An RFID reader directly controls computer network applications on the basis of information collected from an RFID tag. The RFID tag includes certain designated fields that identify a destination computer system and/or application program for data recovered from the RFID tag. The RFID reader can then distribute the collected information in a format and to a destination that is determined by the RFID tag, thereby eliminating the need for intermediary software programs or human operators to make such decisions about the distribution of information. This capability permits RFID tag information to be automatically collected and distributed to network applications for ultimate data processing and collection.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to automated data collection systems that collect information from radio frequency identification (RFID) transponders, and more particularly, to an automated data collection system that uses the information encoded in the RFID transponder to control certain network applications.
2. Description of Related Art
In the automatic data identification industry, the use of RFID transponders (also known as RFID tags) has grown in prominence as a way to track data regarding an object to which the RFID transponder is affixed. An RFID transponder generally includes a semiconductor memory in which digital information may be stored, such as an electrically erasable, programmable read-only memory (EEPROMs) or similar electronic memory device. Under a technique referred to as "backscatter modulation," the RFID transponders transmit stored data by reflecting varying amounts of an electromagnetic field provided by an RFID interrogator by modulating their antenna matching impedances. The RFID transponders can therefore operate independently of the frequency of the energizing field, and as a result, the interrogator may operate at multiple frequencies so as to avoid radio frequency (RF) interference, such as utilizing frequency hopping spread spectrum modulation techniques. The RFID transponders may either extract their power from the electromagnetic field provided by the interrogator, or include their own power source.
Since RFID transponders do not include a radio transceiver, they can be manufactured in very small, lightweight and inexpensive units. RFID transponders that extract their power from the interrogating field are particularly cost effective since they lack a power source. In view of these advantages, RFID transponders can be used in many types of applications in which it is desirable to track information regarding a moving or inaccessible object. One such application is to affix RFID transponders to packages or parcels moving along a conveyor belt. The RFID transponders would contain stored information regarding the packages, such as the originating or destination address, shipping requirements, pick-up date, contents of the package, etc. An RFID interrogator disposed adjacent to the conveyor belt can recover the stored information of each RFID transponder as it passes no matter what the orientation of the package on the conveyor belt. The RFID interrogator may then communicate the collected information to a computer or computer network for further processing by a software application.
A drawback of conventional automated data collection systems is that the conveyance of information from the RFID interrogator to the software application operating on a computer or computer network is independent of the information content. The interrogator generally forwards the collected information to the software application irrespective of the content of the information, and the software application then determines what actions to take with respect to the information. There presently exist many known RFID transponder types having unique data formats and protocols, with each such format and protocol being generally incompatible with each other. More than one type of RFID transponder may be present within the operating environment of a single RFID interrogator, such as a first type of RFID transponder disposed on a truck and a second type of RFID transponder disposed on a pallet carried by the truck. Thus, separate software applications may be used to process the information from each of the RFID transponder types, and yet another software application may be used to distinguish between the collected information and route the information to the appropriate software application for subsequent processing. The use of a software application to provide the routing function necessarily limits the flexibility of the network applications that use the collected information.
It would therefore be desirable to provide an automated data collection system in which the RFID interrogator can convey collected information to different locations, computers and/or software applications based on the information content of the RFID transponder.

Networking applications for automated data collection


A system and method are provided to remotely activate options resident on a multi-vendor supported device. The technique includes receiving, at a centralized facility, an activation key sent from a first location and configured to activate an option of an in-field device located in a second location, and sending the activation key and a verification script, from the centralized facility, to the in-field device at the second location. The technique also includes receiving, at the centralized facility, a report generated by the verification script and, if the report is satisfactory, installing the activation key in the in-field device to activate the option and, if the report is not satisfactory, aborting activation of the option.

The present invention relates generally to a system to enable software-based options, and more particularly, to remotely verify the status of a multi-vendor supported remote device and, if the remote device is approved, coordinate activation of the desired option though the multiple vendors.
Medical diagnostic devices and supporting systems, such as medical imaging systems, have become increasingly complex in recent years. Examples of such systems include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems, computed tomography (CT) systems, ultrasound and x-ray systems, and positron emission tomography (PET) systems. These systems include many different software-based options, some of which are not used depending on customer needs and costs. To add to the complexity of each particular imaging system, many facilities today incorporate a variety of such devices with components from various vendors all of which may not be configured identically. In larger facilities, the systems may be networked to permit common management and control. Further, such systems may be networked with a picture archiving and communication system (PACS) for storing digitized image data for subsequent retrieval and reconstruction. Additionally, teleradiology systems that involve transmitting digitized image data to remote locations for review and diagnosis by specialized physicians and/or radiologists may be used as well.
Because these medical diagnostic systems are used by different facilities with differing needs, not all of these systems operate identically. That is, although identical software may be installed at the factory, certain options are not desired or licensed by a customer or user and, therefore, are not enabled when delivered. Furthermore, the in-field devices may include components supported by different vendors.
Improvements in computer networks have greatly facilitated the task of offering assistance to remote facilities with medical imaging devices. In particular, rather than having to call a service center and speak with a technician or engineer, or await the arrival of a field engineer, network technologies have facilitated proactive techniques wherein the service center may contact the medical diagnostic devices directly to check the status of the remote devices.
While such advancements in the provision of remote services to medical diagnostic devices have greatly enhanced the level of service and information exchange, they have not been used to remotely verify the status of an in-field device, grant access to and permit use of software options resident on the in-field device.
As such, a customer wishing to activate an option must contact the vendor of the in-field device, schedule the arrival of a field engineer, and then wait for the field engineer to manually evaluate the in-field device and activate the software-based option. That is, if a customer later wants to add inactive options to their devices, a license must be executed and service personnel with appropriate training must physically travel to the location where the devices are present to enable the software. This process can be particularly lengthy and require that the in-field device be removed from service during servicing by the field engineer.
This problem can be compounded when the device is a multi-vendor supported device. That is, due to the complexity of modern medical diagnostic devices, multiple vendors may be required to support a device. For example, it is not uncommon for modern medical diagnostic devices to incorporate components developed and/or supported by a plurality of vendors. As such, when seeking support of such a device, it may be necessary to contact multiple vendors. Therefore, a customer wishing to activate an option may be required to contact multiple vendors, schedule and coordinate the arrival of a field engineer from the various vendors, and then wait for the field engineer to manually evaluate the in-field device and activate the software-based option.
Therefore, it would be desirable to allow automatic activation of a particular option already resident in memory of a device without requiring multiple levels of human interaction to ensure that enabling the particular option is possible and can be implemented without impairing the usability of the device. It would be desirable to have a system to automatically verify the current status of a device requesting access to a particular option and coordinate activation of the option across the multiple support vendors of the device.

System and method for multi-vendor authentication to remotely activate a software-based option


