An image-forming apparatus sets a DAC output voltage 1602, a VI conversion current ID 1603, and a laser current IL 1604 using a correction profile 1601, and performs density nonuniformity correction that addresses various factors contributing to density nonuniformity.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image-forming apparatus that forms an image using a developing-material and to a control method thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, an electrophotographic image-forming apparatus forms an image by transferring a developing-material image (toner image) formed on the surface of a photosensitive drum, serving as an image carrier to a transfer material serving as a transfer medium.
There are also various systems for supplying developing-material. For example, with a process cartridge system, the photosensitive drum and the developing-material container are integrated, and the process cartridge needs to be replaced when the developing-material runs out. On the other hand, a developing-material replenishing system is known in which the developing container is newly replenished with developing-material when the developing-material runs out. With the developing-material replenishing system, a removable developing-material replenishing container is provided in the image-forming apparatus, and the developing container is replenished with developing-material from the developing-material replenishing container. More specifically, inventions have been proposed that have a developing-material circulation route in order to supply developing-material to a developing member (developing roller) after the developing-material inside the developing container and the developing-material newly replenished from the developing-material replenishing container have been sufficiently mixed inside the developing container. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-30084 (Patent Document 1) and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-99043 (Patent Document 2) are examples thereof.
However, the following problems exist with the prior art. Generally, inside a developing apparatus, developing-material is repeatedly supplied to and eliminated from the developing roller. The charging characteristics deteriorate quite considerably during the repeated circulation of the developing-material inside the developing apparatus. This is because of the resin constituting the developing-material being abraded or deformed by mechanical rubbing. Deterioration of charging characteristics may also be caused by external additives that have been added to the surface of the developing-material separating or becoming embedded within the resin.
On the other hand, replenishing the developing container with new developing-material from the replenishing container means that newly replenished developing-material gets mixed with deteriorated developing-material inside the developing apparatus. The developing-material is carried inside the developing apparatus from one end to the other, and supplied to the developing roller. Consequently, developing-material with different charging characteristics ends up adhering to the developing roller on the upstream side and the downstream side in the carrying direction of the developing-material. This is not desirable since it causes density nonuniformity in the developing-material image formed with respect to the electrostatic latent image on the image carrier to occur in the longitudinal direction of the developing roller (parallel to the carrying direction of the developing-material).
Further, various factors contributing to density nonuniformity in an image-forming apparatus are envisioned apart from density nonuniformity in the developing apparatus, such as an OFS optical system, for example. Accordingly, it is desired to collectively address density nonuniformity caused by the developing apparatus and other factors.

Image-forming apparatus and control method thereof


Techniques are disclosed relating to facilitating transactions via mobile devices. In one embodiment, an account that is linked to a mobile telephone number of a mobile device is established at a computer system. In such an embodiment, the account permits a user to make and receive payments, and is not accessible without using the mobile device. In some embodiments, the account is established without setting up a username and password. In one embodiment, a request is sent from a payment application of the mobile device to the computer system. In some embodiments, the payment application is made active on the mobile device in response to a user input within a different application running on the mobile device. After the payment application is active, a purchase is confirmed within the payment application such that the request is sent responsive to the confirming and without authenticating the user within the payment application.

1. Technical Field
This disclosure relates generally to transaction systems, and, more specifically, to facilitating transactions via mobile devices.
2. Description of the Related Art
Various mobile payment applications (i.e., programs that run on a mobile device) currently exist that enable a user to transfer funds to another person. Some of these applications are offered by financial institutions and payment services. These applications may allow a user to transfer funds, view an account balance, find a location of a nearby ATM, pay bills, etc. Some applications allow a user to make deposits by taking pictures of checks. In many instances, however, the user interfaces associated with these mobile payment applications are subpar, and thus do not result in the best possible experience for the user.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Mobile payment and identity verification system


A method and apparatus for cutting mat board, and more specifically for cutting apertures including non-linear boundaries in mat board. The preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention includes an automatically controlled ultrasonic cutting tool for cutting apertures having bevelled boundaries according to a predetermined pattern. The preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention includes stacking first and second mat boards and cutting through said first board into but not through said second, removing said first board, and cutting the same aperture in the same location in said second mat board which has been stacked on a third, uncut mat board.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the cutting of windows and designs in so-called artist's mats or mat board, and more specifically to an apparatus and method for cutting such apertures in configurations heretofore achievable only by custom hand-cutting by an experienced artisan, but with much greater accuracy and in volumes greatly exceeding those achievable by hand-cutting.
2. State of the Art
The framing of photographs, prints and other substantially, two-dimensional works, such as certificates, diplomas, etc., is normally effected by using a mat with a window cut therein laid over the work to enhance and focus the viewer's attention on the work. The stock from which the mat is formed is usually paper in the form of cardboard, in some instances having a surface finish of a different color than the interior of the board, chosen to complement the work, the frame for the work, the color scheme of a room in which the work is to be displayed, or may be ivory, white or other neutral shades. The texture of the board can be rough or smooth, imprinted or embossed with a secondary color, design or pattern, or covered with a fabric or other material.
While it is possible, and in most cases easier, to cut window in mat board using a straight cut, that is to say a cut perpendicular to the plane of the mat, esthetics and purchaser preference dictate that the window be cut on a bevel, or oblique angle to the plane of the board. Commonly used bevel angles are 30.degree., 45.degree. and 60.degree. to the plane of the mat, the increasing angle giving less exposure of the interior color of the mat to the viewer as the window border provided by the cut becomes narrower. It is also known to laminate two different colors of mat board, with aligned but differently sized windows to provide a contrasting border around the work to be framed.
Throughout the years, in fact for the past century, many attempts have been made to expedite the making of bevel cuts, and to increase both accuracy of such cuts beyond that achievable by manual cutting. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,967,519, 3,996,827, 4,158,977, 4,413,542, 4,440,055, 4,590,834, 4,747,330 and 4,798,112 each disclose certain improvements and enhancements for manual mat cutting with blades mounted for bevel cuts on rails, trolleys or other supports to permit the making of linear bevel cuts. Others working in the art have attempted to automate the cutting process to some extent, generally by mounting cutting blades on pneumatic cylinders for advancement into and retraction from the mat board, and means for moving the blades along a rail or trolley in response to operator direction or some other control means. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,505,174, 4,641,556 and 4,662,258 exemplify this type of prior art apparatus and cutting method.
All of the prior art methods and apparatus possess major shortcomings, most notable being the inability to cut at high speed with repeatable accuracy and the total inability to cut non-linear windows and designs in the mat board. Blade cutting techniques of necessity require that the blade be unsupported over the length extended into the mat board, which in prior art devices causes lateral blade flex, and resistance of the board to the linear advancement of the blade causes blade wander, wobble or flutter in response to the resistance of the board if the blade is moved too fast or laterally stressed to any great extent. Attempts have been made to solve the former problem, see U.S. Pat. No. 4,662,258 referenced above, but the latter problem remains unsolved. Moreover, attempting to cut arcs, particularly arcs of small radius, such as under one foot radius, aggravates the flexing of the blades by placing them under stress from several directions, resulting in uneven bevel angles and resulting borders of different widths, and a defective product.

