Media unit access time within a media library is minimized by revectoring an address of a closest available media unit player to match a logical address of a media unit player specified within a media exchange command received from a host commanding the library to move a media unit from a command-specified slot location holding a media unit desired by a host computer to the command-specified media player logical address.

Computer digital data storage devices are required to provide increasingly high data storage capacities and data transfer rates. This is particularly true with the advent of the so-called "world wide web" which is consuming ever-increasing amounts of digital content information. One family of storage devices suitable for storing vast amounts of information content is streaming tape. Streaming tape drives are so named because multiple blocks of user data are typically written to, or read from, tape in a single streaming operation, rather than as a series of start-stop operations. Streaming tape is particularly well suited for backup operations as well as for providing archival and retrieval operations for vast quantities of information content. In this regard, optical storage is also known for voluminous content storage and retrieval.
Tape libraries are known in the art. One example of a tape library is provided by the Ostwald U.S. Pat. No. 5,236,296. In this patent, a tape library is described in FIG. 8 as comprising a vast, semi-cylindrical array of tape cartridge storage slots aligned generally along a fixed radius of curvature. A central cartridge inventory is maintained by a library controller, so that logical requests for a particular drive and cartridge may be translated by the library controller into physical device locations and electromechanical operations. In this prior example, a robotic arm rotating at a focus of the cylindrical segment is elevated and rotated to a particular cartridge storage slot. A picker-gripper mechanism of the arm then "picks" and "grips" the cartridge stored in the slot and moves the cartridge out of the slot and into a temporary transport slot of the arm. The robotic arm is then commanded to perform a second rotation/elevation operation in order to present the retrieved tape cartridge to a loading tray of the selected tape drive, and the drive then loads the cartridge and threads the tape for recording/playback operations, following initial setup and calibration routines conventional with tape drives. The drive may be one of several drives accessible by the robotic arm.
One obvious drawback of this prior "move media cartridge to drive" approach is the time delay incurred between receiving the tape cartridge request and having the cartridge ready for user data operations at the selected tape drive. Another drawback of this prior approach is that a single robotic arm mechanism services hundreds, if not thousands, of tape cartridge slot locations, and any failure of the arm mechanism essentially removes all of the tape cartridges it services from automated access within the library. This prior approach permits scaling only in the sense of selectively filling up the available tape cartridge slots with tape cartridges.
Some improvement over the above approach is described in Dimitri et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,377,121 for "Automated Storage Library Having Inventory at Picker Level". This patent describes an optical disk library of four storage boxes with a single personal computer acting as a library controller for two optical disk library storage boxes. Each storage box includes a picker controller which maintains a physical inventory of optical disks accessible by a controlled disk picker gripper mechanism within the particular box. In response to requests from the library controller, the picker controller decides where an optical disk is located and whether it must be moved, and issues appropriate commands to the mechanism to move the requested disk to an optical disk drive also present within the particular storage box. A discrete switching structure comprising separate switches is used to route information between the library controller and each selected optical disk drive.
In the preferred example described in the Dimitri et al. patent, two optical disk lists are included in the internal data structures of the two described library controllers. Each optical disk list includes the label of each optical disk for which the particular library controller is responsible, and the particular storage box containing the desired disk, but not having any information as to the actual physical location of the disk. Each picker controller maintains its disk location inventory list in a non-volatile, battery backed-up random access memory. Each disk inventory maintained by the picker includes disk identification/location information only for the disks present within the particular storage box serviced by the picker controller. As optical disks are inserted into, withdrawn from, or moved about a particular storage box of the library, the respective picker controller updates its optical disk inventory. While this approach represents an improvement over the tape library approach of the Ostwald patent, the approach essentially follows a "media-to-drive" approach with the latencies and drawbacks already noted for such approach.
It is also known in the art to physically move the media drive to a particular media cartridge location and thereupon load a cartridge at the location. Kvifte et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,337,297 entitled: "Magazine Drawer Manipulation for a Data Carrier Loader" shows one approach. While this approach works, it has the same latencies expected of the media-to-drive approach, in that a massive object, the drive, must be translated to a cartridge location, and this movement operation requires a certain time interval.
Tape cartridge loaders provide a relatively low cost solution for very small data library applications. Typically, a cartridge loader includes a removable cartridge magazine that has slots for media cartridges, such as tape cartridges. A pass-through picker-gripper mechanism is positioned within the loader by a servo mechanism, and passes a selected cartridge into a transport tray, and then relocates to an oppositely facing media drive whereupon the media cartridge is loaded automatically into the media drive. The Schneider et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,231,552 which is assigned to the same assignee as the present application describes a magazine and receiver for a cartridge loader. The loader mechanism is shown in mechanical overview in FIGS. 16A, 16B and 17 in the '552 patent. Media cartridge loaders have been improved and refined to support additional magazines and media drives, and media cartridge pass-through arrangements have been proposed for passing a selected cartridge from a first loader to an adjacently mounted second loader. While an effective, low cost, low capacity data library may be provided by using a media loader, a continuing problem remains because the media loaders also follow the conventional, traditional media-to-drive approach, discussed above.
A further approach for increasing the number of media cartridges which may be handled within a library environment is what is known as a "pass-through" arrangement. Commonly assigned, copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/710,033 filed on Sep. 11, 1996, for "A Multi-Drive, Multi-Magazine Mass Storage and Retrieval Unit for Tape Cartridges" presents one example of a cartridge pass-through architecture.
Typically, media loaders operate in accordance with a standardized command structure. One such command structure is found in the Small Computer System Interface-2 draft standard X3T9.2 Project 375D (ANSI X3.131-199X). In this particular industry specification, a medium changer device includes a medium transport element, at least one storage element, and a data transfer element. An import/export element may also be supported. A storage element is identified as a storage slot for storing a standard medium unit, such as a disk or a tape cartridge. Typically, in order to access data on a standard medium unit, a host system will have to issue commands to both the medium loader and to the drive. The commands to the loader may include "move medium"; or, "exchange medium" and "read element status". Commands directed by the host to the drive may include "test unit ready", "inquiry", "start-stop" and "load-unload" commands, in addition to the obvious "read/write" commands. One important characteristic worth noting about this command structure is that the logical address of the drive is supplied to the media loader as a destination, as well as to the drive itself for subsequent read or write operations from or to the selected and automatically loaded medium unit.
A hitherto unsolved need has remained for a more effective architecture for an expandable digital storage media library having vectored drive addressing for overcoming significant limitations and drawbacks associated with the prior approaches.

Media library having locally vectored drive addressing


A method for automatically programming a wireless telephone with a voice mail system access telephone number is disclosed. When the voice mail system access telephone number is received by the wireless telephone, software within the wireless telephone automatically stores the received voice mail system access telephone number within a wireless telephone memory location.

