A method and system for role-based access control enforced by an Operating System filesystem are provided. A file representing a resource is created and stored in the Operating System filesystem. A user requests access to the resource and provides user-identifying information and a resource identifier. An access identifier is created based on the user-identifying information and the resource identifier, and is formatted as the file attribute used by the Operating System to manage file access. A system call to the Operating System is made to perform an operation on the file representing the resource, where the system call uses the access identifier to gain access to the file. The user is granted access to the resource only if the operating system successfully performs the operation on the file representing the resource.

Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) mechanisms enable software applications and network resources to limit or control access based on the business or operational role of a user or a group of users. Numerous RBAC mechanisms have been developed in the past for various purposes and contexts, but have had numerous disadvantages.
Typically, the RBAC mechanisms are implemented as a centralized server with a secure repository, requiring a client software element that must be installed on every user machine. In such implementations the RBAC mechanisms include complex security mechanisms and require application software developers to learn a specific API and to write code against it. While RBAC has great utility in many contexts, these disadvantages have reduced the ubiquity of RBAC mechanisms and have imposed high development costs on applications and systems that need to use RBAC.
In terms of simplicity, one of the most well-known and easy to write code against subsystems in a computer system is the filesystem. A typical filesystem usually manages files which are organized in a number of directories. The filesystem may manage a wide variety of file types with respect to file formats and file purposes. For example, files may be stored in the file system in text, binary, or any software-specific format. Also, with respect to their functions, files may be classified as boot files, system files, application specific files, device files, special files, or data files. However, all the files in a filesystem, regardless of their type or purpose, are managed by the Operating System (OS) by using well-defined, easy to use, simple, and thoroughly tested file-management facilities.
The OS filesystem facilities include various APIs and system calls to control access to and perform operations on the files. These facilities are well-known and application software developers routinely use them. Depending on the OS, the filesystem facilities may consist of a library of system calls, or of a number of well-defined APIs. The system calls and the APIs include various routines for performing operations on the files. Such operations typically include opening a file, closing a file, reading from a file, searching through a file, writing to the file, appending to the file, and deleting the file. Any of these file operations, however, is performed only if the user requesting the operation is allowed access to the file by the OS.
For this reason, the OS filesystem system calls and APIs also include various routines for managing file security and file access. These routines depend on the user and group authentication and authorization mechanism of the particular OS to control the access of the users and groups to files in the filesystem. Different operating systems use different user and group authentication and authorization mechanisms, but typically a user is associated with a username and a password, and a user may also belong to one or more groups of users.
The different operating systems employ different schemes to control access of users and groups to the files in the filesystem. Without exception, however, all operating systems provide a set of file attributes which are used by the filesystem routines to manage and control access to the files. Examples of such attributes include an owner user identifier (UserID) that identifies the owner of the file, a group identifier (GroupID) that identifies a group of users, and an Access Control List (ACL) which includes the identifiers of a number of users or groups. In addition to identifiers identifying users, file attributes called permissions are also used to indicate what, if any, file operations are allowed on the file and which user or group is allowed to perform which file operation.
The operating systems usually handle with ease the associating of users and groups with functional or operational roles. As described above, the OS filesystem calls and APIs for controlling user or group access to files are also well-known and easy to use. However, the existing RBAC mechanisms cannot manage a wide variety of computer resources in a low-cost, low-impact, and client-software efficient manner, and invariably suffer from a number of disadvantages, some of which where mentioned above.
Based on the foregoing, there is clearly a need for an RBAC system that requires minimal client software and otherwise has a greatly reduced infrastructure. There is also a need for an RBAC system that still provides security, that can run in a localized manner on a single machine, and that requires applications only to use existing APIs.
The approaches described in this section are approaches that could be pursued, but not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it should not be assumed that any of the approaches described in this section qualify as prior art merely by virtue of their inclusion in this section.

Role-based access control enforced by filesystem of an operating system


A light emitting diode (LED) is provided. The LED at least includes a substrate, a saw-toothed multilayer, a first type semiconductor layer, an active emitting layer and a second type semiconductor layer. In the LED, the saw-tooth multilayer is formed opposite the active emitting layer below the first type semiconductor layer by an auto-cloning photonic crystal process. Due to the presence of the saw-tooth multilayer on the substrate of the LED, the scattered light form a back of the active emitting layer can be reused by reflecting and recycling through the saw-tooth multilayer. Thus, all light is focused to radiate forward so as to improve the light extraction efficiency of the LED. Moreover, the saw-tooth multilayer does not peel off or be cracked after any high temperature process because the saw-tooth multilayer has the performance of releasing thermal stress and reducing elastic deformation between it and the substrate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a light emitting diode (LED) capable of enhancing light extraction efficiency and a process for fabricating the same.
2. Description of Related Art
A light emitting diode (LED) is a semiconductor device constituted mainly by group III-V compound semiconductor materials, for example. Since such semiconductor materials have a characteristic of converting electricity into light, when a current is applied to the semiconductor materials, electrons therein would be combined with holes and release excessive energy in a form of light, thereby achieving an effect of luminosity.
FIG. 1A is a schematic cross-sectional view of a conventional LED. Referring to FIG. 1A, a conventional LED 10 is generally constituted by a substrate 100, an n-type semiconductor layer 102 thereon, an active emitting layer 104, and a p-type semiconductor layer 106. Moreover, there is an n-type electrode 108 on a surface of the n-type semiconductor layer 102, and there is a p-type electrode 110 on a surface of the p-type semiconductor layer 106.
However, as to the conventional GaN LED, sapphire is used as an epitaxy substrate generally. Since sapphire is a transparent material, an LED fabricated by using sapphire would scatter light to all directions without focusing the light and thus cause consumption, as illustrated by arrows pointing below the substrate 100 from the active emitting layer 104 in FIG. 1A. Meanwhile, the scattered light would be absorbed by each semiconductor layer inside the LED and reserved in a form of heat. Therefore, emitting luminosity and efficiency of the GaN LED is lowered.
In order to enhance the luminosity efficiency of the LED, in a method recently disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 6,091,085 or US 2003/057444 A1, an epitaxy sapphire substrate is fabricated as a periodic structure so as to reduce epitaxy defects in GaN and enhance its luminosity. Simultaneously, a one-dimensional periodic light grid structure may allow a portion of back light to be refracted so as to emit forward and be reused and thereby increasing an light extraction efficiency of the LED as a whole.
Nevertheless, the light grid structure does not refract vertical incident light well. Only an incident light with a larger incident angle may have an obvious reflection effect. Hence, the light grid structure achieves only limited results in recycling and reusing vertically-emitted light.
Recently, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,563,141, a distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) mirror has been disclosed, wherein the mirror is a planar multi-layer dielectric having alternate layers of dielectric material with a high refractive index ratio between the adjacent layers and a reflectivity of the order of 97% or more.
However, high temperature form epitaxial process will cause the following two phenomena. One is the break of the DBR mirror caused by thermal stress deformation because the DBR mirror and the substrate have different coefficient of thermal expansion; the other is the peeling between the DBR mirror and the substrate caused by the elastic deformation resulted from high temperature process. Therefore, the DBR mirror disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,563,141 may peel off and be cracked after high temperature epitaxial process, and thus it is difficult to be commercialized, as shown in FIG. 1B. FIG. 1B is a scanning electron microscope (SEM) photograph of a top view of the planar multi-layer dielectric after annealing at 1100° C.

Light emitting diode with embedded saw-tooth multilayer having a photonic crystal structure and process for fabricating the same

Industrial Technology Research Institute


A method and machine readable storage for facilitating communications between a user and an interactive voice response (IVR) application. The method includes the step of configuring to be displayed on a wireless communications device having a graphical user interface (GUI) at least one menu which includes user selectable options correlating to available IVR options. Responsive to a communications link being established between the wireless communications device and the IVR application, the menu is forwarded to the wireless communications device for presentation to the user on the GUI. A user selection is received via the GUI and an IVR operation is performed corresponding to the menu selection.

1. Technical Field
This invention relates to the field of telephone communications and, more particularly, to interactive voice response applications.
2. Description of the Related Art
The advent of interactive voice response (IVR) applications for use in telephone systems has reduced operating costs for many types of businesses by reducing telephone related staffing requirements. Such IVR applications typically answer incoming telephone calls and present to callers audible menus of selectable options which are available to the callers. The callers usually make menu selections in one of two ways: depressing a key or sequence of keys on a touch tone keypad; or issuing a spoken utterance.
Often times a plurality of hierarchically related menu layers are presented which a caller must navigate while searching for a desired IVR option. Navigating through such menus can be time consuming and frustrating, especially when the caller makes an incorrect selection during the navigation process. Consequently, callers often hang up prior to successfully navigating the menus or opt out of the menu system in an attempt to speak with an operator. Particularly concerning are the cases in which potential customers or clients hang up in frustration.

Navigation of interactive voice response application using a wireless communications device graphical user interface

International Business Machines Corporation


Methods, apparatus and computer program products implement embodiments of the present invention that include defining, in a storage system including multiple storage devices, multiple redundant array of independent disks (RAID) configurations for data stored on the storage devices. A first one of the multiple RAID configurations is assigned to a first entry in a partition table having multiple entries. Assigning the first one of the multiple RAID configurations to the first entry in the partition table comprises modifying an existing RAID configuration for the first entry. Data referenced by the existing RAID configuration is migrated to the modified RAID configuration.

