A crosstalk detector for detecting the crosstalk of signals optically read from a recording medium having a plurality of tracks. The read signal levels between adjacent tracks at the positions where crosstalk detecting signals are recorded are compared and used to calculate a quantity of crosstalk of the read signals.

The present invention relates to a crosstalk quantity detector, and more particulary to a device for detecting a crosstalk quantity of signals optically read from a recording medium (e.g., optical disk, etc.,) having a plurality of tracks for recording information.
Hitherto, in optical disks such as laser video disks (LVD) etc., there is employed a so-called track structure such that signal bit trains are arranged in a spiral manner from the inner circumferential side of the optical disk toward the outer circumferential side thereof to record information. In such optical disks of the track structure, there is the problem of crosstalk that record information on a track adjacent to a track presently traced is mixed into a read signal for the track presently traced. As the cause of occurrence of crosstalk, it is pointed out that the following phenomenon would occur. Namely, the diameter of a spot of a laser beam for reading is definite. For this reason, in accordance with the relationship between the spot diameter and the interval between adjacent tracks, e.g., in such cases where the disk is tilted or inclined, when the laser beam deviates (positionally shifts) from the position of an object or a target track and is irradiated onto a track adjacent thereto, that laser beam may read record information on the adjacent track together with record information on the object track.
As the method of detecting such a crosstalk, there is conventionally known a method of detecting an inclination or tilt to indirectly detect a quantity of crosstalk.
This conventional crosstalk detecting method is shown in FIGS. 11 (A) and 11 (B). Namely, a light from a light emitting element 31 such as a light emitting diode, etc., is irradiated onto a disk 34 to receive a reflected light by two light receiving elements 32 and 33 arranged on the both side of the light emitting element 31 to compare output signal levels of the both light receiving elements 32 and 33 by a differential amplifier 35 to detect a tilt or inclination of the optical disk 34, thus to detect a quantity of crosstalk in dependency upon the degree of the tilt.
Namely, in the case where the light emitting element 31 and the light receiving elements 32 and 33 correctly face the optical disk 34 as shown in FIG. 11 (A), since quantities of light received by the light receiving elements 32 and 33 are the same, the output of the differential amplifier 35 is equal to zero. In contrast, in the case where the optical disk 34 is inclined or tilted as shown in FIG. 11 (B), since a quantity of light received by the light receiving element 32 is larger than that received by the light receiving element 33, the output of the differential amplifier 35 takes a positive value. Thus, a tilt or inclination can be detected.
However, in accordance with the above described method, there is a problem that it may take place that a portion of a light irradiated from the light emitting element 31 is not irradiated onto the optical disk at the peripheral portion thereof, failing to output a correct value. Further problems are that if the disk surface is stained, an erroneous detection may be carried out, that there exists unevenness between disks, and that an exclusive tilt or inclination sensor is required in addition to the pick up, with the result that the structure of the pick up becomes large.
On the other hand, it is strongly demanded to record, onto an optical disk, a wideband signal of a high vision TV (HDTV : High Definition TV), etc.. However, even if the rotational speed is increased under the present circumstances where there is employed a single track structure, there exists a limitation from a viewpoint of data capacity. In view of this, studies on the method of recording and reproducing a signal by using a plurality of (e.g. three) paralell tracks are being conducted.
In such optical disks in the plural track form, it is required for increasing the quantity of information to narrow the interval between tracks. However, if the track interval is narrowed, a quantity of crosstalk between adjacent tracks is increased. In this case, with the conventional crosstalk detecting method mentioned above, the accuracy and the reliability were of question.

Crosstalk detector for optically read signals


In one embodiment, an access device is inserted through an incision in skin of a patient. The access device is expanded from a first configuration to a second configuration, the second configuration having an enlarged cross-sectional area at a distal portion of said access device such that the distal portion extends across at least a portion of the interbody space. A prosthetic spinal disc implant is then delivered through the access device.

1. Field of the Invention
This application relates to minimally invasive surgical procedures, and more particularly to replacing an intervertebral disc of a patient with a prosthetic device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Chronic back pain can have any of a number of causes or a combination of causes. For example, acute damage to and/or progressive degeneration of a disc, which is located in the interbody space defined between adjacent vertebrae, can lead to pain as the load-bearing and flexibility providing functions of the disc are no longer effectively performed. A number of treatments have been proposed for this condition. Fusion is a procedure whereby a graft intended to promote bone growth within the interbody space replaces some or all of the material in the interbody space. The bone growth causes the adjacent vertebrae to be joined together, after which the two vertebrae essentially become one and flexibility is eliminated. Fixation is another common treatment which involves attaching a structural assembly across two adjacent vertebrae to physically join the vertebrae together to prevent relative motion of the two vertebrae with respect to each other. While these approaches can reduce the pain associated with disc conditions, the substantial reduction or complete elimination of flexibility at the problem disc can lead to greater stress on adjacent discs and other spine problems.
Traditionally, these and other spine treatments have been performed by way of open surgery. In open surgery, the surgeon typically makes one ore more large incisions and cuts and/or strips muscle tissue surrounding the spine in order to access the vertebrae. Because the amount of tissue exposed is so great, care must be taken not to injure nerve tissue in the area. Consequently, these traditional surgical procedures carry high risks of scarring, pain, significant blood loss, and extended recovery times.
Apparatuses for performing minimally invasive techniques have been proposed to reduce the trauma of spine surgery by reducing the size of the incision and the degree of muscle stripping in order to access the vertebrae. One such apparatus provides a constant diameter cannula which is made narrow in order to provide a small entry profile. As a result, the cannula provides minimal space for the physician to observe the body structures and manipulate surgical instruments in order to perform the required procedures. A narrow cannula is typically too small to perform most spine procedures. Accordingly, several cannula are required to perform even the simplest procedure.

Methods and apparatuses for minimally invasive replacement of intervertebral discs


The invention provides a golf ball comprising a core and a cover of one or more layers, characterized in that at least one layer which constitutes the cover is formed primarily of a mixture of (A) a thermoplastic resin composition selected from among a thermoplastic block copolymer, polyester base elastomer, polyamide base elastomer and polyolefin, which are modified with functional groups having reactivity with isocyanate, and (B) an isocyanate compound or an isocyanate mixture having at least two isocyanate groups as functional groups in a molecule, and a method for preparing the same. The golf ball has excellent flight performance, feel on impact, and scuff resistance.

This invention relates to a golf ball comprising a core and a cover of one or more layers and a method for preparing the same, and more particularly, to a golf ball having excellent properties including flight performance, feel on impact, and scuff resistance and a method for preparing the same.
From the past, resin materials such as polyurethane and ionomer resins are used as golf ball cover stock. Golf balls using polyurethane in the cover stock are soft and improved in feel on impact, controllability and the like, but have the drawback of poor ball rebound. Also, golf balls using ionomer resins in the cover stock are good in rebound and durability, but lack flexibility and give a hard ball touch. Then a variety of polymer blend cover stocks have been proposed in order to compensate for the drawbacks of the respective cover stocks.
For instance, a mixture of an ionomer resin and a polyester elastomer (JP-A 56-83367 and JP-A 62-275480) is arrived at by mixing a polyester block copolymer featuring flexibility and resilience with an ionomer resin featuring extreme toughness and rebound resilience. This mixture makes use of the advantageous properties of both the components and is especially effective for rebound improvement.
The above mixture, however, has a non-uniform morphology since the polyester block copolymer and the ionomer resin are not regarded as a combination of fully compatible materials. When this mixture is used as a golf ball cover stock, there arise drawbacks including low scuff resistance of the cover upon iron shots and insufficient durability upon repeated impact.
JP-A 11-9721 describes a golf ball in which a blend of a thermoplastic polyurethane and a styrene base block copolymer is used as a base of cover stock in order to improve the scuff resistance of the cover stock. The ball, however, is insufficient in rebound and scuff resistance. There is a need for further improvement.

Golf ball and method for preparing golf ball


The invention resides in the field of transferring data and other information from multiple asynchronous TDM channels across a synchronous interface in digital blocks of a preset length. Presently, transfer of data and timing information requires serial transmission of frame payload, qualified with clock and frame pulse indications. A separate set of these signals is required in both directions for each port or physical link. An interface of the invention permits data transfer in blocks which are uniquely identified for a specific port or links and the position of the block within the frame (if the transfer is one of framed data). The invention greatly reduces the number of required signals, thus enabling reduction of pin count requirements and an increase in the number of serviced ports.

