An apparatus for opening and closing a trunk for a vehicle, may include a motor unit equipped with a motor, an inner tube provided outside the motor unit to surround the motor unit, with a plurality of protrusions protruding from an outer circumference of the inner tube, an outer tube provided outside the inner tube to surround the inner tube and including a threaded groove being indented along an inner circumference of the outer tube, a bar-shaped spindle having a threaded portion on an outer circumference thereof, and coupled to the motor unit to cause the threaded portion of the spindle to engage with the threaded groove of the outer tube when the motor may be rotated, thus allowing the spindle to perform translation simultaneously with rotation, and an elastic member-wound on an outer circumference of the outer tube.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates, in general, to an apparatus for opening and closing a trunk for a vehicle, and, more particularly, to an apparatus for opening and closing a trunk for a vehicle, which is capable of providing a larger space to the trunk.
2. Description of Related Art
In a conventional apparatus for opening and closing a trunk for a vehicle, a hinge arm and a torsion bar are a technology that is widely being used in a current vehicle. Since vehicle users are interested in trunk space, the trunk space has marketability. Thus, vehicle makers make many efforts to enlarge the trunk space of a vehicle.
Korean Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-2011-0028920 A has been proposed, which is entitled "Apparatus for Automatically Opening and Closing Trunk Lid for Vehicle". The apparatus includes a tube part, a driving part, and a connecting part, and is formed in a "U" shape, thus making it convenient to open and close the trunk of the vehicle. The tube part moves a goose-neck using the rotating force of a spindle. The driving part transmits power to rotate the spindle, and is spaced apart from a lower end of a side of the tube part. The connecting part structurally connects the tube part to the driving part, and transmits power from the driving part to the tube part.
However, the conventional apparatus for opening and closing the trunk for the vehicle is problematic in that it uses the hinge arm and the torsion bar, so that the hinge arms undesirably occupies the luggage space when the trunk is closed. Further, the torsion bar may be damaged by a luggage loaded in the luggage space.
Furthermore, recently, a midsize vehicle was configured so that a gas lift is installed outside the luggage space. Such a configuration ensures luggage space but is complex, thus increasing material cost and the number of assembling processes.
The information disclosed in this Background of the Invention section is only for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information forms the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art.

Apparatus for opening and closing trunk for vehicle


A digital media communications and control system includes a plurality of audio devices each of which includes a device interface module for communication of digital media data and control data from at least one of the devices to at least one other of the devices. A universal data link is operatively connected to each of the device interface modules. The device interface modules and universal data links are operative in combination to connect the devices together in the system and provide full duplex communication of the digital media data and control data between the devices.

This invention pertains to systems for enabling the communication of digital media signals and data between a media source device, such as a musical instrument, and electronic components needed to control and re-produce sounds generated by that source device. More specifically, this invention relates to a system and method that facilitates the interconnection of one or more diverse musical instruments and related audio components on a universal network for purposes of communication of audio signals and signals to identify and control the devices.
The generation, transmission, amplification and control of audio and other media signals and devices involve diverse yet interrelated technologies that are changing rapidly. The development and implementation of high bandwidth digital communication technologies and distribution systems is significantly affecting all media industries, from book publishing to television/video broadcasting. Products, systems, and services that affect the sense of sight or sound are converging in the use of common technologies and distribution pipelines. This has a profound effect, not only on the nature of the products that are produced, but on the sales channels and the methods of producing content for those products.
Current examples of the convergence of audio and digital technologies are the arrival and consumer acceptance of the MPEG-3 digital music format, the inexpensive recordable CD (e.g., the "MiniDisc"), and the high bandwidth Internet. However, the markets for technology-driven products are not served by implementation of multiple technical standards. Typically, a new technology begins in its early phase with multiple standards, which in many cases are vigorously debated and disputed among various advocates for the different standards. In most technology-driven industries that prosper, a single standard historically is universally adopted by members of that industry.
Similarly, there is a need for a universally accepted standard for digital communication of audio and video content. Because of the overwhelming acceptance of the Internet and its TCP/IP protocol, coupled with a substantial pre-existing infrastructure of network hardware, software, and know-how, a universal standard for digital audio/video communication and control should revolve around this well-known TCP/IP and Internet technology.
The weakness of the existing audio hardware market is in its application of digital electronic technologies. Today's musicians can record and process multiple-tracks of high quality sound on their computers but are forced to plug into boxes with 1950's era analog circuits. For example, the original challenge in the guitar musical instrument industry was to make the guitar louder. The circuits of the day distorted the sound of the instrument, but did accomplish their task. With time, these distortions became desirable tones, and became the basis of competition.
Guitar players and other musicians are very interested in sound modification. Digital technology allows musicians to create an infinite variety of sound modifications and enhancements. Musicians in small clubs typically have a veritable arsenal of pedal boxes, reverb effects, wires, guitars and the like. They generally have a rack of effects boxes and an antiquated amplifier positioned somewhere where the sound distribution is generally not optimal because the amplifier is essentially a point source. Because of this lack of accurate sound placement, the sound technician is constantly struggling to integrate the guitar player into the overall sound spectrum, so as to please the rest of the band as well as the audience who would love to hear the entire ensemble. Current solutions for this issue include positioning a microphone in front of a speaker and then mixing the audio from the microphone with the house sound.
Technology has made some progress along a digital audio path. For example, there are prior art guitar processors and digital amplifiers that use digital signal processing (DSP) to allow a single guitar to emulate a variety of different guitar sounds, amplifier types, and other sound modifications such as reverb and delay. To achieve the same variety of sounds and variations without using DSP technology, a musician would have to buy several guitars, several different amplifiers, and at least one, if not more than one, accessory electronic box.
All existing instruments, if they use a transducer of any kind, output the sound information as an analog signal. This analog signal varies in output level and impedance, is subject to capacitance and other environmental distortions, and can be subject to ground loops and other kinds of electronic noise. After being degraded in such fashion by the environment, the analog signal is often digitized at some point, with the digitized signal including the noise component. Although existing digital audio technologies show promise, it is clear that the audio equipment and musical instrument industries would benefit from a system and method where all audio signals are digital at inception or at the earliest possible point in the signal chain.
At present, there are multiple digital interconnection specifications, including AES/EBU, S/PDIF, the ADAT "Light Pipe" and IEEE 1394 "Firewire". However, none of these standards or specifications is physically appropriate for the unique requirements of live music performance. In addition, clocking, synchronization, and jitter/latency management are large problems with many of these existing digital options.
Different segments of the music market have experimented in digital audio. Some segments have completely embraced it, but there is no appropriate scalable standard. Clearly, digital components exist, but these are designed to function as stand alone digital devices. Correspondingly, many manufacturers have chosen to make their small portion of the product world digital but rely mainly on traditional analog I/O to connect to the rest of the world. This may solve the local problem for the specific product in question, but does little to resolve the greater system-oriented issues that arise as the number of interconnected devices grows. In addition, the small sound degradation caused by an analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog transformation in each "box" combines to produce non-optimal sound quality. Finally, the cost, power and size inefficiency related to having each component in a chain converting back and forth to digital begs for a universal, end-to-end digital solution.
Another basic yet important part of the problem is that live musicians need a single cable that is long, locally repairable, and simple to install and use. In addition, it is highly desirable to support multiple audio channels on a single cable, as setups often scale out of control with current multiple cable solutions. Providing low current, DC power through the cable for the active circuits used in digital instruments would be preferable to the use of batteries which many conventional instruments depend on.
Based on the technology trends and patterns that have already been established, a digital guitar will emerge with the transducers (pick-ups) feeding a high bandwidth digital signal. This advance will remove many detrimental aspects of the analog technology it will replace, including noise, inconsistent tonal response from time to time, and loss of fidelity with a need for subsequent signal processing. The introduction of digital technology from the instrument will allow the entire signal path and the equipment associated with the signal path to be digital. Unfortunately, there is no system available to interconnect multiple musical instruments and associated audio components so that they can communicate with each other and be controlled entirely in the digital domain, using a universal interface and communications protocol.
In summary, despite dramatic advances in technology, real-time high-fidelity digital audio has yet to permeate both production and live performance. Increasing demand has motivated little effort to apply modern network technology towards producing superior quality real-time audio devices, at low prices. A small number of isolated digital systems do exist but they rely on archaic analog interfaces to connect with other devices. An increasing demand for more interconnected devices has resulted in diminished sound quality in these systems, caused by repeated analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog conversions. Additionally, this conversion requires capability that often results in prohibitive size and power requirements.
Many of the existing systems are difficult to install, lack flexible reconfiguration capabilities, and do not take advantage of intuitive user-friendly hardware and software interfaces. Existing digital interconnection specifications do not satisfy the unique requirements of live audio performances, particularly in the areas of clocking, distance synchronization, and jitter/latency management.
Thus, there remains a compelling need in the audio industry for an open architecture digital interconnect that would allow audio products from different vendors (musical instruments, processors, amplifiers, recording and mixing devices, etc.), to seamlessly communicate.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Universal digital media communications and control system and method


A gate valve has a manual actuator that includes a crank having a direct pivotal connection with a slidable valve plate. The valve plate has a teardrop configuration that enables the valve plate to swing around the pivot connection as the plate slides along guide slot edge surfaces, between a closed position and an open position. Only a relatively small manual force is required to operate the valve.