The present invention relates to programming a wireless telephone. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for automatically programming a wireless telephone with a telephone number such as a voice mail system access telephone number.
Currently, a wireless telephone requires activation before the wireless telephone may be used to initiate and receive telephone calls within a wireless telephone network. Over the air activation (OAA) is one known example of a method for activating a wireless telephone. In accordance with OAA, a wireless telephone customer first uses a wired telephone connected to a network such as the public switched telephone network (PSTN) to complete a telephone call to a wireless telephone service provider. A representative for the wireless telephone service provider then prompts the customer for identification information. Upon authenticating the received identification information, the representative then instructs the customer to xe2x80x9cturn onxe2x80x9d the wireless telephone. Once the customer turns the wireless telephone on, the representative initiates a sequence of events which results in the wireless telephone service provider transmitting activation information through the air (in a known manner, for example, from a base station within the service provider""s wireless telephone network) to the wireless telephone. This activation information may include, for example, an intelligent roaming database (IRDB) which enables the wireless telephone to select proper channels during operation, a mobile identification number (MIN) which represents the wireless telephone""s newly assigned telephone number, an authentication number, and data which enables the wireless telephone to implement specific services previously selected by the customer. Once the activation information is received by the wireless telephone, the wireless telephone is active and may function to initiate and receive calls. One of the services frequently chosen by wireless telephone customers is voice mail. Voice mail enables callers to leave voice messages for the wireless telephone customer when the wireless customer is unavailable to answer a telephone call completed to the wireless telephone. To dial into the voice mail system and check for voice mail messages, the wireless telephone customer typically dials the MIN assigned to their wireless telephone by sequentially depressing a button (on the wireless telephone""s keypad) corresponding to each digit in the MIN.
To simplify the process of dialing into the voice mail system, many wireless telephone customers manually program the MIN into their wireless telephone upon receiving the MIN during OAA. The programming steps typically entail: 1) placing the wireless telephone in a program mode, 2) selecting a memory storage location within the wireless telephone, 3) storing the MIN within the selected memory storage location by sequentially depressing a telephone keypad button which corresponds to each digit within the MIN, and 4) removing the wireless telephone from the program mode. Once the wireless telephone is programmed with the MIN, the customer may dial the MIN to access the voice mail system by depressing a fewer number of telephone keypad buttons (typically one) than the number of telephone keypad buttons corresponding to each digit in the MIN.
Unfortunately, the manual method for programming a MIN into a wireless telephone has a few drawbacks. First, the steps required to program a wireless telephone with a telephone number may not be easily implemented by the telephone customer. In addition, the telephone customer may make mistakes while programming the telephone number into the wireless telephone. As a result of these mistakes, the wrong number may be programmed into the wireless telephone""s memory.
Thus, a need exists for a technique which automates the process of programming a wireless telephone with a voice mail system access telephone number.
The present invention provides a method for automatically programming a wireless telephone with a voice mail system access telephone number. When the voice mail system access telephone number is received by the wireless telephone, software within the wireless telephone automatically stores the received voice mail system access telephone number within a wireless telephone memory location.

Method for automatically programming a wireless telephone with a voice mail system access number


A shift lever device of the automatic transmission of a vehicle comprising a shift lever pivotally mounted at one end portion thereof and containing an operating means at the other end portion thereof, a detent pin disposed intermediate the end portion for displacement in response to the operating means, a detent plate operatively associated with the shift lever and containing a plurality of grooves for selectively receiving the detent pin by the operation of the operating means and the pivotal rotation of the shift lever, and a shift lock release lever pivotally mounted at one end, relative to the shift lever, the shift lock release lever containing a locking means pivotally mounted at the other end thereof for selectively securing the detent pin in the detent plate or releasing the detent pin for movement to the other grooves of said detent plate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an improved shift lever device for the automatic transmission of a vehicle and more particularly, to a shift lever device having a switch which functions both as a "P" or park position sensing switch and as a key interlock switch for eliminating the "P" or park switch, thus reducing wiring lines, reducing cost, and reducing the weight of the vehicle.
2. Description of Related Art
Various types of shift lever devices are known in the art. Generally, in a vehicle containing an automatic transmission, the shift range is accomplished by a reciprocating movement and the shift lever is provided with an indicating panel for indicating all of the shift ranges, disposed at one side thereof, so that the shift lever can be controlled by the driver's desire.
As shown in FIG. 1, a conventional shift lever device includes a shift lever 100 pivotally attached to a hinge axle 102 so as to rotate at a certain angle for shifting to a desired shift range position. The shift lever 100 is further provided with a detent plate 104 having a plurality of grooves 106, a detent pin 108 for selectively engaging one of the grooves 106 when the detent pin 108 moves along the detent plate by moving the shift lever 100. The shift lever 100 is moved by depressing a push button 120 disposed on knob 118. A shift lock release lever 102 is operated by a shift lock solenoid valve 110, a parking position switch 114 for sensing a "P" or park position of the shift lever 100, and a key interlock switch 116.
The conventional shift lever device operates as follows. After pushing the push button 120 when the shift lever 100 shifts to the "P" or park position, for parking, the parking position switch senses this step and transmits a signal to a transmission controlling unit (not shown). Thereafter, when the push button 120 is released, an ignition key (not shown) can be separated from a key hole (not shown) since the key interlock switch 116 is operated by the detent pin 108. At this time, even though the user pushes the push button 120 of the knob 118, a position change is impossible since the detent pin 108 is engaged in the groove 106 of the detent plate 104.
And at this time, when the user ignites through the ignition key and pushes a brake pedal (not shown), the transmission controlling unit transmits a signal to the shift lock solenoid valve 110 so that the shift solenoid valve 110 actuates. That is, the shift lock release lever 102 moves forward for releasing the locking of the detent pin 108. At this state, when the shift lever 100 shifts to another position, the parking position switch 114 transmits a signal to the transmission controlling unit for deactivating the shift lock solenoid valve 110, so that the shift lock release lever 102 returns to its original position.
Thus, for safety of driving, the ignition key can be removed from the key hole only when the shift lever 100 is in the "P" or park position, and only when the user operates the brake can the shift lever 100 be shifted to other positions. Therefore, the traffic accident can be eliminated and reduced.
However, since the conventional shift lever devices contain two switch systems, i.e. a parking position switch and a key interlock switch, the conventional shift lever devices are complicated in structure, expensive to manufacture, contain a plurality of distributing wires, and are heavy in weight.

Shift lever device for an automatic transmission of a vehicle


A method includes receiving a water stream from a hydrocarbon production facility, the water stream having a first concentration of a kinetic hydrate inhibitor (KHI); flowing the water stream through a heat exchanger to heat the water stream to a target temperature; mixing the heated water stream with a treatment chemical to form a two-phase mixture, the treatment chemical having an affinity for the KHI; flowing the two-phase mixture into a separator; and physically separating the two-phase mixture into a first phase and a second phase, the first phase including water and having a second concentration of the KHI less than the first concentration, and the second phase including the KHI and the treatment chemical, the density of the second phase being less than the density of the first phase.

Hydrates are crystalline solids that form in the presence of water and certain types of light hydrocarbon molecules. Hydrate formation can occur in fluid streams containing hydrocarbons and water, such as fluid streams from hydrocarbon production wells or processing plants. Hydrates can accumulate on inner walls of pipes or fluid receptacles, blocking the flow of the fluid stream there through and fouling equipment. To inhibit hydrate formation, hydrate inhibitors, such as kinetic hydrate inhibitors (KHIs), can be added to the fluid stream. KHIs are substances, such as water soluble polymers, that inhibit the formation of hydrates, for example, by slowing the nucleation or growth of hydrate crystals. Treating a fluid stream with KHI thus enables fluid streams to pass along a flow path with reduced hydrate formation.