Method and apparatus for ultrasonically cutting mat board


The semiconductor package for improving the efficiency of spreading heat and the capability of electrical function is disclosed. A semiconductor die is attached on the BT substrate by using a conventional die attaching material. The die is electrically coupled to conductive traces on the top surface of the substrate by the bonding wires, a TAB method or a flip chip method. A plurality of conductive vias are also need for electrically coupling conductive traces on the top surface of the substrate to those on the bottom. At an end portion of each conductive trace on the bottom of the substrate is an conductive pad for connecting to a solder ball for transferring electrical signal. A heatspreader is exactly set over the semiconductor die for improve the efficiency of spreading heat. Additionally, the heatspreader is connected on the ground land of the substrate via a conductive adhesives to form a ground plane. The transmission lines either set between the heatspreader and another ground plane at the bottom of the substrate or set one the same side of two ground planes are served as a strip line structure or a mircostrip line structure, respectively. Therefore, the induction of package itself will be improved and the clock speed of package device will be increased.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor package, and more specifically, to a package which can improve the efficiency of spreading heat and the capability of electrical function.
2. Description of the Prior Art
With the rapid advances in wafer fabrication process technology, developments in interconnection and packing have been quite modest in comparison. The renewed interest in high density hybrid is driven by the requirement to handle large numbers of IC interconnections, the increasing clock rate of digital systems and the desire to pack greater functionality into smaller spaces. Therefore, the number of a package's leads becomes more and more. An important consideration in making small, high speed and high density devices is providing packages capable of spreading heat generated by the devices. A further problem confronting the technology is the relentless need for more I/O per chip. A conventional leadframe package, such as SOP, PQFP, has a limitation to increase the number of the package's lead. In addition, the maximum speed of the leadframe package is less than 100 MHz, that can not meet the manufacturers'desire. One response to the requirement of providing packages for high speed and density devices has been developed. One such package type is plastic ball grid array (PBGA) that uses a bismaleimidetraizine (BT) as a substrate. The PBGA offers many advantages over conventional packages such as solder ball I/O and high speed. The PBGA package has high speed due to a short path for signal transformation. The solder balls are set on a package surface in a matrix array which can provide more signal contacts. Although the PBGA has a shorter path for spreading heat than a conventional package, but a heat spreader or a heat slug can not be set on the backside of a die paddle due to the structure of the PBGA. Further, the substrate of the PBGA is made of BT so that the efficiency of spreading heat is poorer than the leadframe package. As shown in FIG. 1, in order to solve the problem, pad array semiconductor devices have been proposed (see US. Pat. No. 5,285,352). Use of a thermal conductor 2 in a pad array device permits routing of conductive traces 4 and terminals beneath a semiconductor die for improved utilization of substrate 6 area. An opening 8 and thermal conductor 2 are set under the die 10 on BT substrate 6. The heat that is generated by devices is dissipated to computer board via silver epoxy 12, the opening 8 and a metal ground plane 14. Solder balls are represent by 16. Although the structure provides a shorter path than conventional leakframe package for spreading heat, the efficiency of spreading heat still has limination. Therefore, it will be an important consideration in the present invention for providing a package structure with a better efficiency of spreading heat.
Additionally, It also is an important consideration in the prevent invention for improving the efficiency of electrical function of package. Typically, the electrical function in the PBGA package is improved to increase the clock speed of package devices by two method such as the reduction of resistance for IC device or the reduction of induction for the PBGA package. With the increasing of the numbers of the I/O interconnections, the density of the semiconductor devices becomes more higher. The inter-resistance of the IC device will increase so that the speed of IC device will be reduced. Therefore, a method to solve the problem is either redesigning the IC device or decreasing the size of IC device in a delicate process. However, these methods to improve the clock speed of the package devices always cause an undesired result without a suitable package structure. In consideration of both cost and electrical function, the reduction of induction of the package itself becomes more important. The present invention will utilizes a strip line structure or a mircostrip line structure to improve electrical function for reducing induction of the package. Referring to FIG. 2A, it shows a strip line structure view. The current is inputted to a transmission line 20 such that the magnetic induction will be generated. Because the other transmission lines also have the same state to create the magnetic induction when the current are inputted to them, the magnetic induction from the transmission lines will be interfered one another. That results in the impedance of the transmission lines increasing. At this time, if the transmission line 20 is set between a ground plane 22 and another ground plane 24, the magnetic induction from the transmission line 20 will be absorbed by two ground planes. Therefore, the induction of the transmission line is reduced to increase the speed of the transmission line. Furthermore, referring to FIG. 2B shows a mircostrip line structure view. A transmission line 30 is set on the same side of two ground planes 32 and 34. The magnetic induction from the transmission line 30 also can be absorbed by two ground planes. Therefore, the present invention according to this circuit structure will efficiently improve the electrical function of package. The induction of the transmission line will be reduced so that the speed of the transmission line will be increased.

Semiconductor package for improving the capability of spreading heat and electrical function

Industrial Technology Research Institute


The present disclosure relates to a communication arrangement (110, 130) adapted for link aggregation of a plurality of communication links (120a, 12b, 120c). The communication arrangement (110, 130) is adapted to communicate via the plurality of communication links (120a, 120b, 120c) and comprises a traffic handling unit (112, 132) that is adapted to obtain data segments (414-417, 419-421, 423-425) to be transmitted, and to identify one or more data flows (401, 402, 403, 404) in said data segments. The traffic handling unit is adapted to attach sequence numbers, SEQ, to data segments associated with each identified data flow (401, 402, 403, 404), wherein sequence numbers are independent between data flows and to select a communication link for transmission of a data segment associated with a certain data flow (401, 402, 403, 404). The selecting comprises selecting a previous communication link that has been used for transmission of a previous data segment from said certain data flow (401, 402, 403, 404) if possible, and selecting any communication link otherwise.

For communication links, it is known to aggregate two or more links to increase capacity of data transmission. Several ways exist to aggregate links to increase data bandwidth between two points in a network.
One way to do this is Communication link Bonding (RLB) which refers to layer one (L1) schemes, and is agnostic to layer two (L2) and higher protocol layers. Bonding means that different parts of the traffic are conveyed over different links and reassembled when received. If the links have different rates, the delays are different, implying buffering before reassembly when waiting for the subsequent parts of data to arrive over slower links. The link speed may also change arbitrarily between links due to, e.g., different susceptibility to external conditions for different carrier frequencies. Buffering is therefore often centralized and need to be dimensioned for a worst-case scenario. These schemes can be made very effective when it comes to making best use of the available spectrum resources.
There are also L2 and layer three (L3) link aggregation methods. A known such method is the IEEE 802.3ad Link Aggregation (LAG) standard, IEEE Std 802.1AX-2008 and Equal Cost Multipath (ECMP), RFC2991, where link/route allocation is performed based on flow identification assigned via higher protocol layer address fields.
L1 bonding works well from a spectrum efficiency stand point and can also handle varying link bandwidth well, but it suffers partly from complexity problems since forwarding of fragments over several links according to L1 bonding requires strict control over delivery order. Since a strict order of all data segments irrespective of flow identity is preserved, there will of course not be any reordering of data segments. Nevertheless, when many links of different bandwidth are aggregated, and since the status of each link must be known and accounted for, the buffering and reassembly schemes may grow and can become quite complex.
L2/L3 schemes are in comparison less complicated to implement. Basically, a flow is identified by its hash checksum value, often calculated from static address fields. The flow is then assigned to a physical link in an aggregation group. Subsequent data segments with the same hash checksum value are thereafter forwarded to the link originally assigned. This results in that each certain flow only is forwarded by means of one specific corresponding link, which in turn results in that data segment order within flows are preserved. There are several problems associated with this approach, e.g.;                Statistical bias. This could be that the hashing algorithm interferes with address assignment rules in the network thus causing a systematic preference for one link.        Variation width problems when there are few flows. Even without any systematic errors, there is a high possibility of biased outcomes. When assuming 20 flows and "perfect conditions", average possible utilization of the aggregated capacity is as low as 86% with a 25% risk of being as low as 77%.        QoS impact on individual overprovisioned links. I.e. biased link assignment (or temporary congestion on a single link even if distribution otherwise balanced) may lead to unintended data segment drops, i.e. you can drop data segments even when there is capacity available, making the QoS system not really work in a good way.
Consequently, there is a need for improved link aggregation methods.

Link aggregation with receive side buffering


A golf club head comprises a front striking plate that in turn comprises a front striking surface, a rear surface, and a first boss generally centrally located on and attached to the rear surface. A rear body section is fixedly coupled to the front striking plate. A longitudinal member is adjustably coupled to the rear body section and has a first end configured for pivotal movement in engagement with the first boss. The longitudinal member applies a force of compression onto the rear surface of the striking plate.

Golf clubs of the type known as "woods" are commonly used in the sport of golf. The heads of such clubs may be made of metal (e.g. stainless steel), high-tech plastic, or reinforced plastic. If made of metal, these heads are sometimes referred to as "metal woods". For purposes of this description, the use of the term "wood" shall be intended to include driving clubs made of metal, plastic, graphite, and the like.
Metal woods present numerous options to the golf club manufacturer to provide customized weight and balance for a golfer, whether amateur or professional. It is not uncommon for a golfer, in order to improve the accuracy of their game, to seek a club with an enlarged "sweet spot" (i.e. that area on the striking face of a club that, upon impact with the ball, will send the ball on a preferred trajectory, without hooking or slicing). In addition, most golfers prefer a golf club head that is generally lightweight but configured to perform as if a significant portion of its weight were located behind the sweet spot. Hollow metal heads may be engineered to incorporate these desired features into a given golf club.
A problem associated with some clubs is that the substantially flattened striking surface supported around its edge acts like a drum when struck. That is, the relatively thin metal striking plate is free to deflect upon impact and then rebound. The nature and direction of the rebound depends on the location of the point of impact on the striking surface and can affect the speed, rotation, and direction of the golf ball as it leaves the club-head, thereby affecting the trajectory of the ball.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,464,211 issued Nov. 7, 1995 and entitled "GOLF CLUB HEAD" attempts to solve this problem by providing a rigid, unyielding striking surface. A striking surface having an inner surface and an outer surface is coupled to an opposed rear portion to form the golf club head body. A partially threaded stem having an externally threaded proximal portion and a broadened distal portion with a substantially flat surface threadably engages an internally threaded cylinder within the head body such that when the stem is threaded into the head body, the distal flat surface of the broadened portion of the stem applies a compressive force to the inner surface of the striking face. The amount of force may be adjusted by turning the threaded portion of the stem. In this manner, the impact zone on the striking face of the club is rendered more rigid.
Unfortunately, the above described apparatus has certain disadvantages. For example, due to the rigid design of the jackscrew/stem assembly including the broadened distal end, and because the ball is not always struck at a location on the striking surface corresponding to the center of the broadened distal end of the stem, significant bending stresses are transmitted to the entire stem assembly eventually damaging the assembly with repeated use.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an improved golf club head that provides a more rigid, unyielding striking surface or impact zone. It would further be desirable that the improved golf club head be sturdier and more reliable than prior art devices. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description of the invention and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanied drawings and the background of this invention.