An organic EL display and a fabrication method high in light extraction efficiency are disclosed, wherein a plurality of organic layers interposed between an emissive layer and a reflective layer can be collectively formed for a plurality of subpixels, thereby reducing the number of mask processes for a lower fabrication cost and higher productivity. The organic EL display comprises a plurality of organic EL cells classified into at least three types of blue light emission, green light emission and red light emission, each including a plurality of organic layers having an emissive layer, a reflective electrode deposited on the first main surface of the organic layers and a transparent electrode deposited on the second main surface of the organic layer. The organic EL cells for green light emission and red light emission have an optical transparent conductive film interposed between the reflective electrode and the organic layer.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a display using an organic electroluminescence (hereinafter referred to as the organic EL), in particular to an organic EL display for color display having an improved light extraction efficiency in a simple fabrication process and a method of fabricating the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
The organic EL display comprises self-emitting organic EL cells placed on a substrate of glass, etc., to emit light thereby to display information. The organic EL display is advantageously thin and light in weight, high in image quality, superior in dynamic image display, wide in the angle of view and low in power consumption as compared with the other types of thin displays. The organic EL display, therefore, is considered a promising candidate for the next-generation thin display supporting the ubiquitous society.
The organic EL display is configured of a plurality of organic layers held between an anode and a cathode. The organic layers, which may be made of a low-molecular material, often include a plurality of function layers such as a hole transporting layer and/or a hole injection layer or an electron transporting layer and/or an electron injection layer on both sides of an emissive layer.
Upon application of a DC voltage between the anode and the cathode sandwiching the organic layers of the organic EL cell, holes and electrons are sent into the emissive layer through the layers described above. The holes and the electrons are recombined with each other in the emissive layer and generate energy, which excites the electrons of the organic molecules contained in the emissive layer. While this very unstable electronic state falls to the ground state, energy is generated as light so that the organic EL cell emits light. This luminescence principle is shared with the light emitting mechanism of the light-emitting diode (LED), and therefore the organic EL cell is also called the organic light emitting diode (OLED).
The method of driving the organic EL cell is roughly divided into the passive matrix method and the active matrix method. In the passive matrix method, band-shaped anodes and cathodes are laid horizontally and longitudinally in array, and the organic EL cell held at each intersection is selectively driven to emit light. In the active matrix method, on the other hand, each pixel is composed of a thin-film transistor (TFT) having the dual function of a switch and a memory whereby the organic EL cell emits light. The active matrix method in which light is positively emitted from the pixels using TFT, though higher in fabrication cost than the passive matrix method, is low in power consumption and high in brightness.
The method of extracting light from the conventional organic EL display, on the other hand, is divided into the bottom emission method and the top emission method. In the bottom emission method, as shown in FIG. 4(a), light is extracted from the insulating substrate 2010 side. In the top emission method, on the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4(b), light is extracted from the upper surface side of the cathode 1014. In the organic EL display 1001 of active matrix type, the TFT is formed on the substrate, and therefore the top emission method can more advantageously improve the light extraction efficiency by increasing the aperture ratio.
The full-color display mechanism of the organic EL display is basically identical with that of the liquid crystal display. Specifically, subpixels of the three primary colors, i.e. red, green and blue (which may hereinafter be referred to as RGB) are arranged on the substrate and various colors are produced by color mixture in accordance with the outputs of the three primary colors. In the color organic EL display, therefore, three types of organic EL cells for emitting blue, green and red light are arranged sequentially as subpixels on the substrate.
To increase the brightness of the organic EL display, the light emitted from each organic EL cell is required to be extracted as much as possible. The organic EL display is a device emitting light in a very thin organic film of about 1500 Å, and the light expands in every direction at solid angle of Ω=4π in the film. In the organic EL display 1001 of top emission type, as schematically shown in FIG. 3(a), light is normally emitted through the cathode 1014, while at the same time the light emitted to the anode 1012 is reflected on the anode 1012 and also emitted from the cathode 1014 side. In the organic. EL display of bottom emission type, on the other hand, the functions of the anode and the cathode are simply reversed. The organic EL display 1001 of top emission type, therefore, generally employs the anode 1012 as a reflective electrode high in reflectivity and the cathode 1014 as a transparent electrode high in transmittance.
Further, in order to improve the light extraction efficiency of the organic EL display, the light leaving the transparent electrode directly and the light leaving from the transparent electrode after being reflected on the reflective electrode are required to reinforce each other. Let L be the optical reflection distance between the light emitting portion having the highest light emission intensity in the emissive layer and the reflective electrode, and φ be the phase change of light reflected on the reflective electrode. The conditions for extracting the light having the wavelength λ at high efficiency utilizing the reinforcing effect of interference is given as L+λφ/4π=(2m+1) λ/4, m=0, 1, 2 . . .
where di is the thickness and ni the refractive index of the ith function layer. Then, L=Σ(i)nidi. Unless the thickness of the function layers included in the organic layers for each cell is set in an appropriate range as shown in FIG. 3(a), therefore, a sufficient brightness cannot be secured. Especially, as long as the function layers for R and B having a large difference in wavelength are prepared with the same thickness, it is difficult to obtain characteristics satisfactory for both colors without sacrificing one of the colors. Since R is larger in wavelength than B, for example, the function layers for R are preferably thicker than those for B to increase the optical reflection distance L.
Thus, the color organic EL display having low-molecular organic layers is fabricated in the following manner, for example, taking advantage of what is called the mask process. In the following description, FIG. 3(a) or FIG. 7 is referred to and the metal mask is used.    (1) An insulated substrate 1010 is prepared, and patterned with a reflective electrode 1012 by sputtering using the metal mask. The reflective electrode 1012 is formed of an Al mixture or Cr, etc. and makes up an anode, for example.    (2) Next, the metal mask is set in position on the reflective electrode 1012 of the red subpixel to deposit organic layers on the reflective electrode 1012. Normally, the metal mask opens only above the red subpixel, for example, and can be deposited by evaporation with only the subpixel of the particular color. In FIG. 3(a), a hole injection layer 1020, a hole transporting layer 1022 and a red emitting layer 1018 of a predetermined thickness corresponding to red light are stacked by vacuum deposition, for example, through the metal mask. Then, the metal mask is fixed, and an electron transporting layer 1024 and an electron injection layer 1026 of a predetermined thickness corresponding to the wavelength of red light are stacked on the red emitting layer 1018 by vacuum deposition.    (3) Next, the metal mask is slightly moved, and set in position in such a manner that the organic layers can be deposited by evaporation on the reflective electrode 1012 making up the green emitting layer, for example. The function layers including the hole injection layer 1020, the hole transporting layer 1022, the emissive layer 1018, the electron transporting layer 1024 and the electron injection layer 1026 of a predetermined thickness corresponding to the green light wavelength are stacked in this order by vacuum deposition.    (4) Next, the metal mask is set in position so that the organic layers can be deposited by evaporation on the reflective electrode 1012 forming a blue emitting layer. Subsequently, like in the process described above, the function layers of a predetermined thickness corresponding to the blue light wavelength, with the blue emitting layer 1018 held therebetween, are vapor-deposited sequentially through the blue emitting layer 1018.    (5) Finally, the metal mask corresponding to each subpixel is removed, and the transparent electrode 126 of ITO (indium tin oxide), etc. is deposited over the entire surface. In this case, the transparent electrode functions as a cathode.
The use of the complicated mask process described above makes it possible to fabricate the organic EL display in which the emitted light can be extracted with high efficiency using the mutual reinforcing effect of interference. As long as a low-molecular material is used as a light emitting material and formed separately for each color with a metal mask, however, all the organic layers are required to be formed separately from each other using the masks for each color. Especially in the case where the organic EL display of top emission structure is fabricated advantageously to increase the light emitting area, all the organic layers are required to be separately formed from each using a mask for each color to achieve both a high color purity and a high emission efficiency at the same time in view of the fact that the range of an appropriate thickness of each organic layer is varied depending on the light extraction efficiency for each of the colors of R, G and B. As a result, the time required for the vapor deposition of the mask is increased, which not only reduces the productivity but also increases the fabrication cost.
In the case where all the organic layers are formed separately using the metal mask, various problems are posed by the forming time, the material utilization factor, the mask cleaning frequency, etc.
In the top emission structure, however, the anode is often used as a reflective electrode, and the hole injection layer and the hole transporting layer can be formed of the same material for RGB between the anode and the emissive layer. In the fabrication process, therefore, these layers are formed far more advantageously collectively without using the mask.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-323277 discloses a multicolor organic EL display in which predetermined function layers included in the organic layers formed between the emissive layer and the reflective electrode are collectively formed in the same process.
In the organic EL display described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2000-323277, however, the function layers included in the organic layers interposed between the emissive layer and the transparent electrode are formed in the same process, while the remaining organic layers (supplementary layers) interposed between the emissive layer and the transparent electrode have different thickness for different subpixels. In Patent Publication No. 2000-323277, therefore, the organic layers are simply set to an appropriate value for each subpixel and the mask process according to the prior art is not effectively reduced.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an organic EL display and a fabrication method thereof high in light extraction efficiency, in which the organic layers interposed between the emissive layer and the reflective electrode can be formed collectively for a plurality of subpixels, and the fabrication cost is reduced with an improved productivity by reducing the number of mask processes.

Color organic EL display and fabrication method thereof


The subject invention provides a mounting assembly (10) for supporting a hopper (16) and a spreading mechanism (12) on a vehicle (14) for carrying and spreading a material. A spreader frame (18) supports the hopper (16) and a bumper bracket (60) is mounted to a bumper of the vehicle (14) for attaching the spreader frame (18) to a bumper. The mounting assembly (10) further includes a hitch support (70) for supporting the spreader frame (18) on a hitch receiver (72) of the vehicle (14). A plate (76) interconnects the hitch support (70) to the spreader frame (18) for adjusting a height of the hitch support (70) relative to the spreader frame (18). A pair of vertical supports (62) extend vertically from the spreader frame (18) for attachment to the bed of the vehicle (14) at an upper end (86) thereof. A coupler (90) interconnects the vertical supports (62) and the bumper brackets (60) for allowing removal of the vertical supports (62) and spreader frame (18), while the bumper brackets (60) remain mounted to the vehicle (14).