An articulated support for a mobile phone, tablet, or other mobile electronic device provides an articulated arm. The articulated arm may be mounted on a floor stand or desktop stand. The device may be positioned at a point convenient to a reclining user. In alternate embodiments, the articulated arm may be supported by a wall mount, or by a headband worn by the user. The articulated arm may be modified by the user by adding or removing sections to change its length, or by changing its attachments for electronic devices.

The invention relates generally to accessories for mobile electronic devices, and in particular to an articulated support for a mobile phone, tablet, or other portable electronic device. For many users, their smartphones, tablets, and other small, mobile electronic devices are essential. Unfortunately, the user may not have a hand free to hold such a device, and would appreciate the convenience of a hands-free support for the device. An articulated support for a mobile electronic device would resolve this problem. In a first exemplary embodiment, the arm may be mounted on a vertical floor stand or desktop stand. The device may be positioned at a point convenient to a reclining user. In alternate embodiments, the articulated arm may be supported by a wall mount, or by a headband worn by the user.

Articulated support for mobile electronic device


A system and method of monitoring the health of a person. The system comprises at least one sensor capable of measuring at least one physiological signal generated by the autonomic nervous system of the person for providing measurement data, and a data processing system which is configured to store a reference indicator, to receive measurement data from the sensor during a plurality of consecutive health-maintenance sessions in order to collect a plurality of measurement data sets corresponding to said health-maintenance sessions, to determine at last one health indicator based on the measurement data sets, said at least one health indicator being sensitive to physiological state of or changes in the autonomic nervous system, and to compare the at least one health indicator with said reference indicator. Objective information on autonomic nervous system related dysfunctions is retrieved which allows for systematic treatment to the person.

Depression treatment relies currently on paper based (self-report) diagnosis of depression which is very inaccurate and produces "one-size-fits-all" treatment for people, which again leads to poorly effective treatment. It is said that most commonly used methods for treating depression: antidepressants and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy produce desired results with roughly 40% of people.
There is an ongoing paradigm shift in mental healthcare, moving towards 'precision medicine in mental health'. This can be achieved by individualizing care for each person based on their physiological, behavioral or other particular features which can be measured and which data can be analysed to create an individual care plan.
It has also been studied that treating these psychological dysfunctions improves the health of the person also from a physiological standpoint, not just psychologically.
The connection between sleep and the autonomic nervous system has been studied in the medical research field. For example, Cortelli at al., in "Autonomic dysfunction in sleep disorders", MedLink, Jul. 21, 2003, suggest that sleep and the autonomic nervous system are closely related from an anatomical, physiological, and neurochemical point of view and that sleep disorders may cause or be associated with clinically relevant autonomic dysfunctions.
It has also been suggested that there is a correlation between mood during daily life and autonomic nervous system activity during sleep (Yoshino et al., Proceedings of Measuring Behavior, Maastricht, 2008) and that several psychological and physiological factors contribute to the onset and perpetuation of insomnia (Basta et al., Sleep Med Clin. 2007 June; 2(2): 279-291.).
The research suggests that autonomic nervous system dysfunction is connected to poor sleep or hypersomnia.
There are medical professionals and therapists that are experts in diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of autonomic nervous system related dysfunctions, such as those mentioned above. For the public, however, detecting and monitoring, not to speak about treatment of such dysfunctions is relatively difficult and costly since typically continued personal therapy sessions and subjective assessment of symptoms and progress are needed.
On the other hand pharmachotherapies may be effective but often cause unwanted side effects and on a population level are relatively poorly performing, cf. Yoshino et al, Proceedings of Measuring Behavior, Maastricht, 2008.

System and method for monitoring personal health and a method for treatment of autonomic nervous system related dysfunctions


A suspension assembly for a bicycle frame which elastically supports a rear frame member, which in turn rotatably supports the rear wheel. Preferably, the frame is a two-piece construction with the suspension assembly interconnecting the rear frame to the main frame. The suspension assembly is positioned around the bottom bracket such that the rear frame member pivots about the axis of the bicycle crank axle of the bottom bracket. This arrangement allows the rear wheel and rear frame member to move relative to the main frame, without any adverse affects to the drive train assembly. In the preferred embodiments, drive train assembly can be either a chain drive or a shaft drive. The suspension assembly includes an inner suspension member with the crank axle mounted therein and an outer suspension member surrounding the inner suspension member with a shock absorbing element interposed therebetween. In the preferred embodiment, the shock absorbing element includes a plurality of biasing members.

Bicycling is becoming an increasingly more popular form of recreation as well as a means of transportation. Moreover, bicycling has become a very popular competitive sport for both amateurs and professionals. Whether the bicycle is used for recreation, transportation or competition, the bicycle industry is constantly improving the various components of the bicycle. In the past, most bicycles had rigid frames which typically transmitted the shocks resulting from rough riding surfaces directly to the rider. In other words, most bicycles were not provided with any front or rear suspension.
Recently, bicycles, especially mountain bikes (MTB) and all terrain bikes (ATB), have been outfitted with front and/or rear suspension assemblies to absorb the shocks transmitted to the rider when riding on a rough road. These suspension assemblies range from very simple to very complex. However, these prior art suspension assemblies have many drawbacks to them. For example, some of the prior suspension assemblies are expensive to manufacture and/or difficult to assemble. Some prior art suspension assemblies require constant adjustments. Other suspension assemblies have adverse affects on the drive train.
Examples of some prior art bicycles utilizing rear suspension assemblies are disclosed in the following U.S. Pat. Nos.: 3,942,821 to Block; 5,121,937 to Lawwill; 5,205,572 to Buell et al.; 5,217,241 to Girvin; 5,226,674 to Buell et al.; 5,244,224 to Busby; 5,259,637 to Busby; 5,284,354 to McWethy; 5,306,036 to Busby; 5,316,327 to Bell; 5,332,246 to Buell; 5,354,085 to Gally; 5,370,411 to Takamiya et al.; 5,385,361 to De Bei; 5,409,249 to Busby; 5,460,396 to Sutter et al.; 5,474,318 to Castellano; 5,498,013 to Hwang; 5,570,896 to Collins; and 5,611,557 to Farris et al.
In view of the above, there exists a need for a bicycle suspension assembly which is relatively inexpensive and easy to manufacture. This invention addresses this need in the art as well as other needs in the art which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.


A cooling water tower has a water container, a fan motor, a controller, an air outlet, a first sensor, a second sensor, a pump, and an air conditioning device. The air conditioning device has an air cooling condenser, a freezing agent control device, a compressor, and an evaporator. The air outlet is disposed on a top portion of the water container. The first sensor is disposed on the air outlet. The second sensor is disposed on the bottom of the water container. The fan motor is disposed on the top portion of the water container. The controller is disposed on the fan motor.

The present invention relates to a cooling water tower. More particularly, the present invention relates to a cooling water tower which has a control system to adjust the rotational speed of a fan motor according to the load of the cooling water tower.
Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional cooling water tower 1 has a water container 10, a fan motor 11, a pump 5', and an air conditioning device 2'. The air conditioning device 2' comprises an air cooling condenser 21', a freezing agent control device 22', a compressor 23', and an evaporator 24'. The pump 5' pumps water from the water container 10 to the air cooling condenser 21'. Since the heat radiation of the fan motor 11 cannot be adjusted according to the load of the cooling water tower, the temperature of the cooled water is often too low. Therefore, the condensing pressure decreases so that the flow amount of the freezing agent decreases also. The air conditioning device 2' will be overheated so that the freezing agent will be carbonized. Thus, the compressor 23' may be broken. Since the evaporation pressure decreases, the freezing agent cannot be evaporated. Thus, the compressor 23' may be broken also.


