A continuous scanning side laser detector system and method for real time, instantaneous accurate speed and direction measurement of a slow moving bulk material transport vehicle through a bulk material processing station.

The measurement of speed of an individual railcar in a moving train proximate to a bulk material processing station is not addressed by existing systems. Bulk material processing, including loading, unloading, and/or cargo spray treatments, etc., involving a moving railcar requires extreme precision to avoid inefficiencies, errors and/or wastage. Where the control center/station is electronically connected to an associated bulk material processing device adapted for kinetic as opposed to static operations, loading/unloading/coating application, etc., waste and inefficiencies result from assuming vehicle speed. For example, when the speed of a railcar is estimated or assumed, it may be overloaded resulting in spillage if it passes too slowly through a loading facility. Correspondingly, when the estimated speed is too slow of a filled hopper railcar passing through a special application station, e.g., spraying a latex surfactant dust suppressant or anti-freeze/freeze-proofing material on a railcar/content, the spraying will be incomplete as the terminal portion of the bulk material vehicle/load will not be coated. Such incomplete applications may result in unnecessary labor to remove frozen material and/or even lead to violations of applicable transportation regulations. Conversely, if the assumed speed varies in the context of loading, a vehicle may be overloaded, under loaded, or unevenly distributed. In the context of applying additives, additives may be wasted or placed imprecisely (economically and environmentally undesirable). The invention maximizes efficiencies of such operations by determination of the specific target railcar speed rather than generalizing across the entire train.
The prior art contains numerous examples of speed and directional sensing systems based on discrete sensors, such as photo-eyes or rail track switches, However, such systems due to sensor spacing, can only update such information periodically. While this method of measuring speed is somewhat reasonable for overall or general speed determination, such systems are inadequate to make real-time speed determinations during critical stages. More specifically, reliance on sets of static discrete sensors (usually photoelectric sensors or track mounted switches) installed at known distances from each other may not be accurate when a railcar stops or is subject to speed irregularities between two sensors. Even reliance on sophisticated computers, e.g., a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) control system that monitor the on/off state of the static sensors and calculate the time elapsed between subsequent sensor on/off states to process the periodic data does not overcome the real-time detection issue.
Such a situation can be problematic particularly in cases such as when the measured speed information is provided to a flow control device or a loading chute in a bulk material processing station. One technique employed to overcome this negative consequence is to populate the system with more detectors. By adding additional static sensors to the sensor array, the 'resolution' of the system is increased and the speed determination errors correspondingly minimized. But such a "solution" introduces additional infrastructure needs in wiring, sensors, PLC control points, etc. such that the system becomes expensive, difficult to operate, and requires considerably labor to maintain. Furthermore, although to a lesser extent, such a periodic sensing array still possesses similar limitations to those described above.
Another approach to measure train speed is based on Doppler shift-technology (e.g., police radar). However, at sub-5 miles per hour speeds typically associated with bulk material processing operations, Doppler shift detection is neither meaningfully measurable nor capable of providing the required accuracy for vehicle speed detection. This is attributable to the virtually non-existent Doppler shift at low speeds at typical approved frequencies. Consequently, in the context of bulk material transport and processing equipment (loaders, unloaders, sprayers, etc.), particularly in the case of a slow moving train of coupled railcars, such conventional speed measuring devices are ineffective and not reliably usable for vehicle/bulk material processing equipment coordination.
Other conventional approaches utilized for determining the speed of railcars in a moving unit train include satellite GPS tracking and on-board, stationary electro-mechanical devices. An example of a locomotive-mounted, onboard electromechanical, device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,779,086 (a locomotive drive-truck-mounted pulse generator speed and distance measurement device). An example of a more modem GPS based system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,610,152 (a train-mounted navigator geo-positional receiver solution combined with track database information). Neither of these prior art systems are capable of determining the specific velocity of an individual railcar within a long train where such velocity can vary at any discrete point in time due to train stretching (tension) or bunching (compression) effects caused, for example, by coupler slack considerations. Therefore, locomotive or whole train based speed determination whether from a vehicle mounted device or remote tracking device, e.g., GPS, are not sufficiently applicable or accurate for usage during critical stages of bulk material processing operations.
The final prior art approach for railcar speed measurement described herein is based on laser detection (LIDAR). The Stalker Laser from Applied Technologies, Inc. is reported to provide laser speed measurement at a range up to 4000 feet with reported 0.2 mph sensitivity. While representing an improvement, this system does not address the specific problem associated precise speed measurement of an individual rail-car in a moving train associated with a bulk material processing station.
Thus there exists a need for a system and method to achieve precise and accurate, instantaneous, real time individual bulk material transport vehicle, and particularly, a railcar, speed measurement proximate to a bulk material processing station.

System for accurate measurement of vehicle speeds for low speed industrial applications


The present invention relates to an arrangement comprising an intrauterine system, an inserter for the intrauterine system and a package for the inserter.

Various types of inserters have been developed for the positioning of mechanical and copper wire-containing intrauterine devices (IUDs) as well as of intrauterine systems having a drug containing cylinder (IUSs). In the following, IUD and IUS can be used interchangeably and when one is mentioned, it is to be understood that either of them can be used. Simple rod-shaped inserters have been suggested for inserting relatively small or sufficiently flexible intrauterine devices in their original, expanded shape by using simple push-in technique. However, most common inserters are constructed for introducing the device into the uterus in a contracted state. These inserters usually comprise an insertion tube having a relatively narrow diameter and a rounded, blunt end which will pass through the cervical canal easily and will not damage or injure the fundus upon contact therewith, and a plunger inside the insertion tube. Prior to insertion the device, whether an IUD or an IUS, is usually retracted into the insertion tube either by means of string(s) attached to the device and intended for the removal of the device from the uterus, or by pushing the device into the insertion tube by a plunger with inserters having a special window to adapt the device in the expanded shape. Then the insertion tube with the device therein is introduced through the cervical canal into the uterus. When the device is correctly positioned, it is released either by pushing the plunger towards the uterus or by holding the plunger steady and by retracting the insertion tube outwards. Once expulsed from the insertion tube within the uterine cavity, the device is supposed to resume its original expanded shape.
A typical example of an intrauterine device has a T-shaped body fabricated of plastic material and consisting of an elongated body part having at one end a transverse member comprising two wings, the elongate member and the transverse member forming a substantially T-shaped piece when the device is in the expanded configuration, for example positioned in the uterus. The tips of these wings are preferably hemispherical in order to facilitate the introduction of the device through the cervical canal. The elongate member has a copper spiral or wire or a hormone capsule arranged around the body. The end of the vertical body part has a loop with a string or strings attached to it, with which the device can be removed from the uterus after use or whenever needed.
Challenging steps, which will be exemplified with a common T-shaped device, apply as well to intrauterine systems having another type of frame, for example 7-shaped or closed, continuous frames.
For the insertion of a T-shaped intrauterine system it is extremely important that the hemispherical ends of the transverse member are in the exactly correct position in relation to the edge of the insertion tube at the moment of introducing the device in the uterus. If the IUS is pulled into the insertion tube by means of the removal string, which is usually the case with the existing devices, it is understandable that it is difficult to make the IUS stop in the correct position, especially if the relative movement of the insertion tube and the plunger is not restricted by any stop member. Pulling with too much force easily makes these ends enter almost completely into the insertion tube. During the insertion of the device, the sharp edges of the insertion tube may interfere with the introduction of the device through the cervical canal. On the other hand, if the device is not drawn deep enough into the insertion tube, the frame ends project outwardly because of a relatively wide insertion tube. The diameter at the level of the wings remains too wide, which makes the introduction of the device more difficult. When the device is pulled into the insertion tube, it is important that the device is in the correct position, i.e. without damaging the loop, the rest of the body or the string(s). If the device is pulled inside the insertion tube in a wrong position, the edges of the insertion tube can damage the loop or the body. If pulling is continued and the device does not turn into the correct position, the string(s) will finally cut through the loop or the body, which can also cause the device to get jammed within the insertion tube.
Some known inserters are such that the IUS is in fact not pulled inside the insertion tube, but rather the insertion tube is moved towards the proximal end of the inserter, to cover the whole of the IUS. Therefore, in case the inserter comprises a slider, this slider is not moved downwards (i.e. towards the user) as one would intuitively expect, but rather moved upwards (i.e. away from the user). If with such an inserter, the slider is moved initially to the wrong direction (towards the user), the IUS is prematurely released and is thus unusable. Indeed, it is not recommended to re-assemble the device, for obvious hygienic reasons. One of the aims of the present inventions is thus to provide a package for an inserter with which the user cannot make this kind of mistake.
Thus, some intrauterine systems, for example those with a T-shaped body, cannot be inserted inside a patient's uterus in their unfolded state, but also cannot be stored inside an inserter for a long period of time, in a ready-for-insertion state with the horizontal arms also inside the tube. Indeed, should such an intrauterine system be stored for an extended period of time, it might not properly retrieve its original and intended shape due to a memory effect of the material used of the body, thus not fitting properly inside the uterus. Therefore, this kind of intrauterine systems are typically stored in their sales package in a manner that any straight part of the intrauterine system is stored inside the inserter and the remaining part of the intrauterine system is withdrawn inside the inserter by the physician, immediately prior to the insertion. This step can be seen as cumbersome and can lead to the intrauterine system being not entirely correctly positioned inside the insertion tube (either not enough or too much). This could have an effect on the asepticity of the implant. There exists thus a need to provide a package for an intrauterine system and its inserter that would overcome this problem. An aim is thus also to increase patient security and easiness of use for the physician. Another aim is to provide an arrangement where the steps required to be performed by the physician are reduced.

