In the area of the rearward wheel houses, a body structure for a convertible has a transversely extending rear wall which is connected to the floor and the two wheel houses and which is supported on the forward body by way of longitudinally directed, laterally exterior members. For reducing the cost, the weight and the processing time in the manufacturing of the body structure shell or frame, it is provided that the rear wall, including the provided reinforcements as well as the two longitudinally directed members, are combined to form a prefabricated module which is mounted into the vehicle only after the surface treatment of the remaining body structure in the finishing operation or an intermediate station.

This invention relates to a process for manufacturing a body structure for a vehicle, particularly a convertible, which has a transversely extending rear wall in the area of the rearward wheel houses connected to the bottom and the wheel houses, the rear wall being supported on forward body structure by way of longitudinally directed, laterally exterior members.
In the case of a known body structure of the initially mentioned type (for example, the new Daimler-Benz Roadster, Model 129 described in an article "The New Mercedes-Benz Roadster--Body: Passive Safety" in ATZ 91 (1989)5, Pages 227 to 235), the rear wall, including the two longitudinally directed, laterally exterior members, is mounted during the manufacturing of the shell and is welded to the adjoining body parts. The rear wall and the longitudinally directed members are made of steel plate and therefore have a relatively high weight. After the manufacturing of the shell, the whole body structure is subjected to surface treatments of prime-coating and painting.
It is an object of the invention to provide a process for manufacturing a body structure for a convertible in which cost and weight are saved and the processing time during the shell manufacturing is reduced.
According to the invention, this object is achieved by a process for manufacturing, comprising forming a prefabricated module separate from remaining body structure, which prefabricated module includes the rear wall and two longitudinally directed laterally exterior members, surface treating the remaining body structure, and subsequently connecting the prefabricated module to the remaining body structure.
Principal advantages achieved by means of the invention are that, by separating a part of the structure (rear wall module) from the shell manufacturing and by forming a prefabricated, easily mountable module, costs are reduced in the manufacturing of the shell because high-expenditure welding operations of the rear wall are no longer required. At the same time, the processing time during the manufacturing of the shell is reduced considerably. The investment costs are also reduced. The combining of shell components in a subassembly and the manufacturing in light metal or plastic results in a considerable reduction of weight of up to 25%.
The module containing the rear wall in certain preferred embodiments also contains other components, such as three-point seat belts, rollover protection devices, loudspeakers, cover locks, seals, and the like, in which case the complete module may be furnished as a preassembled unit from an external supplier.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Process for manufacturing a body structure for a convertible


After making such adjustment that an a main push-pull signal MPP offset can be made zero when a main beam is positioned at the center of a main photoreceptor, using electric signals E and F photoelectrically converted by one of two two-divided side beam photoreceptors and electric signals H and G photo-electrically converted by the other thereof, a side push-pull signal SPP including a constant α is determined for allowing respective (F−αE) and (αH−G) offsets to be made zero and is calculated according to the formula, SPP−(F−αE)+(αH−G). From this SPP signal and the main push-pull signal MPP, a differential push-pull signal DPP is then calculated, thereby allowing stable tracking control to be carried out, even during recording.

Differential push-pull (DPP) method has been known as one of the tracking servo systems used in a drive apparatus for an optical recording disc such as CD-R and CD-RW.
According to the DPP method, calculation based on output signals from each photoreceptor, which are respectively obtained from the main beam and two side beams, allows a tracking error signal to occur.
Particularly, a beam emitted by a laser diode (light source) 1 forms three beam spots consisting of a spot generated by zeroth-order diffraction light (hereinafter referred to as "main beam 21") and two spots generated by first-order diffraction light (hereinafter referred to as "side beams 22A, 22B") on an optical disc 6 through diffracting means (a diffraction grating) 2, collimator lens 4, and objective lens 5, which are set on a forward course of the emitted beam as shown in FIG. 1.
A center 36 (hereinafter referred to as a "centerline of track") of each track 26 in the optical disc 6 rotationally driven is irradiated with the main beam 21 as illustrated in an illustration encircled by dotted lines shown from A direction in FIG. 1. A disc surface between the track and an advanced adjacent track is irradiated with the side beam 22A, which defines it as an advanced beam. Another disc surface between the track and a subsequent adjacent track is irradiated with the side beam 22B, which defines it as a subsequent beam. Respective photoreceptors of photo-detector 8 receive reflected lights for these beams (according to a theory of tracking).
The photo-detector 8 comprises a main photo-detector (MPD) for receiving a main spot by the main beam 21, side photo-detector (SPD1) for receiving a side spot from the side beam 22A, and side photo-detector (SPD2) for receiving a side spot from the side beam 22B, as illustrated in an illustration encircled by dotted lines shown from B direction in FIG. 1.
In the photo-detector 8, the main photo-detector (MPD) is divided into 4 pieces of elements vertically and horizontally each receiving the main spot by the main beam 21. Respective side photo-detectors SPD1, SPD2 are divided into 2 pieces of elements vertically and the side photo-detector SPD1 receives the side spot by the side beam 22A as well as the side photo-detector SPD2 receives the side spot by the side beam 22B. Incidentally, referring to output signals from the respective divided elements as A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H, respectively, the calculation based on these signals allows the tracking servo error signal to occur.
The main push-pull signal (MPP) occurs based on the output signal from the MPD. Side push-pull signals (SPP1 and SPP2) occur based on the output signals from the respective SPD1 and SPD2. DPP signals are obtained according to a following operational expression:MPP=(A+D)−(B+C)SPP=SPP1+SPP2=(F−E)+(H−G)
                    DPP        =                                  MPP          -                      K            *            SPP                                                  =                                              (                          A              +              D                        )                    -                      (                          B              +              C                        )                    -                      K                                      {                                                (                                      F                    -                    E                                    )                                +                                  (                                      H                    -                    G                                    )                                            }                                          where K is a constant set for adjusting a light intensity of the diffraction light of zeroth-order, and plus and minus first-order.
The DPP method has such a drawback that offset occurs in the SPP signal when the side beams 22A, 22b are not positioned at their center of the SPD1, SPD2 and others. If so, two signals SPP1, SPP2 have almost the same amplitude, thereby allowing cancellation of the offset by the addition of these signals at the reproduction. At the recording, however, they have different amplitudes, thereby failing to cancel the offset. This causes the tracking servo error signal including the offset, resulting in some inconvenience that the tracking is unstable, at the worst case of de-tracking thereof, and the less recording performance is delivered.

Optical pickup apparatus, optical disc apparatus, and tracking control method thereof


A light emitting element includes an insulating substrate; a semiconductor portion disposed on the substrate, the semiconductor portion having an n-type semiconductor layer and a p-type semiconductor layer in order from a substrate side; an n-side electrode electrically connected to the n-type semiconductor layer; and a p-side electrode electrically connected to the p-type semiconductor layer. The semiconductor portion includes a first through portion defined by a first inner surface formed at the semiconductor portion, the first through portion penetrating through the n-type semiconductor layer and the p-type semiconductor layer to expose the substrate. The p-side electrode includes: a p-side light-transmissive member that is connected to the p-type semiconductor layer and extends above the substrate in the first through portion, and a p-side pad portion that is disposed in the first through portion and that is connected to the p-side light-transmissive member above the substrate in the first through portion.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to a light emitting element having a semiconductor portion.
2. Description of Related Art
A known light emitting element includes an insulating substrate, an n-type semiconductor layer, a p-type semiconductor layer, an n-side pad portion electrically connected to the n-type semiconductor layer, and a p-side pad portion electrically connected to the p-type semiconductor layer (e.g., JP H10-275934 A). In JP H10-275934 A, the p-side pad portion is provided above the p-type semiconductor layer.
However, with the light emitting element according to JP H10-275934 A, light from the semiconductor portion may partially be absorbed by the p-side pad portion or the semiconductor portion. Accordingly, sufficient light extracting efficiency may not be achieved.
Certain embodiments of the present invention have been devised in light of the disadvantageous features as described above, and an object thereof is to provide a light emitting element with high light extracting efficiency.