The current method of transfer of data and timing information between Physical Medium Dependent (PMD) and Transmission Convergence (TC) sublayers requires serial transmission of frame payload qualified with clock and frame pulse indications. A separate set of these signals is required in both directions for each port or physical link.
For example, digital signals are often multiplexed to produce higher bit rates for higher capacity transmission systems, as a means of utilizing the same transmission medium economically for many different users. This multiplexing is one of functions that perform such data transfer. Different digital signal hierarchies were developed in North America, Europe and other parts of the world. In North America, DS1,DS2 and DS3 whose bandwidths are respectively 1.544 Mbit/sec., 6.312 Mbit/sec. and 44.736 Mbit/sec. are used. Transmission services which provide these digital signals are called T1, T2 and T3. DS0 is a basic TDM signal (voice channel signal) of 64 Kbit/sec. Thus, 24 DS0 streams are multiplexed to one DS1,four of which are combined into one DS2. Seven DS2 streams are multiplexed to one DS3 stream. At each multiplexing operation, certain overhead bit or bits are added for framing, synchronization and other housekeeping functions. In some multiplexing operations, certain payload databits are borrowed for housekeeping functions as well.
According to "Four channel DS1 Framer" Eugene L. Parrella et al, IEEE International ASIC Conference and Exhibit:
"Wideband telecommunications services such as T3, SONET, and inverse multiplexed T1 services are driving more highly integrated multichannel T1 cards. With the availability of single chip M13 (T1/T3) multiplexers and multichannel SONET mappers, T1 framers and T1 line interface units may become the bottlenecks to further reductions in card size, power and cost. A multichannel T1 framer offers substantial board area reduction, and is highly desirable if competitive in power consumption and cost to multiple single channel framers. PA1 As an example, a DS0-T3 switching application can be considered. A single chip M13 multiplexer is employed, multiplexing 28 DS1s into a DS3. To convert DS0's into 28 framed DS1's, 28 DS1 framers are required. A multichannel framer can be used effectively to lower parts count for the system."
Therefore, the above application of DS1-DS3 interface requires 112 connections between a group of 7 quad DS1 framers and a M13 multiplexer.
The present invention permits the transfer of data and timing information between the PMD and TC sublayers, a predetermined sized block of data at a time. Each data block is uniquely identified with an identification number which specifies the port or physical link with which it is associated and the position of the data block within the frame (if the transfer is one of framed data). Timing information is passed between the two sublayers in digital representation form. It represents an offset with respect to a reference clock which can be board, system, or network wide.
This invention greatly reduces the number of signals required between the two sublayer devices. This makes it physically possible to increase the number of ports serviced by PMD and TC sublayer devices by greatly reducing their pin count requirements.
In one embodiment, the present invention permits interfacing between digital signals of two different hierarchical levels very efficiently. In particular, as an example, in a DS1-DS3 interface only 24 lines (instead of 112 connections mentioned above) are required, running at a reasonable speed of 50 MHz.
Furthermore, for channelized applications, the necessity to demultiplex onto separate asynchronous bit streams only to multiplex back to one synchronous stream has been eliminated.


A disposable foldable rectangular cardboard pizza box has a lid portion having a denoted center which receives a domed spirit level. The spirit level, preferably secured to the box by contact adhesive, facilitates manipulation of the box to a horizontal position.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to containers for the short term storage and transportation of pizza, and more particularly concerns a pizza delivery box which facilitates prevention of spillage.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The flat circular configuration of the prepared food product known as pizza makes it well suited for transport from its place of fabrication, sometimes called a pizzeria, to the location where it will be eaten. The handling of the pizza for delivery purposes is generally facilitated by placing it in a disposable square cardboard box of flat profile which maintains the warmth of the pizza, and facilitates vertical stacking of several pizzas in non-contacting relationship. The boxed pizzas are generally transported by the consumer in his private automotive vehicle.
The semi-fluid nature of the pizza is conducive to gravity-induced flow. The magnitude of such flow is accentuated by the large circular diameter of the pizza, and is further dependent upon the degree of inclination of the box and the time duration of transport. It is therefore important to maintain the pizza in a horizontal orientation during transportation. Since most private vehicles do not have a horizontal surface upon which the box can be securely placed, it becomes necessary to manipulate the box to a reasonably horizontal position. However, it is not easy to ascertain a horizontal disposition.
The need to maintain pizzas in a horizontal state during delivery has been addressed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,270,686 which concerns a carrying case of durable and complex construction having audio alarm means for signaling a tilted position of the pizza. U.S. Pat. No. 5,470,002 concerns a self-leveling container for transporting a pizza upon the front seat of an automotive vehicle. Although the specialized devices of the aforesaid patents are useful for those in the business of delivering pizzas, they are not suitable or practical for the typical consumer who occasionally picks up a hot pizza from the place of fabrication, and transports it to his home.
Currently utilized discardable cardboard pizza delivery boxes are stored at the pizzeria in a flattened state whereby they occupy relatively little space. The flat cardboard is generally of monolithic construction and foldable to create a box of square contour and low profile having a bottom portion and lid portion.
It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a disposable pizza box which facilitates attainment of a horizontal disposition.
It is another object of this invention to provide a pizza box as in the foregoing object which may exist in a flattened storage state.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a pizza box of the aforesaid nature of simple construction amenable to low cost manufacture.
These objects and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description.


A transceiver assembly including an antenna input/output transition, a transmit module, a receive module, and a diplexer. The diplexer has opposing planar surfaces and the transmit module, receive module and antenna input/output transition are placed on the same planar surface of the diplexer.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to electronic equipment housings. In particular, the invention relates to a radio transceiver housing.
2. Description of the Related Art
Esthetics, component commonality, and frequency flexibility are increasingly important features of communication equipment. Radio equipment operating in the microwave and millimeter wave bands usually include a significant amount of electronic components, such as antennas, in variety of equipment housings, some of which are located out of doors. Because the equipment housings may be located where they are visible, for example outside in view of homeowners and office areas, the size and style of the housings or enclosures for the electronics and antenna needs to be considered during the design of the equipment housings. Additionally, the diversity of frequency band(s), make it desirable that component commonality be maintained, thereby reducing time to market and provide volumetric component costs regardless of whom is the intended customer. In general, smaller housing will result in improved esthetics of the equipment but reductions in housing size can have adverse effects on system performance. For example, reduction in the size of an antenna is limited in part due to a decrease in antenna gain resulting from a smaller antenna. Adverse effects on system performance resulting from decreased antenna gain places practical limits on the reduction of the antenna size.
Thus, there is a need for improving the esthetics of equipment housings, and maintaining component commonality without adversely affecting system performance.


An optical waveguide device includes a wiring substrate including an insulating layer and a wiring layer formed on the insulating layer, an optical waveguide formed on the insulating layer and the wiring layer, a groove portion formed on an edge side of the optical waveguide, the groove portion including an inclined face, a light path conversion mirror formed on the inclined face, and an opening portion formed in the wiring layer under the optical waveguide, wherein the wiring layer is not formed under the groove portion.

In the prior art, there is an optical waveguide device in which optical waveguides which handle light signals are formed on a wiring substrate which handles electric signals. The optical waveguide device is an optoelectronic composite substrate, in order to compensate the limit of the transmission speed of the electric signals, the high speed parts can be transmitted by the light signals.
A light path conversion mirror is arranged on an edge side of the optical waveguide, and an optical element is mounted on the wiring substrate so as to be optically coupled to the light path conversion mirror of the optical waveguide.
A related art is disclosed in Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2005-136347, Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2008-111990, and Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2013-186310.


Methods for detecting tubing in a pump assembly of a pump system are provided. For example, a method comprises connecting a power supply to each of a plurality of pump motors of the pump system. Each pump motor of the plurality of pump motors has a power supply cable configured to connect to the power supply and drives a pump head of a plurality of pump heads of the pump system. The method also comprises sensing a motor current from each of the power supply cables, determining whether tubing is loaded in each pump head, and, if tubing is not loaded in a pump head, then disconnecting from the power supply the power supply cable of the pump motor associated with the pump head in which tubing is not loaded. Systems for detecting the presence of tubing within a pump head of a plurality of pump heads also are provided.

