Outputs from an array of input signals are amplified by an amplification section, sampled and multiplexed onto an analog bus. Amplifiers in the amplification section are segregated into groups. When the amplifiers are in a first mode, as indicated by a binning signal, the amplifiers within each group are electrically isolated from another and function independently from one another to provide a high resolution output signal. When in a second mode, amplifiers within a group operate as a single unified amplifier that averages the inputs for that group to provide a single output. Thus, in this second mode of operation, readout speed may be improved while increasing the signal-to-noise ratio of each input signal relative to the first mode of operation.

I. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and related apparatus for reading out a plurality of amplified signals, such as the output signals from a photodiode array, in either a high or lower resolution mode.
II. Background Information
There are many instances in which a plurality of signals need to be amplified and read out sequentially. For example, output signals from an array of photodiodes can be individually amplified and thereafter made available to acquire a composite signal indicative of the operation of the individual photodiodes. Such composite signals may, for example, be used to acquire an image corresponding to light incident upon the photodiodes.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating conventional circuitry for sequentially reading signals generated by a photodiode array having four diodes. The circuit of FIG. 1 includes a photodiode array 102 comprising a plurality of photodiodes 104, 106, 108 and 110, a plurality of amplifiers 112, 114, 116, 118, a plurality of sample and hold circuits 120, 122, 124 and 126, an analog multiplexer 128, and an output bus 130. The output of each photodiode 104, 106, 108 and 110 is connected to the input of a corresponding amplifier 112, 114, 116 and 118. The output of each amplifier 112, 114, 116 and 118 is coupled to a respective input of sample and hold circuits 120, 122, 124 and 126. The output of each sample and hold circuit 120, 122, 124 and 126 is coupled to an input of analog multiplexer 128. Multiplexer 128 has as a control input select lines 140. The output of analog multiplexer 128 is coupled to output bus 130.
The combination of photodiode 104, amplifier 112 and sample and hold circuit 120 forms a first channel 132. The combination of photodiode 106, amplifier 114 and sample and hold circuit 122 forms a second channel 134. The combination of photodiode 108, amplifier 116 and sample and hold circuit 124 forms a third channel 136. The combination of photodiode 110, amplifier 118 and sample and hold circuit 126 forms a fourth channel 138.
In operation, each of photodiodes 104, 106, 108 and 110, as is known to those skilled in the art, generates an output current as a function of light incident thereon. This output current is integrated by the corresponding amplifiers 112, 114, 116 and 118 to supply a corresponding voltage which is held in respective sample hold circuits 120, 122, 124 and 126 until delivered to bus 130 through operation of analog multiplexer 128. Specifically, analog multiplexer 128 is controlled through select signals 140 that operate, as is well known to those skilled in the art, to selectively couple an output from one of sample and hold circuits 120, 122, 124 and 126 to output bus 130. For example, during a complete read out cycle, select lines 140 may be cycled through states (00), (01), (10), and (11). Each of the states is maintained for a given time period. These states result in the corresponding connection of sample and hold circuit 120, 122, 124 and 126 to output terminal 130. Thus, signals representing light incident on photodiodes 104, 106, 108 and 110 are sequentially placed on output bus 130 through respective channels 132, 134, 136 and 138. The signal-to-noise ratio for each channel is dependent upon the characteristics of the individual operation of amplifiers 112, 114, 116 and 118.
Given the above method, four time periods are required to read an entire cycle of output signals from photodiode array 102. One conventional technique for improving readout speed is to sacrifice image resolution by simply skipping the outputs from one or more of channels 132, 134, 136 and 138. For example, by limiting select lines 140 to the states (00) and (10) for a given readout period, the readout speed may be doubled. However, with this method, the signal-to-noise ratio for each selected channel is the same as the signal-to-noise ratio for each channel with all channels accessed, and the information contained in the skipped channels is lost.

Method and apparatus for amplifying input signals in one of multiple modes of resolution


A method of venting a refrigerant from an air conditioning system of a vehicle during a crash to mitigate leakage of the refrigerant into a cabin of the vehicle by crashing a test vehicle under a first set of predetermined conditions a number of crash events and measuring deceleration and determining the existence of leakage. The number of crash events in which leakage existed is divided by the number of crash events to establish a probability of leakage ratio. The test vehicle is crashed under a second set of predetermined conditions to determine a second probability of leakage ratio. A probability of leakage relationship is established correlating the probability of leakage ratios and the predetermined conditions. A deceleration relationship is established correlating the deceleration measurements and the predetermined conditions. A deceleration of the vehicle is sensed to determine a probability of leakage from the probability of leakage relationship and the refrigerant is vented in response to the probability of leakage exceeding a predetermined threshold.

1. Field of the Invention
The subject invention relates to an air conditioning system, and more specifically, to a method of venting a refrigerant from the air conditioning system of a vehicle during a crash to mitigate leakage of the refrigerant into a cabin of the vehicle.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Air conditioning systems with directed relief valves for venting refrigerant are well known in the art. An example of such a system is disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 6,085,531 (the '531 patent) to Numoto et al.
The '531 patent discloses an air conditioning system utilizing a flammable refrigerant, such as propane. The system includes the standard components of a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator. The system also includes a sensor to continuously monitor leakage of the refrigerant, particularly in an air space. When a leak is detected, the sensor generates a signal. A directed relief valve receives the signal and opens the valve in response to the signal to vent the refrigerant to the surrounding atmosphere.
While venting refrigerant contained within an air conditioning system after a leak is detected helps to prevent exposure to the refrigerant contained within the air conditioning system to the occupants of a vehicle, it does not prevent exposure to the refrigerant that has already leaked from the air conditioning system. In certain situations, such as a vehicle crash, the integrity of the air conditioning system can be severely compromised in an instant, causing refrigerant to leak from the air conditioning system before the refrigerant can be vented to the surrounding atmosphere. Additionally, in such situations, the directed relief system controlling the directed relief valve may become damaged entirely, thus preventing the directed relief valve from venting the refrigerant still contained within the air conditioning system. To mitigate such situations, systems for predicting leakage of a refrigerant from an air conditioning system have been implemented to vent the refrigerant from the air conditioning system before the leakage occurs. An example of such a system is disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 6,240,7381 (the '738 patent) to Kato et al.
The '738 patent discloses a refrigerant relief device for an air conditioning system having a sensor. When the sensor senses deceleration of the vehicle greater than a predetermined threshold amount, for example, an impact due to a collision of the vehicle, a CPU supplies current to a relief valve, discharging the refrigerant from the air conditioning system.
An additional system that predicts the occurrence of a vehicle crash is the U.S. Pat. No. 5,684,701 (the '701 patent) to Breed. The '701 patent discloses a sensor system for initiating deployment of an occupant protection apparatus in a vehicle, such as an air bag, to protect an occupant of the vehicle in a crash. A neural network is trained using data from approximately 25 crash events, and in addition, techniques of velocity and crash scaling are used to create a large library of crashes. A sensor senses deceleration of the vehicle, and the neural network determines if the signal contains a pattern characteristic of a vehicle crash by directly comparing the signal to the library of crash events. If the neural network determines the signal from the sensor is similar to a stored signal in the library of crash events, a deployment initiation mechanism initiates deployment of the occupant protection apparatus.
Although there are prior art systems for venting a refrigerant from an air conditioning system in anticipation of a leak, there remains the need for a system that more accurately predicts the possibility of a refrigerant leak from an air conditioning system of a vehicle during a crash.

Algorithm for activation of directed relief system from vehicle accelerometers during crash


A straddle-type electric vehicle includes a seat disposed farther forward than a rear wheel, foot rest portions configured to support feet of an occupant seated on the seat, stands between a front wheel and the rear wheel and supported so as to swing, a leg shield including a surface which extends in a vertical direction, a receptacle facing an opening portion provided in the leg shield, and a body frame which supports the front wheel, the rear wheel, the seat, the stands, the leg shield, and the receptacle. The receptacle is disposed between a ground contact point of the front wheel and the leg shield; includes a connecting port which is opened to the top, left, or top left; and is configured so that a force received by the receptacle via the body frame when a charging plug is fitted therein is transmitted to the front wheel.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a straddle-type electric vehicle including an electric motor as a drive source.
2. Description of the Related Art
An electric motorcycle which uses an electric motor as a drive source includes a receptacle for charging a battery. When the battery is charged, a charging plug which is provided at an end portion of a cable which extends from a charger is connected to the receptacle.
As an electric motorcycle of this type, there is a known electric motorcycle in which an opening is provided in a rear surface of a front cover provided between a foot rest and a front wheel and which extends in a vertical direction, and a receptacle (a feeding portion) for charging the battery is provided in a position which is exposed by the opening (for example, refer to Taiwanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 201102284).
When an electric motorcycle of this type is charged, the vehicle needs to be fixed in place. Then, a stand provided on the vehicle is rotated downwards to fix the vehicle. Thereafter, a lid is opened to expose the receptacle, and the charging plug is fitted in the receptacle.
In the electric motorcycle described in Taiwanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 201102284, since the receptacle is provided in the cover which is provided in front of the legs of the occupant who is seated on a seat, the charging is easy.
However, being different from an electric four-wheeled vehicle, an electric motorcycle is light in weight. Because of this, when a force is applied to the vehicle as a result of the charging plug being fitted in the receptacle, there is a concern that the vehicle may move.


