A transmission comprising a planetary gear mechanism wherein a plurality of planetary gears 6 are provided around a sun gear and meshed with the sun gear 5 and an internal gear 7 is provided outside the planetary gears and meshed with the planetary gears 6. The internal gear 7 consists of two split internal gears 7a, 7b divided by a plane perpendicular to its axial direction. Each of the plurality of planetary gears 6 consists of a large planetary gear 6a having a large diameter and small planetary gears 6b having small diameters and coaxially spline-coupled to the large planetary gear 6a in such a manner that the tooth portions thereof are positioned both sides of the large planetary gear 6a. The split internal gears 7a, 7b are meshed with the teeth of each small planetary gear 6b. The sun gear 5 is meshed with the large planetary gear 6a. An intermediate idle ring 11 is provided to each of the planetary gears 6 as a mechanism for equally distributing the load.

This invention relates to a planetary gear transmission which provides a high change gear ratio, though its structure is compact.
As is known in the art, a transmission comprising a planetary gear mechanism can provide a greater change gear ratio while its structure is more compact than ordinary change gear transmissions. The greater the gear ratio of a planetary gear to a sun gear, that is, the greater the ratio of the diameter of the planetary gear to that of the sun gear, the greater becomes this change gear ratio.
However, since the planetary gear mechanism has a plurality of planetary gears disposed around the sun gear, the change gear ratio obtained from one particular planetary gear mechanism is limited to the extent such that the diameters of the plurality of planetary gears do not interfere with one another. Two or more sets of planetary gear mechanisms must be coupled to each other in an axial direction in order to obtain a greater change gear ratio. If two or more sets of planetary gear mechanisms are coupled to each other in an axial direction, however, the size of the overall device in the axial direction becomes large, and a larger installation space becomes necessary. For this reason, the cost of production of the transmission becomes unavoidably higher.

Compound planetary gear transmission having load equalization means


An intracardial electrode lead comprises a distal end, a proximal end and an elongate electrode lead body which includes a helical coil having a lumen and a sheath enclosing the helical coil. The distal end of the electrode lead carries a an electrode. The electrode is electrically connected to a connection at the proximal end of the electrode lead for communication with a medical device. The distal end has a sleeve with a proximal end and a distal end, which is enclosed by the distal end of the helical coil at the sleeve proximal end and contacts a lip seal at its distal end. The lip seal elastically closes a distal opening of the lumen. The sleeve is also electrically connected to the electrode, which has an external surface and projects distally beyond the lip seal.

The invention concerns an intracardial electrode lead, which, as its name indicates, is suitable for arrangement in a heart, in particular in a human heart. The electrode lead is adapted for connection to a cardiac therapy device such as a cardiac pacemaker, defibrillator or cardioverter. The assembly includes an elongate electrode lead body which has a longitudinally extending helical coil with a lumen for a guide wire or the like. The helical coil is surrounded by an insulating and sealing sheath. The electrode lead has a distal end and a proximal end, and in the region of its distal end, carries a stimulation and/or sensing electrode which is electrically connected to a connection at the proximal end of the electrode lead.
Electrode leads of this kind are basically known in various different variations. In the patent literature, electrode leads of that kind are described for example in WO 00/72911.
The object of the invention is to provide an electrode lead which is optimized in regard to various properties.


A process for the preparation of 1,1,3-trialkoxypropane by acid-catalyzed reaction of acrolein with a C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 alcohol, which can be carried out well on a large scale and leads to a higher selectivity. The process involves (a) the reaction, in the presence of a solid acid catalyst which is insoluble in the reaction mixture, (b) a partial neutralization of the reaction mixture, using an amine or basic ion exchanger, and (c) specific recovery by distillation of the reaction mixture and recirculation of fractions containing useful materials; aqueous fractions containing recyclable useful materials are largely dehydrated by pervaporation prior to being recirculated.

The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of 1,1,3-trialkoxypropane by the acid-catalyzed reaction of acrolein with a lower alcohol. The process is particularly suitable for the continuous preparation of 1,1,3-trialkoxypropane with higher selectivity than previous methods.
The preparation of 1,1,3-trialkoxypropane by reaction of acrolein with a lower alcohol in the presence of hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid as catalyst, partial or complete neutralization of the reaction mixture, and recovery of the same by distillation is known (see DE 898 895; R. H. Hall and E. S. Stern in J. Chem. Soc., 3388 to 3393 (1954)). In the acid-catalyzed reaction of acrolein (I) with a lower alcohol, not only is the desired 1,1,3-trialkoxypropane (IV) formed, but 3-alkoxypropionaldehyde (II) and acrolein dialkyl acetal (III) are also produced. As the following reaction scheme shows, equilibria exist between the above-mentioned substances (I) to (IV) in the presence of the acid catalyst: ##STR1## Owing to the complex equilibrium positions between the compounds (I) to (IV) and to the fact that further acrolein derivatives can be formed from acrolein and from the water arising during the formation of acetals, it has hitherto been difficult to obtain the desired 1,1,3-trialkoxypropane with higher selectivity and in higher total yield. In order as far as possible to avoid a reverse splitting of (IV) during the recovery of the reaction mixture by distillation, at least a partial neutralization of the reaction mixture prior to distillation is necessary. A disadvantage of the previously known process, in addition to the often unsatisfactory yield, is that the salts obtained in the reaction mixture from the neutralization of the catalyst lead to encrustations in the distillation equipment--encrustation of this kind is not acceptable in a large-scale plant.
According to DE 898 895 the equilibrium of the reaction can be shifted in favor of the desired trialkoxypropane by carrying out the reaction in the presence of substances which bind water. Such a measure is, however, very expensive on a commercial scale. DE 898 895 also includes instructions to azeotropically dehydrate, by means of benzene, the 3-methoxypropionaldehyde which forms as a by-product in Example 3 of DE 898 895 and is obtained mixed with water during recovery by distillation, and to add it to a subsequent batch. The disadvantage here is that a further organic solvent is necessary for the dehydration.

Process for the preparation of 1,1,3-trialkoxypropane


Systems, method, and non-transitory computer readable medium for imaging an object. The system includes a scanner. The scanner positions a spot of light from a light source on the object along a scanning path. The scanning path includes a plurality of scan lines. The spot moves along the scanning path at a scanning velocity. The scanning velocity is not constant. The intensity of the spot of light is modulated as a function of the scanning velocity. The system includes a detector that is arranged to output data associated with positions along the scanning path. The system includes one or more processors that perform calculations. Pixels are calculated based on the output data. The image is constructed of the object based on the pixels.

1. Field of Art
The present disclosure relates to a scanning imaging system, methods, and non-transitory computer readable medium with instructions for modulating a light source.
2. Description of the Related Art
Laser confocal microscopes and Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscopes (SLO), obtain a two dimensional images of a specimen by employing two scanners to dynamically update positions of a laser spot on the specimen. The two scanners are a resonant scanner and a linear scanner. The resonant scanner, also called the "fast scanner" oscillates back and forth at kHz rates to update the position of the laser spot in a first direction (e.g., X direction in Cartesian coordinates). The linear scanner, also called the "slow scanner" oscillates back and forth at Hz rates to update the position of the laser spot in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction (e.g., Y direction in Cartesian coordinates). The two scanners work together to sweep the laser spot across a portion of the specimen being imaged (scanning area), producing a two dimensional image of the specimen. The fast scanner is typically driven by a sinusoidal signal (or a similar such signal) to achieve high-speed scanning hence its physical motion is also sinusoidal or very close to sinusoidal. The slow scanner is driven by a periodic ramp signal or saw-tooth signal.
One of the consequences of using a resonant scanner is that the scanning speed at the center of the scanning area is much faster than the scanning speed at the edge of the scanning area. In the prior art the intensity of the laser spot before it enters the scanner is kept constant before it enters the scanner. Thus, the radiant flux (radiant energy per unit time) is greater at the edges than at the center.
The light reflected from the specimen is detected by a photo detector such as a Photo Multiplier Tube (PMT) or an Avalanche Photo Diode (APD), and the detected signal from the detector is converted by an Analog/Digital converter (ADC) to a digital signal. The detected signal strength is proportional to the intensity of the illumination light at the specimen. When measuring the relative intensity with the detector, the detector is calibrated relative to the intensity of the illumination light received by the specimen. In order to minimize calibration error the measurement window is limited to a central area of the scanning area in which the scanning speed is substantially constant. Thus, the illumination light at the specimen in the measurement window is relatively constant. The detected signals are then truncated and reshaped according to the scanner movement in order to obtain a final image.
When the specimen is a human eye, laser safety is an important issue. Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscopes are designed to be in compliance with ANSI Z136 Laser Safety Standards, thus the radiant flux received by the eye during the measurement process is kept below a maximum intensity. If the source intensity is kept constant then the source intensity is limited to the light received at the edges of the scanning window. Alternatively, the light source is modulated so that the light source is OFF at the edges of the scanning window and is only ON during or around the measurement window.
Some scanning projectors include systems in which light passes through an optical filter that variably attenuate the light beam as function of position. These systems are inappropriate for imaging systems in which the intensity of light source should be dynamically adjustable to compensate for the dynamic variability of the imaging system.
Sometimes it is better to use non-constant source illumination so that the specimen receives uniform illumination. When the specimen receives uniform illumination than the thermal and photochemical effect of the illumination on the specimen is also uniform. The existing technologies modulate the detection laser using only two states, ON/OFF. Thus, the whole scanning area is not used for imaging because edges of the area are not illuminated.

