A method for learning parameters of an object detector based on R-CNN is provided. The method includes steps of: a learning device (a) if training image is acquired, instructing (i) convolutional layers to generate feature maps by applying convolution operations to the training image, (ii) an RPN to output ROI regression information and matching information (iii) a proposal layer to output ROI candidates as ROI proposals by referring to the ROI regression information and the matching information, and (iv) a proposal-selecting layer to output the ROI proposals by referring to the training image; (b) instructing pooling layers to generate feature vectors by pooling regions in the feature map, and instructing FC layers to generate object regression information and object class information; and (c) instructing first loss layers to calculate and backpropagate object class loss and object regression loss, to thereby learn parameters of the FC layers and the convolutional layers.

Deep learning is a technology used to cluster or classify objects or data. For example, computers cannot distinguish dogs and cats from photographs alone. But a human can easily distinguish those two. To this end, a method called "machine learning" was devised. It is a technique to allow a computer to classify similar things among lots of data inputted into the computer. When a photo of an animal similar to a dog is inputted, the computer will classify it as a dog photo.
There have already been many machine learning algorithms to classify data. For example, a decision tree, a Bayesian network, a support vector machine (SVM), an artificial neural network, etc. have been developed. The deep learning is a descendant of the artificial neural network.
Deep Convolution Neural Networks (Deep CNNs) are the heart of the remarkable development in deep learning. CNNs have already been used in the 90's to solve the problem of character recognition, but their use has become as widespread as it is now thanks to recent research. These deep CNNs won the 2012 ImageNet image classification tournament, crushing other competitors. Then, the convolution neural network became a very useful tool in the field of the machine learning.
Recently, an object detector based on an R-CNN for detection of an object in an image has become popular.
Such the object detector based on the R-CNN is learned using backpropagation by referring to loss values, and its performance depends on its learning result.
However, data sets are hard to come by which includes every object of interest to be detected by the object detector.
As one example, when developing the object detector for six kinds of objects like pedestrians, riders, cars, traffic signs, traffic lights, and animals in an image of a road seen from a vehicle in operation, data sets comprised of training images including all of the six kinds of objects are hard to prepare.
Therefore, a conventional object detector based on the R-CNN, if provided with each of the data sets for each of class groups into which the objects of interest are classified, creates each of R-CNN networks for said each of the data sets and learns the parameters of the R-CNN networks. Herein, the conventional object detector includes the R-CNN networks each of which is separately learned.
That is, by referring to FIG. 1, to detect the six kinds of objects like pedestrians, riders, cars, traffic signs, traffic lights, and animals, as shown in (A), at least one data set for pedestrians, riders, and cars is prepared and used for learning parameters of an R-CNN1, as shown in (B), at least one data set for traffic signs and traffic lights is prepared and used for learning parameters of an R-CNN2, and as shown in (C), at least one data set for animals is prepared and used for learning parameters of an R-CNN3.
Thereafter, the object detector based on the R-CNN is configured to include the R-CNN1, the R-CNN2, and the R-CNN3.
However, this conventional object detector based on the R-CNN includes different multiple deep learning networks corresponding to the number of data sets for learning, therefore, in a real-world test, the conventional object detector shows a problem that execution time increases in proportion to the number of its deep learning networks, compared to a detector including just one deep learning network.

Learning method and testing method for R-CNN based object detector, and learning device and testing device using the same


A tax-exempt sale document creating system includes a device memory configured to store at least one program; and at least one processor configured to execute the at least one program to execute creation processing. The creation processing includes: obtaining an image of a passport or a qualification document and an image of a receipt printed when one or more commodities are purchased; storing the image of the passport or the qualification document and the image of the receipt and classifying the image of the passport or the qualification document and the image of the receipt; printing, on a passport area of one or more documents for tax-exempt sale, the image of the passport or the qualification document; and printing, on a receipt area of the documents, the image of the receipt on which image processing is performed to fit the image of the receipt in the receipt area.

1. Field of the Invention
The disclosures herein generally relate to a tax-exempt sale document creating system, a tax-exempt sale document creating apparatus, and a tax-exempt sale document creating method.
2. Description of the Related Art
A system for printing documents for tax-exempt sale is known in the related art. Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2014-32441 discloses a system that reads a two-dimensional code displayed on a landing card attached to a passport and prints "Record of Purchase of Consumption Tax-Exempt for Export" and "Covenant of Purchaser".
One or more receipts may be used for the documents for tax-exempt sale. It is desired to reduce workloads and/or human errors when the documents for the tax-exempt sale are created.

Tax-exempt sale document creating system, tax-exempt sale document creating apparatus, and tax-exempt sale document creating method


A method of and system for calibrating an imaging device is described herein. An iterative method that attempts to find the best calibration parameters conditional upon an error metric is used. Regression is used to estimate values in a color space where the calibration is performed based upon a training data set. More calculation steps are required than would be for a regression in raw RGB space, but the convergence is faster in the color space where the calibration is performed, and the advantages using boundary conditions in the color space is able to provide improved calibration.

A digital still camera (DSC) or video camera (camcorder) has a sensor that is covered by a color filter array (CFA) to create pixel locations. A DSC typically uses red, green and blue (RGB) filters to create their image. Most current camcorders typically use cyan, magenta, yellow and green (CMYG) filters for the same purpose.
A conventional sensor is a charge-coupled device (CCD) or complimentary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS). An imaging system focuses a scene onto the sensor and electrical signals are generated that correspond to the scene colors that get passed through the colored filters. Electronic circuits amplify and condition these electrical signals for each pixel location and then digitize them. Algorithms in the camera then process these digital signals and perform a number of operations needed to convert the raw digital signals into a pleasing color image that can be shown on a color display or sent to a color printer.
Each color camera has a unique sensor, CFA, and analog electronics system. The sensor and CFA have part-to-part variations. Accordingly, the electronic system needs to be calibrated for each camera. The goal is to make a "real world" scene captured with different cameras look the same when rendered on a display device. In order to calibrate an individual camera, the properties of the individual camera's primary color channels (CMYG for a camcorder; RGB for a DSC) need to be measured so that the individual camera's response to known colors can be quantized.
In the past, to calibrate a DSC, several pictures were taken with the DSC of objects with different colors. The more colors acquired, the better the calibration would be. The data from these pictures would then be transferred to a computer for analysis, and then parameters are adjusted within the DSC based on the analysis so that the DSC produces the best and most realistic colors. As described above, this was necessary because there are part to part differences in each camera such as there are slight variations in each sensor.
The main drawback of the previous systems which took multiple pictures is that they were slow. It takes time to take a number of pictures of different objects with different colors. It also takes time to transfer the data to a computer for analysis and calibration because typically the connection is slow.

Adaptive prediction of calibration parameters for color imaging devices


An apparatus with flexible debug observation-points (DOPs) includes a pipeline that includes multiple stages. A number of DOPs is embedded in the stages, and a DOP memory is provided at an end of the pipeline. The DOP memory is configured to store data associated with each DOP. Each DOP includes a flop-based storage and is identifiable by a unique DOP-identification (ID) associated with that DOP. The DOPs allow shifting data through the DOPs to the DOP memory.

Communication devices such as network switches process input packets received via ingress ports in one or more pipelines each including a number of stages. Debugging of the process is performed through debug observation-points (DOPs) set as registers and/or tables in the required areas in the pipeline. The current approach of using DOPs has a number of shortcomings. For example, the register-specification (spec) has to be constantly modified and modifications are to be exposed to test and/or software (SW) teams. Test efforts may be intensive to verify functionality of each DOP as a unique instance by itself. As DOPs are usually added to the pipeline at a last stage of the design, extensive verification may not be possible. In some situations, exposure model to SW can be cumbersome and vague. The current approach is not scalable, and if lots of DOPs are added in a critical-stage, one may run out of the register-addressing space. Finally, it is not easy to add or remove DOPs without additional churn in register-spec and/or testing efforts.

Flexible debug observation point insertion in pipeline designs

AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL SALES PTE. LIMITED


An immunoassay for detecting total aldicarb in an aqueous sample suspected of containing the same is disclosed. In the inventive method, an oxidant is added to the aqueous sample, with the oxidant provided in an amount sufficient to oxidize all aldicarb contained in the solution to aldicarb sulfone. Next, the aqueous sample is combined with a thioether solution capable of neutralizing excess oxidant in the aqueous sample to thereby provide a neutralized test solution. The neutralized test solution is then contacted to an antibody capable of binding aldicarb sulfone, and the aldicarb sulfone bound to the antibody detected.