The present invention is related to routines for the processing of quantized vector data into one or more arrays of integers whose values are closer to zero than the integers in the quantized vector data. The arrays are input to a compression engine resulting in compressed bytes of data that may be transferred to a computing device for the decompression of the data. The quantized vector data can include vertices expressed as a pair of integer values that may represent geometric, spatial elements, such as points, interconnected lines (polylines), and polygons. These geometric objects may be representative of information on a map. The compressed bytes may be grouped according to grids, wherein each grid represents a distinct geographic area of a map, so that a consumer can store and decompress only the portion of the map data which is of interest.

With the miniaturization of computing devices, it has become increasingly more important to maximize the use of computing device storage capabilities. Data compression refers to reducing the amount of space or bandwidth needed to store or transmit a block of data used in communications, facsimile transmissions, file storage and file transfer. Consumer computing devices, such as phones incorporating a display, are increasing in popularity. With a receiver and a display, data representing any geographical location can be transmitted and displayed in a visual format. For example, it has become increasingly popular to provide maps displaying streets and highways, points of interest, such as restaurants, over a communication network for downloading onto a cellular phone or other computing device. As many consumers now carry cell phones virtually all the time, a map displaying such information can prove very useful. However, map objects such as roads, rivers, lakes, political divisions, points of interest, etc., require a large volume of data. Because of the limited storage capability of many consumer computing devices, the technique of compressing the data (both in terms of computation and in terms of degree of compression) should be very efficient. In conventional data compression algorithms, the entire data file (for example, data representing the entire continental United States) is provided as a single monolithic block of data, which cannot be edited or updated. The data being in a single monolithic block limits its usefulness.
In general, there are two kinds of compression: "lossy" and "lossless." Lossy compression means that some data fidelity is lost when compressing, generally, for the purpose of boosting compression ratios. Lossless compression does not lose any fidelity, but is harder to achieve good compression ratios.
Given the limited storage space of computing devices, it would be desirable to develop a set of compression algorithms that achieve comparable compression ratios as conventional compression algorithms, but wherein the data can be modular, so that a user may be provided only with the data, which is on interest, rather than the entire block of data, much of which may be irrelevant and which only takes up storage space. The present invention achieves this objective and has further related advantages.

Lossless compression algorithms for spatial data


A method for operating an internal combustion engine is described. The internal combustion engine includes a high-pressure accumulator and a low-pressure area. The high-pressure accumulator and the low-pressure area are connected via a pressure control valve. An open position of the pressure control valve is a function of a control pressure. A negative load change of the internal combustion engine is detected. The control pressure is reduced at a point in time from a starting level to a low level as a function of the detection of a negative load change.

The fuel pressure in the high-pressure accumulator should be controlled for operating an internal combustion engine having a high-pressure accumulator. Conventional internal combustion engines have a fuel-conducting connection between the high-pressure accumulator and a low-pressure area, which may be opened or closed via a pressure control valve.
The pressure control valve may be operated in a customary operating mode, i.e., in a pressure regulation operation, in a purely controlled manner. The control is designed in such a way that the pressure control valve, per se, always remains closed.
Furthermore, pressure overshoots may occur in the previously named controls or regulations, the pressure overshoots being considered to be undesirable pressure deviations. For example, negative load changes may result in an undesirable overshoot. German Patent Application No. DE 101 31 783 A1 describes a method for stabilizing the fuel pressure.

Method for operating an internal combustion engine


A synchronization group management apparatus of a node recognizes a node belonging to a different group if groups having mobility are moved and located in the same area, and performs an operation of merging the different groups into one group by changing the frame start time and the synchronization reference time of the node.

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for managing synchronization groups in a wireless communication system. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for managing synchronization groups which can reduce interference between different synchronization groups in a wireless communication system, such as a wireless mesh network or a mobile ad-hoc network.
(b) Description of the Related Art
802.11 Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) technology is representative conventional wireless ad-hoc network technology. In 802.11 wireless local area network (WLAN) technology, each node in Distributed Coordination Function (DCF) mode uses a distributed access method. The distributed access method in 802.11 DCF mode is performed based on Carrier Sense Multiple Access (CSMA), and each node sends its own data according to CSMA when adjacent nodes do not send their data.
In 802.11 DCF mode, although two different networks neighbor each other, each of the nodes of the two groups can recognize the transmission of the node of the counterpart group according to CSMA and send its own data when the node of the counterpart group does not send its data.
Each node in wireless technology in which a TDMA-based frame not using CSMA, such as 802.11 Point Coordination Function (PCF) mode and 802.15.4 Guaranteed Time Slot (GTS) duration, is used, attempts to send and receive data in a slot allocated thereto. Here, the slot is allocated by taking only a node belonging to the same network into consideration. Accordingly, if an adjacent network is present, it can affect interference between groups if data is attempted to be transmitted in the allocated slot.
Furthermore, in order to determine whether or not an adjacent network is present, a broadcasting message has to be received from a node in the adjacent network. If a TDMA frame start time is different in each network, it is difficult to determine whether or not an adjacent network is present because a time during which the broadcasting message is received is different.
That is, in existing wireless technology in which a TDMA-based frame is used, there is a problem in that interference from different networks continues.

Method and apparatus for managing synchronization groups in wireless communication system

ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE


A device for measuring distance between walls of coaxial cylindrical screens is provided. Rotation of motors is rotated to screw bars and rotation of the screw bars is converted to translational movement of gauge bars. The numbers of rotation of the screw bars corresponding to length of projection of the gauge bars from their withdrawn positions to positions at which they abut against wall surfaces of the screens are measured by rotary encoders and the distance between wall surfaces of the screens thereby is measured. A main body of the device is fixed between the wall surfaces of the screens by means of the projecting gauge bar and a pair of main body supporing units.

This invention relates to a device for measuring distance in the radial direction between walls of a pair of coaxial cylindrical screens such as catalyst holding screens of a radial flow reactor.
A radial flow reactor used in petrochemical industries has a pair of coaxial cylindrical screens erected in a vertical direction. A catalyst layer is formed by filling catalyst in an annular space formed between the inner screen and the outer screen of the pair of cylindrical screens (this annular space will hereinafter be called "annulus" according to the general terminology used in the art) and a desired chemical reaction is performed by causing gas to be treated to pass through the catalyst layer from the outer screen toward a hollow space inside of the inner screen. For producing a uniform product, the distance in the radial direction between the inner wall of the outer screen and the outer wall of the inner screen, i.e., the thickness of the annulus, must be uniform. In a case where a radial flow reactor is installed, it is necessary to measure accurately the distance in the radial direction between the outer and inner screens in many positions both in the circumferential and vertical directions before filling the catalyst in the annulus.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,392,527 discloses a device for automatically performing this measurement. This prior art device has a wheeled cart having two pairs of wheels which are mounted such that they straddle on an inner screen with a certain angle and a pair of spring-loaded plungers including ball-like contact members. This device is lowered by means of a cable in an annulus between inner and outer screens and a pair of supersonic sensors positioned in the cart issue beams oppositely in the radial direction in the annulus to measure the distance in the radial direction between the inner and outer screens.
This prior art measuring device is convenient in that it has obviated a troublesome manual measurement. This measuring device which performs measurement according to the method in which it issues detecting beams of a supersonic sensor or a laser sensor to the outer wall surface of the inner screen and the inner wall of the outer screen and measures time required for retroflex reflection of the beams from the outer wall and inner wall has the following problems:
As inner and outer screens of a radial flow reactor, a wedge-wire screen is generally used. Since the diameter of detecting beam of a supersonic sensor is about 5 mm, in a case where the width of slit of the wedge-wire screen is larger than the diameter of the detecting beam, an accurate measurement is possible when the detecting beam strikes against a flat surface of the wedge-wire but, when the detecting beam enters the slit of the wedge-wire, the detecting beam passes through the slit and strikes against a reinforcing panel or a support rod provided behind the wedge-wire and is reflected therefrom. As a result, an error in the measurement takes place. Further, when the detecting beam does not strike against the flat surface of the wedge-wire but strikes against an inclined portion at the edge of the wedge-wire, though it may not pass through the slit, an accurate retroflex reflection cannot be obtained and, as a result, an error in the measurement takes place.
It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide a device for measuring distance in the radial direction between walls of coaxial cylindrical screens which are free from errors in the measurement caused by the above described measurement method utilizing a detecting beam.