Light source modulation for a scanning microscope


A machine includes a spindle for rotating about a rotating axis, a fixture having a central axis coaxial with the rotating axis, a connecting bar and a vacuum pump. The spindle has a first end surface, an opposite second end surface and a plurality of through holes extending through the first and second end surfaces. The connecting bar is detachably interconnected between the fixture and the spindle. The fixture is configured for rotating jointly with the spindle. The vacuum pump is in communication with the through holes.

1. Technical Field
The present invention generally relates to high precision machines, and particularly relates to a machine having a spindle and a fixture coaxially aligned with the spindle.
2. Discussion of Related Art
Prior to processing a workpiece with a machine tool, the workpiece need being fixed to a spindle of the machine tool. Usually, a fixture for fixing the workpiece is employed to help the fixing process. For most of machine processes, it is required to center the fixture on the spindle of the machine tool. A typical method for centering the fixture on the spindle includes following steps. Firstly, the fixture is sucked onto a surface of the spindle using a vacuum suction device (e.g., a vacuum pump). Secondly, whether the fixture is coaxial to the spindle is checked using a checking device, and the fixture is simultaneously beaten using a hammer until the checking device shows that the fixture is coaxial to the spindle.
However, in such a centering process, the fixture is inevitably damaged, and the centering process is time-consuming.
What is needed, therefore, is a machine to improve an efficiency of the centering process.

Machine with spindle and fixture coaxially aligned with the spindle


A self contained mobile refrigerant recovery and purification system in which refrigerant is withdrawn through a filter/dryer in liquid or vapor phase and then to a holding tank through a heat exchanger located within the tank. The flow of the recovered refrigerant through the heat exchanger is utilized to regulate the pressure within the tank, reducing the pressure to effect withdrawal and elevating the pressure to effect recharging of the serviced refrigeration system. After refrigerant withdrawal is complete, liquid refrigerant within the holding tank is cycled from the holding tank through the filter/dryer and back to the holding tank. The reclaimed refrigerant can then be transferred back to the serviced system in either liquid or vapor form as desired. Between recovery jobs the recovery system can be cleansed out by cycling a cleansed and pumped out by cycling a clean refrigerant through the filter/dryer and the holding tank.

It is well known that the dumping of presently used refrigerants, which consist of chlorofluorocarbons (CFC's), is extremely damaging to the environment due to the deleterious effect of CFC's on the ozone layer. With world-wide regulation of CFC production and release to the atmosphere, industry and government are looking for ways to save and reclaim CFC refrigerants.
Presently there is no practical method for removing and reclaiming CFC refrigerants from large commercial and industrial refrigeration systems when these systems undergo servicing. The recovery systems that are available seem most suited for the automotive air conditioning and home appliance trade.


A container of flexible material is described, for granular or powdery products, particularly coffee beans, having, at the corner of one of its walls (6), an opening (7) closed with a peel-off seal (8) provided with a pull tab (12), for easy emptying of its contents into a bar coffee grinder by placing the container (1) in a special support (20), mounted on the grinder and provided with a seat to receive the container, with a mobile partition such as to allow said pull tab (12) to emerge through a slit below, for easy pulling thereof, with opening of the peel-off seal (8).

The present invention relates to a container for granular, powdery and similar products, in particular coffee beans, to be emptied into the grinder of a bar. The invention also concerns a support for such a container during emptying of its contents, which adapts to the normal bar coffee grinders currently in existence.
As is known, the various bars are normally supplied with coffee by the same company that has provided them with the equipment for preparation of the beverage. Besides the quality of the product, the cost of the coffee that is supplied takes into account the equipment supplied. The bar manager might therefore find it advantageous to purchase coffee at more competitive prices from other suppliers, such as supermarkets, for example, to the detriment of the quality of the product, for example re-using his own supplier's packaging.
An object of the invention is to eliminate or at least reduce this possibility, providing a coffee container that cannot be re-used after use, or that in any case discourages any re-use.
Another drawback of the containers currently in use, which are practically opened at the top and overturned, so that the mouth of the opening is placed in a special collection funnel provided above the grinder, is that during this operation, which, moreover, must be carried out with a certain care, the coffee-beans may be spilled.
Therefore, another object of the invention is to eliminate this drawback, providing a container that can easily be positioned, on a special support, for emptying into the grinder, without any danger of spilling part of its contents.
These objects are achieved with the container according to the invention which is described in detail below.
The support for such a container, for emptying thereof into a bar coffee grinder, is also described below.
Substantially, the container according to the invention, made by successive folding and welding of a multi-layered material, in particular a plastic laminate, with an inner layer that can be welded, for example polyethylene, is prism-shaped, in particular a parallelepiped, and has on one of its walls an opening, closed by a peel-off seal, through which the coffee can be emptied. This opening is advantageously made at a corner of the corresponding wall of the container, which is placed in an inclined position on a corresponding support, so as to allow complete emptying of the coffee beans.
The support has a seat able to receive the corresponding wall of the container with the opening, provided on the bottom with a mouth for emptying into the grinder, the opening of the container being placed to coincide with said mouth.
The seal that closes the opening provided in the container has a pull tab that comes to be positioned in a special slit in the support, following operation of a mobile plate, so as to allow said flap to be peeled easily.

Container for granular products, particularly coffee, and relative support for emptying into a bar coffee grinder


The present invention relates to a screening method for a compound and includes a step of detecting binding between a vitamin D receptor and CDP. A novel method enabling screening in vitro of a compound having strong bone forming action and low side effects, a compound participating in osteoblast differentiation and selected by the method of screening, a therapeutic agent containing the compound for diseases intervening in the increase in vitamin D-mediated transcriptional activity by a complex of a vitamin D receptor and CDP, and a kit for performing the screening method are provided.