Arrangement for an intrauterine system and its inserter


A master routing hub (50, FIG. 1 ) selects a communications path which enables subscriber units (10, 140) using disparate networks to communicate with each other. The master routing hub (50) receives a quality of service indicator (FIG. 4, 410) from a subscriber unit (FIG. 1, 10) as well as cost information from alternate communications networks and terrestrial communications networks. The master routing hub (50) selects an appropriate communications path in accordance with the quality of service indicator and thus provides the best available quality of service at the lowest cost to the subscribers (10, 140). The master routing hub (50) also provides the protocol conversion in order to enable the disparate communications networks to communicate with each other.

The invention relates generally to the field of communications and, more particularly, to communications among disparate communication networks.
In a communications network, a subscriber often has a desire for a service from a provider which does not operate within the particular communications network. In order to receive the desired service, the subscriber may be required to establish an account with a second communications network, or make other arrangements which allow the subscriber to receive the desired service. These arrangements can require the subscriber to purchase or otherwise secure the equipment necessary to interact with the second communications network.
Arrangement between service providers can become complex and difficult to implement especially when the desired service is only available on a communications network which provides regional coverage. In these cases, arranging for the service to be provided to an out-of-area subscriber introduces further complications. Additionally, the subscriber may have little or no control over the quality of service provided by the second communications network at the out-of-area location.
As communications providers attempt to establish and increase market share, each provider strives to offer their own unique service package and to exclude competitors from the marketplace. Additionally, service providers are reluctant to offer key services of their own communications networks using competitor""s delivery systems as these delivery systems may be viewed as not offering the highest quality of service. These factors discourage users from making use of services not offered by their xe2x80x9chomexe2x80x9d communications network. Additionally, these factors also discourage communications service providers from offering their services to subscribers not committed to use their communications network and its attendant equipment.
Thus, it is highly desirable to allow communications service providers to offer their services to subscribers outside the communications network using a suitable quality of service. Additionally, it is also highly desirable for subscriber units to be capable of obtaining communications services which are not offered by a home communications network.

Apparatus and method for message routing using disparate communications networks


A method and system for determining a substrate type during a seasoning process is presented. An optical signal is acquired from a process in a plasma processing system, and the optical signal is compared to a pre-determined threshold value. Depending upon the comparison, the substrate type is determined to be of a correct type, or an incorrect type.

The fabrication of integrated circuits (IC) in the semiconductor industry typically employs plasma to create and assist surface chemistry within a plasma reactor necessary to remove material from and deposit material to a substrate. In general, plasma is formed within the plasma reactor under vacuum conditions by heating electrons to energies sufficient to sustain ionizing collisions with a supplied process gas. Moreover, the heated electrons can have energy sufficient to sustain dissociative collisions, and therefore, a specific set of gases under predetermined conditions (e.g., chamber pressure, gas flow rate, etc.) are chosen to produce a population of charged species and chemically reactive species suitable to the particular process being performed within the chamber (e.g., etching processes where materials are removed from the substrate or deposition processes where materials are added to the substrate).
Typically, during plasma processing such as for example during etch applications, it is necessary to "season" the plasma processing system following a period of process system maintenance, i.e. chamber cleaning, process kit replacement, etc. Prior to initiating production, several substrates are processed through the plasma processing system in order to form a "seasoning" film on the chamber interior and, thus, facilitate repeatable process performance for the substrates to follow. The substrates used for "seasoning" are generally coated with a seasoning material, such as photo-resist, to provide a proper seasoning film on the chamber interior. However, during a seasoning process, a non-seasoning substrate, such as a bare silicon substrate, can be mistakenly inserted into the seasoning process. When this occurs, significant particle production and contamination in the seasoned chamber can lead to poor quality production substrates and chamber downtime.

Method and system of discriminating substrate type


A self-propelled vehicle is provided with a main speed control lever and a brake for preventing rotation of drive wheels. When an operator places the main speed control lever in a stop position, the vehicle's transmission in shifted to a neutral or near-neutral position and the brake is engaged.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to brakes and, more particularly, to parking brakes for self-propelled, walk-behind vehicles. A preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a brake incorporated with a main speed control lever in a self-propelled, walk-behind lawn mower having a hydrostatic transmission.
2. Description of Related Art
It is known to utilize a single stick system for controlling the maximum forward speed of left and right drive wheels simultaneously or a two-stick system for controlling the maximum forward speed of each driven wheel in a walk-behind mower, while separate hand levers are used to make adjustments to individual drive wheel speed in a range from the maximum speed set by the stick corresponding to each drive wheel through neutral to reverse.
It is also known to provide a parking brake in order to prevent unintended movement of a vehicle; however, in conventional self-propelled vehicles, a parking brake lever represents an additional control which must be manipulated by an operator when stopping and starting the mower.
In addition, many conventional walk-behind lawn mowers utilize a hydraulic system for transmitting power from the vehicle's engine to the mower's drive wheels. These systems generally include left and right drive wheels, each driven by a hydraulic motor. The rotational speed of left and right drive wheels are commonly controlled individually by levers actuated by an operator. These mowers are typically capable of a "zero turn radius" wherein either the left or right drive wheel is driven forward while the other is driven in reverse.
Due to manufacturing tolerances and changes in operating conditions, the neutral position at the operator control and the true neutral position of the hydraulic components do not coincide, resulting in a condition where the machine will creep and possibly move out of control. Some machines equipped with a parking brake do not require the drive control to be at or near neutral when applied, causing possible wear and overheating of hydraulic components.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a brake feature for a main speed control lever in a self-propelled vehicle, which is applied simultaneously when the control is placed into a neutral (stop) position. It is a further object of the present invention to extend the life of components in a hydrostatically driven vehicle by providing a brake which is engaged only when the vehicle's transmission is in a neutral or near-neutral position.


Disclosed is a photosensitive diazo resin for lithographic printing represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein X.sup.- is a counter anion, Y is a divalent bonding group selected from the group consisting of --NH--, --S-- and --O--, R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are groups which are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, an alkyl group and an alkoxy group, R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 are groups which are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, an alkyl group and a phenyl group, 1 and m are integers which satisfy the relation: EQU 1+m=2 to 100, 1/m=30 to 99/1 to 70. and A is a quaternary ammonium salt-containing group represented by the formula: ##STR2## (wherein B is a straight or branched divalent C.sub.1-10 alkyl group which bonds to an aromatic ring by a group selected from the group consisting of --CH.sub.2 --, --CO--, --O--, --S-- and --N--, and R.sub.6, R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 are groups which are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and a C.sub.1-20 alkyl group provided that at least two of R.sub.6, R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 are alkyl groups). A photosensitive resin composition for lithographic printing comprising a diazo resin is also disclosed.

