In the system of the invention, a music playing data file is extracted from a given musical work resource such as an electronic music score data file, a printed sheet of music and an audio signals of a musical performance, to be utilized for playing music automatically by means of a tone generator device. The extracted music playing data file is encrypted using an encryption key to be stored in a storage device or to be transmitted to an automatic music playing apparatus. The stored or the transmitted music playing data file is decrypted beforehand to be used for automatic music playing. After the decrypted music playing data file has been utilized, the decrypted music playing data file is deleted from the system so that no unencrypted data file remains in the system.

There are various types of musical work resources in the art such as electronic data files of music scores, sheets of music pieces and audio signals of performed musical numbers. In order to automatically play music according to such a musical work resource, such a musical work resource will have to be converted to some music playing data file (e.g. MIDI data file) to control a tone generator for generating musical tone signals for a musical performance.
A music score data file is a data file compiled from an existing music score based on predetermined rules according to the musical grammar, and includes data defining notes of the music together with data representing staves, clefs, key signatures, time signatures, tempo marks, dynamic marks, repeat signs, ornamentations, bowing signs, etc. as well as their locations to be exhibited, and also data indicating punctuations of measures, tiers and pages, and also graphical data representing images of the signs and the marks.
By executing a specialized application program, a music score image data file can be composed to display on a display screen or print on a sheet of paper by a printer in a quality close to prevailing music score prints based on such a compiled electronic music score data file. For example, there are services for downloading electronic music score data files according to the ScorchXF (TM) protocol, and there are also services of providing specialized application programs for displaying or printing music scores based on such an electronic music score data file. See "FREE ScorchXF (TM) Digital Delivery," at Internet <URL: www.yamahamusicsoft.com/scorch/free_sample.php>, which was actually available on line on Sept. 10, 2002.
A music playing data file such as a MIDI protocol data file can be extracted (and compiled) from the data contained in such an electronic music score data file to represent notes of the music. The MIDI data file also contains data for designating tone generation time points, and can be stored or transmitted in a file format of the SMF (Standard MIDI File) or a file format specific to a sequencer software program. In case a MIDI data file is transmitted in real time, there is no need of data for designating the tone generation time points.
On the other hand, there are OCR application programs with which a scanner converts a printed music sheet into a music score image data file which can be processed by a personal computer so that a music playing data file or performance data file (e.g. MIDI data file) is extracted from the music score image data file. Also known in the art is a method of analyzing a melody part as well as other performance parts with respect to an audio data file as provided by means of an audio compact disc (CD), etc. thereby extracting a music playing data file (e.g. MIDI data file). The use of such programs for extracting a music playing data file (e.g. MIDI data file) from above mentioned various musical work resources will make it readily available for a user to acquire a music playing data file (e.g. MIDI data file) and to copy the same freely.
However, the music work resources such as electronic music score data files, printed music sheets and audio data files are generally under the protection of copyright of lyricists, composers, data compilers, performers, etc. It is, therefore, illegal for a user to freely copy (and so forth) such an extracted music playing data file without permission. Even if the extraction of a music playing data file is permitted by the copyright owner of the original music, what is permitted to the person who has purchased the provided music data file is to use or copy the performance data file for personal use only, and not to bulletin on a web site or to deliver to other people. Thus, there is a need for an electronic music data handling system in which a music playing data file as extracted from a provided musical work resource should not be copied and used freely.

System, method and computer program for ensuring secure use of music playing data files


A data file management apparatus capable of avoiding the unauthorized deletion of a file shared by a plurality of users. In the apparatus connected to a network and having the function to store the data file in such as to be shared by the users, the address information of the joint file users permitted to share the data file are registered-while being related to the data file at the time of data file storage, and in response to a data file deletion request, a message to confirm the consent of the joint file users about the data file deletion is sent to the registered address information. Upon receiving a message returned from a joint file user not to consent to the data file deletion within a predetermined period from the confirming message transmission, the data file is not deleted, while the data file is deleted otherwise.

This application is based on applications No. 2005-143961 filed in Japan, the contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a data file management apparatus, such as an image forming apparatus, having the function to accumulate the data file shared by a plurality of users, a data file management program and a recording medium for recording the program.
2. Description of the Related Art
In an image forming apparatus such as a copier or a multifunction peripheral, an image file such as the scan data is accumulated in a storage unit such as a hard disk drive and shared by a plurality of users either in such a manner that the file is accumulated in a public box accessible without a password or in such a manner that the file is accumulated in a private box capable of being accessed using a password distributed to the users sharing the file (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the joint file users). In any case, the file accumulated may be deleted by someone (who may be one of the joint file users) without the consent of all the joint file users or in spite of the presence of a joint file user who has yet to access the file.
A conventional technique to share a file among a plurality of users is known in which a deadline is set to hold the file in the system. In the presence of some user who has not accessed the file before the deadline, however, the file is unconditionally deleted. Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 2004-240511, on the other hand, discloses a technique in which when a file is accumulated, the mail address of the accumulator is registered, and at the time of file deletion, a mail seeking the consent of the accumulator about the proposed deletion is sent to the registered mail address. In the case where a response mail indicating the consent to the proposed deletion is returned, the file is deleted, while otherwise, i.e. in the case where a response mail not consenting to the proposed deletion is received or no response mail is received, then the file is deleted after being sent to the mail address.
In the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 2004-240511, however, the mail seeking the deletion is sent only to the file accumulator, and therefore the file is still liable to be deleted by the file accumulator without the consent of all the joint file users or in the presence of a joint file user having not accessed the file.

Data file management apparatus, image forming apparatus, method of managing a data file, data file management program and program recording medium

Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.


An apparatus for cutting a material underwater is disclosed where the apparatus uses a mixture of abrasive material in a non-aspirated suspension mixed with a high pressure fluid, e.g. seawater. It is emphasized that. this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope of meaning of the claims.

Abrasive materials in cutting systems have been used to aid in rough and precision cuts. A basic cutting system consists of a filtration system, ultrahigh-pressure pump, nozzle and catcher. A hydraulically driven intensifier pump may be present to pressurize a fluid such as water where the fluid exits through an orifice, e.g. a nozzle, for cutting a material. Abrasive material is typically mixed with the fluid by aspiration, e.g. a cutting head of the nozzle operates pneumatically such that when the cutting system is activated, abrasive is mixed with fluid under pressure and the mixture flows into the cutting head.
Abrasives may further be found in the prior art mixed in with another substance such as a gel, e.g. as a colloidal or emulsified mixture.
A problem exists when attempting to use abrasive cutting systems underwater, especially at great depths. A supply system is typically located at the surface of the water and fluid, abrasives, or both are supplied via an umbilical. Prior art systems are unsuited for use at depths because of the air or other gas supply typically required to aspirate the mixture for use in cutting.

Subsea abrasive jet cutting system and method of use


An incandescent light bulb life extender circuit is designed to attach to the screw base of a conventional light bulb or incorporated in series with the AC powering the bulb. The circuit employs a bidirectional semiconductor switch that reduces the brightness of the bulb marginally while significantly extending the bulb's life. The values of the life extender are selected to operate with standard available light dimmers with no undesirable flicker or compromise of reasonable brightness control. A controller consists of the life extending circuit and a) an appropriate molded insulating housing, b) electrically conductive metallic discs for making electrical contacts to a light bulb base and corresponding socket and c) selected electronic components, connected to said discs, to facilitate the intended electrical performance.

