An optical pickup compatible between a digital video disc read only memory (DVD-ROM) and a compact disc rewritable (CD-RW), which is a member of the CD family media. The compatible optical pickup includes: a first light source for emitting a first light having a predetermined wavelength; a second light source for emitting a second light having a long wavelength relative to the first light; an optical path changing unit for changing the traveling path of an incident light; an objective lens for condensing the first and second lights onto optical discs having different thicknesses, respectively; and a main photodetector for detecting an information signal and error signals from the first and second lights which have been reflected by the optical discs and passed through the optical path changing unit. The optical path changing unit includes a planar first beam splitter disposed on the optical path between the first light source and the objective lens, for changing the traveling path of the first light from the first light source, and a planar second beam splitter disposed on the optical path between the first beam splitter and the objective lens, for changing the optical paths of the first and second lights. The main photodetector comprises a first photodetector having four divided regions, a second photodetector having two divided regions, and a third photodetector having two divided regions, the second and third photodetectors being disposed at both sides of the first photodetector.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to optical pickups capable of adopting disc type recording media having different formats, and more particularly, to a compatible optical pickup for a compact disc rewritable (CD-RW), a member of the CD family media, and a digital video disc read only memory (DVD-ROM).
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, the need for an optical pickup capable of recording and/or reproducing information on and/or from a DVD at a high density be compatible with CD family media such as CD, recordable CD (CD-R), CD-RW, CD interactive (CD-I) and CD plus graphics (CD+G) has arisen.
The standard thickness of existing CD family media is 1.2 mm, whereas the thickness of DVDs has been standardized to 0.6 mm in consideration of the allowable error in the tilt angle of a disc and the numerical aperture (NA) of an objective lens. Accordingly, when recording or reproducing information on or from a CD using an optical pickup for DVDs, spherical aberrations occur due to a difference in the thicknesses therebetween. Such spherical aberration cannot provide a light intensity sufficient for recording an information (radio frequency) signal or may deteriorate the signal reproduced from the CD. Also, DVDs and CD family media utilize different wavelengths of light for reproduction: CDs use light having a wavelength of about 780 nm as a light source for reproduction, whereas DVDs use light having a wavelength of about 650 nm as a light source therefor. Thus, for the compatibility with CDs, an optical pickup adopting a light source capable of emitting different wavelengths of light, and a structure in which optical spots can be formed at different focal positions is required.
Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional compatible optical pickup comprises a first light source 21 for emitting light having a wavelength of about 650 nm and a second light source 31 for emitting light having a wavelength of about 780 nm. The first light source 21 is appropriate for a DVD 10a, which is a relatively thin disc, and the second light source 31 is appropriate for a CD 10b, which is a relatively thick disc. The first and second light sources 21 and 31 are selectively driven according to the type of adopted optical disc, a DVD or a CD.
Light emitted from the first light source 21 is condensed by a first collimator lens 23, parallel incident onto a first polarization beam splitter (PBS) 25, and then reflected by the first PBS 25 toward the DVD 10a. After reflected by the DVD 10a, the reflected light is transmitted through the first PBS 25 and is then received by a first photodetector 27. Here, an interference filter 41 for changing the paths of light emitted from the first and second light sources 21 and 31, a xc2xc-wavelength plate 43 for delaying the phase of light incident thereto to change the polarization characteristic, a variable diaphragm 45, and an objective lens 47 for condensing light incident thereto are situated on an optical path between the first PBS 25 and the disc 10.
Light emitted from the second light source 31 is condensed by a second collimator lens 33, parallel incident onto a second PBS 35, transmitted through a condenser lens 37, and then incident onto the interference filter 41. The light is reflected by the interference filter 41 and passes through the xc2xc-wavelength plate 43, the variable diaphragm 45 and the objective lens 47 in sequence to form an optical spot on the CD 10b.
Light reflected by the CD 10b is incident onto the interference filter 41 through the objective lens 47, the variable diaphragm 45 and the xc2xc-wavelength plate 43, and then reflected by the interference filter 41 heading toward the second PBS 35. The light is reflected by the second PBS 35 and received by a second photodetector 39.
The interference filter 41, an optical element for transmitting or reflecting incident light depending on the wavelength of the incident light, transmits the light emitted from the first light source 21 and reflects the light emitted from the second light source 31.
Referring to FIG. 2, the variable diaphragm 45 comprises a first region 45a, which is variable in size, and a second region 45b bounding the first region 45a, and selectively transmits the light incident onto a region of the objective lens 27 having a NA of 0.6 or less. The first region 45a, which corresponds to a region of the objective lens 47 having a NA of 0.45 or less, completely transmits the light emitted from the first and second light sources 21 and 31. The second region 45b, which corresponds to a region of the objective lens having a NA of 0.45 to 0.6, completely transmits light having a wavelength of 650 nm and completely reflects light having a wavelength of 780 nm.
In the conventional compatible optical pickup, the variable diaphragm completely reflects the light for recording on a CD-R, which is emitted from the second light source and incident onto a region having a NA of 0.45 or more, and thus it cannot be applied to an optical pickup for CD-RWs, which requires a NA of 0.5 or more and high optical efficiency for recording. Also, the need for the variable diaphragm having first and second regions, which is manufactured through sophisticated and expensive processes makes assembling of such optical pickup complicates and increases the manufacturing cost.
It is an object of the present invention is to provide a compatible optical pickup capable of reproducing information from a digital video disc read only memory (DVD-ROM), in addition to writing or reproducing information on or from a compact disc rewritables (CD-RWs), which ensures output of a wavelength of 780 nm with a high optical power, and a high numerical aperture (NA) of approximately 0.5 or more.
To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a compatible optical pickup comprising: a first light source for emitting a first light having a predetermined wavelength; a second light source for emitting a second light having a long wavelength relative to the first light; an optical path changing means for changing the traveling path of an incident light; an objective lens for condensing the first and second lights onto optical discs having different thicknesses, respectively; and a main photodetector for detecting an information signal and error signals from the first and second lights which have been reflected by the optical discs and passed through the optical path changing means, wherein the optical path changing means includes a planar first beam splitter disposed on the optical path between the first light source and the objective lens, for changing the traveling path of the first light from the first light source, and a planar second beam splitter disposed on the optical path between the first beam splitter and the objective lens, for changing the optical paths of the first and second lights, and the main photodetector comprises a first photodetector having four divided regions, a second photodetector having two divided regions, and a third photodetector having two divided regions, the second and third photodetectors being disposed at both sides of the first photodetector.


A process for manufacturing a ski, and a ski manufactured by the process. The process according to the invention includes at least the following steps for manufacturing a ski whose body includes a core covered with a shell, wherein the shell is a composite sub-assembly: positioning the sub-assembly adjacent the cavity of a mold; positioning the core adjacent the shell; and exerting a force against the core to thereby force the shell within the mold cavity. In a preferred embodiment, the sub-assembly includes at least one layer of a filling material, preferably a thermoplastic material, which is caused to soften and flow under predetermined temperature and pressure conditions. In a modified embodiment, the mold cavity includes a depression or a projection on, for example, its lower surface which thereby produces a corresponding projection or depression, respectively, on the upper surface of the ski. By virtue of such a molding process, a variety of skis having various cross-sections and compositions are possible. For example, the upper edges of the skis thus manufactured can be reinforced with elements embedded in the filling material of which the edges can be made. Likewise, shock-absorbing material can be embedded within the aforementioned projections which can be made on the upper surface of the ski.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a process for manufacturing a ski and a ski manufactured according to the process.
2. Description of Background and Relevant Information
Skis have traditionally been manufactured from wood. However the modern market has greatly evolved and a variety of new materials are now used. Thus, a ski-manufacturing industry has been created which employs modernized equipment and utilizes the new materials which are now available to it, such as composite materials, which include, for example, aluminum and synthetic foam.
In so doing, however, ski manufacturers have been making effective use of the new materials, but they have not adapted their methods of manufacturing accordingly. Consequently, traditional methods of manufacture remain very costly.


The present disclosure relates to a driving method and a driving device of touch display panels, and a touch display. The driving method includes: detecting a voltage potential of at least one pixel electrode within the areas of the touch display panel corresponding to different touch scanning partitions, negating the voltage potential, overlapping the negated voltage potential and feed-backed touch pulse signals, and adopting overlapped signals to be the detected touch pulse signals. With the configuration of the touch scanning partitions, the voltage potentials of the pixel electrodes within each of the areas are adopted to respectively adjust the feed-backed touch pulse signals such that the display scanning and the touch scanning can be conducted simultaneously. The detection precision of the touch pulse signals may be enhanced without affecting the display performance.

