The invention is directed to a protective circuit for an integrated circuit 1. This protective circuit is preferably arranged in a plurality of circuit levels 2, 3 under and/or above the intergrated circuit 1. It exhibits a plurality of interconnects 10, 11 that are charged with different signals of one or more signal generators. The different signals, after traversing the interconnects 10, 11, are analyzed with one or more detectors in that the signals received by detectors are respectively compared to rated reference signals, and an alarm signal is forwarded to the integrated circuit given the presence of a significant difference. On the basis of this alarm signal, the integrated circuit is switched into a security mode that makes an analysis or a manipulation of the integrated circuit practically impossible.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention is directed to a protective circuit for an integrated circuit.
2. Description of the Related Art
Certain forms of electronic circuits, particularly integrated circuits for use in chip cards, require a high degree of secrecy of circuit information or of internal chip data. This security-relevant information must be protected both against foreign analysis as well as against manipulation.
Various approaches have been used to achieve this protection. For example, integrated circuits have been provided with a metallic sleeve of, for example, silver or titanium which can prevent a readout of the integrated circuits with X-rays. A further approach has been to arrange an interconnect in the highest circuit level of an integrated circuit as shield line and to monitor the physical properties such as the resistance, the capacitance, etc., thereof. When a change is detected, for example, due to short-circuiting, grounding or parting during undesired observation or manipulation, an alarm signal is then triggered. Such a protective circuit is disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 5,389,738. These types of protective circuits, however, are inadequate since the anticipated physical properties can be simulated with suitable external measures and the protective circuit can consequently not detect an outside attack by observation or manipulation and, thus, no suitable counter-measures can be taken.
The invention is based on the object of specifying a protective circuit for integrated circuits that provides greater protection against unwanted observation or manipulation.
This object is achieved by a protective circuit for an integrated circuit, wherein the protective circuit is arranged in a circuit level at a location under or above the integrated circuit, the protective circuit comprising a plurality of interconnects that are charged with different signals of a signal generator, a detector that evaluates the different signals transmitted via the plurality of interconnects for faulty behavior, the detector having an output at which, when the faulty behavior is found, a control signal is provided for switching the integrated circuit into a security mode.
The inventive protective circuit is arranged in at least one circuit level above or below the integrated circuit as well. This protective circuit thereby exhibits one or more interconnects that are charged with signals that change over time or with different signals as well. These signals are transmitted via the interconnects and are subsequently investigated by the detector or detectors in that the received signal to be investigated is respectively compared to a reference signal, i.e., the anticipated signal. When one or more detectors find a significant deviation, then this triggers an alarm signal that switches the integrated circuit into a security mode. In this mode, for example, the content of the memory cells can be erased, so that the control programs and the stored data can no longer be read out and interpreted.
By employing a plurality of different signals that are conducted over a plurality of interconnects and subsequently analyzed by the various detectors, it is nearly impossible to supply all alarm-triggering signals in the correct way from the outside during an attempted readout or manipulation and to simulate the presence of these signals for the detectors. When, for example, the integrated circuit is planarly mechanically eroded from above such that it is possible to view the circuit levels of the integrated circuit lying therebelow, then the interconnects of the protective circuit lying above are affected first, which leads to a modification or, to an interruption of the signal transmission that is detected by one or by several detectors. This is also true when individual interconnects are tapped with miniature needles, resulting in modifications of, for example, the signal shape, the signal attenuation or the like. All of these modifications then regularly cause an error recognition by various detectors.
Inventively, thus, it is not only a single signal but a plurality of different signals that must be simulated. Precisely in view of the extremely limited spatial conditions of an integrated circuit, it is nearly impossible to specifically supply this plurality of simulated signals to the various detectors. A nearly all-embracing protection of the integrated circuit by the protective circuit arranged above is thus established.
Preferably, the integrated circuit is surrounded in a sandwich-like manner by a protective circuit above and a protective circuit below the integrated circuit, so that an observation or manipulation from both above as well as below is precluded by the protective circuits.
It has proven successful to fashion the detectors such that, in the evaluation of the transmitted signals, these signals are investigated for integrity, which can especially ensue with a CRC check, with a checksum comparison, with a parity check or with other signature comparisons. As a result of this integrity comparison between the transmitted signal and the integrity value of the anticipated signal, also referred to as reference signal, it is possible to prevent a manipulation of the protective circuit in which the detector is quasi-shorted, whereby one and the same signal is forwarded both as reference signal and as transmitted signal to the detector with a mere identity comparison for detecting improper behavior.
The different signals that are supplied to the different interconnects can be realized with a common signal generator or can also be realized by a plurality of individual signal generators. Preferably, the generator or generators is/are in communication with the detectors resulting in the respective detector receiving information about the type and nature of the anticipated signal, (the reference signal,) from the generator allocated to it. It is thus possible that the generators dynamically modify their output signals and inform the detectors of this modification, which makes the simulation of the signals even more difficult in an attack since the time curve of the signals is also taken into consideration,
It has proven especially advantageous to extend the interconnects over a plurality of circuit levels, resulting in a significantly better coverage of the integrated circuit to be protected. Similar to the view into the structure of the integrated circuit over a plurality of circuit levels (and, thus, a view into the type and nature of the generation, of the signal guidance and of the detection of the various signals) is also significantly more difficult and is thereby not easy to simulate externally. Consequently, each modification of the protective circuit by an intervention from the outside leads to a detection of the faulty behavior, since a simulation is extremely difficult or nearly impossible due to the extremely difficult, three-dimensional structure of the fashioning of the interconnect or, the guidance therefor. It is thus clear that the one circuit level of the protective circuit protects the other circuit level of the protective circuit against an analysis. An extremely far-reaching and dependable protective circuit for the integrated circuit is definitely established by this approach.
According to a preferred embodiment of the protective circuit, the interconnects of the protective circuit are fashioned such that, ideally, they largely completely planarly cover the integrated circuit to be protected. This is done in a manner such that, when looking through the protective circuit onto the integrated circuit, there is no longer any possibility of directly reaching the protective circuit, for example, through bores or the like, i.e. without damaging the interconnects of the protective circuit. This far-reaching or complete coverage is enabled in a simple and sure way by precisely fashioning the interconnects over a plurality of circuit levels or in a plurality of circuit levels, since the interconnects can be arranged in a plane with adequate spacing from one another to prevent crosstalk. The region between the interconnects can just be covered by interconnects in the other circuit level of the protective circuit, enabling a complete coverage of the integrated circuit or, respectively, of the critical parts of this integrated circuit.
An attempt made to approach the integrated circuit, for example with a bore, leads to damage to one of the interconnects, which leads to a modified signal. When the interconnect is fashioned with an extremely slight interconnect width that corresponds to the size of such a bore or is smaller, then each such bore leads to an interruption of the interconnect and, thus, to a fault signal that can be very reliably detected. It is also possible that such a bores would lead to a short between various interconnects, which can also be very dependably recognized as fault signal by the corresponding detectors as a total signal fade. The interconnect width is thereby preferably selected such that it corresponds to the minimum interconnect width given a specific chip technology employed. Due to these specific fashionings of the interconnects as, on the one hand, very narrow interconnects and as, on the other hand, interconnects extending over various circuit levels as well as with optimum surface coverage, an extraordinary degree of protective effect against a mechanical intervention (e.g., boring or plaining) is established.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the detector or detectors of the protective circuit are arranged in a circuit level under the highest circuit level having interconnects of the protective circuit and are protected against unwanted access by these interconnects. A cascading protection for the detectors of the protective circuits by the interconnects of the protective circuits and for the integrated circuit by the interconnect with detectors is established by this systematic structure.
An observation or manipulation of the detector or detectors is prevented by this arrangement due to the lines lying above the detector(s), which precludes another possibility of an attack in which signals could be directly supplied into the detectors without proceeding via the interconnects.
In a corresponding way, it is advantageous to arrange the generator or generators in a circuit level that is protected by interconnects of the protective circuit lying above it. Such an arrangement of the detectors or, respectively, of the generators definitely proves to be a critical way of enhancing the protective effect of the protective circuit against unauthorized access.
When the different signals are generated completely independently of one another, for example, by independent generators, then it is assured that these signals differ significantly in terms of their signal curve, since they do not systematically depend on one another. Such signals can only be simulated with extreme outlay and with extreme difficulty, especially since the plurality of different signals must be supplied in a targeted fashion into the correct interconnects or, respectively, the correct detectors. This is nearly impossible given the extremely restricted spatial dimensions of the integrated circuit. Such a protective circuit has proven particularly successful in protecting an integrated circuit.
In one version of the invention, a plurality of detectors are allocated to one interconnect, these detectors tapping the signal on the one interconnect at a position specific to the respective detector and monitoring it. In this construction, the interconnect is divided into several interconnect sections that are each respectively monitored by detectors allocated to them. These interconnect sections thus assume the function of a monitored interconnect. Over and above this, however, the multiple monitoring of the entire interconnect with the various interconnect sections assures that, if an intervention into this interconnect with suitable intervention measures were not to be detected by one detector, the other detectors or some of the other detectors at the overall interconnect will find a variation of the monitored signal and trigger an alarm. The redundant arrangement of the detectors at an interconnect thus establishes an enhanced protective effect of the protective circuit.
In general, it is desirable to provide optimally many signal lines and optimally many signal generators or detectors that complicate an attack in the form of reconfiguration merely due to their number. Limits, however, are placed on the number of signal lines/generators/detectors dependent on the size of the integrated circuit, since many discrete signals mean a high hardware expenditure, which leads to the circuit becoming significantly more expensive due to these security measures.
In another version of the invention, the above-described method of protective signal generation is combined with a multiplexer and a demultiplexer, where different interconnects of the protective shield are connected to the same generator outputs and detector inputs at different times on the basis of a time-division multiplex method. In this way, the number of generators and detectors is smaller than the number of shield segments.
A further advantage of this arrangement is that the number of reference lines that supply the detectors with a reference signal from the appertaining detector is likewise reduced, which leads to a considerable saving of chip area.
The multiplexers and demultiplexers can either be centrally synchronously controlled or their status may be dependent only on the plurality of past clock cycles of the common clock system. A random or pseudo-random drive of the multiplexer channels is especially advantageous. A true random drive requires an ongoing synchronization of multiplexer and demultiplexer with specific control signals. A pseudo-random drive allows a local generation of identical control signals in the respective spatial proximity of multiplexer and demultiplexer.
According to an especially preferred embodiment of the protective circuit and given a plurality of detectors, the detectors are networked with one another.
What this achieves is that the integrated circuit is driven such as soon as one detector identifies a faulty behavior and, by inference, an unallowed attack on the integrated circuit that the intergrated circuit is switched into a comprehensive security mode. Via the networking, it is also possible that the individual detectors check the functionability/presence of the other detectors in the framework of an acknowledgment function or in the framework of a watchdog function and thereby recognize an unallowed intervention into the protective circuit or, respectively, the integrated chip and trigger the corresponding security mode of the integrated circuit.
In addition to networking the detectors, it has also proven advantageous to network the generators, which permits recognition of a failure intervention in a generator. Over and above this, the networking of the generators with the detectors makes it possible for the generators to provide the detectors allocated to them with information about the signals they output, for example, about the time curve, about their level, about their shape or the like. As a result thereof, the variability of the different signals and, thus, the degrees of freedom of the protective circuit can be significantly enhanced, which makes intervention more difficult and thereby significantly enhances the protective effect of the protective circuit against an unnoticed attack on the integrated circuit.
The inventive protective circuit thus exhibits the underlying idea of decentralization the components of the protective circuit are no longer locally concentrated but instead are distributed over a larger spatial area, multiplying in number and fashioning them in a differentiated manner. This permits the and the transport via the interconnects and the monitoring of the signals to be distributed onto a plurality of redundant units, which leads to greater protection against an unnoticed observation or manipulation of the protective circuit or respectively, of the integrated circuit to be protected.