Data storage tiering (also referred to herein as data tiering) is a technique used to improve performance in storage systems comprising multiple tiers of storage devices. In data tiering, the storage devices can be assigned to different tiers based on performance of the storage devices (e.g., faster storage devices can be assigned to a first tier and slower devices can be assigned to a second tier).
Typically, frequently used data is migrated to tiers comprising faster storage devices, and infrequently used data is migrated to tiers comprising slower storage devices. Examples of storage devices for faster storage tiers include solid state disks (SSDs), faster (e.g., 15,000 revolutions per minute) rotating disks such as Serial Attached Small Computer System Interface (SAS) and Fibre Channel (FC) drives, and outer tracks of a rotating disk (On a rotating disk, the outer tracks of the disk typically access data faster than the inner tracks of the disk.) Examples of storage devices for slower storage tiers include slower (e.g., 7,200 revolutions per minute) rotating disks such as SATA drives, and the inner tracks of rotating disks.
Migrating frequently used data files to faster storage tiers can help reduce input/output (I/O) bottlenecks that may occur due to contention (e.g., for the data file, the storage device, or an I/O bus coupled to the storage device). Likewise, migrating less frequently used data files to slower tiers may not significantly impact performance, since there is typically no simultaneous contention for the file. Therefore, data tiering can help increase the performance of storage systems, while having a minimal cost impact.
The description above is presented as a general overview of related art in this field and should not be construed as an admission that any of the information it contains constitutes prior art against the present patent application.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION


A vibration analyzer includes a sensor that measures a vibration of an end effector supported by a distal end of a robot, a storage unit that stores a vibration calculation model of the robot, and a control unit configured to perform separation processing for separating a vibration to be reduced that is measured by the sensor into vibration data of the robot and vibration data of the end effector by using the vibration calculation model of the robot.

High-speed operation of a robot contributes to shortening of takt time and improvement of production efficiency. Meanwhile, when the robot performs the high-speed operation, vibrations may occur at the distal end of the robot depending on the stiffness of a robot arm, a reducer, and etc.
According to a traditionally known method for reducing vibration of a robot, vibrations at a predetermined location of a robot while the robot is being operated are measured by an acceleration sensor and the result of the measurement is used in learning control to reduce the vibrations of the robot (for example, see PTL 1).

Vibration analyzer and vibration analysis method


An alert device and methods of using the device in conjunction with a portable communication device are presented. The alert device is intended to be worn discretely on the person of the user and includes an output mechanism and user interface such that the user is notified of incoming communications received by a portable communication device, such as a cellular telephone, and may trigger the portable communication device to send pre-selected responses to those communications through interaction solely with the alert device. The alert device may further initiate pre-selected communications to be sent by the portable communication device solely through interaction with the alert device.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a device and system for providing notifications and alerts received and sent through a programmable cellular telephone or other portable communication device.
2. Related Background Art
Programmable cellular telephones are now a critical part of our daily lives. They are carried with us everywhere we go and we interact with them constantly for phone calls, text messages, emails and other forms of communication. However, users miss calls, texts, calendar appointments, and other notifications because they can't hear it ring. If carried in a purse, brief case or pocket a phone call or message alert from a ringing cell phone is often missed. Even if aware of the incoming call or message interacting with the cell phone to reply or just silence the ringing is often impaired. Driving a car, participating in a meeting, having a face to face conversation or attending a theatrical or other entertainment event create situations where interacting with one's cell phone is difficult.
Missed notifications happen in loud environments, like at the mall, or driving a car. But also in quite environments when the ringer is turned off to avoid interruptions like at work meetings, or church. And often, afterwards calls and incoming messages are missed because the user forgets to turn the cell phone ringer back on after being silenced. Another reason for missing texts is being away from the phone. This happens at home where the user is in one room and the phone is in another.
There are also no known devices that allow the user to send and receive a communication discretely. That is they can send a message and receive a notice of a received message even when amongst others without the others knowing the message has been sent or received.
Notification devices that are wirelessly connected to a cell phone have recently come into the market. These devices are generally capable of vibration or other alert when a phone call or message arrives. However there are no devices currently available that provide for two-way communication such that the user of the device can provide a preselected response to the call or message with a push of a button on the device located remotely from the cell phone and discretely worn by the user. There are no devices that can provide a range of emergency alerts tailored to the situation. There are no devices that provide an alert system through the cell phone that can provide a variety of alerts and actions pre-selected on setup and then discretely activated with a user interface on the device remote from the cell phone. Although there are systems designed to call an emergency number such as 911 there are no known systems that will contact a network of preselected associates when help is needed or other communications are desired. There is a need for device that can provide an alert to a user when a communication is received on their cell phone and that provides a variety of responses that can be pre-programmed in the cell phone and that are initiated through interaction with the device while still remote from the cell phone. There is a need for a device that can initiate an emergency alert protocol on the cell phone while the device is remote from the cell phone. There is a need for a device to send communications and receive notice of communications discretely.


An interface device for supplying a gas flow for breathing is disclosed herein. The device includes at least one socket for detachably connecting an apparatus for supplying anesthetic agent, at least one gas output opening for delivering the fresh gas to the apparatus, and at least one gas input opening for receiving the fresh gas mixed with anesthetic agent. The device also includes a connection valve and at least four ports in flow communication with the valve, a first port receiving the gas, a second port providing a communication with the output opening, a third port providing a communication with the input opening, and a fourth port providing a communication for breathing, the valve having a first operational state disconnecting communication between the first and second port, and to second operational state providing communication between the first and second port, but also between the third and fourth port.

This disclosure relates generally to an interface device and method for supplying gas flow for subject breathing. The disclosure also relates to an apparatus for supplying anesthetic agent to the interface device.
On general inhalation anesthesia anesthetic drugs are used to keep patients experiencing surgical operation relaxed, motionless, unconscious, and free from pain. The anesthetic drugs interfere on the central nervous system for these effects. On inhalation anesthesia the anesthetic drugs are delivered with breathing gas to lungs where they get diffused to patient blood circulation. This circulation further carries the drug to the effect site in brains.
Inhalation anesthesia drugs are halogenated hydrocarbons that are delivered on administration site as liquids. These liquids are very volatile with vapor pressure at room temperature varying between 20-95 kPa. These liquids are vaporized for patient breathing in anesthesia vaporizer. The most common inhalation anesthesia drugs are isoflurane, sevoflurane and desflurane. These have replaced the use of their predecessors, halothane and enflurane.
For various reasons preference of the agent to be used varies between patients and clinics. Conventional vaporizers are heavy devices to enclose thermal energy for the cooling caused by liquid vaporization. The devices are positioned for convenient use of the output concentration dial embedded on the device. Because of the weight and elevated position at anesthesia system, their installation may be laborious for clinical personnel. For this reason the anesthesia machines are equipped with functionality that enables easy selection of the agent to be used among those readily connected to the system. Anesthesia system accommodates therefore often two or three sockets to connect the vaporizer. Advantage of separate, anesthesia system independent module for vaporization provides is to have functional redundancy against vaporizer failure.
In operation, vaporizer receives fresh gas, which is a mixture of oxygen, nitrogen, and nitrous oxide, and completes that with required percentage of the anesthetic drug vapor. On conventional passive vaporizers the completion occurs with vaporization of the liquid agent respective to its vapor pressure. Alternate technologies are active vaporization of liquid to gas and control of this gas flow, or controlling agent liquid flow and mixing to fresh gas stream. The prepared fresh gas is then delivered from vaporizer outlet to anesthesia breathing system for patient.
Arising from the operational principle of vaporizers, if two vaporizers would be active in anesthesia system they would both deliver the required concentration to the gas stream. Both of these drugs would then get delivered for patient breathing and circulation to effect-site both drug causing their effect resulting to doubled strength of the anesthesia effect. Clinically such situation is challenging to manage and may be dangerous. Therefore vaporizer constructional standards require mechanisms that prevents simultaneous opening of the vaporizers.
In vaporizer failure situation for provision of un-interrupted inhalation anesthesia delivery, the anesthesia system must have means to isolate the failing vaporizer from the pneumatic circuitry and continue the anesthesia with another vaporizer connected to the anesthesia system, or replace the damaged unit with an operational one. To achieve isolation, the components potentially endangered to fail are advantageously positioned to the exchangeable module and the anesthesia system has reliable means to isolate the vaporizer from the rest of the system. Isolating the vaporizer from anesthesia system pneumatic circuitry when the vaporizer is inactive also ensures that vaporizer not selected for use does not leak vapor for patient breathing. Current anesthesia systems have a valve at the vaporizer inlet connector and outlet connector. These valves can be switched to position allowing gas flow through vaporizer or bypassing the vaporizer.
One of the most sensitive components that renders a vaporizer unusable is a leak of the seal between the vaporizer and the anesthesia system. Damage may occur when removing and installing the vaporizer on the anesthesia system. Identifying the presence of such a leak is difficult in the middle of delivering anesthesia. Therefore the vaporizer connection is advantageously evaluated at the anesthesia system testing performed regularly. In such testing, identification of the site for observed leak is advantageous to ease problem solving. Valves on the anesthesia system isolating the seal between the vaporizer and anesthesia system provides advantage of controlled testing of the leak in this connection. In such testing, one vaporizer at a time is connected to the pneumatic circuitry and the circuit leak is analyzed by pressurizing the circuit.
One particular undesired failure mode of anesthesia system is occlusion of the fresh gas line. When in use fresh gas is guided to the vaporizer though an inlet valve and out from the vaporizer through an outlet valve. When one of the valves makes a proper connection, but the other fails to make the connection, fresh gas occlusion occurs. Such a failure to open one of the valves may occur if that valve gets stuck or the valve actuator is broken.
Modern anesthesia systems are electronic other than vaporizers, where the mechanical actuation (including connection valves) and passive vaporization still dominate. These devices lack what electronics provide, such as automatic therapy data storage to patient records, automated device diagnostics, drug usage measurement, monitoring remaining drug level and external control of the desired output from anesthesia system.
However, external electronic control of the vaporizer from anesthesia system allows positioning of the vaporizers away from the prime user interface area, as well as providing anesthesia automation. Provision of electrical energy for vaporization miniaturizes size and weight, enabling ergonomic development of anesthesia systems. Such electronically controlled vaporizers must also have electronic control of the vaporizer connection valves to facilitate automatic vaporizer activation on user request for agent output and for automatic testing.

