An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a rotary developer unit having a developing roll opposed to the image carrier when located at a developing position and an exposure device for writing a latent image onto the image carrier, wherein an optical path from the exposure device to the image carrier passes within a circumscribed circle of the developing roll with the center of rotation of the rotary developer unit as the center of the circle. The image carrier is located so as to provide the developing position above a horizontal line passing the center of rotation of the rotary developer unit, and the exposure device is located so as to provide a beam exit position below the horizontal line.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a printer, copier, and facsimile.
2. Description of a Related Art
As a color image forming apparatus, an apparatus for forming an image by a rotary developer unit having developing units of four colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black is known. Since the image forming apparatus of this type forms a color image by rotating the rotary developer unit to develop the image of the respective colors, other component parts such as a transfer device are disposed around the rotary developer unit (see JP-A-8-328348, JP-A-2001-175077, and JP-A-2002-341706).
However, when the exit position of a beam for writing a latent image onto an image carrier is approximated to the rotary developer unit in order to miniaturize the image forming apparatus, since the optical path is obstructed by the rotary developer unit, sometimes there is no choice but to make the incident angle of the beam on the image carrier larger relative to the normal line of the image carrier. Thus, if the incident angle of the beam on the image carrier becomes larger relative to the normal line of the image carrier, optical path shift due to manufacturing variations becomes easier to be produced, and, as a result, image defects are produced. In addition, a problem that the energy loss of the beam becomes larger sometimes arises.
Further, in the case where an exposure device is disposed below the rotary developer unit and the beam is output upwardly from the exposure device, sometimes the toner adheres to the exit portion of the beam and the image is disturbed.

Image forming apparatus using an image carrier and rotary developer unit


An enabling system that includes a controller and processing circuitry, is configured to enable an external oscillator that operates in one of single-ended, differential, and crystal modes. To enable the external oscillator, the controller is configured to detect a mode of operation of the external oscillator, and the processing circuitry is configured to operate in the detected mode. The controller detects the mode of operation of the external oscillator by sequentially initializing the processing circuitry to operate in the single-ended, differential, and crystal modes, and determining whether the current operating mode of the processing circuitry is same as the mode of operation of the external oscillator based on a clock signal outputted by the processing circuitry during the corresponding mode.

The present disclosure relates generally to electronic circuits, and, more particularly, to a system for enabling external oscillators in system-on-chips.
Typically, system-on-chips (SoCs) are coupled with external oscillators (i.e., oscillators that are external to the SoCs) for receiving various clock signals. The received clock signals are then utilized by the SoCs for executing various synchronous operations associated therewith. An external oscillator may operate in a single-ended mode, a differential mode, or a crystal mode. To utilize the external oscillator (i.e., one or more clock signals generated by the external oscillator) in an SoC, it is required to enable the external oscillator in the SoC. The SoC includes an enabling system for enabling the external oscillator in the SoC. The enabling system enables the external oscillator by operating in a same mode as that of the external oscillator. It is paramount for the enabling system to accurately enable the external oscillator as a mismatch between the operating modes of the external oscillator and the enabling system may lead to utilization of an unstable clock signal in the SoC, and in turn, an operational failure of the SoC. For example, if the enabling system operates in the crystal mode when the external oscillator is operating in the differential or single-ended mode, the resultant clock signal is unstable, and hence, leads to the operational failure of the SoC.
To operate in a same mode as that of the external oscillator, the enabling system is required to identify the operating mode of the external oscillator. It is difficult for the enabling system to identify the operating mode of the external oscillator when the SoC is unprogrammed (e.g., when information associated the external oscillator is unavailable to the enabling system). In such a scenario, the enabling system is required to include one or more pads that are utilized for identifying the operating mode of the external oscillator. For example, logic states of such pads are indicative of the operating mode of the external oscillator. However, the usage of such pads in the enabling system leads to an increase in a size and a manufacturing cost of the enabling system. The increase in the size and the manufacturing cost of the enabling system further leads to an increase in a size and a manufacturing cost of the SoC, respectively. Therefore, there exists a need for a technical solution that solves the aforementioned problems of existing enabling systems that enable external oscillators in SoCs.

System for enabling external oscillators in system-on-chips


A motor actuated screw device for the transmission of torque over articulating surfaces finding particular use in prosthetic devices used as mechanical artificial hands. The device employs a high torque motor mounted on a support platform which is attached to a cable or universal joint having at least one externally threaded cincture affixed to the cable. The placement of at least one articulating member hingedly mounted to the support platform with an internally threaded guide bushing affixed to the articulating member allows the cincture to be placed therethrough allowing the motion to rotate the cable/cincture causing the articulating member to rotate about the hinge connection to the support base. The use of multiple members attached to the articulating member together with hinges placed therebetween, allows the use of the instant device to move all of the members according to predetermined threaded engagement providing each member with nearly a direct torque transfer from the motor.

Motion transfer by use of cable provides superior characteristics in pulling and rotation, but obviously flounders in its ability to push unless the cable is rigid or contained. Shielded cables provide a mechanism for pulling and pushing a flexible cable by use of a stationary casing element. However, the shielded cable must be supported at both ends and becomes inefficient if the cable includes any type of bend. These problems are exemplified when a cable is employed in either an intricate setting or large scale operation. For instance, a robotic hand is an intricate device made operational by motion transfer cabling. The shielded cable is impractical for the size of the device and need for extreme bends. Conversely, the unshielded cable must have a level of rigidity, making it limited in its ability to provide motion transfer in both directions.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,080,682, issued to the instant inventor, teaches the use of an artificial robotic hand employing cables for motion transfer, the disclosure is incorporated by reference herein as if fully restated hereinafter. One objective of the '682 Patent is to provide an artificial hand prosthesis having hinged or articulating fingers and a thumb. The device is dependant upon control cables for individual movement of each member. An electric motor is coupled to a linear gear rack which in turn is connected to a stiff cable drawn to the end of the finger. In operation, the motor moves the rack in a forward direction causing the finger to bend along the linkage joints, reversal of the motor causes the finger to straighten. The use of a shielded cable is not cost effective and the severe bending required by the fingers is impractical due to the friction caused by the shield.
Thus, what is needed is a means for transferring torque having articulating members with minimal loss in torque transfer having particular use in robotics and providing a means for large torque transfer using a frictionless lead screw arrangement.


The present invention provides a magnetic doorstop, which is attached to the multidirectional joint of the existing sectional shelf. The doorstep includes a block type main part, which is of block type and has an mounting end and a holder; a clamp mouth, which is concave on the mounting end of the main part and displays a v-shape; and a magnetic part set on the holder of the main part. The magnetic doorstop can clamp the edge of corner recess of a multidirectional joint by the clamp mouth, and when the flexible door piece pivots to close, the magnetic part on the holder of the holding magnetic doorstop attracts the magnet at one corner of the frame bar of the flexible door piece and holds it. Thus, the flexible door piece can be held close.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a magnetic doorstop, and more particularly to an innovative doorstop, which can attach to the multidirectional joint of the existing sectional shelf.
2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98.
The conventional fixed shelf for placing articles is of great size which cannot be disassembled in transit; thus, the sectional shelf structural configuration (hereinafter referred to simply as sectional shelf) is developed to handle this problem. In recent years, due to competition, the structural configurations of the sectional shelf on the market are various with diversified shelf materials or structures of shelves available for consumers' choice.
The sectional shelf of the present invention, particularly a structure formed by connecting a plurality of frame shelves with multidirectional joints, has the advantages of simple structure, easy assembly and optimum extensibility, so it wins a big market share and owns a large amount of users on the current sectional furniture market.
As stated above, the users of said sectional shelf are numerous, therefore, to satisfy diversified demands for use, the inventor is devoted to adding functions and values, such as adding a door piece. The mounting of door piece can enclose the compartment of the sectional shelf and meet some needs; however, once the door piece is added, how to mount the door piece on the existing sectional shelf and how to get it in proper place become problems. The existing sectional shelf structure should not be changed if possible; thus, the users of existing sectional shelf can assemble this door piece without the need of buying new sectional shelf.
Thus, to overcome the aforementioned problems of the prior art, it would be an advancement in the art to provide an improved structure that can significantly improve efficacy.
Therefore, the inventor has provided the present invention of practicability after deliberate design and evaluation based on years of experience in the production, development and design of related products.


Primary cultures of purified olfactory neurons can be stimulated with physiological levels of odorants. The neurons of the cultures express markers characteristic of mature olfactory neurons in vivo, such as vimentin, olfactory marker protein and neuron-specific enolase. The cultures are useful for screening for odorants and antagonists, as well as for biochemical and physiological studies of olfactory transduction.