Aldicarb is a common soil-applied chemical pesticide which has the structure of Formula (I) below: ##STR1## The IUPAC name for this compound is 2-methyl-2(methylthio)propionaldehyde 0-methylcarbamoyloxime. Once applied to soil it is taken up into plants by the roots, where it protects the plants from certain insects for several weeks. Aldicarb is toxic to humans, so there is a continuing need for methods of testing for its presence in soil, produce, and food products.
Aldicarb lingers in soil. Its persistence in soil, and its oxidation forms in soil, are well known See, e.g., J. Smelt et al., Pestic. Sci. 9, 279 (1978). In overview, aldicarb in soil oxidizes first to the sulfoxide shown in formula (II) below, and then to the sulfone shown in formula (III) below. ##STR2##
Analytical labs test for the presence of aldicarb in a sample by converting the aldicarb entirely to the sulfone form of Formula (III). Aldicarb concentration can then be reported in "sulfone equivalents". In brief, the aldicarb is converted to the sulfone by reaction with hydrogen peroxide in acetic acid under heat; then extraction of the sulfone into a nonpolar organic solvent; and then injection of the solvent into a high performance liquid chromatography apparatus (HPLC). See generally M. Dong et al., Analysis of carbamate pesticides by LC, AEL, 14-27 (Apr. 1990). The advantage of this procedure is its accuracy. The disadvantages, however, are that HPLC equipment is expensive, HPLC equipment is difficult to use, and the total process is time-consuming. Hence, the procedure must be carried out in an analytical laboratory.
It would clearly be desirable to have a procedure which can be carried out in the field, close to the source of potential contamination, so that a rapid indication of aldicarb contamination can be provided. Hence, immunoassays for aldicarb have been developed. See R. Bushway and B. Ferguson, Determination of Atrazine, Aldicarb and Methyl-2-Benzimidazolecarbamate Residues in Food by Enzyme Immunoassay (1989)(poster presented at Pacifichem '89, Honolulu, Hi, Dec. 17-22 1989). The advantage of immunoassays are that they are quick and easy to carry out. The disadvantage of immunoassays are that they employ antibodies, and antibodies bind differently to aldicarb depending on whether it is in its unoxidized, sulfoxide, or sulfone form. The known procedures for converting aldicarb to the sulfone form, however, employ chemicals which either partially or wholly denature antibodies. Hence, there is no immunoassay procedure currently available which measures aldicarb concentration after first converting the aldicarb to sulfone.
In view of the foregoing, objects of the present invention are to provide an aldicarb assay which combines the convenience of an immunoassay, while retaining the accuracy of analytical assays which report aldicarb concentration in sulfone equivalents.

Aldicarb immunoassay by sulfone equivalents


An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display including: a substrate including a pixel area; a peripheral area enclosing the pixel area; a gate line; a data line; corresponding driving lines; a pixel electrode; an organic light emitting layer; a common electrode; and a getter formed at the peripheral area and partially overlapping the common electrode, wherein the driving lines overlapping the getter have a plurality of openings filled with the getter such that the getter amount may be increased, thereby increasing the moisture absorption amount.

1. Field
The described technology relates generally to an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display.
2. Description of Related Art
An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display includes two electrodes and an organic emission layer disposed therebetween, and electrons injected from one electrode and holes injected from the other electrode are coupled with each other on the organic emission layer to form excitons. The excitons emit light while emitting energy.
The organic light emitting diode (OLED) display includes a display substrate including an organic emission layer, and an encapsulation substrate covering the display substrate. A sealant is located around a periphery of the display substrate and the encapsulation substrate to attach the display substrate to the encapsulation substrate, and to seal them together. To protect the organic light emitting diode (OLED) display from moisture and/or oxides, a getter is located between a pixel area where the organic emission layer is located, and the sealant.
However, when the amount of the getter is increased to improve moisture penetration prevention, a cell gap between the display substrate and the encapsulation substrate is also increased. When the cell gap is increased, adhesion between the display substrate and the encapsulation substrate may be deteriorated, such that there is a limit to how much the cell gap may be increased.
To prevent the increase of the cell gap when increasing the amount of the getter, the glass substrate can be etched to increase the amount of the getter located between the encapsulation substrate and display substrate; however, this adds an additional etch process and cost.
The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the described technology and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill in the art.


A work machine heat exchanger is provided. The work machine heat exchanger includes an upstream tank having an inlet and a downstream tank having an outlet. The work machine heat exchanger also includes a first core and a second core, both coupled between the upstream and the downstream tank, and including a first inner side sheet and a second inner side sheet, respectively. The first and the second inner side sheet define an air gap between the first and the second core. A pair of supporting bars are stacked between the first and the second inner side sheet, and configured to retain the first and the second inner side sheet parallel to each other. A first supporting bar of the pair of supporting bars is attached to the upstream tank and a second supporting bar of the pair of supporting bars is attached to the downstream tank.

Typically, a heat exchanger includes an upstream tank, a downstream tank, a core coupled between the upstream and the downstream tank, and fins stacked within the core. The core includes multiple tubes to allow flow of coolant from the upstream tank to the downstream tank. On completion of each circulation through the engine, the coolant is routed to the upstream tank of the heat exchanger. The coolant further flows through the tubes to lose heat to a stream of air flowing across the core. The coolant associated with ambient temperature is received at the downstream tank and is supplied to the engine for further circulation. Based on various operating parameters of engine, two or more heat exchangers are employed in the machine to treat the temperature of the coolant of the engine. Owing to space constraint in the machine, conventionally, the two or more heat exchangers are combined to constitute a single heat exchanging module.
Conventional methods of combining the heat exchangers include directly connecting outermost tubes or outermost column of fins of each heat exchanger. In cases where the coolant associated with high temperature flows through the heat exchangers, temperature gradients may develop between adjacent cores and may lead to development of thermal stresses within each core. In addition, during high temperature conditions, the adjacent cores may tend to expand. However, since the outermost tubes or outermost column of fins are directly connected, expansion of the cores is restricted. Such conditions add to the thermal stresses developed within the single heat exchanger module.
U.S. Patent Publication No. 2016/0109191 (the '191 publication) describes a cooling module that includes multiple heat exchangers, at least one of which is a coolant radiator. Specifically, the '191 publication discloses a charge air cooler heat exchanging core stacked and directly connected between a radiator heat exchanging core and an oil cooler heat exchanging core. As such, thermal stresses may be developed in the charge air cooler heat exchanging core. Therefore, the '191 publication fails to overcome the thermal stresses developed in the charge air cooler heat exchanging core.


A method comprising introducing an interconnect structure in an opening through a dielectric over a contact point, and introducing a conductive shunt material through a chemically-induced oxidation-reduction reaction. A method comprising introducing an interconnect structure in an opening through a dielectric over a contact point, introducing a conductive shunt material having an oxidation number over an exposed surface of the interconnect structure, and reducing the oxidation number of the shunt. An apparatus comprising a substrate comprising a device having contact point, a dielectric layer overlying the device with an opening to the contact point, and an interconnect structure disposed in the opening comprising an interconnect material and a different conductive shunt material.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to integrated circuit processing and, more particularly, to the introduction and patterning of interconnections on an integrated circuit.
2. Description of Related Art
Modern integrated circuits use conductive interconnections to connect the individual devices on a chip or to send and/or receive signals external to the chip. Popular types of interconnections include aluminum alloy interconnections (lines) and copper interconnections (lines) coupled to individual devices, including other interconnections (lines) by interconnections through vias.
A typical method of forming an interconnection, particularly a copper interconnection, is a damascene process. A typical damascene process involves forming a via and an overlying trench in a dielectric to an underlying circuit device, such as a transistor or an interconnection. The via and trench are then lined with a barrier layer of a refractory material, such as titanium nitride (TiN), tantalum (Ta), or tantalum nitride (TaN). The barrier layer serves, in one aspect, to inhibit the diffusion of the interconnection material that will subsequently be introduced in the via and trench into the dielectric. Next, a suitable seed material is deposited on the wall or walls of the via and trench. Suitable seed materials for the deposition of copper interconnection material include copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), and cobalt (Co). Next, interconnection material, such as copper, is introduced by electroplating or physical deposition in a sufficient amount to fill the via and trench and complete the interconnect structure. Once introduced, the interconnection structure may be planarized and a dielectric material (including an interlayer dielectric material) introduced over the interconnection structure to suitably isolate the structure.
Copper has become a popular choice of interconnection material for various reasons, including its low resistivity compared with the resistivity of aluminum or aluminum alloys. Nevertheless, copper interconnection material is not without its own limitations. One limitation is that copper does not adhere well to dielectric material. The barrier material on the side walls of a via and trench as explained above provides adhesion to the adjacent dielectric material. However, in the damascene process described above, no barrier material is present on the top of the interconnect material and, consequently, copper is typically in direct contact with the dielectric material. Poor adhesion of copper material to dielectric material contributes to electromigration by the copper material during, for example, current flow.
A second problem encountered by copper interconnection material involves the difficulty in completely filling a via with copper material. In a typical electroplating introduction process, voids can appear in the via. The voids tend to aggregate and create reliability issues for the interconnection. The voids also increase the resistance of the via.
Another limitation of copper interconnection material as it is currently introduced is the tendency of the formed interconnection to blister or form hillocks due to subsequent annealing steps typically encountered in the formation of integrated circuit devices at the wafer level. These blisters or hillocks disrupt the otherwise planarized layers of interconnections over the wafer.
What is needed are improved interconnect structures and techniques for improving the introduction and properties of an interconnection structure.