Embodiments described herein relate generally to electric double layer capacitors having an electrolyte formulation that includes a quantity of a stabilizing additive such that the electrochemical double layer capacitors retain cell capacitance for longer periods of time, generate less gas during operation, and experience less long term ESR. In some embodiments, an electrolyte formulation includes an ionic species, a solvent, and a stabilizer. In some embodiments the stabilizer contains a moiety that promotes adsorption to a surface, such as a carbon surface, and a moiety that promotes polarity of the stabilizer. In some embodiments, the solvent can be a nitrile compound and the stabilizer can be a compound of the formula I:

Embodiments described herein relate generally to electric double layer capacitors having an electrolyte formulation that includes a stabilizing additive such that the electric double layer capacitor retains its cell capacitance for longer periods of time, and ESR gain and gas generation are reduced during operation of the cell.
Electric double layer capacitors (EDLCs) which are also referred to as ultracapacitors or supercapacitors, generally enable fast delivery of electrical energy in a short period of time. Thus, EDLCs are well suited for high power applications such as, for example, PC cards, CF cards, mini PCI, express cards, USB modems, toll tags, energy backup in portable or energy constrained devices (e.g., UPS), voltage regulation for CPU's, supplemental power in hybrid electric vehicles, portable audio and other devices with high surge loads, actuators for door lock, LED flash cameras, solid state memory devices, and other devices requiring high power and high energy. In particular, EDLCs can be used as an integral energy storing component of the drive trains of hybrid electric vehicles. Known hybrid electric vehicles use EDLCs as the primary power source during acceleration and for storage of energy during regenerative breaking.
EDLCs include an anode and a cathode (e.g., carbon based anode and carbon based cathode) that are separated by a separator. The EDLC is infiltrated with an electrolyte such as, for example, an aqueous electrolyte (e.g., sulfuric acid solutions, potassium hydroxide solutions, etc.) or a non-aqueous electrolyte. Known electrolytes typically include an aqueous or non-aqueous solvent which contains one or more dissolved ionic species. Known electrolytes such as, for example, aqueous electrolytes can be unstable at normal operating conditions of the EDLC. An additive, for example, a stabilizer can be added to such known unstable electrolytes to stabilize the electrolyte for operation at normal EDLC working conditions.
Known EDLCs also use electrolytes which are stable at normal operating conditions of the EDLC. Such stable electrolytes can include, for example, non-aqueous electrolytes that include a non-aqueous solvent such as, for example, acetonitrile or propylene carbonate, and a highly stable ionic species such as, for example a quaternary ammonium tetrafluoroborate salt. Known stable electrolytes can, however, become unstable under adverse operational conditions, for example, high voltage or high temperature conditions. As the demand for EDLC grows, there is a continuing need for new solvents and electrolyte systems that exhibit better stability and operational characteristics.
Thus, it is an enduring goal of EDLC development to develop new electrolyte formulations and EDLCs that have higher stability and longer life.

Stability enhancing additive for electrochemical devices

Abstract: Such that R is H, saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, acyclic carbon group, OH, halogen NH2, NO2, S(O)2CF3, or monocyclic or polycyclic aryl, and n is an integer from 0 to 5.


A switching regulator for achieving soft switching comprises a pilot switch in series with a diode, and a pilot inductor connected from the junction between the pilot switch and the diode to a tap on the main inductor. A bidirectional circuit operating as a buck or a boost regulator can be achieved by replacing all of the diodes with active switches and selectively activating certain of the switches.

Conventional boost and buck regulators rely on controllable switches to alternately couple and uncouple an inductor between the input and the output of the regulator. Diodes are typically included in the circuit to provide isolation between the common or ground on the one hand, and the input or output of the regulator on the other hand when the switch is closed.
Ideally the switches are either fully ON (with zero voltage drop across the switch) or OFF (zero current), and energy transformation is 100% efficient. In practice this is approximately true. At switching frequencies up to tens of kilohertz the principal losses are the conduction losses in the switch and diode, which are difficult to avoid. There is also a loss during the finite interval spent switching "ON" and "OFF", during which the switch is sustaining both voltage and current. This loss can be minimized with fast switches such as Field Effect Transistors (FETs).
In order to reduce the size of the energy storage components (and thus the physical size of the regulator), conversion frequencies are rising to the 100 KH.sub.s to 1 MH.sub.s range. At these frequencies, two additional power losses become important.
The greater loss is due to "reverse recovery" effects in rectifiers. In practice, P-N junction diodes in the regulator circuit will not cease conducting immediately when the switch turns ON, but will allow reverse current to flow for a short time before "recovering" the ability block reverse current and sustain reverse voltage. This process typically requires 20 to 200 ns in fast rectifiers, depending on construction and voltage rating. Very high dissipative currents can flow while both the switch and the diode are conducting, and the energy loss each switching cycle becomes significant at high switching frequencies. The high momentary "reverse" current in the diode tends to cease fairly quickly, generating troublesome amounts of Electro-magnetic Interference (EMI).
An additional loss at high frequencies is the dissipative discharge of the junction capacity of the switch (and other parasitic circuit capacities) when the switch turns ON. FETs are very fast switches, finding favour at high conversion frequencies. Unfortunately their self-capacity is relatively high, and increases if larger FETs are used to minimize conduction loss.
The reverse current flow in the diode (and EMI upon recovery) can be significantly reduced if the rate at which current drops to zero and reverses is reduced. This could be done by turning the switch ON slowly (or by using a slower switch), but this unfortunately increases switching loss (due to simultaneous current and voltage on across the switch) faster than reverse recovery losses are reduced.
One prior art approach to achieving soft switching is to place an inductor in series with either the main switch, or the diode. While this solution may reduce reversing losses, it does not recover the energy stored in the inductor.
A preferable approach is to use a second, pilot switch and a second inductor to reactively limit the rate of change of current through the diode. This might be done by providing a second inductor connected from the anode of the main diode to the second pilot switch to the common line. An auxiliary diode would be provided between the switch and the regulator output to recover the energy from the second inductor when the pilot switch is OFF. That approach suffers the drawback that the auxiliary diode may not be switched off by the time the main switch switches OFF, resulting in a build up of current in the diode and interfering with proper operation of the circuit.

Soft switching boost and buck regulators


A surface-treating agent including a perfluoro(poly)ether group-containing silane compound and a perfluoro(poly)ether group-containing compound. The perfluoro(poly)ether group-containing compound contains a radical capturing group or a UV absorbing group in the molecule.

A certain fluorine-containing silane compound is known to be able to provide excellent water-repellency, oil-repellency, antifouling property and the like, when used for surface treatment of base materials. A layer (hereinafter, also referred to as "surface-treating layer") obtained from a surface-treating agent comprising a fluorine-containing silane compound is applied as namely a functional thin film to a wide variety of base materials such as glass, plastic, fibers and building materials.
A known example of such a fluorine-containing compound is a perfluoropolyether group-containing silane compound having a perfluoropolyether group in the molecular backbone and a hydrolyzable group that binds to an Si atom at its molecular terminal or terminal portion (see Patent Literatures 1 and 2).

Surface-treating agent comprising perfluoro(poly)ether group-containing compound


System, methods, nodes, and computer program for determining a home network of a UE roaming in a visited network are described. The UE sends a session invitation to a further UE. The method comprises receiving, by a control node in the home network, the session invitation. The method further comprises adding, by a control node in the home network, an indication of the home network identity and an indication for session invitation loopback routing, to the session invitation. The method further comprises sending, by a control node in the home network, the session invitation towards the visited network. The method further comprises receiving, by a control node in the visited network, a session invitation from the home network. The method further comprises determining, by the control node in the visited network, the home network based on the indication of the home network identity.

