A component for reducing the likelihood of ice-related blockage in a fuel cell and methods for starting a fuel cell system. In one embodiment, the component is a separate insert configured with a sharp leading edge such that water droplets present in a reactant fluid that pass through an orifice in the component are conveyed away from an unstable formation at the edge to a more stable formation in an adjacent part of the component. In one form, the component is sized to fit within a valve inlet that in turn is placed in a humid reactant flowpath. In this way, when the fuel cell is operated in cold conditions—such as those associated with temperatures at or below the freezing point of water—the water droplets do not freeze in the area around the orifice such that ice-related blockage of the flowpath does not occur.

This invention relates generally to fuel cells, and more particularly to a humid stream orifice design that does not become blocked under freezing conditions, as well as methods of fuel cell system start-up under frozen conditions such that blockage due to ice formation is inhibited.
Fuel cells convert a fuel into usable electricity via electrochemical reaction. A significant benefit to such an energy-producing means is that it is achieved without reliance upon combustion as an intermediate step. As such, fuel cells have several environmental advantages over internal combustion engines (ICEs) and related power-generating sources. In a typical fuel cell—such as a proton exchange membrane or polymer electrolyte membrane (in either event, PEM) fuel cell—a pair of catalyzed electrodes are separated by an ion-transmissive medium (such as Nafion™). The electrochemical reaction occurs when a gaseous reducing agent (such as hydrogen, H2) is introduced to and ionized at the anode and then made to pass through the ion-transmissive medium such that it combines with a gaseous oxidizing agent (such as oxygen, O2) that has been introduced through the other electrode (the cathode); this combination of reactants form water as a benign byproduct. The electrons that were liberated in the ionization of the hydrogen proceed in the form of direct current (DC) to the cathode via external circuit that typically includes a load where useful work may be performed. The power generation produced by this flow of DC electricity can be increased by combining numerous such cells to form a fuel cell stack or related assembly that makes up a fuel cell system.
Various fuel cell system operating conditions can lead to a high water content in one or both of the reactant streams. For example, water generated during operation of the fuel cell system may build up in one or both of the anode stream and cathode stream. In certain operating conditions, it is desirable to remove excess moisture to ensure that ice blockage of key flowpaths is avoided in conditions where such water may be exposed to freezing temperatures or related environmental conditions. Removing water from the fuel cell's anode loop is especially difficult as it doesn't have the high volume and velocity gas flow motive force that the cathode loop does as a way to purge any excess water. As such, starting a vehicular fuel cell system that has moisture present in one or both of the reactant fluid streams is hampered under cold ambient conditions if the low temperatures lead to ice or related blockage of the passageways that normally convey reactant to or from the fuel cells or stack. If a flowpath leading to the anode is blocked with ice, the flow of H2 to the stack is prevented, which in turn leads to a failed cold catalytic heating (CCH) event, and the consequent failure of the vehicle to start.
One way to promote heating within a fuel cell after a period of rest is known as cold catalytic stack heating (CCSH). This approach allows the flow of hydrogen from the anode to the cathode as a way to promote heating during fuel cell cold starts. For the cold start to be successful, flow of hydrogen must occur within two seconds of start. If the orifice in the valve is blocked with ice, CCSH will not occur and the cold start is aborted. Supplemental energy devices (including those capable of imparting heat or vibration to at-risk components) may be also employed to reduce the likelihood of ice-related blockage to fuel cell components. Nevertheless, such measures significantly increase the cost and complexity of the overall fuel cell system.

Humid stream orifice via geometry and material that is robust to becoming blocked


Disclosed herein are system, method, and computer program product embodiments for performing ad-hoc analytical queries of graph data. An embodiment operates by receiving a graph pattern for a subgraph of interest. The facts of interest are then selected from graph data based on the received graph pattern. Dimensions are then defined based on a dimension seed pattern and a set of level expressions, and measures are defined based on a computation function and an aggregation function. A graph cube is formed based on the selected facts and the defined dimensions and measures. Because the facts, dimensions, and measures of interest are defined at the time of an analytical query, a user does not have to define such facts, dimensions, and measures, or know which analytical queries will be of interest, at the time of data collection.

In recent years there has been a significant increase in irregularly structured data that can be represented most naturally and efficiently in the form of graphs. Making sense of this graph data is not only a key requirement in applications like social media analysis or fraud detection but also in many traditional enterprise scenarios. Data warehousing tools and online analytical processing (OLAP) solutions are often used to make sense of this graph data.
While data warehousing tools and OLAP solutions for relational data are well-understood and mature, OLAP approaches for the multidimensional analysis of graph data are still in their infancy. Specifically, graph models used for multidimensional analysis of graph data are tailored to the specific problem at hand. These graph models fix facts and dimensions upfront. But upfront modeling is often unable to meet the requirements of today's ever-changing information technology (IT) and business landscapes with the dramatic increase of data to process and number of sources to integrate.
In the drawings, like reference numbers generally indicate identical or similar elements. Additionally, generally, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the drawing in which the reference number first appears.


The invention provides a method and system for labeling items, wherein the labels contain digital information and can be read when desired. The coding of the labels is done by choosing specifically engineered nano-particles, micro-particles, or liquid material in the form of “ink.” The particles are designed to contain materials with distinguishable NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) or NQR (Nuclear quadrupole resonance) frequencies and are combined in sets to encode digital information. The NMR/NQR label particle sets are printed on the item to be labeled, or on a label substrate which is then attached to the item to be labeled. In one embodiment, the printed NMR/NQR label consists of an array of spots, each of which may encode one or more digital characters. These spots can be detected and the digital information in the label can be read using a suitable magnetic resonance detector.

Labels or identification tags are useful for storing information about the items carrying the labels or identification tags. They can be used for inventory purposes, tracking items during shipping, and storing various useful information about the items such as their prices, serial numbers, contents, etc.
Traditionally, labels or identification tags have been handwritten or printed, which can be read by humans. These labels or tags can also be read by a computer using suitable optical character recognition (OCR) software.
There are also various types of electronically readable labels. For example, one-dimensional optical bar codes are readable with a scanned light beam and a light sensitive detector, as typically used in a grocery store scanner.
Two-dimensional optical bar codes are more compact (or dense) and can store much more information than one-dimensional optical bar codes. Their read-out method, however, is correspondingly more complicated than that which is used for reading one-dimensional optical bar codes because of the more complex label format and also because a higher optical resolution is usually required.
Magnetic ink labels are read by a head similar to a tape recording head or by a hall-effect or other magnetic detector. The labels themselves can be simple one-dimensional bar codes, two-dimensional bar codes, or include characters that can also be read by humans. Examples of such labels are the bank account numbers found at the bottom of personal checks.
Fluorescent dots are micro- or nano-sized particles containing materials which fluoresce when illuminated with light of a particular wavelength (usually blue or ultraviolet). The particles can be made in different versions, each with a different emitted-light color. These particles can be applied to a surface, either as a single color or as a mixture of some colors, in patches or as one- or two-dimensional bar codes. The particles may be made small enough to be placed on or in a very small sample, or even on single cells or molecules. The color or information of the label including fluorescent dots can be observed or read microscopically.
A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag is a small circuit on a semiconductor chip. The circuit consists essentially of a small computer, a radio receiver, and a radio transmitter, which can send stored information when commanded by an external signal. A significantly greater amount of information can be encoded using this method than other labeling methods described above. Some RFID tags can be read at some distance (10 feet or greater) from the tag.
For some applications or users, it may be desirable to have a proprietary labeling system wherein labels are unreadable by common label reading systems or by humans. Such labels are preferably capable of permanently storing a digitally coded message containing a substantial amount of information. These labels or identification tags are further preferably organic and/or recyclable so that they can be placed on recyclable materials such as cardboard boxes. The present invention is directed to providing a labeling system and method which meet these and other goals.

Method and system for producing and reading labels based on magnetic resonance techniques


A system for performing floating point arithmetic operations including an input register adapted for receiving an operand. The system also includes a mechanism for performing a shift or masking operation in response to determining that the operand is in an un-normalized format. The system also includes instructions for performing single precision incrementing of the operand in response to determining that the operand is single precision, that the operand requires the incrementing based on the results of a previous operation and that the previous operation did not perform the incrementing. The operand was created in the previous operation. The system further includes instructions for performing double precision incrementing of the operand in response to determining that the operand is double precision, that the operand requires the incrementing based on the results of the previous operation and that the previous operation did not perform the incrementing.