1. Field of the Invention
The subject invention relates to a mounting assembly for supporting a hopper and a spreading mechanism on a vehicle for carrying and spreading a material.
2. Description of the Related Art
Various related art assemblies disclose a mounting assembly for supporting a hopper and a spreading mechanism on a vehicle for carrying and spreading a material. The hopper has a discharge outlet at its bottom. A drive mechanism is positioned within the hopper for auguring material from the hopper through the outlet and to the spreading mechanism. The drive mechanism has a drive shaft, to which an auger is mounted and extends into the outlet of the hopper. The spreader mechanism includes a spinner mounted to the drive shaft below the auger to receive material as it is augured out of the outlet. The spinner throws the material over a large distribution area.
One such assembly is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,089,478 having a spreader frame that allows attachment of the spreader to vehicles of different sizes and a hopper support frame disposed between the vehicle and the spreader frame. The hopper spreader frame includes at least one main channel and at least one adjustable channel mated with the main channel to allow the adjustable channel to move with respect to the main channel to extend or retract the overall width of the hopper support frame. In this way, the hopper support frame can be positioned on the rear of the vehicle, such as a pick-up truck, and the adjustable channels extended to the edge of the vehicle for connection to a pivot rod, latching bar or other connecting means. There are bumper mounting brackets that are bolted to the bumper of the vehicle and connected to the adjustable channels. To further secure the spreader assembly to the rear of a pick-up truck, rail mounting brackets may be used. The mounting brackets have a body portion with an underside lip, a generally U-shaped lip, which fits under the bed rail. The body portion rests on top of the bed rail and the lip is received on the bottom of the bed rail. Fasteners, such as for example bolts are threaded through the underside lip and engage the underside of the bed rail to secure the rail mounting brackets in place. To further secure the brackets, a slotted opening is formed in the body portion for receipt of a toggle bolt. The toggle bolt engages the stake pocket of the pick-up truck and further secures the bracket in place. However, '478 patent does not disclose a mounting assembly having a three-point mounting system that incorporates a hitch support mounted to the hitch receiver of the vehicle and that does not require mounting to the bed of the vehicle.
Another assembly shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,502,771 discloses a spreader being mounted to a structural framework of a chassis of a lawnmower. A tubular mounting bracket is permanently secured to the chassis and connects to the spreader. The '771 patent does not disclose a mounting assembly having a three-point mounting system that is attached at both the bumper and the frame of the vehicle. Yet another assembly shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,310,100 discloses a carrier assembly for mounting on a vehicle hitch. The assembly has a tube extending into the hitch receiver which supports a compartment body. A threaded body contacts a bumper of the vehicle and is adjustable for supporting the compartment body. However, the '100 patent does not disclose a mounting assembly having a three-point mounting system using bumper brackets and the hitch support.
Various other assemblies are known to those skilled in the art to be mounted to the hitch receiver of vehicles and are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,151,806; 6,481,948; and 5,423,394. The '806 patent discloses a rear mounted snow plow that is mounted in the hitch receiver. A conventional spreader may also be mounted to the snow plow, but the '806 patent does not disclose the spreader being supported by the bumper of the vehicle. The '948 patent discloses a three-point mounting system for a vehicle known as a "5th Wheel". The frame is supported by the bumper and is mounted into the bed of the vehicle, i.e., the 5th wheel. The '948 patent does not disclose a mounting assembly being mounted into the hitch receiver and supported by the bumper of the vehicle. The '394 patent discloses a three-point mounting system, but the three mounting points extend from a tube mounted into the hitch receiver. The '394 patent does not disclose supporting a frame on the bumper in combination with the hitch receiver.
The related art assemblies are characterized by one or more inadequacies. One problem with conventional spreader assemblies is the time required to install them on a vehicle and the damage done to the vehicle when the units are installed. Common spreader frame structures, as described above, are difficult to install. The various components of the frame structure have to be properly positioned and then holes drilled into the truck bed or rails and bumper. Several hours are required for a typical assembly. Additionally, the spreader support frames are designed for a particular vehicle which creates the need for large inventories of frames to fit various vehicles. Also, the support for these frames is derived from the bed of vehicle, as well as the bumper, to provide support to the assembly. If the vehicle bed was to be made of a different, less sturdy, material, such as plastic, the support frames become unstable. It is a desire of those in the vehicle industry to manufacture vehicles having plastic beds, therefore, these related art assemblies would not be as secure when mounted to the plastic bed.

Mounting assembly for supporting a hopper and a spreading mechanism on a vehicle


A storage device for a multilayer substrate comprises a base, a support and multiple brackets. The brackets are stacked along the support and are slidably attached to the support. The storage device for the multilayer substrate further comprises a bracket moving device, and the bracket moving device drives one or more the brackets to move up and down along the support.

An assembly line of a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel may have many manufacturing procedures, and also may have many types of production equipment, Because some of the production equipment may produce defective products, normal equipment still may not stop producing, so a temporary storage area is positioned between procedures. Semi-finished products in the assembly line of the LCD panel are mainly substrates. FIG. 1 shows a storage device for a multilayer substrate in the prior art. The storage device for the multilayer substrate includes a base 1, a support 2, and brackets 3. The support 2 and the brackets 3 are fixed together. Because a distance between adjacent brackets 3 is great, a sufficient space is reserved for a manipulator to take and put substrates, so that the number of stored substrates is small in a limited height of a factory. For example, in a factory with a 6-meter high ceiling, if the distance between the adjacent brackets 3 is twenty centimeters, only thirty substrates 5 may be placed at most. Space utilization is low, and sometimes even two storage devices for the multilayer substrates 5 are positioned in parallel in the temporary storage area. Furthermore, because the distance between the adjacent brackets 3 is as small as much as possible, the manipulator should control its speed, and take and put away substrates 5 carefully. Thus, storage efficiency is low.


