A system and method for contaminant control, often infection control, with multiple time and space domains that integrate active and passive infection control devices and processes that preferably feature infection control active additives with controllable dis-passivation to limit post-consumption environmental impact. Additionally, the system executes the infection control devices and process transactions by controlling the dispatch of infection control tasks centered around a potential infection control incidence and/or cross-contamination locations from assets or personnel having probabilistic infection rates to increase compliance of infection control preventative measures.

Prior art includes the deployment of disinfectant, otherwise known as "immediate" killing methods, or cleaning methods that remove contaminants at a specific time (hereinafter referred to at time zero, meaning immediately after the implementation of the disinfectant method. It is understood that immediate methods are hereinafter inclusive of decontamination cleaning and immediate disinfectant. It is further understood that the term immediate is collectively referred to measures that take place within approximately 7-10 minutes or less, but do not inherently have any persistent impact post the immediate (decontamination) method.
Other methods of include the deployment of persistent, otherwise known as long-acting killing methods, such that the specific time of impact is long-term (i.e., greater than 5 hours). The known in the art persistent methods however are relatively slow in action time, meaning the time required to prevent transference is greater than 2 hours and in most cases is approximately on the order of 24 hours. Such exemplary methods include the use of heavy metals such as silver, copper, zinc, etc. Hereinafter this category of methods is referred to as long-acting persistent methods.
A new in the art method is a fast-acting persistent killing method, such that specific time of impact is long-term (i.e., greater than 5 hours) yet the time required to significantly inhibit transference is less than 30 minutes and preferably less than 10 minutes and particularly preferred less than 5 minutes. Hereinafter this category of methods is referred to as fast-acting persistent methods.
The introduction in a wide range of deployments of autonomous or semi-autonomous mobile resources, such as delivery "on-ground" drones (e.g., shuttles moving product from point A to point B such as in a hospital) or cleaning "on-ground" drones (e.g., roaming vacuum cleaner or floor-washer equipment) enable the performance of tasks. This invention is accompanied by a further invention included in its entirety by reference in which the scheduling of primary tasks (e.g., logistics) with intermediate secondary tasks (cleaning) is enabling in a further reduction of contamination between contaminant pathways (i.e., cross-contamination incidence at a convergence point occurring at a convergence time in which a specific disease state is transmitted "known disease state", though the known disease state may not be actually known at the convergence time but rather in the future as a specific mobile resource becomes identified with said disease state). The system maintains for each disease state a range of parameters including methods of contamination, minimum incubation period, maximum dormancy period, and minimum decontamination time. The system also maintains specific information as it becomes available for each transmitter of a disease source "infection disease source", which can include personal and medical history data.
Prior art also includes the utilization of convergence or intersection points along a pathway in physical space yet doesn't integrate real-time incidence reporting or more importantly a fundamental recognition of decontamination methods to establish true cross-contamination convergence points (hereinafter referred to as "true-cross points". A true-cross point is a time and space domain having a cross-contamination probability greater than 0.1% (and preferably greater than 1%, particularly preferred being greater than 5%) in which recipients (meaning any object in which transference between a first contaminated object either suspected of or known to be a contaminated object to at least a first non-contaminated object or at least an object in which that object has a lower probability before the convergence within the true-cross point as compared to the relatively higher probability after the convergence within the true-cross point.
Prior art such as scheduling systems for task management also fail to fundamentally integrate resource optimization in which tasks are both location and time constrained. And certainly, fail to schedule mobile resources to dynamically minimize the probability of cross-contamination within true-cross points.
A need exists to maximize the effectiveness of a comprehensive system to actively and proactively manage contamination pathways in order to significantly reduce the transference of contaminants.

Contaminant inhibition pathway control system


A computer-implemented method of managing route transactions in an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system is provided. The method includes calling a route form from an ERP server. The route form graphically illustrates at least one of a plurality of related tables corresponding to route processes, as well as an approval control input element to approve of a route transaction corresponding to the route processes. Upon receiving a user input at the approval control input element of the route form, the route transaction can be approved. Then, the method includes automatically implementing route transaction executing steps to each of the plurality of related route tables.

The present invention generally relates to computerized Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to a route approval process in an ERP system.
Enterprise resource planning (or ERP) is a phrase used to describe a broad set of activities supported by multi-module application software that helps a manufacturer or other business manage the important parts of its business. Computerized ERP systems typically integrate and automate various activity modules internal to a business or organization, such as planning, manufacturing, production, distribution, inventory, sales, shipping, order tracking, invoicing, accounting, customer service, marketing and human resource management. Not all ERP systems integrate all of these activities, but the trend is to integrate more and more business activities. Often, an ERP system uses or is integrated with a relational database system. An example of an ERP system is Microsoft® Business Solutions-Axapta®.
Each activity module managed by an ERP system includes transactions or documents. Transactions or documents include information or data that describes processes that occur internal to a business or organization. Many businesses, such as those in the pharmaceutical or biomedical industries, have certain processes that are critical processes and need to be approved before they can be implemented as an activity of the business. Such critical processes are highly regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or other agencies. These agencies require that implementation of new processes, as well as modifications to processes as well as deletions of processes, are signed off by a representative or multiple authorized representatives of the pharmaceutical, biomedical or other life science business. Examples of such critical processes in the pharmaceutical or biomedical industries include bill of materials (BOM) and routes.
A "BOM" is a list of materials utilized in the manufacture of a specific product, essentially a recipe for production of an item. A "route" is a description of the process, or order in which things must be done, when producing an item using a BOM. When handling a BOM or a route in these heavily regulated industries, there are numerous aspects to manage. For example, when developing a new BOM or route, unintentional use must be prevented. Then, when the development of the BOM or route is finished, it must be released for general use. However, even when released for general use, the BOM or route should be locked to prevent unintentional changes. Further, a verification process can be required in some instances to ensure that the person approving the BOM or route has authority to do so. Also, records of attempted changes to the BOM or route may need to be kept.
Generally, information related to a critical process, such as a BOM or route, is stored in the ERP system in the form of a transaction or document. To approve such a process or a modification to a process, the document is printed out and manually signed and dated by an individual or multiple individuals who are allowed to make such approvals. The document is then stored in a safe place that is readily available such that copies can be made of the approved document. For example, a working copy of the originally signed document can be made for those needing to complete a specific job shown or discussed in the document. After the job is complete, the working copy is destroyed such that only one original exists.
This manual approval process ensures a history or audit trail that describes the lifecycle of data by storing old versions of an approved document as well as storing modified versions of a document. However, such a paper trail is difficult to manage. Original documents can easily become misplaced. Thus, to ensure that the history of critical data is fully documented, keeping and storing additional copies of the original documents is practiced.
While ERP systems are widely used in business to manage the various functions of a company, there has been a need in some environments to employ separate software systems for BOM and route management. Some available BOM and route software systems provide electronic signature controlled management of BOMs and routes. However, using BOM or route software systems, separate from an ERP system which manages a broader scope of business activities, can be problematic and undesirable. It is desirable that BOM and route data be available for use in other modules of the ERP system, but integrating the separate BOM and route systems with the ERP system can require extensive programming.

Enterprise resource planning system and method for managing route transactions


A knife and sheath for housing the knife, the sheath including a light, an actuator for activating the light, and finger openings, with the knife being withdrawn from the sheath to permit the fingers of the user to be inserted through the finger receiving openings and enable a thumb of the user to be positioned on the actuator for selective activation and de-activation of the light emitting device.

In the course of outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, hunting and the like, it often is required or desirable to use an implement such as a knife in darkness. Typically, in seeking to use such an implement in the dark, it requires a search for both such an implement and an illuminating device. It also is desirable in engaging in such activities to carry as few articles as possible to facilitate the handling and transportation of such items. Accordingly, it is the principal object of the present invention to provide a compact article which functions not only as a sheath for an implement such as a knife but also as an illuminating device.