This invention relates generally to computer systems, and more particularly, to computer systems providing floating-point operations.
The "IEEE-754 Standard for Binary Floating-point Arithmetic" specifies a floating point data architecture that is commonly implemented in computer hardware, such as floating point processors having multipliers. The format consists of a sign, an unsigned biased exponent, and a significand. The sign bit is a single bit and is represented by an "S". The unsigned biased exponent, represented by a "e," is 8 bits long for single format and 11 bits long for double format. The significand is 24 bits long for single format and 53 bits long for double format. The most significant bit of the significand is implied from the value of the exponent. The lesser significant bits of the significand or fraction are represented by "F" in equations (1) and (2) that follow. If the unsigned biased exponent "e" is not equal to zero and does not have all bits set to one, then the value of the floating-point number is given by the following equation:(−1)S×(1).F×2(C−Bias)  (1)
Numbers within this range are called normalized numbers and they have an implied one at the beginning of the significand. Numbers outside this range are considered to be special numbers. There are four types of special numbers defined in the IEEE-754 Standard. Three of these special numbers are handled easily by the hardware since their value dictates the resultant value with little or no arithmetic computation. These three special numbers are zero, infinity and not-a-number ("NaN"). The fourth type of special number is a de-normalized number that is indicated by an unsigned biased exponent, e, equal to zero and a non-zero fraction. The value of the fourth special number is given by the following equation:(−1)S×(0).F×2(1−Bias)  (2)
In contrast with the normalized format, there is no implied one preceding the fraction in this de-normalized format. In order to determine that the data is de-normalized, the characteristic must be examined. This is important since the computation that is performed by the hardware is typically serially gated by the predetermination of de-normalized input data that will contribute to the cycle time of the hardware, as is the case of multiplication. The handling of de-normalized input data is a particular problem for floating point processors that do not have any pre-decoded information that an operand is de-normalized, particularly where the assumption is that an input operand is normalized.
One of the key performance factors in designing high performance floating-point units (FPUs) is the number of cycles required to resolve a dependency between two successive operations. For example, an overall latency for a fused multiply-add operation may be seven cycles with a throughput of one operation per cycle per FPU. In this type of pipeline, it is typical that an operation that is dependent on the result of the prior operation will have to wait the whole latency of the first operation before starting (in this case seven cycles).
Currently, some FPUs perform fused multiply-add operations that support limited cases of data dependent operations by delaying the dependent operations until after the rounded intermediate result is calculated. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,999,802 to Cocanougher et al., of common assignment herewith, depicts a mechanism for allowing an intermediate result prior to rounding to be transmitted to a new dependent instruction and later corrected in the multiplier. This mechanism supports an intermediate result prior to rounding to be fed back to the multiplier for double precision data.
Improvements in performance could be achieved by providing early un-rounded feed back for multiple data types (i.e. single precision and double precision) and by allowing a dependency in both the multiplier input operands, as well as the addend input operand. Additional performance improvements may be achieved by feeding back an un-rounded un-normalized result prior to some or all of the normalization.

System and method for a floating point unit with feedback prior to normalization and rounding

International Business Machines Corporation


A support chair for a patient in a body cast, such as a child or toddler wearing a spica cast, is disclosed. The support chair may hold the patient in a generally upright position and the seat may include a cut-out portion positionable over a commode. The chair may include stationary or adjustable leg support stirrups which support a portion of the body cast. The seat, back and/or legs of the support chair may be adjustable in order to change the height or inclination angle of the chair. Optional attachments include removable armrests, bed pan, splash guard and activity tray.

A body cast or spica cast is used to immobilize the hips and thighs of a patient to assist in the healing of bones, muscles and tendons. Spica casts are typically used on children following surgery or a reduction to hold the hips in a position that facilitates bone growth. The casts may begin at the chest and extend to cover both legs down to the toes or knee, or one leg down to the toes or knee and the other leg down to the hip or knee. A similar type of cast known as an abduction boot extends from the upper thigh of each leg down to the foot.
Spica casts and abduction boots are customized for each patient depending on his or her body type and recovery needs. The casts are made from fiberglass or plaster, and a rigid bar is often placed between the legs to ensure immobility. The casts should be kept as dry as possible so that they do not cause skin irritation or lose their proper shape due to softening and cracking.
Spica casts typically contain an opening between the legs for the patient to use the bathroom. For infants and toddlers, a disposable diaper is tucked into the edges of this opening, a second diaper is placed on top of this diaper, and an additional bladder control diaper is placed on top of the second diaper. A material such as moleskin is often placed around the edges of the cast to help prevent the cast from soiling. The child's head should be elevated above his feet to assist in draining urine and stool away from the cast. The diaper and plastic wrap should be changed immediately after wetting to maintain the cast's integrity. Older children can be rolled onto their sides to use a bed pan or urinal, but soiling of the cast is still a problem. Sponge baths are the only form of bathing for children wearing spica casts. The child is generally restricted to lying in bed, and his or her position must be changed periodically throughout the day and night.


A mobile terminal for receiving terrestrial digital broadcasting data and a method thereof are provided. A digital broadcasting receiver receives digital broadcasting data corresponding to a frequency in response to a request for digital broadcasting corresponding to the frequency. A demodulator separates a main service channel (MSC) containing broadcasting data for subchannels and a fast information channel (FIC) providing information about the MSC from the digital broadcasting data. A multimedia portion reads and outputs the FIC, and outputs broadcasting data of a subchannel according to a predetermined control signal. A controller acquires analysis information by analyzing the FIC and configures a user interface menu for the subchannels of the MSC using the analysis information.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a mobile terminal, and in particular, to a mobile terminal and method for providing a user interface using received terrestrial digital broadcasting data.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, digital broadcasting improves on traditional analog broadcasting by providing better services with high quality in image and sound. Digital broadcasting is classified into satellite digital broadcasting and terrestrial digital broadcasting.
The main objective of the satellite digital broadcasting is to provide mobile services. It enables users to enjoy multichannel multimedia broadcasting using portable receivers (e.g. mobile phones or Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs)) or vehicle receivers at anytime and location.
The terrestrial digital broadcasting, which has its origin from Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB), provides mobile multimedia broadcasting reception through the unused VHF channel 12. It is capable of delivering an ensemble of services that includes television, radio and data broadcasting. Existing terrestrial providers operate one analog channel, whereas digital broadcasting providers operate a plurality of digital channels.
In the terrestrial digital broadcasting, one channel is divided into three blocks, and it is expected that two video channels per block or one video channel and three to four audio channels per block will be created. The terrestrial digital broadcasting aims to provide free broadcasting, considering reception in vehicles. Several service providers plan to provide the terrestrial digital broadcasting in the near future.
Along with the development of digital broadcasting technology and mobile communication technology in recent years, the public has shown an increasing interest in digital broadcasting services that enable viewing digital broadcasting during roaming, particularly in Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) supporting mobile multimedia broadcasting data through mobile terminals.
Accordingly, there is a need for providing a user interface that enables efficient viewing of the terrestrial digital broadcasting over multiple channels through a mobile terminal.

Mobile terminal and method for providing user interface using received terrestrial digital broadcasting data


A reversibly deactivated, particulate catalyst in a slurry hydrocarbon synthesis slurry is rejuvenated by circulating the slurry from a slurry body through (i) a gas disengaging zone to remove gas bubbles from the slurry, (ii) a catalyst rejuvenation zone in which a catalyst rejuvenating gas contacts the catalyst in the slurry to rejuvenate it and form a rejuvenated catalyst slurry and, (iii) back into the slurry body. Removing at least a portion of the gas bubbles improves the rejuvenation process.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a process and apparatus for in-situ rejuvenating solid catalyst particles suspended in a slurry. More particularly, the invention relates to a process and means for rejuvenating solid catalyst particles dispersed in a three phase, Fischer-Tropsch type hydrocarbon slurry comprising said particles, a hydrocarbon liquid phase and gas bubbles in-situ in the slurry, in which gas bubbles are removed from the slurry entering the rejuvenation zone.
2. Background of the Invention
Slurry hydrocarbon synthesis (HCS) processes are known. In a slurry HCS process a synthesis gas (syngas) comprising a mixture of H.sub.2 and CO is bubbled up as a third phase through a slurry in a reactor in which the slurry liquid comprises hydrocarbon products of the synthesis reaction and the dispersed, suspended solids comprise a suitable Fischer-Tropsch type hydrocarbon synthesis catalyst. Reactors which contain such a three phase slurry are sometimes referred to as "bubble columns", as is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,348,982. Irrespective of whether the slurry reactor is operated as a dispersed or slumped bed, the mixing conditions in the slurry will typically be somewhere between the two theoretical conditions of plug flow and back mixed. Syngas made from hydrocarbon feedstocks which contain nitrogen (i.e., natural gas) or nitrogen containing compounds (i.e., resids, coal, shale, coke, tar sands, etc.) invariably contains HCN and NH.sub.3 which contaminate the reactive slurry and rapidly, but reversibly, deactivate the catalyst. Certain oxygenates and carbonaceous compounds formed in the slurry as by-products of the HCS reaction can also cause rapid deactivation. Deactivation of such catalysts by these species is reversible and catalytic activity is restored (the catalyst rejuvenated) by contacting the deactivated catalyst with hydrogen. The activity of the HCS catalyst in the reactive slurry may be intermittently or continuously rejuvenated by contacting the slurry with hydrogen or a hydrogen containing gas to form a rejuvenated catalyst slurry as is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,260,239 and 5,268,344. In these patents the slurry, containing gas bubbles, is rejuvenated by circulating it through either a rejuvenation tube immersed in the slurry or in an external rejuvenation reactor. It has now been found that the presence of CO hinders catalyst rejuvenation until the CO is consumed. This limits the overall efficiency of the rejuvenation process and wastes CO and H.sub.2. It would be an improvement to the art if these gas bubbles could be removed from the slurry before it contacts the rejuvenation gas.

Hydrocarbon synthesis catalyst slurry rejuvenation with gas disengagement (LAW 783)


An isopropyl alcohol-producing Escherichia coli includes an isopropyl alcohol production system, wherein an activity of transcriptional repressor GntR is inactivated, and the isopropyl alcohol-producing Escherichia coli preferably further includes a group of auxiliary enzymes having an enzyme activity expression pattern with which isopropyl alcohol production capacity achieved by the inactivation of the GntR activity is maintained or enhanced. A method of producing isopropyl alcohol includes producing isopropyl alcohol from a plant-derived raw material using the isopropyl alcohol-producing Escherichia coli. A method of producing acetone includes contacting the isopropyl alcohol obtained by the isopropyl alcohol production method with a complex oxide that includes zinc oxide and at least one oxide containing a Group 4 element, and that is prepared by coprecipitation. A method of producing propylene includes contacting isopropyl alcohol and acetone obtained by the production method with a solid acidic substance and a Cu-containing hydrogenation catalyst as catalysts.