Device for measuring distance between walls of coaxial cylindrical screens


A system, method and non-transitory computer readable medium for testing the alignment of a bidirectional scanning print system are described. A first swathe is printed in first direction, and a second swathe is printed after the first in a second direction along a print axis. Each swathe comprises a plurality of printed blocks aligned along the print axis, separated by unprinted bars. Misalignment in the print system can be identified from the print output.

Print systems are arranged to output a printed image onto a suitable print substrate. Certain print systems are arranged to move a print substrate in a media transport direction, whilst a printhead scans orthogonally to the media transport direction along a print axis. A bidirectional scanning print system incorporates a print mechanism that moves a printhead in both directions along the print axis so as to scan back and forth across the print substrate. In a print system, it is desired to obtain good image quality by minimizing dot placement error and thus reducing image artifacts such as grain and banding.

Print alignment in a bidirectional scanning print system

HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.


An information recording and reproducing apparatus includes a rewritable optical disc having a plurality of sectors on which data can be rewritten. The rewritable optical disc is divided into an additionally recordable region in which the data are additionally recorded and a rewritable disc control region in which an address of a latest recorded sector in the additionally recordable region is recorded. The optical disc is used as an additionally recordable optical disc in which recording is permitted only one time and reproduction can be performed plural times. The information recording and reproducing apparatus further includes a control circuit for recording data on unrecorded sectors in the additionally recordable region and for reading the data from recorded sectors. This control circuit can rewrite and reproduce data in the disc control region. The control circuit reads the disc control region prior to additional recording of data, thereby finding a first unrecorded sector from the address of the latest recorded sector recorded in the disc control region. Furthermore, the control circuit records data on unrecorded sectors following the first unrecorded sector, and upon termination of data recording, the address of the latest recorded sector in the disc control region is rewritten.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an information recording and reproducing apparatus for successively recording and reproducing information, and more particularly, an information recording and reproducing apparatus capable of emulating a rewritable optical disc as an optical disc of the type in which recording is permitted only one time and reading is permitted many times, but no rewriting is permitted.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is generally known that an optical disc can have information recorded thereon in a high recording density which may be about 10 or more times that recordable on a magnetic disc. The high recording density primarily owes to the high converging characteristic of a laser beam and tracks narrowed in pitch.
An optical disc called "WORM" (write-once read-many type) has a useful life longer than 10 years and is characterized in that recording is permitted only one time and reading is permitted many times, but no rewriting is permitted in principle.
The recent technical progress of optical disc media makes it possible to put to practical use media in which rewriting of data is permitted as similar to magnetic media. Magneto-optical disc media, phase change type rewritable media, and the like are in practical use as such optical disc media. Nowadays, environmental characteristics required to store the optical disc media are remarkably improved, as compared with those for magnetic tapes. Furthermore, by the use of an ordinary rewritable optical disc and a drive therefor, emulation of a "WORM" operation is performed in which recording is permitted only one time and reading is permitted many times.
In order to impart a "WORM" function to the optical disc and the drive therefor, "WORM" (information) indicating that the optical disc is a "WORM" disc is pre-recorded as bits on control tracks whereas the disc drive is made to perform a "WORM" recording operation based upon the "WORM" information recorded on the control tracks such that data recording is permitted on unrecorded sectors but prohibited on recorded sectors.
Since the rewritable optical disc and a "WORM" emulated optical disc originate from the same recording medium, it is only necessary to add to the disc drive a function required for handling the "WORM" information and that required for emulating the "WORM" operation. Accordingly, the disc drive can be considerably simplified, as compared with the case where the same disc drive is used for recording on and reproducing from the ordinary rewritable optical discs and the "WORM" optical discs which are different from each other in optical characteristics and recording principles.
In an information recording and reproducing apparatus employing the conventional "WORM" optical discs, data recording is performed on unrecorded sectors by modulating a laser beam emitted from an optical head at a strong recording power while the laser beam is being focused on a desired track. In data reproducing, a considerably weak laser beam is initially applied to the optical disc, and upon receipt of a light reflected therefrom, a reproducing signal is generated and then demodulated
In the "WORM" optical disc, since the data recording is permitted a single time, it is necessary to record data on the unrecorded sectors successively from the beginning of a track. In the data reproducing, it is important to find out the end of recorded sectors from the viewpoint of high speed handling of file management information such as the so-called directory with the reasoning that the newest data exist on sectors to which latest recording has been performed.
FIG. 1 depicts an arrangement of data in a conventional "WORM" optical disc 33. The optical disc 33 stores data 34 of recorded files and a directory 35 for controlling address information of sectors on which the data 34 have been recorded, and includes an unrecorded region 36. The data 34 and the directory 35 are successively additionally recorded on the unrecorded region 36 from the outermost and innermost portions towards a medial portion of the optical disc 33 in the direction shown by arrows X and Y, respectively.
How to record data will be discussed hereinafter taking the case where data (b) are additionally recorded on the optical disc 33.
(1) A disc drive checks the presence or absence of envelopes of recording signals from the beginning of the directory 35 in order to detect a first sector S2 having no envelope. As a result, the latest directory DIRa is found out from a sector S1 immediately ahead of the sector S2.
(2) From the directory DIRa, a last sector S3 can be known on which the end of the data 34 has been recorded. The data (b) are then recorded from a sector S4 to a sector S5.
(3) The disc drive adds address information of the recorded data (b) (from the sector S4 to the sector S5) to the information of the directory DIRa and records a new directory DIRb from the sector S2.
A "WORM" optical disc can be emulated in the above-described manner.
However, since data must be recorded on the unrecorded sectors, it is always necessary to find out the position of the unrecorded sectors at the time of disc replacement. Furthermore, when the track density is made higher to raise the recording capacity, the use of the detection of the envelopes of the recording signals makes it difficult to correctly find out the latest recorded sector. This is primarily due to a crosstalk between tracks. A crosstalk signal occasionally leaks out of a recorded sector to an adjoining unrecorded sector and an envelope thereof is subsequently undesirably detected.

Information recording and reproducing apparatus

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


Disclosure is a method of separately recovering deoxyribonucleic acid and ribonucleic acid from a biological sample solution. They are separated and recovered from a single biological sample by controlling pH values, temperature, and/or concentration of cationic ions of a nucleic acid sample solution containing a caotropic agent. It is possible to easily and safely separate and recover deoxyribonucleic acid and ribonucleic acid from the single biological sample.

With a progress of molecular biological analysis technology, it has become possible to acquire very useful information in the fields of clinical diagnosis, genetic engineering, etc by analyzing nucleic acid molecules that carry genetic information. In carrying out the analysis of the nucleic acid molecules, extraction and recovery of nucleic acid molecules are important steps. Generally, ribonucleic acid (RNA) and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) present as nucleic acid molecules in a biological sample; it is preferable to separate and recover the deoxyribonucleic acid and ribonucleic acid from a single sample, particularly if an available amount of the sample is limited.
In general, when extracting ribonucleic acid (RNA) and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in the biological sample such as blood, cells, tissue, etc, it is necessary to break cells and isolate nucleic acids by physical treatment with stirring, ultrasonic vibration or heating or by chemical treatment with a surfactant or protease, etc. Then, in order to recover isolated nucleic acids, a cesium chloride density gradient ultra-centrifugal separation, a phenol extraction or column chromatography separation is conducted. These methods are used singly or in combination in accordance with objective nucleic acids, samples used, or usage of nucleic acids to be extracted.
Boom et al proposed a simple method of extracting and recovering nucleic acids from a biological sample, wherein silica particles are used as a nucleic acid bonding carrier in the presence of caotropic salt (See Non-Patent Document 1, for example). According to this method, single strand nucleic acids (single strand DNA and RNA) and double strand nucleic acids (double strand DNA) are separated simultaneously. However, it is difficult to separately recover the isolated deoxyribonucleic acid and ribonucleic acid.
On the other hand, there is a method for selectively recovering ribonucleic acid from a biological sample (See Patent Document 1, for example). According to this method, an acidic solution containing a caotropic agent, a water-soluble organic solvent and a nucleic acid bonding carrier are added to a sample containing ribonucleic acid, followed by mixing the solutions. The carrier to which ribonucleic acid is bound is separated from a liquid phase, thereby to extract and recover only ribonucleic acid by eluting a composite of the ribonucleic acid and carrier composite. However, the deoxyribonucleic acid that coexists with the recovered ribonucleic acid is not recovered.
Further, a method of separating and recovering a double strand/single strand nucleic acid from the same biological sample is disclosed in Patent Document 2, for example. In this method, the double strand nucleic acid in a sample solution is bound to silica particles under proper conditions of a caotropic agent, a chelating agent, pH value, etc. Then, a concentration of the chelating agent in a supernatant from which the silica particles bound to the double strand nucleic acid are removed is changed to thereby cause binding of the single strand nucleic acid to the silica particles. As a result, the double strand nucleic acid/single strand nucleic acids are separately recovered. However, this process needs a centrifugal separation to recover the silica particles, thereby to make the method complicated.
A method of separating double strand nucleic acids and single strand nucleic acids is disclosed in Patent Document 3, for example. In this method, only the deoxyribonucleic acid, i.e. the double strand nucleic acid is bound to an inorganic carrier under a condition free from substances containing alcohol radicals to separate them from the ribonucleic acid. This method may include a step for separating the double strand nucleic acids and the single strand nucleic acids by separate elution from an inorganic carrier, after the double strand nucleic acids/single strand nucleic acids are simultaneously bound to the inorganic carrier.
However, in order to recover the double strand nucleic acids and the single strand nucleic acids, an alcoholic solution of high concentration is needed. Thus, there are problems of safety in handling and of inhibition of enzyme reaction due to alcohol remaining in the recovered product.    Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-open Hei 11-196869    Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Re-publication 2000-505295    Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Laid-open 2002-18797    Non-Patent Document 1: J. Clin. Microbiol. 28; 495-503(1990)
In extraction of nucleic acids by density gradient ultra-centrifugation, a nucleic acid purification processing needs a long period of time. In phenol extraction, care for safe processing must be taken because phenol i.e. a poisonous substance is used. Further, it is unavoidable to make the process complicated.
As for the above-mentioned simplified method for extracting and recovering nucleic acids, it is difficult to separate and recover ribonucleic acid and deoxyribonucleic acid using reagents that are easy to handle, as described above.