A photoelectric conversion layer-stacked solid-state imaging element comprises: a semiconductor substrate having a signal reading circuit formed thereon; at least one layer of photoelectric conversion layer each of which is provided interposed between a common electrode layer and a plurality of pixel electrode layers corresponding to pixels, said at least one layer of photoelectric conversion layer being stacked above the semiconductor substrate via a light shielding layer; and inhibiting structures each of which inhibits a reflected light produced by reflection of incident light on the light shielding layer, the incident light having passed through said at least one layer of photoelectric conversion layer and entered into a pixel, from entering in direction toward adjacent pixels.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a solid-state imaging element comprising a plurality of photoelectric conversion layers stacked on a semiconductor substrate having a signal reading circuit formed thereon and particularly to a photoelectric conversion layer-stacked solid-state imaging element comprising a light shielding layer provided interposed between the lowermost photoelectric conversion layer and the semiconductor substrate.
2. Description of the Related Art
A prototype example of photoelectric conversion layer-stacked solid-state imaging element is one disclosed in JP-A-58-103165. This solid-state imaging element comprises three light-sensitive layers stacked on a semiconductor substrate. In this arrangement, Red (R), green (G) and blue (B) electrical signals detected in the respective light-sensitive layer are read out by MOs circuit formed on the semiconductor substrate.
The solid-state imaging element having the aforementioned configuration was proposed in the past. Since then, CCD type image sensors or CMOS type image sensors comprising a numeral light-receiving portions (photodiode) integrated on the surface of a semiconductor substrate and various color filters of red (R), green (G) and blue (B) have shown a remarkable progress. The present technical trend is such that an image sensor having millions of light-receiving portions (pixels) integrated on one chip is incorporated in digital still cameras.
However, the technical progress of CCD type image sensors and CMOS type images has been almost limited. The size of the opening of one light-receiving portion is about 2 μm, which is close to the order of wavelength of incident light. Therefore, these types of image sensors face a problem of poor yield in production.
Further, the upper limit of the amount of photocharge that can be stacked in one fine light-receiving portion is as low as about 3,000 electrons, with which 256 gradations can be difficultly expressed completely. Therefore, it has been difficult to expect CCD type or CMOS type image sensor that outperforms the related art products from the standpoint of image quality or sensitivity.
As a solid-state imaging element that gives solution to these problems, a solid-state imaging element proposed in JP-A-58-103165 has been reviewed. Image sensors disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 3405099 and JP-A-2002-83946 have been newly proposed.
In the image sensor described in Japanese Patent Application No. 3405099, three photoelectric conversion layers having a ultraparticulate silicon having different diameters dispersed in a medium are stacked on a semiconductor substrate. The various photoelectric conversion layers generate electric signal according to the amount of red, green and blue lights received, respectively.
The image sensor described in JP-A-2002-83946 is similar to that of Japanese Patent Application No. 3405099. Three nanosilicon layers having different particle diameters are stacked on a semiconductor substrate. Red, green and blue electric signals detected by the respective nanosilicon layers are read out by storage diodes formed on the surface of the semiconductor substrate.
FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic sectional view of a two pixel portion of a related art photoelectric conversion layer-stacked solid-state imaging element. In FIG. 5, on the surface portion of a P-well layer 1 formed on an n-type silicon substrate are formed a high concentration impurity region 2 for storing red signal, an MOS circuit 3 for reading out red signal, a high concentration impurity region 4 for storing green signal, an MOS circuit 5 for reading out green signal, a high concentration impurity region 6 for storing blue signal and an MOS circuit 7 for reading out blue signal.
These MOS circuits 3, 5 and 7 are each formed by impurity regions for source and drain formed on the surface of the semiconductor substrate and a gate electrode formed via a gate insulating layer 8. On the top of the gate insulating layer 8 and the gate electrode is stacked an insulating layer 9 to level the surface thereof. On the insulating layer 9 is stacked a light shielding layer 10. In most cases, the light shielding layer 10 is formed a thin metal layer. Therefore, an insulating layer 11 is formed on the light shielding layer 10.
The signal charge stored in the high concentration impurity regions 2, 4 and 6 for storing color signal are read out by the MOS circuits 3, 5 and 7, respectively.
On the insulating layer 11 shown in FIG. 5 is formed a pixel electrode layer 12 defined every pixel. The pixel electrode 12 for each pixel is electrically conducted to the red signal storing high concentration impurity region 2 for each pixel via a columnar electrode 13. The contact electrode 13 is electrically insulated from the parts other than the pixel electrode layer 12 and the high concentration impurity region 2.
On the top of the various pixel electrode layers 12 is stacked one sheet of a red signal detecting photoelectric conversion layer 14 common to all the pixels. On the top of the photoelectric conversion layer 14 is formed one sheet of a transparent common electrode layer 15 common to all the pixels.
Similarly, on the top of the common electrode layer 15 is formed a transparent insulating layer 16 on the top of which a pixel electrode layer 17 defined every pixel is formed. The various pixel electrode layers 17 and the corresponding green signal storing high concentration impurity regions 4 are respectively conducted to each other via a columnar contact electrode 18. The contact electrode 18 is electrically insulated from the parts other than the pixel electrode layer 17 and the high concentration impurity region 4. On the top of the various pixel electrode layers 17 is formed one sheet of a green detecting photoelectric conversion layer 19 as in the photoelectric conversion layer 14. On the top of the photoelectric conversion layer 19 is formed a transparent common electrode layer 20.
On the top of the common electrode layer 20 is formed a transparent insulating layer 21 on the top of which a pixel electrode layer 22 defined every pixel is formed. The various pixel electrode layers 22 and the corresponding blue signal storing high concentration impurity regions 6 are respectively conducted to each other via a columnar contact electrode 26. The contact electrode 26 is electrically insulated from the parts other than the pixel electrode layer 22 and the high concentration impurity region 6. On the top of the pixel electrode layers 22 is stacked one sheet of a blue detecting photoelectric conversion layer 23 common to all the pixels. On the top of the photoelectric conversion layer 23 is formed a transparent common electrode layer 24. A transparent protective layer 25 is formed as an uppermost layer.
When light is incident on this solid-state imaging element, photocharge is excited in the photoelectric conversion layers 23, 19 and 14 according to the amount of incident blue, green and red lights, respectively. When a voltage is applied across the common electrode layers 24, 20 and 15 and the pixel electrode layers 22, 17 and 12, respectively, the respective photocharge flows into the high concentration impurity regions 2, 4 and 6 from which it is then read out as blue, green and red signals by the MOS circuits 3, 5 and 7, respectively.
Among the components of light 50 which is obliquely incident on the related art photoelectric conversion layer-stacked solid-state imaging element shown in FIG. 5, blue light is absorbed by the photoelectric conversion layer 23, green light is absorbed by the photoelectric conversion layer 19, red light is absorbed by the photoelectric conversion layer 14, and infrared light hits the light shielding layer 10. The infrared light is converted to heat by the light shielding layer 10 but is partly reflected by the light shielding layer 10.
Though depending on the material constituting the photoelectric conversion layers 14, 19 and 23 and other factors, visible light which has been left unabsorbed by the photoelectric conversion layers 14, 19 and 23, too, is reflected by the light shielding layer 10. The reflected light 51 comes back sequentially through the photoelectric conversion layers 14, 19 and 23 to generate photocharge again therein.
As shown in FIG. 5, when the obliquely incident light 50 is reflected in the vicinity of the pixel border, the pixel which generates signal charge by incident light 50 and the pixel which generates signal charge by reflected light 51 are different from each other, causing insufficient separation of signal charge by pixels. Further, problem of color mixing among pixels cannot be neglected.

Photoelectric conversion layer-stacked solid-state imaging element


The subject application relates to a system(s), methodology, and user interface that facilitate improving mobile awareness of information, activities, events, and occasions by way of images. The application involves providing images of a desired application such as a calendar for example on a mobile device display. As a result, the visual integrity of the application (e.g., calendar) can be preserved and the appropriate information can be more accurately conveyed to the user. The images can be navigated about and data can be entered into the application as desired to modify the content of the image.

Everyday family life involves a myriad of mundane activities: for example, recurring soccer games, piano lessons, doctors' appointments, work schedules, relatives' visits, family outings, softball practices, after-school activities, and much more. These events must all be scheduled and coordinated between family members and then re-scheduled if things do not go as planned or conflicts arise. As a result, family life often requires a complex routine for awareness and coordination to manage the everyday activities that constitute work, personal, and familial aspects of life. This notion of family coordination extends beyond the home to also encompass activities while on-the-go or at work. For example, it involves scheduling appointments while at the doctor's office or checking the family calendar at work for evening events.
Despite families using various organization schemes, coordination among family members still remains an everyday problem for many people. Paper calendars are one tool used by families to help stay organized: they are easy to use, personalizable, and create an instant archive of family activities. Yet the downside is paper calendars are not available outside the home or available to more than one family member at a time when one member is at home and one member is away from the home. Thus, sharing paper calendars between multiple family members can be challenging if not impossible most of the time since there is typically only one copy of the paper calendar. Families are limited to keeping the paper calendar centrally located such as in the home which restricts access to it when away from the home.
Many families have turned to conventional electronic calendars as a possible remedy. However, these often take time to open (e.g., computer boot-up time) and may be inconveniently located in one room of the home. Access to these electronic calendars can be difficult too since they may not be readily available once outside the home. Overall, either electronic or paper calendars can be hard to synchronize when multiple calendars are used.

Mobile access to information using images


A rotary cutter implement includes a carrier interface, a frame, and a mower deck including a ball joint interconnecting the mower deck with the frame. The ball joint enables freedom of movement of the mower deck with respect to the frame. A hydraulic motor is mounted on an upper surface of the mower deck and includes an output shaft extending through the mower deck. The hydraulic motor is adapted to operate under the influence of hydraulic fluid provided by the power machine. A rotary cutting blade is operably coupled to the output shaft and rotatable under the mower deck in response to operation of the hydraulic motor.

