing. Many companies now perform data-manipulation operations well into the off-hour periods during which maintenance operations traditionally have occurred. These companies quite frequently must choose between completing certain data-manipulation operations and initiating maintenance operations that lock portions of the database.

Locking data in a database after an operation has begun


A system and method that enables usage of data embedded inside social media data to help estimate buy intent (BI), to allow companies or organizations to utilize this information to track conversations about their brand, to engage with their customers/users, to conduct advisement and investment efficiency analysis, to manage and reduce potential risk, and identify the factors that may affect company sales and revenues.

In social media, each day, billions of messages including texts, pictures, videos, blogs, surveys, discussions and feed-backs etc. are published on a variety of networks. A tremendous quantity of information is embedded inside social media data.
It can be understood that companies and other organizations might benefit from utilizing social media data to discover information in conversations about their brand, to engage with their customers, to conduct advisement and investment efficiency analysis, to manage and reduce potential risk and identify the factors that affect company sale and revenues. Thus, it can be understood that it would be beneficial to have systems for estimating and inferring end user buy intent from massive social media data.

Buy intent estimation and its applications for social media data


A modular mattress having a plurality of innerspring modules with a peripheral border strip extending around the periphery between the top mattress cover and the bottom mattress over. The border strip is connected to one or the other of the top or bottom mattress covers by sewing, and to the other by releasable connecting means such as a zipper. A fabric flange extends from the peripheral edge of both the top and bottom mattress covers, with a Velcro strip or the like along the free edge of each fabric flange. Each innerspring module has a side wall strip of material along its outwardly facing side wall with an upwardly extending flap having a cooperative Velcro strip along its free edge to releasably connect to the Velcro strip on the fabric flange of the top mattress cover, and a downwardly extending flap having a cooperative Velcro strip along its free edge to releasably connect to the Velcro strip on the fabric flange of the bottom mattress cover. The zippered edge of the peripheral border strip is zipped up to releasably connect it to the mattress cover having the corresponding zippered edge.

This invention relates to the field of mattresses and innersprings, particularly to a modular mattress and modular innerspring, which is made up of a plurality of modules held together in side by side relationship by a retainer which extends around the periphery of the modular mattress and modular innerspring. The individual modules may be of whatever size and number needed to make a twin, twin extra long, full, full extra long, queen and king size mattress or innerspring.


The present invention relates to novel stable yeast strains, to a novel method for obtaining such strains, and to a novel method for evaluating the stability of a yeast strain. The present invention also relates to the yeasts obtained from these novel stable yeast strains, and to the use thereof for producing alcohol.

Yeasts frequently undergo mutations during their multiplication and during their use in fermentation, in particular on the industrial scale. However, these yeasts generally retain a normal phenotype because the mutations are often recessive mutations and the industrial strains are normally aneuploid or polyploid (The Alcohol Textbook, Ed Jacques (2003)).
Yeast recycling is often used in alcoholic fermentation. Yeast recycling consists of several successive uses of the yeasts, without re-starting from the initial yeasts or initial strain. Thus, all or part of the yeasts stemming from a fermentation i are used for a subsequent fermentation i+1; then all or part of the yeasts stemming from the fermentation i+1 are used for a fermentation i+2, and so on.
Yeast recycling, sometimes called "serial subculture" in the literature, is a technique which exposes the yeast to a large number of stresses that can lead to mutations in its genetic inheritance and genetic drifts.
In their work, Powell and Diacetis (2007, J. Inst. Brew. 1131(1), 67-74) study the impact of the recycling of brewers' yeasts on their phenotype. At the end of each fermentation, a part of the yeast biomass is taken in order to carry out the subsequent fermentation. Powell and Diacetis observed no modification to the fermentation characteristics of the yeasts during successive subcultures, over approximately 135 generations.
Verma et al. (1983) studied, moreover, the advantage of recycling various Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeasts in the context of ethanol production. After each alcoholic fermentation, the yeasts are subcultured for the purpose of a further fermentation, and the amount of alcohol produced at the end of each fermentation is measured. The authors demonstrated several yeast strains capable of undergoing 6 to 10 successive subcultures without their alcohol production being substantially modified.
Thus, in the literature, yeast stability in terms of alcohol production has therefore been studied in the context of yeast recycling in alcoholic fermentation.
When it is multiplied in a conventional industrial process, the most effective yeast, in terms of alcohol production, known to the applicant company sometimes shows, however, considerable decreases in the amount of alcohol produced. However, industrial-scale yeast multiplication starting from a yeast strain should result in a strain of reliable quality. The term "reliable quality" is herein intended to mean that the amount of alcohol produced by the yeast, in a given alcohol fermentation scheme, is relatively constant.
Moreover, the market for yeast intended for alcohol production is always demanding yeasts that are more effective in terms of amount of alcohol produced.
There is therefore a real need to provide novel yeast strains which give yeasts of reliable quality and which are preferably effective in terms of amount of alcohol produced.


A hermetic compressor comprising a compressing mechanism and a housing for encasing the compressing mechanism, the housing comprising upper and lower portions which are coupled to each other and being formed to have curved surfaces. The housing is constructed such that one curved line on the housing is arranged to be different from other curved lines existing at positions symmetrical with a position of the one curved line with respect to planes X, Y and Z perpendicular to one another and passing the housing, the plane X including a boundary portion between the upper and lower portions of the housing and being perpendicular to a center line passing through a center of an upper surface of the upper portion and a center of a bottom surface of the lower portion, and the planes Y and Z being perpendicular to each other and perpendicular to the plane X and including the center line.