Method of electroless introduction of interconnect structures


Flame resistant compositions based on nylon-6 (PA 6) or nylon-6,6 (PA 66) may include melamine cyanurate, titanium dioxide, glass fibers, and non-fibrous and non-foamed ground glass having a specific particle size distribution, geometry and optionally sizing. Methods for producing the composition are also provided, as well as use of the compositions for production of products for the electrical industry, preferably electrical components such as residual current circuit breakers and other circuit breakers.

To modify processing, working and use characteristics, most plastics are provided with auxiliaries and with fillers and reinforcers. The latter improve properties such as stiffness, strength, heat resistance, dimensional stability, and reduce the thermal expansion of products based on plastics.
Of particular significance for plastics compositions are fillers and reinforcers composed of minerals or glass, especially borosilicate glass or silicate glass, which is used in a wide variety of different forms, for example in the form of glass fibres, glass flakes or else in the form of expanded glass or foamed glass. Fillers and reinforcers have a significant influence on the heat resistance of plastics. For example, when fibrous fillers having a correspondingly high aspect ratio are used, very good heat resistances are achieved. However, the anisotropic geometry of a fibre in the course of processing leads to alignment of the fibres in flow direction and to associated anisotropic shrinkage during processing, which subsequently leads to unwanted warpage in the products. The "wick effect" associated with the fibres also leads to a deterioration in the self-extinguishment properties of these products, these being of significance, for example, in the glow wire test to IEC 60695-2-12 (GWFI). In order to be able to assure sufficient flame retardancy of plastics-based products with fibrous fillers too, for example glass fibres, it is generally necessary to use halogen- or phosphorus-based flame retardants. Halogen-based flame retardants are the subject of public discussion because they accumulate in the environment. It is desirable to avoid phosphorus-based flame retardants because of energy-intensive production. Moreover, in the case of phosphorus-containing flame retardants, there is the risk of corrosive deposits at electrical contacts when the product is an electrical component or electronic component.
When non-fibrous fillers are used, especially talc, clay minerals, mica, expanded glass or foamed glass, isotropic shrinkage is obtained in products, but these moulding compositions and the products that are produced therefrom then frequently have inadequate heat resistances (<130° C.) or inadequate self-extinguishment properties in the GWFI test at relatively low wall thicknesses, especially wall thicknesses <1 mm.
When non-fibrous fillers are used, especially talc, clay minerals, mica, expanded glass or foamed glass, isotropic shrinkage is obtained in products, but these moulding compositions and products that can be produced therefrom then have inadequate heat resistances (<130° C.) or inadequate self-extinguishment properties in the GWFI test at relatively low wall thicknesses, especially wall thicknesses <1 mm.
EP 2468810 A1 Example 3 describes a polyamide-based composition comprising, as well as melamine cyanurate, ground glass and also ground chopped glass fibres. A disadvantage of this composition according to EP 2468810 A1 is its poor heat resistance and associated significantly restricted usability in electrical components, for example circuit breakers.
But a good heat resistance with simultaneously isotropic shrinkage characteristics and good self-extinguishment properties in the GWFI test is an important prerequisite for use in electronic components of complex structure, especially in residual current circuit breakers and other circuit breakers.
According to "http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leitungsschutzschalter", a circuit breaker, also colloquially called cutout or fuse for short, is an excess current protection device in electrical installation and is used in low-voltage grids. A residual current circuit breaker provides protection from fault currents (see: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fehlerstromschutzschalter).
It was therefore an object of the present invention to provide polyamide-based compositions suitable for production of products for the electrical industry, these products being notable for high heat resistance with simultaneously low isotropic shrinkage characteristics, and for good self-extinguishment properties in the glow wire test to IEC60695-2-12, even with low wall thicknesses, especially with wall thicknesses around 0.8 mm.
According to "http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/W%C3%A4rmeformbest%C3%A4ndigkeit", heat resistance is a measure of the thermal durability of plastics. Because they have viscoelastic material characteristics, there is no strictly defined upper use temperature for plastics; instead, a substitute parameter is determined under defined load. For this purpose, two standardized methods are available, the method of heat deflection temperature (HDT) and the Vicat softening temperature (VST).
The method of the heat deflection temperature described in DIN EN ISO 75-1,-2,-3 (precursor: DIN 53461) uses standard test specimens with rectangular cross section, which are subjected to three-point bending under constant load, preferably with their edges flat. According to the test specimen height, an edge fibre strain σt of 1.80 (Method A), 0.45 (Method B) or 8.00 N/mm2 (Method C) is achieved by using weights or/and springs to apply a force
  F  =            2                    σ        f                          bh        2                    3            L                      b: sample width        h: sample height        L: distance between rests.
Subsequently, the stressed samples are subjected to heating at a constant heating rate of 120 K/h (or 50 K/h). If the deflection of the sample reaches an edge fibre elongation of 0.2%, the corresponding temperature is the heat deflection temperature (or heat distortion temperature) HDT.
The Vicat softening temperature (VST) to DIN EN ISO 306 (precursor: DIN 53460) is measured with a needle (having a circular area of 1 mm2). A test force of 10 N (test force A) or 50 N (test force B) is applied thereto. The test specimen having a permissible thickness of 3 to 6.4 mm is subjected to a defined heating rate of 50 or 120 K/h. The VST has been attained when the penetrating body reaches a penetration depth of 1 mm. According to the standard, the test is only applicable to thermoplastics and gives an Indication of the practical sustained use limit, which is about 15 K below the Vicat temperature. Variation of the boundary conditions gives four parameter combinations:                VST/A50        VST/A120        VST/B50 (preferred method for comparative tests (ISO 10350-1)        VST/B120.
According to "http://de.wikipeda.org/wiki/Schwindung#Schwindung_bei_Gie.C3.9Fharzen", shrinkage is the change in volume of a material or workpiece without removal of material or exertion of force. Shrinkage takes place through drying, cooling or chemical or physical transformation mechanisms in the material. Low shrinkage in casting resins based on thermoplastics is a quality criterion, since installed components can otherwise come under compressive stress, and gaps can form between these and other components to be wetted if adhesion is insufficient. In the case of Injection-moulded products in electrical engineering/electronics, shrinkage can lead to ingress of moisture and to reduced stress resistance. Isotropic shrinkage is understood by the person skilled in the art to mean equal shrinkage in all spatial directions. The shrinkage characteristics are tested to DIN EN ISO 294-4, as is also the case in the context of the present invention.


The invention comprises a dye transfer inhibiting fabric softening composition comprising. a) 0.0001% to 10% by weight of poly(4-vinylpyridine-N-oxide) having a ratio of amine to amine N-oxide of from about 2:3 to about 1:1,000,000; and. b) 0.5% to 30% by weight of a fabric softening clay.

Clays, in particular smectite clays are known fabric-softening agents, and their use in fabric-softening through the wash has been disclosed in the art.
The relative ability of the softening clays to meet various performance criteria is among others depending on the presence of adjunct detergent ingredients. As a consequence, the detergent formulator is faced with a difficult task of providing detergent compositions which have an excellent overall performance.
One of the types of adjunct detergent ingredients that is added to detergent compositions are dye transfer inhibiting polymers. Said polymers are added to detergent compositions in order to inhibit the transfer of dyes from colored fabrics onto other fabrics washed therewith. These polymers have the ability to complex or adsorb the fugitive dyes washed out of dyed fabrics before the dyes have the opportunity to become attached to other articles in the wash.
Polymers have been used within detergent compositions to inhibit dye transfer.
Examples of such polymers are vinylpyrrolidone polymers such as described EP-A-265 257 and EP 508 034.
Unfortunately, said vinylpyrrolidone polymers tend to interact with the clays formulated therewith. Accordingly, the dye transfer inhibiting performance of the polymers and the softening performance of the clays are negatively affected.
It has now been found that polyamine N-oxide containing polymers are very compatible with clays in that the dye transfer inhibiting performance of the polyamine N-oxide containing polymers is not negatively affected in the presence of clays. In addition, it has been found that the softening performance of clays formulated with polyamine N-oxide containing polymers has been maintained.
This finding allows us to formulate detergent compositions which have both excellent dye transfer inhibiting properties and softening performance.
According to another embodiment of this invention a process is also provided for laundering operations involving colored fabrics.
Copending European Patent Application No. 92202168.8 describes polyamine N-oxide containing polymers which are very efficient in eliminating transfer of solubilized or suspended dyes.


A diagnosis and repair recommendation system for a railroad locomotive is disclosed. The system uses generalized repair recommendations and instantiates them to a specific repair process for a unique road number locomotive. In addition to repair steps to be executed by the technician, the method and system remotely provides supporting documentation specifically tailored for each step in the repair process. As the repair is being conducted, feedback information is entered by the technician. The repair recommendations and the supporting documents are available to the technician via a remote unit, thereby allowing the technician to access the repair steps and supporting documentation while the repair is in progress.