Propylene is an important basic raw material for synthetic resins such as polypropylene and for petrochemical products, and is used widely such as for automobile bumpers, food containers, films, and medical instruments.
Isopropyl alcohol produced from plant-derived raw materials can be converted to propylene through a dehydration process. Therefore, isopropyl alcohol is a promising carbon-neutral raw material for propylene. Acetone is also widely used as solvents and raw materials for plastics. Kyoto Protocol called for industrialized nations to reduce their total carbon dioxide emissions from 1990 levels by 5 percent by 2008-2012. Therefore, carbon-neutral propylene is currently extremely important due to its versatility, in view of the global environment.
Bacteria that assimilate plant-derived raw materials and produce isopropyl alcohol are already known. For example, WO 2009/008377 discloses a bacterium that is modified to produce isopropyl alcohol using glucose as a raw material, and describes that the bacterium has excellent properties as a biocatalyst for industrial production due to its high selectivity for isopropyl alcohol.
In isopropyl alcohol-producing Escherichia coli, because the raw material for isopropyl alcohol is glucose, a great number of compounds formed by glycolysis and catabolism can all be by-products. However, these compounds are essential substances for the growth of Escherichia coli in some cases, and, therefore, the amount of glucose consumed by these side reactions cannot be completely eliminated. Accordingly, various studies have been carried out with a view to minimizing the by-products and increasing the amount of isopropyl alcohol produced.
For example, WO 2009/008377 pamphlet discloses an isopropyl alcohol-producing bacterium to which acetoacetate decarboxylase, isopropyl alcohol dehydrogenase, CoA transferase and thiolase genes have been introduced, and which is capable of producing isopropyl alcohol form a plant-derived raw material. It is described that the capacity of the isopropyl alcohol-producing bacterium provides a production rate of 0.6 g/L/hr and an accumulation amount of 28.4 g/L.
WO 2009/049274 and Appl. Environ. Biotechnol., 73(24), pp. 7814-7818, (2007) disclose an Escherichia coli variant to which acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase, acetoacetyl-CoA transferase, acetoacetate decarboxylase and secondary alcohol dehydrogenase genes have been introduced, and which produces isopropyl alcohol. It is described that the capacity of the bacteria provides a production rate of 0.4 g/L/hr, a yield of 43.5%, and an accumulation amount of 4.9 g/L.
WO 2009/028582 discloses an Escherichia coli variant to which acetoacetate decarboxylase, isopropyl alcohol dehydrogenase, acetyl CoA:acetate CoA-transferase and acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase genes have been introduced, and which produces isopropyl alcohol. It is described that the capacity of the bacterium provides an accumulation amount of 9.7 g/L.
Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol., 77(6), pp. 1219-1224, (2008) discloses an Escherichia coli variant to which thiolase, CoA-transferase, acetoacetate decarboxylase and primary-secondary alcohol dehydrogenase genes have been introduced, and which produces isopropyl alcohol. It is described that the capacity of the bacterium provides a production rate of 0.6 g/L/hr, a yield of 51% and an accumulation amount of 13.6 g/L.
WO 2009/103026 discloses an Escherichia coli variant to which acetoacetate decarboxylase, acetyl CoA:acetate CoA-transferase, acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase and isopropyl alcohol dehydrogenase genes have been introduced, and which is capable of producing isopropyl alcohol. It is described that the bacterium is expected to have a capacity that provides a yield of 50%, a production rate of 0.4 g/L/hr and a final production amount of 14 g/L.
WO 2009/247217 discloses an Escherichia coli variant to which acetoacetate decarboxylase, CoA transferase, thiolase and 2-propyl alcohol dehydrogenase genes have been introduced, and which is capable of producing isopropyl alcohol. It is described that the capacity of the bacterium provides a final production amount of 2 g/L.
Here, isopropyl alcohol dehydrogenase, secondary alcohol dehydrogenase, primary-secondary alcohol dehydrogenase and 2-propyl alcohol dehydrogenase are enzymes that have different names but catalyze the same reaction. CoA transferase, acetoacetyl-CoA transferase, acetyl CoA:acetate CoA-transferase and CoA transferase are enzymes that have different names but catalyze the same reaction. Acetoacetic acid decarboxylase and acetoacetate decarboxylase are enzymes that have different names but catalyze the same reaction. Thiolase and acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase are enzymes that have different names but catalyze the same reaction. Accordingly, although the productivity of the isopropyl alcohol-producing Escherichia coli variants disclosed in these documents varies, the enzymes utilized for producing isopropyl alcohol are equivalent to the four types of enzymes of acetoacetate decarboxylase, isopropyl alcohol dehydrogenase, CoA transferase and thiolase, which are described in WO 2009/008377. In a case in which it is desired to improve the productivity or yield, these four types of enzymes have been examined thus far.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. 5-260979 describes that, in Bacillus subtillis, disruption of GntR gene possessed by the Escherichia coli improves production of D-ribose.
Further, with regard to a method for converting isopropyl alcohol into acetone, a copper-based catalyst is used as a solid catalyst for production of acetone through dehydrogenation of isopropyl alcohol in JP-A No. 7-53433 and JP-A No. 11-335315. Moreover, a catalyst obtained by physical mixing of zinc oxide fine particles and zirconium oxide fine particles is used in UK Patent No. GB665376. It is known that impurities are generally contained when a substance is produced using a microorganism. In this regard, none of these techniques is a production method using microorganisms, and, therefore, does not describe that impurity-containing isopropanol is used as a raw material
Acetone can easily be converted into isopropanol by hydrogenation. A process has been proposed (see, for example, JP-A No. 2-174737) which includes obtaining propylene from the isopropanol via a dehydration reaction, and thereafter obtaining cumene by allowing the propylene to react with benzene, that is, a process in which acetone is reused as a raw material for the Cumene method by being converted into propylene via two-step reactions.
In the re-usage as described above, there is a need for establishment of an industrial and practical method for producing propylene from acetone with high selectivity. A method is also known (see, for example, East Germany Patent No. DD84378) which includes carrying out a hydrogenation reaction of acetone at 400° C. in the presence of a Cu (25%)-zinc oxide (35%)-aluminum oxide (40%) catalyst to obtain propylene. However, although the reaction temperature in this method is high (400° C.), the conversion rate of acetone is low (89%). In addition, since a side reaction that generates propane via hydrogenation of propylene occurs in the method, the propylene selectivity is also insufficient (89%).

Isopropyl alcohol-producing bacterium having improved productivity by GntR destruction


The invention provides method of treating a subject suffering from, or at risk of developing, a Mycobacterium infection by administering to the subject a therapeutically-effective amount of isotopically labeled isoniazid and/or ethionamide, or an analog, derivative or prodrug thereof, and exposing the subject to a magnetic field.

Isoniazid (INH) is a pro-drug that is activated by catalase peroxidase (KatG) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) to produce isonicotinyol (INacyl) radicals that react with NAD to produce mycolate synthesis inhibitors.
Recently, it has been shown that isoniazid specifically substituted in the acyl position with 13C greatly increase isoniazid activity, through enhanced formation of INH-NAD and NADP adducts after its activation by the bacterial enzyme KatG, with these adducts being the species that are highly toxic to mycobacteria. It is believed that this is due to isotope effects on several steps of the pathway, although effects in the reversibility of acyl radical addition to the NAD, perhaps play the major role. It has been shown that another major TB drug, ethionamide (and its related compound prothionamide), undergoes almost identical activation and adduct formation chemistries (Wang, et al. J. Exp. Med. 204; 73-8 (2007)).
We found that INacyl radicals also decompose to release CO, and so lose the ability to produce INacyl-NAD adducts. Since CO induces dormancy in Mtb, we hypothesized that reducing this decarbonylation by selective 13C substitution (to produce heavy isoniazid, hINH) would increase activity of the resultant drug by maximizing INacyl-NAD formation, and minimizing dormancy induction by CO. Here, we describe how this 13C magnetic isotope effect (MIE) can produce more effective drugs in combination with static magnetic fields greater than the Earth magnetic field.


Antidegradant compound of Formula I:

More than 200 types of rubber additives are currently in use, 50% of which are antidegradants; thus, antidegradants are the most important rubber additives in the world. N-1,3-dimethylbutyl-N′-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine (6PPD) is one of the antidegradants that are widely used in tire treads, tire sidewalls, hoses, cables, and seals, as it provides comprehensive protection for rubber, including strong ozone and flex resistance and inhibitory effects towards heat, oxygen, and harmful metals (such as copper), making the rubber products resistant to degradation catalyzed by copper and other heavy metals.
When a tire is exposed to environmental light, high temperature, and ozone for a long period of time or suffers from chemical corrosion, the tread and side of the tire show some discoloration due to aging of the rubber material, thereby affecting the overall appearance of the vehicle tire. Currently, most tires sold on the market are black; as the rubber raw material do not normally affect the black color in the rubber products, discoloration is less of a concern for producing these rubber products such as tires in black.
Pollution and discoloration caused by the antidegradants are the most serious among all types of rubber additives in rubber raw materials. Some antidegradants have coloring and polluting effects on the rubber; some antidegradants migrate in the rubber and pollute materials in contact therewith; and some antidegradants cause discoloration in the rubber products during long-term storage, especially under the light. These antidegradants, including the pollution-type antidegradants (such as 4010, 6PPD, IPPD, etc.), are not suitable for producing white and colored products. In some tires with high requirements for the appearance, phenolic antioxidants or saturated rubbers are used to reduce the amount of antidegradants and thus discoloration of the tires. Although the use of the phenolic antioxidants may reduce the discoloration of the tires, the anti-aging effect is not as good as the p-phenylenediamine antidegradants and causes great decrease in heat-oxygen resistance, ozone resistance, and flex resistance in tires. Further, although saturated rubbers such as EPDM may be used in tires to reduce the amount of antidegradants to certain degree, or even avoid use of antidegradants at all, to significantly improve the appearance of the tires, it is relatively expensive so the production cost is greatly increased while its low viscosity causes problems in the adhesion and molding of the tires.
In the current technology, 6PPD is used in a large amount to improve the static anti-aging property of the rubber articles. As 6PPD is a pollution-type antidegradant and can easily migrate to the surface of the rubber articles, it causes discoloration of rubber articles. However, a non pollution-type antidegradant that may replace 6PPD in all aspects has not yet been developed.