The present invention relates to a hermetic compressor applicable to refrigeration systems such as a cold storage, and more particularly to an arrangement of a closing housing of a hermetic compressor.
One of major problems arising in the use of a hermetic compressor is generation of noises. One known noise reduction technique is disclosed in the Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-53476. A brief description will be made hereinbelow with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 in terms of a conventional hermetic compressor based on such a noise reduction technique. FIG. 5 is a side view showing an entire arrangement of the conventional hermetic compressor and FIG. 6 is a top view of the conventional hermetic compressor. In FIGS. 5 and 6, the hermetic compressor is composed of a compressing unit including a compressing section 6 and a drive section 5 which are encased in a closing housing (vessel) 1 comprising an upper portion (cover) 2 and a lower portion 3 coupled through a coupling edge (welded edge) 4 to each other. Between the compressing section 6, or the drive section 5, and the closing housing 1 there are provided elastic members (not shown) through which vibrations generated by the compressing section 6 and the drive section 5 are transferred to the closing housing 1 and others. However, in such a conventional hermetic compressor, two symmetrical curves are formed with respect to one of planes passing through the hermetic compressor and perpendicular to each other. These curves have the same center and are equal in curvature to each other. This can lower the resonance frequency of the closing housing 1, thereby enhancing the noises and vibrations of the hermetic compressor.


An approach for discovery of relevant data in massive datasets. Compare datasets including compare key fields, compare data fields and a core dataset including target data field(s) and core field(s) are received. The compare datasets are categorized into direct and indirect related dataset pools based on the target data field(s) correlation strength with matching compare and core fields. The direct related dataset pool and the core dataset are transformed into reduction datasets based on statistical measure of values of target data fields, shared key fields and compare data fields. Target correlations of the reduction datasets are creating based on a reduction compare and target data fields. Statistical relationship strength of core dataset and the direct related dataset pool are created based on a statistical mean of target correlations and a relevancy data store is created.

The present invention relates generally to the field of database data analytics and more particularly to determining statistically similar related data in a structured dataset pool.
Data analytics focuses on searching data files to discover business insights. When target data (core data) and specified target field(s) are selected for data mining and analysis there may be additional relevant information in other related datasets beyond the target data dataset.
Analyzing datasets for relevant data of interest can be a manual effort of investigating each possible related dataset for relevancy by comparing each data with the core data and joining them together as a single source for the subsequent data analysis. With massive datasets, data information is stored in various sources and the ability to discover relevant target data with other datasets becomes complex as the quantity of data sources and/or datasets increases.

Automatic discovery of relevant data in massive datasets

International Business Machines Corporation


One aspect of the present invention is to graphically configure a digital signature appearance to be suitable for being configured into the electronic document. Another aspect of the present invention is to place a digital signature appearance graphic into the electronic document. A method of implementing the graphic configuration aspect of the present invention includes the steps of generating a composition environment for configuring a graphical appearance of the digital signature and its placement origin point. A method of implementing the digital signature graphic placement aspect includes the steps of specifying a reference point in the digital signature appearance, determining a graphic scaling factor and placement location in the electronic document, which is at least partially based on the reference point and tile placement origin point, and placing it accordingly. A method for specifying and placing the configured digital signature appearance on multiple pages of a multi-page electronic document is also described.

When a digital signature is applied to an electronic document, there is often a need to include a graphic appearance that will be displayed on the electronic document to indicate that a digital signature has been applied. The appearance is not strictly a part of the digital signature, but the appearance is closely linked to the digital signature and in many implementation is the appearance includes some feature that displays graphically the validity of the digital signature that is associated with it.
In many cases, users of digital signature software need to specify what types of information will be included in the appearance. Examples of information that might be included are without limitation, a raster image of a handwritten signature, a date of signing, a time of signing, and other similar information.
Once the graphic appearance has been specified, there is a need to indicate a location on the document where the appearance should be visible when the digital signature is applied to the document.
In some cases, there is a need to apply only a single digital signature and associated appearance to a document. In other cases, there is a need to apply multiple digital signatures and associated appearances to the document. In certain situation is, it is necessary to apply a single digital signature or multiple digital signatures to a document and to have the appearance associated with the Signature be duplicated on the same, location of every page of a multi-page document.
Prior art methods of specifying a digital signature appearance typically involve selecting item is such as, but not limited to, the signer's name, a digitized graphic, the date of signing, the time of signing, and the reason for signing, from a menu of choices. These items are then placed in the appearance by software in a location and at a scale that is determined automatically by the software. In prior art methods, the user does not control the size rotation, and placement of graphic elements in the appearance, or the font used for text such as date and time. In these prior art methods, the sizes of graphic elements that are included in the appearance are defined relative to one another only, and it is not possible to indicate a scale relative to graphic elements associated with an electronic document or a known paper size.
Prior art methods of specifying where the appearance associated with the digital signature should be located on the document typically involve indicating a window or bounding box into which the appearance will be scaled to fit. In some implementations this bounding box is drawn interactively by the user. In other implementation is the bounding box may be created in advance, and then it is selected by the user as the location for his or her signature appearance to be placed.
In these prior art methods, the size and location of the appearance associated with the signature on the document can be indicated only approximately. When the user draws a bounding box or selects a previously created bounding box for the appearance, the appearance is scaled to lit within this bounding, box, and the appearance may or may not be the correct scale relative to or aligned with graphic elements in the electronic document as desired by the user.
There are two prior art methods of indicating that a signature appearance should be displayed in the same location on every page. The first method is to apply multiple individual signatures, each one with an appearance on a different page. Typically this is done by creating a bounding box on each page or by selecting a previously created bounding box on each page. This method is time consuming, as the user must specify repeatedly that where the appearance should be located. This method often creates large electronic document files as well, as there is a certain amount of overhead associated with each digital signature, and often or hundreds of signatures are applied to a document, the electronic document may become unmanageably large.
The second prior-art method is for the user to create a bounding box for a digital signature appearance, but not yet create a digital signature associated with the box. In a second step, the user duplicates this bounding box on multiple pages of the document. In a third step, the user selects one of these duplicated bounding boxes and indicates that all the duplicated bounding boxes are to receive the same digital signature appearance. This method has the result of creating only one digital signature (and thus a smaller file size) but multiple instances of the appearance associated with this signature. This method involves at least three discrete steps, however, and is therefore time-consuming.
In view of the foregoing, there is a need for an improved method of composing a customized graphical appearance associated with a digital signature and applying that appearance to a desired range of-pages in an electronic document in a way that allows the user to specify the scale and location of the appearance on the electronic document and that is less time conuming and creates smaller electronic files than current methods
Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.