Protection circuit for an integrated circuit


The present invention relates to a method of processing logs by means of an apparatus comprising a transportation level in the advancing direction (P) of the logs, where they are arranged to be transported in a position perpendicular to their advancing direction (P), and where orifice members going therethrough and extending in the advancing direction (P) of the logs. In the method, at least two support member units spaced from each other are arranged below the transportation level whereby each support member unit comprises at least one elongated support member, which is arranged rotatably parallel to the transportation level and perpendicular to the advancing direction (P) and protruding therefrom, and said axis of rotation each support member unit is adapted so that when rotating, the support members protrude through the orifice members above the transportation level whereby the logs are received in one or more receiving spaces formed between the support members protruding above the transportation level. The invention also relates to an apparatus for implementing said method.

The present invention relates to a method of and an apparatus for processing logs, which apparatus comprises a transportation level extending essentially in the advancing direction of the logs, upon which the logs are arranged to be transported in a position substantially perpendicular to their advancing direction, and which transportation level is provided with orifice members going therethrough and extending essentially in the advancing direction of the logs.
A new kind of processing method and apparatus is disclosed herein for both unbarked and barked logs, especially big size logs and other elongated wood material, which enables both a more efficient removal of loose material off the logs for further processing and a versatile processing arrangement for the logs.
When the logs are being handled, beginning from logging and via intermediate storing and transportation up to the wood processing plant, all kinds of loose material such as stones and sand, loose soil and other material is carried along, which have to be removed from the logs prior to further processing, e.g. barking. On the other hand, especially some hardwood species having a tough bark, e.g. eucalyptus, are typically barked in connection with logging. Logs barked in such a way carry with them—especially stuck onto their sticky surface—such loose material into the treatment line. In every case, after logging the logs are gathered and piled up on the ground along roadsides for further transportation. When loading the logs in cars, more soil sticks onto the logs.
During transportation, more dust and sand sticks onto the logs, especially barked logs. At the mill the logs are stored in wood yards, which by no means are always concrete or asphalt-based but ground-based, and from which loose soil again sticks onto the logs. Especially in case of barked logs, the log stream may further contain pieces of bark or in the worst case long and tough bark strips. Additionally, in countries with a cold climate, snow and ice containing sand and stones stick onto the logs, which then clog transportation devices for the logs or otherwise hamper their operation.
In view of the wood processing plants, however, it is important that all logs entering the plant are as clean as possible. This minimizes the number of excess handling phases for the logs at the plant and provides other advantages. For example, the quality of chips is improved and wood losses, as well as the overall operation and maintenance costs of the wood processing plant are decreased.
A further problem in wood/logs processing is that the logs coming from the plant's store to the processing line do not enter the processing line as a uniform flow but the feeding of the logs to the conveyors is irregular. The logs are brought to the conveyors directly from the store mainly in bundles by means of a truck loader or corresponding. Logs advancing on the conveyor more or less in form of bundles are discharged from the conveyor belt in bundles or piles, respectively.
For cleaning and transporting the logs, wood processing plants use e.g. grid and unscrambler solutions. In grid solutions, in which impurities are supposed to fall through the grid, the grids usually have to be arranged at a very sharp angle, when a grid construction is used alone. An adequate falling angle of the grid ensures that the logs advance in the treatment line as efficiently and reliably as possible. In known grid and other solutions, logs containing loose material may drop onto the transfer or processing level in piles, whereby stones and other soil material easily "ride" on top of the wood piles over the entire cleaning apparatus. The sharp angle of the grid further decreases the retention time of the logs on the grid and thus further facilitates the passing of stones and the like forward with the logs. Additionally, the known grid slope eventually gets filled with stones, sand, soil material, snow etc. A conventional grid may also get clogged by logs, which stay in vertical position on the grid, and thus cause a blockage, which at the worst requires stoppage of the whole line.
In known solutions, attempts have been made to remove stones and other soil material also with so-called step feeders and unscrambler solutions, where the bottom of the unscrambler has been provided with orifices, and by means of chain and rod feeders, also provided with orifices in the bottom. However, neither the unscrambler solutions nor chain and rod feeders are able to efficiently remove sand and other soil material stuck onto the individual logs. Clogging of the constructions is a further problem. Additionally, these solutions are expensive and their transporting capacity is limited. Using step feeders it is not possible to arrange such a log-transporting device, which would simultaneously act as an "active store", as a kind of regulation backup and buffer store in the log flow, but the logs are transported further more or less one by one.
Thus, a method and an apparatus has been invented, that in an embodiment, ensures a reliable transportation and treatment of logs and more efficient removal of loose material from the log flow. Another object is a construction of the apparatus that allows for a self-acting cleaning.
A feature of the log treatment apparatus disclosed herein is that logs are treated on a grid-like level forming a transportation level by means of elongated support members protruding thereabove and being arranged to rotate around their axis of rotation, which members both support the logs and push them forward and simultaneously actively clean especially the orifices of the grid-like level, through which loose material being removed from the logs is specifically arranged to be discharged.
The solution for log treatment disclosed herein offers numerous advantages. The log treatment solution allows a more efficient removal of stones, sand and other loose material off the logs. Simultaneously, the apparatus efficiently and reliably transports the logs to a subsequent transportation device or another device. Additionally, the support members acting as log transportation and processing members also act as cleaning members, which actively keep the grid orifices clean and carry the loose material away. Thus, the cleaning of the apparatus can be carried out during operation without separate cleaning operations requiring the stoppage of the apparatus. The feeding treatment apparatus may also be used as conveyor acting as "an active store" of logs, which simultaneously equalizes the log flow and allows for quick regulation of the log flow amount.
A further advantage of the apparatus disclosed herein is that it can always be adapted to a desired mode of operation, depending on the current situation, to perform the desired cleaning operations on the logs. An additional advantage of the apparatus disclosed herein is a very small space requirement and also easy retrofit between existing conveyors.
FIG. 1 illustrates highly schematically an apparatus 1 for processing logs 12. A purpose of the apparatus 1 is to remove the loose material from the logs and to transport the logs in a controlled way further in the advancing direction in accordance with arrow P to a subsequent, in the figure right-handed and here not shown conveyor or other processing device. The logs are fed from a conveyor 34, from where they are often discharged in piles or bundles. Naturally, the feeding of the logs to the apparatus 1 may be effected using some other device. The logs 12 are fed to the apparatus 1 onto a transportation level 2 thereof, which comprises one unbroken or several separate support surfaces 4, which are preferably arranged to essentially one and the same level. The logs 12 being treated are fed onto the transportation level from the feed side 14 and discharged from the opposite discharge side 16, respectively.
Support member units 28 containing support members 8 arranged to rotate around an axis of rotation 6 are arranged below treatment level 2 acting as transportation level. The axis of rotation is here formed as an actual shaft member 7, which comprises one elongated rigid member, such as a hollow tube, shaft or e.g. roll extending through the whole apparatus 1 in the transverse direction thereof. In this embodiment, the support members 8 are arranged to extend from the axis essentially radially and thus they perform a rotating motion around the axis 6. Here, the direction of the rotating motion is perpendicular in relation to the longitudinal axis of the support member. The most essential thing is that the support member forms a protrusion in respect of the axis of rotation, the tip of which protrusion extends from the axis 6 to a radial distance.
The axis of rotation 6 is situated in such a way in respect of the level 2 that the tip 22 of the support member 8 protrudes above the level 2 from the elongated orifices 20 going through the level. Thus, the support member protrudes above the level 2 in a phase-angle area, where it points more or less towards the level 2. The support member 8 rises so as to protrude above the level 2 in the area 20a of the orifice 20 in the front side of the axis 6 and descends back down below the level in the area 20b. In practice, this means a phase-angle area of about 180°, but the phase-angle area may preferably be also larger. Here, phase angle refers to an angle changing in accordance with the rotating motion of the support member, i.e. the total phase angle area is 360°.
The transportation level 2 here contains elongated level members 44 arranged to extend in the advancing direction of the logs, the top support levels 4 of which together form the transportation level. As level members, e.g. flat bars or the like rigid plate-like members may be used. Between two of these adjacent level members 44 an orifice member 20 is formed extending through the transportation level, adapted to which orifice member the support member 8 can rotate around the axis 6 simultaneously extending above the level 2. An orifice member 20 here refers to both individual orifices and orifices communicating with each other e.g. via slots or openings arranged between the level members 44 or in the level members themselves. At least most of the orifices 20 extend essentially in the advancing direction of the logs. The orifices 20 may also extend perpendicularly in relation to the advancing direction of the logs, when the logs being processed are of great length. The orifices 20 of the orifice member may have a closed circumference, or an open circumference, in which case the orifice member is slot-like.
The support members 8 are arranged in support member units 28, in all of which a group of support members extends most suitably essentially perpendicularly in respect of the axis of rotation 6 or essentially radially or tangentially in respect of the shaft 7. Preferably the support members are arranged with even spacing in the rotational direction so that the angle between two in the rotational direction subsequent support members is essentially the same. Two subsequent support members form a kind of fork, the teeth-like protrusions of which define a pocket-like receiving space 10 where the logs being treated may be received and whereon they are supported. Further, the support members of an individual support member unit 28 are most suitably arranged on the same axial circumference in respect of the longitudinal direction of the axis 6. Thus the width of the support member, i.e. the transverse extension in respect of the advancing direction of the logs can be adapted as precisely as possible in respect of the width of the orifices 20 of the transportation level 2, in the front side 20a of the axis as well as in the back side 20b of the axis.
The rotational speed and rotational phase, i.e. phase angle of the support member units 28 are synchronized in respect of each other preferably so that the support member pairs in the unit 28, which always are at essentially the same phase angle, together form an elongated chute-like group extending essentially perpendicularly in respect of the advancing direction P of the logs, kind of receiving chute, wherein the logs being treated can be received.
When rotating around the axis of rotation, the support members 8 receive logs being discharged from the conveyor 34 when they advance upwards from the front side of the shaft 7 above the transportation level 2. When protruding upwards and advancing in the advancing direction P of the logs, the support members simultaneously limit the amount of logs 12 that are further discharged onto the level 2. In other words, in the rotational direction subsequent individual support members of the support member units prevent a larger amount of logs from squeezing into the individual receiving chute formed by said adjacent pockets. The rotational speed of the support members 8 is adjustable to be optimal in respect of the entering log amount so that at any time a desired amount of logs is allowed to set into the receiving space 10 formed by the support members.