Methods and apparatuses are disclosed herein for parameter estimation for metrology. An example method at least includes optimizing, using a parameter estimation network, a parameter set to fit a feature in an image based on one or more models of the feature, the parameter set defining the one or more models, and providing metrology data of the feature in the image based on the optimized parameter set.

In many areas of industry and research, analysis and measurement of small structures is performed for product/process development, quality control, medical evaluation, etc. Such analysis and measurement may be performed using various types of inspection tools, which likely include forming images of one or more structures of interest. For example, in the semiconductor industry, charged particle microscopes are used to image circuit structures on the nanometer scale, which typically become the basis for the analysis and measurement tasks. In such an example, measurements are performed on the images themselves to understand potential for defects and process control. Such analysis and measurements, however, requires a highly skilled operator to determine where to measure and key features for use in performing the measurements. This may typically be done using the creation of a recipe that can be ran once the key features are identified and located.
This identification and location of the key features by the skilled operator, however, can be tedious and void of robustness. Additionally, small changes in imaging conditions or manufacturing processes may require manually re-tuning the recipes due to the inability of the recipe to locate and/or identify the key features on its own. Such requirement to continually re-work the recipe due to changes in the imaging and/or the manufacturing makes full automation unreliable and/or unreachable. In many instances, the operators are required to screen out false positives to ensure the accuracy of the analysis. Removal of the constant human interaction with the process is desirable in all industries to increase productivity and reduce costs. Additionally, a desire for more robust automatic analysis and measurement of structures, especially small structures that experience changes in shape and consistency, is desired.
Like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Parameter estimation for metrology of features in an image


The invention relates to a valve arrangement for surgical instruments, particularly trocars, such as those used for minimally invasive operations, e.g. operations involving laparoscopic techniques. The invention also relates to a valve cage for accommodating the valve arrangement. The valve arrangement comprises a valve body made of closed-cell, gas-tight foam material having at least one slot, which passes through the valve body and which is provided for introducing a surgical instrument guided inside the trocar. The valve cage is provided in the form of a housing whose shape and size are adapted to the outer dimensions of the valve body. The housing can be joined to a conventional trocar sleeve in a sealed and detachable manner.

The prior art in this context is reflected in the printed publications U.S. Pat. No. 5,207,656, U.S. Pat. No. 5,549,651, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,475,548, with U.S. Pat. No. 5,207,656 being the most closely related. It reveals a medical instrument valve having a foamed sealing region, for example in the form of a catheter introducer. The housing incorporates a valve for receiving and sealing an elongated member, which penetrates the valve. The valve itself incorporates an elastomeric partition member. This partition member is presented to facilitate the penetration and sealing of an elongated member into the body. It comprises a closed-cell foamed material, inside which a fluid is enclosed as a lubricant, to support the penetration by an elongated member by reducing the friction. It is a shortcoming of this embodiment that the outer surface of the foamed material, i.e., the side in which an elongated member is to be inserted into the valve, is designed flat. This can make it difficult to precisely position the elongated member for its penetration of the foamed material member. This means that at times a passage has to be found through the foamed material member. This is not pleasant, however, for the patient or for the medical personnel.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,549,651 describes a medical valve and fluid transfer method. The context is an intravenous tubing system that is provided with a valve. The valve has a piston and a seal affixed to its front for the tubing system. Only the seal is manufactured of an elastic material. It is positioned in a guide means disposed perpendicular to the main line. This guide means has, in the proximal region, in the longitudinal direction, viewed in the direction of the main line, two opposed projections that the seal squeezes together in these two regions when the seal is guided into this direction. The seal has a continuous slit along the length, which, during the insertion process, forms an oval opening through pressure onto the two laterally disposed pressure points. A fluid may now be passed through this opening. However, no provision is made for a supply with a medical instrument, as in the previously mentioned patent documents.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,475,548 describes a valve body. The foamed material of the valve body is preferably a surgical rubber material that has been foamed. According to its description it does not form any closed cells. For the patent document, this has the advantage that an exchange of fluid is possible from one cell to the next. However, at the same time this also means that a gas-tight implementation is not possible. An absolute seal between a space located behind a body cavity and the environment can thus not be created. It is thus not possible to perform surgery under sealed conditions.
Trocars are known both made of plastic as disposable articles, as well as made of metal as re-usable instruments, and essentially consist of a trocar sleeve, which is inserted into the abdominal wall, and a sealing arrangement in the form of a valve, which is disposed in a so-called valve cage in the form of a housing that is wider than the trocar sleeve and located at the access end of the trocar sleeve. The trocar sleeve and valve cage are generally connected to one another in a detachable manner to allow for easy cleaning.
Disposed inside the valve cage is a valve arrangement, which allows the inserted surgical instrument to pass through and provides a seal for the patient's abdominal cavity from the atmosphere when the instrument is removed, e.g., when instruments are changed. A rubber seal or rubber cap that has been adapted to the instrument diameter accomplishes the sealing of the abdominal cavity, after the instrument has been inserted.
Valve arrangements of this type require relatively large and heavy valve cages, which cause an undesirable "top-heaviness" of the trocar. Also, the conventional valves are difficult to clean and incomplete cleaning entails the risk of an infection to the patient.

Valve arrangement for surgical instruments and valve cage for accommodating the valve arrangement


To provide an electrophoresis method being capable of rapidly analyzing a protein in a native state without carrying out a heat-denaturing pretreatment step, and having even higher sensitivity. The electrophoresis method of the present invention is useful for proteosome analysis and medical diagnosis.

Proteins have been generally subjected to size separation on the basis of SDS-PAGE (polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) method, and detected. One method of applying this technique to capillary electrophoresis is SDS-CGE (capillary gel electrophoresis), and a method of further applying this method to microchip electrophoresis includes analysis with Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer (manufactured by Agilent Technologies) using Protein 200 Kit. The proteins have various electric charges in native states, and the positively charged proteins are considered not to migrate in a positive electric field. Therefore, in the above-mentioned conventional method, it is usually necessary to carry out a heat-denaturing treatment of a protein as a pretreatment so that all of the test proteins have negative charges. The heat-denaturing treatment is usually accomplished by heating a protein at 95° to 100° C. for several minutes in a surfactant sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) solution and a reducing agent such as 2-mercaptoethanol or dithiothreitol. 2-Mercaptoethanol or dithiothreitol is used for cleaving S—S bond, and SDS is used for making the electric charges in the entire proteins negative.
Therefore, in the conventional method such as SDS-PAGE method or SDS-CGE method, there is a defect that the time period for this pretreatment step is not shortened, and the procedure is complicated, even though the analyzing step is made rapid by the microchip electrophoresis. Therefore, there has been desired an even more rapid electrophoresis method of a protein. Furthermore, when a biological sample is analyzed, it is necessary to analyze a very small amount of a protein in the sample, so that there has been desired electrophoresis method having even higher sensitivity.


A radio frequency coaxial adaptor includes a housing having an end portion to engage a mating connector, a contact member mounted to the housing and moveable in a reciprocating manner relative to the housing, and a conductor coaxial with the housing and having a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion extends within the contact member, and the second end portion extends within the end portion of the housing for electrically engaging the mating connector.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a radio frequency adaptor.
2. Description of the Related Art
In radio frequency (RF) technology, a network analyzer is commonly used to measure network parameters of electrical networks. The network analyzer normally requires connecting means to establish connections with the electrical networks, and in some instances, board-to-board connectors are responsible for such connections.
An RF board-to-board connector includes a base board mounted with multiple measurement connectors such as coaxial connectors to achieve connections with a target board, and standard connectors for establishing connections between the board-to-board connector and the network analyzer. Circuits are generally provided on the base board for connecting the measurement connectors with the corresponding standard connectors.
The measurement connectors of the board-to-board connector, disposed with respect to the measurement points on the target board, are usually soldered on the base board. In general, if a new target board with measurement points located differently from those of a present target board is being measured, the circuits on the base board need to be rearranged, new measurement connectors need to be soldered on the new base board, and the new board-to-board connector need to be tested and qualified. As a result, the use of the board-to-board connector is inconvenient in such regards.

Coaxial connector with a housing with a contact member and a conductor coaxial with the housing


A combined display and storage unit including a cubical base with four side walls, a top wall and a bottom wall, each surrounded and supported by a framework and defining an enclosed storage space. One of the side walls is hinged to provide access to the storage space. Pieces may be supported and displayed on the outer surfaces of the four side walls, preferably by constructing the side walls of slatwall material. The framework surrounding the top wall provides a square recess for alternatively receiving a transparent display case, a wire book support and a merchandise tray. The base is preferably mounted on casters for free movement.