In general, a photosensitive plate for lithographic printing consists of a photosensitive layer comprising a photosensitive compound and a solvent-soluble binder resin as main component which is coated onto a substrate such as an aluminum plate. Such printing plate is then exposed through a photoimage (e.g. negative, etc), and the non-exposed areas of the photosensitive layer is removed by eluting with a developer and the exposed insolublized area is remained as the image area of the lithographic printing plate.
Photosensitive plate for lithographic printing has been widely used in offset printing, because the time taken for plate-making process is short, and the operation is relatively simple. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a printing plate having excellent resolution, storage stability, developability and durability, and the demand for such cheap photosensitive plate or resin composition used in lithographic printing is extremely large.
The following properties are required for a photosensitive resin having excellent properties which is used for making a photosensitive plate or photosensitive resin composition for lithographic printing:
(1) high sensitivity, that is, high absorptivity to active energy such that image can be formed even when the exposure amount is small; PA1 (2) stability, that is, the reactions (e.g. decomposition, crosslinking, etc.) will remain unchanged (even when it is stored for a long period of time at room temperature or under the conditions of high temperature and high humidity); and PA1 (3) solvent-solubility, that is, it has excellent solubility to a developer containing no harmful solvent (e.g. DMF, methyl cellosolve, etc.).
Diazo resin has widely been used as a photosensitive compound for lithographic printing plate because it satisfies the above properties, comparatively. Diazo resin is a resin containing a diazonium salt. At present, a diazo resin is obtained by polycondensation of p-diazodiphenyl amine and paraformaldehyde with an inorganic or organic counter anion is mainly used as a photosensitive resin for lithographic photosensitive plate.
In order to further improve printing properties, particularly sensitivity, stability and solvent-solubility of the diazo resin, various trials have been made heretofore.
As a trial for high sensitization of the diazo resin, for example, a diazonium compound of which main chain is polyester is described in Japanese Patent Kokai No. 54-30121. However, it is necessary to use a toxic compound (e.g. trifluoroacetic acid, etc.) as a solvent in order to prepare a diazo resin from a diazonium compound, and a reaction process at high temperature for a long period of time is also necessary. Accordingly, such a method is not suitable for practical use.
In Japanese Patent Kokai No. 58-062641, a method comprising synthesizing a prepolymer from acetylamino aniline and then diazotizing the prepolymer to prepare a diazo resin is described. Further, in Japanese Patent Kokai No. 58-187925, synthesis of a diazo resin according to the reaction of a diazonium compound with a vinyl ester compound is described. However, these methods are complicated because there are lot of synthesis processes, and are not suitable for practical use. Further, such diazo resin is inferior in solvent-solubility and, therefore, the resulting photosensitive plate is inferior in developability.
In Japanese Patent Kokai No. 61-273538, there is described a diazo resin obtained by esterifying a diazonium compound having a hydroxyl group to bond with a carboxylic acid-containing compound, followed by esterification with styrene-anhydrous maleic acid copolymer at room temperature for 3 hours. However, since sensitivity is not sufficiently improved, the resulting photosensitive plate is inferior in resolution.
In order to improve the stability of the diazo resin, a trial for improving the water-insolubility and lipophilic nature of the diazo resin has been made by coupling a water-soluble diazo resin with an inorganic compound. In Japanese Patent Kokai No. 47-1167, coupling of a water-soluble diazo resin with an acidic aromatic compound or coupling of a water-soluble diazo resin with a phenolic aromatic compound containing a hydroxyl group is described. However, since resins obtained by these methods are inferior in solubility to glycol, ether, alcohol and ketone, developability of a photosensitive plate becomes inferior. Further, a sulfonic acid or sulfonate containing a long chain alkyl group used herein is deposited in the gum-like form on synthesis and, therefore, it is hardly produced.
Further, a trial for using an organic solvent-soluble counter anion has also been made. In Japanese Patent Kokai No. 54-98613, halogenated Lewise acid (e.g. BF.sub.4, PF.sub.6, etc.) is used. In Japanese Patent Kokai No. 56-121031, perhalogen acid, perchloric acid and periodic acid are used. However, resins obtained by these methods are inferior in solvent-solubility. Accordingly, the developability of such photosensitive plate becomes inferior and the diazo resin is remained on the non-image area even after development and, therefore, scumming is arisen during printing.
In Japanese Patent Kokai No. 59-38746, a trial for using an organic coupling agent in combination with an inorganic coupling agent is described. However, a resin obtained by such method is remarkably inferior in solubility to an alkaline developer. Accordingly, a developability of a photosensitive plate becomes inferior and the diazo resin is remained on the non-image area even after development and, therefore, scumming is arisen during printing.
In Japanese Patent Kokai No. 62-175731, a combination of two sorts of an organic sulfonic acid of which numbers of a base unit is not less than 2.5 is described. In Japanese Patent Kokai No. 60-97350, the use of sulfopolyester as counter anion is described. According to these methods, stability of the resulting diazo resins is improved, however, reactivity of the diazo resin is lowered, which results in substantially insufficient resolution.
As a conventional trial for improving solvent-solubility of the diazo resin, for example, a co-condensation of an aromatic compound containing a phenolic hydroxyl group with an aromatic diazonium compound is described in Japanese Patent Kokai No. 1-102456. In Japanese Patent Kokai No. 1-102457, a co-condensation of an aromatic compound containing at least one sort of a carboxyl group and a hydroxyl group with an aromatic diazonium compound is described. Further, in Japanese Patent Kokai No. 1-245246, a co-condensation of an aromatic compound containing a sulfonic group, sulfinic group, and phenylene and naphthylene containing a salt thereof with an aromatic diazonium is described. However, when these resin compositions are used, the durability of the resulting printing plate becomes inferior.

Photosensitive diazo resins and resin compositions for lithographic printing having a quaternary ammonium salt-containing group


The dial with an enamel coating (2) includes a base plate (1) made of ceramic material with portions in relief (4, 8) obtained by partial or through shaping or machining, formed by an insert (10) also having an enamel coating (12) and whose thickness defines a recess (4) or an embossment (8).

The usual manner of making multi-stage enameled dials consists in taking a metal plate of very small thickness, generally made of copper, a copper alloy or silver, forming a layer of enamel at the surface of the substrate by successive deposition and firing operations, said layer having a thickness generally comprised between 600 and 800 μm, and a layer of counter enameling of smaller thickness on the back side of the plate. The counter enameling has an essentially technical function countering the stresses that are created in the metal plate during successive firing operations. An aperture of the desired dimensions for the secondary dial is then cut, then the surface of an enameled disc, produced in the same way, is machined and cut to the dimensions of the aperture possibly reducing the thickness of the enamel, and finally the disc is welded in the aperture, which produces a quite visible mark on the back of the dial and can damage the secondary dial. The method that has just been briefly described is very difficult to implement, has a significant discard rate and finally leads to a finished product with a very high cost.
In order to give an enameled on metal dial more relief without having the drawbacks of the aforecited prior art, taking a thicker plate has also been proposed and machining hollows therein that are then covered with a sufficiently thick layer of enamel to conceal the metallic appearance of the bottom. The enameled dial thereby obtained is significantly thicker, which causes an increase in the dimensions of the case, which then no longer answers current requirements for wristwatches.
Deforming a metal base plate has also been proposed, for example by stamping, and then carrying out the enameling. The parts that have been deformed have altered thermal behaviour, such that the firing operations usually cause cracks in the enamel layers that lead to the manufacture part being discarded.


In response to a request from an image forming apparatus, a separate apparatus identifies information on applicable firmware, determines whether warning is permitted based on an output ability of the image forming apparatus and a result of referring to a warning permission policy table, and transmits a response including the information on applicable firmware and warning permission information. When making the request and applying the firmware after receiving the response, in a case where the warning permission information indicates displaying of warning is permitted, the image forming apparatus determines a message to be output and displays the message based on the result of referring to the warning display pattern table.

Field
Aspects of the present invention generally relate to a management technique of managing firmware in an image forming apparatus via a network.
Description of the Related Art
In image forming apparatuses with firmware installed, the firmware is updated in some cases to add a new function and to correct a program.
The types of firmware include general firmware as well as business firmware, individual firmware, and the like. The general firmware is used in the image forming apparatuses by general users. The business firmware is customized for a specific business occasion. The individual firmware is individually released for an individual spot request.
Conventionally, the general firmware has been mainly released. However, to satisfy the recent increased customization demand, increasing numbers of business firmware and individual firmware have been released. Thus, there is a risk of erroneous update between different types of firmware (business firmware to general firmware).
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-91427 discusses a technique of displaying a check screen when a piece of firmware is selected for firmware update.
However, in the technique discussed in 2003-91427, a warning is displayed only in a case where a version is upgraded or where a special specification has been set. Thus, a case where the version remains the same or where the version is downgraded is not taken into account. Furthermore, with the technique discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-91427, whether the warning is permitted to be displayed cannot be remotely or flexibly switched in accordance with an installed environment of an image forming apparatus including a condition unique to a country where the image forming apparatus is installed, or an operation mode of the image forming apparatus.


Bone plating implants, instruments, systems and methods for fracture fixation are provided. The systems includes the instruments and implants comprising a trial component, handle, aiming block, bone plate, tissue spreader, drill guide, K-wire guide, monoaxial screw-locking inserts, polyaxial screw-locking inserts, cable plugs, K-wires, monoaxial screws and polyaxial screws. The methods include the use of the instruments and implants for either open or minimally invasive fracture fixation surgery.