When rising upwards from below the level 2, the support members 8 simultaneously lift from the front side of the shaft member 7 any logs that possibly have dropped through the orifice 20a of the transportation level back onto said transportation level 2. This ensures that logs possibly dropped through the orifices and possibly remaining in an upright position are not allowed to prevent the moving of the other logs and to cause blockage. Additionally, the front side of the shaft 7 is here provided with a counter wall 30, which is adapted close to the trajectory 22b of the tips 22 of the support members. By means thereof, logs possibly dropped through the transportation level are even more efficiently prevented from getting out of the control of the support members 8 into the space below the shaft 7.
Stones and other loose material, in their turn, are supposed to drop through the transportation level 2 and even in as early a stage as possible. Further, this way they cannot disturb the moving of the logs on the transportation level and their rolling and rubbing against each other. The loose material removed off the logs and dropped through the level 2 drops either directly in the collecting space 40 or remains first below the level especially ontop of the shaft member 7 and in the space between the shaft and the support members 8. As the support member further turns along with the rotating motion to point towards the collecting space 40 it finally drops down along the support member and rotates into the collecting space 40. The location of the shaft member 7 in respect of the transportation level 2 is preferably arranged so that even the biggest stones and other corresponding individual loose pieces dropped through the orifices 20 and remaining ontop the shaft 7 are prevented from extending above the transportation level and thus from hindering the movement of the logs on the transportation level.
The logs, in their turn, are supported and move forward in the pocket 10 formed by the support members 8 along with the rotating motion of the support members 8. Thus, the logs travel on the level 2 essentially perpendicularly in respect of the direction of motion P. Simultaneously they are ground both against each other and the support level and the support members and loose material is thus cleaned off the logs. At the same time, the individual logs settled in the pockets 10 in a more or less inclined position are aligned to be parallel with the other logs. After passing over the shaft 7, the cleaned logs in the pocket 10 travel further in the advancing direction P of the logs and finally exit the level e.g. to a subsequent conveyor not shown here.
The solution disclosed herein is made especially advantageous in that the support members 8, when supporting the transportation of the logs, simultaneously actively clean the construction of the transportation apparatus, specifically the transportation level 2 and in particular the orifices 20a, 20b between the support surfaces 4. All impurities, possible pieces of bark and other material often causing clogging in the transportation apparatus is seized by the support members 8 and passed through the orifices 20b into the space 40 below the axis.
In the following, some details of a highly advantageous embodiment of the invention according to FIG. 1 are explained in more detail. They are by no means meant for limiting the solution according to the present invention to these specific solutions, but to serve as an example of one highly advantageous practical embodiment of an approach according to the invention and its alternative details.
In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the width of the support members 8, i.e. transverse dimension in respect of the advancing direction of the logs has been arranged essentially wider than the support surfaces 4 contained in the transportation level. The arrangement may naturally be vice versa, but in the embodiment of FIG. 1 the proportion of the orifices 20 from the total surface area of the transportation level 2 is made as large as possible and the size of the individual orifices as such to be large. This further assists both the dropping of loose material through the level 2 and further minimizes the risk of clogging.
Thus, the transportation level is here formed by means of level members 44, between which the support member units 28 are located. In accordance with this kind of embodiment, as level members, which form the support surfaces 4 of the level, may serve e.g. flat bars, solid plates or corresponding, the upper edge of which is adapted to be part of the transportation level. The transportation level 2 is thus formed by the upper edges of these support bars or corresponding members. The upper edges together form an essentially even plane surface in respect of the supporting of the logs, along which the logs rotate, being supported in the pocket-like receiving spaces 10 formed by the support members. In this embodiment, the transportation level 2 formed by the level members 44 extends both in the feed side 14 and the discharge side 16 of the logs essentially further than the trajectory 22b of the support members' tips 22 at the transportation level.
On the other hand, the width of the support members 8 is adapted in respect of the orifices 20 so that they firstly fill in the lateral direction the orifices 20a in the front side of the axis of rotation 6, between the level members 44. In other words, the adaptation of the support members in the orifices of the transportation level is such that it as such efficiently prevents logs 12 from entering the space 40 below the axis via the front side of the rotational shaft 7. Additionally, a counter wall 30 is arranged below the transportation level 2 in the front side of the axes of rotation in a distance from the shaft 7 corresponding at least to the protrusion of the support members, which counter wall prevents logs from slipping via the front side of the support members into the space below the shaft 7. Further there is provided a counter bar or a corresponding member 38 in connection with each orifice 20 of the transportation level. Preferably the shape thereof is adapted to conform to the circumference 22b of the tip of the support member. This counter member acts as kind of counter surface in respect of the tip 22 of the support member. Correspondingly, the upper surface of the counter bar is preferably adapted to be part of the transportation level 2. The attachment of the above-mentioned members to both the apparatus 1 and in respect of each other may be arranged in known methods. Further, both the locations and the positions of the members may be arranged adjustable.
The positioning and dimensioning of the successive support members 8 are adapted both in respect of each other and in respect of the counter member 38 and the level members 44, as well as the counter wall 30 in such a way that as a preceding support member ascends to protrude above the transportation level 2, the subsequent support member has already reached the counter member 38. That is, the support members form in this embodiment a kind of spade-like member, which lifts up the logs possibly dropped through the orifices 20 in between the support surfaces, while the counter wall 30 simultaneously ensures that the logs cannot slip off from the support member. Thus, a kind of lock-feeder is formed at the same time. The adaptation of the support members in respect of the support surfaces 4 is especially well illustrated in FIG. 2. For clarity, most of the support members 8 have been omitted in the figure. Most preferably, support members 8 are arranged in each orifice 20 of the transportation level.
In addition to safe transportation of the logs and preventing them from dropping down, the apparatus disclosed herein simultaneously allows loose material to drop down via the transportation level 2 in as early a stage as possible. Additionally, any loose material slipped to the other side of the shaft 7 is with intensified efficiency forced through the transportation level through the orifices 20b into the collection space 40 escorted by the support members 40.
In this embodiment, the support members 8 are arranged in groups formed of a number of support members, which are positioned in the longitudinal direction of the shaft on the essentially same circumference of the shaft and at the same time at equal angles in respect of each other. Further, the support members here protrude from the shaft 7 with their thrust face 8a tangentially and with their support face 8b radially.
The thrust face 8a of a support member here refers to the side thereof directed towards the advancing direction of the logs, by means of which a pushing effect may be applied to the logs if needed for intensifying the transporting motion. The support face 8b, in its turn, refers to the surface of the support member facing the advancing direction of the logs, by means of which the logs received in the receiving space 10 are supported and also aligned and which also simultaneously serves as a constraint, a kind of controlling member, used for regulating the passage of the logs on the transportation level.
FIGS. 3a-3g and 4a-4d illustrate in a very schematical way some other embodiments of various parts of the apparatus disclosed herein for log treatment.
In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the transportation level 2 of the logs comprises support surfaces 4, which are formed of level members 44 directed parallel to the advancing direction of the logs. Most preferably, they have a small transverse extension in respect of the advancing direction of the logs and a straight shape, which ensure as precise an adaptation with the support members 8 as possible. Preferably the level members 44 are adapted in the vertical direction to conform to the trajectory of the boundary dimensions of the support members 8, i.e. the support members when rotating pass as close to the vertical side surfaces of the level members 44 as possible. Especially in the front side of the shaft 7 this in part prevents logs from entering the space below the shaft 7 and in general from getting stuck between moving parts and thus causing stoppages in the operation of the apparatus 1. Thus, the vertical side surfaces of the level members 44 form an essential part of the above-mentioned lock-feeder-type entity. The level members 44 are adapted to preferably extend at the shaft 7 downwards to the upper surface of the shaft and elsewhere even lower, as becomes apparent in FIG. 1.
The level members 44 may, however, be formed of also e.g. bar, pipes, flat bars or longitudinal profiles made of metals or other hard material, which are most preferably directed parallel to the advancing direction of the logs. Preferably the support surfaces are arranged in such a way that they define therebetween in the advancing direction of the logs an even space for the support member units. Naturally, a conceivable alternative is that a number of separate small-sized transportation level units are arranged side-by-side, wherebetween the support members are arranged rotatably. The most essential thing is, that the transportation level 2 provides the logs along its length with support points so that the movement of the logs along the surface of the transportation level is essentially supported.
The support surfaces 4 may be either continuous, essentially non-interrupted surfaces or they may comprise sections or be interlocked e.g. in rows. The support surfaces may naturally be connected to each other fixedly e.g. by means of a common frame body 50, as shown in FIG. 4a. Also, for clarity only one support member group 28 is illustrated in FIG. 4a. By means of e.g. the common frame body 50 the whole transportation level 2 may be regulated or lifted in a centralized way, for instance for maintenance purposes.
The surface of the transportation level 2 may be arranged completely even in view of the transporting motion of the logs. However, the surface may as well be arranged to comprise irregularities, e.g. with steps or bumps as in FIGS. 4b and 4c. By means of a stepped or corresponding design of the transportation level, providing a desired vibration effect on the logs, the logs are forced to rotate, or at least their rotation is boosted, around their longitudinal axis on the transportation level of the logs, and as a whole, an intensified vibration effect may be applied on the logs. Simultaneously any loose material on the logs falls off more easily. In an embodiment, the transportation level is in the advancing direction of the logs arranged to be suitably convex, whereby the convexity may simultaneously be adapted to conform to the trajectory 22b of the tips of the support members. In this way, the angle of the support member 8 in respect of the transportation level is more apt to remain constant along the distance when the support member protrudes above the level. The transportation level 2 may also be curved or suitably partly curved.
According to an embodiment, the support surfaces of the transportation level 2 are further arranged to be adjustable, especially in vertical direction and specifically independently of each other. By adjusting individual parts of the support surface independently and differently from each other, e.g. by lifting one edge zone of the support surface, as illustrated in FIG. 4d, the adjustment also provides for a lateral inclination of the support level for desired guiding or aligning of the logs. This makes it possible to guide the logs, e.g. to ensure that a desired end of the log always or at least almost always drops first to a conveyor or other device following the processing apparatus 1. To put it differently, the appropriate orientation of the logs on the subsequent device is ensured. Likewise, the aligning of the logs, which have settled in one way or another crosswise on the transportation level, may be acted upon in a desired way by the inclination of the transportation level. In the same connection, mutual synchronizing of the support member units may also be utilized, e.g. so that the rotation angle i.e. phase angle of the support member units changes in the lateral direction in respect of the advancing direction of the logs, as shown in FIG. 4a. Thus, an intensified turning effect can be applied on the logs in their longitudinal direction.
An advantage of the solution disclosed herein for log treatment is also the possibility to utilize a significantly minor slope i.e. inclination of the transportation level formed of the support surfaces 4 in the advancing direction of the logs, compared to that of current solutions such as e.g. a grid ramp. Especially, by utilizing support members for the shafts rotating the support member units, which support members are provided with a separate drive and formed in a suitable way it is also possible to totally omit the slope of the grid. In other words, inclination of the grid based on utilization of gravity is not necessary, but the transportation of the logs takes place solely by means of the support members 8. It is even conceivable that in special embodiments the transportation level is arranged at an ascending angle in the advancing direction of the logs.