Conventional rotary cutter implements that are designed for attachment to a power machine typically include a support structure and a mower supported by the support structure that moves over the ground to cut vegetation underneath the mower. These rotary cutter implements may achieve a relatively even height of cut if the ground is flat. However, often times rotary cutter implements are used on slanted or uneven terrain, such as hills, ditches, and the like. In such circumstances, the support structure may inhibit the mower from conforming to the terrain. As such, the mower may produce an uneven height of cut or may not be able to cut certain areas altogether.
The discussion above is merely provided for general background information and is not intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Rotary cutter implement with ball joint connection to a power machine


A pin clamp for clamping a workpiece includes a housing and a locating pin extending through the housing and having a longitudinal axis. The locating pin is sized to be positioned within an opening of the workpiece. A finger is positioned adjacent to the locating pin and movable in a transverse direction relative to the longitudinal axis to retain the workpiece on the locating pin. A linear actuator is configured to move the locating pin in opposite directions along the longitudinal axis. A locking arrangement is carried by the housing. A sequence cam is connected with the linear actuator in a manner allowing axial movement of the linear actuator to be converted into transverse movement of the sequence cam. The sequence cam includes an engagement surface which engages the locking arrangement to lock the locating pin and the finger against the workpiece upon retraction of the linear actuator.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to pin clamp assemblies.
2. Description of the Related Art
Pin clamps are typically used for gripping onto sheets of metal, often on automobile assembly lines so some process can be performed on that sheet metal. The pin clamp includes a locating pin that is extendable through a hole in the sheet metal. A finger extends from the locating pin which then retracts so the finger clamps down onto the sheet. Examples of pin clamps can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,182,326, 7,516,948, 7,448,607, 7,815,176, and 7,467,788.
In today's automobile manufacturing environment, however, some automobiles may be manufactured in multiple configurations. For example, an automobile may be manufactured in a first configuration that employs an internal combustion engine. That same automobile may also be offered in a second configuration that employs a battery powered motor. In these instances, it might be necessary for that automobile to have a different frame depending on whether it is gas or electric powered. An electric powered automobile requires a stronger frame to hold the substantial weight of the batteries needed to power it. A different size frame may require a thicker metal. Because it is the same vehicle, however, it otherwise uses many of the same parts. This makes it desirable to use the same assembly line for both versions, if possible.
Conventional pin clamps are adjusted to clamp down on workpieces of varied thicknesses. This is particularly the case for clamps having a hold mechanism that still clamp down on a workpiece even under power loss (such as pressurized air). These clamps need adjustment to accommodate this different thickness. Making such adjustments adds time and expense to the manufacturing process.

Pin clamp with multi-thickness clamping feature


A vehicle parking brake cable actuating structure is provided. The structure includes a support member having a manually operable brake lever pivotally mounted thereon. A brake cable is connected to the brake lever. The brake lever is pivotable between a cable released position and a cable tensioned position. A pawl and ratchet are provided for maintaining the brake lever in the cable tensioned position. The ratchet includes a single ratchet tooth to thereby result in only one possible cable tensioned positioned maintained by the ratchet.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a vehicle parking brake cable actuating structure which includes a pivotal manually operable brake lever connected to a brake cable.
2. Description of Related Art
Modern vehicles commonly employ a foot operated parking brake lever assembly which is connected to a brake cable for actuating parking brake structure. One prevalent way of maintaining the brake lever in a cable tensioned position is to provide a ratchet and pawl mechanism engagable with the brake lever upon depression of the brake lever by the driver. One example of such a structure is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,872,368. This patent illustrates a typical ratchet structure which includes a plurality of teeth, each of which is engagable by a pawl mechanism.
Such structures have proven to be generally satisfactory in use. The present invention simplifies this general construction by providing a brake actuating structure which has only two positions of operation, one being with the brake applied and the other being with the brake unapplied. The purpose of the binary action is to simplify the operation of the parking brake for the user. As above mentioned, the typical parking brake structure has a ratchet with numerous teeth and various applied positions. The present parking brake structure offers only one applied position thereby reducing ambiguity and uncertainty of effectiveness of user effort.
The present parking brake structure also features foot operated release action. After the brake pedal is applied to the locking position, the brake can be released using a subsequent effort by the user's foot to release the locking feature and to cause the brake pedal to return to its unapplied (resting) position.

Vehicle parking brake cable actuating structure


The invention relates to an electric machine (100) comprising a stator (107) and a rotor (101), wherein the rotor (101) comprises a hollow shaft (102), wherein a closed hollow space (103) is formed by means of the hollow shaft (102), wherein the closed hollow space (103) is provided for receiving a cooling agent, wherein a three-dimensional transport structure (200) is provided in the closed hollow chamber (103) for transporting the cooling agent. The three-dimensional structure can, for example, be produced by means of applying an adaptive material.

The invention relates to an electrical machine. A rotor and/or a stator of the electrical machine, for example an asynchronous machine or a synchronous machine, require cooling. Electrical machines are typically cooled with an airstream. For example, a fan impeller for producing a cooling airstream is located on the shaft of a machine. The cooling airstream is directed to cooling fins provided on the housing of the machine. In one embodiment of the electrical machine a coolant is provided for the cooling of said machine. An example of such an electrical machine is known from DE 10 2007 043 656 A1.


Implementations of the present specification provide a value determination for a loss function. In an implementation, a first share of data that was generated based on a first parameter is received from a partner. A first term is determined based on the first share of the data. A second share of the data is generated based on a second parameter and a random number and transmitted to the partner. A coefficient of a second term is determined based on the random number. A second term is determined based on the coefficient of the second term and the second share of the data. The value of the loss function is determined based on the first term and the second term.

There are many data silos in the era of big data. Data are usually distributed in different enterprises. These enterprises do not fully trust each other because of competition and privacy protection. In some cases, cooperative security modeling is needed between enterprises in order to use the data of each party to train a data processing model cooperatively, but also provide sufficient protection of enterprise data privacy.
In cooperative security modeling scenarios, a value of a loss function of the data processing model needs to be calculated. The value of the loss function can be used to measure a training effect of the data processing model (such as overfitting and underfitting), and then decide whether to terminate the training. Because the data used to train the data processing model is scattered among the parties involved in cooperative modeling, in the related technology, the data of the parties involved in cooperative modeling is usually aggregated at an independent third party, which calculates the value of the loss function. Aggregating the data of the parties involved in cooperative modeling can easily cause leakage of the enterprise data.

Loss function value determination method and device and electronic equipment


A novel cloned DNA encoding a human tumor necrosis factor (TNF), a vector having said DNA inserted thereinto, a host transformed with said vector and a novel human TNF polypeptide, and processes for producing them.