Active vitamin D3 derivatives such as 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (hereafter "1,25 (OH)2D3 or 1,25D3) or 1α-hydroxy vitamin D3 (hereafter "1α (OH)D3) have extensive clinical applications as therapeutic substances for metabolic bone diseases such as osteoporosis. The physiological effect of these active vitamin D3 derivatives is known to be mediated by VDR. VDR is not only present in tissue such as the small intestine, bone, kidneys and parathyroid but is also present in various types of cells including immune system cells and tumor cells. Consequently active vitamin D3 derivatives are known to have various physiological effects including (1) calcium and bone metabolism regulation, (2) proliferation inhibition of tumor cells, epidermal cells and epithelial cells, and (3) regulation of immune system cells.
Animal experiments using active vitamin D3 derivatives such as 1,25 (OH)2D3 or 1α (OH)D3 have demonstrated relatively potent effects in increasing bone mass depending on the experimental conditions. On the other hand, in a clinical environment, the effect of increasing the bone density of the lumbar vertebrae or the collum femoris is poor. When using the bone density as a standard, although groups receiving doses of active vitamin D3 derivatives (clinical dosage) display superior results to groups only receiving dosages of calcium, the bone mass increase action is weaker than groups receiving administration of bisphosphonates. However, clinical results have been reported showing efficacy in suppressing fractures greater than that expected from the bone mass. The pharmacological effects described above have resulted in long-standing use as a therapeutic substance for osteoporosis. However, the mechanism for bone mass increase mediated by administration of active vitamin D3 derivatives remains unclear.
Active vitamin D3 derivatives in vitro are known to promote differentiation of osteoblasts participating in osteogenesis. However, a molecular biological mechanism of this action remains unclear.
1,25 (OH)2D3 is known to induce genetic expression of known osteoblast differentiation markers such as osteopontin and osteocalcin in bone tissue which is one of the target tissues. Osteoblasts in cell culture systems are known to differentiate as a result of 1,25 (OH)2D3 action (Non-patent Document 1). Furthermore the action of 1,25 (OH)2D3 in other target organs such as the intestines or the kidneys has long been known to induce the genes for calcium binding protein (calbindin) which participates in calcium uptake rather than to induce the genetic expression of osteoblast markers. Thus, the action depends on the type of tissue. As a result, since vitamin D3 derivatives increase blood levels of calcium, side effects such as hypercalcemia constitute problems for their clinical application. Therefore, screening for compounds lacking in, or having weak calcium blood level increase action could lead to the development of superior therapeutic substances for metabolic bone diseases with few side effects.
VDR-mediated transcriptional activity is generally known to occur through the participation of transcription co-factor (co-activator/co-repressor) in addition to VDR and the basic transcription factor. Although several transcription cofactors displaying VDR binding activity have been identified, a cofactor which may explain the role of 1,25 (OH)2D3 in the mechanism of osteoblast differentiation remains elusive. The existence of such tissue-specific genetic expression control suggests that expression or recruitment of VDR-related cofactors may depend on the tissue type. For example, differences have recently been reported in the complexes forming VDR before and after keratinocyte differentiation (Non-patent Document 2). These results suggest that cellular specificity or tissues having various intracellular genetic expression mechanisms regulated by VDR may depend on differences in the complexes forming VDR. However, identification or isolation of complexes forming VDR in osteoblasts has not been reported.
Turning now to CDP, mammalian homologues of Cut homeodomain proteins in yellow fruit flies have been isolated from mammals such as humans (Non-patent Document 3), dogs (Non-patent Document 4), mice (Non-patent Document 5) and rats (Non-patent Document 6). These homologues are respectively referred to as CDP (CCAAT Displacement Protein), Clox (Cut-like homeobox), Cux-1 (Cut homeobox) and CDP-2. Human CDP is referred to as both CUT-LIKE 1:CUTL1.
CDP belongs to a family of transcription factors present in higher order eukaryotes and is related to the control of cellular differentiation and proliferation (Non-patent Document 7). Numerous phenotypic variations in yellow fruit flies have been reported to result from insertion of a transposable insulator sequence (insulator sequence) interfering with the tissue-specific enhancer function of Cut which is a CDP yellow fruit fly homologue (Non-patent Document 8). Such phenotypes are known to be expressed in several structures in the wings (cut wings), legs, external sensory organs, Malpighian renal tubules, tracheal system or central nervous system (Non-patent Document 9). Similar to the Cux-1 and Cux-2 genes existing in mice and chickens, humans have two CDP/Cux genes: CDP-1 and CDP-2 (Non-patent Document 10). Although Cux-2 shows initial expression in nerve tissue, Cux-1 is present in almost all tissue types (Non-patent Document 10). A Cux-1 knockout mouse displays phenotypes expressed in various organs including curly whiskers, growth retardation, delayed differentiation of lung epithelia, altered hair follicle morphogenesis, male infertility, and T and B cell deficit (Non-patent Document 11). In comparison to small Cux-1 knockout mice, a genetically recombinant mouse expressing Cux-1 displays multiple organ hyperplasia and organ hypertrophy under control of the CMV enhancer/promoter. (Non-patent Document 12). In this manner, genetic experiments using yellow fruit fly and mice have shown the important role of CDP/Cux/Cut genes in the homeostasis and development of various tissues.
Expression and activation of CDP in tissue culture systems are related to cell proliferation (Non-patent Document 13), suppress CDP genetic expression occurring in terminally differentiated cells (Non-patent Document 14) and participate in the modification of matrix attachment regions (Non-patent Document 15). CDP/Cux/Cut proteins have respective DNA binding domains. All proteins contain at least one Cut homeodomain (HD) and three Cut repeats (CR1, CR2 and CR3). The cut superclass of the homeobox genes is divided into three classes: CUX, ONECUT and SATB (Non-patent Document 16). The yellow fruit fly Cut, human CDP and mouse Cux genes contain three Cut repeats and a ONECUT gene containing one Cut repeat is present in each type (Non-patent Document 10). SATB1 contains two Cut repeat-like domains and an atypical Cut-like homeodomain (Non-patent Document 17).
Although the individual Cut repeats themselves do not bind to DNA, DNA-binding affinity is enabled via certain combinations of Cut repeats or the Cut homeodomain (Non-patent Document 18). There have been two reports of intracellular DNA binding activity by CDP/Cux. CDP/Cux p200 transiently binds to DNA in the same manner as CR1CR2 and displays CCAAT substitution activity (Non-patent Document 10). In the G1/S transition of the cell cycle, proteolytic processing of the decomposable p200 protein produces CDP/Cux p110. CDP/Cux p110 contains CR2CR3HD which displays different DNA binding specificity and kinetics (Non-patent Document 19). In particular, p110 can form stable interactions with DNA. High levels of p110 isoforms are expressed in uterine leiomyomas (Non-patent Document 20).
Patent Document 1 discloses the discovery that p'75, a novel isoform of CDP/Cux, is encoded by mRNA initiated by intron 20 in the CDP/Cux site. This novel isoform displays distinct DNA binding activity to p200, p110 and p100 CDP/Cux isoforms. Although mRNA expression initiated in intron 20 is limited to certain tissue or cell types, the expression is activated in mammary tumor cell strains, primary human mammary tumors and other cancerous tissues. Consequently, antibodies against isoforms (CDP/Cux) of truncated CCAAT-substituted proteins/Cut homeobox find useful application in methods of diagnosis and prognosis for the detection of cancer. Furthermore, a method of detecting cancer by detecting RNA transcripts encoding p75 is disclosed. Moreover, CDP/Cux are known to suppress enhancer activity by competitively binding with the transcription factor binding at the matrix attachment regions of the intron enhancer (Eμ) of the immunoglobin heavy chain in a cell type specific manner or differentiation stage specific manner (Non-patent Document 21).
However these reports have no clear relationship to CDP function with respect to bone or vitamin D receptors.    Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2004/045371 Pamphlet    Non-patent Document 1: Matsumoto et al., Bone Vol. 12, 27-32, (1991)    Non-patent Document 2: Oda A. et al., Mol. Endocrinol. Vol. 17, 2329-2339, (2003)    Non-patent Document 3: Neufeld, E. J. et al., (1992) Nat. Genet. 1, 50-55    Non-patent Document 4: Andres, V. et al., (1992) Development, 116, 321-334    Non-patent Document 5: Valarche, I. et al., (1993) Development, 119, 881-896    Non-patent Document 6: Yoon, S. O. et al., (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 18453-18462    Non-patent Document 7: Nepveu (2001) Gene 270:1-15    Non-patent Document 8: Jack, et al., (1991) Development 113: 735-747    Non-patent Document 9: Jack, et al., (1991) supra    Non-patent Document 10: Neufeld, E. J., et al., (1992) supra    Non-patent Document 11: Ellis, et al., (2001) supra    Non-patent Document 12: Ledford, et al., (2002) Dev. Biol. 245: 157-171    Non-patent Document 13: Holthuis, et al., (1990) Science 247: 1454-1457    Non-patent Document 14: Pattison, et al., (1997) J. Virol. 71: 2013-2022    Non-patent Document 15: Liu, et al., (1997) Mol. Cell. Biol. 17:5275-5287    Non-patent Document 16: Burglin and Cassata (2002) Int. J. Dev. Biol. 46:115-123    Non-patent Document 17: Dickinson, et al. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272: 11463-11470    Non-patent Document 18: Moon, et al., (2000) J. Biol. Chem. 275: 31325-31334    Non-patent Document 19: Moon, et al., (2001) Mol. Cell. Biol. 21: 6332-6345    Non-patent Document 20: Moon, et al., (2001) supra    Non-patent Document 21: Wang, et al., (1999) MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR BIOLOGY, 19:284-295

Method for screening for vitamin D receptor ligands


Mobile devices and methods of operating mobile devices are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a mobile device includes a rechargeable battery, a battery charger electrically coupled to the battery, and an image sensor operably coupled to the battery charger to selectively charge the battery. As such, the image sensor is configured to capture images and provide current to charge the battery. The image sensor can be a CMOS image sensor or a CCD image sensor. The mobile device may further include a housing, with the battery, battery charger, and image sensor contained within the housing.

Integrated circuit technology has revolutionized various fields including computers, control systems, telecommunications, and imaging. In the imaging field, for example, CMOS image sensors have proved to be less expensive to manufacture than CCD imaging devices. Moreover, for certain applications, CMOS devices are superior in performance. Furthermore, the necessary signal processing logic on a CMOS image sensor can be integrated alongside the imaging circuitry, thus allowing for a single integrated chip to form a complete stand-alone imaging device. In other applications, however, CCD imaging devices still have some advantages.
Image sensors are used to produce an image representing an object. The primary building block for an image formed by an image sensor is a pixel. Image sensors typically include a two-dimensional array of pixels arranged in rows and columns. The number, size, and spacing of the pixels determine the resolution of the image generated by the imaging device. The pixels of an image sensor are semiconductor devices that transform incident light photons into current signals. The photosignals are proportional to the amount of light reflected from an object to be imaged.
In the array, pixels belonging to the same column (also referred to as bit line) are usually connected at a common output node. At the output node, a column readout circuit reads out and amplifies the photosignals from each pixel in the individual column. Typically, the pixels are read out row-by-row by asserting a row select signal to each pixel of the selected row. After the photosignals are read out, the signals are processed by signal processing circuitry to create an image representing the object.
Personal digital assistants (PDAs), digital cameras, cell phones, and other portable electronic devices often include camera units with image sensors to capture images. These mobile devices include a battery to power the image sensor and other components of the device. Although CMOS imager sensors consume less power than CCD image sensors, both types of image sensors drain the battery. Power consumption is an issue in portable electronic devices because the charge in a typical battery lasts for a relatively short time. To recharge the battery, the device is generally coupled to an AC outlet or another power source. As such, the mobility of the device is reduced during charging. Accordingly, a need exists to reduce the frequency with which the battery of a mobile device must be recharged.