A passive sensor system having the capacity to respond to a variety of stimuli in the form of pulses of a specified frequency. The system includes a sensor operatively connected to an LC circuit characterized by a quality factor (Q) of less than 200, and a high Q resonator having a Q greater than 200.

The present invention relates to Passive LCR (Inductor, Capacitor, Resistor), or simply LC, sensors. These sensors are widely used in the medical, industrial, military, and commercial applications. These passive sensors respond to various stimuli. These stimuli are often in the form of specific pulses, multiple pulses of that specific frequency, various pulses at different intervals and frequencies, a "white noise" consisting of a pseurandom signal, a Carrier Wave (CW) combined with "white noise", a combination of AM or PM frequency, or a Carrier Wave transmitted at a specific or variable frequencies. Each of these stimuli is designed to result in a different response from the Passive LCR sensor. The capacity to accept multiple signals from disparate sources greatly enhances the features and functions of these passive sensors. The enhancements include but are not limited to: greater range, greater detection, greater operation efficiency, better and more effective communication with the devices that measure the sensors.
There are several prior art attempts related to sensors and circuits, where such attempts are detailed in the following U.S. patents:
a.) U.S. Pat. No. 4,265,252 to Chubbuck teaches an implantable transensor device containing a passive RF resonant circuit having a natural frequency influenced by the pressure of the sensor's environment in a body cavity of a living entity. The circuit of the transensor includes an inductor and a capacitor, at least one of which varies in value in direct relation to variation of environmental pressure to change the resonant frequency of the circuit. The circuit can be externally interrogated to determine the resonant frequency thereof at any point in time by the imposition thereon of swept frequency electromagnetic radiation provided by a monitoring device which determines when some of the radiation is absorbed as a result of the frequency of the radiation being the same as the resonant frequency of the transensor circuit. An imposed relationship exists between the sensed environmental pressure, and the reactance of the reactive components of the circuit. A natural relationship exists between pressure sensitive reactance, and the resonant frequency of the circuit. As a result, an increase in environmental pressure causes a corresponding increase in frequency and a decrease in environmental pressure causes a decrease in frequency.
b.) U.S. Pat. No. 5,619,997 to Kaplan teaches a passive sensor system utilizing ultrasonic energy is disclosed. The passive sensor system includes at least one ultrasonically vibratable sensor and an ultrasonic activation and detection system. The sensor has at least one vibration frequency which is a function of a physical variable to be sensed. The ultrasonic activation and detection system excites the sensor and detects the vibration frequency from which it determines a value of the physical variable. The sensor includes a housing, a membrane which is attached to the housing and which is responsive to the physical variable, a vibratable beam attached to the housing at one end and a coupler, attached to the membrane and to a small portion of the vibratable beam, which bends the vibratable beam in response to movement of the membrane.
c.) U.S. Pat. No. 6,744,174 to Paden, et al. is a frequency stability analysis and design method for frequency robust resonators, such as MEMS resonators, is presented. The frequency characteristics of a laterally vibrating resonator are analyzed. With the fabrication error on the sidewall of the structure being considered, the first and second order frequency sensitivities to the fabrication error are derived. A relationship between the proof mass area and perimeter, and the beam width, is developed for single material structures, which expresses that the proof mass perimeter times the beam width should equal six times the area of the proof mass. Design examples are given for the single material and multi-layer structures. The results and principles presented in the paper can be used to analyze and design other MEMS resonators.
d.) U.S. Pat. No. 6,461,301 to Smith relates to a resonance based pressure transducer system, insertable into a living body for the in vivo measurement of pressure. It comprises a pressure sensor (2) having a mechanical resonator (16), the resonance frequency of which is pressure dependent; and a source of ultrasonic energy (4). The sensor (2) is mechanically coupled to said source (4) of ultrasonic energy, and the sensor and the source of ultrasonic energy are provided on a common, elongated member (6) at the distal end thereof. A system for pressure measurement comprises an AC power supply, a resonance based pressure transducer system, and a control unit for controlling the supply mode of the AC power, and for analyzing a resonance signal emitted from the resonance based pressure transducer system.
e.) U.S. Pat. No. 5,339,051 to Koehler, et al. discloses a micro-miniature resonator-oscillator. Due to the miniaturization of the resonator-oscillator, oscillation frequencies of one MHz and higher are utilized. A thickness-mode quartz resonator housed in a micro-machined silicon package and operated as a "telemetered sensor beacon" that is, a digital, self-powered, remote, parameter measuring-transmitter in the FM-band. The resonator design uses trapped energy principles and temperature dependence methodology through crystal orientation control, with operation in the 20-100 MHz range. High volume batch-processing manufacturing is utilized, with package and resonator assembly at the wafer level. Unique design features include squeeze-film damping for robust vibration and shock performance, capacitive coupling through micro-machined diaphragms allowing resonator excitation at the package exterior, circuit integration and extremely small (0.1 in. square) dimensioning. A family of micro-miniature sensor beacons is also disclosed with widespread applications as biomedical sensors, vehicle status monitors and high-volume animal identification and health sensors. The sensor family allows measurement of temperatures, chemicals, acceleration and pressure. A microphone and clock realization is also available.
f.) U.S. Pat. No. 6,111,520 to Allen, et al teaches that several sensors are provided for determining one of a number of physical properties including pressure, temperature, and other physical conditions. In general, the sensors feature a resonant circuit with an inductor coil which is electromagnetically coupled to a transmitting antenna. When an excitation signal is applied to the antenna, a current is induced in the sensor circuit. This current oscillates at the resonant frequency of the sensor circuit. The resonant frequency and bandwidth of the sensor circuit is determined using an impedance analyzer, a transmitting and receiving antenna system, or a chirp interrogation system. The resonant frequency may further be determined using a simple analog circuit with a transmitter. The sensors are constructed so that either the resonant frequency or bandwidth of the sensor circuit, or both, are made to depend upon the physical properties such as pressure, temperature, presence of a chemical species, or other condition of a specific environment. The physical properties are calculated from the resonant frequency and bandwidth determined.
The manner by which the present invention increases the range of the sensor increases the means and number of communication methods increases the sensitivity of detection, and increases the reliability of communications all of which will become more apparent in the description which follows, especially in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Passive sensor technology incorporating energy storage mechanism


A latch assembly is provided where a latch bolt is moveable to open and close a door by unblocking pivotal movement of the latch bolt. Turning a door knob or door handle does not directly result in a corresponding retraction of the latch within a sleeve, but rather unblocks the bolt to freely pivot away from a latched position. In some embodiments, the latch assembly may include a sleeve that allows for a backset to be infinitely adjusted relative to an aperture of the sleeve. In some embodiments, the latch assembly may further include a dead latch to provide additional security against forced entry.

A latch assembly is used for maintaining a door in a closed position using a bolt that moves between extended and retracted positions. In existing latches, the bolt is actively pushed and pulled between its extended and retracted positions. This pulling and pushing of the bolt requires a certain level of torque for the movement, which can present challenges for certain persons, such as the elderly, to exert sufficient torque to actuate the latch. Poor door preparation and environment factors can exacerbate these difficulties. For example, poor door preparation can create friction between the bolt and strike plate or pocket that increases the torque required to actuate the latch.
Another challenge with existing latches is adjustability. Latches need to fit the backset of the door, which is the distance between the door's edge to the center of the bore hole. Existing latch assemblies have limited adjustability for backset and can typically only be changed between two preset backset dimensions (e.g., 2.375 and 2.75 inches). Therefore, a consumer must determine a backset measurement to properly install a latch, which makes installation more complex and unforgiving to door prep.