1. Field of the Invention
The present disclosure relates to display technology, and more particularly to a driving method and a driving device of touch display panels and a touch display.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
With the intensification of the competition in the intelligent terminal market, the structural design of the intelligent terminal has become one of the focuses. An important solution to realize the thin and light display screen of the intelligent terminal is to adopt embedded touch technology to replace the original plug-in touch technology. Embedded touch technology relates to embed the touch panel within the display panel, and then the embedded touch technology realizes the light and thin design on intelligent terminals.
With respect to the conventional embedded touch technology, a time-sharing scanning method is generally employed, in which the timing controller divides a frame period into display period and touch period, and grants a display period to the display device, wherein the storage capacitor may be charged within the display period. In addition, the touch signals are detected during the touch period. The advantage of this scanning method is that the mutual interference between the display and the touch is small, but due to such division, the display period in one frame cycle time is shortened, and the charging time of the storage capacitor is shortened. Thus, the display effect may be affected.

Simultaneous display and touch scanning methods and devices of touch display panels

Wuhan China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd


A heat exchanging structure of a solar heat exchanger 3 includes a housing 5 and a pipe 11. The solar heat exchanger includes a heat-resistant container 8 having an open top and containing a low-melting-point metal 9 and a light receiving plate 10. The housing accommodates the solar heat exchanger. The pipe passes a heat carrier H. The pipe is arranged in a space between the housing and the solar heat exchanger in such a way as not to touch the solar heat exchanger. The heat carrier is surely heated by radiant heat from the solar heat exchanger that is heated to very high temperatures. The light receiving plate has a container-like shape having an open top, and therefore, has a large light receiving area to heat itself to higher temperatures compared with a flat light receiving plate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a heat exchanging structure of a solar heat exchanger.
2. Description of Related Art
A solar concentration apparatus used with a solar heat exchanger is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. H11-119105. This related art is a beam-down solar concentration apparatus that employs primary mirrors called heliostats. The heliostats reflect solar rays toward a secondary mirror installed at the top of a tower. The secondary mirror downwardly reflects the solar rays so that the reflected solar rays are concentrated at a point on the ground.
According to this related art, the downwardly reflected solar rays strike a light receiving plate on the ground, to heat the light receiving plate to 1000 degrees centigrade or higher.

Heat exchanging structure including solar heat converter


A fluorescent display device having a control electrode of an internal fixing structure is disclosed. The fluorescent display device include a substrate on which anode terminals and cathode terminals are alternately arranged in a row along an outer peripheral edge of the substrate whereby the display area of the fluorescent display device relative to the substrate can be increased.

The present invention relates to a fluorescent display device of an internal fixing structure in which leads of a control electrode are directly connected to the control electrode terminals provided on a substrate.
A fluorescent display device generally comprises a phosphor coated anode functioning as a display pattern, a cathode for emitting electrons and a control electrode for accelerating and controlling the electrons emitted from the cathode. These electrodes are held in a high vacuum envelope,
As a structure for providing the electrodes in the envelope, there is known an internal fixing structure in the art. As shown in FIG. 2, this structure includes terminals 101 provided on a substrate 100 as a part of the envelope, a control electrode 102, and leads 103 provided on an outer periphery of the control electrode 102 and connected to the terminal 101. The leads 103 are connected and fixed to the terminals 101 by a conductive adhesive agent. The control electrode 102 is fixed to the substrate 100 spaced apart from the substrate 100 by means of the leads 103 so that the control electrode may be arranged above a display area 104 of the substrate 100. The leads 103 serve as a spacer for locating the control electrode 102 at a position spaced by a predetermined distance from the substrate 100. The leads 103 also serve as a lead wire to apply control voltage to the control electrode 102 through the terminals 101. In the outer peripheral edge of the substrate 100, anode terminals 105 are arranged in parallel at a regular interval to which lead-in wires 106 are connected and led out of the vacuum envelope.
In the conventional fluorescent display device of an internal fixing structure, the terminals 101 for the control electrode 102 and the leads 103 for the terminals 101 and the control electrode 102 are arranged in the inside of the substrate 100 where the anode terminals 105 are arranged. The display area 104 is located in a further inner area thereof. Thus, a distance L from the outer periphery of the substrate 100 on the side of the lead-in wires 106 to the outer periphery of the display area 104 is long and that the area of the display area 104 is small relative to that of the substrate 100.
For example, In case where the dimension of the substrate is 40 mm.times.100 mm, and the thickness of a side plate mounted on the outer periphery of the substrate is 2.35 mm, the distance n is 6.5 mm. This means that the dimension of the display area is 27 mm.times.72 mm, and the display area is only 48.6% of the dimension of the substrate.

Improved terminal lead structure for a flourescent display device


A radiating system comprises a radiating structure including two or more radiation boosters for transmission and reception of electromagnetic wave signals, a radiofrequency system and an external port. The radiating system is capable of operation in at least a first and second frequency regions which are preferably separated. The radiofrequency system comprises two or more matching networks and a combining structure at which, in transmission, electromagnetic wave signals from the external port are substantially separated and coupled to each radiation booster based on the frequency of the signals; and, in reception, signals from each radiation booster are combined and coupled to the external port. The radiofrequency system provides impedance matching to the radiating structure in the first and second frequency regions at the external port. An advantage of such radiating system is that signals from the first and second frequency regions are fed to and retrieved in one single port.