This invention relates to a gate valve, and particularly to a gate valve having an improved actuator linkage between a manual handle and a slidable valve plate.
Gate valves having manual actuators are already known. My U.S. Pat. No. 5,445,190 issued on Aug. 29, 1995 shows a gate valve having an external actuator having a pivotal link connecting a rotary plate to a valve plate. Manual rotation of the rotary plate causes the link pivot connection to move toward or away from the valve flow passage, whereby the valve plate is moved between its open and closed positions.
The present invention is directed to a gate valve having an actuator that is simplified from the actuator shown in my U.S. Pat. No. 5,445,190. The present actuator comprises a direct pivotal connection between a manual crank and a slidable valve plate, such that the valve plate has a combined slidable and swingable motion as it moves between its open and closed positions.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,701,117 issued to N. Bashark shows a manual actuator for a gate valve that includes a manually-operated crank arm having a pin-slot connection with a slidable valve plate. One disadvantage of the pin-slot connection is that for a considerable portion of the crank arm stroke the pin exerts an oblique force on the valve plate, such that the plate can have a tendency to bind or wedge against the edge guides in the valve housing. A relatively large manual force is required to move the valve plate from its closed position. Premature wear on the sliding surfaces may be a problem.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,875,504, issued to W. Nicholson, shows an electric motor actuator attachable to a manually-operated gate valve to remotely operate the valve.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,439,198, issued to L. Reed, shows a gate valve actuator that includes a manual lever extending angularly away from the plane of the slidable valve plate. One disadvantage of such a lever actuator is that the valve is bulky and space-inefficient. The valve can only be used where a relatively large installation space is available.
The present invention is concerned with a gate valve having an improved low cost manual actuator. The actuator is designed to achieve smooth slidable motion of a slidable valve plate with a relatively small manual effort.
In the preferred practice of the invention, the slidable valve plate has a direct pivotal connection with a manually-operated crank arm. Manual rotation of the crank arm through a swing arc of about one hundred eighty degrees causes the valve plate to slide and at the same time to swing around its pivotal connection with the crank arm. The valve plate has a rocking action on edge guide surfaces formed in the valve housing, so that the valve plate moves freely between its open and closed positions. A relatively small manual effort is effective to operate the valve.
Further features of the invention will be apparent from the attached drawings and description of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Gate valve having a swingable-slidable valve plate


A method for streaming video data. Video data is received. At least one frame of the video data is segmented into a plurality of regions. Video data corresponding to a first region of the plurality of regions is transmitted over a network. The video data corresponding to a second region of the plurality of regions is modified according to interactive input. The video data corresponding to a modified version of the second region is transmitted over the network.

Streaming video applications are used for facilitating the transmission of different types of video streams. For instance, in an interactive streaming video application, the content of the video stream is subject to changes in perceived real-time, e.g., in response to user's actions. An example of such an interactive application is video conferencing. In contrast, in a non-interactive streaming video application, e.g., in a Video-on-Demand (VoD) system, the video content does not change due to interactivity. It is understood that the transmission of interactive streaming video is associated with significantly more stringent processing and timing requirements, and therefore cost, than non-interactive streaming video. In particular, low end-to-end delay is generally required to provide lively user interactivity.
The drawings referred to in this description should not be understood as being drawn to scale except if specifically noted.