Lower back injuries and chronic joint pain are major health problems resulting not only in debilitating conditions for the patient, but also in the consumption of a large proportion of funds allocated for health care, social assistance and disability programs. In the lower back, disc abnormalities and pain may result from trauma, repetitive use in the workplace, metabolic disorders, inherited proclivity, and/or aging. The existence of adjacent nerve structures and innervation of the disc are very important issues in respect to patient treatment for back pain. In joints, osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis pain and occurs when the protective cartilage on the ends of bones wears down over time.
A minimally invasive technique of delivering high-frequency electrical current has been shown to relieve localized pain in many patients. Generally, the high-frequency current used for such procedures is in the radiofrequency (RF) range, i.e. between 100 kHz and 1 GHz and more specifically between 300-600 kHz. The RF electrical current is typically delivered from a generator via connected electrodes that are placed in a patient's body, in a region of tissue that contains a neural structure suspected of transmitting pain signals to the brain. The electrodes generally include an insulated shaft with an exposed conductive tip to deliver the radiofrequency electrical current. Tissue resistance to the current causes heating of tissue adjacent resulting in the coagulation of cells (at a temperature of approximately 45° C. for small unmyelinated nerve structures) and the formation of a lesion that effectively denervates the neural structure in question. Denervation refers to a procedure whereby the ability of a neural structure to transmit signals is affected in some way and usually results in the complete inability of a neural structure to transmit signals, thus removing the pain sensations. This procedure may be done in a monopolar mode where a second dispersive electrode with a large surface area is placed on the surface of a patient's body to complete the circuit, or in a bipolar mode where a second radiofrequency electrode is placed at the treatment site. In a bipolar procedure, the current is preferentially concentrated between the two electrodes.
To extend the size of a lesion, radiofrequency treatment may be applied in conjunction with a cooling mechanism, whereby a cooling means is used to reduce the temperature of the electrode-tissue interface, allowing a higher power to be applied without causing an unwanted increase in local tissue temperature that can result in tissue desiccation, charring, or steam formation. The application of a higher power allows regions of tissue further away from the energy delivery device to reach a temperature at which a lesion can form, thus increasing the size/volume of the lesion. Some systems including electrodes as described above may include multiple electrodes, each configured as a medical probe assembly. Thus, a cooling means may be provided for each of the plurality of probe assemblies, and typical cooling means include a pump assembly that pumps a cooling fluid to a probe assembly, at least in part through tubing loaded in a pump head of the pump assembly. In systems having multiple probe assemblies, each with an associated pump assembly, a typical approach is to operate all pump assemblies simultaneously, regardless of whether the associated probe assembly is being used in a procedure and, thus, requires cooling. Accordingly, known systems usually operate all pump heads even though one or more pump heads of the multiple pump assembly system may not be loaded with tubing.
The treatment of pain using high-frequency electrical current has been applied successfully to various regions of patients' bodies suspected of contributing to chronic pain sensations. For example, with respect to back pain, which affects millions of individuals every year, high-frequency electrical treatment has been applied to several tissues, including intervertebral discs, facet joints, sacroiliac joints as well as the vertebrae themselves (in a process known as intraosseous denervation). In addition to creating lesions in neural structures, application of radiofrequency energy has also been used to treat tumors throughout the body. Further, with respect to knee pain, which also affects millions of individuals every year, high-frequency electrical treatment has been applied to several tissues, including, for example, the ligaments, muscles, tendons, and menisci.
Thus, the art is continuously seeking new and improved systems and methods for treating chronic pain using cooled RF ablation techniques. For example, improved systems utilizing one or more methods for detecting whether tubing is loaded in a pump assembly of the system, such that empty or unloaded pump assemblies can be deactivated or turned off, would be useful. As another example, systems having a controller for controlling a power supply to a pump assembly based on whether the pump assembly has tubing loaded in its pump head would be beneficial.

Method for detecting presence of tubing in pump assembly


A tool attachment for mounting on a hand-held machine tool provided with a tool holder, the tool attachment having an output shaft and a base body at whose outer circumference a locking sleeve is disposed in a manner allowing it to rotate to release at least one assigned locking element; at the outer circumference of the base body, an anti-rotation unit is formed for the twist-proof mounting of the base body on a fastening unit assigned to the hand-held machine tool; on the anti-rotation unit and at an inner circumference of the fastening unit, complementary geometrical forms are provided which are configured to mesh with each other for the releasable, twist-proof mounting of the base body on the fastening unit.

Tool attachments of this type are believed to be understood from the related art, whose base bodies can be locked in the area of a tool holder, provided on a corresponding hand-held machine tool, via locking elements that are operable with the aid of an assigned locking sleeve. For example, locking bars or projections are used as locking elements which, e.g., are disposed at the inner circumference of the locking sleeve and are aligned in the circumferential direction. They make it possible to mount the locking sleeve on the hand-held machine tool via what is termed a bayonet connection in which, after sliding the tool attachment onto the hand-held machine tool, the locking sleeve is rotated by a user from a release position into a locking position.
The disadvantage of the related art is believed to be that in each instance, the user needs both hands to lock such a tool attachment on a corresponding hand-held machine tool, one hand being necessary to slip the attachment on, and the other hand being needed to rotate the locking sleeve. This leads to a cumbersome and complicated manipulation of the tool attachments.


In order to achieve low error rates in a speech recognition system, for example, in a system employing rank-based decoding, we discriminate the most confusable incorrect leaves from the correct leaf by lowering their ranks. That is, we increase the likelihood of the correct leaf of a frame, while decreasing the likelihoods of the confusable leaves. In order to do this, we use the auxiliary information from the prediction of the neighboring frames to augment the likelihood computation of the current frame. We then use the residual errors in the predictions of neighboring frames to discriminate between the correct (best) and incorrect leaves of a given frame. We present a new methodology that incorporates prediction error likelihoods into the overall likelihood computation to improve the rank position of the correct leaf.

The present invention relates generally to speech recognition systems and, more particularly, to methods and apparatus for performing enhanced likelihood computation using regression in speech recognition systems.
It is known that a continuous speech recognition system, such as the IBM continuous speech recognition system, uses a set of phonetic baseforms and context dependent models. These models are built by constructing decision tree networks that query the phonetic context to arrive at the appropriate models for the given context. A decision tree is constructed for every arc (sub-phonetic unit that corresponds to a state of the three state Hidden Markov Model or HMM). Each terminal node (leaf) of the tree represents a set of phonetic contexts, such that the feature vectors observed in these contexts were close together as defined by how well they fit a diagonal gaussian model. The feature vectors at each terminal node are modeled using a gaussian mixture density with each gaussian having a diagonal covariance matrix. The IBM system also uses a rank-based decoding scheme, as described in Bahl et. al, xe2x80x9cRobust-methods for using context-dependent features and models in a continuous speech recognizer,xe2x80x9d ICASSP 1994, Vol. 1, pp. 533-536, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The rank r(l, t) of a leaf l at time t is the rank order of the likelihood given the mixture model of this leaf in the sorted list of likelihoods computed using all the models of all the leaves in the system and sorting them in descending order. In a rank-based system the output distributions on the state transitions of the model are expressed in terms of the rank of the leaf. Each transition with arc label a has a probability distribution on ranks which typically has a peak at rank one and rapidly falls off to low probabilities for higher ranks. The probability of rank r(l, t) for arc a is then used as the probability of generating the feature vector at time t on the transition with arc a.
The more number of times a correct leaf appears in the top rank positions, the better the recognition accuracy. In order to improve the rank of the correct leaf, its likelihood score has to be boosted up relative to other leaves. This implies that the likelihood score for the correct leaf will be increased while those of the incorrect leaves will be decreased. A scheme to increase the likelihood of the correct leaf that captures the correlation between adjacent vectors using correlation models was introduced in, P. F. Brown, xe2x80x9cThe Acoustic-Modeling Problem in Automatic Speech Recognition,xe2x80x9d Ph. D. thesis, IBM RC 12750, 1987.
The approach in the P. F. Brown thesis was to do away with the assumption that given the output distribution at time t, the acoustic observation at time t is independent of that at time txe2x88x921, or depends only on the transition taken at time t (P(yt|st)), where yt refers to the cepstral vector corresponding to the speech at time t, st refers to the transition at time t, and P(yt|st) refers to the likelihood (i.e., probability) of generating yt on the transition at time t, as understood by those skilled in the art. The manner in which ytxe2x88x921 differs from the mean of the output distribution from which it is generated, influences the way that yt differs from the mean of the output distribution from which it is generated, where ytxe2x88x921 refers to the cepstral vector corresponding to the speech at time txe2x88x921. This is achieved by conditioning the probability of generating yt on the transition at time t, the transition at time txe2x88x921 (i.e., stxe2x88x921) and ytxe2x88x921, that is:
P(yt|st,stxe2x88x921,ytxe2x88x921)xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(1)
Incorporating this into an HMM would in effect square the number of output distributions and also increase the number of parameters in each output distribution. When the training data is not sufficient, the benefit of introducing the correlation concept may not be seen. Alternatively the probability could be conditioned only on the transition taken at time t and the output at ytxe2x88x92t, that is:
P(yt|st,ytxe2x88x921)xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(2)
The output distribution for equation (2) has the form:
P(yt|st,ytxe2x88x921)=det Wxc2xd1/(2xcfx80)n/2exp[xe2x88x92xc2xd](Zxe2x80x2WZ)xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(3)
where W refers to covariance, and Z is given by:
(Ytxe2x88x92(xcexct+C(ytxe2x88x921xe2x88x92xcexctxe2x88x921)))xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(4)
where xcexc1 and xcexctxe2x88x921 refers to the mean at times i and txe2x88x921, respectively, as is known in the art, and C is the regression matrix given by:
C=xcexa3(ytxc2x7ytxe2x88x921)/|yt|2xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(5)
This form only increases the number of parameters in each output distribution and not the number of output distributions, making it computationally attractive. However, from a modeling perspective, it is less accurate than equation (1) because the distribution from which ytxe2x88x921 was generated and its deviation from its mean are unknown. There is an important trade-off between the complexity of an acoustic model and the quality of the parameters in that model. The greater the number of parameters in a model, the more variance there will be in the estimates of the probabilities of these acoustic events.
It would be highly desirable to provide techniques for use in speech recognition systems for enhancing the likelihood computation while minimizing or preventing an increase in the complexity of the HMMs.
The present invention provides for methods and apparatus for improving recognition performance in a speech recognition system by improving likelihood computation through the use of regression. That is, a methodology is provided that increases the likelihood of the correct leaf that captures the correlation between adjacent vectors using correlation models. According to the invention, regression techniques are used to capture such correlation. The regression predicts the neighboring frames of the current frame of speech. The prediction error likelihoods are then incorporated or smoothed into the overall likelihood computation to improve the rank position of the correct leaf, without increasing the complexity of the HMMs.
In an illustrative embodiment of the invention, a method for use with a speech recognition system in processing a plurality of frames of a speech signal includes tagging feature vectors associated with each frame received in a training phase with best aligning gaussian distributions. Then, forward and backward regression coefficients are estimated for the gaussian distributions for each frame. The method further includes computing residual error vectors from the regression coefficients for each frame and then modeling the prediction errors to form a set of gaussian models for the speech associated with the each frame. The set of gaussian models are then used to calculate three sets of likelihood values for each frame of a speech signal received during a recognition phase.
Advantageously, in order to achieve low error rates in a speech recognition system, for example, in a system employing rank-based decoding, we discriminate the most confusable incorrect leaves from the correct leaf by lowering their ranks. That is, we increase the likelihood of the correct leaf of a frame, while decreasing the likelihoods of the confusable leaves. In order to do this, we use the auxiliary information from the prediction of the neighboring frames to augment the likelihood computation of the current frame. We then use the residual errors in the predictions of neighboring frames to discriminate between the correct (best) and incorrect leaves of a given frame. We present a new methodology that incorporates prediction error likelihoods into the overall likelihood computation to improve the rank position of the correct leaf.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Enhanced likelihood computation using regression in a speech recognition system

