A device includes a plurality of ringlets connected together to form a ring having a longitudinal axis. Each ringlet includes a first element and a second element. The first and second elements each extend from a first end through a central portion to a second end. The first and second ends are disposed at radially outer positions with respect to the ring than the central portion. The central portion is longitudinally displaced from the first and second ends. The first and second elements are separated and spaced apart from each other at the central portions thereof and are joined together at the first ends thereof and the second ends thereof. The ringlets are connected together such that the first ends of the elements of one ringlet are connected to the second ends of the elements of an adjacent ringlet.

1. Field
This invention pertains to the field of intraocular devices and procedures, and more particularly, a capsular ring for strengthening a capsular bag, for holding open a capsular bag of an eye, and/or for providing accommodation.
2. Description
A human eye can suffer diseases that impair a person's vision. For instance, a cataract may increase the opacity of the lens, causing impaired vision or blindness. To restore the patients vision, the diseased lens may be surgically removed and replaced with an artificial lens, known as an intraocular lens, or IOL. An IOL may also be used for presbyopic lens exchange.
The simplest IOLs have a single fixed focal length, or, equivalently, a single fixed power. Unlike the eye's natural lens, which can adjust its focal length and/or axial location within a particular range in a process known as accommodation, these single focal length IOLs cannot generally accommodate. As a result, distant objects may appear in focus, while  objects at closer distances appear blurred.
An improvement over fixed, single focal length IOLs is an accommodating IOL, which can move axially and/or adjust its optical power within a particular range. As a result, the patient can clearly focus on objects in a range of distances away from the eye, rather than at a single distance. This ability to accommodate is of tremendous benefit for the patient and more closely approximates the patient's natural vision than a single focal length IOL.
When the eye focuses on a relatively distant object, the lens power is at the low end of the accommodation range, which may be referred to as the "distant" or "far" power. When the eye focuses on a relatively close object, the lens power and/or position is at the high end of the accommodation range, which may be referred to as the "near" power. The accommodation range or add power is defined as the actual or effective near power minus the far power. In general, an accommodation range of 2 to 4 diopters is considered sufficient for most patients.
The human eye contains a structure known as the capsular bag, which surrounds the natural lens. The capsular bag is transparent, and serves to hold the lens. In the natural eye, accommodation is initiated by the ciliary muscle and a series of zonular fibers, also known as zonules. The zonules are located in a relatively thick band mostly around the equator of the lens, and impart a largely radial force to the capsular bag that can alter the shape and/or the location of the natural lens and thereby change its actual or effective power.
In a surgery in which the natural lens is removed from the eye, a small opening is made in the front of the capsular bag through which lens material is typically broken up and vacuumed out of the eye, the rest of the capsular bag being left intact. The remaining capsular bag is extremely useful for an accommodating intraocular lens, in that the eye's natural  accommodation is initiated at least in part by the ciliary muscle and the zonules through the capsular bag. The capsular bag may be used to house an accommodating IOL, which in turn can change shape and/or shift in some manner to affect the power and/or the axial location of the IOL.
In general, the IOL includes an optic which refracts and/or diffracts light that passes through it and forms an image on the retina, and a haptic, which mechanically couples the optic to the capsular bag. During accommodation, the zonules exert a force on the capsular bag, which in turn exerts a force on the optic. The force may be transmitted from the capsular bag directly to the optic, or from the capsular bag through a haptic to the optic.
A desirable optic for an accommodating IOL is one that changes shape or axially moves in response to a squeezing or expanding radial force applied largely to the equator of the optic (e.g., by pushing or pulling on or near the edge of the optic, circumferentially around the optic axis). Under the influence of a squeezing force, the optic bulges slightly in the axial direction, producing more steeply curved anterior and/or posterior faces, and producing an increase in the power of the optic. Likewise, an expanding radial force may produce a decrease in the optic power by flattening the optic. This change in power is accomplished in a manner similar to that of the natural eye and is well adapted to accommodation. Furthermore, this method of changing the lens power reduces any undesirable pressures exerted on some of the structures in the eye.
One challenge in replacing a natural lens with an IOL is to keep the capsular bag intact and to prevent the capsular bag from tearing or collapsing after the natural lens is removed from the eye so that the IOL can be implanted and properly positioned in the capsular bag. This problem can be exacerbated by the relatively large (e.g., 4 mm) incision  that is typically required for this procedure. Since the zonules are attached both above and below the equator of the capsular bag, keeping the bag open offers potential for more effectively utilizing accommodative forces on the IOL.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a device for facilitating the insertion of an intraocular lens into a capsular bag of an eye. It would also be desirable to provide such a device that can accommodate and hold an intraocular lens in the capsular bag.
In one aspect of the invention, a device includes a plurality of ringlets connected together to form a ring having a longitudinal axis. Each ringlet comprises a first element and a second element. The first and second elements each extend from a first end thereof through a central portion thereof to a second end thereof. The first and second ends of each element are disposed at radially outer positions with respect to the ring than the central portion of the element. The central portion of each element is longitudinally displaced from the first and second ends thereof. The first and second elements are separated and spaced apart from each other at the central portions thereof, and are joined together at the first ends thereof and the second ends thereof. The ringlets are connected together such that the first ends of the elements of one ringlet are connected to the second ends of the elements of an adjacent ringlet.
In another aspect of the invention, a device is provided for implantation into a capsular bag of an eye. The device comprises a ring element adapted to be inserted through an incision in the capsular bag and to hold open the capsular bag; and an optic adapted to be inserted into the capsular bag having the ring inserted therein, and to be operatively engaged with the ring so as to be held within the capsular bag. The ring element has a longitudinal axis and comprises a plurality of ringlets connected together. Each ringlet comprises a first  element and a second element. The first and second elements each extend from a first end thereof through a central portion thereof to a second end thereof. The first and second ends of each element are disposed at radially outer positions with respect to the ring than the central portion of the element. The central portion of each element is longitudinally displaced from the first and second ends thereof. The first and second elements are separated and spaced apart from each other at the central portions thereof, and are joined together at the first ends thereof and the second ends thereof. The ringlets are connected together such that the first ends of the elements of one ringlet are connected to the second ends of the elements of an adjacent ringlet.


A redundant multistage network can be expanded by increasing the fanout of each router in a non-stop manner, involving a port addition, a reconfiguring and an activation section. The port addition section involves the addition of new ports to each switching element. The reconfiguring section involves the selection of a port and disconnecting any connections necessary to connect that port with its proper corresponding port as derived from the final desired topology. This section can further include the optional permutation of port address to minimize traffic disruption. The activation section involves attaching any new external ports desired to external sources and putting those new connections into service.

1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to redundant multistage switching networks, specifically to the non-stop addition of new ports to all routers of each row of such a network.
2. Description of Related Art
Many multistage switching networks are defined primarily as binary based. Some of these networks have been generalized for arbitrary fanouts.
FIG. 1A shows an 8-port binary Banyan network. Banyan networks are an example of multistage switching networks that have been generalized to arbitrary fanouts. FIG. 1B shows a 27-port ternary Banyan network. Both examples have the same number of rows.
There is no known investigation of the process of upgrading the fanout of Banyan networks. There are two likely reasons why such an upgrade path is undesirable. First, most implementations of switching networks using the Banyan architecture employ specific binary sorting algorithms to route traffic. Second, an upgrade of an n-stage 2n+1-port binary network to an n-stage 2×3n-port ternary network or n-stage 2×4n-port quaternary network would entail an exponential growth in number of ports required. From the examples already shown, this is a very large number even for the small numbers considered here.

Fanout upgrade for a scalable switching network


A magnetron sputtering apparatus has a plurality of ring-shaped flat targets with different diameters disposed about one center axis. The apparatus includes magnets having the same polarity as each other and placed on both front surface side and rear surface side of each of the targets along an inner circumferential edge thereof, and magnets having the same polarity as each other and placed on both front surface side and rear surface side of each of the targets along an outer circumferential edge thereof. The magnets placed along the inner and outer circumferential edges are placed in such a way that the magnets along the inner circumferential edge and the magnets along the outer circumferential edge become opposite in polarity to each other.