Interface device and method for supplying gas flow for subject breathing and apparatus for supplying anesthetic agent to the interface device


A semiconductor integrated circuit having a circuit block including a MOS transistor that includes a bias input terminal, a source, and a substrate, in which the bias voltage is applied to the MOS transistor at a position of at least one of the source and the substrate through the bias input terminal, a setting unit operable to set up applying timing and releasing timing at which the bias voltage is applied to and released from the MOS transistor, and a bias voltage-applying unit operable to apply the bias voltage to the MOS transistor at the applying timing and the releasing timing. In the semiconductor integrated circuit, the setting unit sets up, as the releasing timing, timing prior to activation timing by a predetermined time period. An operation-requesting signal, to be sent out to the circuit block by the setting unit, is activated at the moment of the activation timing.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor integrated circuit operable to suppress a leak current in a MOS transistor with a reduced influence on operating time of the circuit.
2. Description of the Related Art
A MOS transistor having a gate length of 62 nm or less brings about an increase in short channel effect-caused leak current in the MOS transistor. A semiconductor circuit device consumes electrical power equal in value to a total of a dynamic component such as switching and charge/discharge associated with the operation of the circuit, and a statistic component such as the leak current.
The 65 nm or more semiconductor process art is operable to reduce the power source voltage of the circuit in response to a reduction in threshold voltage of the MOS transistor, thereby reducing dynamic consumption current, with a consequential reduction in power consumption. However, for the 65 nm or less semiconductor process art, the leak current in the MOS transistor accounts for a large percentage of the total consumption current.
A leak current-suppressing method includes a step of reducing the power source voltage or applying bias voltage to either a source or substrate of the MOS transistor. However, the reduced power source voltage results in reduced driving capability of the MOS transistor, and the circuit is thereby operated at lower speed.
An improved semiconductor integrated circuit designed to consume less electrical power is proposed by cited Reference No. 1 or published Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-96073 (FIGS. 1 and 4).
Referring to FIG. 11, a prior art semiconductor integrated circuit is illustrated in block diagram form. Referring to FIG. 12, a course of action provided by the prior art semiconductor integrated circuit is illustrated in flowchart form. FIGS. 11 and 12 are disclosed in cited Reference No. 1.
The semiconductor integrated circuit includes a processor 100, an operating mode control unit 101, and a bias-switching circuit 102. The processor 100 is of a dual mode type: a waiting mode in which the leak current is suppressed; and a regular mode in which the circuit is usually operated. The operating mode control unit 101 has control of a switchover of the processor 100 between the waiting and regular modes. The operating mode control unit 101 includes a timer 103.
When switching over the processor 100 from the regular mode to the waiting mode, the operating mode control unit 101 notifies the bias-switching circuit 102 of the switchover. The bias-switching circuit 102 changes a value of the bias voltage when the processor 100 is in the waiting mode. The bias voltage is to be applied to the MOS transistor at either a source or substrate terminal thereof. While the bias voltage is applied to the MOS transistor, a difference in potential between the source of the MOS transistor and a gate thereof is reduced to reduce the leak current, thereby providing reduced power consumption.
When the bias voltage is changed in value, then there is a need to charge and discharge parasitic capacity that accompanies the MOS transistor at the source or substrate thereof. The circuit is rendered inoperative during the charge and discharge of the parasitic capacity, and the processor 100 is deactivated during that time. The timer 103 measures a period of time in which the parasitic capacity is charged and discharged, thereby practicing time management. When the period of time as managed by the timer 103 is terminated, then the processor 100 starts a course of action. In other words, the processor 100 still remains inoperative during a period of time in which the parasitic capacity must be charged and discharged, even when the processor 100 is switched over from the waiting mode to the regular mode.
As shown by the flowchart of FIG. 12, the switchover from the waiting mode to the regular mode is completed after timer-out or the elapse of the time period measured by the timer 103. The semiconductor integrated circuit as disclosed by cited Reference No. 1 makes it feasible to balance low power consumption with operating speed.
However, according to the prior art, the parasitic capacity accompanying the MOS transistor must be charged and discharged when the processor 100 is switched over from the waiting mode to the regular mode. As a result, the circuit, including the processor 100, cannot be operated during such a period of time as to require the charge/discharge of the parasitic capacity, after the switchover from the waiting mode to the regular mode. In short, the circuit cannot be operated for a certain period of time after the processor 100 is changed over to the regular mode.
Such temporary downtime of the processor 100 results in reduced operating speed of the entire system including the semiconductor integrated circuit.
A larger-scaled circuit experiences a greater load, resulting in the charge/discharge in a longer period of time. More specifically, a problem with the prior art circuit is that a larger-scaled circuit involves charge/discharge-caused, longer downtime when the circuit is switched over from the waiting mode to the regular mode. The problem makes it difficult to set up the waiting mode for a short period of downtime that takes places during a continuous course of action such as audio or image processing.

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A manual valve for an automotive transmission includes a valve spool defining lands having a relatively large diameter and a land having a relatively smaller diameter. Regulated line pressure supplied to the manual valve is selectively connected to and disconnected from passages that are pressurized when the gear selector is moved among a reverse drive range, overdrive range, and several manual ranges. Friction elements, supplied with hydraulic pressure through these passages, are engaged and disengaged to produce the various gear ratios of the transmission. When each friction element is disengaged, it is vented through an exhaust passage extending from the manual valve to a point that is vertically high in relation to the other passages of the circuit.

Field of the Invention
It is conventional practice in the operation of an actuation and control circuit of an automatic transmission to vent hydraulic fluid from the circuit to a low pressure drain or sump at various locations throughout the circuit. Various friction elements of the transmission, i.e., hydraulically actuated clutches, brakes and servos, are engaged and released to produce gear ratio changes. Hydraulic fluid at elevated pressure is supplied to several friction element, each having a hydraulic piston located within a cylinder, thereby causing frictional contact among stacked friction plates connected to the driving and driven members.
When the friction element is disengaged during a gear ratio change, the torque capacity of the friction element is lowered by venting hydraulic fluid from the cylinder to a low pressure sump located below the circuit. While venting the portion of the hydraulic circuit that connects the friction element to the source of line pressure, it is possible for air to enter the passages of that portion of the circuit. Thereafter, when a gear ratio change requires reengagement of that friction element, air within those passages is either displaced by hydraulic fluid supplied to the friction element or is compressed within the passages by the pressurized hydraulic fluid traveling to the oncoming friction element. This process of displacing air or compressing air within the passages produces a detectable delay between placement of the gear selector mechanism by the vehicle operator in the desired position and completed engagement of the friction element that produces the selected gear ratio. This delay is frequently unacceptable to the vehicle operator.
Movement of the gear selector lever by the vehicle operator is linked to a manual valve, a component in the actuation and hydraulic control circuit that is supplied with regulated line pressure and directs line pressure selectively to output ports in the manual valve that correspond to the position of the gear selector lever. For example, if the gear selector is moved to a drive range (D or OD), the manual valve connects the regulated line pressure source to an output port through which all of the passages of the hydraulic circuit required to be pressurized to produce the selected gear ratios are pressurized. When the gear selector is moved from a forward drive position to the reverse position, the manual valve closes the output port that supplies pressure to the passages requiring pressurization in the forward drive condition and instead connects the line pressure source to an output port that pressurizes the lines required to be pressurized to produce reverse drive. However, if the pressurized fluid in the offgoing friction element is permitted to drain to a low pressure sump, delay in engaging the desired gear ratio after moving the selector lever to the selected position will occur nonetheless.
Various attempts have been devised to avoid this delay. For example, the manual valve of some automatic transmissions is constructed so that the drain passage is connected to the low pressure sump through a drain passage having an opening to the sump that is elevated in relation to the elevation of the manual valve and extends preferably to the highest point in the hydraulic circuit. Manual valves used in combination with the elevated exhaust passage require a long drain passage at one end of the manual valve and a corresponding length at the opposite end. These lengths contribute to increasing the overall size of the manual valve in comparison to a conventional manual valve, which merely connects the drain for exhaust passages directly to the low pressure sump. Consequently, additional space must be dedicated to the manual valve in the valve body, the compact compartment containing all of the control valves of the hydraulic control circuit. Space within the labyrinth produced by passages of the hydraulic circuit and valves connected by passages is at a premium; therefore, additional space for any valve such as the manual valve is undesired.