Olfactory transduction discriminates with great accuracy and sensitivity among a multitude of volatile, low molecular weight compounds (Lancet, D. (1986) Ann. Rev. Neurosci., 9:329-355; Snyder, S. H., Sklar, P. B. and Pevsner, J. (1988) J. Biol. Chem., 263:13971-13974), but compared to visual transduction, it is relatively poorly understood. One difficulty lies in the heterogeneity of olfactory epithelium in which the olfactory neurons reside. The olfactory primary sensory neurons are located in a pseudostratified columnar epithelium consisting of three principal cell types (Graziadei, P. P. C. (1971) The olfactory mucosa of vertebrates. In: Handbook of Sensory Physiology, Vol. I. (Ed. Beidler, L. M.), Springer Verlag, Berlin, pp. 27-58). The sustentacular or supportive cells resemble glial cells and stretch from the epithelial surface of the basal lamina. Cell bodies of the sensory neurons lie at various levels in the epithelial layer and extend apical dendrites to the surface of the epithelium and unmyelinated axons through the basal lamina. The third cell type, the basal cell, underlies the receptor neurons and is thought to serve as a precursor population from which new olfactory neurons can arise. Isolation of receptor neurons from these other cell types has been difficult, thereby limiting ability to perform biochemical analysis.
Several attempts have been made to obtain populations of primary olfactory neurons. Initial efforts employed in vitro culture of the entire olfactory epithelium (Gonzales, et al., (1985) J. Neurosci. Methods, 14:77-90; Noble et al., (1984) Neurosci. Letts, 45:193-198). N-ethylmaleimide has been used to dissociate olfactory epithelium cells into single cells, which, however, lose excitable properties (Kleene, S. J. and (Gesteland, R. C. (1981) Brain Res., 229:536-540). Hirsch, J. D. and Margolis, F. L. (1979) Brain Res., 16:277-291, have employed enzymatic dissociation followed by general mechanical disruption with dissociated cells centrifuged through a bovine serum albumin (BSA) gradient, yielding a partially purified population of cells. Others (Calof, A. L. and Chikaraishi, D. M., (1989) Neuron, 3:115-127; Pixley, S. K. and Pun, R. Y. K. (1990) Develop. Brain Res., 53:125-130) have devised methods to perform lineage analysis and electrophysiologic studies on embryonic olfactory neuronal cells but the neuronal cells were not in pure cultures and were, therefore not amenable to biochemical studies.
Thus there is a need in the art for relatively pure populations of primary olfactory neurons which retain their excitability in response to odorants.


A semiconductor package assembly and method for electrically isolating modules, having a capacitor within the semiconductor package assembly. The package assembly and method are suitable for electrically isolating modules according to IEEE 1394.

Computers are routinely used to receive and process data from peripheral devices such as digital cameras and digital video recorders. The peripheral devices typically transfer data to a computer via a serial bus. Viewing images captured by these peripheral devices in real-time, for example, requires the peripheral device to transfer a relatively large amount of data to the computer in a relatively short amount of time. In the past, computers used a Universal Serial Bus ("USB") to transfer such data, but a USB cannot guarantee real-time viewing of digital transmissions due to its inherent limitations. Thus, the IEEE 1394 standard was developed to allow simple, low-cost, high-bandwidth, real-time data interfacing between computers and peripherals without significant signal degradation.
IEEE 1394 is a nonproprietary, high-speed, serial bus input/output standard. It provides a comprehensive standard for connecting digital devices, including personal computers and consumer electronics hardware. It is also platform-independent, scalable (expandable), and flexible in supporting peer-to-peer (roughly, device-to-device) connections. IEEE 1394 preserves data integrity by eliminating the need to convert digital signals into analog signals. Created for desktop networks by Apple Computer, which called the technology FIREWIRE™, and further developed by the IEEE 1394 working group, it is considered a low-cost interface for devices such as digital cameras, camcorders, and multimedia devices. In addition, it is seen as a means of integrating personal computers and home electronics equipment.
FIG. 1 illustrates peer-to-peer connections according to the IEEE 1394 standard. A computer 102 in a room 104 is communicatively coupled to a computer 106 in a room 108 via a serial bus 105. Another serial bus 109 is used to communicatively couple the computer 106 to another computer 110 in another room 112. Each computer on the network includes networking components that implement IEEE 1394.
FIG. 2 illustrates the IEEE 1394 networking components 200 that include a physical layer chip ("PHY") 202 and a link layer chip ("LINK") 204. The LINK chip 204 contains the networking intelligence to process and generate networking signals, such as arbitration signals and packets. The PHY chip 202 is the physical interface by which the computer system may receive or send networking information to and from the serial bus. The PHY chip 202 also serializes the data from the LINK chip 204 if the data is to be sent out to the serial bus 220, and likewise deserializes the data from the cable to be sent to the LINK chip 204 in parallel format. There are typically at least fourteen wires that communicatively couple the PHY chip 202 to the LINK chip 204.
IEEE 1394 specifies that all devices connected to a serial bus have the same reference ground potential as provided by the ground wire of the serial bus. IEEE 1394 recognizes, however, that separate devices connected to the bus may have different ground potentials. Such voltage differences could result in direct current flowing from the device having the higher ground potential to the device having the lower ground potential. Not only could such a current flow cause signal degradation, but it could cause damage to circuitry within the device as well. Thus, IEEE 1394 recommends that the ground wire of the serial bus be electrically isolated from the rest of the networking components in order that all PHY chips connected to a serial bus operate on the same isolated ground domain.
FIG. 2 illustrates the recommended arrangement for electrical isolation of the PHY 202 and LINK 204 networking components. The ground 216 of the LINK chip 204 is coupled to the computer's chassis (not shown) as a reference. The ground 212 of the PHY chip is coupled to the ground 213 of the serial bus 220. A parallel configuration of a capacitor 208 and a resistor 206 effectively isolate the ground 213 of the serial bus 220 from the ground 216 of the LINK chip 204. The PHY and LINK chips are communicatively coupled by capacitors 214.
This approach works well, but it is incompatible with the trend to reduce the size of electronic devices. Two major reasons account for the desire to decrease the size, shape, and configuration of electronic devices. First, smaller footprint circuitry allows a reduction in the trace lines that go from any pin on an integrated circuit package to the pad on a die, helping to increase signal integrity. Second, smaller components occupy less space on a printed circuit board, thus allowing more room for other useful components on the same printed circuit board. Hence, the solution offered by IEEE 1394 using an external capacitor and resistor to electrically isolate the PHY and LINK chips creates unnecessary bulkiness through use of additional electronic components. And while combined PHY-LINK chips are commercially available, such chips operate on the same ground potential and thus are unsuitable for distributed systems where differences in ground potential may exist. Thus, there is a need for structures for connecting digital devices while isolating them from undesired direct current while also conforming with the trend toward miniaturization of electronic devices.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Semiconductor package assembly and method for electrically isolating modules


Circuits, methods, and apparatus provide for the storage of texture descriptors in a graphics memory. Since the texture descriptors are stored in a graphics memory, they do not need to be stored in the graphics processor itself, thus reducing graphics processor circuitry and cost. This allows more textures to be associated with each graphics primitive, thereby improving image realism.

Computer graphics images are formed by combining a collection of primitives, otherwise known as geometries, such as rectangles, triangles, and lines that have visibility, color, and texture information associated with them. In computer systems, a graphics processor operates on these primitives and associated textures to determine the color intensity of individual pixels on the monitor. One particular circuit in the graphics processor, a shader, combines primitives and their associated textures to generate fragments, which are later converted to the individual pixels.
In conventional systems, these textures are identified by texture descriptors that are provided to a graphics processor via an accelerated graphics port (AGP) bus. These texture descriptors are stored on the graphics processor, used, and replaced by new texture descriptors as needed. As one example, 16 texture descriptors are cached on a specific graphics processor at a time. Each texture descriptor typically includes texture state information such as, but not limited to, the texture's base address (or base addresses, since each MIP layer may need its own), width, height, stride, texel format, wrap properties, border properties, and texture filter type. The textures themselves are stored in a frame buffer or graphics memory connected to the graphics processor, and a subset of these may be cached in the graphics processor for fast access.
There is a great demand on graphics processors to deliver ever more realistic images. One way of achieving greater realism is to use a larger number of textures in generating an image. For example, current graphics images are now requiring over 500 textures for each image frame. Each texture descriptor is large, (for example, there may be several hundred bits of information per texture descriptor) and having them available on the graphics processor requires an increase in processor memory, thus raising the cost of manufacturing the graphics processor.
Thus, what is needed are circuits, methods, and apparatus for making greater numbers of textures available to a graphics processor such that more realistic images may be generated, without the need to store all the texture descriptors on the graphics processor.

Processing high numbers of independent textures in a 3-D graphics pipeline


In a photosensor in the pixel region of an active matrix substrate, the potential of a storage node is read out to output wiring as sensor circuit output, the potential of the storage node having changed in accordance with the amount of light received by a photodetection element in a sensing period, the sensing period being from when a reset signal (RS) is supplied until when a readout signal (RW) is supplied. A sensor startup period whose length is greater than or equal to the length of the sensing period is provided after a sensor data unnecessary period in which the sensor circuit output is not necessary, and furthermore before a valid sensor data period in which the sensor circuit output is necessary, and the sensor circuit output is read out in the valid sensor data period from the photosensor to which the reset signal was applied in the sensor startup period.