The present invention relates to a magnetron sputtering apparatus and a magnetron sputtering method in which a plurality of ring-shaped flat targets with different diameters are disposed about the same center axis.
A magnetron sputtering technique has been used as a technique for depositing a thin film on a substrate. The magnetron sputtering technique, which enables low-temperature fast sputtering, has become the mainstream of film forming apparatus using the sputtering technique. In the magnetron sputtering technique, plasma is generated around the target through discharge or the like, the resulting plasma ions are thrown into collisions with the target, whereby particles are sputtered, and the sputtered particles are deposited onto the substrate. Thus, a thin film is fabricated.
A magnetron sputtering apparatus of a prior art example is described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10. FIG. 8 shows the construction of the cathode part of a conventionally used magnetron sputtering apparatus using ring-shaped flat targets. Designated by reference numeral 41 is a center axis, and the cathode part is rotationally symmetrical with respect to the center axis. Numeral 42 denotes a ring-shaped flat target, 43 denotes a magnet placed on the rear side of the targets, and 44 denotes a magnetic field formed by the magnets 43.
The cathode part of such a construction is so arranged that the substrate and the target surface are opposed to each other within a vacuum treatment chamber. After the introduction of sputter gas, the target 42 is fed with power from a high-voltage power supply for glow discharge. Then, a sputtering-use high-density plasma confined by lines of magnetic force is generated. Ions within the plasma colliding with the surface of the target 42, atoms of the target 42 are sputtered so as to be deposited onto the opposing surface of the substrate. Thus, a thin film is formed. The plasma in this process is higher in density at a region 45. The target 42 is eroded by this plasma. The target 42 is eroded at a higher rate around the region 45 of high plasma density, and in particular, the target 42 is eroded at a locally higher rate in the vicinity of an end portion 46 of the region 45, an end as viewed in the direction of lines of magnetic force.
FIG. 9 shows an erosion configuration when the target 42 is exploited up to its use limit by a cross section including the center axis 41. The symmetrical part with respect to the center axis 41 is omitted. Referring to FIG. 9, reference numeral 47 denotes the configuration of the target 42 before sputtering, 48 denotes the sputtered region, and 49 denotes the region remaining unsputtered. As seen in FIG. 9, the vicinity of point F is intensely eroded, causing a V-shaped eroded surface. With the occurrence of an erosion of such a shape, the volumetric use efficiency of the target 42, or the ratio of the sputtered volume to the unsputtered volume of the target when the target is exploited to its use limit, would be about 20%. What is more, only about 10% of the 20% volume would lend itself to deposition onto the substrate. This causes an issue in that the expensive target 42 is not sufficiently exploited. Further, a technical issue is that erosion of this configuration would lead to a variation with time in the film forming rate and the film thickness uniformity.
To solve these issues, there have been proposed techniques as described in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publications Nos. 5-209266 and 5-179440. The magnetron sputtering cathode as described in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 5-209266 is so arranged that magnets are placed on the rear side of the targets, as in the prior art example of FIG. 8, and that ferromagnetic materials are placed on outer and inner circumferences of the targets, whereby magnetic flux is extended beyond the target surface. This arrangement makes the plasma density more uniform and the target erosion also more uniform. FIG. 10 shows the result of erosion when the target is exploited to its use limit with the above arrangement. As in FIG. 9, reference numeral 47 denotes the target configuration before sputtering, 48 denotes the sputtered region, and 49 denotes the region remaining unsputtered. According to FIG. 10, it can be seen that the erosion has progressed more uniformly than in FIG. 9. However, the erosion rate is higher around point G. Further, whereas the volumetric use efficiency of the target in this case is about 40%, only about 10% of the percentage volume would be deposited onto the substrate.
By the conventional method in which the magnet 43 is placed on the rear side of the target 42, a V-shaped eroded surface is formed as shown in FIG. 9. As a result, the target 42 would become locally thinner, and the point at which the thickness of the target 42 reaches below a specified value would be the use limit for the target 42, where the target 42 could not be exploited any more. However, the target 42 still has enough material present therein to form a thin film, posing an issue in that the expensive target 42 cannot be sufficiently exploited. Further, an erosion progress with a locally faster rate would cause the distribution of sputter particles to vary with time, leading to an issue in that the film thickness of the film formed on the substrate would be non-uniform at the final stage of erosion even if the film thickness at the early stage of erosion is uniform. Furthermore, to obtain film thickness uniformity, it is necessary to keep a distance of 70 mm or more between the substrate and target. This would lead to yet another issue that only about 10% of particles sputtered from the target would be deposited onto the substrate.
Also, even in the technique as described in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 5-209266, a local erosion would occur around G point as shown in FIG. 10. This accounts for an issue is that the target use efficiency is so low, and the probability of deposition of particles onto the substrate is so low, that variations with time in the film thickness uniformity, film forming rate, and the like would result.
The variation with time in the film thickness in the prior art example is now explained with reference to FIG. 11. FIG. 11 is a chart showing variations with time in the thickness distribution of a thin film formed on a substrate with inner diameter 40 mm and outer diameter 120 mm, by the medium of integrating watts. The vertical axis represents the relative film thickness with the film thickness of the inner circumferential edge of the substrate assumed to be 1, while the horizontal axis represents the distance from the center point. As seen in this chart, the prior art example has an issue is that the distribution of film thickness would undergo a considerable variation with time.

Magnetron sputtering apparatus and method

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


The subject disclosure pertains to a class of object finder queries that return the best target objects that match a set of given keywords. Mechanisms are provided that facilitate identification of target objects related to search objects that match a set of query keywords. Scoring mechanisms/functions are also disclosed that compute relevance scores of target objects. Further, efficient early termination techniques are provided to compute the top K target objects based on a scoring function.

To maximize likelihood of locating relevant information amongst an abundance of data, search engines or query processors are regularly employed. A search engine is a tool that facilitates data navigation based on entry of a query comprising one or more keywords. Upon receipt of a query, the engine or processor is operable to retrieve a list of objects or documents (e.g., text documents, websites, images, music, multimedia . . . ), typically ranked based on relevance to the query. Such mechanisms facilitate Internet/web search, user desktop search, and intranet/enterprise search, among other things. To enable this functionality, a supporting infrastructure is generated and maintained.
First, engine agents navigate domains in a methodical manner and retrieve information about objects visited. For example, an agent can make a copy of all or a portion of documents and related information. The engine then analyzes the content captured by one or more agents to determine how a document will be indexed. Some engines will index all words on in a document while others may in only index terms associated with particular tags such as such as title, header or metatag. These agents may also periodically revisit documents to detect and capture changes thereto since the last indexing.
Once the indexes are generated, they are assigned a ranking with respect to certain keywords and stored in a database. An algorithm is used to evaluate the index for relevancy, for example based on frequency and location keywords in a document, among other things. This database can subsequently be employed to evaluate queries.
Upon entry of one or more keywords as a search query, the search engine or query processor retrieves indexed information that matches the query from the database and displays the results to a user. The user can thereafter scroll through a plurality of returned documents to attempt to determine if the documents are related to the interests of the user as specified by a query. This can be a time-consuming process as search engines can return a substantial number of documents. A user may subsequently choose to narrow the search iteratively by altering and/or adding keywords and operators to obtain the identity of documents including relevant information.

Efficient evaluation of object finder queries


A method and system are disclosed. The system may include a linked stretch tube. The linked stretch tube may include a first stretch tubing section having a first end and a second end; a second stretch tubing section having a first end and a second end; a first linking device permanently, flexibly connecting the first end of the first stretch tubing section to the first end of the second tubing section; and a first connection device flexibly connected to the second end of the first stretch tubing section.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to stretch tubing. It more particularly relates to a method and system for linked stretch tubing for use in exercising, sports conditioning, or physical rehabilitation.
2. Background Art
There is no admission that the background art disclosed in this section legally constitutes prior art.
There have been a variety of exercise devices employing stretch tubing for various exercises or for conditioning for specific sports. For example, reference may be made to U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,073,490; 4,544,155; 4,955,608; 5,518,481; 5,842,956; 6,261,212; and 6,726,606.
Exercising using stretch cords is a convenient technique for obtaining an effective exercise, and may eliminate the need for bulky weights. However, a large number of stretch cords may be necessary to perform all the desired exercises. Stretch cords come in a variety of lengths and resistances. Common lengths for stretch cord are 1.5, 2, 3, 4, and 7 feet in length. Typically, ten or more resistance levels are available ranging from 0.3-1.5 pounds of pull to 20-45 pounds of pull. The length of the stretch cord may depend on the type of exercise, the body part being exercised, and the size of the person performing the exercise. The resistance level of the stretch cord may depend on the body party being exercised and the strength of the person. Since some exercises require resistance on multiple parts or sides of the body, multiple stretch cords of the same length and resistance level may be required. Therefore, to accomplish all the desired exercises a person may need a large number such as fifty or more stretch cords.


A soluble mono-alkyl Stannoic Acid/glycol liquid phase catalyst produced from the reaction of a mono-alkyl Stannoic Acid and a glycol at a temperature of from at least 180.degree. C., and its use in preparing high molecular weight polyester polymers.

The present invention relates to a new soluble mono-alkyl Stannoic Acid catalyst and its use in preparing high molecular weight polyester polymers. More particularly, the present invention relates to the discovery that the catalytic activity of a mono-alkyl Stannoic Acid of the type typically used in (trans) esterification reactions for preparing high molecular weight polyester polymers can be dramatically increased by pre-reacting the catalyst with an alkylene glycol.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,014,858 describes a first stage polyesterification for the preparation of polybutylene terephthalate which proceeds by reacting in the presence of an organotin catalyst having one organo to each tin linkage (1) a polycarboxylic acid compound (acid, anhydride and/or methyl ester) comprising terephthalic acid in a concentration of at least 50 equivalent percent of the carboxy equivalents and (2) a polyhydric alcohol component comprising from 75 to 100 equivalent percent 1,4-butanediol with the polyhydric alcohol being present in a concentration of from 1.1 to 4 hydroxy equivalents per carboxyl equivalent. The organotin catalyst can be a hydrocarbyl Stannoic Acid having the structure: ##STR1## wherein each R contains from 1 to 24 carbon atoms and can be alkyl or cycloalkyl. It is noted that since the organotin catalyst can be heated with 1,4-butanediol without the formation of tetrahydrofuran, the polyhydric alcohol component and catalyst can be preheated to the initial reaction temperature, i.e., 165.degree. C. to 170.degree. C., and the preheated polyhydric alcohol composition can then be introduced into the reactor with the other reactants.