The present invention relates to a bone plating system and instrumentation used in the fixation of fractures of long bones such as the femur, tibia, humerus and radius, including periarticular fractures. More specifically, the present invention encompasses a bone plating system that aids in preoperative planning of plate selection and placement, intraoperative adjustment and fixation of the plate to the fractured bone, as well as implementation in minimally invasive surgery, hereinafter referred to as MIS.
Typical fixation of a fracture of a long bone with a bone plate requires making an incision in the tissue, reducing the fracture, placing a bone plate on the fractured bone, and securing the bone plate to the bone with fixation elements such as screws. The bone plate immobilizes the fracture and keeps the bone in a correct position so as to allow the fracture to heal.
Typically, bone plates have a bone contacting side and a side facing away from the bone with a plurality of holes or apertures extending between the two surfaces. These holes or apertures may be either threaded (for use with locking screws) or non-threaded (for use with regular screws) and may be circular or oblong in shape.
One such bone plate is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,623,486 in which the plate has a head portion for placement adjacent the metaphysis of the bone and a shaft portion for placement against the diaphysis of the bone. The plate includes both locking (threaded) holes and non-locking holes. The locking holes are adapted to receive bone screws with threaded heads or proximal areas which engage the threads in the locking holes to thereby lock the screw to the plate. Bone screws without threaded heads can be then inserted into the non-locking holes or into the oblong holes which oblong holes permit the screws to be oriented at various angles.
The non-threaded holes can accommodate threaded inserts which can couple the bone screws to the plate via the engagement of the outer bone screw threads with inner threads on the inserts. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,954,722. In addition, the bone plate holes can accommodate inserts adapted to receive cerclage wires. An example of such an insert is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,190,545.
One difficulty involved with the use of locking screws in minimally invasive, or other surgery, is that such a screw must be accurately aligned with the threaded hole in the plate upon insertion to prevent cross threading of the engaging threads. One way of achieving this alignment is by using guide wires such as Kirshner wires (K-wires) and locating them within the bone plate holes. Cannulated bone screws are then placed over the wires which, if accurately positioned, guide the threaded portion of the screw to engagement with the threaded plate hole in the proper alignment. Placement of the guide wires may thus become a critical aspect of the procedure.
As used herein, when referring to bones or other parts of the body, the term "proximal" means closer to the heart and the term "distal" means more distant from the heart. The term "inferior" means toward the feet and the term "superior" means towards the head. The term "anterior" means towards the front part of the body or the face and the term "posterior" means towards the back of the body. The term "medial" means toward the midline of the body and the term "lateral" means away from the midline of the body.
One of the difficulties involved with the implantation of a bone plate is determining the correct size of the bone plate to be used, as well as the position in which it is to be affixed to the bone. Commonly, a non-invasive scan of the fracture, such as an x-ray, will serve as the template by which a surgeon must select the appropriately sized bone plate, and determine where it should optimally be affixed to the bone. Based on this preoperative assessment, intraoperatively, the surgeon must then position the plate on the bone and affix it in the predetermined optimal position. Because the surgeon may only have the x-ray to refer to intraoperatively, the placement of the plate and the drilling of corresponding bone screw holes with correct trajectories for monoaxial screws leaves room for inaccuracy and less than optimal fixation.
Another difficulty involved with the implantation of a bone plate is holding and manipulating a long, slim plate in an incision during the implantation procedure.
Yet another issue with the implantation procedure is the size of the incision. Although it is known that tissue may be stretched, common incisions generally span the length of the bone plate to be implanted. This is because of the visualization that is required for proper alignment of the bone plate, as well as drilling of bone screw holes, and implantation of bone screws.
Since it is desirable to minimize scarring and disruption of blood supply to the muscles through the use of smaller incisions, as well as increase the speed and accuracy of surgical procedures, MIS techniques are becoming more popular. However, present implantation techniques, as described above, present challenges in terms of utilizing smaller incisions, providing faster operating times, and maintaining or improving ease of handing of bone plates, as well as accurately fixating them to bone. Thus, there is a need in the art for implants, instruments and methods that facilitate accomplishing these objectives.

Bone plating implants, instruments and methods


A cost-effective process for loading particulate pigment into a polymer concentrate includes adding a basic pH aqueous solution having a water soluble organic salt to a milled particulate pigment to form an organic-coated particulate pigment. The pH of the basic aqueous solution is sufficiently basic that the water soluble organic salt remains in a salt form. Without a prior micronization step, the organic-coated particulate pigment is mixed with a polymer resin to form a polymer concentrate having from about 50% to about 87% by weight particulate pigment with dispersibility comparable to micronized organic-coated particulate pigment.

1. Field of the Inventive Concepts
The inventive concepts disclosed and claimed herein relate to methods for making pigment for plastics applications, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to methods of surface treating pigment for plastics applications such that micronization is not necessary.
2. Brief Description of Related Art
Particulate inorganic pigments are used as opacifiers and colorants in many industries, including the coatings, plastics, and paper industries. Titanium dioxide is the most widely used white pigment in commerce today due to its ability to confer high opacity when formulated into end-use products. Titanium dioxide pigments, are generally micronized to form a finely divided powder and thereby maximize the opacifying properties imparted to materials formulated therewith.
The effectiveness of the particulate pigment in such plastics applications depends, in part, on how evenly the pigment can be dispersed in the polymer melt. Titanium dioxide particles typically have a hydrophilic surface, making them difficult to incorporate in hydrophobic materials such as plastics. Without proper surface treatment, even mixing for long periods of time with high energy levels does not achieve good dispersion. In addition, titanium dioxide powders are inherently dusty and frequently exhibit poor powder flow characteristics during the handling of the powder itself, especially during formulation, compounding, and manufacture of end-use products.
To this end, physical and chemical modification of titanium dioxide particle surfaces has been used to improve the properties of titanium dioxide particles in polymer matrices. Such improvements sought include improved flow characteristics, decreased chemical activity, and improved thermal stability, especially lacing resistance in extruded polymer film applications. Surface treatment agents are added to the particulate titanium dioxide to provide a hydrophobic surface for use in plastics. The titanium dioxide pigment particles are micronized to achieve sufficient de-agglomeration of the pigment particles prior to compounding the pigment with a polymer to produce a polymer concentrate. High performance titanium dioxide master batches have been formulated with increased concentrations of titanium dioxide in the polymer concentrated, making downstream polymer product processing easier and delivering excellent product uniformity and lacing resistance.
To date, high performance master batch research has focused on surface treatment with hydrophobic compounds and has always included micronization. Despite the significant research done in this area, there remains a need for improvements in the economical surface treatment of particulate titanium dioxide that provides improved handling, dispersion and final product properties without the need for micronization.

Non-micronized pigment for plastics application

Cristal Inorganic Chemicals Switzerland Ltd


An improvement in small round loudspeakers of popular standard types used in vehicle assembly is obtained by modifying a standard-sized basket in a manner to provide a polar array of special mounting openings located on a concentric mounting circle of larger than standard diameter, thus allowing the use of a larger cone for improved performance and allowing the loudspeaker to be mounted in different-sized popular mounting hole patterns in the baffle panel; for example an aspect of the invention enables the "6.5 inch basket", associated with Asian-built vehicles, to be fitted with a larger-sized cone used in the "170 mm basket" associated with European-built vehicles, thus providing a loudspeaker, with the improved performance of the larger cone, that can be installed in a range of different baffle panel cutout sizes and configurations of either type of vehicle. In a twist-lock embodiment, an array of elongated slots, typically four, configured in the rear side of the peripheral mounting flange of the loudspeaker, enables twist-lock installation and removal, by engaging a corresponding array of specially-shaped lock tabs associated with the baffle panel. The lock tabs may formed on a sheet metal ring that can be attached to the baffle panel by bolts, screws, rivets or other fasteners prior to installing the loudspeaker. A forward-facing raised landing surface of the loudspeaker flange, which normally carries protruding mounting screw heads, is left clear to provide an unobstructed flat surface for adhesive attachment of the surround suspension of the larger cone.

Most vehicles are now equipped with an audio system: commonly this is already installed in new vehicles as original factory installation. It is not unusual for a vehicle to be equipped with four or more speakers. Since space is usually restricted, compact door-mounted speakers are popular. The present invention is directed to compact speakers having a circular outline, as opposed to an elliptical or square outline.
Two predominant types of compact circular speakers that are widely used in vehicles are close in size: 6.5" nominal (165 mm) associated largely with Asian-produced vehicles and with Japanese industry JIS standards, and 170 mm nominal (6.7") associated largely with European-produced vehicles and with DIN standards. Many American-produced as well as imported vehicles are made with compact round speaker mounting cutout/hole patterns of one or other of these two types, depending on the vehicle make and year.
Although these two types are close in size, the dimensional differences in mounting patterns are such as to ordinarily prevent interchangeability between the two speaker types. Furthermore, since the 170 mm type has about 14% larger cone area than the 6.5" type, it is considered superior for bass frequency performance capability since its larger cone produces a given SPL (sound pressure level) with a shorter travel and therefore requires less clearance to prevent the diaphragm system from "bottoming" at low bass frequencies. Thus any purely mechanical adaptation of the smaller speaker that is presently known and/or available for replacing the larger speaker would fail to duplicate its inherently higher performance capability.
The manner of mounting speakers in vehicles is important both in original vehicle manufacturing, where rapid and easy installation on the assembly line is of great importance for the labor cost savings, and in vehicle sound servicing where both installation and removal of a speaker represent time and cost expenditures.
The most common speaker locations in vehicles is in the side doors where typically speakers are mounted onto the interior sheet metal panel, extending into the door compartment; rear speakers can be located in a bulkhead panel behind the rear seat cushion, where they are typically mounted to the rear of the bulkhead panel, facing forwardly in the vehicle.
Typically, circular speakers are made with an array of mounting holes located just inside the rim for fastening the speaker in place with a set of mounting screws. If the mounting panel is of sheet metal, these mounting screws are typically self-tapping screws driven into suitably sized round holes; alternatively the holes may be extruded and threaded to accept machine screws. In either case, installation and removal are relatively easy and labor-efficient when no fastening hardware is required on the reverse side of the mounting panel.
However where fastening hardware is required on the reverse side, e.g. where the mounting panel material is unsuitable for reliably threading or engaging self-tapping screws, such assembly tends to be slow and costly: since the main opening is occupied by the speaker itself, lack of rear accessibility may require two workers to install or remove the speaker.
In a compact speaker for the automobile marketplace, bass performance capability is a key parameter, also the product must be easily mountable into the standard speaker openings provided in popular vehicle models. It is highly desirable to minimize the number of different sized speakers that need to be produced; for example it would be a manufacturing and distributing economy to provide a single versatile speaker type that could be mounted in standard speaker mounting cutouts of either the 6.5" or the 170 mm type. The versatile speaker type would require a cone size that would provide the performance of the 170 mm unit; this would provide a performance bonus in the 6.5" applications.
To suspend the edge of the cone, it is conventional practice to provide a surround suspension member having an arched resilient portion with its inner edge attached to the cone edge and its outer edge extended in the form of a surround suspension mounting flange which is adhesively attached to the rim portion of the speaker frame, typically via a spacer ring.
In contemplating speakers as candidates for OEM (original equipment manufacture) of automobiles or as an OEM replacement, it is a ground rule that there can be no physical modification of the speaker mounting panel, assuming it is part of a vehicle, such as drilling, cutting, bending etc., since such would void the vehicle warranty.