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


An optical-element holding device includes an elastic member that presses an optical element with an elastic force in a direction orthogonal to an optical axis of the optical element and orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the optical element, and a support member that forms a pair with the elastic member and supports the optical element against a pressing force of the elastic member. At least three pairs of the elastic member and the support member are provided.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a long-optical-element holding device, a method of adjusting shape of a long optical element, a long-optical-element shape adjusting device, a method of correcting scanning line variation, an optical scanning device, and an image forming apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, in image forming apparatuses, such as a laser printer, a digital copying machine, and a laser facsimile, a plastic material is often used as a material for an optical element forming a scanning optical system. Although plastic is excellent in mass productivity, a shape of the plastic often varies from an ideal one because of, for example, a distribution of temperature in a die at the time of molding and non-uniformity of cooling after the plastic is taken out from the die.
In the optical scanning system, an optical element elongated in a main scanning direction is often used. Since the optical element bends in a sub-scanning direction, depending on a holding method for the long optical element, the bending of the optical element causes scanning position deviation in a direction corresponding to sub-scanning, such as scanning line tilt and scanning line bending. An error in attachment of the optical element to a housing also causes scanning position deviation in a direction corresponding to sub-scanning on a surface to be scanned. The scanning position deviation is often nonnegligibly large.
In an image forming apparatus having a plurality of scanning units for an increase in speed of image formation or for color image formation (hereinafter, "tandem image forming apparatus"), an amount of scanning position deviation in a direction corresponding to sub-scanning such as scanning line bending is different for each of the scanning units because of a temperature deviation among housings that hold and fix the scanning units. This causes deterioration in a quality of a formed image, color misalignment, and the like. The same problem occurs in a system for making a plurality of light beams incident on a single deflector to use the light beams for scanning and arranging optical elements to be laid one on top of another in a sub-scanning direction, that is, a system for holding all scanning units in an identical optical housing. An amount of scanning position deviation in a direction corresponding to sub-scanning such as scanning line tilt and scanning line bending on each surface to be scanned, for example, a photosensitive member surface is different because of an influence of a shape error or an attachment error of the optical elements forming scanning optical systems or a temperature distribution in an identical housing. This causes deterioration in a quality of a formed image.
A tandem image forming apparatus is one of the types of a full-color image forming apparatus. In the tandem image forming apparatus, for example, four photosensitive drums are provided along a conveyance surface of a transfer belt in association with colors of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K). Optical scanning devices provided in association with the respective photosensitive drums scan the photosensitive drums using light beams to form electrostatic latent images on peripheral surfaces of the photosensitive drums. The electrostatic latent images are visualized with toners of corresponding colors. The visualized images are sequentially transferred onto a sheet conveyed by the transfer belt to be superimposed one on top of another to form a multi-color image. Therefore, if scanning position deviation in a direction corresponding to sub-scanning occurs for each color, deterioration in a quality of a formed image or color misalignment is caused.
As a solution for the problem described above, many proposals have been made. Some of proposals related to the present invention among the proposals are described below as examples.
As an example, an optical scanning device is proposed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-231240. The optical scanning device includes an adjusting mechanism for forcibly deforming an optical member, for example, a mirror in a scanning optical system with an adjusting screw or the like to correct scanning line bending. However, this system has a difficulty in that a magnification in a main scanning direction changes because of the correction of scanning line bending. Therefore, in particular, in a tandem drawing optical system, dot position deviation in the main scanning direction occurs among optical scanning devices and stations consisting of photosensitive members corresponding to the optical scanning devices. Color misalignment due to the dot position deviation occurs. Since it is impossible to adjust scanning line tilt, even if an amount of scanning line bending for each of the stations is reduced to be within a predetermined range, if the scanning line tilt fluctuates for each of the stations, color unevenness or color misalignment is caused. This leads to deterioration in a quality of a formed image.
As another example, a scanning optical device is proposed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-166235. The scanning optical device presses and supports a plastic lens disposed in a housing with a plurality of adjusting screws screwed in the housing and springs arranged in positions opposed to the adjusting screws and adjusts a pressing force by the adjusting screws to correct deflective deformation of the plastic lens and correct any one of bending and tilt or both of a scanning line on a surface to be scanned. Since the plastic lens is disposed in the housing, the adjustment system according to the invention has a difficulty in that a size of the optical scanning device increases. Since the housing is fixed to an optical housing, it is impossible to correct the scanning line tilt.
As still another example, a tandem image forming apparatus using a plurality of scanning units is proposed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-166235. The tandem image forming apparatus is a color image forming apparatus that uses a scanning optical device in which all the scanning units are assembled in separate housings, respectively, and positions of all the housings are adjusted to photosensitive members corresponding thereto to cause scanning lines in the photosensitive members to coincide with one another. However, according to the invention, there is a difficulty in that, since a mechanism for adjustment is complicated and adjustment time is long, an increase in cost is caused. It is likely that color misalignment occurs because it is impossible to adjust scanning line bending when temperature fluctuates from a room temperature state to cause a temperature distribution among the scanning units. It is impossible to cope with aged deterioration due to a temperature change or the like. Thus, it is impossible to highly accurately correct color misalignment during printing or in an environment of use.
As still another example, an optical scanning device for a multi-color image forming apparatus is proposed in for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-268217. The optical scanning device brings an adjusting screw into abutment against a portion near the center in a length direction of a toroidal lens consisting of a plastic lens forming a scanning optical system to bend the toroidal lens in a sub-scanning direction and adjusts a deflection degree of the toroidal lens according to adjustment of the adjusting screw to correct scanning line bending. According to the invention, it is possible to correct scanning line bending among photosensitive members in an initial state. However, it is impossible to cope with aged deterioration due to a temperate change or the like. Thus, it is impossible to highly accurately correct color misalignment due to a change in environment during printing or color misalignment due to an environment of use.
As described above, all the conventional technologies still have a technical problem in that a dot position in a main scanning direction in a surface to be scanned is shifted, it is impossible to correct scanning line tilt, or it is impossible to correct scanning line bending involved in any one of aged deterioration and a temperature change or both.
Further, conventionally, as a constitution of an optical scanning device, it is proposed to correct scanning line bending and scanning line tilt by bending a long lens forming a scanning and focusing optical system with a plurality of fulcrums as supporting points or tilting the long lens in a sub-scanning direction in order to reduce the bending or the scanning line tilt (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-258189).
In an image forming apparatus using an electrophotographic process called a Carlson process, formation of a latent image by exposure, a development by a toner, and transfer of a toner image to a transfer member are performed according to rotation of a photosensitive drum serving as an image carrier. Therefore, in a multi-color image forming apparatus in which a plurality of photosensitive drums are arranged along a conveyance direction of a transfer member to superimpose toner images formed by image forming stations of respective colors one on top of another, a time difference from formation to transfer of latent images due to eccentricity and fluctuation in diameters of the photosensitive drums, a difference of intervals of the photosensitive drums of the respective colors, or fluctuation in speed or meander of a transfer member such as a transfer belt or a conveyor belt for conveying recording paper causes misregistration in a sub-scanning direction of respective toner images. This leads to color misalignment and color change to deteriorate an image quality.
Conventionally, regardless of whether the misregistration is misregistration caused by an optical scanning device or misregistration due to other reasons, the misregistration is periodically detected according to a misregistration detection pattern recorded in a transfer member at the time of start of the apparatus, between jobs, or the like. Concerning a sub-scanning direction, a position of a leading line is corrected by adjusting timing for starting drawing an image every other deflective reflection surface of a polygon mirror. Concerning a main scanning direction, a position for starting drawing an image is corrected by adjusting light-emission start timing of a light source according to a synchronization detection signal (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H7-19084, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-253113, and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-154703 (hereinafter, "first document")). Along with the correction, full-width magnifications of respective colors are set by taking measures for, for example, detecting scanning time from a scanning start to a scanning end and adjusting a frequency of a pixel clock to the scanning time detected (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H9-58053).
On the other hand, in such a multi-color image forming apparatus, an increase in speed and an increase in density have been advanced year after year. As measures for coping with the increase in speed and the increase in density, there is a method of increasing the number of revolutions of a polygon motor. However, since there is a limit in a life of a bearing, heat generation and vibration are not sufficiently controlled. Thus, a system using a multi-beam light source that can realize the increase in speed and the increase in density by performing scanning using a plurality of beams at a smaller number of revolutions is proposed. However, the multi-beam light source has differences in pitches and wavelengths among light sources. Thus, as disclosed in the first document, an example for preventing the differences among the light sources by performing misregistration detection for a set of a plurality of lines separately is proposed. Moreover, an example using a liquid crystal deflection element as means for correcting a scanning position in a sub-scanning direction is proposed (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-233094 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-215484).
In recent years, intending to improve a scanning characteristic, an optical element having a special surface represented by an aspherical surface is generally adopted for a focusing optical system of an optical scanning device. There is a resin material as a material from which such an optical element having a special surface can be easily formed. Since it is possible to form the special surface by integrally molding the resin material, cost for forming the optical element is low. Thus, the optical element formed of the resin material is frequency used in a focusing optical system.
An optical characteristic of the optical element formed of the resin material is affected by a change in temperature or humidity to change easily. When such an optical element is used for a scanning and focusing optical system for an optical scanning device, a state of bending and constant speed property of a scanning line also change because of a change in temperature or humidity. Therefore, when several tens color images are continuously formed, an internal temperature rises because of a continuous operation of respective optical scanning devices, an optical characteristic of the focusing optical system changes, and a state of bending and constant speed property of scanning lines for drawing images in the respective optical scanning devices gradually change. As a result, a tone of a color image obtained in an initial period and a tone of a color image obtained in an end period may be completely different because of a color misalignment phenomenon. Since temperature in the optical scanning device rises, a housing for the optical scanning device expands and a position of a receiving surface of the optical element changes. Consequently, a deficiency occurs in that a scanning position with respect to a photosensitive member is shifted over time, for example, a beam position with respect to the optical element changes or a setting angle for a return mirror changes.
A scanning and focusing lens such as an fθ lens representative as an optical element forming a scanning and focusing optical system is generally formed as a strip-shaped lens long in a main scanning direction by cutting off an unnecessary portion (a portion on which deflected light beams are not made incident) of a lens in a sub-scanning direction. When the scanning and focusing optical system is formed of a plurality of lenses, a lens length in the main scanning direction increases as an arrangement position of the lenses is farther apart from a light deflecting unit. A long lens having a length of about 100 mm to 200 mm or more is required. Such a long lens is generally formed by resin molding using a resin material. When a temperature distribution in the lens becomes non-uniform because of a change in ambient temperature, the lens is warped to be bowed in the sub-scanning direction. Such warp of the long lens causes the scanning line bending. When the warp is marked, the scanning line bending also occurs excessively.
As examples of the optical scanning device applicable to the multi-color image forming apparatus, a constitution in which light beams from light sources corresponding to respective colors are collectively used for scanning by a single polygon mirror and a plurality of mirrors for leading the respective light beams to scanning optical systems and photosensitive drums corresponding to the light beams are integrally supported in a common housing and a constitution in which optical scanning devices are arranged individually in association with respective photosensitive drums are known (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-148551 (hereinafter, "second document")). According to the constitution described in the second document, components are arranged such that light beams traveling to the photosensitive drums pass different paths. Thus, respective irradiation positions easily fluctuate because of, for example, temperature of an environment in which the multi-color image forming apparatus is set.
It is possible to periodically detect a misregistration detection pattern recorded in a transfer member such as an intermediate transfer belt, for example, at the time of start of the apparatus or between jobs and correct the deviation of an irradiation position based on a result of the detection. However, since the irradiation position further fluctuates because of heat or the like from a fixing device and a polygon motor following a print operation, if the number of prints per one job is large, color misalignment and color change gradually occur. In particular, as in the invention described in the second document, when optical systems are arranged to be opposed to each other across a polygon mirror, since scanning directions are opposite in the opposed optical systems, a position for drawing an image is shifted by fluctuation in a main scanning magnification. Moreover, since scanning position deviation among respective colors increases because of distortion of a housing, color misalignment and color change tend to occur.
As measures against the problem, it is conceivable to always observe temperature and, when the temperature reaches a predetermined temperature change width or when the number of prints exceeds a predetermined number, stop the print operation and correct deviation of the irradiation position again. However, taking into account a flow of creating a misregistration detection pattern, detecting and correcting the misregistration detection pattern, creating a detection pattern again, and detecting and correcting the detection pattern, it takes several minutes until the correction ends. This deteriorates productivity and a toner is consumed wastefully to form the detection pattern. Therefore, it is desirable to minimize frequency of correction of a light beam irradiation position.
In the image forming apparatus using the Carlson process, formation, development, and transfer of a latent image are performed according to rotation of a photosensitive drum. Therefore, in a tandem multi-color image forming apparatus in which a plurality of photosensitive drums are arranged along a conveyance direction of a transfer member to superimpose toner images formed by image forming stations of respective colors one on top of another, a time difference from formation to transfer of latent images due to eccentricity and fluctuation in diameters of the photosensitive drums, a difference of intervals of the photosensitive drums of the respective colors, or fluctuation in speed or meander of a transfer member such as a transfer belt or a conveyor belt for conveying recording paper causes misregistration or skew of respective toner images. This leads to color misalignment and color change to deteriorate an image quality.
Similarly, in the optical scanning device, unless changes (indicating bending, tilt, curve, deformation, and the like) of scanning lines for electrostatic latent images formed on a photosensitive drum are accurately adjusted, bending or skew of scanning lines for forming respective toner images occurs. This also causes color misalignment and color change.
Conventionally, regardless of whether the misregistration or the skew is misregistration or skew caused by an optical scanning device or misregistration or skew due to other reasons, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H7-199084 and Japanese Patent No. 3049606, the misregistration or the skew is periodically detected according to a detection pattern recorded in a transfer member at the time of start of the apparatus, between jobs, or the like. The misregistration is corrected by changing a position of a leading line by adjusting timing for starting drawing an image every other surface of a polygon mirror.
The skew is corrected by changing scanning line tilt by, for example, tilting a return mirror as disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 3049606 or rotating a scanning lens having a convergent action in a sub-scanning direction around an optical axis as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-153765 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-262816.
In this way, the misregistration or the skew is automatically corrected by providing a mechanical correction function and building a pulse motor or the like in the optical scanning device.
On the other hand, the scanning line bending is also mechanically corrected by, for example, curving a return mirror as disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 3049606, correcting a shape along a main scanning direction of a scanning lens in a sub-scanning direction as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-148551, or rotating a position of a scanning lens around an axis orthogonal to a sub-scanning section as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-255245.
As a constitution for controlling deviation of a plurality of scanning lines, there is one disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-140070. As a technology related to the invention, there is one disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-228148.
However, recently, since a scanning lens is made of resin according to a reduction in cost, it is difficult to secure straightness of a focal line of the scanning lens because of warp at the time of molding, distortion of a lens surface, and a distribution of internal refractive indexes.
On the other hand, since users have strict views about color misalignment and color change, higher accuracy is required for correction of the misregistration, the skew, and the scanning line bending.
Since the detection by the detection pattern requires labor and time for the scanning line bending, it is difficult to correct fluctuation of the bending due to fluctuation in temperature or the like. The point is how accurately the bending is adjusted at the time of manufacturing.
In that regard, in the conventional method of correcting scanning line bending, warp of a return mirror or a position of a scanning lens is changed. Although it is possible to correct the bending, a scanning line on a surface to be scanned is simply curved in a shape of a quadratic function curve to offset the curve. Thus, the method cannot cope with complicated bending having a quadratic or higher-order function curve component.
For example, a method of correcting bending and tilt while correcting warp of an external shape of a scanning lens by holding the scanning lens between metal plates is proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-109761. However, even if the external shape is straight, if there is distortion of a lens surface or a distribution of internal refractive indexes, it is impossible to cope with a complicated bent shape as in the conventional correction method.
In general, a quadratic function curve component is caused by warp of a scanning lens, eccentricity of an optical axis with respect to an attachment reference surface, distortion of a transfer member, or the like. On the other hand, a higher-order function curve component is caused by combination of bending of focal lines in a plurality of lenses. Thus, the higher-order function curve component has less importance compared with the quadratic function curve component.
Therefore, the higher-order function curve component has been treated as a correction residual. However, the higher-order function curve component is innegligible because of complication of a bent shape and a reduction in an allowable residual due to the distortion of a lens surface involved in formation of a scanning lens with resin, the distribution of an internal refractive indexes, and the like.