Soluble mono-alkyl stannoic acid catalyst and its use in preparing high molecular weight polyesters


A method and mechanism is disclosed for implementing storage and retrieval of data in a computing system. Data compression is performed on stored data by reducing or eliminating duplicate values in a database block. Duplicated values are eliminated within the set of data that is to be stored within a particular data storage unit. Rather than writing the duplicated data values to the data storage unit, the on-disk data is configured to reference a symbol table a single copy of each duplicated data value. Column reordering may be performed in an embodiment to further improve compression efficiency. The column reordering may be performed to allow efficient removal of trailing NULL values from on-disk storage.

The invention relates to computer systems, and more particularly to a method and mechanism for storing and retrieving data in a computer system.
As many modern businesses and organizations continually increase their need to access greater amounts of information, the quantity of data that must be stored in databases and computer systems likewise increases. A significant portion of the expense for storing a large quantity of information is related to the costs to purchase and maintain data storage systems. Given this expense, approaches have been suggested to reduce the amount of space that is needed to store a given quantity of data.
Data compression is a suggested technique in many modern computer systems to reduce the storage costs for data. A common approach for implementing compression is to compress data at the granularity of the file. For example, traditional compression approaches such as the Unix-based gzip or DOS-based zip compress an entire file into a more-compact version of that file. A drawback with this type of approach is that if an entire file is compressed, all or a large part of the file must be decompressed before any part of it can be used, even if only a small part of the file is actually needed by a user. This is a problem that particularly exists with respect to compressing files in database systems, in which a single database file may contain large quantities of database records, but only a small portion of the individual records may be needed at any moment in time. Thus, the granularity of compression/decompression may not realistically match the granularity at which data is desirably used and accessed in the system.
Moreover, compression granularities for other traditional compression algorithms could result in storage inefficiencies. For example, certain page-at-a-time compression approaches could lead to compressed pages of different sizes that are inefficiently mapped onto physical pages. Furthermore, many traditional compression techniques do not even guarantee that data size will not increase after compression.
In addition, the very acts of compressing and decompressing data could consume an excessive amount of overhead. The overhead is typically related to the specific compression algorithm being used as well as the quantity of data being compressed/decompressed. This overhead could contribute to significant latency when seeking to store or retrieve information in a computer system. Given the latency problem as well as less-than-certain compression gains, the trade-off between time and space for compression is not always attractive in a database or other type of computing system.
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and mechanism for implementing storage and retrieval of data in a computing system. According to an embodiment of the invention, data compression is performed on stored data by reducing or eliminating duplicate values in a database block or other storage unit. In this embodiment, duplicated values are eliminated within the set of data that is to be stored within a particular data storage unit. Rather than writing the duplicated data values to the data storage unit, the on-disk data is configured to reference a single copy of each duplicated data value through a symbol table. Because only duplicated data values are removed, and data values are not individually subject to potentially useless data compression algorithms, the invention can be configured to ensure that the on-disk data size will not exceed the original data size at the expense of a single structure or bit in a block header. Moreover, since such a reference to a symbol table is all that is required to access duplicated data, data access is not significantly impaired in this approach. Also disclosed for an embodiment is recursive referencing of values in the symbol table. Column reordering may be performed in an embodiment to further improve compression efficiency. The column reordering may be performed to allow efficient removal of trailing NULL values from on-disk storage. Further details of aspects, objects, and advantages of the invention are described below in the detailed description, drawings, and claims.

Method and mechanism for storing and accessing data


In a method or system for processing a color print image for digital printing at a predetermined printing apparatus, the print image is deconstructed into color separations according to characteristic color curves of the printing apparatus. The color separations are stored in a data unit as greyscale bitmap images and at least one of a color code and color values are associated with each color separation in the data unit. The print image encoded in the data unit is presented at a display device for monitoring or management before printout at the printing apparatus, the print image being presented at the display device by means of at least one of the color code and color values associated with the respective color separations such that the individual color separations are transparently superimposed.

The disclosure concerns a method and a system to process color print images for digital printing. Relative to offset printing, digital printing is distinguished by a high flexibility since, in digital printing, it is possible to print different print images in succession. In contrast to this, in offset printing a defined print image is repeatedly printed with a predetermined print run.
It is known to review (and, if applicable, to correct) digital print data before the printing process with a preflight software. In particular, a check is hereby made as to whether the print data are correctly formatted and correspond to the corresponding data type for the printing process. In particular, a check is made as to whether all data can be accessed; whether all fonts are activated; whether the color spaces are correctly assigned; whether the lines/contours are vectorized or pixelated; whether the print data possess the required resolution; whether the correct spot colors are included in the document; and whether the trapping is correct. This preflight method is used similarly both for offset printing and for digital printing.
The processing of print images in offset printing differs from that in digital printing in that the print images are deconstructed into color separations in offset printing. The individual color separations represent greyscale bitmap images. Offset printing plates for the offset printing are generated using the color separations by means of an exposer. The offset printing plates serve to transfer a defined colorant onto a recording medium.
In digital printing, as a matter of principle the translation of the color values of the print data into the colors of the print groups of the printing apparatus takes place completely differently. The print data can include characteristic color curves for the individual color objects. At the print server associated with the digital printing apparatus, or in the control device of the digital printing apparatus, these are then compared with the characteristic curves of the print colors of the printing apparatus and converted accordingly. Alternatively, the print data are represented with standardized color spaces (for example CMYK, RGB, LAB), and rule-based color corrections are implemented in the preflight method (at the print server or in the control device of the printing apparatus) in order to convert the standardized colors into the print colors of the printing apparatus. The deconstruction of the print data into the individual print colors only takes place immediately before the rastering or in the rastering of the print data. The rastered print data are then relayed directly to the respective print heads of the digital printing apparatus.
Digital printing is more flexible than offset printing. However, the quality of offset printing is normally better than that of digital printing. One of the reasons for this is that the print colors are normally more precisely adjustable in offset printing than in digital printing.

Method and system to process color print images for digital printing


An electrostatic imaging device has a photoreceptor drum, an exposure unit to form a latent image on the photoreceptor, a developing unit for forming a toner pattern on the photoreceptor, a transcribing roller for electrifying the photoreceptor drum and transcribing the toner pattern onto a recording sheet, a brush charger for electrifying the photoreceptor drum, and a power supply section for applying a first negative voltage to the transcribing roller and a second negative voltage to the brush charger during a period other than an image forming period. The second voltage is lower than the first voltage in absolute value. Undesirable particles having a positive potential and attached to the brush charger is collected to the photoreceptor drum for cleaning the brush charger.

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electrostatic imaging device having a brush charger and, more particularly, to an electrostatic imaging device for transcribing a toner pattern on the surface of an electrostatic latent image carrier onto a recording sheet such as a recording paper, OHP (overhead projector) sheet or postcard.
(b) Description of the Related Art
Electrophotography processes is generally used in an electrostatic imaging device (often referred to simply as an "imaging device" hereinafter) such as a copying machine, facsimile, electrophotography or electrostatic printers. In the imaging device, after a photoreceptor drum (or electrostatic latent image carrier) is electrified to form an electrostatic latent image, electrified or charged toner is supplied to the surface of the photoreceptor drum As a result, the electrified toner is adhered to the photoreceptor drum having a latent image pattern thereon, to form a toner pattern for development. Recording sheet is then supplied to the surface of the photoreceptor drum in synchrony with the rotation of the photoreceptor drum while applying a bias voltage, which has an opposite polarity with respect to the toner voltage, from the rear side of the recording sheet by using a transcribing roller, thereby transcribing the toner pattern formed on the photoreceptor drum to the recording sheet. Subsequently, the toner pattern on the recording sheet is fixed to the recording sheet by using a fixing unit.
A corona charging device, which generates a corona discharge from a wire electrode, is generally used for electrifying the photoreceptor drum. A a power source is used to apply a high voltage of several kilovolts to the wire electrode for generating the corona discharge. The power source of such a high voltage is highly expensive to thereby raising the fabrication cost of the imaging device. In addition, ozone generated by the corona discharge produces an undesirable influence on the human body and the natural environment. Further, there arises a problem in that the photoreceptor drum and other units disposed around the photoreceptor drum are damaged by the corona discharge.
As an alternative for the corona charging device, a contact-type electrifying device is known which electrifies the photoreceptor drum by using a brush charger. The brush charger is classified into two categories including a planar brush of a fixed type and a roller brush of a rotational type. The fixed-type brush charger generally comprises an insulator substrate, a conductive layer fixed on the insulator substrate and applied with a bias voltage, and low-resistive brush fibers extending from the conductive layer.
The brush charger as mentioned above can solve the problems involved in the corona charging device. However, it involves another problem as described below. Specifically, in the electrostatic imaging device, the drum surface is generally subjected to abrasion by the friction between the photoreceptor drum and the developing roller, which sometime produces dispersed particles or dust charged in opposite polarity with respect to the photoreceptor drum. The friction may also generate toner particles electrified in an opposite polarity in addition to toner particles electrified in the normal polarity. These dispersed particles or toner particles charged in opposite polarity are generally firmly attached to the surface of the photoreceptor drum and are difficult to remove by using a cleaning unit.
In addition, the rotating photoreceptor drum allows these undesirable particles on the photoreceptor drum to be introduced between the fibers of the brush charger and attached firmly thereto, or allows the undesirable particles to be adhered to a contact-type transcribing member. In these cases, the photoreceptor drum is subjected to an insufficient electrified state for printing or image forming due to the undesirable particles, whereas the transcribing roller makes fog on the rear surface of the recording sheet due to the undesirable particles.
Patent Publication No. JP-B-63 (1988)-43750 proposes an electrostatic imaging device wherein the undesirable particles attached to the brush charger are efficiently removed by applying a voltage having a DC voltage component in the opposite polarity with respect to the polarity of the photoreceptor drum to the brush charger during a non-printing period (period other than an image forming period) of the imaging device, whereas applying thereto a voltage having a DC voltage component in the same polarity with respect to the photoreceptor drum during a printing period (image forming period) of the imaging device.
In the proposed imaging device, the surface of the photoreceptor drum is subjected to electrification in the opposite polarity with respect to the polarity of the drum surface during the period other than the image forming period, which provides the advantage of easier attachment of the toner to the drum surface during the period other than the image forming period of the imaging device. The easier attachment of the toner allows the undesirable particles to be removed from the brush charger for cleaning. However, it involves another problem wherein the charged toner is more firmly attached to the drum surface when the portion of the drum surface charged in opposite polarity is in contact with the toner supply member, or developing roller, after some rotation.