Low-pollution antidegradant compound and antidegradant composition and rubber composition comprising the same for tires

Abstract: Antidegradant compound of Formula I:

Abstract: and antidegradant composition comprising the same and rubber composition comprising the antidegradant compound or composition. The rubber composition has good resistance to appearance discoloration while maintaining the mechanical and anti-aging properties, thus, are suitable for making the entire tire or as part of the rubber matrix.


A current source and method of producing the current source are provided. The current source includes a metal source, a buffer layer, a filter and a collector. An electrical connection is provided to the metal layer and semiconductor layer and a magnetic field applier may be also provided. The source metal has localized states at a bottom of the conduction band and probability amplification. The interaction of the various layers produces a spontaneous current. The movement of charge across the current source produces a voltage, which rises until a balancing reverse current appears. If a load is connected to the current source, current flows through the load and power is dissipated. The energy for this comes from the thermal energy in the current source, and the device gets cooler.

In solids, a number of energy bands exist. These energy bands include a valence band and a conduction band. The conduction band is at higher energy than the valence band. Each energy band contains multiple states in which a charged carrier (electron or hole) may be present. In semiconductors and insulators, the conduction band is separated from the valence band by a bandgap. There are essentially no states in the bandgap.
In semiconductors and insulators, at zero temperature and under no excitation conditions, the states in the valence band are completely populated by electrons, while the states in the conduction band are completely populated by holes, i.e. empty of electrons. In metals, on the other hand, the conduction band and the valence band are the same. Thus, metals are highly conductive as electrons are essentially free to move around from a populated state to an unpopulated state. Ideally, in insulators or undoped semiconductors, on the other hand, the conductivity is relatively low because the electrons completely populate the valence band and thus no states are available to which the electrons are able to move. However, there is a finite conductivity in insulators or undoped semiconductors due to thermal excitation. Some of the electrons in the valence band receive enough energy to transition across the bandgap. Once the electrons are in the conduction band, they can conduct electricity, as can the hole left behind in the valence band. As the bandgap increases, the conductivity decreases exponentially. Thus, the bandgap is zero in a metal as the conduction band and valence band overlap, the bandgap is greater than about 4 eV in insulator (e.g. 8.0 eV for SiO2), and between zero and about 4 eV in a semiconductor.
Energy bands are shown in momentum space. That is, the energy bands of a solid are illustrated in terms of the relationship between the available states in energy and momentum. Other constructs are useful in characterizing solids. For example, in solid-state physics a Fermi surface is often used to describe various aspects of a solid. A Fermi surface is an abstract boundary or interface useful for characterizing and predicting the thermal, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties of metals, semimetals, and semiconductors. The Fermi surface is related to the periodicity of a lattice that forms a crystalline solid (i.e. the distance between elements forming the lattice) and to the occupation of electron energy bands in such materials. The Fermi surface defines a surface of constant energy in momentum space. The Fermi surface, at absolute zero, separates the unfilled states from the filled states. The electrical properties of the material are determined by the shape of the Fermi surface, because the current is due to changes in the occupancy of states near the Fermi surface.
Many electronic and other devices use metals, insulators, and semiconductors. One example of such a device includes a current source. A current source is a device that supplies substantially a constant amount of current independent of the voltage across its terminals. An ideal current source produces the voltage used to maintain a specified current. Many electronic devices use circuit arrangements that contain current sources.
Skilled artisans appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale.

Device for converting thermal energy into electrical energy


Disclosed in this application are a method for producing a food material containing cysteinylglycine at a high content, which comprises the step of (a) maintaining a starting food material containing glutathione in a ratio of 1% by weight or more based on the solid content at a temperature of 50 to 120° C. and a pH of 1 to 7 in the presence of water, or (b) treating the food material with a γ-glutamylpeptide hydrolase at a temperature of 15 to 70° C. and a pH of 3 to 9 in the presence of water, whereby a food material rich in cysteinylglycine is allowed to result, as well as a method for producing a food flavor (or savor) enhancer, which comprises the steps of (a) adding a sugar to cysteinylglycine or a food material containing cysteinylglycine in a ratio of 0.5% by weight or more based on the solid content, and (b) heating the resulting mixture at a temperature of 70 to 180° C. for a period of 10 to 180 minutes in the presence of water, whereby a natural food material containing crysteinylglycine at a high content, and therefore, a food savor enhancer rich in cysteinylglycine, can be easily provided.

Recently, the demand for processed foods having a meat-like flavor has been increased with westernization and diversification of the eating habits in Japan. Particularly, in the production of soups, processed meat products such as ham, sausage and the like, and cooked foods such as hamburger and the like, there is an increasing demand for good tasting and inexpensive meat flavor.
Heretofore, as a means for imparting meat flavor to foods without using meat itself or for the purpose of general improvement of the flavor or savor of foods is used a sulfur-containing compound such as glutathione, cysteine, glutamylcysteine or the like. For example, it has been already known in, e.g., Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (Kokai) Nos. 66069/'92, 91762/'92 etc., that food materials obtainable by heating glutathione or γ-glutamylcysteine, or a yeast extract or the like containing glutathione or γ-glutamylcysteine in the presence of a sugar, are effective for enhancing food savor.
In greater detail, the former (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (Kokai) No. 66069/'92) describes as follows: "as a result of their extensive studies for obtaining more preferable meat flavor seasonings, the present inventors have found that a roast meat flavor-like seasoning having a good quality and excellent stability without the afore-mentioned unpleasant odor and taste derived from yeast, can be obtained by adding a sugar and an amino acid, if required, to a yeast extract containing a sulfur-containing compound such as glutathione, cysteine, glutamylcysteine or the like in an amount of 2 to 20% by weight (solid content concentration), followed by heating the resulting mixture in the absence of fat" (in the beginning of the "Means for solving the Problems" section of the patent document) and, based on such findings, they have accomplished "a method for producing a seasoning which comprises steps of adding a sugar and an amino acid, if required, to a yeast extract containing a sulfur-containing compound such as glutathione, cysteine, glutamylcysteine or the like in a predetermined amount (2 to 20% by weight of the extract), and heating then the mixture in the absence of fat at 70 to 180° C. for 10 to 180 minutes" (in the "Claims" section of the patent document).
The latter (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (Kokai) No. 91762/'92) describes as follows: "a variety of conventional meat flavors have been known, but they are all have a different quality from the aroma of roasted natural meat, and therefore, a flavor imparting agent having a closer quality to roasted natural meat flavor has been wanted." (in the "Problems to be Solved by the Invention" section of the patent document); and in the situation, "as a result of studies of a flavor of heated and browned various amino acids and sugars for the purpose of solving these problems, the present inventors have found that a flavor composition having a pleasant roasted meat aroma or flavor can be produced by adding a sugar to γ-glutamylcysteine and dissolving the resulting mixture in water, followed by subjecting the solution to a heat reaction by heating at 70 to 180° C. for 10 to 180 minutes, and thus accomplished the present invention" (in the "Means for Solving the problems" section of the patent document). Thus, it discloses "a method for producing a flavor composition comprising the steps of adding a sugar to γ-glutamylcysteine and heating the resulting mixture at 70 to 180° C. for 10 to 180 minutes".
By either method, however, meat flavor is indeed increased, but problems of a burnt odor, a chemical odor and the like are pointed out.
In addition, there are problems that the seasonings produced by the above methods have an unpleasant, strongly pungent taste owing to cysteine or γ-glutamylcysteine, and the seasonings produced by using glutathione have an unclear taste.
On the other hand, cysteinylglycine is known as one of sulfur-containing compounds. Cysteinylglycine is a dipeptide obtainable by combination of cysteine and glycine through peptide linkage, and is considered to be a possible pleasant meat flavor enhancing material similar to cysteine and glutathione. However, as methods for producing cysteinylglycine, indeed, a peptide synthesis has been known, but a producing method from a natural material has hitherto not been known. In the case that cysteinylglycine is to be used for the above purpose, there is a strong demand for a natural food material containing the same at a high content, but such a natural food material containing cysteinylglycine at a high content has hitherto not been known.