Carswell et al. found that the sera of mice infected with bacillus Calmette-Gubrin (BCG) and then treated with endotoxin contain a substance which necrotizes transplanted Meth A sarcoma; and named it tumor necrosis factor (hereinafter referred to as TNF) [Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci., U.S.A., 72, 3666 (1975)).
TNF is considered to be a physiologically active substance released from macrophages, and is known to be characterized in that
(i) when it is administered to animals bearing a certain kind of tumor (for example, Meth A sarcoma), it causes necrosis in the tumor and cures the animals; (ii) it has a cytotoxic effect in vitro on a certain kind of tumor cells (such as mouse L cells) but has scarcely any injurious effect on normal cells; and (iii) its activity is not animal species-specific.
Because of these characteristics, it has been strongly desired to develop TNF as a new type of antitumor agent.
TNF or a TNF-like substance has been reported in the following literature references or published in the following patent documents.
Green et al., Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci., U.S.A., 73, 381 (1976). PA1 Matthews et al., Br. J. Cancer, 42, 416 (1980). PA1 Ruff et al., J. Immunol., 125, 1671 (1980). PA1 Mannel et al., Infect. Immunity, 28, 204 (1980). PA1 Haranaka et al., Japan. J. Exp. Med., 51, 191 (1981). PA1 European Patent Publication No. 90892. PA1 European Patent Publication No. 86475. PA1 Japanese Patent Publication No. 21621/1983. PA1 A: adenine PA1 C: cytosine PA1 G: guanine PA1 T: thymine PA1 Ala: alanine PA1 Arg: arginine PA1 Asn: asparagine PA1 Asp: aspartic acid PA1 Cys: cysteine PA1 Gln: glutamine PA1 Glu: glutamic acid PA1 Gly: glycine PA1 His: histidine PA1 Ile: isoleucine PA1 Leu: leucine PA1 Lys: lysine PA1 Met: methionine PA1 Phe: phenylalanine PA1 Pro: proline PA1 Ser: serine PA1 Thr: threonine PA1 Trp: tryptophan PA1 Tyr: tyrosine PA1 Val: valine PA1 DNA: deoxyribonucleic acid PA1 cDNA: complementary DNA PA1 sscDNA: single-stranded cDNA PA1 dscDNA: double-stranded cDNA PA1 RNA: ribonucleic acid PA1 mRNA: messenger RNA PA1 poly(A)mRNA: poly(A)-containing mRNA PA1 dATP: deoxyadenosine triphosphate PA1 dCTP: deoxycytidine triphosphate PA1 dGTP: deoxyguanosine triphosphate PA1 dTTP: deoxythymidine triphosphate PA1 oligo(dC): oligodeoxycytidylic acid PA1 oligo(dG): oligodeoxyguanylic acid PA1 oligo(dT): oligodeoxythymidylic acid PA1 poly(A): polyadenylic acid PA1 poly(U): polyuridylic acid PA1 poly(dC): polydeoxycytidylic acid PA1 poly(dG): polydeoxyguanylic acid PA1 ATP: adenosine triphosphate PA1 EDTA: ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid PA1 kb: kilobases PA1 kbp: kilobase pairs PA1 bp: base pairs PA1 Meth A sarcoma: methylcholanthrene-induced sarcoma PA1 TNF: tumor necrosis factor PA1 rHu-TNF: recombinant human TNF PA1 A is a polypeptide of the formula [Ia] below in which one or more amino acids may be deleted or replaced by other amino acid(s), PA1 B is a peptide of the formula [Ib] below in which one to three amino acids may be deleted or replaced by other amino acid(s), PA1 X is a polypeptide, PA1 Y is Met, and PA1 m, n and p are 1 or 0; PA1 (9) a base sequence of the 577th to the 708th bases in the upper rows of Table 5, and especially PA1 (10) a base sequence of the 658th to the 708th bases in the upper rows of Table 5 PA1 A is a polypeptide of the formula [Ia] below in which one or more amino acids may be deleted or replaced by other amino acid(s), PA1 B is a peptide of the formula [Ib] below in which one to three amino acids may be deleted or replaced by other amino acid(s), PA1 X is a polypeptide, PA1 Y is Met, and PA1 m, n and p are 1 or 0; PA1 A. Inserting the DNA having or containing a base sequence encoding human TNF polypeptide or its principal portion, or its modified base sequence into an expression vector, PA1 B. introducing the recombinant vector into a host, PA1 C. cultivating the host transformed with the recombinant vector to produce the polypeptide, PA1 D. collecting the cultured cells and extracting the polypeptide produced from them#and PA1 E. purifying the polypeptide by conventional purifying methods for proteins.
The processes disclosed in these documents are characterized by involving purification of TNF from body fluids (e.g., blood) or tissues of rabbits, mice, hamsters or guinea pigs as raw materials. The products, however, are not so clearly defined, and it is evident that various restrictions are imposed on these processes in regard to the supply of raw materials and the purities of the final products.
In clinical application as a potent antitumor agent, TNF originated from humans is desirable in consideration of immunogenicity. The above-described processes, however, cannot be applied to the production of human TNF.
The following have so far been reported on an antitumor cytotoxin originated from humans: cytotoxins produced from human peripheral monocutes and human myelocytic monocytic leukemia cells [Matthews, Immunology, 44, 135 (1981)], from the adherent cells in human peripheral blood cells [Reed, et al., J. Immunol., 115, 395 (1975)], and from human B cell lines [Williamson, et al., Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci., U.S.A., 80, 5397 (1983)). These substances have cytotoxic activity, but are not defined clearly.

Human tumor necrosis factor polypeptides


A dispensing apparatus has a storage container with two storage chambers which are closed by a closure element to a closed position and from which storage chambers components can be dispensed via component outlets in a dispensing position. A change from the closed position into the dispensing position is carried out by a rotation of the storage container with respect to the closure element. The storage container and the closure element are made in one piece in the closed position and are only connected to one another via connection webs. The connection webs are designed so that they tear off on a rotation of the storage container with respect to the closure element from the closed position into the dispensing position and thus the component outlets are opened.

Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a dispensing apparatus for at least two flowable components.
Background Information
A dispensing device for two flowable components is described in EP 1 968 751 B1. The dispensing device has a storage container having a first storage chamber for a first component with a first component outlet and having a second storage chamber for a second component with a second component outlet. The dispensing device additionally has a closure element which is rotatable with respect to the storage container. The closure element can adopt a closed position and a dispensing position with respect to the storage container or the storage container can adopt a closed position and a dispensing position with respect to the closure element. The component outlets are closed in the closed position and the two component outlets are open in the dispensing position so that a dispensing of the components from the dispensing apparatus is possible via a dispensing opening. A change from the closed position into the dispensing position is carried out by a rotation of the storage container with respect to the closure element.
The component outlets are closed by flexible closure plugs of the closure element in the closed position of the closure element. On a rotation of the closure element from the closed position into the dispensing position, the closure plugs are pulled out of the dispensing openings and in so doing are highly deformed or bent.


Non-overlap generation circuitry may include a first portion configured to condition an input signal to generate a first predriver signal, the first portion comprising a first switching threshold logic path and a second switching threshold logic path in parallel with the first switching threshold logic path, wherein the first portion is configured to select between the first switching threshold logic path and the second switching threshold logic path based on the input signal. The non-overlap generation circuit may also include a second portion configured to condition the input signal to generate a second predriver signal, the second portion comprising a third switching threshold logic path and a fourth switching threshold logic path in parallel with the third switching threshold logic path, wherein the second portion is configured to select between the third switching threshold logic path and the fourth switching threshold logic path based on the input signal.

Many electronic devices on the market today often use power converters to convert electric energy from one form to another (e.g., converting between alternating current and direct current), amplify a voltage or current of an electrical signal, modify a frequency of an electrical signal, or some combination of the above. Examples of power converters may include boost converters, buck converters, and audio amplifiers (including, but not limited to, Class D and Class H amplifiers). Such power converters often employ a switched output stage, an example of which is shown in FIG. 1. In FIG. 1, switched output stage 100 comprises a pull-up device 102 (e.g., a switch, a p-type metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistor, etc.) coupled at its non-gate terminals between a supply voltage and an output node and a pull-down device 104 (e.g., a switch, an n-type metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistor, etc.) coupled at its non-gate terminals between a ground voltage and the output node. Predriver circuitry 106 may receive an input voltage vIN (typically a pulse-width-modulated input voltage signal) and apply control logic and/or buffering to such input voltage to drive a pull-up device driving signal voltage vP to the gate terminal of pull-up device 102 and to drive a pull-down device driving signal voltage vN to the gate terminal of pull-down device 104, wherein vP and vN are each a function of vIN. Accordingly, switched output stage 100 generates an output voltage vOUT to its output node which is a function of vIN.
One drawback in using switched output stages in a power converter is the presence of a phenomenon known as "shoot-through current." Shoot-through current may be defined as the rush of current that occurs from the supply voltage to the ground voltage through pull-up device 102 and pull-down device 104 while both pull-up device 102 and pull-down device 104 are on for an overlapping period during transition of output voltage signal vOUT. For example, as output voltage signal vOUT transitions from a ground voltage to a supply voltage (e.g., in response to pull-up device driving signal voltage vP falling from a high voltage to a low voltage), predriver circuitry 106 may cause pull-down device driving signal voltage vN to experience an unwanted spike if vOUT toggles to a low voltage after pull-down device 104 has turned off. Similarly, as output voltage signal vOUT transitions from a supply voltage to a ground voltage (e.g., in response to pull-down device driving signal voltage vN rising from a low voltage to a high voltage), an unwanted spike voltage may occur on pull-up device driving signal voltage vP. Such spike voltages may lead to numerous undesirable effects, including the presence of unneeded idle shoot-through current flowing through both of pull-up device 102 and pull-down device 104 (e.g., thereby wasting energy and potentially causing undesirable heat), and/or communication of incorrect signals (e.g., incorrect logic signals in predriver circuitry 106).
To overcome the problems caused by shoot-through current, circuit designers often use closed loop non-overlap generators in which signals driving the main driver device gates are fed back to the non-overlap generators. For example, as shown in circuit 200 of FIG. 2, predriver circuitry 106 may be split into PMOS predriver circuitry 106A to drive pull-up device driving signal voltage vP to the gate terminal of pull-up device 102 and NMOS predriver circuitry 106B to drive pull-down device driving signal voltage vN to the gate terminal of pull-down device 104. Non-overlap generator circuitry may include a logical OR gate 208 configured to logically OR pull-down device driving signal voltage vN with input voltage vIN to generate a predriver input signal DRVP to PMOS predriver circuitry 106A and may also include a logical AND gate 210 configured to logically AND pull-up device driving signal voltage vP with input voltage vIN to generate a predriver input signal DRVN to NMOS predriver circuitry 106B. However, while the non-overlap generator circuitry shown in FIG. 2 may reduce shoot-through current, the use of such non-overlap generator circuitry may have disadvantages. For example, the non-overlap generator circuitry may introduce a longer non-overlap time which may reduce modulation index and/or dynamic range of output voltage signal vOUT. As another example, the non-overlap generator circuitry may result in decreased total harmonic distortion performance due to increases in body diode conduction times in pull-up device 102 and/or pull-down device 104.
Accordingly, systems and methods that minimize shoot-through current while also maximizing modulation index and dynamic range and minimizing total harmonic distortion are desired.