Method of recovering nucleic acids and kit for recovering nucleic acids


The compositions described herein include a substrate, wherein the substrate is a metal, metal oxide, metal nitride or a silicon containing material; a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) bonded to the substrate, wherein the self-assembled monolayer comprises: a surface binding unit bonded to the substrate, wherein the surface binding unit is selected from the group consisting of hydroxamates, phosphonates, catechols, halosilanes, alkoxysilanes, phosphonic acids, alkenes, alkynes, alcohols, 1,2-diols, and thiols; a separator unit bonded to the surface binding unit; a mass altering unit bonded to the separator unit; and a detector unit bonded to the separator unit.

The present disclosure relates to molecular detectors, and more specifically, the design of molecular detectors to suppress desorption of self-assembled monolayers from substrates.
Substrates can be functionalized with molecular detectors via self-assembly of monolayers. However, desorption of that self-assembled monolayer (SAM) from the substrate is an important limitation in detecting an analyte at low and ultra low concentrations. Since detection at such concentrations requires longer incubation times, the SAM can desorb from the substrate before the analyte attaches to the functionalized sensing surface of the substrate. Moreover, desorption of the SAM causes detection errors and signal drifts during analyte detection.
There is a need for suppressing desorption of molecular detectors from substrates.

Molecular design to suppress desorption of self-assembled monolayers

International Business Machines Corporation


An intraocular lens for implantation in a capsule of an eye comprises an optic which has a substantially circular rim, an optical axis, and a lens plane that extends vertically of the optical axis; at least two haptics for support of the optic on the capsule, the haptics being fixed to the optic and forming one piece with the optic and consisting of reversibly deformable material, each haptic having a first Z-shaped haptic clamp articulated to the rim, a second Z-shaped haptic clamp articulated to the rim, and a connecting clamp which is concave in relation to the optical axis, uniting the first haptic clamp and the second haptic clamp.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an intraocular lens for implantation in the capsule of an eye, in particular a human eye.
2. Background Art
WO 02/17818 A1 describes an intracoular lens. Two flexible legs project radially from this lens and are united by a rib. The legs and the rib have substantially the same thickness. No defined joints are provided additionally. Therefore, the compression behaviour of these haptics, upon implantation into the capsule, is not defined.
Another intraocular lens is known from U.S. Pat. No. 6,409,762 B1. It comprises two ribs which project radially from the optic and are united by a convex rib. Compressing the haptics in the radial direction result in the rib resting very rapidly on the ribs that project radially as seen in FIG. 3 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,409,762 B1. The interval of radial deformation is rather restricted.


A data storage device coupled to a host power supply is disclosed and includes a spindle motor and Voice Coil Motor (VCM) circuitry, a power device coupled to the host power supply via a first host supply line and coupled to the spindle motor and VCM circuitry, wherein the power device comprises a first voltage rail, a first isolation circuit, and control circuitry, wherein the power device receives a first supply voltage on the first voltage rail via the first host supply line and provides the first supply voltage to the spindle motor and VCM circuitry via the first isolation circuit, and wherein the control circuitry is operable to monitor the first voltage rail for an overvoltage event and, when the overvoltage event is detected, control the first isolation circuit to disconnect the spindle motor and VCM circuitry from the first voltage rail.

Data storage devices, such as disk drives, hybrid drives, and solid state drives, may receive power from a host power supply, which can reside in a desktop or laptop computer or be a standalone power supply, for example. The host power supply typically receives its power from an AC power line. However, if voltage transients occur on the AC power line and the host power supply is not designed sufficiently well, the data storage device to which it is connected may be subjected to an overvoltage event, which may cause damage to the device and/or corruption of data stored therein.
Also, a data storage device may share a host power supply with one or more other products. As a result, a load transient may cause the supply voltage from the host power supply to go out of regulation, thereby causing an undesirable overvoltage event. Thus, it is important to provide overvoltage protection for data storage devices.

Data storage device with overvoltage protection


A fluid-handling device includes first and second mating plates. The first plate includes a central groove and a secondary groove surrounding the central groove. The second plate includes a complementary central groove that forms a main bore with the central groove of the first plate. A first seal disposed between the first and second plates seals between the main bore and the secondary groove. A second seal is disposed between the plates and surrounding the first seal. A vacuum communicates between the secondary groove to draw away fluid that may leak from the main bore past the first seal. The forces in the secondary groove due to the vacuum aid in securing the second plate to the first plate. A sensor can be tapped into the vacuum line to immediately sense whether any fluid has leaked past the first seal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a fluid-containing, conducting or distributing device that effectively prevents any leakage. More particularly, the present invention relates to a junction assembly with double-containment and immediate detection of seal failure or leakage.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
In the semiconductor manufacturing industry, many hazardous fluids are used and must be carefully handled to prevent damage to equipment and injury to both the environment and production employees. Furthermore, these fluids must be kept as pure as possible during all aspects of the handling and supply, since any contact of the flow stream with a contaminant may result in defects in the manufactured products. These defects are usually not detected until after the manufacturing operation has been completed.
During the manufacturing process, certain fluids must be distributed to various locations in precise amounts. To this end, the industry has used gas panels, which comprise bases on which a plurality of valves and mask flow controllers are mounted. The fluid flows through and among these devices by way of external conduits. However, these external conduits require numerous junctions, which means further opportunities for leakage. Moreover, in order to ensure proper flow through the system, the internal bores of these conduits must have an extremely smooth surface without any pits or protrusions. Any of these defects may act as a barrier to retain some of the fluid within the system, even if the system is purged. To ensure the smoothness of the internal bore, the bores normally are electro-polished and then visibly inspected with an endoscope to confirm the smoothness. This leads to an increase in cost of the gas panels.
Fluid passages have been bored in metal plates, which can resolve the problem of fluid leaking through the walls of the bores. However, the shapes of the bores are generally limited to configurations that can be machined into the plate, i.e., straight bores. Further, even if these bores are polished, they also must be inspected with an endoscope, which leads to an increase in the cost.


Method and apparatus for cooling a fuel cell stack. The cooling system uses vaporization cooling of the fuel stack and supersonic vapor compression of the vaporized coolant to significantly increase the temperature and pressure of the liquid coolant flowing through a heat exchanger. By increasing the heat rejection temperature of the coolant delivered to the heat exchanger, the heat transfer area of the heat exchanger can be reduced and the mass flow rate of coolant can also be reduced. The increased fluid pressure is used to circulate the coolant through the cooling system, thereby eliminating the circulation pump associated with conventional systems.