International Business Machines Corporation


Embodiments of methods, apparatuses, devices, or systems for forming a photonic crystal are described.

Photonic crystals may be utilized in a number of devices, including display devices such as digital projectors, or other light based applications such as reflectors and light emitting diodes, for example. Photonic crystals suitable for use in devices such as these may be formed from a variety of materials or may be formed by use of a variety of processes. Selection of materials or processes may result in the formation of a photonic crystal having particular properties. Formation of photonic crystals may be time consuming, expensive, or may not produce devices having desirable characteristics. It may, therefore, be worthwhile to address one or more of these limitations.

Method and apparatus for forming a photonic crystal

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A semiconductor chip includes a semiconductor substrate having an opening portion and a frame portion defining a periphery of the opening portion. At least one electric element is provided on the frame portion, and has at least one electrode terminal. A first insulation film is formed on the frame portion so that the electrode terminal is partially exposed at the first insulation film to form a plurality of electrode pads.

This invention relates to a semiconductor device having System-In-Package (SIP) structure.
The semiconductor device of the SIP structure is formed by sealing a plurality of semiconductor chips in a single package to form an integrated system. The semiconductor device of the SIP structure has advantages of low electric power consumption, high performance, and small mounting area.
Particularly, there is known a semiconductor device called as Wafer-Level SIP, which is formed by sealing the semiconductor chips on a wafer and separating the wafer into individual semiconductor devices.
For example, there is known a semiconductor device of the SIP structure in which a second semiconductor chip is laminated on a first semiconductor chip, and a protection film (thicker than the second semiconductor chip) is formed on the first semiconductor chip. The protection film has a hole (having the same size as the second semiconductor chip) in which the second semiconductor chip is mounted.
Such a semiconductor deice has a wiring layer connected to the first and second semiconductor chips, and electrode posts connected to the wiring layer. The top surfaces of the electrode posts are exposed at the surface of a sealing resin layer covering the surface of the semiconductor chips. Solder balls are connected to the top surfaces of the electrode posts (see Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2001-257310: referred to as Patent Publication 1).
Further, in order to increase the interval between electrode terminals, there is known a semiconductor device including a base frame (made of, for example, an organic material) having an opening portion, and a semiconductor chip mounted therein having a plurality of electrode pads. Such a semiconductor device includes wiring patterns running from the electrode pads of the semiconductor device to the surface of the base frame, and electrode terminals formed on the wiring patterns at the surface of the substrate (see Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2004-165190: referred to as Patent Publication 2).
Furthermore, in order to increase the interval between electrode terminals, there is known a semiconductor device having an extension portion (made of, for example, a resin) that contacts and surrounds the side surfaces of the semiconductor chip. Above the extension portion, electrode terminals are formed on the wiring patterns running from the electrode pads of the semiconductor chip (see Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2004-165192: referred to as Patent Publication 3).
Moreover, there is known a semiconductor device having an insulating extension portion (made of, for example, a resin) that contacts and surrounds the side surfaces of the semiconductor chip. Above the extension portion, electrode terminals are formed on the wiring patterns running from the electrode pads of the semiconductor chip (see Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2004-165194: referred to as Patent Publication 4).
However, in the semiconductor device disclosed in Patent Publication 1 having laminated semiconductor chips, the heat generated by the respective semiconductor chips is not well dissipated, and therefore the heat may adversely affects the operation of the semiconductor chips or the like.
Further, in the semiconductor devices disclosed in Patent Publications 2, 3 and 4, the semiconductor chips are surrounded by the base frame (Patent Publication 2) or the extension portion (Patent Publications 3 and 4) made of, for example, resin or organic material, and therefore the heat dissipation of the semiconductor chips may be reduced, so that the high-frequency characteristics may be adversely affected.
Accordingly, there is a demand for a semiconductor device capable of providing higher performance of a package, enhancing heat dissipation and high-frequency characteristics, and enhancing the stability in operation.

Semiconductor device having a frame portion and an opening portion with mountable semiconductor chips therein


A nozzle assembly includes an upstream block, an upstream shim, an intermediate shim, a downstream shim and a downstream block arranged in this order in a machine direction MD from the upstream side to the downstream side. A lower end of the nozzle is formed with grooves as guide grooves to support elastics. A first pipe, a dispersion slit for a web and convergence slits for a web define first flow channels wherein the slits are respectively formed with outlets for a web. A second pipe, a dispersion slit for elastics and convergence slits for elastics define a second flow channels wherein the slits are respectively formed with outlets for elastics. The outlets for elastics are formed in the respective guide grooves and each of the outlets for a web lies between each pair of the adjacent outlets for elastics as viewed in the cross direction CD.

Nozzle assemblies which continuously coat the elastic yarns or threads continuously running in a machine direction with adhesives such as hot melt adhesives are known. For example, PTL 1 discloses a nozzle assembly adapted to coat the elastic yarns or threads with hot melt adhesives. The nozzle assembly disclosed therein includes slit-like guide grooves to guide the elastic yarns or threads to an adhesive outlet at respective nozzle ends and thereby coat the elastic yarns or threads with adhesives.

Nozzle assembly and composite stretch material produced by using the same


Example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to proactively self-heal workload domains in hyperconverged infrastructures are disclosed herein. A disclosed example apparatus includes a fault predictor to determine a probability that a node of a workload domain in a hyperconverged infrastructure will likely become faulty, and a decommissioner to decommission the node from the workload domain after the probability indicates the node will likely become faulty.

VMware® Cloud Foundation™ (VCF) is an integrated cloud infrastructure platform for a hybrid cloud that includes both private and public environments. VCF provides dynamic software-defined infrastructure (compute, storage, networking and security) to run enterprise applications in both the private and public environments. VCF enables software-defined data center (SDDC™) private clouds to be easily built and run on integrated systems. Based on an elastic, highly scalable, and distributed hyperconverged infrastructure architecture, compute, storage, and networking resources can be delivered using a hypervisor running on industry-standard, prequalified hardware offered by select partners. VCF is ideal for enterprises and service providers focused on greater simplicity, faster time-to-value, enhanced security, and lower total cost of ownership. VMware's hyperconverged infrastructure (VCF) introduces the use of workload domains in hybrid clouds. Workload domains are physically isolated containers that hold (e.g., execute) a group of applications with a substantially similar performance requirement, availability requirement, and/or security requirement executing on one or more nodes (e.g., servers).
When beneficial, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawing(s) and accompanying written description to refer to the same or like parts. Connecting lines or connectors shown in the various figures presented are intended to represent example functional relationships, physical couplings and/or logical couplings between the various elements.

Methods and apparatus to proactively self-heal workload domains in hyperconverged infrastructures


A system used downhole in tubing is operable with pressure communicated via at least one control line. The system includes a tool and a stinger. The tool disposed with the tubing has a tool bore for passage of tubing flow. The tool has an operator movable between operable states, and the operator has a tool key disposed in the bore. The stinger removably disposed in the tubing is configured to insert into the tool bore. The stinger has an actuator in communication with the at least one control line. Actuated by the control line, a stinger key disposed on the stinger is movable with the actuator between positions. In this way, the stinger key is configured to engage the tool key and is configured to move the tool's operator at least from the one state to another.