Transducer driver enhancement with intelligent threshold selection within non-overlap generator


A mode-locking device for a laser operating at a defined wavelength, has a substrate, transparent to the defined wavelength, with a front side for receiving, incident radiation and a back side. An anti-reflection coating is formed on the front side to minimize reflection loss at the defined wavelength. A quantum well structure is arranged on the back side. A high reflectance structure is arranged behind the quantum well structure in such a way that an electric field peak in the incident radiation lies coincides with that of the quantum well structure. This device offers a more reliable and less costly approach for the production of non-linear mirrors since the layers of the dielectric stack do not have to be formed by epitaxial deposition.

For approximately ten years a number of researchers have been investigating the use of quantum well (QW) or multiple quantum well structures (MQWSs) as saturable absorbers for mode-locking low gain lasers. The interest in this approach lies in the potential for engineering the characteristics of such an absorber and optimizing it for a particular laser wavelength. Both intracavity elements and nonlinear reflectors have been studied.
More recently a saturable Bragg reflector incorporating a single quantum well to provide a small amount (e.g. 1-2%) of saturable loss has been proposed. Tsuda et al. Opt. Lett. 20, 1406 (1995) describe such a device, based on AlAs/AlGaAs, which they have used successfully to mode-lock both Ti:Sapphire and Cr:LiSAF lasers operating near 850 nm. The Bragg reflector illustrated in their paper, was grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) and consisted of 30 high/low index pairs with a single GaAs quantum well buried in one of the layers. The entire structure, which was grown epitaxially on a GaAs substrate, acted as a high reflectivity mirror having an intensity dependent reflectivity governed by the saturable absorption behaviour of the quantum well. An important feature of this scheme is the fact that the effective saturation intensity can be controlled by varying the location of the quantum well within the multi-layer reflector structure. The Quantum Well was located at an electric field maximum in the first layer of the Bragg reflector.
A drawback of this saturable reflector, however, is the fact that the high reflectance stack has to be deposited epitaxially in order to deposit the epitaxial Quantum Well structure. Hence great care has to be taken in the fabrication of such a mirror to ensure that non saturable losses, particularly scattering, are extremely small, especially as a large number of layers, typically around 60, have to be grown to achieve the desired reflectance (typically around 99%). The fabrication of low loss reflectors by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) is thus very difficult. Furthermore, the MBE deposition rate is slow compared to other processes.
A hybrid reflector, incorporating both epitaxially deposited semiconductor layers and evaporated dielectric layers, has been developed by U. Keller, et al. Opt. Lett. 17, 505 (1992). It is not capable of operating as a saturable Bragg reflector.
An object of the invention is to alleviate this problem.

Hybrid, saturable reflector for mode-locking lasers


A binding medium clamping mechanism includes a rotatable clamping element configured to clamp a binding medium, a driving element configured to drive the clamping element, a one-way transmission element connected between the driving element and the clamping element, and a rotatable clamping head opening element configured to open the clamping element, wherein in the case that the clamping element rotates in a first rotation direction to a position for waiting to clamp the binding medium, the positions of the clamping element and the clamping head opening element interferes with each other, to open the clamping element, and in the case that the clamping element rotates in a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction, the clamping head opening element is pushed by the clamping element to rotate in the first rotation direction to move out of a moving track of the clamping element.

A binding medium of an existing banknote binding machine is pulled by a track or a clamping mechanism to bind a stack of banknotes to be bound. When the binding medium is pulled by the clamping mechanism, the clamping mechanism is required to be opened quickly and stably, and after being opened, the clamping mechanism is required to stop at a certain position and wait for the binding medium to enter. However, when the current binding medium clamping mechanism stops at the certain position, a retaining force of an actuating device is used to prevent the position of the clamping device from changing in the opening process, which has a high requirement on the actuating device. Further, an additional actuating device is required to open the clamping mechanism, thus the mechanism has a complicated structure and a high economic cost.

Binding medium clamping mechanism and banknote binding machine containing same


A magnetic permeability detector includes an LC oscillator circuit including a coil and a capacitor; and a resistor connected in series with the coil.

1. Technical Field
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a magnetic permeability detector, a developer density detector, a developing device, and an image forming apparatus, such as, a copier, a printer, a facsimile machine, a plotter, or a multifunction peripheral (MIT) having at least two of coping, printing, facsimile transmission, plotting, and scanning capabilities; and further relates to a method of calculating a frequency of an oscillation signal.
2. Description of the Background Art
There are sensors that employ an LC oscillator circuit including a coil provided on a plane and detect magnetic permeability of space opposed to the plane on which the coil is provided (hereinafter "coil formation face") according to the frequency of signals output from the LC oscillator circuit. For example, in JP-H11-223620-A, such a sensor is used to detect the density of developer including magnetic substances inside a container in an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The principle of such magnetic permeability sensors is based on that the inductance of coil changes depending on the magnetic permeability of a magnetic material to be detected. The inductance of coil changes due to changes in physical properties, such as magnetic permeability and conductivity, of the magnetic substance and changes in the distance to the magnetic material. The magnetic permeability in a range in which the magnetic flux of the magnetic permeability sensor acts can be detected by reading the oscillation frequency of the LC oscillator circuit dependent on inductance changes. In JP-H11-223620-A, further a resistance component of the circuit is considered in addition to respective elements of the circuit for designing with a higher degree of accuracy.

Magnetic permeability detector, developing device, image forming apparatus, and oscillation signal frequency calculation method therefor


A method of preparing a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst for handling, storage, transport and deployment, including the steps of impregnating a porous support material with a source of cobalt, calcining the impregnated support material, activating the catalyst, and passivating the activated catalyst.

F-T catalysts generally comprise a porous support material impregnated with a catalytically active component, such as cobalt or iron. The active component is deposited on the support as a compound but prior to use, it must be reduced to metal form, or activated. Currently, in the case of Co-based F-T catalysts, the support impregnated with the Co-containing compound must be reduced at a temperature of at least 200° C. In its activated state, the catalyst is pyroforic and impossible to handle in air, therefore contact with air has to be avoided. The catalyst must therefore be encapsulated in wax and formed into flakes into a dedicated unit, to reach a so-called REF state (reduced, encapsulated, flaked). The flakes are then packed in bags and stored within drums sealed in inert atmosphere before transportation to site. If this can be simplified, achieved more cost effectively or avoided, it will reduce the total cost of the catalyst.


The present invention provides a movement output apparatus for controllably moving a movement output means in at least two spatial dimensions, the apparatus including:                a cog means with a first diameter;        a ring with a track formed on an inner surface of the ring, the track having a second diameter which is larger than the first diameter;        wherein:        the cog means is rotatable by first driving means;                    the ring is rotatable by second driving means;            the cog means is arranged to move, in use, along the track; and            the movement output means is attached to the cog means, whereby, in use, movement of the cog means effects movement of the movement output means, and the movement of the movement output means is controllable by control of the first and second driving means to produce substantially linear movement of the movement output means to produce substantially linear movement of the movement output means.