In a disk apparatus, a movable-base position sensing switch (169) is provided such that the sensing switch is turned from ON state into OFF state at a time a turntable (20) of a movable base (13) is separated from a clamper (16) during movement of the movable base (13) to an unclamped position. A motor (91) is controlled (190, 191, S12-S20) so that a driving force of the motor is used to move a tray and/or to move the movable base through a drive device. The motor is actuated in a first direction to move the movable base to the unclamped position for a first period from the time the position sensing switch is turned into OFF state. The motor is actuated in a reverse direction for a second period from an end of the first period. The driving of the motor is stopped for a third period from an end of the second period. The motor is actuated in the first direction from an end of the third period such that the tray is moved to the disk-change position.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a disk apparatus, and more particularly to a disk apparatus including a tray-type disk loading mechanism.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, the disk loading operation of a disk apparatus (for example, a CD-ROM drive) is divided into two major actions: (1) to insert the tray on which the disk is placed, into the main body of the disk apparatus, and (2) to set the disk, inserted in the main body, in a hold state in which the disk is held on the turntable of the disk apparatus (specifically, the disk is clamped between the turntable and the clamper). These actions are usually performed by using a driving force of a motor. In order to comply with a recent demand for smaller-size disk drive, several approaches to a disk loading mechanism that performs the two actions (1) and (2) by using a single motor have been proposed. A disk apparatus including the disk loading mechanism of this type is known from, for example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 7-282512.
In the disk apparatus disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 7-282512, the disk loading mechanism is configured such that a single motor functions to insert the tray with the disk placed thereon, into the main body and to set the disk within the main body in the hold state in which the disk is clamped between the turntable and the clamper. In addition, in this disk apparatus, a movable base including the turntable and a spindle motor to rotate the disk on the turntable is provided. The movable base is raised or lowered with respect to the position of the tray by a drive device.
When the tray with the disk placed thereon is inserted into the main body, the movable base is raised by the drive device and the turntable is also raised together with the movable base. With the upward movement of the turntable, the disk is separated from the tray and placed on the turntable. As the movable base is further raised, the disk on the turntable is raised toward the clamper, which consequently sets the disk in the hold state in which the disk is held between the clamper and the turntable. These actions are called the disk loading operation of the disk apparatus.
On the other hand, when the disk is ejected from the disk apparatus, the movable base is lowered with respect to the position of the tray by the drive device. The turntable is also lowered together with the movable base. With the lowering movement of the turntable, the disk, held on the turntable, is separated from the clamper. As the movable base is further lowered, the disk is placed again on the tray. Following such actions, the tray is ejected from the main body of the disk apparatus and moved to a disk-change position where the disk on the tray can be taken out by the user. These actions are called the disk ejecting operation of the disk apparatus.
The above-mentioned disk loading mechanism has a structure that the movable base having the turntable provided thereon is raised or lowered. During the disk ejecting operation after an end of the reproducing process, there is a possibility that a faulty ejecting operation may take place with the disk loading mechanism. If the speed of lowering of the movable base by the drive device is too high, the ejection of the tray from the main body is started before the disk is placed at the right position of the tray.
If the tray is ejected from the main body with the disk not placed at the right position of the tray, the disk that is not firmly held on the tray may interfere with, for example, the front bezel (provided at the front end surface of the main body of the disk apparatus), which will damage the disk and/or the part of the disk apparatus. In cases of 8-cm CD-ROM drives, the faulty ejecting operation is more likely to occur.
Further, if a foreign matter sticks to the tray on which the disk is placed and the disk loading operation is performed with the above-mentioned disk loading mechanism, there is a possibility that a faulty loading operation may take place. After the disk loading operation is complete, the disk with the foreign matter attached thereto is clamped between the turntable and the clamper, and it is difficult for the disk loading mechanism to firmly hold the disk on the turntable. In such a case, the rotation of the disk on the turntable may not be maintained at an appropriate speed. Alternatively, a faulty operation may be performed such as an undesired lowering of the movable base. Further, if the speed of the tray being moved by the drive device is high, the disk may rattle within the tray during the movement.
Further, in the case of the disk loading mechanism having the structure that the movable base having the turntable provided thereon is raised or lowered, when the upward movement of the turntable makes the disk separated from the tray, the disk must be placed on the turntable with good positioning accuracy. If the positioning at that time is unsuitable, the disk is not placed at the right position of the turntable.
A conventional disk apparatus is configured with the tray having projections (or tray bosses) for preventing the unsuitable positioning during the disk loading operation. With the projections of the tray, the conventional disk apparatus is provided with the drive device (e.g., the slider provided for raising or lowering the movable base) having connecting portions. When the tray is moved to a predetermined position during the disk loading operation, the projections of the tray are connected to the connecting portions of the drive device. With the contact between the tray bosses and the connecting portions, the relative position between the tray and the turntable is maintained with good accuracy when placing the disk on the turntable.
However, the above conventional disk apparatus must be provided with the tray having the projections and the slider having the connecting portions, in order to maintain the relative position between the tray and the turntable with good accuracy. The tray and the slider are both moving parts that are moved during the disk loading operation of the disk apparatus, and the tray projections and the connecting portions are not always set at the predetermined position where they should be brought into contact with each other. Misalignment of the tray and the slider is highly possible. Hence, it is difficult for the above conventional disk apparatus to maintain the relative position between the tray and the turntable with good accuracy when placing the disk onto the turntable.
An object of the present invention is to provide an improved disk apparatus in which the above-described problems are eliminated.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a disk apparatus which can provide safe and reliable disk loading and ejecting operations of the disk loading mechanism.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a disk apparatus which can provide accurate positioning of the tray and the turntable when the disk is placed onto the turntable during the disk loading operation.
In order to achieve the above-mentioned objects, one preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a disk apparatus which includes a motor which provides a driving force, a tray which carries a disk from a disk-change position outside a main body of the disk apparatus to a disk-inserted position within the main body, the tray provided to be movable between the disk-change position and the disk-inserted position by using the driving force of the motor, a movable base which has a turntable for rotating the disk thereon and is provided to be movable relative to the tray between a clamping position where the disk on the turntable is held by a clamper and an unclamped position where the disk on the turntable is unclamped, and a drive device which moves up the movable base to the clamping position by using the driving force of the motor when the tray is at the disk-inserted position, and moves down the movable base from the clamping position to the unclamped position before the tray is moved toward the disk-change position, characterized in that the disk apparatus comprises: a movable-base position sensing switch which is turned from ON state into OFF state at a time the turntable of the movable base is separated from the clamper during the movement of the movable base to the unclamped position; and a control means for controlling the motor so that the driving force of the motor is used to move the tray and/or to move the movable base through the drive device, the control unit actuating the motor in a first direction to move the movable base to the unclamped position for a first period from the time the position sensing switch is turned into OFF state, actuating the motor in a reverse direction for a second period from an end of the first period, stopping the driving of the motor for a third period from an end of the second period, and actuating the motor in the first direction from an end of the third period such that the tray is moved to the disk-change position.
In the disk apparatus of the above preferred embodiment, the position sensing switch is turned from ON state into OFF state at the time the turntable of the movable base is separated from the clamper during the movement of the movable base to the unclamped position. It is possible to accurately detect the time the turntable is separated from the clamper during the disk ejecting operation.
Further, in the above preferred embodiment, the motor is actuated in the first direction to move the movable base to the unclamped position for the first period from the time the position sensing switch is turned into OFF state. As the movable base is lowered from the position of the tray, and the disk on the turntable is moved so as to be placed on the tray.
Further, in the above preferred embodiment, the motor is actuated in the reverse direction for the second period from the end of the first period. The speed of the movement of the movable base in the direction away from the tray is decreased at this time. The driving of the motor is stopped for the third period from the end of the second period. At this time, the braking force of the motor acts on the movable base so as to slowly place the disk onto the tray. The motor is then actuated in the first direction from the end of the third period such that the tray is moved to the disk-change position. The rattling of the disk within the tray during the movement can be avoided. Hence, the disk apparatus of the above preferred embodiment is effective in carrying out safe and reliable disk ejecting operation of the disk loading mechanism.
Further, in order to achieve the above-mentioned objects, another preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a disk apparatus which includes a motor which provides a driving force, a tray which carries a disk from a disk-change position outside a main body of the disk apparatus to a disk-inserted position within the main body, the tray provided to be movable between the disk-change position and the disk-inserted position by using the driving force of the motor, a movable base which has a turntable for rotating the disk thereon and is provided to be movable relative to the tray between a clamping position where the disk on the turntable is held by a clamper and an unclamped position where the disk on the turntable is unclamped, and a drive device which moves up the movable base to the clamping position by using the driving force of the motor when the tray is at the disk-inserted position, and moves down the movable base from the clamping position to the unclamped position before the tray is moved toward the disk-change position, characterized in that the disk apparatus comprises: a movable-base position sensing switch which is turned from OFF state into ON state at a time the movable base is moved to reach a predetermined position during the movement of the movable base to the clamping position; and a control means for controlling the motor so that the driving force of the motor is selectively used to move the tray or to move the movable base through the drive device, the control unit actuating the motor in a first direction to move the movable base to the clamping position for a first period from the time the position sensing switch is turned into ON state, actuating the motor in a reverse direction for a second period from an end of the first period, and actuating the motor in the first direction when the position sensing switch is turned into OFF state during the second period, such that the tray is moved to the disk-change position.
In the disk apparatus of the above preferred embodiment, the motor is actuated in the first direction to move the movable base to the clamping position for the first period from the time the position sensing switch is turned into ON state. The motor is actuated in the reverse direction for the second period from the end of the first period. The motor is actuated in the first direction when the position sensing switch is turned into OFF state during the second period, such that the tray is moved to the disk-change position.
Even when a foreign matter sticks to the tray on which the disk is placed and the disk loading operation is performed, it is possible to safely avoid the occurrence of a faulty disk loading operation. By using the position sensing switch, it is detected whether the foreign matter is present. If the presence of the foreign matter is detected, the control means functions to disconnect the turntable from the clamper during the disk loading operation.
Further, in the above preferred embodiment, the motor is actuated in the reverse direction for the second period from the end of the first period. The speed of the movement of the movable base is decreased at this time, and the braking force of the motor acts on the movable base. Hence, the disk apparatus of the above preferred embodiment is effective in carrying out safe and reliable disk loading operation of the disk loading mechanism.
Further, according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a disk apparatus includes a tray which carries a disk from a disk-change position outside a main body of the disk apparatus to a disk-inserted position within the main body, the tray provided to be movable between the disk-change position and the disk-inserted position, and a movable base which has a spindle motor and a turntable for rotating the disk and is provided to be movable relative to the tray between a raised position and a lowered position, the movable base being moved, when the tray is at the disk-inserted position, to a connection position where the turntable on the movable base is connected to the disk on the tray, characterized in that the disk apparatus comprises a first positioning portion provided on the movable base, and a second positioning portion provided on the tray, and that the first and second positioning portions are configured to be connected to each other when the tray is located at the disk-inserted position and the movable base is located at the connection position, and the tray is positioned with respect to the position of the movable base by the connection of the first and second positioning portions.
In the disk apparatus of the above preferred embodiment, the first positioning portion is provided on the movable base, and the second positioning portion is provided on the tray. The first positioning portion and the second positioning portion are connected to each other when the tray is located at the disk-inserted position and the movable base is located at the connection position. The spindle motor and the turntable for rotating the disk are provided on the movable base. The tray is positioned with respect to the position of the movable base by the connection of the first and second positioning portions. The disk apparatus of the above preferred embodiment is effective in providing accurate positioning of the tray and the turntable when the disk is placed onto the turntable during the disk loading operation.


A drawn agricultural implement includes a main frame and a plurality of ground engaging units supporting the main frame from a ground surface. A working unit is supported from the main frame and configured to engage crops as the implement moves in a forward direction across the ground surface. A draft tongue extends from the main frame for attachment to a tractor. A camera having a field of view is mounted on at least one of the draft tongue, the main frame and the working unit. The camera is movable relative to the at least one of the draft tongue, the main frame and the working unit to reposition the field of view.

Systems for automated control of agricultural equipment depend upon cameras or other sensor systems to visualize the work being done. These sensor systems are typically mounted on the tractor or other towing vehicle, where the human operator and/or automated controller is located. Such systems may not be optimal for many types of working implements used with the tractor.
There is a need for improvements in sensor systems which are designed for the specific implements being used.