A seating unit includes a back support with a perimeter frame defining an opening, and a plurality of resilient members spanning the opening. An upholstery cover extends over and covers the resilient members and a front of the perimeter frame. A bow-tie-shaped lumbar device is positioned between the cover and sides of the perimeter frame for vertical adjustment. The lumbar device includes a body with end sections defining a greater dimension than a middle of the body. Upper and lower edges of the end sections are thin and serve to wedgingly slip between the cover and the resilient members in a manner leading the middle over irregular surfaces between the resilient members. A thick area between the upper and lower edges causes a change in lumbar support force and shape as the lumbar device is adjusted. Handles are attached to the body by stretchable fabric.

The present invention relates to adjustable lumbar devices for seating units.
Modern chairs and seating units are often provided with adjustable lumbar devices to allow the chair's back to be adjusted for different amounts of lumbar support, as required and desired by different users. However, new lumbar devices are desired that are simpler to manufacture and assemble, and that include less components, lower cost components, and components that function more effectively, and that also provide new visually interesting appearances.
Recently, a new back support was designed having flexible resilient wires extended across an open interior of a perimeter frame. See application Ser. No. 10/792,309, filed Mar. 3, 2004, entitled COMBINED TENSION AND BACK STOP FUNCTION FOR SEATING UNIT, which is incorporated in is entirety by reference. The flexible resilient wires provide excellent ergonomic support to a seated user. However, the wires tend to flex in a manner that reduces the ability of a lumbar panel to slide smoothly up and over each wire during vertical adjustment. A lumbar device is desired that slides more fluidly and smoothly between adjusted positions, yet that is secure in its selected position and effective in its function.
Thus, an improved lumbar device having the aforementioned advantages and solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

Seating unit with adjustable lumbar device


A vehicle system operation method is provided. The method comprises, during a first operating condition, increasing back pressure in a first exhaust conduit positioned upstream of a turbine and downstream of a first emission control device and during a second operating condition, reducing back pressure in the first exhaust conduit and flowing boosted air from downstream of a compressor into a second exhaust conduit positioned upstream of a second emission control device and downstream of the turbine.

Exhaust emission control devices, such as catalytic converters, achieve higher emission reduction after reaching a predetermined operating temperature. Thus, to lower vehicle emissions, various methods are possible to raise emission control device temperature as fast as possible.
In one approach to raise the emission control device temperature, an engine is operated with a rich air-fuel ratio and secondary air is directly introduced into the exhaust upstream of an emission control device. Such a system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,136,842. In this system, the excess fuel from the engine is expelled into the exhaust, where it reacts with the secondary air upstream of the emission control device. The reacted fuel increases the temperature of the exhaust, thus heating the emission control device. However, in order to introduce the secondary air into the exhaust, a secondary air pump is used to increase the pressure of the secondary air above the exhaust pressure. Use of such a pump may degrade fuel efficiency and requires additional packaging space, thus reducing the efficiency of the engine.
The inventors herein have recognized the issues with the above approach and offer a method to at least partly address them. In one embodiment, a method for operation of a vehicle system is provided. The method includes, during a first operating condition, increasing back pressure in a first exhaust conduit positioned upstream of a turbine and downstream of a first emission control device and during a second operating condition, reducing back pressure in the first exhaust conduit and flowing boosted air from downstream of a compressor into a second exhaust conduit positioned upstream of a second emission control device and downstream of the turbine.
In this way, back pressure is generated in the exhaust system which causes an increase in the temperature of the first emission control device, increasing exhaust gas energy retention in the exhaust system and reducing emissions. Further emission reductions are achieved by flowing the boosted air, which is oxygen-rich, to the second emission control device, after the back pressure is reduced. The excess oxygen in the secondary air will react with reductants, such as unburnt fuel, in the exhaust to create an exothermic reaction that will heat the second emission control device, thereby reducing emissions. In this way, boosted air downstream of the compressor may be directed to the exhaust upstream of an emission control device without utilizing a separate pump. By utilizing the pressure differential between the throttle inlet pressure downstream of the compressor and the turbine outlet pressure near where the secondary air is introduced into the exhaust conduit, the boosted air may be driven to the exhaust without a separate pressurization mechanism. The aforementioned emission reduction techniques may be implemented during different operating conditions to effectively reduce emissions.
The present disclosure may offer several advantages. For example, by relying on boosted air rather than air pressurized by a pump, a separate air pump may be dispensed with, thus improving engine efficiency. Additionally, by increasing back pressure upstream of the turbine the first emission control device may be rapidly heated, during a cold start for example, to further reduce emissions prior to the flowing of the boosted air to the emission control device.
The above advantages and other advantages, and features of the present description will be readily apparent from the following Detailed Description when taken alone or in connection with the accompanying drawings.
It should be understood that the summary above is provided to introduce in simplified form a selection of concepts that are further described in the detailed description. It is not meant to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, the scope of which is defined uniquely by the claims that follow the detailed description. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any disadvantages noted above or in any part of this disclosure.

Secondary air introduction system and method for system operation


A self-adaptive graphic equalizer operable to equalize the affects of an audio system on an audio signal includes an adaptive graphic equalizer having a plurality of equalizing filters, where the plurality of equalizing filters have different center frequencies equidistant from one another and spanning a predetermined audio bandwidth. Each equalizing filter is operable to filter an ith sub-band of the audio signal. A plurality of first filters are coupled to the audio system, each first filter is operable to filter an ith sub-band of an output signal of the audio system. A plurality of second filters are operable to filter an ith sub-band of the audio signal. A gain adjuster is operable to adjust the ith sub-band of the adaptive graphic equalizer in response to a difference in the ith sub-band of the filtered output signal from the plurality of first filters and the ith sub-band of the filtered audio signal from the plurality of second filters.

The acoustic sound generated by conventional speakers contains a large degree of distortion due to the physical limitations of the mechanical structure of the speakers. For purposes of this document, "distortion" is used to mean sound pressure level variation as a function of frequency. Therefore, even with high quality audio processing and digital recording, the actual acoustic sound waves reproduced by conventional speakers are typically far from an accurate reproduction of the original sound. In low end to mid-range electronic consumer products, the distortion due to the speaker system is even more pronounced.
Self-adapting speaker equalization systems are presently costly to implement. These conventional self-adapting speaker equalization systems are therefore unsuitable to low end to mid-range electronic consumer products, such as lap-top computers and desktop computers. However, the demand for high quality sound in these systems is unprecedented due to the proliferation of multimedia applications, digital music download and playback, and world wide web multimedia websites.

Digital self-adapting graphic equalizer and method


A system filters received messages (e.g., unsolicited advertisements) to determine if they are appropriate for a user based on the non-static, constantly evolving, context of the user. The system can track the user's context by monitoring various environmental parameters, such as related to the user's physical, mental, computing and data environments, and can model the current context of the user based at least in part on the monitoring. The system selects a set of one or more filters to apply to incoming messages based on the user's context, and the selected filters can be updated as the user's context changes. Messages that survive the filters are then evaluated against the user's context to determine whether they should be presented immediately or stored for delayed presentation.