It is often desirable to move items or parts of machinery to particular positions, those positions being reached with spatial reliability. In particular, it is sometimes desirable to be able reliably to cycle parts of machinery between particular positions. This would be the case, for example, where it is necessary to form a particular shape in a repetitive manner.
An example of shape forming using machinery is in the food manufacturing and processing industry. Food items such as biscuits often have decorative toppings in particular shapes. For efficiency, throughput and consistency reasons, mechanical deposition systems are often used to deposit such decorative toppings.
Such mechanical deposition systems may include a moveable deposition manifold arranged on a conveyor belt. The deposition manifold is moveable in the sense that it can be made to describe a particular shape with respect to food items travelling along the conveyor belt. Typically, the deposition manifold is moveable independently of the conveyor belt. The movement of the manifold is powered and controlled by suitable arrangements of linear drives, for example suitable arrangements of ball screws and pulleys.
More generally, it is often desirable to perform a repetitive process on a series of similar items. Typically, items are transported around a production facility using a conveyor belt or similar means. If the items are relatively small, or if the production line has a large output, the items may be arranged in ranked rows on the conveyor belt.
Many processes in production lines require that the position of the items to be processed is known with some spatial reliability. Typically, items on a conveyor belt are prone to move a little on the conveyor, due to vibrations etc. Movement apparatus can be used to move the items to a predetermined position on the conveyor, ready for a subsequent processing step. The movement apparatus typically is powered and controlled by suitable arrangements of linear drives, as for the deposition manifold above.
These arrangements of linear drives are usually bulky and difficult to install or retro-fit to existing production lines. In addition, it is difficult to operate movement of the manifold using such arrangements at speeds necessary for large volume production.
In order to address the problems outlined above, the present invention provides, in a first aspect, a movement output apparatus for controllably moving a movement output means in at least two spatial dimensions, the apparatus including:                a cog means with a first diameter;        a ring with a track formed on or near the surface of the ring, the track having a second diameter which is larger than the first diameter;
wherein:
the cog means is rotatable by first driving means;
the ring is rotatable by second driving means;
the cog means is arranged to move, in use, along the track; and
the movement output means is attached to the cog means whereby, in use, movement of the cog means effects movement of the movement output means, and the movement of the movement output means is controllable by control of the first and second driving means preferably to produce a substantially linear movement of the movement output means.
Using the apparatus, the movement of the movement output means can be controlled to describe a particular two dimensional shape by suitable control of the first and second driving means.
Preferably, the ring defines a rotation plane and the cog means is preferably rotatable by the first driving means, about a first axis which is typically substantially perpendicular to the rotation plane.
Preferably, the ring is rotatable by the second driving means about a second axis which is typically substantially perpendicular to the rotation plane.
Preferably the cog means is rotatable relative to the track about a third axis which is typically substantially perpendicular to the rotation plane. This rotation of the cog means about the third axis is typically brought about due to an interaction between the cog means and the track.
Preferably, the third axis is substantially parallel to, but typically substantially not co-linear with, the second axis.
Typically, the cog means and the track each have teeth which are meshable together. Preferably, at least one of the cog means and the track have a substantially circular configuration. More preferably, both the cog means and the track each have a substantially circular configuration.
In some embodiments, the ring may be replaced by a partial ring. Using such a configuration, the track would preferably be a non-continuous arcuate track.
In preferred embodiments of the invention, the relationship between the first and second diameters is such that rotation of the cog may cause (possibly in conjunction with rotation of the ring) a point on the cog (usually a point on the perimeter of the cog) to describe a substantially straight line. Preferably, the first diameter is approximately one half of the second diameter. Using such a cog arrangement, the movement output means may be positioned with respect to the cog means such that the movement output means may describe substantially any shape in two dimensions within a particular size range.
Preferably the movement of the movement output means is controllable to produce linear movement along wither or both of two mutually perpendicular axes. More preferably in use the two axes are respectively substantially horizontal and substantially vertical.
The movement output means (which may be e.g. a cam follower) may be attached to the cog means such that the centre of the movement output means is a distance from the axis of rotation of the cog means which is substantially equal to the first diameter. In one embodiment, the movement output means is substantially cylindrical and its central axis is substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the cog means and its central axis is a distance from the axis of rotation of the cog means which is substantially equal to the first diameter.
Preferably, the cog means is rotatably mounted on a first shaft. Preferably, the first shaft is eccentrically mounted with respect to an output rotation axis of the first drive means. Typically, therefore, operation of the first drive means rotates the first shaft eccentrically. Consequently, the cog is forced to rotatably travel around the track.
Preferably, the ring and track together form an internal gear.
Preferably, the output movement means is connected to a movement transmission means.
Preferably, the apparatus further includes control means for control of the second driving means, the control means operating according to a predetermined set of instructions. Typically, the control means includes a suitably programmed computer. Preferably, the control means controls the first driving means.
Preferably, the cog means and/or ring are replaceable by a cog means and/or ring of different dimensions in order for the movement output means to controllably describe a shape in two dimensions in a different size range.
In preferred embodiments, the apparatus further includes a controllable counterbalancing assembly. Typically, such an assembly includes an arrangement of masses which are moveable via one or more driving means. Preferably, the arrangement of masses is moveable in order to substantially reduce vibrations in the apparatus caused by movement of other parts of the apparatus. Preferably, the arrangement movement is controlled by the control means. The arrangement movement may be adapted to be a mirror image movement of the movement of those parts of the apparatus which cause, in use, undesirable vibrations.
In a second aspect, the present invention provides a repetitive processing apparatus including a movement output apparatus according to the first aspect, and further including a repetitive processing device for repeated performance of a particular process, wherein the repetitive processing device is connected to the movement output means, and in use the position of the repetitive processing device is controllable by control of the position of the movement output means.
Preferably, the apparatus further includes moveable conveyor means, whereby articles on which a particular process is to be performed are moveable with respect to the apparatus.
In a third aspect, the present invention provides a deposition apparatus including any apparatus according to the first or the second aspect.
In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a foodstuff processing apparatus including any of the features of the second aspect and typically including any features of the third aspect, wherein the repetitive processing device is a foodstuff deposition manifold, the manifold being, in use, controllable to deposit foodstuff in a pre-programmed shape.
Preferably, the food stuff deposition manifold is capable of performing at least approximately 40 cycles per minute. More preferably, it is capable of performing up to around 100 cycles per minute or more, most preferably up to around 400 cycles per minute or more.
Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with respect to the accompanying drawings, in which:


A system, method and data storage device for encrypting data to provide at-rest data encryption of data in the data storage device. The system includes a compression engine for receiving a host data stream packet and selectively generating a compressed data packet, and an encryption engine in electronic communication with the compression engine for receiving an unencrypted data packet from the compression engine. The unencrypted data packet comprises the compressed data packet when the compression engine generates the compressed data packet. The unencrypted data packet comprises the host data packet when the compression engine does not generate the compressed data packet. The encryption engine generates an encrypted data packet having an encrypted component corresponding to the unencrypted data packet and a set of meta data indicative of one or more characteristic of the encrypted data packet.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a system, method and data storage device for encrypting data, and in particular to a system, method and data storage device for encrypting data to provide at-rest data encryption in a data storage device.
2. Background Art
Protecting data from unauthorized access is becoming increasingly important. Both the amount and kinds of data generated requiring protection continue to increase. Moreover, attacks by those not authorized to access the data grow in frequency and sophistication. An emerging need is for the encryption of data held in storage devices, often referred to as "at-rest data encryption."

System, method and data storage device for encrypting data


A method of producing helical springs by spring winding with a numerically controlled spring winding machine includes feeding a wire, controlled by an NC control program, through a feed device to a forming device of the spring winding machine, forming a helical spring from the wire with tools of the forming device, defining a desired nominal geometry of the helical spring and an NC control program adapted to produce the nominal geometry, measuring an actual position of a selected structural element of the helical spring relative to a reference element at least one measurement time, which occurs after a start and before an end of production of the helical spring in a measurement area which is at a finite distance from the forming device in a longitudinal direction of the helical spring, wherein the distance is less than an overall length of the finished helical spring, comparing the actual position with a nominal position of the structural element for the measurement time to determine a current position difference, which represents a difference between an actual position and the nominal position at the measurement time, and controlling the position by at least one of the tools of the forming device, which tool determines a pitch of the helical spring as a function of the position difference.

Helical springs are machine elements required in large quantities and different configurations in numerous fields of application. Helical springs, which are also referred to as wound torsion springs or coil springs, are normally produced from spring wire and are in the form of tension springs or compression springs depending on their load during use. Compression springs, in particular bearing springs, are required, for example, in large quantities for automobile construction. The spring characteristic can be influenced, inter alia, by sections of different pitch or with different pitch profiles. For example, in the case of compression springs, there is frequently a central section of greater or lesser length with a constant pitch (constant section), adjacent to which, at both ends of the spring, there are contact areas with a pitch which becomes less towards the ends. In the case of cylindrical helical springs, the spring diameter is constant over the length of the springs, but it may also vary over the length, for example, in the case of conical or barrel-shaped helical springs. In addition, the overall length of the (unloaded) spring may vary widely for different applications.
Nowadays, helical springs are normally produced by spring winding with the aid of numerically controlled spring winding machines. In this case, a wire (spring wire) is fed, controlled by an NC control program, by a feed device to a forming device of the spring winding machine, and formed with the aid of tools of the forming device, to form a helical spring. The tools generally include one or more variable-position winding pins to fix and possibly to vary the diameter of spring turns and one or more pitch tools, which govern the local pitch of the spring turns in each phase of the manufacturing process.
Spring winding machines are generally intended to produce a large number of springs with a specific spring geometry (nominal geometry) within very narrow tolerances, at a high rate. The functionally important geometry parameters include, inter alia, the overall length of the finished helical spring in the unloaded state. The overall length also governs, inter alia, the installation dimensions of the spring and the spring force.
To comply with stringent quality requirements, for example, in the automobile field, it is normal practice to measure certain spring geometry data, for example, the diameter, length, pitch, and/or pitch profile of the spring after completion of a spring, and to automatically sort the finished springs, depending on the result of the measurement, into satisfactory parts (spring geometry within the tolerances) and unsatisfactory parts (result outside the tolerances), and possibly into further categories. This procedure is highly uneconomic, in particular in the case of long springs, since, in the case of long springs, a relatively great length of wire is consumed for each spring and must be thrown away if it is found that the finished spring is outside the tolerances.
It has also already been proposed for the diameter, the length and the pitch of the spring to be checked by suitable measurement means during manufacture, and for manufacturing parameters to be changed in the event of any discrepancies outside the tolerance limits such that the spring geometry remains within the tolerances. DE 103 45 445 B4 discloses a spring winding machine which has an integrated measurement system with a video camera which is directed at that area of the spring winding machine in which the forming of the spring starts. An image processing system connected to the video camera and having appropriate evaluation algorithms is intended to allow the diameter, length and pitch of the spring to be checked during manufacture, and it is intended to be possible to vary these spring geometry parameters by feedback to the processing tools, which can be adjusted by motors, during manufacture. An evaluation algorithm for determining the current spring diameter is described in detail.
It could therefore be helpful to provide a method and an apparatus of a generic type such that, particularly when producing relatively long helical springs helical springs can be produced within tight geometric tolerances with high reliability, composed of wire materials of widely differing quality. It could also be helpful to provide for the production of long helical springs with little overall length scatter and with a low scrap rate.