The present invention relates to structures for displaying various pieces of merchandise, or other items, while also providing enclosed storage space; more specifically, the invention relates to mobile, cubical enclosures having outer wall surfaces suited for support of displayed pieces, and a plurality of different items which may alternately be placed atop the cube for various display purposes.
It is a principal object of the present invention to provide novel and improved structures for displaying printed matter, pieces of merchandise, etc. and including enclosed storage space.
A further object is to provide a base unit having side walls defining an enclosed storage space with outer surfaces adapted to support and display printed matter and other items, and a horizontal top surface for alternately supporting any of several types of additional support and display structures.
Other objects will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

Combined display/storage unit having alternately useable caps


The present invention provides a method for shipping products that include (a) sending requests for quotations by electronic transmission to a plurality of selected carriers based upon customer order specifications, available delivery options and a carrier quality database; (b) selecting a carrier quotation based upon quotations received by electronic transmission and the carrier quality database and updating the carrier quality database with the selected carrier and quotation; (c) preparing the product shipment including using an optical scanner to measure shipment dimensions and a weight scale to measure shipment weight of the product shipment; and (d) if the measured dimensions and weight do not conform to the selected quotation, repeating steps (b) and (c) with measured shipment dimensions and weight or, if the measured dimensions and weight do conform to the selected quotation, notifying carrier to ship the product.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to customer product shipment operations. In particular, the present invention relates to a system to optimize customer product shipment carrier operations.
2. Description of the Related Art
A major concern in today's market is packing and shipping products ordered by customers in an efficient manner to provide prompt delivery for maximizing customer satisfaction. Given the increased demands caused by the large number of products being sold, the multitude of customer destinations, multiple carriers along with factors such as trade zones, ever-changing transportation costs and a variety of customer product packaging requirements, efficient shipping has become very challenging.
Current solutions that attempt to address this complexity of product shipment include the consolidating of products for shipment and the selecting carriers based on destinations. In addition, renegotiated contracts have been employed to obtain the best rate from carriers. However, these existing solutions do not work all the time and require time consuming manual inputs. Therefore, it is very difficult to address the rapidly changing dynamics of a "build to order" factory/distribution center where multiple products of various sizes and shapes are shipped.

Automated product shipment with carrier quality feedback

International Business Machines Corporation


A method and system for controlling downtilt of an antenna in a sector of a cell of a code division multiple access (CDMA) network utilizes dynamic application of antenna downtilt based on estimated relative sector capacity. In the method, current network conditions are monitored, relative sector capacity is estimated, and an antenna downtilt is selected. The selected antenna downtilt is dynamically applied to the antenna. Preferably, antenna downtilt is selected so as to effectively maximize relative sector capacity.

The present invention relates to methods and systems for selecting an antenna downtilt in a code division multiple access (CDMA) system, and to analysis of the reverse-link capacity of a cell-site.
In modern communication systems, there is a growing trend towards the multiple access technique known as code division multiple access (CDMA). In a code division multiple access system, a finite allocation of frequency, which may be the entire available frequency bandwidth or other amount of bandwidth as appropriate, is used by each call simultaneously. A transmission in a CDMA system includes a scrambled message and a code. Each call in progress has a unique code such that the receiver can pull the transmission out of the background noise by knowing the code for the call. For example, mobile clients may each be assigned a unique code on a per-call basis to use when transmitting.
CDMA is inherently an interference limited system, because the signal of every single mobile unit effectively contributes interference to the signals of all other mobile units. The total interference is due to mobiles being served by the same cell-site as well as mobiles being served by adjacent cell-sites. While the base station does need to receive signals from the mobiles being served by the same cell-site to maintain the respective links, undesired signals from mobiles being served by adjacent cell-sites generate interference. Generally, there are three different types of interference that are seen by the base station in the reverse-link from the mobile to the base station. The three interference types are same-sector interference, inter-sector interference, and out-of-cell interference. These three types of interference are seen by the antenna in a sector of a cell. That is, the network includes a plurality of cells, with each cell being made up of one or more sectors, three sectors being typical.
Same-sector interference is the interference seen by the sector antenna due to mobile devices within that sector. That is, signals from mobiles within the same sector contribute noise to each other. Inter-sector interference is the interference seen by the antenna due to mobile devices in other sectors of the same cell-site. That is, mobile devices within adjacent sectors may still fall within the antenna pattern of the sector of interest, thereby contributing noise. Lastly, out-of-cell interference is the interference seen by the antenna that comes from mobile devices in other cells, such as adjacent cells.
There is a need for a method and system that provides appropriate interference rejection without unduly compromising CDMA network performance.
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a method for controlling downtilt of an antenna in a sector of a cell of a code division multiple access (CDMA) network for mobile devices. The method comprises monitoring current network conditions and estimating relative sector capacity at a plurality of antenna downtilts for the current network conditions. The method further comprises selecting an antenna downtilt based on the relative sector capacity at the plurality of antenna downtilts and dynamically applying the selected downtilt to the antenna.
Preferably, the method further comprises estimating relative external interference rejection and relative sectorization efficiency. Preferably, the antenna downtilt is selected based on the relative external interference rejection, the relative sectorization efficiency, and the relative sector capacity at the plurality of antenna downtilts. Further, preferably, the method comprises estimating a percentage of mobile devices within the sector that are in a softer handoff region defined by a softer handoff margin between sectors within the same cell.
In a preferred embodiment, the estimated relative external interference rejection is based on a loading factor that is a ratio of the out-of-cell interference to same-sector interference. Further, in a preferred embodiment, the estimated relative sectorization efficiency is based on a ratio of a sum of same-sector interference and out-of-cell interference to a sum of the same-sector interference, the inter-sector interference, and the out-of-cell interference.
Further, in carrying out the present invention, a method for controlling downtilt in a sector of a cell of a code division multiple access (CDMA) network for mobile devices is provided. The method comprises monitoring current network conditions, estimating relative external interference rejection, estimating relative sectorization efficiency, estimating relative sector capacity, selecting an antenna downtilt, and dynamically applying the selected downtilt to the antenna. The relative external interference rejection is estimated, based in part on out-of-cell interference, at a plurality of antenna downtilts for the current network conditions. The relative sectorization efficiency is estimated, based in part on inter-sector interference, at the plurality of antenna downtilts for the current network conditions. The relative sector capacity is based on the corresponding relative external interference rejection and sectorization efficiency at the plurality of antenna downtilts. The antenna downtilt is selected based on the relative sector capacity at the plurality of antenna downtilts, and is preferably selected to provide optimal or maximum relative sector capacity.
Still further, in carrying out the present invention, a method for controlling downtilt of an antenna in a sector of a cell of a code division multiple access (CDMA) network for mobile devices is provided. The method comprises monitoring current network conditions, estimating relative external interference rejection, estimating relative sectorization efficiency, estimating relative sector capacity, selecting the antenna downtilt, and dynamically applying the selected downtilt to the antenna.
The relative external interference rejection is estimated at a plurality of antenna downtilts for the current network conditions according to:
xe2x80x83IR(xcexa8)=1/(1+xcex7(xcexa8))
wherein xcexa8 is the downtilt angle, IR(xcexa8) is the estimated relative external interference rejection at downtilt angle xcexa8, and xcex7(xcexa8) is a loading factor at downtilt angle xcexa8.
The loading factor is determined according to:
xcex7(xcexa8)=Iext(xcexa8)/Iin(xcexa8)
wherein Iext (xcexa8) is out-of-cell interference at downtilt angle xcexa8 and Iin (xcexa8) is same-sector interference at downtilt angle xcexa8.
The relative sectorization efficiency is estimated according to:
Esec(xcexa8)=(Iin(xcexa8)+Iext(xcexa8))/(Iin(xcexa8)+Isec(xcexa8)+Iext(xcexa8))
wherein Eext (xcexa8) is the estimated relative sectorization efficiency at downtilt angle xcexa8 and Isec (xcexa8) is the inter-sector interference at downtilt angle xcexa8.
The relative sector capacity at the plurality of antenna downtilt for the current network conditions is estimated based on a product of the corresponding relative external interference rejection and the corresponding relative sectorization efficiency. That is, relative sector capacity is preferably estimated according to:
Csec(xcexa8)=(1/(1+xcex7(xcexa8)))Esec(xcexa8)
wherein Csec (xcexa8) is the estimated relative sector capacity at downtilt angle xcexa8.
Yet further, in carrying out the present invention, a system for controlling downtilt of an antenna in a sector of a cell of a code division multiple access (CDMA) network for mobile devices is provided. The system comprises control logic configured to monitor current network conditions, estimate relative sector capacity, select an antenna downtilt, and dynamically apply the selected antenna downtilt to the antenna.
It is to be appreciated that the control logic may take any known form such as software, firmware, hardware, or combinations thereof. Further, the control logic may be located anywhere in the network, as appropriate for a particular application. For example, the control logic may be located at the base station, base station controller, mobile switching center, or may be located elsewhere in the network, for example, so as to be accessible by a network operations center which controls a plurality of base stations.
The advantages associated with embodiments of the present invention are numerous. For example, methods and systems of the present invention for controlling downtilt of an antenna in a sector of a cell of a code division multiple access (CDMA) network for mobile devices allow the antenna downtilt to be adjusted automatically as network conditions change. Antenna downtilt can be changed by either electrical or electro-mechanical downtilt. Further, it is to be appreciated that antenna downtilt may be changed based upon current network conditions on an effectively continuous basis.
The term xe2x80x9ceffectively continuousxe2x80x9d means that the antenna downtilt is adjusted to suit current network conditions on a repetitive basis, wherein the time between potential adjustments of antenna downtilt is fixed or variable. For example, antenna downtilt may be dynamically adjusted on a daily basis, on a weekly basis, or on an hourly basis. Further, antenna downtilt may be adjusted more often during times of extreme variations in network conditions than at times when network conditions are generally stable. Preferably, downtilt is adjusted or selected so as to effectively maximize cell-site capacity.
The above object and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best mode for carrying out the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Method and system for controlling antenna downtilt in a CDMA network

Qwest Communications International, Inc.