Method and system for composing a digital signature graphic appearance and specifying a document display location thereof


The present invention provides a method and apparatus for in-process handling of concentrated cumene hydroperoxide (“CHP”) in a process for the production of phenol and acetone by the decomposition of CHP. The method of the present invention makes use of a tube and shell type heat exchanger as a vessel to accumulate a working volume of concentrated CHP from a distillation unit. Concentrated CHP is then fed to a decomposer unit from the accumulated working volume. Use of a tube and shell type heat exchanger improves safety over designs that make use of an unmodified tank or drum.

The production of phenol and acetone by decomposition of cumene hydroperoxide is well known and has been in practiced commercially since the 1950's. Cumene hydroperoxide (CHP) itself is produced from the oxidation of cumene in a so-called oxidizer unit. The CHP thus produced is then concentrated in a distillation unit, typically to a concentration of 60% to 92% depending on the process. The concentrated CHP is then fed a decomposer (or cleavage) unit, where the acid decomposition of the CHP to phenol, acetone and other products such as alpha-methylstyrene occurs. In many cases, the concentrated CHP is diluted with cumene, acetone or water prior to being fed to the decomposer.
In some process designs it is desirable to accumulate a working volume of concentrated CHP from the distillation unit in an intermediate accumulation vessel and supply the decomposer unit from this working volume rather than directly from the distillation unit. In this design, the accumulated working volume is constantly turned over as concentrated CHP is fed from the accumulation vessel to the decomposer unit and fresh material is received by the accumulation vessel from the distillation unit.
The goal of accumulating a working volume to supply the decomposer is to provide a source of concentrated CHP to the decomposer unit in the event that an upset in the oxidizer and/or distillation unit temporarily interrupts the production of concentrated CHP. This is especially important in processes that conduct the decomposition of CHP in a boiling medium, where start-up or restart of the process after an upset is a hazardous operation. Even in non-boiling processes it can be of benefit to supply a working volume of concentrated CHP to avoid cavitation of pumps and transfer lines in the event of an interruption of the supply of CHP from the oxidizer and/or distillation unit.
Even though it is recognized as desirable to accumulate a working volume of concentrated CHP as described, this practice in itself presents special hazards. The decomposition of concentrated CHP is an extremely exothermic reaction, releasing approximately 1,421,000 joules/kg of heat for an 80 percent by weight solution. In some designs several thousand gallons of concentrated CHP may be accumulated. The potential for a catastrophic release of energy in the event of a mishap is therefore of great concern. A number of existing methods of accumulating working volumes of concentrated cumene hydroperoxide are not adequate to address this safety issue.
In a typical configuration for a process utilizing a boiling CHP decomposition unit, the accumulated volume of previously cooled CHP is simply stored in an unmodified tank or drum while only allowing a fraction of the accumulated volume to be used as a true working volume. In such designs the majority of the stored material exists as a stagnant volume with no circulation or mixed flow except for the natural in and out flow. Further such designs do not provide a means for direct cooling of the stored volume.
It would therefore be desirable to provide a method for storing a working volume of concentrated cumene hydroperoxide that alleviates the safety issues associated with storing extremely large volumes of stagnant concentrate without cooling.

Method and apparatus for in-process handling of cumene hydroperoxide with improved safety