Electrostatic imaging device having means for removing undesirable particles from a brush charger and transcribing roller


A method and apparatus for reporting the operation state of digital rights management are provided. In a home network formed with control devices and a control point, the apparatus for reporting the operation state of digital rights management of the control device to the control point includes: a digital rights management (DRM) module which performs digital rights management; a state variable generation unit which receives DRM operation state information indicating the state of a DRM process currently operating, from the DRM module, and based on the received DRM state information, generates DRM state variables; and a universal plug and play (uPnP) module which by using a uPnP protocol, transmits the generated state variables to the control point.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to digital rights management (DRM), and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for reporting the operation state of digital rights management of a control device, to a control point in a home network.
2. Description of the Related Art
Home networking has been attracting increasingly more attention recently. A home network is formed with devices reproducing contents (movie, song, video game software) and devices for managing the contents reproducing devices, and is a network in which digital rights management is guaranteed by these devices.
Digital rights management includes a function for managing rights on devices belonging to a home network, and a function for managing rights on contents reproducible in a predetermined home network. Digital rights management is performed by an application program installed in a device belonging to a home network. Among digital rights management application programs being currently used, there are SmartRight suggested by Thomson, Open Conditional Content Access Management (OCCAM) suggested by Cisco Systems, xCP (extensible content protection) Cluster Protocol suggested by IBM, Digital Transmission Content Protection (DTCP) suggested by Digital Transmission License Administrator (DTLA).
In an ordinary digital rights management system, devices belonging to a home network are broken down into master devices and slave devices. A master device is a device that performs grant, change, revocation of digital rights on other devices and setting, change, and revocation of digital rights on contents existing in the home network. A slave device is a device which provides or reproduce contents according to digital rights granted by the master device. The slave devices are divided into media renderers that decode and reproduce contents and media sources that provide contents to the media renderers. Whether a device is a master device or a slave device is determined by the function performed by a DRM application program.
Meanwhile, in the recent home network systems, a universal plug and play (uPnP) protocol is used for communications between these master device and slave devices. The uPnP is a technology by which connection to and disconnection from a home network of a device forming the home network are automatically recognized such that the status as an element of the home network is automatically granted or revoked.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a home network according to a uPnP protocol.
The home network according to the uPnP protocol comprises control devices (CDs) and a control point (CP).
The CP 10 searches for CDs 20, 30 and 40 on the network, and by receiving advertisement messages generated when a device is newly connected to or disconnected from the home network, recognizes that the CD is newly connected to the home network. Also, the CP 10 receives the description message of each CD and event messages according to actions with CDs. Each action is defined by a markup language, for example, extensible markup language (XML).
When connected to or disconnected from the home network, one of the CDs 20, 30, and 40 sends an advertisement message to the CP 10 and sends a message confirming whether or not the CD is existing in the home network within a predetermined period. Also, the CDs 20, 30, and 40 respond to a variety of requests transmitted by the CP 10 according to the uPnP protocol. The CDs 20, 30, and 40 may be any one of a media source and a media renderer in the home network. In FIG. 1, paths 12, 14, 16 indicate message transmission and response performed between the CP 10 and CDs 20, 30, and 40, and paths 22, 32 indicate transmission and reception of contents between CDs 20, 30 and 40.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a structure in which contents transmission occurring between a CP and CDs is performed in digital rights management (DRM) using the uPnP.
The CP 210 comprises a uPnP module 212 which transmits messages to and receives responses to the messages from CDs according to the uPnP protocol, and a user interface 214 which receives a user input for message transmission and outputs results of message responses to the user. Generally, the CP 210 is a remote control device or a personal digital assistant (PDA), and has a display screen. In the aspect of contents reproduction, the CP 210 transfers contents search and reproduction commands from the user, to CDs according to the uPnP protocol and receives responses to the commands from CDs.
CDs are divided into media renderers and media sources according to whether the device is reproducing or providing contents.
The media source 220 comprises a uPnP module 222 which informs the CP 210 of its presence through an advertisement message by communicating with the uPnP module 212 of the CP 210, a DRM module 224 which performs digital rights management and provides contents to authorized CDs; and a contents DB 226 which stores contents.
The media renderer 230 comprises a uPnP module 232 which informs the CP 210 of its presence through an advertisement message by communicating with the uPnP module 212 of the CP 210; a DRM module 234, which performs digital rights management and receives authorized contents from a media source; and a contents reproduction unit 236 which decodes and reproduces received contents.
However, as shown in FIG. 2, while directly communicating with each other, the DRM module 224 of the media source 220 and the DRM module 234 of the media renderer 230 perform digital rights management. Accordingly, the CP 210 only recognizes error messages generating under the uPnP protocol. That is, the CP cannot know which operation of the DRM process the media source 220 or the media renderer 230 is performing, or whether or not the process being performed is successful.
In the conventional implementation as in FIG. 2, there is the problem that the user cannot recognize the operation state of the DRM modules. It is because communication between the CP and the CDs is performed through the uPnP modules, but communication between the media source and the media renderer is performed directly through the DRM modules. This problem causes an additional problem that the user cannot smoothly deal with errors occurring during the DRM process.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Apparatus and method for reporting operation state of digital rights management


A rate-based scheduling system and method are disclosed. The rate-based system generally includes a first scheduler operable to limit the maximum rates at each of the plurality of queues. The first scheduler is configured as a work conserving scheduler shaped at an aggregate rate of active queues of the plurality of queues. The system further includes a second scheduler operable to provide a minimum rate to each of the plurality of queues and a rate controller configured to modulate the rate of at least one of the first and second schedulers.

The present invention relates generally to communication networks, and more specifically, to a method and system for rate-based scheduling.
High speed networks are designed to carry services with a wide range of traffic characteristics and quality-of-service (QoS) requirements. A common task for rate-based QoS enabled scheduling is ensuring that each queue is guaranteed a minimum rate, excess bandwidth is shared in a fair manner, each queue does not exceed a specified maximum rate, and the link is maximally utilized within the maximum rate constraints. While many implementations target this problem, current implementations either scale linearly with the number of queues, or result in substantial underutilization or unfairness.
As noted above, it is important for environments with large numbers of queues that its scheduling system operates in a scaleable manner. Incoming traffic streams flow through the queues (q0−qn) and a scheduler serves each queue to support a maximum rate (m0−mn). Conventional schedulers use O(n) (order (n)) algorithms to perform the scheduling and shaping of the queues. However, at some level of scalability, these algorithms become either infeasible (e.g., there is no available CPU that can process at the required rate) or cost ineffective (e.g., the amount of hardware required to perform the O(n) operation at the required performance level is too costly).
A typical approach taken by conventional scheduler implementations to ensure rate-limiting to maximum rates is to use a set of token-bucket shapers (one per queue). This typically results in an O(n) complexity, as previously described. It is possible to reduce the complexity, in cases where the total rates of all queues do not exceed the link rate, by scheduling the queue eligibility times on a real-time calendar queue. However, this approach does not work in the typical case when the maximum rates are overbooked, and also causes substantial underutilization.