This invention relates to a method and system for receiving repair recommendations and related information from a central diagnostic and repair service center at a remote location, for repairing, for instance, a railroad locomotive.
The diagnosis, maintenance, and repair of a complex vehicle, such as an off-road vehicle, ship, airplane or railroad locomotive involves extremely complex and time consuming processes. Efficient and cost-effective operation of a fleet of such vehicles necessitates a reduction in the number of vehicle road failures and minimization of vehicle down-time. This can be accomplished by predicting impending failures, by performing preventative maintenance, and by performing repairs quickly and accurately. For example, it will be appreciated that the ability to predict failures before they occur allows for performing condition-based maintenance. Such maintenance can be conveniently scheduled based on statistically and probabilistically meaningful vehicle status information, instead of performing the maintenance regardless of the actual condition of the subsystem, such as would be the case if the maintenance is routinely performed independent of whether the subsystem actually requires the maintenance.
The conventional diagnosis and repair process for most vehicles and machines is based on the experience of the service technician, using paper-based information describing the structure and operation of the machine, and performance records maintained in a log. Examining the log entries, experienced service technicians can use their accumulated experience and training in mapping incidents occurring in locomotive subsystems to problems that may be causing these incidents. For simple problems, this process works well. However, if the problem is complex and the root cause difficult to discern, the experienced technician may be unable to identify the problem and certainly much less likely to prognosticate problems before they occur.
A machine, such as a locomotive or other mobile asset used in industrial processes, telecommunications, aerospace applications, power generation, etc. often incorporates diagnostic controls and sensors that report faults when anomalous operating conditions of the machine arise. Typically, to diagnose the problem, a technician will study the fault log to identify the nature of the problem and determine whether a repair is necessary. While the fault log can provide some diagnosis and repair information, the technician also relies substantially on his prior experiences with the machine, or others like it, to make a full diagnosis.
To conduct the repair, the technician uses block diagrams, exploded diagrams, parts lists, assembly drawings, schematics, etc. The repair information may be applicable only to a specific machine by model number; the repair information will generally not be unique to the specific machine undergoing repair. It is obvious that as the complexity of the machine increases, the amount of paper needed to describe the machine to assist with the repair process likewise increases. Again, the technician will rely on his experiences with the machine, and others like it, to perform the repair.
Yet another problem with a paper-based system is the variety of fielded configurations, each having its own unique technical support documentation. Even for a specific model (identified by a model number), there may be several locomotive configurations as locomotive subsystems were redesigned or changed during the model production run. Thus, in a sense, no two locomotives are the same. Adding this configuration complexity to a paper-based system presents an inordinately complex and unmanageable problem of locating the correct technical repair documentation for a specific locomotive.
Another repair issue involving complex machines, such as railroad locomotives or other mobile assets, is the unavailability of a repair history from which one could predict component failures and undertake preventative maintenance beforehand. Technicians with wide ranging and lengthy experiences may be able to predict a component failure and repair it to avoid a breakdown during operation, in some limited situations.
One tool available for locomotive repair manually downloads fault logs from a locomotive while it is parked at a maintenance facility. These fault logs are then uploaded to the railroad maintenance service center. The tool also includes standardized helpful hints for repair tasks and fault analysis descriptors based on single failure faults. Although such a device represents an improvement over a paper-based system, it falls short of the informational needs for a complex machine, such as a locomotive, and fails to advantageously utilize the various technologies available for more efficiently predicting and performing the repair.


Methods are provided for depositing a quantity of fluid onto the surface of an array. In the subject methods, a thermal inkjet head loaded with the fluid is positioned in opposing relationship to, e.g. over, the array surface. Actuation of the thermal inkjet results in the expulsion of a quantity of fluid onto the array surface. The subject methods find particular use in array-based binding assays in which an array of binding agents is employed for the detection of an analyte(s), particularly array-based hybridization assays.

"Biochips" or arrays of binding agents, such as oligonucleotides and peptides, have become an increasingly important tool in the biotechnology industry and related fields. These binding agent arrays, in which a plurality of binding agents are deposited onto a solid support surface in the form of an array or pattern, find use in a variety of applications, including gene expression analysis, drug screening, nucleic acid sequencing, mutation analysis, and the like.
In array-based assays in which an array of binding agents is employed, the array is typically contacted with a fluid sample that is suspected of containing the analyte(s) of interest. In currently employed protocols, contact of the array with the sample fluid is achieved in a number of different ways. Thus, a fluid sample may be contacted with the surface of the array using a pipette. In other embodiments, the sample may be flowed over the surface of an array by injecting the sample through a septum. In yet other embodiments, the sample may be flowed over the surface of the array using surface tension, centrifugal force or pressure differentials.
Although effective, there are drawbacks associated with each of the above techniques. First, each of the above techniques requires the deposition of relatively large sample volumes, e.g. greater than 2 .mu.l. Second, such techniques provide little or no spatial resolution of sample presentation. Third, sample pre-manipulation or pre-treatment, e.g. heating, dilution, etc., is difficult.
As such, there is continued interest in the development of new methods of depositing sample volumes onto array surfaces. Of particular interest would be the development of a sample deposition method capable of depositing relatively small quantities of sample on the array surface in a manner in which the position of deposition can be controlled.

Method of performing array-based hybridization assays using thermal inkjet deposition of sample fluids


A method and an apparatus for monitoring a photovoltaic module to reduce a commissioning workload and reduce commissioning complexity, the method includes obtaining communication addresses of all module voltage monitoring apparatuses, establishing a connection to a corresponding module voltage monitoring apparatus using the communication address, obtaining a relative voltage of a corresponding module relative to a voltage reference point from the module voltage monitoring apparatus to which the connection is established; obtaining, according to relative voltages obtained from all the module voltage monitoring apparatuses, a physical location that is of a module corresponding to each module voltage monitoring apparatus and that is in the photovoltaic string; establishing an information table according to the communication address of each module voltage monitoring apparatus and the physical location of the module corresponding to each module voltage monitoring apparatus, and performing module abnormality detection according to the information table.

A photovoltaic string includes several photovoltaic modules connected in series, and is configured to absorb solar energy and convert the solar energy to electric energy, to become effective input of an inverter. Because the photovoltaic string is installed in an outdoor environment for a long time, and is affected by a high temperature, high humidity, a hot spot, mechanical damage, and the like, and may also be affected by shadow, accumulated dust and snow, and the like. As a result, the modules convert solar energy to electric energy less efficiently, and some modules fail and therefore become abnormal. To ensure normal working of the photovoltaic string, in an actual application, the modules are monitored in real time by a monitoring center. In a monitoring process, data of each module is sampled in real time, the sampled data of the module is obtained in a wireless or wired communication manner for abnormality analysis, and once it is determined that a module is abnormal, the module is located for eliminating abnormality.
To accurately locate an abnormal module, when a photovoltaic power generating system is established and commissioned, each module is equipped with a module voltage monitoring apparatus, and the monitoring center is connected to the module voltage monitoring apparatus in a wireless or wired communications manner, where communication addresses of all module voltage monitoring apparatuses are different. A location of a module is numbered according to a location sequence of the module in the photovoltaic string, a one-to-one correspondence is established between a location number and a communication address used by a module voltage monitoring apparatus corresponding to the module, and the correspondence is recorded into a monitoring device. When it is determined that a module is abnormal, a communication address of a module voltage monitoring apparatus corresponding to the module is first obtained, and a location number of the abnormal module is found according to the correspondence, to determine a location of the abnormal module in the photovoltaic string. It can be seen that, the correspondence between a location number of a module and a communication address is recorded in a manual manner. However, when there is a relatively large total quantity of photovoltaic panels, manual recording may cause a very heavy workload, and increase complexity of installation and commissioning at an early stage. Consequently, it is difficult to implement installation and commissioning.

Method and apparatus for monitoring photovoltaic module


An ink of this invention contains a self-dispersible pigment having a phosphonic acid group bonded directly or through another atomic group to the surface of the self-dispersible pigment, polyurethane resin particles, a monovalent inorganic salt, and water.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an ink and an ink cartridge and an image recording method employing the ink.
Description of the Related Art
Heretofore, in an image recording method, an ink containing a self-dispersible pigment as a coloring material has been used for the purpose of increasing the optical density of images. In particular, it is known that a self-dispersible pigment having a phosphonic acid group bonded directly or through another atomic group to the surface (hereinafter also simply referred to as a "phosphonic acid-based self-dispersible pigment") easily provides images particularly high color development properties (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2012-233163). Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2012-233163 describes combining a self-dispersible pigment having a phosphonic acid group, a resin having a specific acid value, and a specific surfactant to thereby obtain an image having high color development properties.
However, the ink containing a self-dispersible pigment has high color development properties of images but has had a problem that the scratch resistance of images is low. Then, an examination for improving the scratch resistance of images by further blending polyurethane resin particles in the ink containing a self-dispersible pigment has been made (PCT Japanese Translation Patent Publication No. 2005-515289). PCT Japanese Translation Patent Publication No. 2005-515289 describes that the scratch resistance of images is improved by an aqueous ink jet ink containing a self-dispersible pigment and a polyurethane resin having an acid group.