Wireless electronic devices typically handle one or more cellular communication standards, and/or wireless connectivity standards, and/or broadcast standards, each standard being allocated in one or more frequency bands, and said frequency bands being contained within one or more regions of the electromagnetic spectrum.
For that purpose, a typical wireless electronic device must include a radiating system capable of operating in one or more frequency regions with an acceptable radioelectric performance (in terms of, for instance, reflection coefficient, standing wave ratio, impedance bandwidth, gain, efficiency, or radiation pattern). The integration of the radiating system within the wireless electronic device must be effective to ensure that the overall device attains good radio-electric performance (such as for example in terms of radiated power, received power, sensitivity) without being disrupted by electronic components and/or human loading.
The space within the wireless electronic device is usually limited and the radiating system has to be included in the available space. The radiating system is expected to be small to occupy as little space as possible within the device, which then allows devices to be smaller, or for the addition of more specific components and functionalities into the device. It is even more critical in the case in which the wireless device is a multifunctional wireless device, such as the ones described in commonly-owned patent applications US2014/0253395 and WO2008/009391. The entire disclosures of patent applications US2014/0253395 and WO2008/009391 are hereby incorporated by reference.
Besides radiofrequency performance, small size and reduced interaction with human body and nearby electronic components, one of the current limitations of the prior-art is that generally the antenna system is customized for every particular wireless handheld device model. The mechanical architecture of each device is different and the volume available for the antenna severely depends on the form factor of the wireless device model together with the arrangement of the multiple components embedded into the device (e.g., displays, keyboards, battery, connectors, cameras, flashes, speakers, chipsets, memory devices, etc.). As a result, the antenna within the device is mostly designed ad hoc for every model, resulting in a higher cost and a delayed time to market. In turn, as typically the design and integration of an antenna element for a radiating structure is customized for each wireless device, different form factors or platforms, or a different distribution of the functional blocks of the device will force to redesign the antenna element and its integration inside the device almost from scratch.
A radiating system for a wireless handheld or portable device typically includes a radiating structure comprising an antenna element which operates in combination with a ground plane layer providing a determined radiofrequency performance in one or more frequency regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Typically, the antenna element has a dimension close to an integer multiple of a quarter of the wavelength at a frequency of operation of the radiating structure, so that the antenna element is at resonance or substantially close to resonance at the frequency of operation, and a radiation mode is excited on the antenna element. Due to given space limitations in the device and the necessity of providing operation in two or more frequency bands that, in some cases, are located in at least two separate frequency regions of the electromagnetic spectrum, the antenna elements usually present complex mechanical designs and considerable dimensions, mainly due to the fact that antenna performance is highly related to the electrical dimensions of the antenna element. Although the radiating structure is usually very efficient at the resonant frequency of the antenna element and maintains a similar performance within a frequency range defined around said resonant frequency (or resonant frequencies), outside said frequency range the efficiency and other relevant antenna parameters deteriorate with an increasing distance to said resonant frequency.
Some techniques for miniaturizing and/or optimizing the multiband behavior of an antenna element have been described in the prior-art. However, the radiating structures described therein still rely on exciting a radiation mode on the antenna element for each one of the frequency bands of operation.
In this sense, a radiating system such as the one described in the present invention not requiring a complex and/or large antenna formed by multiple arms, slots, apertures and/or openings and a complex mechanical design is preferable in order to minimize such undesired external effects and simplify the integration within the wireless device.
Some other attempts have focused on antenna elements not requiring a complex geometry while still providing some degree of miniaturization by using an antenna element not resonant in the one or more frequency ranges of operation of the wireless device.
For example, commonly-owned patent application WO2007/128340 discloses a wireless portable device comprising a non-resonant antenna element for receiving broadcast signals (such as, for instance, DVB-H, DMB, T-DMB or FM). The wireless portable device further comprises a ground plane layer that is used in combination with said antenna element. Although the antenna element has a first resonant frequency above the frequency range of operation of the wireless device, the antenna element is still the main responsible for the radiation process and for the radio-frequency performance of the wireless device. No radiation mode can be substantially excited on the ground plane layer because the ground plane layer is electrically short at the frequencies of operation (i.e., its dimensions are much smaller than the wavelength). For this kind of non-resonant antenna elements, a matching circuitry is added for matching the antenna to a level of SWR in a limited frequency range, which in this particular case can be around SWR≤6.
Commonly-owned patent application WO2008/119699 describes a wireless handheld or portable device comprising a radiating system capable of operating in two frequency regions. The radiating system comprises an antenna element having a resonant frequency outside said two frequency regions, and a ground plane layer. In this wireless device, while the ground plane layer contributes to enhance the electromagnetic performance of the radiating system in the two frequency regions of operation, it is still necessary to excite a radiation mode on the antenna element. In fact, the radiating system relies on the relationship between a resonant frequency of the antenna element and a resonant frequency of the ground plane layer for the radiating system to operate properly in said two frequency regions. Nevertheless, the solution still relies on an antenna element whose size is related to a resonant frequency that is outside of the two frequency regions.
In order to reduce the volume occupied in the wireless handheld or portable device as much as possible, recent trends in handset antenna design are oriented to maximize the contribution of the ground plane to the radiation process by using small non-resonant elements. However, non-resonant elements may require of complex radiofrequency systems. Thus, the challenge of these techniques mainly relies on said complexity (combination of inductors, capacitors, and transmission lines), which is required to satisfy impedance bandwidth and efficiency specifications.
Patent applications WO2010/015365 and WO2010/015364 are intended for solving some of the aforementioned drawbacks. Namely, they describe a wireless handheld or portable device comprising a radiating system including a radiating structure and a radiofrequency system. The radiating structure is formed by a ground plane layer presenting suitable dimensions as for supporting at least one efficient radiation mode and at least one radiation booster capable of coupling electromagnetic energy to said ground plane layer. The radiation booster is not resonant in any of the frequency regions of operation and, consequently, a radiofrequency system is used to properly match the radiating structure to the desired frequency bands of operation. More specifically, in WO2010/015364 each radiation booster is intended for providing operation in a particular frequency region. Thus, the radiofrequency system is designed in such a way that the first internal port associated to a first radiation booster is highly isolated from the second internal port associated to a second radiation booster. Said radiofrequency system usually comprises a matching network including resonators for each one of the frequency regions of operation and a set of filters for each one of the frequency regions of operation. Thus, said radiofrequency system requires multiple stages and the performance of the radiating systems in terms of efficiency may be affected by the additional losses of the components.
Patent applications WO2014/012796 and US2014/0015730 disclose a concentrated wireless device comprising a radiating system including a radiating structure and a radiofrequency system, such device operates two or more frequency regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. A feature of said radiating system is that the operation in at least two frequency regions is achieved by one radiation booster, or by at least two radiation boosters, or by at least one radiation booster and at least one antenna element, wherein the radiofrequency system modifies the impedance of the radiating structure, providing impedance matching to the radiating system in the at least two frequency regions of operation of the radiating system.
In patent application US2013/0342416 there is disclosed a radiating system that transmits and receives in first and second frequency regions and includes a radiating structure comprising radiation boosters, or a radiation booster and a radiating element, or radiating elements. The radiating system further includes a radiofrequency system including: first and second reactance cancellation elements providing impedances having an imaginary part close to zero for respective frequencies in the first and second frequency regions, and a delay element interconnecting the first and second reactance cancellation elements to provide a difference in phase to produce first and second impedance loops in the first and second frequency regions, respectively, at an external port. The difference in phase provides operation in at least two frequency bands, each one allocated in a different frequency region of the electromagnetic spectrum, and/or increases the number of operating frequency bands in at least one frequency region of the electromagnetic spectrum, and/or increases the number of operating frequency bands in at least two frequency regions of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Patent applications WO2014/012842 and US2014/0015728 disclose very compact, small size and light weight radiation boosters operating in single or in multiple frequency bands. Such radiation boosters are configured to be used in radiating systems that may be embedded into a wireless handheld device. Said patent applications further disclose radiation booster structures and their manufacturing methods that enable reducing the cost of both the booster and the entire wireless device embedding said booster inside the device. The entire disclosure of aforesaid application numbers WO2014/012842 and US2014/0015728 are hereby incorporated by reference.
Patent applications U.S. Ser. No. 62/028,494 and EP14178369 disclose a wireless device including at least one slim radiating system having a slim radiating structure and a radio-frequency system. The slim radiating structure includes one or more booster bars. The booster bar is characterized by its slim width and height factors which facilitate its integration within the wireless device and the excitation of a resonant mode in the ground plane layer, and by its location factor that enables to achieve the most favorable radio-frequency performance for the available space to allocate the booster bar. The entire disclosure of aforesaid application numbers U.S. Ser. No. 62/028,494 and EP14178369 are hereby incorporated by reference.
Another technique, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,274,340, is based on the use of two coupling elements. According to the invention, quad-band operation (GSM 1800/1900 and GSM850/900 bands) is provided with two coupling elements: a low-band (LB) coupling element (for the GSM850/900 bands), and a high-band (HB) coupling element (for the GSM1800/1900 bands), where the impedance matching is provided through the addition of two matching circuits, one for the LB coupling element and another one for the HB coupling element. In spite of using non-resonant elements, the size of the element for the low band is significantly large, being 1/9.3 times the free-space wavelength of the lowest frequency for the low frequency band. Due to such size, the low band element would be a resonant element at the high band. Additionally, the operation of this solution is closely linked to the alignment of the maximum E-field intensity of the ground plane and the coupling element. The size of the low band element undesirably contributes to increase the printed circuit board (PCB) space required by the antenna module.
Therefore, a wireless device not requiring an antenna element yet providing suitable radio-frequency performance to operate in a wide range of communication bands within multiple regions of the electromagnetic spectrum would be advantageous as it would ease the integration of the radiating structure into the wireless handheld or portable device. The volume freed up by the absence of a large and complex antenna element would enable smaller and/or thinner devices, as slim electronic devices, or even to adopt radically new form factors which are not feasible today due to the presence of an antenna element featured by a considerable volume.

Wireless device using an array of ground plane boosters for multiband operation


To produce a container with a rounded edge, the container blank is scored with several substantially parallel, laterally spaced score lines adjacent the intended location of the rounded edge. When the blank is bent, a portion of the total deflection is absorbed by each score line so that the resulting container edge is a gradual curve rather than a single sharp crease. The ends of each scored region may be left unscored to further smooth the ends of the rounded container edge. Methods and apparatus for forming the above-described blank are disclosed.

This invention relates to method and apparatus for forming containers (e.g., cigarette boxes) with curved or rounded edges.
Many consumers prefer to purchase cigarettes and other products in boxes rather than soft packages. Among the reasons for this preference is the fact that a box tends to protect its contents somewhat better than a soft package. One disadvantage of boxes, however, is that they may have sharper and stiffer edges than a soft package. This may increase the wear on accessories (e.g., handbags) or articles of cloth (e.g., shirt pockets) in which the box is carried. Many consumers have also been found to prefer the "softer" feel of containers with curved or rounded edges.
The present invention comprises methods and apparatus for making containers such as cigarette boxes with curved or rounded edges and for making container blanks which, when formed into containers, automatically tend to have curved or rounded edges.

Blank for use in forming a container having a rounded edge


A Coulomb friction damped disc brake rotor, wherein damping is provided Coulomb friction in generally coextensive relation with the braking surfaces of the one or more rotor cheeks. The Coulomb friction damped disc brake rotor has at least one interfacial boundary formed in at least one rotor cheek disposed in generally coextensive relation to the braking surface thereof. The interfacial boundary provides a mechanically distinguishable surface boundary between two surfaces which are in mutual contact such that a state of Coulomb friction exists therebetween.