Auto-positioning camera for drawn implements


The operational fitness of a magnetic sensor for detecting buried magnets can be tested from time to time by an electromagnet installed in proximity to the sensor. The electromagnet is a small coil of wire mounted near the sensor, such as a Hall effect device, which when energized, generates a test magnetic field. The analog output of the sensor is compared with preestablished values when the electromagnet is energized to verify the proper operation of the sensor; it is also compared with preestablished values when sensing buried magnets to confirm operation of the sensor, the strength of the buried magnet, and the alignment of the sensor with respect to the magnet. A threshold detector senses the output of the sensor to indicate when a magnetic field is detected, and the peak analog output of the sensor is stored and compared to a reference after the sensor passes the magnet. The sensors are normally tested whenever the vehicle is initially powered up or after the vehicle has been stopped for a predetermined time.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for determining the proper operation of an end-of-aisle detector system.
Permanent magnets have commonly been embedded in the floor of warehouses that employ either wire or rail guided vehicles in order to indicate various locations, such as the end of an aisle, the beginning of a spur, or some other location where control action of the vehicle is required. In many prior art vehicles, reed switches have been used to indicate whenever the vehicle passes over one of these magnets.
In wire guidance systems, a wire is buried in the floor, and that wire is normally energized with an alternating frequency current. If the signal from the wire is lost for any reason, then action (usually braking) is taken to prevent further unattended movement of the vehicle and thereby protect the vehicle from damage.
Prior to the vehicle acquiring a signal from the buried wire, the sensors may be checked for proper operation by means of a wire permanently placed in proximity to the sensors. A generator causes a test current of the same frequency to be passed through this wire to create a simulated wire guide path signal having essentially the same magnitude as the buried wire. If this test signal is detected, and the sensors coils and associated amplifiers provide the correct output, then this circuit is deemed functional and a software flag is created to indicate that the hardware is installed and working. This sensor circuit may be checked from time to time, under the direction of the guidance controller, to verify that all is working properly. A circuit of this type is described in copending United States patent application Ser. No. 446,902, filed Dec. 6, 1989, and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention.
However, since a buried magnet is detected only occasionally, there is no continuous output from the magnet detector on which to rely to indicate continued reliable operation of the detector. Clearly, it would be desirable to have some means to determine whether the detector and its associated circuit continue to be functional.

Method and apparatus for monitoring the proper operation of a control system for materials handling vehicles


A computer-implemented system for tracking items in a supply chain. The system may comprise a memory storing instructions and at least one processor configured to execute instructions. Those stored instructions include receiving a first input that an item has entered a first station, the input comprising a first location identifier; assigning an inventory identifier to the item; storing the location identifier and the inventory identifier in a data store, associating the location identifier with the inventory identifier; receiving a second input comprising the inventory identifier and a second location identifier when the item is moved to a new station; storing the new location identifier when the item is moved to a new station; storing the new location identifier such that the new location identifier is associated with the inventory identifier with at least one previous station associated with the inventory identifier; receiving a request for a diagram; generating a diagram tracking the item using at least the inventory identifier and at least one location identifier, wherein the diagram tracks the item from the inbound station to the most recent station; and transmitting the diagram for display.

Inventory tracking is an important part of any supply chain. However, systems typically only provide a high level description of what is stored in a particular location within the supply chain. For example, a warehouse inventory list may only show the total number of stuffed animals stored at the various locations.
These systems do not typically track a specific item or product through the supply chain, but indicate the summary of the parts that are within a location. Focusing on storage location, however, does not provide an efficient method for tracking inventory. This focus can only show where there is space to store more items or direct a person on where to look for a type of item. This focus cannot track the efficiency of how products move through the supply chain or provide any accountability when an item is lost.
Therefore, there is a need for improved methods and systems for tracking inventory through the supply chain. Doing so improves upon data accuracy and fidelity, enables improved electronic tracking of inventory items, and enhances the ability of computer software to locate items in a supply chain infrastructure and/or warehouse. Additionally, providing an easily understood graphic for a user to review the path the item went through the supply chain provides the user with an efficient way to act upon the analysis provide on the data.

Electronic inventory tracking system and associated user interfaces


A seat sliding apparatus for a vehicle includes a lower rail fixed to a vehicle floor, an upper rail fixed to a vehicle seat and supported by the lower rail so as to be movable relative thereto, and a lock mechanism including multiple lock portions provided on the lower rail along a longitudinal direction thereof, a spindle provided on the upper rail and having a rotation axis that extends in a longitudinal direction of the upper rail, and a lock member rotating about the rotation axis and engageable with or disengageable from the lock portions. The spindle is supported by a recess portion formed in a surface of the upper rail in an inwardly extending manner.

Known seat sliding apparatuses for a vehicle are disclosed in JP2005-67217A and JP2004-231106A. Each seat sliding apparatus for a vehicle disclosed includes a lower rail fixed to a vehicle floor, an upper rail fixed to a vehicle seat and supported by the lower rail so as to be movable relative thereto, and a lock mechanism. The lock mechanism includes multiple lock portions provided on the lower rail along a longitudinal direction thereof, a spindle provided on the upper rail and having a rotation axis extending in a longitudinal direction of the upper rail, and a lock member rotatable about the rotation axis and engageable with or disengageable from the lock portions.
According to the seat sliding apparatus for a vehicle disclosed in JP2005-67217A, a rod (i.e. spindle) is supported by two brackets each having a V-shaped groove, thereby avoiding looseness of the rod, eccentricity of the rotation axis, and the like.
Further, according to the seat sliding apparatus for a vehicle disclosed in JP2004-231106A, a lock teeth portion of the lock member is arranged inside of sections of the upper rail and the lower rail, thereby saving space.
However, according to the seat sliding apparatus for a vehicle disclosed in JP2005-67217A, a bracket for supporting the rod (i.e. spindle) is required, which may cause an increase of manufacturing cost such as a parts cost and an assembly cost. Further, according to the seat sliding apparatus for a vehicle disclosed in JP2004-231106A, a rotation axis (spindle) and portions other than the lock teeth portion of the lock member are arranged outside of the section of the upper rail. A sufficient space cannot be obtained accordingly.
Thus, a need exists for a seat sliding apparatus for a vehicle that can be manufactured at a low cost and that can save space.


A ceramic honeycomb filter comprising a sintered ceramic honeycomb body having porous partition walls defining flow paths, and plugs formed in predetermined flow paths for removing particulate matter from an exhaust gas passing through the porous partition walls, the sintered ceramic honeycomb body being formed by a cordierite-based ceramic material, at least part of the plugs comprising ceramic particles and an amorphous oxide matrix formed from colloidal oxide.