The GSMA (Global System for Mobile communications Association) agreement IR.65 covering the IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) Roaming and interconnect guidelines introduced requirements for routing of media for voice & video over IMS when a call originator is roaming. In this case routing should be at least as optimal as that of a current Circuit Switched (CS) domain. Furthermore, a charging model for roaming used in the CS domain shall be maintained for voice & video over IMS.
To meet these GSMA requirements a solution necessitates that the user plane is not routed towards a HPLMN (Home Public Land Mobile Network) of the A-party, unless so desired by the HPLMN of the A-party. The requirement is met by the deployment of P-CSCF (Proxy-Call Session Control Function) functionality in a VPLMN (Visited Public Land Mobile Network) and use of a TRF (Transit and Roaming Function) which receives the call related signalling after it has been processed by the A-party HPLMN (so called VPLMN Routing). This allows the A-party VPLMN to send both control and user plane towards the destination and therefore replicate the current CS voice & video roaming model.
To fulfill the above requirements the GSMA requested 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) to work out the detailed architecture and stage 3 specifications. RAVEL (Roaming Architecture for Voice over IMS with Local Breakout) is the 3GPP specification project name for this work. It was completed as part of 3GPP release 11 in Q4 2012. The term RAVEL has not been included into the actual 3GPP specifications, but the term RAVEL is used within the context of the present application to refer to the specification parts introduced into the 3GPP specifications by the RAVEL specification project.
A number of specifications outline the detailed mechanism for RAVEL namely 3GPP release 11.7.0 versions of TS 23.228 and TS 24.229.
TS.23.228 specifies that the HPLMN shall decide whether to perform the loopback procedure based on local policy and on knowledge of the support of the procedure in the VPLMN. Loopback is further clarified and specified by that the HPLMN shall send an indication to the VPLMN that this session set-up is a loopback to allow differentiation from any other incoming call. By this means the VPLMN is able to apply the correct treatment for this looped incoming leg including charging, service invocation on behalf of the HPLMN, and routing decisions.
The 3GPP TS 23.228 specification further describes an architecture whereby the P-CSCF is located in the visited network with VPLMN loopback possibility. The overall architecture defined in this specification for IMS Local Breakout with P-CSCF located in visited network and with VPLMN loopback possibility is shown in FIG. 1 and thereby represents prior art.
To further illustrate the prior art procedure, FIG. 2 shows a procedure flow diagram illustrating a session establishment between a UE (user equipment) 210 roaming in a VPLMN 300 to a further UE 250 belonging to a further HPLMN 204, where the UE 250 is roaming in a further VPLMN 206. In other words, this covers a session between two roaming subscribers of different HPLMN.
The roaming UE 210 of the A-party sends a session invitation to the P-CSCF 214 via the P-GW (Proxy-GateWay) 212. The P-CSCF 214 forwards the session invitation to the IBCF (Interconnection Border Control Function) 216. Based on operator policy, the P-CSCF adds a reference to a preferred TRF (Transit and Roaming Function) 230.
This first IBCF 216 in the VPLMN 300 allocates a TrGW (Transit GateWay) 260 for the media and follows standard optimal media routing procedures when forwarding the session invitation to allow this TrGW 260 to be bypassed if the session invitation later returns to the VPLMN 300 and no other intermediate nodes anchor the media before the request returns.
A transit network (not depicted in FIG. 2) and a IBCF 218 in the HPLMN 304 forward the session invitation to the S-CSCF 220 of the A-party. Nodes in the transit network and the IBCF 218 in the HPLMN 304 support optimal media routing procedures and allow their TrGWs (not depicted in FIG. 2) to be bypassed. Then the S-CSCF 220 performs service invocation with the help of a TAS (Telephony Application Server) 222. The HSS (Home Subscriber Server) 224 stores the related subscriber data of the A-party.
The S-CSCF 220 performs a routing decision, and based on local policy and on the facts that the UE 210 is roaming, a roaming agreement for VPLNM 300 call routing is in place, and home routing is not required, the S-CSCF 220 decides to route back the session invitation to the VPLMN 300 for further session routing. A loopback indicator is included in the session invitation to inform the VPLMN 300 that this session invitation is being routed back to the VPLMN 300 for session routing. If a reference to the preferred TRF 230 is available in the request, the S-CSCF 220 uses this information to route the session back to the VPLMN 300. If a reference to the preferred TRF 230 is not available, the S-CSCF 220 uses a default derived address to the TRF 230 to route the session back to the VPLMN 300.
The IBCF 226 in the HPLMN 304 and the transit network (not depicted in FIG. 2) forward the session invitation towards the indicated TRF 230 in the VPLMN 300. Functions in the transit network support optimal media routing procedures and allow their TrGWs to be bypassed.
The IBCF 228 in the VPLMN 300 receives the session invitation, notes that the SDP (Session Description Protocol) includes an alternative media address within the VPLMN 300 that allows bypassing of allocated TrGWs, applies optimal media routing procedures to remove any TrGWs allocated between the VPLMN 300 and HPLMN 304, and forwards the request to the indicated TRF 230.
Based on the loopback indicator, the TRF 230 detects that this is a loopback request. The TRF 230 then routes the session invitation toward the destination network. In this scenario the B-party UE 250 is determined to be available in a IMS network, so the session invitation is routed towards the B-party through an IBCF 232 in the VPLMN 300 and a transit network (not depicted in FIG. 2) to a IBCF 234 of the HPLMN 204 of the B-party UE 250.
The IBCF 234 of the HPLMN 204 then forwards the session invitation to the S-CSCF 236 of the B-party in the HPLMN 204. Then the S-CSCF 236 performs service invocation with the help of a TAS 238. The HSS 240 stores the related subscriber data of the B-party.
The S-CSCF 236 performs routing decision, and since the UE 250 of the B-party is roaming in a further VPLMN 206 the session invitation is forwarded via IBCF 242, a transit network (not depicted in FIG. 2) to a IBCF 244 of the further VPLMN 206.
The session invitation is delivered to the UE 250 via the P-CSCF 246 and the P-GW 248 of the VPLMN 206.
The above description covers the handling and routing of the session invitation control signaling (solid arrows in FIG. 2). The handling and routing of the related session user plane is shown as dashed arrows in FIG. 2.
The related session user plane originates in the UE 210 of the A-party and is routed via the P-GW 212 and TrGW 260 of the VPLMN 300 where the A-party is roaming. From the TrGW 260 the user plane is directed straight to the TrGW 262 of the B-party's HPLMN 204. From there the user plane is routed to the TrGW 264 of the VPLMN 206 where the B-party is roaming. There the user plane is sent via the P-GW 248 to the UE 250 of the B-party.
As can be seen from FIG. 2 and the above description, the routing of the user plane follows the same principles as the current CS voice & video roaming model.
Whilst 3GPP covers mechanisms for the VPLMN 300 to recognize a loopback session, 3GPP does not explain how the HPLMN 304 (from VPLMNs 300 perspective the "served network") shall be recognized and identified by the VPLMN 300.
In IMS roaming scenarios the need to identify the HPLMN 304 in loopback situations is necessary. A number of use cases being pushed by subscribers of the IMS network require that the VPLMN 300 is able to identify the HPLMN 304. The use cases may be any of the following: Roaming partner recognition & assertion; Service execution on behalf of served network (roaming partner); Correct charging and accounting information issued by VPLMN.
In CS based networks HPLMN determination is based on the IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity) which provides both an identification of the HPLMN and the user. However IMSI is not available or not used in this IMS network scenario.
Furthermore, today it is not possible for the VPLMN to determine the HPLMN if a transit network is between them, which is typically the case in today's networks.
To meet the requirements for charging and accounting based on a home communication network and to invoke services on behalf of the home communication network, it is required for a visited communication network to determine a home communication network of a user equipment roaming in the visited communication network.