A card ejector for a PC card connector, includes an ejector button (1) movable between a retreated position and an advanced position where a PC card is ejected from the PC card connector; an ejector bar (2) for guiding the ejector button (1) by a predetermined distance between the retreated position and the advanced position; a spring member (10) provided between the ejector button (1) and the ejector bar (2) to bias the ejector button (1) to the retreated position where the ejector button (1) is rotatable by a predetermined angle with respect to the ejector bar (2).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to card ejectors for PC card connectors.
2. Description of the Related Art
A PC card is inserted into a PC card connector through the slot, and the leading end is connected to the connector. The tailing portion is protruded for removal.
The connector is provided with a removal mechanism for ejecting the PC card. An ejector bar is provided on the side of the connector to operate the removal mechanism. An ejector button is protruded from the housing and, when the operator pushes the ejector button, the ejector bar operates the removal mechanism.
A conventional ejector will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. In FIG. 10, an ejector bar 51 consists of a metal bar 51A and a plastic pressure receiving section 51B attached to an end of the metal bar. An ejector button 53 is rotatably connected to the pressure receiving section 51B by a pin 52. The ejector bar 51 is placed in the housing but the ejector button 53 protrudes from the housing.
To remove the PC card, the operator pushes the ejector button 53 to the right in FIG. 10 to advance the ejector bar 51. The advancement of the ejector bar 51 operates the removal mechanism (not shown) to eject the PC card. When the ejector button is not used, it is rotated at right angles with respect to the ejector bar 51 as shown in FIG. 11 minimizing the projected portion of the ejector button 53 to avoid accidental depression of the ejector button.
Another ejector is shown in FIGS. 12-14. An ejector bar 61 consists of a metal bar 61A and a plastic pressure receiving section 61B. An ejector button 63 is rotatably connected to the pressure receiving section 61B by a pin 62. A slot (not shown) is provided in the pressure receiving section 61B so that the ejector button 63 is movable by a predetermined distance with respect to the ejector bar 61. As shown in FIG. 12, the ejector button 63 has a stepped leading section which slidably engages the stepped leading section of the pressure receiving section 61B of the ejector bar 61.
To eject the PC card, the ejector button 63 is pressed from the position of FIG. 12 to the position of FIG. 13 where the ejector button 63 pushes the ejector bar 61. When the ejector button 63 is not used, the ejector button 63 is pulled back to the retreated position of FIG. 12 and then rotated at right angles to the position of FIG. 14.
In the ejector of FIG. 10, however, the ejector button can be rotated when it is pushed, making difficult removal of the PC card. In the ejector of FIG. 12, in order to bring the ejector button into the rotated position, it is necessary to pull the ejector button to the retreated position of FIG. 12, imaking the operation complicated. Where the ejector button is rotated without the pulling operation, it can be broken. It happens frequently when the operator is not familiar with the ejector button.


Haloalkylthio, -sulfinyl and -sulfonyl arylpyrrole compounds which are effective for the phytopathogenic fungi are described. A method for the fungicidal use of said compounds and methods for the preparation of said compounds are presented.

Substituted arylpyrroles and their use as insecticidal agents are described in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/392,495 filed on Aug. 11, 1989, now abandoned, and in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 07/803,289, 07/803,295 and 07/804,260, all filed concurrently herewith on Dec. 4, 1991. None of the arylpyrroles disclosed in that patent application are within the scope of the present invention.
It is an object of the present invention to provide haloalkylthio, -sulfinyl and -sulfonyl arylpyrrole compounds that are highly effective for controlling fungi. It is also an object of the invention to protect growing and harvested crops from attack or infestation by phytopathogenic fungi.
These and other objectives of the invention will become more apparent from the detailed description thereof set forth below.

Haloalkylthio, -sulfinyl and -sulfonyl arylpyrrole fungicidal agents


During braking, lower limits are set based on an input limit of a battery and a brake pedal position, and the set lower limits limit regenerative torques output from motors. This prevents an output of an excessive braking force and torque shock caused by a hydraulic brake being not able to follow sudden changes in the regenerative torques output from the motors when the vehicle speed is reduced.

One proposed vehicle includes a front wheel motor MGf that can drive front wheels, a rear wheel motor MGr that can drive rear wheels, and a battery that can transfer electric power to and from the two motors MGf and MGr, and drives the two motors MGf and MGr within a range of a charging limit value of the battery when a braking force is requested (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this vehicle, during braking, a torque command for regeneration of the rear wheel motor MGr that is low in driving frequency is first set within the range of the charging limit value of the battery, then a torque command for regeneration of the front wheel motor MGf is set under the limit using the set torque command of the rear wheel motor MGr and the charging limit value of the battery to perform regenerative control of the front wheel motor MGf and the rear wheel motor MGr. This prevents heat generation of the front wheel motor MGf that is high in driving frequency.
Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open Gazette No. 2002-345105

Vehicle, control method thereof and braking device


A bed includes a mattress having a head section, foot section, and a medial section disposed between the head and foot sections. A frame supports the mattress sections. A plate is disposed within the frame for supporting the mattress medial section. The plate is mounted within the frame for horizontal slidable movement between a closed position in which the mattress sections form a continuous surface for the bed, and an open position transverse of the frame to create a recess in the mattress medial section thereby moving the mattress medial section outwardly of the frame. A bed pan is adapted to be disposed within the recess created in the mattress medial section when the plate is in the open position.

A disagreeable aspect of a patient's stay in a hospital is the use of a hospital bed pan. A bed pan is difficult to sit on, is unstable, is not large enough, and is different from a commode seat which the patient is accustomed to using. Physicians, nurses, and patients generally agree that there is a need for a bed pan that is more comfortable and acceptable. Rather than try to use the hospital bed pan, many patients, against doctor's orders, attempt to get out of bed to go to the bathroom. This is a dangerous practice and has been the cause of patient accidents and setbacks. Accordingly, there is a need for a simple, practical, and relatively inexpensive way to simulate a commode to which the patient is accustomed to using in his own home without the need for the patient to leave a bed. Also, there is a need to make the waste disposal procedure as simple and convenient as possible for the hospital nurses.


The present invention relates to a warm water washing device for washing a human body and aims to pasteurize an inside of a water flowing route which is difficult to clean and keep the device hygienic without an outbreak of pollution due to fungi and molds. A warm water washing device according to the present invention provides with a discharge nozzle 22 for discharging warm water for washing a human body and pasteurization control means 34 for controlling the function to pasteurize the discharge nozzle 22 and a hot water course 23 to discharge nozzle 22.