Ink, ink cartridge, and image recording method


The safety anchor includes a base, which is fixable to a roof structure; an absorber, which is attached to the base; and a housing, which houses the absorber. A clamping member is provided within the housing for clamping the housing against the base.

1. Field of the Invention
The present disclosure relates to a safety anchor. In particular to a safety anchor suitable for use in a fall arrest system mountable on a rooftop, or similar, to protect a user against a fall from height.
2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98.
Fall arrest systems are well known, they are commonly found on rooftops and typically comprise a plurality of safety anchors that together support a tensioned cable to which a user worn harness may be attached. Once connected to the tensioned cable, the user is safe to move around the rooftop. In the event of a fall, the roof anchors deploy to absorb the fall energy of the user (or users where multiple users are connected).
Alternative fall arrest systems may comprise one or more separate safety anchors that are not linked by a tensioned cable.
There are problems with existing arrangements. The integrity of the safety anchors must generally be tested each year. Prior art safety anchors are not always resistant to the forces applied during testing. They can become damaged and require replacement. Furthermore, in systems comprising a tensioned cable, the tension of the cable can cause casings of the safety anchors to lean. Whilst this generally does not impact the integrity of the safety anchors, it can cause nervousness among users.


A nose portion assembly of a riveting apparatus is rotatable between a first vertical position and a second angled position which is adjacent an end of a rivet feed ramp. The angled position of the nose assembly matches the angle of a rivet feed ramp from a rivet feed member positioned on the side of the riveting apparatus.

Automatic riveting assemblies, such as used in large-scale riveting operations for aircraft for example, typically include a rivet insertion assembly which utilizes fingers at the end of the insertion assembly to grasp a rivet, which is then inserted into a pre-drilled opening in a workpiece by a ram assembly acting on the rivet insertion assembly. Once the rivet is inserted, the ram assembly is used to upset the rivet, thereby completing a riveting cycle. Such automatic riveting machines typically operate with a rivet feed system in which rivets move from a storage hopper to the rivet insertion assembly fingers. In many arrangements, the feed system includes a ramp or a track which extends from the storage hopper to a position adjacent the rivet insertion assembly, at which point the rivet is injected into the insertion assembly fingers.
In vertical axis riveting, the workpiece is in a horizontal plane and the riveting is perpendicular to the workpiece. The rivet track or ramp is usually at a 30 degree angle ±10 degrees depending on style from the horizontal, so that the rivets slide down the track by gravity, which however results in an angular mismatch between the rivet track and the vertical fingers of the rivet insertion assembly. This mismatch results in jams and other compromises in operation of the riveting apparatus.

Riveting apparatus with moveable nose portion to match an adjoining rivet feed track


This disclosure provides methods of designing and generating polypeptide variants that have altered properties compared to a parent polypeptide. The present disclosure provides methods of generating polypeptide variants, for example, variant isoprenoid synthases and/or variant prenyl transferases that have at least one desired property not present in the parent polypeptide. The present disclosure further provides polypeptides and polynucleotides encoding variant polypeptides, as well as vectors and host cells comprising the polynucleotides that encode the variant polypeptides. In other embodiments, the present disclosure provides methods of using the variant polypeptides to generate useful products, such as isoprenoid compounds and/or isoprenoid products.

Isoprenoids are a family of compounds derived from an isoprene building block. Isoprenoids include primary metabolites such as sterols, carotenoids, growth regulators, and the polyprenol substituents of dolichols, quinones, and proteins. These compounds are essential for membrane integrity, photoprotection, orchestration of developmental programs, and anchoring essential biochemical functions to specific membrane systems, respectively. Isoprenoids also include secondary metabolites such as monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, and diterpenes.
Isoprenoids are made via the isoprenoid biosynthetic pathway. The common denominator for this diverse array of compounds is a universal five-carbon building block, isoprene. The polymerization of two diphosphorylated isoprene building blocks (e.g., isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP) and dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP)) generates geranyl diphosphate (GPP), a linear C10 intermediate that can be converted to cyclic or linear end-products representing the monoterpenes, or used in another round of polymerization. The addition of a third isoprene unit to GPP generates which can also be converted to cyclic or linear products representing the sesquiterpene class. Continuing the polymerization and chemical differentiation cycle leads to the production of other classes of terpenoids named according to the number of isoprene building blocks leading to their biosynthesis, for example, the addition of a third IPP to FPP generates geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP).
These polymerization reactions are catalyzed by prenyl transferases that direct the attack of a carbocation (an electron deficient carbon atom resulting from the loss of the diphosphate moiety of one substrate) to an electron-rich carbon atom of the double bond on the IPP molecule. The enzymes responsible for the cyclization of GPP, FPP, and GGPP are referred to as monoterpene, sesquiterpene, and diterpene synthases or collectively, terpene synthases, and represent reactions committing carbon from the general isoprenoid pathway to end products in the monoterpene, sesquiterpene, and diterpene classes, respectively.
An important biochemical distinction between the prenyl transferase and isoprenoid synthase reactions are that the prenyl transferases catalyze carbon-carbon bond formation between two substrate molecules, whereas the synthases catalyze an intramolecular carbon-carbon bond formation.
Increasing the activity of a prenyl transferase and/or an isoprenoid synthase in a cell can increase the terpene and/or terpenoid content of the cell. In addition, if a cell contains a terpene and/or terpenoid that mediates a desirable phenotype (for instance, a biocidal compound that confers a crop protection phenotype), increasing the activity of the appropriate prenyl transferase and/or isoprenoid synthase may increase accumulation of the compound in the cell.
Described herein are modified prenyl transferase and isoprenoid synthase enzymes useful in the production of terpenes and terpenoids. Also described herein are methods for the production of terpenes and terpenoids.

Variant isoprenoid producing enzymes and uses thereof


Described is an arrangement for feeding and/or taking away magazines intended to receive individual articles, to and/or from an apparatus for treating and/or handling the articles, wherein the apparatus comprises a first transport element which receives a supply of magazines for feeding articles to be treated, and a second transport element which receives a supply of magazines for carrying away treated articles, with the transport elements being arranged in mutually juxtaposed relationship and movable in a horizontal plane. A third transport element is operatively associated with the first and second transport elements and movable between a first position in which it is towards the first and second transport elements and at least one second position in which it is away from the first and second transport elements. The third transport element has at least one movable carrier for at least one magazine. When the third transport element is in the first position the carrier is movable between a first position associated with the first transport element for receiving a magazine from same or for depositing a magazine at same and a second position associated with the second transport element for receiving a magazine from same or for depositing a magazine at same. When the third transport element is in its second position the carrier can assume a third position for receiving a magazine for articles to be treated and a fourth position for depositing a magazine for treated articles.

