An apparatus and method for obtaining a pressure build-up survey from a well bore intersecting a reservoir, the well bore containing a landing receptacle, is disclosed. The apparatus comprises locking means for locking the apparatus in the landing receptacle, valve means for selectively opening and closing the well bore. Also included is prong means for selectively opening and closing the well bore, and recording means for recording the bottom hole pressure and temperature.

This invention relates to a well testing valve. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, this invention relates to a down hole well testing valve used to obtain pressure build-up test data from a reservoir.
In order to obtain optimum production from a reservoir, bottom hole pressure surveys are routinely performed in order to determine pertinent reservoir characteristics. As those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, pressure build-up test are performed throughout the life of the reservoir, which includes immediately after discovery, and also after the reservoir has been placed on secondary or tertiary recovery. These test generally comprise of a flow period, a shut-in period, followed by other flowing, and shut-in periods.
Important data is obtained during both the flowing and build-up periods. Various test can be designed such that the duration and number of flowing and build-up periods depend on the individual characteristics of the reservoir.
Another important consideration is the location of the pressure gauge in the work string being utilized. Generally, it is most desirable to have the bottom hole pressure and temperature gauges as close to the reservoir as possible in order to alleviate problems such as well bore storage and flow-back when changing the test mode from flowing to shut-in.
A significant number of reservoirs are thousands of feet deep. Therefore, in designing a pressure test, an important feature is the location of the pressure and temperature gauges.
Various designs have been attempted in the prior art. For instance, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,583,592 to Gazda, the application discloses a well test tool for closing a well at a down hole location below the well packer and near the formation to be tested. The apparatus is openable and closeable from the surface by tensioning and then relaxing the cable. The test tool has a lock mechanism which locks automatically upon entering the landing receptacle in the well bore.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,842,064 to Gazda, the specification discloses an apparatus including a landing receptacle for placing in a well bore, preferably near the well packer, and a well test tool lowerable with instrumentations into the tubing on a flexible line and anchorable in the landing receptacle, the test tool then being operational between open and closed positions by tensioning and relaxing the flexible line to open and close the well at the down hole location.
Another well test tool is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,830,107 to Rumbaugh. The tool includes a valve lowerable into a well on a flexible line and locked and sealed in a down hole landing receptacle, the valve being openable and closable to permit or prevent flow therethrough, well pressures below the test tool being sensed and recorded by a recording pressure gauge both during periods of flow and during shut-in periods.
Also, attention is drawn to U.S. Pat. No. 4,669,537, wherein a test tool including a locking device installed in a landing receptacle, and a sleeve valve with a recording instrument attached thereto is claimed . Therefore, there are numerous designs which have been attempted with regard to attaching a down hole valve to a landing receptacle, and pressure testing the intersecting reservoir. However, the prior art designs suffer from the ability of being able to set the valve in the landing receptacle, flowing the well, and re-entering the well bore with a closing device while the well is flowing, and shutting-in the reservoir.
Therefore, an object of this invention is to provide a bottom hole pressure assembly to be landed in a landing receptacle of a well bore near a reservoir, and be able to obtain multiple flowing and shut-in pressure surveys.


The present invention provides a multi-piece solid golf ball having very good shot feel, excellent rebound characteristics and excellent flight performance. The present invention relates to a multi-piece solid golf ball comprising a core consisting of a center and an intermediate layer formed on the center, and at least one layer of a cover covering the core, wherein                the intermediate layer has a thickness of 0.3 to 2.5 mm and a hardness in Shore D hardness of 50 to 75, the hardness of the intermediate layer is higher than a surface hardness in Shore D hardness of the center and a hardness in Shore D hardness of the outermost layer of the cover, and the flexural modulus of the intermediate layer is lower than that of the outermost layer of the cover.

In golf balls commercially selling, there are solid golf balls such as two-piece golf ball, three-piece golf ball and the like, and thread wound golf balls. Recently, the solid golf balls, of which flight distance can be improved while maintaining soft and good shot feel at the time of hitting as good as the conventional thread wound golf ball, generally occupy the greater part of the golf ball market. Multi-piece golf balls represented by three-piece golf ball have good shot feel while maintaining excellent flight performance, because they can vary hardness distribution, when compared with the two-piece golf ball (Japanese Patent Kokai Publication Nos. 24085/1995, 239068/1997, 271249/2000, 107327/2000, 317015/2000 and the like).
In Japanese Patent Kokai Publication No. 24085/1995, a three-piece solid golf ball comprising a center core, an intermediate layer and a cover is disclosed. The center core has a diameter of at least 29 mm and specific gravity of less than 1.4, the intermediate layer has a thickness of at least 1 mm, specific gravity of less than 1.2 and JIS-C hardness of at least 85, the cover has a thickness of 1 to 3 mm, and the specific gravity of the intermediate layer is lower than that of the center core.
In Japanese Patent Kokai Publication No. 239068/1997, a three-piece solid golf ball comprising a core, an intermediate layer and a cover is disclosed. The core has a center hardness in JIS-C hardness of not more than 75 and a surface hardness in JIS-C hardness of not more than 85, the surface hardness is higher than the center hardness by 8 to 20, the hardness in JIS-C hardness of the intermediate layer is higher than the surface hardness of the core by not less than 5, the hardness in JIS-C hardness of the cover is lower than that of the intermediate layer by not less than 5, and the dimples occupy at least 62% of the ball surface. In the two golf balls, the hardness of the intermediate layer is higher than that of the cover, but the rigidity of the intermediate layer is increased together with the hardness, and thus shot feel is poor.
In Japanese Patent Kokai Publication No. 271249/2000, a multi-piece solid golf ball comprising a core consisting of an inner core and an outer core formed on the inner core, and one or more layers of cover covering the core is disclosed. The inner core has a diameter of 30 to 39.5 mm and a center hardness in JIS-C hardness of 55 to 70, and is formed from press molded rubber composition comprising polybutadiene, a co-crosslinking agent, an organic peroxide and a filler, and the JIS-C hardness at a distance of 15 mm from the center point of the inner core is higher than the center hardness by 5 to 20; the outer core has a thickness of 0.3 to 2.0 mm and a surface hardness in JIS-C hardness of 75 to 90, and is formed from press molded rubber composition comprising polybutadiene, a co-crosslinking agent, an organic peroxide and a filler, and the surface hardness of the outer core is higher than the center hardness of the inner core by 10 to 35; and the cover contains thermoplastic resin as a base resin, and the outmost cover layer has a thickness of 1.5 to 2.5 mm and a surface hardness in Shore D hardness of 64 to 72. In the golf ball, since the cover hardness is high, the shot feel is poor.
In Japanese Patent Kokai Publication No. 107327/2000, a three-piece solid golf ball comprising a core composed of a center having a diameter 27 to 37 mm and an intermediate layer covering the center, and a cover covering the core is disclosed. The specific gravity of the center (a) is smaller than that of the intermediate layer (b), a surface hardness in JIS-C hardness of the center (Y) is higher than a central point hardness in JIS-C hardness of the center (X) by not less than 8, a surface hardness of the core (Z) is not less than 80, a difference (p−q) between a deformation amount of the center (p) and that of the core (q), when applying from an initial load of 98 N to a final load of 1275 N, is not less than 5, and Shore D hardness of the cover is not more than 60. In the golf ball, since the thickness of the intermediate layer having relatively high hardness is large, the shot feel is poor performance and better durability.
In Japanese Patent Kokai Publication No. 317015/2000, a multi-piece solid golf ball comprising a core consisting of a center and an intermediate layer formed on the center, and a cover covering the core is disclosed. The intermediate layer                (a) is formed from a rubber composition comprising a base rubber, a co-crosslinking agent, an organic peroxide and a filler,        (b) has a hardness in JIS-C hardness of 75 to 90, and the hardness of the intermediate layer is higher than a surface hardness in JIS-C hardness of the center by 1 to 12,        (c) has a thickness of 0.2 to 1.3 mm, and        (d) has a specific gravity of 1.20 to 1.60. In the golf ball, since it is required to use a large amount if the filler in order to increase the specific gravity of the intermediate layer, the rebound characteristics are degraded.
In the conventional solid golf balls, there has been no golf ball having excellent flight performance while maintaining good shot feel. Therefore, it is required to provide a golf ball having better shot feel and better flight performance.


A system and method for providing a code release infrastructure with granular code patching is described. Code patches, each including at least one resource unit are provided. Each resource unit includes metadata and file components. Code libraries, each including at least one resource unit, are patched. The metadata for each resource unit in the code patches is compared to the metadata for each such corresponding resource unit in the code libraries. Each resource unit in the code patches is merged into the code libraries for each such corresponding resource unit that is out-of-date as defined by merge rules. Archive files, as defined by archive file definitions, are created or updated using the resource units from the code libraries, or, optionally, are deleted. The archive files are digitally signed also as required. The system and method enables source and derived code and third party code to be patched granularly.