In some completions, a control fluid or another injectable fluid may be delivered downhole to a mandrel, a safety valve, or some other tool. In many installations, a control line, such as a capillary or another hydraulic line, cannot be run outside the tubing string. Instead, the control line must be run down the tubing string to deliver the fluid from the surface to the downhole tool. In some instances, for example, an existing control line run outside the tubing string may become damaged or inoperable so a new surface-controlled subsurface safety valve must be run down the tubing string. Because the damaged control line outside the tubing cannot be used and because a new control line cannot be run outside the tubing, a new control line must be run down the tubing string to control the new surface-controlled subsurface safety valve.
In this example, the new surface-controlled subsurface safety valve can install in the well, which has existing hardware for a surface-controlled valve. The safety valve can be deployed in the well using standard wireline procedures. When run in the well, the valve lands in an existing landing nipple. This connection between the coupling and port communicates hydraulic fluid with a piston chamber of the safety valve. In particular, the port can communicate hydraulics from a control line to a hydraulic chamber used to control a flapper valve on the safety valve.
A typical method for delivering the hydraulics to the safety valve uses a stinger or a receptacle positioned in the flow bore of the safety valve so a control line can make the connection to the safety valve there. For example, a receptacle can be positioned in the flow bore of the safety valve, and a stinger of the control line can be stabbed into a receptacle for the connection to communicate the hydraulic fluid. In a reverse arrangement, a stinger can be positioned in the flow bore of the safety valve, and a Staubli-style receptacle on the hydraulic line can be stabbed down over the receptacle.
Although existing techniques may be useful and effective, leaking of the hydraulic pressure and proper sealing of the control line to the safety valve can pose a number of issues. The subject matter of the present disclosure is directed to overcoming, or at least reducing the effects of, one or more of the problems set forth above.

Stinger for actuating surface-controlled subsurface safety valve


A manual forklift for lifting, maneuvering, and arranging palleted freight, comprising an extensible wheeled base, a steering handle, a mast, and a boom with a descending standard secured to a support frame carriage and forward extending tines. Hydraulic jack cylinders joining the mast to the boom and the boom to the descending standard in concert with hinge joints connecting the mast to the boom and the boom to the descending standard allow the tines to be manipulated forwardly or backwardly, raised or lowered, and tilted upwardly or downwardly relative to the mast and base, enabling the user to transfer palleted freight engaged by the tines between surfaces with differing heights and angles and across longitudinal spaces. Castered wheels affixed to the base further enable freight to be moved multi-directionally, including laterally leftward or rightward.

Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to the field of forklift devices and more particularly to manually operated forklift systems and methods for loading and unloading freight.
Manual forklifts are useful for the efficient movement and organization of materials and goods. They enable an individual to quickly lift and transport a product in quantities and masses that the individual could not physically endure alone. Furthermore, manual forklifts allow for the orderly and controlled placement and storage of products in a manner that maximizes the use of space and time. To date, a variety of apparatuses designed for the lifting, transporting, and placement of objects by manual means have been described. Such systems include hoists for the lifting and moving of heavy objects, loads, and other freight.
Although these and other approaches may provide helpful techniques for lifting and moving heavy items, still further advances would be desirable. For example, it would be desirable to provide systems and methods which could be used to engage multiple loads at a time. It would also be desirable to provide a manually managed means for engaging, lifting, relocating, and positioning multiple products simultaneously in an efficient and cost-effective manner.
Further, it would be desirable to provide methods for forwardly and backwardly moving the engaged objects such as pallets, for example when loading or unloading palleted material to or from a delivery truck. Additionally, it would be desirable to provide systems and methods that could be used in situation which provide limited space for maneuverability. What is more, it would be desirable to provide techniques that accomplish the loading or unloading of palleted material between a delivery truck and a loading dock, where the truck and dock have different heights. Embodiments of the present invention provide solutions that address the problems described above, and hence provide answers to at least some of these outstanding needs.


An airborne navigation system that uses Doppler information from an on-board weather radar to improve the system's accuracy and/or fault tolerance. The system can determine a drift angle and ground speed from Doppler information associated with radar returns from the Earth's surface. Alternatively, the system can be configured to determine heading angle using the drift angle and a track angle received from another sensor.

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of navigation. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a system for and method of navigation using weather radar.
Required navigation performance (RNP) specifications for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approach procedures require accurate navigation performance. Conventional aircraft often rely on a Global Positioning System (GPS) and Inertial Navigation System (INS) to estimate the aircraft's position (latitude, longitude and altitude) and other flight parameters (e.g., track angle, ground speed, pitch, roll, heading, angular rates and accelerations). In addition, the RNP specifications require redundancy for navigation sources in case of a GPS or other sensor/system outage. In general, conventional systems rely upon an INS and accompanying sensors to provide redundant parameters for navigation. The INS itself is expensive. Sensors for an INS generally must be avionic grade and can also add significant cost. An INS system and associated sensors also increase the weight of the aircraft.
Therefore, there is a need for a system and method that can assist navigation at a low cost and still meet RNP requirements. There is also a need for a system for and a method of determining accurate position to maintain navigation that meets the RNP requirement. Further still, there is a need for a system and method that can determine accurate heading angle, track angle, ground speed and/or other flight parameters that provides continuity in the event of GPS source outage. In case of a GPS outage, aircraft position, track angle and ground speed are no longer provided by the GPS, therefore these parameters have to be provided by another aircraft system. Generally an INS is used to extrapolate the current position using track angle and ground speed that is estimated from integrating angular rates and accelerations that the INS measures. So further still, there is a need for a low cost system and method of determining track angle and ground speed that can be used to extrapolate the current position.
The heading reference from a low cost AHRS does not always meet the accuracy requirements for the heading reference. Therefore still further, there is a need for a system and method that determines accurate heading angle.
Yet further, there is a need for a system and method that determines heading angle, track angle, and ground speed without the addition of significant equipment. Further still, there is a need for a low cost, light weight replacement for an INS or for equipment that estimates accurate heading angle, track angle and ground speed.

System and method for doppler aided navigation using weather radar


A method for locating a resource involves maintaining a capacity object configured to store server information for a plurality of servers, transmitting a resource request from a client to an indirection server comprising the capacity object, selecting one of the plurality of servers to service the resource request using server associated with the capacity object to obtain a selected server, and redirecting the resource request from the indirection server to the selected server.

Typical operating systems (e.g., windows-based systems by Microsoft, Sun Solaris™, Linux™, MacOS by Apple Computer, Unix, etc.) provide a resource manager. The resource manager shares the resources of a computer system with the applications requesting use of the resources. Typical resources that are managed by a resource manager include processors, disk space, memory, peripheral devices, etc. For example, if two applications request to use the printer, the resource manager determines which application uses the printer first by placing requests into a queue.
In a distributed system, computer systems may be located in multiple locations throughout a private or public network. The computer systems within a distributed system may be considered a client, a server, or act as a client and server in certain situations. The client is typically the computer system that requests a service or resource, while the server is a computer system that shares a resource or performs a service (hereinafter, the use of the term "resource" is intended to refer to resources or services). A distributed system is useful because the distributed system allows the load created from the client requests to be distributed among a number of servers, thereby increasing the throughput of the entire system by leveraging the underutilized resources in the distributed system.
The resources that a server provides may range from processor time to storage space. In a distributed system, a client may request a resource, and the request is serviced by one of the number of servers with the resource available. Further, using a distributed system allows several requests to be handled simultaneously. Allowing the load to be distributed among a plurality of servers may help reduce the load placed on an individual server (whether on the processor, storage system, etc.).
Several methods are currently used to provide the location of a server where the requested resource may be found. These methods include using directory services, broadcasting, and querying (e.g., unicast, multicast, etc.). The current methods may provide a one-to-one mapping of a client and a server that handles the request of the client. With this method, several servers may be available to satisfy requests, but individual clients are mapped directly to specific servers. Another method, for example, may send a request out to the network, where servers that are listening for requests respond.
As discussed above, the server may handle a client's request for a resource using a one-to-one mapping. For example, a client, Client X, may have an object, Object A, that needs to be stored. Client X may be mapped, using a one-to-one mapping, with Server Z. In this distributed system, Client X may send a request to Server Z to store Object A. Several possibilities may occur. Server Z may reply indicating that space is available and Object A may be stored on Server Z. Server Z may reply indicating that space is not available, and Object A cannot be stored on Server Z. Server Z may reply indicating that the Server Z is busy, and the request is handled later. Server Z may not reply. In this type of system, the server typically is prepared for the specific types of requests that a client may make, and has a large amount of resource available.
In a distributed system, a distributed hash table (DHT) may be used to store and locate data throughout the number of servers. No central server is required to locate the data, instead each server has a partial list that may be used to determine where the data is located in a short series of steps. DHT allows the use of a programming interface with services that may be used to store data, distribute data, etc. DHT provides an algorithm to locate data once the data is stored in one of the number of servers. DHT treats each server like a bucket in a hash table, and assigns the responsibility of data to a server using a hash function allowing easy lookup when the data is needed.