The invention generally concerns an arrangement for feeding and/or taking away magazines intended to receive individual articles, to and/or from an apparatus for treating and/or handling such articles.
In this specification, the arrangement for feeding and/or taking away the magazines to and/or from the apparatus will be referred to broadly as an arrangement for moving the magazines in relation to the apparatus.
Similarly, the expression apparatus for processing articles will be used to broadly denote the apparatus for treating and/or handling such articles.
By way of example, the apparatus for processing such articles, whether involving actually treating the articles or handling same in an operating procedure, can be a machine for printing on, packaging or implementing other operations in relation to CDs and/or other articles. Hereinafter the arrangement according to the invention will be particularly described in relation to a printing machine without however that entailing a limitation in that respect.
One form of arrangement for moving magazines intended to receive individual articles, in relation to an apparatus for processing such articles, can comprise a first transport element for receiving a supply of magazines for feeding articles to be processed, and a second transport element for receiving a supply of magazines for carrying away processed articles. The first and second transport elements can be arranged in mutually juxtaposed relationship, being respectively movable in a horizontal plane.
In this respect reference may be made to EP 0 909 728 A1 describing an apparatus for printing on CDs, which has an arrangement for feeding the articles to be printed upon, to the apparatus, and for carrying away the articles after printing has been applied thereto. Those articles are supplied to the apparatus in the form of a stack constituting a magazine. The magazine essentially comprises a base or tray from which a bar, referred to as a spindle, extends upwardly. The respective articles which are each provided with a central opening can thus be fitted on to the spindle. For the purposes of introducing the articles into the receiving units in the printing machine, they are removed from the stack and thus separated off from each other so as to constitute individual articles. After the printing operation has been completely implemented, they are collected again in a magazine in the form of a stack which is moved out of the apparatus. In general terms the procedure in that case is such that the empty magazines from which the articles to be printed upon had been individually removed are subsequently used again for collecting a stack of articles after printing has been applied thereto.
The arrangement disclosed in EP 0 909 728 A1 admittedly also has a conveyor belt which serves both to feed the apparatus with the magazines filled with the articles to be printed upon, and also to carry away the magazines filled with the printed articles. The arrangement for feeding and taking away the magazines in that fashion is however rather complicated as it performs some additional functions which in many cases may not be required. In addition, it is not very suitable for subsequent fitment to already existing machines which are in production.
An object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement for moving magazines intended to receive individual articles, in relation to an apparatus for processing such articles, which can avoid disadvantages of prior arrangements and which involves simple structural means for feeding and removing the magazines for the respective articles to be printed upon and which have been printed upon.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement for feeding and/or removing magazines for receiving individual articles, to and from an article-processing apparatus, which is so designed that the number of operating personnel can be reduced while at the same time affording enhanced safety for such operating personnel.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement for moving magazines for receiving individual articles, to and from an apparatus for processing such articles, which is so designed that the procedure involved in delivering the magazines and removing them is rendered more rational while obviating the need for manual intervention in terms of moving magazines and/or articles in relation to the apparatus.
Yet a further object of the invention is to provide an arrangement for moving magazines for accommodating individual articles, in relation to an apparatus for processing such articles, which affords greater versatility of operation and adaptability to varying operating conditions.
In accordance with the principles of the present invention the foregoing and other objects are attained by an arrangement for moving magazines intended to receive individual articles in relation to an apparatus for processing such articles, which apparatus comprises a first transport element operable to receive a supply of magazines for feeding articles to be processed to the apparatus, and a second transport element operable to receive a supply of magazines for carrying away processed articles. The first and second transport elements are arranged in mutually juxtaposed relationship and are respectively movable in a horizontal plane. The arrangement includes a third transport element adapted to be operatively associated with the first and second transport elements and movable between a first position of being towards the first and second transport elements and at least one second position in which it is away from the first and second transport elements. The third transport element has at least one movable carrier for at least one magazine, which carrier, when the third transport element is in the first position, is movable between a first position operatively associated with the first transport element for receiving a magazine from same or for depositing a magazine on same, and a second position operatively associated with the second transport element for receiving a magazine from same or for depositing a magazine on same while when the third transport element is in its second position the carrier assumes a third position for receiving a magazine for articles to be processed and a fourth position for depositing a magazine for processed articles.
As will be seen in greater detail from a preferred embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention as described hereinafter, the arrangement has the third transport element which is arranged in the direction of transportation movement, in front of the first and second transport elements which are each in the form of turntables movable with a stepwise motion. The turntables serve to feed the magazines to the article-separating station and to carry the magazines away from the collecting station respectively, and thus are operable to perform a certain buffer function. The third transport element bridges over the spacing between the two turntables on the one hand and a conveyor belt for feeding the magazines to the apparatus and for carrying the magazines away therefrom on the other hand. The conveyor belt is generally arranged outside the actual apparatus so that there is no necessity for the operating personnel to manually insert the magazines which are filled with the articles to be processed such as printed upon, into the first transport element, or to manually remove the magazines with the processed articles therein, from the second transport element. As indicated above the first and second transport elements are possibly each in the form of a rotary turntable. Furthermore, the carrier which is mounted pivotably to the third transport element bridges over the spacing between the two turntables so that there is no longer any need for the empty magazine to be transposed manually from the turntable for the articles to be processed, on to the turntable for the processed articles. There is thus no necessity for any operator to implement any handling operations in the region of moving parts of the machinery.
Further objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description hereinafter of a preferred embodiment thereof.

Arrangement for feeding and/or taking away magazines filled with articles


In an internal combustion engine, an eccentric bearing (16) located between the connecting rod (14) and the piston pin (12) can be used to vary the compression ratio. In this invention the eccentric bearing is held in any position by a continuously variable hydraulic lock. The hydraulic lock is controlled by a valve assembly (30) which can fix or release the lock bar (18). When the lock bar is released the eccentric bearing can turn as a result of the upward or downward inertia and gas pressure forces on the piston (10). However, a check valve (34) in the valve assembly allows it to turn only in the direction set by the valve assembly until it reaches the new position and re-locks. Engine oil is provided at regulated pressures through oil passages in the connecting rod, eccentric bearing and piston pin to set the position of the valve assembly and to provide a supply for the hydraulic lock. The oil pressure is controlled by an engine-management computer and the position of the valve assembly is set by pressures which are varied within the normal operating limits of the engine. Advantages are continuous variability, little change to existing engine components, low parts count, relatively low addition to reciprocating weight, and no chance of failure due to partial engagement, impact or wear.

1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to an apparatus for varying the compression ratio of an internal combustion engine while running.
2. Description of Prior Art
The efficiency of an internal combustion engine is related to its compression ratio. The selection of too low a ratio reduces power and efficiency. The selection of too high a ratio increases octane requirements and eventually causes knocking with its accompanying power loss and possibility of engine damage. The ability to adjust the compression ratio while the engine is running permits the engine to be operated with improved efficiency over a wide throttle range, with a wide octane range and, in the case of turbocharged or supercharged engines, with higher boost than could normally be used.
Although many patents have been filed in this area there appear to be no commercially successful designs. Some patents use the rotating eccentric bearing method (between the piston pin and connecting rod) to vary the compression ratio by raising or lowering the piston on the connecting rod. Most of these rely on the fact that there are upward and downward inertia and gas pressure forces on the piston which can be used to rotate the bearing to a new position.
The following patents are typical of those based on using the forces on the piston to rotate an eccentric bearing with hydraulically driven locking pins to engage a high or low position: U.S. Pat. No. 4,687,348 dated Aug. 18, 1987 and titled DEVICE FOR LOCKING/UNLOCKING ROTATION OF AN ECCENTRIC BEARING USED IN A COMPRESSION RATIO CHANGING MECHANISM OF AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE; U.S. Pat. No. 4,721,073 dated Jan. 26, 1988 and titled COMPRESSION RATIO CHANGING DEVICE USING AN ECCENTRIC BEARING FOR AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE; U.S. Pat. No. 4,830,517 dated May 16, 1989 and titled DEVICE FOR LOCKING ROTATION OF AN ECCENTRIC BEARING OF A COMPRESSION RATIO CHANGING DEVICE; U.S. Pat. No. 4,864,975 dated Sep. 12, 1989 and titled COMPRESSION RATIO CHANGING DEVICE FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE. While all of the above patents are based on hydraulically driven locking pins, the first three listed deal specifically with the problems of high impact, deformation and reliability due to partial engagement of the pins when changing from one locking position to another.


A power unit includes an engine having a crankshaft, and a continuously variable transmission having a drive pulley operatively connected with the crankshaft, a driven pulley, and a belt extended between and wrapped around the drive pulley and the driven pulley. The power unit further includes a transmission input clutch, which allows or interrupts the transmission of a rotational drive force of the crankshaft to the drive pulley, mounted on a drive pulley shaft; and a starter clutch, which allows or interrupts the transmission of a rotational drive force of the driven pulley to the drive wheel, mounted on a driven pulley shaft. The transmission input clutch and the starter clutch are arranged such that a continuously variable transmission is sandwiched therebetween.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a power unit having an engine and a continuously variable transmission (CVT), and to a vehicle incorporating same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a power unit having a hydraulically-operated CVT and to an arrangement (layout) of various components of the CVT within the power unit.
2. Description of the Backgound Art
There are known power units for a vehicle, such as a motorcycle, having an engine and a CVT. In such power units, a power transmission chamber, which is integrally formed with a crank chamber of the engine, is generally disposed behind the crank chamber of the engine.
The continuously variable transmission, such as a wet belt-type automatic transmission, is arranged in a lowermost portion of a common chamber formed by the crank chamber and the power transmission chamber. The common chamber functions as the crank chamber as well as the power transmission chamber.
In the power unit having the continuously variable automatic transmission (automatic transmission), an oil pan is arranged in a lower portion of the power unit. The oil pan receives oil for lubricating the engine and various components of a power transmission system.
The power unit includes a drive pulley and a driven pulley, which are connected to the engine (e.g., to a crankshaft of the engine), arranged in the power transmission chamber.
Further, the drive pulley and the driven pulley are arranged in a vertically displaced manner such that rotational axes of the drive pulley and the driven pulley are arranged in parallel to an axis of the crankshaft of the engine. In such configurations, both drive and driven pulleys overlap each other when viewed from above, in a top plan view.
An example of such known power unit is disclosed in the Japanese Patent Document JP-A-63-103784. According to the Japanese Patent Document JP-A-63-103784 (page 1, FIG. 2), the power unit includes a starter clutch which is mounted on a shaft portion of a drive pulley shaft. The starter clutch transmits a rotational drive force of the engine to a drive wheel at the time of starting a vehicle and interrupts the transmission of the rotational drive force of the engine to the drive wheel at the time of stopping the vehicle.
Here, since in the power unit of the vehicle according to the Japanese Patent Document JP-A-63-103784, the starter clutch is mounted on the shaft portion of the drive pulley shaft, the starter clutch is disengaged from a gear arrangement before the CVT assumes a low speed state at the time of stopping the vehicle. However, there exists a possibility that the CVT is driven in a high speed state at the time of starting the vehicle next time thus lowering the maneuverability of the vehicle.
Further, a large-sized starter is required for starting the engine when the starter clutch is mounted on the shaft portion of the drive pulley shaft because a large load is applied to the starter since the starter drives the CVT while rotating the crankshaft. Therefore, mounting of the starter clutch on the shaft portion of the drive pulley shaft leads to a requirement of a large-sized, high capacity starter.
The present invention has been made to overcome such drawbacks. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a power unit for a vehicle which enhances the maneuverability at the time of starting the vehicle by bringing a CVT into a low speed state at the time of stopping the vehicle. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a power unit which reduces a load applied to the starter by interrupting the transmission of a rotational drive force of the crankshaft to the drive pulley at the time of starting the engine.