Process for producing cysteinylglycine-enriched food material and process for producing flavor-enhancing agent


A mobile terminal including a first body, a second body covering at least a portion of the first body, and a hinge module disposed to be eccentric to one of upper left and right sides between the first and second bodies and configured to the allow the second body to be horizontally rotatable with respect to the first body.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a mobile terminal having a rotating body and a method of changing a screen mode of the terminal based on the rotating body.
2. Description of the Related Art
Mobile terminals such as a mobile phone, Personal Digital Assistance (PDA), etc. allow users to communicate with each other virtually anywhere and at anytime. Mobile terminals also provide various other functions in addition to general call services such as providing access to the Internet, providing video services so a user can watch a video, etc. Accordingly, the role of the display in the mobile terminal is becoming more important.
For example, some current models of mobile terminals include a display that can be horizontally rotated so a user can view a broadcasted television show, for example. However, one problem with these types of mobile terminals is that the rotated display covers a large portion of a main body thereby limiting the size of a keypad provided on a main body of the mobile terminal.

Mobile terminal and method for changing mode thereof


A method and a circuit configuration to augment the driving stability of a road vehicle using traction slip control by brake management. The drive wheel is identified which instantaneously exhibits the higher coefficient of friction (HM-wheel). The rotational pattern of this wheel is monitored and stabilized by brake management as soon as the traction slip of this wheel exceeds a limit value. Braking pressure which may exist in the wheel brake of the second drive wheel (LM-wheel) is decreased.

The present invention relates to a method and a circuit configuration to augment or preserve the driving stability of a road vehicle by controlling the traction slip by means of a brake management system.
To improve the starting behavior and the traction of a road vehicle, it is known to install devices on the vehicle which prevent spinning of the drive wheels or excessive traction slip. Such spinning tendencies occur as soon as the traction torque of the vehicle engine exceeds the torque which is transmittable through the wheels onto the road.
With rising traction slip, it is not only the torque in the driving direction that is transmittable onto the road which decreases--after having exceeded a maximum--but also the lateral guide force of the wheels decreases to a relatively very small amount. Due to this, the steerability and the driving behavior during cornering is impaired in vehicles with front-wheel drive. In vehicles with rear-wheel drive, there is even the risk of skidding when the lateral guide force is too small.
To control the traction slip, it is known from German published patent application 36 24 722 A1, which herein is referred to as an example of a great number of publications relating to systems of this type, to stabilize the imminently spinning drive wheel by way of brake management. In consideration of the temperature and the loading capacity of the brake, the period of time in which the brake can compensate for the excess torque of the drive axle is very limited. For this reason, brake management is combined with engine management in other known traction slip control systems, for instance as described in German published patent application 38 09 101 A1. However, this entails considerably greater expenditures.
DE 38 01 267 A1 teaches a vehicle brake system wherein, for augmenting the driving stability during braking on a surface with a different coefficient of friction right/left, the braking pressure is reduced on that rear wheel running on the non-skid road surface once the brake slip on this wheel exceeds a predefined value. This way, the lateral guiding force which can be generated by this wheel is increased, and swerving of the vehicle is prevented. This brake system is used instead of an anti-lock brake system.

Method and circuit configuration to augment the driving stability of a road vehicle


Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for automated and intelligent analysis of information. The system receives interaction data, interaction metadata, and external information in order to identify parties of interactions, subjects of interactions, and infer relationships between parties and subjects based on the content, context, frequency, and amount of available interaction data. Weighted score scores are generated and used to rank the inferred relationships and determined relevance between parties and subjects. This data may be stored in a graphical database and later used to response to user data queries to facilitate collaboration.

The act of using electronic devices for communication, coordination and storage of data records is becoming an increasingly prevalent and pervasive, particularly in the context of large entities with many remote users or employees. While electronic communication and coordination clearly offers benefits in terms of task collaboration, there is an opportunity to further utilize and leverage such information to determine and convey useful relationships for future collaboration. As such, there is a need for an intelligent system for analyzing electronic information in order to identify and provide increased access to collaborative opportunities and potential contacts.

System for automated and intelligent analysis of data keys associated with an information source


A lower back supporter including a pair of flat anchor parts that come into contact with the lower back of a wearer with a specified space in between, a pair of anchor belts that wrap around the abdomen with the end portions connected to each other, a first and second support belt that cross over each other on the back, and a connecting belt that connects the anchor parts. The inner side surface of the anchor part comprising a non-slip material that closely contacts the skin of the wearer, and the outer side surface comprising a material that fastens to surface fasteners. After the anchor belts are put on, operation belts connected to the first and second support belts are pulled, the surface fasteners are fastened to the outer side surfaces of the anchor parts, applying tensile force between the anchor parts in closely contact to the lower back.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a new lower back supporter alternative to a known lower back taping which is used for reducing and preventing recurrence of lower back pain.
2. Description of the Related Art
In lower back taping, a tape that is made of cotton or chemical fiber or the like with an adhesive agent on its one surface is used, and the tape is applied diagonally and horizontally to the back of a patient from the sides to the center of the back so that it puts pressure on the lower back and supports, restricts and immobilizes the lower back, thus dispersing the impact applied to the lower back to reduce and prevent recurrence of lower back pain. Recently, taping has come to be used widely in particularly the sports field for the purpose of preventing injuries and for fast function recovery training or participation in games and the like (see "Practice and Theory of Taping from the Perspective of Sports Injuries and Damage," written by Yamamoto and Hirakawa and published by Bunkodo Corp. on Apr. 21, 1997, Fourth Edition, Second Printing, pages 216 to 217; and "New Taping Practicalities," written by Kuriyama and published by Nankodo Corp. on Mar. 1, 1998, Second Printing, pages 124 to 127).
Meanwhile, supporters worn around the lower back for the same purpose as of the taping are also known (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (Kokai) No. H11-104159 and Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open (Kokai) No. S62-186716).
However, the tape used in taping has problems. It is difficult to handle when it is being applied because of its adhesiveness, and a rash would occur on the skin of a wearer due to the adhesive agent depending on the physical constitution of the patient. In addition, tape removed from the body cannot be reused and has to be disposed of, and thus new tape is required with each application, and further it is necessary to have the tape applied by an expert.
Meanwhile, lower back supporters generally do not have the problems mentioned above and can be easily put on. However, since these supporters are of a type that may increase abdominal pressure to stabilize the lower back, there is a strong sensation of pressure on the abdomen, and the problem is that such supporters are uncomfortable and painful to wear for a long time, and they can slip easily while being worn (they can slip easily especially upward).


The present invention relates to an adjustable wrench. The adjustable wrench comprises a handle part, a curved jaw part, a linkage part, an adjusting element and a restoring element. The handle part comprises a toothed portion. The curved jaw part is pivotally connected to the handle part. When the adjusting element is pushed by an external force, the adjusting element further moves the linkage part simultaneously, and the linkage part pulls the curved jaw part to rotate so as to adjust a size of an opening between the curved jaw part and the toothed portion. Accordingly, the present invention has advantages and effects of fast and simple adjustment for use and a lever arm thereof being adjustable for labor saving, etc.

As shown in FIG. 9, a conventional wrench 90 comprises a handle 91, a toothed portion 92, a curved jaw 93, a connecting rod 94 and a change-over switch 95. The handle 91 comprises a trough 911. The trough 911 forms a first slot 911A and a second slot 911B therein. The toothed portion 92 is formed at an end of the handle 91. The curved jaw 93 is pivotally connected to the handle 91. One end of the connecting rod 94 is pivotally connected to the curved jaw 93 while the other end of the connecting rod 94 is pivotally connected to the change-over switch 95. The change-over switch 95 comprises a positioning pin 951. In this manner, when the change-over switch 95 is pushed and the positioning pin 951 is correspondingly located in either the first slot 911A or a second slot 911B, the connecting rod 94 is moved simultaneously to pull the curved jaw 93 pivoting so as to adjust a size of an opening between the curved jaw 93 and the toothed portion 92 for fitting with nuts of different sizes.
However, based on such adjusting design, there are only two adjustable sizes of the opening between the curved jaw 93 and the toothed portion 92 (the positioning pin 951 is correspondingly located in either the first slot 911A or a second slot 911B), and only at most three nut sizes can be applied for the conventional wrench. Therefore, the conventional wrench has a drawback of low applicability.
Accordingly, it is necessary to invent improved new products to overcome the above-mentioned shortcomings and problems.


The present invention provides a process of decontaminating, by composting under specific conditions, soil and/or sediments containing toxic contaminants of TNT, HMX and RDX. The process is carried out by converting the contaminants into harmless materials. The process includes the step of affecting a solid compost mixture during composting with a redox potential below negative 200 mV (millivolts). Further, the process includes several steps which are repeated until complete degradation is achieved. Other processes for degrading compounds such as chlordane, dieldrin, toxaphene, aldrin, endrin, and heptachlorepoxide as well as polychlorinated benzenes are also disclosed.

This invention relates to a controlled microorganism degradation process for decontaminating soil or sediments contaminated with TNT, HMX and/or RDX
Numerous land sites exist that are contaminated, and have been contaminated for decades, with the highly explosive contaminants TNT, HMX, and RDX. Many of these sites are unusable and will remain unusable until some economical process becomes available for large scale decontamination of the soil of such sites.
Prior art papers disclose laboratory experiments in microorganism biodegradation of toxic compounds such as DDT by anaerobic treatment. Significant biodegradation of DDT occurred in these experiments, but toxic metabolites of DDT remained. Remediation, as hereinafter defined was not achieved by these prior art DDT techniques.
Recent U. S. Pat. Nos. 5,660,612 and 5,660,613 disclose the remediation of soil contaminated with DDT by a method comprising repeated cycles of anaerobic composting followed aerobic composting under specific conditions of water content, temperature, redox potential and the presence of microbes capable of transforming DDT into harmless materials.
This method has been tried in attempts to decontaminate soil containing various contaminants other than DDT. While this method has been found successful with limited number of specific contaminants, it was unsuccessful for many contaminants. There was no reliable way to predict which compounds would be effectively decomposed by this method, and particularly no reason to expect that it would be successful in decontaminating soil containing explosive nitro-substituted compounds.
As described in Crawford U.S. Pat. No. 5,455,173 experiments have been done to apply microbe degradation to soil contaminated with TNT and other explosives.