As such a kind of warm water washing device, there is a device shown in FIG. 8, for example, Utility Model Laid-Open 61-26776.
In FIG. 8, the block 1 is a feedwater tank and water is sucked by a pump 2 and is fed to a branch point 4 through a feed pipe 3. A part of the water branched at branch point 4 is supplied to a mixing chamber 13 after passing through a bypass pipe 5 and a mixing device 12 providing with a valve 11 driven by a stepping motor 10 and the other part of the water branched at branch point 4 is also supplied to mixing chamber 13 after passing through a hot water tank 8 providing with a heater 6 and a tank temperature detector 7 and further passing through a hot water feed pipe 14. In the mixing chamber 13, a temperature detector 15 is provided to detect the temperature of the mixed water and the flow rate passing through pipe 5 is controlled here by stepping motor 10 and valve 11 so that the detected temperature becomes a designated temperature. Thus, the temperature of the warm water supplied to a washing nozzle 16 is controlled.
In recent years, living environment is improved and the variation of temperature and humidity inside the room during a year is small. Especially, it is remarkable at a toilet. Because a hygienic washing toilet seat device which is recently spreading in the market provides with a heated toilet seat and a water jet nozzle, the toilet seat device is kept in high temperature and high humidity. Therefore, pollution and slime sometimes occur at the toilet device and its accessory parts due to growth of molds and bacteria (for example, colon bacillus, legionelae, etc.) and it is easy to be unhygienic. The pollution has been washed and cleaned with bleach such as chlorine group and alcoholic group or detergent.
However, what can be cleaned by detergent is only an outerior part of the toilet seat device and it is difficult to clean a part forming a water flowing route inside the toilet seat device. There is a problem that if such pollution is left for a long time, the part forming a water flowing route deteriorates and is unclean. In the warm water washing device of the prior art described above, the temperature of the water flowing route from mixing chamber 13 of mixing device 12 to washing nozzle 16 is about 40 degrees centigrade or normal temperature. This is a temperature that molds and bacteria are easy to grow and excretory organ of the human body is supposed to be washed with warm water passing through a polluted water flowing route.

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


In the dynamic access priority method, priority classes with different backoff delays are used to prioritize random access over shared channels and to reduce collision in the presence of a surge of random access requests. Service class information for a plurality of service classes is stored at user equipment. The service class information for a service class includes at least one of a maximum and a minimum back off value; the maximum back off value being indicative of a maximum back off interval and the minimum back off value being indicative of a minimum back off interval. At least one of a maximum and a minimum back off value is determined based on a selected service class of the user equipment, and a back off interval is determined based on the determined back off value. The back off interval indicates a period of time the user equipment waits before the user equipment attempts a transmission.

Multimedia broadcast/multicast service (MBMS) is a point to multipoint service in which data is transmitted from a single source entity to multiple users. The main objective of MBMS study is to take advantage of the fact that the same data is transmitted to multiple users, so that network resources can be efficiently shared among users.
Referring to FIG. 1, which shows a portion of the well-known architecture for MBMS within a 3GPP network, when MBMS data is available for delivery, a serving GPRS support node SGSN will send a MBMS notification to relevant radio network controllers RNCs. These RNCs will then ask NodeBs (also known as base stations) to send relevant paging messages to notify interested users via their equipment UEs. Some of these UEs will be in idle states, while others will be may be in a Cell_PCH state (a state in which the UE has been assigned a dedicated airlink with a NodeB) or URA_PCH state (a state in which the UE is still connected with the network by one or more shared communication channels, but not a dedicated airlink). The UEs in the Cell_PCH/URA_PCH or idle states have to send a paging response when they are paged. The paging response is sent via a RACH (Random Access CHannel). Since many users may subscribe to a MBMS service, the network will see a surge in RACH contention messages. Such surges will cause large collisions on the RACH channel.
Existing specifications or protocols provide many RACH transmission control parameters some of which control the use of the RACH when collisions occur. The UE is provided with the RACH transmission control parameters when service provisioning takes place, and updates the RACH transmission control parameters based on system information. The RACH transmission control parameters include Physical RACH (PRACH), Access Service Class (ASC), maximum number of permitted RACH transmission attempts Mmax, maximum back off value NBO1max and minimum back off value NBO1min. The PRACH indicates the physical RACH over which the UE will attempt to communicate with the network. The ASC indicates the partition i of the PRACH in which to attempt to communicate with the network and the persistence value Pi (probability that a UE attempts a transmission). The UE stores and updates the information on each ASC and determines the ASC to use during transmission based on an Access Class (AC) assigned to the UE by the network. The maximum back off value NBO1max and minimum back off value NBO1min are described in detail below, but are associated with the assigned PRACH such that each UE assigned to the same PRACH has the same maximum back off value NBO1max and minimum back off value NBO1min.
FIG. 2 illustrates a flow chart of the conventional RACH access process performed at a UE when data is to be transmitted. As shown, in step S10, the UE maps the assigned AC to an ASC. The UE will use this ASC for transmissions other than an emergency transmission (e.g., 911 calls). Then in step S12, a count value M is set to zero, and in step S14, the count value M is incremented by one. Next, in step S16, the UE determines if the count value M representing the number of transmission attempts exceeds the maximum number of permitted RACH transmission attempts Mmax. If so, then the UE treats the transmission as unsuccessful. However, if M is less than or equal to the maximum number of permitted RACH transmission attempts Mmax, then in step S18 the UE updates the RACH transmission control parameters.
Next, in step S20, a 10 ms timer T2 is set. In step S22, the UE decides whether to attempt transmission based on the persistence value Pi associated with the ASC selected by the UE. Specifically, a random number Ri is generated between zero and 1. If the random number Ri is less than or equal to the persistence value Pi, the UE attempts to transmit over an assigned PRACH at the partition i indicated by the selected ASC in step S24; otherwise, the UE waits till the 10 ms timer T2 expires in step S26 and processing proceeds to step S18.
In step S30, the UE determines whether the network responds with an ACKnowledgement (ACK), a Non-ACKnowledgment (NACK), or no response. If no response is received from the network, after the timer T2 expires in step S32, processing proceeds to step S14. If an ACK (indicating receipt of the UE transmission by the network) is received, then in step S34 the UE begins further transmission. If a NACK (indicating a failed receipt of the transmission by the network—often due to collision) is received, then the UE waits for the timer T2 to expire in step S36 before proceeding to step S38. In step S38, the UE generates a back off value NBO1 randomly chosen between the maximum and minimum back off values NBO1max and NBO1min associated with the PRACH assigned to the UE. The UE then waits a back off interval TBO1 equal to 10 ms times the back off value NBO1 before proceeding to step S14 and re-attempting transmission.
As demonstrated in FIG. 3, even with the back off methodology discussed above, future collisions are possible. As shown in FIG. 3, UEa and UEb have a collision event as shown at 10. According to FIG. 2, each of UEa and UEb will first wait for the timer T2 to expire (step S36), and then back off further according to a calculated back off interval (step S38). As shown in FIG. 3, when both UEa and UEb are assigned to the same PRACH, then UEa and UEb have the same maximum and minimum back off values. Because the back off interval range for both UEa and UEb completely overlap, it is highly likely that a future collision occurs. For example, with the NBO1min=0 and the NBO1max=3 for both UEa and UEb, it is entirely possible that UEa calculates a back off interval TBO1a of 30 ms and UEb calculates a back off interval TBO1b of 20 ms. Because the transmission burst duration is not negligible, another collision occurs as shown at 12 in FIG. 3.