Over the last ten years, corporate computing environments have evolved from monolithic proprietary mainframe computer systems to networks of decentralized heterogeneous computer systems. These distributed systems 20 typically include personal computers and work stations that offer productivity solutions with higher flexibility at lower cost.
At the same time, the cost and complexity of support has drastically increased. For example, the operating systems and applications software require periodic updates. Moreover, every different system configuration can require a 25 separate reinstallation of software, an operation which can be costly and time-consuming for a large installed user base.
The JAVA programming language was developed to encourage low maintenance application development by providing a machine-independent and architecture-neutral programming language capable of operating on heterogeneous computer systems independent of machine-specific environment and configuration settings. An overview of the JAVA programming language is described in P. van der Linden, "Just JAVA," Chapter 1, Sun Microsystems, Inc (1997 2d ed.), the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. The most common JAVA programs are applications and applets. Applications are stand-alone programs. Applets are similar to applications, but adhere to a set of interface conventions and run only within the context of a JAVA-enabled container, such as a Web browser. During execution, the container downloads the byte code required to run the applet as needed.
The Java programming language provides a convenient means for disseminating software updates using Zip archives or Java Archive (JAR) files. These archives and files can be used to deliver and directly run Java applications and applets. The Zip archives and JAR files are packaged in a Zip format that allows multiple files to be bundled as a single archive file. In addition, JAR files include a manifest storing attributes for each of the bundled files and can include an optional digital signature. JAR files are described in D. Flanagan, "Java in a Nutshell," Chapter 24, O'Reilly and Assocs. (1999 3d ed.), the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.
Although offering a convenient way to deliver JAVA program updates, Zip archives and JAR files create a problem, known as the "high water mark" problem. The high water mark problem results from the inability to deliver specific updates or patches to individual component files using a JAR file. Rather, when JAVA program updates or patches are delivered using JAR files, an entire JAR file is delivered, instead of just a single updated component file. Moreover, to ensure that each JAR file is current, the JAR file must always include the latest version of each component file. A single updated component file cannot be delivered and a complete high water mark JAR file must be delivered instead. Delivering a complete high water mark JAR file results in delivering many other potentially undesirable changes, which can include unexpected behavioral changes, or other highly destabilizing changes to the product.
To avoid the high water mark problem, JAVA program updates can be delivered in the form of individual files stored within an operating system directory structure. Each separate update or patch can then be delivered to effect individual changes without unanticipated side effects. However, this approach poses difficulties with file naming conventions. The JAVA programming language supports long file and class names which are language features not supported on every operating system. JAVA source and class file names can contain special characters, such as the dollar sign, which can cause portability concerns. Similarly, the JAVA programming language uses the Unicode character set, an internationalized character set that may not be fully supported on all platforms, potentially causing further portability concerns.
These individual update or patch files also introduce directory nesting concerns. JAVA packages are implemented as directories in a hierarchical file structure. Packages can be stored in deeply nested directories. However, the nesting depth can exceed the maximum permissible depth on a given platform. Consequently, these JAVA programming language-specific file naming and directory storage conventions limit the operating systems that can directly support single file updating and patching.
JAR files lack integrity controls for ensuring the proper application of updates and patches. The order in which updates and patches are applied should not ordinarily determine the end result of the application. However, JAVA updates and patches can be generated and applied in any order. Moreover, neither JAR files nor individual patch and update files include a revision control mechanism to ensure that out-of-date class files do not overwrite the latest versions.
Inner classes further complicate JAVA program updating and patching. A single JAVA source file that uses the JAVA "inner class" construct can produce multiple JAVA class files. Inner classes make tracking out-of-date JAVA class files difficult.
Finally, other issues arise when patching and updating JAVA applets. Applets are generally loaded into a JAVA-enabled browser in a JAR file format. Some applets must be signed with a digital signature to work properly. Consequently, the JAR file in which applets are delivered must be signed. If a JAVA application being updated or patched requires a signature, either the signed high water mark JAR file must be delivered or the JAR file must be assembled and signed at the customer site. In addition to the problem inherent with delivering any high water mark file, delivering signed high water mark JAR files does not allow the integration of third-party code, that is, code not available when the JAR files are created.
Therefore, there is a need for an approach for providing a JAVA code release infrastructure. Preferably, such an approach would resolve the high water mark, patch integrity and revision control problems while supporting long file names, special characters, extended character sets, deeply nested packages, and inner classes.
There is a further need for an approach for providing granular patching of individual class files while maintaining the integrity of the source file to which the class belongs. Preferably, such an approach would include a facility to integrate third-party code into the patching process.

System and method for providing a java code release infrastructure with granular code patching


A two stage solenoid control valve is described. The control valve opens and closes using a single source of pressurized fluid. This source of pressurized fluid may be transmitted through the solenoid control valve and on to a downstream valve such as a bleed valve in a gas turbine engine.

Gas turbine engines such as those used in industrial, marine, vehicle, and aerojet applications, may include multiple stages of compressors. In a typical arrangement air is first drawn over a first compressor stage that elevates the air pressure to a desired level. The air, while passing in a generally axial direction through the engine, then crosses successive compressor stages that further raise the air pressure.
It has been found that bleed valves can be used at various points on a gas turbine engine to assist in maintaining a desired level of air pressure within the engine. One point in a gas turbine engine where bleed valves are used is in the various compressor stages. Thus a bleed valve or valves may be used to control undesired effects such as engine surge. It is also desirable to activate bleed valves used in turbine engines with a pressure source drawn from a turbine engine compressor stage.
Solenoid control valves may be used to activate gas turbine bleed valves. Additionally, solenoid-activated control valves may be used in a variety of applications to regulate fluid control. Generally, solenoid activated valves are useful in that they may be controlled by electronic or computerized control systems. An electronic control system may itself provide the command to provide the electrical current that activates a solenoid valve. The electronic and computerized control is a useful feature in gas turbine engine control systems.
While certain valve designs are known that use solenoid activation, there is need for an improved design.
Weight considerations are significant criteria in control valve design. Especially in those gas turbine engines intended for use in aerojet applications, it is desired that weight be minimized. Thus it is desired that a solenoid control valve be provided that has a weight lower than control valves now available.
One function of the solenoid control valve is to pass an activating force, often a pressurized fluid such as air, through the solenoid valve and onto the bleed valve. It is desired that the activating force/pressurized fluid also provide the force necessary to open and close the solenoid valve. Thus there is a need for a solenoid control valve that can be opened and closed using a single source of activating pressure from the same pressurized fluid that is passed through the solenoid control valve.
Another important criteria in a solenoid control valve, and particularly one used to control bleed valve operation in a gas turbine engine, is response time. A quick response time is desired.
Reliability of design is another important criteria in a solenoid control valve. A design with minimum moving parts is preferred in order to lessen the need for maintenance or the chance of breakdown. What moving parts are used should be robust and simple in function. Redundancy is also a desired feature in a control valve, particularly in aerojet applications. With duplicate or redundant features, even in the event of a partial system failure, the valve will nevertheless continue to perform as desired.
An additional feature that is important in the design of a solenoid control valve is how the valve will interact with a downstream valve. Where, for example, a compressor bleed valve is connected downstream from a solenoid control valve, the design of the solenoid control valve must make allowance for the bleed valve to compress and decompress. Thus, it is a desirable feature that a flow through solenoid control valve permit pressure that is passed downstream to a bleed valve, or other type of valve, to pass back through the solenoid control valve when the downstream valve deactivates and/or decompresses.
The solenoid control valve is in the closed position during the majority of time when the engine is running. Thus, it is desired that the de-energized position of the solenoid control valve correspond to the closed position of the valve.
Hence there is a need for a solenoid control valve that addresses one or more of the above-noted objectives. That is there is a need for a solenoid control valve of minimal weight and/or with a quick response time and/or with good reliability and/or that can operate with a single pressure as the pressure supply and/or a solenoid control valve that is closed in the de-energized position. The solenoid control valve embodiment disclosed herein addresses one or more of these needs.