The axis of rotation 6 for the support members is preferably designed as a rigid and elongated mounting rotatable around its longitudinal axis, more precisely, as a shaft member 7. Each support member unit may optionally be arranged on either a dedicated or a common axis of rotation. When a physical shaft member is used, this may be arranged either in form of a single shaft for all the support member units or as several subsequent shafts transversely in respect of the transportation direction P. Most preferably though, the subsequent shafts are arranged coaxially. In the above embodiment according to FIG. 1, the axis 6 is formed of a single stationary shaft member 7, to which all the support member units are attached.
A stationary shaft member combining two or more adjacent support member units may be formed by means of e.g. a pipe, a roll, a cylinder, a beam or a corresponding essentially rigid construction, to which said support members may be attached utilizing conventional technique either detachably or fixedly. Additionally, it is possible to arrange the location and position of the support members to be adjustable in respect of the shaft.
As in the embodiment of FIG. 1, a drive 25 may be provided for the shaft 7 e.g. on one end or both ends thereof. The rotational speed of the shaft may be regulated if needed e.g. by means of an inverter. Preferably, both the position and the location of the shafts are adjustable in respect of the transportation level. This way it is possible to influence e.g. the amount of logs received in an individual pocket-like space 10, the position and motion of the support members in respect of the transportation level and the behavior of the logs in respect of the support members. The position of the shaft is adjusted depending on e.g. transportation speed, the size and amount of the logs, the rotational speed and adjusted position of the support members. When several subsequent shaft members are used, the adjustment of the location of the shafts may also contribute to the guiding of the logs on the transportation level, especially together with the adjustment of the transportation level itself.
The rotational speed of the axis and thus also the rotational speed of the support members may also be arranged adjustable in a desired way. The rotational speed of the axis of rotation is adjustable e.g. depending on the speed of the preceding conveyor, the amount of incoming logs and their position, the desired amount of logs for the following device. The circumferential speed of the support members' tips is most preferably greater than the speed of the feeding conveyor. Preferably said circumferential speed is in the range of 1:1-5:1, most preferably in the range of 3:1-4:1 in respect of the feeding conveyor. Here, the speed of the conveyor refers especially to the advancing speed V of the logs being transported on a conveyor, e.g. a belt conveyor or a chain conveyor. The transportation speed of the logs and the circumferential speed of the support members may additionally be arranged adjustable either in the same proportion or alternatively independently of each other.
By decelerating the rotational speed of the axis and thus that of the support members, it is conceivable to regulate the amount of logs being dosed in the pockets of the support members and, further, the log flow amount being fed forward. Additionally, it is conceivable to also contribute to the aligning of the logs utilizing the rotational speeds of the support members, if desired. Preferably the support members are rotatable also backwards, if needed in various exceptional situations. In case of a possible blockage, this may e.g. expedite the repair of the malfunction.
Further, if the sloping angle of the transportation level is arranged sufficiently wide, the logs can be transferred forward greatly by means of gravity only, i.e. a separate drive for rotating the support members is not necessary needed.
FIGS. 3a-3g illustrate some embodiments of the support members 8. In respect of the axis of rotation 6, the support members are elongated protrusions, whereby between two in the rotational direction adjacent support members a pocket-like receiving space 10 is formed for receiving the logs 12 being processed. Preferably the support members are arranged to extend from the shaft essentially radially or tangentially. The attachment of the support members to a mounting, that is, most preferably to a fixed shaft construction 7 common to a number of support member units, can be effected by prior art methods e.g. by bolt joints or welding.
The support member itself can be formed as a bar-like or a box-like member e.g. of two plates by welding them together by means of appropriate adjoining pieces. One opportunity is to use support members adjoined to each other in a star-formed pattern, as in FIGS. 3b and 3e. Thereby, the actual shaft member itself may be totally omitted. This pattern is especially conceivable in case of a rod-like or plate-like support member embodiment. As in FIG. 3e, the support members may be arranged attachable to each other firstly without a separate shaft member and after that as a unit to be connected to a shaft or a corresponding rotational center point. It is also essential to note that even two, if not even more support members may be formed by means of one piece. In that case the piece is adapted to the axis of rotation most preferably at the center point thereof, as can be seen in FIG. 3b.
The mutual angle between two subsequent support members arranged in an individual support member unit is preferably between 30°-180°, most preferably between 45°-90°. This mutual angle may be arranged adjustable depending on e.g. the amount and the size of the logs, the rotational speed or an optional parameter. Preferably, the support members are positioned in respect of both each other and the level members 44 and the counter wall 30 in such a way that the logs are not allowed to drop down from the front side of the axis 6. Between two in the rotational direction subsequent support members is thereby formed a lock-feeder type pocket. It is of essence to notice that two in the rotational direction subsequent support members 8 forming the receiving space 10 do not necessarily have to be arranged in one and the same support member unit, but an individual receiving space 10 may be formed of e.g. two individual support members of two adjacent support member units 28. The first support member in the first support member group precedes the second support member in the second support member group by a phase angle corresponding to the size of the receiving space.
The position of the support members in respect of the adjacent other support members of the support member units can preferably be either synchronized to be the same or adjusted independently, e.g. for aligning or guiding the logs. Most suitably the pockets formed by the support members are all in the same angle phase, i.e. the pockets form in the crosswise direction the above-described receiving chute. Also, it is possible to arrange the adjustment in such a way that in each case the phase angle between two adjacent support member units changes slightly, so that a receiving chute sloping in respect of the axis 6 is formed. This is illustrated in FIG. 4a. In this way, it is possible to direct the logs always to a certain angle for the following conveyor or device, especially for a belt conveyor or a corresponding conveyor, in which the logs are transported in their longitudinal direction. The guiding of the logs may be made more efficient by arranging each support member twisted around its longitudinal axis, as shown in FIG. 3c. The angle of the twist of the tip 22 is in respect of the direction of motion of the support members preferably adapted to correspond to the above-mentioned sloping of the receiving chute in respect of the axis 6, which is illustrated in FIG. 4a. Likewise, it is possible to affect the directioning of the logs utilizing adjustment of the support surfaces 4. The support surfaces may be arranged to slope step-wise e.g. towards a certain angle of the transportation level. This is illustrated in FIG. 4d, where the downward sloping of the support surfaces in the direction of the discharge side 16 increases towards the other edge of the transportation level 2.
By additional forming of the support surfaces 8a and 8b of the support members it is possible to advantageously affect the guiding and supporting of the logs. This is illustrated in FIG. 3a. The thrust face 8a, i.e. the front surface of the support member in the direction of motion of said support member is most preferably convex in its longitudinal direction. This contributes to the departure of the logs from the transportation level in the latter end of the apparatus, especially if the sloping angle of the transportation level is very small or even negative. Similarly, the support surface 8b, i.e. the surface onto which the logs are supported in the downward slope, is most preferably direct or even slightly convex, as shown in dotted line. This also facilitates the discharge of the logs from the transportation level when the support member finally turns from the orifice members below the level 2, hiding off from the passage of the logs.
Illustrated in FIG. 3f, at least the support surface 8b of the support members 8 is concave-like, whereby the support member has a cup-like shape. Both or one of the support surfaces 8a and 8b can be concave or it can also be formed of two or more essentially straight parts. One or both of the support surfaces, especially support surface 8a, can also be convex or consist convex-like of two or more essentially straight parts connected to each other, as illustrated in FIG. 3g. A concave or cup-like shape of the support member 8 offers the advantage that the support point 24 may be moved lower, whereby the logs drop off more easily and the blocking of the apparatus is avoided, while stones are nevertheless not allowed to drop off with the logs but remain in the concave-like support member for an adequately long period.
In FIG. 1, the support member 8 is formed as a wide wing- and beam-like member. This kind of wing-like support member may be manufactured e.g. by welding two plates together using appropriate adjoining pieces, thus forming a box-like structure.
Additionally, the tip 22 of the support member 8 is preferably rounded. A round tip portion may be arranged in the tip 22 of the support member e.g. by welding or other prior art method. The tip part itself may be formed of e.g. a pipe, a round bar, a shaft or corresponding. By the design of the support member's tip 22 the moving of the logs is facilitated so that the logs are made to settle in the receiving pocket in the direction of the longitudinal axis. Although the present apparatus 1 is supposed to receive the logs in respect of the advancing direction in an essentially perpendicular position, i.e. the logs are transported laterally in respect of their longitudinal axis, it is possible that individual logs settle onto the transportation level 2 and the receiving pockets 10 in an inclined direction. If a log is or goes onto e.g. an individual support member, it will nevertheless stay on the round-formed tip, but one end of the log will drop down. Similarly, a log left onto a support member can be "dumped" over the support member in the pocket subsequent in the rotational direction, when the center of gravity of the log transfers towards the advancing direction as the support members continue their rotation around the axis. Thus, by means of the apparatus 1, the logs may be aligned to be parallel prior to feeding them to the following device or conveyor.
By means of formation of the support member's tip 22 it is also possible to contribute to the cleaning of the apparatus itself, especially the removing of pieces of bark and corresponding from the apparatus. A counter edge 24 according to FIG. 1 may be utilized. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the tip 22 is adapted in relation to the counter edge 24 so that the tip 22 cuts the pieces of bark etc. possibly left on the counter edge. This further decreases clogging. The counter edge does not necessarily have to be a blade as in FIG. 1. It may also be round-shaped, such as the tip 22, e.g. a pipe or a round bar, or have a curved shape. Thereby pieces i.e. especially bark, remaining between the tip 22 and the counter edge 24, are carried away with the support member's tip 22 and passed further into the collecting space 40. The counter edge is preferably positioned so that logs leaving the transportation level are prevented from hitting onto it. Other members for cleaning purposes are also conceivable in connection with or instead of the counter edge, or, in some cases, the counter edge may preferably be totally omitted, too.
The transportation level 2 extends preferably further than the trajectory 22b of the support members' tips both in the feed side and the discharge side. It is, however, also conceivable that in special applications the support members' tip 22 extends either in the feed or the discharge side or both further than the transportation level. Also conceivable is an embodiment, in which the trajectory 22b extends in the advancing direction of the logs further than the surface 4 of the transportation level itself.
Further, it is conceivable that the support members are provided with additional members, e.g. bristles for boosting the cleaning function. Likewise it is conceivable to arrange additional cleaning of the support members themselves, e.g. below the transportation level 2. The efficiency of the cleaning of the logs may preferably be further increased e.g. by means of water jets positioned above the orifice members.
The support members 8 are additionally arranged to perform a rotary motion above the transportation level 2. Thus, the axis 6 may be arranged either additionally or solely above the level 2. In another further embodiment the logs are fed to the level 2 in their longitudinal direction and fed thereafter by means of the support members over the level 2 in their crosswise direction.
While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Method and apparatus for processing logs