Cooling systems are implemented in a variety of applications for cooling a heat source. Generally, cooling systems include a cooling fluid flowing therethrough, which undergoes phase changes to perform the cooling function. In particular, the cooling fluid cools the heat source via a heat transfer therefrom, whereby the cooling fluid is caused to vaporize from an original liquid form. The coolant fluid, in vapor form flows through a heat exchanger which is in heat exchange communication with a lower temperature source, such as ambient air. As the vapor flows through the heat exchanger heat exchange occurs from the vapor, thereby partially transforming the coolant fluid to its liquid phase. A condenser is also included for condensing the remaining vapor phase to the liquid phase. A large circulation pump is required for circulating the liquid coolant through the heat source and the components of the cooling system.
One such application that requires a cooling system is a fuel cell system. Fuel cells have been used as a power source in many applications, such as electrical vehicular power plants to replace internal combustion engines. In proton exchange membrane (PEM) type fuel cells, hydrogen is supplied to the anode of the fuel cell and oxygen is supplied as the oxidant to the cathode. PEM fuel cells include a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) comprising a thin, proton transmissive, non-electrically conductive, solid polymer electrolyte membrane having the anode catalyst on one face and the cathode catalyst on the opposite face. The MEA is sandwiched between a pair of electrically conductive elements which (1) serve as current collectors for the anode and cathode, and (2) contain appropriate channels and/or openings formed therein for distributing the fuel cell's gaseous reactants over the surfaces of the respective anode and cathode catalysts.
The term "fuel cell" is typically used to refer to either a single cell or a plurality of cells (stack) depending on the context. A plurality of individual cells are typically bundled together to form a fuel cell stack and are commonly arranged electrically in series. Each cell within the stack includes the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) described earlier, and each such MEA provides its increment of voltage. A group of adjacent cells within the stack is referred to as a cluster. By way of example, some typical arrangements for multiple cells in a stack are shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,763,113.
In PEM fuel cells, hydrogen (H2) is the anode reactant (i.e., fuel) and oxygen is the cathode reactant (i.e., oxidant). The oxygen can be either a pure form (O2) or air (a mixture of O2 and N2). The solid polymer electrolytes are typically made from ion exchange resins such as perfluoronated sulfonic acid. The anode/cathode typically comprises finely divided catalytic particles, which are often supported on carbon particles, and mixed with a proton conductive resin. The catalytic particles are typically costly precious metal particles. As such these MEAs are relatively expensive to manufacture and require certain conditions, including proper water management and humidification and control of catalyst fouling constituents such as carbon monoxide (CO), for effective operation.
The electrically conductive elements sandwiching the MEAs may contain an array of grooves in the faces thereof for distributing the fuel cell's gaseous reactants (i.e., hydrogen and oxygen in the form of air) over the surfaces of the respective cathode and anode. In the fuel cell stack, a plurality of cells are stacked together in electrical series while being separated by a gas impermeable, electrically conductive, bipolar plate. The bipolar plate serves several functions including: (a) acting as an electrically conductive gas separator element between two adjacent cells; (2) distributing reactant gases across substantially the entire surface of the membrane; (3) conducting electrical current between the anode of one cell and the cathode of the next adjacent cell in the stack; (4) keeping the reactant gases separated in order to prevent auto ignition; (5) providing a support structure for the proton exchange membrane; and (6) in most cases, providing internal cooling passages defined by internal heat exchange faces and through which a coolant flow to remove waste heat from the stack. Various examples of a bipolar plate for use in PEM fuel cells are shown and described in commonly-owned U.S. Pat. No. 5,776,624.
Current fuel cell cooling systems are undesirably large, including the large circulation pump for circulating the liquid coolant through the fuel cell stack (i.e. heat source) to the heat exchanger where the waste thermal energy (i.e., heat) is transferred to the environment. The thermal properties of typical liquid coolants require a large volume to be circulated through the system to reject sufficient waste heat to maintain the stack operating temperature, particularly under maximum power conditions. For example, a PEM fuel cell stack operating at 80 KW and 50% efficiency with an operating temperature of 80° C. will generate 80 KW of waste heat that must be rejected. However, since a maximum ambient air temperature of about 40° C. can be utilized for heat rejection, a mass flow rate of approximately 2000-3000 grams/sec. of coolant must flow through the stack in combination with use of large heat exchanger areas to accommodate the required heat rejection. As is well known, the expense associated with large heat exchangers and the other cooling system components (recirculation pump, proportional mixing valves, PID controllers, etc.), combined with packaging constraints caused by physical size requirements of the components, have had a detrimental impact on widespread commercialization of fuel cell systems. Thus, a need exists to develop alternative fuel cell cooling systems which overcome the shortcomings of conventional cooling systems and assist in advancing the art.

Supersonic vapor compression and heat rejection cycle


A uninterruptible power system in which separate inverters are connected to separate d.c. power sources established by independent power supplies, a.c., d.c. or both, and have their a.c. outputs connected to separate transformer primary windings with the primary to secondary turns ratios of the primary windings establishing different effective secondary voltages for determining the power source for normally supplying the power from the system and the sequence in which the other power sources are used on power failure, the magnitudes of the effective voltages determining the power source for initially supplying the power with any other power source supplying the power when its effective voltage is higher than any other available power source.