Provided is a cable having a sheath composition having flame retardancy and water resistance, and a sheath layer formed of the sheath composition. Specifically, the present invention relates to a sheath composition for simultaneously improving flame retardancy and water resistance of a sheath layer of a cable, which are in a trade-off relation with each other, and physical properties such as heat resistance, hardness, and wear resistance, improving appearance, and reducing manufacturing costs; and a cable having a sheath layer formed of the sheath composition.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cable used for wiring of a general electrical structure or an electric device, indoor wiring, or the like. A low-voltage cable used for the purpose of indoor wiring as illustrated in FIG. 1(a) may include a conductor 100′, an insulating layer 200′ surrounding the conductor 100′, and a sheath layer 300′ surrounding the insulating layer 200′ to protect the insulating layer 200′. A medium-voltage cable as illustrated in FIG. 1(b) may further include a metal shielding layer 400′ between the insulating layer 200′ and the sheath layer 300′ to block electromagnetic waves caused by current flowing through the conductor 100′.
Insulation performance of the cable, when used in an environment exposed to moisture, e.g., an underwater environment, may decrease due to penetration of moisture into the insulating layer 200′ or leakage current, dielectric breakdown, etc. may occur in the cable when a water tree, i.e., moisture penetrating the insulating layer 200′, dissociates into ions, the ions vibrate due to an alternating electric field applied thereto, thus causing cracks in the insulating layer 200′, and moisture penetrates the conductor 100′ through the cracks.
In addition, as the sheath layer 300′ of the cable absorbs moisture, damage may be caused due to corrosion of the metal shielding layer 400′ due to permeation of the moisture, and an electric shock accident may occur due to contact with a human body or a disconnection accident or the like may occur when an induced voltage increases at an open end of the metal shielding layer 400′ which is one-sided grounded.
Accordingly, research and development are being conducted to improve water resistance of the sheath layer 300′ of the cable to protect the cable from insulation performance degradation of the insulating layer 200′, leakage current, dielectric breakdown, corrosion of the metal shielding layer 400′, and the like due to permeation of moisture.
When a large amount of a plasticizer is added to the sheath composition for forming the sheath layer 300′ to secure flexibility and workability of the cable, processability of the sheath layer 300′, and the like, the plasticizer is likely to be extracted or hydrolyzed due to permeation of water, thereby decreasing electrical characteristics of the cable. When a plasticizer having insufficient heat resistance is applied, streaks may occur on the sheath layer 300′ due to friction between portions of the cable wound around a bobbin when tension is additionally applied to the cable during finishing of the winding of the cable in a state in the sheath layer 300 is semi-dried after extrusion, thereby deteriorating the appearance of the cable.
Alternatively, the sheath layer 300′ may be formed of a sheath composition containing a large amount of a flame retardant to ensure flame retardancy. However, water resistance of the sheath layer 300′ may decrease when the flame retardant is a hydrophilic metal hydroxide, e.g., aluminum hydroxide or magnesium hydroxide, whereas flame retardancy of the sheath layer 300′ may decrease when the amount of the flame retardant is reduced to suppress a decrease in water resistance.
Furthermore, an inorganic filler such as calcium carbonate (CaCO3) may be added to the sheath composition for forming the sheath layer 300′ to reduce manufacturing costs of the cable. However, when a large amount of the inorganic filler is added, water resistance and mechanical properties of the sheath layer 300′ may decrease and thus there is a limit to reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining the performance of the cable.
Accordingly, there is an urgent need for a sheath composition for simultaneously improving flame retardancy and water resistance, which are in a trade-off relation with each other, and physical properties, such as heat resistance, hardness, and wear resistance, of a sheath layer of a cable, improving appearance, and reducing manufacturing costs; and a cable having a sheath layer formed of the sheath composition.

Sheath composition having flame retardancy and water resistance, and cable having sheath layer formed therefrom


A method for transmitting a communication signal comprises transmitting a data signal over a wavelength on a single fiber strand and transmitting a radio frequency signal over another wavelength on the same single fiber strand. A system for transmitting the data signal and the radio frequency signal over wavelengths in a single fiber strand include one or more nodes in which at least one node transmits the data signal over a wavelength on the single fiber strand and transmits the radio frequency signal over another wavelength on the same single fiber strand. Another node receives the data signal and the radio frequency signal over the wavelengths on the single fiber strand. A cross connect for connecting the data signal and the radio frequency signal includes a data matrix configured to cross connect the data signal and a radio frequency matrix configured to cross connect the radio frequency signal.

Fiber optic cable is in wide use to carry communication signals. The fiber optic cable enables increased capacity and other benefits over prior transmission mediums. Each fiber optic cable contains multiple individual fiber strands, each of which can carry communication signals.
Individual optical wavelengths within each fiber strand can be used to carry individual communication signals. These individual optical wavelengths, sometimes referred to herein as lambdas, are used to provide a unique path for a communication signal over a fiber strand.
Many methods are used to increase capacity or to segregate traffic on the fiber strands. For example, dense wave division multiplex (DWDM) systems are used for such purposes. However, existing infrastructures and new infrastructures are not being used to fully take advantage of bandwidth availability of fiber optic cable. Thus, a new system and method are needed to use existing infrastructures and new infrastructures so that different types of communication signals can be transported over a single fiber strand.

System and method for transmitting signals over a fiber strand


A system for extracting free oil from industrial processing fluids comprises a coalescing cartridge having a plurality of vertically oriented polymeric elements therein past which fluid is free to flow without obstruction thereby supplying fluid to a tank having a plurality of settling chambers. Free oil is removed from the processing fluid through oleophilic attraction between the free oil and the surface of the polymeric elements. Remaining free oil is further separated from the processing fluid through gravitational attraction. A plurality of weirs and baffles interposed between the settling chambers provide continuous return of purified processing fluid to the system. A plurality of solenoid actuated valves provide periodic decanting of separated free oil.

The present invention relates generally to liquid purification systems and more particularly to a system for removing free oil from aqueous fluid mixtures utilized in industrial machining applications.
Industrial machining operations generally require the use of coolants to prevent damage to tools due to excessive heat. Typically, a coolant comprises an oil-in-water emulsion or an aqueous mixture wherein water is the continuous phase, oil is the disperse phase, and soap is the emulsifying agent.
The emulsion is stabilized by electro-mechanical forces which are weakened or destroyed by contaminants in the form of metallic ions, free oil and bacterial action. The primary culprit in coolant deterioration is free or "tramp" oil which must be removed to maintain the stability and equilibrium of the emulsion. Moreover, abrasive colloidal solids, often found suspended in the emulsion, cause a decline in the quality of the coolant and blockages in coolant filters.


A method, computer program product, and a system include a processor(s) that monitors an event, as a proxy for an invitee, to assign or periodically update a value (the value shifts temporally during the event). The processor(s) monitors the event by analyzing sentiment and emotion in verbal content, generate a speech baseline for each attendee, i.e., tone neutral vocal communication patterns, determine an aggregate tone for the event, and generating and progressive update, during the monitoring, the value (the value represents deviations in tone from the aggregate tone in portions of the verbal content proximate to an occurrence of one or more keywords relevant to the invitee, based on the aggregate tone and the speech baseline for each of the one or more attendees). The processor(s) determine that the value has exceeded a threshold and trigger an action to facilitate connection of the invitee to the event.

The schedule of a given individual can be complicated to maintain and often times, an individual will be expected to attend more than one meeting at the same time, which is not possible. Also, attending a meeting may interfere with the individual's ability to devote time to completing a project. When a choice is made by an individual (or for an individual), that the individual is to attend or not to attend a given meeting (or other event, as a meeting is only used as a non-limiting example), in retrospect, that choice may not have been the best choice. For example, a meeting that appeared critical from the invitation may move in a different direction during the course of the meeting, negating the need for the individual's presence. Alternatively, a meeting that appeared less important, may become critical based on questions and subjects arising during the meeting. Thus, when an individual makes a decision to attend one meeting over another, or one meeting at all, hindsight may reveal the choice to have not been the most productive.

International Business Machines Corporation


The display size of a window as an object can be arbitrarily changed by simple operation without dragging a mouse. When an object on the display screen is designated by pressing a mouse button of an input device, a CPU changes the size of the designated object by gradually enlarging or reducing its size in accordance with the duration of time for which the mouse button is held down.

The present invention relates to a window display controller for controlling display of windows on a display screen, and its program storage medium.
Conventionally, as a typical example of the input/output method in a GUI (graphical user interface) system, a base frame called a desktop is displayed on the entire display screen, and when an icon on this desktop is pointed by a mouse pointer that moves on the desktop in accordance with movement of a mouse, a target program corresponding to that icon is launched. Upon launching the program, a rectangular window is displayed on the desktop. Note that the window, icon, and data in the window are associated with some data, and are called objects. The size of each object is changed by dragging the mouse.
In this case, the mouse is dragged as follows. That is, when the mouse pointer is adjusted to the frame of an object and then moved while a mouse button is held down, the object frame moves accordingly. After the object is changed to a desired size, the mouse button is released. When the object size is changed in this manner, cumbersome operation is required, i.e., the mouse pointer must be accurately adjusted to the object frame, and a work space for moving the mouse must be assured, resulting in poor operability. On the other hand, the icon and the window which is associated with the program that is launched upon clicking that icon are independently displayed, and have quite different display patterns although they express the identical program, resulting in visual or conceptual confusion.
An object of the first invention is to arbitrarily change the window size by simple operation in place of dragging of the mouse.
An object of the second invention is to smoothly convert an icon and window.
The first invention is a window display controller for displaying display data stored in display data storage means within a window display region having an arbitrary display size, which is displayed on a display screen, characterized by comprising measurement means for measuring a designation operation time of a first or second designation operation with respect to a display position of the window display region, first size change means for enlarging the display size of the window display region in accordance with the designation operation time measured by the measurement means upon the first designation operation, second size change means for reducing the display size of the window display region in accordance with the designation operation time measured by the measurement means upon the second designation operation, and display control means for controlling to display the display data stored in the display data storage means within the window display region, the display size of which has been changed by the first or second size change means.
The second invention is a window display controller for displaying a window, on which predetermined display data is displayed within a display region thereof, on a display screen, characterized by comprising display size change means for sequentially enlarging a display size of an icon displayed on the display screen by a display size enlargement designation operation for the icon, conversion means for converting the icon into a window corresponding to the icon and opening a corresponding file when the display size of the icon has been enlarged beyond a predetermined size, and display control means for displaying the window converted by the conversion means on the display screen, and displaying display data of the opened file within the window.
According to the first invention, while a window that displays predetermined display contents is displayed on the display screen, the display size of that window is enlarged or reduced in accordance with the time of only enlargement or reduction designation operation made for that window, and display data in that window are displayed within the changed window display area. Hence, the window display size can be changed very easily, thus expecting great improvement of operability.
According to the second invention, when the display size of an icon displayed on the display screen is enlarged by a display size enlargement designation operation for that icon, the icon is automatically converted into a window of a file corresponding to that icon in accordance with the display size. Hence, smooth conversion from the icon to the window can be attained, and the window can be opened after the correspondence between the icon and window is made clear.
Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out hereinafter.