To remove particulate matter from an exhaust gas from diesel engines, a particulate-matter-capturing ceramic honeycomb filter comprising a sintered ceramic honeycomb body with porous partition walls, through which the exhaust gas containing particulate matter passes, namely, a diesel particulate filter (DPF) has been developed and put into practical use. The ceramic honeycomb filter comprises a sintered ceramic honeycomb body having porous partition walls defining flow paths and a peripheral wall, and plugs alternately sealing both ends of the flow paths. Because the ceramic honeycomb filter is exposed to high temperatures, the sintered ceramic honeycomb body is made of heat-resistant cordierite ceramics having small thermal expansion coefficients, and plugging materials are the same cordierite ceramics as those of the honeycomb bodies such that there are small differences in thermal expansion between the plugs and the sintered ceramic honeycomb bodies.
When the exhaust gas containing particulate matter flows into such ceramic honeycomb filter, particulate matter in the exhaust gas are captured by fine pores in the porous partition walls. When the captured particulate matter is excessively accumulated in the ceramic honeycomb filter, there is likely to arise increased pressure loss in the filter, resulting in decrease in the engine power. Accordingly, the ceramic honeycomb filter is periodically regenerated by burning the captured particulate matter by an external ignition means such as an electric heater, a burner, etc. A pair of ceramic honeycomb filters are usually mounted onto an automobile, utilizing an alternate regeneration method, in which while one filter is regenerated, the other filter is used.
With respect to characteristics, the ceramic honeycomb filter is required not only to suffer low pressure loss to avoid the decrease of engine performance, but also to have enough thermal shock resistance to withstand thermal shock due to rapid temperature changes at regeneration, the stop of an engine, etc. Accordingly, various improvements have been proposed on plugs for the ceramic honeycomb filters.
JP63-28875B discloses a method for plugging open ends of a sintered ceramic honeycomb body, comprising plugging a sintered honeycomb structure by a cordierite-forming material batch, and then sintering it at a temperature of 1300° C. or higher to convert the cordierite-forming material batch to cordierite. This method provides a cordierite honeycomb filter having excellent thermal shock resistance and reliability, in which the predetermined open ends of the flow paths of the sintered ceramic honeycomb body are completely sealed.
JP2002-136817A discloses a ceramic honeycomb filter comprising sealing the predetermined open ends of flow paths of a sintered or unsintered ceramic honeycomb body with a plugging material comprising sintered powder and unsintered powder having the same composition as that of the sintered ceramic honeycomb body, and heating it at as high temperatures as 1400° C. to form plugs. Because the plugging material contains pulverized powder having the same composition as that of the sintered ceramic honeycomb body in this ceramic honeycomb filter, no cracking due to a thermal expansion difference occurs in the plugs or portions of the honeycomb structure near the plugs even at high temperatures, and there are no troubles such as the peeling of the plugs, etc.
It has been found, however, that when the plugging material is heated to a cordierite-forming temperature (for instance, 1300° C.) or higher to bond it to the sintered ceramic honeycomb body as in the above conventional technologies, it is difficult to make the thermal expansion coefficient of the cordierite ceramic honeycomb structure equal to that of the plugs. Namely, because plate-like kaolin particles in a cordierite material for the sintered ceramic honeycomb body are oriented when passing through a narrow slit of an extrusion die in the extrusion-molding of the material, cordierite crystals formed by sintering are also oriented, so that the resultant honeycomb structure has a small thermal expansion coefficient in a flow path direction and a radial direction. However, because the plugging material does not pass through the narrow slit of the extrusion die, cordierite crystals are randomly oriented, resulting in a relatively large thermal expansion coefficient. Accordingly, there is a large difference in a thermal expansion coefficient between the honeycomb structure and the plugs.
In addition, large residual stress is generated in interfaces between the plugs and the sintered ceramic honeycomb body at a bonding temperature of 1300° C. or higher. Large residual stress is likely to cause cracking in the plugs or in interfaces between the plugs and the honeycomb structure, and the peeling of the plugs, due to thermal shock by an exhaust gas and mechanical shock by engine vibration and vibration by contact with roads when mounted to automobiles.
JP63-24731B discloses a method for sealing predetermined flow paths of a porous ceramic honeycomb structure by forming openings in a film attached to the ends of the porous ceramic honeycomb structure at predetermined points, and charging a plugging material into the flow paths through the openings. In Example 3 of this reference, a slurry containing alumina cement and pulverized mullite is introduced into predetermined flow paths of a ceramic honeycomb structure under vibration, and the resultant plugs are cured at a temperature of 55° C. and a humidity of 90% for 2 hours, to integrate the plugs to the honeycomb structure. In this method, because the plug-bonding temperature is as low as 55° C., there is small residual stress in interfaces between the plugs and the ceramic honeycomb structure.
It has been found, however, that because the cordierite honeycomb structure has a small thermal expansion coefficient while the plugs composed of mullite and alumina cement have a relatively large thermal expansion coefficient, it is likely that cracking occurs between the ceramic honeycomb structure and the plugs by thermal shock by an exhaust gas, and that the plugs peel off, when mounted to an automobile.

Ceramic honeycomb filter, its production method, and plugging material for ceramic honeycomb filter


A gamma compensation method and a display device using the same are disclosed. The gamma compensation method includes: sensing a level of external illuminance; determining whether the sensed level of external illuminance is equal to or lower than a predetermined illuminance, wherein when the sensed level is equal to or lower than the predetermined illuminance, the luminance of the display device is reduced to an optimum luminance; and modulating gray levels of input data of the display device based on a first gamma curve when the sensed level of external illuminance is equal to or lower than the predetermined illuminance, and modulating based on a second gamma curve when the sensed level of external illuminance is greater than the predetermined illuminance, wherein the first gamma curve includes a concave curve set in a low gray level area and a convex curve set in a high gray level area, and the concave curve and the convex curve are connected via an inflection point.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a gamma compensation method and a display device using the same.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
When a user watches an image having a high luminance that is displayed on a display device in a dark watching environment (for example, a low illuminance) for a long time, eye fatigue of the user may increase because of the glare of the image and the user may feel a reduction in concentration.
Hand devices such as mobile phones and tablet computers have an automatic brightness control (ABC) function which senses an illuminance of an external environment using an illuminance sensor and adjusts a luminance of a display panel. The ABC function reduces the luminance of the display panel at a low illuminance. When the luminance of the display panel is reduced to the low illuminance, the grayscale representation, particularly, the representation of low gray levels may be reduced. This is because the gamma compensation characteristic of the display device is determined a conventional 2.2 gamma curve, which defines a luminance of each gray level of the display device, irrespective of an external illuminance.

Gamma compensation method and display device using the same


A hydraulic system associated with an engine may include a hydraulic pump, a hydraulic tank, a hydraulic starter and a second pump. The hydraulic system may include a relief valve that allows hydraulic fluid to pass through the relief valve when pressure at the relief valve meets a predetermined pressure. As well, the hydraulic system may include a first solenoid valve and a second solenoid valve. The first solenoid valve may be coupled between the hydraulic pump and the second pump to thereby control fluid flow to the second pump. Additionally, the second solenoid valve may be coupled between the hydraulic pump and the hydraulic starter to thereby control fluid flow to the hydraulic starter.

Hydraulic starters are used in various applications to initiate start-up of industrial engines, such as diesel engines. As well, pre-lube pumps can be coupled to industrial engines to lubricate the engine with oil before start-up. Pre-lube pumps can prevent dry start-ups where insufficient oil is present in various parts of the engine, which can greatly damage key engine components, such as bearings.
One example of a prior art system is an industrial engine that includes a hydraulic starter and a pre-lube pump. This application often uses a single spool valve to manage hydraulic fluid flow between the hydraulic starter and the pre-lube pump. As such, this arrangement can result in high system pressure in the hydraulic starter line to be communicated to a return line of the pre-lube pump. This high return line pressure can cause failures in various components operated by the hydraulic system including the shaft seal on the pre-lube pump. Similar systems using a single valve to operate multiple devices typically fail in the same way.
Another drawback is when a high-pressure event occurs at the industrial engine, an exterior relief valve may dump oil back to a tank. This can cause the flow to decrease on the industrial engine side of the system. When the pressure drops and full hydraulic fluid flow resumes at the industrial engine, the surge of fluid in the return line can cause excessive backpressure in the return line. This event can cause a failure of various components such as the pre-lube pump shaft seal.


A digital signature is embedded in the header of selected content to be transmitted. A recipient of the content identifies the priority of the content according to header line content or signature presence and segregates signed priority content from non-authenticated content. Signature generation and filtering as well as certification are accomplished by running application specific software on a selected computer. Required e-mail access level may vary with the intended recipient and/or with the instrumentality by which e-mail access is allowed.

Unsolicited and undesired electronic mail (i.e., e-mail), particularly commercial e-mail originating remotely from an organization or network removed from the receiver has been referred to as "spam." Spam is a problem because it clogs e-mail channels and communication systems with undesired content. E-mail has become a primary business communication too, but has also become a transmission method for viruses. However, increasing amounts of spam are foisted upon business communicators, preventing and interfering with legitimate content distribution. Distinguishing undesired e-mail from desired e-mail is difficult because articulation of an objective standard for the subjective notion of what is desirable and what is not desirable is complex and not easy to automate in software or electronics. A technical solution to choosing or discriminating between various items of content is thus a daunting challenge.
It is accordingly desirable to enable user and entity discrimination between local and remotely originating e-mail. It is further desirable to discriminate between e-mail originating within a selected organization or entity and e-mail originating externally to that organization or entity. It is desirable to be able to authenticate e-mail and to discriminate between internally and externally generated e-mails. It is known currently to cancel forged messages to moderated USENET groups as per PGP Moose, as discussed in detail below in connection with FIGS. 3–5.

Apparatus, methods, and computer program products for filtering information


A contact comprises a pair of conductive members and a biasing member attached between the pair of conductive members and biasing the pair of conductive members toward each other. The pair of conductive members each have a base portion and an attaching portion. The base portion of one of the conductive members and the base portion of the other conductive member are disposed spaced apart from each other. At least one of the pair of conductive members has a support portion extending from the base portion toward the other conductive member and abutting against the other conductive member to support the other conductive member.

Conventionally, as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, there is known a contact 300 comprising a pair of elongated conductive segments 310 vertically spaced apart from each other and spring means 320 attached between the elongated conductive segments 310 and biasing the elongated conductive segments 310 toward each other, thereby holding inserted connection objects 330 between the elongated conductive segments 310 (see, e.g. Patent Document 1).
In this conventional contact 300, vertical displacement limiting shafts 340 are loosely inserted through holes 311 formed in the elongated conductive segments 310, thereby restricting the vertical displacement amount of the elongated conductive segments 310 and supporting the elongated conductive segments 310. As shown in FIG. 18, both ends of the vertical displacement limiting shafts 340 are joined to and supported by frames 350 disposed parallel to the elongated conductive segments 310.