Conventionally, there has been proposed a display device with a photosensor that, due to including a photodetection element such as a photodiode inside a pixel, can detect the brightness of external light and pick up an image of an object that has come close to the display. Such a display device with a photosensor is envisioned to be used as a bidirectional communication display device or display device with a touch panel function.
In a conventional display device with a photosensor, when using a semiconductor process to form known constituent elements such as signal lines, scan lines, TFTs (Thin Film Transistors), and pixel electrodes on an active matrix substrate, photodiodes or the like are formed at the same time on the active matrix substrate (see PTL 1).
FIG. 15 shows an example of a conventional photosensor (PTL 2 and 3) formed on an active matrix substrate. The conventional photosensor shown in FIG. 15 is configured by a photodiode D1, a capacitor C2, and a transistor M2. The anode of the photodiode D1 is connected to wiring for supplying a reset signal RS. The cathode of the photodiode D1 is connected to one of the electrodes of the capacitor C2 and the gate of the transistor M2. The drain of the transistor M2 is connected to wiring for supplying a constant voltage Vsup. Note that sensor circuit output data SData of the photosensor is output from the source of the transistor M2. The other electrode of the capacitor C2 is connected to wiring for supplying a readout signal RW
In this configuration, sensor circuit output data SData that is in correspondence with the amount of light received by the photodiode D1 can be obtained by supplying the reset signal RS and the readout signal. RW in accordance with respective predetermined timing. Next is a description of the operation of the conventional photosensor shown in FIG. 15, with reference to FIG. 16. Note that in FIG. 16, the low level (e.g., −4 V) of the reset signal RS is indicated as −Vb, and the high level (e.g., 8 V) of the readout signal RW is indicated as Vrw. It should also be noted that the high level of the reset signal RST is considered to be 0 V, and the low level of the readout signal RW is considered to be 0 V.
A sensing sequence of the photosensor shown in FIG. 15 is described below in three parts, namely (A) readout period, (B) reset period, and (C) sensing period.
(A) Readout period
The readout period corresponds to the period in which the readout signal RW is at the high level. While the readout signal RW is at the high level, the potential VINT of a storage node is "pulled up" via the capacitor C2. Note that the storage node is a connection point between the capacitor C2, the cathode of the photodiode D1, and the gate of the transistor M2. At this time, letting the storage node potential immediately before readout be V0, the capacitance of the capacitor C2 be Cst, the total in-circuit capacitance be Ctotal, and the amplitude of the readout signal RW be Vrw, the potential VINT of the storage node can be obtained by the below expression.VINT=Cst/Ctotal·Vrw+V0
Then, due to the "pulled-up" potential VINT exceeding the threshold value of the transistor M2, the transistor M2 is turned on, and the sensor data SData is output. At this time, letting the threshold value of the transistor M2 be Vth, the current value of a constant current source be I, and the conductance of the transistor M2 be β, the potential Vout of SData can be obtained by the below expression.Vout≈VINT−Vth−(2I/β)1/2
(B) Reset period
Due to the reset signal RS switching to the high level (0 V), a forward current flows to the photodiode D1, and the potential VINT of the storage node is reset to 0 V.
(C) Sensing period
The sensing period starts when the reset signal has returned from the high level to the low level. In other words, after the storage node has been reset in the reset period as mentioned above, the reset signal RS switches to the low level (−Vb), and thus the photodiode D1 becomes reverse biased. Then, the storage node changes to the −Vb direction due to a photocurrent that is in accordance with the amount of light that has been incident on the photodiode D1.
The above-described (A) readout period, (B) reset period, and (C) sensing period are considered to be one cycle, and sensor data is read out from the photosensor by repeatedly performing this cycle.
Citation List
Patent Literature
PTL 1: JP 2006-3857A
PTL 2: WO 2007/145346
PTL 3: WO 2007/145347


The present invention relates to a vacuum pump, and more particularly, to an inline vacuum pump. The inline vacuum pump according to the present invention comprises a cylinder-type housing, an ejector, and a guide which are mounted in series on the upper side and the lower side in the housing, and a gripper connector coupled to the lower portion of the housing. The guide is provided with a passage and a path through which compressed air is discharged and exhaust air is absorbed. According to the present invention, device design and production are easier than in the related art, and a vacuum is generated and maintained in a stable manner. Also, the ejector can be relatively freely selected and applied.

Generally, the term vacuum pump refers to a device that discharges air from a certain space using high-speed compressed air in a vacuum transfer system. Among the various types of vacuum pump, a so-called "inline vacuum pump" refers to a vacuum pump that is configured such that a compressed-air supply line and an exhaust line are arranged in line with each other. This inline vacuum pump is very advantageous in terms of the design of the transfer system, because it does not require an additional pumping means. Examples of an inline vacuum pump are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,222,901 and Korean Patent No. 817254.
Referring to FIG. 1, the vacuum pump according to U.S. Pat. No. 7,222,901 includes a cylindrical housing 1, an ejector nozzle 2 which is mounted to an inner wall of the housing 1 in such a way as to be in close contact therewith, and a vacuum gripper 3 which is connected to a nozzle intake 6 of the housing 1. Further, an outlet 5 is formed at a predetermined position of the housing 1. Particularly, the nozzle 2 is delicately designed in the form of a double pipe that is bent and branched at an end thereof. An inner pipe 2a extends from an inlet 4 provided on one end of the pump to the outlet 5, while an outer pipe 2b extends from the intake 6 provided on the other end of the pump to the inlet 4 of the inner pipe.
In such a configuration, when the compressed air introduced at high speed is discharged via the inner pipe 2a, internal air of the gripper 3 moves along a gap between the inner pipe 2a and the outer pipe 2b and then is put into the inlet 4, so that the internal air is discharged along with the compressed air. During the exhaust process, a vacuum is created in the gripper 3, thus allowing an object to be gripped and transferred.
However, the conventional pump is problematic in that it is complicated and difficult to design, arrange and implement the components including the nozzle 2 that is delicately designed in structure. Moreover, since the universal nozzle or ejector is never applied to the pump, it is difficult to use the pump in practice.
Referring to FIG. 2, the vacuum pump according to Korean Patent No. 817254 includes a fixed pipe 7 that is secured to an additional structure, a cylindrical slider 8 that passes through the fixed pipe 7 and is arranged to be movable up and down, and a vacuum pump portion 9 that is mounted to an interior of the slider 8 in such a way as to not be in contact therewith. Further, an outlet 10 is formed at a predetermined position of the slider 8. Particularly, the slider 8 is closed at a gripper-side end 11. Around the gripper-side end, an intake passage 12 extending between the gripper and the interior of the slider 8 and a discharge passage 13 extending between the vacuum pump portion 9 and the outlet 10 are designed and processed. Here, an outlet-side end of the vacuum pump portion 9 is fitted into and connected to an entrance of the discharge passage 13.
In this configuration, when compressed air introduced at high speed passes through the vacuum pump 9 and is discharged, the internal air of the gripper flows along the intake passage 12 into the slider 8, and then is introduced into the vacuum pump portion 9 via through holes 14 to be discharged along with the compressed air. During the exhaust process, a vacuum is created in the gripper, thus allowing an object to be gripped and transferred.
However, the conventional pump is also problematic in that it is complicated and difficult to design and implement the components including the intake passage 12 and the discharge passage 13, in terms of structure. The pump also has a problem in terms of function; as the vacuum pump portion 9 moves up and down along with the slider 8, it is unstable in creating and maintaining a vacuum. Meanwhile, since the end of the vacuum pump portion 9 should be air-tightly coupled with the discharge passage 13, there is a limit in selecting a size of the vacuum pump portion, especially a length thereof.


The present invention relates to a long-acting human follicle-stimulating hormone formulation having improved in vivo duration and stability, comprising a human follicle-stimulating hormone conjugate that is prepared by covalently linking human follicle-stimulating hormone with an immunoglobulin Fc region via a non-peptidyl polymer, and a preparation method thereof. The long-acting human follicle-stimulating hormone formulation of the present invention maintains in vivo activity of human follicle-stimulating hormone at a relatively high level and remarkably increases the serum half-life thereof.