Window display controller and its program storage medium


The present invention provides a human transcription repressor (TRAREP) and polynucleotides which identify and encode TRAREP. The invention also provides expression vectors, host cells, agonists, antibodies and antagonists. In addition, the invention provides methods for producing TRAREP and for treating or preventing disorders associated with expression of TRAREP.

Transcription is a process by which genetic information encoded in DNA is transcribed into RNA. RNA polymerases I, II, and III are involved in the process of transcription. RNA polymerase I is localized in nucleosomes and is responsible for synthesis of the precursors of 28S, 5.8S, and 18S rRNAs. RNA polymerase II transcribes genes encoding proteins and produces small RNAs responsible for RNA splicing. RNA polymerase III functions in conjunction with the nucleolus and transcribes genes coding for tRNAs, 5S rRNA, and a series of small, stable RNAs.
Transcription of genes encoding proteins by RNA polymerase II is initiated on DNA sequences corresponding to the 5' cap of mRNAs. A highly conserved, 25-35 base pair DNA sequence, TATA box, is positioned upstream of the transcription start site in most eukaryotic genes. The function of the TATA box is to act as a promoter for transcription. RNA polymerase II and a series of transcription factors (TFIIA through TFIIH) form a transcription initiation complex which binds at the TATA box promoter region. The formation of this complex positions RNA polymerase II for the initiation of transcription.
The assembly of the transcription initiation complex begins with the binding of TFIID to the TATA box. The process continues by the association of the TFIIA-TFIID-TATA complex with the remaining transcription factors in the sequence of TFIIB, TFIIF-RNA polymerase II, TFIIE, TFIIH, and TFIIJ. Inhibitors or repressors that bind to the TFIID-promoter complex can potentially block further assembly of the transcription initiation complex. Binding of TFIIA to the TFIID-TATA complex prevents the binding of the inhibitors and allows the assembly to proceed.
Inhibition of transcription by repressor molecules is an important means for regulating transcription. Negative cofactor 2 (NC2) and Dr1-associated polypeptides (DRAP1 and Dr1) are two such repressors which regulate transcription in cells. NC2 consists of two subunits, termed NC2.alpha. and NC2.beta., and the latter is identical to Dr1 (Goppelt, A. et al. (1996) EMBO J. 15: 3105-3116) in primary sequence. NC2.alpha. and NC2.beta. possess a histone fold domain of the H2A-H2B type at the amino terminus and an acidic domain at the carboxy terminus. NC2.alpha. has a proline-rich domain and a second, internal acidic domain, and NC2.beta. has a basic domain and a Gln/Ala-rich domain. NC2 binds the TFIID-TATA promoter complex via the histone fold domains and directly inhibits the binding of TFIIB with the initiation complex. Repression of basal transcription requires the histone fold domains and both of the acidic carboxy-terminal domains of NC2 subunits. In nucleosomes, the histone fold effects dimerization and DNA-binding.
Similarly, DRAP1 and Dr1 form a heterodimer through the histone fold domains at the amino terminus of both peptides (Mermelstein, F. et al. (1996) Genes Dev. 10: 1033-1048). The heterodimer represses transcription by binding to the TFIID-TATA promoter complex. This precludes the association of TFIIA and/or TFIIB with the TFIID-TATA promoter complex and prematurely terminates the assembly of the transcription initiation complex.
The discovery of a new transcription repressor similar to NC2.alpha. and DRAP1 and the polynucleotides which encode it satisfies a need in the art by providing new compositions which are useful in diagnosing, preventing, and treating inflammation and disorders associated with cell proliferation and apoptosis.


An ultrasonic probe has a case of a substantially cylinder shape having a first axis along longitudinal direction thereof. The case has a convex wall in the vicinity of a closed end of the case. The convex wall is transparent to an ultrasonic signal radiated from the ultrasonic probe. A support cylinder having a second axis is rotatably mounted in the case. The support cylinder and the convex wall are coaxial to the second axis. An ultrasonic transducer is fixed on a base of the support cylinder. A viscous resin fills a space between the convex wall and the ultrasonic transducer. Thus, a convex lens coaxial to the second axis is formed by the convex wall and the viscous resin. The angle of the axis of the convex wall to the first axis may be chosen between zero degree to approximately 90 degrees.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an ultrasonic diagnostic probe having a transducer array capable of turning around its aperture axis and having a convex lens comprising a viscous resin upon the aperture.
2. Description of the Related Arts
In order to diagnose an internal objects, such as an internal organ of human body, an ultrasonic tomography has been observed by the use of an ultrasonic probe which is provided with an ultrasonic transducer array for transmitting an ultrasonic sound towards the internal organ to be observed and then receiving an ultrasonic sounded reflected the internal organ. A tomographic image is obtained along the alignment of the transducer array. Some ultrasonic probes are used in contact with the surface of the human body. However, some probes are inserted as an endscope into the human body cavity where the ultrasonic transducer, i.e. the array, must be turned around its apparent axis in order to attain more objects image. Furthermore, a convex lens formed of a solid resin is provided upon the surface of the transducer array so that the ultrasonic beam is focused at a predetermined proper distance from the transducer. The ultrasonic probe used as the endscope must be of course small in size so as to be easily inserted into the body cavity. A typical prior art probe of such structure shown in FIG. 1 has been disclosed by Ito on Japanese Laid-on Patent Publication Hei 2-206450. Ultrasonic transducer 15 having a convex lens is mounted on a cylindrical support 14, 14a, and is rotatable by selectively pulling a string 22 fixed to sides of the support cylinder 14a.
Problem of the FIG. 1 probe structure is in that an O-ring 20 is required to seal between the ultrasonic transducer 12 and the probe case 16 while the ultrasonic transducer is kept rotatable along O-ring 20. The O-ring is not perfect to protect the sealing from the environment in the human body. Rotation of transducer 15 directly contacting the human organ may injure the wall of the human internal organ.

Ultrasonic probe, having transducer array capable of turning around its aperture axis and having a convex lens comprising a viscous resin


Translucent zirconia sintered bodies have had a problem that incorporation of titania improves translucency but lowers mechanical strength. The invention provides: a zirconia sintered body containing titanium oxide, the sintered body containing 6-15 mol % yttria and 3-20 mol % titania and having an in-line transmission of 50% or higher when examined at a sample thickness of 1 mm and a measuring wavelength of 600 nm; and a zirconia sintered body having especially high translucency which is a high-quality transparent zirconia sintered body that contains 3-20 mol % titania and 6-15 mol % yttria and has an in-line transmission, as measured at a wavelength of 600 nm, of 73% or higher and a haze value of 2.0% or less and that is highly translucent and is undimmed (cloudless). The invention further relates to a production process in which a powder having the composition is molded and thereafter subjected to ordinary-pressure primary sintering and hot isostatic pressing (HIP) under specific conditions.

Transparent zirconia sintered bodies have a high refractive index and a high permittivity and hence are expected to be utilized as optical members (patent document 1). In particular, transparent zirconia sintered bodies to which titania has been added have a high transmission and, hence, application thereof to optical lenses and the like is being investigated enthusiastically (non-patent document 1 and patent document 2).
Furthermore, application of zirconia sintered bodies to aesthetic dental parts and the like is being investigated (patent documents 3 and 4), and application thereof to decorative parts and exterior parts is being investigated recently. There hence is a need for a titania-containing zirconia sintered body which has high mechanical strength besides translucency. However, the conventional titania-containing transparent zirconia is insufficient in mechanical strength although translucent.
In patent document 2, for example, a zirconia sintered body which, when examined at a sample thickness of 0.8 mm and a measuring wavelength of 600 nm, has an in-line transmission of 65% has been reported. This zirconia sintered body, however, has a grain size as large as about 100 μm and has low mechanical strength. Non-patent document 2 discloses a titania-containing transparent zirconia sintered body having a grain size of 200 μm, but the mechanical strength (bending strength) thereof is as low as about 210 MPa.
As described above, neither a titania-containing zirconia sintered body which combines mechanical strength and high translucency nor a process for producing the sintered body has been known.
Meanwhile, in the case where a zirconia sintered body is to be used in optical material applications, the sintered body is required to have a low transmission loss and exceedingly high transparency.
The transparent zirconia sintered bodies which have been reported so far include a transparent zirconia sintered body which contains 6 mol % or more yttria and 3 mol % or more titania and has an in-line transmission of 66% (sample thickness, 1 mm; measuring wavelength, 600 nm) and a transparent zirconia sintered body which contains 7.2 mol % yttria and 10 mol % titania and has an in-line transmission of 72% (sample thickness, 1 mm) (patent documents 2, 4, and 5 and non-patent document 1).
Furthermore, zirconia sintered bodies which contain 6-15 mol % yttria and have an in-line transmission of 73% (sample thickness, 1 mm; measuring wavelength, 550 nm) have been reported (patent document 1).
However, those sintered bodies are dimmed, i.e., so-called cloudy sintered bodies, although having some degree of translucency, and higher transparency has been necessary for optical applications.
Moreover, in the production process disclosed in the cited document 1, the production atmosphere is regulated on the basis of a method for disposing the sample vessel. It has hence been necessary that the atmosphere should be stably regulated in high-temperature HIP, which is accompanied with a deformation of the vessel, etc.
As described above, there has been neither a zirconia sintered body which has high translucency and undimmed high transparency nor a process for zirconia sintered body production which can yield such sintered body with satisfactory reproducibility.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