Twist-lock-mountable versatile loudspeaker mount


A radio-controlled timepiece has a reception means that receives a standard radio signal containing time information; a demodulation means that demodulates the standard radio signal received by the reception means and outputs a demodulated signal; a waveform discrimination means that discriminates the waveform of the demodulated signal based on a specific waveform discrimination standard, and outputs a code corresponding to the waveform; a time information conversion means that converts the code output by the waveform discrimination means to time information; and a waveform discrimination standard changing means for changing the waveform discrimination standard.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a radio-controlled timepiece and its method of changing the waveform discrimination standard.
2. Description of Related Art
Germany, Britain, the United States, Japan, and other countries transmit long-wave standard time signals carrying time information on a carrier wave frequency of several 10 kHz, and radio-controlled timepieces that receive and use this standard time signal to adjust the time have become common. The long-wave standard time signal is a pulse wave that denotes a time code of pulse values such as 1, 0, and M each second, and transmits one full frame in 1 minute. Each frame contains time information including the year, hour, and minute.
The radio-controlled timepiece therefore detects the pulse waveforms denoting each code from the long-wave standard time signal, and determines the value, such as 1, 0, or M, represented by each pulse (referred to below as a waveform discrimination process).
The frequency of the carrier wave and the waveforms of the pulses denoting the code values 1, 0, or M in these long-wave standard time signals differ depending on the country.
The process whereby a radio-controlled timepiece sets the time using a long-wave standard time signal is described briefly below.
The standard time signal is received by an antenna such as a tuning bar antenna and passed to a demodulation circuit.
The demodulation circuit includes an AGC (automatic gain control) amplifier, a narrow-band bandpass filter using a crystal oscillator, a rectification circuit, and a decoder circuit.
The demodulation circuit boosts the antenna output to a required level by the AGC amplifier, extracts the required signal band using the narrow-band bandpass filter, and detects the signal by amplitude-modulated wave detection using the rectification circuit. The detector output is then compared with a reference level by a decoder, and the level is converted to output the time code signal.
The radio-controlled timepiece applies the waveform discrimination process to the time code signal and identifies the code. The time is then adjusted based on the result of the waveform discrimination process.
Each pulse in the time code of the standard time signal transmitted in Japan, for example, starts at the rising edge, that is, where the time code signal changes from LOW to HIGH. The waveform discrimination process taught in Japanese Unexamined Patent Appl. Pub. JP-A-2003-222687, for example, therefore uses a 32-Hz sampling circuit to sample the time code signal for 1 second from a detected rising edge and acquires 32 samples (samples 0 to 31).
The 32 samples are then divided into plural discrimination periods in which the HIGH and LOW signal levels differ according to the code. The Japanese JJY standard time signal, for example, is divided into period A (samples 1 to 5), period B (samples 8 to 13), period C (samples 18 to 23), and period D (samples 27 to 31).
The HIGH/LOW signal level of each code changes in the samples not belonging to any of the discrimination periods. For example, the 0 code changes from LOW to HIGH between period D and period A, and changes from HIGH to LOW between period C and period D.
Based on the number of HIGH and LOW samples in each period, the HIGH or LOW value of each period is determined.
For example, whether period A denotes a HIGH or LOW signal level is determined according to the number of HIGH and LOW signal levels in samples 1 to 5.
Each code is then identified from the HIGH or LOW signal level of each discrimination period.
If period A is HIGH, period B is HIGH, and period C is LOW, a code value of "1" is identified, for example.
Note that period D must always be LOW, and an error is therefore returned if period D is HIGH.
However, deviations can occur in the reference level of the decoder circuit and variations can occur in the capacitance connected to the AGC amplifier during the radio-controlled timepiece manufacturing process.
When such variations are introduced during radio-controlled timepiece production, the radio-controlled timepiece can output different time code signals even through the same long-wave standard time signal is received in a reception environment that is unaffected by the field strength or signal/noise ratio (S/N) of the long-wave standard time signal. More specifically, the signal width of the pulse waves in each code may vary.
When the effects of the field strength and S/N ratio of the long-wave standard time signal are considered, the signal width of the pulse waves in each code can vary even more.

Radio-controlled timepiece and method of changing the waveform discrimination standard


According to a first aspect of the present invention, a static random access memory cell according to the present invention includes two stages. The first stage has a first P-Channel MOS transistor with its source connected to a high-voltage supply rail, and its drain connected to the drain of a first N-Channel MOS transistor. The source of the first N-Channel MOS transistor is connected to the drain of a second N-Channel MOS transistor. The source of the second N-Channel MOS transistor is connected to a V.sub.SS power supply rail. The second stage has a second P-Channel MOS transistor with its source connected to the high-voltage supply rail V.sub.HS, and its drain connected to the drain of a third N-Channel MOS transistor. The source of the third N-Channel MOS transistor is connected to the drain of a fourth N-Channel MOS transistor. The source of the fourth N-Channel MOS transistor is connected to V.sub.SS. The gates of the first and second P-Channel MOS transistors are cross-coupled and the gates of the second and fourth N-Channel MOS transistors are cross-coupled. The gates of the first and third N-Channel MOS transistors are connected together to power supply rail V.sub.DD, usually 5 volts. The first and second P-Channel MOS transistors are formed in an n-well biased at a constant power supply voltage. In a preferred embodiment the constant power supply voltage may be V.sub.HS. A bit line coupled to the drain of the second N-Channel MOS transistor through a fifth N-Channel MOS transistor, having its gate connected to a word line.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to semiconductor memories and to static memory cells. More particularly, the present invention relates to a high-voltage five-transistor static random access memory cell.
2. The Prior Art
CMOS Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) cells are known in the art. A typical prior-art SRAM cell is found in a memory product designated 5101 and manufactured by Intel Corporation of Santa Clara, Calif. The SRAM cell in this product includes six transistors, four of which constitute a cross-coupled latch, and two of which constitute gating devices used to couple the latch to two bit lines (data lines) when the memory cell is selected. These two bit lines are typically connected to a differential amplifier which amplifies the difference in voltage levels on the bit lines. The amplified difference is then interpreted as a logical 0 or a logical 1, according to some design convention.
To write a bit into the memory cell, the memory cell is selected and its bit lines are charged to opposite states by a write driver circuit. The six-transistor prior-art SRAM memory cell requires two gating devices (pass transistors) and two bit lines to be reliably read and written.
In certain applications, it is desirable to provide a high-voltage SRAM memory cell. To implement a high-voltage SRAM memory cell using prior-art techniques involves using a desired signal as an input to a level-shifter circuit which is used to develop a new high-voltage-level signal at its output. The high-voltage potential may be, for example, a programming voltage level (V.sub.HS), a power-supply voltage level or a charge pump voltage. Prior-art circuits for performing this function are characterized by static power consumption.

High-voltage five-transistor static random access memory cell


A control circuit, a time calculating unit, and operating method for control circuit are disclosed. The control circuit is operated in a power converter and coupled to a load. The control circuit includes an output stage and a time calculating unit. The time calculating unit receives a control signal and a reference voltage and provides a switch conducting signal to the output stage. The generation of the control signal is related to an output voltage of the power converter. When the difference between the control signal and the reference voltage becomes larger due to the change of the load, the time calculating unit dynamically increases an on-time of the switch conducting signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a DC-DC converter; in particular, to a control circuit, a time calculating unit, and a control circuit operating method operated in a power converter.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In general, in order to speed up the load transient variation of the power converter, the on-time of the switch conducting signal (the width of the pulse signal) will be fixedly enlarged twice or several times. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, when the load increases to heavy-loaded from light-loaded, the output inductor current IL becomes high-level from low-level. The on-time of the switch conducting signal UG (the width of the pulse signal) is enlarged 3 times from original Ton to 3 Ton to recover the rapidly declined feedback voltage FB as soon as possible. FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of the control logic circuit. As shown in FIG. 2, the comparator 20 outputs a pulse width modulation offset signal PWM_offset to switch the switch 40 to generate the switch conducting signal having 3 times width than the original one.
When a designer designs this system, he/she can determine the width magnification of the pulse signal; however, in practical applications, this default magnification is fixed instead of being dynamically adjusted with different loads, therefore, it lacks of flexibility to use. In addition, the switching between 1 time width and several times width is controlled by the pulse width modulation offset signal PWM_offset outputted by the comparator 20, however, since this offset is not fixed, it is hard to accurately determine whether the switch 40 should be switched. Therefore, it is not easy to control and has poor performance.
Therefore, the invention provides a control circuit, a time calculating unit, and a control circuit operating method operated in a power converter to solve the above-mentioned problems occurred in the prior arts.