Method and apparatus for production of helical springs by spring winding


An exhaust aftertreatment combined filter and catalytic converter has a plurality of flow channels each having both: a) a flow-through channel catalytically reacting with the exhaust; and b) a wall-flow channel trapping particulate such as soot. A filter is also provided.

The invention relates to exhaust aftertreatment devices and methods, including for diesel engine exhaust, and more particularly to combined filters and catalytic converters. The invention also relates to filters.
As noted in the parent '152 application, various diesel exhaust aftertreatment systems require that the exhaust be directed through a catalytic component and also through a filter component to achieve emissions and/or particulate (e.g. soot) reduction. The parent invention of the '152 application provides a simple system combining these devices in a singular unit. In a desirable aspect, the parent invention of the '152 application further maintains exact axial alignment of catalytic and filter flow channels and simplifies packaging.
The parent invention of the '300 application arose during continuing development efforts, and provides in one desirable combination a combined catalytic converter and filter. In another desirable combination, improved filter regeneration is provided.
The present invention arose during yet further continuing development efforts. The invention provides an exhaust aftertreatment combined filter and catalytic converter which is particularly simple and effective. The invention also relates to an improved filter.
Reference is also made to commonly owned co-pending companion U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/075,036, filed on even date herewith, now abandoned, incorporated herein by reference, which relates to exhaust aftertreatment emission control regeneration.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A method and system for optimal model-based multivariable balancing for distributed hydronic networks based on global differential pressure/flow rate information. A simplified mathematical model of a hydronic system can be determined utilizing an analogy between hydronic systems and electrical circuits. Thereafter, unknown parameters can be identified utilizing the simplified mathematical model and a set of available measurements. Next, balancing valve settings can be calculated by reformulating the simplified mathematical model based on the parameterized model. The sum of pressure drops across selected balancing valves can be then minimized to achieve optimal economic performances of the system. The data can be collected and transferred to a central unit either by wireless communication or manually by reading the local measurement devices. Such a multivariable balancing approach provides a fast and accurate balancing of distributed hydronic heating systems based on a centralized and non-iterative approach.

The circulation of hot or chilled water to provide heat or cool spaces is known as a hydronic system. A hydronic system is composed of many subsystems such as, for example, boilers, chimney, vertical supply and return piping, horizontal supply and return piping, pump, and convectors, and so forth. Such hydronic heating and cooling systems are based on distributed hydronic networks. In a complex hydronic system such as, for example, a building heating system, hot water is pumped from a central boiler up a common riser from which it flows through a multiplicity of branch lines each including one or more terminals. Then, the multiple streams are reunited in a common downpipe that leads back to the boiler. In such a system it is necessary to balance the flow in the individual branches to achieve the desired technical and economic performance of the system. Thus, each branch can be provided with a balancing valve, which can be provided in the form of a lockable flow-control valve that can be adjusted until a predetermined flow, normally measured in gallons per minute, is obtained in the branch.
A hydronic network represents a complex system that requires the ability to simultaneously correctly solve design, sizing and control-related issues. A design error in one part of the hydronic network affects the rest of the network. Moreover, to correct poor operations associated with unbalanced networks, (e.g., hydronic networks without balancing) building operators typically increase the head of pumps and/or hot water supply temperatures to ensure comfort in all zones of the building. Such an approach results in increased energy consumption with respect to the pumps and probable growth of primary energy to produce hot water, overheating of hydraulically favored zones, and in some cases instability of control loops. Such manual balancing is time consuming and requires a number of iterations.
The majorities of prior art methods for balancing distributed hydronic networks are based on iterative approaches and are decentralized in nature. Such a decentralized approach may control each balancing valve independently via the use of a local control algorithm without any communication between individual balancing valves. Consequently, special equipment must be installed on each of the balancing valves, which decreases the economic performance of the overall system. Additionally, such prior art methods require a number of iterations for the calculation of settings of balancing valves, which is a time-consuming process.
Based on the foregoing it is believed that a need exists for an improved method and system for model-based multivariable balancing with respect to distributed hydronic networks as described in greater detail herein.

Method and system for model-based multivariable balancing for distributed hydronic networks


A data latch circuit device consists of synchronous dynamic random access memory, in which it causes number of elements and bus line wiring to reduce to be prevented floating state of DFF circuit in stand-by state at the time putting power supply to work. In the data latch circuit device, there is provided transfer gates for switching so as to supply pulse signal PC to clock signal CK instead of clock signal CLK within active period of the reset signal in answer to provision of the reset signal RP.

The present invention relates to a data latch circuit device. More to particularly this invention relates to a data latch circuit device in which a flip-flop of semi-conductor memory of synchronous dynamic random access memory (DRAM) type such as field memory and so forth has been in use for preventing floating state of D-flip-flop circuit in stand by state at the time applying power source.

Data latch circuit device with flip-flop of semi-conductor memory of synchronous DRAM


A waterproof boot comprises a bootie, such as a hiking boot, and a boot upper comprising a varying diameter tube of waterproof material. The boot upper may have a bottom opening that is sealed between an outer gasket and an inner gasket affixed to the bottom of the bootie. The boot upper may also have a top opening that allows a wearer to insert a leg through the top opening of the boot upper and into the bootie. The boot upper may extend more than three inches over the top of the bootie to provide an extended waterproof shield that prevents water from entering into the top of the bootie. The boot upper may include a gusset and a zipper and/or a horizontal Velcro strip and Velcro receiving area to enlarge (or contract) the top opening of the boot upper to allow the wearer to pull the boot upper over a calf of the wearer and improve the fit and comfort of the boot upper.

The desire for waterproof boots has long been felt. Outdoors people, such as hikers and hunters, are frequently caught in the rain, have to cross through or stand in snow, pools of water and/or streams during their outdoor activities. Such activities often result in the undesirable situation of the feet of the wearer of the boots becoming wet.
Prior art methods have used waterproof materials in designing boots and this has helped to reduce the amount of water that enters the boot. However, applicants have noticed that water often still enters the boot through seams in the material of the boot or over the top of the boot. Thus, applicants desired to create a manufacturing process and a design for a waterproof boot that reduces the amount of water that enters into the boot, particularly the water that enters through the seams in the boot or over the top of the boot.

Manufacturing process and design for a waterproof boot


The present application discloses optical disc apparatus including: drive mechanism for rotating medium including processing surface to be subjected optical information process; housing for storing drive mechanism; tray mechanism for displacing medium between storage position, at which medium is stored in housing, and ejection position, at which medium is ejected from housing; at least one objective lens for condensing light onto processing surface of medium situated at storage position to perform information process; and first displacement mechanism for displacing at least one objective lens along processing surface between first position and second position which is more distant from rotational center of medium rotated by the drive mechanism than first position is. Tray mechanism defines at least one opening in position closer to second position than first position.