Motor vehicle disc brake systems utilize a disc brake rotor at each respective wheel, wherein the disc brake rotor typically includes a rotor hat for connecting to an axle hub of a rotatable axle of the motor vehicle, and at least one annular rotor cheek connected to the rotor hat, wherein the at least one rotor cheek has a pair of mutually opposed braking surfaces onto which brake pads are selectively applied when braking is desired. Typically, the rotor cheek configuration may be solid, in which case a single rotor cheek has opposing braking surfaces thereon, or may be vented, in which case a pair of rotor cheeks are mutually separated by a web of ventilation vanes and each rotor cheek provides a respective braking surface so that, in combination, two mutually opposed braking surfaces are provided.
The disc brake system further typically includes a caliper which supports a mutually opposed pair of brake pads, one brake pad disposed overlying a respective rotor cheek braking surface, wherein the caliper, the brake pads, and other associated brake components collectively form a "brake corner". Normally, the caliper keeps the brake pads separated from the braking surfaces of the one or more rotor cheeks. Braking of the motor vehicle occurs at the brake corner by the caliper pressing the brake pads upon the braking surfaces of the one or more rotor cheeks. Frictional interaction between the one or more rotating rotor cheeks and non-rotating brake pads causes braking of the motor vehicle to transpire, the rate of braking depending upon the pressure of the brake pads against the braking surfaces.
Brake squeal can be undesirably generated at the brake corner when braking occurs. This brake squeal is the result of modal excitations of the disc brake rotor (composed usually of cast iron) by the frictional material of the brake pads. It is known in the prior art that brake squeal can be addressed by reducing modal excitation on the disc brake rotor by the friction material of the brake pads (ie., lowering the frictional coefficient), by modifying the modal excitation response of the brake corner via changing the modal properties of the rotor cheeks (ie., in terms of resonant frequencies, mode shapes, and structural damping through higher carbon content of the one or more rotor cheeks and/or increasing the disc brake rotor mass, or using exotic, expensive materials), and by introducing additional damping for example via a shim disposed at a backing plate of the brake pads.
The aforementioned brake squeal countermeasures are relatively effective for most brake corner designs, but they require a significant amount of testing and analytical resources in order to be effective. And unfortunately, brake corners for performance motor vehicles, or those motor vehicles with high friction lining materials, are resistant to the prior art brake squeal countermeasures, due to the high amount of modal excitation from the friction material of the brake pads.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,855,257 describes a concept directed toward reducing unwanted disc brake noise via a ring damper affixed around the periphery of the disc brake rotor in a manner which permits relative motion and slippage between the ring damper and the disc brake rotor when the disc brake rotor vibrates during braking. In a preferred embodiment, a groove formed at the periphery of the rotor cheek and the ring damper is disposed in the groove with a pre-loading both radially and transversely.
While the concept described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,855,257 is noteworthy in that an attempt is made to apply Coulomb friction damping to reduce brake squeal, it falls short of this goal. The reason for this is the requirement that the ring damper must be peripherally disposed on the disc brake rotor. Unfortunately, the modal excitations induced during braking at the brake corner arise at the contact between the brake pads and the braking surfaces of the one of more rotor cheeks. Therefore, reliance on radial loading that the peripheral placement of the damping ring of U.S. Pat. No. 5,855,257 cannot achieve adequate brake squeal damping in the region of the disc brake rotor coextensively with the braking surfaces of the rotor cheek.
Accordingly, what remains needed in the art is to somehow provide damping disposed in generally coextensive relation to the braking surfaces of the one or more rotor cheeks.

Coulomb friction damped disc brake rotors


In a lighting fixture such as an exit sign, a light emitting diode lighting device is provided for mating engagement with an electrical socket of the lighting fixture. The light emitting diode device has a plurality of light emitting diodes recessed in apertures for directing light into a desired illumination pattern.

The present invention relates generally to electrical lighting sources and, more particularly, to electrical lighting sources in illuminated exit signs.
Under current local fire and building codes, buildings to which the public has access are required to have signage therein identifying the exits. Most of these signs are required to exhibit a specific amount of illumination and, oftentimes, must have an emergency backup power source to provide emergency illumination to the light for a specified period of time during periods when utility power to the building is discontinued, thereby facilitating egress of persons from the building.
Traditionally, two 15-watt incandescent lamps driven by 120 volt alternating current (120 VAC) have been employed to provide normal illumination while two 3.6-watt incandescent lamps driven by a self contained emergency battery power supply are used for illumination during power failure situations. A switching or transfer device will automatically operate the emergency backup illumination system when a power failure is detected.
While these traditional exit sign lighting arrangements perform adequately, they do have a few drawbacks. A major drawback is that the incandescent bulbs use large amounts of electric power thus requiring a relatively large emergency battery power supply for use during emergency lighting situations. Furthermore, while the incandescent bulbs provide adequate illumination, such bulbs do not have a long life in service and require frequent replacement.
To alleviate the drawbacks associated with incandescent bulbs, many manufacturers are beginning to utilize light emitting diodes (LEDs) rather than incandescent bulbs in exit signs. Each light emitting diode provides a relatively small amount of light as compared to the traditional incandescent bulbs whereby a large number of light emitting diodes must be used to provide the same amount of illumination offered by the traditional incandescent bulbs.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel lighting device for an exit sign using a plurality of light emitting diodes.
It is also an object to provide such a lighting device which allows the light emitting diodes to be powered by both the normal utility electrical power (120 VAC) and, during emergency power situations, an emergency battery power supply and associated charging and transfer circuitry.
Still another object is to provide such a lighting device in which the light emitting diodes are arranged in the exit sign to provide the amount of illumination required by building codes.
A further object is to provide such a lighting device which may be readily and economically fabricated and will enjoy a long life in operation.


In a call distribution control method for terminating an incoming call from a trunk or another extension at a pilot extension in a private branch exchange and routing the incoming call from the pilot extension to an idle agent in an agent group, a routing table corresponding to the pilot extension is provided for designating one or plural agent groups to which the incoming call is to be routed. Priorities are assigned to agents constituting the agent groups, and an agent group to which the incoming call is to be routed is decided, based upon the routing table when the incoming call is terminated at the pilot extension. The incoming call is routed to an idle agent, in the order of priority thereof, in the agent group to which the incoming call has been routed. Further, a prescribed agent is allocated to a plurality of agent groups upon assigning a priority to this agent.

This invention relates to a call distribution control method and a call distribution control system. More particularly, the invention relates to a call distribution control method and system in which an incoming call from a trunk or another extension is terminated at a pilot extension in a private branch exchange and the call is routed from the pilot extension to an idle agent extension in an agent group.
In a system wherein there are a large number of incoming calls terminated at a private branch exchange, such as in a seat booking system for airplanes and trains, an automatic call distribution (ACD) control method is known in which efficient operation is achieved by distributing the incoming calls equally to a plurality of extensions (referred to as "agents"). In an ACD control system of this type, an agent group is composed of a plurality of agents (extensions) and the next incoming call is terminated at whichever agent in the agent group has been in the idle state longest.
The increasing popularity of ACD systems in recent years has led to demand for distribution control through which ACD calls may be distributed to agents more efficiently and in a more specialized manner. Accordingly, there is now need for call distribution control in which the number of transfers of ACD calls can be changed in conformity with the skill level of each agent.
In conventional ACD control disclosed in the specification of U.S. Pat. No. 4,951,310, as shown in FIG. 10, routing tables RTB1, RTB2 are provided for respective pilot extensions P1, P2. When incoming calls C1 and C2 terminate at the pilot extensions P1 and P2, respectively, the calls C1 and C2 are connected to call queues QP1 and QP2 corresponding to the pilot extensions PT1 and PT2. With regard to incoming calls that have been queued, the steps of the corresponding routing tables RTB1, RTB2 are executed and the calls are terminated at the prescribed agents (extensions) in the agent group designated by the routing tables.
By way of example, if call C1 is terminated at the pilot extension P1 and connected to the call queue QP1 (see 1), the first step of the routing table RTB1 is read out, a predetermined announcement is made and then a music source is connected to the incoming call so as to transmit a melody to the calling party. The second step of searching for an idle agent of the agent group A is then executed under these conditions, whereby an idle-agent queue QA in agent group A is sought. If there is an idle agent (extension) in the queue, the incoming call C1 is terminated at this idle agent (see 2), the incoming call C1 is removed from the call queue QP1, the terminating agent is removed from the idle-agent queue QA and control for distribution of incoming call C1 is ended.
If, on the other hand, an idle agent does not become available in the agent group A even after elapse of a prescribed period of time X1 (third step), the fourth step of searching for an idle agent of an agent group B in the routing table RTB1 is executed. As a result of executing the fourth step, an idle-agent queue QB in agent group B is added on as the object of the search. If an idle agent is found, the incoming call C1 is terminated at this idle agent (see 3), the incoming call C1 is removed from the call queue QP1, the terminating agent is removed from the idle-agent queue QB and control for distribution of incoming call C1 is ended.
If an idle agent does not become available in the agent groups A and B even after elapse of a prescribed period of time X2 (fifth step), the sixth step of searching for an idle agent of an agent group C in the routing table RTB1 is executed. As a result of executing the sixth step, an idle-agent queue QC in agent group C is added on as the object of the search. If an idle agent is found, the incoming call C1 is terminated at this idle agent (see 4), the incoming call C1 is removed from the call queue QP1, the terminating agent is removed from the idle-agent queue QC and control for distribution of incoming call C1 is ended.
If an idle agent does not become available in the agent groups A, B and C even after elapse of a prescribed period of time X3 (seventh step), the search for an idle agent is halted, the incoming call C1 is removed from the call queue QP1 and connected to an attendant operator and the operator makes a response. If necessary, the operator transmits a response telling the caller to try calling again later.
If the call C2 is terminated at the pilot extension P2 and connected to the call queue QP2 (see 5), the steps of the routing table RTB2 are read out successively and are executed in a manner similar to that described above. When the agent group B is searched and an idle agent is not found in a fixed period of time X4, as indicated at 6 and 7, a search for an idle agent is executed extending the search to agent groups beyond agent group C.
In accordance with this conventional call distribution control, a routing table is provided for each of the pilot extensions P1 and P2. This is advantageous in that the agent group that terminates the incoming call can be changed and designated freely merely by rewriting the contents of the routing table.
However, the ACD calls are distributed equally to all of the agents in the agent group, and the number of transfers of ACD calls is not changed in conformity with the skill level of each agent. More specifically, the agents include unskilled agents capable of dealing with only one type of call (service) as well as skilled agents capable of handling a number of types of calls (services). With the conventional system, however, the incoming calls are distributed among the agents equally irrespective of their skill levels. As a consequence, skilled agents are not utilized satisfactorily and more efficient, precisely devised services cannot be offered.
In addition, there is a difference in skill level even among agents capable of dealing with only one type of call (service). Since incoming calls are distributed equally even among these agents in the prior art, the agents cannot be utilized in a satisfactory manner and more efficient, precisely devised services cannot be offered efficiently.
Furthermore, in addition to specialized agents dedicated to a single task, there are also unspecialized agents who perform other tasks, and there are cases in which it is desired to have these unspecialized agents answer incoming calls on an assistant basis only when there is an increase in traffic. With conventional call distribution control, however, the incoming calls are distributed equally among the agents and therefore control of the type described cannot be achieved.