High-strength transparent zirconia sintered body, process for producing the same, and uses thereof


A fuel control system responsive to a power controller and controlling a fuel delivery system. The fuel control system includes a control arm connected to both the power controller and the fuel delivery system, a position sensor connected to the control arm, and a trim controller connected to the control arm at a pivot point and connected to the position sensor.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed generally to an internal combustion engine and, more particularly, to a fuel control system for use with an internal combustion engine.
2. Description of the Background
Internal combustion engines require control systems in order to operate properly. In particular, diesel engines are difficult to run at idle without an idle speed governor. Diesel engines are controlled by the amount of fuel injected into the cylinders, and that control is often done with a "rack" which forms part of the fuel delivery system. The idle speed governor controls the rack to govern the idle speed. Typically, the idle speed governor is its own system, separate from the system that controls the engine under non-idle operation. The idle speed governor also requires a separate drive and a separate fly ball governor.
Engines, particularly airplane engines, must also compensate for changes in air pressure which occur with changes in altitude. Such compensation is often accomplished with a control that is separate from the idle speed governor. Sometimes the altitude compensation is accomplished with electronics, such as through an electronic fuel injection system.
Therefore, the need exists for a system that allows for electronic control of an engine from idle to full power. There is also a need to control other operating parameters, such as air/fuel mixtures at high altitude. In addition, the need exists for a system that allows for a mechanical backup of the electronic systems.


A stable, solid, externally dry particulate system for controlling humidity to a selected range comprising a hydrophobic silica component and a hydrophilic silica component where the hydrophobic component comprises about 4 to 10 wt. % hydrophobic nano silica particles and from about 96 to 90 wt. % of a mixture of a saturated solution of at least one soluble solid and undissolved at least one soluble solid, and the hydrophilic micro silica component comprises from about 20 to 40 wt. % hydrophilic silica particles and about 80 to 60 wt.% of the mixture of the saturated solution of at least one soluble solid and the undissolved at least one soluble solid. The saturated solution is made of at least one soluble solid dissolved into a polar liquid and has an equilibrium relative humidity when a saturated solution in the polar liquid.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a stable solid particulate system for controlling humidity in a closed environment to a selected range.
Related Art
Prior art devices have been used to control relative humidity. Although desiccants can be considered a means of humidity control in an extreme sense in that they remove almost all water from the air in a closed system, such as an air-tight container or a container with few leaks, they are unable to maintain a desired range of relative humidity within the closed system. Saturated solutions with excess solute can maintain a modest relative humidity range when ambient temperatures are within a tight range, and are a better choice than desiccants in most cases, but are still limited. The invention on the other hand can remove and add moisture to the environment as well as stabilize the temperature to maintain a tight desired range of relative humidity while remaining in the form of stable dry particles. Optionally, an oxygen absorber can be added to boost the shelf life of perishable goods, prevent adverse color changes, and slow the growth of microbes.
There are many applications such as cigars, foods, pharmaceuticals, leather goods, pyrotechnics, etc., where desiccants are not the best choice because of over-drying. In such examples, the humidity control technology must maintain a desired range of relative humidity for optimum shelf life and quality. Zero% relative humidity is undesirable, as it dries out and damages the product. The most commonly available prior art device and somewhat effective method of controlling humidity in a desired range is the use of saturated solutions with a large excess of solute. The desired relative humidity range, also known as the equilibrium relative humidity (ERH), is an established and well-known unique characteristic of a saturated solution of a particular salt(s) or compound(s) used as the solute.
Inorganic salts are effective as this solute and are most often used, although many compounds including water soluble organics can be used as well in appropriate systems. These compounds, when in a saturated solution with a large excess, regulate the water vapor pressure in a closed environment to a unique range below that of pure water. In that environment, the solution will release moisture when below its ERH causing solute to precipitate out of the solution. It will absorb moisture from the environment when above its ERH until the excess solute goes completely into solution. While a mixture of solid solute and solution coexist the relative humidity of the environment will be proactively coerced toward the ERH, which is desired relative humidity range.
Although saturated solutions with a large excess of solute are fairly effective at controlling humidity, in practice they have very significant limitations. Temperature fluctuations in the environment are the primary cause of deviations from the expected ERH value for the environments above saturated solutions. In addition, absorption of moisture from the environment is limited by low surface area, surface dilution (segregation due to gravity and lack of mixing) and the Heat of Solution of the used solute. Surface dilution issues are aggravated further by use of gelling and solidification agents.
The majority of commercialized humidity control devices are based on saturated solutions with a large excess of solute and are described as gritty viscous solutions contained within water vapor permeable pouches. The viscous solution in such cases usually includes water, solute, and sometimes a thickening material such as xanthan gum. These solutions prove difficult to handle because they are sticky liquids which can spill, are gritty and hard to dispense, diffuse through material, and interfere with seals as well as require special packaging to contain them. Even when solidified or gelled these solutions can weep or diffuse out of packaging which must by nature be permeable to water vapor in order to function. Compounding this problem is the fact that the tendency to weep becomes greater as the solute attracts moisture from its environment and becomes less viscous. To summarize saturated solutions with a large excess of solute are good at humidifying an environment but are only marginally effective at absorbing moisture, are adversely effected by temperature fluctuations, require special packaging and are usually a gritty sticky liquid. The present invention addresses these limitations.
Accordingly, there remains a need for a stable, externally dry solid particulate material which effectively controls humidity within a selected range. The term "externally dry" means that the particles appear to be dry, even though they contain sorbed/encapsulated water.
Examples of known prior art devices are described in the references listed below, which are hereby incorporated by reference.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,647653 discloses a cosmetic water-containing product made of core-shell particles and a carrier powder. This product is not suitable to regulate relative humidity as it does not contain a saturated solution.

Stable solid particulate system for controlling humidity to a selected range


An infant feeding container is disclosed which attempts to imitate a human female breast in form and function. The container comprises a dome shaped member including a pliant outer surface. The dome shaped member substantially defines a volumetric space adequate to contain from four to eleven ounces of liquid and has the approximate form of a human female breast. The dome portion includes an upper crest and a lower skirt, the skirt portion being not less than seven centimeters in diameter at its outermost circumference. A ducted nipple protrudes from the crest of the dome and a bottom closure is secured to the dome portion adjacent to the skirt portion. Included are double and triple wall embodiments, a unique removable liner, optional means to couple the container to a conventional breast pump, an anti-vacuum feature, thermographic means to warn against overheated contents, and jackets in infant friendly materials.