Back up power systems are available which are based on several different topologies. While many of these are sometimes referred to as uninterruptible power systems, strictly speaking they are not. In these so called UPS systems, power from a first source, most typically an a.c. power line, powers the load either directly or through a conditioning or regulating device such as a ferroresonant transformer. Upon failure of the first source, a second source, typically an inverter powered by batteries, is actively switched into the circuit to supply the load. Sometimes the first and second sources share a single ferroresonant transformer so that the load is always powered by the ferroresonant transformer, which in turn is powered by either the first source or, upon failure of the first source, the second power source which is switched in to power the transformer. Two factors conspire to prevent such designs from providing truly uninterruptible power. First, it is necessary to monitor the first power source continuously, and quickly determine that it has failed. Given the inherent time variant nature of the sinusoidal wave form typical of a.c. power sources, this is very difficult to achieve. Further, once it has been determined that the first power source has failed, it is necessary to switch over to the second power source and to positively disconnect the first source to assure that power is not fed back to the first source from the second. Typically, this switch over and disconnect process is accomplished using an electromechanical relay or contactor, which is inherently a slow device. Allowing for the time required to first detect failure of the first power source and then accomplish the change over to the second source, the output power may be interrupted for several tens of milliseconds. This is acceptable for some loads, but not others.
For sensitive loads, a full time inverter, i.e., a true UPS, is best. In this known topology, a single inverter converts d.c. power to a.c. power and supplies it to the load on a continuous basis. Generally, power is normally supplied from a first a.c. power supply, normally a power line, through a rectifier to provide a first d.c. source which normally supplies the d.c. power required by the inverter. This same rectifier keeps charged batteries which provide a second d.c. source of power. The second d.c. source is connected to the inverter in parallel with the first d.c. source. Upon failure of the first d.c. source, the inverter continues to be supplied with d.c. power from the batteries. Upon restoration of the first d.c. source, the rectifier once again powers the inverter and, at the same time, recharges the batteries. Because of the parallel connection of the first source and the battery across the input to the inverter, the inverter always supplies a.c. power to the load with no disturbance or interruption of the a.c. output when the first source fails or is restored.
The advantages of a true UPS include a continuously uninterrupted power output to the load, as well as an output whose frequency and wave form are independent of the input. This allows the UPS to serve as a frequency converter, for example, providing stable and accurate 60 Hz power from a 50 Hz power source, or from a power source having an unstable frequency such as an emergency generator. An additional advantage is that no switch is required to disconnect the input of the UPS from an a.c. source, since the inverter for inverting rectified power from the a.c. source will not feed power from other power supplies back through the rectifier.
This true UPS topology, using a dual conversion approach with the a.c. power being converted to d.c. power, and then back to a.c. power, is widely used in medium and large UPS systems, or those with output ratings above 20 kva or so, as well as small systems used in critical applications such as telecommunications.
The main disadvantage of this true UPS approach at lower power ratings has been poor efficiency. The reason for the poor efficiency of the true UPS in smaller sizes is the use of batteries, or other power sources, with relatively low d.c. voltages. Efficiency at low d.c. voltage is poor, not only because of ohmic conduction losses, but also because of losses in the semiconductor switching devices of the rectifier and inverter which have a relatively constant on-state voltage drop. A typical 1.0 volt drop across a conducting transistor, for example, is an insignificant 0.25% loss in a 400 volt apparatus, but represents a loss of nearly 4.2% in a 24 volt system.
The d.c. voltage utilized in a UPS is typically dictated by the cost of the batteries. For a given level of stored energy, a string of relatively few large cells is of significantly lower cost than a string of relatively many small cells. At the power levels typical of a small, single phase UPS in the 1 kva range, for example, batteries are most economical in the 24 to 36 volt range, but significantly higher efficiency would be achieved at a d.c. voltage in the 400 volt range.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,010,469 issued on Apr. 23, 1991 to Howard H. Bobry (the inventor herein) discusses the advantages and the disadvantages of a "true UPS". The patent discloses a UPS in which the load is normally supplied with power from an a.c. power line, with a battery supplying power upon failure of line power. The power line is connected through an isolation transformer to a rectifier which provides a relatively high voltage d.c. power source. This d.c. power source is connected to a single primary winding of a transformer through inverter circuitry having one input connected to the relatively high voltage d.c. power source and another input of the inverter circuitry connected to a low voltage d.c. power source, such as a battery, to effect a connection of the low voltage source through the inverter circuitry to a common portion of the transformer winding which is common to both d.c. sources. Operation of the inverter circuitry at the higher one of the two diverse input voltages is achieved through the use of taps on the single primary winding of the transformer and is such that the inverter circuitry operates to energize the primary winding from the relatively high voltage d.c. source as long as it maintains a higher voltage than that of the low voltage power source across the common part of the primary winding. Upon a failure of the high voltage source to maintain this higher voltage across the common portion of the primary winding, the low power source will supply the power to the primary winding until the high voltage power source again establishes a higher voltage across the common part of the primary winding
While the UPS of this prior patent achieves operation at two different voltages to provide an increase in efficiency, the isolation transformer, for the power supply input to the high voltage rectifier, adds to the size, weight, and cost of the system and reduces overall efficiency of the system. This isolation is needed because of the shared inverter circuitry and a common transformer primary winding. Thus an isolation transformer for the high voltage power source is required.
In addition, the change over voltage at which the UPS supplies power from a lower order voltage source is dictated by the voltage of the lower voltage power source so that a lower voltage source cannot be given preference over a higher voltage source for supplying power to the load. Moreover the UPS of the patent is not amenable to having any additional d.c. power source connected to the common inverter and common transformer winding.
Among the various objects of the present invention, which will be apparent from the description of preferred embodiments, is the provision of a true UPS topology which: (1) enables the use of one or more a.c. power supplies, including one or more high voltage a.c. power supplies, for establishing one or more high voltage d.c. power sources for the UPS; (2) enables the order of preference (priority) for d.c. power sources of the UPS to be in accordance with or different from the order of the voltage levels of the d.c. sources and in accordance with the magnitude of an effective voltage established for each d.c. power source; (3) enables the establishment of an order of preference for the d.c. power sources which have substantially the same voltage level; (4) enables an order of preference for the d.c. power sources to be established by effective voltages for the d.c. power sources which approximate a desired output voltage from the UPS; (5) enables the setting of the effective voltages to a voltage higher than a desired output voltage with the output voltages being regulated to the desired output voltage; (6) enables the easy addition of one or more power supplies to a UPS; (7) enables the maximizing of efficiency of the transistors and the inverters of the UPS as well as cost reduction in providing isolation for the power supplies from each other and the output of the UPS to thus maximize overall system efficiency while reducing costs.

Uninterruptible power supply with plurality of inverters


Improved approaches to flexibly implementing graphic equalizers on media players are disclosed. These approaches provide dynamic order reduction of a multi-band graphic equalizer so that equalizer effects can be timely performed with only limited computational resources. In one embodiment, a media player receives a media item and associated equalizer settings for a multi-band graphic equalizer. The media player can then automatically (i.e., without user action) approximate the multi-band graphic equalizer with the equalizer settings for the media item using a fewer number of filters. Fewer filters means order reduction, and thus reduction in computational requirements. After the multi-band graphic equalizer is approximated, the media player can present the media item to its user in accordance with the reduced complexity, approximated equalizer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to media devices and, more particularly, to equalizer effects for media being presented on media devices.
2. Description of the Related Art
Media players, such as digital media players, are specialized portable computing devices that store and present (e.g., play, display) digital media (e.g., music, videos, or images). Often media players are small hand-held devices with limited media storage capacity and limited media management capability. As a result, media players typically associate with a host computer. The host computer can utilize an application resident on the host computer to perform media management for the host computer and the media player, such management including transfer of the media items and their attributes between the host computer and the media player. One such application is iTunes™, produced by and available from Apple Computer, Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. An example of a popular media player is an iPod™ which is also produced by and available from Apple Computer, Inc.
iTunes can display a graphic equalizer for a user of the host computer. With iTunes, users can specify a set of equalizer settings by selecting one of a list of equalizer presets. Equalizer presets are equalizer settings for various frequency bands that are predetermined and available for selection by users. In addition, users can manually change the settings of a graphic equalizer to achieve a desired (e.g., custom) frequency response for particular media items. To a limited extent, equalizer settings for media items can be transferred from iTunes to the media player. Media players typically have limited computational resources and a small form factor. Consequently, there are difficulties with implementing a graphic equalizer on a media player. One prior solution involves manual conversion of predetermined equalizer settings for the equalizer presets to a simplified filter structure. Such a manual conversion can reduce computational requirements needed to implement the equalizer adjustments on the media player. Unfortunately, however, this prior solution based on manual conversion is time consuming and only effective when the equalizer settings are known and remain fixed. Since the equalizer settings must be fixed, the prior solution also does not support user manipulation of equalizer settings. Other prior solutions involve complex optimization algorithms and/or curve fitting of finite impulse response (FIR) filters. However, these approaches are computationally intensive and not guaranteed to find acceptable solutions, and the resulting filter is usually two or more orders of magnitude more computationally expensive than the original graphic equalizer.
Thus, there is a need for improved approaches to flexibly implement graphic equalizers on media players with limited computational resources.

Method and system for approximating graphic equalizers using dynamic filter order reduction


Techniques of implementing software filtered non-volatile memory in a computing device are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes detecting an entry being written to a guest admin submission queue (gASQ) by a memory driver of a virtual machine hosted on the computing device. Upon detecting the entry written to the gASQ by the memory driver, the command in the entry is analyzed to determine whether the command is allowed based on a list of allowed or disallowed commands. In response to determining that the command in the entry is not allowed, without sending the command to the non-volatile memory, generating an execution result of the command in response to the entry being written to the gASQ by the memory driver. As such, potentially harmful commands from the memory driver are prevented from being executed by the non-volatile memory.

Cloud computing allows multiple users to access and share pools of computing resources over a computer network, such as the Internet. Such shared computing resources can include a large number of servers, network storage devices, and other computing devices interconnected routers, switches, bridges, load balancers, or other network devices in a datacenter. Individual servers can host virtual machines, virtual switches, or other types of virtualized functions configurated to provide computation, communications, data storage, or other suitable types of computing services to multiple users. Such computing services are referred to generally as "cloud computing services" or "cloud services."

Software filtered memory devices in computing systems


A liquid jet head can be detachably fitted into an opening portion of a liquid tank having a liquid absorbing member therein by a liquid receiving member with a liquid path formed therein. The liquid head has a filter, and the peripheral part of the filter is immovably embedded in the foremost end of the liquid receiving member such that the radially outermost end of the filter is not exposed, and the filter is maintained so as to have a dome-shaped contour adapted to come in pressure contact with the liquid absorbing member when the liquid jet head is fitted to the liquid tank by the immovable embedding of the peripheral part of the filter therein. A liquid jet apparatus with a liquid tank has a liquid absorbing member and an opening portion formed thereon, as well as a liquid jet head of this type. A method of immovably securing a filter to a liquid receiving member of a liquid jet head is also described.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a liquid jet head and a liquid jet apparatus having the foregoing liquid jet head used therefore. More particularly, the present invention relates to a liquid jet head and a liquid jet apparatus of the foregoing types each serving to eject or discharge liquid droplets therefrom toward a recording medium such as a recording sheet, a cloth or the like so as to perform a recording operation or a printing operation with the ejected liquid droplets.