Infertility is the failure of a couple to conceive a pregnancy after regular sexual intercourse over a given period of time, typically one year, but in some cases 2-3 years. On average, 85% of married couples will have a pregnancy in one year, and a study showed that 25% conceived within 1 month, 70% within 6 months, and 85% within 1 year. After fertility reaches its peak at about the age of 24 in both men and women, the time to conception increases two-fold for every five years they get older. Fertility sharply diminishes from about the age of 35.
The causes of infertility can involve one or both partners. When the problem exists within the male partner, it is referred to as male infertility, and within the female partner, it is referred to as female infertility. According to statistics, male or female infertility accounts for 70% of all infertility cases. Approximately 20% of them are caused by a mix of male and female factors, and approximately 10-15% of them by unknown factors.
The global infertility treatment market exceeded one billion dollars in 2006, and the annual growth rate was around 6%, and it is expected to exceed 1.2 billion dollars in 2011. In Korea, the market sharply increased from 9 billion won in 2006 to 12 billion won in 2007, and a remarkable growth is expected in the coming five years.
A fertility drug is also called an ovulatory stimulant, which is represented by human follicle-stimulating hormone. Human follicle-stimulating hormone is a glycoprotein hormone that is produced by the pituitary gland and released into the endocrine system, and consists of non-covalently linked alpha- and beta-subunits that have 92 and 111 amino acids, respectively, and there are two asparagines-linked carbohydrate chains on each subunit (Mol Hum Reprod, 1996; 2(5): 371-382).
Insufficient production or secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone fails to induce ovulation, leading to infertility in women, and also fails to produce an adequate number of sperms, leading to infertility in men. Therefore, follicle-stimulating hormone has been used for the treatment of infertility, and it was isolated and purified from the urine of women at first. Like other protein drugs, 80% or more thereof have been currently replaced with recombinant products because of safety concerns. The recombinant products are represented by 'Gonal-F' of Merck-Serono (MSD), 'Puregon' of Organon, etc.
It has been known that ovulation disorders and tubal blockage account for 35%, endometriosis accounts for 20%, and unknown factors account for 10% of female infertility. Assisted reproductive technology, including in-vitro fertilization embryo transfer (IVF-ET), gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT), zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT), and intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), have been used for the treatment of female infertility. These procedures require ovulation induction, which is performed by the use of human follicle-stimulating hormone. This hormone is also used for anovulatory women. The causes of male infertility are largely divided into sperm disorders and anatomical abnormalities, and the low sperm count can be treated with the use of human follicle-stimulating hormone.
In the treatment of female infertility by assisted reproductive technology, FSH is usually given at an initial dose of 150 IU-225 IU up to 450 IU once a day, on day 2 or 3 of the ovulation cycle, for 5 days up to 20 days until follicle development is adequate. In the treatment of anovulation, FSH is usually given at an initial dose of 75-150 IU, and if necessary, at a dose of 37.5 IU or 75 IU up to 225 IU once a day at 7 or 14 day intervals for up to 4 weeks. In the treatment of male infertility, FSH is usually given at a dose of 150 IU up to 300 IU three times a week for up to 18 months.
As compared to urine-derived human follicle-stimulating hormone, recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone currently used is improved in terms of purification yield and stability of supply, especially in terms of safety. However, it is still disadvantageous in that patients should be given treatment for ten consecutive days during a treatment period, and infertile male patients should be treated for up to 18 months, imposing a high economic burden on the patients. Such infertility treatments should be continued in both men and women until a successful pregnancy is achieved. Therefore, it is important to reduce the treatment frequency in terms of patient's convenience and cost reduction, and there is an urgent need to develop long-acting products, similar to the strategies for the development of other protein drugs.
By this demand, studies on long-acting products have been conducted to develop hyperglycosylated FSH (MerckSerono) and CTP (carboxy terminal peptide)-attached FSH-CTP formulation (Schering-plough), which are currently under clinical trials. Of them, hyperglycosylated FSH was prepared by the substitution of the relevant amino acid residues in order to increase the half-life of native FSH (WO-2005020934), and is currently under phase II clinical trial. However, it has been reported that the resulting increase in half-life is less than 2-fold, being shorter than that of FSH-CTP (corifollitropin alfa), and immunological problems are also generated due to modification of amino acids. FSH-CTP (U.S. Pat. No. 5,585,345) was prepared by linking the N-terminal peptide of FSH beta subunit with the C-terminal peptide of the beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin, which is one of the gonadotropic hormones. The CTP unit contains four glycosylation sites at the serine residues to remarkably increase the serum half-life of hCG, compared to FSH (Hum Reprod, 2002; 17(8): 1987-1993). At present, FSH-CTP is under schering-plough's phase III clinical trial, and its efficacy on the assisted reproduction program for female patients was known to be similar to that of FSH. Reportedly, the pregnancy rates of native and long-acting forms were about 38%, and FSH-CTP can be prepared as a once-a-week formulation. As described above, follicle development usually takes 10 days, even though there are differences between patients. Thus, additional treatment of native FSH may be required when an assisted reproduction program is conducted using the once-a-week formulation. Further, the initial dose of FSH-CTP exceeds the total dose of native FSH given for one week, which may increase the risk of side-effects such as ovarian hyper-stimulation syndrome.

Long-acting human follicle-stimulating hormone formulation using immunoglobulin fragment


Example embodiments involve modular paging device to pass incoming messages off, through Wi-Fi or cellular data, to a central server. This central server handles a response request, and sends the message to a corresponding pager address found within a pager network, allowing a closed loop two-way communication handled through a graphical user interface which may be displayed at the client device.

Current paging technology is cumbersome and out of date, forcing restrictions with accessibility and utility on its users. Pagers generally include receiving circuitry to receive a signal from a remote transmitting station and respond with an audio or visual notifications to notify a user of the page. To satisfy the paging function, pagers differ from telephone equipment in that pagers do not include transmission capabilities, but only receiver capabilities. Pagers do not support real time, two-way communication.
Presently, a majority of hospitals utilize pagers as a means of communication between healthcare providers due to the low cost, battery life, and robust network architecture. Despite these benefits, pagers still come with significant drawbacks and limitations as a result of the limited of two-way communication, and limited display capabilities.


Flat glass provided with precision structures is required for precision applications, especially for glasses with optical properties, for example for modern flat display screen glass. The process of the invention for hot forming precision structures in or on flat glass includes pressing a heated forming tool with a structuring surface into a surface of the flat glass. In this process the structuring surface of the forming tool is heated locally from the outside of the forming tool, prior to and/or during contacting of the forming tool with the glass surface until a predetermined surface depth corresponding to a height of the structures being formed has reached a process temperature at which a melting to form the structures occurs on contacting the forming tool to the glass surface. The local heating of the structuring surface (2) is performed by laser radiation which is passed through the flat glass (3) to the structuring surface (2). Alternatively an inductive or resistance heating can be performed.

The present invention relates to a process for hot forming precision structures in or on flat glass, especially plate glass, in which a heated forming tool is pressed with its structuring surface on one side of the flat glass. The invention also relates to an apparatus for performing that process.
Flat glass provided with large-scale precision structures is required for precision applications, especially in the optical glass field. This type of glass includes, for example display panels of new generation flat display screen devices (Plasma Display Panels (PDP), Plasma Addressed Liquid Crystal (PALC)). Micro-channel structures for control of individual lines or columns, which extend over the entire active display screen width or height and in which a plasma is ignited by electric discharge, are provided in this flat display screen glass. The boundary of an individual channel at both sides or ends is provided by a rectangular crosspiece whose width is as small as possible (i.e. <100 .mu.m). In order to obtain a sufficient discharge volume, the height of the crosspiece is substantially larger than its width. The spacing of the crosspieces should be as small as possible. Currently typical values of between 360 .mu.m and 640 .mu.m are achieved in small scale production. The height of the crosspieces amounts to from about 150 .mu.m to 250 .mu.m at a width of from 50 .mu.m to 100 .mu.m.
During the structuring of this flat display screen glass, which for example is a 25"-PALC screen of a size of 360 mm.times.650 mm, the exact lateral dimensioning, relative positioning and reproducibility of the channel and thus the stability of the forming tool are crucial because of the later positioning of the electrodes. With a method based on hot shaping by means of a conventional Chromium-Nickel-Steel tool, the thermal expansion coefficient amounts to about 12.times.10.sup.-6 /K. For example, for a tool length of about 360 mm, as required for a 25"-PALC display screen, this always causes a length change of about 4 .mu.m per K temperature fluctuation. Considering that the required positioning accuracy of the electrodes in the micro-channels is in the range of .+-.10 .mu.m, a temperature fluctuation of .+-.2.5 K can cause considerable problems. The permissible temperature fluctuations are considerably reduced in the larger display screens, for example 42"-display screens.
The problems are similar in other applications of flat glass with precision structures.
Existing specifications limit however the possible applications of conventional hot forming methods, such as rolling or pressing. Two different process variants of the conventional hot forming methods exist.
The hot pressing occurs with very hot glass. The forming tool, a roller or press member provided with a suitable structure, is cooled, so that energy is drawn from the hot glass and solidification of the structure occurs.
In cold pressing an energy input occurs by means of a forming tool, which comprises a roller or a press member and is heated by a suitable energy source.
Conventional hot shaping methods have the following disadvantages:
When a contact between the glass and a press or roll tool acting as the forming tool occurs only for a short time, i.e. prior to solidification the work tool is removed from the glass, because of flow of the glass structure, a strong rounding occurs after this contact. PA1 In a long-duration contact which is used in a cold-pressing method, intolerable stresses arise because of strong temperature differences and different thermal expansions of the tool and glass. PA1 Since the forming tool is heated completely in a conventional hot shaping, in order to achieve a sufficient surface temperature on the contact surface for the glass, high non-reproducible temperatures occur in the required precision range of .+-.2 K (with typical work tool steels and glass surface areas required by the specifications), which lead to intolerable deformation of the work tool. PA1 A higher tool wear, which requires a replacement of the forming tool, occurs during the making of structured glass with reduced structure radii.
It is more difficult to prevent adherence of the tool to the glass in both methods with increasing tool temperature.
An additional essential requirement of the method of making these glasses is the maintenance of a stable production process, in which the local distribution and form of the structures are kept extremely constant. Additional limitations of the conventional hot forming are as follows:
The corresponding disadvantages are also present in the process described in DE 38 08 380 A1 for impressing programs on glass disks, in which a pre-pressed glass disk with a smooth surface is heated by a radiator plate in a limited surface region and, after that, is immediately provided with the desired surface structure by an impressing stamp.