Mobile devices having an image sensor for charging a battery


Noise attenuation apparatus for pressure regulators are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a first noise attenuator disposed at a first position in a fluid passageway of a pressure regulator and a second noise attenuator disposed at a second position in the fluid passageway. The second position is spaced apart from the first position along the fluid passageway. The example apparatus also includes fasteners extending between the first noise attenuator and the second noise attenuator to position the first noise attenuator at the first position and the second noise attenuator at the second position. The fasteners are to couple to peripheral portions of the noise attenuators.

Fluid valves and regulators are commonly distributed throughout process control and/or fluid distribution systems to control flow rates and/or pressures of various fluids (e.g., liquids, gases, etc.). In particular, fluid regulators are typically used to reduce and/or regulate a pressure of fluid to a predetermined value. Some fluid regulators reduce an inlet pressure to a lower outlet pressure by restricting flow through an orifice to match the downstream demand. For example, a pressure regulator may receive fluid (e.g., gas, liquid) having a relatively high and somewhat variable pressure from an upstream source and may regulate the fluid to have a lower, substantially stable pressure suitable for safe, efficient use by downstream equipment (e.g., equipment of a power generator, a petroleum refiner, etc.). In some instances, fluid flowing through the pressure regulators creates a significant amount of audible noise. Some pressure regulators employ noise-reduction devices to reduce the volume of audible noise created by the fluid flowing through the pressure regulator.

Noise-attenuation apparatus for pressure regulators

Emerson Process Management Regulator Technologies, Inc.


An electrical connector is connected with a circuit board. The electrical connector includes an insulating body and a plurality of pins received in the insulating body. The insulating body is transparent. There is an identification layer on the bottom of the insulating body. The identification layer is visible through the insulating body. Because the identification layer can be seen via the transparent insulating body, the electrical connector can be rapidly and exactly connected onto the circuit board. The assembly efficient is thereby enhanced.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electrical connector. In particular, this invention relates to an electrical connector on a computer circuit board.
2. Description of the Related Art
Because the cost of computer components have become cheap and computer components are now modulated, almost anyone can assemble a computer even though he or she does not have much computer knowledge.
However, during the assembly process, the user usually needs the complex assembly specification to assemble the computer. Specifically, when the circuit board is linked with the peripherals, it takes a lot of time for many users to understand the assembly specifications to prevent the peripherals from being linking to the circuit board with the incorrect connection lines. In fact, in order to reduce assembly time, there is a protection device on the circuit for the important electrical connectors, such as the memory electrical connectors, the bus electrical connectors, the hard disk electrical connectors, and the interface card electrical connectors, etc. Except for the above-mentioned electrical connectors, there exist other electrical connectors for setting the configuration, or connecting to the small devices, such as indicating lamps, or fans. Because the dimension of the electrical connectors is small or the structure of the electrical connectors is simple, there are no protection devices on the electrical connectors. Therefore, when the user assembles a device with an electrical connector, some problems usually occur, such as assembling the device onto the wrong electrical connector, or assembling the device with the wrong polarity. Even though the assembly is executed according to the assembly specifications, problems still may occur.


A language translation teaching aid and method comprises a first presentation of a line of words, a phrase, or a sentence in a first language according to its normal rules of syntax and grammar; a second presentation in a second language of a word-for-word translation of the words, a phrase, or a sentence presented in the first language; a third presentation in the second language of an accurate translation of the first presentation according to the normal rules of syntax and grammar of the second language; and a fourth presentation in the first language of a word-for-word translation of the third presentation in the second language.

There are many known translation programs and devices by which words, phrases, or sentence primary or source language are translated into a secondary or target language. Simple, word-for-word translations often result in improper or confusing syntax, grammar, word order, and meaning in the target translation of phrases or sentences. While some complex methods and computer programs have been devised to attempt accurate translation, the elaborate rules of syntax, grammar, and construction can require years of intense study before an understanding of the nuances of accurate and meaningful translations is achieved. These complex rules and the art of translation also vary depending upon the source language and the target language into which it is being translated. Even in the case of translating back and forth between two specific languages, the rules are different in each translation direction. For example, when translating from a first language as the source to a second language as the target and then translating back using the second language as the source and the first as the target, the translations and the rules for the translations are not always the same. The complex differences are not easy to grasp using previously known teaching aids.
While the various known translation techniques and computer programs have been helpful in accomplishing accurate translations in many instances, they have, nevertheless, fallen short as a teaching aid for teaching students the science, technique, and art of accurate, meaningful translation to and from various languages. The rules being used in such translations are often unknown to the user and not really discernable from using the translator methods, programs, or devices.

Foreign language teaching aid and method


An ion collector includes a plurality of segments and a plurality of integrators. The plurality of segments are physically separated from one another and spaced around a substrate support. Each of the segments includes a conductive element that is designed to conduct a current based on ions received from a plasma. Each of the plurality of integrators is coupled to a corresponding conductive element. Each of the plurality of integrators is designed to determine an ion distribution for a corresponding conductive element based, at least in part, on the current conducted at the corresponding conductive element. An example benefit of this embodiment includes the ability to determine how uniform the ion distribution is across a wafer being processed by the plasma.

Plasma systems are frequently used in the industry for performing various semiconductor manufacturing processes. Plasma systems have been used to clean contamination from the surfaces of wafers, to deposit material layers, for etching, for ion implantation, and for plasma doping just to name a few examples. For any given process step, hundreds of wafers may undergo the process in a given day. As such, any issues or problems with the plasma system can have a significant impact on the number of good die per wafer.
Special detectors that measure the number of ions from the plasma (sometimes known as dosimeters) may be used to measure the plasma ion distribution during a process. The ion distribution may be monitored to determine if the plasma system needs to be taken off-line for readjustment.
Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.


A tool for automatically forming on thermoplastic pipes, bellings of considerable longitudinal extension for sealingly joining pipes subject to high stresses. The tool includes a shaped spindle on which there is axially inserted a heated end of the thermoplastic pipe, and a first and second mechanical body that receives pressurized fluids which act on the pipe. The heated pipe end is plastically deformed in the region of the shaped portion of the spindle to form an annular seat and bell portion of the belling.

The invention relates to a tool for automatically forming, on thermoplastic pipes, bellings of considerable longitudinal extension for sealingly joining pipes subject to high axial stresses. It comprises a spindle on which there is axially superimposed, by means of sliding, the heated end of a thermoplastic pipe which is deformed plastically in the region of a shaped portion of the spindle designed to define an annular seat for a sealing gasket of the pipe itself.
Tools are known for forming bellings on pipes made of thermoplastic material which comprise an internal annular seat designed to receive a ring or sealing gasket in the joint between two consecutive pipes, as well as a flaring or bell, located downstream of the said annular seat, designed to receive the end of the pipe connected to the pipe provided with the belling as described.
Within the range of such tools there are those which comprise a pressurized-air chamber which acts from the outside of the pipe so as to form both the annular seat and the bell, or so as to form the entire belling. In this case the spindle is provided with a shaped portion in relief, consisting of a ring of segments which can be expanded and retracted radially and which are designed to form the internal annular seat for the seal of the thermoplastic pipe which, at its front end, abuts against a heading flange surrounding there the spindle itself.
The spindle also has, downstream of the aforementioned shaped portion, a radial flaring which is designed to form the base of the belling and connect it to the remainder of the pipe, which is of nominal diameter.
In these cases therefore, the preheated end of the pipe must first be expanded radially along the radial flaring of the spindle and must then be expanded more extensively in the region of the expandable shaped portion. The latter is then retracted allowing removal of the pipe formed with its complete belling, obviously following cooling of the thermoformed part.
These bellings are particularly precise and have minimum tolerances even along the annular seat, even though the movement of mechanical parts occurs there, since this tool involves the action of a pressure which acts from the outside of the pipe towards a precise internal shaped portion, thereby ensuring perfect calibration internally. This obviously results in equally precise as well as stable and efficient positioning of the sealing gasket or ring of the belling.
However, there exists a significant drawback, due to the risk of the preheated pipe collapsing in the region of the zone where it undergoes the preliminary expansion, during its insertion onto the spindle. This risk of collapse is all the greater the longer the belling which one wishes to obtain. Consequently, there are precise limits as regards the length, which must be respected if damage to the belling is to be avoided.
In another known tool, on the other hand, a pressurized air chamber is provided, which acts from the inside, instead of from the outside of the pipe, so as to form the entire belling, including the annular seat. In this case there is provided a spindle which is shaped with a slight flaring so as to form the base of the belling and determine the diameter of the end of the belling itself. The spindle is also not provided with the expandable shaped portion which, in the preceding tool, was used to form the annular seat of the sealing ring. In this second tool the belling is in fact determined by the expansion of the preheated pipe section, against an external mold, against which the pressurized fluid acts. This outward expansion also takes place in order to form the annular seat for the seal. Basically, when the preheated pipe section is inserted onto the spindle during the initial phase, it does not encounter any particular obstacles or opposing forces while it is superimposed, by means of sliding, onto a spindle of this kind. Therefore, there is no risk of the pipe collapsing in this case. However, there is the obvious drawback due to the fact that the precision and the internal calibration of the belling is certainly not exceptional in such a case, since the mechanical abutment on the belling is located on the outside of the pipe and not, as in the preceding tool, inside the said pipe.
Therefore, with this second tool, it certainly would be possible to provide a belling which may be of any length, but not calibrated in a sufficiently precise manner as to guarantee subsequently the sealing action between successive pipes, especially if these joints were to be laid in sites which are subject to telluric movements or in any case are subject to intense axial deformations or stresses.