Optical-element holding device, method of adjusting shape of optical element, optical-element shape adjusting device, method of correcting scanning line variation, optical scanning device, and image forming apparatus


A system for monitoring components of an aircraft ground refueling system includes a first computing device and a second computing device hosting a data base. The first computing device is caused to read a component identification tag secured to a component of an aircraft ground refueling system; the tag contains a unique component identifier. The first computing device transmits the component identifier to the second computing device which verifies that the component identifier is active in the data. The first computer, responsive to the verification, displays a user interface to receive data representative of an operational status of the component and transmits the operational status. The second computing device stores the data in the database to create an operational history of the component. The second computing device analyzes the history of the data to determine a characteristic operational parameter of the component of the aircraft ground refueling system.

An aircraft ground refueling system includes numerous components such as couplers, valves, meters, transducers, nozzles, controllers and the like that are important to the timely refueling of aircraft while that aircraft is on the ground. However, as with all mechanical and electrical components, the components of a refueling system have the potential to degrade or fail over time due to usage, age or environmental exposure. Failures of aircraft ground refueling components can directly affect the time it takes to refuel an aircraft as well as the quality or volume of fuel supplied to the aircraft. Issues with refueling can directly affect the timeliness of an aircraft departure and can even result in a flight cancellation.

Asset utilization management for aircraft ground refueling equipment


An athletic floor uses a panel-type subfloor to secure directly to a concrete base. The panel-type sections include upper and lower rigid layers which sandwich a resilient layer. The rigidity of the lower layer spans most uneven spots in the floor, while the resilient layer provides some degree of a compressibility and/or conformability, as needed, to provide a flat horizontal surface for supporting a layer of floorboards thereabove. The panel sections can be secured directly to the base, via anchors which secure the lower rigid layers to the base, the anchors residing in access openings formed along the perimeter of the upper rigid layer and in the resilient layer. This anchoring arrangement enables each anchor to hold at least two adjacently located panel sections, and it also eliminates precompression of the resilient layer. The subfloor panel sections are prefabricated, at the factory, and then shipped to the installation site. Overall, a subfloor of panel-type sections of this type provides a high degree of stability, resiliency, and uniformity in these parameters, with simpler and lower cost installation.

Wood floors remain popular for athletic and residential applications, for a number of reasons including aesthetics, quality, stability, ease of maintenance, durability, etc. One popular type of wood floor employs parallel rows of tongue and groove floorboards, laid end to end, across the entire floor surface.
Particularly with hardwood sports floors used primarily for athletics, such as basketball, it is desirable to provide some degree of cushioning, or impact absorption, for the upper surface of the floor relative to the base, or underlying surface. This is typically done by supporting the floorboards above the base via pads, and in most cases the floorboards are secured to the top of some intermediate structure, with the pads located below the intermediate structure, supported on the base. The use of pads in this manner creates an open air space, or air break, between the floor and the base, thereby minimizing moisture ontake by the intermediate structure or the floorboards, which are usually made of wood. If the structure does not include some mechanism for attachment to the base, the floor is said to be "free floating" relative to the base.
In some cases it is desirable to secure, or anchor, the floor to the base, primarily for stability and to minimize the potentially adverse effects of floorboard expansion and contraction which may occur as a result of moisture ontake and/or egress as humidity levels change with the seasons. Also, this moisture-caused expansion and contraction of floorboards adversely affects the performance uniformity of the floor. Thus, anchoring the floor helps to assure uniformity in performance. These dual objectives, to resiliently support the floorboards above the base and to anchor the floorboards to the base, are not easy to achieve simultaneously. Because of this situation, there have been a number of developments in the athletic hardwood floor industry.
More specifically, assignee's U.S. Pat. No. 5,388,380, entitled "Anchored/Resilient Sleeper for Hardwood Floor System" ("Niese '380") and issued in the name of Mike Niese, discloses several anchoring arrangements for anchoring attachment members to a base, with the attachment members supported on pads residing on the base and anchored in a manner which does not precompress the pads. Generally, Niese '380 relates to resiliently anchoring parallel rows of relatively narrow elongated attachment members which are spaced from each other.
Another patent of the present assignee, U.S. Pat. No. 5,609,000, entitled "Anchored/Resilient Hardwood Floor System" and also issued to Mike Niese ("Niese '000"), discloses, among other things, some variations in the subfloor structure which resides between the floorboards and the pads. Niese '000 is expressly incorporated by reference herein, in its entirety. These variations maintain the benefits of anchoring and resiliency in a manner which does not precompress the pads, while also simplifying the way in which these objectives are achieved.
For these types of floors, as perhaps with all floors, there remains a high customer demand for additional improvements, lower costs, shorter installation time, uniformity in performance, all without any reduction in the floor's other attributes. For suppliers and installers, there is a demand for easier handling, and reduced quantity and/or type of materials.
It is an object of the present invention to optimally achieve these customer, supplier, and installer demands, primarily the demands for reduced costs and shorter installation time, for floors that are anchored or free floating relative to a base, or resiliently supported above the base.
It is also an object of the invention to supply a uniformly stable and resilient hardwood floor, with relatively low labor costs, reduced complexity, and fewer different types of installation components.