Process and apparatus for hot forming precision structures in flat glass


The invention relates to a method for investigating a sample with regard to the lifetime of an excited state, in particular a fluorescence lifetime, and/or with regard to a property of a sample which is correlated with a lifetime of an excited state, in particular with a fluorescence lifetime, a sample region being illuminated with a sequence of excitation light pulses. The method is characterized in that the light quantity and/or number of photons of the detected light, in particular fluorescent light, proceeding from the sample region is measured temporally between the excitation light pulses exclusively within a detection time window in each case, at least two detection time windows having different temporal lengths.

Important knowledge about the properties of a sample can be acquired by investigating the lifetime of the excited states of the sample marked with one or more fluorescent dyes. In particular when multiple fluorescent dyes are used, with the aid of fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM), for example, it is possible to acquire knowledge about a sample region being investigated, for example its composition or environment. In cell biology, for example, the calcium concentration in a sample region can be inferred indirectly by measuring the lifetime of the fluorescent dyes.
FLIM is, in particular, a technique with which the various fluorescence decay times (caused e.g. by the use of various dyes or by different microenvironments) can be depicted as contrast in a microscopic image. Here the fluorescence decay times measured are depicted pixel by pixel, different colors being associated, for example, with pixels having different fluorescence decay times.
There are numerous methods for measuring the lifetime of the excited states of fluorescent dyes. Some of these methods are described in detail in chapters 4 and 5 of the textbook by Joseph R. Lakowicz, "Principles of Fluorescence Spectroscopy," Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, second ed., 1999. For example, it is possible to modulate the power output of the excitation light over time in order to infer, from the phase delay of the emitted light, the lifetime of the excited state.
It is also possible to excite the fluorescent dyes using short light pulses so that the time offset of the emitted light pulses can be measured electronically. DE 10 2004 017 956 A1, for example, discloses a microscope for investigating the lifetime of excited states in a sample, having at least one light source that generates excitation light and having at least one detector that receives the detected light proceeding from the sample. The microscope is characterized in that the light source contains a semiconductor laser that emits pulsed excitation light, an adjusting apparatus being provided for adjusting the pulse repetition rate to the specific lifetime properties of the sample.
The electronic system necessary for data evaluation in particular is offered commercially, often in the form of plug-in PC cards. A time-measuring card of this kind is, however, very complex and expensive.

Method and apparatus for investigating a sample with regard to the lifetime of an excited state


A system and method of stacking chairs which includes arranging stackable chairs in multiple substacks separately coupled together, and mounting one substack on another with a forklift using auxiliary lift means removably provided on each substack to be lifted. According to another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for palletizing stackable chairs of the type having frames configured such that, when stacked, each stacked chair is offset toward the front of the chair on which it is stacked, the method comprising providing a pallet having an upper surface defining a generally horizontal plane and having a riser on the upper surface proximate the perimeter thereof, and creating a stack of the chairs on the pallet with the front legs of the bottom chair on the riser.

This invention relates to stacking chairs on a pallet and to a method to facilitate loading and unloading of chairs on a pallet for transportation or storage. Full stacks of chairs can reach heights of 96″ or more and, at such heights, are difficult to unload by hand. Also, as shown in FIG. 1A, a conventional stack of chairs can develop a steadily increasing forward lean or offset with each successive chair, which contributes to instability as well as a larger footprint.


A throttling and intake control system transitions between activated and deactivated modes in a displacement on demand engine. The throttling and intake control system includes an intake manifold pressure sensor that generates an intake manifold pressure signal and a controller that calculates a pressure window based on the manifold pressure and an engine speed signal. The controller transitions the engine from the activated mode to the deactivated mode when the measured intake manifold pressure is greater than the maximum limit of the pressure window. The controller transitions the engine from the deactivated mode to the activated mode when the intake manifold pressure is less than the lower limit of the pressure window.

Some internal combustion engines include engine control systems that deactivate cylinders under low load situations. For example, an eight cylinder can be operated using four cylinders to improve fuel economy by reducing pumping losses. This process is generally referred to as displacement on demand or DOD. Operation using all of the engine cylinders is referred to as an activated mode. A deactivated mode refers to operation using less than all of the cylinders of the engine (one or more cylinders not active).
To smoothly transition between the activated and deactivated modes, the internal combustion engine must produce sufficient drive torque with a minimum of disturbances. Otherwise, the transition will not be transparent to the driver. In other words, excess torque will cause engine surge and insufficient torque will cause engine sag, which degrades the driving experience.
Conventional engine control systems transition between the activated and deactivated modes based on preload, spark retard and/or torque matching algorithms. These control methods have been utilized in combination with fuel delivery systems equipped with a single throttle. Unfortunately, seamless torque transitions have not been accomplished using these systems.


A system and method for creating a searchable representation of an electronic catalog the searchable representation of the electronic catalog includes one or more search data structures each having one or more search data records. The search data records include a first data field containing data representing an attribute of a product within the electronic catalog, a second data field containing data representing the number of times the attribute is used in connection with any product within the electronic catalog, and one or more additional data field each containing data representing a record address within the electronic catalog at which data pertaining to each product having the attribute is stored.

This invention relates generally to systems and methods for conducting electronic commerce and, more particularly, relates to a system and method for interacting with an electronic catalog.
The recent development of the Internet has caused many retailers and suppliers to enter the electronic-business forum and offer their products for sale via the Internet. In order to facilitate the sale of their products via the Internet, these retailers and supplies typically provide online catalogs which identify and describe their products. The method for searching for products within these electronically stored catalogs is, however, different than the methods that are traditionally used when searching for products listed in a printed catalog. In this regard, search engines have been the most common means employed for searching electronic catalogs. However, retailers and suppliers have struggled to develop search engines that are easy to use and that also provide accurate and useful results on a substantially real-time basis. In fact, currently known search engines are often times frustrating to use and provide less than optimal results.
To initiate the searching process, many search engines allow users to enter keywords. Typically, these search engines process the keywords that are entered by the user and, in response, conduct input/output ("I/O") function calls at a server computer to obtain the search results. While the keyword search methodology is effective for searching product catalogs with small inventories, conducting searches using I/O function calls is time consuming and less efficient for retailers and suppliers that offer many different products.
Additionally, many retailers and suppliers offer multiple products that include identical or virtually identical product names or descriptions. Thus, when a keyword search is conducted, the search is likely to generate a large list of products that match the entered keywords. This requires that the results of the search be carefully reviewed by the party conducting the search, or that the search be re-executed with keywords that are aimed at producing a narrower set of search results. Therefore, the keyword search methodology is seen to have limited use in that it is most effective when performing searches within product catalogs that have products that have easily distinguishable descriptive attributes. Unfortunately, most electronic product catalogs are voluminous and have numerous products with the same or similar attributes.
A known alternative to search techniques that utilize I/O function calls when conducting searches is to provide a lookup module that stores substantially all of the search database in the local memory of a computer. This type of search, however, is limited to word processing applications where users have the option of employing a dictionary look-up function or a thesaurus look-up function. While these search techniques enable a search to be conducted in a relatively fast time frame, as a result of storing part of the search database in the local memory, these search techniques have not been employed to search product catalogs which are presently too large to be stored in local memory when compared to electronic dictionaries and thesauruses.
From the foregoing, it is seen that a need remains for an improved system and method for conducting online searches of product catalogs. In particular, a need exists for a system and method for conducting online searches of large product catalogs that is easy to use and that also provides accurate and useful results on a timely basis.

System and method for creating a searchable electronic catalog


Systems and methods of improving the operation of a transaction network and transaction network devices are disclosed. An online purchase autofill plugin includes various modules and engines. The fields of online forms may be identified and the fields of online forms may be automatically filled. The user experience may be improved, and data security enhanced so that the transaction network more properly functions according to approved parameters, such as protecting the integrity of sensitive data.