Compost decontamination of soil contaminated with TNT, HMX and RDX with aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms


A method and apparatus for fast rendering of objects or scenes on a display controlled by a computer system. The scene to be rendered is stored as a series of triangle lists in an object data file. The triangle lists are presorted by the system into front- and back-facing triangles, as determined by scalar products of the triangle's normal vector with a vector from each respective triangle to the user's selected viewpoint. An array of pointers is generated for the front-facing triangles, and another array is generated for the back-facing triangles. The object or scene is rendered by first loading the attributes for the front-facing triangles to a frame buffer controller, then processing all of the front-facing triangles sequentially, without switching back and forth between front- and back-facing triangles. The attributes for the back-facing triangles are then loaded, and the back-facing triangles are then all processed sequentially. If culling of either front- or back-facing triangles is selected by the user, then that set of triangles is not processed. The data generated in the processing of the front- and back-facing triangles are used to drive the display.

The present invention relates to the rendering of three-dimensional objects in a computer system, graphics display system, or other system for rendering or printing out the scene or objects.
In conventional graphics systems, an object or scene is scanned an image of it is otherwise digitized and stored in the system as a set of data points relating to position, texture, and color. The scanned image is tessellated into sets of object elements such as polygons (typically triangles), which in the aggregate approximate the shape of the original object or scene (generally, the geometry) to the degree of resolution of the imaging and storage properties of the system.
For high-quality (high-resolution) images, as are used for example in CAD applications or molecular modeling, it has been a challenge to current systems to render the stored scenes quickly enough to make real-time motion or viewpoint alteration practical. Instead compromises have been necessary, such as either simplifying the image by reducing it to wire-frame drawings, eliminating the texture and/or simplifying the color content, or accepting a very slow rate in order to achieve high-resolution rendering.
In conventional systems, a scene is rendered (such as on a monitor, or printed on a printer) by reading the image (or "geometry") data file into the system, and rendering the triangles as a series of scan lines on the monitor or other display or image output device. The data file may be in any of a number of different conventional formats, such as in the xgl.sub.-- triangle.sub.-- list (xgl.sub.-- multi.sub.-- simple.sub.-- polygon) format, which is a standardly used format among workstation manufacturers. For a discussion of a conventional such procedure for polygon representation in data files, see Foley, van Dam, et al., Computer Graphics/Principles and Practice, pp. 473 et seq. (Addison Wesley, 2d Ed. 1987)
When the image read into the rendering system (such as in the format of a list of triangles), it is then processed in a standard procedure as illustrated by the flow chart of FIG. 1. The steps 10-110 indicated in this flow chart are standard in the field of computer graphics. A discussion of object rendering may be found, for example, in the aforementioned Computer Graphics/Principles and Practice, at pages 806 et seq. A system for rendering three-dimensional images in a fashion similar to that of FIG. 1 is discussed, for example, in the article "Leo: A System for Cost Effective 3D Shaded Graphics", COMPUTER GRAPHICS Proceedings, Annual Conference Series (1993). Each of the foregoing publications is incorporated herein by reference.
One of the steps carried out by a graphics driver in the process of rendering a scene is that of face determination (see box 40 in FIG. 1). This includes determining whether a given triangle's predefined "front" face is visible from a particular point of view selected by the user. The "front" face is defined in advance by the particular rendering system by, for example, a vector normal to the surface of the triangle, with the direction of the vector (and hence the direction of the front face) being determined by a right-hand (or, optionally, left-hand) rule traversing the three vertices of the triangle in an order determined by the manner in which they are stored in the triangle's data structure. For instance, in FIG. 1A, the three points 200-220 determine the direction of the normal vector 230, and hence the side of the triangle 205 that is to be defined as the front face 240.
In general, there may be three components to the face determination step, all of which may be selected by the user: (1) face distinguishing, meaning applying different attributes (such as color) to the front faces than to the back faces; (2) culling of the front- or back-facing triangles; and (3) flipping of normals of the triangles.
Face distinguishing is a technique particularly used in molecular imaging or medical imaging systems to render multiple surfaces of a scene. In other types of systems (such as MCAD), the invisible faces may simply be culled out.
In prior systems, the graphics driver maintains the list (or "strip") of triangles as a single entity, and thus performs calculations for face culling and face distinguishing on each one of the triangles. This involves both intensive processor usage and heavy memory access to the image file. It would be preferable to arrive at a system that could intelligently determine which triangles are to be rendered for display, and preferentially access and process those triangles.
Another characteristic of current systems is that they process front- and back-facing triangles in the order in which they are accessed in the triangle lists. While this is a simple approach, it can be inefficient because it results in repeated memory accesses to the image file, leading to memory access being a bottleneck for the rendering procedure. It would therefore be useful to provide a system wherein the memory accesses are made more efficient by advance determination of which triangles should be rendered, and in which order. A procedure for making such a determination is needed.
When triangles are accessed as noted, in the order in which they are stored (intermixed front- and back-facing) in the object data file, and a procedure such as that shown in FIG. 1 is used, the transformation of vertices of the triangles (see box 20) from model space (i.e. the data file's reference coordinate system) into device space (i.e. the display or screen coordinate system) takes place before the step of face determination (see box 40), and hence before it is determined whether the triangle being transformed is even to be visible on the screen for the selected viewpoint. For instance, if back culling is selected, then none of the back-facing triangles should be shown, and any processor time taken in transformation of the vertices of back-facing triangles is squandered. Since vertex transformation is a very processor-intensive, time-consuming procedure, such an approach is wasteful of resources and slows down the rendering process.

Method for fast rendering of three-dimensional objects by generating lists of like-facing coherent primitives


It is determined that indoor condensation of hydrogen peroxide vapor is to occur, if there is a solution with which both (Equation 1): PT·y1=P01·x1·γ1 and (Equation 2): PT·y2=P02·x2·γ2 hold. With this, it is possible to accurately determine whether indoor condensation of hydrogen peroxide vapor is to occur or not in decontamination.

As decontamination using hydrogen peroxide vapor, there are a wet type decontamination (wet method) in which hydrogen peroxide vapor supplied to a decontamination target room is caused to be condensed inside the room and a dry type decontamination (dry method) in which hydrogen peroxide vapor supplied to a decontamination target room is allowed to exist as it is in the form of vapor phase without being condensed.
And, with the wet type decontamination as compared with the dry type decontamination, high decontamination effect can be achieved even in a shorter period. On the other hand, the wet type decontamination can not be used in a situation where the condensate of hydrogen peroxide vapor gives an adverse effect to indoor substance, such as causing chemical or physical alternation thereof.
Conversely, the dry type decontamination method provides only lower decontamination effect than the wet type. And, because of this, the former requires a longer decontamination period, but provides the advantage of giving less adverse effect to indoor substance.
Regarding such decontamination using hydrogen peroxide vapor as above, Patent Document 1 (in particular, claim 1 and paragraphs 0066 through 0067) discloses a dry type decontamination method comprising monitoring indoor condensation of hydrogen peroxide vapor by a condensation sensor, specifying, based on monitoring information, the concentration of the hydrogen peroxide indoors when indoor condensation of hydrogen peroxide vapor has vanished and decontaminating the indoor under the specified concentration condition (Prior Art 1).
Further, this Patent Document 1 (in particular, paragraph 0009) discloses another dry type decontamination method comprising specifying a desired concentration of the hydrogen peroxide present indoors in a range where no indoor condensation of hydrogen peroxide vapor will occur, in the course of progressively increasing the indoor hydrogen peroxide concentration and decontaminating the room interior under this specified concentration condition (Prior Art 2).
On the other hand, Patent Document 2 (in particular, paragraph 0067) discloses a wet type decontamination method comprising monitoring indoor condensation amount of hydrogen peroxide vapor by a condensation sensor and adjusting the amount of hydrogen peroxide vapor to be supplied to the room interior based on the monitoring information (Prior Art 3).

Method of managing decontamination and decontamination management apparatus for use in the method


Embodiments of this application disclose a charging method and related devices. An example charging method includes: sending a charging start request for a packet data unit (PDU) session to a charging function apparatus, where the charging start request carries an indication receiving address; receiving an indication message that is sent by the charging function apparatus based on the indication receiving address, where the indication message carries an indication type; and performing charging processing based on the indication type.

Currently, in a 4G communications system, an online charging service and an offline charging service are respectively charged by using different charging systems. As shown in FIG. 1, a charging trigger function apparatus in the communications system communicates with an online charging system by using a Ro interface, and communicates with an offline charging system by using an Rf interface. The online charging system is used to charge for the online charging service, and the offline charging system is used to charge for the offline charging service.
For example, in a 4G Diameter-based online charging session, a charging session exists between the charging trigger function apparatus and the online charging system. During the charging session, the charging trigger function apparatus requests the online charging system to perform charging processing, and the online charging system performs corresponding charging processing based on a request response.
However, in a charging processing process, especially during service-based charging, sometimes the online charging system needs to actively perform some charging processing. However, if the charging trigger function apparatus does not actively request the online charging system to perform the charging processing, the online charging system cannot perform the charging processing. Consequently, a charging processing method in a current charging system is insufficiently flexible.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A control algorithm is developed which takes corrective action in the event that system conditions indicate there may be an inadequate flow of lubricant in the system. In particular, if a discharge pressure is below a predetermined amount or if the suction modulation valve is throttled, there is a possibility of inadequate lubricant flow. The system control then turns off the condenser fan, and if that first step is not sufficient, may also turn on an evaporator heater and then control a suction modulation valve. A fail safe control loop also takes effect if the condition sensor appears to have failed.