Control circuit, time calculating unit, and operating method for control circuit


An impeller structure for a centrifugal fan apparatus includes a circular back plate, a ring-shaped shroud, and a tubular hub. The ring-shaped shroud and the tubular hub are respectively located a predetermined distance above and at the center of said circular back plate. The impeller structure further includes a plurality of blades which are annularly disposed around the tubular hub between the circular back plate and the ring-shaped shroud. Each of the plurality of blades includes a chord with a logarithmic spiral shape, and a mean camber line with an angle of return against the chord.

High performance fans are used in variety of industrial and laboratory applications such as, for example, heating, ventilating, and cooling systems. The performance and desirability of the fans are measured by the fan efficiency and acoustic level produced during operation. The improvement of fan efficiency will reduce the energy needed to operate the fan and/or increase output airflow and pressure.
Fan efficiency is affected by a number of factors. For example, the efficiency of a drive mechanism such as a motor and the revolving speed of the motor and blades may impact the fan energy efficiency. Another example of efficiency factors may include the clearance between the blades of a fan and an inner surface of the fan housing, as typically seen in axial-fans. The design of the fan housing also impacts the energy efficiency of the fan. Another important factor is the design of fan blades in term of shape and representing some structural advantages their orientation with respect to the rest of the fan.
Many of the efficiency factors discussed above are taken into account when issues of fan efficiency and acoustic noise are investigated. Primarily, the designer's attention is focused on improving the impeller design through unique airfoil blades or twisted flat blade designs. For example, centrifugal fans are categorized by their blades shapes into the following categories; 1) radial fans with flat blades, 2) forward curved fans with forward-curved blades, and 3) backward inclined fan with blades that tilt away from the direction of rotation.
Other structures such as, for example, three-dimensional blades with specific thickness distribution and hollow blades are also proposed. However, none of the above-mentioned structures provide a naturally fluid pathway, mating the blades' design and shape, for increasing air flow pressure and thereby reducing inefficiencies generated by flow separations along surfaces of the blades.
The present invention is proposed in view of the above aforementioned problems. The present invention provides a new design and orientation of impeller blades for improving the P-Q characteristics and energy efficiency of centrifugal fans.

Boundary layer controlled logarithmic spiral blade


The waveform conform control circuit includes a waveform generator, an amplitude adjustment device and an offset device. The waveform generator produces a current waveform. The amplitude adjustment device receives amplitudes amplitude data and produces a predetermined scale factor which is applied to the basic current waveform to produce a scaled current waveform. The offset device is a digital to analog converter for receiving offset data and producing a predetermined scale value that is added to the scaled waveform to produce a final current waveform. A method a digitally generated waveform is also disclosed. An offset circuit using current steering digital to analog and a current mirror is also disclosed.

The waveform generator or function generator is a commonly-used unit of test equipment in an electronics lab. The function generator produces various electrical waveforms that may be adjusted in frequency, amplitude and offset. In such a device the waveforms are generated by analog circuitry. Adjustments of amplitude were performed by front panel controls (potentiometers) that operated directly on the analog waveform signal. The final signal is then amplified and fed to an output connector.
It is now common practice to use various digital methods to generate the waveforms. This facilitates the use of certain devices such as computer control and the generation of arbitrary waveforms. Since the generation of the shape and frequency of the basic waveform is by means of digital circuitry, it is attractive to control the amplitude and offset by digital methods. Then the entire instrument may be controlled by digital commands. The shape and frequency of the waveform are created by a microprocessor or special-purpose digital hardware that generates a stream of numbers. Each number represents a point on the waveform. Then this stream of digital numbers may be converted into a waveform of voltage or current versus time by a digital-analog converter.
In one possible well known implementation, adjustment of the amplitude and offset is performed as digital number manipulations in the microprocessor or digital hardware, preceding the digital-analog conversion. The amplitude adjustment is performed by multiplying the waveform data by a constant value. The offset adjustment is performed by further adding a constant value. However, performing these arithmetic operations at the speed necessary to generate a reasonable frequency waveform requires a powerful microprocessor (DSP, digital signal processor) or special purpose hardware. As well, the digital-analog converter must have high precision since it must accommodate the entire dynamic range of the output, including the waveform and its DC offset.
Accordingly it would be advantageous to provide a device and a means for controlling a digitally generated waveform that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture. Further it would be advantageous to produce such a device that functions at high speed.


Mechanisms are provided for collecting user response information corresponding to a request transmitted as a part of unidirectional media broadcast. Mobile devices used to display media broadcast containing the request, such a survey, are also configured to send information using other communication networks, such as cellular networks. Mobile devices collect users' responses to the request and send information corresponding to these responses to a response processing server. The response processing server in turn processes the information, generate a report, and transmit this report to the broadcasting service. These reports may be used for a variety of purposes. In one example, reports are used to update broadcasted content such that mobile device user can view results of their responses as a part of the updated broadcast.

It is often desirable to update media broadcast devices based on the information provided by the broadcast viewers in order to make the media broadcast more interactive. For example, a TV program may include a poll asking the viewers to provide their responses. The viewers are also provided with instructions on responding to a poll, which usually involves making a phone call, sending a text message or an e-mail, or other ways that involve using another device capable of sending information back to the broadcasting service. A need to use separate devices or interfaces adds complexity to the overall process and tends to discourage viewers from responding to requests, such as surveys, sent to their devices. Further, this complexity slows the overall response process making it difficult to implement in a real-time interactive environment. Consequently, the techniques and mechanisms of the present invention provide improved mechanisms for collecting user responses and updating media broadcast based on information provided by the viewers.

Distributed contribution of disparate interactive elements


Mechanisms and techniques provide a system for performing messaging between a message server and a message client. Embodiments operate to receive a first message to be sent to a messaging client and establish a first connection to the messaging client. The system then transmits a message processing script and the first message over the first connection to the messaging client. The message processing script enables the messaging client to display the first message and to receive and display at least one second message over the first connection to the messaging client. The system maintains the first connection in an open state after transmitting the first message to the messaging client. The system then receives a second message to be sent to the messaging client and transmits the second message over the first connection to the messaging client for receipt by the message processing script, while continuing to maintain the first connection in an open state. This can be repeated for subsequent messages using the same connection.

A typical conventional instant messaging (IM) system operates between two or more computer systems coupled to a computer network to allow users of such computers to quickly exchange messages such as text messages in a reliable and efficient manner. Typical examples of conventional instant messaging systems include "AOL instant messenger", "MSN Messenger", "Lotus Sametime" and the like. Each of these conventional systems has a number of characteristics that they share in common with each other.
Generally, such conventional instant messaging systems provide a set of real-time computer client messaging applications (i.e., software programs) that enable a group of computer users to send messages between each other (i.e., between the client computers) as long as the client computers that operate such client messaging applications are all connected in some fashion or another to a computer network such as the Internet. Such messaging client applications can operate on a wide variety of computing platforms, including personal computers, workstations, cell-phones and personal digital assistants (PDAs), laptop computers, and the like. Such client-based IM software applications may comprise one or more applets (e.g., downloadable messaging Java programs), downloadable executable messaging programs (e.g., messaging executables), browser plug-ins, or other such applications that a user of a client computer system downloads and installs and/or otherwise obtains and installs onto his or her client computer system in order to enable his or her client computer to partake in messaging exchange with other client computer systems. The other client computer systems also must download a similar and compatible messaging client application in order for the messaging system to properly function.
Conventional messaging client software applications typically use a specialized messaging protocol for exchange of instant messages between one client and an messaging server operating within an messaging service provider facility. Upon receipt of an instant message from one client, the messaging server software can use a similar proprietary protocol to forward the instant message to the recipient client's messaging software in a real-time or near-real-time manner such that the recipient client receives and can then respond to the instant message with a return instant message.
As a specific example, when a first user enters a text message into his or her messaging client application and selects a "send" function to have this instant message transmitted to another user's (i.e., a second user's) messaging client application (i.e., operating on that other user's client computer system), the first user's client application creates a connection, such as a TCP/IP connection, to an messaging server. The first user's messaging client application uses this connection to transmit the instant message entered by the first user to the messaging server and then closes the connection to the messaging server. Upon receipt of an instant message in this manner, the messaging server determines which recipient computer system is to receive the instant message and then establishes a connection to that the messaging client application operating on that second users (i.e., the recipient's) computer. The messaging server then transmits the instant message over the connection to the second users messaging client application and closes the connection. In this manner, conventional messaging client software applications interact with messaging server software that relays instant messages between clients over respective connections to give the perception to those clients of an messaging "conversation" which takes place between users.