The shape of a reflector is to be made conspicuous to improve the appearance of a headlamp assembly. A headlamp assembly includes electric bulbs, a reflector, a lens and a case. Between the reflector and the case are formed gaps which result from a difference in shape between the reflector and the case. Blindfold portions are formed integrally with the reflector for filling the gaps. The blindfold members are provided with reflecting surfaces which project a black portion of the ground or of an inner surface of the case. With the reflecting surfaces of the blindfold members, a contrast is created between the blindfold member and reflecting surfaces of the reflector to make the reflecting surface shape of the reflector conspicuous.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a headlamp assembly for a vehicle and more particularly to a headlamp assembly for a vehicle having a structure for maintaining a good appearance.
2. Description of Background Art
A head lamp assembly attached to a vehicle such as a motorcycle is provided with an electric bulb and a reflector for reflecting light forward of the vehicle. A case is provided for enclosing the electric bulb and the reflector and a lens is disposed on a front side of the reflector. An example of a vehicular headlamp assembly is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-322923.
The shape of the reflector is determined so as to reflect light from the electric bulb in a predetermined direction. As to the shape of the case, a simple shape is adopted in many cases for the purpose of protecting the electric bulb, reflector, and lens and for decreasing the resistance of wind during operation. Therefore, the reflector and the case are not similar in shape to each other. As a result, a gap is created between the reflector and the case and the interior of the headlamp assembly is seen through the gap, thus impairing the appearance. According to countermeasures adopted heretofore, an extension member is provided to fill the gap, or the reflector portion other than the parabolic portion is projected outwards, to make the interior invisible.
However, the provision of such a separate member as the extension member results in an increase in the number of parts. Further, if the reflector is enlarged, an inherent functional portion of the reflector for reflecting light and the projecting portion of the reflector become less distinguishable from each other, with a consequent of an impairment of the appearance.

Headlamp assembly with blindfold for vehicle


A system and method of distributed multi-party call control are provided. The method includes the steps of establishing a first leg of a multi-party call, adding a second leg of the multi-party call, associating the second leg with the first leg of the multi-party call, determining which of the first leg or the second leg to be the controlling or controlled legs of the multi-party call, and requesting a voice path to the controlled leg by the controlling leg to establish the multi-party call.

In a distributed pooled call manager architecture, multiple call managers reside in multiple processing platforms and process calls in a load-sharing mode. This architecture provides the advantage of flexibility, scalability, reliability, and geographical diversity. However, such architecture presents a dilemma in processing multi-party calls. Although the originator and terminator of a single call leg can be guaranteed to be processed by the same call manager, the multiple legs involved in a multi-party call are likely to be processed by different call managers on different processing platforms. Therefore, coordination between the call managers of the various legs of a multi-party call is required.

System and method for distributed multi-party call control


A gate valve (110) includes a valve housing (112), valve plate (130), and linkage assembly (134, 136, 140). An actuator assembly (124) includes a cylinder component (150) and a piston component (170). Piston component (170) includes a piston rod (174) that has a downwardly extending annular collar (187) and cylinder component (150) includes an end wall (156) with an upstanding annular collar (160), which slidingly mates with collar (187). A bellows shield (192) is flexibly mounted between the piston rod and the cylinder end wall to isolate the valve chamber of housing (112) from the sliding interfit of the piston and cylinder components. Piston component (170) also includes an annular groove (198) for receiving the annular collar (160). Wear rings (191, 193) are provided between piston component (170) and cylinder component (150).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to gate valves used in the manufacture of silicon wafer chips.
2. Related Art
In the manufacture of silicon wafer chips, wafer processing is done within process modules that perform the various processing tasks within a vacuum environment to create circuitry. The process modules are located within clean rooms in order to prevent the accumulation of any amount of foreign material on the chips during manufacture. It is well known the extent to which foreign particles can completely damage a chip.
It is also well known that operation of clean rooms is extremely expensive. In order to maximize efficiency of clean rooms, it is necessary to maximize the quantity of processing equipment within each clean room. To this end, equipment manufacturers are striving to reduce the size of their products. The smaller the size or peripheral equipment, such as related handling equipment, valves, pumps, etc., the more such equipment can fit into a given size clean room.
The present invention is directed to reducing the size of gate valves while at the same time maintaining the power, efficiency, and cleanliness of such valves.


A method involves setting a link aggregation control protocol (LACP) link state for all links in a first service node to STANDBY to put at least one multiplexer in the first service node in a WAITING state to disable frame collection at the redundant service node and setting the LACP link state for all links in a second service node to SELECTED to put at least one multiplexer in the second service node in a COLLECTING/DISTRIBUTING state to enable frame collection at the primary service node.

Link aggregation allows multiple Ethernet interfaces on a single network node to be grouped together to form a single logical link with higher aggregate bandwidth than the individual links associated with each Ethernet interface. The logical link is referred to as a link aggregation group (LAG). Media access control (MAC) clients can be configured to interface with the LAG as a single link, which can increase bandwidth, redundancy, and resource availability.

Method for configuring a connection using redundant service nodes


Using a slurry filler having a container having an opening top and storing plugging slurry and a cover attached to the opening top of the container and having a flat upper face and through-holes communicating the inside and the outside of the container and being disposed to correspond to cells to be plugged on an end face of the honeycomb structure, the honeycomb structure is set on the cover by positioning so that opening ends of cells to be plugged of the honeycomb structure match positions of through-holes of the cover, and the plugging slurry stored in the container is filled inside opening ends of cells to be plugged through the through-holes to form the plugged portions. According to this manufacturing method, a plugged honeycomb structure having no defects can be manufactured at low costs for a short time without restriction on operation circumstances with less industrial waste.

The present invention relates to a plugged honeycomb structure used as a filter for filtrating particulate matter, such as a diesel particulate filter, or as a catalyst carrier for purifying harmful components such as HC, NOx, and CO in exhaust gas by carrying a catalyst component on a surface of pores of porous partition walls defining cells and passing exhaust gas through the pores of the partition walls.
Since, in the exhaust gas exhausted from an internal combustion engine of a diesel engine or the like, a large amount of particulate matter having carbon which causes environmental pollution as the main component is contained, it is general that a filter for trapping (filtrating) particulate matter is mounted in an exhaust gas system thereof.
In a filter used for such a purpose, as shown in FIGS. 12(a) and 12(b), there is generally used a plugged honeycomb structure 1 having a honeycomb structure 2 where a plurality of cells 9 extending between two end faces are defined by porous partition walls 7 and plugged portions 11 disposed so as to plug one of the two opening ends of each of the cells 9 and to form a checkerwise pattern on each of the end faces complementarily between one end face and the other end face of the honeycomb structure 2.
Exhaust gas flows into the inside from one end face 3 of a filter constituted by such a plugged honeycomb structure 1, and after particulate matter and the like contained in the gas are removed, the gas flows out from the other end face 5. Specifically, exhaust gas flows into the cells 9b whose end portions are not plugged on one end face 3 and are plugged on the other end face 5 in the first place, passes through the porous partition walls 7, moves into the cells 9a whose end portions are plugged on the end face 3 and are not plugged on the other end face 5, and is discharged from the cells 9a. At this time, the partition walls 7 function as a filtration layer, and particulate matter in the gas is trapped by the partition walls 7 and accumulates on the partition walls 7.
As a method for manufacturing a plugged honeycomb structure as described above, there is known a method where an adhesive sheet or the like is bonded on one end face of a formed honeycomb body, holes are made in portions corresponding to cells to be plugged (plugged cells) of the adhesive sheet or the like by laser processing using image processing to prepare a mask, the end face having the mask bonded thereon of the formed honeycomb body is immersed in slurry for plugging to fill the slurry into the cells to be plugged of the formed honeycomb body to form plugged portions, the same process is performed with respect to the other end face of the formed honeycomb body, followed by drying and firing to obtain a plugged honeycomb structure (see, e.g., Patent Document 1).
As another manufacturing method, there has been proposed a method where through-holes are formed in an undried formed sheet-shaped green body of a ceramic material in a checkerwise pattern, and the formed sheet-shaped green body is attached to an end face of a honeycomb-shaped dried body under pressure, followed by integrally firing to obtain a plugged honeycomb structure (see, e.g., Patent Document 2).
By the way, recently, an attempt has been made to utilize such a plugged honeycomb structure as a catalyst for purifying harmful components such as HC, NOx, and CO in exhaust gas by carrying a catalyst component on a surface of pores in the porous partition walls defining the cells and passing exhaust gas flowing into the honeycomb structure through the pores of the partition walls (such a catalyst is hereinbelow referred to as a "wall-flow type catalyst") other than a filter for trapping particulate matter as described above.
According to expansion of usage of such a plugged honeycomb structure, it is expected that a demand for a plugged honeycomb structure will increase much more in the future. In the case of trying to mass-produce plugged honeycomb structures by employing the manufacturing method. described in the Patent Document 1, it is required to solve the problems of (i) requiring steps of bonding an adhesive sheet, image processing, making holes, and peeling the adhesive sheet with respect to each of both the end faces of each honeycomb structure, which generates a large amount of industrial waste of peeled adhesive sheets after being used, in addition to requirement of much time to be spent on production of a mask, etc., and (ii) causing rise in production cost because an adhesive sheet is relatively expensive and requiring to perform bonding operation in clean circumstances since the sheet hates dirt and dust, which restricts operation circumstances. That is, though the above-mentioned conventional manufacturing method is effective in manufacturing a relatively small number of plugged honeycomb structures, a sufficient satisfaction cannot be derived from the conventional manufacturing method from the viewpoint of mass-production adaptability.
In addition, the manufacturing method described in Patent Document 2 has problems of easily having a crack in the sheet or peeling of the sheet due to a difference in drying shrinkage between a honeycomb-shaped dried body and an undried formed sheet-shaped green body and hard plugging of the cells to be plugged among the cells located in the outermost periphery of the honeycomb structure.                [Patent Document 1] JP-A-2001-300922        [Patent Document 2] JP-A-2002-159811

Method for manufacturing plugged honeycomb structure


A process for identifying functional and detailed design decisions in a core software architecture across multiple applications and clients includes comparing the results of two independent review sub processes to rapidly build an upgrade testing matrix. The two sub process include an independent functional review and a regression analysis using data extracts from historical data generated from client use of the core software architecture.