This invention relates to schemes for improving lubricant flow, and in particular, the return of lubricant from various locations in a refrigerant cycle back to a compressor, to prevent an inadequate supply of lubricant to the compressor.
Refrigerant cycles typically include a compressor for compressing a refrigerant and delivering that refrigerant downstream to a condenser. From the condenser the refrigerant passes to an expansion device that expands the refrigerant. From the expansion device, refrigerant moves to an evaporator. The evaporator is a heat exchanger that typically changes the temperature in an environment to be conditioned. From the evaporator, the refrigerant may run through a modulation valve before returning to the compressor. The evaporator often captures refrigerant and lubricant as it has traveled through the refrigerant cycle. Lubricant is typically necessary in the compressor to lubricate the moving parts. However, as the lubricant is delivered to the compressor, it is often entrained in and with the refrigerant, and travels through the refrigerant cycle. While the evaporator is specifically mentioned, oil can accumulate in other locations, and the present invention assists in returning oil from these other locations.
The conditions in the evaporator often result in lubricant leaving the refrigerant, and remaining trapped in the evaporator. At some point, there may be an inadequate supply of lubricant in the compressor, which is undesirable. Oil retention in the evaporator can also adversely affect the heat transfer within the evaporator, reducing efficiency and capacity of the unit, which is also undesirable.

Lubricant return schemes for use in refrigerant cycle


Content-addressable memory (CAM) cells comprised of phase change material devices (PCMDs), including PCMD-based binary CAM cells (PCMD-based BCAM cells), PCMD-based ternary CAM cells (PCMD-based TCAM cells), and PCMD-based universal CAM cells (PCMD-based UCAM cells). The PCMDs of the various PCMD-based CAM cells are configured and programmed in a manner that allows a logic “0” or a logic “1” to be stored by the CAM cell. The logic value stored by a given PCMD-based CAM cell depends on the program states of the PCMDs. A program state of a PCMD is determined by whether the phase change material of the PCMD has been allowed to solidify to a crystalline, low-resistance state during a programming operation, or whether the phase change material of the PCMD is forced to solidify to an amorphous, high-resistance state during the programming operation.

Content-addressable memory (CAM) is a special type of memory that is used in high-speed search applications. Unlike standard random access memory (RAM) in which data is retrieved by applying an address location, a CAM searches its entire memory to determine whether an applied data word is stored anywhere in the CAM. If the data word is found, the CAM returns a list of one or more storage addresses where the data word was found. Accordingly, a CAM is the hardware embodiment of what in software terms would be called an "associative array". Because a CAM is designed to search its entire memory in a single operation, it is much faster than RAM in virtually all search applications.
CAM is used in a variety of applications including, for example, central processing unit (CPU) cache controllers, database engines, data compression, artificial neural networks, and computer networking. A typical computer networking application employs a CAM to implement a MAC (Media Access Control) address table in a network router. When the network router receives a data packet at one of its ports, the network updates a CAM-based table with the packet's source MAC address and the port the packet was received on. The destination address is then searched for in the table, to determine what port the data packet needs to be forwarded to.
There are two basic types of CAMs: the binary CAM (BCAM) and the ternary CAM (TCAM). The BCAM is the simplest CAM type. In a BCAM, logic "1" and logic "0" matches are sought for the data that is being compared. In a TCAM, a third logic value, namely, "don't care" can also be used. The "don't cares" in a TCAMs provide the capability of "masking out" bits locally on a bit-by-bit basis (i.e., internal masking). The "don't cares" also allow the entire input/output or one or more CAM columns to be masked out ("global" masking), without requiring the memory logic to perform the compare function for the masked out data.
FIG. 1A is a block diagram of a typical prior art 4×5 bit CAM 10 used in a networking application. The 4×5 CAM 10 comprises an array of CAM cells 100 arranged as four horizontal words, each word being five bits long. The CAM cells 100 contain both storage and comparison circuitry. Search lines 102 run vertically between columns of CAM cells 100 and are used to receive the data to be compared (referred to in the art as "the comparand") to the CAM cells 100. Matchlines 104 run horizontally between the horizontal words, and indicate whether the bits of the comparand match the bits stored in the CAM cells of any one of the horizontal words. The matchlines 104 may be coupled to inputs of an encoder 106 to generate an address corresponding to a matched word.
FIG. 1B shows a routing table containing a list of destination addresses and corresponding ports, which is implemented in the CAM array shown in FIG. 1A. All four entries in the table are 5-bit words matching both a logic "0" and a logic "1" in that position. Don't care bits are represented by an "X". Because of the X bits, each of the first three entries in the table represents a range of input addresses. For example, the entry on Line 1 indicates that all addresses within the range 101002-101112 are forwarded to port A.
A CAM search operation begins with precharging all matchlines 104, thereby placing them all temporarily in a match state. Next, the search line drivers 108 drive the search data (i.e. comparand "01101" in the figure) onto the search lines 102. Each CAM cell 100 compares its stored bit against the bit on its corresponding search lines 102. Cells with matching data do not affect the cell's corresponding matchline 104 but cells with a mismatch pull down their corresponding matchlines 104. Cells storing an X operate as if a match has occurred. The aggregate result is that matchlines 104 are pulled down for any word that has at least one mismatch. All other matchlines 104 remain activated (i.e. remain in their precharged). For example, as shown in FIG. 1A, the two middle matchlines 104 remain activated (indicating a match), while the other matchlines 104 discharge to ground, indicating a mismatch. Finally, the encoder 106 generates the search address location of the matching data. In the example, the encoder 106 numerically selects the smallest numbered matchline 104 of the two activated matchlines, generating the match address "01". This match address is used as the input address to a RAM 20 that contains a list of output ports as depicted in FIG. 2. The match address output of the CAM 10 is used as a pointer, which is used to retrieve associated data from the RAM 20.
The CAM/RAM search can be viewed as a dictionary lookup where the search data is the word to be queried and the RAM contains the word definitions. The router searches for the destination address of each incoming packet in the address lookup table to find the appropriate output port. For example, if the router receives a packet with the incoming address 01101, the address lookup matches both Line 2 and Line 3 in the table. Line 2 is selected since it has the most defined bits, indicating it is the most direct route to the destination.
Prior art CAMs are normally comprised of conventional semiconductor memory (e.g. static random access memory (SRAM)) and comparison circuitry, which enables a search operation to be completed in a single clock cycle. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a prior art BCAM cell 30. The BCAM cell 30 includes a six-transistor (6T) SRAM 300 comprised of two cross-coupled inverters 301 (two transistors each) and two access transistors 302, 304, which are used to read and write the SRAM 300. The access transistors 302, 304 connect the bitlines, BLT and BLB, which are logical complements of one another (i.e. bitline true (BLT) and bitline bar (BLB)), to the storage nodes (QT and QB) of the two cross-coupled inverters 300. The gates of the access transistors 302, 304 are coupled to a wordline (WL).
A CAM cell operates by comparing input data (i.e. the comparand) to the data bit stored in the SRAM. As explained above, CAM cells are typically formed in an array. Each wordline (WL) has a global signal usually referred to as the matchline (ML) associated with it. If there is a match between the data being compared (i.e. the "comparand") and all of the data bits stored in the array, the corresponding ML will remain high, i.e., will remain in a charged state. If there is a miss to any one bit that is being compared in a row (i.e. there is a mismatch), the corresponding ML to that row will discharge.
Assume for the sake of discussion that the BCAM cell 30 is in static mode (i.e. a mode during which data is not being compared, stored or read from the SRAM cell 300), and that the SRAM 300 has been previously programmed to store a logic "1". With a logic "1" stored in the SRAM 300, node QB is at 0V (logic "0") and node QT is at VDD (logic "1"). As a result, transistor 306 is ON and transistor 308 is OFF. Also assume that in static mode, the match line (ML) has also been properly precharged to VDD. Under these conditions, since both bit lines (BLT and BLB) are at 0V, ML is held at the precharged voltage (VDD for example). (Note that in some implementations, BLT and BLB could be precharged to VDD, in which case the source of transistor 310 is also coupled to VDD to maintain the ML high condition in the static mode.)
During a compare operation, the comparand data is inverted and input on the BLT and BLB lines. Assuming again that the data stored in the SRAM 300 is a logic "1", then if the comparand is also a logic "1", BLT will be at 0V and BLB will be at VDD (remember that the comparand data is inverted). Accordingly, during the compare operation, transistor 310 will be OFF and the ML will remain charged up to its precharged state, thereby indicating a match if the comparand. On other hand, if during a compare operation the data stored in the SRAM 300 is a logic "1", and the comparand is a logic "0", both transistors 306 and 310 are ON and the ML discharges to ground, thereby indicating a miss (i.e. a mismatch of the comparand).
As explained above, typically a CAM array is formed from a plurality of rows of CAM cells. In such a configuration, each row of the array has a common ML, and for each row a multi-bit data comparand is compared to a plurality of data bits stored in the SRAMs of the CAM cells in the row. Accordingly, for the entire length of a given row, if all the bits match the corresponding bits in the comparand, then ML will remain high, thereby indicating a match. If any one of the bits does not match the data store in the corresponding SRAM cell, then the ML for that row will discharge to a logic low level, thereby indicating a mismatch.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a ternary CAM cell (or "TCAM" cell) 40. The TCAM cell 40 is similar to the BCAM cell 30 shown in FIG. 3, but also includes an additional SRAM cell 400, which is configured to store a don't care bit. The additional SRAM cell 400 implements what is commonly referred to as a "mask bit". When the SRAM cell 400 is programmed to store a logic "1", the pull down transistor 402 will always be OFF, irrespective of the data stored in the first SRAM cell 300. Accordingly, under such conditions, the ML will always remain in its precharged state, thereby indicating a don't care during a compare operation.
While prior art BCAMs and TCAMs have come into widespread use, they are plagued with various drawbacks. First, prior art CAMs consume large amounts of both dynamic and static power. Second, prior art CAMs occupy a large area. This large area requirement is mostly attributable to the large areas needed to form the SRAM cells. Third, SRAM-based CAMs are susceptible to radiation induced soft errors. It would be desirable, therefore, to have an improved CAM cell structure that is not plagued with the drawbacks characteristic of SRAM-based CAMs.