Efficient resource balancing through indirection


Required are: a compound having high affinity for an emopamil binding protein; and a method for activating or inhibiting the emopamil binding protein, using such a compound. According to the present invention, provided is an emopamil binding protein binding agent comprising an alkyl ether derivative represented by the following formula [1] or a salt thereof:

EBP is a membrane protein that is mainly present in the endoplasmic reticulum, and exhibits D8-D7 sterolisomerase activity (Non-Patent Document 1). EBP is also present in the nucleus in the central nervous system and multiple types of central nervous cells (e.g., astrocyte, microglia, and oligodendrocyte), and thus, it is considered that EBP has a role other than the role of sterolisomerase.
It has been reported that a mutation in EBP is one factor for X linked dominant Conradi-Hunermann chondrodysplasia punctata (CDPX2) (Non-Patent Document 2). CDPX2 may cause asymmetric forelimb malformation, cataract, alopecia, congenital ichthyosis, dermatrophy and the like, in addition to abnormal mottled calcification of cartilage, in some cases. Thus, it has been suggested that EBP plays an important role in bone growth and the like.
Emopamil (α-(1-methylethyl)-α-[3-[methyl(2-phenylethyl)amino]propyl]benzeneacetonitrile) has been known as an EBP ligand. It has been reported that compounds binding to EBP also have high affinity for calcium channel and other proteins such as a sigma-1 receptor. However, the pharmacological action of these compounds mediated by EBP has not yet been elucidated.
To date, alkyl ether derivatives, such as 1-(3-(2-(1-benzothiophen-5-yl)ethoxy)propylazetidin-3-ol, have been known to have neuroprotective action, nerve regeneration action, neurite outgrowth promoting action, and neurogenesis inducing action (Patent Documents 1 and 2). Moreover, such alkyl ether derivatives have also been known to exhibit high affinity for sigma receptors (Patent Document 3).

Emopamil binding protein binding agent and use thereof

Abstract: wherein R1 and R2, which are the same or different, each represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an optionally substituted C1-6 alkyl group, an optionally substituted aryl group, etc.; R3 represents an optionally protected hydroxyl group, etc.; and m and n, which are the same or different, each represent an integer of 1 to 6.


An optical connector as an optical plug is provided, which includes: an optical fiber cable; a ferrule connected to an end of the optical fiber cable and constructing a ferrule assembly along with the optical fiber cable; a spring arranged over the optical fiber cable, an end of the spring pressing the ferrule; a plug housing to accommodate the ferrule assembly and the spring; and a spring cap to be connected to the plug housing for supporting another end of the spring and for curvingly leading the optical fiber cable, wherein a curved portion, provided inside the spring cap, of the optical fiber cable has a thinner cover than another portion.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an optical connector, and more particularly to an optical connector as an optical plug wherein an optical fiber cable is led out in a direction different from an axial direction of a ferrule connected with the optical fiber cable.
2. Description of the Related Art
An optical connector is used to connect an optical fiber cable with a transmitter, a receiver, or another optical fiber cable constituting a multiplex transmission circuit, for example, of a vehicle such as motor vehicle.
Because the optical fiber cable is weak in extreme bending and distortion, the optical fiber cable is usually led out of the optical connector straight. In a circumstance, like in a vehicle, that various electric equipment and wiring harnesses are thickly arranged, however, the optical fiber cable is often led out of the optical connector, while being curved in a minimum bending radius.
An optical connector disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 10-78534 is known as an optical connector with a curved optical fiber cable. And, another optical connector 1 shown in FIG. 10 is also used.
Hereinafter, the above optical connector 1 will be described, referring to FIG. 10. The optical connector 1 consists of a receptacle (not illustrated) and an optical plug 2 to be coupled with the receptacle. The optical plug 2 has ferrule assemblies 3, a plug housing 4, and a spring cap 5.
The ferrule assembly 3 is formed by connecting a ferrule 8 on the end of an optical fiber cable 7 on which a compression spring 6 is arranged. One end of the compression spring 6 abuts against the ferrule 8.
The plug housing 4 couples with a coupling portion (not illustrated) of the receptacle and has longitudinal accommodating chambers 9 to accommodate the respective ferrule assemblies 3. And, a claw-like engaging projection 10 is protrusively-provided on each sidewall of the plug housing 4. (One engaging projection 10 is illustrated.)
The spring cap 5 consists of a lower spring cap 11 and an upper spring cap 12, which lower spring cap 11 engages the rear of the plug housing 4.
The lower spring cap 11 has an engaging portion 13 to engage the plug housing 4 and a leading-out direction restricting portion 14 to restrict the direction of the optical fiber cables. The engaging portion 13 is provided with four-sided holes 15 to engage the engaging projections 10 and fiber leading-out portions 16 against which the other ends of the respective compression springs 6 abut and through which the optical fiber cables 7 pass.
The leading-out direction restricting portion 14 curves the optical fiber cables 7 by about 90xc2x0 for leading them in a lateral direction. The curved optical fiber cables 7 are led outside out of an opening portion 17 provided on the leading-out direction restricting portion 14. A sidewall of the leading-out direction restricting portion 14, at a side of a smaller radius of curvature, is provided with a supporting surface 18 curving in a circular-arc. And, another sidewall of the leading-out direction restricting portion 14, at a side of a large radius of curvature, is provided with engaging projections 19 and ribs 20 to engage the upper spring cap 12 and is formed to make the optical fiber cables 7 curve.
The upper spring cap 12 is formed to cover the leading-out direction restricting portion 14 of the lower spring cap 11. And, a sidewall 21 of the upper spring cap 12 is provided with four-sided holes 22 to engage the above engaging projections 19 and guide grooves 23 to receive the above ribs 20.
With respect to the above conventional optical connector 1, however, because the optical fiber cable 7 connected to the ferrule 8 is thick, the rigidity of the optical fiber cable 7 is big, thereby bringing about poor work efficiency and making the optical connector large. Further, because the compression spring 6 is pushed by the optical fiber cable 7, the action of the compression spring 6 would be hindered, thereby making a connecting force bigger.
More specifically, because the optical fiber cable 7 generally has a core fiber portion (not illustrated), a primary sheathing (not illustrated) covering the core fiber portion, and a secondary sheathing 7a covering the primary sheathing, the optical fiber cable 7 is fairly thick and has a fairly big rigidity. And, a work to accommodate the thick optical fiber cable 7 with a minimum radius of curvature in the spring cap 5, as shown in FIG. 11, causes poor work efficiency.
Also, because the thick optical fiber cable 7 needs the larger opening portion 17, an end width d of the spring cap 5 has to be larger, thereby making the optical plug larger.
Further, as shown in FIG. 1, when the optical fiber cable 7 is curved with a minimum radius of curvature, the compression spring 6 is pushed by the optical fiber cable 7 toward an inside wall of the plug housing 4, the action of the compression spring 6 would be hindered, thereby making a connecting force with a receptacle (not illustrated) bigger.
In view of the foregoing, an object of the present invention is to provide an optical connector wherein the work efficiency is enhanced, a downsizing is achieved, and a connecting force is smaller.
In order to achieve the above-described object, as a first aspect of the present invention, an optical connector as an optical plug comprises: an optical fiber cable; a ferrule connected to an end of the optical fiber cable and constructing a ferrule assembly along with the optical fiber cable; a spring arranged over the optical fiber cable, an end of the spring pressing the ferrule; a plug housing to accommodate the ferrule assembly and the spring; and a spring cap to be connected to the plug housing for supporting another end of the spring and for curvingly leading the optical fiber cable, wherein a curved portion, provided inside the spring cap, of the optical fiber cable has a thinner cover than another portion.
As a second aspect of the present invention, in the structure with the above first aspect, the curved portion starts from a position of an end of the ferrule.
As a third aspect of the present invention, in the structure with the above second aspect, the curved portion ends near an exit opening portion of the spring cap.
According to the above-described structure of the present invention, the following advantages are provided.
(1) Because the optical fiber cable has thinner curved portions with lower rigidity the optical fiber cable can be curved easily, thereby improving the work efficiency.
(2) The spring for pushing the ferrule is arranged over the optical fiber cable securely within the set-up curved extent thereof. Because the optical fiber cable being within the set-up curved extent is thinner than that of the prior art one, the spring does not receive a pressure from the cable, which improves action of the spring, thereby reducing a force required for coupling the optical plug.
(3) The optical fiber cable is thinner than the prior art one at least within the optical plug. Therefore, because the opening portion for leading out the optical fiber cable can be narrower, thereby downsizing the optical plug.
The above and other objects and features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.


A retrievable packer assembly for use in operations into wellbores is provided. The packer assembly comprises a continuous mandrel with a valve body including seal cups to seal against an inner surface of a casing, and a gap defined between the valve body and the mandrel to permit or prevent circulation of fluid between the interior of the mandrel and a section of the casing above the seal cups in response to the movement of the valve body.