An increasing number of financial transactions occur on the internet. Many consumers desire to use transaction accounts to complete these transactions. However, the process of entering all the details of the purchaser, address, transaction account etc., into a transaction processing front-end interface at the time of each purchase can become time consuming and discourage the consumer from completing the transaction. For instance, form field entry is often responsible for a significant percentage of abandoned transaction shopping carts during online commerce, wherein the transactions are abandoned prior to completion of the sale. In addition to retailers, transaction account issuers have an interest in making the transaction process as quick and easy as possible. Moreover, transaction account issuers have an interest in improved security and improved delivery of targeted advertisements, wherein the transaction processing is secured, and the utilization of transaction data and related data analytics is optimized.

AMERICAN EXPRESS TRAVEL RELATED SERVICES COMPANY, INC.


A spark plug that improves the heat resistance performance of an ignition plug.

Conventionally, an ignition plug is used to ignite fuel in an apparatus in which fuel is burned (e.g., an internal combustion engine). The ignition plug includes, for example, a tubular metallic shell, an insulator having a through hole and fixed on the inner-circumference side of the metallic shell, and a center electrode inserted at least partially into a forward-end side portion of the through hole of the insulator, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (kokai) No. H09-219273.
In recent years, in order to improve the efficiency of an internal combustion engine, combustion temperature tends to increase. Because of contact with combustion gas, a forward-end side portion of the insulator is apt to increase in temperature. By means of reducing the size of the forward-end side portion of the insulator, the heat resistance performance of the ignition plug can be improved. However, since the length of a path extending from the center electrode to the metallic shell along the surface of the insulator becomes short, an unintended discharge could occur along such a path. As seen from the above, it has not been easy to improve the heat resistance performance of the ignition plug.


A rapidly deployable protective and structural cover system comprising a frame structure and at least one multilayered flexible cover which is comprised of a flexible cover sheeting and a structural netting. The flexible cover sheeting has a plurality of eyelets arranged over the surface area of the flexible cover sheeting. The cover sheeting is attached at a selected plurality of eyelets to the structural netting at the intersections of horizontal and vertical members or strands of the structural netting. The frame structure is preferably comprised of steel cables attachable at the ends thereof to a rigid support structure; turnbuckles to tension the cables. The multilayered flexible cover is removably attachable along edges of the structural netting to the frame and to the cables. There may also be at least one spring or other stretchable/elastic device attached to an edge of the structural netting and to a rigid support structure which may be a structure being covered or a rigid frame to which is attached the frame structure of the rapidly deployable cover system.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention most generally relates to a multilayer flexible cover made up of a flexible structural netting and a flexible sheeting attached each to the other atjunctions of the horizontal and vertical netting members. Preferably the attachment is air-tight and is undoable so that new flexible sheeting may replace damaged portions of the flexible sheeting. The multilayer flexible cover is a protective and structural cover system primarily for use in building and repair industries such as ship building and repair, bridge work, building construction or repair to a building and for use where a low-cost system of protection of a structure or space is needed and needed quickly. More particularly, the invention relates to a rapidly deployable protective and structural cover system comprising a rigid support structure which may be a part of the structure being covered or protected or may be separately fabricated and attached to the structure to which is attached the multilayer flexible cover using either rigid members or cables attachable at the ends to the rigid support structure. Where cables are used there is also a means to tension the cables such as a turnbuckle. The multilayer flexible cover is removably attachable along edges of the structural netting portion to the cables. Springs may be use for absorbingly attaching another edge of the structural netting to the rigid support structure.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Although there are various patents disclosing embodiments for easily deployable temporary covers, shields and shelters, the following patents known to the inventors hereof, do not in any manner suggest or teach the rapidly deployable Protective and Structural Cover System disclosed and claimed by applicants in the instant application for patent.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,582,266 to Rexrod et al. discloses a double layer netting system which is a safety/debris net system in which the debris net and safety net are fabricated as one unit. The netting is formed from a material which is resistant to weakening by ultraviolet radiation and therefore does not have to be chemically treated to withstand prolonged exposure to sunlight. The safety net is a "courser" netting, mostly for strength to catch large objects, such as possibly tools or people. The debris net is a much finer mesh, for smaller particles. Thus, although the '266 patent discloses a type of double netted system, there is no teaching in the '266 patent to use such a system to completely cover large objects or large areas of objects, or to protect such objects or areas from the elements.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,265,974 to Dargie discloses a safety net assembly and system for covering an opening in the ground for a subterranean work place. The system prevents a person from falling into the work area through the opening in the ground. The system comprises two rods having attaching brackets. The brackets may be engaged over ledges in a frame defining the opening to an underground work area. A net or webbing is then slidingly engaged on the rods so that the netting may be opened for access to the work area, or slid across the opening to close the opening and prevent a person from falling through the opening. The system does disclose netting which is slidable along support members and attachable to the support members by rings or clamps (see FIGS. 3 and 4). The support members are rigid rods. The system of the '974 patent does not disclose any means for using the system to cover objects, nor is there any way this system can be used to protect from the elements. There is also no means for supporting the netting of the '974 patent at any interval between the frame elements.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,986,389 to Halligan, Sr. et al. also discloses a covering for a below ground area or pit. This system has a rope edging and a guide cable around the perimeter of the pit. The guide cable provides a means by which, or along which, the netting may be slid to open and close the covering. Closable links connect the netting to the cable along three sides of the opening and snap rings attach the fourth side to the cable. The links allow the net to be opened and closed by sliding along the cable. The rings secure the net in the closed position over the pit. The cable is made taut by use of turn buckles. This system also could not be used to protect from the elements, or cover large areas or objects, and also has no additional support beyond the cable guide frame.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,875,549 to Denny et al. and related U.S. Pat. No. 4,815,562 to Denny et al. disclose a vertically--oriented debris barrier for use primarily in high-rise construction. The netting is suspended from a cable which allows the netting to be dropped from the cable. The netting is then anchored to the floor by nails or some fastener driven into the floor through conventional roofing fastener plates. The netting is attached to the cable by clips having a continuous U-shaped configuration and which are slipped through an opening in the netting. Additional sections of netting may be installed adjacent each other and attached to each other by the same type of clips. The barrier can serve as a wind break, and prevent workers and debris from falling from unfinished high-rise buildings. The system can withstand a maximum static load of 1,200 pounds. Although the netting system of the '549 and '562 patents can form a walled structure, there is no support for the central portion of the netting beyond the frame and the floor anchors, and there is no teaching of adding any type of overhead roof structure to protect the construction area from the elements.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,008,730 to Keklak et al. discloses an aircraft shelter and rigging to protect a small aircraft from the elements. The structure is light-weight and portable and comprises fixed upright tail and wing tip posts, and a light weight generally horizontal boom forward of the tail post bisecting a line between the wing tip posts. A series of cross arms extend to form a structural frame. The structure frame is rigged with rope and fabric is cut, sewn and laced on the rope and forms the shape of a small aircraft. The covering is thus suspended above and aircraft. The fabric covering is fixed in place on the rope structure supported by the booms and cross arms. Although the '730 patent system is intended to protect the aircraft from the elements, and comprises a roof type structure, there is no teaching of providing any wall type structures for completely protecting the aircraft, or workers working on the aircraft.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,613,543 to Walton issued Mar. 25, 1997 discloses a temporary protective covering system which provides supports covered by fabric or plastic panels and which can be easily installed and removed. Although the system provides continuous protective covering over an area, structure or object, the patent does not teach two layers of support or covering on the frame wherein the outer covering may be removed, in case of damage for example, while retaining the frame and support layers.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,555,681 to Cawthon issued Sep. 17, 1996 discloses a modular building system comprising framing elements and a flexible wall or roof panel wherein the frame elements are formed preferably from a plastic, and the flexible sheet covering formed preferably from woven or non-woven material, plastic, or metal screen. This patent also makes no mention of a multi-layer structure. The '681 patent is directed mainly towards structures such as yard storage sheds, greenhouses, gazebos and sun rooms. The patent does not teach using such a system for enclosing construction or repair sites on structures or objects such as buildings, bridges, or ships.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,487,402 issued Jan. 30, 1996 to Clary discloses a portable shelter having an expandable frame. The framing element can be made of differing size and a shelter skin is then applied over the frame. This abstract does not mention a multi-layer covering. The patent does not specifically address creating a sealed enclosure to completely protect a large object or area from the elements, and in which a controlled environment may be maintained.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,102,353 issued Jul. 25, 1978 to Pugliese discloses a temporary shelter which is portable yet attachable to a permanent shelter. The shelter has side and cross bars attachable to a permanent structure, over which are placed side panels. This patent also makes no mention of multiple layers or any way to distribute stresses placed on the covering panels.
The patents noted herein provide considerable information regarding the developments that have taken place in this field of protective covering technology. Clearly the instant invention provides many advantages over the prior art inventions noted above. Again it is noted that none of the prior art meets the objects of a rapidly deployable protective and STRUCTURAL COVER SYSTEM in a manner like that of the instant invention. None are as effective and as efficient as the instant rapidly deployable protective and structural cover system for completely covering and protecting an object or area, maintaining a controlled environment inside the protective covering and such that the outer sheeting may be removed for repair without disturbing the structure of the system.