Power unit having engine and continuously variable transmission, configuration thereof, and vehicle incorporating same


A display device is provided for making images of a movie, a TV or the like invisible to a driver while the vehicle is traveling, but at the same time visible to a passenger riding in a front passenger seat. A viewing angle control shutter 20 using a liquid crystal is disposed facing a front surface of a liquid crystal display panel 19. When the vehicle is in a stopping state, the viewing angle control shutter 20 is set to off, thereby making the image that is displayed on the display panel 19 visible from the driver's seat side and the front passenger seat side. While the vehicle is traveling, the viewing angle control shutter 20 is driven such that the driver can watch an image produced by the navigation device 13, but cannot watch an image reproduced by a DVD reproduction device 14.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a display device capable of switching between a state in which an image is visible from one direction and a state in which the image is invisible from the one direction, while maintaining a state in which the image is visible from another specific direction. More particularly, the present invention relates to a display device suitable for a vehicle-mounted display device connected to a video signal output device (hereunder, referred to as "video device") such as a navigation device or a DVD reproducing device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Vehicles are equipped with not only audio devices such as a radio and a CD player, but also video devices such as a navigation device, a television (TV) tuner, and a DVD reproducing device. Accordingly, the vehicles are also provided with display devices for displaying the images, such as a liquid crystal display panel and the like.
Currently, the vehicle-mounted display device tends to have a wider screen. In such a display device with the wide-screen, for instance, the screen is divided into two areas. In one of the areas is displayed a map image supplied by the navigation device, and in the other area is displayed images supplied by the TV tuner, the DVD reproducing device or the like. This kind of display device is capable of the so-called double-screen display (or multi-screen display).
However, for safety reasons, a driver is prohibited from watching the images of a movie, a TV and the like while the vehicle is traveling. For this reason, the currently used vehicle-mounted video device is designed so as not to display the images of the movie or the TV during the travel of the vehicle. Therefore, although a passenger riding in a front passenger seat is not prohibited from watching the movie, the TV and so on, he nevertheless is not able to watch them during the travel of the vehicle.


A communication device including an RF transmitter mounted in conjunction with an IR transmitter allowing data to be transmitted by RF as well as by IR. Such a device may be a portable badge worn by moving personnel to transmit IR and RF signals to one of a plurality of second devices each being a fixed reader having an IR and RF receiver, and typically being mounted in a respective enclosed space, such as a room. In use, IR transmissions from the portable device are detected by the IR receiver of the reader in the same room and thus provide an immediate identification of the room (or enclosed space) wherein the portable device is located. On the other hand, if the IR transmitter in the portable device is concealed or for any other reason is not within line-of-sight of the reader in its immediate proximity, then the RF signal transmitted by the RF transmitter in the portable device is detected by the RF receiver in the reader, thereby allowing tracking of the portable device in either eventuality.

This invention relates to low-power, particularly battery-operated, RF and IR transmitters.
Unlike infra-red (IR) transmitters which require a direct line-of-sight with their respective receivers, RF transmitters have the advantage that no such direct line-of-sight is required. On the other hand, IR transmitters are becoming increasingly popular owing to their small size and their ability to handle ever-increasing volumes of data traffic at high speed. Remote controls for television and the like based on IR detectors are, of course, well known but there is an increasing tendency to employ IR transmitters as personal data badges for a variety of applications. Such applications include access control utilities: not only for gaining access to protected territory but, no less importantly, for maintaining constant supervision and monitoring of a person""s location.
One specific application where such a requirement is mandatory elates to the monitoring of patients in a hospital. A patient is frequently instructed to present himself at one or more departments within the hospital for the purpose of various examinations such as, for example, X-rays, ultrasound and so on. During this routine, the patient is obviously unsupervised and generally makes his own way from one department to another. Notwithstanding that this procedure is common, it is fraught with danger and insecurity. There is the obvious risk that, owing to confusion on the part of the patient, he may go to the wrong department, thereby at best wasting significant amounts of time if not undergoing unnecessary tests. There is also the risk that the patient may leave the hospital without having had the necessary tests and that, in consequence, further diagnosis of the patient may be aborted with possibly catastrophic results.
The use of IR detectors for monitoring the whereabouts of moving people is known per se. Therefore, one possible solution to the scenario set out above would be to provide each patient with an IR identity tag, whereupon his progress throughout the hospital could be monitored. However, it is not uncommon for patients, unthinkingly, to put their identity badge inside a pocket or purse. In this case the patient is effectively xe2x80x9clostxe2x80x9d from view because the IR transmitter within the identity badge requires direct line of sight with the receiver and there is no way in which the IR signal can penetrate the patient""s pocket or purse. Obviously, should this occur, the patient""s apparent loss will immediately be inferred and steps may then be taken by the hospital""s security staff to locate him. However, this is a cumbersome procedure and increases the already overstretched burden of the hospital""s security staff. Moreover, of course, if the patient succeeds in leaving the boundaries of the hospital, then locating the patient in order to retrieve the missing badge becomes even more difficult; and if, moreover, the patient""s health suffers as a result, then the hospital may be held criminally negligent.
Similar considerations apply to the use of IR badges for tracking babies in order to prevent theft from maternity wards. In this case, it is also necessary to safeguard against a thief merely removing the IR badge prior to abduction. This may be achieved by typing the badge to the baby using an electrically conductive wire and then monitoring the electrical continuity of the wire.
A further drawback with the use of IR badges for location tracking is that accurate location is dependent on dividing an area into independent units each having an IR reader for communicating with an IR badge within its respective reception coverage. By such means, it is easy to determine which reader is in line of sight contact with a particular badge and thereby infer the location of the badge. This, however, has tended to militate against the use of IR badges for tracking location in wide open spaces.
There is thus clearly a need to allow for constant monitoring of a patient within a hospital in both confined and open spaces whilst, at the same time, protecting both the patient and the hospital management against his apparent disappearing owing to the mis-location of a conventional IR identity tag.
The use of an RF transmitter for this purpose would obviously go a long way to solving such a problem. However, RF transmitters are subject to problems of their own, including the need to secure approval by the requisite Communications Authority. Moreover, the use of an RF-only system for the purpose of location and identification is not feasible, because RF transmission crosses walls, ceilings and floors, thus militating against exact and precise determination (per room or enclosed area) of the location of the RF transmitter.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a low-powered RF transmitter in which the above-mentioned drawbacks are significantly reduced or eliminated.
It is a particular object of the invention to provide an RF transmitter for mounting in conjunction with an IR transceiver so as to allow for the data to be transmitted by RF as well as by IR within a single battery-operated portable module.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide such an RF transmitter which transmits a substantially constant energy pulse regardless of battery drainage.
These objects are realized in accordance with a broad aspect of the invention by a communication device including an RF transmitter mounted in conjunction with an IR transmitter allowing data to be transmitted by RF as well as by IR.

Dual RF/IR communication device and method of use thereof


A residential method for treating water with an oxidizing gas operates under elevated pressure. The elevated pressure is obtained by means of a pressurized oxidizing gas source (eg. an air pump) or a Prandtl layer turbine. The elevated pressure of the treated water is optionally used to dispense the treated water. The Prandtl layer turbine may be used to obtain particularly fine bubbles of a gas (eg. bubbles from about 1xcexc to about 20xcexc in diameter) in a liquid.