Home communication network determination


A hospital support cart for supporting intravenous fluid dispensing systems includes a rectangular frame having a lower base with multiple corners and an upper table with a work surface thereon spaced above the base, the base and the work surface provide generally rectangular periphery. The work surface table provides X and Y axes that intersect at the center of the table work surface and which respectively bisect two parallel sides of the work surface. Each of the axes is parallel to two sides of the table work surface. A plurality of telescoping fluid container support poles are supported by the frame each being vertically oriented and including at least two poles being placed on opposite sides of the Y axis and at least one pole that is placed on one side of the X axis. The frame is preferably wheeled so that the apparatus can be moved about a hospital room or the like.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to hospital cart devices and more particularly an improved hospital cart for supporting intravenous fluid dispensing systems (for example bottle, IV tube, and needle assembly), wherein a frame having upper and lower spaced apart rectangular plates supports a plurality of outer tubes arranged in a generally triangular pattern, each of the tubes having an inner telescoping portion that can be elevated to a desired level. Two of the telescoping poles are positioned on the same side of an X axis of the frame and the other pole is positioned on the opposite side of the X axis. One of the poles lies on the Y axis of the frame while the other two poles are on opposite sides of the Y axis of the frame. This triangular relationship affords improved stability to the cart which is preferably wheeled.
2. General Background
Hospitals employ various support structures for supporting an intravenous (IV) fluid dispensing system adjacent the patient that receives fluid from the dispensing systems such as blood, saline, medications and the like. One of the most common supports for IV fluid systems is a telescoping pole having hooks at the top of the pole to which the fluid containing a bag or bottle is attached. These poles can telescope to position on IV bottle 6-8 ft. in the air. They typically provide a multi-legged base having radially extending feet that are spaced circumferentially about the bottom of the pole. Commercially available IV poles are usually wheeled so that the patient can move freely about his or her room and rolling the IV support pole and the IV fluids system with the pole.
One of the notorious problems associated with such IV support poles is their instability. These devices are typically very tall and have a relatively small diameter base. They can easily topple over especially when the patient is sedated or weak from surgery.
Some IV poles are mounted directly to the patient's bed, and can be elevated to a desired height and then set with a set screw or pin at a desired elevation. However, these poles are of no value to the patient that is able to move about the room because they necessarily restrict the patient and the IV fluid's delivery system to the bed and its immediate area.
Several devices have been patented which proport carry IV fluids delivery systems and allow mobility to the patient that is receiving such fluids.
A motorized IV pole assembly is the subject of U.S. Pat. No. 5,112,019 in that patent, a motorized IV pole system for controlling the height of an IV container to thereby control the infusion pressure in an IV tube includes a telescoping IV pole system. In one embodiment, comprising three concentric support members, the outer support member is fixed, the middle support member is reciprocable with respect to the outer support member and is driven by a rack gear attached thereto. An inner support member is reciprocatable in the interior of the middle support member and is driven by a cable attached to the outer support member passing over a pulley attached to the middle support member. The rack on the middle support member may be driven by a shaft to which is attached a hand crank and AC motor. The AC motor may be driven by a programmable control system which includes an optical encoder to permit display of the height of the IV container. Also, preselected heights and various speeds of height adjustment may be utilized. Another embodiment employs a tubular support member carrying a nut driven by a concentric threaded shaft. A friction-adjustable bearing for maintaining the position of the shaft permits manual height adjustment.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,110,076, an improved adjustable multiple support stand is provided wherein each of a plurality of support poles is individually adjustable to a desired height. The stand generally comprises a plurality of vertically oriented support poles mounted in a parallel array about an upright main or center post and adapted for vertical sliding movement between raised and lowered positions. Spring loaded trigger assemblies carried by the support poles include locking pins registrable with vertically spaced notches in the center post to permit individual height adjustment of each support pole. The uppermost end of each support pole includes a hook or is otherwise suitably adapted to support a medical fluid container such as a bag of intravenous fluid or the like.
A portable IV stand is the subject of U.S. Pat. No. 4,832,294 issued to John Eidem. The Eidem patent discloses a portable stand that is provided for the transport of infusion pumps, intravenous solutions and other associated equipment. The stand consists of a T-shaped base having a base member with a base leg extending perpendicularly therefrom. Large, diameter non-swiveling wheels are located at either end of the base member and the caster wheel is located at the end of the base leg. A skid member is provided to assist in the transport of the stand on stairs. A cylinder support platform may be affixed to the T-shaped base.
The Schmuhl U.S. Pat. No. 5,135,191 discloses a medical support system that comprises a pole for supporting intravenous related medical equipment. The pole has two different diameters to enable it to be interchangeably inserted into a wheeled strand, a wheelchair bracket, and a gurney cart socket. A stop in the stand limits insertion of the pole into the stand, and a locking knob locks the pole to the stand. The pole and the stand are designed to enable the pole to be inserted into and withdrawn from the stand under normal ceilings without having to tip the stand. The wheelchair bracket receives and locks the pole in a manner similar to the stand. The medical support system enables a patient connected to the intravenous related medical equipment to be transported in a wheelchair or gurney cart without also having to transport the stand.
A bracket for attachment of IV stand to a hospital transport device is disclosed is U.S. Pat. No. 5,292,094. The apparatus includes a bracket such that an IV stand may be quickly connected to a wagon. In this fashion, the IV stand and a wagon can move as the unit for transport of patients. The bracket insures that the IV stand is held closely to the wagon such that it requires relatively lateral space and such that it is guided against lateral tipping.
In the Lavin U.S. Pat. No. 5,114,023 a utility tray is disclosed for supporting medical paraphernalia and guiding hollow tubing which is adapted for mounting to an upstanding vertical pole used for supporting intravenous solution containers. The tray has a plurality of varying diameter circular openings for enforcing and supporting cylindrical objects. A clamp along one edge of the tray is used to attach the tray to the upstanding vertical pole. Slots cut along an edge of the tray have a gradually diminishing width to receive hollow tubing. By pushing the tubing into the slot, the flow of fluids through the tubing is stopped. Tube guides also cut along the perimeter edge of the tray are used to keep several tubes from becoming intertwined.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,000,407 discloses a switch bag type blood-gathering set used for transfusing blood gathered from a blood donor to the same blood donor again, and for newly gathering predetermined amount of blood from the blood donor. This switch bag type blood-gathering set comprises a liquid transferring member for introducing a physiological saline solution into the blood-gathering set, a blood transfusing member for introducing blood from a blood bag into the blood-gathering set, a blood-transfusing and gathering member for supplying blood to or gathering blood from the donor, a washing solution storing member for containing a waste liquor after priming in the blood-gathering set, and a blood storing member for storing blood gathered from the donor, and these constituents are connected by connecting tubes so as to not contact with the air outside.

Support cart apparatus for supporting intravenous fluid dispensing systems


Fusing apparatus for an electrographic printer, includes an abhesive belt for carrying and contacting a recorded image, a low temperature heater to fuse the image, and an assembly for synchronously moving a sheet in contact with the belt past the heater for an extended dwell time so that the toned image attains a fusing temperature as it resides in thermal contact with the heater along an extended transport path. The belt has a release coating of low surface free energy. Image transfer or fusing may be accomplished at sufficiently low belt temperatures that a single belt may be employed to effect imaging, toning, image transfer and fusing steps without impairing heat-sensitive toning assemblies, photoconducting elements, or other temperature-sensitive parts of the printer.

The present invention relates to electrographic copying or printing systems, and more particularly to the fusing of toned images in such systems on a recording member. In such electrographic printing systems, a drum or belt is made to carry an electrostatic latent image, and the image is developed by a toner to form a visible image that is transferred to an ultimate recording member such as a paper or plastic sheet.
In a number of systems, the toner image is transferred to the sheet by means of a counter-electrode charged to provide electrostatic attraction; in others, it may be transferred by contact pressure. In either case, the transferred image remains relatively unconsolidated and loosely bound to the sheet, so that fusing is generally required to render the image stable and resistant to smearing.
For this purpose the image-bearing sheet is carried to another station within the printer at which heat, pressure or the like is applied to fuse the toned image, thus consolidating and adhering it permanently to the sheet. Such heat fusing may be effected by contacting the sheet to a heated platen or hot roll, or by passing it under a radiant heater or flash source of radiant energy. In some systems of this type, an intermediate transport member such as a separate belt is used to pick up the toned image from one dielectric imaging surface and transfer the toned image to a sheet which is brought into contact with the transfer member at the nip of a transfer roller. This transfer belt is heated, for example, by passing over a heated roller. In the latter case, the toned image is transferred and is simultaneously at least partially fused to the sheet as it passes the nip of the transfer roller. However, even in a hot-transfer construction, a post-fuser station is often desirable to achieve image permanence and suitable surface finish characteristics.
In systems involving electrostatic image formation with toning of the latent image, and transfer of the toned image to a sheet or ultimate recording member, the range of constructions is constrained, in that separate mechanisms are generally provided for image transfer and for image fusing, or in that when both events occur simultaneously, this is done by a heated transfer roller that contacts each portion of the image for a very brief time. In these systems the fusing station is generally maintained at a temperature substantially above the toner melting point, and significant amounts of heat energy may be lost from the fusing station to the transfer member. While such instantaneous-contact constructions maintain high sheet feed rates the high temperature fuser may limit the energy efficiency of the fusing step, and introduce further complexity when used with a variety of different toners.
It is therefore desirable to provide a printing process of higher thermal efficiency, or one that is carried out at lower temperatures, and which operates well with a variety of different toners.


A planar antenna for microwave applications includes a supporting structure that is made using standard LTCC (low temperature co-fired ceramics) multi-layer techniques and a polyimide tape containing an adhesive at one side which is adheringly attached to the supporting structure. The body of the supporting structure defines a transmission line substrate and several of the intermediate layers define a path for microwave energy to be coupled from the transmission line substrate to the antenna. The method includes adhering the tape to the supporting structure, cutting the tape to size, and baking the tape and supporting structure in an oven at about 180.degree. C. for about 4 hours to rigidify the tape. The obtained antenna is thus protected against substrate effects such as TM mode zero cut-off frequencies.

Typical planar antennas are printed on high dielectric constant materials. For the case of a low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC), the value of the dielectric constant is fixed at 5.9, which can result in performance degradations due to substrate effects. Principally, the surface wave modes propagating in the substrate are always present, since the TM mode has a zero cut-off frequency despite the value of the substrate height, h, or its dielectric constant, .epsilon..sub.r. Higher order modes can be reduced or prevented from propagating by selecting a low value of h or .epsilon..sub.r. Recent research has developed a low loss membrane technique in semiconductor materials for use with millimeter applications. However, this is not a practical approach at microwave frequencies in the LTCC process.
The aforementioned research, reported in a 1994 article entitled W-BAND MICROSHIELD LOW-PASS FILTERS, by Stephen V. Robertson, Linda P. B. Katehi and Gabriel M. Rebeiz, 1994 IEEE MTT-S Digest, pages 625-628, describes experimental and theoretical results obtained from fabricating a planar W-band low-pass filter. The described filter is fabricated in microshield line technology, and includes a new type of planar transmission line, based on a coplanar waveguide supported by a thin dielectric membrane. The article specifically reports on the results of a planar 90 GHz low-pass filter which has been fabricated in microshield line using the aforementioned membrane technology. The device is purported to display excellent performance, including low-pass band insertion loss and low total loss. In any event, it demonstrates the efficacy of using membrane technology.