Provided is a glass antenna having an improved circularly polarized wave reception bandwidth in a frequency range from 1 to 2 GHz. The glass antenna has a core-side feeding part, a ground-side feeding part arranged adjacent to the core-side feeding part, a first element extending from the ground-side feeding part, and a parasitic element including a first wire, a second wire arranged parallel or substantially parallel to the first wire and a third wire connecting the first and second wires. The parasitic element is disposed to surround the core-side and ground-side feeding parts between an edge of a metal body part adjacent to the core-side and ground-side feeding parts and the third wire. A blank portion is provided between the parasitic element and the first element such that the parasitic element and the first element allow resonance with a radio wave in any arbitrary frequency band within the frequency range.

In vehicles such as automobiles, satellite positioning systems typified by GPS have been used. The satellite positioning system requires an antenna capable of receiving, from GPS satellites, circularly polarized waves in the L1 (1.575 GHz) frequency band. As an example of the antenna for receiving such circularly polarized waves, there is known a glass antenna which has a rectangular shape as a whole and includes a loop-shaped antenna element, a parasitic element and a conductor arranged surrounding these elements as disclosed in Patent Document 1.
Furthermore, the use of multiple satellite positioning systems, that is, the use of circularly polarized waves in multiple frequency bands have recently been proposed to implement a higher-precision positioning system. For example, Patent Document 2 discloses a system unit which has an antenna adapted to a first positioning mode using a GPS satellite and an antenna adapted to a second positioning mode using a GLONASS satellite.