This invention relates of a domestic apparatus for treating a liquid such as water with a gas such as ozone. The apparatus may be used in the production of water suitable for human consumption from water contaminated by one or more of microorganisms, chemicals, heavy metals and minerals. The gas may be present either by itself or in combination with one or more other gasses and/or one or more other liquids associated therewith. Further, the liquid with which the gas is reacted may be present by itself or may also have one or more liquids and/or one or more other gases associated therewith.
The production of water suitable for human consumption from water contaminated by one or more of microorganisms, chemicals, heavy metals and minerals is a requirement throughout the world. Many different proposals have been made for the purification of contaminated water.
A popular system in widespread use for the purification of contaminated water is a filtration based system. Such systems use a filter made from a combination of a porous media filter, activated carbon, and an ion exchange resin through which the contaminated water is passed. The filtered water is typically fed into a clean water reservoir. This type of system will reduce the levels of chlorine, lead, and pesticides. However, there are several disadvantages associated with this device.
The first disadvantage of this water purification system is that the structure of the filter provides a breeding ground for microorganisms thereby multiplying the dangers of microorganisms which may be present in very low numbers. Another disadvantage of such a water purification system is that the filter life is not measured and it is possible for the user to employ the filter beyond its useful life. A further disadvantage of such a water purification system is that oils and fuels often present in water drawn from lakes and rivers are not readily removed. Further, these oils and fuels tend to coat the filters and damage their operational life and effectiveness. Some filtration based products now incorporate a means of measuring the water volume passing through the filter and an indicator as to when to change the filter. Other filters incorporate an iodine product to minimize the risk of microbiological hazards, however, these materials often impart undesirable tastes and many are potential carcinogens.
Another popular system in use for the purification of contaminated water is a system which employs ultraviolet light for disinfection in series with a porous media and carbon filter. This type of system will reduce the levels of chlorine, lead, and pesticides and has some disinfection capability. One disadvantage with this system is that the ultraviolet light""s disinfection efficacy is greatly diminished by turbidity or colour in the water which can cause the filter to become contaminated by microorganisms which can readily live and breed therein thereby multiplying the danger from any microorganisms which may be present. Thus, the filter of this system also suffers from the disadvantages associated with filters of filtration based systems.
In accordance with the instant invention, there is provided a water treatment apparatus comprising a Prandtl layer turbine having a housing and a plurality of spaced apart members rotatably mounted within the housing; at least one inlet port for introducing a gas comprising at least ozone and water into the housing, the Prandtl layer turbine raising the gas and water to a first pressure; and, a chamber positioned downstream from the Prandtl layer turbine and at a second pressure which is lower than the first pressure.
In one embodiment, the chamber is at a pressure sufficiently low to promote the formation of microbubbles.
In another embodiment, the pressure differential between the first and second pressures is 20 psi or more.
In another embodiment, the pressure differential between the first and second pressures is from about 40 to about 100 psi.
In another embodiment, the apparatus is adapted to be connected upstream of a water supply line in a residence and the chamber comprises a treated water storage chamber and the treated water storage chamber is at a pressure sufficiently high to provide motive force to move the treated water through the water supply line when treated water is required.
In another embodiment, the chamber is configured such that the ozone and water depressurize effectively instantaneous upon entering the chamber.
In accordance with the instant invention, there is also provided a mixing apparatus comprising a housing, at least one inlet port for introducing at least one gas and at least one liquid to the housing; a Prandtl layer turbine mounted within the housing and positioned such that the at least one gas and at least one fluid flow through the Prandtl later turbine and, a chamber positioned downstream from the Prandtl layer turbine and at a lower pressure than the at least one gas and at least one fluid is exposed to in the Prandtl layer turbine whereby the gas forms microbubbles upon exposure to the lower pressure of the chamber.
In one embodiment, the Prandtl layer turbine comprises a plurality of discs and a catalyst reactive with at least one of the gas and the liquid is applied to at least a portion of one of the discs.
In another embodiment, the mixing apparatus further comprises a catalyst reactive with at least one of the gas and the liquid is housed in the chamber.
In another embodiment, the mixing apparatus further comprises a passageway in flow communication with a source of ozone whereby the at least one gas comprises ozone and the at least one liquid comprises water and the mixing apparatus is used in the treatment of water.
In another embodiment, the mixing apparatus further comprises a passageway in flow communication with a source of at least two gases whereby at least two gasses are introduced through the inlet port and the at least one liquid is inert such that the at least one liquid is a media for the dissolution of one of the gases into another of the gases or for the reaction of the gases with each other.
In another embodiment, the mixing apparatus further comprises a catalyst reactive with at least one of the at least one gas and the at least one liquid.
In accordance with the instant invention, there is also provided a mixing apparatus comprising a Prandtl layer means having a housing and disc means rotatably mounted within the housing; means for introducing at least one gas and at least one liquid to the housing; and, means for rapidly depressurizing the gas/liquid mixture whereby microbubbles are produced.
In one embodiment the Prandtl layer means includes a plurality of discs and a catalyst reactive with at least one of the gas and the liquid is applied to at least a portion of one of the discs.
In another embodiment a catalyst reactive with at least one of the gas and the liquid is housed in the means for rapidly depressurizing the gas/liquid mixture.
In another embodiment, the mixing apparatus further comprises a passageway in flow communication with a source of ozone whereby the at least one gas comprises ozone and the at least one liquid comprises water and the mixing apparatus is used in the treatment of water.
In another embodiment, the mixing apparatus further comprises a passageway in flow communication with a source of at least two gases whereby at least two gasses are introduced into the housing and the at least one liquid is inert such that the at least one liquid is a media for the dissolution of one of the gases into another of the gases or for the reaction of the gases with each other
In another embodiment the Prandtl layer turbine is driven by a motor.
In another embodiment the Prandtl layer turbine is driven by the fluid flowing through the Prandtl layer turbine.
In accordance with the instant invention, there is also provided a batch method for purifying water with a gas comprising ozone in a sealed vessel comprising the steps of manually introducing water to be treated into the vessel; increasing the pressure in the vessel by supplying pressurized gas to the vessel to obtain treated water; terminating the treatment cycle; and, withdrawing treated water from the vessel.
In one embodiment the vessel has a water inlet and an associated releasable cap and step (a) comprises removing the releasable cap, pouring water to be treated into the vessel through the water inlet and attaching the releasable cap to the water inlet.
In another embodiment, the method a further comprises the step of terminating the treatment cycle when the pressure in the vessel reaches a predetermined level
In another embodiment, the method a further comprises the step of reducing the pressure in the vessel prior to withdrawing treated water from the vessel and the treated water is withdrawn from the vessel by removing the releasable cap from the water inlet.
In accordance with the instant invention, there is also provided a method for treating a liquid comprising water in a sealed vessel, with a gas comprising ozone, comprising the steps of introducing the gas into the vessel; increasing the pressure in the vessel; reducing the pressure to promote the formation of microbubbles and obtaining treated water by passing an off gas including ozone through an ozone destructor; and, withdrawing treated water from the vessel.
In one embodiment the pressure is reduced at a rate sufficiently fast to produce microbubbles having a diameter from 1 to 20 microns.
In another embodiment the pressure is reduced in under 2 seconds.
In another embodiment the pressure is increased in step (b) to a pressure above 20 psig.
In another embodiment this method further comprises the step of terminating the treatment cycle when the pressure in the vessel reaches a predetermined level.
In accordance with the instant invention, there is also provided a batch method for treating a liquid comprising water with a gas comprising ozone in a sealed vessel comprising the steps of introducing water to be treated into the vessel; increasing the pressure in the vessel by supplying pressurised gas to the vessel to obtain a water/gas mixture at an elevated pressure; and, terminating the treatment cycle when the pressure in the vessel reaches a predetermined level; and, withdrawing treated water from the vessel.
In one embodiment the method further comprises the step of reducing the pressure to which the water/gas mixture is exposed to form microbubbles
In another embodiment the pressure is reduced at a rate sufficiently fast to produce microbubbles.
In another embodiment the microbubbles have a diameter from about 1 to about 20 microns.
In another embodiment the pressure is reduced in under 2 seconds.
In another embodiment the pressure is increased in step (b) to a pressure above 20 psig.
In another embodiment the pressure is rapidly reduced by from about 20 to about 280 psi.
In another embodiment the pressure is rapidly reduced by from about 40 to about 100 psi.
In another embodiment after the pressure reduction step, the water/gas mixture is at a pressure which is sufficient to provide a motive force to move treated water to a downstream location.
In accordance with the instant invention, there is also provided a method for treating a liquid comprising water with a gas comprising ozone comprising the steps of supplying pressurised gas to the water to be treated wherein the gas is at a pressure above the pressure of the water to produce a gas/water mixture at a first pressure; and, rapidly reducing the pressure of the gas/water mixture to obtain the gas/water mixture at a second pressure wherein some of the gas is in the form of microbubbles.
In one embodiment the difference between the first and second pressures is from 20 to 280 psi.
In another embodiment the difference between the first and second pressures is from 40 to 100 psi.
In another embodiment the pressure is reduced at a rate sufficiently fast such that the microbubbles have a diameter from 1 to 20 microns.
In another embodiment the pressure is reduced in under 2 seconds
In another embodiment the second pressure is sufficient to provide a motive force to move water to a downstream location.
In another embodiment the second pressure is above about 40 psi.
In accordance with the instant invention, there is also provided a method for treating a liquid comprising water with a gas comprising ozone comprising the steps of supplying pressurised gas to the water to be treated wherein the gas is at a pressure above the pressure of the water to produce a gas/water mixture at a first pressure; and, reducing the pressure of the gas/water mixture to obtain the gas/water mixture at a second pressure wherein the second pressure is sufficient to provide a motive force to move water to a downstream location.
In one embodiment the difference between the first and second pressures is from 20 to 280 psi.
In another embodiment the difference between the first and second pressures is from 40 to 100 psi.
In another embodiment the pressure is reduced at a rate sufficiently fast such that the microbubbles have a diameter from 1 to 20 microns.
In another embodiment the pressure is reduced in under 2 seconds,
In another embodiment the second pressure is above about 40 psi.

Pressure swing contactor for the treatment of a liquid with a gas