Contact and connector having a pair of conductive members and a biasing member biasing the pair of conductive members toward each other

Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited


The construction and operation of the control of this invention is designed to minimize pressure changes at pump changeover by sampling pump pressure characteristics for each pump cycle, calculating a compensating motion profile and applying the profile to the motor which drives the pump. This control can be used with any pump which has the following characteristics: positive displacement, repeating cycle characteristics, rotary motor drive and an output pressure cycle curve which never falls to zero.

Various types of pumps have been used for transfer and circulation of fluids for many years. In many cases the desirable pump design is a piston pump however one of the less desirable aspects of such piston pumps has been that such pumps are prone to output pulsation which requires either compensation or the willingness to live with such pulsation. One such attempt at reducing pulsation is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,145,339, the contents of which are incorporated by reference. While such a construction is a substantial advance over other prior art designs, some pulsation does remain.

Electronic CAM compensation of pressure change of servo controlled pumps


A method for manufacturing a primary preform including providing a hollow substrate tube, supplying to the interior of the tube a main gas flow containing at least one glass-forming gas and at least one secondary gas flow containing at least one precursor for a dopant, creating a plasma reaction zone in the interior of the tube to effect deposition, and interrupting the supply of the at least one secondary gas flow near the reversal points of the supply and discharge sides of the substrate tube.

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a primary preform for optical fibres by means of an internal plasma chemical vapor deposition (PCVD) process, the method including the steps of: i) providing a hollow glass substrate tube having a supply side and a discharge side; ii) supplying a gas flow in the interior of the hollow substrate tube via the supply side thereof, the gas flow including a main gas flow including at least one glass-forming gas and at least one secondary gas flow including at least one precursor for a dopant; iii) creating a plasma reaction zone in the interior of the hollow substrate tube by means of microwave radiation for effecting the deposition of glass layers on the inner surface of the hollow substrate tube, the reaction zone being moved back and forth along the longitudinal axis of the hollow substrate tube between a reversal point located near the supply side and a reversal point located near the discharge side of the hollow substrate tube, to obtain a substrate tube having glass layers deposited on its inner surface, and; iv) optionally subjecting the substrate tube having glass layers deposited on its inner surface obtained in step iii) to a collapsing treatment so as to form a solid primary preform.
The present invention relates generally to the field of optical fibres, and more particularly, to the field of manufacturing optical fibres by means of chemical vapour deposition. There are several types of chemical vapour deposition (CVD) known, such as outside vapour deposition (OVD), vapour axial deposition (VAD), modified chemical vapour deposition (MDVD) and plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PECVD or PCVD). Plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PECVD or PCVD) is a process used to deposit thin films from a gas state (vapour) to a solid state on a substrate. Chemical reactions are involved in the process, which occur after creation of a plasma of the reacting gases.
Generally, in the field of optical fibres, multiple thin films of glass are deposited on the inside surface of a substrate tube. The substrate tube is hollow to allow internal deposition. The substrate tube may be glass, preferably glass quartz (SiO2). Glass-forming gases (i.e., reactive gases including gasses for the forming of glass and optionally precursors to dopants) are introduced into the interior of the substrate tube from one end (called the "supply side" of the substrate tube). Doped or undoped glass layers (depending on the use of reactive gases with or without one or more precursors to dopants, respectively) are deposited onto the interior surface of the substrate tube. The remaining gases are discharged or removed from the other end of the substrate tube called the "discharge side" of the substrate tube. The removal is optionally carried out by means of a vacuum pump. The vacuum pump has the effect of generating a reduced pressure in the interior of the substrate tube, the reduced pressure generally having a pressure value ranging between 5 and 50 mbar.
Generally, the plasma is induced by the use of microwaves. Generally, microwaves from a microwave generator are directed towards an applicator via a waveguide, wherein the applicator surrounds the substrate tube. The applicator couples the high-frequency energy into a plasma that is generated inside the substrate tube. The applicator is moved reciprocally in the longitudinal direction of the substrate tube. Thus, the plasma formed, also called the "plasma reaction zone," is also moved reciprocally. As a result of this movement, a thin glass layer is deposited onto the interior of the substrate tube with every stroke or pass.
Thus, the applicator is moved in translation over the length of the substrate tube within the boundaries of a furnace that surrounds the substrate tube and the applicator reciprocating within the furnace. With this translational movement of the applicator the plasma also moves in the same direction. As the applicator reaches the inner wall of the furnace near one end of the substrate tube, the movement of the applicator is reversed so that it moves to the other end of the substrate tube towards the other inner wall of the furnace. The applicator, and thus the plasma, travels in back and forth movement along the length of the substrate tube. Each back and forth movement is call a '"pass" or "stroke". With each pass a thin layer of glass material is deposited on the inside of the substrate tube.
This plasma causes the reaction of the glass-forming gases (e.g. O2, SiCl4 and e.g. a precursor for a dopant, such as GeCl4 or other gases) that are supplied to the inside of the substrate tube. The reaction of the glass-forming gases allows reaction of Si (Silicon), O (Oxygen) and e.g. the dopant Ge (Germanium) so as to thus effect direct deposition of, for example, Ge-doped SiOx on the inner surface of the substrate tube.
Normally, a plasma is generated only in a part of the substrate tube, i.e., the part that is surrounded by the microwave applicator. The dimensions of the microwave applicator are smaller than the dimensions of the furnace and of the substrate tube. Only at the position of the plasma are the reactive gasses converted into solid glass and deposited on the inside surface of the substrate tube. Since the plasma reaction zone moves along the length of the substrate tube, glass is deposited more or less evenly along the length of the substrate tube.
When the number of passes increases, the cumulative thickness of these thin films, i.e. of the deposited material, increases, thus leading to a decrease in the remaining internal diameter of the substrate tube. In other words, the hollow space inside the substrate decreases with each pass.
The applicator and the substrate tube are generally surrounded by a furnace so as to maintain the substrate tube at a temperature between 900-1300° C. during the deposition process.
After the glass layers have been deposited onto the interior of the glass substrate tube, the glass substrate tube is subsequently contracted by heating into a solid rod ("collapsing"). The remaining solid rod is called a "primary preform." In a particular embodiment, the solid rod or primary preform may furthermore be externally provided with an additional amount of glass, for example by means of an external vapour deposition process or direct glass overcladding (so-called "overcladding") or by using one or more preformed glass tubes (so-called "sleeving"), thus obtaining a composite preform called the "final preform." From the final preform thus produced, one end of which is heated, optical fibres are obtained by drawing on a drawing tower. The refractive index profile of the consolidated (final) preform corresponds to the refractive index profile of the optical fibre drawn from such a preform.
One way of manufacturing an optical preform by means of a PCVD process is known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,314,833 in the name of the present applicant. According to the process that is known from that document, one or more doped or undoped glass layers are deposited onto the interior of a substrate tube, using a low-pressure plasma in the glass substrate tube.
According to International application WO 99/35304 in the name of the present applicant, microwaves from a microwave generator are directed towards an applicator via a waveguide, which applicator surrounds a glass substrate tube. The applicator couples the high-frequency energy into the plasma.
The inventors have observed that these prior art PCVD processes lead to the deposition of soot (manifested as an opaque ring on the inner surface of the hollow substrate tube called "soot ring") at the supply side of the primary preform. At the discharge side of the primary preform an area is observed having a higher doped silica, which is prone to cracking. Without wishing to be bound to any particular theory, it is assumed that such soot deposition takes place as a result of the relatively low intensity of the plasma in the region where the soot deposition takes place. It is further assumed that the temperature on the inner surface of the hollow substrate tube at the reversal points plays an important part in the formation of such a soot ring. The presence of such a soot ring has an adverse effect on the effective length of the preform. After all, the region of the soot ring in the substrate tube cannot be used for forming an optical fibre therefrom which meets the product specifications. Another drawback of the soot deposition is that there is a significant risk of fracture of glass layers, which means a loss of the total preform rod, which is undesirable.
Layer cracking is attributed to the fact that a high stress level will cause fracture at the location of any irregularities in the glass, which irregularities occur in particular in soot rings.
Since the current commercial trend in manufacturing of optical fibre preforms tends to go towards larger (thicker preforms), more passes or strokes will be required. This leads to tubes after deposition (before collapsing) having an even smaller internal diameter and even thicker soot ring. The problem of cracking, particularly in the vicinity of the supply side of the substrate tube is becoming more and more pressing.
This problem has been recognized previously and in the prior art several solutions have been proposed. Some of these solutions are discussed below.
One solution involves increasing the temperature of the PCVD furnace for subsequent depositions at either the supply side or the discharge side or both (depending on where the cracking occurs), when cracking is observed in the region of the soot ring during the collapsing treatment. This increase in temperature only partly addresses the problem. There are limits to the amount of temperature increase and the temperature difference between the middle part of the PCVD furnace and one or both ends (supply and/or discharge side).
Another solution is proposed in EP 1 988 064 from the present inventors. This document relates to the axial variation of the reversal point(s) during different phases (passes) of the glass deposition. In other words, the deposition of the soot ring is spread out over a larger area and hence the chance of cracking is reduced. For each phase of the deposition process (e.g. for the deposition of the core and for the deposition of the cladding), the reversal points at the supply side are moved, thereby providing a different placement of the soot ring. This method is effective, but could lead to a number of adjacent soot rings which may decrease the effective length of the preform.
Yet another solution is proposed in EP 1 801 081 by the present inventors. The solution involves the use of a so-called "insertion tube," being a tube that is inserted at the supply side of the substrate tube inside of the hollow substrate tube. The effect is that the soot is partly deposited inside of the insertion tube and can easily be removed by the removal of the insertion tube. This method is very useful, but in some cases might lead to so-called "deposition oscillation," which is undesirable.
Yet another solution is proposed in EP 2 008 978 by the present inventors. This method applies an etching step between two separate phases, during which etching step any non-uniformities are removed from the substrate tube. Even though this document discloses the interruption of the deposition process, the method according to EP 2 008 879 is different from the present invention. The etching is carried out by an etching gas. This method is very useful in a large number of applications. However, for the mere removal of a soot ring this method is labor intensive and costly.
Therefore, there is a need for an alternative solution to the problem discussed above.