Low-loss aperture-coupled planar antenna for microwave applications

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army


A head-mounted display includes: a scanning unit that scans signal light modulated according to an image signal; a display unit on which the signal light from the scanning unit is incident and that is transmissive to visible light, the display unit including a half mirror area reflecting the signal light from the scanning unit and a transmission area having a transmittance higher than that of the half mirror area for visible light; and a control unit that scans, based on a use condition, the signal light over an area including the transmission area.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a head-mounted display.
2. Related Art
Heretofore, a head-mounted display (hereinafter referred to as "HMD") including an image display device that displays an image by, for example, scanning light with a scanning unit has been known (for example, refer to JP-A-2011-76503).
However, the HMD has a problem in that the HMD does not have a function of allowing an observer to indicate his/her intention to an observed person. Examples of the indication of the intention include indicating a physical disorder. Specifically, when the observer is a disabled person, the observer sometimes cannot indicate properly a physical disorder or the like to the observed person. Another example of the indication of the intention is the case in which when an HMD includes an imaging unit as in the HMD described above, an image of the observed person is sometimes captured irrespective of the observed person's intention. That is, even when an image of the observed person is being captured, nothing is shown clearly on the HMD, and the observer does not indicate that the image is being captured to the observed person. Therefore, it is difficult for the observed person to know whether or not the image is being captured.

Head-mounted display with half mirror area


Methods of forming silicon nitride. Silicon nitride is formed on a substrate by atomic layer deposition at a temperature of less than or equal to about 275° C. The as-formed silicon nitride is exposed to a plasma. The silicon nitride may be formed as a portion of silicon nitride and at least one other portion of silicon nitride. The portion of silicon nitride and the at least one other portion of silicon nitride may be exposed to a plasma treatment. Methods of forming a semiconductor structure are also disclosed, as are semiconductor structures and silicon precursors.

Silicon nitride (SiN) is a widely used material in the manufacture of integrated circuits (ICs). Due to its low reactivity and high thermal stability, silicon nitride is used as an insulating material, a mask material, an etch-stop material, a barrier material, a spacer material, etc.
Techniques for forming SiN include physical vapor deposition (PVD) and chemical vapor deposition (CVD), such as high temperature thermal CVD, plasma-enhanced CVD (PECVD), low pressure CVD (LPCVD), or low temperature thermal atmospheric pressure CVD (APCVD). In one process, silane (SiH4) is reacted with ammonia (NH3) to form the SiN. Other silicon precursors may be used, such as silicon halides. Examples of silicon halides include silicon tetrachloride (SiCl4), dichlorosilane (SiCl2H2), trichlorosilane (SiHCl3), silicon tetraiodide (SiI4), HSiI3, H2SiI2, H3SiI, H2Si2I4, H4Si2I2, or H5Si2I. To produce high quality SiN, the PVD and CVD processes are conducted at a high temperature, usually greater than 750° C. However, these temperatures are not compatible with materials used in current ICs, some of which are thermally sensitive. Additionally, using a silicon halide as the silicon precursor is not desirable because reactive halide species, such as hydrochloric acid (HCl), are produced as byproducts. The reactive halide species are known to etch materials used in semiconductor fabrication, such as silicon-containing materials. The silicon halides are also known to degrade (e.g., corrode) equipment used in semiconductor fabrication.
Additional techniques for forming SiN on complex topographies have been developed as miniaturization of ICs continues. Atomic layer deposition (ALD) has been used to form SiN. The silane, silicon halide, and NH3 CVD precursors are sufficiently reactive at temperatures greater than 450° C. or in a plasma environment to form SiN by ALD. However, the precursors are not sufficiently reactive to be used at lower temperatures or without a plasma. While plasma-enhanced ALD (PEALD) has been used to form SiN, step coverage of the SiN is not sufficiently conformal to cover the complex topographies present in current ICs. PEALD precursors include H2n+2−y−z−wSinXyAzRw, where n is 1-10, y is 1 or more, z is 0 or more, w is 0 or more, X is iodine or bromine, and A is a halogen other than X, and R is an organic ligand. In addition, hydrogen is incorporated into the SiN, which decreases its desirable properties. Furthermore, excited species created during the plasma portion of the PEALD process are not selective to exposed materials on the ICs and, therefore, unintended reactions occur between the excited species and the exposed materials.
Amine-based precursors, such as bis(diethylamino)silane (BDEAS) and bis(tertiarybutylamino)silane (BTBAS), have also been investigated as ALD precursors to form SiN. However, reactions using these amine-based precursors have a high activation energy and, therefore, ALD of the SiN cannot be conducted at a low temperature.
SiI4 has also been used as a precursor to form SiN by ALD. While SiN is formed, the resulting SiN is not of sufficient quality to be used in ICs having complex topographies.
SiN formation becomes more complex as the size of ICs continues to decrease and the topographies become more challenging. As requirements for forming SiN become more stringent, the techniques mentioned above have not been able to form the SiN at the desired degree of conformality and at low temperatures.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Methods of forming semiconductor devices comprising silicon nitride on high aspect ratio features


A bar code reader, a wireless transceiver, an earphone jack and a battery are integrated into a pen sized device. The bar code reader is used to scan the product identification code or music packaging. The product code is sent to a central computer or a music store where one or more stored digital samples of the music reside in a database. One or more music samples are retrieved and sent to the pen sized device where the sample is converted to audio signals for listening by a user over the earphone jack.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to the sampling of recorded music and, more particularly, to a bar code indexed retrieval system for providing a user with music samples which they can hear in earphones connected to a pen sized bar code scanner.
2. Description of Related Art
Traditional music stores are beginning to face competition from on-line services. The new services can offer music sampling so that shoppers can hear sample cuts from an album before ordering. Traditional stores are trying to compete by setting up stations where users can insert disks they are contemplating buying and listen to various selections, in much the way record albums were merchandised years ago. This solution, however, is cumbersome for the buyer, since they have to travel across a store to listen, and cumbersome for the dealer, since they have to re-shrink-wrap the disk listened to but not purchased.
The Problems
Music stores have a need to permit potential buyers to hear samples of music from an album before buying it, without the packaging problems associated with opening the album. A user's curiosity about the contents of an album is transitory and unless a sample of the music is quickly available, the user's interest may wane.

Device for enabling listeners to preview music recordings


A method is provided for displaying an immersive video content according to eye movement of a viewer includes the steps of detecting, using an eye tracking device, a field of view of at least one eye of the viewer, transmitting eye tracking coordinates from the detected field of view to an eye tracking processor, identifying a region on a video display corresponding to the transmitted eye tracking processor, adapting the immersive video content from a video storage device at a first resolution for a first portion of the immersive video content and a second resolution for a second portion of the immersive video content, the first resolution being higher than the second resolution, displaying the first portion of the immersive video content on the video display within a zone, and displaying the second portion of the immersive video content on the video display outside of the zone.

The field of the disclosure relates generally to video delivery over an electronic network, and more particularly, to video delivery based upon saccadic eye motion.
Immersive video, or virtual reality video, is video content that includes some or all of a panorama, and when viewed through a head-mounted display or within surrounding screens, includes some or all of a 360 degree panorama in the horizontal and/or vertical directions. Some conventional immersive video systems include an immersive screen and a video storage source. Immersive video delivered to the immersive screen from the video storage source that is in the same location as the immersive screen, or from a remote location that requires the delivery of the video over a network. In these conventional systems, immersive video must be transferred from a source to a screen. This transfer consumes resources between the video source and the screen, and creates demands on the computing resources that host the video storage and the video screen, and on all elements/devices therebetween. Consumption of such resources increases costs, and may further limit the quality of the delivered video content to the consumer.

Systems and methods for video delivery based upon saccadic eye motion


The disclosed computer-implemented method includes establishing a coalescing service configured to combine queries received at the coalescing service. The method further includes instantiating, within the coalescing service, multiple execution windows to which the received queries are to be assigned, where each execution window has an assigned deadline within which to execute. The method also includes analyzing a first query among the received queries to identify characteristics of the first query. The method then includes assigning the first query to a first execution window among the execution windows according to the identified characteristics. Then, upon detecting the occurrence of a specified trigger for at least one of the queries in the first execution window, the method includes executing those queries, including the first query, that are assigned to the first execution window. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

In computing environments, clients and servers communicate with each other over data networks to exchange information. This data is often used by client applications to perform certain operations. Because backend servers often provide data to many thousands or millions of clients, these servers typically limit the number of queries they are willing to accept from any given client over a given timeframe (e.g., one second, or one minute, or one hour, etc.). As such, clients are usually limited in how often they can send data requests to the backend servers and get back a successful response. Further complicating this process is the nature of the data queries themselves: some queries may be related to critical tasks and may thus have tight deadlines, while other queries may be related to background tasks, for example, that have relaxed deadlines. Processing these queries together as a batch may cause query deadlines to be missed. Still further, some queries may be fulfilled using cached server data, while other queries may require live server data. Simply combining queries into a common batch without regard to these variabilities may lead to poor client-server communications.