As computers become increasingly powerful and ubiquitous, users increasingly employ their computers for a broad variety of tasks. For example, in addition to traditional activities such as running word processing and database applications, users increasingly rely on their computers as an integral part of their daily lives. Programs to schedule activities, generate reminders, and provide rapid communication capabilities are becoming increasingly popular. Moreover, computers are increasingly present during virtually all of a person's daily activities. For example, hand-held computer organizers (e.g., PDAs) are more common, and communication devices such as portable phones are increasingly incorporating computer capabilities. Thus, users may be presented with output information from one or more computers at any time.
Accompanying the increasing use and portability of computers is an increasing desire to provide information to users through wireless and other communication channels. Advertisers are particularly interested in reaching computer users as such users often represent desirable target markets. Advertisers would like to provide advertisements to various computer and communication devices that are relevant to the users. Other groups in addition to advertisers may also want to disseminate information to computer users.
With the convergence of computerization, wireless capabilities, digitalization, and ease of dissemination, the amount of potential information that may be bombarded on individual users may prove too overwhelming. The sheer volume of information may prevent or discourage computer users from making any effort to examine the information and find what is immediately desirable or necessary. However, simply reducing the amount of information, or the number of information sources, is not an appropriate solution because the user loses access to information of potential interest.
In general, current solutions for selecting incoming information fail because they do not address the dynamic, immediate, and arbitrary desires and needs of a user. The solutions cannot be easily modified, extended, or shared by the user.
One possible solution is to simply ignore some or all available information, such as unsolicited information that is received. This solution is not always possible, however, and is often difficult and inconvenient. For example, it is difficult to ignore an audio message of moderate volume, especially when those messages are specifically designed to be difficult to ignore (e.g., by compressing the dynamic range so that the average volume is higher). Plus, rejecting all information robs the user of potentially important information in which the user may be interested.
Another solution is to select a set of information sources from which information (solicited and/or unsolicited) is permitted. This exclusionary practice is not fully desirable because the user loses access to potentially desirable information from a source that may not be on the acceptable source list. Also, even with a small number of information sources, the user's ability to give continuous attention to multiple, or even a single information source, is limited. This is especially true if the user is to remain "in task" and not be distracted by inappropriate information. Junk mail filters used by conventional email programs attempt to filter unwanted bulk mailings by using keywords or user enumeration. These filters have the drawback in that the user must manually update desired or undesired sources to account for new sources.
Another drawback of conventional solutions is that the solutions are based on the underlying assumption that the user is stationary and in a static context, such as sitting at a desktop computer or sitting in front of a web-enabled television. The solutions do not take into account that the user's context may be dynamic and changing or evolving over time. Thus, the present-day solutions for filtering digital information are not easily ported to the portable computing environment such as portable computing devices, PDAs, communications devices, and wearable computing devices.
Users, on the other hand, may not mind receiving even unsolicited information (e.g., advertisements) if the information is received at a convenient time and made available in a non-intrusive manner. Much of this timing and convenience is dictated by the user's current context. The user's context can either limit or enhance their ability and desire to receive and process information. When the user is not interested in receiving a message, or the user is unable to receive a specific message because they are too busy, or the user is unable to accept a specific message due to the user's present environment or situation (such as the user's current information presentation system configuration), the context may simply dictate that the user is not interested or able to review any information.
Accordingly, there is a need for improved techniques that enable received information, including unsolicited information, to be received and presented in a timely and relevant manner to the computer user. Such techniques would be desirable for the user because the user will be made aware of potentially relevant information and beneficial for the information provider (such as an advertiser) because the user may not be as apt to simply ignore or discard the information. Instead, the user may want to experience (e.g. see, hear, smell, etc.) the advertisement when the user's context is suitable for reviewing the advertisement.
In addition to the general need for improved techniques to select appropriate information and present it in an appropriate manner, there are various specialized environments or situations which harbor additional problems or constraints. For example, existing computer games don't provide a complete gaming environment that reflects the user's detailed context, such as can be maintained or modeled by the user's characterization module. Thus, there is a need for computer games to provide enhanced functionality by using such modeled context information, such as to select appropriate game-related information or functionality based on the user's context and to present it in an appropriate manner.
In addition, in the area of computer-based augmented reality, there is a need for improved techniques to select appropriate information and present it in an appropriate manner. In particular, current technology is unable to dynamically augment reality by integrating virtual information (such as images, sounds, and other related information) with real world information (e.g., visible objects and audible sounds) without hardware clues. Maintaining an overlay, or visual mapping, of virtual objects on top of real-world objects is known as registration. For example, in an industrial setting an example of registration may involve superimposing a virtual image of a wire over the real-world view of the wire, and having that virtual wire remain properly associated with the real wire while the user's head is moving. Such registration can be facilitated by adding visual clues to the relevant environment, such as patterns of dots on a circuit board containing the wire. However, the need for such visual cues severely limits the usability of augmented reality. Another difficulty in managing the overlay of virtual information onto the real world involves presenting and formatting computer interactions controls without detracting from the user's experiencing of the real world.

Automated selection of appropriate information based on a computer user's context


To provide a compound which enables treatment or prevention of spinocerebellar ataxia, analyses were carried out based on a screening using a spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) fly model and on the like. As a result, the following proteins ameliorating the pathology of spinocerebellar ataxia were identified: RPA1, PNKP, XRCC3, XRCC4, CCNH, POLE, POLH, and PER1. On the other hand, the following proteins aggravating the pathology were identified: CHK1, LIG3, FEN1, LIG1, ERCC5, XAB2, ERCC2, DMC1, RECQL5, MUS81, EME1, SPO11, and BLM. In addition, it has been revealed that ATXN1, which is a cause of SCA1, binds to RPA1, BRCA1, and BRCA2, and suppresses the activities of these proteins, so that the above-described pathology is caused.

Spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) is a disease whose main symptom is ataxia and in which neurons ranging from the cerebellum and brainstem to the spinal cord are gradually disrupted and lost. Among neurodegenerative diseases, the number of patients with SCA is the third largest, following Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. However, no effective method for treating SCA has been established yet, and the elucidation of its pathology and the development of a method for treating SCA have been regarded as social issues which have to be urgently addressed.
In addition, it is also revealed that various biological abnormalities occur in the SCA pathology. For example, in spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1), which is a type of SCA, it has been revealed that RBM17, which has an RNA recognition motif and is also called splicing factor 45 (SPF45), binds to ataxin 1 (ATXN1), which is a cause of SCA1, in a manner dependent on the length of the polyglutamine chain (polyQ) in the protein (NPL 1). In addition, it has been revealed that 14-3-3 binds to a C-terminal region of ATXN1, when phosphorylated by Akt (NPL 2). Moreover, it is also revealed that the binding of 14-3-3 to ATXN1 causes the dephosphorylation of ATXN1 (NPL 3), and the phosphorylation plays an important role in the above-described binding between RBM17 and ATXN (NPL 1). It is also known that the transcriptional repressor CIC/capicua, Sox2-like high mobility group (HMG) protein, HBP-1, and HMG-box transcription factor interact with the AXH domain of ATXN1 (NPL 4). It is also revealed that retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor a is involved in Purkinje cell development, and further that the effect is weakened by mutant ATXN1 (NPL 5). It is also known that polyglutamine-binding protein-1 is a constituent of the spliceosome (NPLs 6 and 7), and that polyglutamine-binding protein-1 binds to the polyglutamine chain of ATXN1, and is co-localized with ATXN1 in specific nucleoli (NPL 8).
In addition, the interactions of ATXN1 with various factors cause dysfunctions in splicing and transcription in which these factors are involved, and cause various abnormalities at downstream, finally leading to the typical SCA1 phenotype (NPL 9).
Here, it is known that transcription and splicing are closely related to DNA damage repair. For example, when DNA damage occurs, the transcription is paused until the damaged genomic DNA is repaired, and an influence is exerted also on the alternative splicing. In addition, DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are created during the transcription to relax the coiled double-stranded DNA and allow the transcription mechanism to access the coiled double-stranded DNA.
Moreover, DNA damage repair is suggested to be involved also in the SCA1 pathology. For example, it has been revealed that mutant ATXN1, which is a cause of SCA1, reduces the expression of the DNA architectural proteins HMGB1 and HMGB2, which are known to play important roles in various DNA damage repair mechanisms (NPL 10). It is also known that a Drosophila homologous protein of RBM17 mentioned above also binds to ATXN1, and is involved in DNA damage repair (NPL 11).
It is suggested that DNA damage repair is involved also in the onset of other types of SCA than SCA1 (NPLs 12 and 13). For example, ataxia telangiectasia is shown to be caused by dysfunctions of the ATM gene, which is involved in the control of the DNA double-strand break repair (DSBR) (NPL 14). In addition, reportedly, ataxia with oculomotor apraxia type 1 (AOA1) is caused by mutations in aprataxin, which is a member of the HIT gene family mainly involved in the single-strand DNA break repair (SSBR) (NPLs 12 and 15 to 17). In addition, the pathology of AOA2 is shown to be associated with mutations in senataxin (NPL 18). Senataxin is thought to resolve DNA-RNA hybrids formed at sites where transcription is paused (NPL 19). In addition, senataxin is an ortholog of yeast RNA helicase, which may be involved in various types of DNA repair, such as transcription coupled repair (NPL 20).
Thus, elucidation of the molecular SCA pathology through transcription, splicing, and further DNA damage repair is extremely important in developing an agent for treating or preventing this disease, or the like.
However, especially, the DNA damage repair is achieved through complex steps, and includes various types such as DSBR, SSBR, base-excision repair (BER), and nucleotide-excision repair (NER). For this reason, it is extremely difficult to elucidate what type of DNA damage repair or what molecule makes a great contribution to the SCA pathology, and no agent for effectively treating or preventing SCA or the like has been developed yet under the current situation.

Methods for treating spinocerebellar ataxia type I using RPA1

National University Corporation Tokyo Medical and Dental University


Method and a system for automatically and securely performing computer power up and logon functions. In one embodiment, the system is implemented in a personal computer ("PC") and comprises a central processing unit ("CPU"), a card reader for reading data encoded on user identification cards "swiped" therethrough, and a power supply capable of constantly providing a low power, or "flea power," signal to various components of the PC, including the CPU and card reader, for enabling a soft power startup of the PC. Responsive to detection of a user identification card being swiped through a slot on the card reader, the card reader reads information for identifying the user, in particular, a user ID and security code, encoded on the card and transmits the read information to the CPU. If the CPU determines that the user identified by the user ID is authorized to access the PC, the PC is powered up and the user is logged onto the PC using the data read from the card. Thereafter, if at any time while the user is logged onto the computer, a determination is made that there has been no I/O activity for a predetermined amount of time, the user is automatically logged off of the PC and the PC is powered down. Similarly, if during operation of the PC, the user ID card is again swiped through the reader, the user will be logged off of the PC and the PC will be powered down.

The problem of restricting access to and use of a computer to authorized personnel has historically been of great concern. This is especially true in systems in which two or more such computers are interconnected via a server, such that access to and use of software and data stored on the server must also be restricted only to authorized users. Clearly, any acceptable computer security system must strike a balance between the need to fully prevent unauthorized users from access and use with the need to avoid imposing undue burdens on access and use by authorized users.
Perhaps the most common means of implementing a computer security system is to include a password lock function in a keyboard or other input device controller of the computer such that interaction with the computer is inhibited until a valid password has been entered. While this type of system is acceptable for many applications, it suffers certain deficiencies, not the least of which is that users have been known to share their supposedly "secret" passwords with others, thereby potentially breaching the security of the overall system.
Another deficiency inherent in the above-described type of security system is that it typically requires a user wanting to access the computer to perform a number of operations in a certain sequence. For example, when a user first desires to use his or her computer upon arrival at work in the morning, the user must switch on the computer, wait for it to power up and begin booting up, wait for a prompt to be displayed, enter his or her user ID, wait for another prompt, enter his or her password, and then wait for the computer to finish booting up before the user can access the computer. While this entire sequence typically takes only a few minutes, it is apparent that much of the user's time during the execution of the sequence is spent waiting until the computer is ready to accept additional input from the user. As a result, much of the user's time is wasted during this sequence due to the fact that, while the user need not be continually inputting information, he or she is not able to leave the computer to boot up unattended.
Therefore, what is needed is a method and apparatus for automatically implementing computer power up and user logon functions responsive to a single user action.

Method and apparatus for automatically implementing computer power on and logon functions using encoded ID card


A poly(1-butene) resin composition having and exhibiting excellent mechanical strength, rigidity, creep resistance and chloride water resistance is disclosed. The poly(1-butene) resin composition is particularly suitable as a material for joints pV in hot water pipes.. The poly(l -butene) resin composition comprises of from about 60 to 95 weight parts of a poly(l-butene) resins (A), from about 5 to 40 weight parts of glass fiber (B) and a modified propylenic resin (C) present in an amount of from about 0.1 to 10 weight parts based on the combined weight parts of (A) and (B).

Poly(1-butene) resins are excellent in heat resistance, creep resistance, stress cracking resistance, flexibility and the like, and thus are used for pipes for hot water. The joining of a pipe for hot water made of this poly(1-butene) resin to a joint is usually carried out by the heat fusing method, but a method is desired wherein the joining is carried out using a mechanical type joint whose attachment is easy. Nowadays, as for mechanical type joints, those made of a metal such as copper or brass are used. However, metal joints used in pipings for hot water supply are corroded with chlorine contained in city water, which becomes a large problem.
As an alternative to metal joints, joints made of polyacetal having high rigidity and excellent mechanical strength have also been used. These plastic-made joints are preferred over metal-made joints.
However, polyacetal hydrolyzes when it comes into contact with water of high temperature for a long term. Therefore, there is some concern that polyacetal-made joints may result in leakage of water and in an extreme case the breakage of the joints. Because of these deficiencies, alternate plastic materials that do not have these problems are desired.
It is known that mechanical joints for pipes are required to have high rigidity and mechanical strength and further be excellent in long-term heat creep resistance, hot water resistance and chlorine water resistance. Although poly(1-butene) resins satisfy this requirement, they are flexible resins and cannot be independently used as mechanical joints. Further, they lack affinity for glass fiber and when glass fiber is added as a reinforcing material, it is difficult to give sufficient rigidity and enhance the mechanical strength.
It is also known that mechanical joints are usually prepared by injection molding, and in order to enhance productivity in injection molding it is necessary to shorten molding cycle. However, the crystallization speed of poly(1-butene) resins is slow and it takes a long time for cooling in injection molding, and thus it has been difficult to enhance productivity.