Methods and apparatus providing a web based messaging system


A closed loop compensation system including a deformable mirror including an array of spaced actuators. An array of spaced sensors is mapped in optical space to reside between pairs of actuators. A lens system receives a wavefront from the deformable mirror and focuses sub-apertures of the wavefront onto individual ones of the spaced sensors. A sequencer addresses each actuator and associated sensor in the arrays. A compute unit is configured to respond to the sequencer to set a first actuator to an adjusted stroke position and then adjust the stroke of subsequent actuators to locate, to a pre-established position, the focused sub-aperture on a sensor in the pathway between each particular subsequent actuator and a neighboring previously adjusted portion of the mirror to compensate for sub-aperture tilt while maintaining relative phase between sub-apertures.

In many optical systems dynamic compensation of aberrated wavefronts is required to achieve optimum performance. This presents a problem, for example, in telescopes and in laser beam generation and propagation devices. In telescopes the distorted wavefronts result in poor or no image formation. In laser devices the laser beam energy becomes dispersed so that its delivery at the receiver is ineffective. To accommodate for this, closed loop compensation feedback is employed which senses a portion or sub-portion of the incoming or outgoing light beam to determine wavefront distortion. A wavefront sensor typically provides an input to a wavefront reconstructor which determines the conjugate or compensatory shape of a deformable mirror required to restore the proper wavefront shape and then through suitable drivers adjusts the actuators of the deformable mirror to the compensating shape.
Typically wavefront sensors use high resolution detector arrays such as CCDs to determine position of the centroid of the focus points resulting from a lenslet array: the position of the centroid of each focus on the CCD is a function of input wavefront distortion. But while the local tilt of the sub-portion is compensated, the relative phase of those apertures, i.e., their piston values, are not apparent. To obtain their value there are a variety of complex wavefront reconstructor algorithms in use. Each of these suffer from one or more shortcomings: such as large, heavy, slow, expensive, complex hardware, or complex and time consuming signal processing. Compensation systems which use these reconstructors operate far below the speed, 15-20 KHz which the deformable mirror actuators are capable of. Further, while CCDs can operate at a frame rate of 1000 Hz even up to 3000 Hz for the very expensive ones, the closed loop bandwidth is typically only 1/20th of that or 50-150 Hz. These complex reconstructor algorithms are required in order to stitch together the sub-apertures into a continuous surface after their individual tilts have been determined. This is so because the tilt is initially determined without respect to absolute sub-aperture piston value, i.e., the stroke position of the associated actuators.
Wavefront distortion is also a problem in light beams generated by lasers even before the beam encounters any atmospheric perturbations or other sources of wavefront distortion. Closed loop compensation is used to correct for this too. For example, when building a compound laser system to increase the total power output beyond what any one laser can provide, a number of gain cells may be operated in series. In that case wavefront distortion compensation is required at the output of each gain cell to ensure that the input to the next gain cell is proper. In co-phasing multiple lasers to achieve a single high energy beam, each individual laser would require closed loop compensation as well.
Thus far only the spatial characteristics of the aberrated wavefront have been addressed. But there are temporal considerations as well. In systems requiring multiple adaptive components, multiple feedback control systems are required. The control loop bandwidth for the subsystems must be far enough apart to eliminate cross-talk. For complex telescope systems or laser beam directors many adaptive components are required, creating a small control loop design space.

Closed loop compensation system and method for a deformable mirror


A boot of the type that includes a low upper equipped with a rigid heel reinforcement and a rigid collar journalled on the reinforcement of the upper, in the area of the upper end thereof, the collar being equipped internally with a lining. The lining has an extension, extending downwardly within the upper up to the level of the base thereof. Advantageously, the extension is detachably connected to the upper and it is at least partially elastic.

1. Field of the Invention
The instant invention is related to a sports boot that is specifically intended for sports that require both a substantial longitudinal mobility for the foot with respect to the leg for the extension/bending movements thereof, as well as a good ankle retention in order to resist the transverse forces that are generated by actions such as edge setting, walking over uneven terrain, etc.
Included in such sports, in a non-limiting manner, are certain sports known as glide sports, such as cross-country skiing, ice skating, roller skating etc. as well as other sports, such as walking, hiking over hilly terrain etc.
2. Description of Background and Relevant Information
European Patent Application No. 0 416 437 discloses a boot of the aforementioned type, having a low upper construction with a stiff collar being journalled on a rear rigid spoiler of the upper, in the area of the upper end thereof.
Such a construction wherein the collar pivots in a totally free manner towards the front and towards the rear provides complete satisfaction as regards the desired mobility of the foot/leg and the transverse retention of the ankle.
However, the absence of any connection between the upper and the collar can cause certain problems of imperviousness, as well as problems related to the introduction of the foot in the boot.


In a card-like electronic device, a circuit board is interposed between a first cover and a second cover which is faced to the first cover and separable from the first cover towards a first direction. A connector is connected to the circuit board. The first cover has an engaging member including a movable latch and a spring portion urging the latch towards a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The second cover has an engaged member including a latch receiving portion for receiving the latch. The latch is urged by the spring portion to a position where movement of the latch receiving portion in the first direction is locked.

This invention relates to a card-like electronic device such as an electronic card.
An electronic card generally comprises an intermediate frame such as a resin frame and a pair of covers such as metal covers attached to upper and lower surfaces of the intermediate frame. The electronic card is assembled by various known methods, for example, by adhering the metal covers to the upper and the lower surfaces of the intermediate frame by the use of a thermoplastic adhesive tape or a normal-temperature adhesion tape, by welding the metal covers on the upper and the lower surfaces, or by bonding the metal covers to the resin frame by ultrasonic welding. Further, there is also known a mechanical assembling method, for example, using a latch. In any event, no consideration has been made about disassembling of the electronic card after it is assembled.
At first, as a first conventional technique, description will be made of a method of assembling an IC card using an adhesive tape (for example, see Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication (JP-A) No. H06-320890). In this method, the IC card is assembled by sandwiching the adhesive tape between a frame and a cover. In this method, the adhesive tape must preliminarily be adhered to the frame or the cover. Therefore, an adhering operation is troublesome and an assembling cost and a material cost can not be suppressed. In case where a heat adhesive tape is used, a high-temperature pressure device is required in order to melt an adhesive. Further, a pressure cooling step is required in order to maintain an adhering effect. Accordingly, an expensive assembling apparatus and an increased working time are inevitably required. After completion of assembling of the IC card, an electrical problem or a mechanical damage in an exterior component such as a cover may sometimes occur. In this event, the IC card can not easily be disassembled because each component is firmly adhered by the adhesive. Even if the IC card can be disassembled, a mounting board or a connector as an internal component may possibly be damaged.
Next, as a second conventional technique, description will be made of a method of assembling a jacketed circuit card by welding (for example, see U.S. Pat. No. 5,529,503). In this method, upper and lower metal covers are attached to a frame by laser welding. This method requires an expensive laser welding apparatus. Further, it is generally impossible to disassemble the card.
As a third conventional technique, description will be made of a method of assembling a personal computer memory card by ultrasonic welding (for example, see Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication (JP-A) No. H8-241388). In this method, a first subassembly is produced by putting a first cover member into a first die and injection-molding a first frame member on the first cover member. Similarly, a second subassembly is produced by putting a second cover member into a second die and injection-molding a second frame member on a second die. Specifically, insert-molding is performed in a manner such that hooks of the first and the second cover members are embedded into legs of the first and the second frame members during injection-molding, respectively. The first and the second subassemblies are fixed to each other by ultrasonic welding. Then, the card is completed.
According to the third conventional technique, a resin molding apparatus is increased in scale. Since the above-mentioned molding operation is difficult, dimension control is troublesome. In addition, an expensive ultrasonic welding apparatus is required. Further, it is known that, when the first and the second cover members are applied with ultrasonic waves, electronic components mounted on an internal substrate may be adversely affected. Generally, it is impossible to disassemble the card after it is assembled.
As a fourth conventional technique, description will be made of a method of mechanically assembling a PC card (for example, see Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication (JP-A) No. 2000-322546). In this method, a top cover is provided with elastically deformable engaging protrusions formed on folding portions at opposite sides thereof. On the other hand, a bottom cover is provided with engaging grooves formed on folding portions at opposite sides thereof. By engaging the engaging protrusions with the engaging grooves, the top cover is attached to the bottom cover.
However, no consideration is made about disassembling of the PC card after it is assembled.

Card-like electronic device which can readily be disassembled

Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited


A transmission x-ray tube comprising an end window hermetically sealed to a flexible coupling. The flexible coupling can allow the window to shift or tilt in one direction or another direction to allow an electron beam to impinge upon one region of the window or another region of the window.