There is provided compounds for treating bone loss diseases and for preventing bone loss. Specifically the present invention relates to compounds, preferable isoquinolene derivatives.

Bone is a dynamic organ that turns over continually through bone resorption and bone formation. This remodeling process functions to maintain calcium balance, repair bone damaged from mechanical stresses, adjust for changes in mechanical load, and remove old bone material that has degraded with age. Bone mass is regulated by a delicate balance between bone resorption mediated by osteoclasts and bone formation mediated by osteoblasts.
Osteoblasts are cells of mesenchymal origin and synthesize the precursors that form the organic extracellular matrix, also called the osteoid or ground substance, which are composed mainly of type I collagen and various non-collagen proteins such as osteocalcin, osteopontin, osteonectin, proteoglycans, and alkaline phosphatases. Once a layer of organic matrix is laid down by the osteoblasts, mineralization occurs through deposition of hydroxyapatite along and within the organic matrix. Osteocalcin, a protein produced by the osteoblasts, binds and concentrates the calcium in the matrix. Consecutive layers of organic matrix added by the osteoblasts through cycles of osteoid secretion and mineralization (appositional growth) form sheets or rings of mineralized matrix, which fuse together to form a lattice structure of connected bone. A proportion of osteoblasts becomes trapped as osteocytes in the lacunae, which is connected by a system of canaliculi. In some conditions, such as in the fetus and certain bone disorders, the organic matrix is arranged in a weave-like form and results in a type of bone referred to as woven, immature, or primitive bone. Changes to stiffness of bone occurs by modulating the level of hydroxyapatite in the matrix, with higher mineral content providing stiffness and rigidity and a lower mineral content providing bone flexibility.
Osteoclasts, the primary cells responsible for bone resorption, arise from hematopoietic cells of the macrophage/monocyte lineage and are multinucleated cells {i.e., polykaryons) that form by fusion of monocytes. Osteoclasts secrete various enzymes that act in dissolution of bone material. For example, tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRACP) decalcifies the bone while cathepsin K digests the bone matrix proteins. Osteoclasts also acidify the surrounding environment through vacuolar H+-ATPase activity, thereby further promoting bone resorption.
The development and function of osteoclasts are tightly coupled to the activity of osteoblasts, which secrete cellular factors affecting osteoclast differentiation and activity. The osteoblast protein RANKL (receptor for activating NFkB ligand) is a key regulator that stimulates differentiation of osteoclast precursor cells and activates mature osteoclasts. Osteoblasts also produce a decoy ligand, osteoprotegrin (OPG), which competes with RANKL and inhibits its activity. Expression of RANKL is regulated by cytokines (e.g., IL-I, IL-6, IL-11 and TNF-alpha), glucocorticoids, and parathyroid hormone (PTH). The presence of RANKL upregulators leads to enhanced bone resorption and a corresponding loss of bone mass. OPG production is upregulated by cytokines IL-I and TNF-alpha, steroid hormone beta-estradiol, and mechanical stress, thereby stimulating bone formation. In contrast, glucocorticoids, and prostaglandins suppress production of OPG and thus enhance bone resorption. This intricate interaction between the osteoblasts and osteoclasts provides a mechanism for adapting to conditions requiring additional bone mass (e.g., increased mechanical load) as well as maintenance of bone mass.
Current treatments for bone loss diseases include antiresorptive agents such as bisphosphonates, calcitonin, estrogen, and vitamin D supplementation, which limit bone resorption and prevent loss of bone mass. Anabolic agents that promote bone formation have also been studied, with PTH peptide teriparatide being the only FDA approved anabolic agent. Thus there is a need for development of novel anabolic drugs to be used for treatment of bone loss diseases and/or prevention of bone loss. Moreover, therapies specifically directed against the cellular basis of bone metabolism and remodeling may avoid some of the undesirable side effects associated with some current treatments.
The abnormal regulation of osteoclast and osteoblast activities can lead to various bone disorders. The clinical presentations of decreased bone formation and/or increased bone resorption include loss of bone mass and/or decrease in structural integrity of the bone matrix. Both conditions can lead to an increased risk of bone fractures. The most common form of boneloss, primary osteoporosis, is a significant health problem because nearly 5 to 20% of the human female population suffers from the condition. Although not as prevalent as in the female population, age-related osteoporosis also affects a significant percentage of males.
Bone possesses the intrinsic capacity for regeneration as part of the repair process in response to injury. However, there are cases of fracture in which bone regeneration is impaired. For example up to 13% of fractures that occur in the tibia are associated with delayed healing or non-healing fractures. There are currently a number of treatment methods available which can be used either alone or in combination, for management of these complex clinical situations.
The tissue-engineering approach is a promising strategy added in the field of bone regenerative medicine which aims to generate new, cell-driven, functional tissues. In essence, bone-tissue engineering combines progenitor cells, such as human Mesenchymal Stem Cells (hMSC) or mature cells (for osteogenesis) seeded in biocompatible scaffolds and ideally in three-dimensional tissue-like structures (for osteoconduction and vascular ingrowth), with appropriate growth factors (for osteoinduction), in order to generate and maintain bone. The need for such improved composite grafts is obvious, especially for the management of large bone defects, for which the requirements for grafting material are substantial. One of the main disadvantages of tissue-engineering approaches is their substantial cost, mainly due to use of recombinant proteins (Growth factors like Bone Morphogenetic Proteins). Therefore identification of molecules that can enhance bone formation is highly desirable.
EP 0956865 A1 discloses numerous Rho kinase inhibitors that have various therapeutic effects. In Exp. Example 8 some of the compounds have shown to have inhibitory action on bone resorption in vitro. Meanwhile, none of these tested compounds share the chemical structure of the compounds of the present invention. EP 0956865 A1 has a general formula (II), which encompasses the compounds of the present invention. According to the description in EP 0956865 A1 the compounds of formula (II) can be used to treat hypertension, angina pectoris, cerebrovascular contraction, asthma, inflammation and, brain function disorder, eripheral circulation disorder, arteriosclerosis, cancer, autoimmune diseases, AIDS, osteoporosis, retinopathy, immature birth, and digestive tract infections. However, there is no specific teaching in EP 0956865 A1 that the claimed compounds of the present invention would be good enhancers of bone formation.
Soerensen et al (BMC Muscular Disorders, 2010, vol 11, no 250, pp 1471-1474) disclose tests of kinase inhibitors in osteoclast and there effect on bone resorption. One of the inhibitors tested is H-8 (table 1) that falls under the claimed subject-matter of the present invention. Meanwhile, according to table 1 in Soerensen et al H-8 has no effect on osteoclastic acid secretion. Thus, Soerensen et al teaches away from the present invention.

Anabolic compounds for treating and preventing bone loss diseases


Fe-B-R type permanent magnet is produced by: forming an anticorrosive coating film layer on a Fe-B-R base permanent magnet material body by means of vapor deposition to thereby improve the corrosion resistance thereof.. The anticorrosive thin film is formed of metal, oxides, nitrides, carbides, borides, silicides, composite compositions thereof, or a mixture thereof. Additionally blasting, shot peening, heat treatment for forming an interdiffusion layer, and/or resin impregnation may be applied.

Currently typical permanent magnet materials are alnico, hard ferrite and rare earth-cobalt magnets. The rare earth-cobalt magnets have been used in various fields due to their much excellent magnetic properties. However, it is now expected to encounter difficulty in stable supply of them in greater amounts and over an extended period of time, since the key components Sm and Co are both scarce and expensive.
For that reason, there has been an keen desire for permanent magnet materials excelling in magnetic properties and comprising compositional elements that are abundant and inexpensive, and will stably be supplied.
The present applicant (or company) has already proposed- Fe-B-R base (wherein R is at least one of rare earth elements including Y) permanent magnets as the novel high-performance permanent magnets (Japanese Patent kokai-Publication Nos. 59-46008, 59-64733, 59-89401 and 59-132104; EP publication of application Nos. 0101552, 0106948, 0126179, 0126802, 0124655 and 0125347). The permanent magnets disclosed therein are an excellent permanent magnet in which abundant rare earth elements, mainly Nd and/or Pr, are used as R, and R, B and Fe constitutes the main components, and which shows a practical energy product of at least 4 MGOe or 10 MGOe, as well as an extremely high energy product of 20, 25, 30, 35 MGOe or higher.
With the recent trend to high performance and diminishing sizes of magnetic circuits, increasing attention has been paid to Fe-B-R base permanent magnet materials. In the production of permanent magnet materials for that purpose, formed (compacted) and sintered magnet bodies have to be cut on the entire surface or the required surface portion for removing surface irreguralities or strains or surface oxide layers, in order to incorporate them in magnetic circuits in later steps. For cutting, use is made of outer blade cutters, inner blade cutters, surface grinders, centerless grinders, lapping machines, etc.