The basic incandescent light bulb dimmer has existed as a commercial product for over 40 years (hereinafter lamp and light bulb are used interchangeably). The lamp dimmer became practical with the development of a class of semiconductor solid state switch devices known as thyristors that were introduced to the electronics markets in the early 1960's. Prior to that time, such dimmers consisted of rheostats, a form of variable power resistors.
Rheostats dimmed an incandescent lamp by transferring a selectable percentage of power from the lamp to the rheostat. Rheostat dimmers generated substantial heat, limiting their use. The use of thyristor dimmers generated dramatically less heat. These solid state devices provided efficient dimmers by rapidly switching power to a lamp on and off in a prescribed manner to efficiently dim the lamp. The solid state thyristor switch was fully on or off, generating little heat thereby improving efficiency. This sharp reduction in heat made possible the commercialization of popular wall-mounted lamp dimmers that are commonly found in homes.
Over the last 40 years, hundreds of patents have been issued on incandescent bulb dimmer circuits and their physical design characteristics. During that time, the basic and common circuit approach to lamp dimmers has continued to be a technique known as phase control. This technique is commonly found in controllers for lamps, heaters and motor speed controls (drills, saws, electric cars) and is well understood by those skilled in the art.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,896,334 ('334) illustrates the use of thyristors. This patent is incorporated herein by reference.
In known applications, a resistor and capacitor are connected in series to form a charging circuit for the capacitor. During each half cycle of the AC line voltage (the power source), the capacitor charges towards the line voltage. However, at a predetermined voltage, the capacitor discharges, triggering a triac into conduction, thereby turning on the lamp by applying the full AC line voltage to the lamp. The triac turns off, thereby turning off the lamp, on each half cycle when the AC voltage returns to about zero volts. The triac noted here is a known type of thyristor which exhibits bi-directional or bi-lateral switching characteristics. Such a triac is described in "The General Electric, SCR Manual" fifth edition. This manual is referred to as Reference 1.
This charge and discharge of the capacitor occurs each half cycle, with the capacitor being essentially reset at the end of each half cycle. The ratio of on to off of the triac and lamp, each half cycle, determines the average power delivered to the lamp and therefore sets the brightness (and the dimming) level. Persistence of vision associated with the human eye makes the switching on and off of the lamp each half cycle imperceptible. Such use of a phase control circuit to control lamp illumination is very well known and the principles of such circuits are described in many patents and in Reference 1.
In an adjustable lamp dimming device, the resistor portion of the charging circuit is typically a potentiometer, thereby allowing the user to vary the RC time constant involved and thereby the time to reach the capacitor discharge point. In a fixed illumination application, the triac or other thyristor type device turns on at a predetermined point, and the potentiometer can be replaced by a fixed resistor. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,836,814 and 4,547,704 describe use of such a fixed resistor value, and these patents are incorporated herein by reference.
In other applications, a resistor, capacitor, triac and a diac (another semiconductor switching device also described in Reference 1) form a dimming circuit. These devices can all be replaced by a single thyristor device called a sidac which, on each AC power half cycle, senses the amplitude of the AC line voltage and exhibits a controlled avalanche into full conduction (fully on). Avalanche is a well known term in the art. U.S. Pat. No. 4,980,607 describes such a design and is incorporated herein by reference. Teccor Div. of Littlefuse Corp., Thyristor Product Catalog and Application Notes, published in 2002, herein after Reference 2, describes the theory of operation of a sidac.
In known dimming circuits, particular resistors or potentiometers, capacitors, thyristos, diacs and their operating specifications are well known to those skilled in the art. In ordinary dimmers there is usually a mechanical on/off switch whereby the lamp is turned off regardless of the setting of the dimmer. Such a mechanical switch is not further discussed herein.
While conventional wall mounted lamp dimmers have become a commonplace, economical commodity, derivatives of this technology are now also being built into the lamp or the lamp fixture itself. Typically these built-in electronic devices perform as life-extending devices rather than as lamp dimmers since these electronic devices are not easily accessible.
Consequently in a given lamp application, there may be two circuits in series: one to extend lamp life (while minimally dimming the lamp), and a second circuit that provides a range of brightness control (dimming). In such a situation undesirable interaction, instability and other anomalous operations can occur due to these two circuits. Typically, flicker, erratic, and non-linear dimming occurs. For example, if a light bulb has a built in (via its socket or cord) switching circuit meant to extend the bulb life and an external dimmer circuit (like a wall mounted dimmer), the dimmer circuit, rather than seeing a low resistance charging path of the bulb filament only, will see an off switch, e.g. an off thyristor. An off thyristor might exhibit an equivalent resistance of over several megohms. In such a condition, the timing capacitor in the wall-mounted dimmer may take more than a few AC line half cycles to charge, thereby upsetting the normal discharge/reset mechanism in the dimmer. Dimmer mechanisms are intended to switch on allowing portions of each AC line half cycle to reach the bulb filament. Such disruption of the normal discharge/charge mechanism can result erratic light behavior, like visible flickering and diminished range of dimming control.
In the commonly used dimmer circuits described above, a capacitor charges through a resistor and the low resistance lamp filament. However, in the above mentioned case where a wall-mounted dimmer and a life extending semi-conductor device are combined in series with the bulb filament, the capacitor will not charge in the normal fashion. The off life extending semiconductor will cause erratic operation of the combination.
It is an objective of this invention to minimize such undesirable effects as described above, thereby providing compatibility between life extending devices and ordinary light dimmers whenever they are used together.