Call distribution control method and call distribution control system


A computer implemented method, data processing system, and computer program product for automatically aggregating entities via a profile-driven management. A profile is created, wherein the profile includes a set of search criteria comprising one or more server attributes. A list of attributes of each server in the data processing system is obtained. Servers in the plurality of servers whose attributes meet the set of search criteria specified in the profile are then grouped to form a profile group. Once the servers are grouped into a profile, an administrative action may be performed on all of the servers in the profile group simultaneously.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an improved data processing system, and in particular, to a computer implemented method, data processing system, and computer program product for aggregating entities in a service delivery center environment for management via profiles.
2. Description of the Related Art
A service delivery center (SDC) is a work center that is responsible for the ongoing maintenance of network computing elements. Examples of service delivery centers include the International Business Machines™ Strategic Outsourcing Delivery Centers, which are service centers that provide technology services and solutions to customers in support of the customers' business strategies. A typical service delivery center may comprise thousands of servers, each of which has an identity in terms of hardware, operating systems, applications, etc. The identity of each server must be maintained and serviced for many different customers.
In current service delivery systems, an administrator may perform administrative actions on servers in the network. These administrative actions may be performed on a set of servers. To apply an action to a set of servers, the administrator creates a static server group, wherein servers may be added to the group. However, when the administrator adds or removes servers from a static server group, the administrator must manually add or remove each individual server on a machine-by-machine basis from the group. Such a serial process of adding or removing servers can be a significant time waste for the administrator, and the administrator has no reasonable way to improve productivity.
Therefore, it would be advantageous to have a mechanism that allows machines to be automatically grouped together and treated as one logical entity, such that a single administrative action by an administrator may be applied to multiple machines simultaneously.

Service delivery using profile based management

International Business Machines Corporation


The subject invention relates to digital multimeter instruments for the measurement of physical quantities and, more particularly, to increasing the effective measurement resolution and accuracy thereof. In one form, a multirange digital voltmeter is provided with scales and ranges in a 1-2-5-10 relationship. The voltmeter includes an analog-to-digital converter which is connected through a digital multiplier to a digital display. The multiplier provides multiplication ratios of 1, 2 or 5, depending on the selected scale. The displayed value will change in increments of 1, 2 or 5 units of the least significant displayed digit for a change of one unit of the analog-to-digital converter output, depending on the selected scale and corresponding multiplier setting. This allows the various scales to have at least approximately the same number of digital steps over their full ranges.

Conventional digital multimeters have ranges which are related by factors of 10. For example, a representative 31/2-digit multirange DC voltmeter might have ranges of 0.000-1.999, 00.00-19.99 and 000.0-199.9 volts, with resolutions of 0.001, 0.01 and 0.1 volts per digital step respectively. Such an instrument might have a 3-position range switch in the form of a 3-position voltage attenuator connected between the voltage input terminals and a constant sensitivity analog-to-digital converter. The scales, ranges and resolutions for such a representative conventional digital voltmeter are listed in Table 1.
Digital multimeters typically use a dual slope integrator circuit to generate a pulse whose duration is proportional to an input voltage. The integrator circuit pulse duration is digitally measured by counting the number of clock pulses from a clock oscillator which occur during the integrator circuit pulse. In a typical 31/2-digit meter, the counter range will be 0000 to 1999, with the counted digital values being displayed on a 31/2-digit visible display.
With such digital multimeters, it is sometimes inconvenient that the resolution changes substantially from one range to the next. For example, with the previously described 31/2-digit meter, a measurement of a value of approximately 1.5 volts can be made on the 2 volt scale with a resolution of 0.001 volts or 0.07% of the reading. However, a measurement of a value of approximately 2.5 volts must be made on the 20 volt scale, with a resolution of 0.01 volts or 0.4% of the reading.

Digital multimeter with more closely spaced ranges


A tubular liner for sewer rehabilitation an inner tubular film; a resin-carrier layer surrounding the inner tubular film; and a mechanically protective outer film system surrounding the resin-carrier layer. The outer film system has an outer film extending in the longitudinal direction of the tubular liner. Longitudinal edges of the outer film are connected to each other in an overlapping manner in the circumferential direction of the tubular liner with connecting points. Upon the elongation in the radial direction during the insertion of the tubular liner, the connection points are elongated and may break in a sewer to be rehabilitated. The outer film features at least one layer made of a material that is mechanically very stable and is essentially not able to elongate, and at least one layer that is essentially impermeable for UV radiation and visible light.

Tubular liners for sewer rehabilitation have been known for a long time. Here, for example, glass fiber tubular liner systems with UV or steam curing are known, in which the pipe to be rehabilitated must introduce a thick-walled film made of PE with a high density (HDPE—high density polyethylene), which—in most cases in the cross-sectional shape of a semicircle—is applied on the inner wall of the pipe. Subsequently, a flexible insert tube (also called a "tubular liner" or simply a "liner") is drawn into the pipe to be rehabilitated (drawing-in process), whereas the insert tube slides over the sliding film. On the one hand, this prevents damage to the insert tube through the inner pipe wall or objects in the pipe; and on the other hand, the friction between the insert tube and sliding film is very low and facilitates the drawing in of the insert tube. Its functioning is similar to that of a shoehorn. With glass fiber tubular liner systems with UV or steam curing, such an insert tube (tubular liner) usually features an inner and an outer tube, between which a carrier material (for example, glass fibers), which is impregnated with reactive plastic resin, is introduced. For example, commercially available UP resins (polyester or unsaturated polyester resins), VE resins (vinyl ester resins) or EP resins (epoxy resins) are used as the reactive plastic resin. With UP or VE resins, the curing of the resins takes place, for example, with the aid of photoinitiators. However, curing may also take place thermally. The insert tube remains inflated in the pipe until it makes contact with the inner pipe wall or sliding film, in order to subsequently cure the resin—for example, with the aid of UV radiation from a UV radiation source slowly drawn out through the pipe. Finally, the inner film of the insert tube can be drawn out and removed. The layer with the carrier material is then exposed to the substances to be led through the pipe.
A tubular liner is known, for example, from WO 2012/159702. Thereby, for the combination of inner tubular film, resin-carrier layer and outer tubular film, a protective tube made of a tear-resistant material in the form of a truck tarpaulin material (that is, PVC-reinforced fabric) is arranged, which features a connecting section extending in the longitudinal direction of the tubular liner, which can be elongated by introducing compressed air into the tubular liner in the circumferential direction. With one embodiment, the protective tube made of tear-resistant, non-stretchable material features such a width that, upon the wrapping around of the outer tubular film, the two longitudinal edges do not abut each other or overlap. In order to bridge the gap (viewed in cross-section) that thus emerges between the longitudinal edges of the protective tube, a connecting film piece made of a stretchable material is provided, which is connected to such longitudinal edges of the protective tube. The premature curing of the resin is prevented by the fact the outer, mechanically fragile tubular film is formed in a manner impermeable for UV radiation, as is known from the state of the art.