After initial implementation and deployment of software, hosted (SaaS), client-resident or some combination thereof, there are inevitably changes or upgrades that are required to keep up with changing technical and business requirements. Many of such upgrades are driven by client usage characteristics. That is, software that supports and enables many varied and configurable end-user designs and functional decisions will likely require more frequent upgrades to keep pace with these constantly changing and evolving usage characteristics. There are numerous challenges to collecting and analyzing usage data across multiple clients and further challenges to testing and implementing universal and/or client targeted upgrades to the software in an efficient and productive manner. For example, in many cases, identifying functional and detailed design decisions related to software applications is an entirely manual process. That is, users must be queried and the responses collected and analyzed manually for further use in developing upgrades. This process is both time consuming and contains inaccuracies due to human error. Further, on a client by client basis, use cases differ. Some clients rely more heavily on certain applications in a suite than others. Similarly, clients may use certain functionality within a specific application with more frequency or in a client-specific configuration. It is nearly impossible to accurately discern this level of detail about client use of software using manual processes. Accordingly, testing scope tends to either be over-inclusive or contains inaccurate use scenarios.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved system and process for identifying functional and detailed design decisions in a core software architecture across multiple applications and clients in order to accelerate the identification of testing scope for software upgrades. More particularly, an improved process is needed for precision extraction of client standard implementation decisions to accelerate the timeframe for scope confirmation in order to dictate how transactions need to be administered to replicate client usage in order to identify test case selection.

Method and system for rapid upgrade through transactional analysis


Optical time domain and frequency domain reflectometry using a VCSEL-photodiode combination. Optical time domain reflectometry can be accomplished using an integrated VCSEL-Photodiode. A pulse is emitted by the VCSEL and a reflection caused by an occurrence of interest along an optical waveguide is detected by the photodiode. The time between when the pulse is emitted and when the reflection is received can be used to determine a distance to the occurrence of interest. In Optical frequency domain applications, a VCSEL is wavelength modulated. An occurrence of interest will affect the output of the VCSEL. The affected output is detected and used to determine a distance to the occurrence of interest.

1. The Field of the Invention
The invention generally relates to optical reflectometry. More specifically, the invention relates to simplifying apparatuses and methods used in optical reflectometry.
2. Description of the Related Art
Modern day computer networks allow for transmissions of large amounts of data between computer terminals. Data may be transmitted on a network across a number of different mediums. For example, data may be transmitted across traditional copper wire based cables. However, copper wire based cables are subject to limitations that are making them less attractive as a solution for many modern networks. Specifically, the copper wire based cables are limited in the amount of data they can carry in a given time period and the length that the data can travel. As computer technology continues to increase in the amount of data that can be produced in a given time period, other types of cable with higher capacities and longer transmission distances may be desirable.
One type of cable that is capable of higher data transmission rates over longer distances is fiber-optic cable. Fiber-optic cables are plastic or stretched glass cables that carry data signals in the form of light. Light signals can propagate on fiber-optic cables at higher speeds and for longer distances than electronic signals on copper wire based cables. Further, fiber-optic cables are potentially lighter weight and less expensive that their copper based counterparts. Thus, fiber-optic cables are steadily becoming a more popular choice for communication networks.
While fiber-optic data signal are optical or light signals, data signals at computer terminals generally continue to be electronic data signals. The electronic data signals being sent by a computer terminal are therefore converted using an electro-optical transducer, such as a laser diode or light emitting diode (LED) that converts the electronic data signals to corresponding optical data signals. To receive a signal from a fiber-optic network, a computer terminal converts the optical data signal to a corresponding electronic signal using an opto-electronic transducer, such as a photodiode and post-amplifier.
Fiber-optic cables or optical fibers are one type of optical waveguide. An optical fiber, or other waveguide, may have various occurrences along the length of the fiber that affect the performance of the fiber. For example, various defects, cracks, breaks, bends, and the like may exist along the length of the fiber. Each of these occurrences can degrade the performance of the waveguide by causing reflections which reduces total power and causes harmful interference. Other occurrences such as connectors and joints can also cause harmful reflections.
It is often useful to be able to detect occurrences along the length of an optical waveguide. This can be done using optical reflectometry. Optical reflectometry involves sending an optical signal from a discrete optical source, such as a VCSEL, onto a waveguide and detecting reflections caused by occurrences using a separate discrete optical detector, such as a photodiode. To accomplish this, a fairly complicated arrangement of optical components is used. An exemplary prior art example of an optical reflectometry apparatus is illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 1 illustrates a laser 102 that emits an optical signal. The optical signal optionally is passed through an isolator 104, a fiber coupler 106, and a beam splitter 108 where it is propagated onto a fiber 110. Occurrences associated with the optical fiber 110, such as defects in the fiber, breaks in the fiber, bends in the fiber, connections to the fiber, etc., cause reflections back towards the beam splitter 108. The beam splitter 108 causes a portion of the reflection to be directed back towards the laser 102, and a portion to be directed through a fiber coupler 112 to a detector 114, such as a photodiode. Notably, the laser 102 and detector 114 each function as individual systems performing a specific task and are intentionally isolated from one another through the combination of the beam splitter 108 and the isolator 104 which prevents reflections from reaching the laser 102.
The number of components used in present optical reflectometry applications has an adverse effect on the cost and size of meters and equipment used optical waveguide evaluations. As such, a simpler, more cost effective solution would be desirable.
The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to embodiments that solve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such as those described above. Rather, this background is only provided to illustrate one exemplary technology area where some embodiments described herein may be practiced.

Optical reflectometry using integrated VCSEL photodiode chip


An apparatus and method for reproducing multimedia contents regardless of the type and version of a codec, an apparatus and method for generating multimedia contents, and a storage medium storing multimedia contents are provided. The multimedia reproducing apparatus includes: a reading unit which reads multimedia data including multimedia contents coupled with a codec for decoding the multimedia contents, from a storage medium; and a reproducing unit which reproduces multimedia contents by using the codec extracted from the read multimedia data. Regardless of codec upgrade or introduction of a new codec with a new method, various types of multimedia contents can be smoothly reproduced.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to multimedia contents, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for reproducing multimedia contents regardless of the type and version of a codec, an apparatus and method for generating multimedia contents, and a storage medium for storing multimedia contents.
2. Description of the Related Art
Multimedia contents are formed by combining a variety of media such as text, sound, still images, moving picture media, etc. Reproduction of multimedia contents usually requires that image and voice information be processed at the same time. Because of the large amount of data to be processed, storage of multimedia contents requires a large capacity storage medium such as an optical disc. Here the optical disc may be a compact disc (CD) or a digital versatile disc (DVD). Multimedia contents may also be stored on and reproduced from a local storage such as a computer hard disc, or downloaded from a server in a remote location through a network and reproduced. For convenience of explanation, hereinafter, multimedia contents will be divided into media contents recorded on a storage medium, local contents recorded on a local storage, and remote contents downloaded through a network.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an apparatus for reproducing multimedia contents stored on a conventional storage medium.
Referring to FIG. 1, shown is an apparatus 110 for reproducing multimedia contents recorded on a storage medium 100 such as an optical disc, by using a hardware codec (coder and decoder) 112. Among apparatuses for reproducing multimedia contents recorded on a storage medium, a leading example is a DVD player. Multimedia contents recorded on a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a DVD, or a video compact disc (VCD), are read into the reproducing apparatus, decoded through a hardware codec, and the decoded result is output through an output apparatus (not shown) such as a display apparatus. The hardware codec encodes or decodes multimedia contents according to a standard such as moving picture experts group (MPEG)-1, -2, -4, or DivX.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an apparatus for reproducing multimedia contents stored in a conventional local or remote storage medium.
Referring to FIG. 2, shown is an apparatus 210 which reproduces a multimedia contents file recorded on a local storage 200 such as a hard disc of a computer, or on an external storage 202 linked through a network, by using a software codec 212. A hardware codec can also be used depending on the design of the reproducing apparatus. The reproducing apparatus may be a desktop PC, a notebook PC, or a personal digital assistant (PDA).
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a method for reproducing conventional multimedia contents.
Referring to FIG. 3, the conventional apparatuses for reproducing multimedia contents have a structure in which multimedia contents 300 are read from a storage medium, a local storage, or an external storage linked through a network, and then are decoded by using an embedded hardware codec or software codec 310 and output to a display apparatus. That is, a method for decoding multimedia contents varies with respect to the standard method and version of an embedded codec.
However, since codecs are frequently upgraded as technology develops, a compatibility problem arises. For example, in the case of DivX, which is a widely used MPEG-4-based codec, multimedia contents complying with version 5.1 cannot be reproduced by DivX version 5.0.
In particular, since a codec is installed in the form of a hardware chip as shown in FIG. 1, it is very difficult to upgrade the codec and when a new type of a codec is developed and multimedia contents based on this new codec are provided, the new contents cannot be reproduced by the previous codec.
In addition, when a software codec is used as shown in FIG. 2, the codec can be upgraded periodically through a network, or a user can directly download a unified codec. However, in this case, various types of codecs residing in one reproducing apparatus makes management of versions of codecs difficult and the user should have expert knowledge about the codecs. In addition, in a reproducing apparatus not linked to a network, the codecs cannot be upgraded.
Recently, various types of multimedia services have been provided through a variety of consumer electronics (CE) devices. In such CE devices also, it is essential to upgrade codecs, but in a CE device having relatively few resources, it is very difficult to employ a method such as software upgrade, such that when a new type of a codec is introduced, the CE device itself should be upgraded.