Liquid jet head having a contoured and secured filter, liquid jet apparatus using same, and method of immovably securing a filter to a liquid receiving member of a liquid jet head


A sorting installation for letters of a first kind and letters of a second kind includes circulating stacking locations for receiving the letters of the first kind delivered in any desired sequence, and circulating end locations ordered by destination addresses. A first controller is operable to transfer a letter of the first kind from a circulating stacking location to an end location assigned to a destination address of the letter of the first kind. The installation includes further letter-stacking locations for letters of the second kind. A second controller is operable to transfer a letter of the second kind from a letter-stacking location to an end location assigned to a destination address of the letter of the second kind.

The invention relates to a sorting installation for letters and large letters and to a method of sorting letters and large letters.
The present invention is suitable, in particular, for sorting large letters and letters into a common mail-delivery sequence. The term "mail-delivery sequence" is understood as meaning a sequence of letters and large letters which corresponds to the sequence in which the mail is delivered by the mailman during his delivery round. For this purpose, the letters and large letters, which are referred to jointly as items of mail hereinbelow, are sorted and arranged such that the first address stop is followed by the second address stop, which is followed by the third address stop, etc.
Up until now, the letters are arranged in the desired mail-delivery sequence in a number of sorting cycles in sorting installations for letters, for example a DBS installation (delivery barcode sorter), which is not suitable for sorting large letters. In addition, large letters are sorted on an interim basis in a sorting installation for large letters, for example an FSS installation (flat sorting system), and are then arranged manually in the desired mail-delivery sequence. It is obvious here that the operation of sorting large letters manually into the desired mail-delivery sequence is time-consuming and costly. The large letters are then added manually, by the mail man, to the letters which have already been arranged in the mail-delivery sequence, this operation also being referred to as collation or merging. This operation is also time-consuming and costly. Collation and sorting into a mail-delivery sequence take place over a number of successive time windows. A large amount of time is thus required overall. In addition it is not possible to use such an installation to sort letters and large letters jointly into a mail-delivery sequence.
As an alternative, it is possible, in a sorting installation, to provide an end location for each destination address, also referred to as delivery point or dispatch address. In a sorting cycle, over a large time window, all the large letters and letters with a certain destination address are sorted into that end location which has been assigned to this destination address. This operation is repeated for all the destination addresses until all the large letters and letters are assigned to the respective end locations. The end locations, finally, are emptied such that the destination addresses are in the order of the mail-delivery sequence. This solution, however, has the disadvantage that, for sorting the letters and large letters into a mail-delivery sequence, an end location is necessary for each destination address. This means that the number of end locations cannot be smaller than the number of destination addresses.
A further possibility is for separate streams of large letters and letters which have already been sorted into a mail-delivery sequence to be arranged in a joint mail-delivery sequence by means of a merger, that is to say an arrangement for bringing the letters and large letters together. An additional sorting cycle and/or an additional time window and, if appropriate, an additional sorting installation for implementing this sorting cycle are necessary here.
From the prior art, EP 0 820 818 A1 has disclosed an apparatus which is intended for sorting letters into a certain sequence and utilizes an interim store. The interim store comprises storage pockets which circulate in a conveying loop, with two semicircular conveying sections, on a conveying arrangement and can each receive an item of mail and discharge the same, on command, into the actual set-down containers. In the first instance here, all of the items of mail which are to be ordered are accommodated in any desired sequence in the storage pockets of the interim store. The items of mail are then removed from the storage pockets of the interim store, and transferred into the set-down containers, such that they are located in the latter in the order which is to be produced. The set-down containers, which are open at the top, are located along the rectilinear sections of the conveying arrangement, beneath the storage pockets.

Sorting installation and sorting method for letters and large letters


Methods and systems for ensuring that a default contact list display name presented on a mobile electronic device is meaningful to a user of the mobile electronic device. Such a mobile electronic device in some embodiments comprises a user interface, a wireless interface and a processor wherein in response to a login to a server having a contact list a device-selected default contact list display name is presented on the user interface and wherein prior to presenting the device-selected default contact list display name the device causes a previous default contact list display name associated with the contact list to be replaced with the device-selected default contact list display name.

This invention relates to default list naming for mobile electronic devices, and more particularly to ensuring that a default contact list display name presented on a mobile electronic device is meaningful to a user of the mobile electronic device.
Many modern mobile electronic devices, such as cell phones, personal data assistants and pocket PCs, support numerous forms of communication. One such form of communication is instant messaging (IM), which allows a user of a mobile electronic device to send and receive text messages in near real-time over the Internet. To facilitate sending of text messages, a list of the user's contacts is typically stored on an IM server that is remote from the mobile electronic device. Prior to first login by the user, the IM server creates a default contact list for the user having a display name selected by the IM server or otherwise by the IM service. The server-selected default display name may vary depending on the IM service and is generally not meaningful to the user. For example, the display name is not guaranteed to be in the user's preferred language and may consist of an unintelligible string of characters. Thus, when a user logs into his or her IM account for the first time, a default contact list having a display name that is not meaningful to the user is often rendered on the mobile electronic device.

Device-directed default list naming for mobile electronic device


Link characteristics including modulation type are allocated to radio links in a point to multipoint system. The method allows for various modulation types, and takes into consideration the required coverage range, the minimum bandwidth requirement, and the foreseen interference situation.

1. Field of Invention
This invention pertains to a point to multipoint radio access system. The invention particularly pertains to the configuration of such system which utilizes a number of different modulation methods, the modulation methods being distinguishable with regard to the bandwidth efficiency but also with regard to the coverage range and the interference immunity.
2. Related Art and Other Considerations
Radio access methods have become frequently used to enable the rapid and economic implementation of the access network in modern telecommunication networks. Most known solutions up to date are based on conventional mobile cellular techniques, where the subscribers are fixed instead of mobile. One disadvantage of using cellular techniques for the access network is that the radio spectrum is limited and the implication of this is that these systems normally have a too limited capacity, especially in cities.
Recently a new point to multi point system has been suggested that uses microwave links between a central base station and subscriber terminals. The central base station uses normally 45 or 90 degree sector antennas and the terminals directive antennas pointing towards the base station.
In the suggested system, frequency reuse can be very effective by the use of alternating vertical and horizontal polarizations for the links in adjacent sectors. Also, the line of sight radio links lends themselves to high quality connections, the capacity of which can be adapted individually to different capacities (bitrates).
To further improve on the frequency economy of this system, it has been suggested to use a number of different modulation types for the links. The highest order of modulation requires minimum bandwidth for a given bitrate but has also the minimum range and is most sensitive for interferences from other links. The lowest order of modulation is the most robust. It has the longest coverage range and is also the least sensitive to interferences from other links.
The problem in this kind of system is then to select for each link the most suitable modulation, considering bandwidth economy, coverage range and the foreseen interference situation.
A system of this kind is described in a paper entitled "Link Capacity and Cellular Planning Aspects of a Point to Point Fixed Radio Access System", by A Bollmann, D. Chicon, and M Glauner, European conference on Radio Relay Systems 1996, Bologna, Italy. However heretofore there has not been a clear cut procedure for arriving to a suitable strategy to allocate suitable modulation types and bandwidth to each terminal in the system.
What is needed, therefore, is a system which enables a proper choice of a modulation type considering bandwidth efficiency, coverage range and the interference situation.


MIM capacitors using low temperature sub-nanometer periodic stack dielectrics (SN-PSD) containing repeating units of alternating high dielectric constant materials sublayer and low leakage dielectric sublayer are provided. Every sublayer has thickness less than 1 nm (sub nanometer). The high dielectric constant materials could be one or more different materials. The low leakage dielectric materials could be one or more different materials. For the SN-PSD containing more than two different materials, those materials are deposited in sequence with the leakage current of the materials from the lowest to the highest and then back to the second-lowest, or with the energy band gap of the materials from the widest to the narrowest and then back to the second widest in each periodic cell. A layer of low leakage current dielectric materials is deposited on and/or under SN-PSD. The dielectric constant of SN-PSD is much larger than that of the component oxides and can be readily deposited at 250° C. using atomic layer deposition (ALD). The ALD deposition cycle could be 20-1000 cycles. The deposition technology is not limited to ALD, could be thermal oxidation, chemical vapor deposition (CVD), plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) and other thermal source assisted deposition.