X-ray tubes can include a target material for production of x-rays in response to impinging electrons from an electron emitter. In a transmission or end anode x-ray tube, the target material can be on an x-ray window. X-rays can be produced in the target material, then emitted out of the x-ray tube through the window. In a side window x-ray tube, x-rays produced on the target can be transmitted through an interior of the x-ray tube to and through a window (physically separate from the target).
There are various advantages to having an ability to use different regions of the target, i.e. allowing the electron beam to impinge on different regions of the target at different times. One advantage is to allow use of a new region of the target when a previously used region has worn out or become too pitted for further use. Another advantage is to allow for different x-ray energy spectra, which can be done by use of different target materials in different target regions. For example, if the target includes a silver region and a gold region, x-rays emitted when the electron beam is directed at the silver region will have a different energy spectra than x-rays emitted when the electron beam is directed at the gold region. Another advantage is to allow for different target thicknesses. A thinner target region can be used when the x-ray tube is operated at lower voltages and a thicker target region can be used when the x-ray tube is operated at higher voltages.
It can be disadvantageous if the electron beam is redirected to different regions of the target. If x-rays are emitted in one direction while using one region of the anode, then emitted in another direction while using another region of the anode, the x-ray user may need to re-collimate and/or realign the x-ray tube with each different use. This need to re-collimate or realign optics can be undesirable.
Information relevant to attempts to address these problems can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 2,298,335, U.S. Pat. No. 2,549,614, U.S. Pat. No. 3,753,020, U.S. Pat. No. 3,900,751, U.S. Pat. No. 5,655,000, U.S. Pat. No. 6,560,315, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,983,394; U.S. Patent Publication Number US 2011/0135066; and Japan Patent Number JP 3,812,165.

Multi-target X-ray tube with stationary electron beam position

Abstract: A method of utilizing different regions of an x-ray tube target by tilting an x-ray tube window at an acute angle with respect to an electron beam axis to cause an electron beam to impinge on a selected region of the window and tilting the window in a different direction to allow the electron beam to impinge on a different selected region of the window.


An elevated pet feeding apparatus including an elevated base, a plurality of legs disposed on a lower surface of the base, a pair of lower support columns disposed on an upper surface of the base, a pair of upper support columns, a pair of pins configured to adjustably mount the pair of upper support columns within the pair of lower support columns, a pair of V-shaped support frames rotatably secured to a top side of the pair of upper support columns, a platform disposed atop the pair of support frames, and a pair of circular apertures disposed in the platform.

Various types of pet feeding devices are known in the prior art. However, what has been needed is an elevated pet feeding apparatus including an elevated base, a plurality of legs disposed on a lower surface of the base, a pair of lower support columns disposed on an upper surface of the base, a pair of upper support columns, a pair of pins configured to adjustably mount the pair of upper support columns within the pair of lower support columns, a pair of V-shaped support frames rotatably secured to a top side of the pair of upper support columns, a platform disposed atop the pair of support frames, and a pair of circular apertures disposed in the platform. What has been further needed is for the pair of support frames to be configured to allow a user to manually adjust an angle of the platform toward and alternately away from a pet in order to properly align a pair of pet food bowls based on a height of the pet. With the pair of upper support columns adjustably mountable to the pair of lower support columns and the manual adjustability of the platform, a user can adjust not only the height but the angle of the pair of pet food bowls to better suit the needs of his pet. This double adjustability feature better enables the pet to eat in an anatomically correct position for improved digestion. The apparatus, which is optionally plastic, is lightweight, portable, and easy to clean. Furthermore, the base can double as a step for the pet to better reach the pair of pet food bowls.


An outrigger and hull provides outriggers mounted with hinges to plates that enable pivotal or rotatable movement of each outrigger between storage and operating positions. Locking members secure the outriggers from substantial movement when in the operating position.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an improved outrigger system for a boat. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved boat outrigger arrangement that enables a pair of outrigger pontoons to be moved from an operating position wherein they engage a surrounding water surface to a disengaged position wherein they fold inwardly and wherein locking pins secure the outriggers in the outer position by removably connecting a hinge plate portion of an outrigger to a gunwale mount.
2. General Background of the Invention
Outriggers have been used to help stabilize a marine vessel during use. Examples of such outriggers are seen in the following possibly relevant patents.
The following U.S. Patents are incorporated herein by reference:
TABLEU.S. Pat. No.TITLEISSUE DATE6,55,234Boat AttachmentAug. 07, 19001,054,851Life BoatMar. 04, 19131,371,139Boat Stabilizing DeviceMar. 08, 19213,792,676Ballast Attachment for BoatsFeb. 19, 19743,952,680Roll Stabilizer for Vessels at RestApr. 27, 19765,988,090Stabilization Pontoon System for SmallNov. 23, 1999Watercraft6,305,306Watercraft Stabilizer SystemOct. 23, 20012002/0083881Adjustable Platform Structures forJul. 04, 2002BoatsJP62244790Ship Roll Reducing DeviceOct. 26, 1987
Outriggers that are fixed suffer in that the extra width or beam restricts access into narrowed areas when underway.


Synergistic combinations of iodopropargyl compounds and 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one for use in controlling the growth of at least one microorganism, such as fungi and bacteria in aqueous fluids, such as metalworking fluids.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to synergistic antimicrobial combinations of iodopropargyl compounds with 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one and use of such combinations in controlling fungal and/or bacterial growth in aqueous systems, particularly in metalworking fluids, such as soluble-oil, semi-synthetic and synthetic metalworking fluids.
2. Description of Related Art
Iodopropargyl compounds, i.e. compounds containing a propargyl group and an iodine on the acetylenic carbon, are known to be useful in controlling bacteria and fungi in various aqueous systems. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,259,350; 4,719,227; 4,616,004; 3,923,870; and 4,592,773, incorporated herein by reference, set forth various examples of iodopropargyl compounds with microbicidal properties.
One such iodopropargyl compound is iodopropargyl carbamate. The preparation and use of iodopropargyl carbamate as a microbicide and a preservative is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,945,109; the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Another such iodopropargyl compound is 3-iodopropargyl-N-butylcarbamate (IPBC). This compound is manufactured and sold by Troy Chemical Company under various names such as Polyphase.RTM. product, Polyphase.RTM. AF-1 product, and Polyphase.RTM. NP-1 product.
Although good microbicides, iodopropargyl compounds are expensive. Systems requiring high concentrations of iodopropargyl compounds are generally uneconomical.
The compound 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one has been used to control microbial growth for a long time. This compound is sold as Proxel.RTM. CRL product, or Proxel.RTM. GXL product.
As can be seen in Examples 1, 2 and 3, Table 1 (see Samples 8-10), and Tables 2 and 3 (Samples 15-18), high concentrations of 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one are required to control both bacterial and fungal growth in metalworking fluids.
Both of these types of products are used alone to control microorganisms in industrial fluids, since many industries, such as the machining industry, experience problems caused by microorganisms. Aqueous metalworking fluids or cutting fluids used in the machining industry are particularly susceptible to fouling caused by microorganisms. In machining operations, metalworking fluids are used primarily to reduce friction and heat, thereby reducing wear and prolonging the life of equipment.
Unfortunately, metalworking fluids have properties which are ideal for the growth of bacteria and fungi. Although bacteria are important in the biodeterioration of metalworking fluids, fungi and yeast play an important role as well. (Bennett, E.O., "The Deterioration of Metalworking Fluids", Prog. Industrial Microbiology, 13:121 (1974)).
Frequently, these microorganisms can cause the buildup of microbial deposits on machine surfaces, the clogging of jets and lines, the deterioration of the properties of the metalworking fluid itself, enhanced corrosion, and health and odor problems. When affected or deteriorated by the growth of microorganisms, the metalworking fluid loses many of its essential properties. The pH of the fluid may drop and other chemical changes may occur until the fluid can no longer provide adequate lubrication. At this point, the fluid must be replaced with fresh fluid, which is costly and results in loss of production time.
As a result of these problems, biocides are used extensively in metalworking fluid systems. Biocides may be incorporated in fluid concentrate or added to diluted fluids once they are in the holding tanks of the machine works.
There are many commercially available biocides. Some are of questionable utility because they have undesirable odors, or create hazards with respect to storage, use or handling. Consequently, workers in the trade have continued to seek improved biocides.
Economic factors, particularly the cost of the biocide and the expense of its application, can also be important factors when choosing a particular biocide for use in metalworking fluid systems. The cost performance index of any biocide is derived from the basic cost of the material, its effectiveness per unit weight, the duration of its biocidal or biostatic effect in the system treated, and the ease and frequency of its addition to the system treated.
Workers in the trade continue to seek a commercially available biocide capable of exhibiting a prolonged biocidal effect at normal use levels. Physical conditions, such as temperature and chemical reactivity with ingredients present in the system, often diminish or eliminate the effectiveness of prior art biocides known to the inventors. For example, many systems contain organic material which may react with a specific biocide and render the biocide ineffective.
Metalworking fluid systems in which heavy microbial growth occurs can especially benefit from the practice of the present invention. The practice of the present invention can also benefit many other aqueous systems, whether or not heavy microbial growth occurs, because of the reduction in frequency and quantity of the use of biocides.

Synergistic combinations of iodopropargyl compounds with 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one in controlling fungal and bacterial growth in aqueous fluids

Buckman Laboratories International, Inc.