A flexible denture is provided with a denture plate and a false teeth assembly. The denture plate includes a support member and a deformable member. The support member has an approximately U-shaped base, a labial wall and a lingual wall extending from the base, wherein the labial and lingual walls form an approximate U-shaped cross-section along an imaginary vertical plane to form a channel. The deformable member extending across the channel and spaced a distance from the U-shaped base to separate the channel into a gum receiving section and a fitting section, the fitting section including a plurality of ridges extending between the U-shaped base and the deformable member. The deformable member is constructed of soft and pliable material. The false teeth assembly includes a plurality of false teeth secured to the base, the false teeth assembly includes a reinforcing bar embedded within and connecting the plurality of false teeth.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a denture and method to make the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a flexible denture and a method to make the same.
2. Background
Prosthetic dentures are known in the prior art. These dentures typically include a denture plate portion and a series of artificial teeth attached to the denture plate portion. The terminology for a denture is fairly consistent, however, there are some variations. Thus, for purposes of this invention, the term denture plate refers to that portion of the denture that rests against the user's gums and receives the artificial teeth.
The conventional denture plate portion is made from a particularly hard material, such as acrylic. This material allows for the denture to have a potentially long life. The utilization of hard material, however, has its disadvantages.
The conventional denture must be manufactured in a series of steps so that pertinent information particular in an individual patient's mouth can be collected and used to evaluate progress toward the final denture product. This process requires several appointments with the dentist. For a denture wearer, this can result in great inconvenience, embarrassment and often missed work. For the dentist, the traditional method of constructing dentures often results in a large time investment representing lost income and income potential.
Additionally, the hard denture plate can come out of alignment causing discomfort to the patient. Further, due to a variety of factors, the denture may lose retention to the patient's gums. One common cause for retention failure is when pressure is applied to one side of the denture plate causing the opposing side to loose and separate from the gum line. An additional disadvantage is that due to the hardness of the denture plate, the denture has the tendency to chip, crack or break. When the denture comes out of alignment, loses retention or breaks, it may result in physical complications such as inflammation of tissues, soreness and discomfort to the patient. Further, there are additional costs and lost time by the patient and dentist associated with repairing or replacing the broken denture.
Clearly there is a need for a denture that can improve upon the prior art dentures.

Flexible denture and method to make same


The invention relates to the preparation of a water soluble, powdered pharmaceutically active cannabinoid and/or terpene extract from plant materials, a powder where the bulk density can easily be modified depending on the final dosage form required. The extract is first treated with a solvent to solubilize the cannabinoids, then combined with an emulsifier. The solubilized mixture is then dried to evaporate the solvent, leaving the water-soluble cannabinoid extract powder. The resulting powder remaining stable at room temperature for at least one year and can be compounded into various pharmaceutical powdered formulations, with varying bulk powder densities.

Cannabinoids are diverse chemical compounds acting on cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2. Cannabis has been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. Its active compounds produce pharmacological effects throughout the body, especially in the central nervous system and the immune system. There presently exists the need to provide more effective, bioavailable and safer cannabis dosage forms for various medical uses, including treatment of pain, nausea, spasticity in multiple sclerosis, side effects of chemotherapy, and various other medical conditions.
The disadvantages of currently available oral formulations of cannabis include slow and insufficient absorption and delayed onset of action and low systemic availability, largely due to the highly lipophilic nature of cannabinoids. Formulation of cannabinoids as aerosols, sprays, injections, eye drops, etc. requires aqueous solutions of these highly lipophilic active compounds. Current attempts at solubilizing cannabinoids have included the use of various types of sugar molecules such as cyclodextrins (CDs). CDs, however, are very expensive and difficult to work with. For these and other reasons, there is a need for the present invention.

Water-soluble, powdered cannabinoid and/or terpene extract


An integrated lens and mirror assembly for use in a fiber optic transmitter optical sub-assembly is disclosed. The lenses fabricated from a single monolithic block of optically transparent material. One region of the lens assembly is configured to transmit and focus light signals. A second region of the lens assembly is configured to reflect a portion of the light and focus it to a monitoring photodetector unit.