An apparatus and method for measuring the quantity of hydrogen in a hydrogen storage vessel of a hydrogen fuel cell using the Pressure, Composition, Temperature (PCT) relationship of the storage media is disclosed. The method of measuring the quantity of hydrogen involves, measuring the temperature 310 of the hydrogen storage media at one or more points on the hydrogen storage vessel 300, measuring the mechanical strain 320 at one or more points on the hydrogen storage vessel, computing the pressure 330 inside the vessel based on the strain measurements, referring to a lookup table 340 or an equation representing the discharge PCT curve for the particular composition of the hydrogen storage media at the measured temperature and computing the hydrogen concentration at the measured pressure. The changes in temperature and pressure during hydrogen absorption-desorption which are characteristic of hydride storage media air is used to measure the hydrogen concentration in the storage vessel and the hydrogen to metal hydride.

This invention relates in general to fuel cells, and more particularly to a method and a system for measuring the amount of hydrogen in a hydrogen storage vessel.
In recent years, nearly all electronic devices have been reduced in size and made lightweight, in particular portable electronic devices. This advancement has been made possible, in part, by the development of new battery chemistries such as nickel-metal hydride, lithium ion, zinc-air, and lithium polymer, that enable larger amounts of power to be packaged in a smaller container. These secondary or rechargeable batteries need to be recharged upon depletion of their electrical capacity. This is typically performed by connecting the battery to a battery charger that converts alternating current to a low level direct current of 2-12 volts. The charging cycle typically lasts a minimum of 1-2 hours, and more commonly 4-14 hours. Although the new batteries are a tremendous advancement over the previous generations of batteries, they still suffer from the need for sophisticated charging regimens and the slow charging rates.
Fuel cells are expected to be the next major source of energy for portable electronic products. Simply put, fuel cells catalytically convert a hydrogen molecule to hydrogen ions and electrons, and then extract the electrons through a membrane as electrical power, while oxidizing the hydrogen ions to H2O and extracting the byproduct water. The tremendous advantage of fuel cells is the potential ability to provide significantly larger amounts of power in a small package, as compared to a battery.
Their potential ability to provide long talk-times and standby times in portable communication device applications are driving miniaturization of fuel cell technologies. The Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) based air-breathing, dead-ended fuel cells are ideally suited for powering portable communication devices. The most mature of the fuel storage technologies for this class of fuel cells is hydride materials packed in a container which stores hydrogen and releases it on demand. Storage of hydrogen in a container containing reversible metal hydride is a common practice in the field of fuel cells.
A fundamental customer requirement for any form of portable power source is the ability to measure and communicate the capacity remaining in the source (how long can it power the device?). In addition, the remaining capacity has to be continually measured while the device is in operation so as to provide the user current status of the power source. In fuel cell systems, as the energy storage and energy conversion aspects are decoupled, the key to measuring remaining capacity depends on the ability to accurately measure the amount of fuel remaining in the storage vessel. In portable devices with fuel cell power sources, the remaining energy capacity is directly dependent on the amount of fuel remaining in the fuel storage vessel. Since many fuel cell applications use hydrogen stored in solid medium such as metal hydrides, chemical hydrides and nano fibers, methods and systems to measure the quantity of hydrogen stored in these media is a necessity for the successful development of these technologies for commercial applications.
Though prior art technologies exist to measure the pressure in a hydride vessel, they do not accurately measure the quantity of hydrogen in the vessel due to the dependence of hydrogen concentration on parameters in addition to the pressure inside the fuel storage vessel. Also, the prior art methods can be used only under equilibrium conditions where the system is not discharging hydrogen to a fuel cell or other load device. Another critical factor to consider is the differences between the charge and discharge characteristics of the storage media. Due to hysteresis, the hydrogen discharge characteristics of the storage medium is different from the charge characteristics. In addition the shortcomings of the prior art techniques described above, they also fail to take into account the degradation of hydrogen storage capacity of the hydride material over time as the percentage of active hydride in the overall composition decreases over time.

Method and apparatus for determining the amount of hydrogen in a vessel


A mounting apparatus for a circuit board (10) comprises a support plate (50), a tray (20) and a clip (40). The support plate includes a plurality of catches (52) and two locking holes (56). The tray for positioning the circuit board thereon defines a plurality of catch apertures (26). The tray includes a bent plate (22) extending upwardly from a rear side. The clip is pivotally mounted to the tray. The clip includes a locking portion (42) having two protrusions (422), and an operation portion (46) having two resilient fingers (462) pressing the bent plate. In assembly, the catches of the support plate slidably engage in the catch apertures of the tray, the protrusions of the clip extend in the locking hole of the support plate to secure the circuit board to the support plate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to mounting apparatuses, and particularly to a mounting apparatus for readily and securely mounting a circuit board therein.
2. Description of the Related Art
During assembly of a typical personal computer, a circuit board must be fastened to a computer frame or chassis. The circuit board is conventionally mounted to the computer chassis using fasteners such as screws or bolts. However, when installing or removing the circuit board, using the fasteners is laborious and time-consuming. In addition, a tool such as a screwdriver or wrench is usually required. Moreover, the circuit board is prone to be damaged if the tool slips during manipulation of the fasteners.
Taiwan Pat. No. 551,026 discloses a mounting apparatus for a circuit board. The circuit board is firstly secured to a tray using fasteners such as clips. The clips engage in corresponding through holes of the tray to secure the circuit board thereon. Then the combined circuit board and tray is mounted to a computer chassis. A tool is not required when using the clips. However, the using of the clips increases the cost of the manufacture. Because the clips are not conventional components, it is inconvenient when some clips destroyed or missing.
Thus, an improved mounting apparatus for circuit boards which overcomes the above-mentioned problems is desired.


A sideguard pad for use in conjunction with a hospital bed having sideguards comprising a slipcover having one compartment adapted to fit over the sideguard, and a pad disposed in another compartment of the slipcover which positions the pad inboard of the sideguard. The pad is a slab of polyurethane foam which substantially covers the vertical plane of the sideguard, and includes an upper lip which substantially covers the upper edge of the sideguard. The slipcover is fabricated of urethane coated nylon or urethane coated polyester and includes zippers for removably inserting the pad within the slip cover, and Velcro.RTM. closures for securing the sideguard pad to the sideguard. Apertures are provided in the sideguard pad for accessing hospital bed controls located on the sideguard.

Hospital beds in use today normally include one or more sideguards on either side of the bed for preventing a patient lying atop the hospital bed from rolling off the bed and becoming injured. These sideguards are normally fabricated of a hard material such as a rigid plastic or the like.
A criticism of such common hospital beds, however, is that the sideguards of the hospital bed are normally unpadded. Consequently, should a patient inadvertently roll into the sideguards, the patient could become bruised or sustain other injuries.
It has therefore been an objective of the present invention to devise a pad for a hospital bed sideguard which is of a simple construction and which will provide a relatively soft, resilient side padding to protect a patient who inadvertently rolls into the sideguard.