Phase-change memory (PCM) based universal content-addressable memory (CAM) configured as binary/ternary CAM


Disclosed is a quasi-zero stiffness absolute displacement sensor based on electromagnetic positive stiffness, and relates to the technical field of vibration measurement. The quasi-zero stiffness absolute displacement sensor comprises an eddy current displacement sensor unit, a negative stiffness unit, an intermediate connector, a positive stiffness unit, a bottom shell and a motion axis. The damping of the mechanism can be effectively reduced, the service life of the system is prolonged, and the mechanism size is reduced. By adjusting the number of layers of permanent magnets and coils in the electromagnetic positive stiffness unit and the electromagnetic negative stiffness unit and controlling the magnitude of current in the coils, electromagnetic force between the permanent magnets and the electromagnetic coils can be changed, the magnitude of positive stiffness and the magnitude of negative stiffness are adjusted, and control over the stiffness of the whole system is achieved.

In engineering practice, measurement of system displacement plays a key role in control and vibration isolation of the system. Along with continuous improvement of intelligence and automation degrees of various fields, requirements of various industrial fields for displacement sensors are also continuously improved. However, a measurement object always does not have an absolutely static reference point, and the absolute displacement of the system cannot be directly measured. Indirect measurement often causes errors and time delay, and some system control which is high in precision requirement and short in time response cannot achieve a good control effect because absolute displacement of the system cannot be directly measured. Although some existing advanced measurement technologies can be applied to absolute displacement measurement (such as inertial sensor, radar or laser technologies), the measurement technologies have the problems of low precision, poor real-time performance, high cost and the like, and cannot be applied to occasions with severe working conditions. The traditional quasi-zero stiffness absolute displacement sensor based on electromagnetism uses a mechanical spring as a positive stiffness mechanism, the damping cannot be ignored at ultralow frequency, and the measurement accuracy is affected. The present disclosure relates to a quasi-zero stiffness absolute displacement sensor based on electromagnetic positive stiffness.

Quasi-zero stiffness absolute displacement sensor based on electromagnetic positive stiffness


A sublimation ink carrier media is provided comprising a support sheet with a polymer film where a sublimation ink is printed in a pattern on the planar surface of the film. The polymer film is peelable from the planar surface of the support sheet, the polymer film is substantially non-extensible when the film is attached to the support sheet, the polymer film is extensible after being peeled from said carrier support sheet, and the polymer film has a melting temperature of at least 190° C. A process for the decoration of a shaped article by ink sublimation using the sublimation ink carrier media of the invention is also provided.

Paper, plastic, glass and metal substrates and shaped objects have been decorated by transfer printing with a sublimation ink. According to this process, a sublimation ink is first applied to an ink carrier media such as a paper sheet. The ink carrier is held in contact against the surface of the object to be decorated by mechanical means such as a stretchable sheet. The ink carrier media and the surface of the object being decorated are heated to an elevated temperature such that the ink sublimes to a vapor phase that prints onto the surface being decorated. Sublimation inks are made with dispersed dyes such as azo dyes, nitroarylamine dyes or anthraquinone dyes, that when heated, sublime to a gaseous state without passing through a liquid or melt state. These gaseous ink vapors print the surface of the object being decorated.
A device for use in the sublimation printing of shaped objects is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,893,964 and includes a flexible membrane. An object to be decorated is surrounded with a printed sublimation ink carrier media and placed inside the flexible membrane which is then sealed and evacuated. The atmospheric air pressure outside the flexible membrane presses the ink carrier media against the object to be decorated. The object, ink carrier media, and flexible membrane are then heated to the sublimation temperature of the ink such that the ink sublimes to an ink vapor which prints the surface of the object being decorated.
Sublimation printing of a three dimensional shaped object using a paper ink carrier media has the disadvantage that the paper cannot properly conform to the shape of the surface being decorated. When a flat paper ink carrier is pressed against a three dimensional object, the paper crumples or creases, which causes discontinuities in the image printed on the object surface.
Attempts have been made to overcome this problem by using an ink carrier media that conforms to the surface of a three-dimensional surface being printed. U.S. Pat. No. 5,308,426 discloses ink support materials made of woven fabric, knitted fabric or non-woven material. Although sublimation ink support fabrics offer greater ability to conform to shaped objects than paper, they still exhibit a variety of drawbacks. Many fabrics, such as conventional woven and non-woven fabrics, are not sufficiently flexible and stretchable to be able to conform to the surface of a three dimensional shaped object. Such fabrics bunch or crumple when pressed against a shaped object being decorated in much the same way as occurs with a paper ink support media.
Knit fabrics have been used as a sublimation ink support carrier because they are more extensible than other fabrics and can therefore better conform to the shape of an object. While this extensibility is beneficial during the sublimation step, the same property makes it more difficult to print the sublimation ink onto the carrier media. In many printing processes, such as silk screen printing, heliographic printing and ink jet printing, each color of a design is printed separately, and if the carrier media being printed stretches or contracts between the printing of the various colors, the result is a blurred printed image on both the ink carrier media and the decorated object. In addition, with extensible knitted fabric sublimation ink carriers, when the fabric is stretched over a shaped object during sublimation printing, void spaces in the fabric open up which reduces the sharpness and clarity of the image that is sublimation printed. Along the same lines, extensible knitted fabrics have the property that they are quite porous, especially when stretched. This porosity allows the sublimed ink vapors to pass from the ink carrier media in both the direction of the object being decorated and in the direction of the surrounding flexible membrane such that the flexible membrane quickly becomes contaminated with sublimation inks unless an additional disposable protective sheet is inserted between the ink carrier media and the flexible membrane. Otherwise, during subsequent decorations, the sublimation inks deposited on the membrane can pass back through the porous ink carrier media and randomly deposit on the surface being decorated.
European Patent No. EP 950 540 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,962,368 disclose sublimation ink carrier media comprised of shrinkable films that can be heated so as to conform to the shape of the object being printed. Shrinkable films have the disadvantage that they are difficult to conform to complex shapes. A further disadvantage of shrinkable films is that they often continue to shrink during the sublimation transfer step which tends to cause blurring of the decorated image. Finally, shrinkable films tend to be time consuming to remove after the sublimation step is complete.
As described above, there is a need for a sublimation ink carrier media that does not deform when it is being printed with a pattern or design, but that does extend during sublimation so as to conform to the shape of an object being decorated. There is a further need for a sublimation decoration process with a sublimation ink carrier media that can extend around and conform to the surface of a three dimensional object being decorated, but that does not open up when stretched such that the sublimated decoration loses clarity. Finally, there is a need for a flexible and extensible sublimation ink carrier media and sublimation decoration process wherein the ink carrier media can serve as the sole flexible membrane during the ink sublimation process with no further need for additional protective sheeting outside the ink carrier media.

Film ink support media and sublimation decoration process


A supporting device for a wheeled suitcase includes a positioning member to be mounted on the back wall of the suitcase, and a leg member which has an upper end connected pivotally to the positioning member and a bottom wheel. The leg member is turnable outward from the back wall of the suitcase to be in an operative inclining position and inward to be in a position folded over the back wall. A locking member can lock the leg member in the operative inclining position. The locking member is operable for releasing the leg member.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a supporting device for a wheeled suitcase, more particularly to a supporting device which cooperates with a bottom wheel for supporting the suitcase in an operative inclined position.
2. Description of the Related Art
Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional wheeled suitcase is shown to comprise a pair of longitudinally extending storage tubes 11 which have top ends and bottom ends, a U-shaped handle 15 which has two parallel arm portions 10 inserted slidingly into the storage tubes 11 from the top ends, top and bottom plates 14, 12 to mount the arm portions 10 to the top and bottom ends of the storage tubes 11, and roller wheels 13 which are mounted on the bottom end of the bottom plate 12 for movement of the suitcase.
For moving the suitcase, one must grasp and pull upwardly the handle 15 to extend the arm portions 10, and tilt the suitcase. When stopping temporarily, the user may release the handle 15 and place the suitcase upright on the ground. To resume movement, the suitcase must be inclined or tilted again prior to the movement of the suitcase by pulling the handle 15. The need to tilt the suitcase each time before the suitcase is to be moved from its upright resting position causes inconvenience to the user.

Supporting device for a wheeled suitcase