Mechanisms for drive by wire control systems in walk-behind working machines can include a sensor and at least one resilient member. The sensor can be rotatable about a sensor axis and can be in communication with a control unit, while the at least one resilient member can cooperate with the sensor to bias the sensor about the sensor axis. Furthermore, the control unit can be configured to control an operating state of a transmission of the walk-behind machine. In addition, the mechanism can be configured such that if the drive by wire control system becomes inoperative, a change in the operating state of the transmission occurs, such that the transmission is non-operational if the drive by wire control system becomes inoperative.

In typical walk-behind working machines, such as, for example and without limitation, mowing machines or lawnmowers, mechanical control systems can be used to control machine components, such as transmissions. For example, mechanical control systems can comprise mechanical linkages (e.g. cables) that can be used to actuate transmission clutches operated by mechanical operator controls. Such mechanical control systems have the advantage that if any components become inoperative; the walk-behind working machines will stop.
Currently, walk-behind working machines are now being developed with drive by wire control systems to control transmissions. Typical drive by wire control systems use electrical or electro-mechanical systems for performing vehicle functions. For example, instead of mechanical linkages, these drive by wire control systems actuate their transmissions using electrical signals. However, one disadvantage of these newly developed drive by wire control systems, in comparison with purely mechanical control systems, is that extra care must be taken to ensure that if any components become inoperative, the walk-behind working machines will stop.
As a result, a need exists for drive by wire control systems that comprise features and/or mechanisms to act as a fallback in case any of the components become inoperative. Specifically, a need exists to ensure that transmissions of these walk-behind working machines will be non-operational if their drive by wire control systems become inoperative.

Mechanisms and related methods for drive by wire control systems in walk-behind working machines


Disclosed are peptides and methods for the treatment of bacterial infections and associated inflammation. Effective doses and treatment protocols are disclosed.

Throughout this application, various publications are referenced by Arabic numerals within parentheses. Full citations for these publications may be found in the Prior Art section of the specification.
Severe bacterial infections caused by Gram negative or Gram positive bacteria, or by a mixture thereof, including sepsis, are a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, despite the availability of potent antimicrobial agents and advances in supportive care [1].
Localized infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria, such as Streptococcus pyogenes (S. pyogenes) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) are often complicated by manifestations of systemic toxicity, including fever and hypotension, which may progress to sepsis and lethal septic/toxic shock. These types of bacteria may secrete exotoxin proteins, or superantigens (SAgs), which include staphylococcal enterotoxins SEA-SEE, toxic shock syndrome toxin 1 (TSST-1) and the streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxins SPEA and SPEC [2-7], which may trigger an excessive cellular immune response.
For example, Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infection (NSTI) is an acute, rapidly progressive severe skin infection that involves both the superficial fascia and subcutaneous fat and is characterized by pain at the infected site and systemic toxicity, including multi-organ injury. The infection may occur either spontaneously or following trauma. Since infections of this type respond to antibiotics poorly, aggressive surgical intervention to remove necrotic tissue is mandatory. Notwithstanding treatment, the mortality rate is currently approximately 10-20%. While there is no common bacterial etiology, several bacterial species, including S. aureus, Clostridia species, enterobacteriaciae and non-clostridial anaerobes are those most frequently identified, sometimes as a mixed or multi-pathogenic infection. Currently, there are no available approved drug products for this indication and therefore, there is a significant unmet medical need for effective therapies.
Consequently, there have been concerted efforts to develop adjunctive therapies that could ameliorate the effects of severe infections and reduce mortality. The availability of agents that can either neutralize bacterial virulent factors and/or enhance host defense may, particularly in conjunction with antibiotic therapy, improve the therapy of these infections.
Inflammation-induced lymphocyte apoptosis or pyroptosis by bacterial toxins has been shown to be a major cause of immunodepression and lethality in experimental infection models and in endotoxin- and superantigen-induced toxic shock models. Recent evidence indicates that blockade of co-stimulatory signals including CD40 and/or CD 80/86 might reduce mortality in experimental intra-abdominal sepsis [8].
The peptide p2TA disclosed herein was previously reported to block superantigen-mediated induction of inflammatory cytokines in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and to block superantigen-mediated lethality in mice [9, 10].

Synthetic peptides for treatment of bacterial infections


A battery module and an overcharge protecting method are provided. The overcharge protecting method includes following steps: detecting a battery voltage of a rechargeable battery during a charging process; determining whether the battery voltage is larger than or equals to an upper limit voltage; if no, continuously charging the rechargeable battery until the battery voltage reaches a charging cut-off voltage and then the charging process is ended; if yes, stopping the charging process, reducing the value of the charging cut-off voltage and using the reduced charging cut-off voltage as the charging cut-off voltage in the next charging process. In the subsequent charging process, once the overcharge occurs, the value of the charging cut-off voltage is continuously reduced until the overcharge of the rechargeable battery does not occur during the charging process.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a charging protection method for a rechargeable battery and, more particularly, to a battery module and an overcharge protecting method.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a conventional portable electronic device, a high capacity lithium battery without memory effect is usually used as a built-in rechargeable battery. When the lithium battery is used in an electronic product, a plurality of lithium battery units are usually connected in series to provide a voltage to the electronic product. For example, in a notebook computer, three or four lithium battery units are connected in series to form a rechargeable lithium battery and provide an 11.1V or 14.8V battery voltage. However, since the voltage and electrical characteristic of each battery are different, the voltage and capacity of each battery unit are different. After several cycles of charge-discharge, the difference would become more obvious (which means the rechargeable battery gradually degrades).
The effect of the degradation of the rechargeable battery is more obvious when a quick charger is used to charge the battery. In detail, the lithium battery is taken as an example, when the lithium battery is continuously charged with a large current, the lithium battery unit which degrades more seriously is easy to be charged to a too high battery voltage (that is overcharge). When the overcharge occurs, the material in a lithium ion cell of the lithium battery decomposes, which results in the increase of the resistance and the temperature, and then combustible gas is generated. Consequently, if the overcharge frequently occurs, the lithium battery may overheat, burn or even explode.
In conventional technology, a common overcharge protection mechanism is launched when the rechargeable battery reaches a specific voltage. The charging process is stopped to avoid the overcharge. However, the overcharge protection mechanism takes effect and protects the rechargeable battery only after the overcharge occurs, so it cannot stop or avoid the overcharge. If the overcharge of the rechargeable battery occurs frequently, its degradation speeds up, and the service life and reliability of the rechargeable battery are affected seriously.

Battery module and overcharge protecting method thereof


A chopper is provided of solid state construction. Two layers are provided adjacent one another with the area between the layers defining one or more diffusion zones. One or more voltage potentials may be applied across the second layer to correspond to the diffusion zones. At an initial state the voltage potentials are either zero or some predetermined value which causes the index of refraction of the two layers to be substantially the same. At a second state the voltage potential equals some predetermined value to cause the index of refraction of the second layer to be different from that of the first layer. The difference in index of refraction between the layers creates a diffraction grating in the respective diffusion zone to diffuse that portion of an incident signal passing through the diffusion zone.

Signal choppers are generally known and are typically used to either block an incident signal or change one or more characteristics of the incident signal so that its exit form is different than its entry form. One of many applications for choppers is for use in imaging systems. A typical imaging system includes a detector for detecting an incident signal produced by or reflected from a source. A chopper may be disposed between the incident signal and the detector to interrupt the signal before it reaches the detector.
Electrical choppers are generally known and have been used in imaging systems. One problem with electrical choppers, however, is that they cannot be used with thermal imaging systems because the thermal detector needs a thermal reference to provide successful chopping. Another problem with electrical choppers is the need for complex electronic circuitry in order to achieve chopping.
Thermal choppers are also generally known and are typically used in thermal imaging systems. The thermal chopper provides an intermediate object between a scene, which is the source of the signal, and the detector. In the thermal imaging system, the chopper provides a thermal reference for a thermal detector. Therefore, with respect to the portion of the signal being chopped the detector detects the thermal reference as opposed to the incident signal.