Glass antenna for circularly polarized wave reception


A non-transitory machine-readable medium of a computing device storing an application for simulating the loading of an airframe. The application includes an airframe input module that receives an airframe file having a seat having a seat location and a bin having a bin location and a bin dimensions. The application further includes a passenger profile input module that receives a passenger profile file having a list of passenger profiles, a passenger selection module that selects a passenger from the list of passenger profiles and associates the passenger with the seat, a bag selection module that selects a bag profile from a bag profile file and associates it with the passenger, a bag placement module that simulates placing the bag into the bin based on the bin dimensions, bin location, and bag profile, and an output module that outputs and stores a simulation output associating the bag and the bin.

The loading of passenger airplanes is often time consuming and can cause airlines to fall behind schedule. Furthermore, the types of bags brought onboard by passengers can often complicate the loading process. Accordingly, a need exists for simulating the loading of an airframe so that the process can be optimized.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


The present invention securely prevents the erroneous switching of the combustion mode to the stratified charge combustion, and avoids deterioration of the driving performance. In order to do so, apart from a software determination device inside a main CPU for performing the permission determination on the switching to the stratified charge combustion based on an input signal related to the engine drive condition, a hardware detection circuit (gate array) is equipped for performing the permission determination on the switching to the stratified charge combustion mode based on the input signal related to the engine drive condition. The main CPU is equipped with a combustion mode order device for finally ordering the stratified charge combustion by permitting the switching to the stratified charge combustion only when the two permission determinations both permit the switching to the stratified charge combustion. Further, a sub CPU is mounted which is equipped with a fail-safe device for based on the final permission determination from the main CPU and the permission determination from the hardware determination device, performing a fail-safe process when the two determinations are inconsistent.

(1). Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a control apparatus of a direct injection spark ignition type internal combustion engine, and more specifically, to a technique for controlling the switching of the combustion mode between a uniform charge combustion mode and a stratified charge combustion mode in response to the engine driving condition.
(2). Related Art of the Invention
Conventionally, a direct injection spark ignition type internal combustion engine is attracting attention, which, corresponding to the engine driving condition, is generally controlled to switch the combustion mode between a uniform charge combustion where fuel is injected during an intake stroke, thereby diffusing fuel into the combustion chamber and forming a uniform air-fuel mixture, and a stratified charge combustion where fuel is injected during a compression stroke, thereby forming a stratified air-fuel mixture concentrated around an ignition plug (refer to Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.59-37236).
However, in the prior art, the determination to permit the switching to the stratified charge combustion mode is performed only by a software, which leaves a possibility that erroneous determination may be performed. Especially when switching to the stratified charge combustion is performed erroneously under the condition where the uniform charge combustion should be performed, there is a fear that deterioration of the driving performance may happen.
The present invention aims at solving the conventional problems, by preventing without fail the erroneous switching to the stratified charge combustion, and avoiding the deterioration of the driving performance.

Control apparatus of direct injection spark ignition type internal combustion engine


An artificial airway device comprises an air conduit extending between a proximal opening and a mask opening. When the device is in an operative position, the proximal opening remains outside of a patient and the mask opening is open to a laryngeal opening of the patient. The device further includes a seating tip extending distally from the distal end of the airway tube which, when the device is in the operative position, is located on a pharyngeal side of the patient's cricoid.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to artificial airway devices used to facilitate lung ventilation in unconscious patients, and more specifically to devices designed for placement above the laryngeal opening of the patient in order to prevent airway obstruction and to permit either spontaneous or controlled ventilation.
2. Description of Related Art
To maintain open the airway of an unconscious patient under general anesthesia, it is common practice to use an endotracheal tube, which is a flexible tube of rubber or plastic which is inserted down through the trachea. Prior art endotracheal tubes frequently include an inflatable cuff disposed symmetrically around a distal end of the tube, which distal end is inserted into the trachea. The inflatable cuff is used to seal and secure the endotracheal tube in place.
Typically, the endotracheal tube is introduced through mouth or nose and the larynx into the trachea or windpipe, and then the cuff is inflated through a small auxiliary tube in order to form a seal against the wall of the trachea. Introduction of the endotracheal tube into a patient is a skilled operation normally requiring use of a laryngoscope to guide the tube through the larynx, past the vocal cords and into the trachea. Intubation using an endotracheal tube is difficult or even impossible in some patients. Moreover, there is a significant risk of damage to soft tissues or to the larynx when using an endotracheal tube. Likewise, there is a risk of accidental, but highly undesirable, intubation of the esophagus or of the right or left main bronchus when using an endotracheal tube.
Alternatively, oro- or naso-pharyngeal airway devices may be used to maintain open the airway of a patient under general anesthesia. An oro- or naso-pharyngeal airway is a flexible tube extending from the mouth (oro-pharyngeal airway) or nose (naso-pharyngeal airway) into the patient's pharynx but not into the patient's larynx. An oro- or naso-pharyngeal airway is normally used in conjunction with a face mask over the patient's mouth and/or nose, unlike an endotracheal tube, which normally is not used with a mask. While preventing obstruction of the airway by the tongue, an oro- or nas-opharyngeal airway device cannot be used conveniently for controlled ventilation of the patient and does not prevent inhalation of extraneous matter (i.e., aspiration). For these and other reasons this type of device is less desirable in many applications.
Prior art artificial airways (see for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,509,514; 4,995,388; 5,241,956; 5,249,571; 5,282,464; 5,297,547; 5,305,743; 5,355,879; 5,584,290; 5,632,271 and 5,682,880 to Archibald I. J. Brain—collectively, the "Brain patents") use a curved tube and a laryngeal mask portion at one end of the tube. The mask portion includes a flexible annular inflatable collar which surrounds a hollow interior space of the mask portion. The mask portion is pre-formed with a roughly elliptical shape which is purported to be capable of conforming to, and fitting within, the space behind the larynx to form a seal around the circumference of the laryngeal inlet without penetrating into the interior of the larynx. The curved tube opens into the mask portion and provides an airway with the axis of the tube substantially aligned with the length of the elliptical formation of the mask portion.
In the Brain patents, the curved tube opens into a lumen of the mask through an aperture which is provided with flexible cross-bars to prevent the aperture from being obstructed by the epiglottis, while permitting passage of a second smaller tube, such as an endotracheal or endobronchial tube, a suction catheter, or an inspection tube such as a fiber-optic broncho- or laryngoscope.

Artificial airway device and method of its use


An IV set is disclosed that includes a silicone rubber tube coated with a layer of a gas barrier material. The coated tube is resilient and has low gas permeability and is suitable for use with peristaltic IV pumps.

1. Field
The present disclosure generally relates to flexible tubing.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many individuals suffer from chronic health problems, the treatment of which requires regular, and sometimes extended, medication deliveries. Certain treatment regimens for diseases such as diabetes, asthma, epilepsy, cancer and even allergies, require the regular delivery of precise amounts of medication for the patient's survival. Treating chronic medical disorders often requires the administration of medication over a long period of time according to a treatment regimen specified by a medical professional, such as a physician.
In cases of patients admitted to a healthcare facility, one or more infusions to be administered to a patient are prescribed by the patient's physician. A pharmacy, generally located within the patient's hospital or healthcare facility, prepares the infusion medication or solution according to the physician's prescription. The pharmacist places the infusion solution in a bag, bottle, syringe, or other container and labels the container. The label typically contains data to identify the patient, physician, medication prescribed, and a control number. The label is generally typed or printed in human readable characters and may also include machine-readable information, such as a bar code that is readable by optical energy or a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag that is readable by radio frequency (RF) energy. The container is transported to the patient's location and a clinician such as a nurse or other health practitioner hangs the container from a rack. The nurse connects a tube between the container and an infusion pumping system and inserts a cannula at the end of the tube into a vein, for an intravenous (IV) infusion, or other part of a patient. The tube may be part of an assembly that includes fittings, connectors, and pumping elements and is frequently referred to as an "IV set." The pump of the infusion pumping system is started and the infusion proceeds.
Existing infusion pumps include peristaltic pumps that sequentially compress and release segments of a flexible line as well as pumps that manipulate pumping chambers that are incorporated into the IV set. The accuracy of a peristaltic pump is affected by the inner diameter of the tube using in the IV set and flexible tubing having a precise inner diameter is more difficult to produce and therefore more expensive. Similarly, the accuracy of an infusion pump that uses a pumping chamber is dependent upon the accuracy of the size and resilience of the pumping chamber, again leading to a need to produce the disposable IV set in quantities of millions with high accuracy.
IV sets used with peristaltic pumps, currently may use polyvinyl chloride (PVC) as the material is both resilient and provides a good gas barrier. One drawback of PVC, however is that it contains di-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) plasticizer, which tends to leach out into the medical fluid, especially for chemotherapy medications such as Taxol and Taxatere. In order to avoid these chemicals leaching into the medical fluid, IV sets currently use silicone rubber as a resilient element, particularly in a pumping segment that is intended to be placed within the IV pump. One drawback of silicone rubber, however, is that it has a relatively high permeability rate of oxygen and nitrogen transfer, thereby presenting a risk of gas migration from the atmosphere through the tube wall and into the medical fluid. This gas transfer may lead to gas bubbles within the medical fluid, which, if transported through the tube and into the bloodstream of a patient, present a hazard to the patient for air embolism. Certain tubes are provided with coatings intended to provide a gas transmission barrier. Current coating materials include parylene, which is sufficiently rigid that it flakes off when the substrate is repeatedly flexed as occurs in a peristaltic IV pump.