System using vertical exhaust passage for maintaining primed condition of hydraulic circuits of an automatic transmission


A method for controlling a wireless communication signal transmitter over a wireless broadband network is presented. In the method, transmitter commands for the transmitter are received over a wireless broadband network at a wireless broadband router. The transmitter commands are directed from the router over a first wired connection to the transmitter. Also, monitor commands for a monitoring device are received over the network at the router. The monitoring device is configured to monitor an electrical characteristic of the transmitter. The monitor commands are directed from the router over a second wired connection to a serial communication cable adapter. At the adapter, the monitor commands are converted into a serial communication format. The resulting serial monitor commands are transferred from the adapter over a serial communication connection to the monitoring device.

Wireless communication systems may facilitate any of numerous types of wireless communication, such as cellular telephone service, wireless Internet access, and various other forms of wireless data exchange. Such systems typically employ one or more sets of fixed-location wireless communication equipment, such as transmitters, receivers, or transceivers, capable of providing communication service to multiple wireless communication devices located within some defined area surrounding the communication equipment. These wireless communication devices may include mobile telephone devices, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and the like.
To ensure proper functioning of the communication equipment, operators of the communication system may employ test equipment at or near each site of the communication equipment to monitor one or more aspects of the equipment to determine if the equipment is operating in a desirable manner. Presuming the use of test equipment that may be coupled to the Internet or another wide-area network (WAN), such monitoring may occur over a fixed wired connection, such as a typical DSL or cable modem connection, for each item of test equipment. As a result, a computer or other communication device may retrieve monitoring data produced by the test equipment at each fixed location of the communication equipment from a single remote location more convenient to the communication system operator.

Control of a wireless communication signal transmitter over a wireless broadband network


A cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) system in different Brassica species having a distinct mitochondrial DNA specific RFLP signature. A method for obtaining male sterile lines and restoration of fertility in B. juncea for hybrid seed production using the CMS. This CMS in B. juncea can be restored by crossing male sterile plants with any B. juncea genotype other than the maintainer genotype. The same B. juncea genotype acts as maintainer of male sterility after a specified number of backcrosses. The CMS also relates to histological characterization of another and microspore development in B. juncea.

The contribution of hybrids towards enhancing productivity of crop plants through the phenomenon of heterosis or hybrid vigor, in which F1 hybrid plants generated by crosses between two genetically diverse parents exhibit improved yield than either of the parents, is well documented (Banga 1992, In Breeding Oilseed Brassicas Eds. Labana K S, Banga S S and Banga S K, Narosa Publishing House, New Delhi; Pradhan et. al., 1993, Euphytica 69:219-229). Cross pollination is essential for the production of hybrids and hence, it is imperative to render one of the parents male sterile to ensure cross pollination to facilitate the production of hybrid seeds in a commercially viable manner.
One of the ways to induce male sterility is by the use of cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) systems. Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) in plants is a maternally inherited trait, the genetic determinants of which are located in genomes of the cytoplasmic organelle, the mitochondria, and is manifested as a result of incompatibility between the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes. This incompatibility arises mainly due to aberrant recombination events, insertions and deletions in mitochondrial DNA that result in unusual open reading frames (Dewey et. al., 1987, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 84:5374-5378; Krishnasamy and Makaroff, 1993, Curr. Genet. 24:156-163). These rearrangements of mitochondrial DNA molecules are widely reported by Bonhomme et. al. (1992, Mol. Gen. Genet. 235:340-348), Janska et. al. (1998, Plant Cell 10:1163-1180) and have also been shown to occur spontaneously in vitro (Vitrat et. al., 1992, Mol. Gen. Genet. 233:193-200; Kanazawa et. al., 1994, Genetics 138:865-870). In most CMS systems, the mitochondrial DNA rearrangements mainly affect the development of male reproductive organs but may also induce some other floral and phenotypic abnormalities. Such plants are severely impaired in their ability to produce functional pollen grains.
CMS provides a useful mechanism for pollination control and commercial hybrid seed production. In crop plants, where seeds are the product of economic value, restoration of fertility in the F1 hybrids is essential. CMS-restorer systems have been used for the production of hybrid seeds in a large number of crops like maize, rice, sorghum, sunflower etc.
CMS may be either alloplasmic or spontaneous in origin. Spontaneous CMS systems arise in breeding lines without intentional intervention. Examples include: the maize T-cytoplasm [Duvick D N: Cytoplasmic pollen sterility in corn. In: Caspari E W, Thoday J M (eds) Advances in Genetics. Vol 13, pp 1-56. Academic Press, New York (1965)]; the pol cytoplasm of B. napus (which arose in cultivar Polima, Fu, 1981, Eucarpia Cruciferae Newsl. 6:6-7) and the male sterile cytoplasm of Phaseolus (first reported by Basset and Shuh, 1982, J. Am. Soc. Hort. Sci. 107:791-793). The 'Pol' CMS has been extensively used to produce CMS lines in oilseed B. napus (Barsby et. al., 1987, Plant Sci. 53:243-248; Fu et. al., 1990, Plant Breeding 104:115-120; Sodhi et. al., 1993, Plant Breeding 110:334-337).
In an alloplasmic CMS system, an alien cytoplasm present in the nuclear background of a cultivated crop variety leads to nuclear—cytoplasmic incompatibility inducing male sterility. Several alloplasmic CMS systems reported in various Brassica species have been generated using wild relatives as the cytoplasmic donors. B. oxyrrhina cytoplasm has been shown to induce male sterility in B. juncea (Prakash and Chopra, 1990, Theor. Appl. Genet. 79: 285-287) and B. napus (Arumugam et. al., 2000, Theor. Appl. Genet. 100:1043-1049). Similarly, B. tournefortii cytoplasm in B. juncea and B. napus (Pradhan et. al., 1991, Plant Breeding 106:204-208; Steiwe and Robellen, 1994, Plant Breeding 113: 294-304; Arumugam et. al., 1996, Theor. Appl. Genet. 92:762-768), Diplotaxis siifolia cytoplasm in B. juncea (Rao et. al., 1994, Plant Breeding 112:171-174), Trachystoma ballii cytoplasm in B. juncea (Kirti et. al., 1995a, Plant Breeding 114:434-438), Raphanus sativus cytoplasm in B. juncea and B. napus (Kirti et. al., 1995b, Theor. Appl. Genet. 91:517-521; Pelletier et. al., 1983, Mol. Gen. Genet. 191: 244-250; Menczel et. al., 1987, Plant Cell Rep. 6:98-101), Moricandia arvensis cytoplasm in B. juncea (Prakash et. al., 1998, Theor. Appl. Genet. 97:488-492) and Erucastrum canariense cytoplasm in B. juncea (Prakash et. al., 2001, Plant Breeding 120:479-482) induces male sterility. A number of alloplasmic CMS systems have also been reported in B. oleracea (Hu et. al., 1997, J. Agric. Sci. 128:299-301, Verma et. al., 2000, Plant Breeding 119:90-92, U.S. Pat. No. 6,046,383, UK Patent No. GB2281568A, WO 96/21010).
However, most of the alloplasmic CMS systems cited above could not be utilized effectively due to lack of corresponding fertility restorer lines that could restore male fertility in the respective F1 hybrids. For such CMS systems, attempts have been made to introgress restorer genes from the respective donors of the cytoplasmic male sterility trait. However, the transfer of restorer genes from wild relatives is often hampered by its linkage to undesirable traits viz. reduced female fertility as observed in 'Ogu' CMS in B. napus (Delourme and Renard, 1988, Genome 30:234-238). This undesirable linkage was subsequently broken in order to develop restorer lines with good female fertility (Delourme et. al., 1991, Proc. 8th Int. Rapeseed Congr. 5:1506-1510, Patent No. CA2273137).
Similar attempts have been made to introduce fertility restorer function from the cytoplasm donor species for various alloplasmic CMS systems available in B. juncea. However, this kind of transfer requires long-winded breeding programs and could falter due to lack of chromosomal exchanges or linkage drag. Kirti et. al. (1997, Plant Breeding 116:259-262) reported the isolation of a restorer plant for Trachystoma ballii CMS with 90% pollen viability. However, the identified restorer plant continued to show leaf serration of T. balli, intermediate flower morphology, contorted pods and yellow cylindrical seeds typical of T. balli, indicating that restoration of Trachystoma ballii CMS is far from being perfect.
Prakash et. al. (1998, Theor. Appl. Genet. 97:488-492) reported isolation of a restorer of another CMS system derived from Moricandia arvensis wherein the restored plant showed 96% pollen viability. However, the restored plants exhibited severe chlorosis similar to CMS plants as well as reduced female fertility. Another alloplasmic CMS system in B. juncea derived from Erucastrum canariense cytoplasm developed by Prakash et. al. (2001, Plant Breeding 120:479-482), also lacked proper restoration. The restored plant showed 90% pollen viability but was also associated with reduced female fertility. Recently Bhat et. al. (2005, Plant Breeding 124:117-120) have shown introgression of restorer from Moricandia arvensis into B. juncea which restores both M. arvensis and Diplotaxis catholica cytoplasm.
So far none of the restorer lines isolated for respective alloplasmic CMS systems has shown perfect fertility restoration without any negative effect in terms of morphology, fertility etc. thereby compromising the eventual usage of such lines for the production of hybrid plants and seeds with enhanced yield.
Thus, a need in the art currently exists for developing a cytoplasmic male sterility system along with its restorer for Brassica species which is substantially free of phenotypic infirmities and other defects, and can be fully restored and therefore used in producing hybrid seeds in a commercially viable manner. The present invention seeks to fulfill this need.