1. Field of the Invention
This application claims priority from Argentinean Patent Application Ser. No. P 20070104222.
The present invention relates to a new retrievable packer assembly for use in wellbores and employed for several operations that are carried out in wellbores such as oil wells, water wells, gas wells, injection wells and the like. More particularly, the invention provides a packer system or assembly for sealing a section of a casing into a wellbore with automatic packing actuated by pressure, an incorporated circulation valve, seal cups and resilient expandable seal rings that allow the system to be employed in conventional tubing or casing as well as in coiled tubing, and together or only with a retrievable plug.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Retrievable packer tools are well known in the art for sealing one or more sections of a tubing, a casing or a wellbore to carry out wellbore operations such as stimulation works, either acid stimulation or fracturing, cementing operations, pressure tests, etc. Some of the conventional packers need to be rotated in order to be anchored into the tubing, therefore they can not be employed in coiled tubing.
While there are other systems that can be operated in coiled tubing the same are affected by several drawbacks. For example, there is a packer having seal cups, namely the "Straddle Packer", which must be assembled for a fixed predetermined length. This is a drawback because the length thereof must be shorter than the lubricator of the equipment in the continuous tubing.
This type of packing has two opposed sets of seal cups that allow for a hermetic sealing of the enclosed area. It is difficult to efficiently clean this kind of packer in case of undesired silting, as the fluids get enclosed between the two seal cups, thus hindering both washing and freeing and extracting operations.
Another type is the know pressure or tension packer working with an automatic anchorage system, usually referred to in the art as J-shaped guide or bracket or simply "J" for automatic cycling. This allows the jaw-drag-block bearing basket to fix against the casing or tubing by friction and by elevating the mandrel of the tool it is firmly attached to the cone. In this way, the tool is packed through pressure. The main disadvantage lies in the fact that the casing must be stressed in order to fix and pack the tool, thus imposing a limit to the tubing's capacity for resisting treatments pressure or putting the safety junctions in risk by traction. When the pressure and stress is applied inside the tubing the swelling will cause traction on the tool and tubing and consequently their operational lifespan is shortened by fatigue.
A third type of packer is the known seal cup Packer which comprises a piston-carrying sleeve support, and packing elements such as cups and plugs. The drawback of this model is that no fluids can be transported directly before treatment, as this tool's first reaction is to seal off by pressure differential caused by the direct contact between the seal cups and tubes. To make up for this disadvantage an additional valve has been added which entails the drawback of more threads and the deficiency of the valve when executing sand treatments, for hydraulic fractures, for example, because the sand stays in the valve blocking it, thus impeding future operations.


The present invention relates to a golf club head with a hitting face. The hitting face comprises a directional control portion, which has at least two zones with different flexural stiffness, such that when the hitting face strikes a golf ball the two zones deform differently to selectively control the direction of the flight of the golf ball. The directional control portion may comprise an upper zone and a lower zone, where the upper zone has a lower flexural stiffness. Alternatively, the lower zone has a lower flexural stiffness. On the other hand, the directional control portion may comprise a left zone and a right zone, and either the left or right zone may have a lower flexural stiffness to selectively control the lateral launch angle either to the left of right. The hitting face may further comprise a central zone disposed within the directional control zone, wherein the central zone has a flexural stiffness of at least about three times greater than the flexural stiffness of the directional control zone.

The complexities of golf club design are well-known. The specifications for each component of the club (i.e., the club head, shaft, hosel, grip, and subcomponents thereof) directly impact the performance of the club. Thus, by varying the design specifications, a golf club can be tailored to have specific performance characteristics.
The design of club heads has long been studied. Among the more prominent considerations in club head design are loft, lie, face angle, horizontal face bulge, vertical face roll, face progression, face size, sole curvature, center of gravity, material selection, and overall head weight. While this basic set of criteria is generally the focus of golf club engineering, several other design aspects must also be addressed. The interior design of the club head may be tailored to achieve particular characteristics, such as the inclusion of hosel or shaft attachment means, perimeter weights on the face or body of the club head, and fillers within hollow club heads to improve acoustics.
Golf club heads must also be strong to withstand the repeated impacts that occur during collisions between the golf club and the ball. The loading that occurs during this transient event can accelerate the golf ball to about four orders of magnitude greater than gravity. Thus, the club face and body should be designed to resist permanent deformation or catastrophic failure by material yield or fracture. Conventional hollow metal wood drivers made from titanium typically have a uniform face thickness exceeding 0.010 inch to ensure structural integrity of the club head.
Players generally seek a metal wood driver and golf ball combination that delivers maximum distance and landing accuracy. The distance a ball travels after impact is dictated by the magnitude and direction of the ball's translational velocity and the ball's rotational velocity or spin. Environmental conditions, including atmospheric pressure, humidity, temperature, and wind speed further influence the ball's flight. However, these environmental effects are beyond the control of the golf equipment manufacturer. Golf ball landing accuracy is driven by a number of factors as well. Some of these factors are attributed to club head design, such as center of gravity, face curvature and club face flexibility.
The United States Golf Association (USGA), the governing body for the rules of golf in the United States, has specifications for the performance of golf balls. These performance specifications dictate the size and weight of a conforming golf ball. One USGA rule limits the golf ball's initial velocity after a prescribed impact to 250 feet per second±2% (or 255 feet per second maximum initial velocity). To achieve greater golf ball travel distance, ball velocity after impact must be maximized while remaining within this rule.
Generally, golf ball travel distance is a function of the total kinetic energy imparted to the ball during impact with the club head, along with associated environmental effects. During impact, kinetic energy is transferred from the club and stored as elastic strain energy in the club head and as viscoelastic strain energy in the ball. After impact, the stored energy in the ball and in the club is transformed back into kinetic energy in the form of translational and rotational velocity of the ball as well as the club. Since the collision is not perfectly elastic, a portion of energy is dissipated in club head vibration and in viscoelastic relaxation of the ball. Viscoelastic relaxation is a material property of the polymeric materials used in all manufactured golf balls.
Viscoelastic relaxation of the ball is a parasitic energy source, which is dependent upon the rate of deformation. To minimize this effect, the rate of deformation must be reduced. This may be accomplished by allowing more club face deformation during impact. Since metallic deformation may be purely elastic, the strain energy stored in the club face is returned to the ball after impact thereby increasing the ball's outbound velocity after impact.
A variety of techniques may be utilized to vary the allowable deformation of the club face, including uniform face thinning, thinned faces with ribbed stiffeners and varying thickness, among others. These designs should have sufficient structural integrity to withstand repeated impacts without permanent deformation of the club face. In general, conventional club heads also exhibit wide variations in the coefficient of restitution (COR) depending on the impact location on the face of the club. Furthermore, the accuracy of conventional clubs is highly dependent on impact location.
Thus, there is a need for a golf club head with a hitting face that maximizes golf ball travel distance while maintaining golf ball landing accuracy.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Gold club head with variable flexural stiffness for controlled ball flight and trajectory


A display apparatus including: light source(s) per eye, first tracking means, and processor(s) configured to: process first tracking data, collected by first tracking means, to determine location of display apparatus in real-world environment; obtain software application(s) that is available for location of display apparatus along with metainformation indicative of location in real-world environment with which software application(s) is/are associated; determine relative location of display apparatus with respect to location with which software application(s) is/are associated; execute software application(s) to create and overlay virtual content on image(s) representing real-world environment, based on relative location of display apparatus with respect to location with which software application(s) is/are associated; and display image(s) via light source(s).

With recent developments in software technology, location-based services have gained popularity amongst users of devices. Generally, such services utilise location tracking technology, and information and communication technologies, to provide location-based experiences to the users, based on locations of the users. For example, location-based advertisements are provided to the users on their smartphones.
These location-based experiences are increasingly gaining popularity in fields of evolving technologies such as immersive extended-reality (XR) technologies (which are being employed in various fields such as entertainment, training, infotainment, navigation, and the like). As an example, a location-based experience in XR may involve provision of a virtual object at a specific location in a real-world environment. Typically, the location-based experiences are provided when location-based service applications are executed on trackable mobile devices associated with the users. Development of equipment and techniques for facilitating location-based services is ongoing and is important in order to raise the bar for improving user experience.
However, existing equipment and techniques for facilitating location-based services have several limitations associated therewith. The existing equipment and techniques are inefficient in terms of managing access of the location-based service applications as well as execution of the location-based service applications. As an example, when multiple location-based services are to be accessed via some specialized devices (such as XR display devices), all of these multiple location-based service applications are required to be stored and installed beforehand at such devices. This may not be always feasible (due to storage capacity limitations), is time-consuming and is highly inconvenient. Moreover, storing and installing all the multiple location-based service applications is often unnecessary, as the user may never go to some locations with which some of the multiple location-based service applications are associated.
Therefore, in light of the foregoing discussion, there exists a need to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks associated with existing equipment and techniques for facilitating location-based services.

Display apparatuses and methods for facilitating location-based virtual content


Projection systems and processes for generating and utilizing overlapping waveforms are disclosed herein. The overlapping waveforms may be output waveforms generated by a plurality of single color light sources.