Process for producing magnets having improved corrosion resistance


A coupon system includes a coupon identification code, a database, and a point-of sale terminal. The database stores at least a portion of the coupon identification code linked to a plurality of offers for commercial advantages. The point-of-sale terminal is in communication with the database. During use, the coupon identification code is entered into the point-of-sale terminal, and of the point-of-sale terminal is adapted to determine the plurality of offers linked with the coupon identification code and terms for redeeming one or more of the plurality of offers based at least in part on reference to the database such that the point-of-sale terminal discounts a current purchase based upon the terms for redeeming the one or more plurality of offers. Other coupons and related systems and methods also disclosed.

Coupons have been used for decades to encourage consumers to patronize a particular business or to buy a particular product. In general, coupons entitle consumers to receive a commercial advantage such as a discount on a particular purchase. Conventional coupons are presented to consumers such that each offer for a commercial advantage is included on a different coupon accompanied by a different offer code such as a bar code, etc. configured to identify the offer to a point-of-sale terminal (e.g., a personal computer or other device accessing a retail website, a check-out terminal or kiosk, etc.). In this manner, a consumer wishing to receive a plurality of commercial advantages generally must present a plurality of discrete coupons at the point-of-sale terminal where each coupon corresponds with a different product being purchased or otherwise corresponds to a discount for which the purchase is eligible.
Coupon collection has become increasingly difficult as avenues for distributing coupons have grown. For example, coupons are commonly distributed by direct mail, point-of-sale displays, handouts, newspaper and magazine advertisements, printed matter on products such as sales receipts, circulated through direct retail sale, email or web distribution, and in other ways. As a result, in order to find coupons corresponding to products that interest a consumer, the consumer may be required to search through a large volume of material. In addition, once coupons are collected, a consumer is required to store the coupons in a manner permitting the coupon to be subsequently located for on-demand use at the point-of-sale terminal. Difficulties collecting and redeeming coupons are further emphasized when the coupon offers being collected have different terms of use or redemption, such as different expiration dates or valid periods for use.


An image forming apparatus and a method of controlling the image forming apparatus are provided. An image forming apparatus may determine the operation start time point of a photoconductor based on ready times of the photoconductor and devices used in image forming processes so as to minimize idling of the photoconductor.

1. Field
One or more exemplary embodiments relate to an image forming apparatus and a method of controlling the image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus and a method of controlling the electrophotographic image forming apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
Electrophotographic image forming apparatuses are used to form images on printing media such as paper through image forming processes such as charging, exposing, developing, transferring, and fusing. For example, in an image forming unit of an image forming apparatus, charging, exposing, developing, and transferring are performed while rotating a photoconductor around which parts such as a charging roller, a developing roller, and a transfer roller are disposed at predetermined positions, so as to form a toner image on a printing medium, and then the toner image is heated and pressed to fuse the toner image on the printing medium. The photoconductor is rotated at a constant speed during such image forming processes.
A ready time is necessary for the photoconductor to rotate at a constant speed, and the photoconductor may idle if not used in image forming processes after the photoconductor rotates at a constant speed.

Image forming apparatus and method to determine an operation start time point of a photoconductor driving unit


A novel bicycle saddle design comprises a post, a connecting arm, a seat, and a forward support. The connecting arm is attached to the post, and the seat is attached to the connecting arm. The forward support is attached to the connecting arm and is positionable forward of and in spaced relation to the seat. The forward support is also positionable so as to press against a rider lateral to and above the genitals of the rider while the rider is seated on the seat and peddling a bicycle. In such a manner, the bicycle saddle provides a noseless saddle design that prevents the rider from sliding forward off the seat while also enhancing the rider's ability to stabilize, maneuver, and handle the bicycle. Without a nose, pressure on and compression of the nerves and arteries at the rider's perineum are essentially eliminated, mitigating the health issues of prior-art saddle designs.

A typical modern bicycle saddle (i.e., bicycle seat) includes a main portion on which the rider places his buttocks and a narrow nose or horn that protrudes forward from the main portion so that it underlies the rider's groin as the rider straddles the saddle. FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a rider 100 riding a bicycle 105 with a typical bicycle saddle 110. With such a saddle, some 25% or more of the rider's body weight is typically supported where the groin contacts the saddle nose. This percentage may increase as the rider leans forward to achieve aerodynamic positions.
Despite their widespread usage, bicycle saddles that include noses may cause sexual and reproductive health issues such as genital numbness, erectile dysfunction, and even impotence. FIG. 2 shows a plan-view diagrammatic representation of some of the arteries and nerves located at a human male's perineum 200 (the region between the anus 205 and the sex organs 210), while FIG. 3 shows a side view of the same anatomical region. The typical bicycle saddle nose may place pressure on and compress the pudendal nerves 215 (including the perineal nerves 220) and the inferior rectal nerves 225. At the same time, the saddle nose may press against the pudendal artery 230 (including the perineal artery 235) and the inferior rectal artery 240. Loss of sensation and decreased blood supply may result.
Several solutions have been developed to address the shortcomings of conventional nose-based bicycle saddles. A first solution includes, for example, placing a recessed channel, groove, or depression longitudinally down the center of the saddle to try and relieve pressure on the center of the rider's perineum. Nevertheless, this solution is typically not effective given that critical arteries and nerves are not longitudinally centered on the rider, and the seat continues to compress these arteries and nerves despite its split design. In fact, such split saddles may actually make things worse since they tend to focus the pressure more narrowly on the rider. A second solution is to remove the nose of the saddle to create a "noseless" or "no-nose" saddle. However, here too, disadvantages remain. The absence of a nose tends to give the rider the impression that he is sliding forward off the seat, and also compromises stability, maneuverability, and the handling of the bicycle because the rider is not as physically engaged with the saddle. Thus, many serious bicycle riders do not consider noseless bicycle saddles to be a viable option, and these seats are not particularly popular or are only reluctantly accepted.
For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for alternative bicycle seat designs that address the many shortcomings set forth above.


The present invention is directed to a mold and method for forming a golf ball with at least a core. The mold and method comprise or use members with projections for forming multiple dimples on the core. The members can be retractable pins or sleeves or vent pins. In the case of the retractable pins, sets of pins with multiple dimple projections on the ends thereof are used to center the golf ball core within the mold. The members can have circular or non-circular cross-sections so that the dimple-forming projections can conform to any dimple pattern.