An electric conductor has a body, a circuit board attached to one side of the body, a housing with a cover mounted over the body. An electrical conductor has a first end electrically connected to a ground node of the circuit board, and has a first end extending through the body and electrically contacted with the cover, whereby the housing together with the cover forms a ground shell for the connector.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a connector, and particularly relates to a connector with a ground pin to electrically contact with a metal housing and a circuit board of the connector.
2. Description of Related Art
The transmission line is normally used to convey electronic information, and a connector is needed to attach the transmission line to the computer or electronic products.
The connecter normally has a housing and a main body therein. The main body has a first end and a second end; the first end has a socket and a circuit board is mounted in the second end. The circuit board has a terminal group extended to the socket. Multiple pins are mounted at the bottom of the circuit board and extended out of the housing.
The connector is welded to the circuit board or the electronic product and an additional grounding structure is mounted in the connector. One end of the transmission line is inserted to the plug jack and the other end of the transmission line is inserted to another connector, whereby the electric information is conveyed through the transmission line.
However, additional cost is required for the grounding structure, which is not favorable nor economical for the manufacturers.
Therefore, the invention provides a grounding connector to mitigate or obviate the aforementioned problem.


A method for covering a book includes delivering a book into a pocket, delivering an inverted cover for the book into the pocket, the cover having a first side and a second side, the first side of the cover contacting a side of the book in the pocket, and reversing the second side of the cover so as to contact another side of the book. Also disclosed is a book covering device including a plurality of movable pockets for receiving a book and an inverted cover, each pocket having a support wall and a spine stop movable with respect to the support wall, and each pocket including a cover reversing device for reversing the inverted cover.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to book binding and more particularly to a device and method for providing a cover for a book.
2. Background Information
To form books (defined herein to include all sheet and signature assemblages), sheets or signatures typically are collated or assembled so that the sheets of the book are arranged in the desired order. U.S. Pat. No. 4,988,086 discloses, for example, an apparatus and method for forming sheet material assemblages. The sheets or signatures are stacked above continuously moving assemblers or pockets and dropped one-by-one into the pockets. The bottom of the pocket can open to release an assembled, but unbound, book.
To prepare books for binding, the sheets or signatures must then be registered, so that all edges are even. The spine will be flat if a flatback book is to be formed. If signatures rather than individual sheets are collated, the backbone of the book typically will be sawed so that individual sheets within each signature present themselves at the spine.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,556,353 discloses a method for applying an adhesive to the spine of a book and providing a cover to the book. The book is gripped from the top by clamps to expose the spine of the book and to move the spine past a glue station. A cover glue station may also be provided. Glue is provided to an inner side of the cover, which is moved in a direction parallel to the length of the spine of the book so as to overlap with the spine of the book. The side of the cover may then be pressed about the book.
The above-referenced patent has the disadvantage that the covering process is time-consuming and complicated. Moreover, separate transport devices for moving both the cover and the books are required and must be accurately timed for proper alignment of the cover and the book. The need for an accurate alignment of the cover and the book increases the chances for malfunction or a reduction in quality.
Moreover, transporting the book and cover parallel to the spine length results in high linear velocities. The clamping mechanism must be substantial to hold the book. The time for the glue to set is also limited, in that it is impractical with high velocities to provide a track having a long enough length for a clamping system to hold the book before the book must be delivered from the clamp.
An object of the present invention is to provide a method and device for providing a cover for a book without requiring two separate transport devices for matching the cover with the book. Another alternate or additional object of the present invention is to provide a method and device for providing a book cover while the book is being transported in a direction perpendicular to the length of the book spine. Yet another alternate or additional object of the present invention is to permit for more efficient covering of the book.
The present invention provides a method for covering a book including delivering a book into a pocket, and delivering an inverted cover for the book into the pocket, the cover having a first side and a second side. The first side of the cover contacts a side of the book in the pocket. The second side of the cover then travels around the end or spine of the book, i.e. reverses, so that the second side contacts another side of the book.
By delivering the cover into the pocket along with the book, a separate cover transport mechanism which must align linearly with the book transport mechanism need not be provided. Rather a simple collator above the pockets can be used to deliver the covers. Moreover, the present method permits the transport of the book in a direction perpendicular to the length of the spine of the book.
The delivering step may include aligning the book in an unbound state against a pivotal spine stop, and aligning the cover against the same spine stop. Once the cover and the book are aligned, a suction device can move the second side of the cover away from the book and the first side of the cover. The book and the first side of the cover can then be held at a top end by a clamp, and the spine stop removed.
The suction device then rotates the second side of the cover so that the second side moves downwardly. The second side may then be brought about the spine by a sloped ramp. A conveyor belt may then support the second cover side in a generally horizontal position and the book and the first side of the cover can be released so as to slide onto the second side of the cover, thus forming a fully covered book.
The first side and the second side of the cover may have pre-applied glue strips. Gluing stations for the first side, spine and/or second side are also possible. However, the present invention may be used without any gluing stations to provide a loose cover for the book.
The present invention also provides a book covering device including a plurality of movable pockets for receiving a book and an inverted cover, each pocket having a support wall and a spine stop movable with respect to the support wall, and each pocket including a cover reversing device for reversing the inverted cover.
The cover reversing device preferably includes a pivot arm with a rotatable suction device, the suction device suctioning the second side of the cover so as to move the second side downwardly.
Each pocket also preferably includes a clamp for holding a top end of the first side of the cover and the book while the cover is reversed.
The device preferably also includes a sloped table for aiding the cover reversing process and a conveyor for receiving the covered books.
The movements of the movable parts of the pockets preferably are cam-actuated, but also may be driven by individual motors.
xe2x80x9cBookxe2x80x9d as defined herein can mean any type of sheet or signature assemblage in bound or unbound state, including but not limited to, covered printed products, paper booklets, and magazines. The book need not have a spine flat spine, and may include a saddle-stitched book.

Device and method for providing a cover for a book


A vehicle door structure includes a panel and a bracket. A window opening in the panel has an edge extending along a lower periphery of the window opening from a first side to a second side of the window opening. The edge defines a seal supporting lip and a glass installation slot. The seal supporting lip extends from the first side of the window opening toward the second side of the window opening to a terminal end of the seal supporting lip. The glass installation slot begins at the terminal end of the seal supporting lip and ends proximate the second side of the window opening. The bracket is removably attached to the panel filling the glass installation slot. The bracket has a lip extension aligned with the seal supporting lip extending from the terminal end of the seal supporting lip to the second side of the window opening.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a vehicle door structure. More specifically, the present invention relates to a vehicle door structure with a window opening that includes a seal support bracket that is removable from the vehicle door structure to allow installation and removal of window glass from the vehicle door structure.
2. Background Information
Vehicle door structures typically include a window opening with window glass that is movable between a first position where the window glass covers the window opening, to a second position where the window glass is moved into the vehicle door structure exposing the window opening. Installation and removal of the window glass requires dis-assembly of the vehicle door structure.


A signal recording method for an optical disk and an apparatus therefor wherein a turn-off duration, during which a laser beam is turned-off, of a binary signal to be recorded on the optical disk is elongated and an irradiation duration, during which the laser beam is irradiated, of the binary signal is shortened, so that it is possible to avoid influence of thermal diffusion which is caused by irradiating the laser beam corresponding to the irradiation duration on the optical disk and to obtain a more precise reproduced signal in comparison with that obtained by prior arts.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a signal recording method for an optical disk and an apparatus therefor, and more particularly it relates to a signal recording method by a mark length recording system for erasable type optical disk and to an apparatus therefor.
2. Description of Related Art
In an optical disk drive unit in which an erasable type optical disk is used as a recording data medium, where a signal being outputted from an EFM (Eight to Fourteen Modulation) encoder is directly modulated by an optical modulation system and its mark length is recorded in the optical disk, and when its recording linear velocity becomes lower, a recorded bit is not precisely formed on the optical disk, then, there occurs such an apprehension as that sufficient reproduced waveforms can not be obtained. In order to avoid such apprehension, it is necessary to keep the recording linear velocity to be more than a predetermined value. There, then, still exists another apprehension that the value of the minimum limit of the recording linear velocity becomes so high that an area in which the recording linear velocity is usable becomes narrower, then, the maximum time for recording on the optical disk becomes shorter.
In order to avoid such another apprehension, as shown in "High-Density Magneto-Optic Disk Using Highly Controlled Pit-Edge Recording" (Proc. Int. Symp. on Optical Memory, 1987 Japanese Journal of Applied Physics. Vol. 26 '87 Supplement 26-4), there is proposed a method of adjusting a distribution of intensity of a laser power upon signal pulse by operating its circuit. By this method, however, the system construction becomes more complicated and sufficient characteristics for recording signal can not be obtained in the area of lower linear velocity.
FIG. 1(a), for example, shows a binary signal (signal to which EFM is applied) to be recorded on a magneto-optic disk. Laser beam is irradiated in response to a length of the value "1" of this signal and a laser irradiation bit is formed on the magneto-optic disk, and laser is turned off in response to the length of the value "0" of this signal and a laser turn-off bit is formed on the magneto-optic disk, respectively. FIG. 1(b) shows a laser output power in each of those cases being mentioned above. And in FIG. 1(c), the protruding portion shows the laser irradiation bit which is formed on the optical disk in response to the signal "1", and the recessed portion shows the laser turn-off bit which is formed on the optical disk in response to the signal "0", respectively.
As shown in FIG. 1(c), the laser irradiation bit grows to have more length than the input signal "1" because of thermal diffusion which is caused when the laser is irradiated on the magneto-disk, and the growth of the laser irradiation bit erodes and shortens the laser turn-off bit.
Because of such phenomenon as mentioned above, the laser irradiation bit will largely erode the laser turn-off bit in the area of lower linear velocity, then, sufficient characteristics can not be obtained when a reproduced signal is obtained.