Apparatus for forming bellings on thermoplastic pipes

S.I.C.A. Serrande, Infissi, Carpenteria, Attrezzatura S.p.A.


The disclosure is generally related to a multi-color writing ink and, more particularly, to a multi-color writing instrument comprising a mixture of a first ink composition and a second ink composition, wherein the first and second ink compositions are immiscible with each other.

1. Field of the Disclosure
The disclosure is generally related to a multi-color writing ink and, more particularly, to a multi-color instrument containing at least a mixture of a first ink composition and a second ink composition.
2. Brief Description of Related Technology
Most prior art writing instruments, for example, conventional ball point pens, produce only a single color written trace. People, especially children, are fascinated by colors. Therefore, writing instruments capable of producing written traces of multiple colors have been designed, for example, to encourage children to develop motor and writing skills. However, such pens typically incorporate multiple ink refills into the barrels. Consequently, the barrels of such pens are relatively thick compared to pens having a single refill. Additionally, in order to change colors, the user must retract the refill in use and extend another refill. Therefore, the pens are difficult to use, especially for young children. Moreover, each written trace produced by such pens constitutes a single ink composition and is therefore uniformly patterned throughout the written trace.
Crayons that deliver multi-colored written traces have been developed. For example, Sanford Corporation L.P. (Bellwood, Ill.) produces Colorific® Splitz™ and Colorific® Swirl™ crayons, which deliver confetti and block patterned multi-colored written traces, respectively. Such crayons are well-received by children (and their teachers) because the produced written trace includes multiple colors, and the colors of the written trace can change as the user makes a written mark across a substrate such as paper.
Markers capable of producing written traces including multiple colors are also known. However, prior marker systems that simultaneously deliver more than one color from the tip require the manufacturer to connect, presumably via manual means, two individual ink reservoirs to a nib which has been split, presumably manually. Such procedures increase the complexity and cost of manufacturing these marker systems.


There is provided an imaging apparatus on which an interchangeable lens is detachably mounted, which includes a mount unit to which the interchangeable lens is attached. In the imaging apparatus, the mount unit is provided with, on its periphery, a colored area having a specific color along an outer edge of said mount unit, and with respect to a specific interchangeable lens, which meets a predetermined requirement on adaptability to said imaging apparatus, among interchangeable lenses, a mount unit, which is connected to the mount unit of the imaging apparatus, of the specific interchangeable lens is provided with, on its periphery, a colored area having the same color as the specific color along an outer edge of the mount unit of the specific interchangeable lens.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a technology on an imaging apparatus that is detachably mounted with an interchangeable lens.
2. Description of Related Art
In lens interchangeable camera systems (imaging systems) such as single lens reflex cameras, there are cases where inadequate interchangeable lenses whose back focal lengths, for instance, are not suited to (a flange back of) a camera body are placed.
As technologies effective in preventing the inadequate interchangeable lenses of these types from being misplaced, some technologies have been proposed, which are to make it impracticable to physically place the inadequate interchangeable lens by changing the shape of a mount unit depending on the back focal length. See Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-70711 (Patent Document 1) and Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-70712 (Patent Document 2).

Imaging apparatus and interchangeable lens


A method of and apparatus for detecting diseased tissue based upon infrared imaging in two different bands of infrared wavelengths is described. The use of two series of infrared images taken in two different bands of infrared wavelengths increases sensitivity to the subtle temperature changes caused by diseased skin and tissue, especially in the case of cancerous tissue. By sensing skin temperature, the homogeneity thereof, the time variations thereof and the correlation between the two series of infrared images, the present invention decreases the rate of false positives and false negatives. The increased discrimination due to two series of infrared images allows for reliable detection of diseased or cancerous tissue even in the presence of skin tone variations such as birthmarks, tattoos and freckles. The present invention finds special application in the field of breast cancer detection where subtle skin temperature variations may readily be sensed using two series of infrared images.

In the field of diseased or cancerous tissue detection, many methods require subjecting the patient to doses of X-ray radiation or to painful biopsies, especially for breast cancer detection. More recently, researchers discovered that dysfunction of the neuronal control of the vasculature due to cancerous lesions leads to temporal or periodic perfusion changes. By measuring, recording and analyzing these periodic perfusion changes, typically through infrared (IR) imaging, diseased or cancerous tissue can be detected. While these periodic perfusion changes appear to be associated with most types of diseased or cancerous tissue, skin cancer and other cancers near the surface of the skin are most likely to be detected using IR imaging. Such a method is described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,810,010, 5,961,466 and 5,999,843, all to Michael Anbar, and hereby incorporated by reference.
In particular, breast cancer appears to be very susceptible to detection through IR imaging. Breast cancer detection by this method involves taking a series of IR images of the breast. This series of IR images will show both neuronal control and non-neuronal control of periodic perfusion changes in a cancerous breast. These IR images are then converted into thermal images with a temperature associated with each portion of the thermal image. The thermal images are then analyzed by finding the average temperature and standard deviation of temperature for each subarea within the thermal images. Clusters of subareas having abnormal average temperatures or standard deviations are indicative of cancer. It is anticipated that breast cancer may generally be detected by imaging the appropriate lymph nodes, the so-called "signal nodes," which tend to have increased biological activity if cancer is present.
The frequency of the periodic perfusion changes can also be used to detect cancer. Neuronal control generally has a lower frequency than non-neuronal control of periodic perfusion. Therefore, by analyzing the thermal images and determining the periodic perfusion frequency for each of the subareas, clusters of subareas having higher frequencies are indicative of cancer.
The use of IR images for cancer detection places very stringent requirements on an IR imager. The small temperature changes associated with neuronal and non-neuronal perfusion require an IR imager sensitivity of less than 0.01° C. While IR imagers having this level of sensitivity have been demonstrated, these IR imagers have not successfully been built in quantity.
In view of the desirability of non-invasive means of cancer detection that do not require subjecting the patient to X-ray radiation exposure, there exists a need for a method that places lower requirements upon IR imager sensitivity. A method that requires lower sensitivity will lead to increased manufacturability and lower IR imager cost. Lower cost IR imagers can lead to greater accessibility to cancer screening and detection.

Method of and apparatus for detecting diseased tissue by sensing two bands of infrared radiation


Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for object tracking. An example method may include receiving satellite signals from GPS satellites. The satellite signals may be indicative of satellite locations associated with the one or more GPS satellites and satellite timestamps associated with respective satellite locations. The method may further include determining, based on the satellite signals, a first location associated with a first tracking device. The method may further include receiving a target location associated with a target via a satellite transmission. The method may further include sending the target location to a second tracking device via a mesh network. The method may further include determining that a first distance between the first location and the target location, and the method may further include determining, based on the first distance, one or more actions.

Current tracking systems may be designed to locate an object (e.g., a person, a pet, an electronic device, a vehicle, etc.) from the air using sensors (e.g., Global Positioning System (GPS), transponders, ultra wideband locating systems, etc.). However, more accurate and secure tracking systems may be needed to enable positive identification of specific objects. For example, law enforcement may need more accurate tracking technology for identifying specific individuals from aircraft, drones and other surveillance vehicles. Moreover, parents and pet owners may need more accurate and secure tracking technology to enable close tracking of children and pets, to avoid malicious persons locating children and pets.


A portable unit for pneumatically blowing landscaping and/or building materials, such as bark, mulch, fertilizer, compost, wood chips, grass clippings, leaves, gravel/stone, straw, hay, sawdust and combinations thereof is provided. The unit is transportable by: a car trailer, truck trailer, garden tractor trailer; on stakes of a stake bed truck; by a three point hitch; by a forklift and any combination thereof. The unit includes a hopper having an integral airlock feeder in one preferred embodiment. The unit either includes an on-board power supply device, such as an engine, or provides connections for receiving power remotely.