Dhara Vegetable Oil and Foods Company Limited


Adhesive room temperature vulcanizing silicone rubber compositions based on polydiorganosiloxanes, which cross-link by means of condensation are good adhesives. The compounds contain, in addition to the conventional components, the combination of at least one hydrolyzable alkylsilalne and at least one branched polysiloxane.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to adhesive room temperature vulcanizing (RTV) silicone rubber compositions (also called "compounds" herein) based on polydiorganosiloxanes, which cross-link by means of condensation, the compounds containing, in addition to the conventional components, the combination of at least one hydrolyzable alkylsilane and at least one branched polysiloxane.
2. Discussion of the Background
There exist silicone rubber compounds that vulcanize to elastomers at room temperature. They contain in general a cross-linkable polymeric, usually linear siloxane, a compound that has a vulcanizing effect, a catalyst and optionally other additives, like plasticizers, bonding agents, pigments, processing agents and fillers.
The very good adhesive properties of silicone rubbers are not always advantageous, since frequently a strong adhesion of the silicone on different substrates is to be achieved. Therefore, one uses so-called bonding agents, which are either integrated into the silicone rubber compound or are applied on the substrate as primer. Normally these bonding agents comprise one or several monomeric silanes, which exhibit functional groups bonded on the silicon via carbon. There also exist compounds that have the effect of a bonding agent and that are obtained through the reaction of different bonding agents.
Technically preferred is the integration of the bonding agents into the silicone rubber compounds, thus saving the additional step of applying the bonding agent. However, one important problem for the stability of the adhesive shear strength of such adhesive bonds or sealants lies in the fact that, on the one hand, the adhesion of the silicone on the substrate and, on the other hand, the vulcanizate strength, for example at elevated temperatures and subject to the simultaneous effect of moisture, declines very rapidly. Within a short period of time the result is a significant reduction of the technical service life of the combination silicone and substrate.
According to the DE 23 01 547 a combination of aminopropyl triethoxysilane and glycidoxypropyl trimethoxysilane or analogous alkoxysilanes with amino groups and epoxide groups are used for an adhesive bond of silicone with glass. EP 178 751 describes the integration of these compounds into the silicone rubber compound. These systems have the drawback that with a tensile load on such an adhesive bond following simultaneous stress by temperature and humidity (hot water storage) the adhesion tears.
Several methods have been tried to avoid this decrease in strength. Thus, the addition of colophonium esters in the form of a solution in toluene is described in the EP 540 540. JP 3 017 158 teaches the use of calcium carbonates coated with colophonium, thus necessitating an additional treatment of the fillers.


A seal for a plug connector arrangement having a plug which is intended to latch into a standard socket in a releasable manner, wherein the seal is formed with a latching suppression means for permanently preventing the plug from latching in and with a pushing means for pushing the plug, which is not latched in, into its standard contact position.

Plug connectors are used to connect electrical devices. To this end, a socket is typically provided on the device, it being possible for a suitable plug to be inserted into said socket. A large number of different standards for socket/plug pairs are known in this case. Although socket/plug pairs of this kind cannot be as large as desired, it is equally necessary to ensure that the inserted plug exhibits a sufficiently large pull-out force, that is to say cannot be easily removed from the associated socket. This can be achieved, for example, by way of latching elements which, after the plug is inserted, allow said plug to be pulled out only after the latching lock is released.
Examples include plugs which comply with standard RJ45 and are widely used in network engineering in particular. Said plugs have an approximately cuboid front region, a plurality of electrical contacts are provided parallel to one another on the lower face of said region and a latching arm is situated on the upper face of said region, this latching arm initially being pressed downward when the plug is inserted into the socket, until it is pushed behind a latching stop where it is pivoted back into its latching position away from the plug body. In order to remove the plug from the socket, an attachment on the latching element, which attachment projects out of the socket, has to be pressed against the body, this pivoting the latching means downward out of the latching position and allowing the plug to be pulled out.
The known plugs of this kind are widely used and are also produced in an economical manner as mass-produced products. However, although known plugs of this kind are standardized in terms of sockets, they are provided with different plug grip bodies which are not standardized. A problem therefore arises when the arrangement is exposed to the elements. It is then necessary to provide an arrangement which is resistant to weathering.
It is desirable, in the process, for it to be possible for conventional cables to be used so that electrical devices which are intended to be connected by means of known plugs of this kind and which are exposed to the elements can be connected independently of the required length of the lines.
The object of the present invention is to provide a novel subject matter for industrial use.
The way in which this object is achieved is claimed in independent form.


A real time clock module maintains operating and timing parameters in “non-volatile” or persistent memory when an integrated circuit is powered down. The real time clock module provides is divided into an analog and a digital domain. The analog domain contains a number of persistent registers to store operational parameters and timing parameters. These persistent registers are powered by a battery and receive a timing clock signal from a crystal oscillator. A clock domain-crossing module operably couples to the persistent registers and allows the analog domain and the digital domain to be synchronized. An input buffer receives the operational and timing parameters for the persistent registers from the digital domain and an output buffer allows the digital domain to retrieve the operational parameters and timing parameters from the persistent registers according to the clock crossing domain module.

As is known, integrated circuits are used in a wide variety of electronic equipment, including portable, or handheld, devices. Such handheld devices include personal digital assistants (PDA), CD players, MP3 players, DVD players, AM/FM radio, pagers, cellular telephones, computer memory extension (commonly referred to as a thumb drive), etc. Each of these handheld devices includes one or more integrated circuits that provide the functionality of the device. For example, a thumb drive may include an integrated circuit that interfaces with a computer (e.g., personal computer, laptop, server, workstation, etc.) through the ports of the computer (e.g., Universal Serial Bus (USB), parallel port, etc.) and at least one other memory integrated circuit (e.g., flash memory). As such, when the memory extension couples to a computer, data can be read from and written to the memory of extension. Accordingly, a user may store personalized information (e.g., presentations, Internet access account information, etc.) on the memory extension and use any computer to access the information.
In another example, a media player may include multiple integrated circuits to support the storage and playback of digitally formatted media (i.e., formatted in accordance with the MP3 specification). As is known, one integrated circuit may be used for interfacing with a computer, another integrated circuit for generating a power supply voltage, another for processing the storage and/or playback of the digitally formatted audio data, and still another for rendering the playback of the digitally formatted audio data audible.
As is also known, integrated circuits have enabled the creation of a plethora of handheld devices, however, to be "wired" in today's electronic world, a person needs to possess multiple handheld devices. One may own a cellular telephone for cellular telephone service, a PDA for scheduling, address book, etc., one or more thumb drives for extended memory functionality, an MP3 player for storage and/or playback of digitally recorded music, a radio, etc. Thus, even though a single handheld device may be relatively small, carrying multiple handheld devices can become quite burdensome.
A vital concern with every battery powered handheld device is its battery life (i.e., how long the handheld device will run before the battery has to be replaced). There are two primary components to extending the battery life of a handheld device: one is to minimize power consumption and the other is to use the battery to its fullest capacity. Most of the efforts have been focused on reducing power consumption. While extremely important, effectively using the battery to its fullest extent is becoming more critical and receiving increased attention.
Current techniques to effectively use the battery to its fullest extent safely (i.e., shutting down the handheld device in a safe manner when the battery is consumed), monitor the battery voltage. When the battery voltage drops below a predetermined threshold, the device shuts down and stores current user settings. This allows for the device to power up in a known manner when the battery is replaced. If desired, the device may resume where it left off just before the device powered down. When the device is not shutdown in a known manner, the software may lock-up causing the device to require service.
While monitoring the battery voltage does provide a safe shutdown mechanism to extend the usefulness of the battery, it does not enable the battery to be used to its fullest extent, nor does it distinguish the possible reasons as to why the battery voltage dropped.
Therefore, a need exists for a method and apparatus that periodically stores the current operating conditions of a battery powered handheld device to ensure that the device can be restarted in a known manner.

On-chip realtime clock module has input buffer receiving operational and timing parameters and output buffer retrieving the parameters


For heating or cooling the content of a tank, flow paths for a temperature controlling medium are provided in the form of longitudinal channels 13 of closed hollow profile separate from the tank envelope 12. The channels 13 are connected at either end to collecting channels 14 extending in the peripheral direction of the envelope 12 to form an internally continuous channel system. This channel system may be produced separately of the tank as a generally trough shaped structure and, after the tank has been placed therein, fixed to the tank and kept in close proximity to the tank envelope 12 by an insulation 16, 17 which surrounds the overall structure.