Signal recording method for optical disk and apparatus therefor


The present invention provides an isolated lactic acid bacterium, Lactobacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum PS128 deposited under DSMZ Accession No. DSM 28632, for prophylaxis or treatment of a stress-induced disorder. The present invention further provides a composition for prophylaxis or treatment of a stress-induced disorder that comprises Lactobacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum PS128. Moreover, the present invention provides a method for prophylaxis or treatment of a stress-induced disorder in a subject that comprises a step of administering an effective amount of Lactobacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum PS128 to the subject.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a lactic acid bacterium, and more particularly relates to a novel lactic acid bacterium strain for prophylaxis or treatment of a stress-induced disorder in a subject.
2. Description of Related Art
Lactic acid bacteria (hereinafter, referred to LAB) have not only been recognized as alternatives of prevention or treatment for gut health because of their capability in regulating host's gut microbiota, in recent years, the increased evidences also emerge that LAB are able to alter host's mental and physical responses for psychological stress.
Stress is one of the factors inducing mood disorders and neurochemical changes in both human and animals. Rodents subjected to forced-swimming as an acute stressor often show increased immobility in the re-test on next day. Studies have shown that exposing rodents to early life stress by maternal deprivation leads to multiple abnormalities including intestinal inflammations, anxiety-like and depression-like behaviors in adulthood, impaired function of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, and altered neurotransmitters compared to their normal-reared controls. Stress-induced disorders include, but are not limited to anxiety, depression and irritable bowel syndrome.
Treatment of stress-induced disorders by LAB might be a supplement except conventional psychiatric medicines as LAB have been shown to have an influence on host gut-brain axis (GBA). It was demonstrated that germ-free mice lack the increased motor activity and reduced anxiety had put the emphasis on the key role of normal gut microbiota in brain development. Previous study showed that Lactobacillus rhamnosus altered functions of central nerve system in healthy mice through vagus nerve, and the maternal separated rats with probiotic strain Bifidobacterium infantis had reversed the behavioral deficits in forced swimming test (FST) and restored basal noradrenaline (NA) level in brainstem. The above-mentioned studies support that probiotics might be developed as treatment on psychiatric disorders and neurotransmitter.

Lactic acid bacterium for prophylaxis or treatment of a stress-induced disorder and a composition containing the same


An X-ray detecting section (13) comprises a first imaging means (S1) to generate an X-ray image in response to the X-ray slit beam (B) and a second imaging means (S2) to generate an X-ray image in response to the X-ray broad beam (BB). The radiography apparatus (M) displays a first X-ray image generated by the X-ray slit beam (B) and said first imaging means (S1), specifies a desired interested area (R) on the first X-ray image, and generates a predetermined sectional image as a second X-ray image by using the X-ray broad beam (BB) and the second imaging means (S2) with respect to the specified interested area (R).

In recent years, as an X-ray detector to obtain an X-ray image by measuring an X-ray, two kinds of imaging means such as a two-dimensional-type imaging means having a light receiving section in a rectangular shape close to a square, and a line-type imaging means provided with more elongate light receiving section, are available.
Digital radiography apparatuses utilizing the former two-dimensional-type imaging means are mostly used as a replacement of conventional X films, and such radiography apparatuses use various kinds of known radiographic principles of transmission images and sectional images.
Meanwhile, the digital radiography apparatuses using the latter line-type imaging means have a mechanism to obtain an X-ray transmission image by scanning an object to be examined using an X-ray slit beam along a predetermined radiographic orbit and tracking an X-ray passing through the object by a line-type imaging means so as to capture multiple strip-type X-ray images, followed by connecting and arranging these X-ray images in chronological order.
Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 mentioned below disclose radiography apparatuses which carries out panoramic radiography by means of line-type imaging means.
That is, Patent Document 1 discloses a radiography apparatus which allows versatile selection between panoramic radiography using a film cassette and panoramic radiography using a digital sensor cassette, where a line-type imaging means is used for a digital sensor cassette.
Patent Document 2 discloses a radiography apparatus in which an electric X-ray image detector is arranged as a line-type imaging means in an X-ray light receiving section provided in the center of the front surface of a cassette housing, and electrically controlled by control signals corresponding to rotation of a rotary arm so that an image signal required to generate a panoramic image can be outputted in a form of digital signals by converting the X ray into electrical signals.
Patent Document 3 discloses a medical radiography apparatus in which a vertically mobile patient frame for holding and fixing a head portion of a patient is provided to allow relative positional displacement between the patient frame and a rotary arm rotating its periphery so as to radiograph the desired position.
Patent Document 1: JP-A-H11-104127
Patent Document 2: JP-A-H11-104128
Patent Document 3: JP-A-H07-275240

Radiography apparatus with scout view function


A method for producing 99mTc may include: providing a solution comprising 100Mo-molybdate-ions; providing a proton beam having an energy suitable for inducing a 100Mo(p,2n)99mTc-nuclear reaction when exposing 100Mo-molybdate-ions; exposing the solution to the proton beams and inducing a 100Mo(p,2n)99mTc-nuclear reaction; and applying an extraction method for extracting the 99mTc from the solution. Further, a device for producing 99mTc may include: a solution with 100Mo-molybdate-ions; an accelerator for providing a proton beam with energy which is suitable for inducing a 100Mo(p,2n)99mTc-nuclear reaction when exposing 100Mo-molybdate-ions, for exposing the solution and for inducing a 100Mo(p,2n)99mTc-nuclear reaction; and an extraction step for extracting 99mTc from the solution.

A commercially available 99mTc generator is an instrument for extracting the metastable isotope 99mTc from a source which contains decaying 99Mo.
99Mo in turn is usually obtained from a method which uses highly enriched uranium 235U as a target. 99Mo is created as a fission product by irradiating the target with neutrons. However, as a result of international treaties, it will become ever more difficult in future to operate reactors with highly enriched uranium, which could lead to shortages in the supply of radionuclides for SPECT imaging.


A DRX parameter indication method, a relevant device and a system are provided. The DRX parameter indication method includes: generating a signal or a payload, the signal or the payload being used to indicate a DRX parameter; and transmitting the signal to a UE, or transmitting the payload to the UE on a channel.

In a communication system, in order to reduce the power consumption for a User Equipment (UE), usually blind detection is performed by the UE using a DRX mechanism, e.g., the blind detection is performed on a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) using the DRX mechanism. However, currently a DRX parameter is configured by a base station for the UE through high-layer signaling, so the configuration of the DRX parameter is of insufficient flexibility. For example, the DRX parameter is usually configured to fixed values, but not flexibly adjusted in accordance with different requirements on different services. Due to the insufficient flexibility of the configuration of the DRX parameter, the probability of acquiring no data increases remarkably when the blind detection is performed by the UE on the PDCCH, resulting in serious power consumption for the UE.

Discontinuous reception parameter indication method, relevant device and system


The apparatuses and methods herein relate to techniques for extracting fluid from a subsurface formation. A downhole sampling tool is provided with a probe having an internal wall capable of selectively diverting virgin fluids into virgin flow channels for sampling, while diverting contaminated fluids into contaminated flow channels to be discarded. The characteristics of the fluid passing through the channels of the probe may be measured. The data generated during sampling may be sent to a controller capable of generating data, communicating and/or sending command signals. The flow of fluid into the downhole tool may be selectively adjusted to optimize the flow of fluid into the channels by adjusting the internal wall within the probe and/or by adjusting the flow rates through the channels. The configuration of the internal wall and/or the flow rates may be automatically adjusted by the controller and/or manually manipulated to further optimize the fluid flow.