A transducer assembly for use with a remotely located PC device for determining holding forces of a fastener, the fastener including a head and a shaft extending through first and second layers of material. A tightening nut rotatably secures to an extending end of the shaft. The transducer assembly includes a substantially disk-shaped printed circuit board incorporating at least one circuit configuration for communicating first and second faces of the circuit board. An input line, typically a wire harness, extends from the remote PC and is engageable, at a first location, to the first face of the circuit board. A bolt identification component, incorporating either a resistor or ID chip in a suitable circuit, is engageable at a second location to the first face of the circuit board and is communicable, via the input line, with the PC device to communicate a signal representative of the identity of the bolt to be analyzed. A substantially disk shaped piezo-ceramic is engageable with the second face of the circuit board and is encapsulated within a conforming material which also substantially surrounds the second side of the printed circuit board. The identification device and assembly is bonding, through the application of a suitable adherent or glue, atop the fastener head, and in order to be either reusable or disposable at the election of the use.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to stress measurement devices for bolt type fasteners. More specifically, the invention discloses an ultrasonic transducer assembly incorporated into a printed circuit board and for determining, specifically during installation or diagnostic testing, tensional holding forces experienced by the bolt during such tightening action. The transducer assembly functions by securing to a head of the fastener and emitting high frequency shock waves (longitudinal and/or transverse waves) through the fastener""s axial length. An established flight time, i.e., the time necessary for the ultrasonically created shock wave to travel in forward and return directions along the bolts length, is correlated to a particular level of tension in the bolt. The stress measurement device further provides aspects of reduced expense and disposability not found in the prior art.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the illustrations, an example of a prior art and transducer mounted tension measurement device is illustrated at 2. The transducer measurement device 2 includes a substantially steel cylindrical casing 4, typically constructed of a steel and may be surrounded by a magnetic material or other non-magnetic material, and which is secured by a couplant (such as water/glycerine mixture, epoxy, or other suitable type of glue) atop a head 6 of a bolt-type fastener 8. Even in instances where a magnetic casing is employed, it has been found necessary in the prior art to apply a suitable adhesive due to the tendency of the magnetically adhered device to laterally move or xe2x80x9cwalkxe2x80x9d upon the bolt head surface and if not properly affixed in place.
Additional components of the prior art device 2, and referring specifically again to FIG. 2, include a bottom facing wear plate 10, a piezo-ceramic element 12, internal backing material 14, miniature wire harness 16 and connector 18 for communicating the wire harness to the device 2. Not shown is a PC device operatively communicated by an input plug located at a remote end (also not shown) of the wire harness 16.
The bolt 8 typically is employed in a tightening operation to adhere together first 20 and second 22 surfaces and usually includes a first washer 24 (compressed by the bolt head 6 and located on one side of the first surface 22) and a tightening nut 26 (located on an opposite side of the second surface 24) and compressing therebetween a second washer 28. In use, the piezo-ceramic element 12 is energized by a signal from the remote PC and proceeds to emit an ultrasonic wave pattern which travels, in a first direction 30 (see again FIG. 2), the substantial axial length of the bolt fastener 8 and, in a second direction 32, a return length 32.
The connector and associated wire harness of the device 2 transmits a signal represent the combined travel (or xe2x80x9cflightxe2x80x9d) time of the ultrasonic wave along directional arrows 30 and 32 to a software/hardware program (also not shown) incorporated into the PC. The signals correspond to a time shift in the return direction 32. The program incorporates suitable subroutines for correlating the input signal to an output representative of a determined amount of tension or force (exercised upon the bolt in opposite directions 34 and 36) during tightening of the bolt 6. In this fashion, an amount of tension in the bolt can be measured (or if already determined avoided) during both the manufactured assembly or diagnostic applications.
Upon conclusion of the bolt fastener 8 diagnosis, the transducer device 2 is separated from the head 6 by physically overcoming the magnetic attraction between the device 2 and the bolt 8 or, as in many situations where a suitable epoxy is employed, the device 2 is forcibly disengaged from the bolt head 6. The prior art device 2, while providing an effective mechanism for measuring bolt tension, suffers from the shortcoming of its significant cost of construction, which necessitates its repeated reuse with different fasteners. This in turn renders problematic the practical requirement that suitable epoxy and other types of couplant be employed to ensure that the device 2 is securably attached to the bolt hold.
Additional types of ultrasonic load indicating assemblies are known in the art, examples of which are illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,899,591; 4,846,001 and 5,131,276, all issued to Kibblewhite, and which teach a thin piezoelectric sensor and method of assembly consisting of a piezoelectric film sandwiched between two thin electrodes. The piezoelectric film is permanently mechanically and acoustically coupled to the upper surface of a member and is used to determine the length, tensile load, stress or other tensile load dependent characteristic of the member by ultrasonic techniques.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,437,525, issued to Bras, teaches an assembly component having a force measuring sensor which includes first and second faces and an axis of symmetry with a ceramic support layer having a mounting side carrying a piezoresistive layer having a resistance that varies in response to its deformation. The force sensor farther includes a central metallic layer and an annular metallic layer joined by the piezoresistive layer or at least two separate sensors having angularly disposed longitudinal axes. A machine for tightening the assembly component includes a motor driven socket for torquing the component in accordance with a sensed tightening tension.
Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 2,600,029, issued to Stone, discloses a stress indicating bolt or stud with a longitudinal bore, within which extend calibrated fine resistance wires. Measurement of bolt stress is achieved by passing an electric current through a series circuit formed by the fine resistance wires and the variations in resistance which are determined are correlated to actual stress experienced by the bolt.
The present invention is an ultrasonic transducer assembly incorporated into a printed circuit board and which is an improvement over prior art devices for measuring the tightening tension experienced by bolt-type fasteners. More particularly, the present invention provides a unique, reduced cost and, at the user""s option, disposable tension measurement device. Specifically, the transducer assembly can be less expensively produced employed mass insertion and soldering techniques, more quickly inspected, and more easily applied to a desired bolt fastener. The relative low cost of the transducer assembly, and in particular relative to prior art transducer devices, permits its discard after completion of bolt diagnosis.
The assembly includes a printed circuit board (PCB), preferably manufactured in multiple fashion within in a template layout. Each PCB incorporates at least one circuit configuration for communicating first (top) and second (bottom) faces of the PCB. In a first preferred embodiment, a connector secures to a first location of the first face and bolt identification component, either resistor or ID chip circuits, connects to a second location of the first face. The connector receives an input end of a wire harness extending from a personal computer (PC) or other suitable processing device and, depending upon whether a resistor or multi-bit ID chip employed in the circuit arrangement for electrically communicating with the PC and determining the identity of the bolt to be analyzed, either a two-pin or three-pin connector is used.
By manufacturing the PCB components within the template layout, a multi-port input can be configured at an appropriate location of the template (and by which each input communicates with a specified PCB). A suitable and multi-pin connector extends from the PC and engages the multi-port input. The PC incorporates suitable software for sequentially analyzing each of the PCB units and this is typically accomplished by first submerging the template in a volume of fluid and then by systematically energizing the piezo-ceramic associated with each printed circuit board. In this fashion, the status (good/bad) of each PCB unit can be determined. Break-off points are incorporated between each printed circuit board and the template to enable the PCB to be quickly detached for either disposal (bad) or application (good) in ultrasonic measurement.
Prior to application upon the fastener head, a conforming material, typically a volume of an injected plasticized/resinous material, is applied to the piezo-ceramic and at least substantially the second side of the assembled printed circuit board. In a further application, a substantially annular shape member is employed for insertably engaging the assembled PCB unit and a fluidic couplant may additionally be injected into the annular shaped member prior to engagement of the PCB unit.
The assembled transducer assembly is then secured, with the use of a suitable fluid adherent atop the head of the bolt fastener to be ultrasonically measured. The adherent can also be selected from both conductive and non-conductive materials and examples of suitable adherents include epoxies or glues and it is further contemplated that an adherent exhibiting a specified and lesser holding force (such as provided by weaker adhesives) can be selected depending upon whether the user desires to forcibly disengage the PCB unit from the fastener head for subsequent reuse.

Ultra-sonic transducer assembly incorporated into a printed circuit board for determining tension forces in a bolt


A method of controlling the surface temperature of a heat roller included in a fixing device and having a heater therein by sensing it by a thermistor. The thermistor is held in contact with the heat roller during warm-up operation and in a standby condition or spaced apart from the heat roller while a copying operation is under way. The heater is on/off controlled on the basis of a temperature measured when the thermistor is spaced apart from the heat roller. The method corrects this temperature by comparing temperatures measured in the contact and non-contact positions of the thermistor. In such a correction mode, if the difference between the two measured temperatures does not lie in a predetermined range, the method stops energizing the heater determining that an error has occurred.