It is widely known that natural breast feeding is the best way to nurture an infant. The quality of mother's milk is superior to prepared formulas and the act of providing an infant with the mother's warm breast and comfort is an important aspect of proper child development and bonding between mother and infant. However, artificial feeding systems may be desirable or necessary in some circumstances. These include medical situations such as premature births, mothers who have had mastectomies or who are unable to lactate sufficiently, infants who require dietary supplements, and health problems such as cleft pallet or breast abscesses. Social situations requiring artificial feeding include employed women who are unable to feed their infant at work, women who use a breast pump and require a container for feeding, the need to feed adopted infants, and other medical or social situations that may recommend the use of an artificial container.
Healthcare professionals agree that an infant's sensory experience is particularly important in the formidable stages of development, and especially in the feeding process. While artificial feeding containers can never fully imitate a mother, the breast-like infant feeding container disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/814,565 provides a far more natural sensory experience for infants when artificial feeding means are needed.
The many baby bottles now widely in use may be cited for abundant shortcomings, the greatest being the unnaturalness of nursing from a rigid, angular, elongate container, often in contact with an infant's cheeks, chin, nose and hands. This results in a predominance of unnatural sensory experience that is inappropriate, particularly for newborn infants. Although artificial nipples are typically soft, they do not provide a sensory experience similar to the comforting feeling of breast feeding wherein an infant is often in fill contact with the mother's soft, warm breast. A second disadvantage is that elongate bottles have a small base and a high center of gravity, making them vulnerable to overturning. Elongate bottles are hard to clean, as the bottom may be reached only with a bottle brush. Furthermore, rigid bottles can cause infants to ingest unnecessary amounts of air. While the latter issues are addressed by recent innovations in infant feeding systems, no existing container, other than the one referenced in patent application Ser. No. 07/814,565, offers the combination of form, feel and function comparable to natural breast feeding.
Manoyian, U.S. Pat. No. 3,112,837, discloses a disposable bulbous infant feeding container which has rigid elements in contact the infant's mouth. The unit was designed to be sold with dry formula, the user adding water and discarding the container after one use. The container cannot be filled with breast milk, washed or refilled. Furthermore, it has a high center of gravity and a narrow base. These deficiencies appear to have precluded commercial success.
Manufacture of a breast imitating container is dependent on the use of non-toxic, hypoallergenic materials which are safe for use in the subject application, easily molded, cost effective, and have good tactile surface quality. Preferred embodiments are disclosed which improve the performance of the breast like container previously in patent application Ser. No. 07/814,565, and facilitate cost effective manufacture.
Removable liners have been in common use in infant feeding containers for many years. However, the use of a removable liner in a breast like container presents unique problems. Of particular importance is the tactile quality of the upper part of the container which comes in frequent contact with the infant's face. Also, the filling port on a collapsible liner must be small enough to allow the liner to collapse, permitting the full contents to be withdrawn. For these reasons, the liner of the present invention is designed to eliminate the usual rigid components used to seal the top of conventional elongate liners, as these components are typically in contact with an infant's mouth, chin, nose and cheeks.
The ingestion of air by an infant using an artificial container is believed to be a major contributor to colic. While a resilient container helps to mitigate this problem, embodiments of the breast like container have been designed to include an integral anti-vacuum valvular feature to further reduce the incidence of air ingestion by the infant user.
A four piece container design is also disclosed herein to facilitate more cost effective molding and to improve sealability of the bottom closure lid on certain embodiments.
Resilient foams can provide good tactile surface quality, but limitations exist with these materials relative to their ability to provide a sealable structure to withstand the abuse imposed by infant usage, such as dropping a full container from a crib or high chair. Bonding rigid elements to a foam container body to overcome this problem is one option. Alternately, non-foam thermoplastics and thermoset rubber can be molded with sealable threads when molded with an adequate cross section. These same materials have good resilience and tactile quality when molded in thin cross section so that a single container can be both relatively rigid at the base and pliant in the upper nipple area depending upon container wall thickness.
It has become evident that the breast-like container will often be used in conjunction with a breast pump to provide an infant with expressed mother's milk. To obviate the need for an adapter, an intermediate container, or a modified container attachment on standard breast pumps, it is desirable to be able to directly couple the breast like container of the present invention with a conventional breast pump.
Constraints in molding processes, combined with the current availability of tear resistant, resilient foams which are approved for food contact, led to design approaches that offer excellent surface tactile quality as well as possessing insulating value to retain warmth of the contents over an extended feeding period.
The above identified pending application specifies resilient container walls to simulate the tactile quality of a natural breast. Many types of foam, and particularly those more recently developed, conform to the original criteria to a high degree. Fine grained cellular thermoplastic elastomers, metallocene polyolefins, elastomeric metallocene rubber as well as other types of foamed thermoplastics and rubber can provide a safe, hypoallergenic and non-toxic container having excellent tactile quality, good thermal insulation properties, and a satisfactory degree of tear resistance. Furthermore, a relatively rigid inner shell may be used beneath the foam to mitigate potential problems with leakage through the nipple when the container is squeezed. Specification of the use of resilient foams in the container facilitates constructing a breast-like infant feeding container having friendly tactile quality, of considerable importance in the subject invention.


A low-cost CPAP apparatus in which, upon detection of the transition from inhalation to exhalation, the blower motor is de-energized to allow it to freewheel. When the pressure in the patient mask (or whatever interface is utilized) reaches a minimum pressure level during exhalation, the motor is re-energized and its speed is controlled so to maintain the pressure at a level suitable for exhalation. Upon detection of the transition from exhalation to inhalation, the motor speed is increased to provide higher pressures in the patient mask suitable for inhalation.

Since the invention of nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (nasal CPAP) for treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and other forms of Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB) by Sullivan, as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,944,310, much effort has been directed towards improving the comfort of the devices. One aspect of this is a more comfortable patient interface, such as provided by the MIRAGE® and ULTRA MIRAGE® masks manufactured by ResMed Limited. Another aspect of providing a more comfortable patient interface is the comfort of the waveform of air at positive pressure provided by the blower.
Some low cost CPAP blower devices, such as the S7™ device by ResMed Limited, provide a supply of air at a generally fixed positive pressure throughout the respiratory cycle of the patient, for example, 15 cmH2O. A blower comprising an electric motor and fan can be constructed to deliver air based on a rotational speed of the motor predetermined to deliver a particular pressure to a patient interface, such as a mask. When the patient breathes in with such a system, the pressure in the mask may reduce by a small amount. When the patient breathes out with such a system, the pressure in the mask may increase by a small amount. These fluctuations in mask pressure are referred to as "swing". Other blowers use feedback in a pressure controller which counterbalances the effect of patient effort on the mask pressure to reduces the swing. Such a device has a current retail price in Australia of approximately AU $1000.
Another group of CPAP devices, such as the ResMed AUTOSET® SPIRIT™ device can monitor the patient and determine an appropriate CPAP setting to deliver to the patient, which pressure may vary through the night, for example, delivering 15 cmH2O during an initial portion of the patient's sleep, but increasing to 20 cmH2O later in the night. Changes in pressure are made in response to a determination of the occurrence and severity of aspects of breathing such as flow limitation and snoring. Such a device has a current retail price in Australia of approximately AU $2000.
A bi-level CPAP device, such as the ResMed VPAP® product, provides a higher pressure to the patient's mask during the inspiratory portion of the respiratory cycle, for example, 10–20 cmH2O, and a lower pressure during the expiratory portion of the patient's breathing cycle, for example, 4–10 cmH2O. A mismatch between the device control cycle and the patient respiratory cycle can lead to patient discomfort. When the device makes a transition from the higher pressure to the lower pressure the motor is braked. When the device makes the transition from the lower pressure to the higher pressure, the motor is accelerated. Depending on device settings, the device may be required to make a change of 5–18 cmH2O pressure in 50–100 ms. To achieve this change, the peak power load may be in the order of 60–90 W. Because of the low inertia and peak load requirements of the VPAP® device, a large and expensive power supply is required. Such a device has a current retail price in Australia of approximately AU $3,500–7,500 depending on the device feature set.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,345,619 (Finn) describes a CPAP device that provides air at a pressure intermediate the IPAP (Inspiratory Positive Airway Pressure) and EPAP (Expiratory Positive airway Pressure) pressures during the transition between the inspiratory and expiratory portions of the device control cycle. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,484,719 (Berthon-Jones) and 6,532,957 (Berthon-Jones) describe devices which provide pressure support in accordance with a waveform template. U.S. Pat. No. 6,553,992 (Berthon-Jones et al.) describes a ventilator whose servo-controller adjusts the degree of support by adjusting the profile of the pressure waveform as well as the pressure modulation amplitude. As the servo-controller increases the degree of support by increasing the pressure modulation amplitude, it also generates a progressively more square, and therefore efficient, pressure waveform; when the servo-controller decreases the degree of support by decreasing the pressure modulation amplitude, it also generates a progressively more smooth and therefore comfortable pressure waveform. The contents of all of these patents are hereby incorporated by reference.
CPAP and VPAP devices are mechanical ventilators. Ventilators have been classified (Chatburn, Principles and Practice of Mechanical Ventilation, Edited by M J Tobin, McGraw Hill, 1994, Ch. 2) as being either pressure, volume or flow controllers. In each case, the ventilator controls the pressure of air versus time, volume of air versus time, or flow of air versus time that is delivered to the patient. Many such devices can be programmed to deliver a variety of waveforms, such as pulse (rectangular), exponential, ramp and sinusoidal. The shape of the waveform actually delivered to the patient may be affected by the compliance and resistance of the patient's respiratory system and his breathing effort, as well as mechanical constraints such as blower momentum and propagation delays.
The Siemens Servo Ventilator 900B is a pneumatically powered ventilator which uses a scissor-like valve to control the inspiratory flow pattern (McPherson & Spearman, Respiratory Therapy Equipment, The C. V. Mosby Company, 1985, pp. 469–474).
Ventilators have been constructed to deliver an inspiratory waveform when one of pressure, volume, flow or time reaches a preset value. The variable of interest is considered an initiating or trigger variable. Time and pressure triggers are common. The Puritan Bennett 7200a ventilator is flow triggered. The Dräger Babylog ventilator is volume triggered. The Infrasonics Star Sync module allows triggering of the Infant Star ventilator by chest wall movement. The ventilator's inspiration cycle ends because some variable has reached a preset value. The variable that is measured and used to terminate inspiration is called the cycle variable. Time and volume cycled ventilators are known.
Many ventilators provide a Positive End-Expiratory Pressure (PEEP). Some of these ventilators use a valve (the PEEP valve) which allows the PEEP to be varied. Some devices, such as that taught by Ernst et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 3,961,627, provide a combination of pressure and flow control within one respiration cycle. A control cycle is divided into four phases I, II, III and IV. The respiration cycle and the control cycle do not necessarily have to fall together in time; mostly, however, phases I and II of the control cycle correspond to inspiration, and phases III and IV of the control cycle correspond to expiration. Phases I, III and IV are pressure-regulated, and phase II is flow-regulated. The doctor can choose the pressure course with the three control elements for the expiratory pressure decrease, the inflexion, and the final expiratory pressure. In phase III, the pressure proceeds from the pressure measured at the end of phase II according to a fixed pressure decrease dP/dt. When the pressure measured in phase III reaches the inflexion, the pressure proceeds linearly to the fixed final expiratory pressure. The part of the expiration from the inflexion to the end of the respiration cycle represents phase IV. The linear course of the pressure in the expiration represents a preferred embodiment, but could be replaced by another course of the pressure curve, for example, an exponential.
A spontaneously breathing patient exerts at least some effort to breath, however inadequate. A lack of synchrony between the respiratory cycle of the patient and that of the ventilator can lead to patient discomfort.
In Proportional Assist Ventilation (PAV), as described by Magdy Younes, the ventilator generates pressure in proportion to patient effort; the more the patient pulls, the higher the pressure generated by the machine. The ventilator simply amplifies patient effort without imposing any ventilatory or pressure targets. It is understood that the objective of PAV is to allow the patient to comfortably attain whatever ventilation and breathing pattern his or her control system sees fit. The PAV system is further discussed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,044,362, 5,107,830, 5,540,222 and 5,884,662.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,044,362, Younes describes a system that operates as follows:
(a) Inspired flow: When the high frequency components of the output of a velocity transducer in a line are filtered out, the remaining signal agrees very well with flow measured independently at the airway. Accordingly, the velocity signal in the line is passed through a low pass filter and the resulting signal is used as a command signal for the ventilator unit to produce pressure in proportion to inspired flow, which is said to provide resistive assist. A gain control permits the selection of the magnitude of the assist. In practice, the flow signal is permanently connected to a summing amplifier and a minimum gain is set to offset the resistance of the tubing. When a greater assist is required to offset the patient's own resistance, the gain is increased.
(b) Inspired volume: The signal related to inspired flow may be integrated to provide a measure of inspired volume. A signal proportional to pressure is subtracted to allow for piston chamber compression. The magnitude of the pressure signal that is subtracted is a function of the gas volume of the system, according to Boyle's law. When the resulting signal is routed to the summing amplifier, the ventilator unit develops pressure in proportion to inspired volume. The magnitude of the assist obtained again may be controlled by a gain device.
(c) Ramp generator: This mode of operation permits the ventilator unit to function independent of patient effort and provides a controlled ventilation. This function can be activated by the operator throwing a switch to bring the function generator into the circuit. Alternatively, provision may be made for the ramp generator to be routed automatically to the summing amplifier in the event of the failure of the patient to breathe spontaneously for a specified period of time.
(d) D.C. output: An adjustable DC output provided by an offset amplifier also is routed to the summing amplifier, to result in the generation of continuous pressure.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,535,738 (Estes et al.) describes a further PAV apparatus.
Life support ventilators such as the Puritan-Bennett 7200a allow for a very precise control of the pressure, volume and flow rates of air delivered to patients. However such life support ventilators are too expensive for home use in treating sleep disordered breathing costing in the order of AU $50,000 to 100,000.