The collection and sampling of underground fluids contained in subsurface formations is well known. In the petroleum exploration and recovery industries, for example, samples of formation fluids are collected and analyzed for various purposes, such as to determine the existence, composition and producibility of subsurface hydrocarbon fluid reservoirs. This aspect of the exploration and recovery process can be crucial in developing drilling strategies and impacts significant financial expenditures and savings.
To conduct valid fluid analysis, the fluid obtained from the subsurface formation should possess sufficient purity, or be virgin fluid, to adequately represent the fluid contained in the formation. As used herein, and in the other sections of this patent, the terms "virgin fluid", "acceptable virgin fluid" and variations thereof mean subsurface fluid that is pure, pristine, connate, uncontaminated or otherwise considered in the fluid sampling and analysis field to be sufficiently or acceptably representative of a given formation for valid hydrocarbon sampling and/or evaluation.
Various challenges may arise in the process of obtaining virgin fluid from subsurface formations. Again with reference to the petroleum-related industries, for example, the earth around the borehole from which fluid samples are sought typically contains contaminates, such as filtrate from the mud utilized in drilling the borehole. This material often contaminates the virgin fluid as it passes through the borehole, resulting in fluid that is generally unacceptable for hydrocarbon fluid sampling and/or evaluation. Such fluid is referred to herein as "contaminated fluid." Because fluid is sampled through the borehole, mudcake, cement and/or other layers, it is difficult to avoid contamination of the fluid sample as it flows from the formation and into a downhole tool during sampling. A challenge thus lies in minimizing the contamination of the virgin fluid during fluid extraction from the formation.
FIG. 1 depicts a subsurface formation 16 penetrated by a wellbore 14. A layer of mud cake 15 lines a sidewall 17 of the wellbore 14. Due to invasion of mud filtrate into the formation during drilling, the wellbore is surrounded by a cylindrical layer known as the invaded zone 19 containing contaminated fluid 20 that may or may not be mixed with virgin fluid. Beyond the sidewall of the wellbore and surrounding contaminated fluid, virgin fluid 22 is located in the formation 16. As shown in FIG. 1, contaminates tend to be located near the wellbore wall in the invaded zone 19.
FIG. 2 shows the typical flow patterns of the formation fluid as it passes from subsurface formation 16 into a downhole tool 1. The downhole tool 1 is positioned adjacent the formation and a probe 2 is extended from the downhole tool through the mudcake 15 to the sidewall 17 of the wellbore 14. The probe 2 is placed in fluid communication with the formation 16 so that formation fluid may be passed into the downhole tool 1. Initially, as shown in FIG. 1, the invaded zone 19 surrounds the sidewall 17 and contains contamination. As fluid initially passes into the probe 2, the contaminated fluid 20 from the invaded zone 19 is drawn into the probe with the fluid thereby generating fluid unsuitable for sampling. However, as shown in FIG. 2, after a certain amount of fluid passes through the probe 2, the virgin fluid 22 breaks through and begins entering the probe. In other words, a more central portion of the fluid flowing into the probe gives way to the virgin fluid, while the remaining portion of the fluid is contaminated fluid from the invasion zone. The challenge remains in adapting to the flow of the fluid so that the virgin fluid is collected in the downhole tool during sampling.
Various methods and devices have been proposed for obtaining subsurface fluids for sampling and evaluation. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,230,557 to Ciglenec et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,223,822 to Jones, U.S. Pat. No. 4,416,152 to Wilson, U.S. Pat. No. 3,611,799 to Davis and International Pat. App. Pub. No. WO 96/30628 have developed certain probes and related techniques to improve sampling. Other techniques have been developed to separate virgin fluids during sampling. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,301,959 to Hrametz et al. and discloses a sampling probe with two hydraulic lines to recover formation fluids from two zones in the borehole. Borehole fluids are drawn into a guard zone separate from fluids drawn into a probe zone. Despite such advances in sampling, there remains a need to develop techniques for fluid sampling to optimize the quality of the sample and efficiency of the sampling process.
In considering existing technology for the collection of subsurface fluids for sampling and evaluation, there remains a need for apparatus and methods having one or more, among others, of the following attributes: the ability to selectively collect virgin fluid apart from contaminated fluid; the ability to separate virgin fluid from contaminated fluid; the ability to optimize the quantity and/or quality of virgin fluid extracted from the formation for sampling; the ability to adjust the flow of fluid according to the sampling needs; the ability to control the sampling operation manually and/or automatically and/or on a real-time basis. To this end, the present invention seeks to optimize the sampling process.

Method and apparatus for subsurface fluid sampling


Information is entered into a data record which utilizes a virtual environment. A user can direct an avatar in this environment and at least one location in the virtual environment is associated with a field of the data record and with one or more selectable information options for inclusion in the field. The user is provided with representations of the selectable information options distributed around the location and the position of the avatar in the virtual environment is monitored. In the event that the avatar moves into a predefined proximity with one of the representations of the selectable options, the selection of that one of the selectable options is detected and that selected one option is then stored in the associated field of the data record.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a method of and apparatus for the entry of data into an information system.
2. Related Art
Many techniques for the entry of data into information systems have been tried over the span of human history, including many different methods based on textual and graphic representations. The advent of the computer and more recently, computer networks, have provided for yet more sophisticated techniques.
The vastly distributed information system known as the World Wide Web (WWW or Web) is largely composed of documents created in the HyperText Markup Language (HTML). A widespread technique for data entry in respect of Web applications is the use of an HTML form. See, for example, the "Hypertext Transfer Protocol HTTP/1.0" document of the Internet Engineering TaskForce (IETF), published August 1995, authored by Berners-Lee, Fielding and Frystyk.
An HTML form is a special type of HTML document. Unlike an ordinary HTML document, a user is allowed to input information (for example text input or so-called checkboxes, radio buttons and ranges) into the form and when complete, the user may click a submit button, whereupon the form is sent to an associated address for processing as appropriate.
The widespread use of such forms, whilst utilising user familiarity with the concept of its predecessor, the printed form, can however entail significant disadvantages.
Due, for example, to the still largely textual nature of these forms, any users having difficulty with the reading of the form will be at a considerable disadvantage relative to a user who can read and fill in the form with ease. An obvious example is a user with a deficient grasp of the language in which the form is expressed. Further examples include pre-school children and the elderly, where such users may not be able to read the form or may not yet have acquired a sufficiently sophisticated understanding of what is required of them in filling in such an electronic form.
A rather more intuitive user interface is perhaps provided in a three-dimensional virtual environment. It is to be noted that the three dimensional nature of the virtual environment typically refers to the degrees of freedom of movement of the user within the virtual environment. At the present time the user interface typically takes the form of a two-dimensional view (on a monitor or other display) of the three-dimensional virtual environment.
The possibilities of reproducing real world behaviour in these environments make for a more intelligible experience. A conventional method of describing the Eiffel Tower, for example, might rely on providing two-dimensional pages with text and photographic images, as for example in a guide book or in a set of linked HTML pages forming a Web site. A virtual environment simulation might instead allow the user to walk (or even fly) around the structure in a much closer approximation to being present at the Eiffel Tower than was possible with conventional techniques.
As far as data entry in a three dimensional virtual environment is concerned, however, it is still typical to fall back on the use of an HTML form. When desired, such a form may be presented in a Web browser window in conjunction with the user's view of the virtual environment. The user would then fill in the form in the usual 'point and click' manner before submission as above, upon which control of the avatar could be resumed.

Data entry in a virtual environment with position indicator movement constrained between locations associated with selectable options


The starting device, particular a freely disengaging starting device, has an electric motor, the rotor of which drives a driven shaft which has a pinion for driving the gear ring of an internal combustion engine, in which the driven shaft end section carrying the pinion is supported in a face wall of the housing. For a compact structural form, in particular a short form, the driven shaft (6) is supported with its other end (23), via a first bearing (needle bearing 37) in a central aperture (166) of a free-wheel outer ring (35), the surface (164) of which is supported via a second bearing (deep groove ball bearing 38) on the housing (2) of the starting device (1). The associated end (25) of a rotor shaft (17) of the starter rotor (5) is supported via a third bearing (needle bearing 31) on the end section of the driven shaft (6) which lies in the interior of the housing (2).

The invention relates to a starting device, in particular a freely disengaging starting device, with an electric motor, the rotor of which drives, via a free-wheeling clutch, a driven shaft which has a pinion for the drive of an internal combustion engine gear ring. In this starting device the end section of the driven shaft which carries the pinion is supported in a front face of the housing (DE-OS 39 08 870 ).
In motor vehicle technology, such starting devices are used for starting the vehicle engines. For the starting procedure, a pinion of the starting device moves into mesh with the engine gear ring. For the required axial movement of the pinion, a driven shaft which carries it is supported so as to be axially movable. When the starting procedure is complete, the pinion disengages from the gear ring, whereupon the driven shaft returns to its starting position. The axial movement of the driven shaft takes place preferably via a coarse pitch helix. A free-wheel device is further provided which effects a torque transmission in one direction of rotation and a disengagement in the other direction, so that after the engine has started, an "overrun" of the starting device is possible, resulting in a withdrawal of the pinion.
Due to the system for the axial displacement of the driven shaft and for the free-wheel arrangement and the required support points, the resulting physical length of such starting devices is relatively large, and becomes even larger, if they are configured as gear starters.


A termination circuit for unused wires in an unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cable in a local area network (LAN) device. In an eight wire UTP cable, four wires may be unused. The four unused wires are shorted to each other at a point of termination which is electrically connected to ground across a terminating resistive element having a resistance value in a range of about 0.36 to about 0.62 of a differential impedance of the UTP cable, e.g., 36 to 62 ohms for a UTP cable having a differential impedance of 100 ohms.

Local area networks (LANs) often use unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cables as transmission lines for high frequency communication of data between devices. The UTP cable often has four twisted pairs, each pair including two conductors or wires. Some LAN cabling schemes only use four of these wires, leaving four wires unused.
Current may be created in the unused wires due to differences in the ground potential between the LAN devices, coupling of currents from adjacent used wires, or an impedance mismatch between the wires and the local ground. If the unused wires are not properly terminated in the LAN device, the unused wires may produce unwanted electrical noise, radiated electromagnetic emissions, and electrostatic discharge (ESD) and electrical fast transient (EFT) events on or near the UTP cable.