The present invention relates to landscaping and building equipment and more particularly to pneumatically powered blowers.
In recent years, the real estate market has been increasing. Increases in real estate activity, such as home sales, condominium sales, tear-down houses and new developments have occurred in much of the United States. Much of those trends have resulted in an increased need for building and landscaping materials. That trend is likely to continue as people look increasingly to real estate as a less risky and potentially more profitable investment. The need for equipment to dispense and disperse landscaping and building materials has also increased. Moreover, the healthy real estate market has opened up new areas to market such disbursement equipment.
There has previously existed equipment for dispensing landscaping and building materials. Much if not all of this equipment, however, has been provided on large scale equipment. Typically, a truck tractor or other large horsepower vehicle pulls a trailer upon which the disbursing equipment is connected permanently. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,556,237 and 6,036,406 set forth a truck trailer that is dedicated, and indeed modified, to permanently convey, feed and blow a large amount and capacity of a loose particulate, such as loose bark, compost, mulch, etc. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,027,054 and U.S. Patent Application No. 2002/01-00825 set forth large tractor trailer apparatuses for blowing straw, which is used as a mulch in large seeding applications. Other types of equipment, such as hydraulic seeders are also provided typically on a large scale, for example, requiring a truck tractor and trailer to transport the seeders.
While the above-described equipment has enjoyed commercial success, its use is better suited for large scale applications. While the larger apparatuses can be used for smaller applications, doing so may not be economical. For example, the above-described blower trucks have hoses that can be transported to reach a remote application. It may not be practical to load the truck and drive it to a point proximate to the application if the application is relatively small. However, if the pneumatic truck is not used, the real estate owner's option is limited to dispensing the materials by hand. The real estate owner must obtain the materials to be disbursed, transport the materials proximate to the application site, manually move the bags or containers of the material to the application site, and shovel or otherwise lift the materials from the bag or container to the application site. Such an endeavor is time-consuming and strenuous. The endeavor is also potentially expensive if instead performed by a contractor.
A need exists for a landscaping or building material disbursing device that is provided on a scale smaller than the devices described above. The user, or a contractor, should be able to tow or drive the device to a relatively small application or to an application that is difficult to otherwise reach. The device should be relatively inexpensive, so that an end-user or homeowner can rent or potentially purchase the device. On the other hand, the device should have enough power and durability to be used by a contractor, such as a lawncare service, regularly and over large stretches of time.


Disclosed are a method and device for transmitting uplink control information (UCI). By applying technical solutions of embodiments of the present invention, implemented is a method for simultaneously transmitting an ACK/NACK and cycle CSI on a channel resource corresponding to a current subframe: dynamically determining, on the basis of a threshold number of bits simultaneously transmitted with the UCI in the current subframe, also of the maximum number of feedback bits and of the minimum number of feedback bits of the ACK/NACK in the current subframe, ACK/NACK bits and CSI bits simultaneously transmitted in the current frame, thus ensuring that the sum of the bits simultaneously transmitted does not exceed the threshold number of bits simultaneously transmitted with the UCI in the current subframe, preventing as much as possible ACK/NACK merging and CSI discarding, and protecting to the maximum extent the accuracy and completeness of UCI transmission.

There are significantly improved required peak rates in a Long Term Evolution-Advanced (LTE-A) system up to 1 Gbps in the downlink and 500 Mbps in the uplink as compared with the LTE system.
Thus the technology of Carrier Aggregation (CA) has been introduced so that a plurality of consecutive or inconsecutive carriers served by the same evolved Node B (eNB) are aggregated together to serve a User Equipment (UE) concurrently, and FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of an application scheme of the CA technology in the prior art.
These carriers aggregated together are also referred to as Component Carriers (CCs). In order to ensure compatibility with UEs in the LTE system, the bandwidth of each carrier is up to 20 MHz.
In another aspect, Uplink Control Information (UCI) will be described as follows:
The UCI includes Acknowledgement/Non-Acknowledgement (ACK/NACK) information, periodic Channel State Information (CSI) and Scheduling Request (SR) information.
The periodic CSI particularly includes Rank Indicator (RI) information, Channel Quality Indicator (CQI) information, Precoding Matrix Indicator (PMI) information and Precoder Type Indication (PTI) information.
In the LTE-A CA system, Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) format 3 is defined for transmission of multi-bit ACK/NACK information of a plurality of aggregated carriers. The maximum transmission capacity of the PUCCH format 3 is 22 bits and can support jointly encoded transmission of at most 20 bits of ACK/NACK and a 1-bit SR.
In the Rel-10 system, concurrent transmission of ACK/NACK information of a plurality of carriers and periodic CSI over a PUCCH is not supported, and if there are both ACK/NACK of a plurality of carriers and periodic CSI in a current subframe, then only the ACK/NACK is transmitted over the PUCCH whereas the CSI is dropped.
For a UE transmitting ACK/NACK using PUCCH format 3, only when support for concurrent transmission of ACK/NACK and CSI in a subframe is configured and a single downlink subframe is received only on a Primary Component Carrier (PCC), concurrent transmission of ACK/NACK of the received downlink subframe and periodic CSI of one carrier using PUCCH format 2/2a/2b is supported. If there are a plurality of carriers for which CSI needs to be fed back concurrently in a current subframe, then CSI of one carrier with high CSI reporting type priority is selected to be reported according to predefined CSI reporting type priorities, where the highest priority reporting types are the types 3, 5, 6 and 2a, the second highest priority reporting types are the types 2, 2b, 2c and 4, and the lowest priority reporting types are the types 1 and 1a, and CSI report contents and bits corresponding to each CSI reporting type in different reporting modes are as depicted in Table 1, and only one reporting type of each activated carrier of the UE is reported in one uplink subframe according to currently configured reporting types and a particular state. If there are a plurality of carriers with the same reporting type priority, then CSI of the carrier with the lowest index is further selected to be reported according to indexes of the carriers.
Table 1 depicts CSI report contents and bits corresponding to CSI reporting types in different reporting modes.
Reporting ModesReportingReportMode 1-1Mode 2-1Mode 1-0Mode 2-0TypecontentsMode state(bits/BP)(bits/BP)(bits/BP)(bits/BP)1Sub-bandRI = 1NA4 + LNA4 + LCQIRI > 1NA7 + LNA4 + L 1aSub-band8 antenna ports RI = 1NA8 + LNANACQI/8 antenna ports 1 < RI < 5NA9 + LNANAsecond PMI8 antenna ports RI > 4NA7 + LNANA2Wideband2 antenna ports RI = 166NANACQI/PMI4 antenna ports RI = 188NANA2 antenna ports RI > 188NANA4 antenna ports RI > 11111NANA 2aWideband8 antenna ports RI < 3NA4NANAfirst PMI8 antenna ports 2 < RI < 8NA2NANA8 antenna ports RI = 8NA0NANA 2bWideband8 antenna ports RI = 188NANACQI/8 antenna ports 1 < RI < 41111NANAsecond PMI8 antenna ports RI = 41010NANA8 antenna ports RI > 477NANA 2cWideband8 antenna ports RI = 18NANANACQI/first8 antenna ports 1 < RI ≦ 411NANANAPMI/8 antenna ports 4 < RI ≦ 79NANANAsecond PMI8 antenna ports RI = 87NANANA3RI2/4 antenna ports, 2-layer1111spatial multiplexing8 antenna ports, 2-layer1NANANAspatial multiplexing4 antenna ports, 4-layer2222spatial multiplexing8 antenna ports, 4-layer2NANANAspatial multiplexing8-layer spatial multiplexing3NANANA4WidebandRI = 1 or RI > 1NANA44CQI5RI/first PMI8 antenna ports, 2-layer4NANANAspatial multiplexing8 antenna ports, 4 and58-layer spatial multiplexing6RI/PTI8 antenna ports, 2-layerNA2NANAspatial multiplexing8 antenna ports, 4-layerNA3NANAspatial multiplexing8 antenna ports, 8-layerNA4NANAspatial multiplexing
For Table 1, it shall be noted that:
The bits/BP represents a number of report bits per Bandwidth Part; the CQI/PMI is categorized as a wideband CQI/PMI and a sub-band CQI/PMI; the antenna ports represent antenna ports; the layer represents a transmission layer; the spatial multiplexing represents spatial multiplexing; the NA indicates that the reporting type is not supported in a corresponding reporting mode; and L represents label of a selected sub-band in at most 2 bits.
In the LTE-A Rel-11 CA system, enhanced transmission of UCI has been investigated, and in order to avoid an influence upon downlink scheduling of an eNB caused by excessively CSI dropping, concurrent transmission of ACK/NACK of multiple carriers and periodic CSI of one carrier using PUCCH format 3 is supported, and when there is an SR, concurrent transmission thereof with a 1-bit SR can be further supported.

Method and device for transmitting uplink control information (UCI)

China Academy of Telecommunications Technology


A system and method are provided for programming a flight management system in response to a voice input. The voice input is validated (the pilot spoken vocabulary is thereby filtered (e.g., adapted) to improve recognition accuracy and reduce false positives) by comparing the current operational state of the aircraft (for example, climb, level flight, descent, speed, altitude, and heading), operation validities and availabilities (for example, operations allowed and not allowed) based on the flight management system planned and predicted lateral and vertical trajectory of the flight route (flight plan) from origin/present position to destination, and the requested action being taken.