An optical power splitter is provided that can stably operate even when there is a mode mismatch between an input optical signal and the optical power splitter. The optical power splitter of the present invention includes a semiconductor substrate, an optical waveguide stacked on the semiconductor substrate, and a clad surrounding the optical waveguide. The optical waveguide includes an input waveguide section through which the optical signal is input from an outer waveguide, a tapered waveguide section having a gradually increasing width, first and second waveguide branches extending from an output end of the tapered waveguide section and outputting first and second branched optical signals, and a stabilizing waveguide section disposed between the input waveguide section and the tapered waveguide section, the stabilizing waveguide section having length and width capable of stabilizing shaking of the optical signal which is generated by a mode mismatch between the optical signal and the input waveguide section.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a planar waveguide device, and more particularly to an optical power splitter utilizing a Y-branch optical waveguide.
2. Description of the Related Art
An optical waveguide device includes an optical waveguide core through which an optical signal is transmitted by experiencing total internal reflection in the optical waveguide core, and a clad surrounding the optical waveguide core. Representative examples of optical waveguide devices include a planar waveguide device fabricated in a semiconductor manufacturing process and an optical fiber manufactured by melting an optical fiber preform. Planar waveguide devices include optical power splitter/couplers that divide or couple the power of the optical signal and wavelength division multiplexer/demultiplexers that multiplex or demultiplex channels constituting the optical signal according to wavelengths of the optical signal. Further, the optical power splitter may include a tapered waveguide, that enlarges field distribution of an input optical signal, and a Y-branch optical waveguide having a pair of output waveguide branches, that splits the enlarged optical signal and outputs it through ends of the output waveguide branches.
FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a conventional optical power splitter utilizing a Y-branch optical waveguide. The conventional optical power splitter 100 generally includes an input section 101, a branching section 102, and an output section 103. Further, the optical power splitter 100 is constructed so that both sides are symmetric with reference to an axis 230 of the optical power splitter 100.
The input section 101 includes an input waveguide section 110. The input waveguide section 110 receives an optical signal through its input end connected with an outer waveguide 250 and controls the device length of the optical power splitter 100.
In this case, in order to minimize the coupling loss of the optical signal, the input waveguide section 110 has a width 104 that can optimize the mode field diameter (MFD) of the outer waveguide 250 and the mode field diameter of the input waveguide section 110 and that enables single-mode propagation and low-loss insertion of the optical signal. That is, in order to minimize the coupling loss of the optical signal, the input waveguide section 110 enlarges the field distribution of the optical signal and functions as a coupling section that enables single-mode propagation and low-loss insertion of the optical signal. In this case, the outer waveguide 250 is a waveguide that constitutes an optical fiber or a planar waveguide device.
The branching section 102 includes a first tapered waveguide section 140, and first and second waveguide branches 150 and 160.
The first tapered waveguide section 140 receives the optical signal through its input end connected with the input waveguide section 110, and the width of the first tapered waveguide section 140 gradually increases in the direction toward which the optical signal propagates.
The first and second waveguide branches 150 and 160 extend from the output end of the first tapered waveguide section 140 symmetrically with reference to the axis 230.
The output section 103 includes second and third auxiliary waveguide sections 170 and 200, second and third tapered waveguide sections 180 and 210, and first and second output waveguide sections 190 and 220.
The second auxiliary waveguide section 170 controls the device length of the optical power splitter 100 and connects the first waveguide branch 150 and the second tapered waveguide section 180 with each other.
The second tapered waveguide section 180 receives a first branched optical signal through its input end connected with the second auxiliary waveguide section 170, and the width of the second tapered waveguide section 180 gradually increases in the direction toward which the first branched optical signal propagates.
The first output waveguide section 190 receives the first branched optical signal through its input end and outputs the first branched optical signal through its output end.
The third auxiliary waveguide section 200 controls the device length of the optical power splitter 100 and connects the second waveguide branch 160 to the third tapered waveguide section 210.
The third tapered waveguide section 210 receives a second branched optical signal through its input end connected with the third auxiliary waveguide section 200, and the width of the third tapered waveguide section 210 gradually increases in the direction toward which the second branched optical signal propagates.
The second output waveguide section 220 receives the second branched optical signal through its input end and outputs the second branched optical signal through its output end.
FIGS. 2A and 2B are graphs describing the mode matching in the case where an optical signal is input in alignment with the axis of the optical power splitter 100, that is, the case where the optical signal is input into the optical power splitter 100 in such a manner that the field distribution of the optical signal has a shape both sides of which are symmetric with reference to the axis 230.
The graph shown in FIG. 2A shows a first field distribution 310 in the input waveguide section 110 at the input end of the input waveguide section 110, which means a field distribution of the optical signal propagating through the input waveguide section 110 directly after passing the input end of the input waveguide section 110. As shown, the first field distribution 310 is arranged symmetrically with reference to the axis 230. This mode matching maximizes the coupling efficiency between the input waveguide section 110 and the optical signal.
The graph shown in FIG. 2B shows a third field distribution 320 in the first tapered waveguide section 140 and a fourth field distribution 330 in the first and second waveguide ranches 150 and 160, at the output end of the first tapered waveguide section 140. As shown, the first field distribution 310 and the fourth field distribution 330 are arranged symmetrically with reference to the axis 230. These mode matches maximize the coupling efficiency of the optical signal between the first tapered waveguide section 140 and the first and second waveguide branches 150 and 160.
FIG. 3 is a view showing an intensity distribution of the optical signal propagating through the optical power splitter 100 in the mode match state. In FIG. 3, sections 301, 302, and 303 represent the intensity distributions of the input section 101, branching section 102, and output section 103, respectively.
FIGS. 4A and 4B are graphs illustrating mode mismatch in the case where an optical signal is input in misalignment with the axis 230 of the optical power splitter 100. That is, these figures illustrate the case where the optical signal is input into the optical power splitter 100 in such a manner that the field distribution of the optical signal has a shape in which the sides are nonsymmetrical with reference to the axis 230.
The graph illustrated in FIG. 4A shows a fifth field distribution 340 in the input waveguide section 110 at the input end of the input waveguide section 110. As shown, a center line of the fifth field distribution 340 is not aligned with the axis 230. This mode mismatch degrades the coupling efficiency between the input waveguide section 110 and the optical signal.
The graph illustrated in FIG. 4B shows a sixth field distribution 350 in the first tapered waveguide section 140 and a seventh field distribution 360 in the first and second waveguide branches 150 and 160, at the input end of the first tapered waveguide section 140. As shown, the center lines of the sixth field distribution 350 and the seventh field distribution 360 are not aligned with each other. This mode mismatch degrades the coupling efficiency between the first tapered waveguide section 140 and the first and second waveguide branches 150 and 160.
FIG. 5 illustrates an intensity distribution of an optical signal propagating through the optical power splitter 100 in the mode mismatch state. In FIG. 5, sections 304, 305, and 306 represent the intensity distributions of the input section 101, branching section 102, and output section 103, respectively. As shown, the optical signal shakes while passing through the input section 101, thereby having an effect on the branching section B, which consequently causes the mode mismatch as shown in FIG. 4B.
FIG. 6 is a graph illustrating loss corresponding to the mode mismatch of the optical signal input to the optical power splitter 100, and FIG. 7 is a graph illustrating uniformity according to the mode mismatch of the optical signal input to the optical power splitter 100.
FIG. 6 illustrates a first output curve 370 representing the output of the first output waveguide section 190 according to the mode mismatch of the optical signal and a second output curve 380 representing the output of the second output waveguide section 220 according to the mode mismatch of the optical signal. As shown in FIG. 6, as the mode mismatch grows larger, the difference of the outputs between the first output curve 370 and the second output curve 380 becomes significantly larger.
FIG. 7 illustrates a uniformity curve 390 representing the difference between the outputs of the first and second output waveguide sections 190 and 220 according to the mode mismatch of the optical signal. As shown, the difference between the outputs of the first and second output waveguide sections 190 and 220 abruptly increases as the mode mismatch increases.
As described above, the conventional optical power splitter utilizing a Y-branch optical waveguide is problematic in that, the larger the mode mismatch, the larger the difference between the outputs of the first and second output waveguide sections 190 and 220. Moreover, the difference between the outputs of the first and second output waveguide sections 190 and 220 according to the mode mismatch of the optical signal further increases when the optical signal is a multi-channel signal.

Optical power splitter having a stabilizing waveguide


A game-handling apparatus which is mounted on a four-wheel all-terrain vehicle having a winch fixed to the vehicle with a winch line wound on a winch drum in the winch, the game-handling apparatus including a first roller mounted on the front of the vehicle above the winch for guiding the winch line from the winch upwardly, a roll bar pivotally secured to the vehicle and fitted with a middle pulley for guiding the winch line rearwardly and a rear roller attached to the rear of the vehicle for guiding the winch line downwardly behind the vehicle. A sling is attached to the end of the winch line and the sling is secured around a game animal such as a deer, after which, the winch is operated to wind the winch line on the winch drum and lift the deer into field-dressing configuration or onto the all-terrain vehicle for transportation.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to all-terrain vehicles and techniques for handling game and other loads and more particularly, to a game-handling apparatus mounted on a winch-equipped all-terrain vehicle for lifting game into field-dressing position or onto the all-terrain vehicle for transportation. In a preferred embodiment the game-handling apparatus is designed to operate with a winch fitted with a rotating drum and a winch line wound on the drum, and includes a front roller or pulley mounted on the front of the all-terrain vehicle above the winch, a roll bar pivotally secured to the all-terrain vehicle behind the driver's seat and adapted to extend into upright, locked position, with a top bar roller or pulley fitted to the roll bar for guiding the winch line from the front pulley or roller, and a rear pulley or roller mounted on the rear of the all-terrain vehicle for guiding the winch line from the top bar pulley or roller downwardly for attachment to a sling. The sling may be fitted around a game animal such as a deer and the winch then operated to wind the winch line on the respective rollers and lift the deer into field dressing position or onto the all-terrain vehicle for transportation. The roll bar may be pivoted into a downwardly stored and travelling configuration by manipulation of a pair of lock pins attached to the extending, pivotally-mounted legs of the roll bar. Furthermore, in a most preferred embodiment of the invention the roll bar legs receive a telescoping top bar which carries the top bar roller or pulley and is telescopically adjustable with respect to the roll bar legs by means of retainer pins to adjust the height of the roll bar and the top bar roller.
One of the problems which is inherent in the handling of game animals in the field is that of lifting or carrying the carcass for field-dressing purposes or from frequently remote locations to a camp or other area where the game can be dressed. Such game typically include deer, elk, moose and the like, which are heavy animals and since hunters frequently hunt alone, the difficulty of handling, moving and transporting such game is well understood. Conventional techniques for field-dressing game at the point of harvest include using a block and tackle mounted on a tree limb to hoist the game into position for field-dressing or loading onto a four-wheel all-terrain vehicle or other vehicle for transportation to the camp. Accordingly, under circumstances where the game is killed in a location remote from trees, the game must be dragged or otherwise transported to a tree having favorably disposed limbs for receiving the block and tackle. The time, effort and energy expended in moving the game from one place and position to another for field dressing and/or transportation to the camp is objectionable to most hunters, particularly when hunting time is sometimes limited.
Accordingly, it is object of this invention to provide a new and improved game-handling apparatus for mounting on an all-terrain vehicle and raising game to a suitable height for field-dressing or loading the game into the all-terrain vehicle.
Another object of the invention is to provide a game-handling apparatus for handling game in a quick and efficient manner and transporting the game to a camp or other location, which apparatus operates with a winch mounted on the all-terrain vehicle and includes a first roller or pulley mounted on the all-terrain vehicle above the winch for receiving the winch line from the winch and guiding the winch line upwardly, a roll bar pivotally attached to the all-terrain vehicle and fitted with a top bar pulley or roller for guiding the winch line rearwardly and a rear roller mounted on the all-terrain vehicle for receiving the winch line and guiding the winch line downwardly to the game. A sling can then be mounted on the end of the winch line and the game animal positioned in the sling to raise the game for field-dressing or transportation.