Rapidly deployable protective and structural cover system


A system and method for controlling a hybrid vehicle having an engine, a traction motor, and an automatic step-ratio transmission having a plurality of selectable discrete gear ratios, a torque converter, and sharing a common cooling fluid or oil with the traction motor, include a controller configured to shift the automatic step-ratio transmission to neutral in response to vehicle speed being below a threshold with the engine idling while temperatures of at least two of: the traction battery, the electric machine, and the transmission are above associated thresholds to reduce heat generation by the torque converter due to oil shear with the torque converter stalled. The controller may shift the transmission to drive in response to release of a brake pedal. A neutral shift may also be performed in response to high-voltage accessory loads or on-board generator loads exceeding a threshold.

Various hybrid vehicle powertrains may include an internal combustion engine selectively coupled to an electric machine powered by a high-voltage battery such that the vehicle may be propelled by the engine, electric machine, or both. Some vehicles cool the electric machine using transmission oil that may also lubricate, cool, and/or power various hydraulic circuits to control the vehicle transmission.

Hybrid vehicle transmission shift control for electric machine thermal management


A multi-phase electric motor comprises a stator comprising a plurality of wire coils surrounding a non-magnetizable core; a rotor with permanent magnets embedded therein, the rotor being disposed adjacent to the stator, the rotor being mounted on a rotatable drive shaft; a power source; a position sensor operably connected to the rotor; and a control circuit operably connected to the power source, the position sensor, and the wire coils, for controlling distribution of electrical energy to the wire coils. In this motor the control mechanism transfers electrical charge from a first coil to a second coil.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to DC electric motors.
2. Related Art
As energy costs continue to rise and supplies dwindle there is a substantial need for more efficient use of energy, particularly for electric motors. Electric motors power many devices and thus improvements in power output from motors for a given input energy would mean significant savings in energy costs.
One usage in particular that would benefit from an improved electric motor is that of electric vehicles. Although electric vehicles have been around for over one hundred years, they have only recently begun to become widely used. Improvements in electric motor power output would help electric cars become even more practical and accepted in the marketplace.
One problem that existing electric vehicles face is their higher purchase price compared to conventional gas- or diesel-powered vehicles. This is due in part to the expensive electric motors that such vehicles use. The design of such motors is simple but their construction is very complex. In addition the control systems for such motors are complex, because of the requirements for high voltage and current and in particular the high in-rush currents involved. Finally, present electric vehicle motors require a complex transmission system.
Motors having electromagnetic coils without metal cores have been used before, for example in 'pancake' type motors generally used in low power applications. However, non-magnetizable core materials such as plastics have not been used for high power motors.
What is needed in the art are new ideas for building and controlling electric motors to produce a more energy-efficient electric motor.


An active material for a battery includes an electrochemically reversibly oxidizable and reducible base material selected from the group consisting of a metal, a lithium-containing alloy, a sulfur-based compound, and a compound that can reversibly form a lithium-containing compound by a reaction with lithium ions and a surface-treatment layer formed on the base material and comprising a compound of the formula MXOk, wherein M is at least one element selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, a group 13 element, a group 14 element, a transition metal, and a rare-earth element, X is an element that is capable of forming a double bond with oxygen, k is a numerical value in the range of 2 to 4.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an active material for a battery and a method of preparing the same, and more specifically to an active material for a battery with excellent electrochemical characteristics and thermal stability, and a method of preparing the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, in relation to trends toward more compact and lighter portable electronic equipment, there has been a growing need to develop a high performance and large capacity battery to be used for electric power for portable electronic equipment. Also, there has been extensive research on batteries with good safety characteristics and low cost.
Generally, batteries are classified as primary batteries that can be used only once and secondary batteries that are rechargeable. Primary batteries include manganese batteries, alkaline batteries, mercury batteries, silver oxide batteries and so on, and secondary batteries include lead-acid storage batteries, Ni-MH (nickel metal hydride) batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, lithium metal batteries, lithium ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries and lithium-sulfur batteries.
These batteries generate electric power by using materials capable of electrochemical reactions at positive and negative electrodes. Factors that affect battery performance characteristics such as capacity, cycle life, power capability, safety and reliability, include electrochemical properties and thermal stability of active materials that participate in electrochemical reactions at the positive and negative electrodes. Therefore, research to improve the electrochemical properties and thermal stability of the active materials at the positive and negative electrodes continues.
Among the active materials currently being used for negative electrodes of batteries, lithium metal provides both high capacity because it has a high electric capacity per unit mass and high voltage due to a relatively high electronegativity. However, since it is difficult to assure the safety of a battery using lithium metal, other materials that can reversibly deintercalate and intercalate lithium ions are being used extensively for the active material of the negative electrodes in lithium secondary batteries.
Lithium secondary batteries use materials that reversibly intercalate or deintercalate lithium ions during charge and discharge reactions for both positive and negative active materials, and contain organic electrolyte or polymer electrolyte between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. This battery generates electric energy from changes of chemical potential during the intercalation/deintercalation of lithium ions at the positive and negative electrodes.
Lithium metal compounds of a complex formula are used as the positive active material of the lithium secondary battery. Typical examples include LiCoO2, LiMn2O4, LiNiO2, LiNi1-xCoxO2(0<x<1), LiMnO2 and a mixture of these compounds. Manganese-based positive active materials such as LiMn2O4 or LiMnO2 are the easiest to synthesize, less costly than the other materials, and environmentally friendly. However, these manganese-based materials have relatively low capacity. LiCoO2 has good electric conductivity, high battery voltage and excellent electrode characteristics. This compound is presently the most popular material for positive electrodes of commercially available Li-ion batteries. However, it is relatively expensive and has low stability during charge-discharge at a high rate. LiNiO2 is currently the least costly of the positive active materials mentioned above and has a high discharge capacity, but it is difficult to synthesize and the least stable among the compounds mentioned above.
The above active materials are lithiated intercalation compounds in which stability and capacity of active material is determined by the nature of intercalation/deintercalation reactions of lithium ions. As the charging potential increases, the amount of Li deintercalation increases, thus increasing the electrode capacity, but thermal stability of the electrode decreases steeply due to its structural instability. When the interior temperature of the battery increases in the fully charged state, the bonding energy between the metal ions and the oxygen of the active material decreases, releasing oxygen when a temperature above a threshold value is reached. For example, LiCoO2 active material in a charged state has the formula Li1-xCoO2, where 0<x<1. Because the active material having the above structural formula is unstable, especially when x>0.5, if the interior temperature of the battery increases beyond the threshold value, oxygen gas (O2) is released. Since the reaction of this oxygen with organic electrolyte in the battery is highly exothermic, a thermal runaway situation may be created in the battery, and this may cause an explosion in the battery. Therefore, it is desirable to control the threshold temperature and the amount of exothermic heat evolved from the reaction in order to improve the safety of the battery.
One way of controlling the threshold temperature and the amount of exothermic heat is controlling the surface area of the active material through particle size control, which is usually achieved by pulverizing and sieving the active material. The smaller the particle size, i.e. the larger the surface area, the better the battery performance, in particular the power capability, i.e. capacity values and discharge voltages at low temperatures and at high rates. However, battery safety, cycle life and self-discharge become worse as the particle size decreases. Because of these conflicting factors, there is a practical limitation in controlling the threshold temperature and heat evolution rate through particle size alone.
In order to improve stability of active material itself during charge-discharge, it has been suggested to dope other elements into the Ni-based or Co-based lithium oxide. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,292,601 discloses LixMO2 (where M is at least one element selected from Co, Ni and Mn; and x is 0.5 to 1) as an improved material over LiCoO2.
Another attempt to improve stability includes modifying the surface of the active material. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 9-55210 discloses that lithium nickel-based oxide is coated with alkoxide of Co, Al and Mn and is heat-treated to prepare a positive active material. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 11-16566 discloses lithium-based oxide coated with a metal and/or an oxide thereof. The metal includes Ti, Sn, Bi, Cu, Si, Ga, W, Zr, B or Mo. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 11-185758 discloses coating a surface of lithium manganese oxide with a metal oxide by using a co-precipitation process and heat-treating the same to prepare a positive active material.
However, the above methods did not solve the fundamental problems associated with the safety of the battery: The threshold temperature wherein the active material prepared according to the above methods begins to react with an electrolyte, that is, the decomposition temperature, at which oxygen bound to metal of the active material begins to be released (exothermic starting temperature, Ts) does not shift sufficiently to a higher temperature and the amount of released oxygen (the value related to the exothermic heat) does not decrease sufficiently by the methods described above.
The structural stability of positive active material having the composition of Li1-xMO2 (M=Ni or Co) during charging is strongly influenced by the value of x. That is, when 0<x<0.5, cyclic stability is steadily and stably maintained, but when x is greater than or equal to 0.5, phase transition occurs from a hexagonal phase to a monoclinic phase. This phase transition causes an anisotropic volume change, which induces development of micro-cracks in the positive active material. These micro-cracks damage the structure of the active material, and thus the battery capacity decreases dramatically and the cycle life is reduced. Therefore, when anisotropic volume change is minimized, the capacity and the cycle life of the battery are improved.
In order to increase structural stability of positive active material, U.S. Pat. No. 5,705,291 discloses a method in which a composition comprising borate, aluminate, silicate or mixtures thereof was coated onto the surface of a lithiated intercalation compound, but it still has a problem with structural stability.
In the above description, positive active materials of lithium secondary batteries and related examples of developments were explained. Recently, in relation to the tendency to develop portable electronic equipment that is more compact and lightweight, other types of batteries have the same demands for an active material that guarantees battery performance, safety and reliability. Research and development is therefore accelerated on electrochemical properties and thermal stability of positive active materials to ensure improved performance, safety and reliability of batteries.