Method and apparatus for improving the comfort of CPAP


A key includes a light-permeable body, a light-shading layer and a first dye layer. The light-shading layer is formed on the surface of the light-permeable body and has a first light-permeable area and a second light-permeable area. The first dye layer is formed on the first light-permeable area.

1. Field of Invention
The invention relates to a key and a keyboard, and, in particular, to a light-permeable key and a light-permeable keyboard.
2. Related Art
Nowadays, people use keyboards to operate various electronic apparatuses, such as a computer, a mobile phone, a telephone and the like. In the modern design, the keyboard must be friendly, artistic and various, so as to satisfy the requirements of the modern human beings.
As shown in FIG. 1A, a typical key 1 is formed by printing a symbol 12 on a surface 111 of an opaque body 11 to mark the function of this key.
Recently, as shown in FIG. 1B, the manufacturer has developed a new type of key, which is a light-permeable key 15 having a first pattern 16 formed on a surface 151 and a second pattern 17 formed on a bottom surface 152 opposite to the surface 151. The key has various impressions due to the different depths of the first pattern and the second pattern from a light source at. However, one key only transmit a single color light coming from the light source. That is, the single key only reveals one single color. If the different key has to display different colors, light sources with different colors have to be used, which inevitably increases the cost.
Thus, it is an important subject to develop keyboards with variety and decrease their manufacturing cost simultaneously.


A pixel structure including a first and a second pixel electrode is provided. The first pixel electrode includes a first main portion and first branches. The second pixel electrode includes a second main portion and second branches. The first and second main portions are disposed at an edge of a pixel region. The first and second branches respectively extend from the first and second main portions. The second branches and the first branches are arranged in alternation, and the first branch is parallel to the adjacent second branch. A first opening is formed at neighboring ends of the first main portion and the second main portion. The end of the first main portion has a first bending part, the first bending part is disposed at the edge of the pixel region, and an end of the second branch close to the first opening is surrounded by the first bending part.

1. Technical Field
The invention relates to a pixel structure. Particularly, the invention relates to an in-plane switching pixel structure.
2. Related Art
In a vertical alignment in-plane switching (VA-IPS) display panel, a VA-type liquid crystal is used in collaboration with IPS-type pixel electrodes to achieve both of the characteristics, where the pixel electrode generally has a plurality of branches and a plurality of alignment slits located between the branches. In the VA-IPS display panel, when a voltage is not applied, the liquid crystal molecules are vertically aligned, so that light cannot penetrate there through. When the voltage is applied, an electric field at two edges of each branch of the pixel electrode is stronger, and the liquid crystal molecules at such place tilt at first. However, the electric field at the slit center between the branches of the pixel electrodes is weaker. The liquid crystal molecules at the slit center of the pixel electrodes tilt along the both edges of the branches of the pixel electrodes and conflict to each other, so that the liquid crystal molecules at certain regions are still vertically aligned. Therefore, a disclination line is formed between the branches of the pixel electrode.
Generally, when the applied voltage is switched from a larger voltage to a smaller voltage, if the vertically-aligned liquid crystal molecules exist in the middle of the slit, the liquid crystal molecules at two edges of the slit are pulled by elasticity of liquid crystal to return to a correct tilting direction. However, if the liquid crystal molecules between the branches of the pixel electrode all lie down rather than vertically-aligned, the lying-down liquid crystal molecules in the middle of the slit are simultaneously pulled by elasticity from both edges in opposite directions, so that the lying-down liquid crystal molecules are not easy to return back to a vertically-aligned state. In this way, the disclination line can be abnormal or disappeared, which may result in a phenomenon of image retention of the display panel.
In the commonly used VA-IPS display panel, one pixel structure generally includes two pixel electrodes, and an opening is formed at a junction of the two intersected pixel electrodes. An external electric field probably influence the tilting direction of the internal liquid crystal molecules through the opening. In this way, the originally vertically-aligned liquid crystal molecules located between the pixel electrodes are probably interfered by the external electric field to lie down. Moreover, the lying-down liquid crystal molecules may influence a tilting direction of the other liquid crystal molecules along the disclination line, and result in a fact that the vertically-aligned liquid crystal molecules between the branches of the pixel electrodes sequentially lie down. Namely, the external electric field probably causes abnormity or disappearance of the disclination line, and the liquid crystal display panel has a defect of image retention.


An exemplary semiconductor device includes a source feature and a drain feature disposed over a substrate. The semiconductor device further includes a source via electrically coupled to the source feature, and a drain via electrically coupled to the drain feature. The source via has a first size; the drain via has a second size; and the first size is greater than the second size. The semiconductor device may further include a first metal line electrically coupled to the source via and a second metal line electrically coupled to the drain via. The source via has a first dimension matching a dimension of the first metal line, and the drain via has a second dimension matching a dimension of the second metal line. The first metal line may be wider than the second metal line.

The integrated circuit (IC) industry has experienced exponential growth. Technological advances in IC materials and designs have produced generations of ICs, where each generation has smaller and more complex circuits than the previous generation. In the course of IC evolution, functional density (i.e., the number of interconnected devices per chip area) has generally increased while geometry size (i.e., the smallest component (or line) that can be created using a fabrication process) has decreased. This scaling down process generally provides benefits by increasing production efficiency and lowering associated costs.
Such scaling down has also increased the complexity of processing and manufacturing ICs and, for these advances to be realized, similar developments in IC processing and manufacturing are needed. For example, it is understood that via landings on source/drain contact and metal lines may suffer high resistances. Such high resistances are particularly problematic for smaller technology nodes as it may negate any improvement in performance due to the reduced node size. Accordingly, although existing interconnect technologies are generally adequate for their intended purposes, they are not satisfactory in every aspect.

Semiconductor device with source and drain vias having different sizes

TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD


A method and a device for determining a placement region of an item are disclosed. The method according to the present disclosure comprises: acquiring position information of an electronic identification at a bar display screen; and determining the placement region of the item according to the position information and a preset mapping relationship.