Modern aircraft include numerous avionics systems and other electronic components or modules. An individual aircraft may include, for example, a navigation system, a communication system, a flight management system, an autopilot system, an autothrust system, an electronic flight bag, and a display system. Historically, in some implementations, each system has its own set of user input devices, such as buttons, switches, keys, knobs, sliders, joysticks, and the like, for receiving input from a pilot, co-pilot, or crew. As result, there may be a considerable number of user input devices within the cockpit of the aircraft. Additionally, each avionics system may be associated with its own display.
To simplify the process of obtaining information from avionics systems, modern aircraft systems consolidate the displays from individual avionics systems to a few central display devices. In addition, to reduce the number of user input devices within the cockpit, some prior art systems also consolidate the functionality of the user input devices for the various avionics systems to a reduced set of input devices, for example, by consolidating functionality of similar input devices across the various avionics systems with an individual input device. This may provide a more consistent user interface and reduce aircraft weight; however, the amount of information and/or functionality associated with a particular display and/or input device increases the complexity of operation. During operation of the aircraft, it is desirable that a pilot, co-pilot or other crew member, be able to quickly and conveniently interact with the avionics systems to operate the avionics systems and/or obtain information needed to ensure safe operation of the aircraft. Some prior art systems attempt to implement speech recognition systems to enable a pilot to quickly and reliably interact with the various avionics systems and cockpit components. However, these systems fail to account for various aspects of the aircraft operation, such as the operating environment, heightened reliability and accuracy requirements, time-sensitive nature of some aircraft operations, and other safety concerns.
Customized vocabulary is often used to narrow the options of correctly recognizing commands. This vocabulary requires pilots to memorize commands which increase workload and doesn't translate to other systems. Using discrete words rather than continuous speech is unnatural to the user and places limits on usability where a continuous string of words such as a radio frequency are better stated all at once rather than in a stilted progression.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide systems and methods that account for various aspects of the aircraft operation that considers a string of words. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the exemplary embodiments will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the foregoing technical field and background.

Systems and methods for utilizing voice commands onboard an aircraft


An antenna coil, in particular for a contactless smart card, includes coil turns formed of thin conductor tracks having first and second ends. The first end of a respective one of the conductor tracks is electrically conductively connected to the second end of an adjacent one of the conductor tracks. The conductor tracks include first and last conductor tracks, and the first end of the first conductor track and the second end of the last conductor track form coil connections. The conductor tracks are disposed in parallel on a flexible, non-conductive carrier strip. The carrier strip has bends and forms a polygon containing the connected ends of the conductor tracks. The bends are guided through approximately 180.degree., and the coil turns lie approximately in the same plane.

Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an antenna coil, in particular for a contactless smart card, having coil turns formed by thin conductor tracks disposed in parallel on a flexible, non-conductive carrier strip in such a way that a first end of a respective conductor track is electrically conductively connected to a second end of an adjacent conductor track, and the first end of a first conductor track and the second end of a last conductor track form coil connections.
In the case of contactless smart cards, the power for supplying the semiconductor chip and the data transmitted from and to the chip are conveyed through at least one antenna coil which is disposed on or in the smart card.
Previous concepts for producing such antenna coils envisaged winding the latter from enamel-insulated copper wire. It has also been proposed to apply the antenna coils (as planar coils) directly to the plastic body of the smart card, for example through the use of thick-film technology.
The publications "Patent Abstracts of Japan, Vol. 7, No. 33 (E-157), Feb. 9, 1983 & Japanese Patent Application No. 57186802 (KOUON DENPA), Nov. 17, 1982" and "Patent Abstracts of Japan, Vol. 9, No. 189 (E-333), Aug. 6, 1985 & Japanese Patent Application No. 60057703 (MATSUSHITA), Apr. 3, 1985" disclose antenna coils having turns formed by thin conductor tracks, which are disposed in parallel on a flexible, non-conductive carrier strip, in such a way that the first end of a respective conductor track is electrically conductively connected to the second end of a neighboring conductor track, and the first end of the first conductor track and the second end of the last conductor track form coil connections.
In that case, however, the bends of the conductor tracks are made in such a way that the conductor tracks run, before and after a bend, in planes which are oriented at an angle of about 90.degree. to one another, thereby producing a three-dimensional structure. Such an antenna coil could not be incorporated into a smart card, which must, after all, only have a thickness of less than 1 mm.


A plastic composition superior in both biodegradability and physical properties, comprises a matrix resin which is a blend of polyethylene and a biodegradable aliphatic polyester, starch, a coupling agent, a radical initiator, a starch plasticizer, a starch destructurizing agent and an autooxidizing agent, wherein the starch chemically binds to the matrix resin.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a biodegradable plastic composition superior in both biodegradability and physical properties, a method for preparing thereof and product prepared therefrom. More particularly, the present invention relates to a biodegradable plastic composition in which thermoplastic modified starch is chemically bonded to a matrix resin comprising polyethylene having a good processability and physical properties and biodegradable aliphatic polyesters. Also, the present invention pertains to a method for preparing the biodegradable plastic composition using a twin screw extruder, and pertains to a product prepared from the biodegradable plastic composition.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Synthetic plastics have been considered to overcome the limits and restraints of natural materials by virtue of their excellent physical properties and low price. It may fairly be said that various synthetic polymers including plastics have greatly contributed to the modern scientific civilization in many fields.
Plastic products, now pouring out from all over the world, however, cause such serious pollution as threatens the future of mankind. To solve this problem, various countermeasures have been taken. Conventionally, the methods of disposal of solid wastes including plastics include burial, incineration and recycling. However, these means cannot be a complete solution to the environmental pollution problem at all.
Recently, active research and development efforts have been directed to so-called degradable plastics which are environmentally self-degradable. There are three groups of degradable plastics: biodegradable plastics, photo-degradable plastics and bio- and photodegradable plastics of these, biodegradable plastics have been most widely used. This invention is also subject to utilization of biodegradable plastics.
Biodegradable plastics developed so far comprise as a degradable material, polymeric products of microorganisms such as poly-.beta.-hydroxybutylate, polymers synthesized from the biochemicals produced by microorganisms, chemically synthesized aliphatic polyesters, or naturally synthesized polymers such as chitin, starch, etc.
The prior art concerning biodegradable plastics is exemplified by EP No. 304,401 in the name of Warner-Lambert Co. This patent discloses a processing technique that when starch containing a certain amount of moisture is kneaded with a plasticizer at a high temperature of 150.degree. C. or higher in a closed system such as an extruder, the vapor pressure increases to break the hydrogen bond between starch molecules thus producing starch having thermoplasticity. This technique is mainly devoted to the production of molded parts. However, it is not suitable for film production. A high melting strength is required in processing film, and high elongation and tensile strength are necessary after production.
EP Nos. 400,531 and 400,532 to Novamont, introduced a technique by which, when a synthetic resin compatible with starch, such as ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer and ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer, is mixed with starch containing a certain amount of water in the presence of a plasticizer at a high temperature of 150.degree.C. or higher in an extruder, intermolecular bonds of starch are destructurized and the starch chemically and physically binds to the resin to produce biodegradable films containing a high starch content. But the synthetic resins such as ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer and ethylene-ethylacrylic acid copolymer, display no biodegradability and are very expensive, so that it is quite difficult to substitute the films prepared from these synthetic resins for plastic films for general uses.
In addition, since aliphatic polyesters are expensive, they can be blended with low-priced polyethylene to reduce material cost. But the two polymers are not compatible with each other and thus the-mechanical properties decrease greatly by simple mixing. In the case of aliphatic polyesters having a low melting point of about 60.degree. C., such as polycaprolactone, it is impossible for them to be processed into blown films, because the crystallization temperature is so low that bubbles of the films can not be sufficiently cooled under atmospheric air condition. So an additional cooling system like Chiller is necessary.
Korean Pat. Laid-Open Publication Nos. 94-11556 and 94-11558, both to the present inventors, disclose that starch is chemically bonded to the matrix resin by a coupling agent to overcome the deterioration of mechanical properties due to the addition of starch and to reduce the cost price by simplifying the procedure. However, there are still some problems such as low biodegradability and deterioration of mechanical properties due to the addition of starch.