The present invention relates to a method of controlling the temperature of a fixing device incorporated in an electrophotographic copier, printer or similar image forming equipment.
A fixing device for the above application has a heat roller accommodating a heater therein, a press roller held in pressing contact with the heat roller, and a thermistor responsive to the surface temperature of the heat roller. The temperature of the heater is controlled on the basis of a signal representative of a temperature sensed by the thermistor. The thermistor may be held in contact with the surface of the heat roller, as taught in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 49174/1987, or may be spaced apart from it, as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 88170/1986. The problem with the thermistor contacting the heat roller is that the former is apt to scratch or otherwise damage the latter due to friction. While this problem may be eliminated if the thermistor contacts part of the heat roller other than the part which a paper sheet passes, the thermistor in such a position cannot measure the temperature of the part which a paper sheet passes. This is critical considering the fact that the temperature of the part of the heat roller which a paper sheet passes drops on the passage of a paper sheet. On the other hand, when the thermistor is spaced apart from the heat roller, the roller is free from damage. With this configuration, however, it is necessary that the gap between the heat roller and the thermistor be supervised with extreme accuracy to accurately estimate the surface temperature of the roller from the sensed temperature. Moreover, since the output of the thermistor spaced apart from the heat roller is susceptible to the ambient temperature, the surface temperature to which the heat roller is controlled differs from the time just after the warm-up of the equipment to the time after a continuous operation.

Temperature control method for a fixing device


A module for configuring a weighbridge has a rectangular frame with a pair of parallel side edges and a pair of parallel end edges, which are shorter than the side edges, and a pair of rails, parallel to the side edges and affixed to the end edges. The rails and end edges define an interior of the rectangular frame, arranged to have concrete poured therein. There are also means for increasing the ability of the poured concrete to handle tensile forces, located in the interior. A first of these is a plurality of rebar chair strips for locating and retaining rebars. Each of these has an elongate metal bar with a lower edge and an upper edge, along which a plurality of rebar support sites are provided in spaced-apart relationship.

When trucks are used to transport products over the roads, knowing the weight of each axle group is important to assure compliance with local road weight restrictions. In many of these applications, it is also desired to process a transaction for the product being transported. This is done with a legal-for-trade truck scale. It is often desirable to be able to achieve both of these objectives with a single device.
One type of truck scale is known as a weighbridge. These are notably larger in plan view than an axle scale. In one variation, all axles of the truck being weighed are positioned on a unitary weigh platform, even if that unitary platform comprises a plurality of modules that have been joined together. The weight obtained on such a weighbridge can provide a "legal for trade" weight by subtracting a known tare weight for the tractor and the empty trailer. This weighbridge cannot provide the weight of an individual axle or axle group.
The second type of weighbridge, referred to as a "multi-axle weighbridge," has a weigh platform that is separated into a plurality of sections along the length thereof. When a truck is driven onto the weighbridge, each axle or axle group rests upon its own platform section, although some platform sections may have no axles or axle groups resting thereupon. The multi-axle weighbridge provides accurate individual axle weights and total weight information in a single weighing procedure.
It is a desirable goal to construct a weighbridge from modular units. Such units are commonly either steel or a composite of steel and concrete known as reinforced concrete. Concrete is strong in compression but weak in tension, so steel is used to carry all of the tensile stresses in the structure. For this to happen, the concrete must be bonded to the steel members for transfer of stresses. Because adhesive properties between concrete and steel are relatively weak; smooth reinforcing bars are generally ineffective. To increase the bond, deformations are added to the bar or a welded mesh is commonly used.
In a similar way, ribs in weighbridge modules require some means of binding the concrete and steel. Commonly, ribs are either formed or structural shapes, such as I-beam or channels, where the flanges constrain the encased concrete. Another method used is to add holes or weld studs to steel plate so that the cured concrete is constrained by these features. The additional features of these profiles add cost.
An unmet objective of the prior art is to provide a cost-effective solution that gives adequate reinforcement that is sufficiently constrained to the concrete. At present, flat material (i.e. plate, sheet or bar) that can be simply sawn or sheared to size is the lowest cost solution. Further unmet objectives involve the use of chairs to locate and retain reinforcing bars in position during the pouring of concrete and to provide tensile elements in the concrete slab after pouring.

Tensile reinforcements for concrete slab


A memory device for storing variable width data words. The memory device (200) comprises an array (201) of memory cells, an address latch (207) for receiving and latching a first address word from an external source, address decoding circuitry (202, 204) for accessing a selected storage location in the array (201) corresponding to the first address word stored in the address latch (207), and mode decode circuitry (220) operable in response to a received code to selectively modify the first address word stored in the address latch (207) to generate a second address word corresponding to a second selected storage location in the array (201).

A critical performance feature in any data processing system is the speed at which the CPU can complete an access (read operation or write operation) to electronic memory. The faster data is transferred between the CPU and memory, the better the performance of the processing system. One way data can be transferred more rapidly between the CPU and memory is by increasing the width of the data bus portion of the CPU local bus from, for example, 16 bits to 32 bits, 64 bits or 72 bits. In this way, data words of different sizes up to the maximum size data word for the system can be transferred across the data bus in a single operation.
However, expanding the size of the data bus requires the addition of more memory chips and increases the amount of board space required. Thus, the overall size, complexity and cost of the system are increased. As a result, it is currently preferable to read/write large data words that exceed the data bus width in sequential steps rather than to tailor the width of the data bus to the largest expected data word. For example, in a processing system having a 16 bit data bus, 16-bit words are stored or retrieved in a single memory access cycle for ordinary processor instructions. However, during double-precision instruction operations, a 32-bit word is stored or retrieved from memory in two memory access cycles.
One widely used electronic memory device is the dynamic random access memory (DRAM). Conventional electronic memories, including DRAMs, are of fixed I/O width. These devices store data in an array of N by M bits of storage, where N is the number of rows and M is the number of columns in the array. A K-bit location in memory is accessed using a row address, which accesses one row (containing M bits) out of N possible rows, and a column address, which accesses K columns (containing 1 bit each) out of the M columns (bits) in the accessed row. Row and column addresses are usually multiplexed through a single address port in two portions in order to minimize the number of pins required for interfacing with the address bus.
For example, a 256K.times.16 bit DRAM is a 4 megabit DRAM configured to allow access through a 16-pin data bus to a 16-bit location during each random access (one row and one column address). The 256K 16-bit data words require an 18-bit address in order to be separately addressable. Typically, a 9-pin address port is used. During a typical DRAM read or write operation, nine row address bits are first sent to the DRAM address port and latched in with a row address strobe (RAS). Nine column address bits are next sent to the DRAM address lines and latched in with a column address strobe (CAS).
Row address bits A.sub.0 -A.sub.8, are sent to a row decoder which accesses one of 512 rows. Each row contains 8192 columns (i.e., 512.times.16 columns) and each column contains one storage cell (bit). Column address bits A.sub.9 -A.sub.17 are sent to a column decoder which accesses one of 512 16-bit storage locations (words) within the accessed row, each storage location corresponding to a group of 16 columns. Depending on whether a read or write operation is being performed, 16 bits of data are either read from or written into the 16 storage cells accessed by the row and column address bits.
In the case where a 32-bit data word is being stored or retrieved, a second sequential column address must also be sent to the DRAM and latched in with a second CAS signal. A second 16 bits of data are then stored or retrieved. If the last column in the accessed row had been reached after the first CAS signal, a new row address and RAS signal would also have to be provided. The substantial drawback to this memory access scheme is that multiple memory addresses are required for data words that are larger than the data I/O width of the electronic memory. This necessarily requires the processor to maintain extra address "overhead" in order to access the larger data words stored in system memory and to prevent the second half of the larger words from being accidently overwritten.
There is therefore a need for improved memory circuits and processing systems using the improved memory circuits that can more easily access large data words in system memory. In particular, there is a need for processing systems and memory devices that can more easily access large data words in system memory by configuring the data I/O width of the memory devices "on the fly."

Memory device with an externally selectable-width I/O port and systems and methods using the same


Methods and devices are provided for identifying end devices and automatically configuring associated network settings. Preferred implementations of the invention do not require users to manually identify connection types (e.g., RFID, IPphone, manufacturing device, etc.) or to manually configure the network device. Accordingly, such implementations allow automatic switch configuration, even for devices that use inconsistent protocols and/or protocols that are not well known. Some methods of the invention employ DHCP options combined with traffic snooping to identify devices and automatically apply appropriate switch port configuration.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates the configuration of devices in a network.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is becoming commonplace for devices, including but not limited to RFID readers, RFID printers, VoIP telephones and devices used in manufacturing, to be deployed in large numbers within some networks. These devices often have unique characteristics, such as traffic type, bandwidth requirements, security demands, etc. Accordingly, such devices require specific network configurations, e.g., quality of service ("QoS"), security settings, VLANs or VSANs, etc. to properly support their desired functionality.
FIG. 1 illustrates a portion of a network 100, in which network device 105 (in this example, a Catalyst™ switch provided by Cisco Systems, Inc.) is connected to a plurality of devices, including RFID reader 110. In this example, RFID reader 110 is connected to port 120 via a fast Ethernet connection. For each port of network device 105, a variety of attributes may be configured, such as QoS, security, port speed, description, etc.
Within network 100, a large number of devices and associated network devices may be deployed. In general, it is a tedious and time-consuming process for users to deploy devices and to manage the associated infrastructure components, such as switches and other network devices. For example, the process of configuring switch port settings is currently a manual process, in which each desired attribute must be individually selected and enabled for a port.
This manual configuration process is currently inhibiting the deployment of large-scale RFID networks, manufacturing device networks, etc. It would be desirable to provide improved methods and devices that overcome at least some limitations of the prior art.