Frequent challenges arise with respect to the dielectric materials. For instance, various material properties are desirable, but may not all be present in a particular dielectric material. Thus, there is a need for low temperature sub-nanometer periodic stack dielectrics with high capacitance density, low leakage current, and the high break down voltage.

Low temperature sub-nanometer periodic stack dielectrics


A method for manufacturing a resin-based composite material includes: a stage in which prepregs are stacked on a jig; a stage in which the stacked prepregs and the jig are covered and pressurized heat treatment is applied thereto to form a first semi-molded article and a second semi-molded article; a stage in which board thicknesses of the first semi-molded article and the second semi-molded article are measured, a stage in which the number of additional plies is determined based on the measured board thicknesses, a desired board thickness of the resin-based composite material, and physical properties of the additional plies; and a stage in which a layered product is formed by stacking the predetermined number of additional plies between the first semi-molded article and the second semi-molded article, the layered product and the jig are covered with a bagging material, and pressurized heat treatment is applied thereto.

Resin-based composite materials, such as fiber-reinforced resins, are widely used for structural members of airplanes, automobiles, ships and the like for their light weight and high strength.
The resin-based composite materials are generally formed by stacking a plurality of prepregs which are made of fiber-reinforced resins and performing heating and pressurizing treatment thereon in an autoclave or the like.
For example, when the resin-based composite material is applied to rotor spars of a helicopter, the resin-based composite material is required to have sufficient strength to support a tensile load, which is generated by centrifugal force, and a rigid precision so that rotating blades can meet a designed natural frequency (dynamic behavior). It is known that the rigidity is proportional to the cube of board thickness of a member which is made of a resin-based composite material. Accordingly, in order to realize the rotor spars made of resin-based composite materials, it is necessary to minimize variations in board thickness with respect to a designed value (e.g., ±2% or less).
However, the resin-based composite material cured in an autoclave may possibly have a variation in board thickness larger than the above-stated desired variation value due to such causes as variations in board thickness of a prepreg itself, variations in resin fluidity during heating and a loss of the resin related thereto, variations in stacking process, and presence of air space remaining between layers. Accordingly, there is a need for a fabrication method capable of strictly controlling the board thickness of the resin-based composite material.
Patent Literature 1 discloses a method for fabricating a composite material by laying up (stacking) a plurality of prepreg plies in sequence on a molding surface of a base-mold member. In Patent Literature 1, the composite material is fabricated by repeating: a step of laying up a predetermined number of prepregs; a step of performing autoclave compression on the prepregs at about room temperature; and a step of laying up an auxiliary ply pack on an autoclaved layered product to adjust fluctuations in board thickness.

Method for manufacturing resin-based composite material


A method and apparatus for connecting a plurality of called party terminals in a bridged a call session with a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) calling party terminal. The method includes the VOIP terminal sending called party terminal identifiers identifying each called party terminal to a calling party Service Control Point (SCP), and creating a bridged call session at the SCP connecting the called party terminals and the calling party VOIP terminal. The apparatus includes a system for sending called party terminal identifiers identifying each called party terminal to a calling party Service Control Point (SCP), and creating a bridged call session at the SCP connecting the called party terminals and the calling party VOIP terminal.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) communications, and more particularly bridging multiple calls into a conference call session with a VOIP terminal.
Conference calls enable multiple parties to communicate with each other by joining the parties together in the same call session in a manner known as bridging. Typical Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) terminals, also known as land line terminals, connect with one other party for each telephone line associated with the terminal. The POTS terminal can initiate a conference call with several called parties if the terminal has several telephone lines.
Otherwise, each party taking part in the conference call dials a Public Switched Telephone (PSTN) telephone number, also known as a Directory Number (DN), which connects the party to a switching element in the communications network. The party then enters a code, such as a participant code, and the switching element connects the party to the bridged call session thereby allowing them to take part in the conference call by communicating with all the other conference call participants.
Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) calling uses Internet Protocol (IP) addressing schemes to provide packet switched voice communications over a packet data network such as the Internet. Rather than establishing a telephone line using a physical connection between the two terminals as is done with Plain Old Telephone Switched (POTS) circuit-switched calls VOIP uses an IP address for routing packet-based information to and from the VOIP terminal over the Internet to provide voice communications referred to as a call.
In order to communicate with terminals over the PSTN, a VOIP terminal IP address is associated with a DN and the conversion between the two is made in the communications network. Currently, as a result of established IP addressing schemes and VOIP protocols a party using a VOIP terminal to make a call effectively establishes only one "telephone line" connecting to one called party. It is desirable for a calling party to initiate a conference call using a VOIP terminal by simultaneously calling several called parties.
The present invention contemplates a new and improved system and method that resolves the above-referenced difficulties and others.

System and method for conference calling with VOIP terminal


A situational awareness system includes a network radio module configured to be coupled with an ad-hoc network. A portable situational awareness unit includes a sensor associated with a user for sensing data indicative of a location of a current field of view of the user in an external scene and to output a signal indicative of the location of the current field of view of the user. A receiver is configured to receive a signal indicative of a location of an object in the external scene and/or identifying information for the object. A display is configured to display a visual indicator in the current field of view of the user. A processing module is configured to generate a visual indicator indicative of identifying information for the object and a location for the object, and to provide the visual indicator to the display for display to the user.

The inventive concepts disclosed herein are generally directed to systems and methods for providing users with situational awareness information, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to systems and methods of providing users with situational awareness information by displaying visual indicators in the field of view of users.
Soldiers, warfighters, rescue personnel, or other users in military, paramilitary, and civilian operations are called upon to execute a wide variety of military, rescue, disaster recovery, or reconnaissance missions in dangerous and rapidly changing conditions. For example, dangerous missions that place personnel in harm's way may include engaging hostile forces in the field (e.g., in urban, naval, or natural environments), search and rescue missions or operations, surveillance or reconnaissance missions, disaster recovery operations, relief and humanitarian aid operations, terrorist attack recovery operations, and fugitive tracking and capture operations. Providing superior situational awareness and information to personnel such as soldiers, warfighters, or rescuers is important for protecting personnel from dangers and for establishing a tactical advantage that can greatly increase the probability of survival of personnel and successful execution of missions or operations.
Typically, personnel deployed in the field gain some information through visual observation, which may be augmented with various devices such as night vision systems, optical magnification systems, portable sensors such as infrared cameras, GPS receivers, video cameras, synthetic vision systems, or navigation systems. Further, personnel may be in radio or other communication with a control center, satellite, or other ways and may receive additional information, commands, or other support in the field. However, the amount of equipment that can be carried by a user results in current systems having size, power, resolution, number of sensors, range, and other similar limitations. Further, existing personnel-carried systems relying on local sensor data are limited to a single point of view or vantage point, and generally have no access to sensors gathering data from other vantage points, and are limited to the amount of data stored locally on the system, which locally-stored data is often not current.
For example, because enemy forces commonly utilize communication equipment ranging from consumer cell phones to sophisticated military radio transceivers, the ability to visually survey an environment to identify, locate and characterize RF sources can be beneficial in a variety of applications. Visually mapping the RF sources in an environment might reveal the presence and location of enemy forces that would otherwise remain concealed and potentially lethal. Visually providing spatial awareness of the location of nearby RF sources is described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,681,218, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. Further, visually mapping RF sources may reveal a location of a black box, rescue beacon, cell phones, or other RF sources which may aid personnel during search and rescue operations.
As communications technology advances, personnel in the field have potential access to practically unlimited information, including information specific to the user's surroundings and situation and data captured by local and/or remote or off-site sensors. In some instances, while each individual user may be physically unable to carry certain sensors or equipment, users may nevertheless have access to data captured by sensors carried by other users or platforms.
One unexpected downside of the vast amount of data available to personnel deployed in the field is the increased cognitive workload and the time and effort expended by personnel to access, view, process, and understand relevant information in the context of the rapidly changing surroundings and highly-fluid and dangerous situations.
Accordingly, a situational awareness system and method for increasing the situational awareness of personnel by presenting contextually-relevant information in an intuitive and easy-to-understand manner would be advantageous.