Incandescent light power controller with predetermined off-state impedance


A capacity layer is formed of non-doped polysilicon. Unlike capacity layers formed of an oxide film, generation of seams and the like can be suppressed and thereby a stable capacity layer can be formed. Moreover, polysilicon used as a capacity layer may be doped polysilicon, and an oxide film formed on the surface of the polysilicon also serves as a capacity film. Thus, provision of an insulated gate device featuring low capacity is made possible.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an insulated gate semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same. More specifically, the present invention relates to an insulated gate semiconductor device with a trench structure for reducing a gate-drain capacity and to a method of manufacturing the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of an insulated gate semiconductor device with a conventional trench structure. By way of example, this drawing shows an n-channel type MOSFET.
A channel layer 24 is provided on the surface of a drain region 22 which is provided on a semiconductor substrate 21. Trenches 27 are then formed in such a way that they penetrate through the channel layer 24. The inner walls of the trenches 27 are covered with a gate oxide film 31, and gate electrodes 33 are embedded therein. Source regions 35 and body regions 34 are formed on the surface of the channel layer 24 to form a source electrode 38. This technology is described for instance in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. Hei 11-67787.
Moreover, an approach has been made to form a thick oxide film on the bottom of a trench in order to reduce a capacity in an insulated gate semiconductor device with such a trench structure.
FIG. 16 shows an example of a technology for making the oxide film formed on the bottom of a trench thicker than the oxide film formed on the side walls of the trench.
Nitride films are provided on the inner walls of trenches TR 21 provided in substrates 56 and 57. The nitride film formed on the bottom of each trench is then removed while remaining nitride films NL41 and NL42 formed on the side walls of the trench intact (FIG. 16A). Thereafter, an oxide film OL52 is selectively allowed to grow on the bottom of each trench where the substrate is exposed (FIG. 16B). The nitride films NL41 and NL42 formed on the side walls of each trench are removed, and gate oxide films GL61 and GL62 are then formed on the side walls of each trench (FIG. 16C). This technology is described for instance in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-158268.
In addition, FIG. 17 shows an example of a technology for forming a thick oxide film on the bottom of a trench by CVD method.
After forming trenches 107 on a substrate 101, the trenches 107 are completely filled with an oxide film by CVD method. A part of the oxide film is then removed by dry etching or wet etching. In this way an embedded oxide film 110 with a thickness of, for example, about 2,000 Å is formed on the bottom of each trench 107. Thereafter, a gate oxide film 111 with a thickness depending on a drive voltage is formed on the inner wall of each trench 107. Thus, the thin gate oxide film 111 is formed on the side walls of each trench 107 to come in contact with a channel layer 104, and the thick, embedded oxide film 110 is formed on the bottom of each trench 107. This technology is described for instance in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-274397.
In insulated gate semiconductor devices with a trench structure as represented by MOSFETs, extremely thin insulating films are formed on the inner wall of trenches as the capabilities of such devices expand. Meanwhile, an input capacity Ciss, an output capacity Coss and a return capacity Crss are of importance for MOSFETs and, therefore, it is imperative that they are reduced in order to increase device characteristics.
In particular, a gate-drain capacity Cgd is responsible for the input capacity Ciss, the output capacity Coss and the return capacity Crss. In MOSFETs with a trench structure, the gate-drain capacity Cgd is the capacity of the bottom of a trench. For this reason, an approach has been made to form, by means of an enhanced oxidation or a selective oxidation as described above, a thick oxide film only on the bottom of trenches while providing the side walls of the trenches with a thin oxide film.
However, the technology shown in FIG. 16 requires a process for forming nitride films, a process for removing only a nitride film provided on the bottom of trenches, a selective oxidation process, a process for removing a nitride film provided on the side walls of trenches and a processe for forming a gate oxide film. Thus, there have been problems, for example, that the number of processes is increased and the processes become complicated.
Meanwhile, when oxide films are intended to be embedded in trenches by CVD method or the like as shown in FIG. 17, a hollow space called void or seam is likely to be formed in the oxide films embedded in the trenches. The generation of voids and seams is attributed to the formation of growing seeds on the side walls of trenches in a CVD process. In this case, if there is a portion on the side walls where the seeds grow at a higher rate, an oxide film formed at the portion closes the trench and thereby voids are generated in the oxide film below the portion. In addition, even when voids are not generated, seams are likely to be generated because the oxide films growing from the side walls of a trench are connected at the center of the trench. An etchant penetrates the oxide film through voids and seams and causes the occurrence of abnormal formation, causing a problem that devices are not stably formed.
Furthermore, the following method is also known: forming a thick oxide film only on the bottom of a trench by an enhanced oxidation of a semiconductor layer in which an impurity concentration is selectively increased. However, since this method cannot provide an increased amount of oxide films, it is less effective than the methods for embedding insulating films such as oxide films in trenches.

Insulated gate semiconductor device and manufacturing method of the same


An image processing apparatus having an image selecting function, includes: an evaluation device that takes in a plurality of sets of image data of a subject obtained through image-capturing and performs acceptability evaluation on each of the plurality of sets of image data; and an acceptability selection device that selects image data ranked high in the acceptability evaluation among the plurality of sets of image data having undergone the acceptability evaluation performed at the evaluation device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus for selecting image data obtained in a good photographing state and image data achieving a good image quality for storage, and a recording medium having a program recorded therein.
2. Description of the Related Art
Normally, blurring occurring due to unsteady hands tends to occur when taking pictures by holding the camera by hand. When such blurring resulting from camera vibration by hand tremble, the photographic field is moving during exposure, which results in a photographed image that is, on the whole, blurry. In such a blurry image, fine details become lost over the entire image plane, and edges that should be clearly defined become dull. Thus, the resulting image is entirely unsatisfactory.
To provide a solution to problems caused by such camera vibration there are cameras having a camera vibration correction mechanism in the known art. FIG. 25 illustrates a camera of this type, having a camera vibration correction mechanism. In FIG. 25, a taking lens 92 is mounted at the front surface of a camera 91. Inside the lens barrel of the taking lens 92, a camera vibration correction optical system 93 is rotatably provided.
The rotations of two shafts of two coreless motors 94 and 95 are communicated to the camera vibration correction optical system 93, to cause it to vibrate in the vertical and horizontal directions. In addition, a camera vibration quantity detection sensor 96 that detects the quantity of camera vibration in the horizontal direction and a camera vibration quantity detection sensor 97 that detects the quantity of camera vibration in the vertical direction are provided in the camera 91. In the camera 91 structured as described above, the vibration of the main body of the camera 91 is detected by the camera vibration quantity detection sensors 96 and 97. The camera 91 drives the coreless motors 94 and 95 in the directions opposite from the directions of the detected vibration to cause the optical axis of the camera vibration correction optical system 93 to vibrate. As a result, the vibration of the photographing optical axis is canceled out so that a good photograph with the camera vibration corrected is taken.
However, there is a problem in the example of the prior art described above in that the camera vibration correction optical system 93 must be provided in the taking lens 92 which becomes, therefore, large and heavy. In addition, since only camera vibration is corrected in this example of the prior art, any degradation in image quality caused by the blurring of a moving subject or by poor focus cannot be prevented.

Image processing apparatus having image selection function, and recording medium having image selection function program


A III-nitride semiconductor device which includes a charged floating gate electrode.

A conventional IQ-nitride heterojunction power semiconductor device includes one III-nitride semiconductor body of one band gap disposed over another III-nitride semiconductor body of another band gap to form a two dimensional electron gas that serves as a conduction channel between the power electrodes of the device. III-nitride heterojunction power semiconductor devices are commercially desirable because of their high band gap and high current carrying capabilities. However, a typical III-nitride power semiconductor device is normally ON. Generally speaking, a normally ON power semiconductor device is less desirable in that it requires additional circuitry to keep its channel open in order to render the same OFF.
It is, therefore, desirable to have a normally off III-nitride power semiconductor device.
Moreover, even in normally ON devices, it may be desirable to set/program the threshold voltage of the device.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Programmable gate III-nitride power transistor


In a network for reliable transfer of packets from a transmitter to a receiver using an Internet Protocol (IP), a system for packet recovery comprising a detection block (detector) for packet loss detection and a probe device (probe) for Forward Error Correction (FEC) packets transmission, wherein the detector includes means for sending a missing packet report to the probe upon detecting a missing packet, wherein the probe includes means for storing received packets, sending FEC packets and adapting a size of the FEC packets to an error rate computed from the missing packet reports, wherein the size of FEC packets is made larger or smaller responsive to the error rate increasing or decreasing, respectively, and wherein the probe is located close to the transmitter for reliable packets reception and the detector is located close to the receiver for reliably detecting loss of packets in a receiver's surroundings.

Standard ProMpeg or SMPTE2022-1 forward error correction (FEC) calls for the use of a constant predefined dimension matrix to be sent between a sender and recipients (see FIG. 1). A predefined matrix cannot respond to changes in the network. An adaptive approach, where the recipients signals to the sender on errors, can give the sender an option to modify matrix dimension to better handle the current and the next failures.
FIG. 1 (Prior art) shows a transmitter which sends an original media stream and calculates the Row/Column FEC packets (in accordance with ProMpeg FEC or SMPTE2022-1, for example). At another end of the channel, a Receiver attempts to recover any missing packet by using the Row, Column FEC packets. The Row and column FEC packets are sent all the time using special, dedicated UDP ports. The Row and column length is static (e.g. its dimensions are set once and remain the same length for a long duration).
In FIG. 1, transmitter 11 sends serially transmitted packets 123, including data (D1, D2, D3 . . . ) and FEC (R1 . . . ) packets, over a network 12 to a receiver 13.
Data in 111 stream is formed into data to be transmitted 112, in matrix form. A FEC encoder 113 processes the data to generate, for example, a FEC packet R1 114. The data and FEC packets are transmitted through a stack 115. After being transferred through the network 2, serially received packets 124 arrive at receiver 13, with an exemplary lost data packet (D2). In receiver 13, the packets are received in a stack 135, and from there are transferred to a data buffer 136. A received FEC packet R1 134 is transferred to a FEC decoder 133, wherein a recovered D2 packet 137 is generated. The data out, received packets 138 include the lost packet D2, along with the rest of the packets.
A standard media delivery system comprises transmitter 11 and receiver 13 devices; media stream is transmitted using a Real Time
Protocol (RTP) from the transmitter to the receiver. The referenced prior art system does not include built-in support for packet retransmission, as is performed with Data delivery protocols such as TCP.
Embodiments of the present invention improve the efficiency of NEC processing using an adaptive system and method.

Adaptive forward error correction (FEC) system and method


An X-ray mask is integrated with a micro-actuator. The X-ray mask includes a mask portion, a mask holder portion, at least one elasticized supporter and a micro-actuator unit. The mask portion has a thin shuttle mass and an X-ray absorber attached on the shuttle mass. The mask holder portion is formed around the mask portion with a predetermined distance maintained therebetween. The elasticized supporter connects the mask portion and the mask holder portion elastically. The micro-actuator unit is prepared between the mask portion and the mask holder portion to precisely control a position of the mask portion when a voltage is applied.

The present invention relates to an X-ray mask for use in an X-ray LIGA process; and, more particularly, to an X-ray mask with a micro-actuator for precisely controlling a position of the X-ray mask to generate a three-dimensional microstructure.
In recent years, an X-ray LIGA technology by an X-ray mask is widely employed to fabricate a three-dimensional microstructure.
The term xe2x80x98LIGAxe2x80x99is an acronym of German words Lithographie, Galvanoformung and Abformung which imply lithography, electroplating and molding, respectively. Therefore, the X-ray LIGA refers to a micro-fabrication technology for forming a microstructure through an X-ray lithography process, an electroplating process and a molding process.
By using the X-ray LIGA technology, a microstructure of vertical side wall with a height ranging from tens of xcexcm to several cm can be obtained. Since the roughness of the microstructure of vertical side wall is hundreds of xc3x85, the microstructure fabricated by the X-ray LIGA process is highly precise.
The X-ray mask is a device for selectively eradiating the X-ray during the X-ray lithography process. The X-ray mask is located between a photoresist film and an X-ray source.
Referring to FIG. 1, there is provided a schematic front view of a conventional X-ray mask. The conventional X-ray mask includes a thin silicon/silicon nitride membrane 1 and an Au X-ray absorber 2 formed on the membrane 1. The X-ray permeates the silicon/silicon nitride membrane 1 without experiencing any energy loss but cannot pass through a region wherein the X-ray absorber 2 is prepared. Accordingly, the shape of the X-ray absorber 2 is transferred to a PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate) substrate or the photoresist film (not shown). The membrane 1 is supported by a mask holder 3. Above the X-ray mask is located the X-ray source (not shown) while beneath the X-ray mask is prepared the PMMA substrate or the photoresist film to be exposed to the X-ray.
Though the conventional X-ray mask as described above shows a great efficiency in fabricating a simple microstructure having a vertical sidewall, a three-dimensional microstructure with a non-vertical sidewall may not be easily fabricated by using the conventional X-ray mask. In order to obtain various three-dimensional microstructure by using the conventional X-ray mask, the X-ray mask or the PMMA substrate should be circularly or horizontally moved relative to the X-ray source. Accordingly, an additional precision equipment is required and, thus, the volume and the cost of the X-ray mask may not be reduced below a certain level.
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an X-ray mask incorporating therein a micro-actuator capable of directly operating the X-ray mask.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an X-ray mask with a micro-actuator including:
a mask portion including a thin shuttle mass and an X-ray absorber attached on the shuttle mass;
a mask holder portion formed around the mask portion with a predetermined distance maintained therebetween;
at least one elasticized supporter for elastically connecting the mask portion and the mask holder portion; and
a micro-actuator unit prepared between the mask portion and the mask holder portion for precisely controlling a position of the mask portion when a voltage is applied.


This application relates to an interest recommendation method, a computer device, and a storage medium. The method includes: obtaining feature information of a target user; predicting interest similarities between the target user and a user group according to the feature information by using an interest similarity prediction model, the interest similarity prediction model being implemented according to an interest similarity between each pair of users in a sample set of historical records of users based on a hybrid tree-encoded linear model algorithm, the hybrid tree-encoded linear model algorithm being implemented based on a tree model and a linear model; determining, according to the interest similarities, recommended users in the user group having interests similar to those of the target user; and obtaining an interest list of the recommended users, and creating a recommendation list for the target user according to the interest list.

Interest recommendation such as video recommendation has become an indispensable part of an online video service. Existing video recommendation algorithms are mainly classified into non-personalized recommendation algorithms and personalized recommendation algorithms. Referring to FIG. 1, data used in the algorithms mainly includes information such as a portrait or profiling of a user, video viewing records of the user, and attributes of a video. The non-personalized recommendation algorithms include a popularity-based video recommendation algorithm and artificial statistical information-based user grouping in cooperation with popularity-based video recommendation. Personalized recommendation mainly includes related recommendation based on a video currently viewed by a user and personalized recommendation based on historical preferences (that is, historical viewing records) of a user. For the personalized recommendation, the related recommendation is a method based on an association rule (AR); and the personalized recommendation based on historical preferences includes collaborative filtering (CF) recommendation and content-based (CB) recommendation.
Currently, popular video recommendation algorithms include CB recommendation, CF recommendation, and social recommendation. A common disadvantage of these algorithms is that conventional video recommendation algorithms usually cannot solve the cold-start problem and the data sparsity problem, that is, if the user does not have sufficient viewing records, these algorithms may not satisfy user's requirement.
With regard to CF recommendation and CB recommendation, historical viewing behavioral data of a user needs to be used, for a new user or a user with less behaviors, the methods cannot be used or have poor performance. The problems affect user experience, and further, affect user stickiness and long-term development of video services.
A conventional method for resolving cold-start problem is to cluster users, for example, to search for users that are of similar age, that are same gender, that are in geographical proximity, or that are in a same community.

Interest recommendation method, computer device, and storage medium

Tencent Technology (Shenzhen) Company Limited


A water phantom is described, having a detector that is positionable in a container filled with water for measuring an ionizing radiation. The water phantom has at least one sensor for ascertaining an orientation of a positioning device, relative to a water surface. The orientation determination is based either on distances relative to the water surface that are measured by spacing sensors or, on inclinations, each measured by a gravity-sensitive inclination sensor.

The human body is predominantly comprised of water. The water phantom is especially well suited for determining the effect of the radiation on the human body. A water phantom may measure the radiation penetrating a container filled with water. The radiation may be measured by a detector or an array of individual detectors that can be positioned inside the water in various measurement positions by a positioning device.
The local ionization of the water caused by radiation can be measured, and a conclusion can be drawn about the applicable local energy input of the radiation to the water. By positioning the detector in various measurement positions along the radiation direction, a radiation profile of the penetration depth may be determined. By positioning the detector in various measurement positions on a straight line perpendicular to the radiation direction, the radiation profile transverse to the propagation direction may be determined. The radiation profiles and other parameters that characterize the radiation may hereinafter be referred to by the general term radiation "parameters".
The radiation parameters are ascertained at regular time intervals, typically once a day. The radiation parameters are compared with set-point values in order to assure constant quality of the radiation dose and, if needed, to recalibrate the radiation source. Often, comprehensive regular monitoring of the radiation parameters is prescribed by law. Monitoring operations can take from half a day to several days to complete.
Depending on the radiation source used, the radiation strikes the water phantom in either a horizontal or vertically downward-oriented direction. Water phantoms usually have a container, open at the top, for the water. In the case of a vertically downward-oriented radiation direction, the radiation penetrates the water directly from above. In that case, the penetration depth of the radiation into the water is determined by the spacing of the detector from the water surface. This spacing must therefore be known as accurately as possible to avoid errors in measurement of the radiation parameters, and especially of the radiation profile as a function of the penetration depth. For a horizontal radiation direction, the radiation first penetrates the outer wall of the container before penetrating the water in the container. The influence of the outer wall on the radiation is taken into account in ascertaining the radiation parameters. If the water level is too low, there is a possibility that, with radiation extending close to the water surface, scattering of the radiation will occur at the water surface. Scattering may cause the radiation parameters to be incorrectly ascertained. The positioning device must also be oriented relative to the radiation direction, so that the radiation parameters can be spatially associated as accurately as possible with the radiation.
Prior to measuring the radiation, the positioning device is oriented with respect to the water surface, to make it possible to use spacing, or distance, of the detector from the water surface into account in ascertaining the radiation parameters. Typically, the container of the water phantom is block-shaped, and, with the aid of the positioning device, the detector can be moved to the various measurement positions. The motion is substantially horizontal in two directions of motion perpendicular to one another along the lower edges of the container, and substantially vertically in a further direction of motion along the sides of the container. When the positioning device is oriented such that the two essentially horizontal directions of motion are exactly horizontal and thus parallel to the water surface or, alternatively, the vertical direction of motion is exactly plumb and hence perpendicular to the water surface, then, by determining the distance of the detector from the water surface at an arbitrary measurement position, the distance of the detector from the water surface at any other measurement position is also ascertainable. With a horizontal radiation direction, the radiation extends parallel to the water surface, while with a vertical radiation direction the radiation extends perpendicular to the water surface. Because of the orientation of the positioning device with respect to the water surface, the positioning device is also oriented relative to the radiation direction.
Frequently, the positioning device is solidly connected to the container, and the three directions of motion extend precisely parallel to the edges of the container. The container, together with the positioning device, is tiltably supported about two horizontal axes. The positioning device can be oriented relative to the water surface, using at least two measuring scales located vertically on the sidewalls, for ascertaining the water level. When the water level is being read off from one of the measuring scales, an error in measurement can easily occur, for instance from parallax that is dependent on the viewing angle or from a meniscus that the water forms with respect to the side walls of the container. The container is supported on feet that can be adjusted in height by means of a screw thread. Water phantoms are also known whose orientation is adjustable by the user, such as with electric motors.
In a water phantom product known as "Blue Phantom," made by Scanditronix Wellhöfer GmbH (Schwarzenbruck, Germany), the water level may be measured by a spacing sensor, located above the water surface in a corner of the container. The spacing sensor uses an echo pulse principle. For the "Blue Phantom" water phantom, a water reservoir communicates with the container via a supply line, and a water pump is regulated as a function of the water level ascertained by the spacing sensor, such that the water maintains an intended level despite any possible evaporation of the water. Adjusting screws provide for manual orientation of the positioning device relative to the container.
The orientation of a positioning device with respect to the water surface is complex. There is the risk that the orientation will be done imprecisely, causing the radiation parameters to be ascertained incorrectly. Ascertaining and adjusting the orientation of the positioning device by the user is time-consuming. The time required for this adjustment reduces the time available for the diagnostic or therapeutic use of the particular radiation source.

Phantom for measuring ionizing radiation


An embodiment directed to a method is associated with a VPN that may be used to access resource servers. Upon determining that the VPN has been accessed by a specified client, resource servers are identified, which each has an address and may receive traffic routed from the client through the VPN. The method further comprises sending a message corresponding to each identified resource server to the client, wherein the message to corresponding to a given one of the identified resources is intended to cause a response to be sent from the client to the address of the given identified resource server. Responses to respective messages sent to the client are used to determine whether a route for traffic from the client to the VPN has been compromised.

1. Field
The invention disclosed and claimed herein is generally directed to a method and system for detecting malicious or other unwanted circumvention of a virtual private network (VPN).
2. Description of the Related Art
In the current work environment employees of an enterprise or other organization often need to connect to vital enterprise resources while they are not in a traditional office environment. Instead, they may have to connect from home, from a hotel room, from a customer location, or from a mobile device while traveling, by way of example. As these resources are typically protected by firewall the access is often realized through the use of a virtual private network (VPN) that allows the employee to securely access the resources from his client device (e.g., laptop, tablet, phone, and the like). VPN, as is known by those of skill in the art, is a private network which is extended across a public network, such as the Internet. Thus, a client device can send and receive data across the public network, as though the client device was directly connected to the enterprise network.
Various authentication and encryption methods are used to control who can establish a VPN connection, and are also used to protect the data that is exchanged over the VPN connection. The VPN plays a role of protecting resources from external attacks, by adding an additional layer of defense that needs to be circumvented before the resources can be accessed. The VPN has a further role of protecting against wiretapping, as data is transferred to and from a client.
After establishing the VPN connection, the employee can often access all enterprise resources with connectivity similar to the connectivity available while in an enterprise location. This access is typically achieved by installing various "IP routes" on the client device that direct the traffic which is intended for an enterprise server through the VPN. Traffic for third parties which are not enterprise controlled servers (e.g. traffic to a publicly accessible information website) may either flow directly from the client device to the third party server, or may in certain configurations also be routed through the enterprise VPN servers.
A problem of existing technology is that it does not protect against maliciously created routes that may disrupt or intercept the intended traffic flow patterns. By using various technologies (e.g., additional routes or specifically crafted IP address assignments distributed by a malicious WiFi hotspot) an attacker can intercept and manipulate traffic that is intended to be sent to the enterprise using the VPN. If the attacker can gain access to another VPN account (e.g., through a malicious or careless insider) the obtained access can be used to intercept communication from a privileged user (e.g. a system administrator or high-level employee) without being noticed, such as by using VPN credentials obtained from an unprivileged enterprise account.

Detecting malicious circumvention of virtual private network

International Business Machines Corporation


A sweeping device effectively sweeps snow and the like from variously constructed stairs. The device comprises a handle and wedge-shaped sweeping element or block. The sweeping element is preferably constructed from semi-rigid material and comprises a top side, a bottom side, a back side, a front side, and opposed lateral sides. The top and bottom sides are rectangular and parallel, while the lateral sides are quadrangular thereby defining opposed, anterior and posterior matter-sweeping surfaces. A lower end of the handle is threadably attached to the sweeping block or element for enabling a user to sweep matter such as lightly accumulated snow from stairs via the matter-sweeping surfaces.

1. Field of the Invention
The disclosed invention generally relates to an apparatus for sweeping matter from surfaces. More particularly, the disclosed invention relates to an apparatus for sweeping snow and similar other matter from stairs having varied construction.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
Sweeping devices are well known in the arts. A common sweeping device is typified by a broom or duster comprising stiff fibers attached to, and roughly parallel to, a cylindrical handle, the broomstick. Less common are sweeping devices or matter-moving devices formed from a head of uniform construction attached to a handle or broomstick for sweeping or pushing matter (as opposed to lifting matter). Some of the more pertinent prior art disclosures relating to sweeping devices for sweeping snow or similar other matter are briefly described hereinafter.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,735,129 ('129 patent), which issued to Lorenz, discloses a Sponge Rubber Broom. The '129 patent teaches a sponge rubber broom comprising a body and handle, a socket in the body for the handle, a relatively stiff yet flexible reinforcing element integral with the socket, said reinforcing element tapering downwardly and tapering outwardly from it central portion, and elongated unitary sponge rubber main body portion fixed thereto and completing enclosing the reinforcing element, the sponge rubber body portion having straight parallel sides, downwardly and outwardly sloping ends, and a beveled bottom surface, an integral skin partially enclosing the sides and the entire area of the bottom surface of the sponge rubber body portion, said integral skin being cut away adjacent the lower periphery of the broom portion, said cut away portion exposing the inner porous sponge rubber body for better collection and absorption of foreign materials.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,597,204 ('204 patent), which issued to Heiden, discloses a Snow Pusher with Adjustable Handle. The '204 patent teaches a manual snow pusher comprising a resilient rubber blade connected along the base of a hood-like snow diverting member of galvanized metal plate. An elongate handle is pivotally attached to a latch plate at the back of the snow diverting member, allowing the angle of the handle relative to the length of the blade to be adjusted. The handle has a spring loaded pin which can be engaged in any one of a series of holes formed around the arcuate periphery of the latch plate in order to releasably secure the handle in a selected angular position.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,309,654 ('654 patent), which issued to Mathis, discloses a Snow and Ice Broom. The '654 patent teaches a new and improved combined snow pusher, ice chopper, and broom apparatus for clearing a surface includes a handle which is supported by a support and which projects upward from the top of the support at a first acute angle with respect to the support. Bristles are supported by the support, and the bristles project downward from the bottom of the support by a first distance. A panel element is supported by the support at the front of the support. The panel element is connected directly to the support, and the bottom end of the panel element projects downward past the bottom of the support by a second distance. The second distance is less than the first distance, whereby the portion of the panel element which extends below the support element protects the interface between the bristles and the support, whereby the panel element does not contact the surface to be cleared. The bottom end of the panel element includes a sharp lower edge. In a first mode of operation, the bristles are placed on the surface to be cleared, the panel element is used to push material out of a path on the surface, and the bristles are used to sweep material out of the path on the surface. In a second mode of operation, the apparatus is rotated 180 degrees, and the sharp edge of the panel element is placed on the surface to be cleared. In this mode, the apparatus can be used for chopping ice.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,038,794 ('794 patent), which issued to Kilander, discloses a Combined Broom and Rake. The '794 patent teaches a snow broom comprising a scraper element and multiple sweeping elements positioned on opposite sides thereof. The scraper element is in the preferred form of a sheet of relatively stiff plastic and includes serrations formed on its lower edge. The lower edge of the scraper element is divided into a plurality of tines by cuts extending from the lower edge. The inner sweeping elements positioned adjacent to and on opposite sides of the scraper element are formed from a sheet of foamed plastic of a flexibility to conform to the surface being swept and having a lower edge parallel to and spaced slightly above the lower edge of the scraper element. The outer sweeping elements are formed from a sheet of extruded plastic to which snow does not have an affinity to stick. In addition to providing a sweeping function, the outer sweeping elements provide protection and stiffening for the inner sweeping elements. The scraper and sweeping elements are attached together in a stacked arrangement and are secured to a handle by a shroud, with the handle extending at a non-perpendicular angle to the lower edges of the scraper and sweeping elements.


An ignition source system for an exothermic reaction mold device for welding conductors. The system includes a crucible in a block with an open top so that the crucible receives an exothermic weld material. The conductors to be welded exothermically are placed in the weld cavity of the mold. A lid covers the open top wherein the lid has an opening therethrough. An electronic thermal igniter assembly has an ignition component receivable through the opening in the lid so that the exothermic weld material may be ignited by the electronic thermal igniter assembly. The igniter plug rests on top of the lid and the ignition body is retained in a recess within the igniter plug.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an alternative ignition source system for an exothermic reaction weld mold device. In particular, the present invention is directed to an exothermic reaction weld mold device wherein alternate sources of ignition may be chosen and utilized for initiating an exothermic reaction for joining connectors.
2. Prior Art
The use of exothermic reaction welding is known for joining connectors to each other and also for joining other metal parts, such as ground rods.
A reusable mold contains an internal crucible in which an exothermic weld metal is placed. When the exothermic weld metal is ignited, an exothermic reaction results in the crucible. The weld metal liquefies and the molten material flows into a weld cavity in the mold.
The exothermic reaction process is initiated by an ignition which may occur from various sources. A spark or ignition gun, sometimes referred to as a flint ignitor, is often used to start the exothermic reaction which takes place extremely quickly once ignited. One example of a mold ignited by a flint ignitor is shown in Assignee's U.S. Pat. No. 6,776,386 entitled LID FOR EXOTHERMIC REACTION WELDING MOLD.
Alternatively, an electric ignition element having high resistance may be used to start the exothermic weld reaction. An electrical ignition system is advantageous in some cases since it may be initiated from a greater distance away from the mold itself.
Examples of prior exothermic molds that incorporate electrical ignition include Brosnan et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,889,324) which disclose exothermic welding with an ignition system having a pair of leads to connect to an ignition fuse or hot wire.
Another example is shown in Harger et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 6,994,244) which discloses an exothermic welding assembly including an electrical igniter which is embedded in the exothermic weld material.
Assignee's U.S. Pat. No. 7,240,717 discloses an electrical ignition source including an igniter element suspended above the lid of the mold device outside of the crucible.
The exothermic reaction weld is often times made in the field in remote locations and in all types of conditions. Accordingly, it is desirable to have a choice of ignition sources. Additionally, the weld may be made in confined spaces, such as an open trench, wherein a ground wire is being installed or a cable is being joined.
If electrical ignition tools are not present at the site, it would be desirable to have an alternate source to ignite the exothermic weld reaction. Alternatively, if spark ignition materials are not available at the site, it would be desirable to have an alternate source to initiate the exothermic reaction welding.
Accordingly, it is a principal object and purpose of the present invention to provide an alternate source exothermic reaction weld mold device.
It is a further object and purpose of the present invention to provide an exothermic reaction weld device that will accommodate various types of ignition systems.
It is a further object and purpose of the present invention to provide an ignition source system that may be used with a wide variety of existing molds and mold designs.
It is a further object and purpose of the present invention to provide an electronic thermal igniter assembly having an ignition body receivable through an opening in a lid of a mold wherein the ignition body is retained in an igniter plug.

Ignition source system for an exothermic reaction mold device


This disclosure provides a method and apparatus for connecting insulated wires to electrical components. More specifically, an apparatus that includes a wire guide designed to assist with the alignment of wires prior to termination of the wires to electrical components is disclosed. In an embodiment, the wire guide includes a body portion and a latching portion. The body portion includes at least one wire opening and is configured to mechanically secure one or more insulated wires in a desirable position. The latching portion is configured to secure the wire guide to a corresponding device such as an insulation displacement contact connector. A wire guide allows for insulated wires to be quickly and reliably positioned and secured relative to one another in order to safely and efficiently electrically and mechanically connect each insulated wire to a corresponding electrical component.

The following description is provided to assist the understanding of the reader. None of the information provided or references cited are admitted to be prior art.
Various types of connectors are used for forming connections between an insulated wire and any manner of electronic or electrical component. These connectors are typically available as sockets, plugs, and shrouded headers in a vast range of sizes, pitches, and plating options. Traditionally, for a user to mechanically and electrically connect one or more wires to another electrical component such as an insulation displacement contact (IDC) connector the user must handle the one or more wires simultaneously in order to ensure all of the wires are correctly positioned before terminating the one or more wires. This process can be tedious, inefficient, and undesirable. Moreover, a wire-to-component connection that may fall apart or short out unexpectedly due to incorrect placement during assembly could be hazardous or expensive, especially when connecting the wires to an expensive component (e.g., a printed circuit board (PCB)). Thus, a quick, efficient, and reliable means of positioning a variety of sizes of wires in a variety of applications is needed.

Wire guide for insulation displacement contact (IDC)


The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for providing instructional content on a mobile device. In the example embodiment, the instructional content can be stored on the mobile device or it can be downloaded from a remote server. The mobile device provides the user with a list of instructional topics. After selecting a topic, the user is provided with step-by-step instructions designed to assist the user to accomplish a particular task. As the user performs each step, feedback is provided by the mobile device to help facilitate the successful completion of the task.

Wireless communication devices have become commonplace in society. The complexity of these devices has increased and many of the device's sophisticated features remain unused due to either the user being unaware that the features exist or the user simply not knowing how to use them.
Historically, the primary method used to learn about a device is by using a user's guide printed on paper. Paper user's guides are often bulky and can be expensive to produce and distribute. User's guides can also become obsolete if the software in the device is updated. Instructions regarding how to use a device are often provided in the user's guide in the form of a static list of steps to follow in order to accomplish a particular task. The user must keep track of the step they are on and which steps they have already performed. The user must also keep the user's guide available or memorize the instructions for future use. User's guides do not provide feedback to the user to confirm that the user has actually performed the step indicated. If the user makes a mistake, they may not realize it until they have completed all of the steps and the expected result is not obtained.

Method and apparatus for providing instructional content on a mobile device


A transmission shaft of a countershaft-type manual transmission is constructed from a plurality of hollow shaft portions which are butt press welded to one another, at least two of which hollow shaft portions are provided in each instance with at least one helical toothing of a fixed wheel of a spur gear stage. The hollow shaft portions provided with a helical toothing are connected to the respective adjacent hollow shaft portion in each instance so as to be rotated by a correction angle (Δα) around their center axis in proportion to a deviation (Δx) from their axial target position, wherein the ratio between the correction angle (Δα) and the axial deviation (Δx) corresponds to the pitch (s) of the helical toothing (Δα/Δx=s).

Transmission shafts of countershaft-type manual transmissions such as input shafts, countershafts, main shafts or output shafts are usually constructed as massive solid shafts. The fixed wheels of spur gear stages such as input constants, switchable transmission gear stages or output constants which are arranged on these transmission shafts are often produced as separate component parts which are pressed onto the transmission shaft at correspondingly constructed bearing seats and are preferably additionally secured by positive engagement, for example, by pinning, against axial movement. However, it is also known that the teeth of fixed wheels can be incorporated in corresponding annular strips of the transmission shaft through suitable machining processes such as rolling or milling. In this case, the fixed wheels are integrally connected to the respective transmission shaft. However, a disadvantage in solid transmission shafts of this kind consists in their large mass, which increases the weight of the manual transmission in question, and in the resulting high mass moment of inertia, so that the respective transmission shaft must be retarded or accelerated against the resistance of this high mass moment of inertia during a shift-dependent synchronizing of the target gear insofar as this transmission shaft is an input shaft or countershaft. Further, the increased use of material increases costs.
To avoid these disadvantages, it has been suggested to construct transmission shafts as hollow shafts without compromising strength. These are known as assembled transmission shafts and are constructed from a plurality of hollow shaft portions which are connected to one another by frictional engagement, positive engagement or bonding.
A corresponding transmission shaft comprising three hollow shaft portions is described in DE 10 2005 036 681 A1. The hollow shaft portions which are preferably produced by massive forming are joined together by laser welding or by spin welding at abutted annular surfaces. The axially outer hollow shaft portions have been closed at their free ends by swaging. The fixed wheels arranged on the transmission shaft are produced as separate component parts and are pressed on associated bearing seats of the relevant hollow shaft portions.
A method for the production of a hollow transmission shaft and a hollow transmission shaft produced according to this method are known from DE 10 2006 016 099 B4. The hollow transmission shaft is built of a plurality of axially successive hollow shaft portions, at least two of which hollow shaft portions are provided, respectively, with a toothing of a fixed wheel arranged on the hollow transmission shaft. The hollow shaft portions are connected to one another at abutted annular surfaces by spin welding. The teeth of the relevant hollow shaft portions have been finish-machined before being joined. The hollow shaft portions are joined together with high precision with respect to their circumferential target angular position and their radial and axial offset. However, DE 10 2006 016 099 B4 does not specifically show how this is to be achieved.
DE 10 2008 064 267 A1 describes a transmission shaft which is constructed as a hollow shaft and which likewise comprises a plurality of hollow shaft portions and a method for producing it. For centering relative to one another, the hollow shaft portions have plug-in contours at the ends facing one another. These plug-in contours engage coaxially one inside the other and have a plurality of conically inclined friction contact surfaces which are offset in a steplike manner for connecting the hollow shaft portions by spin welding. Further, the hollow shaft portions have annular radial stop surfaces at the edge of the plug-in contours for axial alignment of the hollow shaft portions. The hollow shaft portions can be connected to one another with high radial and axial precision through the shape of the plug-in contours, but an elaborate mechanical machining of the hollow shaft portions is required for producing the plug-in contours with the friction surfaces and stop surfaces. Further, the arrangement of the plug-in contours requires an unfavorably large thickness of the hollow shaft portions.
Particularly when a countershaft-type manual transmission such as that provided in the present instance has at least two substantially identical countershafts which are each constructed from a plurality of hollow shaft portions which are butt press welded to one another and partially provided with a helical toothing of a fixed wheel of a spur gear stage, the problem arises of an accurate alignment of the circumferential target angular position of the hollow shaft portions provided with a helical toothing. Two countershafts in a countershaft-type manual transmission serve to distribute a torque to be transmitted to two parallel force transmission paths and accordingly to achieve a relatively compact and lightweight construction and a high transmission efficiency of the respective manual transmission. An exact alignment of the circumferential angular position of the toothings of the fixed wheels is required for a uniform distribution of the torque to be transmitted, since these toothings are in toothed engagement pairwise in each instance with an individual counter-gearwheel or another transmission shaft, for example, a fixed wheel of an input constant that is arranged on an input shaft so as to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to it or a loose wheel of a switchable transmission gear stage which is rotatably supported on an intermediate shaft or output shaft.
In the known press welding methods like spin welding and electric arc welding with magnetically moving arcs, the hollow shaft portions to be connected to one another are joined together axially with high pressing force after the contact surfaces facing one another are plasticized, which necessarily entails a certain axial tolerance. Accordingly, the axial joining together of the hollow shaft portions may result in a deviation of the toothings arranged thereon from their axial target position, which deviation has the effect of twisting the respective fixed wheels or hollow shaft portions in the rest of the implementation as helical toothings. As a result, there is no longer an optimal toothing engagement with the associated counter-gearwheel.
Therefore, it is an object of the invention to propose a transmission shaft of the type mentioned above which is constructed from a plurality of hollow shaft portions which are butt press welded to one another and whose hollow shaft portions which are provided with at least one helical toothing of a fixed wheel of a spur gear stage are exactly axially aligned in joined condition with respect to their circumferential target angular position. Further, a method and a device for producing a transmission shaft of this type from a plurality of hollow shaft portions which are press welded to one another are described.

Transmission shaft and method and device for the production thereof


To provide age forming device and a developing cartridge used in the image forming device capable of performing high-speed image forming operation for forming high-quality images and of reliably detecting an accurate amount of remaining toner. An agitator and a developing roller provided to a developing cartridge are driven to rotate independent from each other. During the detection of the remaining toner amount, the agitator is rotated at a lower speed so as not to stir up the toner. On the other hand, the agitator is rotated at a higher speed during the image forming operations, so that the toner efficiently circulates within the developing cartridge, thereby forming preferable images.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming device and a developing cartridge mounted on the image forming device.
2. Related Art
There has been provided an image forming device, such as a laser beam printer. A developing cartridge is mounted on the conventional laser beam printer. The developing cartridge includes a toner chamber, an agitator, a developing roller, a regulation blade, and a photosensitive drum.
The toner chamber houses a non-magnetic single component toner. The agitator is provided within the toner chamber for agitating the toner and for supplying the toner onto the developing roller. The toner supplied to .the developing roller is held on its peripheral surface and forms a toner layer thereon. The regulation blade regulates the thickness of the toner layer, and also charges the toner by friction.
The photosensitive drum is provided in confrontation with the developing roller, and an electrostatic latent image is formed thereon. When the rotation of the developing roller transports the toner layer to the photosensitive drum, charged toner is selectively transferred from the developing roller onto the photosensitive drum, thereby developing a visible toner image corresponding to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum.
In this type of laser beam printer, a photosensor is provided for detecting the amount of the toner remaining in the toner chamber. The photosensor includes a light emitting element and a light receiving element provided each side of the toner chamber so as to interpose the toner chamber therebetween. The toner chamber is formed with light transmission windows through which a light emitted from the light emitting element reaches the light receiving element.
The agitator rotates and lifts up the toner for agitation at a predetermined frequency. Therefore, the lifted-up toner temporarily blocks the light from reaching the light receiving element at the predetermined frequency. Both the time duration for letting the light to transmit to and reach the light receiving element and the time duration for blocking the light from reaching the light receiving element depend on the amount of the remaining toner. Accordingly, by detecting the time duration of the light transmission, the reaming amount of the toner can be detected.
The laser beam printer is usually provided with a motor serving as a driving power source. The driving power of the motor is transmitted to both the developing roller and the agitator via a transmission gear mechanism, thereby driving the developing roller and the agitator to rotate.
There has been also provided a laser beam printer capable of printing at a high speed rate. In order to increase the printing speed, it is required to rotate the agitator and the developing roller at higher speed. High-speed rotation of the agitator efficiently agitates or circulates the toner within the toner chamber, and so an increased amount of toner, which is efficiently charged, is supplied to the developing roller. Also, high-speed rotation of the developing roller efficiently develops visible toner images corresponding to electrostatic latent images on the photosensitive drum.
However, high-speed rotation of the agitator stirs up the toner, and fills the toner chamber with clouds of toner. This cloud of toner blocks the light of the photosensor from reaching the light receiving element, regardless of the remaining toner amount, thereby preventing accurate detection of remaining toner amount.
In order to overcome the above problems, it is conceivable to rotate the agitator at higher speed during printing and at lower speed during toner amount detection. However, because the agitator is driven by a driving mechanism that also drives the developing roller, when the rotation speed of the agitator is slowed down, the rotation speed of the developing roller is also slowed down. The change in rotation speed of the developing roller changes the developing condition, resulting in undesirable printed image, such as, redundancy in printing.
It is an objective of the present invention to overcome the above problems and also to provide an image forming device and a developing cartridge used in the image forming device capable of detecting an accurate amount of remaining toner and forming high quality image at high speed.
In order to achieve the above and other objectives, there is provided a developing cartridge used in an image forming device. The developing cartridge includes a chamber that is rotatable and houses a developing agent, a holding member that holds the developing agent, an agitator that is rotatably provided within the chamber, and agitates the developing agent, and supplies the developing agent to the holding member, The holding member and the agitator rotate independent from each other.
There is also provided an image forming device, including a chamber that houses a developing agent, a holding member that holds the developing agent, an agitator that is provided within the chamber and agitates the developing agent, an agitator driving mechanism that drives the agitator to rotate at different speed. The holding member and the agitator rotate independent from each other.
Further, there is provided an image forming device including a chamber that houses a developing agent, a holding member that rotates and holds the developing agent, an agitator that rotates within the chamber to agitate the developing agent, a sensor that detects an amount of the developing agent remaining in the chamber, and an image forming mechanism that performs an image forming operation. The agitator rotates independent from the holding member. The agitator rotates at a lower speed when the sensor detecting the amount of the developing agent than when the sensor is undetecting the amount of the developing agent.
There is also provided a developing cartridge used in an image forming device, including a chamber that houses a developing agent, a holding member that is rotatable and holds the developing agent, an agitator that is rotatable provided within the chamber, agitates the developing agent, and supplies the developing agent to the holding member, and windows formed to the chamber. The windows defines a light transmitting path. The holding member and the agitator rotate independent from each other.

Developing cartridge with agitator driven to rotate independent from developing roller


Provided are embodiments of systems, computer medium and computer-implemented methods for providing feedback of health information to an employee when the employee is engaged in their work duties. The method including receiving health data output by a set of health sensors provided on or near the employee when the employee is engaged in work duties. The health sensors comprising at least one of biometric and biomechanic sensors. The health data corresponding to biometric and/or biomechanic characteristics sensed by the set of health sensors. The method including processing the health data to identify health status information for the employee, and providing for display via an augmented reality display, augmented reality content including the health status information. The augmented reality display providing the employee with an augmented reality view including a real world view of a surrounding environment having the health status information for the employee overlaid thereon.

A major concern among employers is the issue of presenteeism, or the phenomena that, while employees may be at work, health problems such as, lower back pain, fatigue, high blood pressure and obesity, keep them from working optimally, and cause a rapid rise in employee healthcare costs. Unfortunately, even if employees are made aware of sound health and ergonomic practices, they often slip back into poor health and ergonomic practices while engrossed in work. For example, although the employee may know they need to avoid lifting a heavy objects to reduce the risk of a back injury (e.g., based on an annual health awareness presentation), the employee may simply forget while they are engrossed in their daily work activities and lift a heavy object.
The current state of the art solution is to notify an employee of health conditions and poor ergonomics based on workplace health programs that require the employee to actively participate the in periodic health tests. For example, health programs may monitor the employee using health tests that are conducted at discrete testing times (e.g., quarterly or annual health tests) and, only then, provide the employee with test results. Thus, existing health programs may require the employee to expend effort just to take part in the program, decreasing the likelihood the employee will even engage the health program, much less continue the health program for an extended period of time. Moreover, the infrequent nature of the health tests may provide results that are based on a few discrete time periods throughout the year and, thus, are not capable of providing frequent (e.g., real-time) feedback that can be used by the employee to dynamically adjusted their day-to-day actions. As a result, employees may not be aware of the health consequences that result from their actions during the work day and, even when the employees are aware of the consequences of their actions (e.g., based on quarterly or annual health tests), the employees may simply forget to follow good health practices while they are engrossed in work and are not focused on the impact of their actions on their health.

Systems, computer medium and computer-implemented methods for providing health information to employees via augmented reality display