The temperature of tanks is usually controlled by feeding a temperature controlling medium through channels that are formed of half pipes welded to the tank envelope. If the temperature control involves heating, it is common to use steam as the temperature controlling medium. Tanks of this type are disclosed in DE 1,223,132 B1, DE 8,800,536 U1, and DE 4,117,273 A1.
DE 1,960,929 U1 discloses a temperature controlled tank wherein part of the tank envelope itself is constituted by a helically wound tube of rectangular cross-section. The inner side of the tube part may plated by welding.
While the known designs provide efficient heat exchange between the temperature controlling medium and the tank content due to the fact that part of the channel profile is formed by the tank envelope itself, there are problems in other respects.
One problem resides in the considerable weld lengths between the half tubes and the tank envelope, which involve the danger of leakage. Leaking temperature controlling medium causes corrosion of the tank envelope and damage to the insulation surrounding the envelope and the medium flow channels.
Leakage is prone to occur not only when the tank is first manufactured; at that time, leakage is relatively easy to detect and repair. The situation is considerably more problematic if leakage occurs at a later date as a result of stress between the flow channels and the tank envelope. Stress may result from mechanical load in operation, which leads to transitory or permanent deformation of the tank envelope, or from local temperature differences, such as when hot steam is suddenly supplied to a cold tank due to malfunction of the supply system.
In addition, welding of different materials is undesirable or even impossible. This is particularly true if the tank is made of a special steel.
Furthermore, welding the channels to the envelope not only involves considerable manufacturing expenditure; with a tank which is no longer new, contamination and/or deformation of the envelope make welding difficult, so that older tanks can hardly be retrofitted with a heating or cooling system.


An apparatus for the application of a braking force to a wheel of a wheelbarrow, hand cart or other type of a cargo portage device includes a twist grip mechanism with a latching type of a ratchet attached to the handlebar of the device. As the twist grip mechanism is rotated a progressive braking force is applied to the wheel by tightening a brake band that extends around a drum that is attached to the wheel. A cable is attached at one end to the twist grip mechanism and to the brake band at its remaining end. The ratchet maintains the braking force that is applied until a thumb release lever is depressed which disengages a ratchet dog from contact with any of a plurality of ratchet teeth.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention, in general relates to braking devices for cargo portage devices and, more particularly, to twist grip braking devices for use with wheelbarrows and hand trucks.
The desire to apply a brake to a wheelbarrow or to a handtruck are well known and long-standing needs. These types of cargo portage devices are difficult to control on inclines. In particular, it is difficult to prevent them from running away from an operator.
Therefore, various types of braking devices have been built that function on wheelbarrows and the like. However, these types of braking devices fail to satisfy the need of maintaining control of the cargo portage device at all times.
It is important that the grip upon the handles of the cargo portage device not be compromised at any time, in particular, when using a wheelbarrow. The handles are used to balance the wheelbarrow (i.e., single wheel types of wheelbarrows) and therefore, an operator must always maintain a positive and secure grip on both of the handles.
Similarly, the operator must also always maintain a good grip upon the handles of a handtruck lest it begin to veer away from the operator.
Certain of the known types of braking devices for wheelbarrows use a braking device control portion that is attached to one of the handles and which requires the operator to pull the braking device control portion in a direction away from the wheelbarrow (i.e., toward the rear of the wheelbarrow) in order to actuate the braking mechanism.
This in and out type of xe2x80x9cplayxe2x80x9d lessens the feeling of control for the operator. It is important that the handle feel solid in order for the operator to feel in optimum control of the cargo portage device.
Also, this type of a braking device requires the operator to pull outward on the handle regardless of the attitude of the handle and this is not always easy or even possible to accomplish.
In particular, when a wheelbarrow is being raised for dumping the contents out from it, any of the known types of braking devices become either impractical or impossible to utilize. It is not possible to elevate the handles of a heavily laden wheelbarrow into a fully upright position and then pull outward, which is to lift even higher, the braking device control portion while still maintaining optimum braking control.
Accordingly, there exists today a need for a braking device for wheelbarrows, handtrucks, and other types of cargo portage devices that allows the operator to maintain control over the braking function regardless of the attitude that the cargo portage device is placed in and which maintains a solid feel that appeals to the operator regarding the handles of the cargo portage device.
Clearly, such a braking apparatus would be a useful and desirable device.
2. Description of Prior Art
Brakes for a variety of devices are, in general, known. For example, the following patents describe various types of braking devices:
U.S. Pat. No. 6,041,895 to Mao, Mar. 28, 2000;
U.S. Pat. No. 5,802,927 to Yu et al., Sep. 8, 1998;
U.S. Pat. No. 5,690,191 to Burbank, Nov. 25, 1997;
U.S. Pat. No. 5,393,081 to Mortenson, Feb. 28, 1995;
U.S. Pat. No. 4,962,833 to McCurdy, Oct. 16, 1990;
U.S. Pat. No. 4,767,128 to Terhune, Aug. 30, 1988;
U.S. Pat. No. 4,640,520 to Wing et al., Feb. 3, 1987;
U.S. Pat. No. 4,479,658 to Michaux, Oct. 30, 1984;
U.S. Pat. No. 4,252,334 to Filkins, Feb. 24, 1981;
U.S. Pat. No. 3,950,005 to Patterson, Apr. 13, 1976; and
U.S. Pat. No. 2,716,031 to Roessler, Aug. 23, 1955.
While the structural arrangements of the above described devices, at first appearance, have similarities with the present invention, they differ in material respects. These differences, which will be described in more detail hereinafter, are essential for the effective use of the invention and which admit of the advantages that are not available with the prior devices.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a twist-grip brake for a cargo portage device that can be used to slow down the cargo portage device.
It is also an important object of the invention to provide a twist-grip brake for a cargo portage device that can be used to stop the cargo portage device.
Another object of the invention is to provide a twist-grip brake for a cargo portage device that allows control of the braking function of the cargo portage device without an operator having to alter any part of his grip upon the handle.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a twist-grip brake for a cargo portage device that allows control of the braking function of the cargo portage device without an operator having to pull any component in an outward direction.
Still yet another object of the invention is to provide a twist-grip brake for a cargo portage device that allows control of the braking function of the cargo portage device with a handle that controls the braking function and which provides an operator with a steady, solid feel.
Yet another important object of the invention is to provide a twist-grip brake for a cargo portage device that is adapted to function regardless of the attitude of the cargo portage device.
Yet one further object of the invention is to provide a twist-grip brake for a cargo portage device that is adapted for use with a wheelbarrow.
Yet one still further object of the invention is to provide a twist-grip brake for a cargo portage device that that is adapted for use with a hand truck.
Still yet another important object of the invention is to provide a twist-grip brake for a cargo portage device that is adapted for heavy duty usage.
Still yet a first other important object of the invention is to provide a twist-grip brake for a cargo portage device that is reliable.
Still yet a second other important object of the invention is to provide a twist-grip brake for a cargo portage device that improves safety.
Still yet a third other important object of the invention is to provide a twist-grip brake for a cargo portage device that automatically locks as it is applied.
Still yet a fourth other important object of the invention is to provide a twist-grip brake for a cargo portage device that is adapted for use with a variety of different braking mechanisms, such as drum, disk (i.e. disc), and caliper types of braking mechanisms.
Still yet a fifth other important object of the invention is to provide a twist-grip brake for a cargo portage device that can be locked in a brake applied position as desired.
Still yet a sixth other important object of the invention is to provide a twist-grip brake for a cargo portage device that is free of obstructions that are associated with lever-type brake actuators.
Briefly, a twist-grip brake for a cargo portage device that is constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention has a brake control mechanism attached to one of the handles that is used to maneuver the cargo portage device. Twisting the grip proportionately actuates a braking mechanism that is attached to at least one wheel of the cargo portage device. A toothed ratchet with a thumb operated release mechanism is used to automatically lock the brake in an applied position and to release it, as desired. One possible type of a band brake is described.

Twist-grip brake for a cargo portage device


The invention features a system for microlithography that includes a mercury light source configured to emit radiation at multiple mercury emission lines, a projection objective positioned to receive radiation emitted by the mercury light source, and a stage configured to position a wafer relative to the projection objective. During operation, the projection objective directs radiation from the light source to the wafer, where the radiation at the wafer includes energy from more than one of the emission lines. Optical lens systems for use in said projection objective comprise four lens groups, each having two lenses comprising silica, the first and second lens groups on one hand and the third and fourth lens groups on the other hand are positioned symmetrically with respect to a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of said lens system.

Optical lens systems can be used to direct optical radiation. Optical lens systems can be imaging systems, directing the radiation from a object to an image region thereby forming an image of the object in the image region. In certain applications, optical lens systems can be used in microlithography systems. For example, optical lens systems can be used to project an image of a mask onto a photosensitive layer (e.g., a photoresist) on a substrate.

Symmetrical objective having four lens groups for microlithography


A display panel is provided. The display panel includes a substrate and a plurality of sub-pixels. The substrate includes a plurality of unit regions. One first sub-pixel, one second sub-pixel, one third sub-pixel and one fourth sub-pixel are disposed in each unit region. Each sub-pixel includes a first electrode layer, a light-emitting layer and a second electrode layer. The light-emitting layer is disposed on the first electrode layer, and the second electrode layer is disposed on the light-emitting layer. The light-emitting layer of each first sub-pixel and the light-emitting layer of each second sub-pixel include a same light-emitting material capable of emitting a first color light and a second color light. A difference between a main peak of the first color light and a main peak of the second color light is within 50 nm in the wavelength range.

1. Technical Field
The invention relates to a display panel, and particularly relates to a display panel having a high resolution.
2. Related Art
In recent years, since organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display has advantages of self-luminous, wide viewing angle, low power consumption, simple in procedure, low cost, wide range of operating temperature, high response speed and full color, etc., it has a great potential to become a mainstream of flat panel displays of a next generation. Along with continuous progress of display technology, it becomes a basic demand for the displays to display high resolution images. However, in the current OLED displays, due to limitation of a circuit size, it is difficult to achieve high resolution. Therefore, how to achieve the high resolution of the OLED display has become a development focus.