Biodegradable plastic composition, method for preparing thereof and product prepared therefrom


An image signal processing device having a frame memory which includes a first-field storage area for storing a first-field image signal and a second-field storage area for storing a second-field image signal and is capable of storing an image signal for one frame is arranged to cause the frame memory to store the image signal for one frame by every field in separate storage areas, and, after that, in reading out the second-field image signal included in the image signal for one frame stored in the frame memory, to temporarily store in the first-field storage area the second-field image signal which has been stored in the second-field storage area, and then read out the second-field image signal. This arrangement enables the device to efficiently use the memory and to stably output the image signal without any image turbulence. The arrangement thus enhances the operability of the device.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an image signal processing device for processing image signals and more particularly to an image signal processing device of the kind having an image memory arranged to temporarily store an input image signal and, after that, to output the image signal stored.
2. Description of the Related Art
Some of the conventional image signal processing devices are provided with image memories which are arranged to temporarily store input image signals and, after that, to output the image signals stored.
The image signal processing devices of the above-stated kind include, for example, an electronic still video camera. An FIFO (first-in/first-out) memory is popularly employed as the image memory for the electronic still video camera, because it requires a relatively few number of wiring connections; it is controllable by a simple memory controller; it permits data writing and data reading at a high speed; etc.
The conventional image signal processing device using the FIFO memory as a frame memory is arranged as follows: in storing an image signal for one frame, a first-field image signal is stored in a first-half address area among addresses of the frame memory and a second-field image signal is stored in a latter-half address area.
However, in repeatedly reading out an image signal for one frame stored in the frame memory by every field, the conventional image signal processing device does not allow a second-field image signal to be repeatedly read out, although a first-field image signal can be repeatedly read out, because the frame memory is an FIFO memory. If the frame memory is used, for example, as a field memory, the frame memory allows the writing or reading of only an image signal for one field despite of its storage capacity of storing an image signal for two fields. In a case where field image signals of two different kinds are to be temporarily stored and the stored field image signals of two different kinds are outputted by switching them from one kind over to the other, therefore, the field image signal of one kind must be stored and read out separately from the field image signal of the other kind. It is thus impossible to make instantaneous switch-over of one field image signal over to the other field image signal. The operability of the conventional image signal processing device, therefore, has been very poor.

Image signal processing device including frame memory


A device for the turning of flat articles, particularly blanks of folded boxes, includes conveying elements which define at least two conveying sections that are permeable to air and on which the articles are conveyed lying substantially flat, the conveying elements being mounted in a frame, a suction device arranged below the conveying element and to extend through the conveying section to increase the friction between the conveying elements and the articles, and a separate drive for each of the conveying elements of the respective conveying sections. The frame is mounted such that it can swivel about a pivot in the exit region of the frame relative to a machine frame.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device for the turning of flat articles, and particularly to a device for turning folded box blanks.
2. Description of the Related Art
When making folded boxes from blanks in folded box gluing machines, various fold flaps, depending on the shape of the box, provided with a glue strip must be folded by about 180° and glued to other blank parts. Since the folding is performed at high speeds as the blanks are moved through the machine, folding elements arranged at the sides are typically used to fold the fold flaps disposed at the sides of the blanks towards the middle. Thus, the respective groove line of the side flaps extends in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of conveyance.
For certain box shapes, when blank parts need to be folded about two groove lines that are substantially perpendicular to each other, for example, parts forming the top of the box in addition to the side flaps, the blanks are usually conveyed through the machine twice, the blank being turned by about 90° for the second conveyance, such that the parts being folded are disposed along the lengthwise side of the machine for each conveyance.
To enable such boxes to be processed with only one conveyance through the machine, it is known to turn the boxes by about 90° before performing the second folding. EP 0 881 173 B1 describes a device of this type which includes two conveying sections arranged alongside each other along the path of the articles for turning the folded boxes by as much as about 180°, the speeds of which can be separately adjusted. The articles lie on both conveying sections, so that they can be turned about an axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of conveyance when the two conveying sections have different speeds. In order for the articles to be conveyed at the speed of the two conveyors each time, a suction mechanism is arranged underneath the conveying elements which increases the frictional force between the conveying elements and the articles by creating a partial vacuum.
The conveyors are mounted in a frame. The frame can be transversely adjusted with respect to the machine frame in order to orient the box blanks so that they are substantially centered with respect to a center axis of the other processing stations of the folded box gluing machine located downstream.
From EP 1 345 827 B1, a device is known for the turning flat articles in which the conveying elements define only a single conveying section. At one side next to the conveying section, a sliding surface extends substantially flush with the conveying plane in which a brake element is arranged that can be activated by a clock. With the brake element, a portion of the blank sliding over the sliding surface can be braked. Since the other portions of the blank continue their motion, a turning movement is performed.
From EP 1 593 481 A1, a device is known for turning flat articles with an immovably arranged transport component for the blanks and with a control unit, which controls the servo-drives of the machine components provided before and after the turning station and which can be transversely positioned, depending on the type of folded box being produced.

Device for turning flat articles including folded box blanks


A system includes plural TVs, with a master TV accepting user input to establish TV settings. The system also includes a server accessing the TV settings from the master TV to send the settings to at least some of the other plural TVs over a network to establish respective TV settings on the other TVs.

As understood herein, cloning is a process in which data and/or settings from a master TV are transferred to auxiliary TVs in a network. Auxiliary TVs that have data and/or settings from a master TV transferred to them are referred to herein to as "slaves TVs". Presently, cloning requires that a storage device, such. as a USB drive, be engaged with the master TV so that data and/or settings files may be loaded onto the storage device. The storage device is then disengaged with the master TV and subsequently engaged with each slave TV to transfer the stored data and/or settings files to the slave TVs. As recognized by the present application, transferring master TV files to multiple slave TVs can be burdensome and consume unnecessary amounts of time and labor.
One particular environment where transferring master TV data and/or settings files to multiple slave TVs can be over-burdensome and laborious is in a hotel TV network. It may be appreciated that engaging a storage device with each of, e.g., 200 slave TVs in a hotel to transfer the master TV's data and/or settings files to each slave TV can be particularly burdensome and time consuming. As understood herein, the present application reduces time, labor, and costs associated with transferring master TV data and/or settings files to multiple slave TVs in a network. However, while some aspects of the present application are described in particular reference to a hotel TV network environment, it is to be understood that the present application may apply to other TV network environments, such as, but not limited to, a home entertainment system and a restaurant entertainment system.

System and method for applying TV settings to plural TVs through a network


An evidence chain of custody system that is application-specific auditable and trackable secure smart mobile containers (SMC) for securely storing evidence items that are collected at crime scenes and search locations pursuant to subpoenas or warrants. Each SMC includes a electronics package that can read RF tags applied to evidence bags or totes placed in the SMC or for oversized items, associated with the event or scene, that are tagged with active RF tags. The electronics package also includes condition sensors and an RF transmitter module to permit remote reporting and monitoring of GPS/RSSI location and condition. The SMC includes an electronic lock that provides access security and an audit trail of all opening, closing, and other events.

Maintaining a clear, secure and verifiable chain of evidence is an element critical to successful prosecution of the accused in many criminal cases. There are many high profile cases where the mishandling, misplacement or loss of evidence items results in the refusal of a district attorney to charge a suspect, the dismissal of charges by the judge, or a conclusion by the jury that the charges have not been proven beyond a reasonable doubt. Conversely, there are cases where accused persons may have been unjustly prosecuted or convicted by tainted evidence.
There are evidence handling systems and standard law enforcement procedures in place for the collection, logging, maintaining in storage, and handling of evidence. These systems are typically paper trail based: law enforcement personnel secure the crime scene with rope or plastic tape boundary markers. Trained evidence technicians and photographers meticulously go over the scene, photographing the scene, the layout and topology of items in the scene and the approaches, the technicians collect fibers, blood samples, glass, fragments of bullets, skin, hair, etc. and bag each item, marking the bags with location, date, time and other pertinent information. The crime scene materials are then transported to labs and police evidence storage, where the access is tracked by logs. A wide range of persons have access to the evidentiary items during the process of investigation, and later the discovery period pending trial, including: law enforcement personnel, evidence technicians, lab technicians, district attorneys and prosecutors, defendants, expert witnesses, defendants and witnesses. The evidence to be used at trial becomes segregated during discovery, and eventually brought to and used at trial. This includes both prosecution and defense evidence.
Often there is a substantial time delay between crime and trial. Evidence is stored in bankers-type boxes in wire cage lock-ups. There is turnover of personnel. Much of the logging records are not kept electronically, can be altered or lost, and the evidence is subject to damage or deterioration during storage.
The selected trial evidence must be transported to the trial court, maintained there during the trial and returned for post trial proceedings, including being sent to appellate courts as part of the record certified for appeal. In some instances, evidence is lost along the way, including even during presence at the trial court. Evidence disappears, or its integrity is compromised or questioned.
The cost of maintaining the evidence is substantial, and the many steps and multiple accessing of the evidence has the possibility of mistakes more a possibility than a probability. Proving integrity of evidence is also an element of the prosecutor's case that adds substantially to the cost of trial and often involves significant time of court, counsel and jury. In addition, some evidence items, including money, valuable items and drugs are targets for theft. Responsibility is often excused or deflected by reference to sloppy or negligent procedures, lack of funding for secure storage facilities. The result is a substantial burden on the criminal justice system, as well as creates a significant embarrassment when loss/mishandling of evidence events occur.
Accordingly, there is a substantial and significant unmet need in the field of evidence handling to provide a secure, trackable, auditable chain of evidence custody and access that is easy to use, reasonable in cost, and substantially foolproof that will improve the present paper and personnel intensive procedures.

System for maintaining security of evidence throughout chain of custody