Projection systems of various designs have been around for many years including projection systems called field sequential projection systems. In a field sequential projection system, single color lights are sequentially generated and projected through a spatial light modulator, such as a light valve, in order to generate a plurality of single color images. The color lights that are initially generated are single color lights typically associated with the primary colors of red, green, and blue. The single color images that are generated by the light valve, when projected onto a screen, may combine to form full-color images.
These field sequential projection systems can be categorized into at least two groups of field sequential projection systems, those that employ a single polychromatic light source such as those projection systems that employ color wheels and arc lamps, and those that employ multiple single color or monochromatic light sources. Examples of the second group include projection systems that employ light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to generate the different color lights.
When multiple single color light sources are employed in a field sequential projection system, each of the individual single color light sources are typically energized and de-energized sequentially. For example, if the single color light sources are used to generate the primary colors of red, green, and blue, each of the single color light sources will be sequentially energized and de-energized during nonoverlapping time periods. FIG. 1A depicts the ideal output waveforms generated by three single color light sources that generate the three primary colors of red (R), green (G), and blue (B). As depicted, in the ideal case, the output waveforms generated by each of the single color light sources will have instantaneous rise and fall times. Further, in such an ideal scenario, as soon as one light source is shut off, a second light source will be instantaneously turned on.
Unfortunately, output waveforms generated by single color light sources of conventional field sequential projection systems will not look like the output waveforms depicted in FIG. 1A but may instead have the output waveforms as depicted in FIG. 1B. The depicted output waveforms having gradual rise and fall times, which result in dead times between the output waveforms. The dead times between the output waveforms will mean that there will be a loss of lumens from the image or images that are projected onto the display screen.

Overlapping waveform utilization in projection systems and processes


A video phone communication system and method therefor are provided. The system includes a master phone device and at least one extension phone device. The master phone device is connected to the extension phone device through a wired or wireless communication way. The master phone device is used to conduct a voice/image communication with a communication partner, and transmit the voice/image signals of the communication partner to an extension phone device through the wired or wireless communication way. Thus, the image of the communication partner is displayed on a display of the extension phone device. Through the application of the video phone communication system and method of the application, the contents and range of the image displayed can be increased, thus fulfilling the requirements of mobility and multi-party communications in the phone communication.

1. Field of Invention
The invention relates a phone device and method, and in particular to a video phone communication system and method therefor.
2. Related Art
Currently, through equipping an imaging device on a communication terminal, a phone device for capturing an image and making a video call appears, that is, a video phone. The video phone is characterized in shooting and imaging the pictures of calling and called parties through an image capturing device installed therein, and then displaying the images on a built-in screen, such that both parties can see each other while talking.
However, as the video phone has been widely used, a demanding for mobility or an extension phone also appears. Particularly when many people use the video phone at the same time, for example, during a video conference or a multi-party call, the scope of the image display is limited due to the limited screen of the video phone, thereby causing an inconvenience for making a call.

Video phone communication system and method therefor

Inventec Multimedia & Telecom Corporation


The present invention relates to a method for operating a control unit for controlling or regulating a function of a motor vehicle. The control unit includes a programmable memory device. The control or regulation is realized by executing a computer program (P0) at least partially stored in the memory device and by using data (D0) stored at least partially in the memory device. In order to offer the most efficient protection against manipulation of the contents of the memory device by an unauthorized person, it is provided that, at least following a modification of the computer program (P0) stored in the memory device or of the data (D0) stored in the memory device, the modified computer program (P1) is executed only and/or the modified data (D1) are used only if the modified computer program (P1) and/or the modified data (D1) has/have been successfully verified.

It is known in the art to use control units to control or regulate an internal combustion engine, a transmission, a steer-by-wire system, an air-conditioning system, etc., of a motor vehicle. On the one hand, the memory device of a control unit must allow the occasional modification of the computer program stored in the memory device and of the data stored therein, so that new program versions or modified limiting values, for example, may be realized for a regulation or control. For this purpose, the memory areas of the memory device in which the computer program and/or the data are/is stored, are deleted and overwritten by a modified computer program and modified data. On the other hand, it must be prevented, however, that unauthorized persons store a manipulated computer program and/or manipulated data in the memory device, since such actions may cause malfunctions of the control unit, which may ultimately result in a defect of the components to be controlled or regulated.
Published German patent document DE 196 19 354 describes a method for safeguarding a programming procedure in such a way that precisely those bytes that are also listed in a programming database may be programmed into the program device. The described method is a simplified hash-total method. In this process, so-called self-control data are written into the memory device of the control unit, concurrently with the computer program and the data. Since it is too time-consuming to include each programmed byte in a hash-total calculation, individual bytes or byte samples are extracted at random, in order to test the correct programming of the memory device on this basis. Such correct programming exists when all self-control data are found in the appropriate memory areas. This known method thus safeguards only the actual programming procedure. It does not protect against the memory device being programmed with a manipulated computer program and/or manipulated data. It also does not protect against the execution of a manipulated computer program and the use of manipulated data. Since the self-control data are part of the computer program or the data stream, unauthorized persons may manipulate the self-control data relatively easily in such a way that, despite a manipulated computer program or despite manipulated data, a correct programming of the memory device is detected and the manipulated computer program is executed using the manipulated data.
Published German patent document DE 196 23 145 describes a method for preventing an inadvertent execution of a delete and/or program routine of a control program for a memory device of a control unit. This is achieved in that, prior to the execution of a delete and/or program routine of the control program, other program components (so-called unlock sequences) must be executed or passwords input. Furthermore, it is ascertained whether an activated testing or programming device is connected before a delete or program routine is executed. Additional protection against unintentional overwriting of a computer program stored in the memory device of a control unit and/or of data stored therein is obtained by storing the executable code of the computer program and/or the data outside of their destination address. For example, it is recommended to store a RAM program outside the RAM, so that the program must be copied into the RAM prior to execution. However, the known method is unable to prevent the execution of an altered computer program stored in the memory element and/or the use of altered data stored therein.
An objective of the present invention is to provide an efficient protection against manipulation of the contents of a memory device of a control unit by unauthorized persons.


A rotating brush cleaning system is provided for removing debris, lint and ink from components of printing devices. Operation is effected by an air cylinder which periodically urges a rotating spiral brush cleaner against the component of the printing device and retracts the cleaner from the component of the printing device. The action of the cleaner in combination with rotation of the component of the printing device is such as to loosen dust and lint from the component, which dust and lint is then drawn into a vacuum system that surrounds the cleaner.

This invention relates to cleaning apparatus in the graphic arts industry and, in particular, to a spiral brush apparatus for cleaning printing press components.
Devices employed in the printing industry become contaminated with debris such as ink and lint. This problem occurs whether the printing is on paper or fabrics. The debris also forms, to varying degrees, on all kinds of printing equipment. For example, offset printing has become the predominant printing method in the newspaper publishing industry.
Offset printing presses typically employ a blanket cylinder, that is to say, a rubber cylinder or a rubber-covered cylinder, for the purposes of receiving inked images from a printing plate. The inked images are then offset onto paper passed between the blanket cylinders or impression cylinder and blanket cylinder. Continuous printing is made possible by wrapping a print plate or a plurality of printing plates around the surface of a plate cylinder designed for rotation in contact with the blanket cylinder.
In operating blanket-to-blanket presses, a web of paper passes between two blanket cylinders mounted such that one blanket cylinder serves as an impression cylinder for the other. This results in "perfecting" which is simultaneous printing on both sides of the web of paper.
Continuous offset printing is adversely affected by dust and lint from the web of paper which tend to accumulate on the blanket cylinder(s). This dust and lint reduces the quality of the printed product. The accumulation of dust, lint or ink on a blanket cylinder thus presents a serious annoyance and necessitates undesirable down-time for cleaning. The problem is especially acute in the newspaper industry, when, in response to the rising cost of newsprint stock, less expensive grades of paper having higher lint content often are substituted for more expensive grades.
The problem of collection of debris such as ink, dust and lint on printing devices is not limited to offset printing. It occurs in press equipment in general. For example, it occurs on Anilox Rollers, Flexo Plate Cylinders and Plates, pipe rollers in newspaper presses, metal decorating press blanket cylinders, rollers and impression cylinders, Gravure press cylinders and rollers, Flexo press cylinders and rollers, and textile printing plates, blankets and rollers. The problem of cleaning printing equipment is well known as indicated by prior efforts for printing equipment cleaner devices.
In some types of printing, sheets are cut and stacked prior to printing. The sheets are prevented from sticking by application of a dusty material such as corn starch. Use of corn starch laden sheets provides another source of debris.
Previously known vacuum devices for cleaning blanket cylinders involved wet vacuum systems for removing debris. In these systems, segments of the blanket cylinder are continually immersed and cleaned with a solvent. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,049,997 and 3,309,993 to Grembechi et al. and 3,835,779 to Ross et al. The present invention avoids the need for solvents by employing a completely dry system for removing debris.
Additionally, the present invention employs a separate vacuum or air flow means unlike the IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, "Cleaner to Developer Toner Recirculation," Eide and Witte, Vol. 21, No. 5, October 1987, pp 359-360 that discloses only a slight vacuum caused by the rotation of the brush.
Lastly, this invention has arms to pivot the rotating brush cleaner between two operative positions as well as means to vary the rotation of the brush means to increase its cleaning effectiveness, unlike U.S. Pat. No. 4,134,673 to Fisher and Xerox Technical Disclosure Bulletin, "A Cleaning System," Hewitt, Vol. 3, No. 4, July/August 1978, pp 253-254.