In conventional fiber optic transceiver modules, it is common to use a photodetector to monitor the output of the transmitting laser. Usually, the transmitting laser beam is partially reflected back onto the photodetector by way of a semi-transmissive mirror (also known as a semi-reflective window.) The mirror is placed between the laser and the focusing lens such that the light from the laser hits the mirror first, thus reflecting a portion of the light onto the photodetector. This reflected light is sensed by the photodetector and used to provide feedback to the laser driver. In this manner, it is possible to monitor the power output of the laser and adjust it to compensate for variations in laser output power due to, for example, temperature changes in the environment in which the laser is operating. The light that is not reflected travels through the mirror and strikes the lens, where it is focused on an optical fiber. This type of construction is especially true for most fiber optic transceivers using surface emitting lasers such as VCSELs.
There are currently several known configurations used by fiber optic transceiver module manufacturers in placing the mirror relative to the optical axis (i.e. in the direction of the propagated light) of the module. In a first known configuration, the surface of the semi-transmissive mirror is located between the laser and the lens such that light strikes the mirror normally (i.e. perpendicular to the optical axis.) Light reflecting off a mirror in this configuration will be directed back towards the laser source. Consequently, the monitor photodetector must normally be placed under the laser. Also, in this configuration, reflected light will strike the laser source as well as the monitor photodetector. This light from the laser reflecting back to the same laser is normally undesirable and may cause increased noise (normally referred to as Relative Intensity Noise or RIN for short) in the transmission signals. Another disadvantage is that since part of the reflected light will strike the laser and that the laser is normally placed on top of the photodetector, not all the reflected light gets to the monitor photodetector (leading to reduced efficiency).
In a second known configuration, the semi-transmissive mirror may be placed at an angle to the optical axis. In this configuration, light reflecting off the mirror will be directed away from the laser source and onto the monitor photodetector, which is normally located next to the laser source, and the distance between the two depends on the angle of the mirror. One disadvantage of this configuration is that the monitor photodetector must be made larger in order to capture all the reflected light. However, this is normally difficult to achieve.
A disadvantage of conventional designs of fiber optic transmitter optical sub-assembly (or T-OSA) is in the complexity of the mirror and lens assembly, e.g., normally, the mirror and the lens must be positioned separately. Another disadvantage is in the relatively large size of current assembly modules, due in part to the need for a relatively large monitor photodetector.
Therefore, an integrated focusing lens and reflector that reduces the number of process steps, improves assembly tolerance, is more tolerant to temperature change, better controls and focuses reflected light to a monitor photodetector, and provides a significantly smaller lens/reflector system, is needed.

Single lens system integrating both transmissive and reflective surfaces for light focusing to an optical fiber and light reflection back to a monitor photodetector


A method for manufacturing reclosable plastic bags or packages, wherein sections of zipper profiles are pre-softened at intervals equal in length to the width of the bags or packages to be manufactured. The pre-softening enables the zipper profiles to be fused together and completely flattened when a seal bar clamps thereacross to form a side seal area transverse to the zipper.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the manufacture of plastic bags or packages having two plies of thermoplastic sheeting, both plies having closure strips formed or included on their facing inner edges so as to form a sliderless zipper closure for the openings of the bags or packages made therefrom. The plies may be formed of two separate sheets or a single sheet folded over.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The present invention relates to improvements in the package-making art and may be practiced, without limitation, in the manufacture of thermoplastic bags and trays of the kind that may be used for various consumer products, but which are particularly useful for food products which must be kept in moisture and air-tight packages, free from leakage until opened for access to the product contents, which packages are then reclosable by zipper means to protect any remainder of the product therein.
The indicated art is fairly well developed, but nevertheless is still susceptible of improvements contributing to increased efficiency and cost effectiveness.
One problem that still exists in the production of packages from continuous zipper-equipped sheet material, is the difficulty in attaining a satisfactory sealing of the bag or package against leakage, where the zipper and area of film engaged by the zipper extends through the side seal areas separating one bag or package from the next.

Method of forming side seams for zippered bags or packages


A bicycle sprocket support assembly is provided with a sprocket support body, a first sprocket support member and at least first and second sprockets. The sprocket support body has a tubular shaped part with an exterior surface and an interior surface arranged around a center longitudinal axis. The first sprocket support member is integrated with the exterior surface of the sprocket support body as a one-piece, unitary member and projects radially from the exterior surface of the sprocket support body. The first and second sprockets are fixed to the first sprocket support member by at least one fastener with the first and second sprockets being supported at axially spaced apart locations along the center longitudinal axis of the sprocket support body.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a bicycle sprocket support assembly for a rear hub of a bicycle.
2. Background Information
A bicycle wheel typically includes a central hub, a plurality of spoke extending outwardly from the hub and a rim coupled to the outer ends of the spokes. The hub typically includes a spindle or hub shaft mounted in a detachable and non-rotatable manner to the frame of the bicycle, a hub body mounted in a freely rotatable manner to the hub shaft, and a pair of bearings configured to support the hub body in such a manner that it can rotate freely with respect to the hub shaft. In the case of a rear hub mounted to the rear wheel of a bicycle, the hub is further provided with a drive body mounted in a freely rotatable manner to the hub shaft and a one-way clutch configured and arranged to transfer rotation from the drive body to the hub body in only one direction (the direction corresponding to forward travel of the bicycle). Examples of this type of rear hub are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,102,821 and 7,585,240, which are assigned to Shimano Inc. With these types of hubs, some sprockets are mounted on sprocket carriers that are sometimes called spiders.