Method and apparatus for reproducing multimedia contents, apparatus and method for creating multimedia contents, and medium for storing multimedia contents


An inkjet printer includes an inkjet head, an electromagnetic-wave supplier, a wave guide, and a ventilator. The inkjet head is configured to eject ink onto a surface of a medium. The electromagnetic-wave supplier is configured to generate electromagnetic waves. The wave guide has an internal space into which the medium is to be fed. The wave guide is connected to the electromagnetic-wave supplier to apply the electromagnetic waves to the medium. The ventilator is configured to flow a gas in the internal space of the wave guide.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an inkjet printer, a printing method, and an ink dryer for the inkjet printer.
2. Discussion of the Background
In an inkjet printer, printing is conducted by ejecting dye-type ink such as acid dye, reactive dye, and substantive dye or pigment-type ink containing organic solvent such as solvent ink, onto a surface or both front and back surfaces of a sheet-like medium (recording medium) made of paper, silk, cotton, vinyl chloride, or the like. Especially in the industrial field, in such an inkjet printer, it is important to effectively dry a medium after deposition of ink onto the medium in order to quickly and easily conduct shipment and delivery after printing.
For example, JP-A-2003-22890 discloses a drying apparatus for drying ink on a medium. The drying apparatus includes a wave guide having a slot, which is configured to allow the medium to move through the slot, and an electromagnetic energy source, which is adapted to establish an electric field within the wave guide such that an angle formed between a direction of the electric field and a longitudinal axis of fibers of the medium becomes greater than ten degrees and less than or equal to ninety degrees.

Inkjet printer, printing method and ink dryer


A modular wall fountain apparatus has transparent sheets disposed in zigzags and supported by guide wires. A water supply is provided with nozzles directed toward the sheets which cause water currents to flow in zigzag paths. The zigzag water currents form a water screen which may be illuminated by color-changeable light projected from a lighting module. Each wall fountain module is made up of a transparent sheet module, water supply modules, lighting modules, and a control for the water supply and lighting. Various patterns of light can be created by controlling the color-changeable lighting and the flow of water. Because the water flows in zigzag paths the water makes softer sound than conventional wall fountain and is particularly suited for installation indoors.

The present invention relates to a wall fountain apparatus.
Various kinds of wall fountain apparatuses have been set in various outdoor places such as parks, shopping centers, etc.
These conventional wall fountain apparatuses provide water currents which flow down only in specific directions along vertical walls, inclined walls or stepped walls. Thus, the flow velocities of the water currents generated by the conventional wall fountain apparatuses are rather high, so that the sound of the water currents is rather loud. Therefore, these conventional wall fountain apparatuses are typically not suited to be installed indoors.

Shu-koh-sha Architectural & Urban Design Studio


A remote dual filtration system for an internal combustion engine having an external mounting member mounted on the engine for receiving an adaptor through which unfiltered oil is directed from the engine and filtered oil flows to the engine. A remote dual filter mount is mounted in a convenient location remotely spaced from the engine, and hoses are provided for carrying unfiltered oil from the adapter to the remote filter mount, and filtered oil from the remote filter mount to the adaptor. A full flow filter and a partial flow filter having a high filtering efficiency are mounted on the remote filter mount. In order to overcome the greater resistance to the flow of oil in the partial flow filter, a restriction means is positioned in the path of oil flow into the full flow filter whereby oil flow into the partial flow filter is increased.

The present invention relates generally to oil filter systems, and in particular to remotely mounted oil filter systems.
Oil is the life blood of an internal combustion engine. We ask it to perform a number of tasks, from reducing component wear to maintaining internal cleanliness. While performing their duties, engine oils are exposed to a number of contaminants including abrasive dirt and dust, component wear particles, and carbonaceous material, to name a few. If allowed to freely circulate throughout the engine, these contaminants can accelerate wear and dramatically reduce the engine's life expectancy.
The most common method of controlling such contamination is through the use of a full flow filtration system. In such a system, oil being driven by a pump must pass through a filter before it is directed to the engine components. This ensures that all the oil being supplied to components has been subjected to at least minimal filtration. However, with full flow filtration, a compromising situation exists between the oil's ability to flow through the filter media and the filter's ability to remove particles.
In a full flow filtration system, particulate contaminants are removed from the oil via surface screening. The arrangement of fibers in the filter media results in openings or passages in which the oil may flow. Particles larger than the openings will be retained at the point of entrance to the media. Particles smaller than the openings will be allowed to pass through. Presently available full flow oil filters generally exhibit a 90-95% removal efficiency of particles 40 microns and larger. Although this type of efficiency dramatically reduces the chance of rapid catastrophic damage to the engine caused by the circulation of large particles, it offers minimal protection against wear. Studies have indicated that the majority of engine component wear today is caused by the circulation of particles in the 5-20 micron range. This size particle is much smaller than any conventional full flow filter can remove with any significant efficiency. By a closer arrangement of the media fibers in the filters, an increase in small particle removal efficiency can be obtained. Here, however, is where the compromise comes into play.
As the fiber orientation is made more dense, oil has a more difficult time flowing through it. As the resistance to flow increases, there is a decrease both in flow volume and oil pressure downstream of the filter. To compensate for these reductions, one could increase the surface area of the now more dense filter. In order to obtain a delta pressure (pressure drop across the media) similar to that of a conventional full flow filter and good filtration efficiency of particles of 5-20 microns, the surface area would have to be increased many times. Generally speaking, this would not be practical from the standpoint of size and cost.
Making the situation even more difficult are four trends within the automotive industry. The first trend is a down-sizing of original equipment and replacement filters. This downsizing is due to limited space in the engine compartment and reduced costs associated with smaller filters. Secondly, oil flow rates in automobiles are increasing. In the past, flow rates of 5-6 gallons per minute (G.P.M.) were typical; today 7-8 G.P.M. rates are not uncommon. Thirdly, engine oils are being exposed to a more severe environment. Elevated operating temperatures and emissions recycling have accelerated internal oil contamination. Finally, many of today's full flow filters are located in areas that are difficult to reach for servicing. As with any servicing operation, the possibility of proper and timely servicing decreases as the difficulty of servicing increases.
One method for improving oil filtration is to add a secondary or by-pass filtration system. By-pass filtration is used in conjunction with the existing full flow system and differs in several respects. First, only a small amount of the output of the oil pump is directed to the by-pass filter. The volume is usually between 5-10% of that being supplied to the engine components. Once the oil has passed through the by-pass filter it is returned to the engine. Because the by-pass filter does not handle high flow rates, media density can be much greater. Not only does this allow for improved small particle removal efficiency, but it often allows for removal of other contaminants not generally removed by conventional full flow filtration, for example, water.
Water generally enters the lubrication system as condensation and/or as a by-product of the combustion process. The effects of water on the oil and ultimately the engine can be devastating. Water promotes corrosion and accelerates the formation of additional acidic corrosive compounds. Its presence adversely affects a lubricant's viscosity. Additives within a lubricant can be hydrolyzed along with the formation of emulsions, thereby reducing the lubricant's effectiveness. The greatest concern is when water, held in a lubricant, is allowed to enter between two heavily loaded engine components. Compression of the water due to the loading will generate high heat. In some cases this heat is sufficient to vaporize the water so intensely that component distress occurs. Generally, the material used in the construction of a by-pass filter media and its design allow for much greater removal of water than that afforded by a conventional full flow filtration system alone.
The by-pass filtration systems on the market today do address some of the problems previously mentioned. Improved small particle efficiency and water removal are common benefits. Increased filtration capacity is accomplished by a now greater surface area to trap contaminants. Because hoses are used to bring oil from the engine to the filter and back, an increase in lubricant system volume occurs. Also, the additional external surface of the hoses and filter result in improved heat dispersion and, in turn, reduced oil temperature.
Unfortunately, present by-pass filtration systems do not address all the problems of full flow filtration and have difficulties of their own. For example, the size of the full flow filter and the difficulty in its servicing remain problems. In fact, many by-pass filtration systems use a filter housing to which a replacement cartridge is installed. Changing such a replacement cartridge can, in itself, be a time-consuming and messy task. Merely getting oil to the by-pass filter and back can be a major installation problem.
In most prior art systems, a pressurized oil passage is tapped to bring oil to the by-pass filter. Placing a tee fitting at the oil pressure sending unit is a common practice. Due to a variety of thread sizes on oil pressure sending units, a number of tee fittings and/or adapters are required to allow a system to be universally installed. Also, with more fittings and connections, a greater propensity for leakage exists. In some cases a sandwich adapter is placed between the full flow filter and the engine block. Oil is then diverted to the by-pass filter as it travels toward the full flow filter. As with the oil pressure sending unit, a variety of thread sizes are needed. More importantly, the adapter increases the space needed for the full flow filter. In many cases, this is not acceptable due to limited space near the engine block.
In returning the oil to the engine, there are two common practices. The first is returning it to a nonpressurized area such as a valve cover or oil pan. Generally, this requires punching a hole that will accept a self-tapping fitting. In some cases drilling is required. Either punching or drilling may pose difficulties when attempted in the engine compartment. In some cases oil is returned via a sandwich adapter similar to that previously described.
In order for the sandwich adapter to function as a return oil passage, oil flow to the full flow filter must be restricted. This creates a pressure differential allowing oil to be directed to the by-pass filter from the higher pressure area and returned to the lower pressure area.
Commonly, the restriction which generates the pressure differential is a fixed port that feeds the inlet side of the full flow filter. In order to create a sufficient pressure differential, the port must be relatively small. Because of its size and its fixed construction, the port makes it difficult to maintain sufficient flow and down line pressure should the by-pass filter circuit become inoperable or subjected to high flow rates. The fixed port type of oil return also must deal with the same thread and size problems as mentioned for the sandwich adapter.