Methods for treating or preventing tauopathies and/or Aβ amyloidosis by modulating CRF receptor signaling. Accumulation of hyperphosphorlyated tau protein in the CNS may be reduced by administration of CRF-R1 selective antagonists and/or CRF-R2 selective agonists. For example, in some aspects, methods for preventing the onset of Alzheimer's disease by administration of CRF-R1 selective antagonist are provided.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention generally concerns protein mediated neurological disorders. In particular, the invention provides new methods to delay the onset and/or progression of tauopathies.
2. Description of Related Art
A wide variety of neurodegenerative disorders involve accumulation of insoluble tau protein. These disorders are collectively known as tauopathies due to the presence of tau tangles though, their clinical manifestation vary widely. One well-known tauopathy, Alzheimer's disease (AD) is defined neuropathologically by the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) containing tau protein. NFTs in AD have been found to consist of hyperphosphorylated forms of the tau protein. Hyperphosphorylated tau exhibits reduced ability to bind and stabilize microtubules and can self-aggregate to form insoluble paired helical filaments (PHFs), which comprise NFTs (Gustke et al., 1992; Bramblett et al., 1993; Alonso et al., 1996). The incidence of NFTs is positively correlated with cognitive deficit and neuronal loss in AD (Arriagada et al., 1992; Gomez-Isla et al., 1997), and the discovery that mutations in the tau gene underlie autosomal dominant forms of frontotemporal dementia suggests that pathological changes in tau can serve as a principal cause of neurodegeneration and cognitive impairment (Hutton et al., 1998; Poorkaj et al., 1998; Spillantini et al., 1998). In view of this, tau phosphorylation has been studies as a possible mediator of tauopathies.
Exposure to a range of environmental insults, or stresses, can activate tau kinases and induce tau phosphorylation (tau-P) in the rodent central nervous system (CNS) (e.g., Korneyev et al., 1995; Papasozomenos, 1996; Korneyev, 1998; Yanagisawa et al., 1999; Planel et al., 2001, 2004; Arendt et al., 2003; Feng et al., 2005). This effect has been reported consistently in the hippocampal formation, a key structure in learning and memory, and the initial site of tau pathology in AD (Braak and Braak, 1991). Although acute stress-induced tau-P is reversible, the mechanisms that govern this phenomenon are unknown, and it is not clear whether and how it may be manifest under chronic stress conditions. Addressing these questions may better define the elusive links between the stress axis and AD-related pathogenic processes, as increased exposure and/or sensitivity to stress in humans and rodent models confers increased risk of dementia and AD neuropathology (Wilson et al., 2003; Jeong et al., 2006).
Warranting consideration in this respect are glucocorticoids, dominant stress hormones whose elevated levels in aging have been linked to increased neuronal vulnerability in hippocampus (Sapolsky et al., 1985, 1986). However, acute stress-induced tau-P is reportedly unaffected in adrenalectomized mice (Korneyev et al., 1995), suggesting that glucocorticoid secretion may not be pivotally involved. Alternatively, the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) signaling system plays an essential role in initiating pituitary-adrenal responses to stress, and has been implicated as a transmitter/modulator in CNS systems that mediate complementary autonomic and behavioral adjustments, earning consideration as a general mediator/integrator of stress adaptations (Chadwick et al., 1993). CRF and related ligands (urocortins 1-3) exert their biological effects via two G-protein coupled receptors (CRF-R1, CRF-R2) that are differentially distributed in brain (Van Pett et al., 2000), and exert convergent effects on a range of stress-related endpoints (Bale and Vale, 2004). CRF-R ligands can confer neuroprotection, in vitro, by altering amyloid precursor protein (APP) processing and suppressing tau kinases, and reduced central CRF expression has been documented early in AD progression (Rehman, 2002; Bayatti and Behl, 2005). Furthermore, studies examining the effects of CRF-R signaling on apoptotic cell death in neurons indicated that CRF-R2 agonists had no effect on neuronal death while CRF-R1 agonist has a protective effect (Pedersen et al., 2002). These results lead many in the field to contemplate that CRF-R1 agonist might have use as therapeutics in AD (Pedersen et al., 2002; U.S. Publn. 20030186867). However, to date the precise role of CRF-R signaling in the development and progression of tauopathies has remained unclear.

Methods for treatment and prevention of tauopathies and amyloid beta amyloidosis by modulating CRF receptor signaling


A thin film transistor array panel is provided according to one or more embodiments. In an embodiment, the thin film transistor array panel includes: a base substrate that has a display area and a peripheral area; a plurality of thin film transistors that are formed in the display area; a plurality of signal input pads that are formed in the peripheral area and that are formed long in a first direction; and a plurality of signal lines that are connected to the thin film transistors and the signal input pads, wherein at least a part of each of the plurality of signal input pads is arranged in a line along the first direction.

(a) Technical Field
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a thin film transistor array panel.
(b) Description of the Related Art
In a thin film transistor array panel that is used in a general display device, a plurality of gate lines and a plurality of data lines are formed to intersect each other, a pixel electrode and a thin film transistor, which is a switching element, are formed in an intersecting region of the gate line and the data line, and signal input pads that are electrically connected to a driving device are formed at one end of each of the gate line and the data line. The driving device is mounted in a flexible circuit layer in an integrated circuit (IC) form to be attached to a thin film transistor array panel.
The general thin film transistor array panel is manufactured to use a glass substrate as a base substrate. However, because a glass substrate is heavy and brittle, it is inappropriate to use the glass substrate in a display device that has a light weight, that endures some deformation, and that requires that it does not break on impact.
Therefore, research and development of a flexible display device that replaces a conventional glass substrate with a flexible substrate has been undertaken, and such a flexible display device is manufactured by replacing the glass substrate with a thin flexible substrate, for example, a plastic substrate.
However, unlike a conventional glass substrate, the size of the flexible substrate may change because a flexible substrate such as a plastic substrate expands or contracts according to a manufacturing environment. Particularly, in a process of bonding a flexible film in which a driving IC is mounted to a signal input pad of the plastic substrate, there is a problem in that the signal input pad and a signal pad of the flexible film are misaligned due to expansion or contraction of the substrate.
The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill in the art.


A portable writing desk which includes a light which can be positioned below the writing surface for illuminating tracing materials or can be positioned above the writing surface for illuminating reading, writing or drawing activities. A portable desk has a removable drawer with a writing surface on the removable drawer. A portable desk also includes a removable board, which has a third writing surface. A cushion is attached which allows for comfortable placement of the writing desk on a person's lap while in a seated position.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to portable desks, and more particularly to portable lap-type desks which have a built-in tracing light and a tracing surface.
2. Background Information
There are many occasions when a person needs a portable surface to use as a desk for reading and writing. In response to this need, there are a number of such portable desks which sit on a person's laptop and provide a hard surface for reading and writing. Some of these portable desks have a built-in light, storage compartments for materials, and some have a cushion for placing the desks on a person's lap when they are in a seated position.
There are several particular situations in which a portable desk is commonly needed, and for which no suitable desk is available. One of these situations is when several children are riding in a car, or traveling on a train or airplane, and when a surface for reading, writing and tracing would help entertain a number of children. At present, this situation can be met by the use of clipboards or their equivalent, or a number of portable desk units, one for each child. Even with the use of such clipboards and portable desk units, there is no provision for tracing, a common and entertaining activity for children and adults.
Another situation is when the need to trace arises. Adults, as well as children, often find the need to trace. For instance, when a person traces a pattern for embroidery or paper piecing, floor plans for a house, outlines for a sketch, or any number of situations when tracing is useful. There is no portable writing surface which provides a tracing option.
Another situation when a need exists is when families with children travel on airplanes, and an activity center could be brought on board as carry-on luggage.
What is needed then is a portable writing desk which can provide multiple working surfaces for more than one user. The ideal such portable writing desk would provide at least three working surfaces, so that three children or adults could have a working surface for reading, writing, drawing and tracing, all at the same time.
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a portable desk which provides multiple works surfaces, so that several users can read, write, draw or trace on a work surface. Another object of the invention is to provide a work surface for tracing which is illuminated from beneath, and which is provided with a clamping device for holding paper, both the traced paper and the tracing paper, in place on the work surface.
Another object of the invention is to provide a multiple work surface portable desk which sits comfortably on a person's lap by the use of a removable cushion.
A further object of the invention is to provide a portable work station with an illuminated work surface. A further object of the invention is to provide a portable work station with an internal drawer for storage of materials, and which also serves as a work surface.
Another object of the invention is to provide a portable writing desk with a removable cover, in which the cover serves as a supplemental cushion, a carrying handle, a storage unit and a protective cover for the desk.
Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description as follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.


The invention relates to a pipe handling apparatus that delivers and positions tubulars at a wellhead and a device for assisting pivotal movement of a boom relative to a base of the apparatus. A pneumatic spring assembly is pivotally connected between the boom and base. During operation, the pneumatic spring assembly urges the boom from a first position to a second position and resists movement of the boom from the second position to the first position. A pneumatic reservoir may be attached to the pipe handling apparatus. A gas-charging assembly fluidically connects the pneumatic spring assembly and pneumatic reservoir and allows the pneumatic reservoir to vary the pneumatic pressure within the pneumatic spring assembly. Sensors mounted in the pipe handling apparatus may provide feedback to a controller which may automatically adjust the amount of pneumatic pressure within the pneumatic springs for ideal performance of the springs.