A brake control device to be used for brake control and traction control of a motor vehicle includes a shuttle valve, a modulator, a traction control valve and a throttle valve. The shuttle valve selects a higher air pressure either from a brake valve, which operates when the brake is applied, or from a traction control valve, which opens during traction control to prevent wheel slippage. The shuttle valve allows the higher of the two air pressures to enter the modulator, which converts the entering air pressure to a brake hydraulic pressure to be supplied to the wheel cylinders of the motor vehicle. The throttle valve provided between the traction control valve and the shuttle valve decreases the air pressure from the traction control valve to be transmitted to the modulator when the traction control is activated. The throttle valve and the shuttle valve cooperate to increase the number of discharge air passages so that the brake control device has a greater discharge capacity when the brakes are released.

The present invention relates to a brake control device in an air over hydraulic brake system mounted on a motor vehicle.
As a conventional technique, a brake control mechanism for controlling the brake fluid pressure of wheel cylinders has been known, in which an air over hydraulic cylinder including a built-in air piston on one side and a built-in hydraulic piston on the other side, and a pneumatic pressure fed from the air piston is changed to a fluid pressure, for controlling the fluid pressure in the wheel cylinders.
The provision of the modulator stated above with solenoid valves (hold and decay valves) mounted as one unit (a valve unit) is considered for the suction of air into, holding of the air within, and discharge of the air from, an air chamber of the modulator. There has been proposed in U.S. Ser. No. 07/694,341 a single valve unit, as an example, including the hold valve and the decay valve.
FIG. 8 shows the constitution of the valve unit mounted in such a modulator. Hereinafter there will be explained the major constitution of a valve unit 6. In the valve unit 6 a hold valve 4 as a first valve device and a decay valve 5 as a second valve device are arranged in parallel. A valve block 7 which comprises the hold valve 4 and the decay valve 5 and a solenoid block 8 which generates an electromagnetic force is securely fastened in one body by means of through bolts 19.
The hold valve 4 has a hold plunger 23 which is movable in an axial direction in the hollow section of a solenoid coil 20a. The bottom end of this hold plunger 23 is in contact with the top end of a valve pin 25 being pressed upwardly by a hold spring 24 inserted in the valve block 7. The bottom end of this valve pin 25 is expanded in a hold valve chamber 11 (a first valve chamber). At the bottom end face of the valve pin 25 is installed a valve rubber 26, forming a hold valve body 15. In the hold valve chamber 11 which is the first valve chamber, a valve receiving body 13 is provided under the valve pin 25. Provided in the interior of this valve receiving body 13 is an air suction passage 12 drilled in an axial direction for communication with an air inlet 10. Furthermore, there is formed an opening 14 in the top end face of the aforesaid air suction passage 12, opposite to the hold valve body 15. In the periphery of the valve receiving body 13 is fitted an O-ring 34 for preventing air leakage from the inlet 10 side to the hold valve chamber 11 side when the valve is closed.
At the bottom end of the valve receiving body 13 is installed a return valve 28 which permits only the flow of the air from the hold valve chamber 11 to the air inlet 10 side, being pressed upwardly by a return spring 30.
In the hold valve chamber 11 the chamber passage communicating with the air chamber of the modulator is open.
In this description the decay valve will not be explained.
It is conceivable that an accelerator slip control mechanism can be used correspondingly to such a modulator.
As a prior-art example, there has been disclosed a brake control device equipped with an acceleration slip control mechanism in Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei 1-54226. The brake control device disclosed in this patent is provided with a changeover valve which is located between the brake valve and brake pressure supply solenoid valve and the wheel brake solenoid valve.
This control device functions to selectively supply the higher of the pressures from either the brake valve or from the brake pressure supply solenoid valve, to the wheel brake solenoid valve. The control device controls the fluid pressure to be supplied to the brake wheel cylinders, in accordance with a command from a comparison electric circuit device, thereby performing antilock control and traction control.
According to the aforementioned prior-art brake control device, the air in the air chamber is discharged out at the brake valve through the air inlet 10 from the hold valve 4 side at the time of common release of the brakes. Therefore, there exists a great resistance in the line from the air inlet 10 to a brake valve, reducing an air discharge capacity and accordingly resulting in lowered responsivity at the time of release of the brakes.
In the brake control device which serves also as a traction control mechanism, the air from an air reservoir is supplied directly from the brake pressure supply solenoid valve to the wheel brake solenoid valve via the changeover valve; there is, therefore, a problem that the built-up rate of pressure application increases as compared with the ordinary braking effected by a brake pedal pressure applied by a driver, resulting in deteriorated brake controllability and vehicle body vibration. If one tries to adjust an increase or reduction of pressure by means of the comparison electric circuit and the wheel brake solenoid valve, the control method will become difficult to perform and component parts of the brake control device will become complicated and expensive.


A multilayer printed circuit board is characterized in that circuit boards 1 and 2 and a circuit board 3 are laminated alternately to form a multilayer body using a simultaneous lamination method, the circuit boards 1 and 2 including a film-, thin plate-, or sheet-like insulating substrate 11 made of a thermosetting resin containing any one of epoxy resin, bismaleimide/triazine resin, and allylic polyphenylene ether resin as a major component, the circuit board 3 including a film-, thin plate-, or sheet-like insulating substrate 21 made of a thermoplastic resin containing a polyaryl ketone resin and amorphous polyether imide resin having a crystal-fusing peak temperature of 260° C. or more. By the present invention, it is possible to provide a multilayer printed circuit board which has small fusion or flow deformation at the time of simultaneous lamination, which does not have unevenness in positional precision in the lamination direction, which has no need for the processes to be readjusted, and which has high reliability in interlayer electrical connection.

In recent years, with the decrease in size and enhancement in performance of electronic apparatuses and the increase in variety and the decrease in price of products, a decrease in cost of multilayer circuit boards with a high density, or a simplification of part mounting technologies and manufacturing technologies has been required for printed circuit boards mounted thereon.
The build-up multilayer printed circuit board made by International Business Machines (IBM) Corporation was suggested as a multilayer circuit board with a high density.
The build-up multilayer printed circuit board has a configuration such that a build-up layer capable of being finely wired is stacked one by one on a core substrate and has been used in various electronic apparatuses, since it can be wired relatively finely in comparison with conventional circuit boards.
As the decrease in size and the enhancement in performance of electronic apparatuses and the increase in variety of products further advances, a variety of requirements such as an increase in the number of build-up layers, an introduction of a stacked via structure, a decrease in diameter of a through-hole formed in a core substrate, a decrease in pitch between the through-holes, and a decrease in board thickness have been desired to the build-up multilayer circuit board.
However, in the build-up multilayer circuit board, the processes required to realize the increase in the number of build-up layers, the stacked via structure, and the like, are complicated and thus the manufacturing cost thereof increases, thereby increasing the price thereof.
Therefore, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, there has been suggested a multilayer printed circuit board with an all-layer IVH structure which has a high degree of freedom in wiring design, which can realize a stacked via structure, and which is suitable for high-speed signal transmission (for example, see Patent Document 1).
The multilayer circuit board is the above mentioned multilayer circuit board having a 4-layer inner via-hole structure and uses as a wiring substrate a sheet substrate member (prepreg) in which an epoxy resin as a thermosetting resin is impregnated in aramid nonwoven fabric.
The multilayer circuit board is manufactured using a via forming method for prepreg.
A through-hole is first formed in a sheet substrate member, and the through-hole is then filled with conductive paste containing metal particles and dried and hardened. Then, the conductive paste is hardened by thermally pressing a copper foil on both surfaces thereof, thereby forming a double-sided copper panel. A double-sided circuit board is formed in which circuit patterns are formed on both surfaces thereof by etching the double-sided copper panel. Next, by disposing the sheet substrate member on both surfaces of the double-sided circuit substrate, disposing a copper foil outside of the sheet substrate members, and then thermally pressing them, the 4-layer inner via-hole structure is formed.
There has also been suggested a multilayer circuit board having an all-layer IVH structure which can be multilayered by a simultaneous lamination method (for example, see Non-patent Document 1).
The multilayer circuit board is an all-layer IVH circuit board which can be obtained by the simultaneous lamination method. The multilayer circuit board can be obtained by preparing a single-sided circuit board having wiring patterns and via-holes in each layer using a single-sided rigid copper lamination panel formed of a glass cross epoxy substrate, applying an adhesive made of a thermosetting resin to the surface of the single-sided circuit board opposite to the surface having the wiring patterns formed thereon, and then simultaneously laminating a plurality of single-sided circuit boards to which the adhesive is applied.
The simultaneous lamination method has the following features. A stacked via structure or a pad-on-via structure can be easily realized, and the diameter of via lands can be decreased because the via position hardly varies at the time of the simultaneous lamination in comparison with a method of performing a via process to the prepreg. In addition, it is possible to obtain a high yield by simultaneously laminating only the boards having no defect. Furthermore, the process is very simple and the manufacturing time can be greatly reduced by manufacturing the layers in parallel to each other.
As a simultaneous lamination method, there has been suggested a method different from the above-mentioned simultaneous lamination method (for example, see Non-patent Document 2).
In the simultaneous lamination method, a plurality of copper laminated panels in which an adhesive layer using a thermosetting resin as a base and a previously prepared cover film are attached to a surface opposite to a copper surface of a single-sided copper laminated panel made of a thermosetting resin are prepared, desired circuit patterns are formed on the copper surfaces of the single-sided copper laminated panels by etching, vias are formed on the single-sided copper laminated panels out of conductive paste, the cover films are removed from the single-sided copper laminated panels, and then the single-sided copper laminated panels are simultaneously laminated.
There has been suggested a multilayer circuit board having an all-layer IVH structure which can be multilayered by a simultaneous lamination method not using an adhesive (for example, see Patent Document 2).
The multilayer circuit board includes an insulating substrate made of a thermoplastic resin containing polyaryl ketone and polyether imide. In the simultaneous lamination method, the multilayer circuit board is manufactured by setting the insulating substrate before the simultaneous lamination in an amorphous state, simultaneously laminating the insulating substrates at a temperature higher than the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic resin so as to cause a thermal fusion between the layers, and then additionally crystallizing the layers.    [Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 7-176846    [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent No. 3514647    [Non-Patent Document 1] Akira ENOMOTO, "All Layer IVH Printed Wiring Board Using Single Step Laminating Process", Electronics Packaging Academic Journal, Japan Institute of Electronic Packaging., November of 2000, vol. 3 (7), P544-547    [Non-Patent Literature 2] Shuji MAEDA and three others, "Simultaneous Multilayer Circuit Board Material and Corresponding Process", MES2004 14-th Microelectronics Symposium Collected Papers, Japan Institute of Electronics Packaging., October 14 of Heisei 16, P341-344