Automated configuration of network device ports


A slip spline boot for use in a constant velocity joint of a vehicle drive line includes a plurality of bellows. The plurality of bellows are arranged between a first and second end of the slip spline boot. The plurality of bellows have a specific peak to peak distance and a specific bellow angle for each of the bellows. The symmetrical boot will have the exact same peak to peak distance and bellow angle for each of the plurality of bellows on the slip spline boot. The slip spline boot is made of a high temperature high stiffness thermoplastic elastomer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a drive train for a motor vehicle, and more particularly relates to an improved high temperature slip spline boot for use on a prop shaft of a vehicle.
2. Description of Related Art
There are generally four main types of automotive drive line systems. More specifically, there is a full time front wheel drive system, a full time rear wheel drive system, a part time four wheel drive system and an all wheel drive system. Most commonly, the systems are distinguished by the delivery of power to different combinations of drive wheels, i.e., front drive wheels, rear drive wheels or some combination thereof. In addition to delivering power to a particular combination of drive wheels, both drive systems permit the respectively driven wheels to rotate at different speeds. For example, the outside wheels must rotate faster than the inside drive wheels and the front drive wheels must normally rotate faster than the rear drive wheels.
Drive line systems also include one or more constant velocity joints (CVJ). Such joints, which include by way of example and not limitation, a slip spline joint, a plunging tripod, a high speed fixed joint, along with any other known type are well known to those skilled in the art and are employed where a transmission of a constant velocity rotary motion is desired or acquired. A typical drive line system for a wheel rear or all wheel drive vehicle, for example, incorporates one or more constant velocity joints that connect a pair of front and rear propeller shafts (prop shafts) that transfer torque from a power take off unit to a rear drive line module or the like. Similarly the drive line system for a front wheel drive vehicle incorporates one or more constant velocity joints that transfer torque from a power take off unit to a rotary drive shaft.
These constant velocity joints are generally grease lubricated for life and sealed by a boot. The constant velocity joints are sealed in order to retain grease inside the joint keeping any contaminates and foreign matter, such as dirt and water, out of the joint. To achieve this protection, the constant velocity joint is usually enclosed at one end of the outer race by a sealing boot made of a rubber, thermoplastic, silicone, or other pliable material. The opposite end of the outer race is generally enclosed by either the opposite end of the boot, a dome or cap, or the internal geometry of the outer race of the constant velocity joint. The sealing and protection of the constant velocity joint is necessary because contamination of the joints may cause internal damage and destruction of the joint. Furthermore, once the inner chamber of the constant velocity joint is lubricated, it is generally lubricated for life.
During operation, the constant velocity joint creates internal pressure in the inner chamber of the joint. This is due to the joints high speed operation which create higher pressures and higher temperatures. These high speed high temperature environments may effect prior art boots stability thus reducing their effectiveness in protecting the joint they are sealing. Therefore, many prior art sealing boots generally have to be made of a higher stiffness material to operate properly in the high speed high temperature environment of the prop shafts. Many of the prior art high speed boots have reduced durability because the choice of stiffer materials create boots that were not capable of plunging, articulating and sealing properly in the extreme drive line conditions of a vehicle driveshaft. Also, the ingestion of any water or contaminates into a boot of a high speed high temperature joint via a distortion of the boot during operation or a rupture or tear of the boot, may impact that stability of the high temperature high speed boot and lead to contamination of the joint and thus reduce its durability and longevity. Such boot failures may even eventually result in a joint failure.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for an improved high speed high temperature boot for use with a constant velocity joint of a prop shaft in a vehicle.
Furthermore, there is the need in the art for a symmetrical boot design with precise length and angles to achieve an optimal boot for a high temperature high speed environment that will be stable in such an environment. There also is a need in the art for an improved split spline boot for use in the drive line of a vehicle.


A pool ladder may have a first and second leg extension, each having a generally continuous profile; a first tread may comprise first and second through-holes, the first through-hole being sized to slidingly receive the generally continuous profile of the first leg extension, and the second through-hole being sized to slidingly receive the generally continuous profile of the second leg extension; and a first and second tread support. The first tread support may be engaged at a tread location on the first leg extension and may be separate from the first leg extension. The second tread support may be engaged at a tread location on the second leg extension and may be separate from the second leg extension. Each of the first and second tread supports may protrude from the respective leg extension a sufficient amount to prevent the first and second through-holes from sliding past the tread locations.

Above ground and in ground pools generally require some sort of step or ladder apparatus to help users in and out of the pool. Some examples of step or ladder apparatuses may be pool steps, a ladder that secures to a deck or platform, and an A-frame type ladder for above ground pools. The pool steps may be similar to stairs in a home or office and would generally secure to the deck or platform of the above or in ground pool.
Ladders for above ground pools are usually designed with one deck height in mind. Pool ladders may be designed for different deck heights of between about 48 inches and about 60 inches. This means that pool ladder manufacturers have to take time to design and manufacture different models of ladders for various different deck heights. When companies are designing and manufacturing the pool ladders, the ladders should comply with the Association of Pool and Spa Professional (APSP) ladder codes. The APSP ladder codes state that the treads in all ladders should have a uniform riser height of between 7 inches at a minimum and 12 inches at a maximum. An exception is that the riser height of the bottom tread may vary from the other riser heights; however, the riser height cannot be less than 7 inches or greater than 12 inches.
Pool steps and ladders may be purchased in store or over the Internet. Once purchased, the ladders may be shipped or delivered to the users, however shipping or delivering assembled ladders may be difficult and costly due to the large size of the ladders. When the ladders are shipped unassembled, the company shipping or manufacturing the ladder components have to ensure that each component required for assembly is included in the box before shipment. Components of pool ladders are usually made of a combination of plastic, and metal components and fasteners. The various plastic components may be molded using multiple mold presses or cavities. Having to collect each of the different components, such as plastic components, metal nuts, bolts, washers etc. after they are manufactured using the different processes requires additional time and/or resources and may mean that a component may be forgotten or left out of the shipping container.
Pool ladders that require assembly once they are received by the user, also require the user to have the right tools at their home for the assembly. When there are many screws, bolts, or nuts included in the assembly of the pool ladder, the user may need the right sizes of tools for the different screws, bolts, and nuts in order to assemble the ladder. If the user does not have the necessary tools, assembly may be difficult or impossible.
Accordingly, an additional, alternative and/or improved pool ladder that may be assembled by a user is desirable.


An improved electrostimulator apparatus, comprises first and second electrodes spaced-apart a predetermined distance, an electrical signal generator for providing pulses of predetermined width and repetition rate to the spaced-apart electrodes, and an LED providing a beam of light projecting between the spaced-apart electrodes toward the object intended to be electrostimulated. The electrodes have substantially co-planar external faces approximately perpendicular to the light beam. The electrodes, signal generator and LED are mounted in an elongated housing having a longitudinal central axis. The electrodes are exposed on an end and the light beam is emitted from the same end and substantially parallel to the central axis. An ON/OFF switch actuates the signal generator and the LED when turned ON. It automatically turns OFF state when released so that the signal generator and the LED are always ON or OFF together.

Electrostimulation is a well known technique for treatment of various medical conditions. Electrostimulation involves providing a mild electrical shock to particular regions of a human (or other) body. Such treatment is useful, among other things, in pain therapy and has been shown to provide relief from chronic pain under circumstances when other methods have failed or lost their efficacy. Electrostimulation is believed to block transmission of nerve pulses thereby interrupting the flow of "pain" signals along the body's nervous system. While electrostimulation of this type does not provide a cure to the underlying cause of pain, it is a useful palliative which can be very helpful to those who suffer from chronic pain. The term TENS, standing for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation, has been coined in the art to refer to this type of pain relief by electrostimulation. See for example, Soric and Devlin, "Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation-Practical Aspects and Applications," Postgraduate Medicine, Vol. 78, No. 4, Sep. 15, 1985, pages 101-106.
While the present invention is described for convenience of explanation in terms of use in connection with TENS treatment, those of skill in the art will understand based on the description herein that other uses may also be made of the present invention, and that it is not limited to TENS and may be applied to electrostimulation in general.
TENS equipment exists but suffers from a number of limitations well known in the art. For example, much of present day TENS equipment is bulky or requires placement of needle electrodes or other separate electrodes taped to the body and connected by wires to the TENS apparatus. This makes treatment inconvenient or creates risk of infection and often requires that it provided by trained medical personnel. In other cases, even with TENS equipment having integral electrodes, it is difficult to direct the electrodes to the precise region of the body desired to be stimulated because as the electrodes are brought in contact with the body the gap therebetween across which the electrical stimulation signal is provided is hidden by the electrodes and/or the body of the TENS device. Thus, there continues to be a need for improved TENS and other electrostimulator devices which are more convenient, of a size and shape that may be easily held and manipulated even by persons of limited dexterity, are simple to operate, are easier to direct to the target stimulation region, and are effective in achieving the objectives of the electrostimulation, as for example, pain relief.

Electrostimulator with light emitting device