Disclosed is a method of providing control data for an additive manufacturing device. The method includes accessing computer-based model data of at least a portion of the object to be manufactured, generating at least one data model of a region of a building material layer to be selectively solidified for manufacturing the at least one object portion. The data model specifies solidification of the building material, and the end point of the at least one solidification path a set of energy introduction parameter values is specified which generates a reference value for the radiation power per unit area in the radiation impact area of the beam bundle on the building material which is lower than the reference value for the radiation power per unit area at other locations of the solidification path, and providing control data corresponding to the generated at least one data model for generating a control data set for the additive manufacturing device.

In the field of laser beam welding it is known that a crater may form at the end of a welding path at the location where the laser beam is switched off (see for example US 2004/0182836 A1). The crater may lead to reduced stability, i.e. poorer adhesion between the two parts welded together. The present invention concerns the problem that, even in the field of selective laser sintering or melting, the structure of a manufactured object may be adversely affected if the laser beam is abruptly switched off. This behavior is astonishing and not fully understood, especially since laser beam sintering or melting is a completely different process than laser beam welding.
Whereas laser beam welding is usually used for joining two metal sheets together, selective laser sintering or selective laser melting is used to convert a powdery material into a solid by successively melting layers of material. While in laser beam welding the crater is in theory created by the molten material cooling so quickly that the melt may no longer be able to fill the crater, the problem should not be present in selective laser beam sintering or laser beam melting, because a crater created during the melting of one layer is filled by the application of the following layer of powdery material. The deep welding process frequently used in selective laser beam sintering or laser beam melting usually produces a depth extension of the melt pool generated by a laser beam that is greater than the depth extension ("layer thickness") of the last applied powder layer, for example, twice or three times as great. A number of layers already selectively solidified and arranged underneath the layer currently to be selectively solidified are thus at least partially melted again, so that any crater in the layer immediately underneath may not only be filled with solid material (solidified melt), but the structure may be formed anew.
FIG. 10 shows the usual procedure for the additive manufacturing of objects by irradiating them with electromagnetic radiation or particle radiation (e.g. laser sintering (SLS or DMLS) or laser melting or electron beam melting). In FIG. 10, an object cross section 50 is divided into an inner area or core area 52 and a contour area 51, wherein different parameters for the energy introduction into the building material are usually assigned to the contour area 51 than to the inner area 52. For example, the contour area 51 is scanned with a laser beam as an example of a beam bundle in such a way that the laser beam is moved along the course of the contour. The inner area 52 is usually solidified in such a way that the inner area 52 is divided into partial areas 53, which usually have an approximately rectangular or square shape. The inner area 52 is then scanned partial area by partial area using the laser beam.
As shown in FIG. 10, the laser beam is displaced in parallel paths (scan lines) 54 across the building material in each partial area 53, resulting in a hatch-like displacement pattern when scanning each partial area 53 with the laser beam. In FIG. 10 the direction of displacement of the laser beam is illustrated by arrows. It can be seen that the directions of displacement for adjacent scan lines 54 are opposite to each other.
FIG. 11 illustrates how such a displacement pattern of the laser beam may be achieved. In FIG. 11, the laser beam enters the area 53 in the upper left corner and scans the building material in area 53 along the uppermost scan line 54. At the end of the scan line, i.e. when the laser beam has reached the edge of the partial area 53, the laser beam is switched off and the direction of movement of the laser beam is changed within the turning area 55 without supplying radiation to the building material so that the laser beam may then be moved along the second uppermost scan line 54 in the opposite direction of movement across the building material in the partial area 53. Following this displacement pattern, the entire partial area 53 is then scanned, as illustrated in FIG. 11.
Even though for obtaining homogeneous, uniform components, the aforementioned approach is generally followed, the inventors have found that the described procedure may nevertheless result in component inhomogeneities at the turning areas 55.

Method and device for improving the component quality of objects manufactured by an additive manufacturing process


A detachable end cap for a molded plastic storm water chamber has an integrally welded pipe stub. The stub cantilevers outwardly from the exterior surface of the end cap, which is preferably dome shaped, to enable connection to a line which carries water to or from the chamber. A polyethylene cap with stub and is used in combination with a polypropylene chamber.

Arch shape molded plastic storm chambers, such commercial StormTech Model SC310 and SC740 chambers (StormTech, LLC, Wethersfield, Conn.), are typically connected together end-to-end as strings. In a typical installation, an array of parallel rows of chambers is placed on a bed of gravel within a pit, and is then covered with layers of gravel and other material, such as soil or paving. During a storm, surface water which runs to catch basins is then channeled to the chambers, where it is received and detained. The water may be later discharged from the storm chamber array by percolation into the surrounding earth, or by flowing as runoff to a stream or the like. The ends of the chamber strings must be capped to prevent entry of the gravel or other particulate medium which surrounds the chambers. In the past, open-ended chambers used for stormwater have often been closed with flat or planar end-caps. The aforementioned StormTech chambers have been sold with end caps that have a convex exterior curve, often referred to as a dome shape.
A preferred way of conveying water to or from buried chambers is to run pipes through holes cut in the end caps. Common commercial pipes are made of polyethylene and may be corrugated or plain. Typically, to connect a pipe to an end cap, an installer cuts a hole in the end cap in the field, to the approximate size of the pipe which may range in outside diameter from 4 to 12 inches, or larger. He then inserts the pipe into the hole, so it projects into the chamber interior for what seems a suitable distance, for example 6 inches or more.
To facilitate the field-cutting of holes, the exterior surfaces of end caps have been provided with various-diameter embossed areas, to guide the installer where to cut. However, it is a problem that the installer does not do a good job in making the cut hole fit the pipe. With the preferred convex dome shape end cap, the hole has to be a curved ellipse, precluding the use of a circle cutter which might be used on a planar end cap. That has presented judgment problems as to the configuration of the hole, especially if the pipe entry location does not correspond with the manufacturer-provided embossing, or if the pipe runs at a horizontal or vertical plane angle to the length of the chamber. Another problem is that the installer may not have proper tools and may be working under adverse weather conditions. Those factors often result in gaps between the end cap wall and the pipe outside diameter, which can enable finer sized granular medium to enter the chamber.
When the pipe is corrugated, as is often the case, then some gap is inevitable. This can be understood from FIG. 3. The dashed line 27 indicates how the cut edge of the dome 23 of end cap 18 contacts the corrugated pipe 22A. It will be appreciated that, because of the valleys of the corrugation, no matter how good a job is done in making the curved ellipse hole, there will still be a path for entry of media. Furthermore, when the pipe is put in place in the hole, if the bottom of the pipe is supported by a valley corrugation, as will likely happen, the pipe will lie eccentrically in the hole, with a gap at the top. That can allow granular medium, particularly finer particles, to enter the chamber through the gaps. The storage capacity of the storm chamber system can be compromised, and there might be some subsidence of the overlying material.
Another problem, particularly when the pipe diameter is large relative to the size of the end cap and associated chamber, is that a large hole in the end cap might significantly decrease the structural integrity of the cap and is capacity to resist the inward force of the surrounding media.

End cap having integral pipe stub for use with stormwater chamber