Termination circuit for decoupling unused wires on a network device""s unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cable


An acceleration detection device is provided with a zero point correction unit for correcting a zero point position of a sensor signal value by using the correction amount (absolute value of a correction value) based on the acceleration when the vehicle transitions from a stopped state on a sloping road to a running state. The acceleration detection device is also provided with a correction amount restriction unit for restricting the correction amount, thereby suppressing calculation of an excessive correction amount due to road surface irregularities or movement of the occupant and deterioration in correction accuracy.

In the conventional acceleration detection device, based on an acceleration sensor signal of a vehicle in a stopped or stationary state and the other acceleration sensor signal in a transition state in which the vehicle transitions from the stationary state to running state, a drift error due to temperature change or aging is calculated for use in a zero point correction of the acceleration sensor. An example of such technique related to this description is disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application Publication No. 2008-145151.


A rotary transfer mechanism for transferring flat sleeve cartons (20) from a magazine (22) to a receiving station (23) on a conveyor (24), with opening of the cartons ready to receive end-loaded product, is characterized in that the path of suction cups (32) for holding the cartons during transfer is basically determined by a continuous stationary cam track (34) permanently engaged by a cam follower (37) on a gear segment (35) pivotally mounted on carrier means (29) rotatable by a drive shaft (26), the suction cups (32) being carried by a support shaft (30) rotatable on the carrier means and coaxial with a pinion (38) meshing with the gear segment. (35), and the support shaft being connected to a bracket (48) carrying a manifold (47) for the suction cups (32) by a crank arm (53), which is connected by a link arm (54) to a rocker arm (55) freely rotatable on the drive shaft (26). A servomotor (27) programmed by a computer (not shown) drives the drive shaft (26) through a gearbox (28) to vary the speed of the suction cups (32), especially when passing through the delivery station (23) to effect opening of the cartons (20) by movement relative to flights (64) on the conveyor (24).

Such a mechanism is described in EP-A-0331325 comprising a support member, a drive shaft rotatably mounted on and extending from the support member, means for rotatably driving the drive shaft, carrier means rotatable with the drive shaft, at least one support shaft rotatable on the carrier means substantially parallel to the drive shaft, whereby the support shaft can orbit round the drive shaft, means for controlling the rotational disposition of the support shaft with respect to the carrier means, at least one suction cup attached to the support shaft, means for producing a vacuum, means alternatively connecting the suction cup with the vacuum-producing means and the atmosphere, the means for controlling the support shaft including means causing the suction cup while connected with the vacuum producing means to contact an article at the discharge opening of the magazine, extract the article from the magazine, and transfer the article to the receiving station, whereupon the suction cup is connected with the atmosphere to release the article to the receiving station, characterised in that the means for controlling the at least one support shaft comprises on the one hand, a pinion secured coaxially to the support shaft, and an arcuate rack secured to the support member in such a position as to act upon the pinion to create a partial path of the at least one suction cup with a "node point" at the discharge opening of the magazine; and, on the other hand, a cam follower on an arm extending laterally from the support shaft, and a cam track secured to the support member and of such an operative extent as to act upon the cam follower when the arcuate rack is not acting on the pinion, the profile of the cam track being such as to cause the suction cup to move past the receiving station in the same direction as the conveyor with the article generally parallel to the conveyor.
Thus, the suction cup "plucks" each article from the magazine, but instead of merely dropping the article at the receiving station, the suction cup imparts to the article a major component of motion in the direction of movement of the conveyor, with consequent better placement of the article on the conveyor. The flexibility of design in suction cup path afforded by the combination of the ratio of the rack-and-pinion drive, the disposition of the rack, and the profile of the operative extent of the cam track, allows for a wide choice of article length and disposition of magazine, whilst avoiding interference between the magazine or the conveyor with the article while it is being transferred. This is particularly important when the conveyor has flights for the timed positioning of the articles in relation to a subsequent operation, such as when the article is a sleeve carton presented on the conveyor in open condition ready for end loading with a product at a subsequent station.


Disclosed are methods, systems, and devices that include a power source having a first voltage having a first frequency, a power-consuming load(s), and a first transformer set comprising a delta-delta transformer and a first voltage controller coupled in series thereto, an input coupled to the power source, producing as output a second voltage having a second frequency and coupled to the power-consuming load(s). Also, a second transformer set has a wye-delta transformer, and a second voltage controller coupled in series thereto, an input is coupled to the power source, producing a phase-shifted third voltage output at a third frequency that is coupled to the power-consuming load(s). The first and second transformer sets are coupled in a parallel configuration such that the second and third voltage signals combine to produce a fourth voltage signal having a fourth frequency.

(1) Field
The disclosed methods and systems relate generally to power systems, and more particularly to multiple transformer configurations.
(2) Description of Relevant Art
A common problem in situations involving power system transformer failure is that there is typically a short time lag between the time the main transformer has ceased operation, and the time the back-up transformer, if one is installed, begins operations and allows the power system to resume regular operation. Such a time lag, even if relatively short, and the resultant power interruption to power-consuming devices connected to the power system via the failed transformer could cause sensitive power devices to shut down, thereby resulting in potentially serious economic damage to consumers affected by the power disruption and the ensuing shut down of economically critical power applications. For instance, electrically powered chemical refineries, paper mills, and other similar operations, could suffer economic harm by a power disruption caused by a failed transformer. Additionally, it often becomes necessary to take a transformer off-line for necessary maintenance work. Under these circumstances, a power disruption to consumers, even if a back-up transformer is ready to assume operation, is often inevitable, and could also result in economic harm.
One possible way to address these types of power disruptions is to connect the power-consuming devices to two or more independent power sources. However, such a solution may not be feasible due to expensive overhead necessitated by the connection of two or more power sources, and the accompanying apparatus (e.g., power lines, transformers, etc.). Moreover, such a solution also entails considerable power waste since more power is available to the power-consuming devices than is generally required. Another solution then is to connect two, or more, transformers to the power source supplying power to the power-consuming devices, so that the two, or more, transformers can operate in tandem and thus provide back-up or redundancy to the power system. Although this solution appears to be satisfactory and simple, tandem operation of two or more transformer has been unsatisfactory due to the tendency of multiple transformers used conjunctively to compete with each other for the power supplied by the power source. Consequently, competing transformers cause the power system to become unstable as the voltage levels at the output of the transformers feeding the power consuming devices fluctuate.

Methods and systems having multiple cooperating transformers


A multi-beam scanning optical apparatus includes an incident optical system for making a plurality of light beams emitted from light source means having a plurality of light emitting portions incident on a deflector, and a scanning optical system for forming images of the plurality of light beams deflected by the deflector on a surface to be scanned. The scanning optical system has at least one scanning optical element made of a resin. The scanning optical element made of the resin has birefringence due to a stress distribution generated upon cooling in a molding process thereof such that the directions of principal axes of birefringence at one end portion of the scanning optical element are different from those at the other end portion, opposite to the one end portion with respect to an optical axis thereof in a main scanning direction, of the scanning optical element. An interval between adjacent scanning lines formed on the scanning surface by the plurality of light beams whose images are formed on the scanning surface through the scanning optical element made changes in the main scanning direction in an effective scanning region. In the apparatus, a sub-scanning interval error between the scanning lines due to a polarization angle difference between the light beams emitted from the plurality of light emitting portions is so set as to be not more than ⅕ of a desired scanning line interval.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a multi-beam scanning optical apparatus and image forming apparatus using the same and, more particularly, to an image forming apparatus such as a laser beam printer having, e.g., an electrophotographic process, digital copying machine, or multi-functional printer, in which a plurality of light beams emitted from a light source means having a plurality of light emitting portions are deflected by a polygon mirror serving as an optical deflector and then caused to be optically scanned on a surface to be scanned through scanning optical means having an f-θ characteristic so as to record image information.
2. Related Background Art
A scanning optical apparatus (scanning optical system) conventionally used for an image forming apparatus is often designed to guide a light beam emitted from light source means to deflection means through an incident optical means and to form and scan the spot image of the light beam deflected by the deflection means on a surface to be scanned through scanning optical means having an f-θ characteristic.
Along with the recent improvement in performance and multi-functional ability of image forming apparatuses, scanning optical apparatuses are also required to operate at a high speed. To meet this requirement for high-speed operation, a plurality of light sources (light emitting portions) are used. In, e.g., Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-54263, a multi-beam laser chip for emitting a plurality of linearly arranged light beams (laser beams) from one chip is used as light source means.
In an image forming apparatus, generally, if the interval between scanning lines in the sub scanning direction changes depending on position due to various reasons, the printed image quality degrades. Especially, this phenomenon readily takes place in a multi-beam scanning optical apparatus having a plurality of light emitting portions because of the presence of the plurality of light emitting portions.

Multi-beam scanning optical apparatus and image forming apparatus using the same