Conventional golf balls generally include a core surrounded by a cover. The cover forms a spherical outer surface of the ball and the surface includes a plurality of dimples. Typically the term "land" means the area of the outer surface of the ball not covered with dimples so that the land area is the outer surface of the ball between dimples.
Conventional dimples are circular depressions that act to reduce drag and increase lift. By using dimples to decrease drag and increase lift, golf ball flight distances have increased. The circumference of each dimple is the edge formed where the dimple wall slopes away from or intersects the land area of the outer surface. Since the geometry of the dimple principally determines ball drag and lift, conventional dimple patterns have been designed to optimize dimple geometry to reduce drag and increase lift.
Injection molding is a conventional method for forming the cover or an intermediate layer. According to well-known techniques, injection molding generally utilizes a mold and an injection unit. Referring to FIG. 1, a lower mold half 5 of a conventional injection mold is shown. The lower mold half fits into a bottom mold plate (not shown) and defines a hemispherical molding cavity 10 for receiving the core. The plate defines a runner system (not shown) for transporting a molten, cover material to one or more gates 15. The gates 15 allow the material to enter the cavity 10 from the runner system.
The mold also includes a plurality of separate, retractable pins 20; a vent pin (not shown) and a cluster block 25. The cluster block 25 defines bores for each pin 20 so that the pins extend therethrough and are affixed thereto. The pins 20 and the vent pin contact the core in generally the pole area of the core. Typically, the outer surface of the mold m cavity includes a plurality of hemispherical projections 30 for forming the majority of the cavity includes a plurality of hemispherical projections 30 for forming the majority of the dimples on the ball. The vent pin usually does not move and typically includes a free end shaped to form a dimple or land area depending on its location with respect to the dimple pattern being formed. An upper mold half and top plate of a similar configuration are also used.
One molding cycle for forming a golf ball includes a number of steps. When the top and bottom plates and lower and upper mold halves are separated, the core is placed within the bottom hemispherical molding cavity 10 on the pins 20, and the mold plates are closed to form a spherical cavity around the core. The pins center the core in the spherical cavity during molding. Then, the injection unit forces the molten, cover material through the runner system and gates into the molding cavity, until the cavity is filled and the material surrounds the core. The pins begin to retract as the material comes into close proximity to the pins. The material flows and fills the apertures in the material caused by the pins. As the material cools, it solidifies in the shape of the molding cavity around the core to form the golf ball. When the material is sufficiently cool, the mold plates and mold halves are again separated and the retractable pins are extended to separate the formed golf ball from the outer surface of the cavity also known as ejecting the ball from the mold. Then, mold is made ready for another molding cycle.
The retractable pins are located where a dimple or land area will be formed on the ball. If the retractable pins are located in dimple spaces, which are shaded areas 35 in FIG. 2, the free ends are substantially hemisphere-shaped (as shown in FIG. 1). In the retracted position during molding, each hemisphere-shaped, free end forms a single dimple in the outer surface of the ball. If the retractable pin is located in the land area, each such free end is shaped like the land area. As a result, in the retracted position during molding, these free ends form the associated, land areas. There are several drawbacks to these configurations.
Generally, golf balls have 300 to 500 circular dimples with a conventional sized dimple having a diameter that ranges from about 0.120 inches to about 0:180 inches. The retractable pins have similar dimensions at the free end to form the dimples. This leads to small surface areas at the free ends for each of the retractable pins. During ejection, since the free end surface area of each retractable pin is so small, the force each pin exerts on the ball is great. Accordingly, concentrated, high stresses are applied to the ball by the pins during ejection. These stresses can damage the ball in these areas so that extensive post-mold finishing, such as vibration tumbling, is done to make the balls playable. This is undesirable. In addition, the retractable pins slide with respect to the mold halves. This sliding forms "witness lines" about the pins in the retracted position. The clearance between the pins and the mold that causes these witness lines is about 0.0005 to 0.001 inches.
Another drawback is related to material flow during injection. When the material contacts the pins during molding, the pins are colder than the molten material. As a result, the molten material contacts the pins and begins to solidify about the pins, and the remaining molten material forms the cover. This also results in the formation of witness lines.
During retraction of the pins, when the material is packed around the pins, the pins can draw the material into the pin clearance between the pin and the mold. This material is often referred to as "flash material." Flash material can also be formed when there is wear between the pins and the mold.
Post-mold finishing is conducted to remove the witness lines and flash material. Finishing to remove witness lines and flash on the dimple circumference can cause uncontrolled rounding of the dimple edges that can alter the flight characteristics of the ball undesirably. One way to reduce forming such material on the dimple circumference is to configure the pin so that the diameter of the pin is greater than the maximum dimple diameter. Such a mold is disclosed in Japanese Publication No. 61-213068. However, this mold has the drawback of requiring significant ejection force as discussed above.
An alternative to centering the core on pins throughout molding is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,068,552 entitled "Method and Apparatus for Molding Covers on Spherical Bodies" to Nickerson et al. This patent discloses a molding press with hemispherical cavities and a horizontally movable, retractable seat with an inner curved surface with the same radius of curvature as that of the wall of the cavity. The seat further includes a multiplicity of rectangular or rounded projections to form the checkered or dimpled outer surface on the completed golf ball. The patent further requires that the area of the curved surface of the seat be within certain limits; i.e., not more than 40% nor less than about 10% of that of the complete cavity wall and hence that of the spherical resilient, wound core. In the extended position, each retractable seat holds the core in an eccentric position. During molding, the patent discloses the core is moved from the eccentric position to the center of the mold. One drawback is that beginning in the eccentric position, it would be difficult to complete molding with a centered core. This would likely be partially due to gravity acting on the core during molding and moving the core downward. Another drawback is that no vent is shown in the seat, without this vent air would be trapped in the seat during molding and would create a void in the cover that is undesirable.
Consequently, a need exists for an improved molding apparatus and method for manufacturing a golf ball. The apparatus and method should decrease the likelihood of damaging the cover during ejection, and allow formation of the cover in such a way that post-mold finishing minimally changes the dimple circumference and requires less time than in conventional processes.

Apparatus and method for molding golf balls


The image forming apparatus includes a belt member having a convex portion, effecting a circular movement, a first support member and a second support member for supporting the belt member, and a drive receiving unit for receiving force from circular movement of the belt member.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus using electrophotographic technique.
2. Related Background Art
Conventionally, there has been an image forming apparatus in which there has been adopted transferring material conveying means (transferring material conveying belt) for bearing and conveying a belt member for transferring a toner image on an image bearing member onto transferring material in the image forming apparatus, that is, an intermediate transferring member (intermediate transferring belt) for bearing a toner image to be transferred from the image bearing member, or transferring material for transferring the toner image from the image bearing member.
In the image forming apparatus equipped with the belt member, when the belt member is driven, the belt member tends to shift along a direction of an axis of a member to rotate the belt member as a particularity of a belt mechanism. For example, the belt member tends to shift along a lateral direction. Therefore, it is required that these kinds of shifts of the belt member be restrained. In claims and descriptions in this specification, the term "a lateral direction (shift direction)" is hereinafter used as meaning a direction along which a belt member shifts. As a mechanism for correcting the shift of the belt member, there have been conventionally several types of mechanism as shown in i) to iv).
i) A mechanism for regulating the inclination of the belt member in which the belt member has a rib, and the rib portion is caused to enter a groove provided on a supporting member which supports the belt member to thereby regulate a moving range of the rib within the groove.
ii) A mechanism for correcting the inclination of the belt member by detecting an inclination state of the belt member, transmitting the detection result electrically, and in response to the result, forcefully causing the supporting member which supports the belt member to change its angle through the use of an actuator consisting of a stepping motor and the like.
iii) A mechanism for adjusting an angle of the supporting member which supports the belt member by receiving, when the belt member shifts along a lateral direction (shift direction), a force in the lateral direction.
iv) A mechanism in which a force of movement of the belt member in the direction of rotation is inputted by drive receiving means provided at the end portion of the supporting member, coming in contact with the back surface of the belt member, and the angle of the supporting member is changed by the force of movement of the belt member.
However, the above-described structure of i) to iv) has the following problems.
In the mechanism of i), since the rib is to receive a reaction of the force of inclination of the belt member, a strong force is exerted on the rib when the inclination occurs, and the force is exerted on the belt member to further deterioration of the durability of the belt member.
The mechanism of ii) results in complicated mechanism such as supply of electricity being required around the belt member.
In the mechanism of iii), since an inclination speed of the belt member is generally slow, response of the supporting member to the change in angle is slow.
In the mechanism of iv), the flatness of the belt member may not be secured, or strain may occur.

Image forming apparatus with adjustment of belt member

Abstract: An angle of the second support member to the first support member is affected by inputting the force arising from the circular movement into the drive receiving unit, and the force arising from the circular movement is input by contacting the convex portion to the drive receiving unit.


The multi-use kitchen utility knife includes a handle containing a compartment for storage of a material that is distributed onto a side opposite of the knife blade. The contents of the compartment being advanced via a threaded advance knob that can be removed to provide access to the compartment for refilling or cleaning.

A. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of kitchen gadgetry, more specifically, a utility knife that doubles as a condiment dispenser.
B. Discussion of the Prior Art
As a preliminary note, it should be stated that there is an ample amount of prior art that deals with kitchen knives. As will be discussed immediately below, no prior art discloses a kitchen knife that can both cut and dispense a condiment from a compartment integrated in the base of the knife.
The Sigurlidason Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,894,959) discloses a viscous substance, dispensing knife. However, the reservoir relies upon an air pump to dispense the liquid as opposed to a threaded advance knob that pushes the contents of the reservoir down the length of the handle. Also, the dispensing outlets are located on a side of the blade as opposed to along a top edge of the blade, which provides an improvement upon the existing art in that the surface of the blade can remain free of the contents of the compartment.
The Lovell Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 3,154,418) discloses a packaging and stirring implement for making beverages. However, the implement is not directed to a knife with a compartment for storing and distributing a condiment.
The De Mario Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 3,248,754) discloses a putty knife having means associated therewith for delivering putty or a similar material to the end of the blade for application at a desired point. However, the putty bag is situated between two blades as opposed to a compartment inside of the handle that stores the material to be distributed.
The Liberatore Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 7,325,994) discloses an apparatus for use with a hand manipulable flowable material, the combination comprising a dispensing nozzle associated with the dispenser to dispense material, and a spreader surface associated with the nozzle. However, the apparatus does not involve a knife having a compartment located within a handle and of which is dispensed along a side opposite a knife edge wherein the contents of said compartment are advanced via a threaded advance knob that doubles as a refilling port.
The Proffit Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 2,450,860) discloses an article dispersing lead trowel. However, the trowel does not have a threaded advance knob that rotates to push the material along the length of a compartment located within the handle, and if which is dispensed on an edge opposite a knife blade.
The Hube Patent (U.S. Pat. No. Des. 246,563) illustrates an ornamental design for a knife that does not depict a compartment or threaded advance knob in fluid connection with said compartment.
While the above-described devices fulfill their respective and particular objects and requirements, they do not describe a kitchen utility knife that has a compartment located within the handle and wherein the contents of said compartment are advanced via a threaded advance knob that doubles as a refilling port, and wherein said contents of said compartment are distributed along an edge opposite the knife blade. In this regard, the improved kitchen utility knife from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art.