High stability of performance in recording process and reproducing process of information is required for consumer optical disc apparatuses and optical disc apparatuses used for archiving data in business facilities such as data centers.
A digital video disc (DVD) and a Blu-ray disc (BD) among media used for optical disc apparatuses have large storage capacities. Therefore, it is expected that applications of optical disc apparatuses which uses a DVD and a BD to perform optical information process will greatly expand in future. Therefore, highly reliable optical disc apparatuses are required.
Dust is one of factors which make performance of an optical disc apparatus unstable. Dust may be removed to some extent during fabrication of an optical head which is incorporated in an optical disc apparatus or during fabrication of the optical disc apparatus. However, it is difficult to completely remove dust.
Even if dust is removed during the manufacturing process, the dust may adhere to an objective lens which is incorporated in the optical head/optical disc apparatus while the optical head or the optical disc apparatus is in use.
A hard disc drive device has a completely sealed structure into which a drive mechanism and a disc are integrated. Therefore, little dust adheres to an objective lens of the hard disc drive device. On the other hand, a medium (optical disc) used for an optical disc apparatus has to be ejected from the optical disc apparatus. Therefore, the optical disc is not sealed and fixed inside the optical disc apparatus. Accordingly, the optical disc apparatus is more likely to be susceptible to dust than the hard disc device is.
The optical head incorporated in the optical disc apparatus is used for recording information onto an optical disc and/or reproducing information from an optical disc. The optical disc apparatus includes a turntable and a spindle motor in addition to the optical head. The optical disc is mounted on the turntable. The spindle motor drives the turntable to rotate the optical disc. While the optical disc rotates, the optical disc apparatus moves the optical head in the radial direction of the optical disc to perform information process such as recording information onto the optical disc and/or reproducing information from the optical disc.
The optical disc apparatus includes a light source and a photo-receiver. The light source emits a laser beam. The objective lens incorporated in the optical head condenses the laser beams onto the recording surface of the optical disc. Information is written to the optical disc by condensing the laser beams onto the recording surface. Or, condensing the laser beams onto the recording surface results in reflected light which is reflected by the recording surface. The reflected light reaches the photo-receiver through the objective lens. The photo-receiver outputs signals in response to the reflected light. The optical disc apparatus may use the output signals from the photo-receiver to reproduce the information recorded on the optical disc.
Dust adhering to the objective lens interrupts propagation of light. Therefore, information process such as recording information onto the optical disc or reproducing information from the optical disc is likely to be susceptible to the dust. If the optical disc apparatus attempts to read signals (information) recorded on the optical disc using the reflected light under an environment in which dust adheres to the objective lens, there may be frequent signal read errors. In this case, a user mounts a cleaning disc on the optical disc apparatus to make a brush of the cleaning disc contact the objective lens. Consequently, the dust adhering to the objective lens may be removed (c.f. Patent Document 1).
A cleaning solution may be applied to the brush of the cleaning disc (wet type). Alternatively, the brush may rub against the objective lens without cleaning solution (dry type). In both cases of the wet and dry types, dust and dirt from the exhaust gas and smoke in the air may be removed from the objective lens by the brush contacting the objective lens.
According to Patent Document 1, the brush is situated near the inner edge of the cleaning disc. Since the position of the brush corresponds to a position of a management information area which is accessed to identify the medium, the brush may contact the objective lens.
FIG. 30 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a conventional optical disc apparatus 900. The optical disc apparatus 900 is described with reference to FIG. 30.
The optical disc apparatus 900 includes an objective lens 910, a lens holder 920, a protector 930, a spindle motor 940, a turntable 950 and a drive holder 960. An optical disc OD is mounted on the turntable 950. The spindle motor 940 rotates the turntable 950 and the optical disc OD.
The objective lens 910 and the protector 930 are attached to the lens holder 920. The cylindrical protector 930 surrounds the objective lens 910. The upper edge of the protector 930 is closer to the lower surface of the optical disc OD than the upper surface of the objective lens 910, which faces the lower surface of the optical disc OD. Therefore, the protector 930 may prevent contact between the objective lens 910 and the optical disc OD.
The drive holder 960 uses a holding wire (not shown) to elastically suspend the lens holder 920. The drive holder 960 moves the lens holder 920 and the objective lens 910 in the radial direction of the optical disc OD.
FIG. 31 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the optical disc apparatus 900 which is subjected to a dry type cleaning process. The cleaning process for the optical disc apparatus 900 is described with reference to FIGS. 30 and 31.
A cleaning disc DCD is mounted on the turntable 950 shown in FIG. 31, instead of the optical disc OD. The cleaning disc is provided with a cleaning brush DCB. The cleaning brush DCB gently rubs against the objective lens 910. Meanwhile, a pressing force (indicated by the arrow in FIG. 31), which acts on the objective lens 910, displaces the objective lens 910 downward. Consequently, the cleaning brush DCB may not apply a sufficient force to the objective lens 910 to remove dust and dirt from the objective lens 910.
FIG. 32 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the optical disc apparatus 900 which is subjected to a wet type cleaning process. The cleaning process for the optical disc apparatus 900 is described with reference to FIGS. 31 and 32.
A cleaning disc WCD is mounted on the turntable 950 shown in FIG. 32, instead of the cleaning disc DCD used for the dry type cleaning process. The cleaning disc WCD is provided with a cleaning brush WCB. Unlike the cleaning brush DCB used for the dry type cleaning process, a cleaning solution is applied to the cleaning brush WCB. The cleaning brush WCB gently rubs against the objective lens 910, like the cleaning brush DCB used for the dry type cleaning process. Meanwhile, a pressing force (indicted by the arrow in FIG. 32), which acts on the objective lens 910, displaces the objective lens 910 downward. Consequently, the cleaning brush WCB may not apply a sufficient force to the objective lens 910 to remove dust and dirt from the objective lens 910.
During the aforementioned cleaning processes, the objective lens 910 is fixedly held in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis. However, the objective lens 910 is elastically held in a direction parallel with the optical axis. Therefore, as described above, the objective lens 910 is displaced downward by the pressing force from the cleaning brush DCB or WCB. If the objective lens 910 displaces downward, the rubbing force applied to the objective lens 910 is weakened. Accordingly, the dust and dirt may not be removed from the objective lens 910.
If an excessively strong force is applied to the objective lens 910, plastic deformation may happen to a support member configured to elastically support the objective lens 910. An objective lens of an optical disc apparatus which uses a BD has a very short working distance, in comparison with an optical disc apparatus which uses a DVD. For example, a working distance of an optical disc apparatus for a DVD is set to approximately 1.5 mm whereas a working distance of an optical disc apparatus for a BD is set to a value in a range from 0.2 mm to 0.3 mm. Therefore, if a cleaning disc DCD or WCD which has a cleaning brush DCB or WCB is used for cleaning an objective lens of an optical disc apparatus which uses a BD, an excessively strong pressing force is likely to be applied to the objective lens 910. The excessively strong pressing force may make a focus setting of the objective lens 910 inappropriate. The pressing force may damage an actuator for driving the lens.
FIG. 33 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the optical disc apparatus 900 which is subjected to the wet type cleaning process. Problems of the conventional cleaning process are described with reference to FIGS. 30 to 33. The problems described with reference to FIG. 33 are in common with the dry type cleaning process.
The cleaning brush WCB may apply a diagonal pressing force (indicated by the arrow in FIG. 33) to the objective lens 910. In this case, a torsional force is applied to the lens holder 920 which holds the objective lens 910. The torsional force may result in plastic deformation happening to the holding wire which suspends the lens holder 920.
The plastic deformation of the holding wire causes the objective lens 910 to execute an inappropriate focusing and/or tracking operations. In short, the objective lens 910 of the optical disc apparatus 900 after the cleaning process may not track the optical disc OD appropriately.
Contact of the cleaning brush DCB or WCB with the objective lens 910 may scratch a surface of the objective lens 910. Scratches may severely deteriorate reproduction performance of the optical disc apparatus. If the objective lens 910 is made of resin, scratches are likely to result from the contact of the objective lens 910 with the cleaning brush DCB or WCB.
An anti-reflection film is deposited on a surface of the objective lens 910 in consideration of transmittance, stray light and aberrations. The contact of the cleaning brush DCB or WCB with the objective lens 910 may result in dissipation of the anti-reflection film from the surface of the objective lens 910. Consequently, the optical transmittance of the objective lens 910 may drastically drop. Or, stray light may drastically increase because of scattered luminous flux resultant from the dissipation of the anti-reflection film. The dissipation of the anti-reflection film may cause a drastic growth in aberration. These changes in optical characteristics may drastically deteriorate the recording performance to record information onto the optical disc OD and the reproducing performance to reproduce information from the optical disc OD.    Patent Document 1: JP 2008-112498 A

Optical disc apparatus, sheet member, and method for cleaning objective lens

Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.


The present invention relates to a permanent magnet obtained by wet-mixing a Dy compound or a Tb compound with a magnet raw material to coat a surface of the magnet raw material with the Dy compound or the Tb compound, and sintering a green sheet obtained by mixing the resulting magnet raw material with a resin binder and molding the resulting mixture. Since the present invention has the above-mentioned constitution, it becomes possible to sufficiently improve coercive force by Dy or Tb while decreasing the amount of Dy or Tb used. Further, it can be prevented that Dy or Tb is solid-solutionized in magnet particles to decrease residual magnetization.

In recent years, a reduction in size and weight, an increase in power and an increase in efficiency have been required for permanent magnetic motors used in hybrid cars, hard disk drives or the like. In particular, with recent requirement for a reduction in size of the hard disk drives, a further reduction in size and thickness has been required for voice coil motors (hereinafter referred to as VCMs) used for head driving of the hard disk drives as shown in patent document 1.
Then, in realizing the reduction in size and thickness in the above-mentioned VCMs, a reduction in film thickness and further improvement in magnetic characteristics have been required for permanent magnets buried in the VCMs. Incidentally, as the permanent magnets, there are ferrite magnets, Sm—Co-based magnets, Nd—Fe—B-based magnets, Sm2Fe17Nx-based magnets and the like. In particular, Nd—Fe—B-based magnets having high coercive force are used as the permanent magnets for the permanent magnet motors.
Here, as a method for manufacturing the permanent magnet used in the permanent magnet motor, a powder sintering method is generally used. In the powder sintering method as used herein, a raw material is first pulverized with a jet mill (dry pulverization) to produce a magnet powder as shown in FIG. 6. Thereafter, the magnet powder is placed in a mold, and press molded to a desired shape while applying a magnetic field from the outside. Then, the solid magnet powder molded to the desired shape is sintered at a predetermined temperature (for example, 1100° C. in the case of the Nd—Fe—B-based magnet), thereby manufacturing the permanent magnet.
Patent Document 1: JP-A-2006-286819 (Page 2, Page 3, FIG. 4)

Permanent magnet and method for manufacturing the same