With the development of the society, the level of productivity also gradually increases. Under the current time, the quantity of storage in the warehouse also exponentially increases. For example, in the industry such as logistics and supermarket, the quantity of items in the warehouse reaches a level measured by millions or even tens of millions. For a large quantity of items, how to effectively place and manage the items at shelves has become an important issue in the field or industry.
At present, during a process of determining the placement region of the item, it is generally required to manually divide the placement region of the item by a manner such as performing of color marking, physical isolation using partitions, or the like in the region at the shelf, and to determine the placement region of the item after the dividing. However, in practical applications, during the process of determining the placement region manually by the manner such as the performing of the marking or the physical isolation in the region at the shelf, the process is complicated, and needs much time consumption, which affects the efficiency of the process of determining the placement region of the item at the shelf.

Method and device for determining placement region of item


A method of constructing curvilinear structures utilizes an armature mast, an armature boom having a vertically and horizontally pivotable arm terminating in a reinforcing rod (rebar) tying guide, and associated hardware. The tying guide is aligned with a piece of vertical rebar, and a separate piece of horizontal rebar is placed adjacent and generally perpendicular to the vertical rebar for securing thereto. The tying guide is then moved to engage an adjacent piece of vertical rebar, and the horizontal piece is bent inwards for securing thereto. As the armature boom is moved about the mast and progressively raised, further vertical and horizontal pieces of rebar can be brought into juxtaposition and secured, thus generating a non-planar grid of rebar. An impermeable layer is placed over the grid, and a hardening material is applied to form a rigid shell. Further outside and inside base layers may be applied, and further outside and inside surface layers may be applied.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to building construction techniques, and more specifically to an improved method for constructing curvilinear structures.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Traditionally, buildings have been erected in generally rectangular configurations with the use of lumber, bricks, blocks and the like. These are rigid materials and may be most easily shaped with straight sides and square corners, which tends to require that structures built with such materials also have the same straight sides and square corners of rectangular configurations. Structures built from these materials have relatively low energy efficiency and require a high level of maintenance. They also tend to be fragile, and are more susceptible to storms, earthquakes, and fire than are other building shapes.
It is well known that curvilinear structures (such as domes) provide numerous benefits in structural integrity, longevity, and design flexibility. Structures with curved walls resist earthquakes, winds, snow loads, leaks, and the like, and are extremely energy efficient. However, the construction of curvilinear structures has been problematic.
Materials such as reinforced concrete can be molded into curved shapes, but forms are required to shape and support such materials in their initial fluid or plastic state. Since concrete forms have been generally constructed of lumber, it has been simpler and more economical to maintain the inherent rectilinear shape in the fabrication of forms and hence rectilinear concrete structures. Construction of wooden forms in complex curved shapes requires a great expenditure of materials, cost, time, and effort. In addition, building construction using concrete has necessitated the erection of two structures: first, wooden or foam forms are built, and secondly, the concrete is poured or sprayed and is temporarily held in place by the forms, then the wooden forms are removed and recycled or discarded.
Previous curvilinear structure construction utilized prefabricated elements or standardized parts limiting design flexibility and strength. Also, previous inventions required the use of off-standard utilities because the resultant structures had no flat walls. For example:
1. GEODESIC DOMES are usually made of wood; lack design flexibility; may constitute a fire hazard; use prefabricated panel kits, which create waste from endeavoring to construct triangular elements from rectangular materials; result in a conventional home built in a round space; and have off-standard utilities because there are no flat walls. PA0 2. AIRFORM-CAST CONCRETE STRUCTURES are ecologically dangerous in foam spraying; use Freon, a fluorocarbon that is damaging the ozone layer; lack design flexibility; have no flat walls; require specially trained workers to build; are a complex construction; and require specialized equipment and materials. PA0 3. STRUCTURAL FORM-CAST CONCRETE STRUCTURES such as those described in Pearcey et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,352,260 provide a pre-fabricated system consisting of a steel skeleton which serves both as the forming system and as structural members in the finished dome shell, but these lack design flexibility and have aesthetic limitations are more costly than curvilinear structures and have limited openings.

Method of constructing curvilinear structures


In an exemplary electromagnetic launcher, a housing with breech and muzzle is slidably supported in a carriage supported on a trunnion. First and second electrical contacts are mounted in the carriage toward an axis of the trunnion. The first and second contacts are electrically connectable to receive electrical power from an electrical power supply. First and second augmentation conductors are disposed aft of the trunnion and are electrically connected to the first and second electrical contacts. First and second main conductors extend from the breech toward the muzzle. A current cross-over connection is disposed toward the breech and electrically connects the first and second augmentation conductors with the first and second main conductors, respectively. The first and second electrical contacts and the first and second augmentation conductors may be engaged in slidable electrical contact over a portion of the first and second augmentation conductors, thereby accommodating recoil motion.

An electromagnetic launcher, or railgun, uses very high electrical current (on the order of millions of Amperes) to create an electromagnetic force, or Lorentz force, to accelerate projectiles. A simple rail gun is made of two parallel metal conductor rails (hence the name railgun) that are connected to an electrical power supply.
Electrical current is supplied from a positive terminal of the power supply to one of the conductor rails. The electrical current flows from the conductor rail through an electrically conductive projectile (that serves as an armature) across the bore of the rail gun to the other conductor rail and returns to a negative terminal of the power supply.
The flow of electrical current makes the railgun act like an electromagnet. To that end, a powerful magnetic field is created in the region of the rails up to the position of the projectile. In accordance with the right-hand rule, the created magnetic field circulates around each conductor. Because the electrical current flows in opposite directions along each rail, the net magnetic field between the rails is directed vertically. In combination with the electrical current flowing across the projectile (armature), a Lorentz force is produced which accelerates the projectile along the rails. Other forces acting on the rails attempt to push the rails apart. However, because the rails are firmly mounted, they cannot move. As a result, the projectile is able to slide along the rails away from the end with the power supply.
If a very large power supply (on the order of around a million Amperes of electrical current or so) is used, then the force on the projectile will be tremendous. By the time the projectile leaves the ends of the rails (that is, the muzzle), the projectile can be travelling at speeds on the order of several kilometers per second.
However, practical applications of electromagnetic launchers in the field typically encounter several issues. These issues include: (1) maintaining electrical contact during launcher recoil; (2) providing a fast rise in the launch forces for optimal acceleration profile (especially for rotating machine pulsed power supplies); and (3) providing a balanced assembly to facilitate launcher aiming.
Regarding the first issue, as does a conventional propellant gun, an electromagnetic launcher recoils during a launch event. Recoil forces are usually absorbed by springs and viscous dampers. However, in an electromagnetic launcher, electrical contact for very high electrical current (again, on the order of millions of Amperes) must be maintained during launcher recoil motion.
In the laboratory, electromagnetic launchers may attempt to maintain electrical contact during recoil in a number of ways. For example, stiff mounts may be used to prevent significant motion, massive launchers may be used to minimize motion, a coaxial brush arrangement may be located near the rearmost point of the launcher, and multiple, large coaxial or twisted cables may be used to provide a flexible connection.
The first three approaches are not practical for field applications where launcher mobility and aiming are necessary. Moreover, coaxial or twisted cables require large volumes to achieve adequate flexibility due to the large cable sizes and number of cables required. In addition, coaxial or twisted cables are difficult to cool when multiple launches are required during a short time.
Regarding the second issue, in order to take full advantage of electromagnetic launcher configurations, it is desired that the acceleration profile in the bore be nearly constant. In typical, known railguns, this requires very fast rise times for the current. Such fast rise times are especially difficult to achieve when rotating machines (that is, electrical generators) are used for the pulsed power supply.
In an attempt to achieve higher acceleration levels at lower current levels, augmented electromagnetic launchers have been developed. Augmented electromagnetic launchers reduce the current required to flow through the projectile body by using multiple current conductors in the launcher to augment the magnetic field with which the armature current interacts. Because these augmenting turns have been employed over the full length of the launcher, the need remains for fast current rise to maintain nearly constant acceleration, although the peak current levels needed are reduced. This reduction in current level is achieved at the expense of higher inductance electromagnetic launcher configurations, longer resistive paths for current flow, and higher residual energy stored in the magnetic field after launch. When the projectile exits an electromagnetic launcher, the magnetic field (that has stored residual energy) collapses and current continues to flow. The energy stored in the magnetic field is either dissipated in a large arc or contributes to inefficiency through component heating in a muzzle shunt, even if energy recovery techniques are employed. Because greater energy is stored in an augmented launcher, the losses are correspondingly greater, overall system efficiency is reduced, and cooling requirements are increased.
Augmentation can provide an advantage early in the launch by requiring a less demanding current rise rate for a pulsed power supply. However, the increased overall inductance requires a greater peak energy transfer during the entire launch. Therefore, an overall greater demand is placed upon the pulsed power supply.
Regarding the third issue, conventional propellant guns achieve a center of gravity (CG) closer to the breech than the muzzle because the high pressure following propellant ignition and subsequent lower pressures during launch and blow-down result in a tapered barrel configuration with massive breech assemblies. However, electromagnetic launcher forces are more uniform and do not lend themselves to tapered configurations in simple launchers. As a result, conventional electromagnetic launcher configurations are balanced about the mid-length of the launcher rather than toward the breech. Therefore, in developing a fielded platform difficult trades must be made between trunnion placement, swept volume on the platform interior, and aiming forces.
The foregoing examples of related art and limitations associated therewith are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations of the related art will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon a reading of the specification and a study of the drawings.

Electromagnetic launcher with augmenting breech