Embodiments of the disclosure relate generally to systems and methods for customizing the service for a mobile device via near field communication (NFC). A mobile device may comprise an activation application operable to complete a provisioning process on the mobile device to enable the device for service. The activation application may require provisioning data to be input by a user or operator of the mobile device, where provisioning data may comprise service provider information, service preference information, branding information, technical parameters, user credentials, and/or other parameters needed to customize service enablement of the mobile device, and may be communicated to the mobile device via near field communication.

Mobile devices may be operated by different service providers or networks, and may be operated with different settings, user preferences, and/or service preferences. A mobile device (or a universal integrated circuit card in a mobile device) may be manufactured with the intention of being used only on one carrier's network, and may be customized for that network at time of manufacture. Mobile devices may be purchased and stocked for multiple carriers and may not be enabled to operate on another network.

System for activating and customizing a mobile device via near field communication


An operating shaft rises and falls by abutting against a cam surface of a cam rotatably built into the upper part of a stem. A swivel-preventing plate part is fixed to the lower end of the operating shaft. An engagement member is fixed to a support yoke and regulates the swiveling by engaging with the swivel-preventing plate part. A brake shoe part is fixed to the lower part of the swivel-preventing plate part and brakes by abutting against a treat surface of a wheel when the operating shaft falls. A link cam causes a link cam to pivot and causes a brake plate to rise and fall by connected to the brake shoe part. A protruding part for braking, by displacement of the brake plate, is capable of engaging with and disengaging from an annular engagement receiving part formed in the inner periphery of the wheel.

As a structure which performs braking of a caster, a structure which presses a brake shoe against a tread surface of the caster to stop rotation of a wheel has been known (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. Sho 56-63501).
On the other hand, there is also known a structure having lock receiving parts which concentrically have small diameters, are formed like internally toothed gears, and annularly aligned on a side surface of a wheel, a protruding part being ejected from or retracted into the lock receiving parts to brake the wheel (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2001-1703).
However, when any one of these braking structures is used, there is fear that braking is not effective when a heavy load is applied to a caster.
Thus, in a double-lock caster disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Applicant Publication No. 2008-1355, the present applicant has proposed, as a structure having a braking mechanism doubly provided to a caster, a structure having a first brake shoe which is pivoted to a support yoke pivotally supporting a wheel, can displace a lock member pivoted to the support yoke between a first braking position at which the lock member abuts against a tread surface of the wheel and a first-braking release position at which the lock member is away from the tread surface, and is energized in a direction of the first braking release position to serve as a first brake, and a brake plate which is interlockably coupled with the lock member, slidable so that it can move forward and backward along the support yoke, advances to a second braking position at which an engagement part at a distal end is engaged with an engagement receiving part formed of continuous irregularities annularly formed on an inner peripheral side surface of the wheel when the brake shoe is displaced to the first braking position, retreats to a second braking release position at which the engagement part is separated from the engagement, receiving part when the brake shoe is displaced to the first braking release position, and is energized in a direction of the second braking release position.
Further, the brake plate is disposed to the inner side of a side surface of the support yoke and has a long hole into which an axle of the wheel is fitted and which is set to a length of a sliding stroke of the brake plate, a guide part which guides sliding of the brake plate is provided on an inner wall surface of the support yoke or the brake plate, and the brake plate is advanced or retreated in an up-and-down direction along a diametric direction of the wheel to engage the engagement part with the engagement receiving part.
In the above-described structure, a folded part of a swiveling lock piece constituted of a spring material formed into a pin shape having upper and lower pieces is disposed to the support yoke, the swiveling lock piece is configured to be latched to the lock member in a state where the upper and lower pieces are opened, the brake plate has a complicated structure since an upper part of the brake plate is interlockably coupled with the lock member, and regulation of swiveling alone cannot be performed separately from braking.


A come-along for pulling loads includes a rope winding mechanism that enables the rope to be wound and fed out smoothly. The rope winding mechanism includes a positioning hole that reduces the angle between the secured end of the rope and an axial tube about which the rope is wound. The come-along also includes a rope securing mechanism. The secured end of the rope has a seal head that fits through an installation hole and rests against the positioning hole. A helical slot around the axial tube enables the rope to wind evenly.

When pulling heavy items, when towing vehicles or when setting up a tent, a come-along is often useful. A come-along is desirable in these situations because it is a simple mechanism, is easy to transport and provides great pulling force.
A conventional come-along 50 is shown in FIGS. 1-5. FIG. 1 is a side partial-cutaway view of a conventional come-along 50. FIG. 2 is a front view of the conventional come-along 50. The come-along 50 has a main body 5 with a first hook 52 attached at a first end of the main body 5. The main body 5 includes an axial tube 1. The main body 5 includes a rope 3 or cable wound around the axial tube 1. A second hook 7 is connected to an end of the rope 3.
In operation, the second hook 7 is hooked to the load to be pulled such as a heavy item or a vehicle. The tightening and release of the second hook 7 is realized through the winding of the rope 3 to the axial tube 1. This operation often results in a messy or loose winding of the rope 3, as the rope 3 will typically be wound around the axial tube 1 in more than two layers. Once the rope 3 is pulled, it is possible that the outermost layer of the rope 3 coiled on the axial tube 1 will be tightened. When the outermost layer of the rope 3 tightens, it typically sinks under windings of the rope 3 of the inner layers. This creates difficulty in pulling the rope out of the layers of the loosely wound ropes, even resulting in breakage of the rope if the rope is pulled too hard.
FIG. 3 shows a top view of the axial tube 1 with a winding of rope 3 of the conventional come-along of FIG. 1. One end of the rope 3 is inserted and clamped into a positioning hole on the axial tube 1 to achieve secure connection. The inner end of the rope 3 is typically bent about 90 degrees coming out from the positioning hole in order to be wound onto the axial tube 1. Due to the fact that the rope is typically made of steel and accordingly possesses certain rigidity, there exists a perturbation 16, or bulge, around the bend. Moreover, this perturbation is generally telegraphed through subsequent layers of rope that are wound around the axial tube 1. This causes an off-roundness of the rope winding that results in an unevenness of the tightness of the rope. As a consequence, the ejection force of the rope will become uneven or the rope might get stuck on the axial tube which diminishes the usefulness of the come-along.
FIG. 4 is a side view of the conventional axial tube 1 with windings of the rope 3 and a clamp 60. FIG. 5 is a side view of the conventional axial tube 1 without rope 3. As shown in FIG. 4, the inner end of the rope 3 is clamped to the positioning hole that is on the axial tube 1. This is not a very secure fixturing method, as the rope is often pulled off the axial tube 1 after all the windings have been released. This affects the normal usage of the come-along and creates a certain risk of danger because the rope being pulled off the axial tube also results in a release of the load connected to the come-along.
For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for an improved come-along.

Winding, securing and positioning mechanism for a come-along

Zhejiang Topsun Logistic Control Co., Ltd