PCVD method for manufacturing a primary preform for optical fibers


Disclosed are the Rhodamine B esters of hydroxy C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 lower alkyl acrylates. Specifically, the hydroxy lower alkyl radical is a linear hydroxy lower alkyl radical having the hydroxy group attached to the terminal carbon atom. Also shown are copolymers of diallyldimetyl ammonium chloride which contains from 0.01-2 mole percent of these Rhodamine B esters and their use in treating industrial waters.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to Rhodamine B which is modified to contain a vinyl group and its incorporation into radically polymerized compounds such as diallyldimenthyammonium chloride (DADMAC) polymers.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Technological advances have made it economically practical to monitor the residual level of polymeric coagulants in wastewater effluents. Knowledge of the fate of coagulants has several advantages:
1) monitor treated water residuals, PA1 2) control coagulant addition, and PA1 3) elucidate coagulation mechanisms.
This allows better control of dosage levels of these coagulants and to minimize these polymers contributing to pollution. A common approach to monitoring the level of water soluble polymer coagulants has been, to blend fluorescent dyes in small amounts and to use fluorescence of the mixture to determine the concentration of the polymer in aqueous systems.
This approach has met with some success but it has limitations. In using simple blends of fluorescent dyes with polymeric coagulants there is the problem that the dye associates itself with other components, such as particulates. Subsequent fluorescent detection of the dye does not provide the location of the polymeric coagulant. A more recent approach has been to covalantly modify the dye so that it might be incorporated by means of chemical reaction into the polymer. Since the dye and the coagulant are physically attached, detection of the dye also detects the coagulant polymer. While this approach has met with some success, it is economically important that the dye be readily detected at low concentrations. Particularly there is not presently available a DADMAC polymer which contains chemically combined therewith a fluorescent dye suitable for monitoring these polymers when they are used in aqueous systems.
If it were possible to modify polymers with a highly fluorescent dye, so that the dye became a part of the molecule and that the so modified polymer could be readily detected in the part per billion (ppb) range using existing fluorescent detection techniques, an advance in the art would be afforded. Also of importance would be, to use in the modification of the polymers, a dye which was easily synthesized from available chemicals, was stable and retained a high degree of fluorescence. Finally, the modified polymer should have activity as a water treating chemical corresponding to the activity of a similar unmodified polymer.

Derivatized Rhodamine dye and its copolymers


A circle drive system with clutch protection in motor graders is disclosed. The circle drive system includes a hydraulic motor that is configured to receive a pressurized fluid and generate a torque for a rotation of a circle and a moldboard. The circle drive system also includes a gearbox to transfer the torque generated by the hydraulic motor to the circle. Further, the circle drive system includes a clutch connected to the hydraulic motor at one end and to the gearbox at another end. In addition, the circle drive system also includes a hydraulic circuit having a pressure relief valve to relieve the pressurized fluid supplied to the hydraulic motor when a pressure of the pressurized fluid exceeds a predefined threshold. The pressure relief valve thereby, limits the torque generated by the hydraulic motor to less than or equal to a torque capacity of the clutch.

Construction machines, such as motor graders, commonly include an implement, referred to as a moldboard, that is applied to grade a surface during operations such as paving roads. Such an implement may be swiveled or rotated at different angles in order to grade the surface. Typically, a circle drive system powers a circle that in turn facilitates the swiveling or rotation of the implement. The circle drive system generally includes a hydraulic motor that generates torque and a gearbox that transfers the torque generated by the hydraulic motor to the circle. The circle drive system may also include a clutch that is positioned between the hydraulic motor and the gearbox to protect various structural components in the circle drive system including the gearbox and the circle. However, for instances when the torque generated by the hydraulic motor exceeds a torque capacity of the clutch, the clutch may overheat and fail.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,874,377 relates to a motor grader that is equipped with a circle drive arrangement including a variable displacement motor. The variable displacement motor includes a displacement adjuster movable between maximum and minimum displacement positions. A pressure responsive control device is coupled to the displacement adjuster for selectively moving the displacement adjuster between the maximum and minimum displacement positions.

Circle drive system with clutch protection in motor graders


An improved rotary bed apparatus with a supplemental pneumatic support is provided for imparting rotary motion to a bed supporting a subject thereon. Switches associated with the apparatus are provided to cut off rotary power and move the bed to a safe dismount position when the power is cut off by the subject or attendant or in the event a subject accidentally falls or moves from the bed surface.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an improved apparatus for providing a rotary movement of a bed for carrying a person or subject thereon through a rotary path movement. The apparatus is useful in providing for relaxation of a person carried thereon and particularly is useful in relieving stress in a human subject by the relaxing effect of the rotary movement of the subject provided by the said apparatus.
2. Description of Related Art
U.S. Pat. No. 1,791,777 to Webb is directed to a device which produces an irregular raising and lowering of its extremities in an attempt to simulate the gait of a horse. This apparatus does have eccentric throw wheels to produce an up and down motion independently at each end. As stated in the opening paragraph on Page 1, "a device which is so designed to simulate the motions of a horse, etc."
U.S. Pat. No. 2 - 4,175,550 to Leninger is directed to a bed device which provides a pendulum-like motion.
U.S. Pat. No. 3 - 4,194,499 to Donnelly describes a device which raises and lowers the "foot end" of the bed by means of an adjustable throw-arm. The "head end" pivots around a stationary point. This produces a rocking motion somewhat similar to Leninger, but the motion is pivotal and end to end, instead of side to side. Only the foot end of the bed moves.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,256,095 describes an apparatus for treating a person or subject in controllable and electric fields. That patent generally describes an apparatus having a supporting surface such as a bed to carry a person through a rotational path and in addition includes a generator means for producing a low frequency signal to electrodes disposed at opposite ends of the transport means or bed to produce an electric field between the ends of the electrodes and through the person or subject resting thereon.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,194,499 patented Mar. 25, 1980 relates a bed for stimulating circulation comprising a pivotally mounted bed frame wherein the bed surface is pivotally moved about a horizontal axis to elevate through various upper and lower inclined and dwell positions about a horizontal axis.
My U.S. Pat. No. 4,483,327 patented Nov. 20, 1984 describes a machine for relieving stress and anxiety in the absence of any electric field. This machine includes a transporting device with a supporting surface adapted to carry a person through a circular or rotary path or movement. The present invention involves improvements to apparatus as generally described in my above noted patent.


An apparatus for retrieving a fallen tooth of a child is disclosed. The apparatus includes a toy having a body defining a face and a chest portion. The face includes a mouth defining an opening for receiving the fallen tooth. The apparatus also includes a container located at the chest portion of the body to store the fallen tooth. The container is accessed by a user for retrieving the stored fallen tooth.

Generally, a first set of teeth of children tend to fall during their age between 4 years to 8 years. Traditionally, a child tends to place the fallen tooth underneath the pillow because of the impression that he/she may lose the fallen tooth to a tooth fairy. The practice of placing the fallen tooth underneath the pillow is frightening and unhygienic practice. When each time the child loses a tooth, parents of the child try to act as the tooth fairy and try to retrieve the fallen tooth from the child. During the process of retrieving the fallen tooth when the child is asleep, the parents are reluctant to act since the act may wake up the child. Also, the child may hurt themselves while trying to protect the tooth during the retrieving process of the fallen tooth from the parents. Also, the child may fear as they may wake up to a stranger who they believe may take away the fallen tooth from them forever. Also, the child may worry about knocking the fallen tooth out from underneath the pillow. Retrieving and storing the fallen tooth of the child is a cumbersome process. Accordingly, there remains a need for more safer and secure method for retrieving and storing the fallen tooth of the child.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Toy kit for storing fallen tooth of child