A bicycle handle system comprises a handle element to be fastened on a handlebar. Further, a control element is arranged laterally next to the handle element. The control element serves to control an electric auxiliary motor. The control element has a bearing element on which an actuation element can be turned. The bearing element has switching tabs connected thereto. By turning the actuation element, the switching tabs actuate electric switching elements.

1. Field of the Disclosure
The disclosure relates to a bicycle handle system for fastening to a bicycle handlebar.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The handlebars of electrically assisted bicycles are provided with control elements for controlling the electric motor. These control elements are fastened on the handlebar by clamping, for example. Since these are control elements that are independent of the handle, they can be mounted on the handlebar laterally next to the conventional bicycle handle. Such control elements have the disadvantage that their operation often requires taking a hand from a bicycle handle. It is necessary to at least partially release the handle, for instance, in order to actuate a switch on the control element with the thumb. This means a reduction in safety, since, for example, when riding over a bump or the like there is a risk of the hand slipping from the handle. Moreover, the ergonomics of such control elements is not or only slightly adapted to the posture of the hand of a user while riding on a bicycle.

RTI SPORTS VERTRIEB VON SPORTARTIKELN GMBH


A method of authenticating an object by sensing coded data provided on or in a surface associated with the object. The coded data is indicative of an identity of the object and, at least part of a signature, the signature being a digital signature of at least part of the identity. The method includes using the sensed coded data to determine a sensed identity and a sensed signature part. The sensed identity is then used to determine at least a determined signature part, which is then compared to the sensed signature part, with the object being authenticated using the results of the comparison.

Currently there are two main types of technologies offering alternative methods of unique product item identification, such as EPCs, namely:                2D optical barcodes, and        RFID.
A 2D optical barcode consists of a composite image that can store about 2,000 bytes of data along two dimensions. The Uniform Code Council and European Article Numbering (EAN) International have standardized a range of 2D barcodes, all with a significantly larger data capacity than the existing EPC.
2D optical barcodes are now widely used in the global pharmaceutical industry. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has mandated their use on all pharmaceutical goods manufactured within its jurisdiction to identify product lines. The main advantage driving their acceptance is that they are inexpensive to produce.
The main disadvantage of 2D optical barcodes is that they are often difficult to read due to label damage and a direct 'line-of-sight' is needed for scanning. In addition to this, 2-D optical barcodes are unsightly and therefore detrimental to the packaging of the product. This problem is exacerbated in the case of pharmaceuticals, which generally use small packaging, but require a relatively large bar-code which can therefore obscure a substantial part of the packaging.
In the case RFID tags, these can again provide unique product item identification encoded in the form of an EPC. However, there are also some disadvantages that make RFID tags unsuitable for some products.
First, RFID tags are costly to produce. Secondly, the presence of metals, liquids and other electromagnetic frequency (EMF) signals can interfere with RFID tag scanners, and thus seriously jeopardize the reliability and integrity of the RFID system. Thirdly tags can be read remotely without knowledge of the tag holder, thereby raising privacy concerns.

Authentication of an object using a signature part


An adaptor of a camera including a mounting device for detachably mounting the adaptor to the bottom of a camera, a release switch, and a release signal transmitting device for releasing a shutter of the camera in accordance with the operation of the release switch.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an adaptor (grip) which can be detachably attached to the bottom of a camera.
2. Description of Related Art
A shutter release switch (button) of a camera is usually provided on an upper left end portion of a camera body as viewed from the front. The location of the shutter release is most convenient for a right-handed person who takes a lateral picture (lateral photographing). However, the release switch is not always easily actuated when a right-handed photographer takes a longitudinal picture (vertical photographing). Namely, the position of the shutter release is determined, taking only lateral photographing, which is most frequently effected, into consideration. Vertical photographing which is rarely effected is not taken into account.
Furthermore, a conventional remote control which performs remote shutter releasing of a camera includes a transmitter which sends a remote release signal and a receiver, separate from the transmitter, which receives the remote release signal, wherein transmitter and receiver must be carried separately from the camera.


A wrap display system employs a stick (40, 50), and a flexible unit display (20, 120) having an integration of a flexible display (21) and a display cover (22, 122) that are structurally configured to be wrapped around the stick (40, 50). A holdout mechanism (30) can integrated with the flexible display (21) and the display cover (22, 122) to fix the flexible display (21) in a readable position with respect to the stick (40, 50) in response to the flexible display (21) being unwrapped from the stick (40, 50).

Rolling display systems currently employ flexible displays that are rolled into a case for facilitating a storage of the flexible display therein, and unrolled out of the case for facilitating an operation of the flexible display. An example of such a display system disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2002/0196205A1. Within the case, the flexible display can be wrapped around various display driving components within the case whereby either a rolling radius of the flexible display must be large enough to support immobile display drive components within the case and/or movement among display drive components within the case is required to facilitate the rolling/unrolling of the flexible display. One drawback to this rolling/unrolling approach of the flexible display are the limitations imposed on a construction of an optimal shape of the case with minimal dimensions for purposes of achieving a highest degree of portability of the case at minimal cost. The display industry is therefore continually striving to improve upon an incorporation of a flexible display into a display system.

Wrap display system having a flexible display


A solid-state image pickup device according to an embodiment is a solid-state image pickup device including a first pixel row, a second pixel row, and a third pixel row that are arranged in a horizontal direction. In the solid-state image pickup device, a first control pulse for transferring charges of first accumulation portions of the fourth and sixth CCD registers in a vertical direction perpendicular to the horizontal direction and a second control pulse for transferring charges of second accumulation portions of the fourth and sixth CCD registers in the horizontal direction are input to the fourth and sixth CCD registers such that an Hi period of the first control pulse and an Hi period of the second control pulse do not overlap each other in a timing period in which charges accumulated in the first, second, and third pixel rows are transferred.

A linear image sensor is a solid-state image pickup device that one-dimensionally reads image information, converts the read image information into an analog signal, and outputs the converted analog signal in a time series. The linear image sensor is known as a device required to read an image, for example, a facsimile, a digital copying machine, or an image scanner. In addition, as the solid-state image pickup device, a three-line solid-state image pickup device in which the distance between pixel rows is two lines and pixel rows of three lines of RGB are provided is known.
In the three-line solid-state image pickup device in which the distance between pixel rows is two lines, in the related art, at a vertical transfer pulse timing of signal charges, before completing a vertical transfer operation when the charge amount is large, a phenomenon (blooming) in which charges leak to one-bit-prior pixels in a CCD register occurs. Further, the saturated charge amount of the CCD register may decrease. In addition, when blooming is avoided by adjusting the timing, the vertical transfer time increases.

Solid-state image pickup device and control method of solid-state image pickup device

Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation