A shape model as an object to be analyzed and division information used to produce a finite element mesh are entered, and a recognition model is produced by allocating each edge line segmented by structural points of the shape model to any one coordinate axial direction in an orthogonal coordinate system. A mapping model is produced in which an orthogonal lattice is produced on a surface and the inside of an approximated shape model, and is displayed on a screen. The mapping model is modified by a system user in an interactive operation. A finite element mesh is generated from lattice points of the modified mapping model. The data input by the system user is processed in an input/output data processing unit, and shape model data of the object to be analyzed is produced in a shape model producing unit. Based on the division information input by the system user, a finite element mesh is generated on the shape model by a finite element mesh producing unit. The line segment allocation directions of the recognition model are displayed in a recognition model producing unit, so that an allocation direction can be modified in a recognition model modifying unit by the system user in a interactive mode. The finite element model data produced from the optimized recognition model is registered into a database.

The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for dividing a shape expressed on a three-dimensional space into a large number of elements. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for capable of easily generating a finite element mesh with less distortion in an original shape model and of controlling coarse/fine characteristics of this finite element mesh without correcting the original shape model and without newly producing an auxiliary line and an auxiliary point with regard to the original shape model in the mesh generating method of the finite element model for the finite element method, and also to an apparatus into which this mesh generating method is applied.
Conventionally, there are such methods that to analyze a numeric simulation for a phenomenon in a high efficiency, a finite element mesh is produced on a shape model to be analyzed by employing the mapping method, and thus calculation precision as well as calculation efficiencies can be improved. As such a method, automatic mesh generating methods have been proposed as described in H. TAKAHASHI, et al, "A Three-Dimensional Automatic Mesh Generation System Using Shape Recognition Technique", Transactions of the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers, Vol. 59, No. 560, April 1993, pages 279 to 285, JP-A-1-311373 and JP-A-2-236677. They are realized in, for example, the combination type mechanical system CAE (Computer Aided Engineering) system HICAD/MESH.
As a finite element mesh producing method with employment of the mapping method, there is such a method that a mesh unnecessary to a user is deleted from the pattern of a mapping model prepared by the system, to easily produce a mapping model applied to the shape model, so that calculation precision and calculation efficiency are improved. As such a method, there is a semi-automatic mesh generating method as disclosed in JP-A-5-2627.
In a conventional automatic mesh generating techniques, only an original shape model and a finite element mesh generating model as the final result are displayed on a display screen. As a consequence, a user of the system could not acquire intermediate information by intervening in a mesh generating stage. Even when the above-explained semi-automatic mesh generating method is employed, there is a limitation in applicable shapes.
On the other hand, in connection with complex matters of an original shape model, there is such a case no determination can be made as to a direction in which each line segment is to be mapped in the course of mapping onto orthogonal coordinates space, which course is a part of internal processing in the system, in order not to establish contradictory conditions with the shape model. As a result, a recognition model could not be produced, and even when a mesh is produced, the mesh may contain a very distorted element. There is another case where a mesh different from user's requirements of the system use is produced in accordance with an automatically determined mapping direction.
In the conventional system, when an intermediate model couldn't be generated, an error message is displayed on the screen to interrupt the processing. As a result, the system user has to return to the initial condition and then correct a part which caused the error in the shape model based on his experiences. Thereafter, the user either starts the mesh producing processing, or accepts the mesh generated by the system.
Even when the system user wants to correct distorted elements in a generated mesh, the user has to return to the initial condition of the mesh generating processing, in which the shape model and the division number must be modified. In accordance with the above-described method, the more the shape of a model becomes complex, the more lengthy processing time and cumbersome processing are required. On the other hand, there is another method such that some patterns of the mapping model are previously prepared and a pattern thereamong is modified in a semi-automatic manner on an element basis so as to conform to the shape model. However, such a method could not be applied to complex shape models.
As one method for solving these problems to easily and surely produce a mesh, there is a need to introduce such an interactive user intervening method by a user in order that problems occurred at a mesh producing stage during an automatic processing can be solved, and the system user can produce his desirable mesh without modifying the shape model.

Method and apparatus for dividing shape expressed on three-dimensional space into elements


A high-speed three-dimensional surface measurement system for use in determining the surface of an object from at least one electronic signal produced by a mini-moire sensor. At least one light source illuminates at least a surface area of the object with at least one fringe pattern. The light source has a hidden change distribution grating or matrix of gratings for producing the fringe pattern. The grating has hidden variations distributed substantially across the grating. The grating has a pseudo-random grating pattern in which a nominal fringe pattern has a small uniform period with the hidden variations distributed statistically across the grating. The hidden variations are so small that at any one point on the grating a noise-like value of the hidden variations is on the order of an overall noise equivalent phase value. A CCD camera receives reflected illumination from the surface area and provides an electronic signal representative of reflected illumination received thereby.

The present invention is directed to miniaturized X-Y-Z data collection devices and systems. The present invention is directly applicable to many important surface inspection and measurement tasks that have not been successfully or practically accomplished in the prior art because of overly-large 3D measurement sensor sizes and/or costs.
In the prior art, the fundamental X-Y-Z data collection sensors were based on small single-point contact touch probe technologies. A major off-line measurement industry was created using these sensors incorporating equipment known as Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMM's). These CMM's generally consist of mechanical slides or linear motions to provide a three degree-of-freedom (3-D.O.F.) translation of the small sensor relative to the part being inspected. In many CMM configurations a two-axis rotational unit known as a pan/tilt head is attached between the quill or mast of the CMM and the sensor to provide an additional two degree-of-freedom (2-D.O.F.) rotation to the sensor for part measurement flexibility. Some CMM versions will also include translations and rotations to help manipulate the part.
Due to its importance to the off-line measurement industry (the measurement of parts off the assembly line), the CMM has a long and successful development history. More than 40 years have permitted the perfection of the CMM to maximize reliability and measurement accuracies while minimizing costs. Standardization of a number of CMM versions has been achieved. Their proliferation has been so great that virtually every manufacturing facility that is required to meet some quality control standard has at least one CMM version in operation.
The success of the CMM has also created a major paradox in the measurement industry in meeting current and future goals. One side of the paradox is that the CMM was designed and developed to hold small light weight measurement sensors weighing only a few ounces. However these sensors were generally of a single point type (i.e. only one X-Y-Z data measurement point is available for each motion of the CMM). The resulting data collection times are so slow that the accelerating requirements of higher speed inspection and measurement needed to meet new manufacturing quality control goals cannot be met with these single-point sensors. The small advancement of the single-point sensor from a contact type to a single-point non-contact type has not addressed the new data collection speed requirements which are forecasted to be 100% inspection at on-line production rates.
The other side of the paradox is that current stand-alone sensors designed to generate large X,Y,Z data arrays in one view are much too large and heavy to be mounted on existing CM's. The investment cost and risk of replacing the traditional well-proven CMM in order to use these sensors are so great as to have severely handicapped the measurement industry in attempting to achieve its quality control goals.

Hidden change distribution grating and use in 3D moire measurement sensors and CMM applications


A method of reducing glare may include sensing a first light source with a second vehicle, and sensing a second light source with a first vehicle and oscillating a first light source ICF between a substantially opaque state and a substantially clear state on a first schedule. A second windscreen ICF may be oscillating between the substantially opaque state and the substantially clear state on a second schedule different from the first schedule. A position of the light source may be sensed and an eye position of the occupant estimated. An intersecting region of the selectively-darkenable ICF, which is located substantially along a line from the position of the light source to the eye position, is calculated. The intersecting region of the ICF is darkened, such that a reduced amount of light from the light source passes through the intersecting region.

Many vehicles include one or more headlamps (also referred to as headlights) usually attached to the front of the vehicle. Headlamps usually have the purpose of illuminating the road ahead during periods of low visibility, such as darkness or precipitation, but also serve to alert or signal the location of the vehicle to other vehicles and pedestrians.
When two or more vehicles approach each other, their respective headlamps may cause glare to the driver of the opposing vehicle. Headlamps are often configured to operate with more than one level of brightness or intensity, often referred to as low beams and high beams. Operation of the vehicle with high beams may increase glare to the driver of the oncoming vehicle.
Other sources of light may also cause glare to the driver of the vehicle. For example, and without limitation, road-side signage may incorporate bright lights projecting onto the roadway, spot lights may be used for numerous purposes on or near roadways, or the sun may be positioned in the view of drivers—especially during early morning or late afternoon driving.

Method for reducing glare from light sources through windscreens with intensity control film


In a passenger conveyor, a supporting angle that is supported on a building beam is fixed to an end portion of a truss main body. A plurality of movement limiting members that come into contact with the supporting angle to limit horizontal movement of the supporting angle are disposed on the building beam. The supporting angle includes: a first supporting portion; and a pair of second supporting portions that are disposed on two sides of the first supporting portion in a width direction of the truss. A horizontal protruding dimension of the first supporting portion from the truss main body is different than horizontal protruding dimensions of the second supporting portions from the truss main body.

In conventional passenger conveyors, steps and handrails are supported by a truss. The truss has: a truss main body; a movable-end supporting angle that has an L-shaped cross section that is fixed to a first longitudinal end portion of the truss main body; and a fixed-end supporting angle that has an L-shaped cross section that is fixed to a second longitudinal end portion of the truss main body. These supporting angles are respectively supported on building beams by means of height adjusting spacers.
The fixed-end supporting angle is fixed so as not to move horizontally relative to the building beams. The movable-end supporting angle, on the other hand, is supported so as to be able to slide horizontally relative to the building beams, and is thereby able to cope with building deformation. Moreover, movement of the movable-end supporting angle in a width direction of the truss is limited, thereby preventing building damage due to movement of the truss in the width direction.
In addition, known examples of constructions that limit horizontal movement of the movable-end supporting angle include constructions in which a pin that is fixed to a building beam by welding, etc., is engaged in a slot (or a notch) that is disposed on the movable-end supporting angle, and constructions in which a limiting device is installed outside the movable-end supporting angle in the width direction (See Patent Literature 1 through 3, for example).


A hinge member comprising a plurality of hinge units, each unit having a body portion, with a slotted region and an annular region. The annular region is formed by an elongated circular channel in a cylindrical portion of the hinge. An elongated groove in the slotted region of the body has a region of reduced thickness relative to the slotted region. The elongated groove intersecting with the elongated channel, with a first passage in the slotted region and a second passage in the region of reduced thickness. A ridge is thereby provided between the slotted region and the region of reduced thickness. The axis of the first passage means is parallel to the axis of the second passage and parallel to the axis of the elongated channel. The first passage has its axis perpendicular to the first surface of the slotted region.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a multiuse hinge assembly. More particularly, the invention relates to a reversible hinge assembly which is particularly suited for use with "A"-frame display signs.
2. Background of the Invention
"A"-frame display signs are in common use in such areas as real estate display notices, store front displays and the like. Most commonly, the display panels must be removed from the unit or must be unbolted to reverse the display.
In Kraft, U.S. Pat. No. 1,865,863, a blackboard is disclosed which is hinged to allow for a horizontal swing of a plurality of blackboards. The hinges are affixed to a wall and comprise multiple hinge arms for holding the blackboards.
In Johnson et al., U.S. Pat. No. 1,958,579, a blackboard is disclosed which is made up of a plurality of backboard panels which are connected by a hinge to a support.
In Kraft, U.S. Pat. No. 1,865,863, hinges similar to those disclosed in Johnson et al are disclosed.
While such hinges are known in the art, they fall short of providing the functionality required for "A"-frame display sign and other applications.


An operation data creating method and apparatus for creating operation data indicating with respect to each base station other base stations related to each base station, based on a communication quality level with respect to each base station at each local position within a service area in a mobile communication system which includes a plurality of base stations set up within the service area and a mobile station which makes a wireless communication with the base stations, by creating quality information indicating the communication quality level with respect to each base station at each local position within the service area, selecting base stations having a second or subsequent communication quality level at each local position where the same base station of interest has a highest communication quality level, based on the created quality information with respect to each base station at each local position, and creating the operation data indicating the selected base stations as the other base stations related to the base station of interest having the highest communication quality level.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Applications No.2000-204226 filed Jul. 5, 2000 and No.2001-130229 filed Apr. 26, 2001, in the Japanese Patent Office, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to operation data creating methods and apparatuses for mobile communication systems and storage media, and more particularly to an operation data creating method and an operation data creating apparatus which create operation data for use in a handover process of a mobile station in a cellular mobile communication system, and to a computer-readable storage medium which stores a program for causing a computer to create the operation data.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a conventional cellular mobile communication system such as the personal digital cellular (PDC) system, communication services are provided by dividing a service area into relatively small radio zones called cells, as shown in FIG. 1. In other words, a wireless channel is set between a base station 200 which covers each radio zone and a mobile station 100 which is located within the zone, and a communication is made via the wireless channel which is set between the base station 200 and the mobile station 100.
A communication quality level between the mobile station 100 and the base station 200 is affected by a radio wave attenuation which is dependent upon a distance between the mobile station 100 and the base station 200 and a radio wave propagation loss which is dependent upon arrangements of surrounding geometrical features, buildings and the like. On the other hand, when communicating between the mobile station 100 and the base station 200, a receiving end requires a reception power which is greater than a predetermined value in order to receive and demodulate signals with a predetermined quality. Accordingly, an optimum base station 200 which is to communicate with the mobile station 100 changes with time as the mobile station 100 moves. For this reason, the mobile station 100 constantly searches for the base station 200 which can secure an optimum communication quality level, and when a base station 200 which can secure a better communication quality level is found, a so-called handover process is carried out to set a new connection between the mobile station 100 and the newly found base station 200.
In order to carry out the handover process, the mobile station 100 constantly searches for a base station 200 which is located in a neighborhood of the base station 200 with which the mobile station 100 is communicating and is capable of securing a better communication quality level. In order to notify information for identifying the base station 200 and information related to the mobile communication system to the mobile communication system 100, each base station 200 broadcasts the information using a control channel which is used in common by a large number of users (mobile stations 100). Hence, the mobile station 100 can search and identify the base station 200 by receiving the information from the control channel.
Known wireless access systems employed in the mobile communication system include frequency division multiple access (FDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA) and code division multiple access (CDMA). For the common control channel described above, different radio frequencies are allocated for each of the base stations 200 in the case of the FDMA and the TDMA, and different spread codes are allocated for each of the base stations 200 in the case of the CDMA. In other words, the mobile station 100 can search for the neighboring base stations 200 by successively receiving signals of predetermined radio frequencies or predetermined spread codes.
In order to maintain a high communication quality level between the mobile station 100 which moves and each of the base stations 200, the mobile station 100 must frequently search for the neighboring base stations 200. However, it is impractical to search for all of the radio frequencies or spread codes used within the mobile communication system, because this would require considerable time and power. Hence normally, each base station 200 notifies to the mobile station, as the operation data for the handover control, a table (hereinafter referred to as a neighboring zone table) which indicates the radio frequencies and the spread codes which are used as the common control channel by the other base stations 200 located in the neighborhood of the base station 200. The mobile station 100 searches the neighboring base stations 200 by referring to this neighboring zone table.
Conventionally, the neighboring zone table is created in the following manner.
The radio wave propagation state within the service area is evaluated by simulating the radio wave propagation based on the elevation data, geometrical feature data, information related to the base and mobile stations and the like which are stored for each local position (small region) within the service area. For example, techniques for evaluating the radio wave propagation state are proposed in Fujii, Asakura and Yamazaki, "Cell Design System for Mobile Communication", NTT Docomo Technical Journal Vol.2, No.4, pp.28-34, 1995-01, and Oomatsuzawa and Yamashita, "Station Design Total Support System", NTT Docomo Technical Journal Vo.4, No.1, pp.28-31, 1996-04.
Based on the evaluation result of the radio wave propagation state within the service area, an area where the radio wave reception level from each base station becomes greater than or equal to a predetermined level is determined as a territory of each base station. A base station of a territory which is adjacent to the territory of each base station which is determined in this manner, is determined as a neighboring base station of each base station. The neighboring zone table which is created indicates the neighboring base station which is determined for each base station.
The neighboring zone table (operation data for the handover control) which is created by the above described technique indicates a base station of a territory which is adjacent to a territory of a certain base station, as a related base station located in the neighborhood of the certain base station.
However, with respect to each base station, the neighboring zone table only indicates the base station of the territory which is adjacent to the territory of each base station. For this reason, it is difficult to reflect in detail the radio wave propagation state within the service area, which varies depending on the structure and arrangement of the buildings, the geometrical feature data and the like, in the neighboring zone data. Consequently, when carrying out the handover control using the neighboring zone table which is created in this manner as the operation data, it is not always the case that a high communication quality level is maintained.

Operation data creating method and apparatus for mobile communication system and storage medium


This invention discloses a portion control vertical bin for controlling the amount of material dispensed having a portion control device where a single handle pulls a top-slide and a bottom-slide where the top-slide separates a portion of material from the bulk material in the bin, the bottom-slide when pulled further releases the portioned material through an opening in the bottom-slide to a spout assembly where the portioned material may be collected in a receptacle.

This invention relates to a bin employing a portion control device for regulating the quantity of material dispensed. The invention also relates to a bin that dispenses material on a first-in-first-out basis.
Self serve dispensers have become increasingly popular throughout the country. These dispensers allow consumers to purchase select amounts of product by pouring bulk material from a storage bin into a receptacle, usually a paper bag provided by the retailer. In this way, consumers are not limited by prepackaged products, manufacturers need not prepackage their goods for purchase by the consumer, and grocery stores are able to stock more product in limited spaces. The dispensers are now widely accepted in the distribution and sale of coffee, candy, beans, nuts, bolts, nails and other products that are easily sold in loose form.
Among the most common dispensers currently employed in grocery stores is the upright bin which relies upon the force of gravity to dispense a product through a gated opening that is selectively opened and closed by a consumer. In use, the consumer generally places a bag beneath a gated outlet and opens the gate to release the items stored within the bin of the dispenser. Once the gate is opened, the product freely flows out of the bin, through the open gate and into the bag placed below the opening.
One problem with gates employed in such dispensers is that they rely upon a single barrier to control the flow of product from the bin. As a consequence when the gate is jostled even slightly, the bin outlet of the dispenser is opened and product begins to freely flow from the bin. Even slight movements of the gate are often enough to cause the product to flow freely. Often this causes the product to end up on the floor of the store as waste because the consumer may be unprepared for the immediate product flow. Even when consumers intentionally open the gate, they may be unprepared for pace of product flow. This is particularly the case when the bin is at capacity and the force pushing product through the open gate is highest. The result is an increased incidence of the consumer either overfilling their bag, or inadvertently spilling some of the goods flowing from the dispenser.
As such, a need exits for a dispenser capable of distributing loose items, while also providing a substantial amount of control to the consumer dispensing the product from the dispenser. The present invention provides a portion control device and dispensing system which provides such control to consumers.
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a portion control device including a top-slide and a bottom-slide for controlling the amount of material selected to be dispensed from a bin, of the type wherein the bin includes a spout assembly through which the material freely flows when a bottom-slide opening is pulled into position. The top-slide is connected to the bottom-slide by a spring. The bottom-slide has a handle that extends to the exterior of the bin. When the bottom-slide handle is pulled forward by a consumer both the top-slide and the bottom-slide move forward horizontally with respect to the bin. The lead-end of the top-slide cuts through the material in the bin and comes to rest on the interior face of the front bin wall blocking the material above the top-slide from moving downward to the spout assembly. The bottom slide-handle and the top-slide therefore form a chamber that holds a select amount of material. The bottom-slide continues to be pulled until an opening in the bottom-slide aligns with openings in the bottom of the portion chamber and the spout assembly. Product that is contained in the portion chamber may then be deposited in a receptacle.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a portion control device where one wall of the portion chamber is adjustable. This feature of the invention allows the operator of the bin to control the amount of product dispensed at any one time. In addition certain items that have a tendency to adhere to one another may require a larger portion chamber to prevent the product from bridging the opening to the portion chamber.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a flow regulator. The flow of product may be controlled by the size and shape of opening that is aligned with the portion chamber and the spout assembly. In addition, greater control of product flow stems from isolating a small portion of the contents of the bin effectively reducing the weight of product generating force acting to push product through the bottom-slide opening.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a dispensing mechanism for rotating product introduced to the bin on a first-in-first-out basis wherein the bin includes a wedge that directs product introduced to the bin to the portion chamber. The wedge descends from the rear wall of the bin to about the lead end of the top-slide and terminates at the portion control chamber. The position of the wedge allows newly introduced product to rest upon previously introduced product such that the previously introduced product must exit first through the spout assembly.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when viewed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which set forth certain embodiments of the invention.


A cardiac ablation catheter system incorporates several different, but complementary features. The catheter includes a virtual electrode section for transferring ablation energy to form a linear lesion in cardiac tissue. The distal tip of the catheter shaft is provided with a tip electrode to perform spot ablations. The distal end of the catheter, generally including the virtual electrode section, may be operably formed into a curve with a variable radius of curvature.

a. Field of the Invention
The invention disclosed herein is directed toward an ablation catheter including a virtual electrode section that dispenses energized conductive fluid for ablation of tissue. The present invention also includes a system for deflecting or curving the distal end of the catheter.
b. Background Art
A catheter is generally a very small diameter tube for insertion into the body for the performance of medical procedures. Among other uses, catheters can be used to examine, diagnose, and treat disease while positioned at a specific location within the body that is otherwise inaccessible without more invasive procedures. During these procedures a catheter is inserted into the patient's vasculature near the surface of the body and is guided to a specific location within the body for examination, diagnosis, and treatment. For example, one procedure utilizes a catheter to convey an electrical stimulus to a selected location within the human body. Another procedure utilizes a catheter with sensing electrodes to monitor various forms of electrical activity in the human body.
In a normal heart, contraction and relaxation of the heart muscle (myocardium) takes place in an organized fashion as electrochemical signals pass sequentially through the myocardium from the sinoatrial (SA) node located in the right atrium, to the atrialventricular (AV) node in the septum between the right atrium and right ventricle, and then along a well-defined route which includes the His-Purkinje system into the left and right ventricles. Sometimes abnormal rhythms occur in the atria which are referred to as atrial arrhythmia. Three of the most common arrhythmia are ectopic atrial tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, and atrial flutter. Arrhythmia can result in significant patient discomfort and even death because of a number of associated problems, including the following: (1) an irregular heart rate, which causes a patient discomfort and anxiety; (2) loss of synchronous atrioventricular contractions, which compromises cardiac hemodynamics and results in varying levels of congestive heart failure; and (3) stasis of blood flow, which increases the vulnerability to thromboembolism.
It is sometimes difficult to isolate a specific pathological cause for the arrhythmia although it is believed that the principal mechanism is one or a multitude of stray circuits within the left and/or right atrium. These circuits or stray electrical signals are believed to interfere with the normal electrochemical signals passing from the SA node to the AV node and into the ventricles. Efforts to alleviate these problems in the past have included the use of various drugs. In some circumstances drug therapy is ineffective and frequently is plagued with side effects such as dizziness, nausea, vision problems, and other difficulties.
An increasingly common medical procedure for the treatment of certain types of cardiac arrhythmia and atrial arrhythmia involves the ablation of tissue in the heart to cut off the path for stray or improper electrical signals. The particular area for ablation depends on the type of underlying arrhythmia. Originally, such procedures actually involved making incisions in the myocardium (hence the term ablate, which means to cut) to create scar tissue that blocked the electrical signals. These procedures are now often performed with an ablation catheter. Typically, the ablation catheter is inserted in an artery or vein in the leg, neck, or arm of the patient and threaded, sometimes with the aid of a guide wire or introducer, through the vessels until a distal tip of the ablation catheter reaches the desired location for the ablation procedure in the heart. The ablation catheters commonly used to perform these ablation procedures apply electrical energy to the areas of the myocardial tissue to produce lesions and electrically isolate or render the tissue non-contractile. The lesion partially or completely blocks the stray electrical signals to lessen or eliminate arrhythmia.
One difficulty in obtaining an adequate ablation lesion using conventional ablation catheters is the constant movement of the heart, especially when there is an erratic or irregular heart beat. Another difficulty in obtaining an adequate ablation lesion is caused by the inability of conventional catheters to obtain and retain uniform contact with the cardiac tissue across the entire length of the ablation electrode surface. Without such continuous and uniform contact, any ablation lesions formed may not be adequate.
It is well known that benefits may be gained by forming lesions in tissue if the depth and location of the lesions being formed can be controlled. In particular, it can be desirable to elevate tissue temperature to around 50° C. until lesions are formed via coagulation necrosis, which changes the electrical properties of the tissue. For example, when sufficiently deep lesions are formed at specific locations in cardiac tissue via coagulation necrosis, undesirable ventricular tachycardias and atrial flutter may be lessened or eliminated. "Sufficiently deep" lesions means transmural lesions in some cardiac applications.
It has been discovered that more effective results may be achieved if a linear lesion of cardiac tissue is formed. The term "linear lesion" as used herein means an elongate, continuous lesion, whether straight or curved, that blocks electrical conduction. The ablation catheters commonly used to perform these procedures produce electrically inactive or noncontractile tissue at a selected location by physical contact of the cardiac tissue with an electrode of the ablation catheter. Current techniques for creating continuous linear lesions in endocardial applications include, for example, dragging a conventional catheter on the tissue, using an array electrode, or using pre-formed curved electrodes. Curved electrodes have also been formed by guiding a catheter with an array electrode over a wire rail. The wire rail is formed as a loop, thus guiding the distal end of the catheter into a loop form as well. The array electrodes and curved electrodes are generally placed along the length of tissue to be treated and energized to create a lesion in the tissue contiguous with the span of electrodes along the curved or looped surface. Alternately, some catheter designs incorporate steering mechanisms to direct an electrode at the distal tip of the catheter. The clinician places the distal tip electrode of the catheter on a targeted area of tissue by sensitive steering mechanisms and then relocates the electrode tip to an adjacent tissue location in order to form a continuous lesion.
The effectiveness of these procedures depends on a number of variables including the position and contact pressure of the tip electrode of the ablation catheter against the cardiac tissue, the time that the tip electrode of the ablation catheter is placed against the tissue, the amount of coagulum that is generated as a result of heat generated during the ablation procedure, and other variables associated with a beating heart, especially an erratically beating heart. Unless an uninterrupted track of cardiac tissue is ablated, non-ablated tissue or incompletely ablated tissue may remain electrically active, permitting the continuation of the stray circuit that causes the arrhythmia. Conventional tip electrodes with adjacent ring electrodes are not preferred for this type of procedure, however, because of the high amount of energy that is necessary to ablate sufficient tissue to produce a complete linear lesion. Also, conventional ring electrode ablation may leave holes or gaps in a lesion, which can provide a pathway along which unwanted electrochemical signals can travel.
During conventional ablation procedures, the ablating energy is delivered directly to the cardiac tissue by an electrode on the catheter placed against the surface of the tissue to raise the temperature of the tissue to be ablated. This rise in tissue temperature also causes a rise in the temperature of blood surrounding the electrode. This often results in the formation of coagulum on the electrode, which reduces the efficiency of the ablation electrode. With direct contact between the electrode and the blood, some of the energy targeted for the tissue ablation is dissipated into the blood. To achieve efficient and effective ablation, coagulation of blood that is common with conventional ablation catheters should be avoided. This coagulation problem can be especially significant when linear ablation lesions or tracks are produced because such linear ablation procedures conventionally take more time than ablation procedures ablating only a single location.
Another particular difficulty encountered with existing ablation catheters is assurance of adequate tissue contact. Many catheters use rigid electrodes that do not always conform to the tissue surface, especially when sharp gradients and undulations are present, such as at the ostium of the pulmonary veins in the left atrium and the isthmus of the right atrium between the inferior vena cava and the tricuspid valve. Consequently, continuous linear lesions are difficult to achieve. With present rigid catheters of uniform construction, it can be quite difficult to maintain sufficient contact pressure until an adequate lesion has been formed. This problem is exacerbated on contoured or trabecular surfaces. If the contact between the electrode and the tissue cannot be properly maintained, a quality lesion is unlikely to be formed.
To address the coagulation concern, more recent designs of ablation electrodes transfer energy to the target tissue with a conductive fluid medium that passes over a standard metal electrode rather than contacting the standard electrode to the tissue. The fluid flow thus reduces the likelihood that coagulum will form on any of the surfaces of the electrodes. These so-called "virtual electrodes" also help reduce tissue charring because the fluid, while energized, also acts as a cooling heat transfer medium.
The information included in this background section of the specification, including any references cited herein and any description or discussion thereof, is included for technical reference purposes only and is not to be regarded subject matter by which the scope of the invention is to be bound.

Virtual electrode ablation catheter with electrode tip and variable radius capability actuated with at least one rack and pinion mechanisms

St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.


A detachable hinge assembly configured to rotatably couple a window assembly to a vehicle body includes a support hinge member configured to couple to the vehicle body and including a hinge pin, and a window hinge member having a main body configured to couple to the window assembly, and one or more knuckles configured to removably receive the hinge pin. A cover is rotatably coupled to the window hinge member and includes a pin retaining arm. The cover is configured to move between a closed position where the pin retaining arm is positioned to retain the hinge pin within the one or more knuckles, and an open position where the pin retaining arm is positioned to allow the hinge pin to be removed from the one or more knuckles.

Some motor vehicles include a rear liftgate rotatably coupled to a rear of the vehicle. The rear liftgate is typically movable between a closed position that covers a rear opening of the vehicle, and an open position that allows access to a rear cargo area. In some vehicles, the rear liftgate includes a flipper glass or rear window that is separately pivotable between open and closed positions to provide alternative access to and closure of the rear cargo area. However, the rear windows are typically manufactured to be permanently attached to the vehicle and thus are not removable. Accordingly, while such flipper glass systems work well for their intended purpose, it is desirable to provide improvements in the relevant art.

Removable liftgate flipper glass with detachable hinge


The use, as markers of petroleum products, crude oils, biofuels or lubricants, of rare earth complexes or one of the constituents thereof chosen from rare earth ligands or salts, being capable of forming a rare earth complex after the addition of a developing solution. Preferably, the rare earth complex can be detected by time-resolved fluorescence. Also, a marking method and a method for detecting a rare earth complex as a marker of petroleum products, crude oils, biofuels or lubricants.

Petroleum products are commonly marked with substances in order to allow subsequent identification of these products.
In particular, in order to prevent fraud, government agencies and regulatory authorities mark petroleum products at the time of payment of the excise duty. Manufacturers may also want to mark their petroleum products in order to make them traceable.
The markers most commonly used are dyes. The color of the petroleum product is then modified specifically by adding the marker, and this modification is visible to the naked eye. For example, Solvent Yellow 124, a yellow dye, is used for marking certain gas oils and kerosene.
Other markers not detectable by the naked eye may also be used. In this case, the markers are detectable by techniques of chemical analysis such as inductively coupled plasma spectrometry (ICP) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). However, the use of these analysis techniques generally requires tedious preparations and/or experimental techniques, incompatible with quick detection of the markers used.
Fluorescence is an attractive analytical technique as it can be carried out easily and does not require tedious experimental techniques. This technique has already been used for detecting markers of petroleum products. However, petroleum products often have considerable fluorescence intrinsically, so it becomes difficult to differentiate the fluorescence of the marker from the fluorescence naturally emitted by the petroleum products. This requires high concentrations of markers or compounds capable of emitting a signal at wavelengths, notably infrared, that differ from those of the fluorescent compounds naturally present in petroleum products.
Document WO96/22345 describes markers of petroleum products that are derived from 2(3H)-furanone and are detected by fluorescence after adding a reagent. These markers can be detected at a concentration of 10 ppm.
Document WO2004/068113 describes the use of organic molecules at a concentration of 1 ppm as agents for marking petroleum products. These markers are detected by ion mobility spectrometry.
Document WO96/10620 describes markers of petroleum products based on squaraine, phthalocyanine or naphthalocyanine that may be used at a sub-ppm concentration. They are detected by near infrared fluorescence.
As far as the inventors know, the concentration of the markers effectively used in petroleum products is still high for effective marking, and is often above the ppm.
One of the aims of the present invention is therefore to supply new markers, detectable at very low concentrations in crude oils, biofuels, lubricants or petroleum products, and notably gasoline, gas oil, fuel oil or kerosene.
Another aim of the invention is to supply new markers of petroleum products, crude oils, biofuels or lubricants that are stable over time, so that their use is optimal.
Another aim of the invention is to supply markers of petroleum products, crude oils, biofuels or lubricants that meet the following criteria:                Relative difference of the marking signal <5% after 3 months at room temperature;        Product soluble and stable from −40 to +60° C.;        Product nonvolatile;        Product chemically stable;        No retention on a silica or activated carbon column.
The present invention also aims to supply a method for marking petroleum products, crude oils, biofuels or lubricants and a method for detecting these markers that is simple and can be carried out easily.

Use of rare earth complexes as markers of petroleum products, crude oils, biofuels or lubricants

CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE (CNRS)


A handheld audio system having a radio signal decoder that includes a method for adjusting a system clock. Adjusting the system clock includes receiving a signal at a rate of a receive clock, wherein the signal includes data at a transmit rate. An error term is determined between the receive rate and the transmit rate. Based on the receive clock and the error term, where the error term is non-zero, a clock signal is generated.

1. Technical Field
This invention relates generally to portable handheld digital audio systems and more particularly to integrated circuits for a handheld audio/visual system.
2. Description of Related Art
As is known, handheld digital audio systems are becoming very popular. Such systems include digital audio players/recorders that record and subsequently playback MP3 files, WMA files, etc. Such digital audio players/recorders may also be used as digital dictaphones and file transfer devices. Further expansion of digital audio players/recorders includes providing a frequency modulation ("FM") radio receiver such that the device offers FM radio reception.
While digital audio players/recorders are increasing their feature sets, the increase in feature sets has been done in a less than optimal manner. For instance, with the inclusion of an FM receiver in a digital audio player/recorder, the FM receiver is a separate integrated circuit from the digital audio player/recorder chip set, or integrated circuit ("IC"). As such, the FM receiver IC functions completely independently of the digital audio player/recorder IC, even though both ICs include some common functionality.
Though FM decoders have been provided, a need still exists for a method and apparatus of radio decoding that is optimized to function with a digital audio player/recorder to produce an optimized handheld audio system.

Clock adjustment for a handheld audio system


A gas turbine engine has a compressor section with a low pressure compressor and a high pressure compressor. The high pressure compressor has a downstream most location. A cooling air system includes a tap from a location upstream of the downstream most location. The tap passes air to a boost compressor and a heat exchanger, which passes the air back to a location to be cooled. The boost compressor is driven by a shaft which drives the lower pressure compressor.

This application relates to a boost compressor for supplying cooling air in a gas turbine engine, wherein the boost compressor is driven with a low speed rotor spool.
Gas turbine engines are known and typically include a fan delivering air into a compressor where it is compressed and delivered into a combustor. In the combustor, the air is mixed with fuel and ignited. Products of this combustion pass downstream over turbine rotors, driving them to rotate.
As can be appreciated, components in the gas turbine engine can become quite hot. Thus, it is known to supply cooling air for selected components as a means of reducing operating temperature and enhancing durability. Historically, gas turbine engines have included a low pressure compressor and a high pressure compressor. The cooling air, particularly for high pressure turbine airfoils, has typically been tapped downstream of the high pressure compressor.
However, the cooling loads on the gas turbine engine are becoming higher. One recent example includes a gear reduction between a fan drive turbine and the fan. With the inclusion of this gear reduction, turbines rotate at a faster rate and the cooling load is increased.

Low rotor boost compressor for engine cooling circuit


A bookshelf has a guideway formed longitudinally therein. A channel structure is attached to the shelf within the guideway and includes at least one row of spaced, open-ended apertures. A base is connected to a planar book support member and has a movable lock bar extending therethrough. A cross bar is attached to a second end of the lock bar and is urged by a biasing spring engaging the second end of the lock bar to a first position in which the cross bar is securely engaged in one of the apertures in the channel structure to lock the base and the attached book support member in a selected position along the length of the shelf. One and preferably two identically constructed bases and attached book support members, each having a lock bar mounted in each base, are adjustably and lockingly positioned on the shelf.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates, in general, to book holding devices and, specifically, to book holders for supporting books, files, papers and the like on a shelf and, more specifically, to adjustable book holders which are movably and lockingly positionable along a bookshelf.
2. Description of the Art
Bookshelves are extensively used to support books, files, magazines, folders and the like in a generally upright, side-by-side position with the spine or edges of such books extending upward from the shelf. The shelf itself is typically a horizontal member extending between two fixed end walls which may be part of the elongated side walls of a bookcase which supports a number of vertically spaced, horizontal shelves.
Frequently, and sometimes intentionally, fewer books than the total number of books which would fill the shelf, are placed on the shelf between the two end walls. In order to maintain such books in a generally upright position, at least one bookend is placed on the shelf and brought into engagement with the end(s) of the horizontal row of books to support the books in an upright position. Such bookends can be free-standing so as to be easily positionable anywhere along the length of the bookshelf. However, such free-standing bookends are typically large and heavy so as to provide adequate support for the books. Such large size or weight, however, make such bookends difficult to easily move along the shelf.
Thus, lockable bookends have been devised which slide along tracks formed in the shelf to any position along the shelf and are locked in a desired position tightly against the end of a horizontal row of books. The lock means employed in such adjustable bookends must meet a number of different functions.
First, the lock means must be strong enough to securely retain the bookend in a fixed place despite the weight of the row of books, files, etc., pushing thereon without permitting movement of the bookend. Secondly, the lock means must be easily releasable, preferably by finger pressure, to enable anyone to easily unlock and move the bookend to another position along the bookshelf. Thirdly, the adjustable bookend must be simple in construction for a low manufacturing cost, ease of installation and long term, reliable use. Previously devised adjustable bookends have not sufficiently met all of these functions.
Thus, it would be desirable to provide an adjustable bookend which overcomes substantially all of the problems of previously devised adjustable bookends. It would also be desirable to provide an adjustable bookend which is simple in construction for a low manufacturing cost. It would also be desirable to provide an adjustable bookend which is securely lockable in place, yet can be easily released for repositioning along a bookshelf. It would also be desirable to provide a bookshelf with adjustable bookends in kit form for assembly with a variety of different types of bookshelves.

Bookshelf with adjustable locking bookends


A system includes an image sensor, an adjustable aperture, and a memory. THE memory includes computer executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the system to perform operations including obtaining a first image via the image sensor based at least in part on a first aperture stop of the adjustable aperture, identifying a first pixel of the first image, identifying a second pixel of the first image, determining a second aperture stop of the adjustable aperture based at least in part on the first pixel, determining a third aperture stop of the adjustable aperture based at least in part on the second pixel, obtaining a second image via the image sensor based at least in part on the second aperture stop, and obtaining a third image via the image sensor based at least in part on the third aperture stop.

High-dynamic-range (HDR) photographs are typically generated by acquiring multiple component images of a scene, each with different exposure levels, and then later, merging the component images into a single HDR image.
Some prior art approaches can involve acquiring a set of, for example, 8 component images, across a range of different exposure levels to ensure that appropriately exposed image information is available for all regions of a HDR image. However, this can involve significant delay in acquiring the component images and so can result in blurring or ghosting artefacts from one image to the next. It can also require a large amount of processing to handle the set of component images.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,724,921, Aptina, discloses a method for capturing a high dynamic range (HDR) image. Multiple component images of a scene are captured at respectively different exposure settings. A further image of an object placed in the scene is captured at one exposure setting. A first radiance image is formed from the multiple component images. A second radiance image is formed from the further image. The first radiance image and the second radiance image are merged to form the HDR image.
Natalia Gurieva "Complete Digital Workflow for HDR Photography", International Circular of Graphic Education and Research, No. 7, 2014, pp 14-23 discloses capturing a HDR image including conducting a dynamic range evaluation of the scene. Depending on the type of the scene and its dynamic range, different capturing strategies can be applied. For example, in case of midday sun with strong shadows it will be enough to take 3 shots at about 1 to about 1.33 stops apart; inside buildings with some light coming through the windows at least 5 bracketed shots at about 2 stops apart have to be taken.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,687,087, CSR Tech discloses a different approach to capturing an image of a scene which would require high dynamic range including adjusting exposure time on an image block by block basis to maintain a resulting digital signal within a range carried by a digital processing path that carries a limited number of bits.
US 2014/0002694, CSR Tech discloses capturing two or more image frames using different exposure settings and then combining the images to form a single HDR output frame in a video sequence. A pipelined architecture operates on adjacent image frames by performing image alignment, image mixing and tone mapping on the adjacent image frames to generate the HDR image sequence.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an efficient technique for determining appropriate exposure levels for a limited number of component images used to provide a HDR image.


In one embodiment, a document is marked with an identifier and stored in a memory. Responsive to a request received from a user to perform an operation upon the document or a copy of the document at a requester computer, a database is accessed. The database is a database associating users authorized to access the documents or copies of the documents with operations the users are authorized to perform is accessed. Operation authorization is determined at least in part according to a document threat index. Upon determining the user is an authorized user and determining via the database the requested operation is an authorized operation, an access code is sent to the requester computer to enable the operation.

Security for hard copies and soft copies of a document during the document's lifecycle can be a matter of extreme importance to businesses and other organizations. A compromise or breach of security can have serious consequences for the organization, potentially including loss of a valuable trade secret and associated competitive advantage.
The same part numbers designate the same or similar parts throughout the figures.

HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.L


In a system of optical communications that can be used by air or space vehicles, each station comprises at least one optical system covering a half space, this system comprising two twinned optical devices to respectively form two distinct reception channels: a first reception optical channel for the initialization, in space, of the direction of communication; a second optical channel for the reception of the contents of the communication. One of the two optical devices is also used to form a transmission channel for the initialization and then for the communication in the direction of communication. The setting up of communication is done in three steps, respectively target designation, iterative bilateral acquisition and interstation communication.

1. Field of the Invention
The field of the invention is that of systems for the transmission of signals between moving stations. More specifically, the invention is aimed at providing an optical linking system that can be used by air or space vehicles, for example to meet the requirements of communications between aircraft or between aircraft and the ground.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The presently existing air communications systems commonly use RF transmission, and have a number of drawbacks. Electromagnetic waves are sensitive to jamming caused by third-party transmissions as well as by transmissions from onboard equipment. Other limitations relate to heavy traffic in the transmission bands available and the small bandwidth that may be allocated to each communication. Finally, electromagnetic waves have the additional drawback of lacking discretion and, in certain situations, of giving vulnerability to aircraft that seek to be undetectable.
It is known that optical links may constitute an advantageous substitute for RF links, notably from the viewpoint of the above limitations. Indeed, the advantage of optical communications is that they have sufficient, but not unnecessarily excessive, range for air applications, have little susceptibility to external aggression and disturbance, including attempts at intrusion, and are discreet. Furthermore, the optical link generally provides for the availability of a high usable passband.
However, the establishment of optical communications between moving stations, notably between air vehicles, entails the combining of means that can be used to cope with the following constraints:
the system should provide directional search means that can be used to carry out an aiming of the transmitter during a phase when the link is initialized,
the system should provide quality aiming in order to maintain the link; the servo-control of the linking should notably enable the link to be maintained in spite of the substantial degree of relative motion that may exist among aircraft;
the range of the link should be sufficient to meet operational needs;
after an interruption of a link by a transient masking, it should be possible to reinitialize the link speedily;
the system should comply with the general specifications of equipment in aircraft;
the space occupied by the system should be compatible with its onboard use.

System of optical communications between moving stations and corresponding communications method


A belt tracking system for adjusting misalignment of a movable belt in an axial direction of a plurality of rollers about which the movable belt is entrained includes a slope member and a stationary shaft guide. The slope member is disposed at both ends of at least one of the plurality of rollers in the axial direction, to tilt the roller as the belt moves in the axial direction. The stationary shaft guide contacts the slope member. A distance between a contact point of the slope member that contacts the stationary shaft guide and an end portion of the slope member in the axial direction is longer than a maximum traveling distance that the slope member travels in the axial direction.

1. Technical Field
Exemplary aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to a belt tracking system, a roller assembly, and an image forming apparatus employing the same, and more particularly, to a belt tracking system for adjusting misalignment of a movable belt in an axial direction of a plurality of rollers about which the movable belt is entrained, a roller assembly, and an image forming apparatus employing the belt tracking system.
2. Description of the Related Art
Known image forming apparatuses employ various types of movable belts, such as an intermediate transfer belt, a media conveyor belt, and a fixing belt, each of which is entrained about a plurality of generally parallel support rollers and rotated by the rotation of the rollers. Due to wear and tear of parts used to rotate the belt support rollers, the belt support rollers are no longer aligned parallel to each other. Furthermore, because multiple parts are connected, the parts vary from one to another and variation among these parts can cause a different degree of connection at the left end and the right end of the rollers. As a result, the support rollers are not aligned parallel.
When these rollers are no longer parallel, the belt runs over the rollers in the axial direction of the rollers, resulting in breakage of the belt.
To address this difficulty, several techniques have been proposed which employ a belt tracking system to correct the position of the belt which has drifted in the axial direction of the roller. For example, there is known a belt tracking system in which a rotary member with an inclined surface and a stationary guide member are provided to correct displacement of the belt. Such a configuration is proposed in JP-2009-288426-A.
In order to facilitate an understanding of the related art and of the novel features of the present invention, with reference to FIGS. 11A through 11D, a description is provided of the known belt tracking system to correct displacement of the belt proposed in JP-2009-288426-A.
As illustrated in FIG. 11A, the belt tracking system includes a roller 910 about which a sheet conveyor belt 900 is entrained, rotary members 920a and 920b including inclined surfaces 930a and 930b, respectively, and stationary guide members 940a and 940b that contact the inclined surfaces 930a and 930b, respectively. FIG. 11A illustrates the sheet conveyor belt 900 without skew. As illustrated in FIG. 11A, when the sheet conveyor belt 900 is in its proper operational position without skew, the rotary members 920a and 920b at each end of the roller 910 in the axial direction thereof contact the stationary guide members 940a and 940b, respectively.
By contrast, as illustrated in FIG. 11B, when the sheet conveyor belt 900 drifts to one side, the belt edge contacts and presses against one of the rotary members 920a and 920b in the axial direction, causing the pressed rotary member 920a (or 920b) to move in the direction of skew of the belt 900 (in this example, the rotary member 920a is pressed to the right side of the drawing). As a result, as illustrated in FIG. 11B, the inclined surface 930a of the rotary member 920a at one axial end of the roller 910 contacts the stationary guide member 940, causing the roller 910 at that axial end to tilt downward. The end of the roller 910 at the rotary member 920a side tilts downward, thereby moving the sheet conveyor belt 900 in a direction opposite the direction of skew and hence correcting the position of the sheet conveyor belt 900.
Although generally advantageous, when the roller 910 in the state shown in FIG. 11B moves toward the rotary member 920a, the other rotary member, i.e., the rotary member 920b moves in the same direction. At this time, the inclined surface 930b of the rotary member 920b at the opposed end of the rotary member 920a separates from the stationary guide member 940b such as shown in FIG. 11C, hindering proper rotation of the roller 910.
If the sheet conveyor belt 900 moves to the rotary member 920b as illustrated in FIG. 11D after the inclined surface 930b of the rotary member 920b separates from the stationary guide member 940b, the end of the roller 910 at the rotary member 920b side needs to tilt downward in order to correct the position of the sheet conveyor belt 900.
However, since the inclined surface 930b is not in contact with the stationary guide member 940b, the end of the roller 910 at the rotary member 920b side cannot tilt downward, thereby complicating efforts to correct the position of the sheet conveyor belt 900.

Belt tracking system, roller assembly, and image forming apparatus including same


A vehicle mirror comprises a mirror surface; a plate pivot 110 which tilts the mirror surface by tilting the plate pivot itself,                a housing 120 which covers the plate pivot facing to the rear surface of the mirror surface across the plate pivot, which possesses a bottom portion substantially parallel to the plate pivot, and a curved side wall which is brought into contact with the side surface of the plate pivot to guide the side surface; an adjust nut 108 which is provided between the housing and the plate pivot, and which moves toward or backward to the rear surface of the pivot to tilt the plate pivot; a rotational variable resistor 118 which is provided between the housing and the plate pivot, and whose resistance value is varied depending on the rotation amount of a rotor that rotates depending upon the movement of the adjust nut; and a signal outputting portion 124, which outputs a signal corresponding to the titled angle of the mirror surface depending upon the resistance of the rotational variable resistor.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a mirror and an angle detection device. More specifically, the present invention relates to an exterior mirror for vehicles, and an angle detection device for detecting an tilted angle of a mirror surface of the exterior mirror.
2. Description of the Related Arts
There is an exterior mirror having an angle adjusting device, which adjusts the tilted angle of the exterior mirror to obtain good rear side view. In such an exterior mirror, the tilted angle of the mirror surface can be adjusted to meet the viewing angle of the driver. However, since it is complicated to delicately readjust the tilted angle whenever the driver is changed, it is desired to reproduce the tilted angle suitable for respective driver.
Various suggestions have been made to detect the tilted angle for reproducing the tilted angle of the mirror surface. For example, an angle detection device having a resistor, slidable connect which slides the resistor according to the variation (tilting) of the mirror surface has been suggested. According to this device, since the slidable connect moves to meet the tilting of the mirror surface to change the voltage, the voltage can be detected to thereby detect the tilted angle (For Example, see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-264726, hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 1).
In the device for detecting the position of the mirror (angle detection device) disclosed in Patent Document 1, the slidable connect (connect member) slides in the thickness direction of the mirror on the resistor substrate accompanying with the movement of the adjust nut. For this reason, considering a room space alpha, when the length of the resistor on the substrate is S, and the length of the connect member is L, a space of the mirror surface in the thickness direction for providing the resistor substrate of not less than S+L+alpha should be ensured. Consequently, in many cases, in conventional, decreasing the size of the angle detection device in the thickness direction of the mirror surface can be made only with difficulty.
An object of the present invention is, therefore, to provide a mirror and an angle detection device, which can solve the problem associated with the prior art.


A method of manipulating a boundary layer across a wind turbine rotor blade. The method includes coupling at least one vortex generator to the rotor blade. The vortex generator includes at least one sidewall that extends outwardly a radial distance from an outer surface of the rotor blade. The vortex generator is selectively positionable between a first position and a second position. A control system calculates a condition of the boundary layer. The vortex generator is positioned at one of the first position and the second position based on the calculated condition of the boundary layer for moving the vortex generator between the first position and the second position.

The subject matter described herein relates generally to wind turbines and, more particularly, to a vortex generator assembly for use with a wind turbine rotor blade.
At least some known wind turbines include a nacelle fixed atop a tower, wherein the nacelle includes a rotor coupled to a generator through a shaft. In known rotor assemblies, a plurality of blades extend from the rotor. The blades are oriented such that wind passing over the blades turns the rotor and rotates the shaft, thereby driving the generator to generate electricity. As wind flows over an outer surface of the rotor blade, a boundary layer is formed over the outer surface that facilitates generating lift across the rotor blade.
At least some known rotor blades include a root portion that facilitates coupling the rotor blade to the hub. At least some known root portions include a cylindrically shaped outer surface. As wind flows over at least some known rotor blade root portions, the boundary layer separates from the rotor blade outer surface and reduces the lift across the rotor blade. This reduction in lift further reduces the overall aerodynamic efficiencies of the rotor blade, which results in a reduction in annual power production of the wind turbine.

Vortex generator assembly for use with a wind turbine rotor blade and method for assembling a wind turbine rotor blade


In an autoradio such that a desired broadcasting channel can be received by reading a channel frequency from a preset memory in which plural channel frequencies are previously stored (one-touch station selection), the preset memory is provided with a table for storing plural channels classified according to each of plural broadcasting areas, and a receivable channel frequency is stored at corresponding channel memory spaces of all the broadcasting areas of the preset memory when any channel frequency is not yet stored but at only a corresponding channel memory space of the current broadcasting area thereof when already stored, whenever a preset switch is depressed. When a station automemory switch is depressed, the above operation is executed automatically to store all receivable channel frequencies. Since all the channel frequencies can be stored in the preset memory according to the broadcasting areas, it is possible to hear any desired channel by simple one-touch station selection, no matter when the vehicle travels in any broadcasting areas.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a channel frequency storing method for a vehicle radio, and more specifically to a channel storing method for a vehicle radio which can facilitate listening to radio broadcasting and traffic information in plural broadcasting areas, when the vehicle is travelling from one broadcasting area to another broadcasting area.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In general, there are plural broadcasting areas in any one country (e.g. there are ten major broadcasting areas in Japan). Further, there are a few or several broadcasting stations (i.e. channels) in one broadcasting area, and further the frequencies of these plural channels are different from each other in one area and further are different in plural areas from each other.
In the conventional vehicle radio, in general a plurality of channel frequencies in only a single broadcasting area are previously selected and stored in a memory, so that any desired radio broadcasting channel can be received by simply depressing a key (one-touch station selection), as disclosed in "Service Weekly" by NISSAN Corp. No. 656, Jun. 1989, E-46 to 50.
In the prior-art vehicle radio as described above, however, since the number and the area of broadcasting channels which can be previously selected are limited (e.g. 6 AM stations and 6 FM stations in one broadcasting area), there exists a problem in that it is impossible to hear radio broadcasts or traffic information in a vehicle when travelling through different broadcasting areas by such a one-touch station selection method.
In more detail, whenever the vehicle travels from one broadcasting area to another broadcasting area, the driver must newly select channels whose radio wave field intensities exceed a predetermined level by manual tuning or automatic tuning and then store these selected channels again in the preset memory. Further, in the case of SAM (station automemory method), previously selected channels are once erased and then newly selected channels are overwritten again in the preset memory, thus resulting in a problem in that it takes a great deal of time to select and preset new broadcasting stations or channel frequencies whenever the vehicle enters a new broadcasting area.

Channel frequency storing method for a vehicle radio


A toothbrush combination including a whistle, horn, or other wind operated device releasably connected to or molded as part of the handle. The mouthpiece of the sound device can be aligned longitudinally with the toothbrush handle with the mouth engaging part facing opposite from the brush location or alternately the mouthpiece can be formed at a 90.degree. angle to the longitudinal axis of the toothbrush handle and located intermediate the brush and the opposite end of the handle. Preferably the distal end of the handle is shaped to fit a standard toothbrush holder for storage in an upright position. When so stored, liquid is free to drain from the sound chamber for the latter to be air dried to reduce bacterial growth. The sound device is preferably sculptured to form a figure, logo, character, or object which sculpture also functions as a mouth guard or safety device against inward impact forces when blowing. This toothbrush provides a new and improved dental training or promotional toothbrush that is simple and inexpensive to make, is fun and safe to use, is easily cleaned and air dried, has a long lifetime, fits a standard toothbrush holder, and includes no moving parts.

The present invention relates to toothbrushes and more particularly to a new and improved toothbrush combination comprising a toothbrush part in combination with a sound device that increases the functionality, enjoyment, and signalling capability of the combination. This new toothbrush combination has particular utility as a dental device for children and adults, a dental training device for children, a dental promotional device for anyone or any entity, and other utilities as well.
Various prior toothbrush designs are known that include sound devices for various purposes. Toothbrushes of these known types suffer from a number of technical and production problems that impede their marketability such as requiring moving parts, expensive manufacturing processes, expensive parts, batteries, and electrical components, short lifetimes of the sound device relative to the brush portion, separate sound control switch, and the like.
Some of these problems are purported to be overcome by the device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,001,909, dated Jan. 11, 1977. However, this prior disclosed toothbrush introduces additional problems, such as moving parts, more expensive manufacturing requirements, spaces to trap and hold moisture and liquids which produces mold and other living organisms, a handle design that interferes with the brushing action and can not fit a conventional toothbrush holder, can not be easily cleaned, does not provide a protective safety guard if the user falls with the sound device in his or her mouth.


The present invention discloses a soluble polythiophene derivative containing highly coplanar repeating units. The coplanar characteristic of the TPT (thiophene-phenylene -thiophene) units improves the degree of intramolecular conjugation and intermolecular π-π interaction. The polythiophene derivative exhibits good carrier mobility and is suitable for use in optoelectronic devices such as organic thin film transistors (OTFTs), organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), and organic solar cells (OSCs).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a soluble polythiophene derivative containing highly coplanar repeating units, and in particular relates to using the soluble thiophene derivative in optoelectronic devices.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, due to the fundamental semiconductor and optoelectronic properties of polymer semiconducting material, the material has attracted considerable research interest because of the potential for being used in optoelectronic devices such as organic thin film transistors (OTFTs), organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), and organic solar cells (OSCs) and being mass produced. In addition, with the active layer of the optoelectronic device being fabricated by printing technology, material having polymer properties can produce a flexible optoelectronic device with advantages of light-weight, low cost and large area fabrication.
The key development for polymer semiconducting material applicability is based on the soluble conjugated polymer. For the soluble conjugated polymer, a main chain is connected by a conjugated backbone, and the function of a side chain is to increase solubility. However, a main drawback for conjugated polymer applicability in optoelectronic devices is its low carrier mobility, consequently limiting the practicability of optoelectronic devices made with polymer semiconducting material. Therefore, one solution is to synthesize conjugated polymer with high carrier mobility materials to improve the efficiency of optoelectronic devices made from polymer semiconducting material.
For application of polymer semiconducting material by organic thin film transistors (OTFT), polythiophene with carrier mobility of 10−5 cm2/Vs is first used as an active layer. Next, poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and poly(9,9-dioctylfluoreneco-bithiophene)(F8T2) are sequentially synthesized, thus improving the carrier mobility of the OTFT device to 10−1˜10−3 cm2/Vs.
For application of polymer semiconducting material by organic solar cells (OSCs), the active layer must be made of high mobility materials that can effectively transport holes and electrons, respectively. Otherwise, if the electrons and holes recombine, the carrier function will disappear, thus reducing power conversion efficiency of the OSCs. In 1979, a solution having hetero-junction structure including an electron donor and an electron acceptor was proposed, which sparked development of OSCs. At the time, initial power conversion efficiency was about 1%. Afterwards, various polymer materials were synthesized to be used as electron donors material and C60 material was used as an electron acceptor material, such as poly[2-methoxy-5-(2′-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene] (MEH-PPV) with C60, P3HT with PCBM, thus improving power conversion efficiency in the range of 4 to 5%. In 2006, D. Muhlbacher at al. proposed using PCPDTBT (poly[2,6]-(4,4-bis-(2-ethylhexyl)-4H-cyclopental[2,1-b;3,4-b′]dithiophene)-alt-4,7-(2,1,3-benzothiadiazole) polymer with a low bandgap, which improved power conversion efficiency of the polymer with PC71BM to 3.2%. (For further detail see D. Muhlbacher, M. Scharber, M. Morana, Z. Zhu, D. Waller, R. Gaudiana, C. Brabec, "High photovoltaic performance of a low-bandgap polymer", Adv. Mater, 18, pp. 2884-2889(2006))
The above-mentioned polymers such as P3HT F8T2 and PCPDTBT are polymerized by thiophene derivatives. For the polymers, the main chain is based on a planar conjugated thiophene derivative. Because of interaction between the side-chain molecules, the intermolecules π-π interaction and carrier mobility are improved.
In 2006, Ken-Tsung Wong. at al. synthesized TPT (thiophene-phenylene-thiophene) and applied the material as a light-emitting material. The TPT compound was almost coplanar, so it exhibited good intermolecules π-π interaction. (For further detail see K.-T Wong, T.-C. Chao, L.-C. Chi, Y.-Y. Chu, A. Balaiah, S.-F. Chiu, Y.-H. Liu, Y. Wang, "Syntheses and structures of novel heteroarene-fused coplanar π-conjugated chromophores", Org. Lett. 8, pp. 5033-5036(2006))
From the above description, if coplanar conjugated polymer is synthesized, not only does intermolecules π-π interaction improve, but also carrier mobility will be increased.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Industrial Technology Research Institute


Methods of coating at least a portion of a curved surface of a lens with a polarizing liquid. One method includes providing a lens having a curved surface and a lens axis; and rotating the lens about a rotation axis such that a polarizing liquid flows over at least a portion of the curved surface; the rotation axis being offset from the lens axis. Other methods are included. Apparatuses include ophthalmic lenses having polarized coatings formed according to any of the disclosed methods.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to methods of coating lenses. More particularly, the invention relates to methods of applying polarized coatings to curved lenses.
2. Description of Related Art
Polarized lenses block light of certain polarization states. By blocking horizontally polarized light, a polarized lens reduces glare that would otherwise exist through a non-polarized lens, such as glare off water, roads, and other objects. As a result of the reduced glare, objects become more distinct and true colors more clear. There are currently several different known systems for polarizing lenses for use in eyewear.
a. Film-Based Polarizing Systems
Certain of today's current eyewear products are fabricated by casting polyvinylalcohol-iodine films into a thermoset lens or by insert injection molding of a laminated polarized film to a thermoplastic lens. From a business perspective, these technologies are rigid and usually specific to mass production rather than made-to-order prescription ophthalmic lenses. The final optical properties of the resulting lens are determined by the film and are not easily altered. Additionally, film-based lenses require a separate inventory of polarized products, which can lead to increased costs.
Film-based products suffer from certain performance/technology shortcomings. Although the films have very high polarization efficiencies, the performance of the resulting lens is highly dependent upon the precise placement of the film within the lens. For example, if the polarization axis is not placed within three (3) degrees of the optic axis of a progress lens, the product is not acceptable. Also, a film placed on a progressive lens can greatly limit the final thickness of a wearer's lens due to the film's thickness. Furthermore, the precursor film to the polarization film can have cosmetic impurities/non-uniformities due to the nature of dying the polarization film (also known in the art as stretch films). Such non-uniformity, which can be observed as streaking in the film's coloration, can be exacerbated by the casting process, during which a thermal or chemical attack of the film can lead to dye bleach or further color non-uniformity.
b. Other Polarizing Systems
Example of lenses that have been polarized using a coating rather than film are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,648,925; 4,683,153; 4,865,668; and 4,977,028, all of which are expressly incorporated by reference. Performance of the methods disclosed in these patents involves rubbing or scratching the lens prior to deposition of the dye used to form the coating. Such a process, commercially, is "dirty" and not readily adaptable or necessarily compatible with all lens materials and curvatures. To orient a dye molecule in these processes, the substrate must be scratched to form grooves of appropriate dimensions, which will in turn create a molecular orientation of the applied die that is favorable to alignment. The overall performance (contrast ratio=40) of such polarized lenses is relatively low. The scratching is also likely to induce some haze in the final product.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,400,877, which is expressly incorporated by reference, discloses treating a substrate in some manner to produce an orientation that will, in turn, properly orient the polarizable materials that are applied to the substrate to form a polarized coating. Rubbing the surface of the substrate is disclosed as the preferred means of creating the appropriate surface orientation, although static electrical and magnetic fields are also disclosed for the same purpose. This patent mentions "spraying, flowing, pouring [and] brushing" as means of applying the disclosed films of polarizing materials to a surface. Dip coating is disclosed as one example of the disclosed application methods. Much of the patent is directed to describing means of fixing the applied polarized material, such as by controlling the evaporation and/or solidification of the film after it has been applied. The patent states that "[a]another object of [the] invention is to provide polarizing films on curved and intricate surfaces and to provide films in any of unlimited colors and color combinations." The patent also recites treating "polarizing filters for optical work of various kinds including photography, binoculars, goggles, windshields, mirrors, etc. . . . [and] lenses corrected for chromatic aberration. . . . " The patent does not suggest spin coating or otherwise coating a surface that is not first treated for orientation in some way. The patent also does not suggest utilizing shear flow alone in coating a surface with a polarizing liquid.
Two systems have recently been proposed to form polarized coatings on flat surfaces using shear. The Optiva systems disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,739,296; 6,049,428; and 6,174,394—all of which are expressly incorporated by reference—include a blend of three self-assembling lyotropic liquid crystal dyes that, upon application of shear, orient to form various colored polarizers. These patents mention the use of coating rods, slot-dye (extrusion) coating, coating by capillary forces, and other methods as ways of coating a flat surface with, for example, a polymeric film or glass sheets. Because the orientation of the molecules occurs during the coating process, no surface preparation steps, such as rubbing, are necessary. This reduces the need for a specific alignment layer or reduces the incompatibility of surfaces on which liquid crystalline materials are not likely to align during application. The processes in these patent are suited to web coating a continuous roll of thin, flat polymeric films. They are not suited to use on non-flat surfaces.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,245,399, which is expressly incorporated by reference, discloses a liquid crystal guest-host system that is aligned by shear forces. In this patent, the dye is not directly aligned by the shear flow. Instead, the orientation of the guest dichroic (pleochroic) dye is controlled by the host lyotropic liquid crystal material, which is oriented by shear flow. This patent does not suggest any shear flow application for a non-planar surface.

Essilor International Compagnie Generale d'Optique


A predetermined firing delay time B.sub.1 is added to a value obtained by dividing a total gas weight Gcyl in a cylinder by an unburnt gas density basic value DENS and a laminar flow flame velocity basic value FLML. The value obtained by this calculation is unit converted and then set as a basic ignition timing for which a minimum ignition advance value or MBT is obtained. In this way, ignition timing control is optimized for various engine running conditions without preparing a plurality of maps.

Three-way catalytic converters which perform oxidation and reduction of hydrocarbons (HC), carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the exhaust of an automobile engine, convert these noxious substances most efficiently when an air-fuel ratio of the fuel mixture supplied to the engine coincides with a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio.
In an engine equipped with such a catalytic converter, the air-fuel ratio of the air-fuel mixture is controlled for example by an electronic control unit. The ignition timing is also controlled in close relation with the air-fuel ratio control. The ignition timing control is generally performed based on a map of basic ignition timing having engine load and engine rotation speed as parameters is pre-stored in a memory provided in the control unit.
A real engine load and engine rotation speed are detected, and when these signals are input to the control unit, the map is looked up so as to determine this basic ignition timing.
A spark plug in the engine connected to an ignition coil generates a spark in accordance with this basic ignition timing so as to ignite the air-fuel mixture in a combustion chamber of the engine when a primary current flowing in the ignition coil is interrupted.
The basic ignition timing is set in the vicinity of a minimum spark advance for best torque, or MBT, which is required to maximize the engine output torque with a view to improving fuel cost-performance.
To improve the precision of this ignition timing control, the map of basic ignition timing must first be set correctly for each engine which requires many matching experiments to be performed. In particular, the required basic ignition timing varies in lean burn systems where the engine is run at a leaner air-fuel ratio than the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio under predetermined conditions. In this case the required basic ignition timing varies in a lean burn region and a non-lean burn region. Further, in engines fitted with an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) device, the required basic ignition timing also varies according to the exhaust gas recirculation state.
When a plurality of maps are used to satisfy these requirements, the number of matching experiments increases in direct proportion to the number of maps, and the memory storage capacity required to store these maps also increases.
In Tokkai Hei 2-245450 published by the Japanese Patent Office in 1990, a pressure sensor is provided facing an engine cylinder, and a map value of basic ignition timing is corrected so that a crank angle which maximizes the rate of increase of cylinder pressure coincides with a target value. In this way, it is possible to achieve high precision MBT control without performing a large number of matching experiments.
However in such a device, a pressure sensor must be provided in the combustion chamber and this increases the manufacturing cost of the device. The lifetime of the pressure sensor is also short in comparison to that of other engine parts.

Controller and control method for engine ignition timing


This invention relates to a method for preparing fine graphite particles which can be used as a highly functional graphite material in wide applications. According to this method, foliated fine graphite particles having a high aspect ratio and hence well-developed anisotropy can be prepared, without formation of secondary particles, by dispersing expanded graphite particles into a liquid and then exposing them to ultrasonic waves. Articles molded of the resulting foliated fine graphite particles exhibit high electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity.

Graphite materials have excellent properties such as electrical conductivity, lubricity, corrosion resistance and heat resistance, and are being used in wide applications requiring electrically conductive, heat-resistant and/or corrosion-resistant materials. In these applications, graphite materials are usually used in the form of molded articles consisting of graphite alone or a combination of graphite and other materials. Among others, graphite powder occupies an important position as a material for the formation of such molded articles and as a solid lubricant.
Graphite powder for use in these applications, especially when incorporated into rubber and synthetic resins to impart thereto functional properties such as electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity, should preferably comprise fine particles having a high aspect ratio because they can be uniformly dispersed so as to have many mutual contacts.
In the prior art, graphite powder has usually been prepared by a wet or dry grinding method for mechanically reducing natural or synthetic graphite to powder. However, these grinding methods for preparing graphite powder involve several problems. Specifically, it is difficult to reduce graphite to fine particles because the crystallinity of graphite is so developed that slip occurs between graphite crystal layer planes. Even if the grinding power is increased or the grinding time is prolonged, fine particle having a uniform shape cannot be obtained and, moreover, the grinding efficiency is reduced. On the other hand, where graphite powder is prepared by grinding expanded graphite obtained, for example, by heat treatment of intercalated graphite, it has been difficult to reduce expanded graphite to fine particles according to common grinding methods using direct mechanical loads or impacts effected by a mortar with a pestle, a grinder or the like. Specifically, the crystal layer planes of expanded graphite tend to become oriented perpendicularly to the direction of the loads or impacts, resulting in the formation of thin films. Moreover, expanded graphite particles are so soft that they are easily squashed and pressed into a plate-like mass. Furthermore, expanded graphite particles having a bulk density of 0.003 to 0.006 g/cm.sup.3 are so bulky and light that they tend to scatter during the grinding process. In order to solve these problems, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 127612/'86 (DERWENT abstract 86-194944/30) discloses a method for preparing an electrically conductive graphite material wherein expanded graphite is ground while the interstices thereof are impregnated with a liquid or, in addition, the liquid is frozen. This method can solve the problem of particle scattering, but still involves several problems to be solved. Specifically, since this method is based on grinding by direct mechanical impact forces, it is desirable to impregnate the interstices of expanded graphite completely with a liquid, and additional operation therefor is required. Moreover, this method produces considerable noises and vibrations associated with ordinary mechanical grinding, Furthermore, although the expanded graphite is impregnated with a liquid, it is difficult to grind it uniformly. Thus, the resulting particles are not uniform in shape and excessively ground particles tend to cohere or form lumps.
In short, it has been difficult to prepare fine graphite particles having uniformly distributed small sizes and high aspect ratios, according to prior art grinding methods. Thus, fine graphite particles having such a shape has been unknown in the prior art.

Foliated fine graphite particles and method for preparing same