Active material for battery and battery having the same


The present disclosure provides antimicrobial peptides, and compositions comprising same. The present disclosure further provides methods of inhibiting microbial growth.

Exposed tissue surfaces, including skin and mucosa, are lined with multilayers of epithelial cells. Among their functions, they form a barrier to prevent microbe penetration. Significant effort has focused on understanding how epithelial cells participate in immune responses when infectious disease occurs, or during other forms of tissue challenge.
Keratin proteins are an extremely diverse and ancient class of biomolecule. Previous studies of keratins have focused on mechanical, structural and architectural functions of keratins, their roles in intracellular signaling, and changes to expression in certain diseases.
There is a need in the art for antimicrobial agents, e.g., agents that inhibit growth of microbes that infect epithelial cells.

Anti-microbial peptides and methods of use thereof

THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA


A method for managing virtual memory addresses includes associating a guest identifier (ID) with a virtual machine accessing a virtual memory address. A physical memory address is retrieved corresponding to the virtual memory address utilizing the guest ID. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

A conventional virtual machine manager (VMM) may run on a computer to present the abstraction of one or more virtual machines (VMs) or guests to other software. Each VM may function as a self-contained platform that runs its own software stack, including an operating system (OS) and applications. Collectively this software stack is referred to as "guest software." Guest software running on a VM expects to operate as if it were running on a dedicated computer. For example, the guest software expects to control various computer operations and have access to physical (i.e., hardware) resources during these operations. The physical resources may include processor-resident resources, such as control registers, resources that reside in memory, such as descriptor tables, and devices on the hosting hardware platform, such as IO devices. In a VM environment, the VMM has ultimate control over the hardware resources. In order to provide protection from and between VMs, the VMM typically virtualizes hardware resources. This may include intercepting and arbitrating accesses to hardware resources made by the guest software.
Virtualization of hardware resources requires frequent virtualization intercepts of access requests from the guest software to provide host emulation of guest instructions that access virtualized processor and platform resources. Virtualization intercepts frequently require guest software switches, which cause an address space switch from the guest space to the host space or an address space switch from guest space to another guest space. A table in the processor called the translation look-aside buffer (TLB) may be used to store information about pages in memory the processor has accessed. The TLB cross-references a program's virtual memory address with its corresponding physical memory address. The TLB enables faster computing by allowing address processing to take place independent of the normal address-translation pipeline. During virtualization however, the TLB needs to be flushed during context switches between VMs as each VM may have entries in the TLB that may conflict with entries corresponding to other VMs. TLB flushes are a major source of guest software switch overhead as they add significant warm-up costs for caching guest virtual address to host physical address translation after guest space switch.

Method and apparatus for managing virtual addresses


A mobile communication device includes a memory for storing a first frame image corresponding to a first menu and a second frame image corresponding to a second menu, a display unit coupled to the memory for displaying frame images, and a control unit coupled to the display unit for controlling the display unit to display, in sequence, the first frame image, at least one corresponding transitive image generated according to the first frame image or the second frame image, and finally, the second frame image when the control unit receives a command for transferring the first menu to the second menu.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a mobile communication device with a transition effect function, more particularly, to a mobile communication device with a transition effect function when transferring from a first menu to a second menu.
2. Description of the Prior Art
As modern society's information infrastructure progresses, electronic devices are commonly utilized in every area; for example, convenient and light mobile phone devices are widely utilized and have become a very common part of our daily lives when communicating with others. The mobile phone device allows us to exchange information by making a convenient phone call. The mobile phone has developed very rapidly for the past several years. New mobile phones are equipped with more refined functions. Increased usage of the mobile phone has caused an increase in production. The newly produced mobile phones offer a variety of new designs with the trend moving towards smaller sized phones. Therefore, a mobile phone program design of how to update a new visual effect becomes an important issue.
When a user interface of the current mobile phone switches application programs, function menus, and photo previews, there is no special effect accompanying the changing of screens; simply switching from a previous screen to a next screen. For example, please refer to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 illustrates a diagram of transferring a first function menu to a second function menu according to the prior art. When a user is operating a keypad of the mobile phone and changes the display screen from the first function menu to the second function menu, the user sees the screen image change directly and immediately from the first function menu to the second function menu. There is no transition effect during the changing of screens. The transfer of screens simply changes directly and immediately from one screen to another in the modern technology mobile phones. This lacks a variety of visual effect for the user.

Mobile communication device with a transition effect function


Methods and apparatus for using primary direction of data flow to increase data throughput are disclosed. A wireless cell and/or client detects noise sources, detects the channels used by the noise sources, determines the primary direction of data flow, and selects a channel for communication between the wireless cell and client that reduces noise source interference with the primary direction of data flow.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to wireless communications, and more particularly, to apparatus and methods configured to increase data throughput for wireless cells, wireless clients, and wireless networks.
2. Description of Related Art
Many systems incorporate communication protocols, minimally interfering channels, and directional antennas to improve communication between wireless cells and wireless clients. To further improve data throughput, wireless devices could benefit from detecting and using the primary direction of data flow to select an antenna and/or a channel.

Method and apparatus for increasing data throughput


A hinged support structure (30) is employed between a stationary beam of a building structure and a hinged roof portion. The hinged support structure (30) includes two support legs (34, 36) hinged together by a double hinge center bracket (38). The other end of the support legs (34, 36) are each coupled to a respective end bracket (40, 42) that allows pivotal motion of the support legs (34, 36) about two axes. A horizontal force is applied at the double hinged center bracket (38) by a cable to thereby move the support legs (34, 36) vertically apart, thus raising the hinged roof. Each of a plurality of hinged support structures (30) are fixed in the fully deployed position to thereby form a part of the permanent support structure between the hinged roof and the fixed beam.

Hinged roofs are commonly employed in the transportable sections of modular or manufactured (mobile) homes. Roof structures that are either partially or fully hinged are commonly utilized with mobile homes for allowing transportability thereof over public highways so as to easily pass under bridges, overpasses, power lines, and the like, but can be raised at the installation site to provide an aesthetically pleasing, peaked roof While there are many different types of hinged roof structures, they all share the common aspect that at the installation site, the hinged roof portions must be raised together to prevent undue bowing or distortion of the roof structure and corresponding damage thereto. It can be appreciated that the raising operation is no small task, in that many mobile homes, and thus the roof structures thereof, may be fifty-five feet or greater in length. A commonly used technique to raise a hinged roof structure is to employ a plurality of mechanical or hydraulic jacks, spaced about ten feet apart, and wedged between a lower stationary support beam and the hinged portion of the roof. The jacks can be operated simultaneously by plural workers to raise the roof sections in unison to the desired height. In the alternative, one person could raise each jack a small amount, thereby reducing the manpower but substantially increasing the amount of time required to complete the operation. In certain situations, the hinged portion of the roof must be raised somewhat higher than its final position to thereby allow vertical roof supports to be placed between the stationary ridgebeam and the raised roof Then, the roof is lowered onto the vertical supports and fastened thereto. As can be appreciated, this technique necessitates the separate shipping and handling of the jacks, as well as the vertical supports. It is not uncommon that these separate pieces, even if shipped with the mobile home itself, become lost, damaged or mislaid, thereby delaying the installation operation.
According to other installation techniques, the vertical roof support members, which may be two-by-fours, or the like, are fastened in a hinged manner to the rafters of the hinged roof structure. Thus, when the roof is raised upwardly, the vertical roof support members are hinged downwardly and then fastened to the stationary ridge support beam. While this technique facilitates the installation, many of the same disadvantages noted above are still present.
From the forgoing, it can be seen that a new technique is needed for easily raising all sections of a hinged roof simultaneously, with only one worker required. Another need exists for roof raising apparatus employed with a hinged roof so that it cannot be over-raised, thereby reducing the potential harm to the roof structure. Another need exists for a structure and apparatus utilized for raising a hinged roof, where the raising apparatus remains as the principal support of the roof after raising thereof. Yet another need exists for a structure and apparatus for raising a hinged roof, where all the parts can be fastened to the roof structure at the manufacturing facility, and no further assembly is required at the installation site.