Catalyst systems and methods for making and using the same are provided. The catalyst systems can include a plurality of silica particles and a metallocene catalyst and an activator supported on the plurality of silica particles. The polymerization catalysts have a particle size distribution in which about 10% of the particles have a size less than about 17 to about 23 micrometers, about 50% of the particles have a size less than about 40 to about 45 micrometers, and about 90% of the particles have a size less than about 72 to about 77 micrometers.

Ethylene alpha-olefin (polyethylene) copolymers are typically produced in a low pressure reactor, utilizing, for example, solution, slurry, or gas phase polymerization processes. Polymerization takes place in the presence of catalyst systems such as those employing, for example, a Ziegler-Natta catalyst, a chromium based catalyst, a metallocene catalyst, or combinations thereof.
A number of catalyst compositions containing single site, e.g., metallocene catalysts have been used to prepare polyethylene copolymers, producing relatively homogeneous copolymers at good polymerization rates. In contrast to traditional Ziegler-Natta catalyst compositions, single site catalyst compositions such as metallocene catalysts are catalytic compounds in which each catalyst molecule contains one or only a few polymerization sites. Single site catalysts often produce polyethylene copolymers that have a narrow molecular weight distribution. Although there are single site catalysts that can produce broader molecular weight distributions, these catalysts often show a narrowing of the molecular weight distribution as the reaction temperature is increased, for example, to increase production rates. Further, a single site catalyst will often incorporate comonomer among the molecules of the polyethylene copolymer at a relatively uniform rate. The molecular weight distribution and the amount of comonomer incorporation can be used to determine a composition distribution.
For use in a reactor, a single site catalyst and other activators, such as methylaluminoxane ("MAO"), are often supported on solid materials. These materials include spherical silica particles, among other materials and conformations.


A system for restricting access to computer information accessible by a computer system. A computer system having access to computer information includes a detection circuit for receiving a wireless identification signal from a transmitting circuit of an identification object such as an identification badge. The identification signal includes identification information regarding the assigned possessor of the security object. In one embodiment, the detection circuit determines whether the assigned possessor of the security object as indicated by the wireless identification signal has authorized access to computer information accessible by the computer system. A user is given access if the identification information contained in the identification signal indicates that the assigned possessor is an authorized user. The computer system is placed in a condition to deny access to computer information accessible by the computer system in response to the identification signal detection circuit not having received for a predetermined period of time, a wireless identification signal containing identification information from an assigned possessor having authorized access.

This disclosure relates to controlling the access of computer information accessible by a computer system.
Computer systems are information handling electronic systems which can be designed to give independent computing power to one user or a plurality of users. Computer systems may be found in many forms including, for example, mainframes, minicomputers, workstations, servers, personal computers, internet terminals, notebooks, and embedded systems. Computer systems include desk top, floor standing, rack mounted, or portable versions. A typical computer system includes at least one system processor, associated memory and control logic, and peripheral devices that provide input and output for the system. Such peripheral devices may include display monitors, keyboards, mouse-type input devices, floppy and hard disk drives, CD-ROM drives, printers, network capability card circuits, terminal devices, modems, televisions, sound devices, voice recognition devices, electronic pen devices, and mass storage devices such as tape drives, CD-R drives, or DVDs.
Both individuals and organizations utilize computer systems to provide access to computer information. The computer information accessible by a computer system may be stored in the computer system such as in a hard disk drive or accessible by the computer system via a computer network or a peripheral device. Consequently, it is desirable to restrict access to that information. Past techniques of controlling access include utilizing passwords for logging on to a computer system or network. Another technique for determining authorized access includes utilizing smart card readers (e.g., magnetic or optical) to read smart cards or other physical objects that include encoded identification information. An example of such a system can be found in Bilich et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,877,483, entitled "Method and Apparatus for Automatically Implementing Computer Power On and Logon Functions Using Encoded ID Card," having a common Assignee, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Another example can be found in Bouthillier et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,894,552, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Other examples techniques for controlling access are found in a patent application entitled "Portable Computer System With Hierarchical and Token-Based Security Policies, Ser. No. 09/237,016, and having a common Assignee, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Other techniques for determining whether a user has authorized access include the utilization of biometric identification such as by the analysis of fingerprints, eye, or voice patterns. An example of such a system can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,838,306, entitled "Mouse With Security Feature," having an issue date of Nov. 17, 1998, listed inventors Clint O'Conner and Erica Scholder, and a common Assignee, all of which is hereby incorporated by reference in it's entirety.
A common feature of the techniques utilizing smart cards or other types of identifying objects that contain identification information is that they require a user desiring access to the computer information to perform a conscious access action to provide the identification information to the card reader to gain access. For example, with a smart card, the user must purposefully and consciously insert the object into the reader or directly bring the object within the scanning field of the reader. Such a conscious access action provides a delay in gaining access to the computer system. Also such a system may require the user to physically move the object from its normal storage position on the user's body (e.g., from a shirt pocket, belt clip, or from around a user's neck, as with a necklace) to the location of the reader. Not only is such a motion inconvenient, but it also increases the risk that the object may not be returned to its normal storage position. For example, after inserting a smart card into a reader, a user may leave the smart card on their desk by the computer system.

Computer information access based on a transmitted identification signal


Embodiments are directed to defining a query expression over a dynamic system model and to transforming a dynamically built query expression into a simplified, canonical form. A computer system receives various user inputs that are to be included as part of a query expression for querying a dynamic system model. The dynamic system model is queryable to determine features provided by a service hosted by a back-end server. The computer system dynamically builds the query expression based on both the received inputs and the available features provided by the service as indicated by the dynamic system model. The query expression also includes metadata structures representing those features of the service which are provided by the service. The computer system also queries across the dynamic system model using the dynamically built query expression to retrieve and provide the service features requested in the received user input.

Computers have become highly integrated in the workforce, in the home, in mobile devices, and many other places. Computers can process massive amounts of information quickly and efficiently. Software applications designed to run on computer systems allow users to perform a wide variety of functions including business applications, schoolwork, entertainment and more. Software applications are often designed to perform specific tasks, such as word processor applications for drafting documents, or email programs for sending, receiving and organizing email.
In many cases, software applications are designed to interact with other software applications or other computer systems. For example, client computer systems may be configured to request and receive services or software applications hosted by a back-end server. In some cases, the client system may have a user interface that presents options provided by the service hosted by the back-end server. When not properly updated, or when different versions of the back-end server are used, this user interface may display options for features that are not really being provided by the service hosted by the back-end server.

Dynamic domain query and query translation