A method begins by a processing module receiving a file retrieval request for a file, wherein the file includes one or more data regions, and wherein a data region of the one or more data regions is divided into a plurality of data segments and stored as a plurality of sets of encoded data slices in a dispersed storage network (DSN) memory. The method continues with the processing module retrieving a segment allocation table (SAT), wherein a SAT entry of a plurality of SAT entries includes information regarding storing the data region in the DSN memory and a segmentation scheme regarding the dividing of the data region into the plurality of data segments. The method continues with the processing module identifying the plurality of sets of encoded data slices and retrieving at least a sufficient number of the plurality of sets of encoded data slices to regenerate the data region.

1. Technical Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to computing systems and more particularly to data storage solutions within such computing systems.
2. Description of Related Art
Computers are known to communicate, process, and store data. Such computers range from wireless smart phones to data centers that support millions of web searches, stock trades, or on-line purchases every day. In general, a computing system generates data and/or manipulates data from one form into another. For instance, an image sensor of the computing system generates raw picture data and, using an image compression program (e.g., JPEG, MPEG, etc.), the computing system manipulates the raw picture data into a standardized compressed image.
With continued advances in processing speed and communication speed, computers are capable of processing real time multimedia data for applications ranging from simple voice communications to streaming high definition video. As such, general-purpose information appliances are replacing purpose-built communications devices (e.g., a telephone). For example, smart phones can support telephony communications but they are also capable of text messaging and accessing the internet to perform functions including email, web browsing, remote applications access, and media communications (e.g., telephony voice, image transfer, music files, video files, real time video streaming. etc.).
Each type of computer is constructed and operates in accordance with one or more communication, processing, and storage standards. As a result of standardization and with advances in technology, more and more information content is being converted into digital formats. For example, more digital cameras are now being sold than film cameras, thus producing more digital pictures. As another example, web-based programming is becoming an alternative to over the air television broadcasts and/or cable broadcasts. As further examples, papers, books, video entertainment, home video, etc. are now being stored digitally, which increases the demand on the storage function of computers.
A typical computer storage system includes one or more memory devices aligned with the needs of the various operational aspects of the computer's processing and communication functions. Generally, the immediacy of access dictates what type of memory device is used. For example, random access memory (RAM) memory can be accessed in any random order with a constant response time, thus it is typically used for cache memory and main memory. By contrast, memory device technologies that require physical movement such as magnetic disks, tapes, and optical discs, have a variable response time as the physical movement can take longer than the data transfer, thus they are typically used for secondary memory (e.g., hard drive, backup memory, etc.).
A computer's storage system will be compliant with one or more computer storage standards that include, but are not limited to, network file system (NFS), flash file system (FFS), disk file system (DFS), small computer system interface (SCSI), internet small computer system interface (iSCSI), file transfer protocol (FTP), and web-based distributed authoring and versioning (WebDAV). These standards specify the data storage format (e.g., files, data objects, data blocks, directories, etc.) and interfacing between the computer's processing function and its storage system, which is a primary function of the computer's memory controller.
Despite the standardization of the computer and its storage system, memory devices fail; especially commercial grade memory devices that utilize technologies incorporating physical movement (e.g., a disc drive). For example, it is fairly common for a disc drive to routinely suffer from bit level corruption and to completely fail after three years of use. One solution is to a higher-grade disc drive, which adds significant cost to a computer.
Another solution is to utilize multiple levels of redundant disc drives to replicate the data into two or more copies. One such redundant drive approach is called redundant array of independent discs (RAID). In a RAID device, a RAID controller adds parity data to the original data before storing it across the array. The parity data is calculated from the original data such that the failure of a disc will not result in the loss of the original data. For example, RAID 5 uses three discs to protect data from the failure of a single disc. The parity data, and associated redundancy overhead data, reduces the storage capacity of three independent discs by one third (e.g., n−1=capacity). RAID 6 can recover from a loss of two discs and requires a minimum of four discs with a storage capacity of n−2.
While RAID addresses the memory device failure issue, it is not without its own failures issues that affect its effectiveness, efficiency and security. For instance, as more discs are added to the array, the probability of a disc failure increases, which increases the demand for maintenance. For example, when a disc fails, it needs to be manually replaced before another disc fails and the data stored in the RAID device is lost. To reduce the risk of data loss, data on a RAID device is typically copied on to one or more other RAID devices. While this addresses the loss of data issue, it raises a security issue since multiple copies of data are available, which increases the chances of unauthorized access. Further, as the amount of data being stored grows, the overhead of RAID devices becomes a non-trivial efficiency issue.
Another solution is to utilize dispersed storage wherein data is segmented to produce a plurality of data segments wherein each data segment of the plurality of data segments is dispersed storage error encoded to produce a set of encoded data slices of a plurality of sets of encoded data slices that are stored within a dispersed storage network memory. A plurality of sets of slice names are generated that correspond to the plurality of sets of encoded data slices, wherein each slice name provides a virtual dispersed storage network memory address to access and associated encoded data slice within the dispersed storage network memory. The number of data segments of the plurality of data segments depends on a segmentation scheme and the size of the data. A data size indicator may be appended to a first data segment of the plurality of data segments prior to the dispersed storage error encoding of the first data segment. Retrieving the data from the dispersed storage network requires a first operation to retrieve a set of encoded data slices associated with the first data segment to reproduce the first data segment and the appended data size indicator. A second operation may retrieve subsequent data segments of the plurality of data segments based on the data size indicator (e.g., enabling generating an appropriate number of sets of slice names corresponding to the subsequent data segments). Some data retrieval scenarios may require an access latency time associated with just one operation.

Retrieving data segments from a dispersed storage network