Drill rigs have utilized several methods for transferring tubular members from a pipe rack adjacent to the drill floor to a mousehole in the drill floor or the well bore for connection to a previously transferred tubular or tubular string. The term "tubular" as used herein includes all forms of pipe, drill pipe, drill collars, casing, liner, bottom hole assemblies (BHA), and other types of tubulars known in the art.
Conventionally, drill rigs have utilized a combination of the rig cranes and the traveling system for transferring a tubular from the pipe rack to a vertical position above the center of the well. The obvious disadvantage with the prior art systems is that there is a significant manual involvement in attaching the pipe elevators to the tubular and moving the pipe from the drill rack to the rotary table at the wellhead. This manual transfer operation in the vicinity of workers is potentially dangerous and has caused numerous injuries in drilling operations. Further, the hoisting system may allow the tubular to come into contact with the catwalk or other portions of the rig as the tubular is transferred from the pipe rack to the drill floor. This can damage the tubular and may affect the integrity of the connections between successive tubulars in the well.
In the past, various devices have been created which mechanically move a pipe from a horizontal orientation to a vertical orientation such that the vertically-oriented pipe can be installed into the well bore. Typically, these devices have utilized several interconnected arms that are associated with a boom. In order to move the pipe, a succession of individual movements of the levers, arms, and other components of the boom must be performed in a coordinated manner in order to achieve the desired result. Typically, a wide variety of hydraulic actuators are connected to each of the components so as to carry out the prescribed movement. A complex control mechanism is connected to each of these actuators so as to achieve the desired movement. Advanced programming is required of the controller in order to properly coordinate the movements in order to achieve this desired result.
Unfortunately, with such systems, the hydraulic actuators, along with other components, can become worn with time. Furthermore, the hydraulic integrity of each of the actuators can become compromised over time. As such, small variations in each of the actuators can occur. These variations, as they occur, can make the complex mechanism rather inaccurate. The failure of one hydraulic component can exacerbate the problems associated with the alignment of the pipe in a vertical orientation. Adjustments of the programming are often necessary so as to continue to achieve the desired results. Fundamentally, the more hydraulic actuators that are incorporated into such a system, the more likely it is to have errors, inaccuracies and deviations in the desired delivery profile of the tubular. Typically, very experienced and knowledgeable operators are required to carry out this pipe movement operation. This adds significantly to the cost associated with pipe delivery.
To address these problems and needs, U.S. application Ser. No. 11/923,451, filed on Oct. 24, 2007 by the present applicant, discloses a pipe handling apparatus that has a boom pivotally movable between a first position and a second position, a lever assembly pivotally connected to the boom, an arm pivotally connected at one end to the first portion of the lever assembly and extending outwardly therefrom, a gripper affixed to an opposite end of the arm suitable for gripping a diameter of the pipe, a link pivotally connected to the lever assembly and pivotable so as to move relative to the movement of the boom between the first and second positions, and a brace having one end pivotally connected to the boom and an opposite end pivotally connected to the arm between the ends of the arm. The lever assembly has a first portion extending outwardly at an obtuse angle with respect to the second portion.
The pipe handling apparatus delivers a pipe to a wellhead when in the second position. The boom of the above pipe handling apparatus is pivotally connected to a skid so as to pivot between the first and second positions. Pipes can be of extraordinary lengths and weights; therefore, the pivotal connection between the boom and skid must be strong so as to withstand the forces created by the movement of the boom between the first and second positions. Typically, hydraulic cylinders are placed between the boom and skid so as to raise and lower the boom between the first and second positions. The hydraulic cylinders are connected to a hydraulic power system so as to raise and lower the boom between the first and second positions. Through use of the above-discussed pipe handling apparatus, it was found that large amounts of power are needed for certain portions of the power band of the stroke of the hydraulic cylinders. That is, the power requirements for extending the hydraulic cylinders so as to move the boom between the first and second positions is not uniform for the entire movement of the hydraulic cylinders. Thus, there is a need to make the power band of the hydraulic cylinders more uniform across the entire length of travel of the hydraulic cylinders. Moreover, there is a need to reduce the total energy required to move the boom between the first and second positions.
Various patents have issued relating to the movement of a boom of a pipe handling apparatus with hydraulic cylinders or other similar means. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,077,209, issued on Jul. 18, 2006 to McCulloch et al., discloses a mast for lifting and suspending a coiled tubing injector and blowout preventer over a wellhead that is pivotally mounted on a rear portion of a truck. The mast has two side-by-side telescoping legs that extend and retract synchronously. Hydraulic cylinders pivotally move the mast between a lower position and an upper position.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,336,840, issued on Jun. 29, 1982 to Bailey, discloses a suspension system for use with a mast. The system has two or more fluid pressure piston-and-cylinder assemblies. The cylinders are linked in pairs so that retraction of both piston rods reduces the length of the pair of assemblies to the length of a single assembly. Operation of both pistons in a pair provides an effective stroke twice the length of a single assembly stroke. In a particular embodiment, a double cylinder system is used as a pickup system for elevating equipment along a mast in a well work over rig.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,289,871, issued on Oct. 30, 2007 to Williams, discloses a drilling apparatus that has a base from which a drilling arm is pivotally mounted. The drilling arm has an inner arm and an outer arm. The inner arm has a first end and a second end. The first end is pivotally connected by a first pivot joint to the base. The outer arm has a first end and a second end. The second end of the inner arm is pivotally connected via a second pivot joint to the first end of the outer arm. A drill-mounting assembly is positioned at the second end of the outer arm. Actuation of the inner and outer arms is achieved by hydraulic cylinders. Proper operation of the cylinders causes the second end of the outer arm to follow a substantially linear path.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,003,598, issued on Dec. 21, 1999 to Andreychuk, discloses a mobile hybrid rig adapted to run coiled tubing and wireline equipment for oil and gas wells. The rig has a chassis and power unit for transporting the rig. An adjustable platform with a number of hydraulically-operated stabilizers aligns the tubing at the wellhead. A mast is pivotable into slanted or vertical positions for coil tubing operation with a blowout preventer and an injector. A cradle supports and aligns an injector to the wellhead. A coil-tubing reel cartridge assembly is adapted to run coil-tubing reels. A winching facility is used to manipulate wireline equipment. A control cabin is used to manage rig activities.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,234,253, issued on May 22, 2001 to Dallas, discloses a method and apparatus for servicing a well. The apparatus has a pair of hydraulic cylinders pivotally mounted to a pair of base beams. The cylinders are movable from a horizontal position for transportation to a vertical position for operation. In the vertical position, the cylinders flank a wellhead and are adapted to lift the wellhead and attached production tubing using a workover beam and a lifting sub. The wellhead and production tubing can be rotated during or after elevation. A motor can be mounted to the workover beam to rotate the wellhead and the tubing. A calibrated pressure gauge can be used to indicate the weight being lifted. The apparatus can be connected to a crane truck.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,264,128, issued on Jul. 24, 2001 to Shampine et al., discloses a levelwind system for a coiled-tubing reel that has an arcuate guide arm extending over the upper surface of the reel, a universal joint mounted to the lower end of the arm, a guide member supported on the free end of the guide arm, a lift cylinder for raising and lowering the guide arm, a balancing cylinder for moving the guide arm laterally, and a hydraulic fluid circuit that is responsive to a position sensor and a microprocessor.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,431,286, issued on Aug. 13, 2002 to Andreychuk, discloses an injector arrangement for use in a rig that has a movable carrier, a derrick tiltably mounted to the carrier, and a trolley capable of sliding along the derrick. An injector cradle is movable along the trolley in at least a plane perpendicular to the derrick and is pivotally mountable beneath the trolley. An injector is supported at its upper end from the cradle. At least two hydraulic cylinders are supported at one end by the derrick. The cylinders are engaged at an opposed end to a lower end of the injector.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,502,641, issued on Jan. 7, 2003 to Carriere et al., discloses a hybrid apparatus for operation with both coiled tubing and sectional tubing that has a coiled-tubing rig. The rig has a frame, a mast normally aligned over a wellhead, an injector located on the mast, and a tubing straightener positioned between the injector and the wellhead. A rotary table is affixed to the wellhead for rotationally supporting tubing passing through the wellhead. A jib crane is mounted atop the mast. A mechanism pivots the mast between a first position and a second position.
It is an object of the present invention to reduce operating pressures of hydraulic cylinders connected to the boom of a pipe handling apparatus.
It is another object of the present invention to decrease the duty of hydraulic cylinders of a pipe handling apparatus.
It is another object of the present invention to reduce the peak and average horsepower requirements for pivoting a boom of a pipe handling apparatus.
It is still another object of the present invention to reduce peak cooling requirements while lowering the boom of a pipe handling apparatus.
It is another object of the present invention to reduce fuel consumption due to pivoting a boom of a pipe handling apparatus by up to seventy-five percent.
It is another object of the present invention to create negative gravity accelerations while lowering the boom of a pipe handling apparatus so as to almost "float" the boom.
It is another object of the present invention to provide extra capacity or speed in horse power of a pipe handling apparatus.
It is still another object of the present invention to increase the useful life and reliability of a pipe handling apparatus.
It is another object of the present invention to create lifting mechanisms for a boom of a pipe handling apparatus that are completely separate sub systems that have no significant impact on raising the boom or controlling the boom.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the attached specification and appended claims.

Raise-assist and smart energy system for a pipe handling apparatus